Poor People Prevent PNP From Enforcing Laws

The broken windows theory of policing has its fair shares of detractors and advocates. The theory goes:

visible signs of crime, antisocial behavior and civil disorder create an urban environment that encourages further crime and disorder, including serious crimes. The theory suggests that policing methods that target minor crimes, such as vandalism, loitering, public drinking and fare evasion, help to create an atmosphere of order and lawfulness.

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

Recently the Philippine National Police tried out this theory with mixed results. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2209236/safer-cities-minor-offenses-breeding-ground-for-bigger-crimes

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said minor violations often lead to more serious crimes, underscoring the importance of discipline in building safer communities.

In just two days under the “Safer Cities” initiative, police apprehended nearly 25,000 residents in Metro Manila for low-level violations.

“These minor violations are often the breeding ground for bigger crimes, so we are nipping them in the bud,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.

“Safety starts with discipline. When communities follow simple rules, we can focus on bigger threats together. Cooperation is key,” he added.

Earlier, the PNP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ordered tighter enforcement of rules against street drinking, going shirtless in public, and late-night karaoke as part of the “Safer Cities” initiative.

Increased police visibility, Nartatez said, would send a “strong message of our active role in crime prevention and instilling discipline.”

Data from the PNP show that 24,881 ordinance violators were apprehended in Metro Manila during the first two days of operations, from April 6 to 7.

Most offenses involved public drinking and smoking (8,075), going shirtless in public (2,672), curfew violations by minors (2,245), and noise complaints from karaoke (584).The remaining 11,305 cases covered various other ordinance breaches.

Of those apprehended, 6,369 were fined, 219 faced formal charges, and 18,293 were released with warnings.

Operations are ongoing across Metro Manila, with enforcement teams patrolling streets, parks, and transport hubs to identify offenders.“The goal is clear and simple: to make every street and every community safe for everybody,” Nartatez emphasized.

Despite the surge in arrests, the PNP chief assured the public that the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) is closely monitoring police conduct.

“We have a zero-tolerance policy for ‘hulidap’ or any form of abuse. Our IAS is open to any complaint,” he said.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier urged the public to document any alleged police abuses under the program.

National Capital Region Police Office spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo also said police are using body-worn cameras to ensure transparency and prevent abuse.

"Minor violations often lead to more serious crimes, underscoring the importance of discipline in building safer communities." That is the essence of the broken windows theory. It appeared to be a success. The laws against late night karaoke, public drinking, public smoking, and going shirtless were finally enforced. The vast majority of the people apprehended were given warnings and released.

Some had warned that enforcing the law would lead to human rights violations. Heaven forbid the cops stop late night karaoke so the neighborhood can sleep lest it violate the singers human right to sing loudly at 3 am. The PNP belayed those fears saying they would be wearing body cameras and they would have minders from the barangay present with them. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/983060/drinking-smoking-in-public-top-violations-as-over-24k-apprehended-in-safer-cities-ops-in-ncr/story/

Drinking and smoking in public places emerged as the top violations as authorities apprehended more than 24,000 individuals in the first two days of Safer Cities Initiative operations in Metro Manila.

At a press briefing on Wednesday, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) spokesperson Police Major Hazel Asilo said a total of 24,880 violators were recorded.

(In the past two days for Safer Metro Manila, we have a total of 24,881 total violators.)

Of the total number of violators, 219 were charged, 6,369 were fined, and 18,292 were just warned and released.

The most common offenses include drinking and smoking in public spaces with 8,075.

This was followed by curfew violations involving minors, public nuisance acts such as going shirtless in streets, illegal karaoke, urinating in public, and improper garbage disposal.

The Southern Police District (SPD) logged the highest number of violators with over 12,211. Muntinlupa topped the list, followed by Makati, according to Asilo.

According to the police, the increased visibility of officers is meant to deter crime and ensure compliance, amid some public concerns likening the operations to stricter past enforcement campaigns under the Duterte administration.

Human rights

The NCRPO said that measures are in place to avoid abuse of basic and human rights like body-worn cameras.

(To ensure transparency and to prevent abuse by our police officers, they are all equipped with body-worn cameras.)

(In case there is a violation, we can review the body-worn cameras and those who complain can come forward immediately and we will take immediate action.)

Barangay officials and concerned agencies are also present during the operations.

(Of course we have laws, just like our minors, for example, if they violate them, the intervention of other agencies is needed.)

(Our barangay officials are there so that it’s not just our police who judge the situation… They know their constituents.)

Authorities reported no major public resistance during operations, noting that most violators are aware of existing rules, according to Asilo.

Under the guidelines, first-time offenders are usually given warnings, while repeat violators may face fines, penalties, or community service. 

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced Monday stricter implementation of the ban on alcohol and gambling in public areas and other measures as it rollout its Safer Cities Initiative in Metro Manila.

At a press briefing, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the program will initially be piloted in the National Capital Region before expanding to other major urban centers nationwide.

This reports adds "urinating in public, and improper garbage disposal" to the list of violations along with public drinking and late night karaoke. However, due to the PNP's past performances under Duterte there was concern about enforcement. 

Well, no one needs worry anymore because this program has now been officially suspended for being anti-poor.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/983574/manila-police-safer-cities/story/

The Manila Police District (MPD) suspended its implementation of local ordinances under the Safer Cities Initiative in light of concerns that their provisions may have an “anti-poor” impact.

In a statement on Sunday, MPD spokesperson Police Major Philipp Ines said one particular provision being reported involves penalizing individuals for not wearing shirts in public places.

“In this regard, effective immediately, all operating units and personnel involved in Oplan Galugad and other anti-criminality operations shall refrain from taking punitive actions,” Ines said.

Instead, MPD personnel were directed to issue appropriate warnings and information dissemination, emphasizing proper decorum and community standards.

“This measure aims to uphold public trust and ensure humane and compassionate policing across all areas,” Ines said.

In a separate statement, the Philippine National Police logged 61,549 cases under the Safer Cities Initiative from April 6 to 11.

Drinking and smoking in public places ranked as the top violations with 18,904 cases, followed by roaming shirtless (5,894), curfew violations by minors (5,232), and karaoke beyond allowed hours (1,276), while other ordinance violations totaled 30,243 cases.

PNP said 39,205 individuals were warned or released, 21,317 were fined, and 1,027 cases were filed in court.

Of the 8,256 violators recorded in Metro Manila on April 11, PNP reported the following figures:

• Northern Police District (NPD): 2,155
• Southern Police District (SPD): 2,041
• Quezon City Police District (QCPD): 1,602
• Manila Police District (MPD): 1,269
• Eastern Police District (EPD): 1,189

On the same day, the top cases were drinking and smoking in public places (2,290), roaming without shirts (526), minors violating curfew hours (586), and karaoke beyond allowed hours (70).

A total of 3,800 individuals were fined, 145 were charged, and 4,311 were warned or released.

“Ang gusto natin, habang tumatagal, mas bumababa ang bilang dahil mas sumusunod na ang mga tao,” PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

(As time goes on, we want the number to decrease because more people are complying.)

Is there really a Major Philipp Ines? Is this a joke? The suspension of Oplan Galugad sure is. Of course crime happens poorer areas. Is there late night karaoke and public urination in Manny Pacquiao's neighborhood? The key issue appears to be the "no shirt" ordinance. 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/04/11/mpd-halts-no-shirt-ordinance-enforcement-amid-backlash

The Manila Police District (MPD) has confirmed on Saturday, April 11, that it has temporarily halted the strict enforcement of a city ordinance penalizing individuals for going shirtless in public, following backlash over its perceived “anti-poor” impact.

In a directive dated April 11, 2026, the MPD instructed personnel involved in Oplan Galugad and other anti-criminality operations to refrain from issuing penalties related to the ordinance.

Instead, authorities have been directed to issue warnings and conduct information drives promoting proper public decorum and adherence to community standards.

The MPD said the move is part of efforts to promote a more humane approach to policing while maintaining public order.

Despite the adjustment, police clarified that enforcement of other city ordinances remains in place, including those covering curfew violations and the prohibition of drinking in public places.

This article says only the shirt ordinance is being waved while GMA says the tenure thing is off. Why the contradiction in reporting? Goodness knows the PNP can get a little rough but the laws need to be enforced whether the offenders are poor or rich. 

Insurgency: Decimation

The AFP recently engaged the NPA in one of the biggest and most significant clashes in recent history. 19 rebels died including a wanted hitman who had been on the run for four years. He was the head of the SPARU which is an assassination unit. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1273325

The elusive New People’s Army (NPA) hitman Roger Fabillar was among the 19 fatalities in a series of encounters between rebel remnants and government troops in the hinterlands of Toboso, Negros Occidental on Sunday, the Philippine Army here confirmed Monday.

Fabillar’s death ends a four-year manhunt by authorities for him, who is tasked with carrying out special operations for the dismantled NPA Northern Negros Front.

Going by the aliases Arnel Tapang, Jhong and Nono, he was facing a string of murder cases in northern Negros, with the 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) offering a PHP1-million cash reward for his arrest.

“One of the fatalities is Roger Fabillar alias Jhong. He is also known as Arnel Tapang,” Brig. Gen. Ted Dumosmog, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said in a telephone interview.

A series of eight clashes took place in Sitio Plaringding, Barangay Salamanca, from 4 a.m. to 3 p.m., he added.

All the fatalities’ bodies, 18 of whom have yet to be identified, have been brought to Shekainah Funeral Services in Escalante City.

In an interview with reporters in Toboso, Dumosmog said they turned over to the police’s Scene of the Crime Operations( SOCO) team the task of determining the identities of the 18 other fatalities.

“From here on, the SOCO will take charge. We just confirmed that there was an encounter and there are fatalities, 19 of them. As to the identities of the others, later on we will ask SOCO,” he added.

In a statement, Philippine Army commanding general, Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, commended the operating troops of 79IB “for showing steadfast commitment to mission and dedication to duty”.

As he condoled with the families of the NPA remnants who died in the military operation, Nafarrete said they were “themselves victims of lies and deception that exploit the vulnerable.”

“Every life lured into the communist terrorist armed insurgency represents a tragedy for the Filipino nation. It is our sincere hope that the remaining communist-terrorist group members will lay down their arms and choose the path of peace,” he said.

Meanwhile, Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco said in a radio interview that he hopes the residents who evacuated during the encounter can return home on Tuesday.

Some 167 families or 653 individuals from the adjacent villages of Salamanca and San Jose have sought shelter in two schools.

Philippine Army (PA) commander Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete extended his condolences to the families of the slain NPA insurgents, who were killed in the operation.

In a statement, Nafarrete said it was unfortunate that these rebels fell victims to the lies and deception of the communist movement that exploit the vulnerable.

"I commend the operating troops of the 79th Infantry Battalion for showing steadfast commitment to mission and dedication to duty. Your adherence to International Humanitarian Law and utmost respect for human rights stand as a testament to the professionalism and honor that define the PA soldier," Nafarrete said.

He also added that every innocent life lured into the communist insurgency represents a tragedy for the nation.

"It is our sincere hope that the remaining CTG (communist terrorist groups) members will lay down their arms and choose the path of peace," the PA chief stressed.

He said there will be no letup in the campaign to end the decades-long scourge of communist insurgency once and for all.

Each of the dead "represents a tragedy for the Filipino nation." At least so says the AFP. But they chose their method of patriotism which was to join the fight against the government. The AFP has been encouraged by this fight and says there will be no let up.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/04/20/army-chief-no-letup-in-anti-insurgency-drive-after-19-npa-rebels-killed-in-negros-clashes

The Philippine Army (PA) will sustain its campaign against communist insurgents despite a series of deadly encounters in Negros Occidental that left 19 alleged New People’s Army (NPA) members dead, its chief said Monday, April 20.

Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarette, PA commanding general, mourned the loss of lives in an encounter between troops from the 79th Infantry Battalion under the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) and remnants of the Northern Negros Front in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental on April 19.

“The Philippine Army condoles with the families of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) members who perished in the military operation on April 19, 2026 in Toboso, Negros Occidental. It is unfortunate that these CTG members were themselves victims of lies and deception that exploit the vulnerable,” Nafarrete said.

“We assure the Filipino people that there will be no let-up in our campaign to end the decades-long scourge of communist insurgency once and for all. The Philippine Army stands firm in our mission to serve the people and secure the land,” he added.

Initial field reports relayed by PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said 19 NPA members were killed after six encounters between the opposing forces while one Army soldier sustained a minor injury but is now in stable condition.

The Visayas Command (Viscom) said the operation dealt a major blow to insurgents trying to regain ground in northern Negros. Government forces also recovered at least seven high-powered firearms along with war materiel.

“This latest debacle of the CPP-NPA is detrimental to their efforts to regain foothold in Northern Negros, as it weakens their ability to sow terror and fear among our people in the area,” said Lt. Gen. Fernando Reyeg, VISCOM commander.

Among those killed was Roger Fabillar, also known as Jhong or Arnel Tapang, tagged as head of the Special Partisan Unit (SPARU) under the Northern Negros Front.

The VISCOM said Fabillar had a P1 million bounty and was linked to killings of civilians in Escalante City and Toboso.

“Justice has been served for the innocent civilians whose lives were taken by this notorious terrorist. The neutralization of Fabillar delivers a powerful message that VISCOM will relentlessly pursue those who commit atrocities against our people,” Reyeg said.

The armed conflict in Negros Island has long been tied to land disputes and poverty. Insurgent groups have maintained a presence in remote areas for decades, though the military has repeatedly declared weakened guerrilla fronts in recent years.

“I commend the operating troops of the 79th Infantry Battalion for showing steadfast commitment to mission and dedication to duty. Your adherence to International Humanitarian Law and utmost respect for human rights stand as a testament to the professionalism and honor that define the Philippine Army soldier,” Nafarrete said.

Even as the military pressed its advantage, it renewed its call for remaining rebels to surrender.

“Every life lured into the communist terrorist armed insurgency represents a tragedy for the Filipino nation. It is our sincere hope that the remaining CTG members will lay down their arms and choose the path of peace,” Nafarrete noted.

You can't say "justice has been served" and then offer condolences claiming each man was deceived. Was Roger Fabillar also deceived? Where are his condolences? Why offer them at all to the enemies of the nation? 

This clash resulted in the displacement of at least 600 people who were forced to flee their homes.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2215024/over-600-flee-homes-as-army-npa-clash-in-negros-occidental

An encounter between soldiers of the 79th Infantry Battalion and remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental triggered the mass evacuation of 653 residents on Sunday, April 19.

Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco said the exact number of casualties had yet to be confirmed.

“We are still awaiting official reports from both the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the New People’s Army,” Jaojoco said in an interview at 11 p.m. Sunday.

He added that while local police were preparing body bags, no confirmed details on casualties were available as of yet.

The firefight in Sitio Sinugmawan, Barangay Salamanca, forced 168 families, or 653 individuals, to flee their homes. Displaced residents are currently taking shelter in school buildings in Barangays Salamanca and San Jose, he said.

Brig. Gen. Ted Dumosmog, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, said one government soldier sustained a minor hand injury during the clash, which began around 4 a.m.

Dumosmog said the rebels were led by Arnel Tapang, also known by the aliases “Jhong,” “Nono,” and “Roger Fabillar.”

A full briefing on the encounter and the status of pursuit operations is scheduled for a press conference on Monday morning, he added.

The Toboso clash came shortly after another encounter in the province.

On Saturday, April 18, troops of the 15th Infantry Battalion engaged remnants of the dismantled Southwest Front, Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, in Sitio Lomboy, Barangay Caliling, Cauayan.

As the situation remains fluid, Jaojoco urged the public to remain vigilant.

“Let us continue to pray for peace and protection amid the ongoing armed conflict,” he said.

The NTF-ELCAC says the NPA was decimated and is urging the remaining Reds to surrender. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1273357

With government troops inflicting massive losses to the New People's Army (NPA) group in Toboso town in Negros Occidental over the weekend, a ranking National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed (NTF-ELCAC) official on Tuesday called on all remaining communist insurgents in the region to surrender and return to living peaceful and productive lives with their families.

"To those who remain in the armed struggle, we say this: the path you are on leads nowhere but loss. The organization you serve will not protect you. It will use you, and when the time comes, abandon you. The long arm of the law will reach you—it always does," NTF-ELCAC executive director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. said in a message to reporters.

"But there is still a way out. Lay down your arms. Return to your families. Avail of the government’s reintegration and amnesty programs. Choose life. Choose peace. Because peace is not won by bullets —it is secured when we break the cycle of lies, end the violence, and reclaim every Filipino life from a cause that was never meant to serve them," he concluded.

Torres made this call after government troops "decimated" a key NPA unit in Barangay Salamanca in a series of encounters.

The NTF-ELCAC official said a ranking NPA leader and long-hunted fugitive Arnel Tapang, with a PHP1 million bounty, was neutralized and killed following a clash with the 79th Infantry Battalion, a unit of the 3rd Infantry Division.

A total of 19 suspected NPA insurgents, including Tapang, were killed.

Torres said these encounters are a clear reminder that the long arm of the law will always catch up with those who persist in terrorism.

Likewise, the NTF-ELCAC official commended Philippine Army troops for the successful combat operation against NPA remnants in the province.

"Their courage, discipline, and professionalism once again demonstrate the firm resolve of the government to protect our people and secure communities long plagued by violence. But let us be equally clear—this is not a moment for celebration. It is a moment of reflection and reckoning," Torres said.

He added these individuals recruited and "terror-groomed" by NPA remnants are treated and used as "cannon fodder—used, deployed, and ultimately sacrificed by a leadership that remains distant from the battlefield."

"In Negros and elsewhere, this pattern has been persistent: individuals are isolated from their families, conditioned to reject dissent, and molded to believe that violence is their only purpose," Torres said.

Whatever can be said about this event it shows that the NPA has not been defeated and remains a force to be reckoned with.

Except the AFP claims the NPA leadershio in Negros has been wiepod out. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2216227/army-npa-leadership-in-negros-wiped-out

Five of the 19 suspected rebels killed in an encounter on Sunday were key officials of the New People’s Army’s Northern Negros Front (NNF), creating a leadership vacuum in the area, a Philippine Army official said Tuesday.

Brig. Gen. Ted Dumosmog, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, said the group’s core leadership had been eliminated.

“Their core leadership has been wiped out,” Dumosmog told the Inquirer.

The 19 rebels were killed in a series of encounters with troops of the 79th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental.

Authorities have so far identified only five of the 19 recovered bodies.

Among those killed were Glenmar Bacosmo, reportedly the NNF secretary, and his deputy, known by the alias “Pat.”

Also slain were Rene Vilavencenio, vice squad leader of NNF Squad 2, and Pedro Bonghanoy, alias “Regine,” team leader of the NNF’s Centro de Gravedad.

Earlier identified among the fatalities was long-wanted rebel leader Roger Fabillar, who also used the aliases “Arnel Tapang,” “Jhong,” “Nono,” and “Domeng.”

Dumosmog said Fabillar served as commanding officer of the NNF Special Operations Group and Centro de Gravedad, and was linked to numerous killings of civilians in northern Negros.

Photos circulating online showed several women and a man described as “foreign-looking” among the fatalities. Asked whether one of those killed was a foreigner, Dumosmog said there are many foreign-looking individuals in Negros and did not confirm the claim.

The Army said troops recovered 24 firearms from the scene, including seven M16 rifles, three Garand rifles, three M14 rifles, a carbine rifle, an M203 grenade launcher, six .45-caliber pistols, and three .357 Magnum revolvers.

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said that while the military described the operation as “justice served,” the incident saddened him.

“When incidents like this happen, it really saddens me because it is Filipinos fighting fellow Filipinos,” Lacson said in a separate interview.

He reiterated his call for insurgents to lay down their arms and rejoin society, noting that both national and provincial governments have programs to help former rebels start anew.

Lacson also expressed hope that violence, especially in northern Negros, would come to an end.

San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza said the clash in Toboso should not be reduced to a body count.

“It must become a wake-up call. The conversation must return to root causes, not focus solely on armed actors. Peace processes must be inclusive, not reduced to military solutions,” he said.

Again, we have seen this claims many times. How can it be believed?

 According to the AFP "solid info" led to this clash. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1273400

The recent neutralization of 19 remnants of the dismantled New People’s Army’s (NPA) Northern Negros Front in Toboso, Negros Occidental, was due to accurate intelligence and precise execution of a battle plan, the Philippine Army's 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) said on Tuesday.

In a statement, 3ID commander Maj. Gen. Michael Samson said these efforts are focused on stopping the atrocities and killings permanently and ensuring justice for their victims.

"Backed by reliable information and executed with precision, these combat operations are part of the Army’s continuing efforts in Negros to neutralize all remnants and achieve total victory in the fight against insurgency," he said.

The Toboso running gun battle has resulted in the highest number of casualties among the NPA guerrilla fronts on Negros Island in decades.

It's not clear if this means info from former rebels or from persons in the community or from good old fashioned humint. Either way 19 NPA are dead and the AFP is clamming this as a major victory. 

In Surigao Sur they are claiming the NPA has collapsed after military gains. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1273267

After decades of violence in Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities, the New People’s Army (NPA) is facing collapse as intensified military operations force its remaining fighters into retreat in Surigao del Sur, an IP leader said Monday.

Datu Rico Maca, the IP Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, lauded the Philippine Army for a series of successful operations that have weakened the manpower and firepower of the NPA’s North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).

“The NEMRC’s guerrilla fronts have already been dismantled, most of its fighters have already surrendered, some were killed, and their firearms were recovered by the military,” Maca said in an interview.

Recent military operations in the hinterlands of San Miguel resulted in the death of three rebels, the recovery of six firearms and bomb-making materials, and the surrender of two others.

On April 17, two female NPA members were killed in a skirmish in Barangay San Roque, San Miguel. One was identified as the finance officer and wife of the NEMRC commander, alias Bong Waco, while the other was a member of the Manobo tribe.

On April 15, the NEMRC’s political instructor yielded to the Army, citing trauma and exhaustion. On the same day, another rebel was killed, and five high-powered firearms were seized during an encounter in Barangay Bolhoon.

The Army also recovered four gallons of a nitro energetic molecule, used for fabricating improvised explosive devices (IEDs), in Barangay Mahaba, Marihatag, on April 12.

Maca noted that IP communities have long suffered from the insurgency and that its end will bring peace and development to the Manobo tribe. He expressed optimism that San Miguel and the rest of the province would be declared insurgency-free within the year. 

Yeah, we shall see how that goes.  

In a Samar clash a fatality was identified as a minor. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1273343

The New People’s Army (NPA) member killed in a recent encounter with government troops in Jiabong, Samar was a minor, a military official said Tuesday.

Capt. Christopher Tataro, spokesperson of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division (8ID), disclosed this information after the family identified the body following the April 17 clash.

Tataro said the 17-year-old fatality, alias “John Paul,” was a native of San Jose de Buan and was reportedly been recruited into the armed movement at 13.

“He was with the Yakal Platoon during the encounter, but further verification showed that he was a member of the Regional Security Force under the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee,” Tataro said.

The encounter involved troops from the 14th Infantry Battalion who were conducting operations in a hinterland village in Jiabong.

Following the encounter, the military renewed its call for remaining communist rebels to surrender and return to the fold of the law, assuring them of government assistance for reintegration.

Tataro also urged communities to support efforts in persuading insurgents to lay down their arms.

“The communist problem is not just a military concern but also a socio-economic issue. Communities must reject communist ideology, while the government continues to deliver basic services on the ground,” he said.

Why was he there? Why had he been fighting for four years? Did he believe in the cause? These are things we need to know. 

Hi, My Name is...70

Animals attack! Animals attacked!  It's an all out war between Filipinos and pets and wild animals. 

Hi, my name is dog. I saw a guy on an e-bike and chased after him barking wildly as he sped away. His name is Ivan. He later returned with an airlift gun and in revenge he shot me a few times. He was arrested for violating the COMELEC gun ban and for harming me.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/20/man-arrested-after-firing-airsoft-gun-at-dog-that-chased-him

A man was arrested after allegedly firing an airsoft gun at a dog that chased him in Naic, Cavite, on Tuesday, Sept. 19.

The Cavite Police Provincial Office identified the suspect as Ivan Paul R. De Guzman.

Initial investigation says the suspect was driving an e-bike when he was chased by the dog. A few moments later, he returned to the area with an air gun pistol and reportedly shot the dog, causing alarm in the vicinity.

Barangay officials immediately responded to the scene and sought the help of Naic Municipal Police Station (MPS).

Naic MPS Chief Col. Resty E. Soriano told the Manila Bulletin that the dog survived the attack but sustained red marks on the skin. Authorities are still waiting for the official medical report.

Recovered from the scene was a black air gun pistol loaded with 22 pellets.

The police stated that an air gun is not classified as a firearm because it uses air compression to propel the bullet rather than burning gunpowder or other combustion methods. 

However, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban covers “air gun, airsoft guns, and their replica/imitation in whatever form that can cause an ordinary person to believe that they are real.”

The suspect is now under the custody of Naic MPS and is facing charges for alarm and scandal and violating the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 and the Comelec gun ban.

Hi, my name is Gene's pet dog. We were both asleep on Gene's bed when all of a sudden there was a flood due to high tide. An electrical extension cord as plugged in next to the bed and the water caused it to electrocute both of us. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/06/02/man-dog-electrocuted-while-sleeping-in-bulacan

A 28-year-old man and his dog were electrocuted while sleeping after floodwaters from a high tide reached a plugged-in extension cord in Hagonoy, Bulacan, on Saturday, May 31.

The Hagonoy police identified the victim as Gene Darel Aguilar, a resident of Barangay San Isidro. 

According to the victim’s mother, her son was sleeping with his pet dog when the riverside water near their home suddenly rose due to high tide. 

He was later found unresponsive by his brother, lying beside his lifeless dog. 

He was immediately rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Initial police investigation revealed that an electrical extension cord was plugged in near Aguilar’s bed. 

The family believes he may have underestimated the risk of rising water levels, not realizing the tide would reach the cord and result in electrocution.

At the time of the incident, Aguilar was reportedly alone in the house.

The victim’s mother appealed to both the national and local governments to provide a lasting solution to the flooding problem in their area—an issue residents have faced for decades, especially during high tide or heavy rainfall.

Barangay San Isidro village chief Nene Balatbat also called on concerned agencies to construct a durable barrier or dike to protect the community from frequent flooding.

Authorities reminded residents, particularly those living near rivers or low-lying areas, to be extra cautious during high tides or floods, warning that floodwaters can become deadly conductors of electricity—especially when damaged or exposed electrical lines are present.

Hi, my name is stray dog. I was just going about my business when I was dognapped by two men named Manny and Lawrence. They burned me and then tossed me into a toilet. But someone saw them and reported them.

https://mb.com.ph/2025/06/23/2-laborers-nabbed-for-burning-dog

Police apprehended two construction workers for allegedly burning a dog in Barangay Pinmilapil here on Sunday, June 22.

The suspects were identified as Manny and Lawrence, both 23.

They were arrested after a concerned citizen reported the incident to the police. The burnt dog was found in an abandoned comfort room.

The suspects and the dog were turned over to the police with assistance from barangay officials.

A complaint for violating the Animal Welfare Act (Republic Act) 8485 as amended by RA 10631 is being prepared against the suspects.

Hi, my name is Boy's Cat. Boy is my owner and one night he was inside the house drinking with his brother-in-law. Meanwhile the neighbor had snuck inside the yard and stabbed me.  I meowed in pain and Boy came out to see what was the matter. He espied the knife stuck in my leg and followed a trail of blood which led to the neighbors house. He admitted he stabbed me because I often came into his yard.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/03/11/79-year-old-man-arrested-for-stabbing-neighbors-cat-in-valenzuela

A 79-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly stabbed his neighbor’s cat in Barangay Lingunan, Valenzuela City on Monday, March 9.

The Valenzuela City Police Station (VCPS) said the cat’s owner, identified only as “Boy,” 33, was drinking with his brother-in-law at their house when they heard the loud cries of the cat outside.

When they checked, they found the cat bleeding, with a knife still stuck in its hind leg.

The two followed a trail of blood and discovered that it led to the house of the suspect.

The cat’s owner immediately brought the injured animal to a veterinarian and reported the incident to Police Sub-Station 6.

Police later responded to the report and arrested the suspect, who allegedly admitted to stabbing the cat.

Authorities said the suspect told the owner that the cat often entered his property, which prompted him to attack the animal.

The suspect is now facing charges for violation of Republic Act 8485, or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, as amended by Republic Act 10631.

Hi, our names are "Rojim,; "Jojo," and "Tony." Our gamecocks went missing so we went on the hunt for the perpetrator. When we found him we beat the stuffing out of him. He later died at the hospital and we turned ourselves in to the PNP. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/05/28/3-men-wanted-for-killing-man-over-gamecocks-in-antipolo-surrender

Three individuals wanted for the brutal killing of a 45-year-old construction worker over missing gamecocks surrendered to police on May 26, the Rizal Police Provincial Office (Rizal PPO) said.

The suspects, identified as "Rojim,; "Jojo," and "Tony," were listed as the No. 2 most wanted persons at the city level.

Police said the suspects turned themselves in at the Police Community Precinct 2, Antipolo Component City Police Station in Sitio Langhaya in Barangay Dela Paz.

Authorities presented them with their warrant of arrest for the crime of murder, issued on Nov. 14, 2024, no bail recommended.

Investigation revealed that on July 11, 2024, the victim was forcibly taken by the suspects to Barangay Mayamot, where they confronted him about the missing gamecocks. There, they brutally beat up, stabbed, and struck him with various objects.

The victim was rushed to Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Marikina City where he was declared dead on arrival due to his injuries.

Rojim, Jojo, and Tony were placed under the custody of the Antipolo Component City Police Station.

Hi, my name is Al-Mariel Calvario. I was riding on a motorcycle with my husband Karl. All of a sudden a dog ran out into the street. My husband swerved to miss the dog but he still hit it and I fell off the motorcycle and died. The dog's owner fled the scene after the accident. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/924581/woman-pangasinan-dies-motorcycle-dog/story/

A 28-year-old woman died after she fell off the motorcycle she was riding with her husband when they hit a dog that reportedly crossed the street suddenly in Barangay Sang Miguel, Calasiao, Pangasinan.

The woman was identified as Al-Mariel Calvario. She was with her husband, Karl, who was driving the motorcycle at that time.

The incident happened on October 21, 2024, while the couple was on their way to buy milk for their two-year-old child.

"Suddenly the dog crossed. I avoided it, but it still met me. My wife suddenly fell," Karl said.

Karl suffered minor injuries, including scratches on his right arm. He also felt pain in his shoulder.

Al-Mariel hit her head on the pavement. She was rushed to the hospital but died during treatment.

Authorities are searching for the owner of the dog, which fled the scene after the accident.

“What we are doing now, Sir, is tracking down the owner of the dog,” PCPT. Anthony Doctolero, Deputy Chief of the Calasiao Police Station, said.

Rony Basa, a barangay councilman in San Miguel, emphasized the need for pet owners to follow local regulations.

"Barangay members, we need to tie up our dogs. There is an ordinance there, there is a penalty attached," Basa said.

Under the local "Aso Mo, Itali Mo" ordinance, offenders can face fines ranging from P500 to P1,000, depending on the severity of the violation.

Hi, we are 20 dogs and cats loaded on a boat bound for the Visayas. During transport we all died from heatstroke. It appears the shipping company did not provide air-conditioning. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/948046/cebu-city-vet-to-investigate-deaths-of-over-20-dogs-cats-on-visayas-bound-boat/story/

The Cebu City Veterinary Office will investigate deaths of no fewer than 20 dogs or cats on a boat bound for the Visayas.

According to a report on 24 Oras Weekend on Sunday, video showed the animals in their cages or carriers on the boat. According to Cebu City veterinarian Dr. Alice Utlang, the animals may have possibly died of heat stroke during the journey.

They will ask the shipping company for the details of the voyage and if it had declared the cargo of animals. According to the report, transporting animals requires proper documentation and care; and there must be air-conditioning.

Hi, my name is Oyong Miranda. I waded into a river to wash my feet when I was attacked by a crocodile. He wasn't very big so I wrestled him and pulled myself free from his jaws. I ended up having to get some stitches but am otherwise ok. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1211633

Village officials in Barangay Sumbiling in Bataraza town warned residents, especially children, to avoid swimming in the river that passes through the community while a rogue crocodile is on the loose.

Saramhel Armal, a barangay councilor in Sumbiling, on Wednesday told reporters that a village elder had been attacked by a crocodile as he waded in the river.

He reported that 71-year-old Oyong Miranda sustained bites in the leg and body soon after he went into the water close to where the apex predator was lying in wait.

Miranda was quoted as saying that he only went into the river to wash his feet when the attack took place around 5:30 pm on Tuesday.

The septuagenarian was able to break free from the animal’s jaws, as he reportedly “grappled” with the crocodile, which was described as not being very large.

After successfully extricating himself from the crocodile’s clutches, Miranda was rushed to the Rio Tuba Hospital where he received stitches for his wounds.

"He really didn't notice that there was a crocodile in the water he was lowering himself into. It just suddenly attacked him in the river behind their house," Armal said.

The victim is currently recovering from his wounds, the barangay official added.

Bataraza is a municipality located on the southernmost tip of Palawan Island, approximately 225 kilometers from here.

The municipality is known for having wild crocodiles roaming in its waters.

In January, residents of this town managed to capture a 15-foot saltwater crocodile but it died shortly after being shot at using a small-caliber firearm.

In July, a dead saltwater crocodile measuring 14.9 feet was found floating along the shoreline of Sitio Gunob in the town's Barangay Inogbong. 

Hi, my name is Johnmed Parungao. I shot my neighbor's cat in the head. It took her a year of securing CCTV footage to discover it was me and file charges. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/05/08/2353440/man-faces-raps-killing-neighbors-cat

A criminal case has been filed against a man who shot dead his neighbor’s cat in Manila.

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and the cat’s owner filed a complaint against Johnmed Parungao before the Manila prosecutor’s office on May 3.

Parungao is facing charges for violating Republic Act 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act.

PAWS executive director Anna Cabrera said the cat was found dead by her owner with a gunshot to the head.

It took the cat’s owner nearly a year to identify Parungao as the culprit after she obtained closed-circuit television footage, which showed the suspect shooting the pet.

It was not determined what prompted Parungao to kill the cat.

If the complaint goes to court, the suspect is facing more than a year in prison and will be fined P100,000 if convicted.

Hi, our names are Leosette Canoy and Analyn Shurtliff Bartolome. We were out hiking in the backwoods of British Columbia when we were attacked by a black bear. While looking for a place to take some good pictures of the autumn leaves Analyn's son was confronted by a charging black bear. He acted in swift fashion by punching the bear as the British Columbia Parks Service advises. That did not stop it and we were all injured. Finally someone called 911 and the RCMP showed up and shot the bear dead. 

https://usa.inquirer.net/112968/two-filipinas-mauled-by-black-bear-in-canada

Two Filipino mothers are in critical condition after being mauled by a black bear while hiking on Oct. 3 in northeastern British Columbia.

Leosette Canoy, her friend Analyn Shurtliff Bartolome, her son and Canoy’s niece were walking on Monday on a cross-country trail on Bear Mountain,  south of Dawson Creek in the western Canadian province when the attack occurred.

Canoy has had more than six hours of surgery for the maiming she received to her arms, head, back, and ear. She is sedated and on a ventilator.

Her friend Analyn Bartolome may lose her left arm. She is at high risk of infection from the multiple lacerations on her body and her scalp.

The group “was looking for nice spots to take fall pictures with the autumn leaves,” Gary Hansen, Canoy’s husband, told told CBC News. Canoy, who arrived from the Philippines 15 years ago loves the Canadian wilderness, Hansen said.

As the group headed back home, Bartolome’s teenage son heard a noise and found himself facing a charging black bear.

He alerted the group, and as the British Columbia Parks Service advises when confronted with a predatory bear, he fought back, punching it. That didn’t stop the bear, and the boy suffered bad bruising around his ribs.

The bear then attacked Bartolome, and Canoy came to her defense, absorbing most of the injuries from the attack. The injured mothers lay on the ground as the bear circled around them.

Their companions tried to drive the bear away from them to no avail. They finally called 911. Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers arrived and shot the bear dead.

Canoy was airlifted to a hospital 600 kilometers away in Edmonton, and Bartolome was flown to Vancouver and remains in critical condition at an ICU.

Encounters between bears and humans have risen in recent years in Canada due to habitat loss, but fatal attacks are still rare – one every 5 years in British Columbia, according to British Columbia Conservation Foundation.

As of Thursday afternoon,  Canoy’s fundraiser had collected over $10,000, more, and Bartolome’s had brought in more than $11,600.