Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Insurgency: Much Needs To Be Done

The NTF-ELCAC has declared 3 more NPA fronts have been dismantled. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1221533

Three more weakened guerilla fronts of the New People's Army (NPA) have been dismantled, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) reported.

"Right now, we have zero active guerrilla fronts already but we still have 11 weakened guerrilla fronts to totally defeat: five in Luzon, three in the Visayas and another three in Mindanao. But as we speak now, meron ng mga reports (there are reports referring to) the eventual total dismantling of two guerrilla fronts in the Visayas and another one in Mindanao," NTF-ELCAC executive director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. said in a statement released Monday night.

He added they are only waiting for the official validation of the dismantling of these three weakened guerilla fronts before coming out with an official announcement.

Torres also said significant progress had been made this year in terms of neutralizing members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and weakening their ranks.

But the dismantling of these fronts have not even been verified. Why say anything then? Why announce this when they are waiting on validation before "coming out with an official announcement?" 

The NSA is encouraging all rebels to apply for amnesty. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1221541

National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año on Tuesday renewed his call for remnants of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) to avail of the amnesty program offered by the government.

Año, also chair of the National Security Council (NSC), said this invitation is open to all rebels wishing to reunite with their families and loved ones and integrate with mainstream society.

"The National Amnesty Commission has begun accepting applications for amnesty after Congress concurred with the Amnesty Proclamation of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. This is a significant development and a game changer in ending the more than 50-year communist armed conflict in the country," he said in a statement.

Año also said the amnesty program will allow these rebels to build a peaceful and brighter future for themselves and their families.

"We encourage all the remaining active members of the armed rebel groups to seize and embrace this chance for reconciliation and renewal of hope as we all work together towards lasting peace and development," he added.

He also noted that the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict is on track to dismantle all remaining weakened guerilla fronts before the end of the year.

The problem is informing them of this amnesty and their being able to access the internet to fill out the forms. But surely it has to be easy because the NTF-ELCAC has handed out so much money to surrounding rebels that they must have a list. Right?

The fight goes on against those who do not surrender. Two high ranking NPA leaders were recently killed.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/26/high-ranking-npa-leader-2-others-killed-in-batangas-clash-military-2117

A high-ranking member of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) and two others were killed in an encounter with the military in Batangas Tuesday. 

According to the Philippine Army, military troops were conducting operations at Barangay Leviste in Rosario town when they encountered an undetermined number of gunmen allegedly led by Junalice Arante-Isita alyas Arya, from the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee.

Isita and two others, Bernardo Bagaas alias John Paul, and Erickson Bedonia, alias Ricky, were killed in the 30-minute firefight.

Authorities also recovered several high-powered firearms, 6 jungle packs, and a wire for improvised explosive devices (IED).

Isita has a standing warrant of arrest for violating Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. She was the wife of Isagani Isita alias Yano, who died on July 30, 2023 in Quezon.

The neutralization of Isita is “a substantial blow to the NPA’s leadership and their reorganization effort in Batangas province,” the military added.

Of course the death of this leader is “a substantial blow to the NPA’s leadership and their reorganization effort in Batangas province." It's the same script they give after every death of an NPA leader. 

Two soldiers were hurt in a clash with NPA in Quezon. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1923020/2-soldiers-hurt-in-clash-with-npa-in-quezon

Two Philippine Army soldiers were wounded in an encounter Monday with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Calauag town in Quezon province.

The Region 4A police identified the wounded troops in an initial report on Tuesday, March 26, as Sergeant Gilbert Esteban, 33, and Corporal Anthony Quierre, 31, who were both hit by shrapnel from an improvised explosive device set up by NPA rebels.

They were taken to the nearest hospital for treatment.

The report said a unit from the Army’s 85th Infantry Battalion was conducting a patrol around 6 p.m. when they encountered NPA rebels in Barangay Doña Aurora.The report did not provide added details on the encounter except that no residents were affected during the clash.

Government checkpoints have been established in strategic areas to support the ongoing pursuit operations against the NPA rebels on the run.

The government forces are also monitoring hospitals and clinics near the area to search for the wounded alleged NPA rebels.

Calauag is located in the province’s 4th district on the boundary of Bicol region.

In June last year, Quezon was declared free from the influence of communist insurgents after it attained “Stable Internal Peace and Security” or SIPS status, which means that the Communist Party of the Philippines, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, and the NPA are no longer a threat to the peace and order in its localities.

However, authorities admitted that the NPA may still have remnants in the province.

But last year Quezon was declared insurgent free! Yet it turns out they are not really insurgent free. So why make that declaration? 

The CPP belies AFP reports of their demise.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1749858/npas-54th-anniv-cpp-touts-steady-advance-afp-sneers-at-irrelevant-movement

The 54th founding anniversary of the communist New People’s Army on Wednesday, March 29, prompted a war of words between both sides of the conflict.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) touted the government’s failure to fully crush the NPA, but the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the Maoist movement is nearing its end.

“The NPA has steadily advanced and surmounted every disadvantage and setback at every historical juncture,” the CPP Central Committee said in its anniversary message.

“It has frustrated the enemy’s campaigns of encirclement and suppression one after another.”

The CPP, while stressing that the AFP’s encirclement campaigns “largely failed to attain its declared objective” of crushing the NPA, admitted that some regions or guerrilla fronts suffered from losses or significant setbacks “due to internal weaknesses and shortcomings.”

The NPA has ben directed to carry out more attacks against government forces. 

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/party-directs-npa-to-carry-out-tactical-offensives-frustrate-us-marcos-regimes-war-of-terror/

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today directed the New People’s Army (NPA) to mount tactical offensives that it is capable of winning as it wages a war of active defense to frustrate the brutal campaign of encirclement and suppression being waged by the US-Marcos regime, and shatter the reign of terror of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the countryside.

The Party’s directive was contained in a statement by the Central Committee issued today on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the New People’s Army.

According to the CPP Central Committee, all regional committees of the Party and NPA commands at levels have welcomed the call for rectification movement issued by the Central Committee last December, to correct past errors in order to strengthen the people’s resistance against worsening oppression under the US-Marcos regime.

In fulfilling the directive of mounting tactical offensives, the NPA takes military and political initiative by way of rectifying past errors and overcome the problem of military passivity which resulted from the intertwined problems of conservatism, complacency and self-constriction.

The CPP said the NPA, along with the people’s militias, must carry out all possible kinds of tactical offensives employing all kinds of weapons in the hands of the guerrilla forces and the people, from rocks, machetes, booby traps, rifles and land mines and all sort of weapons that the people can craft.

Units of the NPA and the people’s militias can lay out an ambush against the enemy’s reconnaissance units, perimeter defense or supply lines, attack his isolated outposts, carry out disarming, sniping, demolition, partisan and arrest operations, impose sanctions, mete out justice on counterrevolutionaries and criminal antisocial elements, and so on.

In mounting these tactical offensives, the NPA must aim to seize the enemy’s rifles and war matériel, destroy its supply and communication lines, immobilize their land, air and sea assets, disrupt its plans or blocking its advance, and drawing away its attention from the main direction and plans of the main forces of the NPA.

The CPP underscored that the NPA favors launching basic tactical offensives that weakens the enemy by annihilating its armed forces piece by piece, and takes away its weapons in order that we can arm more recruits and mount even bigger tactical offensives in the future.

The AFP says they do not have the capability to carry out such attacks but remain vigilant anyway.

It's the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. President Marcos says there is sill much needed to be done to end armed conflict in Mindanao. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1923745/marcos-on-goal-to-end-armed-conflict-in-mindanao-much-needs-to-be-done

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said that while much has been done to advance the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), more work remains to be done.

In a Facebook reel posted Wednesday night, Marcos reiterated that the government is committed to enacting the CAB as it celebrated its 10th anniversary.

The CAB is an agreement between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the national government to end its armed conflict.

“There were certainly many challenges, but we persevered. Today, as your president, I stand before you, committed to fulfilling that promise. We have achieved progress, and much needs to be done,” said Marcos.

“Together, we are already enacting vital legislation, ensuring fair elections in 2025, and empowering the Bangsamoro to chart your own prosperous future,” he noted.

“This is our legacy. Let us build it together,” he added.

Marcos recounted that he was one of the legislators who participated in the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

“A decade ago, the comprehensive agreement on Bangsamoro lit up our hopes for peace. As a legislator, I proudly participated in drafting the Bangsamoro Basic Law, recognizing the importance of inclusivity and respect for diverse cultures,” said Marcos.

In 2015, the then-senator Marcos called the proposed measure dead as Congress ran out of time to pass it during the last year of former president Benigno Aquino III’s term.

The BBL was eventually passed and signed into law during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte.





























Monday, April 1, 2024

Assassinated Businessmen January to March, 2024

This is a list of businessmen who have been assassinated or survived an assassination attempt or who were kidnapped in the first quarter of 2024.


https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/4/businessman-shot-dead-by-15-suspected-npa

A businessman was gunned down inside his house by 15 suspected New People's Army rebels in Barangay Bug-ang, Toboso, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, January 2.

Police identified the victim as Juvinie Sarona, 43, a lumberyard owner.

Police Major Jun Ray Batadlan, Toboso police chief, said that at least 15 unidentified persons stormed the house of the victim while he was having dinner with his uncle.

Five gunmen shot Sarona while his uncle was unharmed.

Batadlan said the 10 other perpetrators served as lookouts. The suspects fled to an unknown direction.

Sarona sustained nine bullet wounds and died on the spot. 

Police recovered 25 fired caliber 5.56mm cartridges for an M16 rifle in the crime scene. 

Batadlan said they are looking into insurgency as possible motive in the incident since the victim had threats last year.

He said the victim was a known supporter of government programs and helped the military and the police in the campaign against communist rebels.



https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/12/2-men-shot-dead-in-drinking-spree

A businessman and an electronics store operator were shot dead by a man during a drinking spree before dawn here on Friday, January 12.

Police identified the victims as businessman Jay R. Burgos Matanguihan, 30, and Mark Johndel Aguila Robles, 22, electronics store operator, both residents of this town.

The victims and their friends were having a drinking spree inside a meat shop when the suspect, Ikong, arrived onboard a motorcycle.

Ikong approached and told the group, “May problema ako, ‘wag kayong sumali” (I have a problem, do not join), then drew a short firearm and fired at the victims.

The suspect fled with the gun towards the direction of Tiaong, Quezon and the victims were taken to a hospital in Lipa City, Batangas where they were declared dead.

Police are conducting a follow-up operation.


https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/15/businessman-wounded-in-leyte-shooting

A businessman was shot and wounded in his house in Barangay Hinabuyan, Villaba, Leyte, on Monday morning, January 15.

Police identified the victim as Marlon Ecoling, 36.

Ecoling was cooking breakfast when the suspect barged in and shot him with a firearm of unknown caliber. 

Police withheld the name of the suspect but he is of legal age and a resident of Tabango, Leyte.

Ecoling was wounded in his left hand but he managed to fight the suspect who afterwards fled towards Tabango, Leyte onboard a motorcycle. 

The victim was brought to the hospital and police are pursuing the suspect.


https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/894246/businessman-shot-dead-in-davao-del-norte-van-driver-dies-in-bataan-highway-accident/story/

A 45-year old businessman was shot dead at a parking lot in Tagum City, Davao del Norte over the weekend.

CCTV footage showed the victim was talking to a man at the parking lot when the alleged gunman approached them from behind and fatally shot the victim on the head several times, according to Saleema Refran’s 24 Oras report on Monday.

The suspect seemed to have rifled through the victim’s pockets before his motorcycle-riding accomplice arrived and helped him escape.

Authorities are still investigating the possible motive of the crime. The unidentified suspects remain at large.


https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/16/indian-bizman-shot-in-sagay-city

An Indian businessman was shot and wounded by two gunmen in Barangay Poblacion 1, Sagay City, Negros Occidental on Friday, January 12.

Police withheld the name of the 44-year-old victim.

Police Lt. Hannah Banquil, deputy chief of the Sagay City Police Station, said the victim was about to arrive home on board a motorcycle when one of the two suspects hiding near is apartment rushed towards and fired at him.

He was wounded in the leg and taken to the Bacolod Queen of Mercy Hospital here.

Police have yet to determine the motive of the incident but the victim was also wounded in a shooting incident in 2022.


https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/16/businessman-killed-in-broad-daylight

A businessman was gunned down in front of a school in Barangay Urbiztondo, this town, on Monday, January 15.

Police identified the victim as Ronnie Rivera of Barangay Butubot, Balaoan, La Union.

Rivera was standing in the parking area of the Lorma High School Campus at about 10:25 a.m. when two men onboard a motorcycle arrived.

One of them drew a gun and shot the victim.

The gunman and his cohort fled and the victim was taken to a nearby hospital where he died due to bullet wounds.

Police are conducting follow-up investigation.


https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/02/10/2332212/businesswoman-robbed-beaten-mall-restroom

Police are hunting down a man who beat up and robbed a businesswoman in a mall in Quezon City on Thursday.

Investigators are working to get leads on the identity of the suspect, who was wearing a long-sleeved shirt, cap, denim jeans and sunglasses.

The suspect attacked a 32-year-old businesswoman at the Il Terrazo mall located at the corner of Tomas Morato Avenue and Sct. Madrinian street in Barangay South Triangle.

Police investigators said the incident occurred at around 12:07 p.m. in the restroom on the third floor of the mall.

Armed with a knife, the suspect grabbed the victim and dragged her into one of the cubicles.

The suspect then took the victims’ two cell phones and fled from the scene on foot.

The injured victim was found by mall-goers lying on the floor. She was treated for her injuries.


https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/12/businessman-shot-dead-in-himamaylan-city

A businessman was gunned down in Barangay IV-Poblacion, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Saturday, February 10.

Police said 46-year-old Nickie Grucen was tending to his store with his wife when an unidentified person appeared and shot him once in the nape.

Police Lt. Col. Anthony Grande, Himamaylan police chief, said the suspect fled on board a motorcycle and the victim was declared dead in a hospital. 

Police recovered from the crime scene a fired bullet of a .45 caliber pistol.

Grande said they already have persons of interest and motive in the killing.


https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/19/chinese-businessman-kidnapped-in-manila

Two unidentified men kidnapped a Chinese businessman in front of his home in Sta. Cruz, Manila Sunday evening, February 18.

Manila Police District said the victim is a resident of Barangay 313, Sta. Cruz.

Police said the incident occurred at around 9:50 p.m. in front of the victim's apartment building.

Based on a closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, the victim was alighting from his motorcycle when two men grabbed him and covered his face.

He was dragged into a brown Toyota Innova with a speed racer sticker on the side panels and a star logo on front hood.

The victim's family sought help from the police.

The case was transferred to the MPD Anti-Kidnapping Group because the abductors were allegedly asking for a ransom.

MPD did not disclose the amount of ransom demanded by the suspects as negotiations between the operatives, the family, and the kidnappers are still ongoing.


https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/2/trader-shot-dead-buddies-hurt-in-drinking-spree

A 56-year-old businessman was shot dead and his two buddies were wounded during a drinking spree in Barangay Buenavista West here on Friday night, March 1.

Police said the fatality, Manolito Laygo, and wounded, Sergio Bosita, 61, and Edwin Aquino, 51, were drinking at the house of a friend, Lester delos Reyes, when the suspect Roy, 53, a neighbor, arrived.

Roy drew a gun and fired at Laygo multiple times. The victim was taken to the Peter Paul Medical Center here where he was declared dead.

Bosita and Aquino were hit by stray bullets and taken to the hospital.

Recovered at the crime scene were two fired bullets, three fired cartridge cases, and a live caliber .45 ammunition.

Police are pursuing the suspect and conducting follow-up investigation.

Roy faces frustrated murder charges.


https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/29/businessman-knifed-dead-by-ex-employee-in-lucena-city

A 66-year-old businessman was stabbed to death by a former employee here on Maundy Thursday.

Police identified the victim as Andres Maaliw Derota.

The victim and the suspect Christian, a former store helper,  accidentally met while walking and a heated argument erupted, during which the suspect took a knife from his pocket and attacked the victim. 

Derota ran away but the suspect caught up with him and Christian stabbed him several times in the body.

The suspect fled and the victim was taken to a hospital in this city where he died.

Police are pursuing the suspect who face appropriate charges.

Sunday, March 31, 2024

The God Culture: Hitler Wasn't that Evil

Did you know Timothy Jay Schwab of The God Culture believes Hitler actually wasn't as evil as they say and that the holocaust is propaganda? Hear Tim speak in his own words. 

The Jasher Hoax. 76-100 Reasons Modern Jasher Is NOT Scripture! Answers In Jubilees 49D

44:00 It's fiction. However, they do this it's called propaganda. They want to tug on your heart strings. This is what they do they did it with the holocaust story, which is majorly overbloated and embellished indeed, that's historical fact according to the very museums of the holocaust in fact. Um, but yes evil happened indeed but it was war. Much more than that but they increase the numbers at least threefold and make up stories some of which have been proven untrue but this is the way of the synagogue of satan who wrote this book so no surprise.

49:49 This is the same they did to Hitler making him sound so evil in it is unbearable to even think of him. you think of his name and you're just like AHHH right? Well, look he wasn't a good guy he was evil there's no doubt about that but they make him out to be far more evil than he even was. The imagery is just so grotesque this is called propaganda nothing has changed really. Oh, hitler was evil but he didn't do many things the rabbis accused him of.

Tim could have used any number of examples to make his point but he chose to tell the world Hitler wasn't that evil and the holocaust is propaganda. Why? Only Tim knows. All we know for sure is that Timothy Jay Schwab of the God Culture believes Hitler wasn't that evil and the holocaust is propaganda. 

Saturday, March 30, 2024

The Continuing Saga of Dog Killua

Last week I wrote about the reaction of politicians to the death of a dog named Killua. I noted that his death is merely the tip of a large iceberg of animal abuse in the Philippines. Now, the story continues. It turns out Killua tested positive for rabies. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1922680/slaughtered-dog-killua-tested-positive-for-rabies-says-paws

The slaughtered golden retriever in Camarines Sur tested positive for rabies, according to the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).

PAWS Director Anna Cabrera told INQUIRER.net in a phone interview on Monday that this was based on the test conducted by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) over the weekend.

However, Cabrera noted that several factors may affect the test result.

“While the result of the testing may not be accurate due to the fact that the body had already been buried for five days prior to testing and may have been contaminated from being in an area where many stray dogs have already been slaughtered, PAWS is making this announcement to ensure that any bites or scratches will be reported promptly in the interest of public health and safety,” Cabrera said in a statement.

Cabrera said they also immediately informed the owner, who is now considered at risk for the virus after hugging “the bloodied body of her beloved dog when she found him at a known dog slaughter area.”

The standard protocol for a suspected rabid animal is for it to “be observed for fourteen (14) days or, in case of highly suspected rabies cases, be humanely euthanized with no damage to the head,” according to the BAI’s Manual of Procedure for Rabies.

Cabrera also learned that Solares owned a carinderia, but she clarified to INQUIRER.net that it could not be determined if they were selling dog meat.

But she noted that “Solares owns a carinderia business which sells meat viands near the dog slaughter area.”

Arazas, as well as consumers of stray dogs in the area, should get post-exposure vaccines, said PAWS.

The results "may have been contaminated from being in an area where many stray dogs have already been slaughtered." In an interview with News5Everywhere Dr. Josen Sumeldan says this is impossible because the rabies virus needs a living host. 

But how would Killua contract rabies if, as the owner claims, Killua was an inside dog?

(Killua doesn’t even go outside, and it might have been stressed by the environment outside because it was used to staying inside the house.)

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/901013/dog-beaten-to-death-by-neighbor-in-camarines-sur/story/

Perhaps the owner is being less than truthful? In the same interview with Dr. Josen Sumeldan the owner claims the dog was not properly vaccinated as the vaccine was not administered by a veterinarian.



The ones who called for the vaccine like him, my brother was the only one who injected since they are also in the health field and they also have knowledge in injecting. Although it's really wrong to inject yourself because only licensed vets with data do that.

Cleary this lady has made some questionable decisions. What else is she not telling?

The other thing here is that the dog was killed "in an area where many stray dogs have already been slaughtered" for food. PAWS is not sure if Anthony Solares was selling dog meat but they are filing a case against him anyway. 

https://interaksyon.philstar.com/trends-spotlights/2024/03/25/272584/paws-file-case-killua-killer-dog-meat-trading/

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society or PAWS on Monday said that it is filing a criminal complaint against Anthony Solares, the man who ended Killua‘s life, for violating the law that prohibits people from engaging in the dog meat trade.

The non-profit organization on Monday confirmed that Solares brought the pet dog to a “known slaughterhouse and dog meat cooking area” after killing the animal who was found lifeless in a sack on March 17.

It added that he “owns a carinderia business which sells meat viands near the dog slaughter area.”

Killua was previously found lifeless in a sack by his owner, Vina Rachelle Arazas, after Solares led them to their pet following the incident.

Some internet users who saw the posts, including those claiming to live near Bato, Camarines Sur, claimed the suspect had darker intentions.

“In-anxiety ako [niyan] kahapon. Actually, it’s near my hometown. And they are known to kill dogs for them to cook and eat. [Sabi] din ng mga kakilala ko, kaya siya nasa sako kasi [kakatayin] na at [lulutuin] na. I deactived my FB [Facebook] because of that,” TikTok user @user81227158815 wrote before.

In a separate interview, Solares denied both sacking the dog and having intentions to cook it. He also said he did not intend to kill the animal, claiming he only did it to defend people from getting bitten by the dog.

Meanwhile, PAWS said it is filing a complaint against Solares for violating Republic Act 9482 or the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007, which prohibits trading dogs for meat.

It also called on those who may have consumed dog meat coming from the area where Killua’s body was found to get post-exposure shots.

“They are at great risk. Dog meat traders are not only cruel people but pose a serious threat to public health,” the org said.

So, people are aware there is a “known slaughterhouse and dog meat cooking area” and they say nothing until now? Or perhaps complaints were lodged and the barangay and the PNP simply did not care enough to investigate. It turns out that Anthony Solares is a barangay kagawad.

PAWS, along with the dog’s owner, Vina Rachelle Arazas, lodged a complaint against Kagawad Anthony Solares at the Provincial Prosecution Office of Camarines Sur.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1922833/paws-on-filing-case-against-killuas-killer

Rappler says Solares is merely a barangay tanod.

Last week, Killua’s case sparked outrage in social media, after it was reported that the golden retriever was allegedly killed by Solares, a barangay tanod.

https://www.rappler.com/philippines/killua-owner-sues-golden-retriever-killer/

Either way this story has taken a dark and disgusting turn and my original statement remains. The killing of dog Killua is the tip of an animal abuse iceberg in the Philippines. And it includes slaughtering dogs for food. 

Friday, March 29, 2024

Retards in the Government 358

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

 


https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/traffic-enforcer-in-viral-kotong-video-may-lose-job

THE traffic enforcer of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team) who was allegedly caught extorting money from a driver he had apprehended in Barangay Alang-Alang on Thursday, March 21, 2024, will face termination from service if proven guilty.

The Team already completed the investigation on the incident and has suspended him.

In a video that went viral on social media, the enforcer was caught on camera accepting something from a truck driver after issuing a citation ticket.

In an interview on Friday, March 22, City Councilor Jimmy Lumapas, chairman of the committee on transportation, said the Mandaue City Government already launched an investigation on the incident.

In the Philippines, extortion is commonly known as “kotong.” It occurs when a law enforcement official or public official intimidates or unlawfully extracts money or property from a person who is facing apprehension or charges for violating, or suspected of violating any law. They do this by exercising their authority unduly in exchange for protection against possible arrest or filing of charges.

Lumapas clarified that although it was evident that the enforcer accepted something from the driver, it was unclear whether it was money. He said a more thorough investigation was necessary to determine the truth.

Lumapas assured that he would inform Team to identify the enforcer in the video and request an explanation from him.

He said if the enforcer is found guilty, the City will immediately terminate his services, as they do not tolerate such behavior.

A Mandaue traffic enforcer has been suspended and is facing termination over extortion.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1922458/qc-hall-employee-arrested-for-robbery-extortion

Police arrested an employee of Quezon City Hall for robbery extortion during an entrapment operation on Saturday.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) identified the 56-year-old suspect as Joel Aquino Avila, who was apprehended by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit operatives in a restaurant along Visayas Avenue, Barangay Vasra. 

Records showed that Avila was an employee of QC Hall’s engineering office. 

An unnamed complainant told the police that the suspect asked him to deposit two checks worth P1 million and P500,000, which were supposed to be used to process of his building permit, business permit,  zoning, and certificate of exemption for the warehouse of his pet food business back in 2022. 

In the same year, Avila allegedly demanded another P1.1 million for a certificate of exemption. However, the complainant said he did not receive any documents from the suspect. 

Two years later, on March 15, the complainant said Avila asked him again for P700,000. Authorities arrested him during their transaction. 

Avila is currently under the custody of the CIDU-QCPD.

A Quezon City Hall employee has been arrested for extortion. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/24/4-pro-9-cops-probed-for-extortion

The Police Regional Office-9 has ordered the investigation of four Zamboanga Peninsula policemen for allegedly extorting from a businessman from Pagadian City.

Businessman Rey Palma Libre, 39, and two of his workers were heading toward the Zamboanga City proper at around noontime on Thursday, March 21,  when they were accosted by three lawmen assigned to the PRO-9.

The businessman was turned over by the three policemen to the Cabaluay Community Police Action Center under the Sangali Police Station.

Initial investigation reportedly focused on  the involvement of the three policemen under the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit-9 and a personnel of the Sangali Police Station in the extortion activity.

PRO-9 Director Police Brig. Gen. Bowenn Joey Masauding has ordered the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division and the Zamboanga City Police Office to conduct an extensive probe to determine the culpability of these police personnel.

“The integrity and professionalism of PRO-9 are of utmost importance and any misconduct or abuse of authority will not be tolerated," said Masauding.

Four cops are being investigated for extortion.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/03/26/2343357/second-graft-case-filed-vs-magalong

Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong is facing another graft case before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the allegedly anomalous improvement and rehabilitation of a P50-million multipurpose building in Barangay Irisan.

The complaint was filed by Councilor Mylen Yaranon, who alleged that Magalong violated Republic Act 3019 or the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Yaranon said the project was implemented through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed between the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Cordillera and the city government of Baguio, which awarded the conract to Khatib Construction on Dec. 18, 2021.

She said the project should have been completed within 350 days or by Dec. 8, 2022.

Yaranon said a project engineer of the DPWH questioned the discrepancies in the elevation, footing and sizes of the columns of the building during a meeting with the Baguio City Building and Architects Office (CBAO) in March 2020.

The Baguio City District Engineering Office (BCDEO) of the DPWH said that any change in the project should be made in accordance with the MOA, including submission of a variation order.

The BCDEO said any allowed action on a variance is limited to 10 percent of the contract amount. If the amount is higher, it must first be referred to the DPWH central office.

The DPWH informed the CBAO in August of the same year about its observation on the materials used in the construction.

It said it did not receive or approve any variation order and technical justification or as-stake plan. It issued a warning to the CBAO for not submitting the required documents.

Despite the warning, the city government released P43 million as payment to Khatib Construction, Yaranon said in the complaint.

On Dec. 8, 2022, the supposed day of the completion of the project, the DPWH said it found out that only 60 percent of the building was finished.

Noting a 40-percent slippage, the DPWH terminated the project, but the city government continued it.

Of the P43 million paid to the contractor, P32 million was sourced from the DPWH, while the rest came from the trust fund of the city government.

Yaranon said there was no approved authorization for the mayor or any appropriation ordinance allowing the release of P11 million to the contractor.

It was the second graft case that Yaranon lodged against Magalong. The first was in connection with the allegedly irregular purchase of a property in Tuba, Benguet for the city’s social housing program.

The Mayor of Baguio has been charged with another graft case.

 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1923405/village-councilor-shot-dead-by-riding-in-tandem-gunmen-in-quezon

A councilor was shot and killed Tuesday by riding-in-tandem gunmen in his village in San Andres town in Quezon province.

The Quezon police said in a report on Wednesday, March 27, that Joseph Ancit, 59, a councilman and leader of farmers in Barangay Camplora was aboard his motorcycle on his way home at 5:15 p.m. when the gunmen riding a motorcycle appeared and repeatedly shot him using handguns.

The killers sped off and left their target dead on the spot.

The police were conducting further investigations to identify the killers.

Authorities were eyeing land dispute as a possible motive behind the killing. San Andres, a known hotbed of agrarian disputes, is located in the province’s 3rd district (Bondoc Peninsula).

A village councilor has been assassinated. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/03/28/2343893/7-davao-city-cops-new-drug-war-axed

Seven police officers were relieved from their posts in connection with the deaths of drug suspects in alleged shootouts in Davao City after Mayor Sebastian Duterte declared a war on drugs in the city.

The administrative relief of the policemen came after Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. ordered an investigation on the supposed armed encounters where seven drug suspects were killed in less than a week after Duterte’s declaration.

“Our chief PNP, through the regional director, gave orders to investigate these incidents and give way to an impartial investigation,” PNP public information officer Col. Jean Fajardo told a news briefing at Camp Crame yesterday.

The PNP Internal Affairs Service has also started its probe into the killings, Fajardo said.

Davao region police director Brig. Gen. Alden Delvo said the seven policemen were disarmed and would be subjected to paraffin testing.

Delvo did not rule out the possibility that more police officers will be relieved from their posts in the coming days.

“We will be investigating all personnel involved in the police operations,” he said in a text message.

The policemen must also explain why it was necessary for them to use their guns in neutralizing the drug suspects.

7 cops in Davao have been relieved of their posts for killing drug suspects. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1923762/retired-air-force-lieutenant-shot-dead-inside-his-house-in-lucena

A retired Philippine Air Force (PAF) official was found dead Wednesday from bullet wounds inside his home  in this city.

The Quezon police said in a report on Thursday, March 28, that the body of Jesus Gerola, 68, who retired from PAF with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, was found around 7:30 a.m. sprawled on the floor of his house in Barangay Domoit.

Citing the testimony of a witness, police said at around 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, an alias “Edwin” was heard shouting in front of Gerola’s house challenging him to come out.

Gunshots were heard after the incident, police said.

The report did not provide information on the whereabouts of Gerola’s family or his housemates during the incident.

An investigation is ongoing to establish the motive behind the incident.

Police launched a manhunt operation to arrest Edwin as the primary suspect.

A retired PAF officer has been shot dead inside his house.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/28/former-barangay-captain-who-filed-graft-case-vs-albay-governor-survives-ambush

A former barangay captain who filed a graft case against Albay Gov. Grex Lagman over "jueteng" (an illegal numbers game) payola survived an ambush while en route to his residence in Barangay Anislag, Daraga, Albay, from this city on Wednesday night, March 27.

M. Nimo, 48, former captain of Barangay Anislag, together with his companions, were onboard a vehicle when they were fired at by four unidentified suspects when they reached the junction road in Barangay Mariawa here at around 9 p.m. 

They escaped towards Barangay Talahib where they sought police assistance.

Calubaquib said that Nimo and his companions were unharmed.

Nimo’s bullet-proof Chevrolet Suburban Sports Utility Vehicle had 20 bullet holes from a gun of unknown caliber.

He filed cases before the Ombudsman last February against Lagman for allegedly receiving jueteng payola or bribes.

These were direct bribery, violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and the law that provides stiffer penalties for illegal gambling.

A former barangay captain who filed a graft case against the governor of Albay has survived an assassination attempt.