Insurgency: NPA Further Weakens

The AFP has insisted the NPA is leaderless and thus faces a leadership vacuum. But that appears to not be the case. Recently 3 top NPA leaders were killed in a firefight with the AFP.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1231407

Three top leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Panay, including the consultant of the National Democratic Front (NDF), were killed during a series of encounters in the mountainous villages of Iloilo.

In a statement Friday, the 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office (3DPAO) identified the slain rebels as Vicente Hinojales, regional secretary of Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay (KR-P) and known by the aliases Arjie, Hadjie, Mandi and LJ; Maria Concepcion Araneta Bocala, 1st deputy secretary, KR-P, also known as Concha; and Vivian Torato Teodosio, secretary of the central front, KR-Panay with aliases Minerva/Mara/Moray.

Bocala, from Barangay Pueblo in Iloilo City’s Manduriao district, had a PHP5.3 million bounty on her head for murder. 

Police arrested her in August 2015 in Molo district. She was released in 2016 to participate in the peace talks in Norway.

“However, when former President Rodrigo Duterte suspended the peace talks in February 2017, Concha jumped bail,” the statement said.

Concha and Teodosio were killed following a 10-minute firefight with troops from the 82nd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Cabatangan, Lambunao on Thursday.

Found in the encounter site were five high-powered firearms, including three M16 Rifles, one M79 grenade launcher, and one Visor, along with one shotgun and various war materiel, personal belongings, and subversive documents.

The clash happened while the troops were scouring the area after they found Hinojales abandoned and already in a state of decomposition at Sitio Igdagmay of the same village around noontime of the same day.

Oh, look. It's more #Dutertelegacy. Remember when he released several high profile rebels so they could be peace talk consultants? Of course the talks broke down and the dangerous criminals President Duterte released did not turn themselves in. The most high profile of those released were the Tiamzons who were ultimately blown to bits by the AFP while they were attempting to get away in a boat. 

With the death of these three is there a leadership vacuum now? The AFP says the death of the NDF consultant proves the duplicity of the CPP.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1231460

The Philippine Army (PA) on Monday said the series of clashes in Lambunao, Iloilo last week that led to the deaths of two ranking communist leaders and the recovery of the body of another one showed the duplicity of these individuals masquerading as National Democratic Front (NDF) consultants.

In a statement, PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said these neutralized insurgent leaders are not consultants but active participants of "communist terrorism" in the conflict-affected and geographically isolated areas of the country.

Dema-ala added these illegal actions have brought nothing but suffering and fear to the people.

"The 301st Infantry Brigade troopers’ dedication to attain peace and progress in their area of responsibility is truly commendable. The continuous neutralization of CTGs and capture of war materiel, the local government units’ proactive delivery of basic and social services, and the community's participation in tracking these terrorists are testament to the people’s clamor for genuine peace and development in Panay," he added.

The NDF is part of the CPP and thus a group of terrorists? Who knew? 

Two NPA leaders in the Northern Samar have surrendered which has further weakened the insurgency in the Eastern Visayas. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1231636

The voluntary surrender of two high-ranking leaders of the New People’s Army will further diminish the communist terrorist group's strength in Eastern Visayas, the Philippine Army said on Wednesday.

The surrender of alias Leo, the former leader of the squad 2, sub-regional guerilla unit, and alias Mael, the former finance officer of dismantled Front Committee 15, both from sub-regional committee Arctic of the NPA’s Eastern Visayas regional party committee, is a significant development towards peace.

The two yielded to soldiers of the Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion in Dapdap village, Las Navas, Northern Samar, on Aug. 17.

On Aug. 16, alias Abner, a former member of Batakang Organisasyon sa Partido and a resident of Silvino Lubos, Northern Samar, withdrew their support from the NPA by showing up at the Army’s 19th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Opong village, Catubig, Northern Samar.

Lt. Col. Richard Villaflor, commander of the Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion, said the surrender of these leaders is attributed to their focused military operations and the local peace engagement operation of the Army’s 803rd Infantry Brigade.

“Due to the continuous implementation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), actively supported by local government units, stakeholders, and local chief executives in the area, the significant weakening of the NPA and their mass support is evident,” Villaflor stated.

“This demonstrates that the NPA in the region is now leaderless and powerless. They continue to weaken and disintegrate as your Philippine Army persistently pursues them, ensuring that no one is left to bring violence to our communities,” Ligayo stated.

He urged the remaining NPA members, especially those who are still hesitant, to surrender now and lay down their arms. The officials assured them that the government was ready to help them start a new life.

In Eastern Samar one leader and a medic surrendered leaving the local NPA with only 11 members. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/8/22/npa-leader-medic-surrender-in-eastern-samar

A New People’s Army leader and medic surrendered to the military in Barangay Nato, Taft, Eastern Samar this week.

Rolando Romanca, commanding officer of the Apoy Platoon, Sub-Regional Committee Sesame, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee, and medic Jovy Mendez yielded to the 52nd Infantry Battalion and 78th IB.  

Their surrender was facilitated by the local government unit-led Localized Peace Engagement  and Friends Rescued Engagement through their Families or the FReE Families program of the 802nd Infantry Brigade. 

Romanca cited the deaths of their leaders Joel Gaurino and Martin Colima in recent encounters as a major factor in their decision to surrender. 

He said that the group's morale had been significantly impacted, leading to a loss of motivation and a desire to return to a normal life. 

Following their surrender, troops, with Romanca's assistance, discovered an arms cache composed of two M16 rifles, 11 magazines, 317 bullets, hand grenades, and subversive documents on Wednesday, August 21. 

Lt. Col. Joseph Bugaoan, 78th IB commander, said that with the surrender of Romanca and Mendez, the Apoy Platoon now only has 11 remaining members.   

Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, 802nd IBde commander, commended troops for their efforts in connecting with the families of the remaining NPA members.

That is six leaders who have been neutralized this week. 3 surrendered and 3 were killed. Is the AFP sure the NPA is facing a leadership crisis? How many more leaders are out there? 

Operations continue against the NPA. Recently a couple married by the NPA were killed in battle. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1231843

Two key remnants of the New People's Army (NPA) in central Negros died in a clash with troops of the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Thursday.

In a report, the 94IB identified the fatalities as Joan Lacio "Mark" Encarnacion, 31; and Jolina "Chloe" Martinez Sergio, 30, vice commanding officer and political instructor, respectively, of Central Negros 2, Sentro de Grabidad Platoon.

"They are a couple who were married by the rebel movement," Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, public affairs division chief of 3rd Infantry Division, told the Philippine News Agency on Friday.

The couple, who are residents of Sitio Cantupa, were married in 2017 in Sitio Bunsad, Barangay Buenavista.

They were wanted for attempted murder and homicide, according to the 94IB.

Their group was allegedly extorting from sugarcane farmers, project workers and quarry operators in their area of operation.

The 94IB report said after the troops were informed by residents about the rebels' presence in Sitio Pisok, they conducted a security patrol that resulted in a gunbattle with a group of five NPA rebels at around 8:40 a.m.

Three others fled, leaving behind the bodies of their two comrades along with an M16 rifle and an M14 rifle, both with magazines and assorted rounds of live ammunition.

Following the NPA’s recent defeats in Western Visayas, the Philippine Army (PA) said it would continue to swoop down on remaining insurgents.

"Yes, they are declining. Nonetheless, the PA is committed to sustaining our gains against this terrorist group. There will be no let up on our focused military operations to put into justice the remaining members of the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA,” Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said in an interview Friday.

He added the NPA’s force is dwindling “not only in Visayas but also in other regions”.

The article does not say it but vice commanding officer and political instructor are leadership positions which means these two are leaders. That put the count at 8 NPA leaders neutralized this week.

In Butuan City the AFP is pursuing the remaining NPA.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1231648

Government troops belonging to the 29th Infantry Battalion (29IB) of the 901st Infantry Brigade (901Bde) are pursuing remnants of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) after an encounter in the hinterlands of Barangay Salvacion, Butuan City on Monday.

In a statement on Wednesday, 901Bde commander, Brig. Gen. Arsenio Sadural, said the encounter took place as soldiers searched the area after learning from civilians about the presence of the rebels.

He said the NPA insurgents belonged to the regional headquarters of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee headed by Myrna Sularte, alias Maria Malaya.

“The 29IB troops engaged the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) twice – first, at around 10 a.m. and second, at 10:30 a.m. on Monday,” Sadural said.

He said the rebels suffered casualties, as indicated by bloodstains discovered in the encounter site.

The troops also recovered one M16 rifle, some ammunition, and other war paraphernalia abandoned by the fleeing rebels.

“The information provided by the civilians showed their disapproval of the recovery efforts and extortion activities being done by the remaining forces of the CTG in the area,” Sadural said, pledging that the Army would continue to dismantle the weakening structures and formations of the NPA in the area. 

These rebels appear to be the only thing standing in the way of Agusan del Norte from being declared insurgency free.

The government has said it supports all former rebels even those who do not qualify for E-CLIP benefits. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1231706

The 28 former rebels (FRs) from Antique  province who returned to the fold of law before the establishment of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) in 2018 are assured of government support as they restart their lives.

Col. Manolito Montiel, Deputy Commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, said during the “Dialogue for Peace” organized by the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) in the Municipality of Barbaza on Wednesday that government agencies and local government units (LGUs) will extend support for their livelihood, medical attention, and other needs.

“We encourage you to create or organize yourselves into groups so that together you could be given support as you return to the mainstream of society,” Montiel said.

The FRs are from the towns of Barbaza with 16, Tibiao with four, Sebaste with six, and Culasi with two.

Antique Peace and Order and Public Safety consultant Margie Gadian said they organized the dialogue to provide a venue for former rebels to raise their concerns about their benefits.

“Rest assured that the government has not forgotten you,” she said in her message.  

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) assisted the group in selecting interim officers as representatives to the Provincial Peace and Order Council of Antique.

They will also receive assistance to individuals in crisis situation (AICS) from the PSWDO and the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office, depending on their needs.

Johnny Arzaga of Barangay Calapadan, who served as the District Instructor Staff of the New People’s Army Northern Antique Front, said he needs to undergo surgery to remove the three bullets from his body that he sustained during an encounter with the government troops in 1987.

During the dialogue, the former rebels received three kilos of rice and hygiene kits as initial assistance from the provincial government.

In the meantime, Antique Police Provincial Office Director Col. Lea Rose Peña urged the FRs to encourage other rebels to surrender to the government and avail of support provided through the ECLIP.

The ECLIP package of assistance includes PHP50,000  livelihood aid and firearms remuneration depending on the type of firearm they surrender.

“Just let us know your needs, and we will do our best to provide solutions,” Peña said.

Isn't there a way for these people to be grandfathered-in? Seems like it would be best to solve this problem through legislature.

Hi, My Name is...51

Both online and in the real world Filipino children are victims of some of the most horrific crimes. Does anyone even really care about them?

Hi, my name is being withheld because I am a 7-year-old girl. After being reported missing my body was found dead and dumped in a secluded spot. The man who left me here raped me and used my clothes to strangle me. Now I am in a mortuary as the cops try to figure out what happened.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/03/14/2340567/7-year-old-girl-raped-killed-general-santos-city

A seven-year-old girl, reported missing, was found dead and dumped in a secluded spot in Barangay Conel in General Santos City on Wednesday.

Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg, director of the Police Regional Office-12, said the minor was first reported missing to the General Santos City Police Station 9 last Sunday.

Investigators and intelligence operatives from the General Santos City Police Office said they are certain that the Grade 2 pupil was raped before she was strangled to death using her clothes by her molester.

Personnel of the General Santos CPO and barangay officials found two shirts and two knives in a grassland near where the body of the minor was dumped in Purok 9 in Barangay Conel.

Investigators from the city police and barangay officials in Conel are trying to put closure to what really happened to the victim, who is now in a mortuary.

Hi, my name is Peter. I reported to the police that I found the body of a girl missing her underwear who had been placed in a sack. But the cops reviewed available CCTV footage and saw me holding a sack and walking with the girl just before she died. They surmise I am the one who killed her, placed her in the sack, and then pretended to be a concerned citizen to conceal my crime. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/3/girl-9-raped-killed-in-quezon

A nine-year-old girl was raped and killed here on Saturday, March 2.

Police arrested a 20-year-old scavenger for allegedly raping Mae, a resident of this town.

Police said the suspect, Peter, from San Pablo City, Laguna, and his minor companion reported to them that they found the body of a girl placed in a sack without her underwear and possibly raped.

Case investigator Police Patrolman Mark Dave Villanueva proceeded to the area to verify the report and discovered the victim.

Lawmen reviewed surveillance footages and saw the suspect holding the sack and the victim walking on Angeles St. 

Police said the victim’s body was put inside the sack by the suspect who pretended to be a concerned citizen to conceal the crime. 

Suspect faces homicide charges.

Hi, our names are CJ and Alex. The body of an 11-year-old girl was found in a forested area with her clothes disturbed. Investigation showed she had been raped and strangled to death. Further investigation lead the cops to us.  

https://mb.com.ph/2024/6/13/article-2406

Authorities collared two suspects in the rape and killing of an 11-year-old girl in General Trias City on Thursday, June 13.

Cavite Police Provincial Office (PPO) identified the suspects as alias CJ, a construction worker, and alias Alex, a driver.

On June 11, the body of the incoming Grade 6 victim was found in a forested area, with her upper garments raised upwards and her shorts pulled down.

Forensic examination by the Provincial Forensic Unit indicated that the victim had been sexually assaulted and strangled to death.

An investigation by the General Trias Component City Police Station (CCPS) led to the arrest of alias CJ and, later, alias Alex.

Both suspects are now under the custody of General Trias CCPS.

Police Regional Office 4A director Brigadier Gen. Paul Kenneth T. Lucas commended Cavite PPO and General Trias CCPS for their prompt action that led to the arrest.

“This is a standard and outstanding continuing police investigation and operation that resulted in the arrest of the suspects,” Lucas said in a statement.

Hi, my name is being withheld to protect the victim. I abandoned my daughter when she was 3 months old. Her mother and I eventually got back into contact. She let my daughter stay with me and my partner a few times. My daughter is the one who snitched on me to my partner. Also I confessed to her. The PNP arrested me after we exited a motel. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/4/23/father-arrested-charged-with-rape-of-own-daughter-nbi

A father has been arrested in Bulacan for "sexually abusing" his own minor daughter.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) withheld the name of the arrested person who was apprehended by operatives of the NBI’s Violence Against Women and Children Division (NBI-VAWCD) last April 18 at a motel in Norzagaray, Bulacan where he and his daughter stayed.

“NBI-VAWCD operatives immediately arrested the Subject as they were getting out of the motel,” the bureau said. 

It said the arrested father was charged with violations of Republic Act (RA) 8353, the Anti-Rape Law, and RA 9262, the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act.

The NBI said it conducted the operation based on the complaint filed by the mother of the victim.  The mother claimed that her husband abandoned her when her daughter was only three months old.

The mother told the NBI that while her husband has been staying with his  live-in partner, she allowed their daughter to stay with him on Oct. 15, 2023 and March 14, 2024.

“Thru the information given by the live-in partner of the Subject, Complainant discovered the sexual relationship of the Victim and Subject and that Subject will be renting an apartment so he could live with the Victim,” the NBI said. 

“The allegations were evidenced by recorded phone calls and admission of Subject to his live-in partner,” it added.

After the complainant sought the help of the bureau, operatives of NBI-VAWCD followed the suspect and his daughter after learning that they will meet in Cubao, Quezon City.

The suspect and his daughter traveled to Norzagaray where they checked into a motel where NBI operatives waited for the opportunity to arrest the man.

Hi, my name is Julius Rodas. After finding the naked remains of an 8-year old girl investigators backtracked through the CCTV footage to see that I was with her before she died. They arrested me and I confessed that I did it after I sniffed some solvent. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1779344/suspect-in-rape-slay-of-8-year-old-girl-in-lucena-city-found-dead-in-jail

The primary suspect in the rape-slay of an 8-year-old girl on May 31 allegedly committed suicide inside the city jail early Sunday, June 4.

Lieutenant Colonel Ruben Ballera Jr., Lucena police chief, said the body of Julius Rodas, 19, was found dead inside the toilet room of the jail facility.

“Based on our initial investigation, the incident happened between 12 to 1 a.m.,” Ballera said in a phone interview.

The police are conducting further investigation.

On May 31, Rodas reported to the village officials that he found the naked remains of a girl lying in the grassy portion of Barangay Gulang-Gulang.

But during the backtracking of all the footage from closed-circuit cameras in the vicinity, the investigators found out that the victim was with Rodas before she was raped and killed.

During the investigation, Rodas allegedly admitted responsibility for the crime and disclosed that he gave P100 to the girl to go with him to the spot where he raped and killed her.

The police identified Rodas as a known rugby user.

The suspect reportedly admitted that he sniffed solvent before he raped his victim and strangled her to death.

Hi, my name is being withheld. I met a 7-year old girl and invited her home after giving her some bread. Then I abused her and warned her not to say anything or an aswang would get her. Then I fell asleep because I was very drunk. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/877491/elderly-man-rapes-7-year-old-warns-victim-of-aswang-if-she-told-anyone/story/

A seven-year-old was raped by a senior citizen at his house in Dipaculao, Aurora.

According to Marisol Abdurahman's report on "Saksi," the suspect and the victim bought bread before going to his home.

The victim said the suspect brought her to his room where she was allegedly raped.

Police said the suspect warned the victim that she'd see an "aswang" if she told anybody what had happened.

The victim went home after the suspect who was drunk at that time fell aslpeep.

The child is undergoing counselling.

The suspect has yet to give any statement.

Hi, my name is Dennis. My live-in-partner reported me after I sexually abused my 12-year old daughter. When the cops came I pulled out a pistol and began firing. They killed me.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1779127/man-accused-of-raping-stepdaughter-slain-in-shootout-with-davao-city-cops

A 37-year-old tricycle driver suspected of raping his 12-year-old stepdaughter was shot dead by police after he allegedly resisted arrest here on Friday night, police said on Saturday.

Maj. Catherine dela Rey, Davao City Police Office spokesperson, said the suspect, identified only as a certain Dennis, was declared dead on arrival at Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) due to gunshot wounds after an armed confrontation with lawmen at his house in Barangay 76-A.

Investigation revealed that members of the San Pedro Police Station went to the suspect’s house at around 8:30 p.m. after his live-in partner reported to police that the suspect sexually assaulted her old daughter.

The child, a fourth-grade student, was inside her room when the suspect allegedly went in and abused her at around 8 a.m.

Police promptly went to the house and attempted to arrest the suspect, Dela Rey said.

Instead of yielding, the suspect allegedly pulled a handgun and fired at the police, leading to a shootout.

Investigators seized from the crime scene a .38-caliber revolver without a serial number, four rounds of ammunition, a spent shell in its chamber, a bullet casing from a 9-mm pistol, and a sachet of suspected shabu or crystal meth from the suspect’s body.

Hi, my name is Rogelio Arganda. Two years ago I was accused of raping my stepson's daughter. No one field a case. Instead her father shot me in the head while I was watching television. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/29/farmer-who-allegedly-raped-stepson-s-daughter-shot-dead-in-quezon

A 58-year-old farmer was shot dead in Barangay Sumalang here on Wednesday, February 28, by his stepson two years after the victim allegedly raped the suspect’s daughter in this town.

Police identified the victim as Rogelio Arganda.

Investigation said the victim was watching television in his house when the suspect, Louielito, arrived.

The suspect drew a gun and shot the victim in the head and body. Arganda died on the spot.

Louielito fled towards the mountains in the area.

Arganda allegedly raped the suspect’s daughter in March 2022 but her family did not file a case against the victim.

Police said the incident could be the motive of the suspect to kill Arganda. Lawmen are pursuing the suspect. 

Hi, my name is Carlo Danni Lloren. I told my daughter to go to the store and buy some stuff. She kept the change! So, of course I beat the heck out of her.  Later on she complained of a headache. We took her to the hospital and her conditioned worsened until she died. But before she died she told her grandmother what I did to her. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/12/mpd-hunts-down-father-who-beat-to-death-7-year-old-daughter

Operatives of the Manila Police District (MPD) are hunting down a father who beat his own daughter to death on Aug. 18 in Tondo, Manila. 

 

The MPD-Raxabago Police Station (PS-1) identified the suspect as Carlo Danni Lloren, 32, a resident of Barangay 107, Tondo, Manila. 

 

According to the victim's grandmother, the suspect gave money to his daughter and asked her to buy something from a nearby store at around 9 a.m. on Aug. 18. 

 

The victim kept the change from his father's money to buy some food. 

 

The suspect got mad and punched his daughter repeatedly in different parts of her body. 

 

At around 6 p.m. the victim complained of headache and body pain.

She also said that she could not move her neck. But none of her parents brought her to the hospital.  

The victim's grandmother said the child was only brought to Tondo Medical Center on Aug. 22 when they noticed that her condition and injuries had worsened.

 

The child was declared dead on Aug. 26, after being confined for four days.

 

The grandmother said that before the victim passed away, she was able to disclose her father's cruelty towards her.

 

Authorities are now conducting an investigation to locate the suspect and file appropriate charges against him.

Hi, my name is being withheld. The police found the body of a 12-year old who had been raped and beaten. Witnesses said they saw me beat her head in with a piece of wood after I raped her. But the did not know that the girl bullied me. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1971933/suspect-in-rape-slay-of-12-year-old-girl-in-santiago-city-arrested

Police arrested the suspect in the rape-slay of a 12-year-old girl on Sunday, Aug. 11, a day after her naked body was found at Palac Road in Barangay Buenavista in this city.

April May Nicolas, a third-grader at Buenavista Elementary School, was found dead around 1 p.m. on Aug. 10.

Police Colonel Lucio Simangan, Santiago City police director, reported that the girl could have been dead for 43 hours before her body, with a crushed head and missing undergarments, was discovered.

As a gesture of sympathy, teachers and students at the victim’s school flew the flag at half-staff, observed silence, and recited prayers during Monday’s flag-raising ceremony.

Nicolas and her 7-year-old sibling were under the care of their aunt.

The suspect, whose name is being withheld, was known to the aunt, as he frequently gathered clams near their house by the river.

Witnesses said the suspect used wood to crush the girl’s head after allegedly raping her.

He reportedly then used the wood to assault her further.

The suspect claimed he committed the crime because the girl had bullied him.

Investigators said the suspect would be charged with rape and homicide.

Simangan has ordered increased police visibility and continuous monitoring of the crime scene.

Earlier, City Councilor Arlene Jane Alvarez-Reyes offered a P100,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest.

The girl’s father, Diosdado Nicolas, has called for “swift justice,” describing his daughter as “kind” and saying she “dreamed of becoming successful someday.” 

Hi, my name is being withheld because I am a ten-year-old boy. I was walking home from school when all of a sudden a crazy 18 year old woman stabbed me in the back. After I collapsed she looked around and then stabbed me again. My mother was watching the whole time and she ran over to me while the woman calmly walked away pointing the knife at me like a warning to bystanders. The woman was arrested and thankfully I survived. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/917641/10-year-old-boy-stabbed-22-times-survives/story/

A 10-year-old boy is fighting for his life at a hospital in Taytay, Rizal after he was stabbed 22 times by an 18-year-old woman.

In a report by EJ Gomez on Balitanghali, closed circuit television (CCTV) footage showed the female suspect walking casually on Adica Street before assaulting the unsuspecting child.

The incident happened on August 19, 2024 while the child was on his way home from school.

In the CCTV footage, the suspect, armed with a six-inch blade, approached the boy and stabbed him multiple times in the back.

"Suddenly, this suspect stabbed a defenseless victim. [He] used his force against that child using a bladed weapon, more or less six inches in length," PCol. Felipe B. Maraggun, Provincial Director of Rizal Police Provincial Office (PPO), said.

After the boy collapsed, the suspect paused, glanced around, and stabbed him again.

The child's mother, who witnessed the attack, rushed to her son's aid as the woman walked away calmly, pointing at the injured boy to bystanders.

The victim was rushed to the Rizal Provincial Hospital System in Taytay. He sustained wounds in the shoulders and lungs. His left arm was fractured during the assault.

The suspect, who lost her parents at a young age, has been taken into custody by Taytay Police and is facing charges of frustrated murder.

"They left me since [I was] young," the suspect said.

Initial investigation suggests that the suspect may have been motivated by jealousy. Police are also examining her mental state as she appeared incoherent and confused during questioning.

"We can tell that he seems to be out of his mind. And when our investigator interviewed him, what he said was different and not clear. So there's something about the mindset of our suspect," Maraggun said.

Ronald Rosas, the victim's father, still in shock, expressed his grief and anger over the brutal attack on his son.

"I'm so angry. My mind is blank... what you see being done to your son, it's like what you see in your heart - that pinching pain," Rosas said.

The God Culture: We Are Researchers Who Ask Questions To Affirm Things We Already Know

Timothy Jay Schwab who is The God Culture makes a big to do about being a researcher. He claims to have done more research than anyone else and that is why no one can disprove him. But what exactly is his research method? Let's hear Tim in his own words.

What Territory Belongs to HAM? Answers In Jubilees: Part 3

20:30 The fact that Atel is Bengali is a bonus which connection we do not require but it is neat that it is there and we are researchers who ask such questions to affirm things we already know. We do not say this is the Indian Ocean because Atel is Bengali. That's stupid. We say it is the Indian ocean because that is the sea to the west of Indonesia where we were in the directions. That's it. And it's nice to know that it comes back full circle and ties that Atel is in fact a word in Bengali. Wow!

Funnily enough in this tirade Tim reveals his ethos as a researcher: "...we are researchers who ask such questions to affirm things we already know." Researchers do not ask questions to affirm what they already know. They ask questions to find out the truth of a matter. 

https://library.untdallas.edu/HIST/historicalresearch

• To learn from past successes and failures.
• Learn how things were done in the past and apply them to current or future events.
• To assist in prediction.
• Lead to the confirmation or rejection of relational hypotheses.
• Understand the present practices and policies by understanding the history surrounding them.

If Tim is doing research to affirm what he already knows that is called confirmation bias.

Confirmation bias (also confirmatory bias, myside bias, or congeniality bias) is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms or supports one's prior beliefs or values. People display this bias when they select information that supports their views, ignoring contrary information, or when they interpret ambiguous evidence as supporting their existing attitudes. The effect is strongest for desired outcomes, for emotionally charged issues, and for deeply entrenched beliefs. Confirmation bias is insuperable for most people, but they can manage it, for example, by education and training in critical thinking skills.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias

Again Timothy Jay Schwab who is he God Culture shows us all he is not a real researcher engaged in honest research. He is a parviscient fraud and a hack who admits he is only looking to affirm what he already knows.

Retards in the Government 379

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

 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/08/17/2378492/barangay-councilor-slain-quiapo-alleged-mastermind-nabbed

A female barangay kagawad was gunned down by motorcycle-riding assailants in Quiapo, Manila on Aug. 13, the Manila Police District (MPD) reported yesterday.

Barangay 383 councilor Stella Mangalino Lim, 45, was walking with her 11-year-old son along Hidalgo street when she was attacked at past midnight on Aug. 13, according to television reports.

A former Barangay 383 councilor, Zacaria Baulan Disomangcop, was arrested and charged with murder before the Manila prosecutor’s office on Aug. 14.

The MPD, however, failed to catch alleged assailant Amanudin Sarip Macadaag and the unidentified motorcycle rider.

Police recovered the motorcycle and the two crash helmets near the Manila Golden Mosque.

Prior to his arrest, Disomangcop had gone to the MPD headquarters, claiming Lim’s assailants had asked him for soft drinks.

A witness identified Disomangcop as the mastermind in Lim’s killing, prompting his arrest.

MPD investigators found surveillance footage showing that days before the attack, Disomangcop talked to Macadaag and the motorcycle rider near where Lim sold balut or boiled duck egg.

According to reports quoting MPD director Brig. Gen. Arnold Ibay, Disomangcop planned to replace Lim as barangay councilor.

A female barangay kagawad was gunned down by motorcycle-riding assailants who were hired by a lady who hoped to replace her after her death.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/08/17/2378544/ex-pnp-officials-get-8-years-helicopter-deal

The Sandiganbayan has sentenced four former officials of the Philippine National Police to up to eight years in prison for graft in connection with an allegedly anomalous PNP helicopter procurement in 2009.

In a 346-page decision promulgated yesterday, the court’s Seventh Division found former PNP bids and awards committee vice chairman Director Luizo Ticman and BAC members Directors Ronald Roderos, Romeo Hilomen and Leocadio Santiago Jr. as well as private defendant Hilario de Vera guilty of violating Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

They were sentenced to a minimum of six years and one month to a maximum of eight years of imprisonment with the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

They were also ordered to jointly or individually pay the government P11.377 million for each of the two secondhand helicopters found to have been illegally procured, or a total of P22.754 million for the two units.

Roderos was also found guilty of falsification of public documents under Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code. He was sentenced to four years and two months to up to eight years of imprisonment for the offense. He was also ordered to pay a fine of P5,000.

The cases stemmed from the PNP’s purchase of three helicopters from Manila Aerospace Products Trading Corp. in 2009, which included two standard Robinson R44 Raven I light police operational helicopters worth P62.672 million and one fully equipped Robinson R44 Raven II LPOH worth P42.313 million.

The ombudsman said a resolution issued by the National Police Commission in 2008 required that the three helicopters to be purchased by the PNP should be brand new.

In its investigation, the ombudsman revealed that only the Robinson R44 Raven II was brand new while the two Robinson R44 Raven I were pre-owned by former first gentleman Mike Arroyo, resulting in an overpayment of about P34 million.

The Sandiganbayan has sentenced four former officials of the Philippine National Police to up to eight years in prison for graft in connection with an allegedly anomalous PNP helicopter procurement in 2009.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1973843/qc-cop-wife-who-stole-government-issued-bikes-ordered-released

The Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office ordered the release of a police officer and his wife who were suspected of stealing and selling government-issued bicycles pending further investigation.

An inquest resolution from the Office of the City Prosecutor said the suspect, a police officer and his wife purportedly admitted to stealing and selling the government-issued bicycles leading to their arrest.

During the inquest proceeding, however, the prosecutor said arrest of the suspects cannot be considered a valid warrantless arrest.

“A judicious scrutiny of the facts of the instant case reveals that the respondents’ apprehension, arrest, and detention do not fall within the purview of a lawful warrantless arrest under Rule 113, Section 5 of the Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure to be a proper subject of inquest proceedings,” read the resolution.

Rule 113 Section 5 provides a list of situations when a warrantless arrest can be considered lawful such as when caught red handed, when the arresting person has personal knowledge of facts regarding the crime committed or when the arrested person is an escapee.

“Considering that this case is recommended to be referred for further investigation, the arresting officers are directed to release the respondents unless detained for a lawful cause,” the resolution also states.

The prosecutors added that there are also matters that need to be clarified by the police.

Seven government-issued mountain bikes worth P223,475 were discovered missing last August 2 at the headquarters of the Quezon City Police District in Camp Karingal.

Authorities conducted an investigation and found that the bikes were being sold by a certain Calvin Distor Santillan on Facebook Marketplace two days after they were discovered missing.

Santillan, however, told the police that the bikes had been sold to him by the police officer and his wife from July 28 onward, or days before they were discovered missing.

“Immediately thereafter, Santillan returned the said bikes to the complainant on 05 August 2024, and they were able to confirm that those were the same bikes missing from Camp Karingal,” according to the resolution.

The police officer and his wife reportedly admitted to taking the bikes and surrendered to the police on August 7. The next day, the police filed a theft complaint against the couple before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.

The Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office ordered the release of a police officer and his wife who were suspected of stealing and selling government-issued bicycles pending further investigation.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/8/19/another-graft-charge-filed-vs-pasig-city-mayor-vico-sotto

Pasig City Mayor Vico N. Sotto now has two graft complaints filed against him before the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB).

The graft charge that was received by the OMB last July 30 involved the receipt by Pasig City employees of commemmorative t-shirts instead of P1,500 cash allowance during the 2024 Araw ng Pasig celebration last July 2.

The complaint was received by the OMB last July 30.  Aside from Mayor Sotto, also charged in the complaint filed by Michelle Gonzales Prudencio were Human Resources Development Office (HRDO) Head Elvira R. Flores, City Administrator Jeronimo U. Manzanero, and Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Head Josephine C. Lati-Bagaoisan.

Aside from graft, Prudencio asked the OMB to charge Sotto and his group with violation of Republic Act No. 9184, the Government Procurement Reform Act 

Early this month, Mayor Sotto was also charged with graft before the OMB for allegedly giving a 100 percent tax discount to Converge ICT Solutions, Inc.

Also charged in the complaint filed by Ethelmart Austria Cruz were Business Permit and Licensing Department (BPLD) head Melanie B. De Mesa and City Administrator Manzanero.

Sotto and Manzarero were also charged with violations of Section 4 Paragraphs (a) and (b) of RA 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Employees. Complainant Cruz also wanted them held liable for the administrative offenses of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and dishonesty.

Prudencio's complaint stemmed from the issuance of Executive Order No. PCG-28, series of 2024 on June 27, which prescribed a grant of allowance worth P1,500 for every employee in Pasig City for the purpose of purchasing two commemorative shirts for the 2024 Araw ng Pasig celebration.

During the date of release that started on June 29, Prudencio alleged that employees were required to acknowledge the receipt of P1,500 cash allowance. However, the T-shirts employees received bore a design commemorating the "450th" Araw ng Pasig instead of the "452nd" anniversary design that was required for 2024, Prudencio also alleged..

Given the timeline for the t-shirt distribution, Prudencio said in her complaint that "it would have been physically and legally impossible for the purchase of the t-shirts to have undergone the proper procurement process as required by law."

"The timing of the issuance of the EO and the subsequent distribution of the t-shirts defies logic and reason. Even if the EO had provided for the distribution of t-shirts, which it did not, the procurement of these t-shirts failed to undergo the proper bidding process mandated by law," the complaint also stated.

"There was no advertisement or posting of any bid invitation for the procurement of the Araw ng Pasig t-shirts. This blatant disregard for the legal requirements of the procurement process suggests either gross negligence or intentional circumvention of established rules," it added.

Since the Pasig City failed to allot the proper timeline for the procurement and distribution of the t-shirts, Prudencio claimed there was a "blatant disregard" of the law and the respondents exhibited "gross incompetence or deliberate manipulation of the procurement process."

Another graft complaint has been filed against Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto this time in connection with the purchase of T-shirts. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1974347/village-exec-wife-slain-in-maguindanao-del-norte-gun-attack

A village chairperson and his wife were killed Sunday by still unidentified gunmen in Sultan Kudarat town, Maguindanao del Norte.

Esmael Mustapha, chairman of Barangay Bulibod, and his wife Rahima, the barangay secretary, were walking home from the town center when unidentified gunmen attacked them in an isolated spot of the village, about a kilometer away from the Cotabato East Diversion Road, where there were no streetlights,  said  Lieutenant Colonel Esmael Madin, Sultan Kudarat municipal police station chief.

The two village officials, who earlier joined the foundation day activities at the town gymnasium, had no armed escorts when attacked.

Police found several empty shells at the crime scene near the bodies of the victims.

A village chairperson and his wife were assassinated by unidentified gunmen in Sultan Kudarat town, Maguindanao del Norte.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/8/19/sk-chair-wounded-in-pangasinan-shooting

A Sangguniang Kabataan chairman was shot and wounded in Barangay Salomague Norte here on Saturday, August 17. 

Police identified the victim as Efren Cacdac dela Cruz, 23, resident of Barangay Salomague Norte.

Investigation said Dela Cruz was driving a motorcycle on his way home when a man onboard a bicycle hiding in a dark portion of the highway shot him several times.

The victim sustained bullet wounds and taken by barangay officials to a hospital.

Recovered at the crime scene were eight empty caliber 9mm shells.

The suspect who was wearing a black jacket and black pants fled towards the town of Aguilar, Pangasinan.

A Sangguniang Kabataan chairman was shot and wounded in Barangay Salomague Norte.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1974527/village-chair-shot-dead-in-sultan-kudarat-province

A village official was shot dead by a still unidentified gunman here about 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, police said.

Lt. Colonel Julius Malcontento, Isulan municipal police station chief, said Amado Serra, 62, the barangay chairperson of Barangay Laguilayan, Isulan town, was driving his sedan on the way to Purok 7, Barangay Laguilayan when shot by one of two gunmen on board a motorbike.

Physicians, however, declared Serra dead at the hospital due to the multiple gunshot wounds on his body.

Another barnagay chairman has been assassinated by an unknown gunman. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/8/20/graft-charge-filed-vs-comelec-officials-on-p18-b-contract-with-miru-systems-for-2025-automated-elections

A graft complaint has been filed against Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia and seven other poll officials before the Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday, August 20, in connection with the P18-billion contract awarded to South Korean firm Miru Systems for the 2025 automated elections.

Also charged were Comelec Electoral Contest and Adjudication Department Director IV Allen Francis B. Abaya, Education and Information Department Director IV John Rex C. Laudiangco, Election and Information Department Director IV Divina E. Blas-Perez, Assistant Regional Election Director Jovencio G. Balanquit, Education and Information Department Director III Abigail Claire C. Llacuna, Election Records and Statistics Department Director IV Celia B. Romero, and Political Affairs and Finance Department Head Efraim Q. Bag-id.

The complainant, former Caloocan congressman Edgar "Egay" Erice, wanted to hold the Comelec officials accountable for purchasing another set of vote-counting machines (VCMs) even though the ones it earlier purchased from Smartmatic during the 2010 and 2013 elections can be replaced free of charge.

Comelec Commissioner Rey Bulay proposed on March 27, 2023 that the VCMs purchased from Smartmatic be declared "unserviceable," and his proposal was approved on March 29. This caused Comelec to execute a contract agreement with Miru on March 11, 2024 for the lease of VCMs and other election paraphernalia needed for the Full Automation System with Transparency Audit/Count (FASTrAC) project.

Erice said in his complaint that the warranty provided in the contract between Comelec and Smartmatic should have covered the "unserviceable" VCMs and there was no need for Comelec to enter into a new contract with Miru.

"The VCMs declared unserviceable were still covered by a warranty, hence may be replaced free-of-charge. Chairman Garcia acted with manifest partiality when he decided to unilaterally abandon Comelec's contract with Smartmatic and award the FASTrAC project in favor of Miru," Erice alleged. 

Erice also claimed that Miru made "misrepresentations" when it presented itself as being in a joint venture when it placed its bid for the FASTrAC project, since it was not such. The fact that Garcia and the special bids and awards committee for automated election systems (SBAC-AES) declared Miru as post-qualified showed the "favor" they gave the company,he futher alleged.

"The government already spent for the acquisition of the VCMs from Smartmatic and spent again for the refurbishment of the same VCMs. With the FASTrAC project, Chairman Garcia made the government spend again for lease of VCMs despite the government already having functioning VCMs," Erice's complaint stated. 

"Even if the Smartmatic VCMs were unserviceable, the government need not spend again for the lease of another set of machines when the purportedly unserviceable VCMs can be replaced free of charge," it added.

A graft complaint has been filed against Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia and seven other poll officials before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the P18-billion contract awarded to South Korean firm Miru Systems for the 2025 automated elections.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/591088/mandaue-city-mayor-jonas-cortes-suspended-for-1-year

Another local chief executive in Cebu has been placed under suspension by the state’s anti-graft investigating body.

The Office of the Ombudsman meted a one-year suspension against Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes for grave misconduct.

The case stemmed over cases lodged against Cortes accusing him of illegal appointment within the Mandaue City Government.

The suspension made against Cortes came just a month after he belied similar rumors in July. Cortes is the second elected official the Ombudsman has placed under suspension.

The Mandaue City Mayor has been suspended for a year as he is being investigated over grave misconduct for making an illegal appointment. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1974766/marikina-mayor-three-others-face-technical-malversation-rap

Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro and three other city officials are facing a technical malversation complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman for reportedly misallocating P130 million in Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) funds.

Marikina resident Sofronio Dulay filed a criminal complaint for violation of Article 220 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) and an administrative case for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service against Teodoro, City Accountant Erlinda Gutierrez Gonzales, City Treasurer Nerissa Calvez San Miguel, and Assistant City Budget Officer Jason Rodriguez Nepomuceno last May 15.

Based on a copy of the complaint Dulay released on Tuesday, the four were accused of misusing PhilHealth payments meant for health system improvements under the Universal Health Care Act.

Dulay’s complaint disclosed that Teodoro and the others passed City Ordinance No. 066, Series of 2023, and City Ordinance No. 002, Series of 2024, which allocates P130 million to various budgetary items in Marikina.

Dulay claimed that the four reportedly allocated the money (P130 million) on “IT equipment, repair and maintenance of infrastructure and/or donations,” amounting to P35,250,000, while the remaining fund P94,750,000 were used for “other supplies and materials expense.”

According to the complainant, the passage of the city ordinances mentioned above violated the provision of Republic Act 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act.

In response to this, the four submitted a joint counter-affidavit last month, wherein they “strongly deny all the allegations in the complaint as nothing but a mere product of misapprehension and misunderstanding of the facts” concerning the P130 million PhilHealth reimbursement received by Marikina City.

Teodoro and the others claimed that elements of technical malversation under Article 220 of the RPC are not present in the case.

“It is clear that for technical malversation to exist, it is necessary that public funds or properties had been diverted to other public use other than that provided for by law or ordinance, and when funds were not earmarked for a particular project, there is no technical malversation,” the document reads.

“In this case, the complainant did not present any evidence proving that the subject P130,000,000 was indeed applied for other purpose,” it adds.

The respondents also disclosed that the PhilHealth fund remains “intact and fully accounted for.”

Using the same argument, Teodoro and the others claimed that they “did not commit any act constituting grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.”

Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro and three other city officials are facing a technical malversation complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman for reportedly misallocating P130 million in Philippine Health Insurance Corporation funds.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1958354/iloilo-city-mayor-faces-rap-over-market-demolition

A complaint related to the demolition of the historic Iloilo City public market, popularly known as Central Market, and its art deco facade was filed against Mayor Jerry Treñas on Thursday.

Jose Nereo Lujan, chief information officer of the Iloilo provincial government, through a complaint, asked the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas to hold Treñas liable for grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, conduct unbecoming and conduct prejudicial to the public interest.

Lujan’s complaint came more than a month after Treñas sued him for cyberlibel for allegedly maligning the mayor and his family about the legality of demolishing the Central Market and other issues.

Sought for comment, Treñas maintained that the demolition of the historic structures was legal and implemented in accordance with Republic Act No. 11966, or the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Act.

“I cannot give a [detailed] statement until I see the complaint. I have always done everything legally in accordance with the PPP law,” he said.

The Central Market was demolished in February under a PPP between the city government and a major property developer.

In his complaint, Lujan said the market’s art deco facade was a protected heritage structure under National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Resolution No. 3 Series of 2014.

The Central Market, he said, is classified as an “important cultural property” and is among the 32 buildings in Iloilo City recognized for their historical value, being over 50 years old.

The Iloilo City Public Market was opened to the public on Jan. 15, 1912, while the art deco facade was put up in 1938.

The market was a popular destination for both residents and tourists with its array of stalls offering not only fresh produce but also native products, “pasalubong” (gifts), traditional medicine, local coffee, condiments, baked goods, and affordable meals.

The NHCP had designated the Central Market as a Cultural Tourism Heritage Zone in 2013 and a Historic Center in 2014.

Under Section 5 of RA 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, the Central Market’s facade is presumed to be an important cultural property, due to its existence of more than 50 years.

But the same provision allows the city government, as property owner, to file a petition to remove such presumption, and Section 8 of the same law also provides for the delisting process, which will ultimately allow for its demolition.

A letter from then NHCP Chair Rene Escalante, dated Feb. 20, 2023, showed that the commission was amenable to the development plans for the Central Market.

The letter, however, did not indicate the demolition of its facade or whether the commission approved it.

Different groups, as early as 2022, had sought to stop the planned demolition of the Central Market, citing concerns over alternative preservation methods.

A complaint related to the demolition of the historic Iloilo City public market, popularly known as Central Market, and its art deco facade was filed against Mayor Jerry Treñas.