It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption in the Philippine government.
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| https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/traffic-enforcer-in-viral-kotong-video-may-lose-job |
THE traffic enforcer of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team) who was allegedly caught extorting money from a driver he had apprehended in Barangay Alang-Alang on Thursday, March 21, 2024, will face termination from service if proven guilty.
The Team already completed the investigation on the incident and has suspended him.
In a video that went viral on social media, the enforcer was caught on camera accepting something from a truck driver after issuing a citation ticket.
In an interview on Friday, March 22, City Councilor Jimmy Lumapas, chairman of the committee on transportation, said the Mandaue City Government already launched an investigation on the incident.
In the Philippines, extortion is commonly known as “kotong.” It occurs when a law enforcement official or public official intimidates or unlawfully extracts money or property from a person who is facing apprehension or charges for violating, or suspected of violating any law. They do this by exercising their authority unduly in exchange for protection against possible arrest or filing of charges.
Lumapas clarified that although it was evident that the enforcer accepted something from the driver, it was unclear whether it was money. He said a more thorough investigation was necessary to determine the truth.
Lumapas assured that he would inform Team to identify the enforcer in the video and request an explanation from him.
He said if the enforcer is found guilty, the City will immediately terminate his services, as they do not tolerate such behavior.
A Mandaue traffic enforcer has been suspended and is facing termination over extortion.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1922458/qc-hall-employee-arrested-for-robbery-extortion |
Police arrested an employee of Quezon City Hall for robbery extortion during an entrapment operation on Saturday.
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) identified the 56-year-old suspect as Joel Aquino Avila, who was apprehended by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit operatives in a restaurant along Visayas Avenue, Barangay Vasra.
Records showed that Avila was an employee of QC Hall’s engineering office.
An unnamed complainant told the police that the suspect asked him to deposit two checks worth P1 million and P500,000, which were supposed to be used to process of his building permit, business permit, zoning, and certificate of exemption for the warehouse of his pet food business back in 2022.
In the same year, Avila allegedly demanded another P1.1 million for a certificate of exemption. However, the complainant said he did not receive any documents from the suspect.
Two years later, on March 15, the complainant said Avila asked him again for P700,000. Authorities arrested him during their transaction.
Avila is currently under the custody of the CIDU-QCPD.
A Quezon City Hall employee has been arrested for extortion.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/24/4-pro-9-cops-probed-for-extortion |
The Police Regional Office-9 has ordered the investigation of four Zamboanga Peninsula policemen for allegedly extorting from a businessman from Pagadian City.
Businessman Rey Palma Libre, 39, and two of his workers were heading toward the Zamboanga City proper at around noontime on Thursday, March 21, when they were accosted by three lawmen assigned to the PRO-9.
The businessman was turned over by the three policemen to the Cabaluay Community Police Action Center under the Sangali Police Station.
Initial investigation reportedly focused on the involvement of the three policemen under the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit-9 and a personnel of the Sangali Police Station in the extortion activity.
PRO-9 Director Police Brig. Gen. Bowenn Joey Masauding has ordered the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division and the Zamboanga City Police Office to conduct an extensive probe to determine the culpability of these police personnel.
“The integrity and professionalism of PRO-9 are of utmost importance and any misconduct or abuse of authority will not be tolerated," said Masauding.
Four cops are being investigated for extortion.
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| https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/03/26/2343357/second-graft-case-filed-vs-magalong |
Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong is facing another graft case before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the allegedly anomalous improvement and rehabilitation of a P50-million multipurpose building in Barangay Irisan.
The complaint was filed by Councilor Mylen Yaranon, who alleged that Magalong violated Republic Act 3019 or the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Yaranon said the project was implemented through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed between the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Cordillera and the city government of Baguio, which awarded the conract to Khatib Construction on Dec. 18, 2021.
She said the project should have been completed within 350 days or by Dec. 8, 2022.
Yaranon said a project engineer of the DPWH questioned the discrepancies in the elevation, footing and sizes of the columns of the building during a meeting with the Baguio City Building and Architects Office (CBAO) in March 2020.
The Baguio City District Engineering Office (BCDEO) of the DPWH said that any change in the project should be made in accordance with the MOA, including submission of a variation order.
The BCDEO said any allowed action on a variance is limited to 10 percent of the contract amount. If the amount is higher, it must first be referred to the DPWH central office.
The DPWH informed the CBAO in August of the same year about its observation on the materials used in the construction.
It said it did not receive or approve any variation order and technical justification or as-stake plan. It issued a warning to the CBAO for not submitting the required documents.
Despite the warning, the city government released P43 million as payment to Khatib Construction, Yaranon said in the complaint.
On Dec. 8, 2022, the supposed day of the completion of the project, the DPWH said it found out that only 60 percent of the building was finished.
Noting a 40-percent slippage, the DPWH terminated the project, but the city government continued it.
Of the P43 million paid to the contractor, P32 million was sourced from the DPWH, while the rest came from the trust fund of the city government.
Yaranon said there was no approved authorization for the mayor or any appropriation ordinance allowing the release of P11 million to the contractor.
It was the second graft case that Yaranon lodged against Magalong. The first was in connection with the allegedly irregular purchase of a property in Tuba, Benguet for the city’s social housing program.
The Mayor of Baguio has been charged with another graft case.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1923405/village-councilor-shot-dead-by-riding-in-tandem-gunmen-in-quezon |
A councilor was shot and killed Tuesday by riding-in-tandem gunmen in his village in San Andres town in Quezon province.
The Quezon police said in a report on Wednesday, March 27, that Joseph Ancit, 59, a councilman and leader of farmers in Barangay Camplora was aboard his motorcycle on his way home at 5:15 p.m. when the gunmen riding a motorcycle appeared and repeatedly shot him using handguns.
The killers sped off and left their target dead on the spot.
The police were conducting further investigations to identify the killers.
Authorities were eyeing land dispute as a possible motive behind the killing. San Andres, a known hotbed of agrarian disputes, is located in the province’s 3rd district (Bondoc Peninsula).
A village councilor has been assassinated.
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| https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/03/28/2343893/7-davao-city-cops-new-drug-war-axed |
Seven police officers were relieved from their posts in connection with the deaths of drug suspects in alleged shootouts in Davao City after Mayor Sebastian Duterte declared a war on drugs in the city.
The administrative relief of the policemen came after Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. ordered an investigation on the supposed armed encounters where seven drug suspects were killed in less than a week after Duterte’s declaration.
“Our chief PNP, through the regional director, gave orders to investigate these incidents and give way to an impartial investigation,” PNP public information officer Col. Jean Fajardo told a news briefing at Camp Crame yesterday.
The PNP Internal Affairs Service has also started its probe into the killings, Fajardo said.
Davao region police director Brig. Gen. Alden Delvo said the seven policemen were disarmed and would be subjected to paraffin testing.
Delvo did not rule out the possibility that more police officers will be relieved from their posts in the coming days.
“We will be investigating all personnel involved in the police operations,” he said in a text message.
The policemen must also explain why it was necessary for them to use their guns in neutralizing the drug suspects.
7 cops in Davao have been relieved of their posts for killing drug suspects.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1923762/retired-air-force-lieutenant-shot-dead-inside-his-house-in-lucena |
A retired Philippine Air Force (PAF) official was found dead Wednesday from bullet wounds inside his home in this city.
The Quezon police said in a report on Thursday, March 28, that the body of Jesus Gerola, 68, who retired from PAF with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, was found around 7:30 a.m. sprawled on the floor of his house in Barangay Domoit.
Citing the testimony of a witness, police said at around 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, an alias “Edwin” was heard shouting in front of Gerola’s house challenging him to come out.
Gunshots were heard after the incident, police said.
The report did not provide information on the whereabouts of Gerola’s family or his housemates during the incident.
An investigation is ongoing to establish the motive behind the incident.
Police launched a manhunt operation to arrest Edwin as the primary suspect.
A retired PAF officer has been shot dead inside his house.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/28/former-barangay-captain-who-filed-graft-case-vs-albay-governor-survives-ambush |
A former barangay captain who filed a graft case against Albay Gov. Grex Lagman over "jueteng" (an illegal numbers game) payola survived an ambush while en route to his residence in Barangay Anislag, Daraga, Albay, from this city on Wednesday night, March 27.
M. Nimo, 48, former captain of Barangay Anislag, together with his companions, were onboard a vehicle when they were fired at by four unidentified suspects when they reached the junction road in Barangay Mariawa here at around 9 p.m.
They escaped towards Barangay Talahib where they sought police assistance.
Calubaquib said that Nimo and his companions were unharmed.
Nimo’s bullet-proof Chevrolet Suburban Sports Utility Vehicle had 20 bullet holes from a gun of unknown caliber.
He filed cases before the Ombudsman last February against Lagman for allegedly receiving jueteng payola or bribes.
These were direct bribery, violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and the law that provides stiffer penalties for illegal gambling.
A former barangay captain who filed a graft case against the governor of Albay has survived an assassination attempt.
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