It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption in the Philippine government.
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| https://globalnation.inquirer.net/271643/epd-sacks-cops-over-alleged-irregularities-in-arrest-of-2-chinese |
Thirty-one Eastern Police District (EPD) personnel were relieved from their posts after alleged anomalies during the arrest of two Chinese individuals.
This was according to National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin in a phone interview with reporters in Camp Crame on Friday.
The personnel were from the EPD District Special Operations Unit (DSOU).
“All the personnel of the DSOU of the Eastern Police District, 31 personnel of the DSOU were relieved… I included the senior officers in the administrative investigation by virtue of command responsibility,” Aberin said
Of the 31 relieved, eight were placed under restrictive custody, according to a special order from the EPD District Personnel Records and Management Division obtained by INQUIRER.net on Friday.
Four of the officers placed under custody were staff sergeants, two were corporals, and two were patrolmen.
The report alleged that EPD District Special Operations Unit (DSOU) operatives stole cash and valuables from a certain Jie Li and a certain Wang Feng Tao during their arrest in Las Piñas City on Wednesday and claimed the items were a bribe from the foreigners.“[The Philippine National Police (PNP) chief of the directorial staff] advised [the EPD district director] to return the money and gadgets to the victims. However, operatives refused to return the money and will file [a] bribery case as their leverage,” it further detailed.
The report said the EPD DSOU operatives brought one of the arrested Chinese to the Las Piñas City Police Station for inquest proceedings for bribery on Thursday.
However, the report added, “[The chief of police of] Las Piñas is baffled. The inquest for bribery should have been made [on Wednesday] and directly endorsed to his station after [the] arrest if there was bribery.”
The report further said the operatives were previously involved in a series of robbery-extortion activities in Mandaluyong City and were consequently relieved from the city police station, being reassigned to the EPD district headquarters.
However, the relieved operatives regrouped in the EPD DSOU and allegedly continued their illegal activities, the report added.
For its part, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin ordered an investigation into the incident, adding in a statement on Thursday that the operatives’ firearms were immediately recovered.
“After the investigation and if evidence will warrant, I will make sure that they will be dismissed from the service and they will rot in jail for their criminal conduct. NCRPO is no place for police scalawags,” Aberin added.
According to the report, the EPD DSOU served the arrest warrants against Jie and Wang in Portofino Heights, Barangay Almanza Dos in Las Piñas City on Wednesday.
The warrants were supposedly for violation of the Firearms and Ammunitions Regulation Act.
However, during the arrest, the DSOU operatives opened the residence’s vault and carted out P27 million, US$430,000 (roughly P24 million) and 110,000 Malaysian ringgit (roughly P1.4 million) in cash; luxury bags, watches, jewelry, gold bars and smartphones, the report said.
Further, according to the police investigation report, the Chinese individuals alleged that the residence’s closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras were turned off when DSOU personnel entered the premises.
Moreover, the report said personnel did not wear body-worn cameras, were not led by a police commissioned officer, and failed to provide a sketch or spot report as of Thursday morning.
It added that the DSOU operatives did not coordinate with the Las Piñas City Police Station nor did they inform or have the approval of the EPD district director.
The operatives also allegedly left a cellphone number to the wife of the one of the arrested Chinese, instructing her to call them if they want to negotiate for the subject’s release.
The report did not specify the number of DSOU personnel involved but did state that most of them had the rank of patrolman.
Cash worth P12 million was recovered from the operatives at an unspecified time, the report said.
“[The] operatives’ alibi was that the 12 million recovered from them was a bribe given by the Chinese they arrested. They only declared it when [chief of the directorial staff] followed up [with the EPD district director] about the incident,” the report detailed.
It added that the rest of the items retrieved from the residence have yet to be recovered.
Thirty-one Eastern Police District (EPD) personnel were relieved from their posts after alleged anomalies during the arrest of two Chinese individuals.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc upheld the perpetual disqualification of former senator Sergio "Serge" Osmeña III from seeking public office due to non-submission of his Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCEs) for the 2010 and 2016 polls.
In a 16-page decision dated April 3 and made public Friday, the seven-member en banc denied Osmeña's motion for reconsideration for lack of merit and affirmed the Jan. 24, 2020 decision of the poll body's Second Division which imposed an administrative fine and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
“Prudence and fairness dictate that Respondent cannot evade liability for his own delay and/or inaction. Compliance with SOCE requirements is mandated for all candidates regardless of the magnitude of their expenditure. Respondent cannot be exempted from this duty,” it said.
It noted that the respondent failed to present more evidence that would warrant the reversal of the earlier ruling.
The Comelec en banc added that it has given multiple opportunities for Osmeña to file to his SOCEs for the two polls.
The poll body, meanwhile, noted that the SOCE submission requirement for candidates aims to "protect the sanctity of the electoral process and ultimately the will of the electorate.”
The Commission on Elections en banc upheld the perpetual disqualification of former senator Sergio "Serge" Osmeña III from seeking public office due to non-submission of his Statements of Contributions and Expenditures for the 2010 and 2016 polls.
Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Marbil on Saturday relieved Eastern Police District (EPD) chief Gen. Villamor Tuliao and his entire District Special Operations Unit (DSOU) following allegations of extortion and gross misconduct.
“This is no longer just about rogue officers,” Marbil said. “It is a failure of leadership. When discipline collapses, it begins at the top. Leaders will be held to the highest standards of accountability.”
According to the PNP chief, “there will be no second chances” and if Tuliao is found liable under the principle of command responsibility, “he will never be trusted with any position of leadership again.”
“Those involved must be summarily dismissed from the service and permanently disqualified from holding any position in government,” he said.
Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Marbil on Saturday relieved Eastern Police District chief Gen. Villamor Tuliao and his entire District Special Operations Unit following allegations of extortion and gross misconduct.
Suspended Porac Mayor Jaime Capil faced being thrown out of the mayoral race on May 12 after Ombudsman Samuel Martires found him guilty of gross neglect of duty in connection with the illegal operations and criminal activities of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator Lucky South 99 since 2019 in that Pampanga town.
The prospect loomed as the Ombudsman imposed a penalty of dismissal from the service, including the cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and perpetual disqualification for re-employment in the government service.
The Ombudsman’s April 3 decision, signed by officer-in-charge Dante Vargas, approved the recommendation of a special panel of investigators to probe the complaint filed by the Department of the Interior and Local government.
The decision dismissed the administrative charges against several former and current officials and department heads including Vice Mayor Francis Laurence Tamayo who might assumed as mayor in place of OIC Myla Clarete.
Suspended Porac Mayor Jaime Capil faced being thrown out of the mayoral race on May 12 after Ombudsman Samuel Martires found him guilty of gross neglect of duty in connection with the illegal operations and criminal activities of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator Lucky South 99 since 2019 in that Pampanga town.
A police officer was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City on Sunday morning, April 6.
The suspect was identified only as Mr. Nice.
The 33-year-old policeman with a rank of staff sergeant is a resident of Barangay San Vicente, Liloan town, Cebu province. He was assigned to the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO).
Seized from the suspect were two medium-sized packs of suspected shabu with an estimated value of P400,000.
Police said the operation was launched after informants reported the suspect’s illegal drug activities.
The MCPO and the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas have yet to issue statements on the arrest of the law enforcer.
A cop has been busted for drugs.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2025/4/7/mandaue-city-cop-held-for-mauling-23-year-old-man |
A policeman was arrested for allegedly mauling a 23-year-old man in Barangay Sapangdaku here before dawn on Monday, April 7.
The suspect, Police Corporal Ivan Gabutan Labra, 31, assigned to Station 3 in Mandaue City, is facing charges for grave threat and physical injuries.
Police said Labra was drunk when the incident happened around 4 a.m.
Investigation showed that the policeman was walking on a road when he chanced upon the complainant, Nerson Rosaceña Almario, 32.
Labra approached Almario and asked for the whereabouts of a person he was looking for.
Almario said he was busy with something at the time and did not notice the policeman. The suspect got irked and thought Almario ignored him.
Labra confronted the complainant and repeatedly punched him. The policeman was also accused of drawing and pointing a gun at Almario.
Almario reported the incident to the Guadalupe Police Station and Labra was arrested.
Labra’s service firearm, a 9mm pistol, was confiscated.
A policeman was arrested for allegedly mauling a 23-year-old man.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2050876/village-chief-councilor-bet-slain-in-abra-campaign-rally-shooting |
A barangay captain and a municipal councilor candidate were killed in a shooting incident during a campaign rally in Barangay Nagtupacan, Lagangilang town in Abra on Monday evening, April 7, police said.
The victims were identified as Barangay Chairperson Lou Claro, 57, and municipal councilor candidate Manzano Agdalpen Jr., 58.
The Abra Provincial Police Office said the violence erupted during the campaign event organized by the local political party “Team Asenso.”
During the activity, Agdalpen allegedly punched a man who was standing nearby. The man then rushed toward Claro, a retired police officer and member of rival political group Team Progreso, who attempted to mediate.
Agdalpen pursued the man and struck him again, prompting the latter to retaliate. Agdalpen then reportedly shoved Claro, drew a firearm, and shot him multiple times. In the chaos, an unidentified gunman also fired at Agdalpen.
Responders brought the two victims to separate hospitals but both were declared dead on arrival.
A barangay captain and a municipal councilor candidate were killed in a shooting incident during a campaign rally in Barangay Nagtupacan, Lagangilang town in Abra on Monday evening, April 7, police said.
A public school teacher was arrested and suspected shabu valued at P1.2 million was seized during a search warrant operation conducted by the police in Barangay Pantal here on April 8.
Police said the suspect, 51, was considered a high-value individual in the illegal drugs trade.
Recovered from him were 159 heat-sealed transparent sachets of shabu weighing 187.02 grams kept in a closet and on top of shelves.
The suspect also yielded a self-sealing plastic sachet of dried marijuana leaves weighing 2.90 grams and worth P348 and drug paraphernalia.
He is in the custody of the Dagupan City Police Station and faces drug-related charges.
Police Regional Office-1 chief Police Gen. Lou Evangelista cited operating units for their achievement.
"Today’s operation highlights the dedication of our officers in working tirelessly to remove illegal drugs from our communities. Ito ay mahalagang hakbang upang masiguro ang katahimikan at kaayusan sa pamayanan (This is an important step to ensure peace and order in the community)," said Evangelista.
A public school teacher was arrested and suspected shabu valued at P1.2 million was seized during a search warrant operation conducted by the police in Barangay Pantal here on April 8.
The Commission on Election (Comelec) on Tuesday confirmed that a vote buying complaint was filed against reelectionist mayor of San Fernando City, the provincial capital of Pampanga.
Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia said the criminal case was filed by the poll body’s law department at the city’s Regional Trial Court against the local chief executive, her husband, and another official.
Vilma Caluag is running for another term as mayor of San Fernando City, while Melchor Caluag is her husband.
Garcia said the complaint stemmed from the alleged vote buying incident in 2022.
“That’s what we’ve been saying,” Garcia said in an ambush interview. “Even if an official has been elected, we could still go after them in actions which occurred during their election bid.”
The mayor said she has yet to receive the copy of the Comelec complaint, according to a video of regional TV network CLTV.
Comelec proclaimed Caluag as the winning mayoral candidate after garnering 57,486 votes.
The Commission on Election on Tuesday confirmed that a vote buying complaint was filed against reelectionist mayor of San Fernando City, the provincial capital of Pampanga.
Authorities have launched a manhunt after assailants ambushed and injured a municipal council aspirant and two of his supporters in Pitogo, Zamboanga del Sur province, police said Wednesday.
Col. Bonifacio Arañas, Zamboanga del Sur police director, said he has alerted police forces in neighboring towns to conduct a dragnet operation.
The victims were identified as Falconeri Buton, 53, incumbent barangay chairperson of Upper Panikian and a candidate for municipal councilor; Jerry Birano, 30; and Janise Bayawa, 50.
Two other supporters of Buton, identified as Joe Honey Cabante, 28, a job order employee, and Rey Cañete, 32, were unharmed.
Investigation revealed that Buton was driving a vehicle issued by his barangay, accompanied by his four supporters, when they were ambushed by gunmen in Barangay Upper Panikian, Pitogo, according to Arañas.
Responding police officers rushed the victims to the Pitogo Rural Health Unit for initial treatment before they were transferred to the Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Medical Center in the provincial capital Pagadian City.
Police recovered nine empty shells from an M-14 rifle and 20 empty shells from an M-16 rifle at the ambush site.
Buton is running under the party of Zamboanga del Sur Governor Victor Yu, who is a candidate for mayor in Pagadian City.
Authorities have launched a manhunt after assailants ambushed and injured a municipal council aspirant and two of his supporters in Pitogo, Zamboanga del Sur province.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1247785 |
Police in Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao del Sur launched a joint manhunt for gunmen who abducted and killed a local political coordinator for the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), authorities said Wednesday.
Modesto Tamayo, 57, a resident of Barangay Romualdez, Pres. Quirino town in Sultan Kudarat, was found dead with multiple stab wounds in a farm lot in Barangay Malangit, Pandag town in Maguindanao del Sur on Wednesday noon, according to Lt. Col. Jopy Ventura, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Tamayo was the municipal coordinator for the PFP, according to Marlon Villa, a candidate of the party for vice mayor of President Quirino town.
Villa said Tamayo attended a political rally in Barangay Poblacion hours before being abducted from his home.
The Pandag municipal police office reported that unidentified gunmen in a white Hi-Ace van arrived at Tamayo’s home past 6 p.m. Tuesday, spoke briefly with him, and then dragged him into the van.
Tamayo’s body was discovered the following day in a vacant lot in Pandag town, Maguindanao del Sur.
Ventura said police personnel from Pandag and Pres. Quirino are conducting a joint investigation and pursuit operation.
PFP is a national political party in the Philippines chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Police in Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao del Sur launched a joint manhunt for gunmen who abducted and killed a local political coordinator for the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.
Unidentified gunmen killed a village chairperson in Lanao del Sur and wounded his companion in an ambush in Barangay Montay here Wednesday morning, police said.
Lt. Col. Jopy Ventura, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), identified the victim as Binhar Jalambre Alon Jawad, 25, chairperson of Barangay Baraas, Picong, Lanao del Sur.
He said Jawad’s companion, Norhan Comilao Sarip, 20, was injured and is recovering at a district hospital in Malabang.
Responding police found the victims inside a black Toyota Fortuner and transported them to the Montaner district hospital in Barangay Mable, where Jawad was declared dead on arrival, Ventura said.
The Malabang police reported that the victims were en route to Barangay Bacyawan, Malabang to attend a graduation ceremony when they were ambushed at about 10 a.m.
As their vehicle passed through the diversion road in Barangay Montay, five unidentified suspects opened fire, hitting Jawad, who was driving, in multiple parts of his body.
Empty shells from an M16 rifle were recovered at the crime scene.
Police said Jawad’s body has been claimed by his family.
The motive for the attack remains unknown.
Unidentified gunmen killed a village chairperson in Lanao del Sur and wounded his companion in an ambush in Barangay Montay.
