Insurgency: Cigarette Smuggling

When it comes to armed groups throughout the nation including the NPA, ASG, the BIFF, MNLF, and MILF the big questions is: how are they funded? The government says some of these armed groups have turned to cigarette smuggling. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/10/26/armed-groups-turning-to-cigarette-smuggling-a-national-security-threat

A consumer advocacy group expressed fears that the pervasive problem of illicit cigarette trade in the country will escalate into a national security crisis with the numerous reports and studies establishing the link between the illegal activity and armed groups involved in terrorism and other criminal activities.

Antonio Israel, one of the lead convenors of the online advocacy campaign “EKIS saSmuggling” and president of the Nicotine Consumers Union of the Philippines, expressed shock at the revelation of an international security expert in a recent forum in Makati City that former members of various armed groups in Mindanao turned to smuggling operations to finance their criminal activities.

Professor Rohan Gunaratna from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore said during the "PROTECT 2023: Doing Business Amidst New Threats" conference held at the New World Hotel in Makati City, that while authorities dismantled the structures of the Abu Sayyaf, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and ISIS in Mindanao and neutralized their leaders, remnants of the group were transitioning from terrorism to crime. “Terrorism is no longer the real monster in the Philippines; crime is," he said.

“It is worrisome that armed groups in Mindanao continue to harm national interest by masterminding and perpetuating illicit trade of agriculture products and cigarettes. The billions of pesos generated from smuggling can be used to fund unimaginable crimes that threatens our national security. Prof. Gunaratna also revealed that these armed groups were in cahoots with high-ranking officials within the Philippine police and military to facilitate and safeguard their illegal operations,” Israel said.

Prof. Gunaratna said cigarette smuggling has become an immensely lucrative source of income for various armed groups in Mindanao as they transitioned from acts of terrorism to engaging in illicit trade.

Israel stressed the urgency to address the smuggling problem in the country.  “If this report is true, smuggling could sustain the presence of these armed groups as well as their terror and criminal activities. The professor’s revelations only proves that tobacco smuggling is not a victimless crime. Real lives are at stake here if these illegal activities continue,” he said.

Israel also underscored that illicit tobacco trade “deprives the government of much-needed revenues, hurts Filipino farmers and local industries as well as threatens the health of consumers because contrabands are not subjected to safety inspection and regulation.”

He appealed to the “national government, local government units and the public as a whole to work together to put a stop to the massive illicit cigarette trade via the backdoors of Mindanao, resulting in billions of lost revenues for the government and displacing the livelihood of local farmers and industry workers.”

Professor Gunaratna said discussed how remnants of former armed groups were transitioning from terrorism to crime during a thought leaders round-table discussion on national security issues on the second day of the conference.  Among the topics under discussion were smuggling, counterfeiting, human trafficking, infiltration of business and government (fraud), and money laundering, with a focus on cross-border crimes and the use of technology by criminals and terrorists.

This story was actually reported on a few weeks ago with the teeniest bit of more information. The above story is very economic but the prior story was more political. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/10/9/global-security-expert-asg-mnlf-other-mindanao-private-armed-groups-benefit-from-rampant-cigarette-smuggling

A global security threat specialist sounded the alarm bells that various armed groups in Mindanao, previously involved in the kidnap for ransom operations and other heinous crime activities, are currently behind the proliferation of cigarette smuggling in the country.

“Cigarette smuggling became a profitable means of income-generating activity for most of the existing armed groups in Mindanao, particularly the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF),” Prof. Rohan Gunaratna of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore told participants of a recent two-day conference dubbed ”PROTECT 2023: Doing Business Amidst New Threats” at the New World Hotel in Makati City. 

In fact, Gunaratna said, these armed groups turned smugglers have been “corrupting” a number of high-ranking officials of the police and the military assigned in Mindanao to facilitate and protect their illegal activities. 

Worse, he said, some members of these armed groups became more powerful and influential because “they gained political positions” in their areas of operations. 

Wow. So, there are terrorists with political positions in Mindanao? Who would have thought? But in order to smuggle anything into the country Bureau of Customs officials must also be involved. It sounds like a real mess. Why isn't the Senate investigating? Becasue they either don't know or they don't care and it's likely both. 

There's lots of things the Senate will never touch such as guns with AFP markings being sold on the black market.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/884682/afp-marked-rifles-sold-by-fake-nbi-agents-in-cotabato/story/

Two men posing as agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) were caught selling government-issued firearms and magazines in Cotabato City, according to a "24 Oras" report by Emil Sumangil.

The suspects — a government employee and a security guard — were arrested in a buy-bust operation by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

"This person, who introduced himself as NBI, a few minutes later, the regional director of the NBI called the BAR (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region), called the CIDG and he said the 2 IDs and badges the suspect showed were fake," said Police Colonel Ariel Huesca of the CIDG-BAR.

"'The firearms, the magazine, the ammunition, placed in the sack. Part of the investigation, we are tracking the ownership of the firearms. We looked at the lower and upper receiver, it belonged to on firearms, maybe they just disassembled it for the transport quickly," Huesca said.

According to the CIDG, the suspects sold the rifle and magazines for P100,000.

"'Our one policeman, he pretended to be a buyer. The seller said, the rifle is good, then the magazine and bullets are included," said Huesca.

During the investigation, markings of AFP property were found on the rifle.

AFP spokesperson Colonel Medel Aguilar, however, said he would not comment until they have received a report.

The CIDG is coordinating with several soldiers to find those behind the illegal sale. The arrested suspects refused to issue a comment.

"This is one way of ensuring a peaceful election. As we all know if this gun goes to unauthorized individuals and is used for mischief, the damage that will be inflicted," Huesca said.

How are guns with AFP markings being sold on the black market? How were they obtained? That is important information that we will never know especially because the government does not care. Remember when guns with AFP markings were found in Marawi during the siege and they were all destroyed? 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/930750/militants-fighting-in-marawi-using-govt-owned-guns-says-army-exec

Most weapons recovered from slain militants belonging to the Maute group and its allies or from areas they had vacated in this Lanao del Sur provincial capital bore marks which indicated that these came from the government, a military spokesperson said. 

“It only meant that somebody from the government sold it to them,” said Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay, spokesperson for the Joint Task Force Marawi.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/186510-duterte-afp-change-command-rey-guerrero-destroy-firearms-marawi

It's a wonder that no one seems to care about the ins and outs of the ongoing insurgency in the Philippines. The AFP is too eager to declare the nation safe in order to appease the President. Meanwhile the terror continues. 

So, really I could publish the same old here but why bother? 

The fact is the insurgency is a multifaceted operation that needs to be properly examined but nobody wants to do it. They just want it to go away. But no matter how many declarations of "it's over" are made the fact is the insurgency continues unabated.  

The fact is the AFP knows much more than they are telling. This week 12 NPA fighters surrendered after the AFP talked with their families. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1212571

At least 12 fighters of the New People’s Army (NPA) have surrendered to the military in Eastern Visayas since the launch of an initiative that links government forces to families of rebels.

The latest who surrendered through the Friends Rescued Engagement through their Families (FReE Families) project are John Carlo Belicario of General MacArthur town and Marco Estil of Borongan City, both in Eastern Samar.

Belicario and Estil were both members of Squad 3, Apoy platoon of the NPA-Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.

Their surrender came on Oct. 25 or just four days after three rebels yielded to the Philippine Army on Oct. 21. These rebels turned over three 5.56mm M16 rifles and an AK47 rifle.

On Oct. 17, seven NPA fighters in Eastern Samar also decided to abandon the armed struggle and turned over four high-powered firearms. 

They also revealed the location of an arms cache consisting of two M16 rifles, an M14 rifle, and an M653 carbine and other war materiel at the hinterlands of Borongan City, Eastern Samar.

"With the surrender of these NPA regulars, we have once again proven that the love of family conquers the hate that the terrorists Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-National Democratic Front sowed in the hearts of their recruits who joined the armed struggle," Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Army’ 802nd Infantry Brigade, said in a statement on Thursday.

The official attributed their surrender to the facilitation of their family members and former rebels in the area under the FReE Families initiative launched on October 4.

“They became credible allies having experienced the good treatment from the government, which opened their eyes to the reality that they were only deceived by the communist NPA’s propaganda, lies, and deceptions,” Vestuir said.

The FReE Families is a project of the Eastern Samar provincial task force to end local communist armed conflict, which aims to free the families of those personalities deceitfully recruited by the NPA.

They have been capacitated to negotiate for the peaceful surrender of their loved ones and family members with active support from third-party peace advocates, former rebels, local government units, non-government organizations, religious sectors, and other key actors.

Those who have surrendered are waiting for the release of assistance from the government through the Enhanced Comprehensive Livelihood Integration Program.

More than being a low blow this is proof positive that the AFP knows who is in the NPA. So why do they publicly give contradicting figures as to how many NPA are left? 

OFWs Would Rather Work in A War Zone Than Return to the Philippines

Right now there is a war going on in Israel. At least one Filipino has been captured by Hamas and four have been killed. The Department of Foreign Affairs has pleaded with OFWs to return home immediately. However some workers are so desperate for jobs that they would rather work in a war zone and risk being killed or captured than return to the Philippines and start from zero. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/pinoyabroad/content/886060/filipinos-who-remain-in-israel-afraid-of-war-but-need-jobs/story/

While fearing for their safety, several Filipinos opted to stay in Israel for their jobs despite the ongoing conflict in the country, JP Soriano reported on “24 Oras” Monday.

Amid the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, overseas Filipino workers (OFW) Ricasol Atregeno, Rosielyn Asistores and Princess Joy Palad said they chose not to be repatriated for fear of losing employment should they return to the Philippines.

“'Yung nanay ko nagda-dialysis. Dito ako kumukuha kasi single mother ako. Parang kung uuwi kami, iniisip namin 'san kami?' Back to zero kami,” Atregeno said.

(My mother is undergoing dialysis. This is my only livelihood. I am also a single mother. What will happen to us if we go home? We’ll go back to zero.)

Asistores shared the sentiment, saying: “Kung sakali man na umuwi kami 'yung mandatory na. Kami pa rin 'yung babalik. May kasiguraduhan na kami pa rin 'yung kukuhanin, di sila kukuha ng iba. Kasi ito lang 'yung inaasahan ng pangkalahatan”.

(If ever we will be mandated to go home we will still return to Israel. We’re assured of employment here. They will not hire other people.)

Meanwhile, Palad tearfully admitted feeling scared but said she wants to continue working.

“May takot din per nilalakasan lang 'yung loob namin kasi iniisip namin na nandito na kami. Kung ano na lang kapalaran, 'yun na ‘yun,” she added.

(We’re scared but we’re trying to be strong and leave everything to fate.)

Hamas militants carried out their deadliest attack in Israel's history on October 7, when gunmen rampaged through Israeli towns, killing more than 1,000 people and taking scores of hostages to Gaza.

“Tinitimbang nila 'yung sitwasyon. 'Yung iba syempre talagang ganon na lang 'yung kanilang devotion sa kanilang trabaho. Hindi nila basta-basta maiiwan 'yung kanilang mga employer,” said Philippine Embassy in Israel Consul General and Deputy Chief of Mission Anthony Mandap.

(They’re weighing the situation. Some of them are devoted to their jobs and cannot leave their employers.)

First of all let me note that GMA apparently did not upload a picture with this story. No many how many times I loaded this story no picture ever appeared.

Second of all this story is sad. These people do not want to return and its not out of any warped sense of loyalty to their employer. It's because wages in the Philippines are suppressed to the level of unlivability. 

There is one person who is a single mother who's mother is on dialysis who could NEVER pay for all of that making 200 pesos per day in the Philippines. 

Sure, many OFWs went home but there are some who are so hard pressed they would rather work in a war zone than return to the Philippines. How is this not another indicator that the Philippines has a damaged culture?

Retards in the Government 335

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

 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1848536/awol-cop-arrested-in-cavite-for-estafa

A police officer who had gone Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL) was arrested in Cavite province for estafa, according to the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In a statement on Thursday, IMEG said the suspect, identified as Joebert Balisan, was a former Police Officer III. Balisan was collared by the group’s National Capital Region Field Unit (NCRFU) and Bacoor City Police Station operatives in a joint operation along Paladium St., Bacoor City.

The 50-year-old’s arrest stemmed from an arrest warrant for violating Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code or estafa issued by Presiding Judge Rowena Nieves Tan of Pasay City Regional Trial Court Branch 119 dated July 23, 2012.

Citing Balisan’s account, police said he went AWOL due to depression and marital problems after the business he built using a loaned capital went bankrupt. The former police officer failed to settle his debt, which led to the case filed against him.

He is currently under IMEG-NCRFU’s custody in Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City. The case filed against him has a recommended bail amounting to P44,000.

A cop gone AWOL has been busted for estafa. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/10/20/sandigan-affirms-conviction-for-malversation-of-public-funds-of-ex-human-settlements-cashier-in-baguio-city

The Sandiganbayan has affirmed its decision that convicted of malversation of public funds former cashier Nila E. Cariño of the Human Settlements Development Corporation-Maharlika Livelihood Complex (HSDC-MLC) in Baguio City.

Cariño had been found guilty of malversation by the Baguio City regional trial court (RTC).  She appealed the decision before the Sandiganbayan which affirmed her conviction in a ruling handed down on June 5, 2023.

Affirmed was her jail term ranging from four to seven years and her perpetual disqualification to hold publice office. Also upheld was the payment of fine amounting to P295,764.18. 

Cariño filed a motion for reconsideration.  She claimed that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that she appropriated, took, or misappropriated any public funds or property for her personal use. 

In denying her motion, the Sandiganbayan said: "As can be gleaned from accused-appellant's averments in her attempt to persuade the Court to deviate from its previous findings, no new argument was presented which the Court has not already carefully perused, considered, and dissected. All arguments herein raised have already been exhaustively discussed in the now assailed ruling."

The Sandiganbayan has affirmed the conviction of a Baguio City cashier.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1212165

An administrative complaint has been filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday against two Batangas City prosecutors for the alleged illegal arrest and detention of two memorial park employees over a missing marble grave marker.

Eternal Gardens lawyer Alexis Oco also filed an urgent motion to transfer the venue of the preliminary investigation on the theft complaint filed by State Prosecutor Edelwina Ebreo of the Batangas City Office of the City Prosecutor (OCP) against five Eternal Gardens employees to the Office of the City Prosecutor in Manila.

Named respondents in Ebreo’s complaint were Arnel Alibuzo, Marizza San Diego, Demetrio Peralta, Jocelyn Ann Buendia and Reggie Reyes.

Oco pointed out that numerous irregularities committed during the arrest, detention and inquest proceedings of San Diego and Alibuzo prompted them to seek redress before the DOJ.

Ebreo was the prosecutor responsible for the arrest of Libuzo and San Diego while Deputy Prosecutor Evelyn Jovellanos was identified as the prosecutor who conducted inquest proceedings on the two despite the absence of a counsel of their choice or a public lawyer to assist them.

“We noted that there was already a violation of their rights since there were subjected to investigation, questioning without the presence of any counsel of their choice and inquest proceedings was presided by another member of the City Prosecutor’s Office without presence of counsel of choice of the two employees or even a member of PAO (Public Attorney’s Office),” Oco said.

“In light of the numerous irregularities observed throughout the arrest, inquest, and detention of our employees, Ms. Marizza San Diego and Mr. Arnel Alibuzo, which were carried out by both the complainant and the investigating prosecutor, our company through our legal counsels find it necessary to lodge an administrative case to formally request the Department of Justice to conduct a thorough investigation into this matter and impose appropriate sanctions,” he added.

It added that the actuations of the two prosecutors of taking over the duties of arresting officers in taking the statement of the two employees and typing the documents themselves show that they are flaunting their influence.

San Diego and Alibuzo were released from detention on Oct. 16, three days after they were arrested by police authorities without a warrant based on the complaint filed by Ebreo.

The employees were supposedly trying to help Ebreo, who is their client, with her concerns about the missing marble marker.

However, they were later accused of theft and subsequently detained and subjected to inquest proceedings without the assistance of a counsel.

A complaint has been filed against two city prosecutors for false arrest. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/10/21/2305446/cop-held-gun-discharge-grave-threat

A police officer ended up in jail for allegedly indiscriminately firing his gun and threatening a civilian in Las Piñas City on Thursday – a day shy of his wedding.

Cpl. Branard Castañeda, assigned to the Las Piñas police substation 5, was arrested at Rebecca’s Compound in Barangay Almanza Dos at around 3:30 a.m.

Las Piñas police chief Col. Jaime Santos said they received a call from a concerned citizen claiming Castañeda was firing a gun in the neighborhood.

An hour later, another complainant, Diomedes Leyte, alleged that while he was unloading a pillow from his motorcycle, Castañeda approached him for “no apparent reason” and aimed a gun at his head.

Leyte managed to wrest Castañeda’s firearm. He turned it over to the nearest barangay post.

Police officers arrested Castañeda and brought him to the city police headquarters while his firearm was turned over to the Southern Police District for ballistics testing.

Santos said Castañeda’s wedding was scheduled yesterday. However, the suspect cannot petition for bail due to the election campaign period.

A cop has been arrested for discharging his gun and threatening somsone. 

https://dailyguardian.com.ph/bacolod-councilor-traffic-man-trade-barbs/

A Bacolod City councilor and a personnel of the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) exchanged accusations here following a heated confrontation in the latter’s office.

The protagonists are Councilor Al Victor Espino and a certain Abner Salvallon, BTAO building administrator.

Salvallon told reporters on Thursday that Espino reportedly “caused a scene” at the BTAO office and allegedly threatened to shoot him Wednesday night.

He also accused the councilor of badmouthing him after he tried to talk to the latter while tapping his shoulder when the lawmaker allegedly forced his way to the office of the BTAO head.

But Salvallon said this further angered the councilor who allegedly berated the former: ““Yudip*t*. Indi ko pag hikapa kay indi ta ya miguhay! Indi ta ka ya kilala, hikapa ko bala liwat kay tiruhon ta ka (Son of a *****. Don’t touch me because we’re not friends. I don’t know you. Touch me again and I will shoot you).”

He said Espino further raised his shirt to show a gun tucked in his waist.

Major Junji Liba, BTAO head, said the incident happened after two women motorcycle riders reportedly asked the councilor’s intervention after their motorcycles were impounded by BTAO for some traffic rule violations.

Espino denied the charges saying he went to the BTAO after an aunt of a motorcycle owner sought his help over an impounded motorcycle.

Espino said that the motorcycle was just borrowed by the rider who was apprehended for not wearing a helmet and lacking a valid driver’s license.

The councilor admitted that he badmouthed Salvallon but denied threatening him with his gun.

He said he got irked when Salvallon tapped him and tried to stop him from going inside Liba’s office.

He said he is a responsible gun owner and he knows when and how to use it.

A city councilor and traffic building administrator got into a heated argument and the councilor allegedly showed the man his pistol and threatened to kill him.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1212296

More police operatives have been deployed to identify and arrest the suspect behind the shooting of a village chief candidate in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Barangay Bayaoas, Aguilar town.

In a phone interview by the Philippine News Agency on Monday, Aguilar police investigator Master Sgt. Reynante Abril said victim, Arnel Flormata, a contender for the barangay captain, was employed as an administrative supervisor at Aboitiz Solar Services.

“The incident happened at around 11:35 p.m. Sunday (Oct.22). The victim had just finished his miting de avance (campaign sortie) and was walking back to his parked car when the unidentified suspect, who allegedly pretended to be asking for alcoholic beverage from the victim, walked alongside him. When he got the opportunity (the suspect), shot the victim in the head once and fled immediately after,” Abril said.

The suspect reportedly fled the crime scene using a tricycle with an alleged accomplice.

Flormata was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival, Abril added.

Authorities found a fired cartridge and one live ammunition of a cal. 45 pistol at the crime scene.

A candidate for village councilor has been assassinated. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1850139/criminal-complaint-vs-ex-pres-duterte

Party-list lawmaker France Castro (ACT Teacher) on Tuesday filed before the Quezon City Prosecutors Office a criminal complaint against former president Rodrigo Duterte.

Castro filed a complaint of Grave Threat under Article 282 of the Revised Penal Code and Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 for the statements he made over a television program at Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) where he talked about the confidential fund of his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.

In his Gikan sa Masa, Para sa asa Program at SMNI that aired October 11, 2023, Duterte said his daughter intends to use the confidential funds for a soft revival of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. (ROTC) program.

He said he advised his daughter to be frank to Congress, particularly Castro that she needs the CF fund to stop the communist insurgency.

Duterte said: “I told Inday (Sara) to be direct, tell them that the intelligence fund is meant to prepare the minds of the Filipinos, to address the insurgency that is taking a long time to end. And the ROTC so that we are prepared for war, especially in this situation, if we do not have soldiers, then we will have the youth who can take care of their respective barangays,” he explained.

“But your first target there, using your intelligence funds, is you, France, you communists who I want to kill. I asked her to tell them that, but she refused, saying, ‘You know Pa, if I did that, they might harass the PMTs (Philippine Military Training institutions),’” he added.

Duterte’s program was also posted on SMNI’s social media accounts, which already have 7,500 views, 540 reactions, and 78 comments.

In her complaint, Duterte made several insinuations linking her to the communist armed movement without any proof.

“Though factually baseless and clearly malicious, I cannot merely dismiss Respondent Duterte’s red-tagging and accompanying grave threats as either figurative, joking, or otherwise benign,” Castro said as she pointed out that many red-tagged individuals were eventually arrested,  detained, or killed.

Castro said all the key elements of Grave Threats, as mentioned under the Revised Penal Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, are present in her complaint, specifically that threat, which is considered a crime upon her person.

“The threat was not made to any condition, and it was committed using information and communication technologies,” Castro said.

Former President Duterte has been served a case for making threats against a Congresswoman. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1850405/police-on-shooting-incident-of-barangay-kagawad-in-davao-de-oro

A barangay councilman (kagawad)  running for barangay captain in Montevista, Davao De Oro, was shot dead on Tuesday.

The Montevista police identified the fatality as Alvin Bengil Garcia, 32.

Garcia, the police said, was driving his motorcycle and was with barangay councilman candidate Jocelyn Agron, 50, when they were attacked by two gunmen aboard another motorcycle while traveling to Barangay Camantangan.

Police said the victim was brought to Davao De Oro Provincial Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. Agron sustained minor injuries.

Police said further investigation and pursuit operations against the suspects are ongoing. 

A barangay councilor running for barangay captain has been assassinated.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/10/25/2306475/barangay-chairman-hopeful-killed-lanao-sur-ambush

Gunmen killed in an ambush a candidate for chairman of an interior barangay in Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur on Wednesday morning, an attack that left his spouse and their son badly wounded.

Col. Robert S. Daculan, Lanao del Sur provincial police director, said that the fatality, Kamar Bilao Bansil, died on the spot from multiple bullet wounds when gunmen positioned along a road in Barangay Sigayan in Kapatagan shot their vehicle with assault rifles.

Bansil’s wife, Jasmin, and son, Manmo, who sustained gunshot wounds in different parts of their bodies, were immediately rushed to a hospital by policemen and emergency responders from the Kapatagan local government unit.

Daculan said that the victims were together in a white multicab utility vehicle, on their way to somewhere, when they were attacked by men led by Pabil Pagrangan, husband of the barangay chairwoman of Sigayan, whose reelection bid Bansil was supposed to contest as an independent candidate.

The police director said that witnesses have reported to the Kapatagan Municipal Police Station Pagrangan’s direct involvement in the atrocity.

Daculan said local officials and personnel of the Kapatagan MPS are together searching for Pagrangan and his accomplices, who had escaped towards different directions.

A candidate for barangay chairman has been assassinated. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/10/25/ex-doh-sec-garin-4-others-charged-with-graft-technical-malversation-in-2015-purchase-of-dengvaxia-vaccines

Former health secretary and now Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Loreto-Garin and four others have been charged with graft and technical malversation before the Sandiganbayan for their reported involvement in the alleged irregular procurement of Dengvaxia vaccines in 2015.

Aside from Garin, also charged with graft were officer-in-charge director Maria Joyce U. Ducusin, Undersecretary Gerardo Bayugo, former undersecretary Kenneth Y. Hartigan-Go, and Philippine Children's Medical Center (PCMC) Executive Director Julius Lecciones.

Garin, Ducusin, Hartigan-Go, and Lecciones are also charged with a violation of Article 220 of the Revised Penal Code on technical malversation.

In the graft case filed on Oct. 24, the five accused were charged with conspiring with one another in causing "the realignment of government fund and issuance of Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) No. BMB-150028814 on Dec. 29, 2015 in the amount of P3,556,155,900 for the procurement of Dengvaxia vaccines and eventual implementation of the School-Based Immunization Program."

Prosecutors said that their actions were "in open defiance of the mandate of Executive Order No. 49, series of 1993, DOH Administrative Order Nos. 2012-0023, 2012-0023-A and other related issuances to the damage and prejudice of the government."

Meanwhile, the prosecutors accused them for sourcing the fund from the DOH's Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in their technical malversation charge.

The prosecutors alleged that "the said amount was instead used to purchase Dengvaxia vaccines which is not part of the EPI and not listed in Volume 1 of the Philippine National Drug Formulary or has secured an exemption from being listed in said Formulary."

Bail of P90,000 was recommended for each of the accused facing graft charge and P18,000 for each of those charged with technical malversation. The cases are set for raffle on Friday, Oct. 27 to determine which of the Sandiganbayan divisions will handle the cases.

In a statement, Garin said she is relieved that the case has finally reached the anti-graft court. "Bringing it to court will be the best recourse to once and for all put an end to this issue. Our conscience is clear. No corruption. Decisions and actions were all science-based. Best to present evidences in court," she said.

Ex-DOH Secretary Garin and 4 others have been charged with graft in connection with Dengevaxia purchase.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1212482

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) agents arrested a firefighter in Muntinlupa City for allegedly promising officer slots in the Bureau of Fire Protection's (BFP) lateral entry program in exchange for a fee.

In a report on Wednesday, CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. said Fire Officer 1 Ramces Paul Benipayo, 29, assigned at the Muntinlupa Fire Station, was nabbed in an entrapment in front of a mall in Alabang, Muntinlupa City on Tuesday afternoon.

The operation stemmed from the complaint of a certain Justin Ibardaloza, who claimed that she was enticed by the suspect for a "slot for officership through lateral entry" to the BFP in exchange for PHP200,000.

The CIDG and the BFP's Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) launched the entrapment which resulted in the suspect's apprehension after he received the marked money.

Seized from the suspect were his BFP ID, a mobile phone, a black belt bag and the boodle money used in the operation.

The suspect and confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to CIDG-Anti Organized Crime Unit (AOCU) for proper documentation and disposition.

The suspect will be charged with violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and face a estafa complaint in relation to Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

In a press briefing at Camp Crame, Quezon City, BFP IDD director Fire Chief Supt. Gilbert Dolot said more complainants have surfaced following Benipayo's arrest.

"Our suspect is the subject of many complaints. There is no official charge yet but per investigation, it showed that his lifestyle is a bit lavish. I believe there is information that he was engaged in online gambling and this is one of the things we are looking at," he added.

Meanwhile, CIDG AOCU chief Col. Reynaldo Lizardo said the suspect claimed that he has an accomplice in the scheme.

"He is mentioning somebody who is inside the BFP but there is also information that it is a retired personnel. However, the case is still under investigation and we will find out other details later on. We are encouraging other victims to come forward," Lizardo said.

Dolot, meanwhile, cautioned BFP applicants to follow the proper procedures and ditch those who promise recruitment slots in exchange for a fee.

A fireman has been arrested for estafa for selling slots to recruits. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/10/26/3-bu-cor-officers-charged-with-bribery-surrendered-posted-bail

Three Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) officers who were charged with bribery in the release of firearms to the bureau's personnel have surrendered and posted bail of P60,000 each before the Muntinlupa City regional trial court (RTC).

In a statement, BuCor said that those charged and have surrendered were CSINP Alex Hizola, chief of BuCor Armory; and CO1 Arnel Acejo Jameson, CO2 Henry A. Escrupolo.

Warrants of arrest have been issued against them by Judge Abraham Joseph B. Alcantara of Muntinlupa City RTC Branch 204.

BuCor said that the bribery charges were filed after an entrapment operation last September on complaints of “demanding money in exchange for the expedited release of firearms to corrections officer.”

It said that during the initial entrapment operation conducted by the bureau and the Muntinlupa City police, the first person arrested was Janero who was “caught red handed receiving the amount of P6,500 from victim, CO1 Marvin Asoy, in exchange for the issuance of short firearms from BuCor Armory.”

It also said that Janero subsequently admitted to investigators he was supposed to turn over the money to Escrupolo who was assigned to the Escorting Unit of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.

Another entrapment operation was arranged after Escrupolo instructed Janero to deliver the money to his office, BuCor said.

“During verification check, Escrupulo’s phone revealed exchanging text messages with Hizola relative to the issuance of firearms,” it added.

“This should serve as an example and strong warning to all BuCor personnel who will not heed our call to reform,” BuCor Director General Gregorio P. Catapang Jr. said. 

“We will not tolerate any wrong doings in the agency and we will continue our relentless drive to weed the agency of undesirables,” he declared.

3 BuCor officers charged with bribery have surrendered. 

Coronavirus Lockdown: Sustained Profitability, 8% Decrease, and More!

More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government. 

Locally assembled car sales are up further indicating a vibrant post-pandemic economic recovery.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1212277

Locally assembled vehicle sales in September 2023 increased by 9.5 percent to 38,628 units from 35,282 units sold a year ago, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) reported Sunday.

Sales of passenger cars propelled the growth last month at 9,558 units, with a double-digit expansion of 19.8 percent from 7,976 units sold in September 2022.

Commercial vehicle sales also went up by 6.5 percent year-on-year to 29,070 units from 27,306 units.

“We recorded the highest monthly sales in September, and we hope that positive consumer outlook will be sustained in Q4 (fourth quarter),” CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez said.

From January to September 2023, industry sales were higher by 26.9 percent to 314,843 units from 248,154 units in the same period last year.

The industry group targets to hit 423,000-unit sales this year, which will include sales of imported vehicles.

Passenger car sales increased by 33.2 percent to 80,009 units from 60,058 units in the same comparable period.

Likewise, commercial vehicles that were sold in the same period jumped by 24.8 percent to 234,834 units from 188,096 units last year.

All sub-segments of commercial vehicles registered growth, with number of sales led by light commercial vehicles, followed by Asian utility vehicles, light-duty trucks and buses, medium-duty trucks and buses, and heavy-duty trucks and buses.

“The auto market remained resilient since 2021 and current trend indicates that we will breachore  the highest pre-pandemic sales performance and achieve full industry recovery in 2023,” Gutierrez said.

It's appears life is back to normal. 

The government took out huge loans during the pandemic and now with rising interest rates paying them of will be costlier. 

https://business.inquirer.net/427055/govt-faces-costlier-pandemic-debts

Rising interest rates could make it more expensive for the Philippine government to repay its pandemic-related debts, most of which have short payment terms and are falling due soon, Moody’s Analytics said.

“High interest rates will stress the government’s ability to service its debt as it will increase the cost of borrowing to repay these debts,” Sarah Tan, economist at Moody’s Analytics, said in response to emailed questions.

“The Philippines’ fiscal health is tenuous. In general, higher interest rates are unfavorable as it increases the repayment burden,” she added.

To fund its costly pandemic response, the government was forced to go on a borrowing spree that pushed its liabilities, as a share of the economy, above levels deemed manageable.

Not only did the government have to deal with a fat debt stock that bloated to P14.35 trillion as of August, most pandemic-related obligations that piled up at the height of the health crisis have short payment terms after the state tried to avoid paying high rates that are typically charged for longer-dated debts.

It seems the economy isn't really doing great at all due to these rising debts

Bank profitability is expected to remain sustained post-pandemic.

https://www.philstar.com/business/2023/10/23/2305758/sustained-profitability-seen-philippine-banks

Philippine banks are expected to sustain their profitability despite the slower economic growth brought about by external and domestic headwinds, according to S&P Global Ratings.

Nikita Anand, associate director at S&P, said the earnings of Philippine banks would continue to improve after the pandemic.

Anand said the return on average assets of the Philippines banks would be sustained at around 1.4 percent in 2024 and 2025 from the projected 1.5 percent  for this year.

She said that credit losses of Philippine banks are expected to remain flattish at 0.6 percent of total loans in 2024 and 2025 from the projected 0.6 percent for this year.

The credit losses of banks operating in the Philippines, she said, exceeded two percent of total loans in 2020 due to the impact of the global health pandemic.

Latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed the earnings of Philippine banks jumped by 27.7 percent to P182.76 billion in the first half from P143.12 billion in the same period last year as the industry’s non-performing loan (NPL) ratio improved.

The DOH has recorded an 8% decrease in daily COVID cases. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/10/24/doh-records-8-decrease-in-daily-covid-19-cases

The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday, Oct. 24, said 1,146 new Covid-19 cases were recorded from Oct. 16 to 22.

It noted that these cases showed an eight percent "decrease" with an average daily count of 164 cases compared to the previous week from Oct. 9 to 15.

Based on the latest data, 22 of the newly reported cases have been classified as "severe” or “critical.”

DOH said there have been nine deaths between Oct. 9 and Oct. 22.

It also reported that hospitals across the country had admitted a total of 221 severe and critical Covid-19 patients for treatment.

Of the 1,465 ICU beds designated for Covid-19 patients, 173 of them, or 11.8 percent, are currently occupied.

DOH also said that 2,118 out of 12,536 non-ICU Covid-19 beds, constituting 16.9 percent, are also in use.

The department urged the public to remain vigilant in the face of the ongoing Covid-19 threat.

What ongoing threat? Cases are down and so are deaths. 

The DOH is now assessing whether or not to procure the new monovalent vaccines.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/886153/doh-to-assess-need-to-procure-new-covid-19-monovalent-xbb-jabs/story/

The Department of Health (DOH) will assess whether or not there is a need to procure the new COVID-19 monovalent vaccines specifically targeting the Omicron XBB subvariant, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said Tuesday.

At a Palace briefing, Herbosa said they will await the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO) and will observe what the other countries will do regarding the new vaccine.

“Apparently, what was discovered was the bivalent isn’t as effective because the bivalent also increases your antibodies to the original, not the later ones. So, parang 70% of the antibodies are triggered or still the older ones. So, in that case, it doesn’t really protect you from the newer variant. So, they changed again their formula and created the monovalent  XBB,” he said.

Herbosa said these doses were already depleted, hoping that the priority groups were able to get the COVID-19 jabs while they were available for free.

“We’ve consumed all our bivalent, actually, the 390,000 that we have. We are just hoping that the fact that most Filipinos are completely vaccinated for COVID, symptoms will be mild and this new variety is also like upper respiratory mild infection. So, we will watch it,” he said.

Oh no! Who would ever think the vaccine would not be effective? That means everyone who took it is not protected and the government wasted a lot of money.