More Low-Key Blatant Corruption in the Philippines

The bulk of the attention given to the 2024 budget hearings have been on the Office of the Vice President. Representative Sandro Marcos moved to end the hearing and deliberations which set off a firestorm of protest. It was seen as an outrageous move to protect Sara Duterte from having to explain her use of Confidential funds. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/08/30/2292535/ovp-budget-escapes-scrutiny-after-house-panel-swiftly-ends-deliberations

However there is even more egregious instances of protection going on in the House budget hearings. 

Deputy Speaker Frasco has asked his colleagues to go easy during the Department of Tourism budget hearings because the DOT secretary is his wife!

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/20/how-much-do-you-love-your-wife-deputy-speaker-frasco-asks-house-colleagues-to-go-easy-on-dot-1

"Just for the record, Mr. Speaker, distinguished sponsor, yung ating deputy speaker po ay kanina pang lumalapit dito sa amin. Bilang pagmamahal daw niya sa secretary ng DOT, kung pwedeng igsian namin ang aming tanong at wag pahirapan ang Department of Tourism," Hataman said. 

(Our deputy speaker have been approaching us. As a sign of his love for the secretary of DOT, he's asking if we could shorten our questions and not give the Department of Tourism a hard time.) 

Hataman was referring to Deputy Speaker and Cebu 5th district Rep. Vincent Franco "Duke" Frasco, whose lovely wife is none other than the DOT chief.

"Nag-agree po ang minorya na pagbibigyan ang ating deputy speaker (The minority agreed to grant the deputy speaker's request)," the Mindanao lawmaker said. 

That is outrageous. With such a conflict of interest he should have recused himself from the deliberations but instead he sought to influence them. Even more outrageous is this bold faced interference was not condemned by his colleagues!

But oh well that's how it is in the Philippines. There is corruption everywhere. 

Alfred McCoy on How the Philippines Really Lost the West Philippine Sea

China's aggression in the West Philippine Sea is totally ridiculous. If the Philippines were united then perhaps something could be done about it. But as it is the situation has become a blame game with some pundits like Rigoberto Tiglao claiming that President Benigno Aquino III basically gave it away when he withdrew the Philippine Navy. Of course China was also supposed to withdraw but he will never mention that.

But let's get to the root of the matter. How is it China has been able to build military bases within Philippine sovereign territory and how is it that China has been able to run off Philippine fishermen and strut all over the WPS like it owns the place? It all goes back to the expulsion of the US military in 1991. 

Historian and Southeastern Asian expert Alfred McCoy writes the following in his book To Govern the Globe.

 

“As the US became the world’s sole superpower after the Cold War, Brzezinski, a specialist in Eurasia’s elusive geopolitics, warned that Washington should take care to avoid three conditions that could erode its global power—first, the loss of its strategic “perch on the Western periphery” in Europe; next, the rise of “an assertive single entity” in the “middle space” of Eurasia; and finally, “the expulsion of America from its offshore bases” in Asia.

The weakening of those “offshore bases” had already started in 1991 when the Philippines, unwilling to accept Washington’s ambiguous commitment to its defense, refused to extend the lease on the Seventh Fleet’s bastion at Subic Bay. As US Navy tugs towed Subic’s floating dry docks homeward to Pearl Harbor, the Philippines gained full responsibility for its own defense, which it largely failed to fund. As a result, during a raging typhoon three years later, China occupied some shoals in the Spratly Islands—the first step in what would be a stealthy bid for control over the South China Sea and its later challenge to US power in the Pacific. Instead of air and navy patrols, the Philippine military grounded a rusting US-surplus ship on nearby Ayungin Shoal in 1998 to serve as a base for a squad of barefoot soldiers, who were forced to fish for their rations. Meanwhile, in those years the US Navy underwent a 40 percent reduction in its pool of surface warships and attack submarines, further weakening the US position on the Pacific littoral.

Excerpt From: McCoy, Alfred W. “To Govern the Globe," pg. 604-605 ebook version

Why is it so hard for the pundits to get the root of the matter? Because it reveals that the Philippines is totally incompetent and does not have the resources to defend itself. This matter continues to this day with EDCA and detractors saying it is a bad idea. Even Duterte thinks it's a bad idea despite the fact that he signed on to it. 

One sentiment floating around is that the USA wants war with China and the Philippines will simply be a pawn.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/with-new-edca-sites-ph-to-become-us-pawn-in-war-strategy-vs-china/

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) joins the Filipino people in condemning the Marcos regime for colluding with the United States in its plan to construct four more military bases in the country as part of its war preparations against China.

By agreeing to let the US military construct more bases and facilities in these sites, the Marcos regime is allowing the United States to use the Philippines as a pawn in its war strategy against China. The Indo-Pacific Security Strategy of the US government aims to encircle China to stifle the growth of its economic and military power.

Marcos is fooling Filipinos when he claimed yesterday that these US military bases and facilities will be “used for humanitarian and relief operations.” The so-called disaster response program of the US military is, in fact, a big screen to obscure the aggressive push of the US to extend and project its military power. To see through the lies of the claim that these facilities will bring jobs to communities, one need only to look at how US military bases in any part of the world have promoted prostitution and other anti-social activities.

In all likelihood, the US will construct facilities to launch long-range missiles in one or more of these EDCA locations. Since 2021, the US Indo-Pacific Command has been planning to construct a network of ground-based missile launching systems along what it calls the “First Island Chain” which includes Japan, Korea, the Philippines and other islands closest to China.

The war theater preparations of the US are centered on stoking Taiwan “independence” in order to provoke China to “own the starting gun” and thus justify its plans to “come to Taiwan’s defense.” In such an event, the Lal-lo international airport will likely serve as a launching pad and rear service area for US jet fighters that will be used by the US in its war against China.

Yeah. So, the USA wants to stoke Taiwan independence so China invades and they come to Taiwan's aid and....then what? Invade China while using the Philippines as a launching pad? Why? It's dumb even if true.

But we don't need conspiracy theories. 

The fact is once the USA was summarily booted from Subic Bay China bided its time and then took over the WPS at the first opportunity. Western historians can acknowledge this fact why can't Philippine politicians also acknowledge it? 

You Might Be A Propagadnist If....

There are so many lies and liars today. I want to provide a very easy guide to ferret out the noise. If you are chatting with someone and they cannot answer the following questions without giving a simple answer they might just be a propagandist.

1. Did Bongbong Marcos graduate from Oxford?

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-27/oxford-gets-pulled-into-philippine-row-over-marcos-jr-s-degree

2. Is Bongbong Marcos a convicted criminal who has still not paid his back taxes?

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/12/3/Bongbong-Marcos-no-record-compliance-payment-court-tax-case.html

3. Did Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos steal millions if not billions from the Philippines?

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/9/29/sandiganbayan-marcos-ill-gotten-wealth.html

The answers are, no, yes, yes.  If you or anyone you know cannot answer those questions without offering explanations then you or they might be a propagandist!

The Real Reason the ICC is Investigating the Philippines

The ICC has denied the Philippines appeal to cease their investigation into Duterte's brutal drug war which resulted in thousands of people being killed. This has caused an outcry amongst various politicians and pundits about how the ICC is picking on the Philippines and should investigate human rights abuses in Western nations. Senator Imee Marcos' comments are typical.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1750575/picking-on-ph-but-not-probing-western-nations-icc-a-caricature-of-intl-justice-says-imee-marcos

Senator Imee Marcos on Friday joined the chorus of criticisms thrown at the International Criminal Court (ICC) under the administration of her brother, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., as she called the tribunal a “caricature of international justice.”

Imee lambasted the international court, saying it fails to go after crimes committed in Western nations and only picks on “less developed countries” like the Philippines.

The ICC is investigating alleged crimes against humanity committed under the leadership of Marcos Jr.’s predecessor Rodrigo Duterte in the context of his violent war on drugs.

It is rather hilarious that Marcos calls the Philippines "less developed." Isn't it part of her job to help develop the nation? And of course it was her parents who plundered the nation. The reason the Philippines remains undeveloped is because the government is corrupt at every single level from the Barangay hall to Malacañang. What is she doing to remedy that? Nothing at all. 

“The ICC’s long-standing failure to investigate Western nations for countless crimes against humanity makes the court a caricature of international justice,” Imee said in a statement.

She cited the 2003 United States-led invasion of Iraq, which was “based on non-existent weapons of mass destruction and in violation of resolutions by the United Nations.”

According to a Reuters report, the invasion was meant to topple a dictator and usher in democracy but instead plunged war-scarred Iraq into “years of upheaval and chaos.”

“Selective justice, anyone? This month marks the 20th year of the ICC’s failure to bring those responsible to account. The West’s oft-invoked cliché about upholding an ‘international rules-based order’ is apparently a sham,” Imee said.

Is Imee Marcos unaware that the Philippines was part of the coalition of the willing? 

"The Philippines is part of the coalition of the willing. We are giving political and moral support for actions to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction," Mrs. Arroyo told the graduating class of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) at Fort Del Pilar in Baguio City. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2003/03/21/199720/145rp-backs-coalition-willing146

Will she be condemning the AFP and President Arroyo for backing the USA's invasion Iraq? Of course not. 

The senator then went on: “Picking on African nations and other ‘low-hanging fruit’ like the Philippines is easier for the ICC. The perpetual circus of putting leaders of less developed countries on trial seeks to divert the world’s attention from the crimes against humanity committed by the West.”

Imee argued that the supposed diversion promotes the “false image” of Western nations as “unimpeachable protectors of human rights.”

“In case you haven’t noticed, human rights issues are openly used as pressure points, as bargaining chips to serve Western [neocolonialist’s] intertwined political, economic, and military agenda,” she added.

Government officials in both the Marcos and Duterte administrations had repeatedly questioned the jurisdiction of the ICC over the Philippines after its withdrawal from the Rome Statute – the global treaty that created the ICC – took effect in 2019.

But according to Article 127 of the Rome Statute, a state party shall not be discharged from its obligations to the statute prior to its withdrawal.

The Supreme Court also ruled in the same position in 2021, saying that “withdrawing from the Rome Statute does not discharge a state party from obligations it has incurred as a member.”

"Low-hanging fruit like the Philippines?" It's incredible that Senator Marcos is badmouthing the Philippines. Will she recognize that the justice system is broken too? No of course not. 

The running theme is that the ICC is picking on the Philippines while ignoring really real human rights abuses committed by the West. But this is not the case. As far as the invasion of Iraq there was a preliminary investigation into alleged war crimes. There is a lengthy Wikipedia article about it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Criminal_Court_and_the_2003_invasion_of_Iraq

Senator Marcos and every other politician and pundit bringing up the Iraq war as proof of the hypocrisy of the ICC is simply ignorant of the facts. 

They are also ignorant that the reason the ICC is investigating the Philippines' drug war is not because they are picking on "low-hanging fruit" but because a FILIPINO LAWYER filed a case against Duterte and several other officials in 2017. 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/25/mass-complaint-launched-against-philippines-president-duterte-at-icc

A Filipino lawyer has filed a complaint at the international criminal court (ICC) accusing president Rodrigo Duterte and 11 other Philippine officials of mass murder and crimes against humanity.

In the first publicly known filing to the Hague court against Duterte, Jude Sabio submitted the  77-page complaint that says the president has “repeatedly, unchangingly and continuously” committed extra-judicial executions or mass murders over three decades, amounting to crimes against humanity.

It says the killing of 9,400 people began in 1988 when Duterte was mayor of the southern city of Davao and has lasted throughout his 10 months so far as president, during which he has waged a virulent and bloody “war on drugs”.

The communication is based on the reports of human rights groups, Duterte’s own public admissions that he killed, media reports and the testimony of Sabio’s client, Edgar Matobato, a man who testified in the Philippines senate that he was part of a hit squad that operated on Duterte’s orders.

The complaint also referred to testimony from retired police officer Arturo Lascanas, another hitman who said he personally killed “about 200 people” as a member of the Davao Death Squad. That organisation, Lascanas has said, regularly took direct orders from then-mayor Duterte to kill criminals, political opponents and journalists.

“Sometimes we kidnapped our subject and put the packing tape on their head until they suffocated, and then we would throw them in the street,” recalled Lascanas in an interview with the Observer.

Philippine lawmakers have dismissed the credibility of Matobato and Lascanas, while Duterte’s aides have rejected claims that he killed or ordered unlawful killings, even after he announced that he threw one suspect to his death from a helicopter.

The 72-year-old leader has led a bloody campaign against drugs that has left more than 7,000 people dead since June last year, mostly suspected low-level dealers and alleged addicts. Rights groups say vigilantes, who conduct most of the killings, are paid by the police, a charge law enforcement denies.

A March resolution delivered by European Union lawmakers said there were also “credible reports” that Philippine police falsify evidence to justify extrajudicial killings. However, Duterte has enjoyed widespread domestic support and high approval ratings for his lethal crackdown.

The complaint to the ICC against Duterte and government officials called for an investigation, arrest warrants and a trial.

“The situation in the Philippines reveals a terrifying, gruesome and disastrous continuing commission of extrajudicial executions or mass murder,” the complaint said.

The ICC office of the prosecutor said in a statement said that it had received a communication. “We will analyse it, as appropriate. As soon as we reach a decision, we will inform the sender and provide reasons for our decision,” the office said.

It is true that 3 years later Sabio withdrew the complaint but the ICC says complaints cannot be withdrawn.

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/1/14/jude-sabio-international-criminal-court-rodrigo-duterte.html

The ICC Office of the Prosecutor, however, told CNN Philippines that no communication before them can be withdrawn. It added that any supposed withdrawal "would have no impact" on the preliminary examination it is conducting.

"The Office cannot effectively destroy or return information once it is [in] its possession or control. However, the Office would register any supplemental information the sender may now want to provide, including in terms of how to treat such information," its news desk said.

There you go. End of story. The ICC is not picking on the Philippines but is following through on a complaint brought to it by a Filipino. Since the Philippines did not withdraw from the ICC until 2019 the period of their membership, 2011 - 2019, is lawfully covered by the Rome Statue to which the Philippines was a party. There is nothing else to say. If the Philippines refuses to cooperate they can be counted not trustworthy for refusing to adhere to a treaty they willingly signed. Of course when it comes to rulings in their favor like the WPS issue they are all gung-ho for the international rule of law. Don't forget the Philippines remains a member of the UN and President Marcos attended the World Economic Forum with a large retinue because the Philippines remains an integral part of the World Order. 

Please do not think this article is something it is not. This is not a defense of the ICC. This is not a defense of the West. This is not a defense of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. This is a direct rebuke against the ignorance and hypocrisy of self-righteous people like Imee Marcos. Learn the facts before you open your mouth to vomit forth an opinion. 

Forty-Six Local Officials Have Been Assassinated or Attacked Since Marcos Took Office

Senator Risa Hontiveros claims there have been at least seven attacks against local officials since Marcos took office in July, 2022. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/08/23/7-attacks-vs-local-officials-logged-since-marcos-took-office

At least 7 attacks on local politicians have been recorded since the start of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., a senator said Wednesday.

Describing the frequency of attacks as "very disturbing," Sen. Risa Hontiveros has filed a resolution calling for an inquiry into the "causes and drivers" of these incidents.

In the case of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, Hontiveros said it is important to look at institutions and "how they may, whether deliberately or not, have contributed to the violence visited upon public officials."

Degamo's attack came some 2 weeks after the Supreme Court upheld Comelec's resolution recognizing Degamo as the winner of the 2022 Negros Oriental gubernatorial race.

The recent rash of assaults on local politicians include the July 22 fatal shooting of former Dolores, Quezon vice mayor Danilo Amat in San Pablo City, Laguna.

Two days later, former Lamitan, Basilan Mayor Rose Furigay was shot dead inside Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City.

In August, former Lobo, Batangas vice mayor Romeo Sulit was gunned down while attending a birthday party.

In February, Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal "Bombit" Adiong Jr. was seriously wounded while 4 of his police security were killed in an ambush in the town of Maguing, Lanao del Sur.

Days later, Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda of Aparri, Cagayan and 5 of his companions were killed in an ambush in Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya.

On February 22, Mayor Ohto Montawal of Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur province was shot and wounded in an ambush in Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City.

At least seven attacks? There have been way more than that. Let's go through my Retards in the Government series which documents these attacks and other instances of corruption and political malfeasance every week and see how many we can find. Since Risa includes former politicians on her list I will do likewise. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/27/village-chair-gunned-down-in-front-of-wife-in-batangas/

A barangay captain was gunned down on Sunday morning, Feb. 26, in Barangay San Carlos here.

Police identified the victim as Vivencio Palo, chairman of Barangay San Carlos.

Palo was unloading merchandise for his store at about 5:20 a.m. when an unidentified man appeared and shot him in the presence of his wife.

The suspect fled onboard a car while the victim was taken to a hospital here where he died.

Police have yet to determine the motive for the killing and the identity of the suspect.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1194975

A village official was killed while two others, including his wife, were injured in an attack in an upland village here, the police reported on Saturday.

Col. Alexander Lorenzo, Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) director, identified the fatality as Barangay Tolosa Councilor Mark Ryan Rodriguez, 29.

Tolosa’s wife, Anni, 32, and their driver, Jomel Mendoza, were hurt.

Lorenzo said the incident took place around 9:30 p.m. Friday in the village located 23 kilometers east of the city hall.

Police investigation showed Rodriguez and his family were having dinner outside their house when two unidentified gunmen on separate motorcycles repeatedly shot the victims and sped off.

Rodriguez was pronounced dead at around 10:07 p.m.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1729100/town-councilor-in-nueva-ecija-found-dead-inside-car

A member of the Sangguniang Bayan (municipal council) in Sto. Domingo town was found dead early Sunday, Feb. 12, inside her vehicle in Barangay Maturanoc in this town, police said.

The police identified the victim as Councilor Angelique Alexis “Angge” Paulino, 33, a resident of Sto. Domingo’s Barangay Sto. Rosario.

Paulino was Sto. Domingo’s number one councilor and chaired the committees on ways and means and the market.

Initial investigations showed that the victim suffered multiple bullet wounds. She was heading to a high school reunion at the time of her death.

Paulino was a language and literature graduate of the University of the Philippines-Baguio.

Policemen were running after the culprit, who was reportedly “close” to the victim, sources said. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193694

A village chief and four others were killed and two more were injured in an ambush in Zamboanga del Norte, the police reported Thursday.

An initial report of Sirawai Municipal Police Station said the village chairperson, Ali Manangca, along with four others were killed in an ambush around 3 p.m. Thursday in Barangay Piña.

Manangca is the village chief of Barangay Balubuan, Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte.

The other victims were not immediately identified.

A team of Sirawai policemen led by Executive Master Sgt. Rymerjun Pernito, who rushed to the ambush site, brought the victims to the hospital for treatment.

Initial investigation showed that Manangca and his companions were aboard a Toyota Hilux when waylaid by unidentified gunmen.

Police said investigation is ongoing to establish the identities of the suspects.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/01/27/village-chair-shot-dead-in-sultan-kudarat/

Authorities have launched a manhunt against motorcycle-riding gunmen who shot dead a barangay chairman in Lebak, this province, on Thursday evening, Jan. 26.

Lt. Col. Julius Malcontento, Lebak police chief, said on Friday, Jan. 27, that soldiers are helping them in pursuing the attackers of Rogelio Talagtag, 53, chairman of Barangay Basak.

Talagtag was standing in front of his family-owned variety store in Barangay Basak when two men aboard a motorcycle arrived at about 6 p.m. and shot him.

“One of them alighted and fired at the unsuspecting village official in the head and body, killing him instantly,” Malcontento said, citing police investigation.

The perpetrators sped off to an unknown direction after the incident, he added.

Responding police officers found eight empty shells and a slug for a .45 caliber pistol at the crime scene.

Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg, Police Regional Office 12 (Soccsksargen) director, has ordered the Lebak police to intensify the manhunt against the perpetrators and ensure that they are held accountable for the crime.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193696

Police investigators have identified “persons of interest” in the shooting and wounding of a barangay kagawad (councilor) and his companion in Minaba, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental.

Initial investigation showed that around 7:10 p.m. Wednesday, armed men shot Artemio Estrebella, 60, Barangay Minaba councilor, and his 45-year-old companion Ricky Canillo.

They were having dinner when the attack happened, said Lt. Col. Rex Moslares, chief of the Bayawan police. The victims sustained gunshot wounds.

Moslares said they are looking into a possible link of “persons of interest” in the attack as well as the motive for the shooting, including a possible grudge or business-related.

Recovered from the scene were two fired cartridges of caliber .9mm, Moslares said.

This is the second barangay councilor in Negros Oriental to be shot this month.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193988

Unidentified gunmen ambushed and killed a village chairperson and his wife along a remote section of the national highway here, a police official reported Tuesday.

Maj. Christopher Cabugwang, Parang town police chief, identified the fatality as Abobakar Abdul, 40, village chair of Barangay Polloc, and his wife Bainisa, 39.

Cabugwang said Abdul and his wife were heading home in their pickup truck when two men-riding tandem on motorbike overtook and opened fire on the driver’s side of the vehicle at 5:45 p.m. Monday.

“He supervised the registration of new voters in the village to ensure it is orderly and was going home when ambushed in Barangay Timbangan,” Cabugwang said in an interview.

Police rushed the couple to the hospital but both were declared dead on arrival.

“We are still determining the possible motive, but initially we are looking at the political angle of the ambush,” Cabuwang said without elaborating.  

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1720223/village-chief-shot-dead-in-cagayan

The village chief of Santo Domingo in Piat town, Cagayan province was killed by unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen on Monday evening, Jan. 23, police said.

Investigators identified the barangay chairman as Richard Biraquit, 57, who had bullet wounds in his head and body.

According to initial reports, Biraquit and his wife had just left their farm and were heading home aboard a Toyota Fortuner when they were shot by the assailants using .45-caliber pistols at around 6 p.m.

Biraquit’s wife took him to the Nuestra Señora De Piat District Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival, police said.

Investigators were still trying to establish the motive behind the attack.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/01/05/ex-village-exec-shot-dead-in-pangasinan/

A former barangay official was shot dead inside his vehicle in Rosales, Pangasinan on Wednesday, Jan. 4.

The victim was identified as Bryan Trinidad Did, 51, of Barangay Toboy, Asingan, Pangasinan.

Police received a report that a Sports Utility Vehicle was causing traffic on the Don Teofilo Sison Bridge.

Lawmen found the victim with bullet wounds in the body. He was taken to a hospital in Rosales where he was declared dead.

Motive yet to be determined and assailants still unidentified.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1709782/pampanga-barangay-captain-shot-dead

A barangay captain was shot dead by a lone gunman in this city on Tuesday night .

Barangay Sto. Rosario captain Jesus Liang was walking across the newly renovated public market when the male gunman approached and shot him in the head at around 8:30 p.m. before fleeing on foot toward V. Tiomico St., Lieutenant Colonel Preston Bagangan, city police chief, said in a phone interview on Wednesday.

Liang, 63, was on his third and last term.

Bagangan said a team has been dispatched to gather footage from security cameras in the area while an investigation is underway.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/12/22/retired-municipal-administrator-in-leyte-gunned-down/

A retired municipal administrator of San Isidro, Leyte was killed in an ambush on the national highway in Barangay Libongao, Kananga, Leyte, on Wednesday, Dec. 21.

Police identified the victim as Juanita Balmoria Veloso, 77, a resident of Barangay Linao, San Isidro, and sister of San Isidro Mayor Remedio Veloso.

Initial investigation disclosed that the victim, together with driver Edmil Bacay and companion Leleena Veloso, were on board a white Sports Utility Vehicle towards San Isidro from Ormoc City.

Upon reaching Barangay Libongao, men armed with high-powered firearms on board a gray Nissan Navarra pickup truck with license plates ABN-7103 fired several times at the victims’ vehicle.

Juanita, who was sitting at the back of the driver, was hit, while Bacay and Leleena were unharmed.

Leleena ran towards a grassy portion of the road to seek cover while the suspects fled towards the direction of Capoocan, Leyte.

Juanita was declared dead on arrival in a hospital by the attending physician.

https://journalnews.com.ph/cavite-kagawad-shot-dead-in-broad-daylight/

A barangay kagawad was shot dead by a motorcycle riding gunman along R. Basa St. in Barangay 54, San Roque on Sunday, December 11, 2022.

Police Lt. Colonel Jerry Corpuz, local police chief, identified the slain victim as Filimon Ambrocio Jr., 50.

A report revealed the victim was driving his motorcycle with his live-in partner Susan Alejo as back rider when he was shot dead by the suspect on board a Yamaha Mio motorcycle at around 7:57 a.m.

Footage from a CCTV camera showed the suspect to be between 5’2″ to 5″5 in height and was clad in white shirt, black jacket, bull cap and maong pants.

Local authorities led by local police chief Corpuz are now conducting a massive investigation and manhunt operation for the immediate arrest of the suspect.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1705137/son-of-sultan-kudarat-mayor-employee-slain-in-gun-attack

Two persons, including the son of a town mayor, were killed, while two others were injured in a gun attack Tuesday night in Sultan Kudarat, police said Wednesday.

Police Captain Leonel Delasan, Lutayan police chief, said Datu Naga Mangudadatu, 30, a defeated vice mayoral aspirant of the town in Maguindanao del Sur, and Dennis Hadji Daup, 25, of Barangay Paitan, were shot at 6:30 p.m. at the town’s public market.

Datu Naga, son of Lutayan mayor and former provincial governor Mayor Pax Mangudadatu, was sitting in front of his business establishment at the town market, when the suspects arrived on board a pick-up vehicle and opened fire, said Colonel Lino Capellan, speaking for the police in Sultan Kudarat provincial police office.

Datu Naga, a resident of Barangay Tamnag and a younger brother of former Sultan Kudarat Gov. Suharto Teng Mangudadatu, was declared dead by physicians in a Koronadal City hospital.

Daup, Naga’s employee and confidante, died while undergoing medication.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1190178

A former town official was killed while her husband was wounded in a predawn drive-by shooting incident in Isabela City of Basilan province on Tuesday.

Col. Richard Verceles, operations chief of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao, said Melissa Alih, 30, died while her husband, Jack, 30, was hospitalized following the 12:10 a.m. attack.

Melissa was the former assistant municipal secretary in the island town of Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan.

Verceles said investigation showed the couple was aboard a motorcycle on the way home to Barangay Tabuk, Isabela City, when repeatedly shot at closed range by one of two men riding tandem on another motorcycle that tailed them in Barangay Doña Ramona T. Alano.

He said the attending physician declared that Melissa expired around 12:45 a.m.

Police investigators recovered four empty shells from a .45-caliber pistol at the crime scene.

A thorough probe is underway to determine the motive as well as identities of the perpetrators behind the incident, police said.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/852665/barangay-kagawad-shot-dead-in-front-of-barangay-hall-in-cavite/story/

A barangay kagawad was shot dead in front of barangay hall in Bacoor, Cavite, according to Nimfa Ravelo's Super Radyo dzBB report on Friday.

Angel Ventura Tamayo, barangay kagawad of Barangay Sineguelasan, was shot dead in front of barangay hall at 5 p.m, based on the report received by P/Col. Christopher Olazo, provincial director of PNP Cavite.

The victim was talking to barangay secretary John Paul Grande when two unidentified men riding a motorcycle shot him.

He was immediately taken to Binakayan Hospital. However, he was declared dead on arrival.

Authorities are still conducting the investigation.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1694928/quezon-town-councilor-gunned-down-2

A municipal councilor of Dolores town in Quezon province was gunned down early Friday (November 18), police said.

A spot report from Dolores police said Orlando Barsomo, 47, was shot by a still unidentified assailant using an unknown gun caliber at 3:15 a.m. while doing his walking exercise in Barangay Dagatan.

Investigators said the gunman fled and left his target dead.

The victim, a bachelor who was on his third term as a town councilor, was also a former village chieftain of Dagatan, located five kilometers away from the town proper.

An investigation was underway to establish the motive behind the incident.

Police also launched a manhunt operation to arrest the killer.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1695532/ex-town-councilor-slain-in-camarines-sur-shooting

A former councilor of Pili town in Camarines province was shot and killed on Saturday night (Nov. 19), a report said Sunday (Nov. 20).

Lieutenant Colonel Maria Luisa Calubaquib, the Bicol police spokesperson, said when Raul Delfin Divinagracia arrived at his apartment, he was shot several times by an unidentified gunman in Barangay (village) Cadlan at around 9 p.m.

The victim died while being taken to the hospital.

An investigation is ongoing.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1689236/laguna-village-councilman-shot-dead

A barangay councilor in Santa Maria town in Laguna province was shot and killed on Thursday, Nov. 3.

The Region 4A police reported that John Vispo, a councilman in Barangay Cabuoan, was in a store at 8:20 p.m. when he had an altercation with one Reynald Ikling.

The heated argument prompted Ikling to shoot Vispo repeatedly with a handgun.

Police said the gunman fled after the shooting and left the village official dead on the spot.

The investigators did not specify the cause of the argument.

A further investigation was ongoing, while a manhunt was launched to arrest the assailant.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1690058/village-councilor-shot-dead-in-cavite

A barangay kagawad (village councilor) in Tanza, Cavite was shot and killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen on Sunday.

In a report Monday, the Region 4A  police said Jimbo Villanueva, an incumbent councilor of Barangay Paradahan 2, was managing the flow of traffic in a funeral procession in the village at around 2:30 p.m.

The assailants, who were aboard a black motorcycle without a plate number, repeatedly shot the victim.

Investigators said the assassins sped off after the shooting.

Villanueva was taken to MV Santiago Hospital in Trece Martires City, but he died at 3:55 p.m. while undergoing treatment.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1186694

Police here are hunting down motorcycle-riding assailants who shot down a village councilman and wounded two seniors in separate incidents the past two days, an official said Friday.

“We are looking at several persons (and are) digging deeper into this case,” said Major Amil Andungan, police station 2 commander, as he bared Thursday's murder of 43-year-old Alberto Tampos of Barangay Rosary Heights 9.

Tampos was driving along Governor Gutierrez Avenue on his motorbike at around 11 a.m. when two motorcycle riding assailants sped from behind and shot him.

“He sustained four gunshot wounds in the head,” Andungan said.  He told reporters that he managed to speak to the slain official’s family who said Tampos has no known enemies.

“The family could not explain why he was murdered,” Andungan said. Tampos has been serving as village councilman for the past five years.  

He was the second village official slain in a gun attack in this city since January.  

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1186757

Police in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental continues pursuit operations against the suspects in the slaying of a village councilman on Friday noon.

Col. Jonathan Pineda, officer-in-charge provincial police director, told the Philippine News Agency that he has directed the Bayawan City police chief to “exhaust all means” in identifying the perpetrators and the motive behind the killing of Diosdado Gemina.

Gemina, 52, a barangay “kagawad” of San Miguel, Bayawan City, was shot dead around 12:20 p.m. at Sitio Cabcabon in Barangay Banga of that southern city.

He was declared dead on arrival at the hospital, Pineda said.

Initial investigation revealed that unidentified suspects wearing jackets and black ballcaps and riding tandem on a motorcycle shot the victim while he was driving his own motorcycle.

The motive for the shooting is still undetermined.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1684317/maguindanao-town-councilor-slain-in-gun-attack

A town councilor here was shot dead by still unidentified gunmen along the national highway in Barangay Pagagawan at noontime Monday.

Lt. Nurjhasier Sali, acting police chief of Datu Montawal town, told reporters that Councilor Mubarak Moby Abubakar had just alighted from his red Mitsubishi pick-up beside the highway to buy fish when attacked.

While Abubakar was talking to a fish vendor of the roadside stall, one of two men on board a motorbike arrived and one of them opened fire, hitting the town official at the back of his head and body.

Village watchmen and police rushed Abubakar to the Deseret Surgimed Hospital in Kabacan, Cotabato but he died along the way.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1684653/village-chief-hurt-in-stabbing-in-camarines-sur

A village chief was wounded in a stabbing incident Monday in San Jose town in Camarines Sur province.

Colonel Julius Caesar Domingo, Camarines Sur police chief, on Tuesday, Oct. 25, said the victim was Jeffrey Ortiz, 40, of Barangay Del Carmen.

Initial investigation said Carlos Masille, 68, caused a commotion at 8:35 p.m. outside the residence of Joy Sarmiento in the village.

After a few minutes, Ortiz approached Masille, who stabbed him twice on his left arm.

Police arrested Masille after a hot pursuit operation and took Ortiz to a hospital for treatment.

The police are still investigating the incident.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1681619/village-official-gunned-down-over-debt-in-cavite

A barangay kagawad (village councilman) was shot and killed by a debtor in Indang town in Cavite province Tuesday morning, Oct. 18.

Cavite police said in a report that Willy Costa, incumbent kagawad in Barangay (village) Buna Lejos 2, and Cerilo Berber had a heated argument at around 7:45 a.m. in Barangay Buna Lejos 1 over the latter’s unsettled cash debt to the village official.

Citing accounts by witnesses, police said Berber repeatedly shot the victim using a handgun.

The suspect fled after the shooting. The victim died while being taken to a hospital.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1185638

A former vice mayor of Calbiga, Samar was gunned down by a soldier listed as AWOL (absence without leave) along a major highway in the province on Friday morning, the police reported.

Miguel Abaigar Jr., 54, a resident of Canticum village in Calbiga town, was biking in Timbangan village when Allan Malageuno, 43, a resident of Catbalogan City, shot him using a .45 caliber pistol.

The bullet hit Abaigar’s back killing him instantly, according to the police.

The suspect was identified with the help of witnesses.

After the shooting, the suspect on board a motorcycle drove to Catbalogan City but the Calbiga police has already alerted nearby police stations.

Hot pursuit operations led to the suspect's arrest in a checkpoint set up along the highway of Bato village in Paranas town less than an hour after the shooting,

Recovered from the suspect was a .45 caliber pistol loaded with one bullet and inserted magazine.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1185055

Police have launched a manhunt against unidentified gunmen who shot dead a former mayoral aspirant in Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao province, while emerging from a Friday prayer at a mosque.

Mayor Lester Sinsuat of Datu Odin Sinsuat ordered the local police to hunt down the suspects and bring justice to his fallen uncle, Datu Jamael Q. Sinsuat.

“I, my family together with all the constituents of Datu Odin Sinsuat town strongly condemn the brutal killing of my uncle,” the mayor said in a statement.

“This cruel and cowardly act should hold no place in our society and community,” he added.

Datu Jamael, former village chairperson of Barangay Dalican in the municipality, was shot by the attackers at around 12:30 p.m. outside the mosque in the village.

He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Datu Odin Sinsuat district hospital.

The victim was also the official mayoral candidate of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the municipality during the May polls this year, but lost to his nephew.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/10/04/former-vice-mayor-wife-driver-killed-in-aurora-ambush/

A former vice-mayor, his wife and his driver were killed when they were ambushed by still unidentified assailants in Barangay Dibutunan at 5:10 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 3.

Town police chief Major Eduardo Mendoza, Jr. identified the victims as Engineer Narciso Amansec, 60, his wife Merlina Amansec, 61, and Leonard Talosa, 42, all of Barangay Ipil in this town.

Probers are still establishing the escape route of the suspects as the ambush took place in a secluded road section.

Investigation disclosed that the victims who were on board a color maroon pick-up truck were negotiating the Baler-Casiguran road heading toward the north direction when they were fired upon by their attackers at close range.

The fatalities were declared dead-on-the-spot by Dr. Arturo Parilla, town health officer of Dipaculao while the vehicle were riddled with bullets fired from still undetermined weapons by the gunmen The police provincial office has already ordered the creation of a Special Investigation Task Group to track the suspects’ identities and their immediate arrest.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/04/village-dad-tending-store-in-quezon-gunned-down/

A 55-year-old barangay councilor was shot dead while manning his store on Saturday, Sept. 3, in Barangay Ajos in this town.

Police identified the victim as Ramil Advincula, councilor of Barangay Ajos.

Investigation said Advincula was inside his store at 6:50 p.m. when an unidentified man appeared and pretended to buy bottled water and soft drinks.

The suspect drew a gun and shot the victim thrice, killing him on the spot. The gunman fled onboard a motorcycle towards Mulanay, this province.

Advincula’s daughter reported the incident to the police. Local police have conducted a dragnet operation and follow-up investigation to determine the killer’s motive and identity.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1938969/bacolod/local-news/cops-eye-rebels-behind-slay-of-isabela-village-chief

CONTRARY to his earlier pronouncement, Isabela Municipal Police Station Chief Major Joseph Partiday said Thursday, August 25, 2022, that members of the communist terrorist group (CTG) could be behind the killing of a barangay captain in the town on Wednesday.

Barangay Cabcab Captain Danilo Dautil, 61, succumbed to gunshot wounds on his nape and right portion of his chest near his armpit at the Isabela District Hospital a few minutes after he was shot by unidentified suspects.

Investigation showed that Dautil was riding his motorcycle on his way home from the town proper when at least two suspects came out from the sugarcane plantation beside the road, blocked his way and shot him at close range.

Partidas said that they were earlier looking at two angles. The killing could be politically motivated or it could be robbery since his bag was missing from the crime scene, he said.

The police said that as they dig deeper into the case, it became clearer that it is possible that Dautil was killed because of his active involvement against insurgency in the barangay.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/08/26/suspected-insurgents-slay-village-chair-in-front-of-family-in-negros/

Suspected insurgents gunned down a 54-year-old barangay chairman in front of his family in Calatrava, Negros Occidental Friday, Aug. 26.

The murder of Barangay Lalong Captain Benjamin Javoc was the second involving a barangay captain in just three days by heavily armed men in Negros Occidental.

Before dawn Wednesday, Aug. 24, Danilo Dautil, 62, barangay captain of Barangay Cabcab, Isabela, Negros Occidental, was shot dead while on his way home.

The municipality is about 100 kilometers south of Calatrava and is a two-hour drive.

Police considered Dautil and Javoc’s murders as insurgency-related.

Police Major Lumyaen Lidawan, Calatrava police chief, said at least 10 unidentified armed men arrived at Javoc’s house at around 4:30 a.m.

Lidawan said gunmen shot Javoc outside his house and this was witnessed by his wife and son.

The suspects proceeded to ransack the victim’s house and carted away his personal belongings and P20,000.

Lidawan said they are considering this killing as insurgency-related, since the barangay was reported to be infested with armed rebels.

Police could not yet elaborate, pending the investigation.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1651655/village-councilor-hacked-to-death-in-albay

An unidentified person hacked a village councilor to death on Monday, August 22, in Libon town in Albay province, police said Tuesday.

Executive Master Sergeant Maribeth Corporal, Libon police chief investigator, said Jerry Vargas, 65, was found dead around 3 p.m. with hack wounds on his neck in Barangay Macabugos.

Corporal said Vargas’s son, Norman, found the body near a nipa hut, about 200 meters from their house.

Initial investigation said Vargas left their house at 6 a.m. to tend to his ducks, but failed to return home.

An investigation is ongoing to identify the suspect behind the killing.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/24/22/brgy-chairman-babae-patay-sa-pamamaril-sa-leyte

The police investigation continues after the killing of a barangay chief in the town of Javier, Leyte this Monday morning.

According to information from the PNP Eastern Visayas, the victim, Joel Riños, was returning home from a neighboring town when an unknown gunman was waiting for him.

The captain of Brgy was shot dead. It was arranged.

The assailant allegedly waited for the victim in Barangay Caranhug, Javier.

The captain has no known enemies who could have a motive for the killing, according to the family of the deceased.

It is said that the authorities are now in possession of a CCTV footage where the assailant and one of his associates who acted as the driver of the motorcycle used in the crime were seen.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/841272/barangay-captain-shot-dead-by-motorcycle-riding-assassins-in-cagayan/story/

A barangay chairman was killed was killed after he was shot by two unidentified men on a motorcycle in Rizal, Cagayan.

The Cagayan Police Provincial Office identified the victim as Roberto de Ocampo, 50, of Anurturo.

Investigation showed that Ocampo and his wife were in their pickup truck traversing the provincial road in Barangay Gumarueng in Piat town on Wednesday when the suspects shots them.

The victim sustained gunshot wounds in different parts of his body and was immediately brought by responding police officers to the Tuao District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

His wife survived the shooting incident.

The police said the suspects immediately fled the scene on a silver-grey Nmax motorcycle.       

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1645467/gunman-kills-local-govt-exec-in-batangas

A local government official in Lobo town in Batangas province was shot and killed by a lone gunman on Thursday night.

The Batangas police reported Friday, August 12 that Romeo Sulit, 61, the municipal council secretary, was delivering a speech around 8 p.m. at a debut party in Barangay Tayuman, when an assailant approached him from behind and shot him.

The gunman wore a green jacket, black shorts, and a hat.

He fled on foot and left his target with a fatal bullet wound at the back of his head.

The police said Sulit, a former vice mayor of Lobo, was brought to Batangas Medical Center in Batangas City for treatment.

Captain Roy Cuevas, Lobo police chief, said Sulit died at 12:34 a.m.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1181338

A police manhunt is underway against a group behind the ambush-slay of a former village chief and his worker in Barangay Kidama here on Sunday evening.

Lt. Col Jingle Parallag, town police chief, identified Monday the victims as Felipe Sara Maluenda, 61, former chairperson of Barangay Kidama, and Joseph Mariano Flores, a laborer and resident of Alamada town, North Cotabato province.

Parallag said Maluenda was driving his sedan together with Flores on their way to Barangay Kilada when gunmen positioned on both sides of the road at a local sugarcane plantation opened fire on them around 7:00 pm.

Both victims were brought to separate hospitals here but were declared dead on arrival by the attending physicians.

“The victims obtained fatal wounds in different parts of their body,” she said.

 Police recovered eight pieces of empty shells from an M16 rifle, another empty shell from a .45-caliber pistol, and other pieces of evidence.

“The suspects swiftly ran into the sugarcane plantation after the incident”, Parallag said.

“Our investigation is ongoing,” she said, declining to give more information so as not to jeopardize police operation.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1631135/cotabato-village-chief-killed-in-gun-attack

Unidentified gunmen ambushed and killed a village official in Pikit town, Cotabato province on Wednesday morning.

Maj. Maxim Peralta, Pikit police chief, said Datu Jalandoni Matalam Akas, 58, village chief of Barangay Macabual, was on a motorbike with his wife when they were attacked by still unidentified gunmen along the national highway in Barangay Nalapaan.

Akas died on the spot while his wife was unharmed in the gun attack that happened around 8 a.m.

The gunmen on board separate motorbikes then fled after the shooting, heading for the town proper.

It was the second daylight shooting in Pikit in two days.

“Hot pursuit operation is still ongoing,” Peralta told a local radio station in an interview.

Matalam’s relatives claimed that the victim had no known enemies and roamed around without firearms or armed escorts.

On Tuesday afternoon, unidentified gunmen also ambushed and killed Alex Salcedo, 58, an employee of Pikit Water District.

He was on motorbike when the suspect shot him from behind in Barangay (village) Batulawan at around 2 p.m.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1625332/village-councilor-in-masbate-town-shot-dead

A village councilor in Baleno town in Masbate was shot and killed by unidentified assailants on Sunday afternoon, police reported.

Masbate police said Noli Licup, 56, a resident of Barangay (village) Docol was shot by two unidentified gunmen in Barangay (village) Tinapian at around 1:40 p.m.

Initial investigation revealed that the victim was riding a motorcycle when he was attacked by the suspects who shot him multiple times in the back.

Licup died on the spot.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1178008

A village chairperson was killed while his wife was unscathed in a drive-by shooting by riding in tandem gunmen in a remote town of Zamboanga del Norte, a police official said Friday.

Maj. Shellamie Chang, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula spokesperson, said Berting Inding, 54, was shot and killed around 11:58 p.m. Thursday in Barangay Tibangao, Siocon municipality.

Inding, the village chairperson of Balagonan, was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician at the Siocon District Hospital.

Chang said Inding was driving a motorcycle with his wife as the back rider when fatally shot by one of two men aboard another motorcycle that overtook them along the national highway in Barangay Tibangao.

She said the perpetrators sped off under the cover of darkness.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1620625/bulacan-barangay-chairman-shot-dead

A barangay chairman from this town was shot and killed gunmen while driving his vehicle on his way home on Friday.

Police Colonel Charlie Cabradilla, Bulacan police chief, identified the victim as Marvin Avendaño, 48, barangay (village) captain of San Jose.

Based on initial investigation, Avendaño attended a birthday party in Barangay Buliran and was driving his vehicle when two gunmen standing on the side of the road shot him.

The two suspects immediately fled after the incident.

Cabradilla said further investigation and pursuit operations against the suspects are ongoing.

That is an additional 39 local officials who have been assassinated or attacked since Marcos took office. That means at least 46 local officials have been assassinated or attacked since June 30th, 2022. That works out to an average of one per week though some weeks there are no killings while there are multiple killings in other weeks.  How can Senator Hontiveros be so wrong as to only list seven officials? 

It just goes to show how out of touch both the media and politicians are. How many of these cases have even been solved and the assassins and their accomplices along with the masterminds brought to justice?  Every time a politician is assassinated or attacked there should be outrage from all quarters. But there isn't because political assassinations are so common and hum drum in the Philippines that no one really cares. Not even Senator Risa Hontiveros. It has nothing to do with who is President. It has to do with the nature of Filipinos and Philippine politics. Until those two things change the blood will continue to flow.