Insurgency: Peace and Justice

It has finally happened.  Peace and justice have finally come to the Bangasamoro. So says Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Implementing Panel Chair Mohagher Iqbal. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1094395

"If you ask us about our condition now, it's better than being a combatant. We now have peace, justice, and socioeconomic interventions from the government and the international community so Inshallah, we hope that the quality of our lives will improve most especially the MILF combatants," Iqbal said during a press briefing here on Tuesday (Feb. 18), as the second phase of the decommissioning process of MILF combatants officially resumed.

"Socioeconomic interventions from the government and the international community."  Translation: "We are getting a lot of freebies from Manila and abroad." It's true though. The Philippine government has allotted billions each year for the BARMM. Already the government has given them P500 million for ARMM employees who are without a job since the forming of the BARMM.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1088174

Public servants in the Bangsamoro government to be separated from government service as part of the transition period phase-out program will soon get their separation pay, an official said Friday. 

Executive Secretary Abdulraof Macacua of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has announced that national government has released about PHP500-million in gratuity funds for the purpose. 

The fund will finance the separation pay of employees of the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. 

The BARMM phase out program affects more than 6,000 employees after they deemed to have lost their positions under the BARMM government.

The international community has again renewed their support for the BARMM pledging both economic and moral support to the region.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1094286

“Japan will never tire of lending a hand to the Mindanao peace process. We share with the Philippine government the dream of enduring peace and a better life for the Bangsamoro,” said Embassy of Japan Deputy Chief of Mission Yamamoto Yasushi. 

Meanwhile, acting UN resident coordinator and UN Populations Fund (UNFPA) representative Iori Kato threw the organization’s support behind the Philippine government’s socio-economic and peacebuilding efforts. 

“I’d like to hereby reiterate the commitment of the UN system in the Philippines that we shall continue to provide and support you in all our capacity, whether it’s for emergency response, development efforts or peacebuilding,” Kato said. 

Over the years, the UN has played a critical role in the Philippines peace process through various programs and projects which include the Support to Peacebuilding and Normalization (SPAN) Program, Support to Post-Conflict Needs Assessment for Marawi City, UN Peacebuilding Fund, Facility for Advisory Support for Transition Capacity, UNFPA’s 8th Country Program of Support to the Philippines, and UN Women’s support to National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.

Other economic partners of the BARMM include Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and the US. The money will flow into the region but what will come of it remains to be seen. The ARMM had lots of backers and support as well but ended up as a failure. 

But the BARMM is not only getting economic investments from abroad.  Foreign partners are also teaching these terrorists how to govern.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1094635

Members of the Parliament (MPs) of the Bangsamoro government are set to wrap up Monday a three-day training on parliamentary rules and procedures facilitated by a foreign agency in support of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) moral governance. 

“The three-day activity also included MPs staff and personnel,” BARMM Interim Chief Minister Ahod “Murad” Ebrahim said over a local radio station. 

Experts provided by The Asia Foundation (TAF), through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), facilitated the activity held at the Bangsamoro parliament building in Cotabato City attended by members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA)— the interim body that governs the regional government. 

"The sessions included discussions on the function and composition of the parliament, house rules, legislations, among others and attended by about 120 parliamentarians and MP support staff," Murad said. 

MP Raby Angkal, BTA secretary-general, said the presenters included Dr. Muhammad Sayuti Hassan, a senior parliamentary lecturer from Sultan Idris Education University Malaysia, Muhammad Sujuri Abdullah, secretary of the senate Parliament of Malaysia, and Augustine Leonard Jen, Malaysian parliament research specialist. 

Ebrahim lauded the Malaysian government for sending its experts in legislation and parliamentary procedures.

Did Murad and the MNLF get this kind of foreign training in governance when the ARMM was established?

Aside from all those freebies the government is also paying MILF terrorists to hand over their weapons. 

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1034944

A total of 106 MILF-BIAF combatants from Lanao del Sur underwent the decommissioning process led by the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB). 

Each of the former combatants received P100,000 cash and a socio-economic assistance package. Their families will also get an estimated worth of P500,000 up to P1-million of healthcare assistance, scholarships for their children, housing, and livelihood projects from the government.

That is a lot of economic assistance from the government. Too bad law abiding folks will never see such a boon. If you think the weapons are going to be destroyed then think again. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1231047/in-time-of-peace-camp-abubakar-becomes-milfs-weapons-keeper

Today, the camp, which has been transformed into a government military facility, will serve as repository of MILF weapons which are being “put beyond use” as part of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) that the government and the MILF signed in 2014. 

Already, the barracks of a Joint Peace and Security Team (JPST) had been built in the area, now known as the Philippine military’s Camp Iranun. 

Brig. Gen. Francisco Ariel Felicidario III, cochair of the newly installed Joint Peace and Security Committee (JPSC), said the JPST barracks in Camp Abubakar would be the first of 11 JPSC barracks to be built in seven provinces across Mindanao. 

He said the facility would serve as headquarters of the first JPST team tasked to safeguard weapons turned over by members of the MILF who have undergone the process of decommissioning. 

The firearms will be kept under the oversight of the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB), a Turkish-led group mandated to oversee the decommissioning of MILF combatants and their weapons. IDB is composed of representatives from the governments of Turkey, Norway, Kingdom of Brunei, and local experts nominated by the Philippine government and the MILF. 

“The decommissioned weapons you will be securing in this camp (Abubakar) represent decades of armed struggle of the Bangsamoro people. And now that (these firearms) have been put to rest, these will serve as reminder to all of us of the sacrifices made by our Moro brothers and sisters to uplift the lives of their people,” Diciano told JPST members.

Why not just totally destroy the weapons like they did with all the weapons recovered from Marawi? In fact that was his first order to the AFP Chief Año once the siege ended.

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

Months later Duterte even watched while they were destroyed. Could it be that the hasty destruction of weapons recovered from Marawi was because they had AFP markings?

http://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. 

Petinglay, however, did not say how many of these recovered firearms had been confirmed to have come from the government armoury. 

The military has recovered at least 628 firearms—among these high-powered weapons like Barrett .50 caliber sniper’s rifles and Armalite, Garand and M14 rifles—since fighting began in late May when Islamic State-inspired militants took over sections of Marawi. 

According to Petinglay, finding out who are responsible for the delivery of the firearms to the Maute group and its allies is not the military’s priority, noting that the investigation can be conducted after the fighting here ends. 

“It’s easy to track where (the firearms) came from (based on the markings). But it’s not our priority right now. Once the fighting is over, we will commence our investigation,” she said.

Turns out an investigation never ensued because the weapons were set for destruction. Just more questions about the Marawi siege which will never be answered because the Senate refuses to launch a 9/11 Commission style investigation.

Elsewhere things are same as ever. The government continues to bribe rebels to surrender.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1094643

The Army's 602nd Infantry Brigade (602nd IBde) has launched a program to help former Moro rebels integrate better into mainstream society.  

Brig. Gen. Roberto Capulong, commander of the 602nd IBde based in Carmen, North Cotabato, said the Returnee Comprehensive Aftercare Program (RCAP) launched Sunday aims to provide livelihood, healthcare and educational assistance to former combatants of Moro secessionist groups. 

Capulong said RCAP is in line with the government's “whole-of-nation approach,” which seeks to institutionalize a holistic approach in addressing the insurgency problem at the local level. 

He describes RCAP as a comprehensive program involving various government agencies working together to help locals "who were duped into joining a movement with a lost cause” but who have decided to return to the fold of the law. 

Initially, Capulong said some 20 former members of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have been identified as beneficiaries of the program. 

During the program's launching, Capulong encouraged the former rebels to avail of RCAP's housing programs and other interventions. 

“I see you before as brave men, but now you are braver than before because you succeeded in turning your back against terrorist groups,” Capulong said.

The Returnee Comprehensive Aftercare Program sounds like a permanent program to provide for ex-terrorists. But nothing is permanent. Some NPA rebels were recently given E-CLIP benefits but with a word of warning.

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1034831

Sheryl Ann C. Disucatan, the Regional Social Welfare development Officer encouraged the FRs in her statement, “While there is life, there is hope. So, never lose hope and keep on believing that change and a better day for every one of you will surely come. Remember that taking up arms against each other will never be a good solution to any of our problems. Yes, the government is willing to help, but the government will not be there all the time for you, you need also to help yourself. Because the change and help that you are all seeking will primarily start from YOU, and the rest will just follow." 

Lt. Col. Isagani O. Criste, Commanding Officer of 29IB, said he was grateful and happy to see how mindful the government is to its people especially in fulfilling its promise to help those former rebels who have once lost their way but have now found their way back. "This Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government is truly a blessing to our brothers and sisters who are now willing to change for the better,” he said. 

“And yes, the government is doing its best to help and support its people. But I hope you may realize also that not all the time will there be a government who will look after all of your needs, a government that could always provide you whatever you want in an instant. No, that doesn’t work that way because just like us, our government isn’t perfect. But you and I know that we can do something to support the government and more so can we do something to help ourselves,” Criste ended.

The government is willing to help you but won't be there all the time. Change starts with you. Government cannot always provide all your needs because government isn't perfect. 

All of that is true and raises quit a few questions. What will happen if former rebels cannot build a good life despite all the government assistance?  Will they return to the NPA? Can they be the change they want to see? Just how long will the government's bribery tide them over?

Lawless Philippines: Ukay-Ukay

The Philippines is a lawless nation. What do I mean by that? I don't mean motorcycle assassins and politicians stealing the people's money. I also don't mean those who expose corruption getting shot dead in broad daylight or the fact that lawyers and journalists end up dead too often. I also don't mean the insurgency and violent family feuds in Mindanao. When I say the Philippines is lawless what I am talking about is the every day things we see around us. 

The Philippines is a nation of laws. Many, many laws in fact. But every single day these laws are flagrantly  broken and the authorities simply do not care. What I mean when I say the Philippines is a lawless nation is that despite having laws they are rarely and only selectively enforced.

Let's start this off with ukay-ukay stores.

The top two ukay-ukay stores are just around the corner from PNP headquarters downtown. The bottom picture is what one will see at market day in any barangay. One need not go far to find an ukay-ukay store in the Philippines. They are everywhere and they are illegal!

[REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4653] 

AN ACT TO SAFEGUARD THE HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE AND MAINTAIN THE DIGNITY OF THE NATION BY DECLARING IT A NATIONAL POLICY TO PROHIBIT THE COMMERCIAL IMPORTATION OF TEXTILE ARTICLES COMMONLY KNOWN AS USED CLOTHING AND RAGS. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives ofthe Philippines in Congress assembled: 

SECTION 1. It shall be unlawful for any person, association or corporation to introduce into any point in the Philippines textile articles commonly known as used clothing and rags, except when these are imported under Subsections “i”, “j”, “k”, “l”, “n”, and “v” of Section 105 of Republic Act Numbered Nineteen hundred and thirty-seven. 

SEC. 2. The penalty of fine of not less than two hundred pesos nor more than twenty thousand pesos and imprisonment of not less than two years nor more than five years, shall be imposed upon persons found guilty of violation of the provision of this Act: Provided,That in the case of aliens, the penalty to be imposed shall consist of the payment of the fine hereinabove provided for and that of immediate deportation without any further proceedings on the part of any Deportation Board:Provided, further,That if the violation is committed by the manager, representative, director, agent or employee of any natural or Juridical person in the interest of the latter, such violation shall render the employer liable to the penalty corresponding to the offense, without prejudice to the imposition of the corresponding penalty, either personal or pecuniary or both, upon the manager, representative, director, agent or employee, committing the violations:Provided, furthermore, That in the case of the violation being committed by or in the interest of a foreign juridical person duly licensed to engage in business in the Philippines, the person or persons directly or indirectly involved in the importation shall suffer the penalties herein provided for and the revocation of such license and perpetual disqualification to engage in business in the Philippines shall form part of the penalty to be imposed:Provided, also, That if the act committed by a public officer or employee is; penalized by any other law, the penalties prescribed in the law punishing the offense shall be imposed in addition to those prescribed herein and that of perpetual absolute disqualification:Provided, finally,That used clothing and rags imported in violation of this Act shall be burned in the presence of a representative of the General Auditing Office, Department of Finance and of the Office of the President, without the forfeiture proceedings provided in Republic Act Numbered Nineteen hundred and thirty-seven. 

SEC. 3. All Acts, rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed. 

SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 

Approved, June 17, 1966.

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1966/06/17/republic-act-no-4653/

Granted there is no prohibition in this law against selling used clothes only their importation. But the fact these used clothes are being sold is proof of their illegal importation. So why don't the cops confiscate these illegal goods and shut down each ukay-ukay store? Why is this law not fully enforced?

What I want to do in a series of articles is highlight a host of laws which are broken every single day. Laws which the authorities seldom opt to enforce. It is my intent to show that despite being a nation of laws the Philippines is a lawless nation. 

Retards in the Government 142

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

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1228772/cops-serenade-moms-traffic-men-give-chocolates-in-sultan-kudarat

Armed with a guitar, and loads of flowers and heart-shaped balloons, a team of five police officers and five non-uniformed personnel roamed the town early Friday morning and tendered love songs. 

“We would like to spread love and positive vibes,” said Captain Jessie J Silva Jr., President Quirino town police chief. 

“We chose mothers to recognize the unconditional love that they have for their family and children,” Silva added. 

Mothers were awakened by the songs rendered by police officers starting at 6 a.m. As they emerged from their homes to see who were singing, they were met with flowers and heart-shaped balloons. 

Also, members of the Land Transportation Office in Koronadal surprised motorists along Alunan Avenue here with flowers and chocolates. 

“Instead of checking on their vehicles’ documents, drivers’ licenses and issuing citation tickets, we gave them flowers, chocolates, and candies,” Koronadal City Traffic Law Enforcer team leader Movin Agal said. 

“We propagate love so we get love in return,” Agal said in the vernacular.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/288044/highway-patrol-cops-hand-out-chocolates-and-flowers-instead-of-top-on-valentines-day

Instead of giving violation tickets or temporary operator’s permit (TOP) to the drivers and motorists flagged down by cops on Cebu City’s streets, the Highway Patrol Group in Central Visayas (HPG-7) instead handed out chocolates and flowers during their regular checkpoint along V. Rama Avenue on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2020. 

The HPG-7’s Valentine Day activity dubbed as “Gugma sa HPGnalang sa mga Motorista” was initiated by their head, Police Colonel Joel Pernito, who wanted to have a creative way of reminding the drivers and commuters about the rules and regulations for safe travel on roads and highways. 

Police Captain Michael Gingoyon, provincial officer of HPG-7, said the activity was their way of expressing their love to the riding public, by reminding to follow the road rules through the small gifts they prepared. 

(In line with our road safety awareness, we wanted to show that we also care for our motorists.)

One of the flagged down drivers was Nympha Pinote, of Barangay Mambaling,  who was with her family to visit a private hospital in Fuente. 

Pinote told reporters she was very nervous when she was told to stop by a Highway Patrol policeman, thinking she would get arrested as she was also not wearing her seatbelt when she rolled down the window of her car. 

“Gikuyawan ko kay sukad-sukad wala pagyud ko madakpan (I was nervous because I thought they will arrest me. I was never arrested before),” said Pinote, who grinned when she found herself a recipient of the Valentine’s Day gift from the HPG-7 cops. 

A student who was crossing the road while the HPG-7 performed their gimmick, also received some chocolate hearts.

This is stupid. That lady was clearly violating traffic laws by not wearing her traffic belt and was rightly scared to death when she was flagged over. But instead the cops gave her a big smile and chocolates. Why can't the cops do this EVERY day?  If they can do stupid gimmicks on Valentine's Day then they sure as heck can enforce traffic laws and hand out tickets. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1093908

A police official will be facing charges for allegedly committing several abuses that included using a waiter's palm as ashtray while in a drinking session inside a restobar here Friday, an official said. 

A report by the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office on Friday said Capt. Calvin Placer and two other companions were having a drink at Jakko's Grill along Regatta Boulevard when the series of abuses happened. 

Maj. Evan Viñas, city police spokesperson, said Placer allegedly physically abused a waiter and the manager of the establishment located in Barangay Carmen.

Viñas said Placer allegedly pointed a gun at the waiter's stomach, punched him in the face, and even used his palm as ashtray. 

He said the suspect singled out the waiter for allegedly not smiling at him. 

The suspect also allegedly banged the restobar manager's head on the wall. 

Viñas added Placer allegedly molested a female customer by holding her hand without her consent, insisted on asking for her phone number, and even followed her to the comfort room. 

Upon learning that a customer has called the police, Viñas said Placer got out of the restobar and sped off where his car bumped a person riding a mountain bike in Carmen.

"The suspect and his companions started drinking at around 8 in the evening. The commotion happened five hours later," he added. 

Aside from the administrative case that Placer will be facing, Viñas said the suspect may be charged with sexual assault, physical injury, grave threat, acts of lasciviousness, and reckless imprudence resulting in slight physical injury.

Five hours of drinking and this cop turned into a wild animal.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/02/16/cop-on-awol-killed-in-bacolod/

A policeman, who had gone absent without official leave (AWOL), was gunned down by four unidentified armed men along Circumferential Road in Barangay Villamonte here Saturday. 

Slain was Pat. Eric Alcosaba of Barangay Mansilingan here. 

He said Alcosaba was previously assigned at Police Station 7 and City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) here before he was moved to Mindanao in 2017, wherein he went Awol. 

Alcosaba, based on earlier reports, was among the five police officers who were named in the supplemental affidavit of top drug suspect Ricky Serenio in 2017, as allegedly receiving weekly protection money from the “Berya” drug group.

AWOL cop possibly involved in drugs shot dead by four assassins.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/02/17/1993865/dilg-sets-75-day-deadline-new-round-road-clearing-operations

The Department of the Interior and Local Government has ordered local executives nationwide to clear roads of obstructions within 75 days, a second round of clearing in line with President Rodrigo Duterte's order to reclaim public roads. 

The first round of street-clearing operations saw the demolition of structures like sheds and village outposts that had encroached onto the road. 

"I direct all LGUs, especially barangays, to clear roads from obstruction with the same urgency and enthusiasm as when the president directed before," DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said.

How many times will they be re-issuing this order to clear all roads? The roads should be cleared without the need for an order from the DILG.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1230347/retired-cop-slain-in-negros-oriental

A retired police officer and incumbent councilor of Bayawan City, Negros Oriental was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Barangay Villareal at 10:40 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18. 

Alex Tizon, 66, was driving his Isuzu Sportivo when two men aboard a motorcycle drove by his vehicle and shot him. 

Based on their investigation, Enriquez said Tizon was supposed to buy medicines for his high blood pressure. 

“The attack was well-planned (because the assailants knew where the victim was going),” Enriquez said. 

Enriquez said investigators are looking into reports that an armed group was mad at Tizon for helping a family that the group harassed.

Another retired cop shot dead. But he was also a City Councilor according to PNA so he is just another LGU official shot dead. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/02/17/1993895/hontiveros-bares-alleged-bribery-scheme-bureau-immigration

Officials within the Bureau of Immigration were called "traitors to the country," Monday, by Sen. Risa Hontiveros for operating of an alleged modus operandi to get foreign nationals in the Philippines in exchange for money. 

Through the supposed "pastillas" scheme, officials within the agency ensure "seamless entry" of Chinese nationals into the country for a 10,000-peso "service fee." 

Hontiveros said it was named after the milk-based candy after photos from a whistleblower exposed the said cash distributions.  

"I asked why it's called pastillas. Before, there were no envelopes and that’s why they rolled it on a bond paper like a pastillas," she said in Filipino.

Not surprising if true but the Palace said there will be no investigation unless someone files a formal complaint.  Now who is going to do that?

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/726373/bi-naia-terminal-heads-relieved-of-duty-amid-investigation-on-pastillas-scheme/story/

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has relieved from their posts the terminal heads of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) while it investigates an alleged scheme in which Chinese nationals are escorted through the immigration process in exchange for a fee.  

The NAIA terminal heads and the chief of the travel control and enforcement unit were relieved of duty upon orders of Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente "pending the results of the investigation," BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said Tuesday.

At least NAIA is launching an investigation.

https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=tl&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.abs-cbn.com%2Fnews%2F02%2F18%2F20%2Fbarangay-kagawad-arestado-sa-reklamong-panggagahasa

Barangay kagawad arrested on rape charges but details are scanty.  

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1230308/fwd-palace-espenido-may-have-stepped-on-some-toes

 Malacanang on Tuesday came to the defense of former Bacolod City police chief, Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido following his inclusion in the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) narcolist, saying the controversial cop could be a victim of flawed intelligence gathering. 

“Definitely marami siyang nasagasaan, kaya napag-initan nung mga involved (He has gone against a lot of people, that’s why he was implicated by those involved),” palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a press briefing. 

Panelo said that even President Rodrigo Duterte is of the belief that Espenido could even be a victim of black propaganda in the drug war. 

“Could be, because the President says that’s black propaganda, as far as he is concerned,” Panelo said when asked if Espenido was a “victim.” 

“The President trusts him. It’s not unexpected that there may be some flaws in intelligence gathering. That happens. Sometimes they’re even intentional. You’re being fed with the wrong info coming from those who are against particular officer,” he added.

Espenido also thinks he could be the victim of flawed intelligence. But if that were true then these narco-lists aren;'t trustworthy at all.  They are casting doubt on their own intel gathering abilities!

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1094130

A police officer is now facing charges of robbery-extortion after he allegedly mulcted money from a relative of a drug suspect in Taguig City. 

In a press briefing on Tuesday, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief, Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, identified the suspect as Cpl. Hadzmer Amer, who was assigned at the Taguig City station drug enforcement unit. 

Based on the complaint, Amer demanded PHP35,000 in exchange for the dropping of the case filed against the complainant's partner, whom Sinas did not identify.

A PNP officer involved in extortion?  Who would have thought such a thing could happen?

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1094101

Two men posing as “habal-habal” drivers shot dead a village official in this city, a top police official said Tuesday. 

Lt. Col. Ramel Hojilla, local police chief, identified the victim as Nasrullah Manibpel, a councilor in the upland village of Nuangan, this city. 

Hojilla said Manibpel was about to go home after accomplishing administrative work at the village hall when he was fatally shot by the two gunmen at about 11 a.m. on Monday.
He said the two, who were riding a motorbike, were seen standing in front of the Nuangan barangay hall before the incident. 

“One of the possible motives is a personal grudge,” Hojilla said, adding that police investigators were also looking at “rido” (blood feud) involving Manibpel’s family. 

“He has no known enemies, he is a good man, he is a good leader, truly (a) public servant,” said one of Manibpel’s relatives who asked not to be named.

Another LGU official shot dead this time the motive might be a family feud.

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/2/19/Bureau-of-Corrections-Frederic-Santos-shot-dead.html

A top official at the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) who had wanted to testify in the Senate on the alleged “freedom for sale” scheme at the New Bilibid Prison was shot dead Wednesday near the headquarters of the bureau in Muntinlupa City. 

Police said two gunmen shot Frederic Santos dead at around 2 p.m. on board his Toyota Hilux pick-up in front of Southernside Montessori school in Barangay Poblacion. 

They said Santos was about to fetch his daughter from school when the two men shot him point blank, and immediately left. 

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III told CNN Philippines that Santos was “ready to tell all” about the supposed anomalies surrounding the implementation of the expanded Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) policy under the Revised Penal Code before the Senate’s last hearing on the issue. 

Santos, however, backed out, Sotto said. 

The Office of the Ombudsman suspended Santos in September for six months after finding that he, along with 29 other officials of the bureau, “allowed the questionable release of prison convicts” in violation of the expanded GCTA policy. 

Santos was suspended without pay for alleged grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and conduct "prejudicial to the best interest of the service.” These could have led to his dismissal from service. 

He also confessed during a Senate investigation that convicts and wardens cover each other's backs by doing favors while behind bars. 

He cited examples where prison guards would relent on the punishment that should be meted out to inmates caught using mobile phones or contraband items in their cell, opting for a settlement rather than filing a complaint against the prisoner in trouble.

It appears he talked too much.  Exposed too much corruption.  Now he is dead.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1230782/graft-complaints-filed-vs-former-current-philhealth-officials-over-alleged-fake-premium-receipts

A former employee of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has filed a graft complaint against former and current PhilHealth officials for their alleged inaction on a scam involving the issuance of fake premium receipts to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). 

Complainant Ken Sarmiento, represented by lawyer Harry Roque, filed the complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday. 

According to Sarmiento’s complaint, he has flagged officials of PhilHealth of hundreds of fake PhilHealth official receipts received from September 2015 until September 2018. At the time, Sarmiento was deployed at PhilHealth operations office in the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA). 

He said he has filed 15 complaints before the Anti-Fraud Division of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and submitted another six complaints before the ad hoc committee created by PhilHealth. 

Aside from that, Sarmiento also gathered six case folders of hiring agencies containing falsified official receipts. 

He claimed that officials did not act on the complaints as this was “systematically suppressed by several high-ranking officers” of PhilHealth Head Office.

PhilHealth is one of themes corrupt bureaucracies in the Philippines. Messed up how this case is being pursued by a private citizen and not the NBI or DOJ.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1230772/bato-pushes-for-senate-probe-into-series-of-accidents-involving-drugged-reckless-drivers

In filing his resolution, the senator said it is “extremely important to review and evaluate the current set of laws and rules and regulations governing road safety vis-a-vis the prevention of illegal drugs in public transport, in order to shield the public from the snares of reckless, negligent, and errant driving.” 

He said that there should be a probe into such accidents “for the purpose of recommending further remedial measures to ensure road safety, and end the proliferation of drug use in the country, particularly in the public transport sector.”

I can finish his investigation in once sentence: Have the PNP patrol the streets and highways and enforce all traffic laws as is their mandate!

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1230731/will-executive-be-offended-with-senate-vfa-petition-before-sc-its-possible-says-recto

Will the Senate’s plan to question the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) before the Supreme Court offend the executive? 

“It’s possible,” Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto told reporters when asked in an interview on Wednesday as he stressed that the upper chamber should assert its authority. 

“We are a co-equal branch of government. I think we should assert our authority as well,” Recto said. 

“Just like the executive is asserting their authority, we should not give up whatever powers we have insofar as check and balance is concerned,” he added. 

“The Constitution gives us the authority to approve treaties ‘di ba (right)? It’s an inherent power of the Senate 2/3 vote. But the constitution is silent also when it comes to abrogating treaties. So we can test this in the Supreme Court,” he added. 

“I support his [Sotto] position on making justiciable in the Supreme Court na linawin na ng Supreme Court yung kapangyarihan ng Senado pagdating sa abrogating treaties like this [to clarify the power of the Senate in abrogating treaties],” Recto further said. 

Recto, on the other hand, said that while he is not against terminating the VFA, he says that the timing should be considered when deciding to scrap the same. 

(It’s not that I’m against terminating the VFA, I’m just saying, there’s timing. There’s timing there, we need to prepare for it. If you want to the VFA, we need to be ready, it’s should not be in an abrupt manner).  

The Senate is divided on this issue with some loyal to Duterte who are abstaining from signing on to the SC petition and some loyal to Duterte who are doing their best to not upset him by signing on to the SC petition.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1230665/cops-in-narcolist-to-face-dutertes-judgment-next-month

The fate of the 356 police officers in the so-called “narcolist” will be decided upon soon as the Philippine National Police (PNP) prepares to submit its recommendation to President Rodrigo Duterte on March 5. 

PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said Wednesday that the adjudication process for the police officers has already started. 

“We will be having a joint command conference with the President and the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) on March 5 and I intend to submit my recommendation on March 5,” he said. 

“As a matter of fact, there’s an initial recommendation, but of course this will be contained in the final recommendation they (adjudicating units) are going to make,” he added.

How about filing cases where appropriate and letting the justice system do its work?  Even if it is slow justice that would be the proper thing to do rather than let the President decide their fate.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/726581/go-tells-trillanes-i-will-take-you-to-satan/story/

Firing back at former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, Senator Bong Go said he is not afraid to face him and would even take him to his boss, who is Satan. 

Go, President Rodrigo Duterte's closest aide, made the retort after Trillanes said the "bullies" in the administration would all scurry away when the president is no longer in power. 

The senator said Trillanes is the real "Bikoy" and was the one behind the video linking Duterte to illegal drugs.

More political bickering between Triallanes and other politicians.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1094277

Police operatives arrested an active member of the Philippine Army for allegedly selling shabu inside a bar here early Wednesday. 

Capt. Abdulsalam Mamalinta Jr., chief of the Pendatun police station, said Private First Class (Pfc) Abdillah Diao Ali, 22, was nabbed in a buy-bust around 12:35 a.m. at the YSP bar on Salazar Street in Barangay Dadiangas South. 

Mamalinta said Ali, of Purok Maunlad in Barangay Apopong, was a member of the 2nd Indigenous Peoples smart company under the Army’s 10th Infantry Division. 

Mamalinta said an undercover policeman managed to buy a sachet of suspected shabu worth PHP500 from the suspect.  

He said they recovered from Ali’s possession another plastic sachet containing suspected shabu.

Solider selling shabu.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/289265/former-school-administrator-gunned-down-by-unidentified-suspects-in-danao-city

The Danao City Police are now looking for two suspects who shot dead a former school administrator early Thursday morning, February 20.  

The victim was identified as Gregoretta Manto, 46, a resident of Barangay Bonifacio, Danao City, who worked before as a school administrator of the now-defunct Manto Memorial College Foundation.  

Initial reports from the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) stated that the crime happened around 5 a.m. along Rizal Street, Barangay Poblacion, Danao City in northeastern Cebu.  

Police said several witnesses in the area pointed to a riding-in-tandem as the suspects behind Manto’s death.

Absolutely senseless. No one is safe from motorcycle assassins.

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/185488/fwd-major-consequences-ahead-if-a-president-is-allowed-to-unilaterally-scrap-treaties-drilon

“This is a very substantial issue. Why? Because if the President is allowed to terminate without the concurrence of the Senate, theoretically, the President can terminate our participation in the UN, the President can terminate our Asean cooperation agreement, the President can terminate our (agreement under) WTO (World Trade Organization), these have major consequences,” Drilon said in an interview on ABS-CBN News Channel on Thursday. 

“It (termination) should not be only unilateral act of the President but is a shared authority of both the president and Congress,” he pointed out.

How does no one else get this?  Or do they understand and just don't care?

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/289357/negros-or-police-director-pushing-for-relief-of-bayawan-police-chief-56-policemen

The provincial director of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) will recommed to higher headquarters for the relief of the entire police force manning the Bayawan Police Station — its police chief and 56 policemen. 

Police Colonel Julian Entoma, Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) director, said in an interview on Thursday, February 20, 2020, the series of shooting incidents, which had remained unsolved, had prompted him to decide to recommend to the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) to relieve the policemen assigned to the Bayawan Police Station.

If there are so many unsolved killings with cops around just think how many there will be when they are gone.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1231125/month-long-nationwide-sale-aimed-to-boost-tourism-set-for-march

“It’s not hard to see that elevating the shopping experience will go a long way to enhance the attractiveness of our tourist destinations all over the Philippines, whether it is our big cities or in our beautiful provinces,” DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said in a statement Wednesday. 

Puyat noted that shopping tourism is among the most common activities tourists do when visiting the country.

Remember: Malling is More Fun in the Philippines!

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1094423

A frontline immigration officer on Thursday spilled the beans against current and past Bureau of Immigration (BI) officials whom he said were behind the corruption at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. 

Appearing before the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, Allison Chiong, who holds the position as Immigration Officer 1 since 2012, said he has “personally witnessed various illegal transactions over the years involving extortion money in exchange of unimpeded passage through the Philippines, whether leaving or entering the country.” 

He said the money-making scheme was being led by airport immigration officials and involves at least 90 percent of immigration personnel. 

In his affidavit read before the Senate panel, Chiong said immigration personnel started with the money-making scheme to offset lost earnings when the Department of Justice removed the overtime pay of all immigration officers in 2016. 

To cope with the substantial deduction of their salaries, he said some immigration officers decided to offer “VIP services” to immigrants who are casino high-rollers, accepting PHP2,000 for each high-roller in exchange for the latter’s “convenient and seamless immigration.”

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1094371

“President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has relieved all officials and employees of the Bureau of Immigration who are involved in the latest bribery scheme where they purportedly facilitate the entry into — and exit from — Philippine territory of foreigners working for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators for an unauthorized fee,” Panelo said in a regular Palace media briefing. 

Panelo said Duterte arrived at such decision after receiving reports about the unlawful activity and finding probable cause to relieved BI personnel linked to the bribery scheme. 

He, however, was not privy as to how many BI officials and employees were relieved of their respective duties.

Another day, another scandal.