Retards in the Government 354

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

 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1219354

Intensified operations of the Philippine National Police-Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (PNP-IMEG) have resulted in the dismissal of 131 erring police officers, a ranking police official said Thursday.

These police officers were dismissed from Jan. 1 to Feb. 14 this year, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said in a presser in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

She added that these officers were dismissed from the service for their involvement in various illegal activities such as robbery, illegal drugs, obstruction of justice, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

Of this figure, 62 personnel went absent without official leave (AWOL).

During its fifth founding anniversary Thursday, the IMEG said it has conducted a total of 86 law enforcement operations.

Of this number, 56 operations resulted in the arrest of a total of 69 individuals which include one police commissioned officer (PCO), 16 police non-commissioned officers (PNCO), and five civilians.

In the campaign against wanted persons, a total of 47 active and former PNP members were arrested -- 21 PNCO and 26 others who were either retired or dismissed members of the organization.

131 PNP officers have been dismissed for various offenses this year between January 1st and February 14th.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1219376

The Supreme Court (SC) found Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba and his lawyers guilty of indirect contempt after they failed to justify their filing of a petition for the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) which was subsequently withdrawn on the same week it was filed.

The high court also meted a PHP30,000 fine on Mamba and his counsels from the Macalintal Law Office. 

In a statement Thursday, the court said while Mamba and his counsel sought for the SC’s immediate action for the issuance of a TRO, they could not show the same urgency in manifesting to the court subsequent developments affecting the proceedings.

Under court rules, abuse or unlawful interference with the processes or proceedings of a court is punishable as indirect contempt.

The rules also consider as indirect contempt any improper conduct tending, directly or indirectly to impede, obstruct or degrade the administration of justice.

“After a punctilious review of the records, numerous news reports that the Court takes judicial notice of, and Gov. Mamba and Macalintal Law Office’s assertions in their Compliance… the Court is convinced that Mamba and the Macalintal Law Office should be cited in indirect contempt under Rule 71, Section 3(c) and (d) of the Rules of Court,” the Court concluded.

Aside from the fine penalty, the court sternly warned both Mamba and Macalintal Law Office that a repetition of the same or similar act in the future shall be dealt with more severely and noted that Mamba’s petition is now deemed withdrawn, closed, and terminated.

The Governor of Cagayan has been found in indirect contempt by the SC for not being able to justify a TRO. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/23/cop-faces-murder-charges-for-shooting-fisher

A policeman allegedly shot and killed a 19-year-old fisherman during an  altercation in a videoke bar in Barangay Calumpang, this city, on Wednesday, February 21.

Police identified the victim as Marvin Bahian.

The suspect, Police Corporal Ekinne Semilla, 34, assigned to the Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat Municipal Police Station, was arrested the following day by pursuing policemen in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato, following an order from Police Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg, Police Regional Office-12 director.

Macaraeg said aside from murder, Semilla faces administrative charges that may lead to dismissal from the service.

“Such erring behavior by a police officer was utterly unacceptable and will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” Macaraeg said.

Semilla figured in a gun-toting incident last December 17 when he was drunk in Barangay Calumpang.

A cop is facing a murder charge for killing a man during karaoke. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1909620/barangay-captain-2-other-officers-shot-dead-in-san-isidro-leyte

A barangay captain, a councilman and a village watchman (tanod) were shot dead inside the barangay hall in Barangay Daja Diot, San Isidro town, Leyte on Saturday, Feb. 24.

Elizalde Tabon, 55, the village chieftain; councilman Paulo Al Mendero, 52; and village tanod member Rusty Salazar were inside the barangay hall when four armed men barged in shot them several times at about 9:30 p.m., the local police said.

Alex Bacor, another village watchman and brother-in-law of the village chairman, who was standing outside the barangay hall, was injured.

The still unidentified perpetrators fled on board a motorcycle.

The local police have yet to determine the identity and motive behind the killing.

A barangay captain, councilman, and village watchman were all assassinated. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/25/village-dad-falls-in-buy-bust

A barangay kagawad or councilor was arrested and P346,800 worth of shabu was seized in a buy-bust operation in Concepcion, Iloilo on February 23.

The Iloilo Police Provincial Office-Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (IPPO-PDEU) identified the suspect as 41-year-old Oriel Navarro.

Navarro was nabbed after he sold suspected shabu worth P3,500 to a police poseur-buyer.

The suspect yielded a total of 52 grams of shabu.

Police Major Rolando Araño, IPPO spokesperson, said Navarro was an identified supplier in Concepcion and allegedly gets his supply from Estancia town.

The Police Regional Office-6 lauded police personnel involved in the operation.

“I commend the tireless efforts of the police personnel involved in this operation. We remain steadfast in our commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting our communities from the scourge of drugs,” said Police Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, PRO-6 director.

The 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company and the Concepcion Municipal Police Station assisted in the operation.

A barangay councilor has been arrested for drugs. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/26/village-chair-from-basilan-shot-dead-in-zamboanga-city

The president of the Association of Barangay Captains of Isabela City, Basilan was shot dead and his two companions were wounded in front of a hotel here on Sunday night, February 25.

Police identified the fatality as Franklyn Galos Tan,  chairman of Barangay Seaside.

Wounded were Jaider Jumdam, barangay chairman of Kampurna 1, and Daryl Jalani, barangay chairman of Kampurna 3.

Investigation said that the victims were shot outside the Puerta de la Ciudad Hotel on Nuñez St. by two suspects onboard a motorcycle.

Tan  sustained bullets wounds and died on the spot and his two companions were taken to a hospital.

The suspects fled after the incident.

Tan was also shot in Isabela City in October 2014 but survived.

The victims were here to attend a meeting when they were shot.

Police are pursuing the suspects.

A village chairman has been assassinated. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/27/batangas-lgu-legislative-officer-wounded-in-shooting

A 56-year-old legislative officer of the municipal government was critically wounded in a shooting incident here on Monday morning, February 26.

Police identified the victim as Ronald Afritado, Local Legislative Staff Officer IV.

The victim was driving a Sports Utility Vehicle when a man driving a motorcycle appeared and fired at him in Barangay Calansayan.

The suspect fled towards the direction of Lipa City and Afritado was taken to the Metro San Jose Medical Center for treatment of bullet wounds.

Police are conducting follow-up investigation.

A legislative officer has survived an assassination attempt. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/02/27/2336526/cop-convicted-homicide-jemboy-case-others-receive-lighter-penalties

A Navotas court found one police officer guilty of homicide in the case involving the death of 17-year-old Jehrode "Jemboy" Baltazar which happened on Aug. 2, 2023.

PSSg. Gerry Maliban, among the six officers initially charged with murder in the shooting incident involving Baltazar, has been convicted of homicide by the Navotas Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 286.

"Police staff seargeant Maliban cannot be said to have employed means, methods or forms in the execution of the crime," said Anne Diaz, Clerk of Court at Navotas RTC, as she read a portion of the court's conviction during an interview with reporters.

"This is because the urge to shoot the victim materialized only when the victim attempted to escape," she added. 

Maliban has been sentenced to serve four to six years in prison.

Other police officers, namely PEMS. Roberto Balais Jr., PSSg. Nikko Esquilon, PCpl. Edmard Jade Blanco and Patrolman Benedict Mangada only received a four-month imprisonment each for the illegal discharge of firearms.

Only one cop named PSSG. Antonio Bugayong has been acquitted.

In August 2023, the Department of Justice charged all police officers with the crime of murder in connection with the killing of Baltazar.

The six individuals were part of the eight police officers involved in the operation on August 2 in Barangay North Bay Boulevard South Kaunlaran, resulting in Baltazar's death.

The police mistakenly identified Baltazar as Reynaldo Bolivar, a murder suspect they were pursuing.

The cops shot Baltazar while he and his friend were boarding a boat. His friend survived, but Baltazar died and remained submerged in the river until his remains were recovered hours later. 

Forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun reported in August last year that Baltazar's cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head, and drowning from his submerged body was noted as a contributory factor.

A total of 22 Navotas police officers have been sacked over the killing of Baltazar.

One cop has been convicted of murder and four others cops have been convicted of illegal discharge of firearms over the death of a 17-year old last year. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911195/fwd-solgen-on-puertollano-dismissal

The Malacañang has removed Assistant Solicitor General Derek Puertollano from his position due to allegations of sexual harassment, confirmed Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra to INQUIRER.net on Wednesday.

Reports have circulated that Puertollano allegedly harassed legal interns. Guevarra confirmed the dismissal, but has yet to provide further details.

“Confirmed,” Guevarra  told INQUIRER.net when asked about the reported dismissal of Puertollano.

“The decision speaks for itself. I have nothing further to add,” Guevarra said when asked for a reaction.

Assistant Solicitor General Derek Puertollano has been removed from his position due to allegations of sexual harassment.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/02/28/2336593/sc-imposes-p180k-fine-pao-chief-contempt-undignified-conduct

The Supreme Court (SC) has imposed a P180,000 fine on Public Attorneys Office (PAO) Chief Persida Rueda-Acosta for her social media statements on the "Conflict of Interest" provision of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA).

In a press release issued on Tuesday evening, the SC announced that the PAO chief was found guilty of indirect contempt and grossly undignified conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. This ruling stemmed from her social media pronouncements on the matter.

“It was determined that Atty. Acosta’s statements and innuendos on her Facebook page, which was accessible to the public, attributed ill intent and malice to the Court,” the high court’s press release read.

“The Court also found that by launching a public campaign against the new conflict of interest rule for the PAO using public attorneys and the PAO’s staff and clients and publicizing the contents of the PAO’s letters to Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo requesting the deletion of the same rule, Atty. Acosta tried to sway public opinion in order to pressure the Court into yielding to her position,” it added. 

The SC has fined the PAO Chief for contempt and undignified behavior.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911840/cops-file-raps-vs-dpwh-worker-for-hurling-grenade-that-injures-3

The police in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental filed three counts of frustrated murder complaints against a job order employee of Department of Public Works and Highways for hurling a grenade at a coffee shop that resulted in the injury of three people and damage to two vehicles.

According to Police Maj. Ryan Villasario, San Carlos deputy police chief, it would be up to the city prosecutor what appropriate charge to file against the suspect whose name was being withheld.

The complaint was filed against the suspect in the afternoon of Wednesday, Feb. 28, a day after he threw a grenade at the “Kapehan sa Medina” store at the Eco-Tourism Highway at Sitio Medina, Barangay Rizal, San Carlos City.

A 75-year-old store owner, her 42-year-old son, and a 34-year-old female store attendant were injured in the attack that happened at 11:08 a.m. and brought to the San Carlos City Hospital, the police said.

The windshield of black Mitsubishi Xpander of a 55-year-old policeman was damaged.

A motorcycle of a relative of the victims was also damaged.

San Carlos Mayor Renato Gustilo said the suspect was immediately apprehended.

Police Lt. Colonel Nazer P. Canja, San Carlos police chief, said the suspect was identified by an eyewitness who was present at the scene of the crime.

The suspect was arrested at his residence at Barangay Punao around 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27. The helmet and motorcycle used during the grenade throwing were also found in his possession.

The motive behind the attack had yet to be determined, Canja said.

A job order employee of the DWPH has been arrested for frustrated murder after tossing a grenade into a coffee shop. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1219762

Police authorities here are searching for two gunmen who ambushed and injured the municipal mayor’s secretary on Tuesday afternoon.

Maj. Jethro Doligas, Lambayong municipal police chief, identified the victim as Borhanudin Delna, 40, of Purok Rang-ay, Barangay Poblacion.

Delna is the executive secretary of Lambayong Mayor Ferdinand Andy Agduma.

Agduma said he has directed the local police to bring the perpetrators behind bars, and assured Delna’s family that the local government unit (LGU) would provide financial aid to the injured employee.

“I also assure all LGU employees that the local government is ready to extend help should anyone get threats while performing their duties as civil servants,” he said in a radio interview Wednesday.

Delna was on board a tricycle for hire heading to Barangay Poblacion from nearby Tacurong City when ambushed by two gunmen riding a motorbike at past 4 p.m.

He sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the body and is now getting medical attention in an undisclosed hospital. 

A Mayor's secretary has survived an assassination attempt.