Insurgency: NPA Fake News

Recently President Marcos commended the Tawi-Tawi task force for bringing peace to Mindanao.  

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225444

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has commended the Joint Task Force (JTF) - Tawi-Tawi for helping the government attain peace in Mindanao, resulting in enhanced tourism and business activities in the region.

During his visit to the JTF Tawi-Tawi headquarters in Bongao town on Thursday, Marcos said Tawi-Tawi, which used to be a conflict ground zero and the nest of insurgents and terrorists in their kidnapping activities, is now peaceful because of all the efforts of the troops.

“But because of the efforts of all our personnel in the Task Force, we have now come to the situation where it is peaceful enough,” he told the soldiers of the 2nd Marine Brigade.

“Instead of fighting, the battle here now is which is the best-looking resort. That is a very big achievement and the part that you played in that is a very major part. Congratulations for the good work and for a job well done.”

Marcos said he was able to visit Mindanao because of the present peace in the region, which his predecessors did not experience during their tenure.

He said he was very happy to be able to claim to be the first Filipino president to set foot on the Marines headquarters on the island.

“The reason is not because other presidents did not want to come here. It was because other presidents were not allowed by the security conditions that had passed before to be able to come here,” Marcos said.

The President, however, emphasized that the military’s mission is not over and the soldiers have to transform themselves from warfighters to peacemakers as the nation marches toward development.

But, just like clockwork, a week later the AFP was involved in a clash with Abu Sayyaf in Tawi-Tawi.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225708

A sub-leader of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) was killed in a counter-terrorism police operation in Tawi-Tawi province early Tuesday.

In a media interview at Camp Crame, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said Udon Hasim was killed in a 30-minute firefight with members of the PNP Special Action Force (SAF), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and Intelligence Group (IG) in Barangay Lahay-Lahay in the town of Tandubas at about 5 a.m.

Hasim opened fire on the arresting team, prompting them to return fire which led to an encounter.

Three police officers were also wounded in the firefight.

Hasim is wanted for four counts of frustrated murder and 17 counts of murder.

“On July 28, 2013, he was involved in an ambush which killed 23 civilians and wounded 14 others in Talipao, Sulu. He is not only a member of the ASG, he was involved in illegal drugs last month, April 2024 in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, his followers who are also involved in illegal drugs were also killed,” Marbil said.

Seized from the operation were several plastic sachets containing shabu, an M14 rifle, an M16 rifle, assorted magazines and ammunition for M14 and M16, and a bandolier.

If that is not enough an SAF trooper was killed while trying to serve a warrant to an ASG member. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1946778/saf-trooper-dies-2-others-hurt-serving-arrest-warrant-in-tawi-tawi

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos paid a visit to three wounded members of the police Special Action Force (SAF) at the Ciudad Medical Center on Thursday morning.

“We stand before you with heavy hearts but resolute spirits as we visit our brave SAF troopers here in Zamboanga City who were wounded during the recent operation in Tandubas municipality, province of Tawi-Tawi,” Abalos said after his brief talk with the family members inside the hospital.

The three were wounded in a clash with armed men in Tandubas last Tuesday afternoon while serving 21 arrest warrants against a certain Udon Hasim, also known as Utoh and Kah, a former member of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group under Idang Susukan and Alhabsy Misaya.

On Thursday morning, Patrolman Ian Valdez, a newbie in the police force, died while being treated in a private hospital here.

Valdez and colleagues Police Master Sergeants Alberto Olbis and Mohammad Lee Aharul were seriously wounded in the clash.

Hasim is accused of being involved in heinous crimes including the ambush in Barangay Mabahay, Talipao, Sulu, and illicit drug trafficking and arms smuggling, Abalos said.

The gunfight also led to the death of Hasim, and the seizure of suspected meth, initially estimated to value P734,000, and several weapons and ammunition.

Suffice to say Tawi-Tawi is not safe and peace has not been brought to Mindanao. This is another premature declaration betrayed by the facts.

A member of the DI involved in killings in South Cotabato has been arrested. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225829

Law enforcers have arrested the leader of a notorious local terrorist group in the province of South Cotabato.

In a report on Wednesday, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Maj. Gen. Leo Francisco said the suspect, 32-year-old alias “Jaffer”, leader of the Daulah Islamiya-Emaruddin Kassan group, was arrested in an operation at about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday ni Barangay Lapu, Polomolok, South Cotabato.

The suspect and his group are linked to a series of killings in Polomolok town and surrounding areas.

"Jaffer" has standing arrest warrants for four counts of murder, one count of frustrated murder, one count of attempted murder and two drug charges issued by courts in the provinces of South Cotabato, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat.

The accused is currently detained at the CIDG South Cotabato Provincial Field Unit Office for proper disposition and documentation. 

That the arrest warrants can be given for a man like this shows that the government knows who the terrorists are. 

This fact is underscored by the AFP pleading with the families of rebels in Leyte, begging them to surrender. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225726

The Philippine Army is stepping up on its dialogues with families of the remaining 19 active New People’s Army (NPA) combatants in Leyte in a bid to completely wipe out insurgency in the province.

Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, said Tuesday they have been working with local government and even village officials to talk to the rebels’ families.

“We believe these families still have contacts with their loved ones who are still active in the armed struggle. They will be instrumental in convincing their family members to surrender,” Vestuir said in a statement.

The military and local government also extended assistance to family members to ensure that they will not be persuaded to support the armed rebellion.

Of the 19 active NPA rebels who are native to Leyte, six are from Mahaplag town; four from Kananga; two each from Jaro and Albuera; and one each from Carigara, Alangalang, MacArthur, Baybay City, and Hindang town.

Their affiliation with the NPA is a setback in declaring their hometowns as having stable internal peace and security or a full rebel-free status.

But not all NPA members who hail from Leyte are operating in their home province since some are in Samar provinces, according to Vestuir.

Are they more concerned with the lives of these rebels or with declaring towns as having a rebel-free status? But the AFP is not shy about declaring areas rebel-free despite rebels still posing a threat. 

Rebels in Negros are forming a peace and development community. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225771

A peace and development community (PDC) will soon rise for former rebels who belong to the Kapatiran para sa Progresong Panlipunan (Kapatiran) in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental.

The PDC will be established as a Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) project of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU).

First Lt. Dan Carlo Samoza, civil-military operations officer of the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion, said in an interview on Wednesday they conducted an assessment and survey of the site in Sitio Huebesan, Barangay Celestino Villacin, earlier this month together with troops of the 542nd Engineering Brigade (EBDe).

“After this, the implementation of the project is set to start in the third quarter,” he added.

The PDC components include housing, livelihood, daycare center, health center, and public market.

“They would have access to all services offered by the government,” Samoza said. 

Kapatiran is the new name of Rebolusyonaryong Partido Ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPM-P/RPA-ABB) Tabara-Paduano Group (TPG) in line with its institutional transformation after entering into a peace agreement with the national government.

The RPA-ABB is a breakaway group of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Mamad Gandarosa Jr., community environment and natural resources office officer-in-charge; Antonio Agabon, Kapatiran Cadiz City Chapter president; and Nelsan Marie Vedasto, OPAPRU project development officer, joined Samoza and Capt. Emerson Tapang, 542EBDe operations officer, during the site visit.

Samoza said the PDC will serve as a symbol of the Kapatiran’s transition to mainstream society.

“It will highlight their key role in peace-building efforts and will be a reaffirmation of their commitment to the progress of our nation, particularly in northern Negros,” he added.

Meanwhile the NPA has been spreading news about an encounter which the AFP says never happened.  

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225795

The Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) on Wednesday urged residents in northern Negros Oriental to not fall prey to the fake news being spread by the New People’s Army (NPA) of an alleged encounter in Vallehermoso town.

Lt. Col. Evelio Ilanga, 62IB battalion commander, said these are all lies by a dismantled guerilla front to deceive the people amid futile efforts to recover their mass base support.

“Basically, it is part of their propaganda to spread fake news to make people believe that their presence is still significant and they are still capable of committing atrocities against government forces,” Ilanga said in mixed English and Filipino.

Ilanga was referring to a post on social media purportedly by the Leonardo Panaligan Command saying that an encounter took place between 62IB troops and NPA members at Barangay Malangsa in Vallehermoso town.

The encounter never happened and no soldier was injured or killed, contrary to the claim of the NPA, he said.

The Army commander said that nevertheless, they continue with their peace and security efforts to ensure that the NPA can no longer recoup.

This comes in preparation for the declaration of Negros Island as a state of Stable Internal Peace and Security by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Funny that the NPA spreads propaganda "to make people believe that their presence is still significant" while the AFP spreads propaganda to make people believe that their presence is insignificant even while they continue to launch attacks. 

Residential Fires May, 2024

This is a reported list of residential fires in the Philippines for May, 2024. The Bureau of Fire Protection is on record saying the fire codes does not apply to residential areas which is why so many of them go up in flames during a fire. Being made of light materials all it takes is one spark to cause massive devastation. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1937239/4-houses-razed-in-cavite-fire

A fire of still unknown origin broke out on Saturday, May 4, in General Mariano Alvarez (GMA) town in Cavite province, razing four houses, police said.

The Police Region 4A, in a report Sunday, May 5, said the blaze started at around 12:10 p.m. between two houses inside a compound in Barangay (village) Granados.

The fire quickly spread and also burned two more houses. The four houses, home to seven families, were made of concrete and wood materials.

No casualties or serious injuries were reported.

The fire was declared under control at around 1 p.m.

Firemen were still conducting an investigation to find out the cause of the blaze.

The property damage has yet to be determined by authorities.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/1/fire-razes-4-houses-in-la-union

Four houses were destroyed in a fire in Purok 3, Barangay San Francisco, this city, on Tuesday, April 30.

Fire Chief Insp. Jun Eland Wanawan, city fire marshal, said four families were displaced but nobody was hurt.

Wanawan said the fire started at 10 a.m. and put out at 11:26 a.m.

Investigation said the fire was caused by welding plax that fell into light materials on the first floor of a house under construction.

Various fire trucks responded to the fire which razed three other homes.

Wanawan said that damage to property is still being investigated.

The provincial and city governments have provided assistance to the fire victims. 

Nobody was reported killed or injured in the fire.

 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/6/fire-razes-16-houses-in-taguig

A fire destroyed 16 houses and displaced 55 individuals in Pulong Kendi in Barangay Sta. Ana, Taguig on May 5, the city government said. 

The fire started at about 4 a.m. with the first alarm raised at 4:17 a.m. It was put out at 4:25 a.m. 

An initial report by the Taguig City Fire Station indicated that seven families with 20 individuals were affected by the fire, which started from a house in the area. The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

The Taguig City government provided help to the affected families including hygiene kits, sleeping kits, food packs and drinking water. They will also receive financial assistance. 

An evacuation site was set up in Old Talipapa in Barangay Sta. Ana. 

A total of 12 fire trucks and four ambulances responded to the incident. 

 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/8/7-families-displaced-in-lucena-city-fire

Seven families or 32 individuals were displaced in a fire that gutted an apartment building in Barangay 1 here on Tuesday, May 7.

Police said the fire started at 5:45 p.m. and responding firemen put the blaze under control at about 6:50 p.m. Fire out was declared at about 7:04 p.m.

Damage to property was estimated at P100,000,

Arson investigator Senior Fire Officer 2 Ferdinand Gapit said cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

No casualty or injuries were reported in the fire.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/906058/fire-volunteer-s-home-one-of-40-razed-in-manila-blaze/story/

Fifty families in Malate, Manila are now homeless after a huge fire hit their residences on Tuesday.

According to a report by Saleema Refran on "24 Oras," the house of one of the fire volunteers was among the 40 houses razed by the blaze..

Firefighters had to climb on roofs to extinguish the fire due to narrow alleys.

It took an hour and a half to put out the fire. Authorities are still looking into the cause and the amount of damage.

The Bureau of Fire Protection Manila warned  the public that fire accidents caused by short circuits in household electricity are common this hot season. 

(Let electricians or the right experts check on our electrical cables or outlets if they are sufficient for our appliances.) 

(The common or number one cause [of fire] is overloading, short circuit, or explosion of electrical wires.) 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/10/fire-razes-residential-area-in-caloocan-city

A fire broke out at a residential area in Pablo Street, 10th Avenue, Caloocan City on Friday Morning, May 10. 

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the fire reached the first alarm at 9:58 a.m. and the second alarm at 10:00 a.m.

The blaze was declared under control at 10:50 a.m. and was extinguished at 11:42 a.m. 

Arson investigators are still determining the cause of the fire and the amount of damage to property.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/15/tondo-fire-kills-5-year-old-twin-sisters

Five-year-old twin sisters were trapped and died in their room when a fire hit their house on Yangco Street in Gagalangin, Tondo, Manila on Wednesday afternoon, May 15.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said that the fire started on the second floor of the victims' house at around 2:21 p.m. 

According to reports, the children's nanny was the only one with them at home since the mother of the victims was at work.

The children's nanny went down for a moment, and that was when the fire suddenly broke out on the second floor, where the children got trapped.

The children's nanny was not able to save the twins as the fire quickly consumed the second floor which was made of wood. 

The BFP raised the first alarm at 2:21 p.m. and immediately put it under control at 2:43 p.m. 

Firefighters extinguished it at 3:09 p.m. 

Arson investigators are still determining the cause of the fire.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/907233/fire-hits-residential-area-in-paranaque/story/

A fire broke out in a residential area on Gomburza Street in Barangay Sto. Niño, Parañaque City on Saturday night.

The Bureau of Fire Protection said the fire started at 10:41 p.m. at one house, according to a report by Mao dela Cruz on Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday morning.

The fire quickly spread to nearby houses made of light materials.

The BFP raised the fifth alarm as the fire continued to spread in the residential area.

At past 3 a.m. Sunday, firemen were able to put the fire under control, according to a report by Olan Bola on Super Radyo dzBB.

The fire was finally put out at 5:30 a.m. Sunday.

At least 70 houses were affected by the fire.

The fire reached the fifth alarm before it was finally put out on Sunday morning.

 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/fire-razes-2-houses-in-minglanilla-cebu

TWO houses were destroyed by the fire in Purok 6, Barangay Cadulawan, Minglanilla, Cebu, at around 1:40 p.m. on Thursday, May 16, 2024.

The burnt houses were reportedly owned by Porfaria Latorsa and Daisy Latorsa, respectively. 

Firemen placed the damage at P391,500. 

According to Senior Fire Officer 1 Ismael Pero, an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the fire, which was completely extinguished at 2:02 p.m.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/23/62-houses-razed-in-mandaue-city-fire

At least 62 houses were razed in a fire that broke out in Barangay Basak, Mandaue City at noon on Thursday, May 23.

The fire started at 11:54 a.m. and was controlled in 49 minutes.

The fire displaced at least 96 families. Damage to property was pegged at P280,000.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection-Mandaue, the fire started in Purok Alliance of Two Hearts and spread to Sitios (sub-village) Santan and Saging-saging.

Nearby firefighters responded after the fire was raised to second alarm.

Cause of the fire is still being investigated. There were reports that some residents were injured while trying to save their belongings.

Due to the extremely high heat index, authorities advised the public to take extra precautions to prevent fire incidents.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/907815/20-families-lose-home-14-trapped-cats-die-in-manila-fire/story/

Some 20 families lost their homes and several pet cats died after a fire broke out in Sta. Mesa, Manila on Thursday night.

According to Vonne Aquino’s report in Saksi, the fire started on the second floor of a house in Barangay 632, Zone 64. 

The homeowner said the boarders were not around when the incident happened, leaving their pet cats trapped inside.

(The fire extinguisher wasn’t powerful enough because the fire easily broke out. Maybe the owner left the fan on because they are imported cats.) 

Only one cat survived and will be turned over to its owner by the barangay. 

Meanwhile, other tenants of the house were also not able to save anything. 

A firefighter also sustained a minor injury during the operation.

The fire was declared out at 8:44 p.m. 

Barangay officials are considering setting up tents in a vacant lot and using a nearby daycare center as temporary shelter for the fire victims.

Fire authorities said the blaze easily broke out as the house’s structure is mostly built from wood. However, the cause of the fire is still unknown. 

The Manila Fire District said the fire caused around P500,000 worth of damages. 

Authorities advise the public to always unplug any gadgets or appliances before leaving their homes. 

(Before you leave your homes, please make sure to unplug your gadgets so we can be at ease. Also do regular checks on your electrical wirings.)

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/25/2nd-alarm-fire-hits-mandaluyong-residential-area-1

A fire hit a residential area in Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City on Saturday, May 25, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported.

According to the BFP, the blaze involving a two to three-storey residential building complex started at 11:18 a.m. and reached the 2nd alarm at 11:38 a.m.

Firefighters declared fire out at 12:01 p.m.

Arson investigators are still determining the cause of the fire and amount of damage to property.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/27/2-injured-chapel-partially-burned-in-malate-fire

Two firemen were injured, while a chapel was partially burned in a fire that broke out in a residential area along Leon Guinto Street, Malate, Manila on Monday, May 27.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) identified the injured firefighters as Paco, 26, who had breathing difficulty and Palaganas, 27, who sustained lacerations on his nose and cheeks.

According to the BFP, the fire was declared first alarm at 12:27 a.m. and was immediately raised to a second alarm at 12:30 a.m.

The blaze escalated to the third alarm at 12:48 a.m.

It took the fire responders an hour before the fire was put under control at 1:41 a.m. and two hours before it was extinguished at 3:30 a.m.

Fire Senior Superintendent Christine Cula, BFP-Manila District Fire Marshal said the houses engulfed in the fire were all made of light materials or wood.

Most of the establishments were rental houses, she said.

Meanwhile, at least 10 families or 30 individuals were displaced by the fire.

Some fire victims said the fire allegedly started from the electric sparks they heard from the ceiling.

Around P500,000 worth of property was damaged during the fire.

The BFP continues to investigate the cause of the fire.

That is 13 reported incidents for May. Remember, these are only the major fires reported in the national media. Residential fires are up all across the nation and they do not all make the news. This is the tip of the iceberg concerning the real situation in the Philippines. 

Retards in the Government 367

It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption in the Philippine government.

 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/23/davao-city-top-cop-sacked-amid-probe-on-drug-war-deaths

Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Director Police Col. Richard Bad-ang was relieved from his post on Thursday, May 23, amid the ongoing investigation on the deaths of suspected drug pushers here during police operations between March 23 and 26.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-9 (Davao region) spokesperson Police Major Catherine dela Rey said Bad-ang has been placed under administrative relief upon the recommendation of the Regional Internal Affairs Service (RIAS)-9.

Police Col. Rolindo Suguilon, PRO-9 deputy regional director for operations, has been designated as officer-in-charge of the DCPO.

Bad-ang became officer-in-charge of the DCPO on March 22.

Upon his assumption, Mayor Sebastian Duterte declared a war on drugs as well as a warning that those involved in  the illegal drugs trade would be dealt with severely.

"I hereby declare the campaign that the city is at war against drugs," Duterte said in a speech. "If you don't stop, if you don't leave, I will kill you."

Since then, eight police officers in this city have been relieved from their posts amid ongoing investigations on the deaths of drug suspects killed in police operations.

The Davao City police director has been relieved of his post while being investigated over drug war deaths. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/25/lto-employee-shot-dead-in-qc

A female employee of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) was shot dead by a motorcycle-riding man while aboard her vehicle in Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City, on Friday, May 24.

Members of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) identified the victim as Mercedita Gutierrez.

According to the initial police report, Gutierrez was inside her vehicle at around 6:20 p.m. when a gunman riding a motorcycle suddenly appeared and shot her.

The victim was rushed to East Avenue Medical Center where she was declared dead on arrival.

QCPD chief Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said he has instructed his personnel to form a Special Investigation Task Group (STIG) to conduct a thorough investigation into the LTO employee's killing.

He assigned Col. Amante Daro to lead the investigation.

"Our prayers and sympathy to the bereaved family of the victim. The QCPD will not stop pursuing the suspect, and we will make sure that justice is served," he said.

An LTO employee has been assassinated. 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/35-davao-police-relieved-amid-drug-operation-probe

THE immediate administrative relief of 35 Davao police personnel, effective May 23 and 24, 2024, was recommended by the Police Regional Office-Regional Internal Affairs Service (PRO-Rias-Davao). No additional officers will be named as of this posting.

This decision follows a motu proprio investigation into the deaths of seven individuals during anti-illegal drugs operations from March 23 to 26.

“Based po sa recommendation ng Rias [Davao], 35 personnel lang po ang ma relieve sa post (Based on the recommendation of RIAS Davao, only 35 personnel will be relieved from their posts)," PRO-Davao spokesperson, Major Catherine Dela Rey disclosed to SunStar via a phone interview, Sunday, May 25.

The list includes six station commanders, five deputy commanders, 23 Police Non-Commissioned Officers (PNCOs), and former city director Colonel Richard Bad-ang, who served the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) for only two months. These officers will now be assigned to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Section (RPHAS) headquarters.

PRO-Davao director Brigadier General Aligre Martinez stated that this move aims for a transparent and balanced investigation of the buy-bust operations. 

"The PNP leadership, particularly Region 11, remains committed to upholding its mandate," said Martinez. "This includes enforcing the law, preventing and controlling crime, maintaining peace and order, and ensuring public safety and internal security – all with the active support of the community."

35 Davao cops have been relieved over investigation in to drug war deaths.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/27/8-lucena-police-intel-agents-held-for-breaking-into-woman-s-house

Eight intelligence operatives of the Lucena City Police Station were arrested for allegedly entering, pointing guns, and harassing a woman in Purok Masagana, Barangay Ransohan, this city, before dawn on Friday, May 24.

The victim, Renelyn Rianzales, 52, a candidate in the 2023 barangay elections, has filed a case of violation of domicile, grave threats, and unjust vexation against Police Capt. Aaron Herrera, Master Sgt. Richie Yuayan, Staff Sgt. Henry Mago, Staff Sgt. Junar Cabalsa, and Corporals Rainier Zaballa, Allan Abdon, Wilson Bantilan, and Rene John Bartolata.

In her complaint, a copy of which was obtained by the Manila Bulletin, Rianzales said she was awakened by a loud banging on her door at around 3:15 a.m.

Unidentified men wearing dark clothes and face masks with eyes just visible were kicking at her door until it fell.

They barged into her unlocked bedroom and pointed guns at her, shouting "Pulis! Pulis! Dapa! Kamay sa likod! Nasaan si Jonathan?" (Police! Hands on your back! Where is Jonathan?), referring to Rianzales' live-in partner.

Rianzales was scared and replied, "Wala, nasa trabaho" (He’s not here, he is at work) while guns were pointed at her.

They went around the house looking for Jonathan. They failed to find him and returned to her and asked, with flashlights shining on her face that almost blinded her, "Saan nagtatrabaho?" (Where is he working?)

She replied, "Sa Laguna" (in Laguna), and the men left.

Rianzales said she counted around five men inside and later on found out that three more were posted outside.

She and her two grandchildren went to her mother's house and sought help from Armando Paderon, a fellow barangay elections candidate, who accompanied her to the police to report the incident.

Rianzales was informed that a police drug operation was scheduled in the barangay by intelligence personnel on May 24 while she was giving a statement to the police.

She recognized the police personnel by their body build and other body marks.

Upon learning of the policemen's identities, Rianzales filed complaints against them before the city prosecutor’s office.

Rianzales said she suffered trauma and immense fear for the safety of her two grandchildren.

Days earlier, she testified before a hearing conducted by the House Committee on Public Safety and Order chaired by Rep. Dan Fernandez following a resolution filed by Quezon Rep. David Suarez about unreported violence committed by armed men during the barangay elections in Lucena City.

Rianzales thought that the incident is connected with her testimony in the hearing.

The suspects are detained at the Lucena police station and face cases for violation of domicile, grave threats, and unjust vexation.

Lucena police chief Police Lt. Col. Reynaldo Reyes was relieved the same day and replaced by Police Lt. Col. William Angway as officer-in-charge.

Eight intelligence operatives of the Lucena City Police Station were arrested for allegedly entering, pointing guns, and harassing a woman in Purok Masagana, Barangay Ransohan, this city, before dawn on Friday, May 24. They have since been sacked.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/28/7-crew-of-unresponsive-iloilo-police-station-sacked

A viral video of an alleged "unresponsive" police station in San Enrique town, Iloilo province resulted in the removal of seven policemen, including the town police chief, Capt. Airel Dawn Parcon. 

“They were relieved from their posts pending administrative investigation,” said Police Col. Bayani Razalan, director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).

Also relieved were Senior Master Sgt. Joan Matutino, Staff Sgts. Maria Ella Cachuela, Jivelyn Parcon, and Dyan Rey Parcon, and Corporals Laurence Sionosa and Ryan Barbosa.

Police were on duty when an alleged social media influencer, Kiko, came to the police station around 4 a.m. on May 21 and no one was there to attend to his needs.

Kiko posted the incident and would later issue an apology through a radio station.

However, the incident reached Police Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, Police Regional Office-6 chief, who called for a deeper probe.

Allegations surfaced that Kiko was made to issue an apology and retract his statements due to pressure.

“We are still investigating the matter,” Razalan said on Tuesday, May 28.

Razalan assured that this incident will not happen again. 

“Any lapses in our service are taken seriously, and we are committed to addressing them promptly. We thank everyone for their understanding and continued support as we resolve this matter and strengthen our commitment to public safety," added Razalan.

Capt. Ivon Panes was named officer in-charge of the San Enrique Municipal Police Station.

Seven cops have been relived of duty for not responding to someone's needs when they came for help.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/575837/bohol-governor-68-others-suspended-for-6-months

Bohol Gov. Erico Aris Aumentado has been placed under suspension for six months over the controversial resort in Chocolate Hills.

Aumentado on Tuesday, May 28, announced that a total of 69 Bohol Capitol officials, including him, mayors, and even present and former officials, received orders from the Ombudsman for a preventive suspension.

The decision stemmed over recent cases filed against him and the province over the construction of a controversial resort in the world famous Chocolate Hills.

The governor’s announcement was also broadcasted on his official Facebook page.

The suspension order made against Aumentado came just weeks after the state’s anti-graft investigating body meted a similar punishment against Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

The Governor of Bohol and 68 other officials have been suspended over a resort being built in the Chocolate Hills. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225719

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said Tuesday that heads must roll over police officers' involvement in moonlighting activities, emphasizing the need for stricter personnel accounting measures.

“Our guidance is we are giving our IMEG an order to conduct an accounting – even the IAS, I also gave them power to account for our personnel so that these things won't happen," Marbil told reporters in Camp Crame.

He also said he wants to strengthen the implementation of the command responsibility principle, which means that immediate commanders would be held liable if at least one of their men is caught doing illegal acts.

“We are not forgiving sa mga ganitong bagay (on these things). We would not allow this and we have been issuing warnings on this for a long time. We would want to know who is the immediate commander and how the system works. Maybe there is a lapse in the process of accounting and we have to improve our accounting system,” Marbil added.

The move comes as another police officer was caught moonlighting as a motorcycle-riding security escort of an unidentified “VIP (very important person)”, during an operation against illegal blinkers and sirens by the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) in Parañaque City on Monday.

Arrested were Staff Sgt. Rafael Boco, who is assigned to the motorcycle unit of the HPG - National Capital Region (NCR), and his cohort Florencio Rabuya Geñoso Jr., a dismissed member of the Philippine Army.

Another cop and a dismissed solider have been caught working as security for a VIP.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/28/sc-suspends-pasay-city-rtc-judge-clerk-of-court-pending-probe-on-p6-m-bribe-money

A Pasay City regional trial court (RTC) judge and his acting clerk of court were preventively suspended for 90 days by the Supreme Court (SC) for reportedly demanding and accepting P6 million from a litigant for a favorable decision on a civil case.

Preventively suspended were RTC Judge Albert T. Cansino and his Acting Clerk of Court Mariejoy P. Lagman. Formal administrative proceedings have been initiated against them.

The SC had earlier directed Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva to submit a report on the incident. 

Based on Villanueva’s report, Lagman was arrested during an entrapment operation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on anonymous complaint received by the Judicial Integrity Board (JIB) via email.

After verifying the information, Villanueva said an entrapment operation was conducted using five marked P1,000 bills and about P6,000,000 boodle money.

Also confiscated during the entrapment was a copy of the Order bearing the judge's signature on the civil case.

Villanueva’s report also stated that both the judge and the acting clerk of court are now the subject of criminal investigations before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

A Pasay City regional trial court judge and his acting clerk of court were preventively suspended for 90 days by the Supreme Court for reportedly demanding and accepting P6 million from a litigant for a favorable decision on a civil case.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/18-families-to-sue-cebu-city-govt-officials-over-broken-relocation-site-promise

EIGHTEEN of 200 informal settler families displaced by a 2022 flood-control project will file civil cases against officials of the Cebu City Government and National Government agencies for failing to provide promised relocation. 

The families, formerly residing near Kinalumsan River, were evicted from their homes to make way for the project. 

Novelardo Diacamos, a representative of the group, said in an interview on Thursday, May 23, 2024, that the City Government promised relocation assistance for 200 informal settler families but has not followed through after two years. 

The families have been forced to move multiple times and live in cramped conditions, according to Diacomos.

The lawsuit, to be filed on Monday, May 27, 2024, in the Regional Trial Court of Cebu City, alleges violations of the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992, the Right-of-Way Act and other social justice laws. 

Named respondents in the cases are the Cebu City Government, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Department of Public Works and Highways 7 and its regional director Ernesto Gregorio Jr., Mark Lester Abella, the National Housing Authority (NHA) 7 and its regional director Rizalino Cabahug.

The complainants are seeking adequate compensation and financial assistance.

The lawyers representing the families hope this case will set a precedent for how housing issues are handled, ensuring proper consultation and humane relocation procedures in future projects.

Retired major general Melquiades Feliciano, former head of Task Force Gubat sa Baha, said in a separate interview that he was not aware of the issue, as no houses were demolished during his term due to the unavailability of temporary housing. 

According to Dicamos, the City Government, under the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor, gave the families two options: either avail themselves of P35,000 cash assistance without relocation or P12,000 rental assistance per household with a promise of relocation. 

The majority chose the latter, Diacamos said. 

Opting for a relocation site, Diacamos received P12,000 for three months of rental assistance. 

However, two years have passed, and there have been no updates regarding their relocation site. 

(It’s not fair that until now we are still burdened with paying rent when we have given them ample time to consider taking action and helping us, but they haven’t.)

EIGHTEEN of 200 informal settler families displaced by a 2022 flood-control project will file civil cases against officials of the Cebu City Government and National Government agencies for failing to provide promised relocation.