Retards in the Government 329

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

 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/09/24/2298558/ex-bi-officer-pastillas-scam-fined-p5000

A former Bureau of Immigration (BI) officer ended her legal battle in connection with the so-called “pastillas” scam with a fine of P5,000.

During the proceedings on Thursday, former immigration officer Asliyah Maruhom was allowed by the Sandiganbayan’s Seventh Division to plead guilty to a lesser offense of “prohibited acts and transactions” under Section 7 (d) of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

In a decision issued on the same day, the Seventh Divison said that since Maruhom entered her guilty plea before the formal presentation of evidence by the prosecution panel of the Office of the Ombudsman, this “mitigating circumstance” shall work in her favor.

The court also ordered the release of the P30,000 bail bond that Maruhom previously posted for her provisional liberty and lifted the hold departure order it earlier issued against her.

Maruhom was among the 50 former BI officials and employees charged by the ombudsman before the Sandiganbayan with violating Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which carries a sentence of six years to 10 years in prison and perpetual disqualification from public office.

An ex-BI official involved in the pastillas scheme has been charged with a fine. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1836433/leyte-village-chief-survives-slay-try

A village chief escaped death on Sunday after motorcycle-riding assailants tried to kill him in Barangay Poblacion, Leyte town, Leyte.

Edgar Dela Rosa, 52, a barangay captain of Baco, was on his way home on board his Toyota Hilux when the suspects fired at the vehicle on Mabini Street in Barangay Poblacion, Leyte town, Leyte.

Captain Rush Alvarado, chief of the Leyte town police, said Dela Rosa managed to hide inside his vehicle and evaded the bullets.

Local police immediately conducted a hot pursuit operation to arrest the suspects.

A village chief has survived an assassination attempt. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/25/3-pro-6-lawmen-test-positive-for-drugs

Only three out of the 13,201 police officers tested positive for illegal drugs in Western Visayas.

The Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 said 99.56 percent of policemen tested negative in the massive drug test ordered by Police Brig. Gen. Sidney Villaflor since he took over as Western Visayas police chief.

“It is my desire to ensure that those under my watch are free from any involvement in illegal drugs,” said Villaflor on Monday, September 25.

Their names were withheld but their places of assignment were the Antique Police Provincial Office, Capiz Police Provincial Office, and Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office.

“They will face appropriate charges and possible dismissal from the service,” Villaflor said. “We will implement the highest penalties to those who will fall short of the expectation of the police and the people of Western Visayas,” added Villaflor.

Three cops have tested positive for drugs. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/25/traffic-enforcer-nabbed-in-drug-bust

A traffic enforcer was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Maasim, Sarangani on Friday, September 22.

Police Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg, Police Regional Office-12 director, identified the suspect as Salihim Dulaham, 48, a traffic enforcer of Maasim.

Police seized from the suspect several grams of suspected shabu.   

Dulaham was tagged as a high-value drug trafficker operating in Sarangani.

A traffic enforcer has been busted for drugs.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1210487

A security screening officer (SSO) has been dismissed from his post for allegedly stealing chocolates from a passenger, an official of the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) said Monday.

The OTS said the screener was served a dismissal order on Sept. 23 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2, "for taking things from the luggage of a departing passenger while conducting baggage inspection last Sept. 13."

In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), OTS spokesperson Kim Marquez said the screener claimed that the chocolates were given by the passenger.

Marquez, however, clarified that they are not allowed to receive anything as part of their "no gift/tipping" policy.

She admitted that the OTS has not received a complaint from the passenger, but said they received a report from an OTS supervisor, prompting them to probe the incident.

Asked why the subject was not suspended between Sept. 13 and 23, Marquez claimed that the CCTV footage they requested from the Manila International Airport Authority was delayed.

"As soon as we got the evidence, the personnel involved was dismissed the next day," she said, adding that the screener was a job order personnel. "They could be dismissed outright if they commit violations in their contractual obligations."

She said the OTS is calling on the passenger involved to shed light on the incident so they could further pursue charges against the personnel. 

An NAIA screener has been axed for allegedly stealing chocolates from a passenger. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1210565

Members of the anti-scalawag unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have arrested a Manila police officer who has been convicted of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and physical Injuries.

In a belated report on Tuesday, Brig. Gen. Warren de Leon, chief of the PNP Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG), said 40-year-old Cpl. Mark Manuel Co, assigned at the Manila Police District, was arrested while on duty at the Police Community Precinct 1 in Pritil, Tondo, Manila on Sept. 20.

Co was sentenced to up to five years imprisonment based on the order issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 29 on Sept. 15.

The IMEG said Co was charged in 2012 after a pursuit operation against a minor who died in an accident after trying to evade a police checkpoint.

Co is temporarily detained at the IMEG Headquarters in Camp Crame for documentation before the turnover of the arrest warrant to the issuing court. 

A cop convicted of murder has been arrested. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1837134/dotr-19-airport-security-screeners-fired-for-stealing

A total of 19 personnel of the Office for Transportation Security (OTS), an attached agency of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), have been fired since July 2022 after they were caught stealing from airline passengers, according to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista.

“Actually, we have investigated 60 cases [of theft incidents] at the airports [involving OTS employees],” Bautista said on Tuesday during the Senate deliberations on the DOTr’s budget request of P214 billion for 2024.

The cases included the Sept. 8 incident at Ninoy Aquino International Airport where an OTS screener was spotted on a security camera allegedly swallowing $300 in bills that she supposedly stole from a Chinese tourist.

The viral video was yet another black eye on the country’s main international gateway, which had been tagged before by a vacation rental management firm as among the world’s worst airports.

19 OTS personnel have been dismissed for theft.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/27/sandiganbayan-orders-90-day-preventive-suspension-of-antique-gov-cadiao-on-graft-charge

The Sandiganbayan has ordered the 90-day preventive suspension of incumbent Antique Gov. Rhodora J. Cadiao on a graft charge filed against her involving the alleged illegal reassignment of a provincial employee and non-payment of the employee's salaries and allowances from 2016 to 2018.

The complaint against Cadiao was filed by Antonio dela Vega, head of the Provincial General Services Office, who was transferred to the Culasi satellite office. The transfer had been invalidated by the Civil Service Commission (CSC), the prosecution said in the graft charge. 

Dela Vega then asked the payment of his salaries and representation and travel allowances amounting to P1.665 million from 2016 to 2018.  Cadiao allegedly denied the payment.

The anti-graft court's preventive suspension order stated: "Wherefore, pursuant to Section 13 of Republic Act No. 3019, accused Rhodora J. Cadiao is preventively suspended from her position as Provincial Governor of the Province of Antique and from any public office which she may now or hereafter be holding for a period of 90 days."

"The Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government is requested to inform this court of the dates to which Provincial Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao started serving her preventive suspension and the date of its termination," the court said. 

It stressed that "the preventive suspension of the accused (Cadiao) shall be automatically lifted upon expiration of the 90-day period from the implementation of this Resolution," the court added. 

The Governor of Antique has been suspended while being investigated for graft. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/27/coa-recommends-filing-of-charges-against-former-silang-lgu-officials-contractors-over-unfinished-projects

The Commission on Audit (COA) on Tuesday, Sept. 26, recommended the filing of charges against former officials of the Silang, Cavite local government after finding several unfinished and allegedly anomalous projects.

According to COA, it has recommended the filing of charges against former Silang Mayor Silang Mayor Socorro Poblete and the contractors of the projects which have already cost losses to the local government unit (LGU) in millions of pesos.

A COA Audit Observation Report (AOM) dated Dec. 28, 2022 found an overreporting in the Statement of Work Accomplished (SWA) on two projects. These projects include the construction of the new Rural Health Unit (RHU) and the 12-classroom building of Lucsuhin Elementary School.

According to the AOM, the RHU building was only 65.51 percent completed, as opposed to the 98.34 percent reported on the SWA, while the 12-classroom building at Lucsuhin Elementary School was only 21.07 percent complete, a huge difference from the reported SWA of 94.09 percent.

Silang Mayor Kevin Anarna had earlier expressed his disappointment after inspecting the school and seeing the students holding their classes with umbrellas to cover their heads.

Anarna said Lucsuhin Elementary School students attend classes holding umbrellas at the partially open covered court when it rains. He added that some students have started getting sick after being soaked in the rain during class.

The Special Education Building (SPED) has also reportedly been left hanging by the contractor, leaving educators with no choice but to teach SpEd students in the school canteen.

Another COA AOM dated Jan. 23, 2023 found that the rehabilitation project of the drainage system in Metro Silang that cost more than  P12 million was only 75 percent complete when it was “abandoned without valid grounds by the contractor.” Advance payment made to the contractor amounting to P484,261.26 was not returned.

Another contract entered into by Poblete on Aug. 4, 2021 was for the construction of a Special Education Building (SPED) in Silang Central School worth P6,601,666.40. 

According to COA AOM No. 23-004 (2022) dated Jan. 1, 2023, the project was reported to be 100 percent complete as per the last SWA and Certificate of Completion and Final Acceptance attached to the project’s disbursement voucher.

The same report stated that “the release of the retention money was allowed despite the fact that the consecution was not on schedule and satisfactorily undertaken, in violation of the earlier discussed provision of RA 9184” and  that the retention money deducted from the progress billings was “deficient by P175,698.38.”

COA also flagged 13 infrastructure projects under Poblete's administration that started in December 2020 until April 2022 and that were reported completed by the end of 2022. 

It had observed that these projects costing more than P72 million reached 95 percent accomplishment “without undergoing preliminary inspections” and with the contractor not receiving any punch-lists, which contain “remaining works, work deficiencies for necessary corrections, and the specific duration/time to fully complete the project considering the approved remaining contract time.

The COA AOM dated Feb. 22, 2023 said “The existence, completeness, reliability and accuracy of the reported year-end balances of the Property, Plan and Equipment (PPE) accounts aggregating P2,758,890,226.22 cannot be fully ascertained due to the inability of the Municipality to conduct complete physical count of PPE and the noted discrepancies of P2,304,537,018.80 between accounting records and the Report on the Physical Count of Property, Plant and Equipment (RPCPPE), contrary to Section 124 of the Manual on the New Government Accounting System (MNGAS) for Local Government Units (LGUs), Volume I, and Commission on Audit (COA) Circular No. 2020-006.”

The agency also discovered five more projects that were found "problematic" which include the drainage project in Barangay Malaking Tatiao, the Home Economics Building of Silang Central School, the Storm Drainage System along Metro Silang, and the construction and installation of traffic signalization along Aguinaldo Hi-way corner P. Caramanzana Intersection T-Junction at San Miguel II, Silang.

The COA has recommended charges to be filed against several former city executives over unfinished projects.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/28/cop-arrested-over-death-of-2-people-in-malabon-illegal-drugs-related-motive-eyed-1

Operatives of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) have arrested a policeman in connection with the killing of two people and the wounding of another person in Malabon City.

NCRPO director Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. said the arrest of Patrolman Zenjo R Del Rosario was made around eight hours after the latter allegedly barged into the house of Alexis Guitierez in Barangay Acacia and engaged in a shooting spree on Wednesday, Sept. 27. 

Guiterez was declared dead in the hospital along with his companion Jay Bacusmo Apas due to fatal bullet wounds they suffered. The third victim, Baby Tadiamon, was taken to the hospital after she was hit on her body and left leg.

Nartatez said the operation was immediately conducted after the victims’ neighbors sought police assistance. 

 “Through the backtracking of CCTV footage in the area and interview of possible witnesses, the tracker team was able to uncover the identity of the suspect,” said  Nartatez.

The possible suspect who was wearing a bullcap and a jacket, was later identified as Del Rosario, assigned to the Station Drug Enforcement Unit- Malabon City Police Station. 

Nartatez has ordered an extensive investigation of the incident since the possible motive of the crime could be drug-related. 

A cop has been arrested for the murder of two people. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/09/27/2299279/psa-statistician-shot-dead-quezon-city

A statistician of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) was killed while two others were wounded after they were shot by unidentified gunmen in Quezon City yesterday morning.

Namer Ariate, 54, a special statistician of the PSA, and two others were riding a tricycle when the shooting took place in Barangay Payatas.

Police investigators said two men blocked the tricycle at the corner of Sampaguita and Santan streets at around 6:30 a.m.

The suspects, armed with handguns of unknown caliber, shot Ariate multiple times.

The two other passengers, both women, were hit by stray bullets.

The gunmen then boarded a motorcycle and fled toward Santa street.

Ariate and the other victims were brought to a hospital for medical treatment, but the statistician was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Police investigators retrieved four deformed fired bullets and a metal fragment at the scene.

A statistician for the PSA has been assassinated. 

Coronavirus Lockdown: Surfing Tourney, Equity, and More!

More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government. 

DOH Secretary Herbosa appeared before the UN to talk about what the Philippines is doing to prevent another pandemic from happening. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/22/herbosa-reaffirms-ph-pandemic-prevention-efforts

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa reaffirmed the Philippines' commitment to enhancing pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response efforts during a United Nations-led high-level meeting in New York City.

Herbosa on Sept. 20 conveyed the department's commitment to lead the organization of developing member-states in a Group for Equity within the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body for Pandemic Threats.

He also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the member-states on behalf of the Filipino people for their assistance during the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly through donations of countermeasures.

Herbosa emphasized the value of open communication between the public and private sectors and emphasized the necessity of a multisectoral strategy for addressing the multifaceted vulnerabilities that nations face.

He also took great pride in recognizing the crucial contributions made by Filipino healthcare professionals around the world during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The DOH chief also brought up the need for balance during the meeting to prevent a large-scale exodus of healthcare professionals, which might result in a brain drain for developing nations, such as the Philippines.

He also said equity must be a central tenet during any future global pandemics. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/22/ph-advocates-equity-in-global-pandemic-response

The Department of Health (DOH) expressed the country’s position that equity should remain a central tenet of multilateral efforts concerning pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response at the United Nations General Assembly's (UNGA) Multi-Stakeholder Panel meeting on Sept. 20.

DOH Undersecretary Kenneth Ronquillo underscored the importance of integrating gender equality and migrant protection into the discussion.

This is especially important because the Philippines contributes significantly to the global healthcare workforce, he said.

Furthermore, Ronquillo expressed the country's strong support for the establishment of a global health governance structure dedicated to pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.

He pointed out that this move is in line with the Philippines' commitment to fostering international cooperation and accountability in addressing global health crises.

Ronquillo said the DOH's active participation in the UNGA panel demonstrates the Philippines' commitment to promoting a fair and inclusive approach to tackling pandemics on a global scale.

Apparently this will offer protection to the many Filipino OFW health workers. 

Tourism continues to rebound this time with the second year of the return of the international surfing tournament in Siragao. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1210397

The hosting of the upcoming 27th Siargao International Surfing Cup will bring full recovery of the tourism industry on Siargao Island, the Department of Tourism in the Caraga Region (DOT-13) said Friday.

“Looking back to its modest beginnings in 1992, the annual Siargao International Surfing Cup has proven to be a game changer in the tourism industry, not only in the province of Surigao del Norte but in the entire country as well,” DOT-13 Director Ivonnie Dumadag said in a statement.

Also on Friday, the DOT-13 announced the start of registration for the upcoming sports event that will be held at the Cloud 9 Surfing Spot in General Luna town, Surigao del Norte, from Oct. 25 to Nov. 1.

The event, categorized as Qualifying Series 3000, is sanctioned by the World Surf League.

Siargao's annual surfing cup is considered the longest-running international sports tourism event in the country that has brought the island to the global tourism map.

The event, however, was stalled in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and the onslaught of typhoon Odette.

Last year, the 26th international surfing tourney staged from Oct. 15 to 21 was preceded by the national surfing cup sponsored by the local government of General Luna town.

The international event this year is organized by the Office of Surigao del Norte 1st District Rep. Francisco Jose Matugas II and the General Luna town government, with the support of House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Presidential son Vincent Marcos and the Tingog Party-list.

Most of the hotels, resorts, restaurants and other tourism-related establishments (TREs) in General Luna town are fully operational over a year after the “Odette” typhoon, just in time for the upcoming international surfing event.

Many tourism establishments are full after Odette but there are places still recovering from that typhoon two years later. 

In particular the local dive industry in Cebu is still recovering from the pandemic and Odette. 

https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-business/2023/09/23/2298444/local-dive-operators-seek-help-fight-vs-colorum-instructors

While it is apparent that the dive tourism sector in Cebu has recovered, local operators are also facing a challenge with the rising number of colorum dive instructors.

Gary Cases, vice president of Malapascua Business Association, said the island, which is consistently voted as one of the top five best diving destinations in the world, is not only attracting professional scuba and pre diving hobbyists but also foreigners who are also illegally practicing as diving operators and instructors.  

In an interview with Cases, he revealed that local dive instructors need the help of the government to help police or apprehend the presence of unlicensed foreign diving instructors who are now affecting the jobs of the people in the local diving industry.

These foreign diving operators, Cases said are conducting businesses without permits not only in Malapascua, but also in other diving destinations in the Philippines.

Cases, who operates DiveLink Cebu, noted that these colorum dive instructors do not only steal jobs from the local dive tourism business, but also threatens the safety of tourists with their outright disregard of the laws.

“They can work here. We are not telling them not to work here, but they need to get permits,” he said.

Existence of colorum dive instructors have been there for a while, but Cases said it has worsened these days as foreign divers are coming back after the pandemic.

Cases hopes that the government like the Department of Tourism (DOT) and even the Local Government Units (LGUs) will help the local stakeholders in the diving industry to protect their livelihood.

“When we go to other countries and seek for work, we get work permits. They should do the same here,” he explained. 

One of the main reasons why some foreign diving expeditions or groups prefer to bring their own dive instructors is due to language barrier, Cases said.

Mactan Island based scuba diving instructor and dive shop operator Jaime J. Sarte said professional divers as well as hobbyists from all over the world are starting to come, saying recovery from the pandemic is happening although some infrastructure like boats, logistics among others are still not fully fixed after the super typhoon Odette.

Sarte, who owns and operates the Feel Deep dive shop affirmed that the industry is now at least 60 percent recovered compared to pre-pandemic.

The pandemic recovery has brought out illegal dive instructors while infrastructure is still in need of repair two years after Odette.

Gambling income is almost back to pre-pandemic levels. 

https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2023/09/22/pagcor-remittance-to-government-approaching-pre-pandemic-levels/

Philippines gaming regulator PAGCOR remitted 43% more revenue to the government’s coffers in the first seven months of the year than during the same period in 2022, according to a Bureau of the Treasury report, although this is still 6% lower than pre-pandemic levels.

As per the Manila Bulletin, total remittance between 1 January and 31 July 2023 reached Php18.84 billion (US$331 million), compared with Php13.12 billion (US$231 million) in the 2022 period and Php20.13 billion (US$354 million) from January to July 2019. The Php2.83 billion (US$49.8 million) remitted in July alone was 26% higher year-on-year.

The figures correspond to the gaming regulator’s revenue recovery, with Philippine law mandating it remit 50% of its revenues to the government each year to aid nation building.

As noted by the Manila Bulletin, PAGCOR revenue from January to June 2023 increased by 35.6% year-on-year to Php36.21 billion (US$637 million), with Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco expecting industry-wide GGR to exceed 2019 levels by the end of the year.

“Pagcor will certainly ride on the tide of our country’s economic growth,” Tengco said previously.

“As economic activities reach pre-pandemic levels, we are optimistic that we can sustain the gaming industry’s growth momentum as we fortify our regulatory policies to attract more investors in the Philippines.”

With people out of work and rising inflation do people have as much leisure to spend on gambling?

COVID-19 quarantine centers are being repurposed into shelters for displaced people. 

https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/2023/09/26/2299120/covid-19-container-vans-be-used-shelter

The container vans used as quarantine and halfway houses during the Covid-19 pandemic will be converted into temporary shelter for those who will be displaced in line with the city’s Gubat sa Baha.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, in an interview with reporters yesterday, said he already told Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan his wish regarding the use of those donated container vans from their department back in 2020 for another purpose.

DPWH, who was then headed by now senator Mark Villar, turned over P294-million worth of healthcare facilities for treatment and isolation of medical workers in Cebu which included some container vans-turned-dormitories for medical workers and other frontliners in Cebu City.

Rama also said he is connecting with the private sector to request for heavy equipment to put all of these container vans together at the SRP and make it a temporary shelter for those that will be displaced in the recovery of the city rivers.

Although the city government is also planning to build its own temporary and permanent shelters to those that will be displaced, Rama wants to utilize whatever is available at the moment.

Flooding is a major problem that needs to be addressed now, Rama said.

At least they won't go to waste.

COVID-19 cases are up slightly by 13%.

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/9/25/doh-covid-tally-092523.html

A total of 1,164 new COVID-19 cases nationwide were recorded from Sept. 18 to 24, the Department of Health (DOH) reported Monday.

In its weekly bulletin, the DOH said the average number of infections recorded daily was 166 — 13% higher than the cases logged the previous week.

Of the new cases, 10 were under severe and critical condition. Meanwhile, 260 patients with the same condition are currently in hospitals, reflecting 8.7% of the total COVID-19 admissions in the country.

Health officials also verified 11 deaths due to COVID-19, nine of which occurred this month while the other two were in August.

As of Sept. 25, the country confirmed at least 4.11 million COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began, including over 4.04 million recoveries and more than 66,600 deaths. The number of active cases is 2,905.

Only 9 deaths this month so far and less than 3,000 active cases. It's quite literally nothing to worry about. 

Hi, My Name is...40

Stabbing, hacking, chopping...It's More Fun in the Philippines! Wait that slogan is now obsolete. Love the hacking Philippines?

Hi, my name is Wilfredo Tolda. I am a farmer. It is a hard life which is why I like to drink and sing karaoke to let off the stress. Well, this time it was me and my son singing. We had a fight over the microphone and he would not let go so I stabbed him dead. The police may be looking for me but at least I am the better singer. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1761804/father-hacks-son-to-death-due-to-fight-over-karaoke-microphone-in-quezon-province

A father hacked his son to death in a squabble over a microphone during a karaoke session on Wednesday in Mulanay town in Quezon province.

Farmer Wilfredo Tolda, 48, and his son Reynante, 27, were engaged in a karaoke singing session during a drinking spree around 7 p.m. inside their house in Barangay Ibabang Yuni, the Quezon police said in a report Thursday, April 27.

As the music machine started to play the love song “Kung Sakaling Ikaw ay Lalayo” popularised by the J Brothers, the father and son struggled to hold the microphone to sing the song by himself alone.

During the incident, Wilfredo repeatedly hacked Reynante with an unspecified bladed weapon until he died on the spot, the police said.

The father fled after the incident and is now the subject of a police manhunt.

Hi, my name is Efren de Roxas. I was at a debutante party which was pretty swell. So many beautiful girls. Anyway I got into it with a guy who was there. I saw him on the terrace and I stabbed him in the abdomen. Yeah, he died. Now the police are looking for me. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/5/8/farmer-kills-man-in-debut-party-in-batangas

A 40-year-old farmer allegedly stabbed a 21-year-old to death during a debut party on Sunday afternoon, May 7, in Barangay Cahil, here.

Police identified the victim as Carlo Caag, single.

Investigation said the victim was standing on the terrace of the debutante's house when the suspect, Efren de Roxas, appeared from behind and suddenly stabbed him with a kitchen knife in the abdomen.

De Roxas fled on foot while Caag was taken to the Ospital ng Calaca where he was declared dead.

Police are conducting a manhunt against the suspect.

Hi, my name is John Michael Fano. I was at a barangay festival and was totally wasted. Then this chump stood up and knocked the glass I was holding out of my hand. What!! Of course I whipped out my knife and stabbed him six times until he was dead. Ugh. My honor is intact at least. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/503085/carcar-attack-accidental-bump-broken-glass-led-to-stabbing-wounding-of-19-year-old-man

 A 22-year-old man landed in jail after he stabbed and wounded a 19-year-man over an accidental bump and a broken glass during a fiesta celebration in Barangay Can-asujan in Carcar City early this morning, May 7.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Ardioleto Cabagnot, Carcar City Police Chief, identified the suspect as John Michael Fano of Sitio Pit-os, Barangay Calidngan this city.

Fano was accused of stabbing Jericho Tangaja six times in the body. Tangaja survived the attack.

Fano, who fled after the attack at past 3 a.m. today, May 7,  was arrested later at noon in Barangay Liburon in San Fernando town in southern Cebu.

Initial investigation showed that Tangaja and Fano were having a drinking spree as the barangay was holding a disco as part of the celebration of the barangay fiesta.

But at past 3:30 a.m., as Tangaja, who was already tipsy stood up, he accidentally bumped Fano, who was holding a glass of liquor in his hand.

The glass fell and broke when it hit the ground.

This angered Fano, who then pulled out a knife and allegedly stabbed Tangaja six times, hitting the victim in the body.

Fano then fled after the attack while Tangaja was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Cabagnot said they were informed by the Carcar Provincial Hospital about a man, who was stabbed being admitted in the hospital.

But Cabagnot said that the attending physician at the Carcar Provincial Hospital told police investigator that the victim, Tangaja, was still in serious condition.

Despite the victim’s situation, Cabagnot said the victim still managed to tell them who attacked him and why.

The police then conducted a hot pursuit operation, and they located the suspect in San Fernando town where he was later arrested.

Fano was detained at the Carcar City Police Station detention cell pending the filing of frustrated murder case against him.

Hi, my name is Bobby Taburnal. I came home one night very drunk and very late. My brother got all up in my face so I punched him. No one interfered and everyone went to sleep. When we woke up in the morning my brother was dead! Now I am being accused of his death and charged with parricide! What!? It should be fratricide!

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/452906/man-in-minglanilla-arrested-for-allegedly-killing-own-brother

Police in Minglanilla town, south Cebu arrested a 47-year-old man tagged as the person responsible for the death of his older brother on Wednesday, July 13, 2022.

Police identified the suspect as Bobby Taburnal, who is accused for the death of his older brother, 55-year-old Dario Taburnal. 

According to Police Master Sergeant Junel Ater of the Minglanilla police, Dario was found dead at around 4 am on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, in his home he shares with his brother Bobby in Barangay Tubod.

Initial investigation by police revealed that Bobby allegedly punched his older brother when the latter came home home drunk late Tuesday night, July 12. 

The confrontation between the two didn’t escalate further as other members of the household managed to intervene. Dario reportedly just went to sleep after the altercation. 

It was not until early Wednesday morning when some members of the household found Dario lifeless.

They called the police to report the incident.   

When police arrived at the victim’s home, they found Bobby also there and arrested him.  

Bobby is currently detained pending the filing of a parricide case against him. 

Hi, my name is Leo Diaz. I operate a hog farm. It's hard work which is why I like to let off steam by drinking. One night after a drinking session I was asleep when I heard a noise. I picked up a knife and went to check when I came up on a robber. I stabbed him but it was my unemployed cousin!

https://mb.com.ph/2022/07/04/hog-raiser-stabs-jobless-relative-to-death-for-robbing-house-in-negros-occidental/

A 52-year-old hog raiser allegedly stabbed his jobless relative to death after he was caught robbing his house in Hacienda Lucricia, Barangay Cabatangan, Talisay City, Negros Occidental Monday, July 4. 

Police identified the victim as Recardo Nasis, 51, of Barangay Cabatangan, the second cousin of the suspect and house owner identified as Leo Diaz.

Police Chief Master Sgt. Reginaldo Suelto, case investigator of the Talisay City Police Station, said Nasis allegedly destroyed the bamboo grills of the window of Diaz’s house.

Diaz, who was sleeping inside his room, heard a noise, prompting him to check their living room around 12:14 a.m.

The suspect caught Nasis, armed with a kitchen knife, in the living room allegedly trying to look for something as the area was somehow messy, according to Suelto.

Diaz confronted Nasis but the victim attempted to attack him with the knife. They grappled for the weapon until Diaz was able to grab the knife and stab Nasis several times.

Suelto said that Nasis was taken to a hospital where he died due to multiple stab wounds while Diaz is under police custody.

Prior to the incident, Suelto said that Nasis had a drinking spree with friends.

Suelto said they are awaiting the decision of Nasis’ family if they will file a case.

Hi, our names are Niño Chris Baggayan and A-jay Lumabao. We were digging around a mound of soil having fun when all of a sudden it collapsed on us! We were rushed to the hospital but we did not survive. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1610687/2-boys-die-after-mound-of-soil-collapses-in-cagayan-province

Two boys died after being buried in a mound of soil that collapsed June 10 near the Cagayan River in Solana town, Cagayan province, police said in a belated report on Tuesday, June 14.

Captain Isabelita Gano, Cagayan police spokesperson, said Niño Chris Baggayan, 13, and A-jay Lumabao, 10, were digging soil in Barangay Andarayan North when it caved in and collapsed on them.

Rescuers took the boys to St. Paul Hospital in this city but they died while being treated.

Hi, my name is  Gerald Superficial. I have a twin brother who looks just like me. Sadly he is into drugs while I am not. Because he is into drugs he is around a lot of bad people. He must have angered someone because somebody stabbed me to death thinking I was him. It was a case of mistaken identity.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/08/08/drug-suspect-mistaken-for-twin-brother-stabbed-dead-in-silay-city/

A 20-year-old alleged drug personality mistaken for his twin brother was stabbed dead in Barangay Mambulac, Silay City, Negros Occidental Friday, August 5.

Police identified the victim as Steven Placido of Barangay Mambulac.

The victim sustained stab wounds in his armpit and a slash wound on his throat.

Police arrested the suspect the following day identified as Gerald Superficial, 35, of Barangay Mambulac after he was positively identified by some witnesses.

According to Placido's younger sister, the death of her older brother was a case of mistaken identity.

Placido's sister believed that the target of Superficial was her brother’s twin since he was the one who had previous altercations with the suspect.

Placido was wearing a jacket also worn by his twin brother which probably made the suspect assume that he was his target.

Police are looking into grudges as possible motive in the incident.

Hi, my name is Irish Mae Payonga. On October 28, 2022 I boarded the pedicap of Reymark Bellez to attend a church event. He reeked of alcohol so I asked if he could still drive. For my question he abdicated me, raped me, strangled me, and then stuffed me into a sack. Thank goodness he apparently used condoms though. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/850075/suspect-confessed-to-killing-18-year-old-student-in-camarines-sur-police-says/story/

A pedicab driver has admitted to the killing of an 18-year-old student in Camarines Sur, Provincial Police Office director Police Colonel Julius Caesar Domingo said on Wednesday.

Domingo told GMA News Online that complaints of rape, murder, and robbery are set to be filed against the arrested suspect identified as Reymark Belleza, who gave an extrajudicial confession to the police on November 1.

“'Yung murder, 'yung rape, saka 'yung robbery,” he said in a phone interview, adding that these were included in the confession of the suspect.

The complaints were filed Wednesday noon.

On October 28, victim Irish Mae Payonga left her home in Barangay Marupit in Camaligan to attend a church event at the Capitol Convention Center in Pili, Domingo said in a press conference on Tuesday.

CCTV footage showed Payonga boarding Belleza’s pedicab, along with another female passenger, on her way to the venue.

But, the victim did not make it to the event.

On October 29, Camaligan Police sent a flash alarm for the missing girl after her parents reported that she failed to return home.

On October 31, Payonga’s body was found inside a sack by two kids in Barangay Cadlan in Pili.

On November 1, the police were able to locate the pedicab and its driver Belleza and conducted a walkthrough at the crime scene.

According to Domingo, the statement of Belleza matched the evidence in the investigation and the doctor’s findings that Payonga died due to suffocation.

Aside from the clothes and belongings of the victim, the police also found two condoms around the area where the body was found.

Police said Belleza also took Payonga's phone.

In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB late Wednesday afternoon, Camarines Sur PPO spokesperson Police Major Maria Victoria Abalaing said they already established enough evidence to file the complaint of murder, robbery, and rape against the suspect.

She said the victim did not know the suspect.

(According to the witness, when she was with the victim in the pedicab at that time, she asked the suspect if he could still drive because he reeked of alcohol.)

(Based on the suspect's statement, he left the victim lying there and she was still alive. And then he returned the next morning around 5 a.m and saw there was already a pile of cement sacks on the victim's body.)

Abalaing said they conducted a physical examination on the suspect and found that he had scratches and wounds which could be possible signs that the victim tried to fight back.

(According to the Pili police report, they will dig deeper into the suspect's background. Even the birth certificate could not be presented because it was allegedly burned according to the suspect’s father.)

Hi, my name is  Clyde Engaska. On October 24th, 2022 I woke up late for my exam. Of course I hopped on my motorcycle and sped off to school. However I was going so fast that when a man stepped into the street to cross I was unable to avoid hitting him even though I slammed on the brakes. Now he is dead. And I am still late!

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/471104/speeding-student-on-motorcycle-tries-to-make-it-to-exams-hits-old-man-lands-in-jail-instead

A college student, who was reportedly driving his motorcycle at high speed because he was running late for his school exams, did not reach his school at all and ended in jail instead.

This was after the motorcycle he was driving hit a 77-year-old man, who was crossing a pedestrian lane in Barangay Poblacion Pardo, Cebu City at nearly noon on Monday, Oct. 24.

 The victim, Benjamin King died in the accident.

The speeding student, Clyde Engaska, of Talisay City, was detained at the Inayawan Police Station detention cell pending the filing of charges.

Police Senior Master Sergeant Edilberto Gabucan Jr. said that Engaska’s fate would rest on whether he could settle amicably with the family of the victim.

Gabucan said if not, then a complaint of Reckless Imprudence resulting to Homicide would be filed against him.

The police officer said that investigation showed that King of Barangay Poblacion Pardo was crossing the pedestrian lane in the barangay when Engaska on his motorcycle slammed into him.

(The victim crossed the street and the one driving the motorcycle from the south area heading to Cebu City, was really driving fast.)

(He [suspect] noticed the victim crossing the street quite late. What he said was that the old man crossed the street, but because he was driving at high speed that even when he stepped on the brakes, his motorcycle still slammed into the old man.)

Gabucan said that the victim fell due to the impact of the speeding motorcycle that slammed into him, and he hit his head on the pavement.

The police officer said that when emergency responders arrived at the accident site, the victim was already unresponsive, had no pulse and was not breathing anymore when checked.

King was alone when he crossed the pedestrian lane.

For now, the family of the victim has yet to decide whether or not to file the case against Engaska.

With the accident, Gabucan reminded motorists to drive carefully and to always be mindful of one’s speed especially when traveling near pedestrian lanes.

Hi, my name is Ginalyn Ortega. I live in Dumaguete City which is not so bad for the Philippines. However, while Iw as out on my walk some guy came out of nowhere and stabbed me to death for no reason. They caught the guy, Michael Katada, and will be pressing charges which is unusual since usually the PNP waits on families to file a case before they press charges.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/525721/woman-stabbed-dead-by-man-while-walking-on-street-in-negros-oriental

A woman lost her life after a man stabbed her out of nowhere while she was walking along the street in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental on Monday afternoon, September 4, 2023.

The stabbing attack happened  at around 2:20 p.m. but was reported to personnel of the Dumaguete City Police Station at around 3:10 p.m.

Police identified the victim as Ginalyn Ortega, legal age, married, and a resident of Barangay Calo, San Jose, Negros Oriental.

According to the police report, the initial investigation of the responding officer revealed that at the time of the incident, the victim was walking by herself when a man wearing a gray hood jacket and black pants began tailing her.

The closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage showed the woman walking while holding items she bought when she was suddenly attacked.

When the victim reached the area corner of Locsin Street and Real Street in front of a gasoline station, the alleged suspect approached her from the back and stabbed the back portion of the woman’s body. 

The victim was able to walk a few steps before eventually collapsing on the ground by the side of the road.

The CCTV also showed the perpetrator slowly walking away after seeing the victim lying on the ground.   

A pedicab driver who was near the area immediately brought the injured victim to the Holy Child Hospital.

However, she was pronounced dead by the attending physician, Dr. Ylvirose Dollete, at around 2:45 p.m. on Monday, September 4.

The police immediately conducted a hot-pursuit operation to arrest the perpetrator behind the alleged stabbing incident. 

Police identified the suspect as Michael Katada, legal age, and a resident of Barangay Taclobo, Dumaguete City. 

During the operation, the alleged suspect was reportedly seen inside a convenience store at around 8:20 p.m. on the day of the incident.

Police personnel chased the alleged suspect who ran after being spotted until they cornered and arrested him in Purok Santan in Barangay Taclobo. 

Katada is now detained at the Dumaguete City Police Station pending for the filing of charges. 

He will be facing charges of murder.

Hi, my name is Rolly Barrido. I know everyone in my neighborhood so it was a surprise to me when I saw a new guy acting all tough like he owned the place. What was his problem? I went over to him to apply some psywar and said, "Hey tough guy." 

He said, "Yeah?"

I said, "You ain't from around here so don't act so tough." 

He said he would be back and then he left. Ten minutes later he pulled up on a motorcycle and we began to argue. Then he shot me twice, killing me. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/525639/carcar-killing-man-shot-dead-for-sternly-warning-a-new-face-in-the-area-not-to-act-tough

A 37-year-old Carcar City resident was killed for confronting a new face visiting the sitio where he lived and telling the latter sternly not to act tough because he was new in the area.

Police Staff Sergeant Robert Gemoya, investigator of the Carcar City Police Station, said that Rolly Barrido died after he was shot twice in the body by the gunman, whom he confronted in the area, in Sitio Tangasan, Barangay Valladolid, at past 8 p.m. of September 3.

Gemoya said that they had identified the alleged gunman, but he begged off from naming the assailant because an ongoing hot pursuit operation was being conducted to arrest him.

The assailant as of this posting has remained at large.

Gemoya said that initial investigation showed that Barrido of Sitio Lamacan of the barangay had earlier confronted another man, whom he saw as a new face visiting the sitio.

He told the man not to act tough because he was new in the area.

(He employed psywar on the suspect. He told him that you are not from here, don’t act tough here.)

The police officer said the suspect, who was slighted by what the victim did, told him he would be back.

(The suspect replied, wait for me there, I will be back for you.)

The confrontation happened at around 8:40 p.m. and the suspect left the area and returned 10 minutes later on a motorcycle.

Gemoya said that the victim was standing at the side of the road when the assailant arrived and stopped the motorcycle he was driving near the victim.

The assailant got off the motorcycle and confronted the victim, where they started arguing and at the height of the argument, the assailant pulled out a gun and shot the victim twice.

The assailant then fled the area on his motorcycle.

Barrido was rushed to the Cebu Provincial Hospital-Carcar City for treatment but he was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Gemoya said that they believed that the gun used in the killing was a .45 caliber pistol because they recovered a .45 caliber cartridge at the crime scene.