It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption in the Philippine government.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2026/02/23/nartatez-orders-probe-into-involvement-of-ex-cops-in-criminal-syndicate-operations |
Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, J., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered a thorough investigation into the alleged involvement of dismissed and retired policemen in the operation of criminal syndicates.
The statement was issued after Department of the Interior and Local Government *DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said there are at least 10 former police officials involved in the operation of some criminal syndicates.
Nartatez said he already directed the Intelligence Group (IG) and the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) to conduct a deep-dive validation.
“We are not just looking at their current activities but also their possible connections inside the organization. Even if they are already out of the service, they still carry the tactical knowledge they learned here, and that makes them high-risk,” said Nartatez.
“We are consolidating all records of their previous administrative cases to see if there were 'protectors' who allowed them to flourish before their dismissal,” he added.
Nartatez assured the public that cleansing the ranks remains a priority.
Aside from the immediate investigation, Nartatez ordered a reassessment of internal monitoring systems to prevent corruption that may continue after retirement or dismissal.
He said ethics training and anti-corruption workshops will be strengthened while early detection mechanisms will be tightened, particularly in sensitive units.
Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, J., chief of the Philippine National Police, ordered a thorough investigation into the alleged involvement of dismissed and retired policemen in the operation of criminal syndicates.
Two counts of cyber libel have been filed in court against the head of the Public Information and Community Affairs Office (PICAO) of the Iloilo provincial government for allegedly maligning former Iloilo City mayor Jerry Treñas.
Charged was Jose Nereo C. Lujan, who is also an incoming committee member of the National Committee on Monuments and Sites (NCMS) of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
It was learned that Lujan’s service at NCMS is voluntary in nature and that he has not taken his oath of office as of posting time.
Last Feb. 24, RTC Judge Judita Patriarca P. Nafarrete of Branch 38 issued an arrest order against Lujan who immediate Lely surrendered and posted bail of P48,000 for each count of cyber libel.
Lujan was charged by the Iloilo City prosecutors with violations of Section 4(C)(4), Chapter II, of Republic Act No. 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, in relation to Articles 353 and 355 of the Revised Penal Code.
Prosecutor Caryl Kate Fabella-Genova III had earlier dismissed Lujan’s motion for reconsideration and recommended the filing of cyber libel charges against Lujan.
Fabella-Genova ruled there was sufficient evidence to hold Lujan accountable for his earlier Facebook posts against Treñas.
The case stemmed from the eight counts of cyber libel filed by Treñas against Lujan for allegedly damaging his reputation.
The prosecution said that Lujan’s posts were allegedly intended to embarrass Treñas by claiming that the former mayor was a leading traffic violator, supposedly citing an upset stomach as an excuse to get out of a gridlock.
Also cited by the prosecution was another post by Lujan who claimed that Treñas “could not go to heaven.” The picture of the former mayor was included in the post.
Of the eight counts of cyber libel filed by the prosecutor, only two were found with probable cause that warranted the issuance of an arrest order against Lujan.
Two counts of cyber libel have been filed in court against the head of the Public Information and Community Affairs Office of the Iloilo provincial government for allegedly maligning former Iloilo City mayor Jerry Treñas.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2026/02/26/ex-dpwh-secretary-bonoan-10-others-charged-for-rigged-bidding-of-5-foreign-funded-flood-control-projects |
Criminal complaints were filed on Thursday, Feb. 26, against former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Manuel M. Bonoan and 10 others on the alleged rigged bidding of five foreign-funded flood control projects.
Complainant John J. Chiong of Task Force Kasanag (TFK) asked the Office of the Ombudsman to charge Bonoan and the co-respondents with violations of Sections 3(e) and (g) of Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; Section 65 of R.A. No. 9184, the Government Procurement Reform Act; and R.A. No. 7080, the Anti-Plunder Act.
The other respondents named in the complaints were DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, Undersecretary and bids and awards committee (BAC) Chairman Ador G. Canlas, BAC Vice Chairperson and OIC Assistant Secretary Pol M. Delos Santos, BAC Vice Chairperson Alex G. Bote, BAC members and Director of Bureau of Construction Allan S. Borromeo, Director of Design Blesilda S. Ramos, Project Director of UPMO-RMCII Teresita V. Bauzon, Project Director of UPMO-FCMC Ramon A. Arriola III, OIC Director Bureau of Design Lara Marisse I. Esquibil, BAC Provisional Member Gliciridia C. Tumaliuan-ali, as well as private respondent companies Sino Road and Bridge Group Co. Ltd., China International Water & Electric Corp., Hunan Road and Bridge Construction Group Co. Ltd., and Beijing Urban Construction Group.
"This complaint arises from systematic bid rigging, manipulation of the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC), unlawful disqualification of lowest bidders, irregular award of multi-billion infrastructure projects, and solicitation of money," the complaint stated.
Based on the complaints, the five DPWH foreign-funded projects involved are the Malabang Viaduct Marawi City project; Ranao (Agus) River Basin Flood Control Infrastructure - Package 1, Balo-i, Lanao del Norte; and Laguna Lakeshore Road Network (LLRN) -- Packages 1, 2, and 3.
"In this case, there was a series of overt acts across multiple projects involving multi-billion contracts, at least P360 million excessive award in one project alone (Malabang Viaduct)," the complaint said as it pointed out that "there is a pattern of repeated irregular awards."
Chiong alleged that the respondent former and incumbent officials manipulated the bidding process for all the projects, and the Invitation to Bid posted in Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) reflected zero approved budget for the contract (ABC).
He also alleged that Bonoan issued Department Order No. 173 Series of 2024 on Oct. 1, 2024 and removed the ABC ceiling in foreign-funded projects to allow unrestricted bidding and later adjusted the ABC by 15 percent in favor of preferred bidders.
By concealing budget ceilings, Chiong claimed that the respondents showed manifest partiality and evident bad faith to their preferred suppliers.
Chiong also alleged: "In this case, respondents posted zero ABC despite approved budgets, awarded a bid above the ABC, failed to publicly open financial bids, and approved irregular BAC resolutions. These acts defeat transparency and competitiveness and constitute criminal violations under Section 65 of R.A. No. 9184."
Those named in the complaints could not be contacted for comments as of posting time. Manila Bulletin will post their comments once available.
Criminal complaints were filed on Thursday, Feb. 26, against former Department of Public Works and Highways secretary Manuel M. Bonoan and 10 others on the alleged rigged bidding of five foreign-funded flood control projects.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2026/03/01/chief-tanod-shot-dead-in-escalante-city-barangay-hall |
A 61-year-old chief village peacekeeper was shot dead in Escalante City, Negros Occidental on Saturday, Feb. 28. (Escalante City Police Station)
Seven unidentified armed men gunned down a 61-year-old chief village peacekeeper at the barangay hall of Pinapugasan Proper in Escalante City, Negros Occidental on Saturday, Feb. 28.
Police Capt. Lindsey Caraballe, deputy chief of Escalante City Police Station, identified the victim as Eduardo.
Caraballe said the suspects only targeted the victim, who was on duty at that time, along with other peacekeepers.
The suspects fled and took the victim’s handheld radio.
Caraballe said the victim sustained three bullet wounds and was declared dead in a hospital.
Police are probing the motive of the attack and are not discounting the possibility that the incident could be linked to another shooting where a farmer was killed by communist rebels in the adjacent Barangay Dian-ay, Escalante City on Thursday, Feb. 26.
The 42-year-old farmer was killed for allegedly being a military asset.
A 61-year-old chief village peacekeeper was shot dead in Escalante City, Negros Occidental.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1269961 |
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Friday announced a reshuffle of key officials, including the removal of two superintendents from their posts.
At a ceremony held at BuCor headquarters in Muntinlupa City, Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said the move “is a proactive measure intended to bolster the Bureau's effectiveness in managing correctional facilities and responding swiftly to emerging challenges.”
“The change of leadership aims to ensure that the correction facilities continues to uphold its twin-mandate of safekeeping and reformation while maintaining public trust and confidence,” he added.
Relieved were Leyte Regional Prison head, C/Supt. Ricardo Sespene Jr. and Correctional Institution for Women superintendent, CT/SSupt. Marjorie Ann Sanidad.
Catapang said they were relieved “pending the resolution of investigations concerning their conduct,” without elaborating.
Sespene was reassigned to the BuCor Land Control and Management Center Anti-Squatting Unit, while Sanidad was moved to the New Bilibid Prison Hospital.
C/SSupt. Ruben Formoso replaced Sespene, while CT/SSupt. Daisy Sevilla-Castillote, former chief of the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm (SRPPF), succeeded Sanidad.
New Bilibid Prison superintendent C/SSupt. Roger Boncales was transferred to the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm and replaced by Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm head C/Supt. Gary Garcia. C/Supt. Edgardo Mendoza Jr. of the Davao Prison and Penal Farm (DPPF) will take over Iwahig, while C/Supt. Abel D.R. Ciruela moves to DPPF.
C/Supt. Alfredo Devaras Jr., former NHQ and Headquarters Support Company commander, was named the new superintendent of SRPPF.
The Bureau of Corrections announced a reshuffle of key officials, including the removal of two superintendents from their posts “pending the resolution of investigations concerning their conduct.”
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| https://mb.com.ph/2026/03/02/cop-arrested-for-kidnapping-girl |
A police officer was arrested for allegedly kidnapping a nine-year-old girl in Labrador, Pangasinan on Feb. 26.
Investigation said the victim was walking home from a store when a black vehicle stopped in front of her.
The suspect opened the door, forcibly pulled the victim inside, sped away, and left her in Bugallon, Pangasinan where she was rescued.
The victim, who was screaming and crying inside the vehicle, noticed a police uniform hanging in the back, and positively identified the suspect from photographs of police officers shown to her.
Police confirmed the identity of the suspect and the victim positively identified him again during a lineup at the Sual, Pangasinan police station.
The suspect was arrested and placed under the custody of the Labrador police station.
Police Col. Arbel Mercullo, Pangasinan police director, reiterated their commitment to protecting children, strictly enforcing the law, and not tolerating violations within their ranks.
The Philippine National Police said a formal complaint for kidnapping and serious illegal detention were filed before the Prosecutor’s Office in Lingayen, Pangasinan against the suspect.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2189253/army-soldier-sought-for-wounding-2-civilians-in-catarman-shooting |
Police have launched a manhunt for an active Philippine Army member allegedly involved in a shooting incident that left two civilians wounded Monday morning in Barangay Dalakit, Catarman.
The incident occurred at 8:45 a.m. and was reported to the Catarman Municipal Police Station (MPS) at about 9 a.m., authorities said.
The victims were identified as a woman of legal age and a 23-year-old man, both residents of Barangay Airport Village in Catarman. Their names were withheld pending further investigation.
The suspect, also of legal age, is an active Army personnel reportedly assigned in Maulong, Catbalogan City, Samar.
According to initial police reports, a concerned citizen alerted the Catarman MPS about the shooting shortly after it happened. Responding officers immediately proceeded to the scene to secure the area and begin an investigation.
Personnel from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) rushed the victims to the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital for medical treatment. Authorities have yet to release details on the extent of their injuries.
The suspect reportedly fled the scene immediately after the shooting.
Police said it coordinated with neighboring stations in establishing checkpoint operations to intercept and arrest the suspect.Investigators are now working to determine the motive behind the shooting and whether the incident stemmed from a personal dispute or other circumstances.
As of press time, the suspect remains at large.
Authorities urged anyone with information regarding the suspect’s whereabouts to immediately coordinate with the Catarman MPS.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2190156/retired-cop-companion-killed-in-maguindanao-del-sur-ambush |
Gunmen ambushed and killed on Tuesday, March 3, a retired police officer and his companion in Datu Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur.
Captain Nurjhasier Sali, police chief of Datu Montawal, identified the victims as Elias Dandan, former police chief of Pikit, Cotabato, and Raymund Bioy, both residents of Barangay Kalawag, Pikit, Cotabato.
Sali said the victims were on board a black pick-up truck heading for Poblacion Pikit when ambushed at about 2:30 p.m. along the national highway.
Citing an initial investigation, Sali said two men riding on a motorcycle drove by the victims’ vehicle and opened fire.
When the police arrived at the crime scene, they found two men lying lifeless inside the vehicle with gunshot wounds.
Members of Datu Montawal police station rushed the victim to University of Southern Mindanao Hospital in Kabacan, Cotabato. The victims, however, were declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
Further investigation is ongoing.
Gunmen ambushed and killed on Tuesday, March 3, a retired police officer and his companion in Datu Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur.
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