It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption in the Philippine government.
The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Thursday said two cops were arrested for causing public disturbance and damaging some properties inside a bar on Commonwealth Avenue, Barangay Holy Spirit early Wednesday morning.
“This prompted the complainants to report the incident, leading to a swift response from Police Station 14 and the subsequent arrest of the involved officers,” the QCPD said in a statement.
“Their firearms have been confiscated, as the case has been turned over to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) for further investigation and the filing of appropriate charges,” it added.
Citing initial investigation, the QCPD said the two cops were allegedly under the influence of alcohol.
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) in a separate statement said the corporal and patrolman are currently assigned at the Warrant Section of Holy Spirit Police Station.
“The two suspects…entered the KTV bar around 1:00 a.m. allegedly under the influence of alcohol. Witnesses stated that they ordered multiple bottles of beer and began to create disturbances shortly after,” the NCRPO said.
“At approximately 2:00 a.m., the officers reportedly began throwing ice cubes at waiters and other customers. In the course of their unruly behavior, they damaged a glass painting frame and their actions caused alarm and panic that forced customers to vacate the premises,” it added.
Complaints for alarm and scandal as well as malicious mischief were filed against the two cops, according to the NCRPO.
The QCPD stressed that misconduct, abuse of authority, and any behavior unbecoming of a police officer will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
If the allegations are proven true, the QCPD said criminal and administrative sanctions will be pursued without delay.
“The QCPD stands resolute in its commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, discipline, and professionalism,” the QCPD said.
“We assure the public that we will take decisive action to maintain the trust entrusted to us, ensuring full accountability and zero tolerance for misconduct within our ranks,” it added.
Two cops were arrested for causing public disturbance and damaging some properties inside a bar.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it has promptly taken action on a road incident involving a police officer in Manila earlier this week.
In a statement Friday, PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said he has ordered the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) to investigate the cop who allegedly poked his gun at a motorcycle rider during a road altercation along F. Manalo Street, Barangay 897, Punta, Sta. Ana, Manila on May 12.
“The PNP takes this matter seriously. While our personnel face real risks in the line of duty, there is no excuse for behavior that undermines public trust. We have already initiated administrative action against the police officer involved, and we will see this through with full transparency and fairness,” Marbil said.
Initial findings revealed that the police officer involved was assigned to a polling center in Manila as part of covert security operations during the election period.
The traffic confrontation with the civilian rider escalated, prompting the officer to draw his firearm.
Responding police personnel assigned to the Police Assistance Desk at the polling center immediately intervened. Both parties were later brought to the barangay for settlement.
The police officer has been reassigned to the District Personnel Holding and Accounting Section of the Manila Police District. He has been disarmed pending the results of the administrative proceedings.
The officer has been formally charged with grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
Marbil also reminded all motorists to exercise patience, discipline, and composure while on the road, especially during traffic encounters.
“The Filipino people deserve a police force that is professional, disciplined, and committed to protecting their rights at all times,” Marbil said.
A cop is being investigated for pointing his gun at a driver during a road incident.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has been tasked to look into the alleged mismanagement that resulted in PHP118 million missing from the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative's (INEC) retirement fund.
This came after the current INEC management filed a syndicated estafa complaint against six former and current officials of the cooperative accused of mishandling the fund.
In an interview on Friday, INEC acting general manager Cipriano Martinez said the complaint was filed with the NBI on Thursday.
Martinez said he was accompanied by National Electrification Administration (NEA) administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda in filing the complaint.
"We will spare no effort to ensure that all INEC officials involved in the mismanagement of the retirement fund shall be held accountable for the mishandling and/or misuse of the retirement funds of INEC employees who have dedicated years of their life in the service of INEC," the new INEC management said in a statement.
In May last year, the cooperative's Retirement Committee started its own investigation into the utilization and management of the Employee’s Retirement Benefits Program (ERBP) fund upon the discovery that some PHP118 million was missing.
As of this posting, the new INEC management has declined to identify the six former and present officials that were named respondents in the complaint pending results of the investigation.
Republic Act 4917, enacted in 1967 during the time of then-President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., states that retirement funds cannot be utilized for any other purposes whatsoever as it is specifically intended for the retirement benefits of employees.
Several current and former Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative's are being investigated over missing money from the retirement fund.
A barangay councilor and supporter of a congresswoman-elect was shot and wounded at dawn on Sunday in what is suspected to be an election-related incident here.
Police identified the victim as Barangay Tumaga Councilor Jake Niko Alaban Fabian, 31.
Investigation said Fabian was driving his motorcycle in Tumaga Porcentro at around 2:15 a.m. when he was shot by a lone gunman.
Fabian sustained four bullet wounds and was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
He is confined at the Intensive Care Unit as of posting time.
Police recovered five .45 caliber cartridge cases at the crime scene.
Fabian is a staunch supporter of Zamboanga City first district representative-elect Kat Chua, the wife of National Housing Authority General Manager Joeben Tai.
Chua called on the Philippine National Police to “act quickly and ensure that justice is served.”
A barangay councilor and supporter of a congresswoman-elect was shot and wounded at dawn on Sunday in what is suspected to be an election-related incident here.
Police are hunting a barangay chairman and two barangay tanods or watchmen for allegedly killing a Siberian Husky in the barangay dog pound in Barangay Bungahan here on Saturday night, May 17.
Police identified the suspects as Elmer, 50, barangay chairman, and barangay tanods Rodolfo and Edison.
Investigation said that the Siberian Husky escaped from his cage and entered the house of Elmer and bit one of his roosters.
The suspect saw the incident and hit the dog with a wooden stick to force him to release the rooster.
Elmer called his watchmen to bring the injured dog to the barangay dog pound for safekeeping.
The barangay tanods informed his owner, Alma, 42, that he is dead and she must claim his body.
Alma reported the incident to the police and took him to a veterinarian who examined him and found out that he died after he was hit multiple times with a hard object.
The specific cause of death was blunt trauma to the left lateral area of the head or eye area that resulted in severe hemorrhage and proptosis of the eyeball.
Police are preparing a case against Elmer for violating Republic Act 10631 or the Philippine Animal Welfare Act of 2013.
Police are hunting a barangay chairman and two barangay tanods or watchmen for allegedly killing a Siberian Husky in the barangay dog pound in Barangay Bungahan here on Saturday night, May 17.
“Numerous” police commanders are now under investigation for failing to supervise patrollers, who reportedly failed to supervise police assistance desks (PADs), among others, in various districts within Metro Manila, according to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
The NCRPO said the probe stemmed from inspections it conducted geared toward assessing the presence of police personnel and their operational readiness, as well as compliance with deployment directives in areas frequented by foreign nationals.
It added that the surprise red teaming operations were conducted from May 17 to 18, covering all five police districts under the National Capital Region Security Quadrant, per the directive of Regional Director Major General Anthony Aberin.
According to Aberin, they were able to find unmanned PADs, abandoned posts, and a lack of police presence in high-traffic areas. Some patrol officers were also using their phones on duty, including playing games.
“Numerous police commanders are now under investigation for failing to supervise their patrollers who were found with the aforementioned deficiencies,” Aberin said.
“Those who will be found remiss will be immediately removed from their posts, following due process of law. On the other hand, personnel who were found absent in posts, those unjustifiably using their cellular phones while on duty, and those with violations also face investigation,” he added.
“We must step up with our crime prevention and solution efforts. I expect police commanders to be present, aware, and accountable for their men. Discipline begins at the top,” he further said.
In areas with unmanned posts, Aberin said he had already instructed that junior officers from mobile units be deployed to temporarily fill them to ensure police visibility.
Aberin added that these inspections “will not be a one-time effort but will become part of standard operational procedure” of NCRPO.
“Let this serve as a warning and an example—complacency and failure of supervision will be met with the heaviest penalties. Discipline begins at the top, and accountability must be absolute,” he said.
“Numerous” police commanders are now under investigation for failing to supervise patrollers, who reportedly failed to supervise police assistance desks, among others, in various districts within Metro Manila, according to the National Capital Region Police Office.
A Muntinlupa policeman was arrested for gun violation by operatives from the Philippine National Police’s Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group-National Capital Region Field Unit on May 19.
In a statement, Muntinlupa police chief Col. Robert Domingo said the police officer was arrested in a buy-bust operation at his home in Lakeshore Drive, Barangay Tunasan, Muntinlupa in violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) and Omnibus Election Code.
In the original statement uploaded on May 19 on Facebook, the Muntinlupa police identified the personnel involved as Aaron. The Muntinlupa police revised the post and omitted the name.
“The Muntinlupa City Police Station will not tolerate nor condone any wrongdoing of our personnel,” said Domingo.
He said the policeman "chose to veer in a different and illegal path which is contrary to our RD, NCRPO's Triple ‘A’ program and 5 Guiding Principles despite constant reminder and due guidance from his superiors. Hence, he has to face the consequences of his illegal acts.”
Domingo said, “The Muntinlupa City Police Station will never get weary in reminding and reiterating to our personnel to do what is right and just all the time. Despite this isolated incident, we remain committed and steadfast to our mandate to serve and protect the citizenry.”
A cop has been busted for a gun violation.
Malacañang said Wednesday that Overseas Workers Welfare Administration deputy administrator Emma Sinclair was also removed from her post over the alleged anomalous land acquisition deal entered into by former OWWA administration Arnell Ignacio.
This was disclosed by Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro during a press briefing.
Castro said Sinclair was sacked from her post due to loss of trust and confidence in relation to the P1.4 billion land acquisition deal.
''Maliban po diyan, mayroon pa pong isa na makakasama, ang deputy [administrator] na si Emma Sinclair, pareho po silang tinanggal. Hindi po sila pinagresign,'' Castro said.
(Aside from [Arnell Ignacio], there is another one, Deputy Administrator Emma Sinclair. Both were fired, they were not asked to resign.)
Castro said this should serve as a warning to all public servants that they will all be fired if they do not fulfill their duties to the public.
Ignacio earlier said he will speak at the proper forum. GMA News Online has reached out to Sinclair for her side but she has yet to reply as of posting time.
The Department of Migrant Workers earlier said it is gathering more information about the anomalous deal, which was supposedly not authorized by the OWWA board, before filing appropriate cases against those involved.
The P1.4-billion land purchase deal under Ignacio’s leadership was supposed to be for a halfway house or dormitory-type accommodation of overseas Filipino workers to be located near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1, OWWA administrator Patricia Yvonne "PJ" Caunan.
The DMW is still reviewing whether the project should push through or not, Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said.
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration deputy administrator Emma Sinclair was also removed from her post over the alleged anomalous land acquisition deal entered into by former OWWA administration Arnell Ignacio.
The mayor of South Upi, Maguindanao del Sur and his wife were arrested for their alleged involvement in the killing of his vice mayor in August last year.
Authorities made the arrest in Barangay Making in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte on Tuesday, according to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in a statement on Wednesday.
The arrest stemmed from a warrant for murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 27 in Cotabato City last Monday, the CIDG said.
“In November 2024, the SITG (special investigation task group) filed criminal complaints… against 12 accused, including the mayor and his wife, for their alleged participation as alleged ‘masterminds’ in the planning and orchestration of the ambush,” the police unit further detailed.
Although the CIDG did not name the two suspects, the incumbent mayor of South Upi is Reynalbert Insular.
The CIDG did not give further details about the 10 other individuals accused.
The ambush took place in Sitio Linao in Barangay Pandan, South Upi on the early evening of August 2, killing Vice Mayor Roldan Benito and his aide Weng Marcos.
The incident also left Benito’s wife, Analyn, a barangay chairperson, and his 11-year-old child injured with gunshot wounds.
The mayor of South Upi, Maguindanao del Sur and his wife were arrested for their alleged involvement in the killing of his vice mayor in August last year.
The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Wednesday identified a police officer as one of the suspects in the theft of a motorcycle on Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (Edsa).
The officer and one other individual — who were not named by the authorities – allegedly flagged a motorcycle rider, took him aside, handcuffed him and stole his motorcycle, cellphone, and cash last Saturday evening, the QCPD said in a statement.
“One of [the suspects] has been identified as a uniformed PNP (Philippine National Police) personnel assigned at the Northern Police District Personnel Holding and Accounting Section… He has been positively identified and will face appropriate criminal and administrative charges,” the QCPD detailed.
“Concerted efforts are being made to retrieve CCTV (closed circuit television) footage along Edsa and nearby areas to trace the suspects’ movements, identify possible accomplices, and determine if there are other victims of similar schemes,” it added.
The incident took place near the Edsa interchange with the Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in Barangay Unang Sigaw, Quezon City.
The officer and the other suspect were aboard a black sports utility vehicle before flagging the motorcycle rider along Edsa. The rider was identified only as “Allan.”
A cop has been tagged in the theft of a motorcycle.
A two-star general in the Armed Forces of the Philippines is facing complaints for rape and attempted rape after he allegedly took advantage of two soldiers in his room after they had drinks earlier.
According to Saleema Refran's exclusive report on "24 Oras," CCTV footage showed that a group of soldiers, including the general, arrived at the San Fernando Air Base in Lipa, Batangas, on the night of January 29.
Another clip showed two soldiers coming out of the senior officer’s quarters crying. Their lieutenant can be seen attending to them, and that’s when the two reported the incident.
The complainants said in their affidavit that the general asked them to sleep in his room, which they did not take seriously at first. That’s when the alleged sexual assault took place.
The star-ranked officer denied the allegations against him. He said that the sexual assault was impossible to happen as the complainants could “overpower” him.
“Complainants are strong, able-bodied military officers who could easily overpower me…They are not under duress nor did I use a firearm or any bladed weapon, nor I use force, threat, or intimidation against their will,” the general’s counter-affidavit further read.
“They could have easily left my room, as they had free access to the door or used force to prevent the unlawful act,” he added.
The complainants lawyer said rape could happen even to men.
“Yung pang-aabuso, yung panghahalay, pwede siyang mangyari kahit kanino. Pwedeng mangyari sa babae, pwedeng mangyari sa lalaki, pwedeng mangyari kahit sa mga matitipunong mga sundalo,” said lawyer Nico Robert Martin.
(The abuse and rape, it can happen to anyone. It can happen to women, to men, and even to the strongest soldiers.)
Martin said the complainants were suffering from depression.
"They are undergoing counseling. But you know, bilang sundalo, kasi trained sila para maging isang sundalo, pumapasok sila. Araw-araw silang nag-report for duty, nagtatrabaho sila," Martin said.
(But they are trained soldiers. Every day, they report for duty and they work.)
The complainants availed free legal assistance from the Supreme Court's Unified Legal Service.
The general has been relieved from his post and placed under the restrictive custody of the Philippine Air Force.
Investigation from the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Office of Ethical Standards and Public Accountability found a prima facie evidence that would entail the general to face pre-trial investigation.
Meanwhile, the initial probe findings are already with AFP Chief-of-Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr.
“For review na po siya and signature po ng ating chief-of-staff. Siya rin po ang ating convening authority. And the case is currently awaiting his approval for the referral doon sa ating general court-martial,” said AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla.
(It’s already for review and for the signature of our chief-of-staff. He will also be the convening authority. And the case is currently awaiting his approval for the referral to our court-martial.)
“Yun pong ating accused will face trial under Articles of War 96, ito pong conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman. And [Articles of War] 97, conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline,” she added.
(The accused will face trial under Articles of War 96, or the conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman; and Articles of War 97, conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline.)
“Zero tolerance po tayo for any form of misconduct such as this po,” Padilla also said.
(We implement zero tolerance to any form of misconduct such as this.)
A two-star AFP General is facing complaints of attempted rape.
A barangay chairman shot and killed the 34-year-old son of a barangay tanod in Barangay Gibanga here on Monday night, May 19.
Police identified the victim as Albert Malarasta.
Investigation said the victim, father Elpidio, a barangay tanod, and Anderson Mabuhay, chief tanod, responded to the house of the suspect Crisanto to investigate an alleged break-in by unidentified individuals.
Albert, who was walking behind Elpidio and Mabuhay, was suddenly shot by the suspect.
The victim was taken by his father to a hospital here where he was declared dead.
Police arrested the suspect and recovered a Glock 19 Generation 5 caliber 9mm with an extended magazine with 15 bullets.
Police said the suspect mistook the victim as among the perpetrators.
Follow-up investigation is ongoing.
A barangay chairman shot and killed the 34-year-old son of a barangay tanod in Barangay Gibanga.
