By Ronron
June 15, 2007
Within a 30-minute interval, two Weena Bus units were bombed in Mindanao late Friday afternoon, leaving five people killed and seven others wounded.
The first bomb went off at around 5:30 pm at the Weena Bus terminal in Cotabato City, said city police director Sr. Supt. Paniares Adap.
The explosion happened inside a bus that had just arrived from Davao City.
There were no casualties reported because the passengers had already alighted.
“It was caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that was left inside the bus by an unidentified passenger,” Adap said in a phone interview.
Adap could not immediately describe the extent of the damage.
Meanwhile, at 6pm, a separate blast hit a Weena Bus unit at Bansalan town in Davao del Sur province.
The ill-fated bus, with body number 1104, came from Cotabato City and was heading for Davao City, said Davao del Sur provincial police director Sr. Supt. Anselmo Pinili in a separate phone interview.
“The reports I received is that nine people died while five others are wounded and were immediately taken to the hospital,” Pinili said.
Bansalan Police chief Sr. Insp. Sherwin Butil said later that only five are confirmed dead and seven others are wounded in the blast.
Butil said the bomb went off immediately after it was taken outside of the bus by the conductor.
A police report from the Police Regional Office 11 said two of the fatalities died on the spot.
Pinili said the blast was also caused by an IED that was left behind by the suspect/s.
Asked for the motive, Pinili said: “This could be partly extortion, and partly terrorism. We still have to investigate further.”
Pinili said he is aware that the owner of the Weena Bus company has been receiving extortion demands from unidentified local criminals.
Asked if the two incidents are related, Adap said: “We still don’t know. We will determine that as the investigation prospers.”
Last Friday, a bus that is affiliated with Weena was also bombed in Matalam, North Cotabato, hurting 10 people.
On May 18, a Weena Bus was also blown off at the Weena Bus Terminal in Cotabato City, killing at least one person and wounding over 30 others.
Investigators on these two earlier bombings were eyeing more on the extortion angle as against terrorism because of the bus owner’s admission that they have been receiving extortion demands from unidentified persons./DMS
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Feb 2006 coup plotters elated over Trillanes’ proclamation as Senator
By Ronron
June 15, 2007
Some members of the group of military officers charged over the alleged coup plot in February 2006 are elated over the proclamation yesterday of resigned Navy Lt. Sr. Grade Antonio Trillanes as Senator of the Philippines.
During the court martial proceedings yesterday at Tanay, Rizal, accused Marine Col. Ariel Querubin gave a thumbs-up sign when asked of his feelings towards the successful senatorial bid of Trillanes, who is also a rebel soldier.
“That’s good! He deserves to win,” Querubin told reporters in Filipino.
Asked if he voted for Trillanes, who is part of the core leaders of the 2003 Oakwood mutiny in Makati City, Querubin answered in the negative, saying he and his fellow 27 accused were not allowed to cast their vote.
For his part, Marine Lt. Col. Achilles Segumalian wished Trillanes “good luck” in the performance of his job as lawmaker.
“God bless and serve the Filipino well,” Segumalian said when asked of his message for Trillanes.
Querubin and Segumalian are accused, along with former Marine Commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda and Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, of plotting to overthrow the Arroyo government last February 24, 2006.
The group of Marines and Scout Ranger officers allegedly allied with rightists, members of the opposition, and communist rebels in their coup plot.
During yesterday’s proceedings, the defense lawyers also manifested their share of the nation’s delight in the proclamation of Trillanes as Senator despite his being in jail by bringing up the matter in their arguments.
Atty. Abraham Espejo, lawyer for accused Lt. Col. Nestor Flordeliza, Lt. Col. Edmundo Malabanjot, and 1Lt. Richiemel Caballes, said that with victory of Trillanes, “we will not be surprised to have Miranda, Lim, or Querubin in the next Senate.”
Espejo made the statement when he asked the court to suspend the proceedings yesterday since four of the 28 accused are absent due to illness.
Although out of line, the lawyer initially said: “A few minutes ago, Mr. Trillanes was proclaimed as Senator of the Philippines. You can see where the winds of change are blowing. It’s probable the opposition will take power.”
He was then quick to relate the issue to his motion by saying that it appears the court is railroading the case out of pressure from the present administration.
“You should stop this persecution. In fact, these accused could become heroes in the next administration,” Espejo said.
The military prosecution has accused the defense lawyers of delaying the case by continuously causing the suspension of hearings.
Military prosecutor Lt. Col. Jose Feliciano Loy suspect that the defense is doing it to reach the second year mark of the commission of the crime in February next year, thereby invoking the prescription rule which means, the case can be dismissed if the accused are not arraigned within two years from the alleged offense is committed.
The court martial hearing the alleged coup plotters was created in November last year, while the first hearing happened on December 14, 2006.
Until yesterday, the accused have yet to be arraigned./DMS
June 15, 2007
Some members of the group of military officers charged over the alleged coup plot in February 2006 are elated over the proclamation yesterday of resigned Navy Lt. Sr. Grade Antonio Trillanes as Senator of the Philippines.
During the court martial proceedings yesterday at Tanay, Rizal, accused Marine Col. Ariel Querubin gave a thumbs-up sign when asked of his feelings towards the successful senatorial bid of Trillanes, who is also a rebel soldier.
“That’s good! He deserves to win,” Querubin told reporters in Filipino.
Asked if he voted for Trillanes, who is part of the core leaders of the 2003 Oakwood mutiny in Makati City, Querubin answered in the negative, saying he and his fellow 27 accused were not allowed to cast their vote.
For his part, Marine Lt. Col. Achilles Segumalian wished Trillanes “good luck” in the performance of his job as lawmaker.
“God bless and serve the Filipino well,” Segumalian said when asked of his message for Trillanes.
Querubin and Segumalian are accused, along with former Marine Commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda and Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, of plotting to overthrow the Arroyo government last February 24, 2006.
The group of Marines and Scout Ranger officers allegedly allied with rightists, members of the opposition, and communist rebels in their coup plot.
During yesterday’s proceedings, the defense lawyers also manifested their share of the nation’s delight in the proclamation of Trillanes as Senator despite his being in jail by bringing up the matter in their arguments.
Atty. Abraham Espejo, lawyer for accused Lt. Col. Nestor Flordeliza, Lt. Col. Edmundo Malabanjot, and 1Lt. Richiemel Caballes, said that with victory of Trillanes, “we will not be surprised to have Miranda, Lim, or Querubin in the next Senate.”
Espejo made the statement when he asked the court to suspend the proceedings yesterday since four of the 28 accused are absent due to illness.
Although out of line, the lawyer initially said: “A few minutes ago, Mr. Trillanes was proclaimed as Senator of the Philippines. You can see where the winds of change are blowing. It’s probable the opposition will take power.”
He was then quick to relate the issue to his motion by saying that it appears the court is railroading the case out of pressure from the present administration.
“You should stop this persecution. In fact, these accused could become heroes in the next administration,” Espejo said.
The military prosecution has accused the defense lawyers of delaying the case by continuously causing the suspension of hearings.
Military prosecutor Lt. Col. Jose Feliciano Loy suspect that the defense is doing it to reach the second year mark of the commission of the crime in February next year, thereby invoking the prescription rule which means, the case can be dismissed if the accused are not arraigned within two years from the alleged offense is committed.
The court martial hearing the alleged coup plotters was created in November last year, while the first hearing happened on December 14, 2006.
Until yesterday, the accused have yet to be arraigned./DMS
AFP will require court martial order to allow Trillanes to leave detention aside from Makati court order
By Ronron
June 15, 2007
On the day of his proclamation as Senator, resigned Lt. Sr. Grade Antonio Trillanes IV of the Philippine Navy was required by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) leadership to present an order from the court martial allowing him to leave detention.
AFP Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said this policy will strictly be imposed from now on every time Trillanes wants to attend activities outside of his jail at the Philippine Marine Brig in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, such as sessions at the Senate.
Trillanes, who is facing coup charges at the Makati Regional Trial Court and violation of Articles of War 96 (conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman) in relation to the 2003 Oakwood mutiny, was proclaimed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as the 11th winning senatorial candidate during the May 14 polls.
During his previous leave of detention, particularly when he filed his certificate of candidacy at the Comelec office in Manila City last February and when he cast his vote last May 14 at Caloocan City, Trillanes only got an official permission from the Makati Region Trial Court Branch 148.
Bacarro explained that technically, Trillanes should get the permission of both the Makati court and the General Court Martial when he wants a temporary pass because both have jurisdiction over his person.
But while he admitted that the military leadership was lenient in the past by just simply yielding to the civilian court’s order, Bacarro could not explain why the sudden stricter implementation of the policy now when Trillanes is expected to frequently seek temporary pass from jail to be able to perform his job as Senator.
Bacarro would only say that Trillanes really has to get the permission of the GCM aside from that of the Makati court if he intends to leave detention because the GCM has control over him as well.
“From now on, if he files a manifestation to go out, this should be the process to be followed,” Bacarro said.
He explained that once the GCM acts on Trillanes’ motion, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. will then decide whether or not to approve it, being the convening authority of the GCM.
Trillanes almost failed yesterday to attend his proclamation at the Comelec office in Intramuros after Esperon said at a GCM ruling is also required for said activity.
Bacarro said Esperon just granted the request on the condition that Trillanes’ lawyer file immediately later in the day a manifestation to such effect before the GCM.
But Trillanes’ spokesman, Sonny Rivera, said their camp will not follow the said policy since they view at a form of harassment against the former officer.
“We will not recognize that arbitrary regulation of Esperon… Obviously, Esperon is trying to make it hard for Mr. Trillanes to function as a Senator of the republic,” Rivera said in a phone interview.
Rivera went on to lambaste Esperon as someone who “has nothing in between his ears” for saying at “one breathe that this is the rule” and saying in another that “it cant be applied in previous instances.”
“He is just applying that policy now because he is mad at Mr. Trillanes. It’s a very capricious decision,” Rivera said of the military chief.
“He (Esperon) is not above the law. He should recognize the mandate that Mr. Trillanes got (from the people). He is now above the civilian side of the government,” he went on.
Rivera said they are mulling to file contempt charges against Esperon for not respecting the civilian court.
“Technically, the case of Mr. Trillanes at the court martial is already moot because he is already a civilian. How can you dismiss an officer when he is already not part of the service?” Rivera said.
Bacarro had repeatedly said that the military continues to have jurisdiction over the person of Trillanes because he committed the crime when he was still in the service.
Trillanes was deemed resigned from the AFP upon his filing of certificate of candidacy before the Comelec last February./DMS
June 15, 2007
On the day of his proclamation as Senator, resigned Lt. Sr. Grade Antonio Trillanes IV of the Philippine Navy was required by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) leadership to present an order from the court martial allowing him to leave detention.
AFP Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said this policy will strictly be imposed from now on every time Trillanes wants to attend activities outside of his jail at the Philippine Marine Brig in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, such as sessions at the Senate.
Trillanes, who is facing coup charges at the Makati Regional Trial Court and violation of Articles of War 96 (conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman) in relation to the 2003 Oakwood mutiny, was proclaimed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as the 11th winning senatorial candidate during the May 14 polls.
During his previous leave of detention, particularly when he filed his certificate of candidacy at the Comelec office in Manila City last February and when he cast his vote last May 14 at Caloocan City, Trillanes only got an official permission from the Makati Region Trial Court Branch 148.
Bacarro explained that technically, Trillanes should get the permission of both the Makati court and the General Court Martial when he wants a temporary pass because both have jurisdiction over his person.
But while he admitted that the military leadership was lenient in the past by just simply yielding to the civilian court’s order, Bacarro could not explain why the sudden stricter implementation of the policy now when Trillanes is expected to frequently seek temporary pass from jail to be able to perform his job as Senator.
Bacarro would only say that Trillanes really has to get the permission of the GCM aside from that of the Makati court if he intends to leave detention because the GCM has control over him as well.
“From now on, if he files a manifestation to go out, this should be the process to be followed,” Bacarro said.
He explained that once the GCM acts on Trillanes’ motion, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. will then decide whether or not to approve it, being the convening authority of the GCM.
Trillanes almost failed yesterday to attend his proclamation at the Comelec office in Intramuros after Esperon said at a GCM ruling is also required for said activity.
Bacarro said Esperon just granted the request on the condition that Trillanes’ lawyer file immediately later in the day a manifestation to such effect before the GCM.
But Trillanes’ spokesman, Sonny Rivera, said their camp will not follow the said policy since they view at a form of harassment against the former officer.
“We will not recognize that arbitrary regulation of Esperon… Obviously, Esperon is trying to make it hard for Mr. Trillanes to function as a Senator of the republic,” Rivera said in a phone interview.
Rivera went on to lambaste Esperon as someone who “has nothing in between his ears” for saying at “one breathe that this is the rule” and saying in another that “it cant be applied in previous instances.”
“He is just applying that policy now because he is mad at Mr. Trillanes. It’s a very capricious decision,” Rivera said of the military chief.
“He (Esperon) is not above the law. He should recognize the mandate that Mr. Trillanes got (from the people). He is now above the civilian side of the government,” he went on.
Rivera said they are mulling to file contempt charges against Esperon for not respecting the civilian court.
“Technically, the case of Mr. Trillanes at the court martial is already moot because he is already a civilian. How can you dismiss an officer when he is already not part of the service?” Rivera said.
Bacarro had repeatedly said that the military continues to have jurisdiction over the person of Trillanes because he committed the crime when he was still in the service.
Trillanes was deemed resigned from the AFP upon his filing of certificate of candidacy before the Comelec last February./DMS
Friday, June 15, 2007
AFP won’t oppose Trillanes attendance to proclamation rites
By Ronron
June 14, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will not oppose the attendance today (Friday) of resigned Lt. Sr. Grade Antonio Trillanes IV at his proclamation as winning Senatorial candidate at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Manila City.
Lt. Col. Ariel Caculitan, Public Information Officer of the Philippine Marines Corps (PMC) where Trillanes is currently detained, said that should there be an order from the Makati City Regional Trial Court allowing Trillanes to leave detention, the military will comply with it and even provide security escort to accused mutineer.
“The military is not above the law. We always comply with whatever the civilian court orders in the case of Mr. Trillanes,” Caculitan said in a phone interview.
He said that based on previous incidents, the military has not sought similar order from the General Court Martial (GCM), where Trillanes is also facing alleged violation of the Articles of War, every time he has to leave detention sanctioned by the Makati court.
“Ever since, his custodians at the Philippine Marine Brig were content with even just a court order from the Makati RTC,” Caculitan said.
Trillanes’ lawyer, Reynaldo Robles, has filed yesterday (Thursday) afternoon an urgent motion before the Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 148 to allow his client to attend the proclamation rites set at 9:30 am today at the Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila.
Robles said Judge Oscar Pimentel vowed to act on the motion late Thursday or early Friday morning.
“We are grateful that the government prosecution is not posing any objection to our motion,” Robles said.
Trillanes is declared the 11th Senator for the incoming 14th Congress of the Philippines after the Comelec canvassed the votes from Surigao del Norte.
Trillanes is in jail due to his cases before the GCM and the civilian court over the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny./DMS
June 14, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will not oppose the attendance today (Friday) of resigned Lt. Sr. Grade Antonio Trillanes IV at his proclamation as winning Senatorial candidate at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Manila City.
Lt. Col. Ariel Caculitan, Public Information Officer of the Philippine Marines Corps (PMC) where Trillanes is currently detained, said that should there be an order from the Makati City Regional Trial Court allowing Trillanes to leave detention, the military will comply with it and even provide security escort to accused mutineer.
“The military is not above the law. We always comply with whatever the civilian court orders in the case of Mr. Trillanes,” Caculitan said in a phone interview.
He said that based on previous incidents, the military has not sought similar order from the General Court Martial (GCM), where Trillanes is also facing alleged violation of the Articles of War, every time he has to leave detention sanctioned by the Makati court.
“Ever since, his custodians at the Philippine Marine Brig were content with even just a court order from the Makati RTC,” Caculitan said.
Trillanes’ lawyer, Reynaldo Robles, has filed yesterday (Thursday) afternoon an urgent motion before the Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 148 to allow his client to attend the proclamation rites set at 9:30 am today at the Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila.
Robles said Judge Oscar Pimentel vowed to act on the motion late Thursday or early Friday morning.
“We are grateful that the government prosecution is not posing any objection to our motion,” Robles said.
Trillanes is declared the 11th Senator for the incoming 14th Congress of the Philippines after the Comelec canvassed the votes from Surigao del Norte.
Trillanes is in jail due to his cases before the GCM and the civilian court over the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny./DMS
Police dismisses from the service a police doctor who killed and hurt colleagues last year in Camp Crame
By Ronron
June 14, 2007
A police doctor was dismissed from the service over the assault he made against his superior and colleagues with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Health Service during an official affair inside Camp Crame late last year.
Director Geary Barias of the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) yesterday said that Chief Insp. Renato Poscablo was dismissed from the service effective June 1, 2007 after he was found guilty of grave misconduct by a PNP internal investigating body.
Poscablo shot before midnight last November 29, 2006 Chief Supt. Federico Damatac, chief of the PNP Health Service, and hurt three other policeman and a waiter after releasing a grenade.
Poscablo himself was wounded while Damatac survived the attack.
Killed was Sr. Insp. Wenefredo Temprosa, an aide-de-camp of Damatac, who shielded the grenade using his body to cushion the impact of the blast.
Charges of murder, frustrated murder and attempted murder were filed against Poscablo before the Quezon City court over the incident.
Poscablo has since been detained at the Quezon City Jail after he was placed on hospital arrest immediately after the incident.
“All benefits due him are also deemed forfeited,” Barias said of Poscablo.
Police said Poscablo holds a personal and professional grudge against Damatac because the latter sanctioned his previous demotion due to the various administrative charges he is facing./DMS
June 14, 2007
A police doctor was dismissed from the service over the assault he made against his superior and colleagues with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Health Service during an official affair inside Camp Crame late last year.
Director Geary Barias of the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) yesterday said that Chief Insp. Renato Poscablo was dismissed from the service effective June 1, 2007 after he was found guilty of grave misconduct by a PNP internal investigating body.
Poscablo shot before midnight last November 29, 2006 Chief Supt. Federico Damatac, chief of the PNP Health Service, and hurt three other policeman and a waiter after releasing a grenade.
Poscablo himself was wounded while Damatac survived the attack.
Killed was Sr. Insp. Wenefredo Temprosa, an aide-de-camp of Damatac, who shielded the grenade using his body to cushion the impact of the blast.
Charges of murder, frustrated murder and attempted murder were filed against Poscablo before the Quezon City court over the incident.
Poscablo has since been detained at the Quezon City Jail after he was placed on hospital arrest immediately after the incident.
“All benefits due him are also deemed forfeited,” Barias said of Poscablo.
Police said Poscablo holds a personal and professional grudge against Damatac because the latter sanctioned his previous demotion due to the various administrative charges he is facing./DMS
University professor shot dead in Cavite
By Ronron
June 14, 2007
A University professor was shot dead on Thursday morning in Cavite by two unidentified suspects.
Chief Insp. Audie Madrideo, chief of police of Rosario town, identified the victim as Romulo Ventura, 53, professor of the Cavite State University.
Madrideo said Ventura was about to park his owner-type jeep at the Tejeros Convention Hall compound in General Trias Drive, Rosario when the two suspects approached him and shot him at close range at around 7am.
Ventura sustained two gunshot wounds to the head, causing his instantaneous death, Madrideo said.
Police suspect that the gunmen used a 9mm and caliber 45 pistol.
Madrideo said the two suspects escaped on foot. “They could just be assassins,” the police chief said of the gunmen.
He said investigators are now looking at two angles: love triangle and work-related.
The first angle is borne out of information they received that Ventura, who is separated from his wife, has a married girlfriend. Reportedly, he and his girlfriend have a love child whom the latter’s husband thought initially was his own. But lately, the husband became suspicious about the real father of the kid.
The second angle refers to a feud between Ventura and the President of the Cavite State University, identified by Madrideo as Reynaldo Samonte, which reached the point of Ventura filing a case against Samonte before the Ombudsman.
“We are currently working on these two angles,” Madrideo said.
Madrideo said they hope to identify the killers once the nephew of Ventura, who witnessed the incident, recovers from shock and is able to describe the appearance of the suspects./DMS
June 14, 2007
A University professor was shot dead on Thursday morning in Cavite by two unidentified suspects.
Chief Insp. Audie Madrideo, chief of police of Rosario town, identified the victim as Romulo Ventura, 53, professor of the Cavite State University.
Madrideo said Ventura was about to park his owner-type jeep at the Tejeros Convention Hall compound in General Trias Drive, Rosario when the two suspects approached him and shot him at close range at around 7am.
Ventura sustained two gunshot wounds to the head, causing his instantaneous death, Madrideo said.
Police suspect that the gunmen used a 9mm and caliber 45 pistol.
Madrideo said the two suspects escaped on foot. “They could just be assassins,” the police chief said of the gunmen.
He said investigators are now looking at two angles: love triangle and work-related.
The first angle is borne out of information they received that Ventura, who is separated from his wife, has a married girlfriend. Reportedly, he and his girlfriend have a love child whom the latter’s husband thought initially was his own. But lately, the husband became suspicious about the real father of the kid.
The second angle refers to a feud between Ventura and the President of the Cavite State University, identified by Madrideo as Reynaldo Samonte, which reached the point of Ventura filing a case against Samonte before the Ombudsman.
“We are currently working on these two angles,” Madrideo said.
Madrideo said they hope to identify the killers once the nephew of Ventura, who witnessed the incident, recovers from shock and is able to describe the appearance of the suspects./DMS
PNP creates task force to secure ASEAN meet next month
By Ronron
June 14, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is creating a task force to secure the upcoming 40th Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Ministerial Meeting (AMM), Post Ministerial Conferences (PMC), and the 14th ASEAN Region Forum (ARF) in Manila.
PNP chief Gen. Oscar Calderon said in a statement Thursday he ordered the creation of the provisional Task Force “AMM” to be headed by Deputy Director General Avelino Razon, Jr., the PNP Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration.
“Gen. Razon will orchestrate, direct, and supervise the overall conduct of security operations in all areas of engagements, including hotels where the delegates will be billeted,” Calderon said.
The AMM will be held from July 6th to August 2nd, according to the statement. It is the continuation of the 12th ASEAN Summit in Cebu City and will be participated by 27 countries, including four AMM observers from Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, the US Secretary General and the UN Secretary General.
Aside from the ministerial meeting at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, separate activities for the spouses of the delegates will be held in Intramuros, Manila City, in Tagaytay City, and in Makati City.
Calderon said Task Force “AMM” will organize Task Force Manila which will be responsible for the security coverage, Civil Disturbance Management operations, traffic management, and contingency measures in all areas of engagement and other places that may be visited by delegates in Metro Manila.
Task Force Manila will be headed by National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Varilla, Calderon said.
Under Task Force Manila will be the following Task Groups (TG): TG Billet (for the security at billeting hotels of the delegates); TG Venue (for security at venues of engagements); TG Daloy (for route security and traffic management during movement of delegates); TG Paliparan (for airport facilitation and security assistance during the arrival and departure of the delegates); TG Dikit (for close-in and on-board security); TG Masid (for covert security); TG Antabay (for deployment of SWAT, Explosive and Ordnance Division, and CDM); TG Lunas (for medical assistance); and TG Senyas (for communication requirements of the Task Force).
“Various threat groups such as terrorist groups and other criminal elements may take advantage of the situation and perpetrate their nefarious activities to disrupt the 40th Asean Ministerial Meeting,” Calderon said.
“We must ensure the safety of this event because anything that will endanger the lives of the delegates would be detrimental to the national and bilateral interest of the country, the participating ASEAN and observer countries,” he added.
Calderon said the Task Force and Task Groups will be fully operational on July 24th./DMS
June 14, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is creating a task force to secure the upcoming 40th Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Ministerial Meeting (AMM), Post Ministerial Conferences (PMC), and the 14th ASEAN Region Forum (ARF) in Manila.
PNP chief Gen. Oscar Calderon said in a statement Thursday he ordered the creation of the provisional Task Force “AMM” to be headed by Deputy Director General Avelino Razon, Jr., the PNP Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration.
“Gen. Razon will orchestrate, direct, and supervise the overall conduct of security operations in all areas of engagements, including hotels where the delegates will be billeted,” Calderon said.
The AMM will be held from July 6th to August 2nd, according to the statement. It is the continuation of the 12th ASEAN Summit in Cebu City and will be participated by 27 countries, including four AMM observers from Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, the US Secretary General and the UN Secretary General.
Aside from the ministerial meeting at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, separate activities for the spouses of the delegates will be held in Intramuros, Manila City, in Tagaytay City, and in Makati City.
Calderon said Task Force “AMM” will organize Task Force Manila which will be responsible for the security coverage, Civil Disturbance Management operations, traffic management, and contingency measures in all areas of engagement and other places that may be visited by delegates in Metro Manila.
Task Force Manila will be headed by National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Varilla, Calderon said.
Under Task Force Manila will be the following Task Groups (TG): TG Billet (for the security at billeting hotels of the delegates); TG Venue (for security at venues of engagements); TG Daloy (for route security and traffic management during movement of delegates); TG Paliparan (for airport facilitation and security assistance during the arrival and departure of the delegates); TG Dikit (for close-in and on-board security); TG Masid (for covert security); TG Antabay (for deployment of SWAT, Explosive and Ordnance Division, and CDM); TG Lunas (for medical assistance); and TG Senyas (for communication requirements of the Task Force).
“Various threat groups such as terrorist groups and other criminal elements may take advantage of the situation and perpetrate their nefarious activities to disrupt the 40th Asean Ministerial Meeting,” Calderon said.
“We must ensure the safety of this event because anything that will endanger the lives of the delegates would be detrimental to the national and bilateral interest of the country, the participating ASEAN and observer countries,” he added.
Calderon said the Task Force and Task Groups will be fully operational on July 24th./DMS
GO confident that Trillanes will be granted furlough today (Friday) for proclamation
By Ronron
June 14, 2007
The Genuine Opposition (GO) is confident that the Makati City court will allow winning Senatorial candidate Antonio Trillanes IV to attend his proclamation today (Friday) by the Commission on Elections, sitting as National Board of Canvassers (NBOC).
GO spokesman Atty. Adel Tamano said they see no reason why Judge Oscar Pimentel of the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148 should deny Trillanes’ desire to attend his proclamation as the incoming 11th Senator of the 14th Congress of the Philippines.
“The concern always of the judges in regard to people with criminal cases is that they might escape or suddenly hide. But in the case of Lt. Trillanes, this is already absent because first, all the people know him, being a Senator already. So it is impossible to tag Sen. Trillanes as a flight risk,” Tamano said in Filipino.
Tamano said that knowing Pimentel also as a compassionate person, having the latter as his professor at law school, he is confident that the judge will see the “logic” in allowing Trillanes to participate in the proclamation rites.
“Lt. Trillanes will not really run away because we know him as a principled man. We are all aware that all his fellow accused are now entering into a plea-bargaining agreement. Not him. He will really face the charges against him,” Tamano said.
He said that while a proclamation in absentia is allowed like in the case of Senator-elect Joker Arroyo, the opposition prefers that Trillanes be physically there as a respect to the people who voted for him.
Tamano said the GO is elated about the impending proclamation of Trillanes, calling it a “wonderful news.”
Trillanes’ lawyer, Reynaldo Robles, said they immediately worked fast to get the court’s permission for Trillanes’ attendance at the proclamation rites.
“We are hoping that it will be granted, although he can be proclaimed in absentia. But he’s just asking for a very simple thing,” Robles said.
The court has yet to grant the motion of Trillanes as of this writing.
Trillanes is currently detained at the Philippine Marine Brig in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City as he faces charges of coup d’ etat at the Makati RTC and violation of Articles of War before the General Court Martial in relation to his participation in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny./DMS
June 14, 2007
The Genuine Opposition (GO) is confident that the Makati City court will allow winning Senatorial candidate Antonio Trillanes IV to attend his proclamation today (Friday) by the Commission on Elections, sitting as National Board of Canvassers (NBOC).
GO spokesman Atty. Adel Tamano said they see no reason why Judge Oscar Pimentel of the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148 should deny Trillanes’ desire to attend his proclamation as the incoming 11th Senator of the 14th Congress of the Philippines.
“The concern always of the judges in regard to people with criminal cases is that they might escape or suddenly hide. But in the case of Lt. Trillanes, this is already absent because first, all the people know him, being a Senator already. So it is impossible to tag Sen. Trillanes as a flight risk,” Tamano said in Filipino.
Tamano said that knowing Pimentel also as a compassionate person, having the latter as his professor at law school, he is confident that the judge will see the “logic” in allowing Trillanes to participate in the proclamation rites.
“Lt. Trillanes will not really run away because we know him as a principled man. We are all aware that all his fellow accused are now entering into a plea-bargaining agreement. Not him. He will really face the charges against him,” Tamano said.
He said that while a proclamation in absentia is allowed like in the case of Senator-elect Joker Arroyo, the opposition prefers that Trillanes be physically there as a respect to the people who voted for him.
Tamano said the GO is elated about the impending proclamation of Trillanes, calling it a “wonderful news.”
Trillanes’ lawyer, Reynaldo Robles, said they immediately worked fast to get the court’s permission for Trillanes’ attendance at the proclamation rites.
“We are hoping that it will be granted, although he can be proclaimed in absentia. But he’s just asking for a very simple thing,” Robles said.
The court has yet to grant the motion of Trillanes as of this writing.
Trillanes is currently detained at the Philippine Marine Brig in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City as he faces charges of coup d’ etat at the Makati RTC and violation of Articles of War before the General Court Martial in relation to his participation in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny./DMS
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Additional troops sent to Zamboanga Sibugay to help look for Bossi
By Ronron
June 13, 2007
Additional troops from another Army battalion were sent to Zamboanga Sibugay province last Tuesday to help in the search for kidnapped Italian Catholic priest Fr. Gian Carlo Bossi.
Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Information Officer, said some components of the Philippine Army’s 55th Infantry Battalion have been deployed to join troops from the 18th IB and policemen conducting search and rescue operations for Bossi.
“We are collaborating efforts. I think the governor will be calling for a meeting to really tap somebody to facilitate the release of Bossi. There is no slackening of efforts being conducted particularly in the rescue attempt,” Bacarro told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo Wednesday.
Bacarro said search and rescue operatives are still concentrating within Zamboanga Sibugay.
He said a total of six Philippine Navy crafts are currently involved in the naval blockade in the area, considering the fact that Bossi was taken off to the sea after he was abducted last Sunday morning in Payao town.
Authorities have attributed the abduction of the 57-year-old priest to a certain Commander Kiddie, who is allegedly an Abu Sayyaf member, according to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
So far, no communication with authorities or those close to Bossi have been made by the suspects./DMS
June 13, 2007
Additional troops from another Army battalion were sent to Zamboanga Sibugay province last Tuesday to help in the search for kidnapped Italian Catholic priest Fr. Gian Carlo Bossi.
Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Information Officer, said some components of the Philippine Army’s 55th Infantry Battalion have been deployed to join troops from the 18th IB and policemen conducting search and rescue operations for Bossi.
“We are collaborating efforts. I think the governor will be calling for a meeting to really tap somebody to facilitate the release of Bossi. There is no slackening of efforts being conducted particularly in the rescue attempt,” Bacarro told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo Wednesday.
Bacarro said search and rescue operatives are still concentrating within Zamboanga Sibugay.
He said a total of six Philippine Navy crafts are currently involved in the naval blockade in the area, considering the fact that Bossi was taken off to the sea after he was abducted last Sunday morning in Payao town.
Authorities have attributed the abduction of the 57-year-old priest to a certain Commander Kiddie, who is allegedly an Abu Sayyaf member, according to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
So far, no communication with authorities or those close to Bossi have been made by the suspects./DMS
Car bomb discovered in South Cotabato
By Ronron
June 13, 2007
Authorities discovered on Wednesday morning in South Cotabato City a car rigged with an improvised explosive device (IED) believed to have been prepared by a notorious bomber in the region.
The black Toyota sedan, 1977 model, (with plate number PCL-911) was found abandoned along the national highway near the Rotonda of Surallah town at around 6:15 am.
Provincial Police Director Sr. Supt. Robert Kuinisala said police were informed about the presence of the car bomb through text messages that circulated among them and some locales around dawn of yesterday.
Elements of the 1205th Provincial Police Mobile Group, the Surallah Municipal Police Station, and the South Cotabato Provincial Police responded to the site and secured it from the public.
Members of the police and Army Explosive and Ordnance Division (EOD) followed immediately and inspected the car.
Found inside it are nine pieces of 60 mm mortars, one 81 mm mortar, one 90 mm recoilless rifle projectile, one box loaded with three-inch nails, one box loaded with TNT, one unit booster, and a triggering device (a tape recorder).
Kuinisala said the IED was placed under the backseat of the car and was already set up, ready for detonation.
He said the EOD experts suspect that the when the tape recorder is played and reaches the end, that’s when the bomb will blow off.
The IED was disarmed at around 10:30 am using water disruptor, Kuinisala said.
All the materials, including the car, were then brought to the South Cotabato Provincial Police headquarters in Koronadal City for proper disposition. Kuinisala said US soldiers arrived at the area to also inspect the items.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said the car reportedly came for Datu Piang town in Maguindanao, driven by an unidentified suspect.
“At about 3am, our intelligence unit received an information that a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device departed Datu Piang, Maguindanao … purposely to conduct a bombing mission either in Koronadal City, Tacurong City (in Sultan Kudarat), Esperanza (also in Sultan Kudarat), or Cotabato City,” Bacarro said.
Bacarro said it is possible that the suspects abandoned the vehicle because police and military units in the area were quick to put up additional checkpoints and strengthen those already existing.
Kuinisala said two men were seen near the car at around 5am, one of whom has an amputated arm.
“We suspect that the guy with an amputated arm is Edris Sabal, a member of the MILF-Special Operations Group, which has links with the Jemaah Islamiyah and the Abu Sayyaf Group,” Kuinisala said.
He said Sabal is one of the suspects behind the 2003 bombing at KCC Mall in Koronadal City where he lost an arm. Sabal has jumped bail, he said.
Kuinisala said the plate number was initially traced to a resident of San Juan in Metro Manila. Investigation is still ongoing to find out if the owner has anything to do with the alleged car bomb plot.
Asked of the impact of the IED had it exploded, Bacarro said: “Looking at the IED, which has nine pieces of 60 mm mortar, one 81 mm mortar, and a box loaded with sharp nails, this is really intended to inflict harm.”
Despite the latest terror threat, Bacarro maintained that Mindanao as a general place is still peaceful, expect for the Cotabato provinces where a number of attacks had happened in the last few months.
“What we can do right now is of court, on the part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, is to intensify our intelligence efforts. The early detection of this vehicle when it left Datu Piang is an indication that our pro-active efforts are really there, they are in place, and they are, in a way, effective,” Bacarro said.
Kuinisala, for his part, said more checkpoints have been set up in the region to ensure the security of the people against terrorists./DMS
June 13, 2007
Authorities discovered on Wednesday morning in South Cotabato City a car rigged with an improvised explosive device (IED) believed to have been prepared by a notorious bomber in the region.
The black Toyota sedan, 1977 model, (with plate number PCL-911) was found abandoned along the national highway near the Rotonda of Surallah town at around 6:15 am.
Provincial Police Director Sr. Supt. Robert Kuinisala said police were informed about the presence of the car bomb through text messages that circulated among them and some locales around dawn of yesterday.
Elements of the 1205th Provincial Police Mobile Group, the Surallah Municipal Police Station, and the South Cotabato Provincial Police responded to the site and secured it from the public.
Members of the police and Army Explosive and Ordnance Division (EOD) followed immediately and inspected the car.
Found inside it are nine pieces of 60 mm mortars, one 81 mm mortar, one 90 mm recoilless rifle projectile, one box loaded with three-inch nails, one box loaded with TNT, one unit booster, and a triggering device (a tape recorder).
Kuinisala said the IED was placed under the backseat of the car and was already set up, ready for detonation.
He said the EOD experts suspect that the when the tape recorder is played and reaches the end, that’s when the bomb will blow off.
The IED was disarmed at around 10:30 am using water disruptor, Kuinisala said.
All the materials, including the car, were then brought to the South Cotabato Provincial Police headquarters in Koronadal City for proper disposition. Kuinisala said US soldiers arrived at the area to also inspect the items.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said the car reportedly came for Datu Piang town in Maguindanao, driven by an unidentified suspect.
“At about 3am, our intelligence unit received an information that a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device departed Datu Piang, Maguindanao … purposely to conduct a bombing mission either in Koronadal City, Tacurong City (in Sultan Kudarat), Esperanza (also in Sultan Kudarat), or Cotabato City,” Bacarro said.
Bacarro said it is possible that the suspects abandoned the vehicle because police and military units in the area were quick to put up additional checkpoints and strengthen those already existing.
Kuinisala said two men were seen near the car at around 5am, one of whom has an amputated arm.
“We suspect that the guy with an amputated arm is Edris Sabal, a member of the MILF-Special Operations Group, which has links with the Jemaah Islamiyah and the Abu Sayyaf Group,” Kuinisala said.
He said Sabal is one of the suspects behind the 2003 bombing at KCC Mall in Koronadal City where he lost an arm. Sabal has jumped bail, he said.
Kuinisala said the plate number was initially traced to a resident of San Juan in Metro Manila. Investigation is still ongoing to find out if the owner has anything to do with the alleged car bomb plot.
Asked of the impact of the IED had it exploded, Bacarro said: “Looking at the IED, which has nine pieces of 60 mm mortar, one 81 mm mortar, and a box loaded with sharp nails, this is really intended to inflict harm.”
Despite the latest terror threat, Bacarro maintained that Mindanao as a general place is still peaceful, expect for the Cotabato provinces where a number of attacks had happened in the last few months.
“What we can do right now is of court, on the part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, is to intensify our intelligence efforts. The early detection of this vehicle when it left Datu Piang is an indication that our pro-active efforts are really there, they are in place, and they are, in a way, effective,” Bacarro said.
Kuinisala, for his part, said more checkpoints have been set up in the region to ensure the security of the people against terrorists./DMS
One hurt as hill caves-in in Cebu City
By Ronron
June 13, 2007
A construction worker was hurt when a portion of a hill in Cebu City where he is working caved in on Wednesday morning.
Disaster officials said the incident happened at around 10:20 am in the mountainous village of Budlaan, located some 30 kilometers away from the city proper.
Office of Civil Defense – Region VII Director Angel Gaviola said some 15 to 20 construction workers were doing excavation works when a portion of the hill caved in, partially burying Bernie Antolihao.
Antolihao was saved by his fellow workers and brought to North General Hospital in said city by members of a private emergency response unit.
The other workers were unharmed, Gaviola said.
Gaviola said the workers were developing the area for a school expansion at the time of the accident. The lot is owned by the Marie Ernestine School.
He said there were no students during the accident since classes in said school have yet to start.
“Barangay Budlaan is one of our identified landslide-prone areas here in Cebu City because of the soft soil in the area. And then, the last few nights, it always rains here so this could have triggered the cave-in incident,” Gaviola said in Cebuano.
The incident prompted school officials to temporary stop the excavation works at the site, said Gaviola./DMS
June 13, 2007
A construction worker was hurt when a portion of a hill in Cebu City where he is working caved in on Wednesday morning.
Disaster officials said the incident happened at around 10:20 am in the mountainous village of Budlaan, located some 30 kilometers away from the city proper.
Office of Civil Defense – Region VII Director Angel Gaviola said some 15 to 20 construction workers were doing excavation works when a portion of the hill caved in, partially burying Bernie Antolihao.
Antolihao was saved by his fellow workers and brought to North General Hospital in said city by members of a private emergency response unit.
The other workers were unharmed, Gaviola said.
Gaviola said the workers were developing the area for a school expansion at the time of the accident. The lot is owned by the Marie Ernestine School.
He said there were no students during the accident since classes in said school have yet to start.
“Barangay Budlaan is one of our identified landslide-prone areas here in Cebu City because of the soft soil in the area. And then, the last few nights, it always rains here so this could have triggered the cave-in incident,” Gaviola said in Cebuano.
The incident prompted school officials to temporary stop the excavation works at the site, said Gaviola./DMS
Town police chief in Lanao Sur shot dead
By Ronron
June 13, 2007
A police officer in Lanao del Sur province was shot dead inside his office Tuesday afternoon by a suspected drug addict, officials said.
In a report, Chief Supt. Joel Goltiao, chief of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said Insp. Bernie Alejandro, chief of the Masiu Municipal Police Office, was killed at around 1pm.
The suspected gunman was identified as a certain Hadji Ibrahim Pangalian, who was able to escape after the incident.
South Cotabato Provincial Police commander Sr. Supt. Pangalawan Ampatua said Alejandro sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the neck from the pistol of an unknown caliber used by Pangalian.
“They know each other. That’s why the suspect was able to enter the office of my police officer there. It’s just that the suspect was allegedly high on illegal drugs at that time,” Ampatua said when asked of the motive behind the incident.
Ampatua said Pangalian, who is a relative of Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman, led towards the mountainous boundary of Masiu and Lumbayanague towns after the incident.
“Three teams of 15th Regional Mobile Group led by Chief Inspector Harold Ballangan are now in the area conducting pursuit operations purposely to arrest the suspect,” Goltiao said.
“Municipal officials of Masiu are negotiating for the surrender and turn-over of the suspect to the authorities,” he added.
Ampatua said Pangalian will be charged with murder.
The remains, meanwhile of Alejandro, were brought to Marawi City for proper disposition, Goltiao said.
Masiu was among the 13 towns in Lanao del Sur where elections failed on May 14 due to threats of violence from political families. The voting was moved to May 26th and was eventually completed that day./DMS
June 13, 2007
A police officer in Lanao del Sur province was shot dead inside his office Tuesday afternoon by a suspected drug addict, officials said.
In a report, Chief Supt. Joel Goltiao, chief of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said Insp. Bernie Alejandro, chief of the Masiu Municipal Police Office, was killed at around 1pm.
The suspected gunman was identified as a certain Hadji Ibrahim Pangalian, who was able to escape after the incident.
South Cotabato Provincial Police commander Sr. Supt. Pangalawan Ampatua said Alejandro sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the neck from the pistol of an unknown caliber used by Pangalian.
“They know each other. That’s why the suspect was able to enter the office of my police officer there. It’s just that the suspect was allegedly high on illegal drugs at that time,” Ampatua said when asked of the motive behind the incident.
Ampatua said Pangalian, who is a relative of Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman, led towards the mountainous boundary of Masiu and Lumbayanague towns after the incident.
“Three teams of 15th Regional Mobile Group led by Chief Inspector Harold Ballangan are now in the area conducting pursuit operations purposely to arrest the suspect,” Goltiao said.
“Municipal officials of Masiu are negotiating for the surrender and turn-over of the suspect to the authorities,” he added.
Ampatua said Pangalian will be charged with murder.
The remains, meanwhile of Alejandro, were brought to Marawi City for proper disposition, Goltiao said.
Masiu was among the 13 towns in Lanao del Sur where elections failed on May 14 due to threats of violence from political families. The voting was moved to May 26th and was eventually completed that day./DMS
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
MM barangay captains seek redeployment of troops
By Ronron
June 12, 2007
Now that the elections is over, depressed barangays in Metro Manila are asking for the redeployment of military troops, saying that the six-month stint of some 260 officers and soldiers in 19 villages since November of last year proved to be very fruitful.
In a letter to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., officials of 19 barangays from Caloocan, Taguig, Manila and Quezon cities said: “We are earnestly inviting them (soldiers) to come back to our barangays, with your permission.”
The letter, dated June 4, 2007, said the deployment of troops from November 2006 until May of this year “brought goodness and peace” in the barangays since crime rate went down and people felt secure while out at night.
“The command is happy to learn that barangay officials are requesting the return of the CODE (Community Development) teams in the community. It only means that they appreciated whatever deeds the team have done to them,” said 1Lt. Garysande Mamaludin, spokesman of the AFP National Capital Region Command.
“But while we are very much willing to return, it is the decision of the Chief of Staff, Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. that will be followed on whether or not the teams will be sent back to the communities,” he added.
Esperon is still currently reviewing the report submitted to him by NCRCOM chief Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino about the previous deployment of 260 military personnel to the 19 barangays in the capital.
While he did not disclose his recommendation to Esperon, Dolorfino had said he is for the redeployment of the troops since they are doing a great service to the people.
The barangay officials said that if the officers and soldiers are deployed back to their communities, they can work together for the continuance of what they have started in the last six months.
“We hope you can act favorably on our request,” the officials wrote.
Copies of the letter were also sent to Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno and Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr.
It can be recalled that the deployment of troops prior to the May 14 polls was met with a lot of criticisms from various sectors, including the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). Militants said the troops were campaigning against Left-leaning party-list groups, while the CHR said the deployment reeks of Martial Law symptoms where civil rights are at risk of being violated.
But the AFP maintained that the deployment was in connection with its civil-military operations in the region, and to train their personnel for peacekeeping missions./DMS
June 12, 2007
Now that the elections is over, depressed barangays in Metro Manila are asking for the redeployment of military troops, saying that the six-month stint of some 260 officers and soldiers in 19 villages since November of last year proved to be very fruitful.
In a letter to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., officials of 19 barangays from Caloocan, Taguig, Manila and Quezon cities said: “We are earnestly inviting them (soldiers) to come back to our barangays, with your permission.”
The letter, dated June 4, 2007, said the deployment of troops from November 2006 until May of this year “brought goodness and peace” in the barangays since crime rate went down and people felt secure while out at night.
“The command is happy to learn that barangay officials are requesting the return of the CODE (Community Development) teams in the community. It only means that they appreciated whatever deeds the team have done to them,” said 1Lt. Garysande Mamaludin, spokesman of the AFP National Capital Region Command.
“But while we are very much willing to return, it is the decision of the Chief of Staff, Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. that will be followed on whether or not the teams will be sent back to the communities,” he added.
Esperon is still currently reviewing the report submitted to him by NCRCOM chief Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino about the previous deployment of 260 military personnel to the 19 barangays in the capital.
While he did not disclose his recommendation to Esperon, Dolorfino had said he is for the redeployment of the troops since they are doing a great service to the people.
The barangay officials said that if the officers and soldiers are deployed back to their communities, they can work together for the continuance of what they have started in the last six months.
“We hope you can act favorably on our request,” the officials wrote.
Copies of the letter were also sent to Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno and Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr.
It can be recalled that the deployment of troops prior to the May 14 polls was met with a lot of criticisms from various sectors, including the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). Militants said the troops were campaigning against Left-leaning party-list groups, while the CHR said the deployment reeks of Martial Law symptoms where civil rights are at risk of being violated.
But the AFP maintained that the deployment was in connection with its civil-military operations in the region, and to train their personnel for peacekeeping missions./DMS
Authorities looking for proper emissary to negotiate for Bossi’s release
By Ronron
June 12, 2007
Admitting that it has yet to establish contact with the kidnappers of Fr. Gian Carlo Bossi, authorities said Tuesday that they are looking for an emissary who can act as a liaison in planned negotiations for the release of the Italian Catholic priest.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Calderon said they hope to resolve the crisis peacefully, which is through negotiation, instead of resorting to police and military operations to rescue the 57-year-old priest.
“At present, this is not yet a case of kidnap for ransom because there is no demand yet by the suspects. We believe this could be settled peacefully. We hope to resolve this through negotiations,” Calderon told reporters in a news conference yesterday afternoon at Camp Crame.
As of yesterday, the police and military admit there is still no clear information about the whereabouts of Bossi and his captors.
“We are currently looking for their location. In fact, we have a full force in the area of Zamboanga Sibugay… So far, we still can’t say the exact location,” Lt. Col. Roberto Rabasio, spokesman of the Philippine Army’s Zamboanga-based 1st Infantry Division, said in a phone interview.
Calderon said he received information that Bossi was brought in the direction of Naga and Tungawan towns in Zamboanga Sibugay, and may be transferred later to the Cotabato area.
“All these areas are being alerted and we welcome the assistance of anybody who could help us in the release of Fr. Bossi,” Calderon said.
Rabasio disclosed there are religious people in the province who are exerting efforts to establish contact with the kidnappers but to no avail.
“They are circulating their desire through text messages. They are asking for help so that they could negotiate with the abductors,” Rabasio said of the Catholic religious leaders.
Both the police and military maintain that the suspects who abducted Bossi last Sunday morning in Payao town were led by a certain Commander Kiddie Abdulsalam, whom the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) tag as an Abu Sayyaf Group member.
Brig. Gen. Juancho Sabban, deputy commander of the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command, said Kiddie was positively identified by witnesses as among those who forcibly took Bossi in Barangay Silal in Payao at around 9:30 am.
Bossi and the 10 armed suspects boarded two motorbancas and headed to unknown direction at sea.
The MILF has taken part in the search and rescue operations.
Bossi started his service as Payao Parish Priest in April of this year, the local police said./DMS
June 12, 2007
Admitting that it has yet to establish contact with the kidnappers of Fr. Gian Carlo Bossi, authorities said Tuesday that they are looking for an emissary who can act as a liaison in planned negotiations for the release of the Italian Catholic priest.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Calderon said they hope to resolve the crisis peacefully, which is through negotiation, instead of resorting to police and military operations to rescue the 57-year-old priest.
“At present, this is not yet a case of kidnap for ransom because there is no demand yet by the suspects. We believe this could be settled peacefully. We hope to resolve this through negotiations,” Calderon told reporters in a news conference yesterday afternoon at Camp Crame.
As of yesterday, the police and military admit there is still no clear information about the whereabouts of Bossi and his captors.
“We are currently looking for their location. In fact, we have a full force in the area of Zamboanga Sibugay… So far, we still can’t say the exact location,” Lt. Col. Roberto Rabasio, spokesman of the Philippine Army’s Zamboanga-based 1st Infantry Division, said in a phone interview.
Calderon said he received information that Bossi was brought in the direction of Naga and Tungawan towns in Zamboanga Sibugay, and may be transferred later to the Cotabato area.
“All these areas are being alerted and we welcome the assistance of anybody who could help us in the release of Fr. Bossi,” Calderon said.
Rabasio disclosed there are religious people in the province who are exerting efforts to establish contact with the kidnappers but to no avail.
“They are circulating their desire through text messages. They are asking for help so that they could negotiate with the abductors,” Rabasio said of the Catholic religious leaders.
Both the police and military maintain that the suspects who abducted Bossi last Sunday morning in Payao town were led by a certain Commander Kiddie Abdulsalam, whom the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) tag as an Abu Sayyaf Group member.
Brig. Gen. Juancho Sabban, deputy commander of the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command, said Kiddie was positively identified by witnesses as among those who forcibly took Bossi in Barangay Silal in Payao at around 9:30 am.
Bossi and the 10 armed suspects boarded two motorbancas and headed to unknown direction at sea.
The MILF has taken part in the search and rescue operations.
Bossi started his service as Payao Parish Priest in April of this year, the local police said./DMS
Four killed, two arrested in attempted bank robbery in Makati City
By Ronron
June 12, 2007
Four suspected robbers were killed while two others were wounded in a shootout with police as they attempt to rob a bank in Makati City yesterday morning, police said.
One of the slain robbers, suspected to belong to the so-called Salazar gang, was identified as Rodolfo Amistoso, the driver of their vehicle, while the two arrested were identified as Robert Luares, 36, native of Camarines Sur, and Luis Cervantes, 44, a former member of the Philippine Constabulary and a resident of Taguig City.
The suspects were aboard a black Mazda 626 car (plate number TPL-213) and motorcycle (plate number EJ7864) when they were allegedly attempting to rob the Metrobank branch on Evangelista Street, Bangkal, Makati City.
Police said they received prior information about the attempted robbery from an informant so they deployed elements of the Regional Police Intelligence Operation Unit of the Regional Intelligence Division (RPIOU-RID), and the Southern Police District (SPD) at the site.
At around 10 am, the operatives noticed the suspects’ vehicles. Upon the instruction of their leader, one of the operatives approached the car to check on it but was met with a volley of gunfire from the suspects, police said.
“(This) forced the rest of the RPIOU-RID operatives to protect their besieged comrade and returned fire. The suspects kept on firing on the police operatives while attempting to speed off towards the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX),” a police statement said.
Three of the suspects, including Amistoso, died on the spot, while one was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
The two arrested suspects, meanwhile, are undergoing tactical interrogation.
Recovered from the suspects were one caliber 45 pistol, one caliber 357 pistol, one caliber 38 revolver, and two fragmentation grenades.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Varilla noted that Amistoso was found to be among the suspects behind the robbery of Banco de Oro in Sucat, Paranaque last June 4.
That bank robbery incident is being attributed by police to the Ampang-Colangco criminal gang, based on the identities of the suspects who took part.
Varilla commended the RPIOU-RID and the SPD “for their hard work and persistence” and exhorted “them to keep on pursuing crime groups operating in Metro Manila.
Yesterday’s incident prompted Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Calderon to call for a command conference at Camp Crame later in the afternoon among police officials in Metro Manila.
“I called for this conference because of the series of two bank robberies (recently). I called the attention of Gen. (Reynaldo) Varilla how we could really secure Metro Manila and prevent these incidents,” Calderon said in a news briefing after their conference.
Among the immediate actions that police will take, he said, is the putting up of a tracker team in each of the five police districts in Metro Manila. The team will be “dedicated to go after robbery hold-up groups,” said Calderon.
Varilla said each team will be composed of seven personnel from the Intelligence Division and one personnel from the Regional Special Action Unit (RSAU).
The RSAU, according to Varilla, is already fielding personnel aboard public buses plying Metro Manila as marshals to monitor hold-uppers and snatchers.
In the said news conference, Varilla admitted that an increase of 1.24 percent on street crime incidents in Metro Manila was observed from January to May of this year, compared to the same period last year. The incidents, he said, are mostly robberies and illegal drugs trade.
Asked for the factor of the rise in incidents, Varilla said: “Economics. After the yuletide, many people need money, as well as during this enrollment period. So many of our enterprising fellowmen resorted to cellphone snatching and robberies.”
To ensure the safety of students, Varilla said each police station had put up police assistance centers in the vicinity of learning centers, although he noted that during the first week of classes, no untoward incident was reported.
“We doubled our foot and mobile patrol… We hope will maintain this (zero incident rate) throughout the year,” he said.
Calderon said the principle of command responsibility and three-strike policy are also in effect, especially if they find out that local police officials did not do much to prevent the occurrence of crimes.
But asked if Metro Manila is still safe despite the series of robberies, Varilla told reporters: “I think so.”/DMS
June 12, 2007
Four suspected robbers were killed while two others were wounded in a shootout with police as they attempt to rob a bank in Makati City yesterday morning, police said.
One of the slain robbers, suspected to belong to the so-called Salazar gang, was identified as Rodolfo Amistoso, the driver of their vehicle, while the two arrested were identified as Robert Luares, 36, native of Camarines Sur, and Luis Cervantes, 44, a former member of the Philippine Constabulary and a resident of Taguig City.
The suspects were aboard a black Mazda 626 car (plate number TPL-213) and motorcycle (plate number EJ7864) when they were allegedly attempting to rob the Metrobank branch on Evangelista Street, Bangkal, Makati City.
Police said they received prior information about the attempted robbery from an informant so they deployed elements of the Regional Police Intelligence Operation Unit of the Regional Intelligence Division (RPIOU-RID), and the Southern Police District (SPD) at the site.
At around 10 am, the operatives noticed the suspects’ vehicles. Upon the instruction of their leader, one of the operatives approached the car to check on it but was met with a volley of gunfire from the suspects, police said.
“(This) forced the rest of the RPIOU-RID operatives to protect their besieged comrade and returned fire. The suspects kept on firing on the police operatives while attempting to speed off towards the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX),” a police statement said.
Three of the suspects, including Amistoso, died on the spot, while one was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
The two arrested suspects, meanwhile, are undergoing tactical interrogation.
Recovered from the suspects were one caliber 45 pistol, one caliber 357 pistol, one caliber 38 revolver, and two fragmentation grenades.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Varilla noted that Amistoso was found to be among the suspects behind the robbery of Banco de Oro in Sucat, Paranaque last June 4.
That bank robbery incident is being attributed by police to the Ampang-Colangco criminal gang, based on the identities of the suspects who took part.
Varilla commended the RPIOU-RID and the SPD “for their hard work and persistence” and exhorted “them to keep on pursuing crime groups operating in Metro Manila.
Yesterday’s incident prompted Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Calderon to call for a command conference at Camp Crame later in the afternoon among police officials in Metro Manila.
“I called for this conference because of the series of two bank robberies (recently). I called the attention of Gen. (Reynaldo) Varilla how we could really secure Metro Manila and prevent these incidents,” Calderon said in a news briefing after their conference.
Among the immediate actions that police will take, he said, is the putting up of a tracker team in each of the five police districts in Metro Manila. The team will be “dedicated to go after robbery hold-up groups,” said Calderon.
Varilla said each team will be composed of seven personnel from the Intelligence Division and one personnel from the Regional Special Action Unit (RSAU).
The RSAU, according to Varilla, is already fielding personnel aboard public buses plying Metro Manila as marshals to monitor hold-uppers and snatchers.
In the said news conference, Varilla admitted that an increase of 1.24 percent on street crime incidents in Metro Manila was observed from January to May of this year, compared to the same period last year. The incidents, he said, are mostly robberies and illegal drugs trade.
Asked for the factor of the rise in incidents, Varilla said: “Economics. After the yuletide, many people need money, as well as during this enrollment period. So many of our enterprising fellowmen resorted to cellphone snatching and robberies.”
To ensure the safety of students, Varilla said each police station had put up police assistance centers in the vicinity of learning centers, although he noted that during the first week of classes, no untoward incident was reported.
“We doubled our foot and mobile patrol… We hope will maintain this (zero incident rate) throughout the year,” he said.
Calderon said the principle of command responsibility and three-strike policy are also in effect, especially if they find out that local police officials did not do much to prevent the occurrence of crimes.
But asked if Metro Manila is still safe despite the series of robberies, Varilla told reporters: “I think so.”/DMS
Blast in Quezon City junk shop kills one, injures five others
By Ronron
June 12, 2007
An explosion rocked a junk shop in Quezon City on Tuesday morning, killing one person and wounding five others, police said.
The incident happened at around 8:30 am inside GRG junkshop on No. 323 Tandang Sora Avenue, Barangay Tandang Sora, Quezon City.
Supt. Gerardo Ratuita, Quezon City Police Station 3 commander, said the explosion came from a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) that was tinkered with by a junk shop helper.
Killed in the incident was Mark Dave Tejada, 17, the helper who played with the pin of the RPG. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC).
The wounded were Leonardo Torio, 31, owner of the junkshop; Jemson Tiongson, 16; Britch Camacho, 22; George Dalugdog, 22; and, Henry Cunanan, 54, all helpers at the junkshop. They were also rushed to the EAMC for medical treatment.
Initial investigation revealed that the RPG was sold to the shop by a certain Neol Jenobiagon, 20, a scavenger. Jenobiagon claims that it was also just sold to him.
Police are investigating if Jenobiagon is liable for the incident./DMS
June 12, 2007
An explosion rocked a junk shop in Quezon City on Tuesday morning, killing one person and wounding five others, police said.
The incident happened at around 8:30 am inside GRG junkshop on No. 323 Tandang Sora Avenue, Barangay Tandang Sora, Quezon City.
Supt. Gerardo Ratuita, Quezon City Police Station 3 commander, said the explosion came from a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) that was tinkered with by a junk shop helper.
Killed in the incident was Mark Dave Tejada, 17, the helper who played with the pin of the RPG. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC).
The wounded were Leonardo Torio, 31, owner of the junkshop; Jemson Tiongson, 16; Britch Camacho, 22; George Dalugdog, 22; and, Henry Cunanan, 54, all helpers at the junkshop. They were also rushed to the EAMC for medical treatment.
Initial investigation revealed that the RPG was sold to the shop by a certain Neol Jenobiagon, 20, a scavenger. Jenobiagon claims that it was also just sold to him.
Police are investigating if Jenobiagon is liable for the incident./DMS
Police nab three kidnapping suspects in Makati City
By Ronron
June 12, 2007
Three suspected kidnappers arrested by police in Makati City early last week were presented to the media on Tuesday.
Supt. Marcelo Morales, Operations Officer of the Police Anti Crime and Emergency Response (PACER), identified the suspects as Sr. Insp. Eleazar Sieton, Jonathan Melgo, and Amad Tallib Hasan.
Morales said Sieton is assigned with the Police Regional Office 12 but is on Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL) status; Melgo is a former member of the Philippine Army; and Hasan, who carries the alias Ahmad Talib Guiamad, is a vendor at Novaliches, Quezon City.
Morales said the three are suspects in the abduction last May 24 of a Pakistani national who has a business in Makati City. The Pakistani, Morales said, now has a Filipino citizenship.
Morales said the three were arrested last June 3 on N. Garcia Street, Makati City during an entrapment operation by PACER operatives. The suspects, he said, were on their way to meet a relative of their victim at that time.
Morales disclosed that the relatives of the victim had made prior contacts with the PACER for possible rescue operations. This after the suspects refused to release the Pakistani last June 2 despite the payment of ransom with an undisclosed amount.
Morales said the suspects have demanded P50 million from the family of the victim, whom they abducted last May 24 outside his shop in Makati City.
Five armed men wearing police uniforms and jackets forcibly took the victim and escaped aboard a silver gray Toyota Innova (plate number XBZ-333).
During the operation, the PACER operatives intercepted a white taxicab that was carrying the three suspects and the victim who was blindfolded.
Morales said recovered from the suspects were P17,000 cash which is part of the ransom payment, and three mobile phones, one of which was used by the suspects in communicating with the family of their victim.
Morales said a case of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom had been filed against the three before the Department of Justice.
As a member of the Philippine National Police, Sieton, according to Morales, will also face a separate administrative case.
Morales said they suspect that the arrested suspects have 10 more companions at large, most of whom are active or former members of the uniformed service.
“Our manhunt teams are now conducting intelligence and follow up operations,” he said.
Morales said he is saddened by the involvement of a policeman in the crime, saying the latter is supposed to enforce the law and not go against it.
“But we will not tolerate policemen who violate the law. So it is just right that he be punished according to law,” Morales said of Sieton, who is a native of Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat./DMS
June 12, 2007
Three suspected kidnappers arrested by police in Makati City early last week were presented to the media on Tuesday.
Supt. Marcelo Morales, Operations Officer of the Police Anti Crime and Emergency Response (PACER), identified the suspects as Sr. Insp. Eleazar Sieton, Jonathan Melgo, and Amad Tallib Hasan.
Morales said Sieton is assigned with the Police Regional Office 12 but is on Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL) status; Melgo is a former member of the Philippine Army; and Hasan, who carries the alias Ahmad Talib Guiamad, is a vendor at Novaliches, Quezon City.
Morales said the three are suspects in the abduction last May 24 of a Pakistani national who has a business in Makati City. The Pakistani, Morales said, now has a Filipino citizenship.
Morales said the three were arrested last June 3 on N. Garcia Street, Makati City during an entrapment operation by PACER operatives. The suspects, he said, were on their way to meet a relative of their victim at that time.
Morales disclosed that the relatives of the victim had made prior contacts with the PACER for possible rescue operations. This after the suspects refused to release the Pakistani last June 2 despite the payment of ransom with an undisclosed amount.
Morales said the suspects have demanded P50 million from the family of the victim, whom they abducted last May 24 outside his shop in Makati City.
Five armed men wearing police uniforms and jackets forcibly took the victim and escaped aboard a silver gray Toyota Innova (plate number XBZ-333).
During the operation, the PACER operatives intercepted a white taxicab that was carrying the three suspects and the victim who was blindfolded.
Morales said recovered from the suspects were P17,000 cash which is part of the ransom payment, and three mobile phones, one of which was used by the suspects in communicating with the family of their victim.
Morales said a case of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom had been filed against the three before the Department of Justice.
As a member of the Philippine National Police, Sieton, according to Morales, will also face a separate administrative case.
Morales said they suspect that the arrested suspects have 10 more companions at large, most of whom are active or former members of the uniformed service.
“Our manhunt teams are now conducting intelligence and follow up operations,” he said.
Morales said he is saddened by the involvement of a policeman in the crime, saying the latter is supposed to enforce the law and not go against it.
“But we will not tolerate policemen who violate the law. So it is just right that he be punished according to law,” Morales said of Sieton, who is a native of Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat./DMS
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
AFP getting pulse of rank and file over Trillanes’ impending victory in the Senatorial race
By Ronron
June 11, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is conducting a survey among its ranks as regards their sentiments over the impending victory of resigned Lt. Sr. Grade Antonio Trillanes IV in the recently concluded senatorial race.
AFP Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said Monday that the survey started Wednesday last week and is currently being conducted among rank and file members of the military based in Metro Manila.
He said the AFP Civil Relations Service is spearheading the activity.
“Through this survey, we will know how to educate our soldiers (in relation to their perception of the victory of Trillanes),” Bacarro said. “It’s a management tool to find out what is the sentiment down there so the management can act on and give appropriate response to educate the people in the lower level.”
He said that in particular, if the survey reveals that there are some soldiers who are against the proclamation of Trillanes because of his reputation and pending case in the military service, then the AFP leadership can take actions to make them understand that Trillanes got a mandate from the people.
“It’s to remove rumblings within the organization because it is possible that these dissenting opinion of a few soldiers would create rumblings,” Bacarro explained.
“We will educate our soldiers that he (Trillanes) got a mandate from 12 million Filipinos and he needs to perform his job (as Senator), but since he has a pending case as a result of the Oakwood incident, he will have to face that. Other soldiers do not know this so this will clear the picture to them,” he added.
The questions in the survey, which will be answered with either Strongly Agree, Agree, Unsure, Disagree, or Strongly Disagree, are the following:
1. In the May 2007 elections, it is possible that many personnel, active or retired, have also supported the candidacy of ex-Lt. Trillanes.
2. Voters have cast their votes for Trillanes to openly express their disappointment with the present national leadership.
3. The votes cast in favor of ex-Lt. Trillanes reflect the people's trust in his competence for good governance.
4. Within the military organization, a Trillanes vote indicates a compelling desire for change in the military/defense establishment.
5. Within the AFP, a Trillanes vote implies defiance of the AFP top brass.
6. I perceive ex-Lt. Trillanes, who is a military man, to have limited knowledge of governance.
7. Trillanes is successful in his senatorial bid because of the public's dissatisfaction with the military/defense leadership.
8. Ex-Lt. Antonio Trillanes definitely provides strong leadership.
9. Many have supported Trillanes' candidacy because he represents reform in the Armed Forces.
10. The concerns of the soldiers will be better represented when Trillanes becomes senator.
11. Ex-Lt. Trillanes should be released on bail by the time he sits as senator.
12. Ex-Lt. Trillanes should have waited for the conclusion of the charges against him before running for public office.
13. Coming from the military organization, ex-Lt. Trillanes can bring forth significant changes for the AFP should he get elected.
14. Ex-Lt. Trillanes wants to be in power so he cannot be made accountable for his fault in the Oakwood event.
15. I believe that ex-Lt. Trillanes is supported by politicians who want a divided AFP.
16. The votes that ex-Lt. Trillanes got are expressions of the public's diminished confidence in the military organization.
17. The support that Trillanes got represents a silent approval that agrees with extra-constitutional resort to achieve organizational change.
18. If this country requires radical alternatives such as ... a coup d'etat to achieve reforms, then so be it.
19. Voluntarily, ex-Lt. Trillanes could have forged an alliance with the Left for his senatorial candidacy; and,
20. Left-leaning groups have supported Trillanes because they saw in him a rallying point to promote their cause.
Bacarro said the officers and soldiers who get to respond to the questionnaire have the option to disclose or not their names and ranks.
Bacarro admitted this is the first time they did this kind of activity because “this is the first time in Philippine history wherein a former military who is now on detention won (a national elective post).”
He could not say, however, when the survey will wrap up and its results be disclosed./DMS
June 11, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is conducting a survey among its ranks as regards their sentiments over the impending victory of resigned Lt. Sr. Grade Antonio Trillanes IV in the recently concluded senatorial race.
AFP Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said Monday that the survey started Wednesday last week and is currently being conducted among rank and file members of the military based in Metro Manila.
He said the AFP Civil Relations Service is spearheading the activity.
“Through this survey, we will know how to educate our soldiers (in relation to their perception of the victory of Trillanes),” Bacarro said. “It’s a management tool to find out what is the sentiment down there so the management can act on and give appropriate response to educate the people in the lower level.”
He said that in particular, if the survey reveals that there are some soldiers who are against the proclamation of Trillanes because of his reputation and pending case in the military service, then the AFP leadership can take actions to make them understand that Trillanes got a mandate from the people.
“It’s to remove rumblings within the organization because it is possible that these dissenting opinion of a few soldiers would create rumblings,” Bacarro explained.
“We will educate our soldiers that he (Trillanes) got a mandate from 12 million Filipinos and he needs to perform his job (as Senator), but since he has a pending case as a result of the Oakwood incident, he will have to face that. Other soldiers do not know this so this will clear the picture to them,” he added.
The questions in the survey, which will be answered with either Strongly Agree, Agree, Unsure, Disagree, or Strongly Disagree, are the following:
1. In the May 2007 elections, it is possible that many personnel, active or retired, have also supported the candidacy of ex-Lt. Trillanes.
2. Voters have cast their votes for Trillanes to openly express their disappointment with the present national leadership.
3. The votes cast in favor of ex-Lt. Trillanes reflect the people's trust in his competence for good governance.
4. Within the military organization, a Trillanes vote indicates a compelling desire for change in the military/defense establishment.
5. Within the AFP, a Trillanes vote implies defiance of the AFP top brass.
6. I perceive ex-Lt. Trillanes, who is a military man, to have limited knowledge of governance.
7. Trillanes is successful in his senatorial bid because of the public's dissatisfaction with the military/defense leadership.
8. Ex-Lt. Antonio Trillanes definitely provides strong leadership.
9. Many have supported Trillanes' candidacy because he represents reform in the Armed Forces.
10. The concerns of the soldiers will be better represented when Trillanes becomes senator.
11. Ex-Lt. Trillanes should be released on bail by the time he sits as senator.
12. Ex-Lt. Trillanes should have waited for the conclusion of the charges against him before running for public office.
13. Coming from the military organization, ex-Lt. Trillanes can bring forth significant changes for the AFP should he get elected.
14. Ex-Lt. Trillanes wants to be in power so he cannot be made accountable for his fault in the Oakwood event.
15. I believe that ex-Lt. Trillanes is supported by politicians who want a divided AFP.
16. The votes that ex-Lt. Trillanes got are expressions of the public's diminished confidence in the military organization.
17. The support that Trillanes got represents a silent approval that agrees with extra-constitutional resort to achieve organizational change.
18. If this country requires radical alternatives such as ... a coup d'etat to achieve reforms, then so be it.
19. Voluntarily, ex-Lt. Trillanes could have forged an alliance with the Left for his senatorial candidacy; and,
20. Left-leaning groups have supported Trillanes because they saw in him a rallying point to promote their cause.
Bacarro said the officers and soldiers who get to respond to the questionnaire have the option to disclose or not their names and ranks.
Bacarro admitted this is the first time they did this kind of activity because “this is the first time in Philippine history wherein a former military who is now on detention won (a national elective post).”
He could not say, however, when the survey will wrap up and its results be disclosed./DMS
Police eyes extortion behind Matalam blast over terrorism
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MILF disowns AFP suspect behind Bossi abduction, says Commander Kiddie belongs to ASG; search operations remain in Zamboanga peninsula
By Ronron
June 11, 2007
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Monday disowned Commander Kiddie (not Khidi as earlier spelled), whom the military tagged earlier as an MILF member responsible for the abduction of Italian Catholic priest Fr. Gian Carlo Bossi in Zamboanga Sibugay.
MILF Public Information Officer and chief negotiator with the government Mohagher Iqbal told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview yesterday that Kiddie, whose real name is Kiddie Abdulsalam, is an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) member who operates in the Zamboanga provinces.
“He is a notorious person since the 1990’s, having been involved in past kidnapping cases. He is not an MILF member… He is an Abu Sayyaf who has been operating in the Zamboanga peninsula,” Iqbal said of Kiddie.
Col. Godofredo Paderanga, chief of the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Division Civil Military Operations, was quick to attribute the abduction of Bossi last Sunday to Kiddie, whom authorities recognize as an MILF member.
The abduction was perpetrated by 10 fully armed men while Bossi was on his way to Barangay Bulawan in Payao town to administer Holy Mass.
Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command Deputy Chief Brig. Gen. Juancho Sabban said Kiddie was positively identified by a local resident who witnessed the snatching incident in Sitio Talubtob, Barangay Silal in Payao town.
“Well, if it’s true that he’s not an MILF member, then it’s good so that we can push harder in our operations,” Sabban said, disclosing that it is the 102nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army that is working with the provincial police offices of Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Sur in the conduct of search and rescue operations.
The police, for its part, would still not categorically say that Kiddie is indeed the suspect, saying the information is still being validated.
Sabban said they believe that the 57-year-old priest and his captors have not yet gone out of the Zamboanga peninsula, saying they used two small motorboats only during their escape.
In coordination with Philippine forces, the MILF forces, said Iqbal, were also mobilized to help in the search and rescue operations, especially those based in the islets between Zamboanga and Basilan.
“I hope they really help us because the initial reports point to one of their members as the suspect. I hope they tell their men on the field that if their comrade is involved, they should turn over Fr. Bossi immediately,” Sr. Supt. Francisco Cristobal, Jr., chief of the Zamboanga Sibugay Police Provincial Office, appealed to the MILF.
Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino, government chairman in the GRP-MILF Adhoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG), said in a separate interview that they have a general idea of Kiddie’s location but would not disclose it so as no to jeopardize the operations.
“GRP-MILF AHJAG team members are closely in touch… They are checking on the reports about their (Bossi and his captors) possible location. My instruction to them is to contain them (kidnappers) and immobilize them,” Dolorfino told Defense reporters at Camp Aguinaldo.
“If the rescue is not possible, they should go for the negotiated release. What is important is the safety of the victim,” he added.
Cristobal said the Philippine Navy in Zamboanga have already established a naval blockade in the area, while police stations in neighboring towns are conducted regular sea-borne patrols.
As of yesterday, Cristobal said there is still no group that owned up the abduction and no communication from the suspects have reached yet the authorities or those close to Bossi.
Bossi started serving in the parish of Payao in April of this year, and so far, there was no prior threat against his safety and security, Cristobal said.
In October 2001, Italian Catholic priest Giuseppe Pierantoni was also abducted in Zamboanga del Sur but was rescued in April of the following year./DMS
June 11, 2007
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Monday disowned Commander Kiddie (not Khidi as earlier spelled), whom the military tagged earlier as an MILF member responsible for the abduction of Italian Catholic priest Fr. Gian Carlo Bossi in Zamboanga Sibugay.
MILF Public Information Officer and chief negotiator with the government Mohagher Iqbal told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview yesterday that Kiddie, whose real name is Kiddie Abdulsalam, is an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) member who operates in the Zamboanga provinces.
“He is a notorious person since the 1990’s, having been involved in past kidnapping cases. He is not an MILF member… He is an Abu Sayyaf who has been operating in the Zamboanga peninsula,” Iqbal said of Kiddie.
Col. Godofredo Paderanga, chief of the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Division Civil Military Operations, was quick to attribute the abduction of Bossi last Sunday to Kiddie, whom authorities recognize as an MILF member.
The abduction was perpetrated by 10 fully armed men while Bossi was on his way to Barangay Bulawan in Payao town to administer Holy Mass.
Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command Deputy Chief Brig. Gen. Juancho Sabban said Kiddie was positively identified by a local resident who witnessed the snatching incident in Sitio Talubtob, Barangay Silal in Payao town.
“Well, if it’s true that he’s not an MILF member, then it’s good so that we can push harder in our operations,” Sabban said, disclosing that it is the 102nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army that is working with the provincial police offices of Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Sur in the conduct of search and rescue operations.
The police, for its part, would still not categorically say that Kiddie is indeed the suspect, saying the information is still being validated.
Sabban said they believe that the 57-year-old priest and his captors have not yet gone out of the Zamboanga peninsula, saying they used two small motorboats only during their escape.
In coordination with Philippine forces, the MILF forces, said Iqbal, were also mobilized to help in the search and rescue operations, especially those based in the islets between Zamboanga and Basilan.
“I hope they really help us because the initial reports point to one of their members as the suspect. I hope they tell their men on the field that if their comrade is involved, they should turn over Fr. Bossi immediately,” Sr. Supt. Francisco Cristobal, Jr., chief of the Zamboanga Sibugay Police Provincial Office, appealed to the MILF.
Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino, government chairman in the GRP-MILF Adhoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG), said in a separate interview that they have a general idea of Kiddie’s location but would not disclose it so as no to jeopardize the operations.
“GRP-MILF AHJAG team members are closely in touch… They are checking on the reports about their (Bossi and his captors) possible location. My instruction to them is to contain them (kidnappers) and immobilize them,” Dolorfino told Defense reporters at Camp Aguinaldo.
“If the rescue is not possible, they should go for the negotiated release. What is important is the safety of the victim,” he added.
Cristobal said the Philippine Navy in Zamboanga have already established a naval blockade in the area, while police stations in neighboring towns are conducted regular sea-borne patrols.
As of yesterday, Cristobal said there is still no group that owned up the abduction and no communication from the suspects have reached yet the authorities or those close to Bossi.
Bossi started serving in the parish of Payao in April of this year, and so far, there was no prior threat against his safety and security, Cristobal said.
In October 2001, Italian Catholic priest Giuseppe Pierantoni was also abducted in Zamboanga del Sur but was rescued in April of the following year./DMS
Coast Guard and Marina to investigate cause of fire and passenger discrepancy
By Ronron
June 11, 2007
Apart from the cause of fire, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) will investigate why more people were aboard the ill-fated M/V Catalyn-D compared to those listed in its passenger manifest.
PCG Deputy Commandant for Operations Rear Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said Monday that a total of 287 persons, including 28 crew members, were rescued and recovered from the sea mishap that happened early Sunday morning in the waters off Mindoro Occcidental.
This figure, Tamayo noted, is way above the 267 authorized passengers for said vessel as approved by Marina.
“We have accounted for a discrepancy of 20 persons, which will now be included in the inquiry to be conducted by the PCG District Southern Tagalog,” Tamayo said.
In fact, the passenger manifest of the vessel for said trip only bore names of 216 passengers and 21 crew members.
Based on the PCG’s updated report yesterday, of the 287 accounted persons from the incident, 254 were passengers who survived, five are passengers who died, and 28 are crew members who survived.
M/V Catalyn-D, which has a gross tonnage of 327.3 and owned and operated by San Nicholas Lines, was sailing for Coron, Palawan from Manila when it caught fire at around 5am the other day (Sunday) in the vicinity of Pantocomi Point, Paluan Bay in Mindoro Occidental, the PCG had said.
PCG Commandant Vice Admiral Damian Carlos had earlier disclosed that the fire originated from the cargo room of the vessel.
But until yesterday, the PCG could not still say what caused the fire.
Carlos said the vessel was totally burned and is presumed to have sunk already./DMS
June 11, 2007
Apart from the cause of fire, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) will investigate why more people were aboard the ill-fated M/V Catalyn-D compared to those listed in its passenger manifest.
PCG Deputy Commandant for Operations Rear Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said Monday that a total of 287 persons, including 28 crew members, were rescued and recovered from the sea mishap that happened early Sunday morning in the waters off Mindoro Occcidental.
This figure, Tamayo noted, is way above the 267 authorized passengers for said vessel as approved by Marina.
“We have accounted for a discrepancy of 20 persons, which will now be included in the inquiry to be conducted by the PCG District Southern Tagalog,” Tamayo said.
In fact, the passenger manifest of the vessel for said trip only bore names of 216 passengers and 21 crew members.
Based on the PCG’s updated report yesterday, of the 287 accounted persons from the incident, 254 were passengers who survived, five are passengers who died, and 28 are crew members who survived.
M/V Catalyn-D, which has a gross tonnage of 327.3 and owned and operated by San Nicholas Lines, was sailing for Coron, Palawan from Manila when it caught fire at around 5am the other day (Sunday) in the vicinity of Pantocomi Point, Paluan Bay in Mindoro Occidental, the PCG had said.
PCG Commandant Vice Admiral Damian Carlos had earlier disclosed that the fire originated from the cargo room of the vessel.
But until yesterday, the PCG could not still say what caused the fire.
Carlos said the vessel was totally burned and is presumed to have sunk already./DMS
Monday, June 11, 2007
5 killed, at least 7 wounded as ship catches fire in Mindoro waters
By Ronron
June 10, 2007
Five persons were killed and at least seven others were wounded when a ship bound for Palawan caught fire on Sunday morning in the waters of Mindoro Occidental, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.
In a statement, the PCG said M/V Catalyn-D, a passenger-cargo vessel with 327.3 gross tonnage, was sailing in the vicinity of Pantocomi Point, Paluan Bay in Mindoro Occidental when it caught fire around 5 am.
The vessel, owned and operated by San Nicholas Lines, was carrying 260 persons then, including 21 crew members, although its manifest only showed 216 names of passengers.
It was heading for Coron in Palawan, and came from the port of Manila, departing in particular from Pier 2 of the Manila North Harbor at around 6:30 pm last Saturday.
PCG Commandant Vice Admiral Damian Carlos said the fire originated from the cargo room of the vessel, although its cause was not yet immediately known.
He said the incident was only relayed to the PCG headquarters at around 7:45 am.
“The vessel is totally burned and was already abandoned when our vessels arrived there at around 11am,” Carlos told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview.
“I presume it has already submerged in the area,” he added.
Fishing carriers Obby II and Sabrina DL-2, and smaller local fishing bancas who were at the site were the first to respond to the incident and provide assistance, the PCG said.
Upon receipt of the information, the PCG headquarters in Manila also immediately dispatched the following vessels to conduct search and rescue operations: BRP Pampanga (SAR-003), BRP Ilocos Norte (SAR 3501) with medical team and rescue divers on it, BRP Lanao del Norte (SAR 3504), and a PCG helicopter.
FV Obby II rescued 128 survivors, seven of whom sustained fire burns, and recovered two fatalities, and transferred them to BRP Pampanga, which took them back to Manila. They arrived in Manila at 4:45pm.
“Survivors who sustained injuries shall be brought to the nearest hospitals while the recovered dead bodies shall be brought to nearest funeral homes,” the PCG statement said.
FV Sabrina DL-2, on the other hand, took 127 survivors and one fatality, and was heading to Coron. “Coast Guard Station Coron had already been alerted and directed to account properly all survivors and casualties,” the PCG statement said.
The remaining two other fatalities were recovered by the PCG chopper and flown to Manila, the PCG statement said.
The four fatalities that were brought to Manila were Virgilio Saul, 62; Rosa Napoles, 48; Jun Hagus; and an unidentified child. The lone fatality that was brought to Coron has yet to be identified as well.
Carlos could not immediately say what caused the deaths of the five, although he noted that not all of them bore burn marks.
“The Special Board of Marine Inquiry will convene to investigate and establish the immediate cause of the maritime incident involving Catalyn-D,” the PCG statement said.
But Carlos said that immediately yesterday afternoon, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has ordered the suspension of all other vessels owned and operated by the San Nicholas Lines pending the investigation on M/V Catalyn-D./DMS
June 10, 2007
Five persons were killed and at least seven others were wounded when a ship bound for Palawan caught fire on Sunday morning in the waters of Mindoro Occidental, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.
In a statement, the PCG said M/V Catalyn-D, a passenger-cargo vessel with 327.3 gross tonnage, was sailing in the vicinity of Pantocomi Point, Paluan Bay in Mindoro Occidental when it caught fire around 5 am.
The vessel, owned and operated by San Nicholas Lines, was carrying 260 persons then, including 21 crew members, although its manifest only showed 216 names of passengers.
It was heading for Coron in Palawan, and came from the port of Manila, departing in particular from Pier 2 of the Manila North Harbor at around 6:30 pm last Saturday.
PCG Commandant Vice Admiral Damian Carlos said the fire originated from the cargo room of the vessel, although its cause was not yet immediately known.
He said the incident was only relayed to the PCG headquarters at around 7:45 am.
“The vessel is totally burned and was already abandoned when our vessels arrived there at around 11am,” Carlos told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview.
“I presume it has already submerged in the area,” he added.
Fishing carriers Obby II and Sabrina DL-2, and smaller local fishing bancas who were at the site were the first to respond to the incident and provide assistance, the PCG said.
Upon receipt of the information, the PCG headquarters in Manila also immediately dispatched the following vessels to conduct search and rescue operations: BRP Pampanga (SAR-003), BRP Ilocos Norte (SAR 3501) with medical team and rescue divers on it, BRP Lanao del Norte (SAR 3504), and a PCG helicopter.
FV Obby II rescued 128 survivors, seven of whom sustained fire burns, and recovered two fatalities, and transferred them to BRP Pampanga, which took them back to Manila. They arrived in Manila at 4:45pm.
“Survivors who sustained injuries shall be brought to the nearest hospitals while the recovered dead bodies shall be brought to nearest funeral homes,” the PCG statement said.
FV Sabrina DL-2, on the other hand, took 127 survivors and one fatality, and was heading to Coron. “Coast Guard Station Coron had already been alerted and directed to account properly all survivors and casualties,” the PCG statement said.
The remaining two other fatalities were recovered by the PCG chopper and flown to Manila, the PCG statement said.
The four fatalities that were brought to Manila were Virgilio Saul, 62; Rosa Napoles, 48; Jun Hagus; and an unidentified child. The lone fatality that was brought to Coron has yet to be identified as well.
Carlos could not immediately say what caused the deaths of the five, although he noted that not all of them bore burn marks.
“The Special Board of Marine Inquiry will convene to investigate and establish the immediate cause of the maritime incident involving Catalyn-D,” the PCG statement said.
But Carlos said that immediately yesterday afternoon, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has ordered the suspension of all other vessels owned and operated by the San Nicholas Lines pending the investigation on M/V Catalyn-D./DMS
Italian priest abducted in Zamboanga
By Ronron
June10, 2007
An Italian Catholic priest was abducted Sunday morning in Zamboanga Sibugay province in western Mindanao by local criminals, police and military officials said.
Provincial Police Director Sr. Supt. Francisco Cristobal, Jr. identified the victim as Fr. Gian Carlo Bossi, 57, parish priest of Payao town.
Cristobal said Bossi was heading towards Barangay Bulawan in Payao to officiate a mass when he was snatched by more or less 10 fully armed men at around 9:30 am.
Bossi was then approaching Barangay Bulawan, onboard a motorcycle.
Cristobal said the suspects first held a civilian, who was also aboard a motorcycle, before they stopped and took Bossi. The civilian was subsequently freed and took the initiative to report the incident to police.
Cristobal said the suspects took Bossi to the nearby coast and boarded a motorboat heading to a still unknown direction. Bossi’s motorcycle was left behind.
The Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Division, through Col. Godofredo Paderanga, chief of the unit’s Civil Military Operations, was quick to attribute the incident to a group of lawless elements headed by a certain Commmander Khidi.
But Cristobal said that the police, for its part, will not immediately adopt the theory of the military, saying they have no evidence yet against Khidi, who is said to be a member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
He disclosed, nevertheless, that the local police have holdings against Khidi for alleged crimes committed in the past.
Asked for the possible destination of the abductors and their captive, Cristobal enumerated the following coastal towns of Zamboanga Sibugay: Olutanga, Naga, Ipil, and Tungawan; as well as the southern island provinces of Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-tawi.
Cristobal and Paderanga said that no ransom was so far being demanded by the abductors.
Cristobal said that immediately after the incident, the Payao Police Station went to the crime scene and conducted sea-borne patrol. It also coordinated with the neighboring police stations in the towns of Kabasalan, Naga, Ipil, and Tungawan for the conduct of their own sea-borne patrols in their respective areas of responsibilities.
Cristobal said he also coordinated with the military units in the area, particularly the Western Mindanao Command and the 1st Infantry Division, for support. He said the 18th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army was already mobilized to assist in the pursuit operations.
Cristobal said Bossi arrived in Payao in April of this year.
He said that prior to the incident, there is no intelligence report about plans to abduct the Italian priest.
In October 2001, Italian priest Giuseppe Pierantoni was abducted in the neighboring province of Zamboanga del Sur by the Pentagon kidnap-for-ransom group. He was rescued in April of the following year./DMS
June10, 2007
An Italian Catholic priest was abducted Sunday morning in Zamboanga Sibugay province in western Mindanao by local criminals, police and military officials said.
Provincial Police Director Sr. Supt. Francisco Cristobal, Jr. identified the victim as Fr. Gian Carlo Bossi, 57, parish priest of Payao town.
Cristobal said Bossi was heading towards Barangay Bulawan in Payao to officiate a mass when he was snatched by more or less 10 fully armed men at around 9:30 am.
Bossi was then approaching Barangay Bulawan, onboard a motorcycle.
Cristobal said the suspects first held a civilian, who was also aboard a motorcycle, before they stopped and took Bossi. The civilian was subsequently freed and took the initiative to report the incident to police.
Cristobal said the suspects took Bossi to the nearby coast and boarded a motorboat heading to a still unknown direction. Bossi’s motorcycle was left behind.
The Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Division, through Col. Godofredo Paderanga, chief of the unit’s Civil Military Operations, was quick to attribute the incident to a group of lawless elements headed by a certain Commmander Khidi.
But Cristobal said that the police, for its part, will not immediately adopt the theory of the military, saying they have no evidence yet against Khidi, who is said to be a member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
He disclosed, nevertheless, that the local police have holdings against Khidi for alleged crimes committed in the past.
Asked for the possible destination of the abductors and their captive, Cristobal enumerated the following coastal towns of Zamboanga Sibugay: Olutanga, Naga, Ipil, and Tungawan; as well as the southern island provinces of Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-tawi.
Cristobal and Paderanga said that no ransom was so far being demanded by the abductors.
Cristobal said that immediately after the incident, the Payao Police Station went to the crime scene and conducted sea-borne patrol. It also coordinated with the neighboring police stations in the towns of Kabasalan, Naga, Ipil, and Tungawan for the conduct of their own sea-borne patrols in their respective areas of responsibilities.
Cristobal said he also coordinated with the military units in the area, particularly the Western Mindanao Command and the 1st Infantry Division, for support. He said the 18th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army was already mobilized to assist in the pursuit operations.
Cristobal said Bossi arrived in Payao in April of this year.
He said that prior to the incident, there is no intelligence report about plans to abduct the Italian priest.
In October 2001, Italian priest Giuseppe Pierantoni was abducted in the neighboring province of Zamboanga del Sur by the Pentagon kidnap-for-ransom group. He was rescued in April of the following year./DMS
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