Overloaded Trucks Are a National Problem

Recently I have written about collapsing bridges, dangerous spaghetti wires, and electric poles being left in the middle of newly widened roads. All of these stories have a connecting thread and it is neglect. Neglect of the law and of public safety. In particular collapsing bridges are directly related to overloaded trucks.

In Davao road deterioration has been directly linked to overloaded trucks. 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1946392/davao/local-news/road-deterioration-due-to-heavy-trucks---dpwh-davao

AN official of the Department of Public Works and Highways Davao Region (DPWH-Davao) said one of the contributing factors to why roads in the Davao Region are deteriorating is due to overloaded trucks.

DPWH Spokesperson Dean Ortiz said during the 18th Regular Session on November 15, 2022 that the roads in the region are built to accommodate vehicles that weigh as much as 10 tons. However, 20-ton trucks are now plying the roads of the region. The roads in the region are not intended to accommodate trucks of this size.

“We can monitor the trucks coming in Davao City, but... we can only do so much,” Ortiz said.

He said they can only monitor the weight of the big trucks traveling along J.P. Laurel in Panabo, Davao del Norte, and in Digos, Davao del Sur. The agency has built weighbridge stations, located around 10 kilometers away from populated areas, to monitor the weight of the trucks.

To closely monitor the trucks, Davao City Councilor Bernie Al-ag proposed the monitoring and regulation of the weights of big trucks traveling in and out of the city.

“I think what we need to do about this, number one, in regulating the weights of the truck, if we have an existing policy about this we need to review this, Let’s take a look into this if it is still appropriate,” Al-ag said.

Also, he said DPWH should also check with their planning department, especially the quality of the asphalt that is being used for the road construction so that the budget will not be wasted.

“It would be a wase that after asphalting the roads, it will deteriorate and be the cause of accidents. Instead of improving the livability in the city, it has caused a problem,” Al-ag said.

However, Ortiz said if the road deteriorates, the cost of the repair will be charged to the contractor of the project due to a structural warranty of five years.

“If there are portions that needed to be repaired, those are totally at no cost to the government, it is under the contractor,” Ortiz said.

While the repair will not cost the government, Al-ag still requested their office to follow the standards of the construction, especially the contractor. He said Dabawenyos deserve quality infrastructure.

“It is not right that after a year or two it will be reconstructed again. This is not efficient, we demand efficiency,” Al-ag said.

He said there should be a permanent solution or long-term solution to deteriorating roads.

The permanent or long-term solution is to not have heavy trucks driving through the city and to make sure all trucks are not overloaded. We can see from the picture that apparently heavy trucks are being routed through the city. That is no good. Roads by passing the city should be constructed. It is not my place to say how but surely they can learn how by studying city-planning in the USA and Europe.

Worst case scenario build roads that can withstand 20 ton trucks since no one wants to check the weight. 

The same problem is happening in Nueva Ecija.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1189290

The provincial government here is strengthening its efforts against overloading trucks to ensure the safety of motorists.

Vice Governor Anthony Umali said on Wednesday the provincial board council is set to pass an ordinance that will formulate the weight limits, stricter sanctions and possible alternative roads for overloaded trucks.

Umali said this is in support of the Nueva Ecija Task Force Overloading formed by Governor Aurelio Umali.

The vice governor said the provincial board members have agreed to refer the matter to the Committee on Housing Land Utilization and Environmental Protection and Committee on Laws to fast-track the creation of the anti-overloading measure.

“The move will ensure that the trucks carrying overloaded items will be policed by their own ranks to save roads from damage and deterioration,” he said in a local television interview.

Homer Garcia, chief of the maintenance section of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Nueva Ecija First District Engineering Office, said based on their monitoring from Oct. 21-Nov. 14, out of the 3,584 dump trucks that passed by the Sta. Rosa-Tarlac Road, 1,443 were overloaded.

It has been observed that overloaded trucks cause damage to road networks.

Garcia said funds will be allotted next year for the procurement of a weighing apparatus to be put up in the province’s entry points for continuous checkpoints against overloaded trucks.

The DPWH has been coordinating with the Land Transportation Office, Highway Patrol Group and local government units to strengthen the monitoring of immoderate vehicles through the strict enforcement of the anti-overloading policy.

Incredible!  This town has such a problem with overloaded trucks that they have formed a task force. Not to mention 40% of all dump trucks are overloaded. That is outrageous. Are they allowed to continue plying the roads? Interesting to note is that the DPWH has been contacting LGUS, the LTO, and the HPG to monitor overloaded trucks. That highlights the fact that overloaded trucks are a national problem. 

Back in June, 2022 the DWPH said they would intensify the enforcement of the overloading law. 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1931623/pampanga/local-news/intensified-implementation-of-anti-overloading-law-set

THE stretch of MacArthur Highway in Pampanga is usually subject of ire and complaints of motorists due to the deteriorated state of some of its portions.

The travel from the City of San Fernando up to Apalit town via MacArthur Highway is a source of headache to motorists as they have to endure large potholes and craters, and uneven road pavement along the way.

What irks road users more is the fast deterioration of the several specific road sections as it usually goes back to its sad state just a few months after its rehabilitation.

This prompted Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Roger G. Mercado to renew the call for intensified implementation of Anti-Overloading law.

Being a national road, DPWH is responsible for the maintenance, upgrading and widening of the whole stretch of MacArthur Highway.

According to Mercado, overloaded vehicles result to premature deterioration of roads and bridges, causing vehicular accidents, and endangering commuters and pedestrians.

Citing a report from the DPWH Bureau of Quality and Safety, Mercado disclosed that around 34 percent of the trucks plying the country’s national roads in 2021 alone were classified as overloaded.

This means that the Nationwide Cases of Truck Overloading jumped by 6.96 percent in 2021, comparing from the data recorded in 2020.

“Of the 401,785 trucks that were weighed by our 38 truck weighing stations in 2021, a total of 137,029 or 34.11 percent were apprehended for overloading. This is alarming, considering that the cases have worsened from 2020 which is only at 27.15 percent,” he said.

To prevent further damage, Mercado ordered all DPWH Regional and District Engineering Offices to intensify the implementation of the RA 8794 otherwise known as the Anti-overloading law immediately.

He said DPWH personnel from different engineering offices across the country, in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP), and Land Transportation Office (LTO), will jointly apprehend violators of overloading nationwide by setting up permanent and mobile weighing stations along national roads.

“Aside from danger and inconvenience that deteriorated roads cause, it also redounds to more government spending on road maintenance,” he said.

The DPWH secretary asked for the cooperation of truckers and haulers, and advised them to comply with the law to prevent inconveniences during their travel.

It should not take complaints from motorists for the DWPH to enforce laws. Given the state of the government where everyone takes a kickback I don't expect this problem to go away anytime soon if ever. Bridges will continue to collapse and roads will continue to deteriorate because in the Philippines the ends justifies the means. If you can overload your truck and get it delivered it on time saving money, well that is all that matters. 

RA 8794 has been on the books since 2020!

https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2000/ra_8794_2000.html

Section 6. Penalty for Overloading- An amount equivalent to twenty five percent (25%) of the MVUC shall be imposed on trucks and trailers for loading beyond their prescribed gross vehicle weight: provided, That no axle load shall exceed thirteen thousand five hundred kilograms(13,5000kgs).

What!?  This is ONLY a monetary fine!!  In fact that is what this law is all about, charging motorists various fines. You know what that means?  It means there is no SPECIFIC law regarding overloaded trucks. Overloaded trucks destroy roads and lead to the collapse of bridges but who cares? Why bother to write a specific addressing that issue!? 

Insurgency: Surrender in Time For Holidays

 The AFP really, really wants the remaining NPA fighters to surrender. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/475723/viscom-to-remaining-members-of-cpp-npa-surrender-reconcile-with-govt

The Visayas Command or Viscom is calling on the ‘few remaining members’ of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) to lay down their arms and reconcile with the government following the death of three alleged terrorist in Eastern Visayas.

“We are saddened by the death of our fellow Filipinos who fell victim to this false ideology. That is why we are reiterating our call to the few remaining members of the CPP-NPA terrorist, lay down your arms, and abandon your armed struggle,” said Major General Benedict Arevalo, acting commander of the Visayas Command.

According to the press statement of VISCOM, the alleged NPAs in Eastern Visayas suffer debacles again following the recent operations conducted by government troops against alleged NPA members.

This exchange of gunshots resulted in the death of two alleged terrorists and apprehension of three other members. Authorities also managed to secure several war materiel from the individuals, which include assorted five ammunition and subversive documents.

A day prior to this gunfight, on Nov. 17, members of the 3rd Infantry Battalion also conducted a focused military operation in a mountain area of Barangay San Isidro, Las Navas in Northern Samar where they had an encounter with 10 alleged NPAs. One NPA member, unfortunately, died from the firefight. Also, the military seized war materiel from the area.

Arevalo again stated that these debacles is a manifestation of the weakening force of the terrorist group in Eastern Visayas.

Is this guy serious? A few dead NPA equals weakening strength? That is not necessarily so. A few NPA dead is good and means they can never rejoin the cause if they surrender but It does not mean they are weakening. It's not just the Visayas. The AFP wants ALL remaining NPA fighters to surrender.  For the holidays of course. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1189065

The Army's 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB) has urged the remaining New People Army (NPA) combatants in Bukidnon province to surrender in time for the Christmas season.

In a statement Monday, Lt. Col. Anthony Bacus, the 8IB commander, said military operations in the province will continue to inflict major setbacks on the remnant NPA groups.

"We are relentlessly calling all remaining rebels to lay down their arms and embrace peace and celebrate Christmas with your family. Our government is here to assist you in your reintegration into the mainstream (society)," Bacus said.

Do they really think the remaining NPA fighters will surrender for the holidays? That is very delusional and shows that the AFP does not take them seriously. 

If you remember Senator Cayetano said the DND budget should not be discussed publicly so that insurgents could not figure out the weakness of the AFP and they did not know how much funding the CPP-NPA had.  This week Senator Robin Padilla contradicted Cayetano. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1696024/confidential-intel-funds-help-govt-vs-terrorism-sen-padilla

Confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs) have helped the government in its crackdown against terrorism, Senator Robin Padilla said on Monday.

Padilla, who admitted he was a leftist, claimed that the government has successfully fought terrorists.

(Now, I am happy because I want to tell the news to the public that the government has been successful in its fight against terrorists.)

(In fact, these intelligence and confidential funds have helped cleanse the far-flung areas of terrorists who spark fear and extort.)

Padilla expressed support for providing the proposed CIFs for the offices of the President and Vice President, which are P4.5 billion and P500 million, respectively.

Citing his documentary Memoirs of a Teenage Rebel, Padilla said that terrorists recruit students and bring them to the mountains.

He added that terrorist groups receive billions of pesos in funds from overseas.

(How will we fight that? We can fight that if we have billions of confidential and intelligence funds.)

The neophyte lawmaker clarified that he is not against leftists but opposes violence.

(Let us stop the violence. Then, we can all be revolutionists, real revolutionists without violence. Let us not move backward, but forward.)

As with everything Padilla says there is plenty to note. How does he know that the CPP-NPA receives billions and Cayetano does not?  The answer is simple. They are both attempting to defend the indefensible confidential funds of the Vice President, Sara Duterte. That means Cayetano is a liar. We have been told before from other sources than Padilla that the CPP-NPA reaps billions in funds from overseas donations via their front organizations as well as from extortion fees.

The AFP claims the NPA is recruiting minors.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1189355

The Philippine Army has renewed its call to the New People’s Army (NPA) to stop engaging minors in their armed struggle against the government.

Maj. Gen. Camilo Ligayo made the appeal on Thursday after a rebel who recently surrendered disclosed there are minor combatants recruited by the communist group.

“Our young people should be in school and protected from all kinds of abuse. Imagine the trauma of a minor engaged in fighting, going hungry for days, lack of sleep and endless hiking for the ideology that has not helped even one NPA to succeed in life for almost 54 years," Ligayo said in a statement.

NPA surrenderer Anthony Encinas, 19, told soldiers he had two colleagues, both 17 years old.

Encinas, who yielded on Nov. 19, was a member of Bugsok Platoon, sub-regional committee Sesame for a year.

“If he was with 17-year-olds, they were probably recruited by a younger person. This is a clear violation of the International Humanitarian Law,” Ligayo added.

Ligayo also appealed to the public to support and protect the welfare of children and help stop the recruitment of child combatants.

The military has been holding dialogues with parents and village officials living in vulnerable communities to help prevent recruitment activity among minors.

Ligayo said they are trying to identify parents of minors recruited by the NPA and will be tapped to convince their children to surrender.

The local task force to end local communist armed conflict has been meeting with school officials and teachers to protect the youth from the deceptive recruitment and radicalization by the Communist Party of the Philippines -NPA – National Democratic Front and their front organizations.

“While parents are working hard for the good future of their children, these rebels are still rampant in stealing children from parents who I think are now looking for and worried about the condition of their children,” Ligayo added.

If they are recruiting minors then they certainly are not weakening as Major General Benedict Arevalo, acting commander of the Visayas Command claims. Weakening or not the surrenders continue. In Mimaropa 147 have surrendered since January. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1189436

A total of 147 members of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army (CPP-NPA) surrendered to different police units in Mimaropa from January to November 24 this year, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 4-B (Mimaropa) said Friday.

“We commit to sustaining the success of this campaign towards a communist terrorist group-free Mimaropa,” PRO 4-B chief, Brig. Gen. Sidney Hernia, said in a statement.

The latest to surrender were four members of the New People's Army (NPA) in Oriental Mindoro on Tuesday.

“The surrender of these former rebels is another concrete proof of the success of the government’s campaign against terrorism and insurgency under the NTF-ELCAC (National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict),” Hernia said.

In fact the Marcos administration says they remain dedicated to helping ex-rebels.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1189478

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) said Friday the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is keen on providing multi-faceted opportunities to former rebels.

This is part of the government’s counter-insurgency efforts and whole-of-nation approach against insurgent groups.

NTF-ELCAC vice chairperson and National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos made this assurance during the Regional Development and Security Forum in Zamboanga City held from Wednesday to Thursday.

During the forum, Carlos emphasized the importance of peacebuilding for economic growth.

"The magic word really is to ‘sustain’ it, because no economic growth will happen, whenever there is no peace and order," she said.

The Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ZDS PTF-ELCAC) also presented the progress of "Project Good Life for Friends Rescued" as a deradicalization and reintegration program of the ZDS PTF-ELCAC.

The term "friends rescued" refers to former rebels who are undertaking the reintegration program of the government.

"Friends rescued!?" What a thing to call rebels who have killed soldiers and others and then surrendered to avail of benefits. 

Some of these "friends recused" and their relatives might even be able to receive scholarships.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1189365

Apart from the regular assistance given to a newly-declared insurgency-free province, Governor Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga emphasized the need for educational scholarships in its geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) to sustain the peace efforts.

In a press briefing here Wednesday afternoon, Gonzaga said they have revised the scholarship program of the province making sure that slots will be given to students in GIDAs and former rebels (FRs) or their family members.

“For the FRs or we call them ‘friends rescued’, they can avail of the scholarship. It is also made available for their families or relatives,” she said.

Gonzaga added they are also catering to scholars of the various indigenous people’s tribes and children of solo parents.

She assured that their regular assistance in GIDAs would continue to avoid the reentry of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels into their communities.

Gonzaga said they are using the Provincial Peace and Order Council funds to provide the needs of the communities in the province.

“It is much more challenging today because since there is no presence of the NPA, the expectation of the people from the provincial government is high. They are now keen on the benefits of being insurgency-free,” she said

Whats most important about the surrender of rebels and declaring an area to be insurgency free is that it is good economically. Especially for tourism. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1189205

The return of former rebels (FRs) to the government will bring peace to Antique and boost its tourism industry.

“The FRs’ surrender will greatly contribute to the peace and order that tourists from other places will no longer be afraid to visit our beautiful destinations,” Antique Vice Governor Edgar Denosta said in his message during the release of the twice-a-year PHP5,000 financial assistance and relief goods to each of the 39 former members of the New People's Army (NPA) on Tuesday.

Denosta added that some of the beneficiaries of the financial assistance are from barangays Imparayan, Igpanulong, and Cabladan, which had been declared as part of the Sibalom Natural Park through Republic Act 11038 and was opened to tourists on March 1 this year.

The natural park is home to some endemic flora and fauna, such as the Rafflesia, Visayan Warty Pig, Visayan Tarictic Hornbill, and Visayan Spotted Deer.

“With the peace and order in these barangays, the tourists will be interested to see also the beautiful views and be willing to spend money for their food and souvenirs during their stay there,” he said.

The presence of tourists will redound to the creation of employment for the local people, including the surrenderers.

What a circle! Rebels surrender, tourism rebounds, and jobs are created for former rebels to take care of the tourists. Perhaps the best thing to do if you are a rebel and don't want to surrender is to run into the jungle at the sounds of the AFP approaching. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1697383/elusive-female-npa-rebel-escapes-anew-in-laguna

A wanted woman New People’s Army (NPA) rebel on Wednesday escaped again from pursuing government forces in Luisiana town, Laguna province.

A report from the Region 4A police said elements from the 2nd Laguna provincial mobile forces swooped down at 7:05 p.m. on Barangay San Buenaventura to serve the warrant of arrest against Janice Quiatchon Javier, who is wanted for murder and attempted murder.

But as the police were approaching the target’s hut, a dog barked and alerted the occupants of the shack—two females and one male—who fled towards a forested area.

The report claimed that Javier was one of the escapees.

The police found bomb-making components, rice, and canned goods inside the hastily abandoned hut.

On Nov. 20, Javier and two of her comrades also escaped from another police team in neighboring Lucban town in Quezon province.

During the hot pursuit, the police found a sack containing four rifle grenades, bomb-making components, and personal belongings left behind by the group.

Amazing! Did the AFP not give chase? Did they not have air power to surveil the area? It's incredible that a wanted terrorist can slip away so easily from the AFP. 

Hi, My Name is...30

Life sure is different in the Philippines. In the modern world being a hacker means you tricking your way into computer systems. In the Philippines being a hacker means taking a machete and hacking your enemy especially if that enemy is a family member. Say hello to a few Filipino hackers. 

Hi, my name is Gilberto Guiriba. One night I was shouting and waving a bolo like a madman. My grandmother tried to calm me down but I struck her on the head and left arm. That drew the attention of my aunt who also tried to pacify me but I also hacked her. My grandmother died of her injuries and now I am in police custody. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1668626/man-hacks-grandma-to-death-in-albay-town

A 65-year-old woman was hacked to death Wednesday by her own grandson, while her daughter, who tried to pacify the suspect, was injured in Guinobatan town in Albay province.

Albay police reported on Thursday, Sept. 22, that Flora Ordoño first noticed that around 7 a.m., her grandson Gilberto Guiriba, 23, was shouting and carrying a bolo in Barangay Minto.

When she approached him, the suspect hacked her repeatedly hitting her left arm and head.

Nida Timkang, 34, daughter of Ordoño, tried to pacify her nephew, but was also hacked.

Ordoño then ran inside their house but was chased by the suspect.

Ordono and Timkang were taken to a hospital in Ligao City, but Ordoño died on the way.

Police arrested Guiriba in a hot pursuit operation. He is now in the custody of the police, who were still investigating the incident.

Hi, my name is Eddie Combalicer. I was having a drinking session with my friend Jeffrey Buefano. After a lot of drinking and talking I got very angry. I was so angry that I left and came back with a bolo to hack Jeffery to death. But he did not die.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1609641/man-hacks-drinking-buddy-in-quezon

A local government employee was critically injured after he was hacked by a buddy in a drinking session in Burdeos town in Quezon province early Sunday, police said.

The Quezon police in a report said the victim, Jeffrey Buefano, suspect Eddie Combalicer, and two others were having a drink in the town center at around 12:10 a.m.

The report said Combalicer left the drinking session, came back armed with a bolo and without any reason repeatedly hacked Buefano.

The victim sustained eight hack wounds in different parts of the body and was taken to the rural health unit in the locality for emergency treatment.

Combalicer escaped after the incident while police launched a manhunt to arrest him.

The police report said the hacking incident was motivated by “anger due to too much intake of liquor” but did not explain what triggered the suspect’s feelings against the victim.

Hi, my name is Lauro De Guzman. Just after midnight my father and I were having a discussion about land ownership. Suddenly I got mad and I pulled out a bolo, hacking him twice. He did not die and I was able to get away. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1637179/man-hacks-father-over-land-dispute-in-quezon-province

A 74-year-old man was wounded Friday, July 29, after his son hacked him in Tagkawayan town in Quezon province over a land dispute, said authorities.

Tagkawayan police reported that the victim, Alfredo De Guzman, and his son, Lauro, 58, were having a discussion in their house in Barangay Bamban at 12:50 a.m.

Suddenly, a heated argument ensued, prompting Lauro to hack his father twice before escaping.

The victim was taken to the Maria Eleazar General Hospital for treatment while police hunted the suspect.

The police said a land dispute between the two triggered the hacking incident but did not elaborate.

Hi, my name is Merwin Padoc. My brother Erwin and I were having a drinking session at a wake of a recently deceased relative when all of a sudden it turned heated. Naturally I pulled out a blade and hacked him in the shoulder and buttocks. He died while being treated at the hospital.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/10/11/man-hacks-elder-brother-at-relatives-wake-in-samar/

A-26-year-old farmer was hacked to death by his younger brother on Monday, Oct. 10, in Brgy. Bulao, Basey, Samar.

The victim was identified as Erwin Padoc while his assailant was identified as his very own younger brother, Merwin Padoc. Both are residents of Brgy. Bulao.

Initial investigation disclosed that the victim and suspect were having a drinking spree at the wake of their relative when a heated argument ensued between the siblings.

The victim was hacked by the suspect using a long-bladed weapon (samurai-like) hitting his left shoulder and buttocks.

Erwin was brought to Basey District Hospital. However, he was subsequently referred to Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center here for further treatment.

The victim reportedly died while being treated at the hospital.

Meanwhile, personnel of Basey Municipal Police Station conducted a hot pursuit operation for the possible apprehension of the fleeing suspect.

Hi, my name is Joanne Pansacala Omayan. Like practically everyone else on this list I was out having a drinking spree with my father-in-law Alfredo Obeso Alferez. Of course it turned heated and we argued. He got up to leave and I followed him. I barged into his house and struck him in the neck with my bolo. His daughter Daisy, my live-in partner, saw the whole thing and called the cops. 

https://mb.com.ph/2022/10/22/man-hacks-father-in-law-dead-in-cebu/

A 39-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly hacked his 74-year-old father-in-law dead in Barangay Lutac, the City of Naga, Cebu on Thursday, Oct. 20.

Police said the victim, Alfredo Obeso Alferez, and the suspect, Joanne Pansacala Omayan, were having a drinking session when they figured in a heated argument.

Alferez, a widower, decided to go home but the suspect followed him.

Omayan barged into the victim’s house and attacked him with a bolo. Alferez sustained a deep wound in the neck.

Daisy, the victim’s daughter and the live-in partner of the suspect, saw the attack and sought help from neighbors.

The victim was taken to a hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

The City of Naga police conducted a follow-up operation and arrested the suspect near the victim’s house. Lawmen recovered the bolo used in the attack.

Brig. Gen. Roderick Augustus Alba, chief of the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas, said the cooperation of residents and the help of force multipliers led to the quick arrest of the suspect.

“Connection with the community is important. It brings the people together to advocate and support especially the police against all forms of criminality and lawlessness,” Alba said.

Hi, my name is Romeo Balubar Sr.. My son Romeo Jr. is a drunkard and very aggressive when he gets drunk. He is always demanding money and making a ruckus. Well, I wasn't having it any more so the next time he got drunk and demanded I give him money I gave him a blow to the head and body with my bolo. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1683908/man-nabbed-after-hacking-son-dead-in-isabela

A 75-year-old man was arrested and will be facing parricide charges after hacking his son dead during a quarrel in this town on Saturday morning, Oct. 22, a police report said Sunday, Oct. 23.

Romeo Balubar Sr., 75, was immediately arrested after the hacking of his son Romeo Jr., 47, on Saturday morning in Barangay (village) Cullalabo Norte, said Police Lieutenant Richard Binalay, Burgos deputy police chief.

The elder Balubar told the police that he was infuriated with his son’s quarrelsome attitude when drunk and his incessant demand for money from him. It was not clear in the report if they were in their residence when the incident happened.

The younger Balubar sustained hack wounds on his head and body. He died instantly.

The bolo used in the hacking was seized when the suspect was arrested, police said.

Hi, my name is Jaime Borca Pelone Jr. I had previously had an altercation with my neighbor, Elsa Bernal Fernandez. She was so irritating and I purposed to kill her. To that end I snuck in through her window and hacked her to death with my bolo. I then ran to the bus station to catch a bus to Cebu but was caught before I was able to board. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/471583/18-year-old-nabbed-for-hacking-to-death-lady-in-boljoon

Boljoon police have arrested on Wednesday, October 26, the suspect in the hacking to death of a 48-year-old woman in Brgy. Arbor, Boljoon town, southern Cebu.

PLT. Charles Suan Gomez, the chief of the Boljoon Police Station identified the suspect as Jaime Borca Pelone Jr., 18 years old and a resident of the said barangay.

According to the police, the victim, Elsa Bernal Fernandez, 48, who was living alone in her house, was found lifeless early morning of Tuesday, October 25, with a hack wound on her neck.

Investigation revealed that the suspect and the victim had a prior altercation and that the suspect was bent on killing the victim.

Pelone allegedly gained entry into the victim’s house by removing the jalousies from the victim’s window. He then hacked Fernandez using a bolo.

Police said the suspect was about to board a bus bound for Cebu City when caught.

Hi, my name is Ryan Cortez. I am a laborer. I had gotten into a dispute with a fellow laborer, Jeoffrey Bandola. When I saw him standing in front of his house with his wife I made my move. With a few swings of my bolo I hacked him on his back.  I then ran off and the cops have not caught me yet. 

https://digicastnegros.com/laborer-injured-in-hacking-incident/

A laborer fm Brgy. Mahalang, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, was injured after he was hacked by a fellow laborer on Sunday, November 6.

The victim was identified as 33-year-old Jeoffrey Bandola.

Police said the victim and his wife were standing on the side of the road in front of their house when he was allegedly attacked by the suspect, identified by the police as Ryan Cortez, with a bolo.

The victim sustained injuries on his lower back and was brought to Governor Valeriano M. Gatuslao Memorial Hospital.

The suspect fled after the incident.

Police are still investigating the motive for the hacking.

Hi, my name is Nelson. My wife Carissa and I got into a heated argument during our daughter's birthday party. The argument got so bad that I stabbed her several times. She ran out to get help and I ran off into the distance. 

https://mb.com.ph/2022/11/15/woman-stabbed-dead-by-husband-on-celebration-of-daughters-first-birthday-in-cagayan/

What started as a celebration of the first birthday and christening of their daughter ended in a tragedy for the live-in partners in Brgy. Binubongan, Allacapan town here on Monday evening, Nov. 14.

Personnel of the Allacapan police reported that the mother, 25, and identified only as Carissa, and her live-in partner identified only Nelson, 31, figured in a heated exchange of unsavory words inside their house in Brgy. Binubongan.

The altercation grew uglier which resulted in the husband stabbing his wife Carissa.

The victim came out asking for help due to stab wounds she sustained.

She was immediately rushed to Municipal Health of Allacapan, Cagayan but was pronounced dead on arrival by attending physician Dra. Lea Morena Viloria-Donton.

The suspect then ran toward an unknown direction.

The Allacapan police were still conducting a hot pursuit operation to arrest the husband.

Hi, my name is George Lauron. I was a high school teacher. Me and one of my students was out having a drinking spree. Don't worry he is 19 which is old enough to drink in the Philippines. We got into a heated argument so my 19 year old pupil stabbed me. He certainly did not learn that tactic from the debate club!.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1185241

A 19-year-old student stabbed his teacher to death in Basey, Samar two days before the country celebrates National Teachers’ Day, the police reported on Tuesday.

Basey police said George Lauron, 32, was fatally stabbed by his student early morning of October 3.

The victim was a senior high school teacher at Basey National High School and resident of San Isidro village, Paranas, Samar.

Police identified the suspect as 19 years old, male, of Lawaan village in Basey town.

Master Sgt. Jerry Vargas, officer-in-charge of Basey police, said in a phone interview the suspect and the victim were having a drinking spree early morning on October 3 at the victim’s boarding house in Sulod village when the two had a heated argument.

The suspect got annoyed and stabbed the victim on the chest using a kitchen knife, the police said.

Lauron was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

The suspect surrendered to the local police after the incident and admitted the crime.

Braindead Senator Bato Wants Drug Use Decriminalized in Order to Decongest Jails

If there is one thing Senator Bato does well it is living up to his name which means rock. One would have to have a head made of stone to come up with his ideas. Take decriminalizing drugs for instance. It's a controversial topic which requires a lot of thought to balance out public safety, public health, and justice. But for rock-headed Bato it's a lot more simple than that. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1697832/bato-dela-rosa-now-having-second-thoughts-on-legalizing-drug-use

Senator  Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has admitted he is now having second thoughts about his proposed law that would decriminalize illegal drug use in the country.

Legitimizing the use of controlled substances, which is contained in his Senate Bill No. 202, was among those discussed  last Tuesday by the  Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs which dela Rosa chairs.

Senate Bill No. 202 was filed last July.

(That bill that I authored – which I will sponsor in the plenary, if approved – we created it during the height of our war on drugs where our jails were already getting congested with drug offenders.)

(So we filed this out of pity for those crammed in jails. We want to decongest jails so I thought that maybe we can decriminalize illegal dug using.)

After just one hearing though, dela Rosa said he is now rethinking amid arguments presented during the deliberation.

He cited in particular the strong stance of law enforcement agencies against his proposed law as it might send a wrong signal to the public that drug use is okay since no one will get jailed for doing it anyway.

(I’m having second thoughts now, being the proponent of such a measure.)

“That’s the beauty of Senate hearings, napakinggan mo both sides at ‘yun nga being the proponent of such [a] measure medyo nagdadalawang isip ako ngayon.”

(That’s the beauty of Senate hearings, you can hear both sides and as I said, being the proponent of such a measure, I’m now having second thoughts.)

The senator, however, clarified he is not withdrawing his bill as the committee will still hold another meeting to hear more arguments.

Despite knowing that any proposal to decriminalize drug use would be opposed by law enforcement Bato and Robin Padilla filed Senate Bill 202 out of pity to decongest the jails. Goodness knows Philippine jails are dangerously overcrowded. And Bato's solution is not to fix the jails by making them larger or improving them in anyway but it is to decriminalize drug use. As if that will solve the problem of decongestion. 

One anti-drug group pointed this out.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/852581/anti-drugs-group-opposes-decriminalization-of-illegal-drug-use/story/

An anti-drugs advocacy group on Friday expressed opposition to the proposed decriminalization of illegal drug use, warning of its possible dangers to the community.

“The bill is good for the ears but it’s actually foolishness,” Anti-Drugs Advocate, Laban ng Pamilyang Pilipino chairperson Jonathan Morales told Dobol B TV in an interview.

Morales said psychologists or psychiatrists should take part in evaluating the proposed measure because they know the “state of mind” of drug users.

(If they mix these drug users with the community, it would be dangerous, even more so if they decriminalize the use of illegal drugs just to decongest the jails.)

He added that the government should improve jail facilities instead to address the congestion problem.

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, a former national police chief, earlier said he wants to decriminalize the use of illegal drugs to decongest jails and address drug addiction as a health issue instead of a law enforcement matter.

Instead of putting them in jails, Dela Rosa said drug users should only be admitted to rehabilitation centers.

However, Morales pointed out the corruption issues that hound some rehabilitation centers, as well as problems in management, administration, logistics, and monitoring in these facilities.

(There was bribery in the centers between the patients and the people taking care of them. Certifications were being issued that these patients are already well but in reality they are not.)

Patients who are paying receive privileges and special treatment while staying in rehabilitation centers, according to Morales.

Morales also pointed out there is only a small percentage of users who are not pushers because most of them are already selling illegal drugs so they can pay for their own supply.

The fact of the matter is drug use does not need to be decriminalized in order for jails to be decongested. In 2014 the Supreme Court issued guidelines on how to decongest jails. They recommend two things: enforcing the rights of the accused persons to bail and a speedy trial.

https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/1476/

A speedy trial in the Philippines? Sometimes cases take decades. The justice system is completely wrecked when it comes to speedy trials.

The most congested prison in the Philippines is New Bilibid and the DOJ is implementing measures to clean it up.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1183555

The sweet taste of freedom finally came for 371 persons deprived of liberty (PDL) who were released Monday, even as the Department of Justice (DOJ) also submitted the names of 300 other PDLs to Malacañang for the possible grant of executive clemency.

"The 371 released were a result of the DOJ and Bureau of Corrections' (Bucor) computation (of time served) with the help of Public Attorney's Office (PAO) lawyers," DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano told reporters.

Clavano said DOJ Secretary Crispin "Boying" Remulla, PAO Chief Persida Rueda-Acosta, and Bucor Director General Gerald Bantag "collaborated to make this possible. Today, 300 more are up for executive clemency."

The 240 majority of the 371 PDLs released already served their maximum sentence, 98 qualified for parole, while 31 were acquitted and two qualified for probation.

At least 191 PDLs, were from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa, 37 from the Correctional Institute for Women (CIW), while 143 PDLs came from other prison and penal facilities run by the Bucor.

Forty-five including four women were senior citizens.

Remulla, who has announced the prisons' decongestion as a top priority of his office personally visited the NBP.

"This may be the largest mega prison in the world. There may be no other facility with this number of inmates," he said.

Remulla said consultants place the ideal capacity of NBP at 2,500 individuals. "The ideal number in a prison facility is around 2,500. We have more than 10 times that number here in Bilibid," he said.

Remulla said subsequent release of qualified PDLs will follow in the following months. "This is just the beginning, we plan to release PDLs in the coming months. If we get lucky, there will be a batch of PDLs to be released in October, another batch in November, and another batch by Christmas," he said.

Just Google "decongest jails Philippines" and many articles about this problem and its solution will turn up. 

It's simply mind-boggling that the man who was once the head of the Philippine National Police thinks that the decriminalizing drugs is a perfect solution to decongesting jails. Was he not aware of this problem and its various solutions during his term as the top cop?  Here is an article from 2017 when Bato was PNP Chief. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/06/16/1710620/philippine-jails-511-congested-audit-finds

The state auditors attributed the jail congestion mainly to the “increase in the number of drug-related cases in the country” as well as the court’s slow or no action on the pending cases “due to lack of judges, postponement of hearings and the slow disposition of criminal cases that carry the penalty of reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment.”

The court also noted that many detainees qualified to post bail remain in jail due to poverty.

“Some cases were bailable but detainees who are below poverty line cannot afford to post bail so they were stuck in the jails,” the report read.

The report further noted that the lots where some jail buildings were constructed “were of limited space, hence, construction or expansions horizontally of the said buildings may not be possible.”

Slow or no action on pending cases and too many poor people able to post bail. Yet three years previously these two exact problems were what the Supreme Court recommended being fixed in order to decongest jails and here we are in 2022 with the same problems. And Bato really thinks decriminalizing drug use will decongest the jails? What an idiot!