It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption in the Philippine government.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2026/03/12/village-councilor-gunned-down-in-abra |
A barangay councilor was shot dead in Barangay Riang here on Wednesday morning, March 11.
Police Capt. June Saliw-an, chief of the Peñarrubia Municipal Police Station, identified the victim as Ryan M. Chavez, 42, a first-term councilor of Barangay Riang.
Investigation said the victim was jogging when a man driving a motorcycle arrived and shot him in the back.
The suspect fled and the victim was taken to a hospital where he was declared dead.
Police recovered four empty .45 caliber shells in the area.
Follow-up investigation and pursuit operation are ongoing.
A barnagay councilor has been assassinated.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2195664/govt-employee-busted-in-iloilo-drug-sting |
An employee of the Oton, Iloilo local government, classified by authorities as a high-value individual in the illegal drug trade, was arrested on Friday after yielding an estimated P 2.17 million worth of suspected meth or “shabu” during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Buray.
Police identified the suspect only as alias “Scobe,” 46, who works for the Oton Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office.
Operatives from the Iloilo Police Provincial Office – Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, backed by the Oton Municipal Police Station and the Provincial Intelligence Unit, launched the operation at around 3:45 p.m. on Friday.
The arrest followed nearly two weeks of strict intelligence monitoring aided by tips from local residents.
During the operation, authorities confiscated seven sachets of suspected meth weighing some 320 grams.
The seized narcotics have an estimated valir of P 2,176,000. Operatives also recovered the buy-bust money.
The suspect is currently under police custody and is slated to face formal drug-related complaints.
An LGU employee who is a high value target has been busted for drugs.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2196407/ex-cop-killed-in-manila-mayor-offers-cash-witness-protection-to-driver |
A retired police officer was shot dead in Manila, prompting Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Monday to offer a P500,000 cash reward, not to informants, but to the driver of the motorcycle for him to surrender and stand witness against his companion – the gunman.
Identified as George Capistrano, the former officer, while on his way home Saturday night, was gunned down and robbed by two men aboard a motorcycle. Domagoso said this during his “Talk to the People” livestream on social media, noting that the retired cop was a “close friend.”
Domagoso addressed the driver of the motorcycle, “Ang inyong lingkod po ay nag-aalok ng P500,000 for you if you surrender.” (I am offering P500,000 for you if you surrender.)
(And if you surrender, we’re also offering you… entry into the Witness Protection Program for yourself and your family. We can help you avail this in exchange for the quick resolution of the crime that happened.)
The Manila mayor gave the gunman’s motorcycle driver only 48 hours to accept the offer.
Domagoso did not give further details as to the killing, and the Manila Police District (MPD) has yet to respond to the Inquirer’s request for comment.
However, Domagoso did claim the two men were connected to a criminal group whose modus operandi was to rob victims while riding in tandem aboard a motorcycle in various parts of Metro Manila.Moreover, the Manila mayor assured the public that the police were now tracking down both suspects in ongoing follow-up operations.
“We will not stop. We will come after you. We will make sure, as I have promised and committed to the people of Manila, if you commit a crime in Manila, we will scour through the whole country to find you,” Domagoso pointed out, speaking mostly in Filipino.
A retired police office has been assassinated.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2026/03/16/former-iloilo-mayor-arrested-for-fatal-hit-and-run |
Former Mayor Salvador “Badong” Divinagracia Jr. of Calinog town in central Iloilo province was arrested for a fatal hit-and-run accident on Sunday evening, March 15.
The New Lucena Municipal Police Station (MPS) confirmed that Divinagracia is in custody after the death of 20-year-old Vhane Rodulf “Koy Koy” Idao.
Police Lt. Jhoney Laru-an, New Lucena MPS chief, said Divinagracia was driving his Ford Raptor pickup truck when he hit Idao on the highway in Barangay Pasil before 10 p.m.
Divinagracia panicked and fled. He was caught at the Ungka Flyover in Pavia town.
Idao allegedly died on the spot as his motorcycle was dragged by Divinagracia’s vehicle.
Laru-an said that Divinagracia will face charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.
The Idao family is calling for justice. “His life and memory deserve truth and accountability,” said Rain Idao in a Facebook post on Monday, March 16.
Former Mayor Salvador “Badong” Divinagracia Jr. of Calinog town in central Iloilo province was arrested for a fatal hit-and-run accident.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2196573/barmm-councilor-survives-gun-attack-in-cotabato-town |
A town councilor is now under medical treatment after he was shot by riding-in-tandem gunmen along the national highway in Barangay Poblacion 8, Midsayap, Cotabato at around noon on Sunday, according to a police official.
Captain Sammy Clarito, deputy chief of Midsayap police, identified the victim as Councilor Al-Hamidie Sampulna Mohamad, 42, of Olandang village in Nabalawag town of the Bangsamoro Special Geographic Area (SGA).
Mohamad is the town’s first-ranked councilor.
Clarito said Mohamad had just gotten out of the Toyota Fortuner (plate number NCY 3252) he was driving when the suspects, riding a Yamaha Sniper motorcycle, waylaid him and shot him, hitting both of his feet.
“He was about to buy something inside a motor parts trading shop when the gunmen attacked,” Clarito said.
Police recovered at the crime scene nine empty shells of an undetermined caliber and two deformed slugs believed to be from a .45-caliber pistol.
The Midsayap police is still conducting an investigation into the incident.The victim said he has no known enemies and had not received any threats to his life.
A town councilor has survived an assassination attempt.
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| https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/980474/vice-mayor-arrested-over-shabu-in-camiguin-province-pdea/story/ |
An incumbent vice mayor was arrested in an anti-drug operation in Barangay North Poblacion, Guinsiliban, Camiguin on Tuesday, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said Wednesday.
In a statement, PDEA said authorities implemented a search warrant in Purok 3, Barangay North Poblacion that led to the arrest of the 66-year-old suspect identified as “Tata.”
Seized during the operation were five heat-sealed plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu worth around P102,000.
Also recovered were a 9mm pistol with a magazine, 22 rounds of live ammunition, two mobile phones, and assorted drug paraphernalia, according to PDEA.
The suspect will face charges for possession of dangerous drugs and drug paraphernalia) under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
“PDEA assures the public that all individuals involved in illegal drug activities, regardless of position or status, will be held accountable under the law,” the agency said.
“PDEA remains steadfast in its commitment to intensify nationwide anti-drug operations in pursuit of a safer, drug-free Philippines under the vision of Bagong Pilipinas,” it added.
An incumbent vice mayor was arrested in an anti-drug operation.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2197986/barmm-town-councilor-shot-dead-in-maguindanao-del-sur |
A town councilor in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was shot dead by two men who spoke with him before the attack in front of his home in Paglat, Maguindanao del Sur Wednesday morning.
Capt. Nelson Pedrico, Paglat police chief, identified the slain official as Samon Kitalok, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, Paglat, about 15 kilometers from here.
The initial police investigation report revealed that two men on a motorbike arrived at Kitalok’s house and had a brief conversation with him at around 6 p. m.
A few minutes later, one of the two men shot Kitalok at close range, killing him on the spot.
Police found six empty shells for an unidentified pistol.
Colonel Salman Sapal, Maguindanao del Sur police director, has ordered a manhunt against the suspects.
A town councilor in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was shot dead by two men who spoke with him before the attack in front of his home.
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The Sandiganbayan has affirmed with modification the graft conviction of several former officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the irregular procurement of parts and repair services for V-150 light armored vehicles in 2007.
Former P/SSupt. Emmanuel D. Ojeda, P/SSupt. Reuel Leverne B. Labrado, P/Supt. Josefina B. Dumanew, P/CInsp. Analee R. Forro, SPO4 Victor M. Puddao, P/Supt. Henry Y. Duque, P/Supt. Warlito T. Tubon, non-uniformed personnel supply accountable officer Eulito T. Fuentes, and property inspector Alex R. Barrameda were found guilty of violations of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, in a decision dated Dec. 11, 2025.
They were sentenced to six to 10 years imprisonment with perpetual disqualification from holding public office for each graft conviction. They were also ordered to indemnify the PNP by way of civil indemnity the amounts of P29,997,000 and P53,900,000 with interest of six percent per annum.
They filed their motions for reconsideration.
In resolving the motions, the Sandiganbayan affirmed their imprisonment but deleted their civil liability.
In their motions, they alleged that the evidence against them is wanting and does not justify a finding of guilt. They also alleged that many of them lacked authority during the critical stages of procurement and disbursement, and they had no custody of the funds and no authority to approve payments.
In denying the motion, the court said: "It is worth noting that all motions filed by the accused merely rehashed the issues and arguments that have already been resolved and given due consideration by this Court. No new substantial matter is presented to justify a reversal of the assailed decision."
But the court said that those convicted should not be held civilly liable. It agreed to modify and do away with its earlier ruling insofar as the civil liabilities of Ojeda, Labrado, Tubon, Dumanew, Forro, Paddao, Fuentes, Duque, and Barrameda are concerned.
"A more circumspect re-evaluation of the records, however, reveals that the factual and legal bases for such civil liability are wanting," the court ruled.
It said that the private supplier, RJP, which was ultimately acquitted, received payments directly from the PNP. There was no evidence that established that the accused appropriated or pocketed any portion from the amounts paid to RJP, it also said.
The 37-page resolution dated March 16, 2026 was written by Chairperson Associate Justice Michael Frederick L. Musngi with the concurrence of Associate Justices Lorifel L. Pahimna and J. Ermin Ernest Louie R. Miguel of the court’s special fourth division.
The Sandiganbayan has affirmed with modification the graft conviction of several former officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the irregular procurement of parts and repair services for V-150 light armored vehicles in 2007.
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