Assassinated Citizens September, 2026

Assassination is normal in the Philippines not only for government officials but also for regular citizens. The most common method of assassination for both citizens and officials is a motorcycle duo riding up on the target and then blasting them away. This series will document the number of citizens assassinated on a monthly basis. These stories are to be distinguished from regular murder cases which happen on a daily basis. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2298237/farmer-killed-while-having-breakfast-with-friends-in-bukidnon

A morning meal with friends turned into a bloodbath after a sugarcane farmer was gunned down inside his own hut in Don Carlos, Bukidnon, on Wednesday morning.

Police identified the victim as a 31-year-old male who was having breakfast with four companions at around 7:40 a.m. in Purok 6, Barangay Embayao, when a familiar face stormed in with a gun.

The gunman, identified only as alias “Janjan,” barged into the hut and abruptly opened fire on the victim without warning, according to witness testimony gathered by investigators. The burst of gunfire sent the victim’s companions fleeing in terror in different directions.

Maj. Al-Nico Haman, chief of the Don Carlos Municipal Police Station, said police officers rushed to the scene following a phone call from a local Civilian Volunteer Organization member.

The responding officers rushed the victim to the Maramag Provincial Hospital in neighboring Maramag town, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His body was later transferred to Adlawan Funeral Homes.

Investigators disclosed that the suspect and the victim were acquaintances working in the sugarcane farming trade. The suspect had even occasionally stayed at the victim’s hut, where the crime occurred.

A Scene of the Crime Operations team led by Police Captain Lorenzo Hubayan processed the area between 11:50 a.m. and 3:29 p.m.

In a report submitted to Brig. Gen. Nestor Babagay Jr., regional director of Police Regional Office 10 (PRO-10), Bukidnon Police Provincial Director Col. Oliver Navales said local forces immediately launched hot-pursuit operations, established a dragnet, and activated “OPLAN SHIELD” to track down the fleeing gunman.

Navales ordered Don Carlos police to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the motive and ensure the immediate resolution of the case.

 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2301285/lucena-teen-older-companion-shot-dead-while-hunting-spiders

A fifteen-year-old boy was killed alongside a 26-year-old companion while their group of friends scavenged for spiders on Monday night.

According to a spot report from the Lucena City police, the victims were out hunting for spiders with four other friends in Purok Jasmine, Barangay Domoit when they were assaulted by a suspect at 10:30 p.m.

Police said a 38-year-old farm manager – without apparent reason or provocation – allegedly fired a shotgun, killing the boy and the older victim. 

The four other companions scampered away after hearing the gunshots.

Investigators recovered two empty shotgun shells at the crime scene and later arrested the gunman. No further details about the attack or the motive for shooting the teenager and his companion were available at presstime.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/765089/cebu-city-shooting-ex-convict-killed-near-inayawan-dumpsite

An ex-convict died after he was shot by an unidentified assailant in White Road, Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City, early Wednesday, September 9.

The victim was identified as Daniel Mondego, a resident of the area.

Mondego, who was in his 40s, sustained gunshot wounds to the head and various parts of his body.

According to the Inayawan Police Station, Mondego’s aunt, Gloria, asked him to fix a broken water pipe at around 4 a.m. on Wednesday.

After completing the task, he reportedly left their home with an unidentified woman. That was the last time Mondego was seen alive.

A few minutes later, at around 5 a.m., his family received information that he had been shot near the old Inayawan dumpsite.

He was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital.

In an interview with police, Gloria said the killing could be drug-related, noting that Mondego had been jailed several times for his involvement in illegal drug activities.

As of this writing, personnel of the Inayawan Police Station are continuing their investigation into Mondego’s killing and efforts to locate and identify the gunman.

 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/09/12/truck-driver-shot-dead-by-riding-in-tandem-in-quezon

Riding-in-tandem suspects gunned down a 41-year-old who was driving his tricycle along Candelaria San Juan Road, in Barangay Malabanban Sur, on Friday evening, Sept. 11, in this town.

The victim was identified as Christopher, 41, married, and a resident of Purok 4, of this place.

He died on-the-spot due to gunshot wounds sustained in different parts of his body.

The suspects fled, heading in the direction of San Juan, Batangas. It was believed that they still had their firearms with them.

Police records showed that, at about 6 p.m., the victim was driving a tricycle and heading in the direction of San Juan, Batangas, when the suspects, on board a motorcycle, suddenly appeared from behind and fired several shots using a short firearm.

During initial ocular inspection, several fired cartridge cases for caliber .45 were seen at the crime scene.

Police investigated the case and conducted a follow-up operation for the possible arrest of the suspects.

 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2308237/man-shot-dead-in-bukidnon

A 33-year-old man was shot dead while walking along a road at Purok 4, Sitio Pantaron, Barangay Banlag here on Saturday evening.

Initial investigation showed that the incident occurred at approximately 7:00 p.m. when the victim was using his cellphone while walking home. 

An unidentified suspect approached and shot him three times. The victim sustained gunshot wounds to thechest, abdomen and thigh.Investigators have identified a person of interest, believed to be the former live-in partner of the victim’s current partner.Lt Col. Hope Mark Orbuda, Valencia City Police Station OIC chief, activated Oplan Shield for the conduct of hot pursuit operations to apprehend the suspect.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/09/24/woman-boy-shot-dead-while-waiting-for-jeepney-in-caloocan

A 41-year-old woman and a 15-year-old boy were shot dead by an unidentified gunman while waiting for a jeepney in Barangay 181, Caloocan City, on Monday night, Sept. 21.

Police said the attack happened around 7:40 p.m. in front of Gate 4 of Bankers Village II on Quirino Highway in Sapang Alat.

Initial investigation showed the victims were with a 17-year-old witness waiting for a jeepney bound for Malaria. 

The witness had already boarded when the suspect approached and shot the woman, then the boy, before fleeing.

Responding officers found both victims dead on the road.

Authorities described the gunman as wearing a blue jacket, black shorts, and black shoes. 

Personnel from the Northern Police District processed the crime scene, while investigators review CCTV footage and conduct follow-up operations.

The motive behind the attack remains under investigation.

 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/09/24/manhunt-on-for-moto-riding-gunmen-in-rizal-shooting-case

Authorities launched a manhunt operation to arrest motorcycle-riding men who shot a 23-year-old man outside his home in Rodriguez, Rizal on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 23.

The Rizal Police Provincial Office (Rizal PPO) said the victim, identified as “John,” was standing in front of his house in Kasiglahan Village, Barangay San Jose, around 1:30 p.m. when the still-unidentified suspects suddenly arrived on a motorcycle.

Based on the investigation, the suspects then briefly spoke with the victim when one of them suddenly pulled out an unidentified firearm and shot him, hitting him in the head.

The suspects immediately fled. The victim, meanwhile, was brought to East Avenue Medical Center for medical treatment.

As of Thursday, Sept. 24, no further updates on the victim’s condition were available.

The Rodriguez Municipal Police Station said a follow-up operation is now ongoing to identify the suspects and determine the motive behind the shooting.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/09/25/gunmen-in-ridehailing-outfits-shoot-woman-in-makati

The Southern Police District (SPD) said Friday, Sept. 25, that the suspects in the Makati City shooting that left a woman injured were wearing clothing resembling that of ride-hailing app riders. 

The incident occurred at around 6:50 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, along Chino Roces Avenue in Barangay Pio del Pilar.

Police said the victim, who was inside her vehicle, was wounded when motorcycle-riding gunmen approached, fired at her and sped off.

Personnel from Sub-Station 3 of the Makati City Police responded and secured the area, while the victim was taken to Makati Medical Center.

According to the SPD, authorities are verifying reports that the victim had received threats before the attack. 

“As to the motive, authorities are looking into all possible angles, including personal and work-related motives. Information regarding alleged threats received by the victim is also being validated and followed up as part of the ongoing investigation,” the SPD said.

Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses to identify the suspects.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/09/28/woman-gunned-down-in-front-of-building-in-ilocos-sur

A 56-year-old woman was killed and two men were injured after unidentified gunmen opened fire in front of the Land Registry Authority (LRA) building on Quirino Boulevard in Barangay V here on Monday morning, Sept. 28.

The woman, a resident of San Vicente, Ilocos Sur, was declared dead on arrival in a hospital. The injured victims were a 41-year-old resident of Vigan City and a 39-year-old resident of Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur.

Investigation said the female victim was about to board her vehicle when gunshots rang out. An LRA security guard checked the gunshots and found the woman wounded and one of the male victims seated beside her vehicle. The other male victim sought refuge inside the building.

The gunmen fled and the victim was taken to a hospital where she was declared dead.

Police recovered a .45 caliber firearm and spent bullet casings in the crime scene.

Ilocos Sur Police Provincial Office Provincial Director Police Col. Agosto M. Asuncion conducted an on-site assessment and ensured coordination among concerned police units handling the investigation.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/09/29/farm-caretaker-shot-dead-in-zamboanga-city

Police are investigating the murder of a farm caretaker  in Sitio Baluno, Barangay Bunguiao, this city, on Sunday, Sept. 27.

‎The victim, 55-year-old Arnold Santos Oliverio, a resident of Barangay Dulian, was gunned down inside his small nipa hut beside his house.

‎‎Investigation showed that the victim’s wife discovered her husband dead  after hearing gunfire.

‎She asked help from their child and authorities.

‎Relatives  described the victim as quiet and without any enemies.

 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/09/29/garbage-collector-gunned-down-in-zamboanga-city

A 43-year-old garbage collector was gunned down here on Tuesday, September 29.

The victim, identified as Anthony Lantaca, was shot dead in an early morning attack along Atilano Drive in Barangay Baliwasan.

Police Station 13 chief PCapt. Ariel Canablong said Lantaca was shot by a lone suspect in a dimly lit portion of the road.

He sustained a gunshot wound to the head, which caused his instantaneous death.

Police investigators who responded to the scene recovered eight empty shells believed to be from a caliber .45 pistol.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/09/30/police-probe-murder-of-tricycle-driver

Police are probing the murder of a 53-year-old tricycle driver in Barangay Salvacion, Murcia, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, Sept. 29.

Police identified the victim as Ernie, a resident of Barangay Salvacion.

Investigation said the victim was talking to bystanders when a man appeared and shot him in the head and body. He was declared dead in a hospital.

Police Capt. Honey Labaro, Murcia police chief, said the gunman allegedly fled with a companion on a motorcycle. He did not disclose other information, including the motive, pending further investigation.

In a media briefing at the Bacolod City Police Office Wednesday, Police Col. Eugene Rebadomia, BCPO director, said they are conducting a parallel investigation with the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office on the incident after the victim was tagged as suspect in the killing of an 80-year-old man in his home in Barangay Handumanan here on Sept. 19.

Rebadomia said the victim granted a radio interview where he linked another person to the death of the elderly man two days after he was killed.

Police are considering a person of interest based on the victim’s revelation. “We will conduct profiling and a thorough investigation for the filing of an airtight case against the perpetrator,” Rebadomia added.

Insurgency: Army Use Of Child

The Army has unearthed another of the many rebels arms caches that remain buried throughout the nation. Its location was disclosed during a debriefing of a former NPA commander. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2319311/army-unearths-rebel-arms-cache-in-zamboanga-del-sur

Troops of the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion (53IB) recovered an arms cache and war materiel in Barangay Dalapan, Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur, on Tuesday, Oct. 6, military officials reported.

The 53IB said the location of the hidden stash in Purok 3 was disclosed during a custodial debriefing with Florencio Sayamba, alias “Jay-R,” “Bebot,” and “Rico.”

Sayamba, a former commander of a militia unit under the defunct Guerrilla Front KARA of the New People’s Army’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee, was apprehended during pursuit operations in San Miguel town on June 18. 

He is currently detained at the Pagadian City Jail in Barangay Lenienza, Pagadian City.

Recovered from the site were a carbine rifle, an Ingram submachine gun, a .38-caliber revolver, two hand grenades, a commercial radio with four antennas, and about 20 meters of detonating cord.

The confiscated weapons and equipment were brought to the 53IB headquarters in Guipos for documentation and proper disposition.

Too bad he was apprehended rather than surrendered because now Florencio Sayamba will likely not be able to avail of E-CLIP benefits. 

The Army is pulling out all the stops to persuade NPA fighters to surrender. In one recent case they posted birthday photos of a rebels child on Facebook. 

https://www.bulatlat.com/2026/10/07/army-use-of-child-a-violation-of-intl-humanitarian-law/

The Philippine Army’s publication of child pictures to pressure a New People’s Army (NPA) member to surrender is a violation of international humanitarian law (IHL), a human rights group said in a statement.

“Posting the child’s name, photograph and location while giving her mother an ultimatum to surrender was not only inhumane and exploitative, it was tantamount to holding the child hostage to compel her mother to do something against her will,” said human rights lawyer Maria Sol Taule, deputy secretary-general of Karapatan, in a statement on October 5. 

In a deleted post, the 93rd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army published photos of a seven-year-old child with personal details under the pretext of a “birthday party” celebration to urge their NPA mother to surrender.

The Philippines is a signatory to the Geneva Conventions and is obligated to follow the rules of war under IHL. “Children shall be the object of special respect and shall be protected against any form of indecent assault. The Parties to the conflict shall provide them with the care and aid they require, whether because of their age or for any other reason,” the Fourth Geneva Convention stated.

The Philippines also ratified the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child. Under this binding treaty, children should also not be subjected to any arbitrary or unlawful interference on her privacy, family, home or correspondence, or unlawful attacks to their reputation as outlined in the Article 16.

“What the 93rd Infantry Battalion did is equal to hostage-taking,” said Elle Buntag, secretary-general of child rights group Salinlahi. “Basically, it is exploitation to force their mother to surrender.”

The group also recalled the case of certain “Baby Rhea”, a two-month-old infant held hostage along with two pregnant Red fighters in November 2022.

On September 19, Karapatan reported that military agents shot Arnida Cuaton Maguiguilid as she was about to enter the gate of the boarding house in Tagum City. 

Maguiguilid was seven months pregnant, a member of New People’s Army on medical leave, and unarmed when she was seized by the elements of the 603rd Infantry Brigade and 6th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army. 

“The pregnant NPA member, also vulnerable due to her condition, clearly had hors de combat status. Despite this, she was shot in the back, which crippled her and endangered her unborn child as well,” Taule said.

Rule 47 of the International Humanitarian Law prohibited attacking persons who are recognized as “hors de combat” or anyone who is defenseless because of unconsciousness, shipwreck, wounds or sickness.

“We are calling on the Filipino people, defenders of children’s rights, human rights and international humanitarian law, to help the victims attain justice and hold the AFP accountable,” Buntag said.

It's quite revealing that the Army has since deleted the post. But how did they obtain the photographs? If they know the names of NPA fighters why wouldn't they know where they are hiding? And do NPA rebels use Facebook? What is cellphone reception like in the wilderness?

That article also mentions the case of a pregnant NPA member who was shot in the back. The implication is that the Philippine Army shot her. However, that might not be the case. Here are two articles examining the situation from different angles. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2317551/karapatan-shooting-of-pregnant-npa-member-violates-international-law

Karapatan on Monday condemned the shooting of a pregnant member of the New People’s Army (NPA) by suspected military agents in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

Lawyer Maria Sol Taule, deputy secretary general of Karapatan, said the shooting of a certain Arnida Cuaton Maguiguilid on Sept. 19 was “a violation of international humanitarian law.”

“The pregnant NPA member, also vulnerable due to her condition, clearly had hors de combat status,” she pointed out. “Despite this, she was shot in the back, which crippled her and endangered her unborn child as well.”

Citing earlier local reports, Karapatan said Maguiguilid, who was on medical leave from the NPA and seven months pregnant, was about to enter the gate of the boarding house where she was staying in Barangay Visayan when she was shot.

Maguiguilid was brought to the hospital by her housemate, where she was “seized” by elements of the Philippine Army (PA). She was presented before the media on Sept. 24 as a “surrenderee.”

The military distanced itself from the Sept. 19 incident and insisted that it only came into the picture to facilitate her surrender.

“Our immediate concern was to ensure that she was safely brought under government care and provided the medical attention she needed,” Maj. Ruben Gadut, spokesperson for the PA’s 10th Infantry Division.

This article says the woman was seized by the military at the hospital and later presented as a surrenderee. The fact that she was on "medical leave from the NPA" is kind of odd. Medical leave from the revolution? So, the NPA has safe houses and the house was not raided? Instead the woman was shot out front? Why wouldn't the Army raid the safe house?

This second article presents the story from a different angle.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2316473/ndf-seeks-red-cross-intervention-for-wounded-pregnant-rebel-leader

A spokesman for Maoist rebels operating in Southern Mindanao has called on the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to intervene in the case of a pregnant New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla leader who was allegedly the subject of a kill attempt some two weeks ago in Davao del Norte.

Kim Montiza, spokesperson for the National Democratic Front-Far South Mindanao Region (NDF-FSMR), told the Inquirer the intervention from ICRC and human rights groups and lawyers will help ensure that the rights of Arnida Cuaton Manuiguilid, alias “Ka Lovi,” are respected as she recuperates from a lone but serious gunshot wound.

Montiza emphasized that under International Humanitarian Law (IHL), pregnant women and incapacitated combatants are strictly protected from attacks.

According to Montiza, Manuiguilid was around six months pregnant when she went on medical leave from her guerrilla unit in the first week of August. 

At past 6:00 p.m. on September 19, as Manuiguilid was closing the gate of her safe house after a quick run at a mall in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, an unidentified gunman opened fire, leaving her crumpled and bleeding on the street, Montiza said.

The single bullet entered Manuiguilid’s back and exited through her chest, a detail confirmed by Maj. Ruben Gadut, spokesperson for the Army’s 10th Infantry Division (10ID).

But Gadut said the Maoist fighter is now in stable condition, although Montiza claims that the amazona is “paralyzed from the waist down” because of the gunshot wound.

Both Gadut and Montiza are clueless regarding the condition of Manuiguilid’s pregnancy following the traumatic attack.

For days following the shooting, her exact situation was unclear. However, Gadut said that on September 25, Manuiguilid had “surrendered” and was by then receiving treatment in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, more than 200 kilometers away from Tagum.

Gadut claimed that the transfer was made upon Manuiguilid’s own request. Hailing originally from General Santos City, she asked to be brought to Koronadal City so she could be closer to her family.

Gadut distanced the military from the September 19 shooting, labeling it a “police matter” that involved an unidentified perpetrator.

The Army, Gadut pointed out, only entered the picture on September 25 to facilitate her surrender.

“Our immediate concern was to ensure that she was safely brought under government care and provided the medical attention she needed,” Gadut said. 

He added that her surrender formally allows her to avail of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP.

So, this lady went out for a quick run to the mall, again odd seeing as she is a wanted revolutionary, and was shot upon attempting to enter her house. She is described in negative terms as a "Maoist fighter" and an "amazon." The military claims they had nothing to do with the shooting and it is a "police matter." 

Spokesman Maj. Ruben Gadut says they facilitated her surrender on September 25th while the previous article says she was presented as a surrenderee a day earlier on the 24th. Is that a typo? What's the real timeline here? There also appear to be conflicting accounts of the woman's condition. The military says she is in stable condition while the NDF claims she is paralyzed from the waist down. How would the NDF know anything about her situation when she is in a hospital surrounded by the military?

And who shot this lady? Why would a random unknown shoot this specific woman who is an NPA rebel on medical leave? Did they know her identity and that she was attempting to enter an NPA safe house? Lots of questions to be answered by the police. 

The NPA claimed responsibility for a recent attack that wounded two soldiers and killed one CAFGU member. 

https://digicastnegros.com/npa-claims-responsibility-for-escalante-attack-that-killed-cafgu-member-wounded-2-soldiers/

The New People’s Army has claimed responsibility for the Sept. 29 attack on government troops in Escalante City, Negros Occidental, that left one Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) member dead and two soldiers wounded.

In a statement on Oct. 7, Ka Cecil Estrella, spokesperson of the Roselyn Jean Pelle Command-NPA Northern Negros Guerrilla Front, said its members carried out what it described as a harassment operation against personnel of the Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) and CAFGU in Sitio Bautista, Brgy. Malasibog, at around 3 p.m.

The NPA claimed its fighters opened fire on government troops conducting a patrol in the area, resulting in one fatality and two injuries on the government side.

Estrella said the exchange of gunfire lasted about three minutes and claimed that all NPA fighters were able to withdraw safely.

The group also alleged that government troops continued firing for about an hour after the initial exchange. This claim has not been independently verified.

The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) earlier confirmed that one CAFGU Active Auxiliary member was killed and two soldiers were wounded during the armed encounter.

However, the military said the firefight lasted about 10 minutes, differing from the NPA’s account.

According to the Army, personnel of the 79IB, including members of its Mobile Community Support and Sustainment Program team, were conducting a security patrol when they came under attack from an armed group.

The two wounded soldiers were brought to a hospital and were reported to be in stable condition.

Maj. Gen. Joey Escanillas, commander of the 3ID, earlier condemned the attack and assured the family of the slain CAFGU member of assistance.

The Army maintained that its personnel were in the area to support peace and development initiatives and protect communities from armed groups.

Meanwhile, the NPA said the attack was carried out in response to what it described as increasing military presence in the area and alleged killings attributed to government forces.

The rebel group also claimed continued support from communities in Toboso and Escalante, although this assertion could not be independently established.

The military, for its part, maintained that security operations would continue to prevent armed groups from regaining influence in communities.

The Sept. 29 encounter also affected residents of Sitio Bautista, with 13 families comprising 41 individuals reportedly evacuating due to fears following the firefight.

Despite being "strategically defeated" the NPA remains a deadly threat.

Week 14 of Vice President Sara Duterte's Impeachment Trial

Week 14 of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial featured testimony from the Anti-Money Laundering Council on day one. This testimony is related to allegations of ill-gotten wealth and undeclared assets on her SALN. AMLC Secretariat Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura testified that between 2011 and 2024 Sara Duterte's bank transactions ran as high as 55 million pesos. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2317346/amlc-witness-bank-reported-dutertes-p9-m-transactions-in-2011-2013

Vice President Sara Duterte’s bank transactions of over P500,000 from 2011 to 2024, including a P55 million interaccount transfer, were reported by various banks to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), its Secretariat Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura said Monday.

Private prosecutor Mae Divinagracia, during her examination of Buenaventura, pointed to the covered transaction reports (CTRs) of Duterte and her husband, Atty. Manases Carpio, from 2007 to 2025.

CTRs refer to transactions above P500,000.

Referring to AMLC records, Buenaventura testified on the following 24 of the 375 CTRs from the joint bank account of the vice president and former President Rodrigo Duterte:

• Reported by Bank of the Philippine Islands – J Vargas Branch
  • P9,785,744.55, March 9, 2011, debit memo
  • P9,109,644.80, April 8, 2013, over-the-counter cash withdrawal
  • P41,721,035.62, March 28, 2014, interaccount transfer
  • P55,131,747.32, March 28, 2014, interaccount transfer
  • P20,000,000.00, March 28, 2014, interaccount transfer
  • P20,000,000.00, March 28, 2014, interaccount transfer
  • P16,852,832.94, March 28, 2014, interaccount transfer
  • P20,000,000.00, March 28, 2014, interaccount transfer
  • P20,000,000.00, March 28, 2014, interaccount transfer
• Reported by Philippine Savings Bank – Wilson Branch
  • P1,945,265.88, December 26, 2018, time deposit placement debit memo
  • P1,945,265.88, December 26, 2018, time deposit placement credit memo
  • P1,984,235.15, January 23, 2020, time deposit placement debit memo
  • P1,984,235.15, January 23, 2020, time deposit placement credit memo
  • P2,005,340.22, December 28, 2020, time deposit placement debit memo
  • P2,005,340.22, December 28, 2020, time deposit placement credit memo
  • P2,012,498.18, December 23, 2021, time deposit placement debit memo
  • P2,012,498.18, December 23, 2021, time deposit placement credit memo
  • P2,020,879.39, September 22, 2022, time deposit placement debit memo
  • P2,020,879.39, September 22, 2022, time deposit placement credit memo
• Reported by Banko de Oro Unibank – Davao Riza Branch
  • P5,969,000.00, December 20, 2024, over-the-counter cash withdrawal
  • P5,969,000.00, December 20, 2024, over-the-counter cash withdrawal
• Reported by Landbank of the Philippines – San Pedro Branch
  • P2,371,000.00, December 5, 2024, over-the-counter cash withdrawal
• Reported by Metropolitan Bank & Tco-Davecolan
  • P1,700,000.00, December 20, 2024, over-the-counter cheque encashment

In addition, the AMLC records indicated that on April 1, 2014, Duterte purchased a life investment insurance policy worth P20,000,000 from BPI AIA Life Assurance Corp.

Buenaventura also detailed six of the 363 CTRs from Carpio’s accounts. In particular, the prosecution highlighted six of Carpio’s transactions made on a single day.

• Reported by Banko de Oro Unibank – Davao Riza Branch
  • P15,000,000.00, August 6, 2024, over-the-counter cheque encashment
  • P8,000,000.00, August 6, 2024, over-the-counter cheque encashment
• Reported by Philippine National Bank – Davao Branch
  • P5,000,000.00, August 6, 2024, over-the-counter cash withdrawal
  • P5,000,000.00, August 6, 2024, over-the-counter cash withdrawal
  • P3,000,000.00, August 6, 2024, over-the-counter cash withdrawal
  • P5,000,000.00, August 6, 2024, over-the-counter cash withdrawal

Those are massive transactions flagged because they were each over 500,000 pesos. The accounts of both Sara and her husband were flagged due to transactions allegedly linked to the flood control scandal and drug trafficking. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2317479/amlc-sara-duterte-spouse-transactions-linked-to-flood-control-drugs

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) on Monday disclosed several transactions by Vice President Sara Duterte and her spouse, Atty. Maneses Carpio, that were flagged for allegedly being related to the flood control scandal and drug trafficking.

During the 33rd day of Duterte’s impeachment trial, AMLC Secretariat Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura disclosed several suspicious transaction reports (STRs) before the Senate Impeachment Court while being questioned by private prosecutor Mae Divinagracia.

STRs refer to reports filed by covered institutions on transactions that exhibit specific red flags or irregularities under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, regardless of the amount involved.

Among the STRs revealed during the trial were premium payments made to The Mercantile Insurance Co. on July 4, 2019, and Nov. 15, 2019.

“Based on records, as reported by the covered person, the reason indicated is graft and corrupt practices,” Buenaventura said.

Asked what the narrative was, or the explanation behind the suspicion, Buenaventura said the following:

“Several news outlets recently released a list of individuals and corporations identified as being involved in the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) flood control issue, prompting the filing of an STR.”

Meanwhile, another STR, dated Aug. 1, 2024, linked Duterte’s husband, Mans Carpio, to drug trafficking, particularly PSBank accounts under his name, which were flagged following criminal complaints tied to a 2017 P6.4-billion shabu smuggling case.

Among the accused in the said case, based on the STR narrative, was Carpio, who owned two separate PSBank accounts, one peso and one dollar account.

“Both accounts were still active, with average daily balances for the past six months amounting to P519,787.44 and USD6,411.05, respectively,” the narrative read, which was likewise based on press accounts.

Another STR, dated Dec. 5, 2024, also flagged transactions Duterte allegedly committed for malversation of public funds and property.

“The client is alleged to have misappropriated confidential funds to her office,” Buenaventura said in reading the STR explanation, which also directly cited various news reports.

The STR narrative also cited COA’s disallowance of P73 million in confidential funds in 2022 under Duterte’s office.

At the end of last week former Senator Trillanes alleged that Sara Duterte had received millions of pesos from China. She vehemently denied that allegation but testimony from the AMLC seems to have vindicated Trillanes. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2317576/trillanes-vindicated-anew-amlc-says-carpio-firm-got-p319-m-from-china

It appears that former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV has been vindicated again, as a government official has confirmed the food company owned by lawyer Manases Carpio, husband of Vice President Sara Duterte, got funds over P319 million from China.

At Duterte’s impeachment trial on Monday, counsel for the prosecution Mae Divinagracia asked Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura about the total amount of inward financial transactions involving Carpio’s CALE88 Foods Corp., or money that came from mainland China and Hong Kong to the said company.

In response, Buenaventura said it is P319,326,770.41 — an amount that is close to the figure provided by Trillanes during a press briefing last Friday.

“Let’s go to Table 5 of your summary, based on your summary, Table 5, and the CTRs (covered transactions report) and STRs (suspicious transactions report) of CALE88, how much was the entire value of remittances from China that CALE88 received?” Divinagracia asked.

“The entire value, your Honor, the aggregate amount placed under aggregate Letter c, aggregate PHP with subtotal a, what was indicated in our tabular summary is P319,326,770.41, your Honor.  Based on the records, our tabular summary records,” Buenaventura said.

“‘The title of Table 5 your Honors is the CTRs pertaining to inward remittances to CALE88 Foods Corporation from (a) China and (b) other countries, (Item 5) your Honor,” he added.

Aside from this the table also showed that there are a total of 143 CTRs and three STRs on CALE88; 141 of the 143 CTRs were financial transactions from China and two from Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, all three STRs involved transactions from China.

Buenaventura, during the hearing of the House of Representatives’ committee on justice on the two impeachment complaints against Duterte, explained that covered transactions referred to bank transactions over P500,000, which banks report to AMLC.

Suspicious transactions, meanwhile, refer to those whose amounts are not determined, but were reported by banks because there is something questionable in terms of how funds were sourced.

There are other CTRs recorded by AMLC outside of China, including 13 from Ukraine, six each from Russia and Kazakhstan, four from Lithuania, two each from Tajikistan and South Africa, and one each from the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

All in all, there are 178 CTRs and three STRs, representing a total amount of P368.8 million worth of transactions.

Regarding the suspicious transactions from China, Buenaventura said that these were flagged because “there is no underlying legal or trade obligation, purpose, or economic justification.”

Trillanes signified his desire to testify before the Senate Impeachment Court, but eventually withdrew to supposedly relieve the prosecution panel of pressure.  Instead, the former senator presented his would have been testimony during a press conference in San Juan last Friday.

One of the items that Trillanes discussed was the alleged P319 million that went into CALE88 — despite having a paid-up capital of P125,000 from 2021 to 2025, having low electricity costs, and no rank-and-file employees.

Trillanes said that the P319 million was sent by Chinese firms in tranches, from 2023 to 2025.

Meanwhile, the Tapang at Malasakit Foundation, which Duterte listed herself as an incorporator in her 2022 Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth, reportedly received a P150 million donation from the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines in 2019.

All of these transactions add up to more than Sara Duterte's declared wealth for that time period. The AMLC executive said he could not the discrepancy. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2318505/amlc-exec-stumped-by-gap-in-sara-duterte-saln-vs-bank-records

Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Secretariat Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura admitted on Tuesday that he could not explain the gap between Vice President Sara Duterte’s declared net worth and reported financial transactions involving her and husband Manases Carpio.

Raising the “absurd possibility” of adding Duterte’s statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) from 2022 to 2025, Presiding Officer and Sen. Francis Escudero came up with a total of P336 million.

This figure, however, was still short of the P424 million that reportedly went in and out of the couple’s bank accounts during  the same period, Escudero said, citing AMLC records submitted to  the Senate impeachment court.

“It still did not reach P424 million. Meaning to say, assuming that nothing was spent from all of their assets and everything was deposited in the bank, it still would not reach this amount,” Escudero pointed out, while asking questions to AMLC Secretariat Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura.

Buenaventura was presented by the prosecution in relation to allegations that Duterte had amasses unexplained wealth and failed to declare all her assets in her SALNs.

“In your opinion—and I’ll ask again, in the realm of possibilities—what would explain this huge amount? Is it possible that it was simply money going in and out?” he asked the witness.

Noticing that Buenaventura was struggling to respond to his question,  Escudero surmised that that the witness could not explain the gap. 

The witness agreed, saying: “I cannot explain it.” 

Escudero further pressed the witness to explain how the couple’s transactions could have amounted to P424 million when the vice president’s monthly salary was only P350,000.

“Apologies po your your honor, I cannot explain,”  Buenaventura answered.

Escudero raised the same questions on the reported P4.4 billion combined transactions of the couple from 2007 to 2025. 

“Again, I bring it to its absurd point. We tried to add to all of the amounts in the combined Salns for those covered period of 2007 to 2025, it totaled only P840 million,” he said.

“In the realm of possibilities again, can you explain how it could reach that amount knowing that the highest salary in 2025 was at P98 million and the lowest salary in 2007 was at P7 million?  Can you explain it, Sir?”

Buenaventura said he would not be able to explain or answer  the question as he just relying on their  records.

When Escudero asked again if he could think of any possible explanation, the witness said, “I’m also having some difficulty explaining it.”

“So you also cannot explain why the amount reached P4.4 billion, based on the data I relayed to you regarding the SALNs?” the presiding officer asked further.

“I cannot answer that, Your Honor,” the  AMLC official said.

However, suspicious transactions do not prove illegal activity according to the AMLC. 

Testimony was also heard from BPI Central Metro Manila Branches division head Marwin Galvez. Sara Duterte and her Father Rodrigo Duterte had a shared account which exhibited patterns consistent with  concealment of finances. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2319161/prosecution-seeks-to-show-dutertes-hid-p96m-via-unused-managers-checks

The prosecution on Wednesday attempted to show a pattern of concealment involving around P96 million in funds from a Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) account jointly held by Vice President Sara Duterte and her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Prosecution counsel James Bryan Ibrahim Alih traced a series of manager’s checks that remained unutilized and were subsequently returned, saying the transactions showed how the funds could be moved out of the account without appearing in its year-end balance.

The prosecution first traced P41.72 million from a time deposit that matured in March 2011 and was used to purchase a manager’s check.

Noting that a manager’s check becomes stale if unutilized after six months, Alih later cited records showing the same amount was used to purchase another manager’s check in October 2011.

Defense counsel Michael Poa objected, questioning the relevance of presenting the transactions.

Presiding Officer Francis Escudero agreed, saying that they dated back to 2011.

“Where is this leading to, counsel?” Escudero asked.

“Without preempting the prosecution panel, may I venture a guess where this is headed? You’re trying to establish a pattern aimed at proving concealment,” Senator-Judge Panfilo Lacson said.

Alih agreed, saying, “That’s what we’re trying to say, Your Honor, we’re trying to establish a pattern. Apologies that it takes quite some time because I wanted to do it right with the documents.”

“But the point eventually is that the manager’s checks being circulated were not reflected in the year-end balance because the funds were still floating,” Alih explained.

Through the interjections of Escudero, BPI Central Metro Manila Branches division head Marwin Galvez explained that when a manager’s check is issued, the amount is deducted from the purchaser’s account and transferred to the bank’s settlement account, which is separate from the client’s account.

According to Galvez, the funds remain in the settlement account to back the manager’s check while it remains outstanding.

If the manager’s check lapses without being used and is returned to the bank, Galvez said the funds may be returned to the purchaser’s account.

After the clarification, Escudero ruled to allow Alih in his presentation.

Alih, however, opted to dispense with the matter and said, “I guess, given that there was already a clarification on that matter, to save the Court’s time, I would move on from that P41 million, Your Honor,”

“Because this is already part of the records, so that I don’t have to go through this, Your Honor, a similar time deposit that became a manager’s check in the amount of P55 million was also running during the same years, simultaneously with this P41 [million], bringing the total to P96 million.”

Sen. Bam Aquino, sitting as a senator-judge, later asked Galvez whether the “scheme” of purchasing manager’s checks and leaving them unutilized was a known method of “keeping money.”

Galvez also told Aquino that “there are instances, Your Honor, when a client purchases a manager’s check but does not use it.”

Aquino said, “Sorry, do you mean it is used or deliberately not used?”

“‘The point of the prosecution is that the manager’s checks were deliberately left unused to make the funds disappear from the account and then return. Is this a normal practice, or is this just a theory of the prosecution, or is this actually done by people in the banking industry?” the senator-judge pressed further.

Later, to further support their claim of a pattern of concealment, Alih presented documents showing that the manager’s checks were subsequently purchased in October 2011, April 2012, October 2012, April 2013, and October 2013—six months apart, or the validity of a manager’s check.

Alih pointed out that the P96 million that had “floated” over the years appeared to have later been used to purchase four P20-million insurance plans from Philam Life, as shown in the instruction letters dated March 2014.

“What was the purpose of the authorization to transfer?” Alih asked Galvez.

“Based on the account specified in the instruction, the authority to transfer was to debit account 9539 and transfer the funds to BPI’s settlement account for BPI-Philam Life Insurance Corporation,” Galvez replied.

Galvez also confirmed that the transfers were used to purchase the four P20-million plans, based on the instruction letters.

Meanwhile, Alih also presented Manager’s Check No. 20536 dated May 30, 2016 that showed that the remaining P16 million was eventually paid to Sammy Uy.

This, according to Alih, “completes” the P96 million that the prosecution attempts to show that the Dutertes allegedly tried to hide. 

It would appear that both Sara and her father were involved in a scheme to hide money. The point of this testimony was to establish a pattern that Sara has long been concerned with hiding both her wealth and its sources. That is something the defense will have to address when it comes time to present their case. 

According to one witness Sara's unexplained wealth amounts to 817.87 million pesos. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2320698/vp-dutertes-total-unexplained-wealth-at-p817-87m-witness-report

The table prepared by prosecution witness, lawyer and accountant Alexander Cabrera, alleges that Vice President Sara Duterte had a total unexplained wealth of P817.87 million from 2022 to 2025.

On Friday, day 37 of Duterte’s trial, House Prosecutor Rep. Chel Diokno led the direct examination of Cabrera, whom the prosecution sought to establish as an expert witness.

After being furnished with the financial records of Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio, along with the businesses linked to them, Cabrera prepared a forensic report. Cabrera presented tables before the impeachment court.

“We prepared a summary of the findings, if I’m not mistaken, in Table 39,” Cabrera told the impeachment court.

“Your Honor, I will be showing Table 39, which is shown in the report itself; it’s not a summary but from the report itself,” Diokno said.

Total undeclared assets and income were said to be at P190.63 million in 2022; P167.38 million in 2023; P263.22 million in 2024; and P195.70 million in 2025.

Cabrera explained that included in his report were the years 2022 to 2025 as “These are the years when Vice President Sara Duterte was serving as vice president."

Cabrera’s testimony was offered to tie together and present the “bigger picture” for the prosecution’s presentation of Impeachment Article II that alleges Duterte amassed unexplained wealth; did not fully or truthfully declare all her assets, liabilities, and net worth in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN); and failed to divest her business interests during her tenure as vice president.

That's 817.87 million explanations needed from Sara and her defense team. Because of time constraints impeachment  Article 3 which concerns allegations of bribery has been dropped by the prosecution. That leaves lawyer and accountant Alexander Cabrera as the prosecution's final witness in this trial. Once they have submitted a written formal offer of evidence the defense will begin making their case to the court.