Insurgency: U.S. Deploys Counter-Terrorism Operators

The AFP claim the perpetrators of the December, 2023 MSU bombing have been killed in a firefight. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1217761

The Philippine Army (PA) reported Saturday the death of nine members of the Dawlah Islamiya (DI) terrorist group after a series of encounters in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur in the past two days.

In a statement, PA spokesperson Lt. Col. Louie Dema-ala said the nine belonged to the group involved in the Mindanao State University - Marawi bombing on Dec. 3, 2023. Four were killed during the explosion at the gymnasium while a Catholic Mass was ongoing.

"The Army troops were able to neutralize nine local terrorist members and recovered eight high-powered firearms,” Dema-ala said.

The clashes between the heavily armed DI terrorists and troops from the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion took place in Barangay Taporug on Thursday and Friday, triggered by internal security operations.

Four soldiers were hurt in the encounters and were transported to the Amai Pakpak Medical Center, also in Marawi.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the four soldiers who sustained injuries during the said operation," Dema-ala said.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. lauded the Army troops for their successful operation, citing their “precision and unwavering dedication” that delivered justice for MSU victims, including the more than 50 who were wounded.

"This operation sets a clear precedent: The AFP will not tolerate those who endanger the lives and well-being of our people. The remaining few will face our full force and unshakeable resolve in bringing every single responsible individual to account," Brawner said in a statement.

He also called on those considering violence to rethink their choices as AFP remains an "indomitable force" in ensuring the safety of Filipinos.

It is not clear what exactly makes this particular operation precedent setting as the AFP has been going after terrorists for the past 50 years. The AFP says they are on heightened alert in case the Muslims launch a retaliatory attack. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/28/troops-on-heightened-alert-vs-retaliatory-attack-by-islamist-militants

Government forces in Mindanao were alerted by the military leadership for possible retaliatory attack by Dawlah Islamiyah (DI) - Maute Group (MG) following the death of nine alleged Islamist militants during a series of counter-terrorism operations in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur last week.

Maj. Gen. Gabriel Viray III, commander of the Philippine Army's 1st Infantry Division (1ID), said troops were directed to be vigilant against potential ambuscades, bombings, and liquidation as the DI-MG is expected to get even with the military unit that killed nine of its fighters, including three who were implicated in a deadly bomb attack at the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City last month.

"As of the moment, they [DI-MG] are in disarray and on the run. But we cannot discount the possibility of retaliatory attacks against our troops through liquidation and other terror actions. But as to  bombings, it is very remote as of the moment," Viray said on Sunday, Jan. 28.

"We already alerted our troops plus pursuit operations are on going. We're currently on a heightened alert," he added.

Viray said security in Piagapo, Marawi City, and other nearby areas was tightened while the troops are tracking the escaped militants.

"It's just part of SOP [standard operating procedure]. It's better to be careful, right?" he noted.

Viray said the DI-MG under Mas'od's command has around 20 more remaining members, including two to four fighters who may have been involved in the MSU bomb attack

With these men on the loose and the AFP tightening security is it any wonder that Canada has issued a travel warning for Mindanao to its citizens? Needless to say the AFP is not happy about this warning. 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/10th-id-bashes-canadian-govt-for-travel-advisory-vs-mindanao

THE 10th Infantry "Agila" Division (10ID) of the Philippine Army (PA) slammed the Canadian government for their surprise travel advisory against all parts of Mindanao, which affects their area of responsibility.

Expressing his sentiments, 10th ID spokesperson Major Mark Anthony Tito clarified that the four regions governed by their military agency are peaceful, which means there is the absence of threats from terrorism and violent forces contrary to what was announced by the Canadian embassy on their travel advisory dated January 10, 2024.

The division has operational responsibility in 12 provinces, seven cities, and 72 municipalities of the Davao Region, parts of Sarangani and South Cotabato, Second District of Cotabato and Columbio, Sultan Kudarat, Trento, Agusan del Sur, and Linging, Surigao del Sur.

"We do not know what is the basis behind that travel advisory. They do not know what is happening on the ground. We in the army, we can assure that the whole region is peaceful. It  doesn't jive or that is not what is happening in our area of ​​responsibility,"  the official said during the Davao Region’s 2023 Socioeconomic Performance and 2024 Development Council press conference on Tuesday morning, January 30.

Tito cited the situation of the whole Davao Region during 2023 and that according to him, no threats and major violence were recorded in the timeline.

"Just imagine, for the whole 2023, we do not have recorded any incidents in terms of terrorism and insurgency" he added.

The 10th ID is claims that the warning is based on wrong information because "the whole region is peaceful." That may be the case for the Davao Region but it is not only that region which is included in the warning. 

Based on the travel advisory, the Canadian embassy warned its citizens to avoid visiting Mindanao provinces following the ongoing presence of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, high rates of violence, and encounters between the rebel forces and government security authorities.

In the advisory, Canada cited Northern Mindanao particularly in Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao Del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental as places to possibly avoid any travel.

In Soccsksargen, citizens are told to exercise high caution in Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat.

On the other hand, it also advised its citizens to avoid non-essential travels in Eastern Mindanao especially in Caraga and Davao Region except for Davao City.

However, despite the exclusion of Davao City, Tito emphasized that the area will still experience the impact of the advisory as it is a part of the Davao Region.

If Mindanao is so peaceful and this warning does not reflect the situation on the ground then why is the AFP being reinforced by American counter-terrorism operators? 

https://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2024/01/us-deploys-counter-terrorism-operators.html

The Pentagon has deployed U.S. Marines in the southern Philippines to train and assist Filipino soldiers in counter terrorism.

The American soldiers replaced another batch from the Special Operations Task Force 511.2 (SOTF 5112) under the U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force (JSOTF) based in the Western Mindanao Command here. 

The Western Mindanao Command confirmed the arrival of the U.S. Marines but it did not say how many have arrived. 

Brig. Gen. Aldrin Annani, the Deputy Commander of Western Mindanao Command, lauded the departing U.S. troops led by Maj. Jeffry Schuele and awarded his group the Military Civic Action Medal and plaques for their valuable contributions.

Shuele's group was deployed here in July 15, 2023 and would return to their unit on January 31 after six months tour in southern Philippines.

Schuele expressed his gratitude to his Filipino counterpart for making their six-month mission a success. He also encouraged the Western Mindanao Command to give the same support to the new group of U.S. Marines.

Annani welcomed the new batch of American soldiers who will be part of the SOTF 511.2 in the next six months.

He lauded the SOTF 511.2 for supporting the endeavors of the Western Mindanao Command. 

The actions of the AFP, from battling NPA and Islamists terrorists to employing the assistance of the American military, belies their claims that Mindanao is peaceful. 

The anger from the security sector is that the warning will put a damper on tourism to Mindanao but seeing as that island is only recently being touted as a tourist destination it shouldn't hurt much if at all. Other areas once home to major security threats are also looking to become tourist destinations. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1896096/with-rebels-gone-samar-town-aims-to-develop-tourism-sites

The municipal government of Matuguinao in Samar province is now seeking funding to develop its cold spring and pristine cave as an ecotourism site in a bid to transform the image of the town that used to be a haven of communist rebels into a safe and relaxing place for visitors.

Matuguinao Mayor Aran Boller said he asked P45 million in financial support from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza), an attached agency of the Department of Tourism tasked to construct tourism-related infrastructures.

The amount, he said, would be used to develop the Salpan Cave and cold spring in Barangay Barruz, located about 3 kilometers from the town proper.

“We want to develop the Salpan Cave and cold spring and make it a tourist destination so we can generate income for our municipality and at the same time help provide livelihood for our people,” Boller said.

As part of the development plan, the town mayor said they intended to construct a path bridge, pathway, storage area and grouted riprap leading the cave area; and install solar lights and other amenities in the area.

“I want Matuguinao to be known, not as a terrorism-infested area, but as a tourist destination,” he said.

In previous years, the town was known to be among the lairs of the New People’s Army (NPA), with all of its 20 barangays under the influence and control of the rebels.

At present, all villages are free from the influence of the NPA, although four villages are under monitoring due to attempts of the rebels to regain control over these areas, the mayor said.

“Now, I am happy that our people have realized the evils of the NPA and are very cooperative with the local government,” Boller said.

The town is "free from the influence of the NPA" but four barangays "are under monitoring due to attempts of the rebels to regain control over these areas." That means the NPA is not totally gone from this town. 

Elsewhere in Samar it appears criminal groups are receiving support from the NPA.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/895975/3-cops-killed-4-hurt-in-samar-clash-with-armed-men/story/

Three policemen were killed in Sta. Margarita, Samar, on Tuesday morning when the serving of arrest warrants led to an encounter with armed men.

According to the police, members of the Samar Provincial Mobile Force and Regional Mobile Force went to Barangay Mahayag to serve arrest warrants to members of Ampoan Criminal Gang.

Aside from the three fatalities, four policemen were also wounded in the encounter. 

In a press briefing on Wednesday, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo identified the subjects of the arrest warrants as Jojo Altarejos, Edito Ampoan, and one  Macurol. The three were able to elude the policemen, she said.

"When your troop [of the police] was there, they were shot," Fajardo said, adding seven suspects were arrested in the operation.

The group, according to the police, is involved in gun-for-hire activities and responsible for the killing of  several barangay officials and businessmen in the area.

"It is not only operating in Santa Margarita, even extending to Calbayog City, Gandara and the whole province of Samar. It is so notorious that a large force came to the area," Fajardo said of the group.

The PNP official also said the group may be receiving support from New People's Army (NPA) rebels.

Fajardo said hot pursuit operations are ongoing against the members of the group, who are believed to be hiding in adjacent villages.

"Possibly they have escaped from the area, so we are now checking the nearby barangays and establishing checkpoints and border control," she said.

Fajardo said policemen are receiving help from the military in pursuing the suspects. She said they are also verifying reports that some of the suspects were wounded in the gun battle.

Despite the violence, Fajardo said the regional police director did not recommend raising the alert level in the area.

There is an armed criminal group operating in the whole province of Samar which is possibly receiving support from the NPA. They likely escape from the area and yet the regional police director does "not recommend raising the alert level in the area."

How is that keeping people safe? It will only serve to keep them complacent. But there is the tourism money to think of!

Residential Fires January, 2024

The Bureau of Fire Protection says residential fires were up 20.7% in 2023. These fires are always very destructive, immolating whole neighborhoods and displacing hundreds of familes and thousands of people with a single spark. The BFP also says residential areas are not covered by the fire code which means no one is inspecting those areas to prevent these devestaing fires.

Therefore I have decided to document these fires monthly as reported in the news. Hopefully we can see some patterns and gain a greater understanding of this preventable problem. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/11/1-hurt-300-residents-displaced-in-pandacan-fire

A 19-year-old boy was injured while 360 families or 1,118 individuals were rendered homeless by a fire that gutted at least 240 houses on Dapo Street, Pandacan, Manila on Thursday morning, Jan. 11.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) identified the victim as Prince Adrian Cayago, who sustained a laceration on top of his head.

He was rushed to Ospital ng Maynila by the emergency team of Manila Fire District (MFD) and is currently under observation.

The BFP said the fire was raised to the first alarm at 5:57 a.m. and to the second alarm at 5:59 a.m.

It escalated to the third alarm at 6:49 a.m. and to the fourth alarm at 6:57 a.m.

Firefighters declared the blaze under control at 8:01 a.m.

It was extinguished at 8:26 a.m.

Based on the initial investigation, the fire started on the second floor of a two-story house owned by Fernando "Boyet" Melgar.

The BFP said three barangays were affected by the fire. They were barangays 849, 850, 852.

It said 53 displaced families or 160 individuals were residing in Barangay 849, while 279 families or 874 individuals were in Barangay 850, and 28 families or 84 individuals in Barangay 852.

According to arson investigators, the residential blocks had adjacent houses made of light materials.

They said 80 of the 240 affected structures were fully gutted.

Around P2.6 million worth of property was damaged.

Firefighters said they had difficulty entering the area as the pathway leading to the burning houses was littered with debris.

Several cables were also scattered in the area after the electric poles caught fire.

They said that they also encountered problems with the water supply.

The affected families called on the Manila local government to help them recover and start anew as all of their properties were damaged.

Meanwhile, personnel of the Manila Department of Social Welfare arrived at the scene and started distributing hot meals to the fire victims.

Financial assistance from the city government will also be provided once the enlisting and verification process is finished, said the Manila Public Information Office.

The first fire of the year is quite stereotypical of all that will follow. The houses are all made of light, flammable materials, the walkways are narrow and blocked with debris, and in this case the responding firemen encountered problem with the water supply. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/17/50-families-affected-by-fire-in-alabang

A fire hit a residential area in Barangay Alabang, Muntinlupa Wednesday night, Jan. 17, affecting about 50 families. 

In a report by the Muntinlupa City Fire Station, the fire started at 7B Ilaya Street in Alabang at about 7:03 p.m. 

Firefighters raised the first alarm at 7:10 p.m. followed by a second alarm at 7:25 p.m. 

Investigators estimated that the fire caused damage amounting to P280,000. It affected 50 families or about 200 individuals. 

Firefighters put the blaze under control at 8:47 p.m. before it was put out at 9:33 p.m. The origin and cause of the fire are under investigation. 

A total of 28 firetrucks and five ambulances responded to the incident.

According to Mayor Ruffy Biazon said he ordered the Muntinlupa Social Services Department (SSD) to prepare food assistance for the fire victims. 

Together with officials of Barangay Alabang, the city government has designated the Alabang Elementary School as evacuation center. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/17/article-1734

A total of 11 families or 46 individuals lost their homes in a fire that broke out in a residential area in Barangay Medicion II-B in Imus City on Wednesday, Jan. 17.

The blaze was reported at 2:40 p.m., Imus City Fire Station (FS) told the Manila Bulletin.

The fire was declared under control at 2:48 and was put out at 3:00 p.m.

Authorities have estimated the damage caused by the blaze at P175,000. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, meanwhile, said affected families are temporarily seeking shelter at Medicion II-B Barangay Hall.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1891142/16-families-left-homeless-after-fire-in-zamboanga-del-sur-town

Sixteen families were left homeless as 11 houses were hit by fire around 3 p.m. on Wednesday in Tawagan Norte village, Labangan town in Zamboanga del Sur.

Tawagan Norte village chief Raul Rivera said that prior to the fire, the community experienced brownout.

“When the electricity was back, a wire sparked which they said was the cause of the fire,” Rivera said, citing the account of residents.

Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Marvin Julius Pagaduan confirmed that the fire was due to faulty electrical wiring.

Labangan Mayor Eduardo Relacion immediately distributed initial assistance of P10,000 per household, packed meals, rice, and potable water.

Rivera said he had also asked for additional assistance to the affected families from the Zamboanga del Sur provincial government.

Brownouts are a frequent nusiance in the Philippines. In this case after a brownout when the power was turend back on a wire sparked due to the surge of electircity. The two causes here are the faulty wiring and the brownout. Faulty wiring is a problem seen all throughout the Philippines with its leaning electric poles, dangling wires, frayed wires, and wires held together with tape rather than being properly capped. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/24/family-of-5-killed-in-albay-fire

A family of five were killed in a fire that destroyed their house in Barangay Kilicao, Daraga, Albay, on Tuesday night, January 23.

Police Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib, Police Regional Office-5 spokesperson, identified the victims as Moncris, 35, his live-in partner, Rosalie, 35, and their three minor children.

Arson investigators said the victims were trapped and failed to get out of their house built of light materials.

Moncris was jobless and Rosalie was a laundrywoman.

Arson probers have yet to determine the cause of the fire and damage to property.

Remains of the victims were taken to a funeral parlor in Daraga for proper disposition.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1894790/4-dead-1-hurt-in-lucena-city-fire

Four people died in a fire early Friday that gutted at least 15 houses in a residential area in this city, police said.

In a spot report, Lucena City police identified the fatalities as Lolit Lubiano, 72; Juanito, Hernando, 65; Jay Mark Hernando, 18; and Mark Rainiel Hernando, 8.

Corporal Angel Micco Cabangon, the case investigator, did not provide details on the family relationship between the Hernandos except that they were all living together in one of the burned houses.

Another victim identified as Margarita Punzalan, suffered a second-degree burn and was rushed to the nearby hospital for treatment.

The blaze broke out at 3:45 a.m. in a residential area in Barangay 1 and was put out at 6:26 a.m.

Firemen were still conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.

Mayor Mark Alcala and his father, Vice Mayor Roderick Alcala, immediately went to the area and met with the victims.

The local officials vowed to provide assistance to the victims.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/553592/8-fires-in-one-day-3-injured-including-firefighter

Firefighters here responded to a total of eight fires on Sunday, January 28, that injured three people and gobbled up around P2.2 million in properties.

Of the eight fires that occurred last Sunday, three of these involved residential areas. The rest were rubbish or grass fires, the Cebu City Fire Office reported.

The first fire happened close to 6 a.m., along Cabajar Street in Brgy. Guadalupe, and burned down seven structures.

The flames, according to initial findings from fire investigators, originated from the house of a certain Maria Socorro Piloto.

At least 40 individuals were affected, and damage was pegged at P854,000.

Roughly three hours later, firefighters rushed to Lower Torre in Brgy. Inayawan to respond to another fire alarm, also involving residential buildings.

There, the flames, which started from the house belonging to Arcebio Beral, gutted a total of three structures, with properties worth P500,000 turned to ashes.

But just an hour after the fire in Brgy. Inayawan occurred, firefighters went to Brgy. Bacayan where another fire broke out.

The fire in Brgy. Bacayan, a mountain barangay in Cebu City’s northern district, razed six houses and damaged six more.

Three individuals, including a fire officer, also got injured during Sunday’s fire.

Fire Officer 1 Dave Arellano suffered first degree burns on his right hand while trying to douse the flames.

Two minors, ages 13 and 14 years old, also sustained burn wounds on their arms, legs and shoulders.

Senior Fire Officer 1 Emerson Arceo said the fire that hit Brgy. Bacayan started from the house of spouses Benjamin and Verlena Codeniera.

Investigations continue for all three fires as of this writing. 

That is nine significant residential fires in January reported by the media. Cebu had three fires in one day!

Retards in the Government 350

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

 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1217689

Three workers in the plate-making plant of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) have been arrested for organized theft of license plates, with another suspect still at large.

In a press conference at the LTO headquarters in Quezon City on Friday, LTO–Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) Chief Renante Melitante said the arrests were made in an operation with the Philippine National Police (PNP) after a report of suspicious activity at the plant in December.

“We immediately informed [LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II] about what is happening and he gave us a directive to hold an intelligence build-up,” Melitante said

By the first week of January, he said a witness, who is also a worker at the plant, surfaced and expressed willingness to give a testimony, in addition to the closed circuit television (CCTV) camera footage of the suspects.

Based on the directive of Mendoza, we sent a letter to the PNP and to the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) itself for the coordination of the operation,” he said.

The license plates stolen by the suspects were “made-to-order” and had no presence in the LTO system or corresponding documents, while having the same security and authentication features as legitimate plates, making their use ideal for criminals.

After manufacturing these illegal plates, he said the suspects will hide them within the plant, while the mastermind is responsible for bringing them out of the plant.

“Their leader, he was seen on CCTV how it’s done, he’ll hide it in his back then he’ll place them at the box of his motorcycle. And after duty, he’ll bring them home,” Tan said.

The arrests were made on Thursday by members of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) and the Special Project Group of the DILG, after one of the suspects was spotted taking out some of the stolen license plates.

The three arrested suspects were not identified but were on “job order” status in addition to the alleged mastermind who is still at large.

The mastermind began working at the LTO in 2018, while the arrested suspects have been working at the LTO since 2019 and 2020.

These stolen plates, he said, can be used by criminals in the "doble plaka (double plate)" and "labas casa (outside the dealership)" schemes.

“They can easily change the record or identity of the car so it will be harder for law enforcement to chase these criminals,” he said.

The "doble plaka" scheme involves changing the license plate of a vehicle while the "labas casa" scheme is a scam that targets public school teachers by enticing them to apply for a pre-arranged car loan and will then steal the car once the loan is approved.

Melitante assured that the illegal activities inside the LTO’s plate-making plant will be rooted out.

Meanwhile, QCPD director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said the suspects had been threatening their fellow LTO personnel within the plate-making plant.

He said the suspects are temporarily under the custody of QCPD and will face charges of qualified theft and robbery. 

Three LTO workers have been arrested for stealing "made-to-order" license plates to be used in crimes. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/553245/lapu-lapu-2-members-of-citys-clearing-team-fail-drug-test

Two individuals were found positive of using illegal drugs during the drug test initiated by the City of Lapu-Lapu Office of Substance Abuse Prevention (CLOSAP) on Wednesday afternoon, January 24, 2024.

Twenty six personnel from the City’s Clearing Team underwent the drug test, after Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan called a meeting.

Chan earlier issued a marching order to CLOSAP to conduct a surprise drug tests to all City Hall workers to ensure that their employees were clear from using illegal drugs.

“Mayor Chan want to ensure that all city hall employees are clear from illegal drugs since they carry the name of the city government,” Garry Lao said, executive director of CLOSAP.

Lao said more employees will undergo mandatory and surprise random drug tests throughout the year.

On Monday, January 22, 115 job order employees from the city hall and traffic enforcers from the City Traffic Management System (CTMS) underwent random testing.

Of the 115 tested, three CTMS personnel were allegedly found positive for using methamphetamine hydrochloride, also known as shabu.

Two members of the Lapu-Lapu City cleaning team have tested positive for drugs. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1217694

An argument over an absence without leave (AWOL) case resulted in the death of two soldiers in Labrador, Pangasinan on Friday.

Initial report from the Labrador Police Station stated that Technical Sgt. Marianito Bolante, 47, was shot dead by M/Sgt. Henry Malong Quiajado at the latter’s residence in Barangay Uyong.

Quiajado later killed himself during a standoff with responding cops. 

Quiajado also fired at five other collegues who were with Bolante, who died on the spot, while the others were unhurt.

They are members of the First Scout Ranger Regiment-Philippine Army based in Camp Tecson, Barangay Tartaro, San Miguel, Bulacan.

In a phone interview, M/Sgt. Glenn Ancheta, investigator of the Labrador Police, said the police tried for about three hours to convince Quiajado to surrender after he locked himself in his house.

Recovered from the crime scene were one Glock 17 Gen4 9mm, 12 pieces of live ammunition owned by the suspect, 11 fired cartridge cases of caliber 9mm, and one fired cartridge case for 5.56mm.

It was not clear yet what the argument about the AWOL case was all about.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/27/graft-charges-filed-vs-ex-nueva-ecija-town-mayor-on-irregular-purchase-of-land-for-p20-m

Former mayor Allan Xystus A. Gamilla of Bongabon town in Nueva Ecija has been charged before the Sandiganbayan with two counts of graft in the alleged irregular purchase of a lot in 2020 for the municipality’s cold storage facility.

Gamilla was charged with violations of Section 3(e) and (g) of Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, before the anti-graft court’ fifth division.

From June 8, 2020 to Dec. 2, 2021, Gamilla reportedly entered into a contract with Jocelyn R. Ceña for the purchase of a 20,199-square- meter lot at P950 per square meters, but they just agreed on the total amount of P20,000,000.

Government prosecutors said that Gamilla entered into the contract without prior authority from the Sangguniang Bayan of Bongabon. Also, they said that at the time the contract was signed, the Philippine Rural Development iBuild Program placed the prevailing market value at P72.31 per square meters, but Gamilla bought the property at P950 per square meters.

They also said that Gamilla entered into a Conditional Deed of Sale with Ceña on behalf of the municipality on May 10, 2021 under the condition that the buyer shall pay a full amount of P4,717,200. The buyer shall also pay P15,282,800 to be paid within five years in equal payments of P3,056,560 annually.

Thus, the prosecutors said Bongabon town paid P4,717,200, which caused undue injury to the municipality in the amount of P4,355,700, representing the difference between the market value and the purchase price.

Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer II Yasmin Soraya A. Masukat recommended Gamilla’s bail at P40,000 each for the two graft charges.

A former mayor has been charged with graft. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/553366/adultery-brgy-kagawad-mistress-caught-inside-motel-in-mandaue

A possible case of adultery awaits a barangay kagawad and his mistress who were caught inside a motel in Mandaue City, on Friday evening, January 26, 2024.

The suspects were identified as Carl Nelson Arnoco, 41 years old, a resident of Tawason, Mandaue City, and Gilda Cadungog Labares, 60 years old, a resident of Barangay Camputhaw, Cebu City.

Arnoco was said to be a barangay kagawad of Brgy. Luz in Cebu City.

Based on the investigation of Mandaue City Police Station 4, the wife of Arnoco personally went  to their station to ask for assistance, after she saw her husband entering a motel on Friday night.

The police immediately responded and found the suspects inside a room in a motel.

The two were arrested and were appraised about their constitutional rights and detained for proper disposition. 

They will most likely be charged with adultery, authorities say.

A barangay councilor has been caught in the act of adultery. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/29/graft-case-filed-vs-2-ex-urdaneta-city-university-officials

Two former officials of the Urdaneta City University (UCU) in Pangasinan have been charged with graft before the Sandiganbayan for reportedly offering in 2013 extension classes without approval from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Charged were former UCU president Elizabeth A. Montero and associate professor II Helen F. Dupale, also the then officer-in-charge of the university’s Graduate School in Olongapo City.

Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer II Juzzelyx B. Sulit alleged that two former university officials violated the requirements in implementing extension class under Section 24 of CHED Memorandum Order No. 40, series of 2008, in relation to Section 65 of the 2008 Manual of Regulations of Private Higher Education (MORPHE) and Section 5.2.5 of CHED MO No. 27 and CHED MO No. 30, both series of 2009.

The indictment alleged that they offered an extension graduate education program in Olangapo City to students on July 24, 2013 and conducted extension classes in the said graduate school extension even without approval of CHED.

Graft cases have been filed against two former UCU officials. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/553306/employee-who-drove-away-street-kids-using-broom-transferred

The Lapu-Lapu employee who drove away street kids sleeping on the welcome signage of the Mactan Economic Zone 1 was transferred to a different department.

The video of the incident went viral online and gained mixed reactions from netizens. In the video, the employee was seen approaching the kids with a broom hitting the carton they were sleeping on to rouse them from sleep.

Lapu-Lapu City Administrator Atty. Danilo Almendras on Friday, Jan. 26, said that the employee was transferred on Thursday after he got the memorandum.

Almendras said that he was transferred to the City Traffic Management System from the Nerve Center of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office. 

The city administrator said that the employee was called and asked about his side and how he treated the street kids before he was transferred.

Almendras said that according to the employee, he drove his wife to Mepza. He was not on duty at that time because his schedule was from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. but just decided to wear his uniform.

He said that according to his employees, the street kids have been sleeping around that area, asking people for money and throwing their trash everywhere. The City Social Welfare and Development Office also conducted a rescue operation but said they keep coming back.

Despite this, Almendras said that the employee could have just ask them to leave properly.

Mayor Junard Ahong Chan was also not happy with how the street kids were approached. Chan said that he could just ask them politely, rescue them, and bring them to the barangay. 

In this way, the barangay can call their parents and guardians, talk to them to guide their children. Or if they were abandoned, a case of abandonment will be filed against their parents.

A Lapu-Lapu City employee who drove away street kids using a broom has been transferred to another department.

https://tonite-abante-com-ph.translate.goog/2024/01/29/kagawad-binulagta-sa-karinderya/?_x_tr_sl=tl&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc

A barangay councilor was killed when he was shot at close range by one of the two suspects who pretended to eat at his cafeteria in San Ildelfonso, Bulacan last Saturday.

Acknowledged by P/Brig. Gen. Jose S. Hidalgo Jr., regional director of Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3), the victim Joel Alvaro, 49-years-old, resident and member of Brgy. Lean on the said town.

The report did not mention whether the victim was shot in the head or body by one of the two suspects, both wearing black jackets and hats. The victim was tending to his cafeteria when the suspects arrived and pretended to be customers.

When he got the timing, the gunman pulled out the cal.40 gun and shot the victim.

The police are investigating the motive for the murder to identify the mastermind behind the crime.

A barnagay councilor has been assassinated. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/01/29/2329396/defunct-armm-ex-directorate-staff-dies-cotabato-ambush

A former senior official of a disaster and calamity response outfit of the now defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was killed in an ambush at a busy thoroughfare in Cotabato City on Sunday night.

Engineer Ramil Masukat succumbed to multiple bullet wounds at a hospital where he was brought by emergency responders for treatment

Masukat survived an ambush unscathed on Nov. 27, 2022 at the border of Shariff Aguak and Mamasapano towns in Maguindanao del Sur but his driver then, Alex Manuel, was not as lucky. He died from gunshot wounds in different parts of his body.

Col. Querubin Lugue Manalang Jr., Cotabato City police director, told reporters on Monday morning that Masukat and his driver were attacked at Rabago Street in Barangay Rosary Heights Mother at about 7 p.m. Sunday by gunmen who immediately escaped using a getaway motorcycle.

Masukat was a former directorate staff of the erstwhile ARMM’s Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team, or HEART, renamed Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao after BARMM’s creation via a plebiscite in January 2019.

The badly wounded Masukat and his companion managed to drive away from the spot where they were attacked and as their vehicle zigzagged through the street, hit several vehicles along the route and stopped at a fuel refilling station close to the Cotabato Police Precinct 2.

The gun attack that resulted in the death of Masukat, who belonged to a large Moro clan in Maguindanao del Sur, was preceded by the January 23 equally brazen murder by two men of a staff of the 80-member BARMM parliament, the 50-year-old Sulaiman Kusain Macabangon, near a mall not too distant from the capitol here of the Bangsamoro region.

A former senior member of the ARMM has been assassinated on the second try. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/31/sandigan-affirms-graft-malversation-convictions-of-ex-tlrc-official

The Sandiganbayan has denied the motion of former Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC) deputy director general Dennis L. Cunanan to reconsider his convictions for graft and malversation of public funds.

For graft, Cunanan was sentenced to a prison term ranging from six to 10 years. He was meted out a jail term ranging from 12 to 18 years for malversation and was ordered to indemnity the government of P9.6 million.

Cunanan was one of five individuals found guilty for the misuse of the P9.6 milion Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of the late Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Herminio G. Teves in 2007.

In his motion for reconsideration, Cunanan argued that the crimes of graft and malversation were not proven beyond reasonable doubt. He said that his act of affixing his signature on the disbursement voucher does not consummate the crime charged, since there are other steps that must be taken before the release of the PDAF-drawn funds.

He further argued that he was not part of any conspiracy, and there is no showing that he is a public officer as defined under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code.

In denying his motion, the Sandiganbayan said: "The aforementioned grounds relied upon by accused Cunanan are not novel. The lengthy discussions on the said motions are essentially the same points raised during the trial which have been thoroughly and assiduously passed upon by the Court in the assailed decision.”

"Taken in such light, accused Cunanan is still liable under an allegation and finding of conspiracy even if we assume that his functions as Deputy Director General of TRC did not relate to custody or control over the subject funds," the anti-graft court said.

The Sandiganbayan has denied the appeal of an ex-TLRC official convicted of graft. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/31/ombudsman-suspends-mayor-in-capiz-for-misconduct

The Ombudsman suspended Mayor Receliste Escolin of President Roxas town, Capiz province, for three months without pay due to misconduct.

Associate Ombudsman Arita Lapitan has issued an order to  Gov. Fredenil Castro to implement Escolin’s suspension.

The order was issued last December but was only made public this week.

Escolin  was suspended following a case filed by former Vice Mayor Alfonso Golero.

Golero accused Escolin last year of grave abuse of authority and grave misconduct.

Escolin allegedly left the province in 2017 without any permission from then Gov. Antonio del Rosario.

Castro has yet to implement the order as his office reportedly has not received a formal copy of the directive.

Escolin has filed a motion for reconsideration before the Ombudsman in Quezon City.

The Ombudsman has suspended the Mayor of President Roxas due to misconduct. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/31/sandigan-affirms-conviction-for-malversation-of-public-funds-of-laguna-town-assistant-treasurer

The assistant municipal treasurer of Pagsanjan town in Laguna failed anew in his attempt to convince the Sandiganbayan to reverse his conviction for malversation of public funds amounting to P483,529.31.

Denied was the motion for reconsideration filed by Elizalde G. Gabaleño who had been convicted by the Laguna regional trial court (RTC) and sentenced to a jail term of four to 11 years, including a fine equivalent to amount he misappropriated.

On Nov. 23, 2023, the Sandiganbayan affirmed the RTC’s decision. Gabaleño filed a motion for reconsideration which was denied.

He claimed that all the elements of malversation were not present in his case.  He pointed out that the audit reports made by Commission on Audit (COA) auditors are "doubtful," since they merely alleged in their testimonies that they used all available financial records even without stating what particular documents were used during examination.

However, the Sandiganbayan denied his motion. “All things considered, there being no new or additional arguments or compelling reason raised by accused-appellant Gabaleño to warrant a reconsideration of the assailed decision of the court denying his appeal from the judgment of conviction rendered by the trial court against him, the denial of his motion for reconsideration for lack of merit is in order," the anti-graft court ruled.

The Sandiganbayan has affirmed the conviction of a Laguna town assistant treasurer for malversation of funds. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/553995/argao-shooting-murder-raps-filed-vs-retired-military-officer

Argao police have filed murder charge against a retired Army officer who turned himself in hours after he allegedly shot his neighbor in Barangay Gutlang on Sunday afternoon, January 28. 

The suspect was identified as Eugenio Ramos, 58, a retired Philippine Army officer and a resident of the same barangay.

Police Senior Master Sergeant Bienvenido Amil, investigator at the Argao Municipal Police Station, told CDN Digital in a phone interview that they filed the murder charge against Ramos at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday morning, January 31.

Ramos allegedly shot his neighbor, Honorato Geverola, 66, which lead to the latter’s untimely demise. 

According to Amil, Geverola was standing by the side of the road when Ramos, who was armed with a .45 caliber pistol, approached the latter at around 1 p.m. on Sunday. 

Ramos allegedly shot Geverola once on his back before he fled.

Geverola was already dead when Argao police arrived at the crime scene, Amil said.

He added that a few hours later, Ramos appeared at the Argao Municipal Police Station to surrender. He also turned over the firearm that he used in killing Ramos.

Upon verification, Amil said they learned that the gun was registered under Ramos’ name.

The hand gun was immediately subjected to ballistics examination, he added.

During his surrender, Amil said that Ramos admitted to killing Geverola.  Their investigation showed that Ramos had an earlier argument with Geverola but he would no longer say what caused the argument.

Amil said they now consider personal grudge as the motive behind the deadly shooting.

The retired army officer is currently detained at the custodial facility of the Argao Municipal Police Station.

A retired Army officer has been arrested for shooting dead his neighbor. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/31/chief-tanod-nabbed-for-loose-guns

A 69-year-old chief tanod was arrested after police found unlicensed firearms in his home in Barangay Maslog, Danao City, northern Cebu.

Allan Rom, the chief tanod of the barangay, was found keeping unlicensed firearms in his home that was raided by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Mandaue City Field Unit shortly before 6 a.m. on Wednesday, January 31.

The raid was based on a search warrant issued by Executive Judge Josefa Pinza-Ramos of the Regional Trial Court Branch 90 in Danao.

Recovered from Rom’s house were a .45 caliber pistol, an Aresca Japanese rifle, and ammunition.

Police Capt. Nigel Sanoy said that prior to the raid, they received reports that the tanod brandished firearms several times that caused fear in the neighborhood.

The raid was part of CIDG’s “Oplan: Paglalansag Omega'' which runs after individuals possessing unlicensed firearms.

A barangay tanod chief has been arrested for possession of loose firearms.