Retards in the Government 354

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

 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1219354

Intensified operations of the Philippine National Police-Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (PNP-IMEG) have resulted in the dismissal of 131 erring police officers, a ranking police official said Thursday.

These police officers were dismissed from Jan. 1 to Feb. 14 this year, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said in a presser in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

She added that these officers were dismissed from the service for their involvement in various illegal activities such as robbery, illegal drugs, obstruction of justice, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

Of this figure, 62 personnel went absent without official leave (AWOL).

During its fifth founding anniversary Thursday, the IMEG said it has conducted a total of 86 law enforcement operations.

Of this number, 56 operations resulted in the arrest of a total of 69 individuals which include one police commissioned officer (PCO), 16 police non-commissioned officers (PNCO), and five civilians.

In the campaign against wanted persons, a total of 47 active and former PNP members were arrested -- 21 PNCO and 26 others who were either retired or dismissed members of the organization.

131 PNP officers have been dismissed for various offenses this year between January 1st and February 14th.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1219376

The Supreme Court (SC) found Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba and his lawyers guilty of indirect contempt after they failed to justify their filing of a petition for the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) which was subsequently withdrawn on the same week it was filed.

The high court also meted a PHP30,000 fine on Mamba and his counsels from the Macalintal Law Office. 

In a statement Thursday, the court said while Mamba and his counsel sought for the SC’s immediate action for the issuance of a TRO, they could not show the same urgency in manifesting to the court subsequent developments affecting the proceedings.

Under court rules, abuse or unlawful interference with the processes or proceedings of a court is punishable as indirect contempt.

The rules also consider as indirect contempt any improper conduct tending, directly or indirectly to impede, obstruct or degrade the administration of justice.

“After a punctilious review of the records, numerous news reports that the Court takes judicial notice of, and Gov. Mamba and Macalintal Law Office’s assertions in their Compliance… the Court is convinced that Mamba and the Macalintal Law Office should be cited in indirect contempt under Rule 71, Section 3(c) and (d) of the Rules of Court,” the Court concluded.

Aside from the fine penalty, the court sternly warned both Mamba and Macalintal Law Office that a repetition of the same or similar act in the future shall be dealt with more severely and noted that Mamba’s petition is now deemed withdrawn, closed, and terminated.

The Governor of Cagayan has been found in indirect contempt by the SC for not being able to justify a TRO. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/23/cop-faces-murder-charges-for-shooting-fisher

A policeman allegedly shot and killed a 19-year-old fisherman during an  altercation in a videoke bar in Barangay Calumpang, this city, on Wednesday, February 21.

Police identified the victim as Marvin Bahian.

The suspect, Police Corporal Ekinne Semilla, 34, assigned to the Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat Municipal Police Station, was arrested the following day by pursuing policemen in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato, following an order from Police Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg, Police Regional Office-12 director.

Macaraeg said aside from murder, Semilla faces administrative charges that may lead to dismissal from the service.

“Such erring behavior by a police officer was utterly unacceptable and will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” Macaraeg said.

Semilla figured in a gun-toting incident last December 17 when he was drunk in Barangay Calumpang.

A cop is facing a murder charge for killing a man during karaoke. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1909620/barangay-captain-2-other-officers-shot-dead-in-san-isidro-leyte

A barangay captain, a councilman and a village watchman (tanod) were shot dead inside the barangay hall in Barangay Daja Diot, San Isidro town, Leyte on Saturday, Feb. 24.

Elizalde Tabon, 55, the village chieftain; councilman Paulo Al Mendero, 52; and village tanod member Rusty Salazar were inside the barangay hall when four armed men barged in shot them several times at about 9:30 p.m., the local police said.

Alex Bacor, another village watchman and brother-in-law of the village chairman, who was standing outside the barangay hall, was injured.

The still unidentified perpetrators fled on board a motorcycle.

The local police have yet to determine the identity and motive behind the killing.

A barangay captain, councilman, and village watchman were all assassinated. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/25/village-dad-falls-in-buy-bust

A barangay kagawad or councilor was arrested and P346,800 worth of shabu was seized in a buy-bust operation in Concepcion, Iloilo on February 23.

The Iloilo Police Provincial Office-Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (IPPO-PDEU) identified the suspect as 41-year-old Oriel Navarro.

Navarro was nabbed after he sold suspected shabu worth P3,500 to a police poseur-buyer.

The suspect yielded a total of 52 grams of shabu.

Police Major Rolando Araño, IPPO spokesperson, said Navarro was an identified supplier in Concepcion and allegedly gets his supply from Estancia town.

The Police Regional Office-6 lauded police personnel involved in the operation.

“I commend the tireless efforts of the police personnel involved in this operation. We remain steadfast in our commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting our communities from the scourge of drugs,” said Police Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, PRO-6 director.

The 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company and the Concepcion Municipal Police Station assisted in the operation.

A barangay councilor has been arrested for drugs. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/26/village-chair-from-basilan-shot-dead-in-zamboanga-city

The president of the Association of Barangay Captains of Isabela City, Basilan was shot dead and his two companions were wounded in front of a hotel here on Sunday night, February 25.

Police identified the fatality as Franklyn Galos Tan,  chairman of Barangay Seaside.

Wounded were Jaider Jumdam, barangay chairman of Kampurna 1, and Daryl Jalani, barangay chairman of Kampurna 3.

Investigation said that the victims were shot outside the Puerta de la Ciudad Hotel on Nuñez St. by two suspects onboard a motorcycle.

Tan  sustained bullets wounds and died on the spot and his two companions were taken to a hospital.

The suspects fled after the incident.

Tan was also shot in Isabela City in October 2014 but survived.

The victims were here to attend a meeting when they were shot.

Police are pursuing the suspects.

A village chairman has been assassinated. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/27/batangas-lgu-legislative-officer-wounded-in-shooting

A 56-year-old legislative officer of the municipal government was critically wounded in a shooting incident here on Monday morning, February 26.

Police identified the victim as Ronald Afritado, Local Legislative Staff Officer IV.

The victim was driving a Sports Utility Vehicle when a man driving a motorcycle appeared and fired at him in Barangay Calansayan.

The suspect fled towards the direction of Lipa City and Afritado was taken to the Metro San Jose Medical Center for treatment of bullet wounds.

Police are conducting follow-up investigation.

A legislative officer has survived an assassination attempt. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/02/27/2336526/cop-convicted-homicide-jemboy-case-others-receive-lighter-penalties

A Navotas court found one police officer guilty of homicide in the case involving the death of 17-year-old Jehrode "Jemboy" Baltazar which happened on Aug. 2, 2023.

PSSg. Gerry Maliban, among the six officers initially charged with murder in the shooting incident involving Baltazar, has been convicted of homicide by the Navotas Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 286.

"Police staff seargeant Maliban cannot be said to have employed means, methods or forms in the execution of the crime," said Anne Diaz, Clerk of Court at Navotas RTC, as she read a portion of the court's conviction during an interview with reporters.

"This is because the urge to shoot the victim materialized only when the victim attempted to escape," she added. 

Maliban has been sentenced to serve four to six years in prison.

Other police officers, namely PEMS. Roberto Balais Jr., PSSg. Nikko Esquilon, PCpl. Edmard Jade Blanco and Patrolman Benedict Mangada only received a four-month imprisonment each for the illegal discharge of firearms.

Only one cop named PSSG. Antonio Bugayong has been acquitted.

In August 2023, the Department of Justice charged all police officers with the crime of murder in connection with the killing of Baltazar.

The six individuals were part of the eight police officers involved in the operation on August 2 in Barangay North Bay Boulevard South Kaunlaran, resulting in Baltazar's death.

The police mistakenly identified Baltazar as Reynaldo Bolivar, a murder suspect they were pursuing.

The cops shot Baltazar while he and his friend were boarding a boat. His friend survived, but Baltazar died and remained submerged in the river until his remains were recovered hours later. 

Forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun reported in August last year that Baltazar's cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head, and drowning from his submerged body was noted as a contributory factor.

A total of 22 Navotas police officers have been sacked over the killing of Baltazar.

One cop has been convicted of murder and four others cops have been convicted of illegal discharge of firearms over the death of a 17-year old last year. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911195/fwd-solgen-on-puertollano-dismissal

The Malacañang has removed Assistant Solicitor General Derek Puertollano from his position due to allegations of sexual harassment, confirmed Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra to INQUIRER.net on Wednesday.

Reports have circulated that Puertollano allegedly harassed legal interns. Guevarra confirmed the dismissal, but has yet to provide further details.

“Confirmed,” Guevarra  told INQUIRER.net when asked about the reported dismissal of Puertollano.

“The decision speaks for itself. I have nothing further to add,” Guevarra said when asked for a reaction.

Assistant Solicitor General Derek Puertollano has been removed from his position due to allegations of sexual harassment.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/02/28/2336593/sc-imposes-p180k-fine-pao-chief-contempt-undignified-conduct

The Supreme Court (SC) has imposed a P180,000 fine on Public Attorneys Office (PAO) Chief Persida Rueda-Acosta for her social media statements on the "Conflict of Interest" provision of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA).

In a press release issued on Tuesday evening, the SC announced that the PAO chief was found guilty of indirect contempt and grossly undignified conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. This ruling stemmed from her social media pronouncements on the matter.

“It was determined that Atty. Acosta’s statements and innuendos on her Facebook page, which was accessible to the public, attributed ill intent and malice to the Court,” the high court’s press release read.

“The Court also found that by launching a public campaign against the new conflict of interest rule for the PAO using public attorneys and the PAO’s staff and clients and publicizing the contents of the PAO’s letters to Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo requesting the deletion of the same rule, Atty. Acosta tried to sway public opinion in order to pressure the Court into yielding to her position,” it added. 

The SC has fined the PAO Chief for contempt and undignified behavior.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911840/cops-file-raps-vs-dpwh-worker-for-hurling-grenade-that-injures-3

The police in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental filed three counts of frustrated murder complaints against a job order employee of Department of Public Works and Highways for hurling a grenade at a coffee shop that resulted in the injury of three people and damage to two vehicles.

According to Police Maj. Ryan Villasario, San Carlos deputy police chief, it would be up to the city prosecutor what appropriate charge to file against the suspect whose name was being withheld.

The complaint was filed against the suspect in the afternoon of Wednesday, Feb. 28, a day after he threw a grenade at the “Kapehan sa Medina” store at the Eco-Tourism Highway at Sitio Medina, Barangay Rizal, San Carlos City.

A 75-year-old store owner, her 42-year-old son, and a 34-year-old female store attendant were injured in the attack that happened at 11:08 a.m. and brought to the San Carlos City Hospital, the police said.

The windshield of black Mitsubishi Xpander of a 55-year-old policeman was damaged.

A motorcycle of a relative of the victims was also damaged.

San Carlos Mayor Renato Gustilo said the suspect was immediately apprehended.

Police Lt. Colonel Nazer P. Canja, San Carlos police chief, said the suspect was identified by an eyewitness who was present at the scene of the crime.

The suspect was arrested at his residence at Barangay Punao around 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27. The helmet and motorcycle used during the grenade throwing were also found in his possession.

The motive behind the attack had yet to be determined, Canja said.

A job order employee of the DWPH has been arrested for frustrated murder after tossing a grenade into a coffee shop. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1219762

Police authorities here are searching for two gunmen who ambushed and injured the municipal mayor’s secretary on Tuesday afternoon.

Maj. Jethro Doligas, Lambayong municipal police chief, identified the victim as Borhanudin Delna, 40, of Purok Rang-ay, Barangay Poblacion.

Delna is the executive secretary of Lambayong Mayor Ferdinand Andy Agduma.

Agduma said he has directed the local police to bring the perpetrators behind bars, and assured Delna’s family that the local government unit (LGU) would provide financial aid to the injured employee.

“I also assure all LGU employees that the local government is ready to extend help should anyone get threats while performing their duties as civil servants,” he said in a radio interview Wednesday.

Delna was on board a tricycle for hire heading to Barangay Poblacion from nearby Tacurong City when ambushed by two gunmen riding a motorbike at past 4 p.m.

He sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the body and is now getting medical attention in an undisclosed hospital. 

A Mayor's secretary has survived an assassination attempt.

Coronavirus Lockdown: VCO Research, Stake Sale, and More!

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

The big thing about post-pandemic recovery is tourism. Everyone wants everyone to visit. This includes Japan which has seen a rise in Filipino tourists. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/898529/622k-filipinos-visited-japan-in-2023-jnto/story/

More than 620,000 Filipinos visited Japan last year as outbound tourism surged with the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.

Data from the Japan National Tourism Organization shows there were 622,300 visitors from the Philippines in 2023, up 1.5% from the levels recorded in 2019 or before the COVID-19 pandemic.

''Last July, the number was the highest in ASEAN. People-to-people exchange is flourishing. We would like to keep our country attractive to the Filipino people,'' Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko said in his speech during the annual National Day Reception at the Grand Hyatt Manila to celebrate the 64th birthday of Emperor Naruhito on Friday.

In comparison, 305,580 Japanese nationals visited the Philippines in 2023, according to the Department of Tourism.

Koshikawa said bilateral relations ''have evolved beyond traditional areas and made great progress in a variety of new areas with the warm support of the Filipino people.''

Locally tourism revenues are up from both local and foreign tourists. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/02/26/2336196/la-union-posts-p1-billion-tourism-revenues

The provincial government of La Union recorded P1.04 billion in tourism revenues last year.

Data from the office of Gov. Raphaelle Veronica David showed the easing of restrictions imposed during the pandemic resulted in a surge in tourist arrivals, both foreign and local.

The amount exceeded the P897 million that the province posted in 2022.

Tourist arrivals in 2023 increased to 550,359 from 494,387 in 2022.

The month of April recorded the most tourist arrivals with 68,567, followed by June with 55,131 and May with 53,921.

Of the total figure, 543,909 were local tourists while 6,450 were foreigners.

Forty-nine percent of domestic tourists came from Metro Manila followed by Central Luzon with 14 percent, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) with 13 and the Cordilleras, 10 percent.

The surfing site of Urbiztondo Beach in San Juan was the most popular tourist destination.

San Juan received 215,645 visitors in 2023 followed by Bauang with 100,762 and San Fernando, 97,726.

Among the province’s tourists attractions are the Tangadan Falls in San Gabriel, Poro Point Lighthouse, Ma-Cho Temple in San Fernando, Immuki Island in Balaoan, Baluarte Watch Tower and Namacpacan Church in Luna town, and the grape farms of Bauang.

David reminded residents and business owners to be mindful of the impact of the surge of visitors to the environment.

She said environmental protection should always be a priority.    

They are not specific on how tourists are destroying the environment. Is it garbage? 

Philippine Airlines is looking to sell a 20% to 25% stake in the company to help them "better navigate the global aviation industry after the COVID-19 pandemic." 

https://qa.philstar.com/business/2024/02/28/2336596/pal-revives-stake-sale-investors

Taipan Lucio Tan has revived plans to sell a significant stake in Philippine Airlines (PAL) to a strategic investor who could help the flag carrier soar to even greater heights, industry sources said.

The STAR learned that PAL’s management recently formed a team to “receive some offers,” which could come from foreign carriers to help the company better navigate the global aviation industry after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The process (of the sale) has started and there is a team handling that,” a source confirmed.

However, the Tan family “is not relinquishing control” and the size of the stake it is willing to give up depends on the offer it would get, said the source.

Instead, the Tan family is willing to sell a 20 to 25 percent stake in the airline, which would be a “minority but significant stake” and attractive enough for a new investor to come in at this time.

The family of the tobacco and airline magnate deems that now is a good time to sell, especially because PAL has been performing well.

PAL is selling but is anyone really interested? 

During the pandemic there was some chatter about virgin coconut oil being a treatment for COVID-19. Researchers are asking for more money to continue trials. 

https://www.philstar.com/business/2024/02/26/2336092/coconut-processors-want-more-funding-vco-research

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) need to fund more studies to prove the health benefits of virgin coconut oil (VCO), a coconut processors group said.

The VCO Producers and Traders Association of the Philippines (VCO Philippines) said a 2021 clinical trial on VCO as an effective adjunct treatment for COVID-19 cases in Valenzuela City has gained international publication.

The group said studies on the coconut derivative product would be a big boon to the coconut farming industry as well as the coconut processing industry, showing the multiplier effects of such government assistance to the sector.

VCO Philippines issued the call after a study spearheaded by the DOST-Food Nutrition and Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) titled, “Virgin coconut oil (VCO) supplementation relieves symptoms and inflammation amoing COVID-19 positive adults: A single-blind randomized trial,” was published by the Cambridge University Press on their prestigious Journal of Nutritional Science last Jan. 23.

The Journal of Nutritional Science is an international, peer-reviewed, online only, open access journal that welcomes high-quality research articles in all aspects of nutrition. The journal says that the underlying aim of all published research should be the development of nutritional concepts.

“More studies on the efficacy of VCO should be considered to determine whether VCO can provide safe and affordable adjunct therapy against viruses. This will also be valuable support for the VCO industry,” VCO Philippines said.

Certainly VCO is much safer than the gene therapy of the mRNA "vaccine."

The Confederation of Wearables Exporters of the Philippines wants to restore the direct subsidy to workers which was implemented by DOLE during the pandemic period. This they prefer over a wage hike which they say will kill jobs. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/27/wearables-sector-wants-direct-gov-t-subsidy-to-workers-instead

The Confederation of Wearables Exporters of the Philippines (CONWEP), the largest wearables sector group in the country, categorically said they cannot afford any wage hike and instead urged government to reactivate the inflation subsidy to workers implemented during the pandemic period to ensure continued employment of its workers, but warned they may be able to retain only 20-30 percent of its current 160,000 direct workers if the planned P100 daily wage hike gets implemented. 

CONWEP made this position clear in a letter to Malacanang on Feb. 26 and similar letters submitted to the Senate, House of Representatives, secretaries of the Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) as legislators pushed for P100 increase in daily minimum wage at the Senate and P350 at the House.

“We stand to lose more with wage increase of any amount,” said Maritess Jocson-Agoncillo, executive director of CONWEP, during an online press conference Tuesday, Feb. 27. 

Instead of a mandated wage hike, CONWEP would like the government to reactivate the monthly wage protection subsidy against inflation to workers of P600 to P1,000 over a period of two years. This direct subsidy to workers was implemented by DOLE during the pandemic period. 

CONWEP is asking to reimpose the subsidy or the job protection program by DOLE for two years or until 2026 for their workers as they qualify as a “distressed” industry. 

Agoncillo explained that the wearables sector is in “dire strait” even adding that its investors and buyers relayed their comments that implementing a wage hike just a few months after the last minimum salary increase took effect could be the “final nail on the coffin”.

CONWEP said that even without a wage hike, the sector is seen shedding at least 21,900 workers this year. 

According to Agoncillo, a major brand has stopped sourcing of sportswear from two factories since last year and shifted to Vietnam, resulting in more than 9,000 workers losing their jobs. 

With a mandated wage hike, Agoncillo said they fear that only 20 percent to 30 percent would be left out of its current 160,000 direct workers. More brands are also expected to shift sourcing. 

Once again we see that the post-pandemic economy is not good for everyone. However, it has been good for SM Malls.

https://www.rappler.com/business/sm-open-new-malls-2024/

The Philippines’ retail king SM Group is opening five new malls in the Philippines in 2024, two of them in Ilocos, the home region of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 

The retail industry in the Philippines has rebounded big from the pandemic, with most retail businesses seeing high growth. 

“Immediately after the pandemic, people went back to the mall, flocked to the mall. Last year was a testament of that – we’re very happy with the numbers because we weren’t expecting it to be that good. We were expecting growth, definitely, but the result is very humbling, it really blew me,” Tan said. 

SM Prime Holdings had a net income of P40 billion in 2023, 33% higher than the P30 billion in 2022. Its mall business generated 56% of the company’s consolidated revenues. Mall rental income went up 24% to P61.3 billion in 2023 from P49.7 billion the year prior. 

“The favorable result we achieved in 2023 reflects the strong support and trust from our tenants and customers despite the economic challenges encountered in 2023. We continue to see this growth momentum this year as we pursue our expansion plans in our key businesses, and explore new opportunities to expand our businesses,” SM Prime president Jeffrey Lim said on February 19. 

Yes, Filipinos love "malling."

Hi, my name is...45

Violence against children by their own family members is always horrific. Here are a few stories of Filipino children being abused by their family for you to enjoy. 

Hi, my name is Roy Canlaon, Jr. I was drinking and I ran out of liquor. So, I asked my 8-year old son Yuri to go buy me another bottle. But he refused. In my drunken rage I beat him into a coma. He later died. I was so drunk when I did but I am ready to suffer the consequences of my actions. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/01/25/2328468/8-year-old-boy-beaten-drunken-dad-dies-hospital

The eight-year-old boy who was badly beaten by his drunken father died in a hospital at Thursday dawn, exactly two days after the incident in Barangay Fatima in General Santos City. 

Officials of the General Santos City Police Office and physicians at the Doctor Jorge Royeca Hospital confirmed to reporters on Thursday morning the demise of the victim.

The General Santos CPO, in a report to Region 12 police director Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg, said that corresponding criminal cases had been filed against Roy Canlaon, Jr., father Yuri, whose cadaver is now in a mortuary.

Canlaon, a carpenter, has been detained since Tuesday after he slapped Yuri repeatedly, lifted him overhead and slammed him on the ground for refusing to buy for him another bottle of liquor somewhere outside of their yard.

“I was so drunk then when I did it. I am ready to suffer the consequences of having done that to my son,” he told reporters in Cebuano vernacular, who went to see him in a police detention facility to tell him that his injured son had passed away.

Hi, my name is Angelo Malit. I am an alcoholic and a drug addict. One night when I was drunk I got in a fight with my wife. I began yelling insults at her. Then I picked up my 8-month old daughter and threw her to the floor. My wife's screams alerted the neighbors. Her family wants me prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/02/11/2332583/8-month-old-baby-slammed-father-floor-dies

An intoxicated father slammed his eight-month-old daughter on the floor, resulting in her immediate death in Barangay Tagaytay, Bansalan, Davao del Sur on Saturday night.

Neighbors of Angelo Malit, currently detained at the Bansalan Municipal Police Station, informed responding officers and reporters that, aside from his issues with alcohol, he is also struggling with a shabu addiction.

Neighbors were alarmed as Malit began shouting insults at his wife, followed by distressing screams and pleas for help when he proceeded to carry their daughter and threw her to the floor.

Relatives of Malit’s wife have told community leaders in Barangay Tagaytay and investigators from the Bansalan MPS that they want him prosecuted to the fullest extent of law.  

Hi, I am a laborer who lives with my three children. Two years ago, in a fit of jealousy, I hammered my wife to death. But no witnesses ever showed up so I was released from jail. One afternoon while my children and I were eating lunch I suddenly grabbed my four-year-old son and hacked him to death. My other two children ran off. When the cops came I told them I knew what I did but not why I did it. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/12/23/laborer-hacks-four-year-old-son-dead-in-negros

A four-year-old boy was hacked to death by his father in their house in Barangay Camingawan, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Friday, December 22.

Police withheld the name of the victim.

Police Lt. Col. John Joel Batusbatusan, Kabankalan police chief, said the 48-year-old suspect and his three children were eating lunch when he suddenly grabbed the victim.

The suspect took a bolo and hacked the victim while his two other children ran to hide.

The suspect was arrested by barangay “tanods” or watchmen through the assistance of barangay officials in the house.

The victim was declared dead in a hospital. Police recovered the murder weapon.

Batusbatusan said the family has yet to disclose if the suspect was suffering from a psychological problem.

He said the suspect was aware of the crime he committed but he could not tell police the reason why he did it.

The suspect was charged on Saturday, December 23, with parricide.

The incident happened two years after the suspect hammered his wife to death due to jealousy.

However, the suspect was released from jail due to the non-appearance of witnesses, who are his family members, according to Batusbatusan.

Hi, my name is "Gaston."  That's my alias anyway. My children were taken away from me. They went to their aunt and her boyfriend. Problem is they were all abused and one of them ended up dead. Their aunt denies the allegations claiming she had no idea my children were being abused or my daughter was being raped. But the facts speak for themselves. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/19/22/3-children-allegedly-abused-by-aunt-partner-1-dead

Three children were allegedly physically abused by their aunt and her live-in partner in Quezon City, with one boy succumbing to his injuries, police said.

The children's father, Isabela farmer alias "Gaston," said the three were taken from him without his consent nearly 3 years ago.

Gaston learned about the abuse inflicted on his children when they were returned to him by his sibling-in-law alias "Lily" and live-in partner alias "Jun."

According to Quezon City Police Holy Spirit Station Chief of Investigation Police Lt. Anthony Daquel, the kids were in the care of the couple for nearly three years.

Based on their investigation, Lily and Jun beat up the boy after he ate their food.

"It started on the morning of Nov. 8 when she [Lily] woke up, their food was gone. There were 2 pieces of meat, 3 pieces of beans left. When asked 'who ate that', the children were hungry. They were slapping," Daquel said .

He continued: "The man he was sleeping with woke up. He asked what happened, when he finished the dish: he was punched in the stomach, the child was punched, he was knocked against the wall."

The beating, he said, continued in the afternoon.

"When he came home, [Jun] was drunk, he remembered, his vision became dark and he hit the child. He picked him up and hit him on the floor... LPG was poured on the body of the child while he was lying down... the child was drowned," the investigator narrated.

The 8-year-old was then rushed to the hospital, with Jun claiming the injuries were due to a self-accident.

"They let him out and found him in the CR, suddenly heard in the CR that he was unconscious," Daquel said.

Authorities found that the couple had been mistreating the children.

According to the oldest child, 10, she and her brother and sister were pinched, sometimes with pliers, when they did something wrong.

In one instance, the girl recalled, two of her fingernails were removed with the use of plies as punishment.

She also shared that they were forced to sleep beside the dogs.

"It's a pity, the suspects are sleeping in half of the house. The children are sleeping next to the dogs. That's why you can see the child is bitten by the dog in addition to being mistreated," Daquel said.

Lily denied the allegations.

"I only hurt them when I discipline them. But I also tell them what is wrong," she claimed.

Lily claimed she also did not take the children away from the father.

"I didn't take it because I live alone in Manila. The only story is that mom and dad separated and didn't take care of the children anymore so they decided to bring me. I said that my salary is not enough that I'm just a stylist but my sister said that they are their mom , he will support even TNT. Of course, TNT is not regularly given, but we were able to fit in. But I didn't take it," she claimed.

She also claimed she was not aware her partner, who admitted the crimes, was hurting the kids.

"Just because of the dish, sir, I ate early in the morning... I had been drinking that day. My vision went dark. I was angry with the boy," he claimed.

Apart from the alleged daily beatings, Jun also confessed that he raped the 10-year-old girl once.

The children are currently in the care of Bahay Kalinga because no relative had been deemed fit to properly care for them.

The mother of the kids is an undocumented migrant worker in Saudi Arabia.

Gaston said she does not have the means to come home immediately.

Meanwhile, the bereaved father cannot get their custody since he has no residence in Metro Manila. Currently, he is only staying at the warehouse of the grocery that employs him.

But Gaston said his goal is to live again with his children under the same roof.

"Once the problem is over, I can take the two... I will not give my wife's side no matter what, that's my word, sir, no matter what happens, I will not give it," he said.

He continued: "They are pushing my children around on my wife's side, so I don't want to say anything."

Gaston wants to bring the body of his son back to their hometown in Isabela, but he does not have enough money to pay for the funeral homes' services.

He is also requesting financial assistance to support his two daughters.

Hi, my name is Clarisse Tapang. I killed my two daughters and myself. My husband was at work when I did it. They say I was depressed but they will never know for sure.

https://dzrh.com.ph/post/mother-allegedly-killed-2-daughters-in-magallanes

A mother committed suicide after allegedly killing her two daughters, according to Edniel Parrosa's live report in DZRH Damdaming Bayan.

The mother, identified as Clarisse Tapang, 26, tried to kill herself right after she killed her two daughters while sleeping.

Tapang died during her second day of stay in the hospital around 1:13 a.m. on Monday.

Her two three- and four-year-old children were found dead in their own house in Sitio Kalaanan Brgy. Pacheco, Magallanes, Cavite on Monday.

The two children sustained slits in the neck that resulted in their deaths.

Tapang's husband was at work during the incident.

According to Tapang's relatives, depression could be a possible reason for the crime.

Tapang has been allegedly involved in "Paluwagan," an informal and collaborative money-raising scheme that resulted in her being complained about in their barangay office.

Before taking her own life, Tapang left a piece of paper saying "Bonet itim" and "tulong niyo kami".

Hi, my name is Monalisa Pagharion. I was 9 years old.  I escorted my 6 year old sister to kindergarten and was supposed to return for breakfast but I did not. Instead my body was found days later in a state of decomposition. I was identified by my watch.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1759349/decomposing-body-of-missing-9-year-old-girl-found-near-tagum-school

Police here are looking into a possible suspect behind the murder of a nine-year-old girl whose body was found in a grassy area behind a school on Thursday night, four days after she had gone missing.

Lt. Col. Edgardo Bernardo, acting Tagum City police station chief, said village officials reported the discovery of the rotting remains of Monalisa Pagharion at around 7:45 p.m. in a secluded grassy area at Purok Durian, Barangay Apokon.

Bernardo said passersby reported a foul smell coming from a grassy portion near a road, prompting village officials to check, which led to the discovery of the Grade 1 pupil’s decomposing body.

The victim’s father, Arnel, had sought the help of police and local officials after his daughter failed to return home after taking her 6-year-old sister to a kindergarten school in Apokon village past 6:30 a.m. on Monday.

Arnel told local media he had been letting Monalisa take her younger sister to school as their house was just behind the school.

That day, he expected Monalisa to return promptly and join him for breakfast.

The girl never came back.

Bernardo said the victim was positively identified by her father based on the wristwatch, pair of slippers, and the clothes she wore on the day she went missing.

The city police chief said an autopsy is set on Monday to determine the circumstances behind the victim’s death.

“We’re looking into a possible suspect. An investigation is now underway,” Bernardo told the Inquirer by phone.

Hi, my name is Basilisa Cañete Ricaplaza. In 2019 I beat my daughter to death with a piece of wood.  That was not the first time I beat her.  I had beaten her before.  But this time she died. I am sorry I did it because I cannot contort my anger. 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/arrest-warrant-served-against-mother-who-beat-8-year-old-daughter-with-wood-in-2019

A WOMAN wanted for beating her eight-year-old daughter was arrested in Sitio Canlaguno, Barangay Poblacion in the southwestern town of Aloguinsan, Cebu, on Tuesday night, September 13, 2022.

The arrest warrant against 49-year-old Basilisa Cañete Ricaplaza was issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Ruben Altubar in Toledo City on June 30, 2020, yet.

Bail was set at P200,000.

The accused is charged with violating Section 10 of Republic Act 7610, or the Anti-Child Abuse Law.

Lieutenant Roberto Barnido Jr., chief of the Aloguinsan Police Station, told Superbalita Cebu the case was filed in 2019 by the child’s grandmother and aunt.

He said the victim is the accused’s daughter with her second live-in partner before they separated.

According to Barnido, the eight-year-old girl suffered physical abuse in the hands of Ricaplaza.

"The mother would punish the girl so severely. She would beat her black and blue with a piece of wood," the police officer said.

Ricaplaza, who has a new live-in partner, expressed remorse and regret during her arrest. She told police she couldn’t control her anger every time she castigated her daughter.

Meanwhile, Barnido said Ricaplaza should serve as a warning to mothers who physically abuse their children. 

Hi, my name is being withheld by the cops. I have been raping my daughter for 12 years since she was 5. I always threatened her to not say a thing but she told her grandmother.  I guess that's what happened because she accompanied her when filing the complaint. 

https://mb.com.ph/2022/11/04/man-arrested-for-raping-daughter-for-12-years-in-cagayan/

A 39-year-old man was arrested on Thursday, Nov. 3, for allegedly raping his 17-year-old daughter for 12 years here.

The suspect was arrested after the victim, accompanied by her grandmother and relatives, filed a complaint before the police.

According to the victim, her father started raping her when she was about five.

The victim failed to reveal her ordeal due to threats made by her father.

Police arrested the suspect in their house.

Recovered from the suspect were a gun, two bullets, a hand grenade, and dried marijuana leaves.

Suspect faces rape and illegal possession charges.

Hi, my name is being withheld. In November 2022 my daughter was taken away from me after I was accused of exploiting her online to foreigners. In particular the NBI said I sold pictures of her to a Norwegian. After he was arrested they found pictures of my daughter on his computer. They searched my home but found no evidence I took pictures or videos of my daughter so they did not arrest me. But they did file charges of human trafficking against me and later seized my computers to search them further. 

This is not the first time for me. I was previously arrested for peddling my younger sisters but my mother intervened and filed a desistance. That means the charges were dropped. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/478535/mom-in-cebu-city-accused-of-exploiting-4-year-old-daughter

The National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7) is still waiting for the issuance of a warrant for the arrest a mother from Cebu City, who is accused of abusing her 4-year-old daughter. 

NBI-7, in its report, stated that the mother would take a video of her nude child that she would sell to foreign clients. 

The child was already rescued last November 30, 2022 and is now under the custody of the Central Visayas office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7).

However, NBI-7 operatives were not able to arrest the mother because they failed to catch her in the act of doing the alleged abuses.

Agents also failed to find any videos of the child in her home since she allegedly  delete copies of the videos.

It is also for this reason that NBI-7 applied for a warrant to seize, search and examine computer data (WSSECD) that are found or were earlier stored on her phone. 

While they wait for the needed warrant, NBI-7 already filed human trafficking and child abuse cases against the mother last Dec. 2, or two days after their Nov. 30 operation. 

“…cases for violation of RA 9208, as amended by RA 10364 in relation to Section 6 of Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012; violation of RA 7610, computer-related theft under RA 10175, and violation of RA 9775 or Anti-Child Pornography Act were filed against the mother on December 2, 2022,” a portion of the report states. 

According to NBI-7, the alleged abuse on the 4-year-old girl happened from June to November 2022.  

NBI-7 operatives started to place the mother under surveillance following the arrest of a Norwegian national, Raymond Harper, last June 28 by the Norwegian police for the possession of materials that indicate proof of child abuse.

The arrested Norwegian national was found to be in contact with the female suspect and found out that some of the materials sent to the suspect were of the child. 

“The communication between (mother) and Harper involved exchanges of sexualized and indecent images of children,” NBI-7’s statement further reads. 

Based on the chat logs recovered between the two from June 23 to July 1, 2022, the mother allegedly sent the videos to Harper in exchange for money. 

Last October 10, 2022, the National Bureau of Investigation Anti-Human Trafficking Division received information from the National Crime Investigation Service in Norway through the Nordic Liaison Office in Manila regarding this alleged online sexual exploitation of children activity. 

The information was later on coursed through the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center (PICACC) and last November 30, the rescue operation was made. 

The NBI-7 further disclosed that the female suspect was previously arrested for allegedly peddling her younger sisters but her mother filed a desistance. 

Hi, my name is being withheld. I have been arrested for raping my 10-year old daughter. Of course I did not do it.  My wife can verify my alibi because I never leave her side. I would even kneel befre you to profess my innocence. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/892551/couple-arrested-for-alleged-rape-of-10-year-old-niece-in-rizal/story/

Police arrested a married couple in San Mateo, Rizal for the alleged rape of their 10-year-old niece since 2018.

According to a 24 Oras report on Thursday, the couple was served a warrant of arrest for nine counts of acts of lasciviousness and statutory rape.

“As early as 2018, talagang ginawan na ng kahalayan ng suspek ang kaniyang mismong pamangkin. 10 years old pa lang, within a period of 5 years,” said Rizal Police Provincial Director Police Colonel Felipe Maraggun.

(A early as 2018, the suspect sexually abused his own niece, now 10 years old, within a period of 5 years.)

Police said the man’s wife had knowledge of the sexual abuse and that some of the incidents occurred while she was present.

“In her presence, gumagawa ng kahalayan yung asawa niya [at] kinukunsinte niya… dapat nirereport niya sa authorities,”  Maraggun said.

(In his wife’s presence, the man continued to commit sexual abuses and she allowed his immoral act which she should have reported to authorities.)

The suspects denied the allegations and claimed that they were being framed by the victim’s parents, who they said were jealous of them.

“Paano ko gagawin yun? Magkasama kami [ng misis ko] halos buong magdamag. Sa trabaho ko naruon siya [at] pag-uwi ko sa gabi, tapos ng out ko naruon pa rin siya. Kahit saan ako pumunta, hindi siya humihiwalay. Ako may anak din ako na 15, 12 at 6,” said the male suspect.

 (How could I do it? I am always with my wife most of the time. At work, when I go home. Everywhere I go she never leaves my side. I also have children of my own.)

“Walang krimen na ginahasa [ang biktima]. Pati ako nadamay, pinakulong mo kami. Kahit magluhod ako sa imo, wala kami ginagawa!” added the female suspect.

(There is no crime that she was raped. Why am I being involved, sent to jail. Even if I kneel before you, we didn’t do it!)

The victim’s family has yet to comment.

Meanwhile, the police said that it may have taken years for the victim to report the incident for multiple possible reasons, including fear.

“Ang nakikita natin diyan sa mga biktima, takot. Minsan mga perpetrator mga kamag anak, so hindi naisusumbong agad,” said Maraggun.

(What we observe victims are afraid. Sometimes the perpetrator is a family member so they hesitate to report what is happening to them.)

Hi, my name is "Estela." That is a pseudonym to protect my children. They say I pimped my daughters online but I deny it.  I did enter a plea deal but that only got me 42 years in jail.  The men I pimped them out to didn't get any time. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1775243/mother-gets-42-years-for-peddling-daughters-to-online-sex-predators

A 40-year-old mother will be spending the next 36 to 42 years in jail for peddling her two minor daughters to online sex predators.

Estela, a pseudonym, pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation materials (CSAEM) before Judge Tarcelo Sabarre Jr. of the Regional Trial Court Branch 30 in Basey, Samar province.

As part of a plea bargain agreement, Estela will serve a minimum of 36 years to a maximum of 42 years in prison and was fined P900,000 for all three charges.

Estela was arrested by the Women and Children Protection Center-Visayas Field Unit of the Philippine National Police for “producing and distributing” CSAEM involving her 11-year-old and 13-year-old daughters.

The girls were rescued from a town in Samar on March 18, 2023, and are now under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s care.

Estela pleaded guilty to a lesser offense four days later as part of a plea agreement with the prosecutor, resulting in a reduced sentence.

Regional Prosecutor Irwin Maraya praised the guilty plea and called for an end to child exploitation.

“Every conviction means more children are safe from the horrific crime of online sexual exploitation. Perpetrators must be made aware that the online sexual exploitation of children is a severe crime that carries severe consequences,” he said in a statement released on Thursday.

Hi, my name is "Abby." My father molested me several times in the past so in an act of revenge I shot him in the head. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1902293/girl-13-shoots-father-dead-over-sexual-abuse-in-batangas

A 13-year-old girl in Cuenca town Batangas province shot and killed her father on Friday, over alleged repeated sexual abuse, police said on Saturday, Feb. 10.

The Region 4A police said in an initial report that “Abby,” shot her father, “Nonilo,” 48, on his head with a caliber .45 pistol, killing him on the spot around 2 p.m. in Barangay Pinagkaisahan.

The report did not provide more details on the shooting and how the suspect got hold of the handgun.

Police later arrested the girl, a high school student in a hot pursuit operation.

She admitted to killing her father as an act of revenge after he molested her several times in the past, the police said.

The investigators will subject the girl and her alleged boyfriend, “Clint” to a paraffin test, which is used to determine if a person has fired a gun.

The report did not provide added information about Clint except that he is considered a “person of interest.” A person of interest is anyone the police believe has crucial information about a criminal case or has possible involvement but has yet to be charged.

The girl was placed under the custody of the local social welfare office while investigation continues.