By Ronron
April 29, 2005
Anticipating a surge of people who will take the streets on May 1 in celebration of the Labor Day, the Philippine police and military command in Metro Manila will go on full alert beginning noon today (Saturday) to secure the metropolis.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will be activating its Task Force Metro Manila Shield in preparation for the expected mass activities tomorrow (Sunday), while the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) – National Capitol Region Command (NCRC) will put on stand by its land component, composed of three battalions, and its Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) battalion, for the same reason.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. will serve as overall commander of the PNP Task Force.
“The Task Force will implement security measures in close coordination with the NRC Command of the (AFP) to contain illegal assemblies, unruly mass actions, and other forms of civil disturbance,” the PNP statement said.
AFP-NCRC Public Information Officer Capt. Ramon Zagala said the military team will just await the PNP’s request for augmentation as its land component and CDM battalion will be prepared for deployment all over Metro Manila, particularly in Malacañang Palace.
“If the situation calls for it, we are ready to complement,” Zagala said.
While Razon had said the PNP might implement its full alert status until May 2, Zagala said the military counterpart only plans to put it in effect until evening of May 1. But should there be a need to extend it, Zagala said they are prepared to do so.
Various groups, including labor organizations, militant groups, supporters of former President Joseph Estrada and his close friend and former Presidential candidate Fernando Poe, Jr., and other groups critical to the Arroyo administration, are expected to mass up from Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila to Liwasang Bonifacio, also in Manila City, to air their grievances against the present government.
The rallyists, vowing to gather at least 50,000 individuals, had already promised they will hold their protest actions peacefully.
But the authorities are not automatically taking their word for it, saying it will even put up preventive security measures to prevent criminal and terrorist elements from taking advantage of the peaceful observance of Labor Day.
The PNP leadership has yet to receive reports of any direct or specific threat from any group or organization in connection with tomorrow’s activities./DMS
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Friday, April 29, 2005
AFP chief hints of “approval” of graft charge vs. Santiago
By Ronron
April 28, 2005
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Efren Abu hinted on Thursday his “approval” on the recommendation of military investigators to charge former AFP Chief Gen. Dionisio Santiago of graft-related cases at the Ombudsman.
In a chance interview, Abu told reporters that his job as far as matters concerning the AFP’s Office of Ethical Standards and Public Accountability (OESPA) is “ministerial.”
The OESPA has forwarded to Abu last March 21 its recommendation to refer Santiago’s case to the Office of the Ombudsman for preliminary investigation.
Military investigators have concluded that Santiago, who is now a director at the Dangerous Drugs Board, violated Articles of War 95 (Frauds Against the Government) in relation to Section 3 (e) and (g) of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).
The case stemmed from Santiago’s mistake of depositing an eight-million peso check intended for the renovation of the AFP Commissioned Officers Country (AFPCOC) swimming pool to his personal bank account after his retirement.
Santiago deposited the check in June 2003, almost two months since he retired on April 8, 2003.
“It’s already up to the Ombudsman who is tasked to investigate the case,” Abu said.
Asked if he will be forwarding soon the case, the AFP chief replied: “That is what’s going to happen. We’re already outside of it.”/DMS
April 28, 2005
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Efren Abu hinted on Thursday his “approval” on the recommendation of military investigators to charge former AFP Chief Gen. Dionisio Santiago of graft-related cases at the Ombudsman.
In a chance interview, Abu told reporters that his job as far as matters concerning the AFP’s Office of Ethical Standards and Public Accountability (OESPA) is “ministerial.”
The OESPA has forwarded to Abu last March 21 its recommendation to refer Santiago’s case to the Office of the Ombudsman for preliminary investigation.
Military investigators have concluded that Santiago, who is now a director at the Dangerous Drugs Board, violated Articles of War 95 (Frauds Against the Government) in relation to Section 3 (e) and (g) of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).
The case stemmed from Santiago’s mistake of depositing an eight-million peso check intended for the renovation of the AFP Commissioned Officers Country (AFPCOC) swimming pool to his personal bank account after his retirement.
Santiago deposited the check in June 2003, almost two months since he retired on April 8, 2003.
“It’s already up to the Ombudsman who is tasked to investigate the case,” Abu said.
Asked if he will be forwarding soon the case, the AFP chief replied: “That is what’s going to happen. We’re already outside of it.”/DMS
6 injured in grenade blast in Muntinlupa City
By Ronron
April 28, 2005
Six persons were injured in a grenade explosion Wednesday night in Barangay Putatan, Muntinlupa City.
Based on a report by Muntinlupa City Police Chief S/Supt. Roberto Rongavilla, the incident happened at around 6:20 pm at the corner of Estanislao St. and National Road of said village.
Witnesses said a 25-year-old lady, by the name of Rachel de Vera, handed the MK2 atis-type grenade to Ramon Borja, 52, a resident of the same village, while the latter was on board his KIA Pregio LS vehicle with plate number WAH-870.
Borja apparently is the target of de Vera in retaliation to the qualified theft case filed by the victim against the suspect. Initial investigation revealed that de Vera used to work for Borja, who is a retailer of newspapers.
As a result, Borja was severely injured, together with five bystanders.
The other casualties were identified as Efren Reyes, 28; Rene Malvas, 47; Noel Palma, 32; Harlan Medina, 36; and Mario Fernandez, 79.
All victims were brought the Muntinlupa Medical Center for treatment.
Police is now hunting de Vera./DMS
April 28, 2005
Six persons were injured in a grenade explosion Wednesday night in Barangay Putatan, Muntinlupa City.
Based on a report by Muntinlupa City Police Chief S/Supt. Roberto Rongavilla, the incident happened at around 6:20 pm at the corner of Estanislao St. and National Road of said village.
Witnesses said a 25-year-old lady, by the name of Rachel de Vera, handed the MK2 atis-type grenade to Ramon Borja, 52, a resident of the same village, while the latter was on board his KIA Pregio LS vehicle with plate number WAH-870.
Borja apparently is the target of de Vera in retaliation to the qualified theft case filed by the victim against the suspect. Initial investigation revealed that de Vera used to work for Borja, who is a retailer of newspapers.
As a result, Borja was severely injured, together with five bystanders.
The other casualties were identified as Efren Reyes, 28; Rene Malvas, 47; Noel Palma, 32; Harlan Medina, 36; and Mario Fernandez, 79.
All victims were brought the Muntinlupa Medical Center for treatment.
Police is now hunting de Vera./DMS
9 feared dead in military chopper crash in N. Ecija
By Ronron
April 28, 2005
Nine persons, including the former Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) director, are feared dead already after the military chopper they were riding crashed Thursday morning in a remote and mountainous area in Gabaldon town, Nueva Ecija.
Philippine Air Force (PAF) spokesperson Lt. Col. Restituto Padilla said the team, composed of four PAF personnel and five others from the PHIVOLCS and the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), were “on mission to conduct aerial ocular inspection” in Dingalan town, Aurora province when the accident happened at around 10:47 am at Mt. Namat, Barangay Ligaya, Gabaldon.
Former PHIVOLCS Director Raymundo Punongbayan, now Governor of the PNRC, was among the passengers.
“The immediate activity (of the team) would be to assess the potential of additional landslides in the area (Dangalan) which happened last year because of strong rains and for the coming rains,” incumbent PHIVOLCS Director Renato Solidum said.
According to Padilla, the UH-1H chopper, piloted by 1Lt. Reynaldo Garrodias, took off from Villamor Airbase in Pasay City at 6:58 am yesterday. It arrived at Fort Magsaysay, Nueval Ecija for a “gas up” at 7:40 am. Then, it flew again at 8:41 am heading towards Dingalan.
Gabaldon Municipal Police Station Chief Sr./Insp. Pablo Cruz claimed of seeing four dead bodies at the crash site, two of whom were wearing PAF uniforms while the two others were charred beyond recognition.
He also described the chopper to be in total wreck, showing signs that it exploded when it crashed.
Cruz disclosed that the crash site is woody and is about 50 meters away from the nearest residential area.
“We are still investigating the cause of the accident. And even if there is no indication of an environmental factor, we are not discounting that possibility,” Padilla said.
Senator Richard Gordon, Chairman of the PNRC, said the mission was organized by the PNRC, in coordination with PHIVOLCS, “to confirm the reported danger on Dingalan Bay.”
“We went there last week and we saw stones, trees and debris already near the villages… Gov. Punongbayan went back there a few days after for an ocular inspection and submitted to me a report about it. In that report, he asked for an aerial survey to confirm his initial report,” Gordon said.
The senator said the former PHIVOLCS director was “really enthusiastic about the aerial survey” because he wanted to make sure that the evacuation or relocation site for the victims in last year’s tragedy in Aurora and its neighboring provinces is safe.
Solidum identified the other passengers as Dr. Norman Tungol, Chief of the PHIVOLCS Geology and Geophysics Research division; Dr. Jessie Daligdig, a scientist from the Department of Science and Technology; Dindo Javier, and Orlando Abengoza, both staff members of PHIVOLCS tasked to document the mission.
The other PAF crew, meanwhile, were also identified as 1Lt. Jason Salazar (co-pilot), S/Sgt. Edgar Ramolete, and S/Sgt. Wilbert Tacatac.
The PAF sent three Huey helicopters to the site to conduct search and recovery operations./DMS
UPDATE ON CHOPPER CRASH
According to Lt. Col. Restituto Padilla, Air Force spokesperson, all nine passengers died in the crash. But only six or seven bodies were retrieved intact. Nonetheless, authorities are already convinced that the rest perished as well becasue it was impossible to survive in said accident. These bodies arrived at the Villamor Airbase at past 5pm.
The retrieval operations at the crash site was also called off already at 6pm since they could no longer see any body. At the moment, Padilla does not know yet whether or not it will resume tomorrow.
Padilla also disclosed that the aerial mission was supposed to last for a day. The crash happened while the team was conducting the aerial survey./DMS
UPDATE/CORRECTIONS
Two of the recovered bodies have already been identified to be that of 1Lt. Reynaldo Gerodias and Sgt. Wilbert Tacata.
The six-member investigating team is headed by Col. Eusaquito Manalo, Director, Air Force Safety Office.
The Huey is the AFP's workhorse for its operations: ferrying troops and supplies in conflict areas and evacuating combat casualties. The chopper's versatility extends to disaster relief and other mercy missions, such as those conducted during the flooding in Quezon and Aurora provinces last November and December 2004.
The Huey 324 is one of the 8 (not five as initially stated) received by the PAF from the United States under its Excess Defense Article (EDA) Program in January 2002. The aircraft sustained damage after landing hard during a training sortie in August 2003 but was put back in commission in May 2004 after a thorough structural repair. The helicopter is operated by the 207th Tactical Helicopter Squadron of the 205th Helicopter Wing based in Villamor Airbase.
April 28, 2005
Nine persons, including the former Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) director, are feared dead already after the military chopper they were riding crashed Thursday morning in a remote and mountainous area in Gabaldon town, Nueva Ecija.
Philippine Air Force (PAF) spokesperson Lt. Col. Restituto Padilla said the team, composed of four PAF personnel and five others from the PHIVOLCS and the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), were “on mission to conduct aerial ocular inspection” in Dingalan town, Aurora province when the accident happened at around 10:47 am at Mt. Namat, Barangay Ligaya, Gabaldon.
Former PHIVOLCS Director Raymundo Punongbayan, now Governor of the PNRC, was among the passengers.
“The immediate activity (of the team) would be to assess the potential of additional landslides in the area (Dangalan) which happened last year because of strong rains and for the coming rains,” incumbent PHIVOLCS Director Renato Solidum said.
According to Padilla, the UH-1H chopper, piloted by 1Lt. Reynaldo Garrodias, took off from Villamor Airbase in Pasay City at 6:58 am yesterday. It arrived at Fort Magsaysay, Nueval Ecija for a “gas up” at 7:40 am. Then, it flew again at 8:41 am heading towards Dingalan.
Gabaldon Municipal Police Station Chief Sr./Insp. Pablo Cruz claimed of seeing four dead bodies at the crash site, two of whom were wearing PAF uniforms while the two others were charred beyond recognition.
He also described the chopper to be in total wreck, showing signs that it exploded when it crashed.
Cruz disclosed that the crash site is woody and is about 50 meters away from the nearest residential area.
“We are still investigating the cause of the accident. And even if there is no indication of an environmental factor, we are not discounting that possibility,” Padilla said.
Senator Richard Gordon, Chairman of the PNRC, said the mission was organized by the PNRC, in coordination with PHIVOLCS, “to confirm the reported danger on Dingalan Bay.”
“We went there last week and we saw stones, trees and debris already near the villages… Gov. Punongbayan went back there a few days after for an ocular inspection and submitted to me a report about it. In that report, he asked for an aerial survey to confirm his initial report,” Gordon said.
The senator said the former PHIVOLCS director was “really enthusiastic about the aerial survey” because he wanted to make sure that the evacuation or relocation site for the victims in last year’s tragedy in Aurora and its neighboring provinces is safe.
Solidum identified the other passengers as Dr. Norman Tungol, Chief of the PHIVOLCS Geology and Geophysics Research division; Dr. Jessie Daligdig, a scientist from the Department of Science and Technology; Dindo Javier, and Orlando Abengoza, both staff members of PHIVOLCS tasked to document the mission.
The other PAF crew, meanwhile, were also identified as 1Lt. Jason Salazar (co-pilot), S/Sgt. Edgar Ramolete, and S/Sgt. Wilbert Tacatac.
The PAF sent three Huey helicopters to the site to conduct search and recovery operations./DMS
UPDATE ON CHOPPER CRASH
According to Lt. Col. Restituto Padilla, Air Force spokesperson, all nine passengers died in the crash. But only six or seven bodies were retrieved intact. Nonetheless, authorities are already convinced that the rest perished as well becasue it was impossible to survive in said accident. These bodies arrived at the Villamor Airbase at past 5pm.
The retrieval operations at the crash site was also called off already at 6pm since they could no longer see any body. At the moment, Padilla does not know yet whether or not it will resume tomorrow.
Padilla also disclosed that the aerial mission was supposed to last for a day. The crash happened while the team was conducting the aerial survey./DMS
UPDATE/CORRECTIONS
Two of the recovered bodies have already been identified to be that of 1Lt. Reynaldo Gerodias and Sgt. Wilbert Tacata.
The six-member investigating team is headed by Col. Eusaquito Manalo, Director, Air Force Safety Office.
The Huey is the AFP's workhorse for its operations: ferrying troops and supplies in conflict areas and evacuating combat casualties. The chopper's versatility extends to disaster relief and other mercy missions, such as those conducted during the flooding in Quezon and Aurora provinces last November and December 2004.
The Huey 324 is one of the 8 (not five as initially stated) received by the PAF from the United States under its Excess Defense Article (EDA) Program in January 2002. The aircraft sustained damage after landing hard during a training sortie in August 2003 but was put back in commission in May 2004 after a thorough structural repair. The helicopter is operated by the 207th Tactical Helicopter Squadron of the 205th Helicopter Wing based in Villamor Airbase.
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Military retirees welcome initial release of P300 million for them
By Ronron
April 27, 2005
Retired Maj. Gen. Fortunato Abat of the Federation of Retired Commissioned and Enlisted Soldiers (FORCES) welcomed on Wednesday the instruction of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to release P300 million for the military retirees.
“We will accept that but there should be an agreement between the veterans and the government for the remainder of the claims. And they should agree that a writ of execution be made before a court for them (government) to fulfill their commitment,” Abat said in an interview.
Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz announced yesterday in Malacanang that Arroyo has approved the release to the Department of National Defense by June of this year a total of about P300 million for the retirees’ pensions and other benefits.
FORCES, along with the Young Enlisted Soldiers with Active and Retired Military for Solidarity (YES ARMS) and the Generals for the Constitution, is spearheading the crusade of some 300,000 military and police retirees for the payment of their pension and other benefits amounting to P17 billion.
Abat specifically pointed out that part of the agreement should state that government will pay the balance of the P17 billion in three tranches until 2009./DMS
April 27, 2005
Retired Maj. Gen. Fortunato Abat of the Federation of Retired Commissioned and Enlisted Soldiers (FORCES) welcomed on Wednesday the instruction of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to release P300 million for the military retirees.
“We will accept that but there should be an agreement between the veterans and the government for the remainder of the claims. And they should agree that a writ of execution be made before a court for them (government) to fulfill their commitment,” Abat said in an interview.
Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz announced yesterday in Malacanang that Arroyo has approved the release to the Department of National Defense by June of this year a total of about P300 million for the retirees’ pensions and other benefits.
FORCES, along with the Young Enlisted Soldiers with Active and Retired Military for Solidarity (YES ARMS) and the Generals for the Constitution, is spearheading the crusade of some 300,000 military and police retirees for the payment of their pension and other benefits amounting to P17 billion.
Abat specifically pointed out that part of the agreement should state that government will pay the balance of the P17 billion in three tranches until 2009./DMS
Former AFP chief probed for graft
By Ronron
April 27, 2005
Former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Dionisio Santiago was found by military investigators to have violated the anti-graft practices law by depositing an eight-million peso check intended for an AFP project to his personal bank account two years ago.
In a report, the AFP Office of Ethical Standards and Public Accountability (OESPA) said Santiago, now a director at the Dangerous Drugs Board under the Department of Interior and Local Government, violated Articles of War 95 (Frauds Against the Government) in relation to Section 3 (e) and (g) of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) “for allegedly defrauding the government when he kept the check and deposited the same to his account after his retirement.”
The AFP Commissioned Officers Country (AFPCOC) issued in March 2003 an eight-million peso check (Centennial Bank, check number 0000530806) payable to the Armed Forces of the Philippines c/o the Chief of Staff for the renovation costs of the AFPCOC swimming pool.
Santiago, who is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class 1970, served as AFP Chief of Staff from November 28, 2002 up to April 8, 2003.
Based on the investigation, Santiago deposited the said eight-million peso check to his account at the Centennial Bank Central Office on June 2, 2003, or almost two months after his retirement.
Santiago, in his letter dated February 24, 2005 addressed to OESPA chief Vice Admiral Ariston de los Reyes, admitted “it was his mistake to hold on the money and paid the contractor by himself to ensure completion of the project.”
The renovation of the AFPCOC swimming pool was approved on September 3, 2003. It was not immediately known however when it was completed and how much expenses it incurred.
But Santiago maintained that there was nothing anomalous on the improvements made on the swimming pool. “Based on the advice of his staff, the non-appropriated funds of AFPCOC was used for the improvements of the said swimming pool,” the investigators quoted Santiago’s admission.
Investigators revealed that Santiago only refunded the eight-million peso amount on February 21, 2005 through his counsel.
“Although the contractor refunded the amount to AFPCOC, the offense was already consummated,” the investigators concluded, citing a Supreme Court ruling in a previous case that stated: “the return of the money was merely a mitigating circumstance. It can not exempt him from criminal liability.”
The OESPA submitted last March 21 of this year to AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Efren Abu its recommendation that Santiago’s case be referred to the Office of the Ombudsman for the conduct of a preliminary investigation.
Up to this date, Abu has yet to act on the recommendation.
Should Abu approve to refer the case to the Ombudsman, Santiago would be the second AFP chief who would be subjected to a probe in relation to graft, next to retired Gen. Lisandro Abadia./DMS
April 27, 2005
Former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Dionisio Santiago was found by military investigators to have violated the anti-graft practices law by depositing an eight-million peso check intended for an AFP project to his personal bank account two years ago.
In a report, the AFP Office of Ethical Standards and Public Accountability (OESPA) said Santiago, now a director at the Dangerous Drugs Board under the Department of Interior and Local Government, violated Articles of War 95 (Frauds Against the Government) in relation to Section 3 (e) and (g) of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) “for allegedly defrauding the government when he kept the check and deposited the same to his account after his retirement.”
The AFP Commissioned Officers Country (AFPCOC) issued in March 2003 an eight-million peso check (Centennial Bank, check number 0000530806) payable to the Armed Forces of the Philippines c/o the Chief of Staff for the renovation costs of the AFPCOC swimming pool.
Santiago, who is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class 1970, served as AFP Chief of Staff from November 28, 2002 up to April 8, 2003.
Based on the investigation, Santiago deposited the said eight-million peso check to his account at the Centennial Bank Central Office on June 2, 2003, or almost two months after his retirement.
Santiago, in his letter dated February 24, 2005 addressed to OESPA chief Vice Admiral Ariston de los Reyes, admitted “it was his mistake to hold on the money and paid the contractor by himself to ensure completion of the project.”
The renovation of the AFPCOC swimming pool was approved on September 3, 2003. It was not immediately known however when it was completed and how much expenses it incurred.
But Santiago maintained that there was nothing anomalous on the improvements made on the swimming pool. “Based on the advice of his staff, the non-appropriated funds of AFPCOC was used for the improvements of the said swimming pool,” the investigators quoted Santiago’s admission.
Investigators revealed that Santiago only refunded the eight-million peso amount on February 21, 2005 through his counsel.
“Although the contractor refunded the amount to AFPCOC, the offense was already consummated,” the investigators concluded, citing a Supreme Court ruling in a previous case that stated: “the return of the money was merely a mitigating circumstance. It can not exempt him from criminal liability.”
The OESPA submitted last March 21 of this year to AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Efren Abu its recommendation that Santiago’s case be referred to the Office of the Ombudsman for the conduct of a preliminary investigation.
Up to this date, Abu has yet to act on the recommendation.
Should Abu approve to refer the case to the Ombudsman, Santiago would be the second AFP chief who would be subjected to a probe in relation to graft, next to retired Gen. Lisandro Abadia./DMS
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
3 communist rebels killed in fresh encounter vs. PNP elements in Bulacan
By Ronron
April 25, 2005
Three members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in an encounter Monday morning in San Rafael Town, Bulacan, against members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), an official said yesterday.
In a phone interview, PNP Region III Director C/Supt. Rowland Albano said the fatalities, whose bodies were recovered but yet to be identified, were among the more or less 20 rebels that government troopers clashed with in Barangay San Roque of said town at around 6:30 am yesterday.
Pursuing members of the 306th Provincial Police Mobile Group, headed by Supt. Edgar Manuel, also recovered three M16 rifles from the fleeing rebels.
The encounter, Albano said, was a result of the pursuit operations that government troopers launched against the communist rebels following Sunday’s encounter in neighboring San Miguel town.
Six NPA members and two policemen were killed during last weekend’s skirmish.
Albano said the fleeing rebels in yesterday’s encounter were already being pursued by government troopers towards the Dona Remedios Trinidad town direction./DMS
April 25, 2005
Three members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in an encounter Monday morning in San Rafael Town, Bulacan, against members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), an official said yesterday.
In a phone interview, PNP Region III Director C/Supt. Rowland Albano said the fatalities, whose bodies were recovered but yet to be identified, were among the more or less 20 rebels that government troopers clashed with in Barangay San Roque of said town at around 6:30 am yesterday.
Pursuing members of the 306th Provincial Police Mobile Group, headed by Supt. Edgar Manuel, also recovered three M16 rifles from the fleeing rebels.
The encounter, Albano said, was a result of the pursuit operations that government troopers launched against the communist rebels following Sunday’s encounter in neighboring San Miguel town.
Six NPA members and two policemen were killed during last weekend’s skirmish.
Albano said the fleeing rebels in yesterday’s encounter were already being pursued by government troopers towards the Dona Remedios Trinidad town direction./DMS
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