It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption in the Philippine government.
The chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Bacolod City was arrested by the anti-corruption unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for allegedly demanding protection money from owners of a KTV bar.
Col. Ronald Lee, acting director of the PNP-Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG), on Friday identified the arrested policeman as Maj. Melvin Madrona.
Madrona was arrested by IMEG operatives in an entrapment operation at 5:35 p.m. Thursday in a cockpit arena in Mansilingan town, Bacolod City where he allgedly received P5,000 cash from one of the complainants.
Also arrested in the operation was his alleged civilian cohort identified as Jay-R Dela Cruz, whom Lee described as a “fighting cock handler.”
According to Lee, the IMEG received a complaint that Madrona was demanding P5,000 in protection money each week from the owners of a KTV bar “in exchange for unhampered operations.”
Investigation revealed that prior to this, the owners of the bar as well as their employees, and their Japanese customers were brought to the CIDG office in the city after the KTV was raided at around 11 p.m. on February 8.
But according to the IMEG, all those rounded-up were released the day after on the condition that the KTV owners will provide protection money every Thursday.
Aside from this, the complainants added that Madrona forced them to pay for his travel expenses and hotel accommodation, according to Lee.
The IMEG chief said the complainants started giving the P5,000 cash on February 20 to a certain Senior Master Sergeant Nabarte on the instruction of Madrona. The identity of this other policeman is still being verified by investigators.
Lee also said that a background check showed that Madrona was also charged with physical injury, arbitrary detention, and grave coercion on March 22, 2017 after allegedly beating-up an overseas Filipino worker after they figured in a vehicular accident. Madrona was then assigned at the Quezon City Police District Station 5.
PNP officer extolling a paltry P5,000 per week from a KTV bar. Sounds like there was another officer involved too. It also appears this cops should have been sacked back in 2017 after he beat up a civilian.
The mayors of Motiong, Samar and Boliney, Abra are facing administrative cases for gross neglect of duty and grave misconduct before the Office of the Ombudsman for their supposed failure to meet standards for the nationwide road-clearing drive.
“We meant it when we said that cases will be filed against negligent local execs. Unless local chief executives get their acts together and take the President’s instructions to clear roads seriously, they will be held accountable and face charges,” Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said in a statement on Friday.
Año said this is the second batch of cases filed before the Office of the Ombudsman against mayors who failed to clear public roads of obstructions as ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte during his last State of the Nation Address.
He said the two local chief executives “failed to satisfactorily respond” to show-cause orders issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government after their respective local government units fared poorly in the validation and assessment conducted by the department.
Both LGUs likewise failed to come up with rehabilitation and sustainability plans and to set up a “grievance and feedback mechanism” on the clearing of road obstructions, said Año.
“The municipalities of Motiong and Boliney obtained a total score of not more than 50 points in the indicators set by the DILG. Such score translated to their glaring failure to follow the rule of law that public streets are for public use,” said the Interior Secretary.
Two more mayors charged with failing to clear the roads in their towns.
The Philippines has missed out on about $12 billion potential investments in the last two years due to the prolonged deliberation on the proposed second package of tax reform which seeks to reduce the corporate income tax (CIT) and rationalize fiscal incentives, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said.
To bring back these potential investments, he said the House of Representatives is willing to adopt the Senate version of the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Reform Act (CITIRA) for the quick passage of the bill into law.
While many investors want to enter the country, he said they could not do so due to uncertainties on the final form of CITIRA.
CITIRA seeks to gradually bring down the CIT to 20 percent over a 10-year period from 30 percent, and introduce changes to the incentives system by making the grant of perks to firms performance-based, targeted, time-bound and transparent.
The CITIRA bill has been approved on third and final reading at the House of Representatives, while the bill is still pending at the Senate.
Lots of dithering in the Senate has caused the Philippines to miss out in billions in potential benefits.
Fifty-two personnel of the Philippine National Police-Civil Security Group (PNP-CSG) were relieved from their posts due to “reports of malpractices and overfamiliarity with stakeholders”—the third revamp since its current director assumed his post.
PNP-CSG director Maj. Gen. Roberto Fajardo said the relieved personnel are composed of 30 commissioned officers—including a Police Colonel—17 non-commissioned officers, and five non-uniformed personnel.
“This is to expedite the transaction of registration of firearms, security guard licenses, license to operate and other permits,” he said.
CSG is the PNP unit that supervises the Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies that issues permits for private security agencies, and the Firearms and Explosives Office that issues gun permits.
In particular, some of the relieved staff reportedly demand fees from applicants to have their documents processed and request another fee to have the papers released.
“At the end of the day estafa na ang nangyari. Wala na ‘yung papel, wala pa ‘yung pera (it ends up at estafa. The papers are not released, and the money is also gone),” he said.
It seems members of this branch of the PNP were on the take. Asking money process applications for gun permits and permits for private security agencies.
Killed by a still unidentified attacker was Mark Langam, who was part of the RTA team that conducted road-clearing operations, including the apprehension of tricycles and three-wheeled vehicles plying the national highway in Brgy. Puerto.
A police report said Langam was with another RTA enforcer when the motorcycle-riding suspect fired at him twice.
Maj. Evan Viñas, the city police spokesperson, said on Saturday Langam had an argument with a motorcycle rider over a traffic infraction prior to the shooting.
It appears he was shot over a traffic ticket he gave to a motorcycle rider.
A former member of the Philippine Army ran amok, killing a woman and injuring five others, before taking his own life in Gen. Trias City in Cavite province Sunday morning.
The suspect Junny Palacio, 47, a resident of Barangay (village) Santiago, reportedly ventured into construction after his military stint, but it was not immediately clear how long he had been in the business.
Cavite police chief Col. Marlon Santos, quoting witnesses, said a seemingly disgruntled Palacio went out “looking for certain people who were allegedly maligning his reputation as a contractor” in a government housing site at around 8 a.m.
Palacio went to a small wet market and found his “targets” Murharma Bautista, 59, and Alberto Sorio, 57. He shot Bautista dead and injured Sorio, also a retired soldier.
In the same area, Palacio also shot tricycle driver Recto Marbit, 47, before proceeding to the house of another victim, Pilar Bacaoco, 34, and shot her too. Marbit and Bacaoco were both taken to the hospital.
That's one way to put your military training to use.
Gunmen injured an official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Davao del Sur and his driver in ambush here Monday morning.
Police said Engr. Nicomedes Parilla Jr., the province's DPWH district engineer, and his driver Jerry Calisa were heading for the DPWH office on Lapu-Lapu Street here when they were waylaid by two gunmen, who overtook their vehicle and fired several shots at the passenger side.
Parilla had not received any threat prior to the incident but police investigators are looking into other possible angles, Tababa said.
No known threats and yet someone is still after the guy.
President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered a ban on the manufacture, distribution, marketing and sale of unregistered e-cigarette products and its use in public places.
The FDA will issue within 30 days from the effectivity of the EO a set of rules, regulations, and standards governing the registration of vape products and their components, and the issuance of License to Operate to all establishments engaged in the manufacture, sale, distribution, and importation of said products.
Banning vaping and the sale of vaping products is a matter left up to the legislature. What we see here is Duterte overstepping the bounds of his office and his authority which is to enforce the laws not write them.
Veteran actor Edu Manzano criticized former politicians who insist on being called by a title even if they are no longer elected officials.
Manzano recounted on Twitter last Saturday, Feb. 29 his experience at a dinner where he was expected to call guests by the titles they had when they were in public office.
“Why should I call an ex-Mayor .. Mayor? Why should I call an ex-Cong .. Congressman?” he wondered. “What is wrong with people calling each other by their first names? Then you find out out they were hurt! Have you forgotten I pay taxes and your salaries?”
He clarified too what happened during the dinner when Twitter user @AlcantaraKirka asked if he was “compelled” to use the former titles.
“No one compelled me but I was told by the host after I left that they felt slighted,” Manzano replied.
That's a lot of pride right there. Slighted for not calling ex-polticians by titles to which they have no right.
Four barangay workers of Barangay Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City tested positive of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) during a surprise drug test today, March 2, 2020, at the barangay’s gym.
Four LGU officials taking drugs.
“They will even produce a birth certificate for you… They even offer passports. A Chinese tour agency offers passports of the Republic of the Philippines. They offer to process an LTO [Land Transportation Office] driving license even using a tourist visa,” she said, speaking partly in Filipino.
How is it only Senator Hontiveros is calling out these scams? There is no way she is the only government official aware of them.
Suspected syndicates brought in an estimated $370 million into the Philippines last year with the help of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) and airport police escorts, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) has revealed.
In a statement on Monday, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said he has ordered an investigation into the issue after Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero submitted a report to him detailing the activities of the suspected syndicates.
In his report dated January 29, Guerrero said the “Rodriguez” and the “Chinese” groups brought in $200.24 and $167.97 million, respectively, into the country last year through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Guerrero noted that the suspected syndicates managed to bring in the money undetected by authorities because members of the AFP, PNP, and the Manila International Airport Authority’s police department escorted them.
The AFP and PNP are helping Chinese syndicates smuggle money into the country.
A former policewoman was arrested in Pasay City after allegedly extorting money from other policemen requesting transfer to other units within the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Operatives of the PNP-Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) nabbed Staff Sgt. Beverly Banan during an entrapment operation conducted inside a fast-food chain at 3:45 p.m. Monday.
According to the police, the suspect was demanding P40,000 to P80,000 from an undercover IMEG officer posing as a policeman asking to be transferred to another PNP unit.
An in-depth investigation is being conducted to identify the possible cohorts of the suspect particularly active PNP personnel with access to the Personnel Records and Reassignment.
An ex-PNP officer, and likely others, was extorting money from other PNP officers who wanted to transfer units. Why do so many ex-PNP officers turn to a life of crime?
Gunmen shot dead the municipal disaster and risk reduction management officer (MDRRMO) in Gandara, Samar on Tuesday morning.
Police identified the victim as Alvin Estrelles, 47, head of the town’s MDRRM office.
Unidentified assailants aboard a white car attacked the victim as he was heading home, riding a motorcycle from the market.
Authorities are still facing a blank wall on the incident as suspects fled to an unknown direction. The local police launched a pursuit operation to arrest the gunmen.
Meanwhile, the village chief of Canmarating in Abuyog, Leyte was wounded when two suspects, including a former policeman, shot him early Tuesday morning.
The victim, Julian Saldua, Jr., 47, a former Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group member, is now recovering in a hospital in Tacloban City after sustaining gunshot wounds in different parts of his body.
The suspects were identified as Vincent Tisbe, a former police officer; and Boboy Villote; both of Canmarating village. The two suspects fled after the shooting, Rentuaya said.
“The victim was jogging early morning when suspects onboard a single motorcycle suddenly appeared and shot the victim. The victim was able to retaliate by shooting the suspects using his caliber .45 pistol, prompting the suspects to flee to unknown direction,” she added.
It's a tale of two LGU officials. Both shot at by motorcycle assassins. One dead. The other alive because he was packing heat while he was jogging. I guess every LGU official should be carrying at all times.
Come get your shabu tested for coronavirus, read the satirical advisory in a post by a regional office of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
The tongue-in-cheek post warning of a possible coronavirus-laden shabu on its Facebook page has since been deleted by the PDEA Regional Office 8 “to avoid misinformation.”
The advisory warned that shabu, or methamphetamine hydrochloride, may be contaminated with coronavirus. The post urged the public to take the prohibited drug to the nearest PDEA office or police station where it could be tested for the fatal coronavirus for free. It said PDEA officers could go to users’ homes and test the shabu in privacy.
While meant to be “satirical,” the PDEA office in Region 8 took down the post and apologized on its social media page, saying it would “be more sensitive on current issues.”
“That meth may contain coronavirus is not substantiated and is meant to lure meth drug users not to purchase illegal drugs,” the office said.
Pretty boneheaded and unfunny.
Two policemen who were allegedly involved in the killing of the aide of former Biliran Representative Glenn Chong voluntarily surrendered to authorities, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday.
At a press conference, PNP chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa identified the suspects as Police Captain Jon Russel Barnacha and Police Staff Sergeant Alvin Dela Cruz, who were personnel of the PNP Highway Patrol Group. Both of them had gone AWOL (absence without official leave).
Police had said Santillan was killed during a legitimate anti-crime operation in Cainta in 2018, noting that Santillan was a member of Highway Boys Group allegedly involved in illegal drugs and car theft in Rizal.
This happened back in 2018. Atty Glenn Chong'a bodyguard was ambushed and killed by police. At first they said it was a legitimate operation but it appears it was actually not.
“You know, to be honest, if you want to be president and you don’t know how to kill and you’re afraid to die, just don’t become a president,” he added.
Duterte's qualifications to be president: be a killer and willing to die.
Formal termination procedures are now being processed against the 22 Lapu-Lapu City traffic enforcers who are in the PNP narco list and the four others who tested positive for illegal drugs during a surprise drug test ordered by Mayor Junard Chan last Tuesday.
Chan told CDN Digital that the 22 traffic enforcers only have until this month to serve the Oponganons while the four who tested positive in Tuesday’s drug test will be terminated immediately once confirmatory results are in.
Chan said he learned of the involvement in illegal drugs of the 22 traffic enforcers after the police gave him a list.
The police meanwhile, said they based their information on the confession of a female traffic enforcer who was arrested last February 28 in a buy-bust operation.
The woman, who was an active member of the City Traffic Management System (CTMS) at the time of her arrest, was identified as Jannel Llamas Concon, and a resident of Sitio Super Sunlight Barangay Babag. She was with a certain Ruel Ybañez, who was said to be her cohort in distributing drugs.
Upon interrogation, Concon admitted that she and her cohort are the ones supplying shabu (crystal meth) to the 22 traffic enforcers sometimes while they are were on duty.
During last Tuesday’s surprise drug test, Mayor Chan already told the 22 to pack up ahead and leave CTMS as there’s no place for them in the government service.
Will criminal charges also be forthcoming?
Former Cebu City mayor, now Vice Mayor Michael Rama and four former members of the Bids and Awards Committee are facing charges of graft and corruption at the Sandiganbayan for procuring waste disposal services in 2015.
In 2015, Rama procured waste disposal services to Asian Energy System Corporation (AESC) through direct contracting twice amounting to a total of P25 million.
Osmeña argued that such services should have been bid out because there were many other service providers capable of doing waste disposal services.
In his affidavit, Rama claimed that he was using the Arias doctrine, which stated that a local chief executive would have the prerogative to follow the recommendation of his or her subordinates.
However, the Ombudsman ruled that such doctrine could not be applied to waste disposal services, when many candidates were available to do the services.
Former Cebu Mayor Osmeña has filed a compelling against the current Vice Mayor for not bidding on garbage services when he was Mayor.
Malacañang on Thursday admitted that President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to defer talks for financing deals with countries that voted for or supported the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) probe into the Philippines’ human rights record was an “outrage reaction.”
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo made the statement after the President ordered the resumption of talks for signing loan and grant agreements with the 21 countries that wanted to scrutinize the alleged human-rights abuses in the country due to Duterte’s war on illegal drugs.
“You must remember that, that was made because of what they—of these countries–did when they passed that resolution condemning the war on drugs in this country,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.
“And it was more of an outrage reaction, having already expressed our stand on that, perhaps there is now a reason to change it.”
Is there anything Duterte has done during his presidency that is not an outrage reaction? From his firing of certain officials to his withdrawal from the ICC and the VFA to his cursing various world leaders. It's no way to run a country.
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