By Ronron
July 20, 2007
The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) said on Friday that it cannot shoulder the fine that may be paid for law enforcers who erred in implementing the Human Security Act of 2007.
ATC spokesman Atty. Ricardo Blancaflor told reporters in an interview in Paranaque City that the agencies where the erring law enforcers belong will really have to pay for the penalties, such as the P500,000 for every day that a wrong terror suspect is detained.
In an press briefing last Wednesday at Camp Crame, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Calderon admitted the agency cannot afford to shoulder the P500,000 daily penalty and proposed that the ATC should pay for it.
But Blancaflor said the issue should not be fear of paying for the fine but implementing the law properly and religiously.
“We should just be careful (if we want to avoid being fined). I’d like to think positively instead of negatively because the law may not just be implemented at all. Let’s just hope that our law enforcers do the right thing,” Blancaflor said.
He assured that the law enforcers will be specially trained for the implementation of the law so avoid mistakes.
“This just can’t be implemented by ordinary policemen. For the law enforcers to implement this law, it is clear in the law that only those who are authorized by the anti-terror council can do it. There should be a team of law enforces, composed of members of the National Bureau of Investigation, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the PNP and if necessary, of the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation,” Blancaflor explained.
“They will have a special training and we will do that in the coming weeks,” he added.
Blancaflor said he is appealing to the law enforcers to changer their ways because “the law really requires cultural change.”
Asked on what should the law enforcers improve, he cited for example the filing of cases. “We are used to rushing in filing a case. Now, we should be clear about having sufficient and correct evidence.”
“This is really a challenge to our law enforcers,” Blancaflor said of the law.
Reminded of his earlier pronouncement that the law does not mention of any fund provision for the council, Blancaflor said what the government intends to do is raise the budget for every agency that is part of the ATC.
“For 2008, we will insert the fund (for the ATC) to the budget of the members of the ATC – the Executive Secretary’s budget, the Department of Justice’ budget, and the five members – Department of National Defense, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Finance, Department of Foreign Affairs, and the National Security Adviser,” Blancaflor said./DMS
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Friday, July 20, 2007
MILF won’t surrender fighters in July 10 clash
By Ronron
July 19, 2007
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Thursday stood pat on its decision not to surrender to the government its fighters who were involved in the July 10 clash in Basilan.
In a phone interview with Camp Aguinaldo reporters, MILF Public Information Officer and chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said their decision is based on the ceasefire agreement between the MILF and the government forged in 1997.
The government has repeatedly demanded the MILF to turn over its members who ambushed the Marine soldiers last July 10 in Al-Barkah, Basilan, killing 14, 10 of whom were mutilated, and wounding nine others.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the Marines were just passing through Barangay Guinanta in Al-Barkah after checking reports about the presence of abducted Italian Catholic priest Fr. Gian Carlo Bossi in the area.
But the MILF said the Marine troops entered an MILF territory without prior coordination, as provided by the agreement between the government and the secessionist group.
“All we need is to look at the ceasefire agreement. Under the agreement, it is the principal who should be the one imposing punishment to its members who are found to have committed offenses. That is what we should be following,” Iqbal said when asked if the MILF leadership is willing to surrender their fighters.
He reminded the government that it is signatory to that agreement.
“If that (turn over MILF fighters to the government) is what the ceasefire agreement says, we are going to do it. But the provisions state otherwise… It is us who should be imposing the punishment for any grave infraction. That is our discretion,” Iqbal said.
On Thursday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is preparing criminal charges against members of the 114 Base Command of the MILF and of the Abu Sayyaf Group for the deadly encounter.
Iqbal maintained though that their fighters “committed no offense,” saying it was a legitimate encounter that happened last July 10.
Having denied already beheading the soldiers, Iqbal said the MILF is still interested in finding out who committed it.
Told about the AFP’s planned punitive actions in Basilan, Iqbal said: “We are used to that all-out war. We are ready to defend ourselves.”
Iqbal said it has about a thousand fighters in Basilan./DMS
July 19, 2007
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Thursday stood pat on its decision not to surrender to the government its fighters who were involved in the July 10 clash in Basilan.
In a phone interview with Camp Aguinaldo reporters, MILF Public Information Officer and chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said their decision is based on the ceasefire agreement between the MILF and the government forged in 1997.
The government has repeatedly demanded the MILF to turn over its members who ambushed the Marine soldiers last July 10 in Al-Barkah, Basilan, killing 14, 10 of whom were mutilated, and wounding nine others.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the Marines were just passing through Barangay Guinanta in Al-Barkah after checking reports about the presence of abducted Italian Catholic priest Fr. Gian Carlo Bossi in the area.
But the MILF said the Marine troops entered an MILF territory without prior coordination, as provided by the agreement between the government and the secessionist group.
“All we need is to look at the ceasefire agreement. Under the agreement, it is the principal who should be the one imposing punishment to its members who are found to have committed offenses. That is what we should be following,” Iqbal said when asked if the MILF leadership is willing to surrender their fighters.
He reminded the government that it is signatory to that agreement.
“If that (turn over MILF fighters to the government) is what the ceasefire agreement says, we are going to do it. But the provisions state otherwise… It is us who should be imposing the punishment for any grave infraction. That is our discretion,” Iqbal said.
On Thursday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is preparing criminal charges against members of the 114 Base Command of the MILF and of the Abu Sayyaf Group for the deadly encounter.
Iqbal maintained though that their fighters “committed no offense,” saying it was a legitimate encounter that happened last July 10.
Having denied already beheading the soldiers, Iqbal said the MILF is still interested in finding out who committed it.
Told about the AFP’s planned punitive actions in Basilan, Iqbal said: “We are used to that all-out war. We are ready to defend ourselves.”
Iqbal said it has about a thousand fighters in Basilan./DMS
Two NPA’s killed in clash with soldiers in Mindoro Oriental
By Ronron
July 19, 2007
Two suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in a clash Thursday with government troops in Mindoro Oriental province, a military spokesman said.
According to Lt. Col. Rhoderick Parayno, spokesman of the Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM), the encounter happened at around 9:25 am at Barangay Lower Pag-asa in Bansud town, and lasted for about 15 minutes.
He said the engaged troops were members of a platoon from the Philippine Army’s 68th Infantry Battalion while the number of the communist rebels is undetermined. But the government troops were later joined by elements from the 21st Reconnaissance Company.
Parayno said the clash began when elements of the 68th IB responded to reports about the presence of NPA rebels in Bansud.
“There are CAFGU’s being trained in Bansud right now and the NPA’s went near the area, hoping to dissuade (the trainees) from joining the AFP. Civilians saw them, prompting the report to government troops,” Parayno said in a text message.
Parayno identified the slain rebels as Ka Oman and Ka Aycon, both members of the Platoon Guerilla of Islacom CPP/NPA Mindoro. Hospitals in Bansud and its neighboring towns are now being checked for possible presence of injured rebels.
Government troops recovered from the insurgents two M14 and one M16 rifles, said Parayno.
Parayno said Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, SOLCOM chief, both congratulated the soldiers and reminded them to maintain good relationship with the people because it is a key to defeating the NPA.
The 7,100-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside in the last 38 years and peace talks with the movement remains bogged after it was tagged as terrorist by foreign governments in 2004.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the military and police to crush the movement by 2010 when she ends her term./DMS
July 19, 2007
Two suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in a clash Thursday with government troops in Mindoro Oriental province, a military spokesman said.
According to Lt. Col. Rhoderick Parayno, spokesman of the Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM), the encounter happened at around 9:25 am at Barangay Lower Pag-asa in Bansud town, and lasted for about 15 minutes.
He said the engaged troops were members of a platoon from the Philippine Army’s 68th Infantry Battalion while the number of the communist rebels is undetermined. But the government troops were later joined by elements from the 21st Reconnaissance Company.
Parayno said the clash began when elements of the 68th IB responded to reports about the presence of NPA rebels in Bansud.
“There are CAFGU’s being trained in Bansud right now and the NPA’s went near the area, hoping to dissuade (the trainees) from joining the AFP. Civilians saw them, prompting the report to government troops,” Parayno said in a text message.
Parayno identified the slain rebels as Ka Oman and Ka Aycon, both members of the Platoon Guerilla of Islacom CPP/NPA Mindoro. Hospitals in Bansud and its neighboring towns are now being checked for possible presence of injured rebels.
Government troops recovered from the insurgents two M14 and one M16 rifles, said Parayno.
Parayno said Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, SOLCOM chief, both congratulated the soldiers and reminded them to maintain good relationship with the people because it is a key to defeating the NPA.
The 7,100-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside in the last 38 years and peace talks with the movement remains bogged after it was tagged as terrorist by foreign governments in 2004.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the military and police to crush the movement by 2010 when she ends her term./DMS
Army chief recommends court martial proceedings against soldier who accidentally shot dead the soldier who neutralized No. 2 ASG man
By Ronron
July 19, 2007
The chief of the Philippine Army has ordered court martial proceedings against a soldier who accidentally shot dead in a military exercise his colleague who is being credited for the neutralization of the number two man of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
Lt. Gen. Romeo Tolentino said Thursday that he reversed a recommendation of the Army Inspector General that suspect Corporal Edgar Caban be charged with murder before a civilian court for the death of Staff Sergeant Raul Suacillo last July 3.
The two were participants of an ambush and counter-ambush training exercises in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija when Caban accidentally used a live M16 ammunition instead of a blank bullet in striking at Suacillo.
Suacillo, a member of the Army’s Special Forces Regiment, shot dead ASG second-ranking leader Jainal Antel Sali, popularly known with his “Abu Solaiman” alias, during an encounter last January 16 at Mt. Dajo, Talipao, Sulu.
Solaiman carried a $5 million bounty due to his notoriety.
“He is a big loss to the organization. But sometimes, mistakes happen. So we correct it within our system,” Tolentino said of the 34-year-old Suacillo.
“I want Caban to go through court martial proceedings,” he continued. “The findings (of the Army Inspector General) is to charge him before civilian courts but I said, it is a crime between soldiers so it should be tried before our court martial.”
Tolentino said Caban will be charged with homicide through reckless imprudence, a case that may fall under Articles of War 97 or conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline, according to Maj. Emilio Felicen, spokesman of the Armed Forces Judge Advocate General’s Office (JAGO).
The Army chief said a pre-trial investigation will be conducted by the JAGO of the Philippine Army, and then the court martial proceedings can begin.
Tolentino said if found guilty by the court martial, Caban may be incarcerated and then dismissed from the service.
He disclosed that he already imposed penalties against five other officers involved in the training exercise due to negligence, one of which is demotion in rank.
Told that subjecting Caban to court martial proceedings is too harsh a punishment for an accident, Tolentino responded: “It’s not harsh to be tried in court. What is harsh is he killed the person.”
Caban has been jailed at the Military Police stockade at Fort Magsaysay since the time of the incident./DMS
July 19, 2007
The chief of the Philippine Army has ordered court martial proceedings against a soldier who accidentally shot dead in a military exercise his colleague who is being credited for the neutralization of the number two man of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
Lt. Gen. Romeo Tolentino said Thursday that he reversed a recommendation of the Army Inspector General that suspect Corporal Edgar Caban be charged with murder before a civilian court for the death of Staff Sergeant Raul Suacillo last July 3.
The two were participants of an ambush and counter-ambush training exercises in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija when Caban accidentally used a live M16 ammunition instead of a blank bullet in striking at Suacillo.
Suacillo, a member of the Army’s Special Forces Regiment, shot dead ASG second-ranking leader Jainal Antel Sali, popularly known with his “Abu Solaiman” alias, during an encounter last January 16 at Mt. Dajo, Talipao, Sulu.
Solaiman carried a $5 million bounty due to his notoriety.
“He is a big loss to the organization. But sometimes, mistakes happen. So we correct it within our system,” Tolentino said of the 34-year-old Suacillo.
“I want Caban to go through court martial proceedings,” he continued. “The findings (of the Army Inspector General) is to charge him before civilian courts but I said, it is a crime between soldiers so it should be tried before our court martial.”
Tolentino said Caban will be charged with homicide through reckless imprudence, a case that may fall under Articles of War 97 or conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline, according to Maj. Emilio Felicen, spokesman of the Armed Forces Judge Advocate General’s Office (JAGO).
The Army chief said a pre-trial investigation will be conducted by the JAGO of the Philippine Army, and then the court martial proceedings can begin.
Tolentino said if found guilty by the court martial, Caban may be incarcerated and then dismissed from the service.
He disclosed that he already imposed penalties against five other officers involved in the training exercise due to negligence, one of which is demotion in rank.
Told that subjecting Caban to court martial proceedings is too harsh a punishment for an accident, Tolentino responded: “It’s not harsh to be tried in court. What is harsh is he killed the person.”
Caban has been jailed at the Military Police stockade at Fort Magsaysay since the time of the incident./DMS
AFP relieves two Marine officers over Basilan clash
Ronron
July 19, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) leadership has ordered the relief of two Marine officers over the deadly clash last July 10 in Basilan province to give way for a smooth investigation about the incident.
Philippine Navy spokesman Commander Giovani Carlo Bacordo on Thursday identified the two as Lt. Col. Felix Almadrones and Major Nestor Marcelino, commanding officer and operations officer, respectively, of the Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) 8.
“It is a standard operating procedure (SOP) in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that you are relieved during the conduct of an investigation so you can’t make undue influence over the result of the investigation,” Bacordo explained.
Almadrones and Marcelino led the Marine troopers that were ambushed and later fought against the attackers, believed to be combined forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and local bandits, in Al-Barkah, Basilan last July 10.
The nine-hour encounter resulted in the death of 14 Marine soldiers, 10 of whom were mutilated, and the wounding of nine others. The MILF, which claimed solely the clash, said four of its fighters were also killed and seven others were wounded.
Bacordo said the investigation will look into possible lapses by Almadrones and Marcelino in leading their men, as well as other circumstances during the firefight, the results of which are expected to help the military improve its operation capabilities in the future.
The Marine soldiers had just finished checking reports about the presence of abducted Italian Catholic priest Fr. Gian Carlo Bossi in Al-Barkah when they were engaged by the armed Moslem fighters.
Bacordo said the two relieved officers will be recalled to the Marine headquarters in Manila after formal turn-over ceremonies are made at the MBLT 8 base in Isabela City, Basilan.
Bacordo said Almadrones will be replaced by Lt. Col. Elmer Estilles, the deputy chief of the Navy’s Plans and Programs Office, while Maj. Adolfo Albalate, who is assigned with the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) at Camp Aguinaldo, will take over Marcelino’s post.
Bacordo said the relief order will take effect upon the formal turn over rites, the schedule of which is not yet fixed. But he said Estilles was also bound for Zamboanga City on Thursday, on the way to Basilan.
Bacordo said they do not expect the two relieved officers to feel bad about the relief because all soldiers knew about the SOP.
“This is not a punishment. They are not being sacked,” Bacordo said.
Aside from the AFP, the Philippine National Police and the MILF are also investigating the July 10 incident./DMS
July 19, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) leadership has ordered the relief of two Marine officers over the deadly clash last July 10 in Basilan province to give way for a smooth investigation about the incident.
Philippine Navy spokesman Commander Giovani Carlo Bacordo on Thursday identified the two as Lt. Col. Felix Almadrones and Major Nestor Marcelino, commanding officer and operations officer, respectively, of the Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) 8.
“It is a standard operating procedure (SOP) in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that you are relieved during the conduct of an investigation so you can’t make undue influence over the result of the investigation,” Bacordo explained.
Almadrones and Marcelino led the Marine troopers that were ambushed and later fought against the attackers, believed to be combined forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and local bandits, in Al-Barkah, Basilan last July 10.
The nine-hour encounter resulted in the death of 14 Marine soldiers, 10 of whom were mutilated, and the wounding of nine others. The MILF, which claimed solely the clash, said four of its fighters were also killed and seven others were wounded.
Bacordo said the investigation will look into possible lapses by Almadrones and Marcelino in leading their men, as well as other circumstances during the firefight, the results of which are expected to help the military improve its operation capabilities in the future.
The Marine soldiers had just finished checking reports about the presence of abducted Italian Catholic priest Fr. Gian Carlo Bossi in Al-Barkah when they were engaged by the armed Moslem fighters.
Bacordo said the two relieved officers will be recalled to the Marine headquarters in Manila after formal turn-over ceremonies are made at the MBLT 8 base in Isabela City, Basilan.
Bacordo said Almadrones will be replaced by Lt. Col. Elmer Estilles, the deputy chief of the Navy’s Plans and Programs Office, while Maj. Adolfo Albalate, who is assigned with the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) at Camp Aguinaldo, will take over Marcelino’s post.
Bacordo said the relief order will take effect upon the formal turn over rites, the schedule of which is not yet fixed. But he said Estilles was also bound for Zamboanga City on Thursday, on the way to Basilan.
Bacordo said they do not expect the two relieved officers to feel bad about the relief because all soldiers knew about the SOP.
“This is not a punishment. They are not being sacked,” Bacordo said.
Aside from the AFP, the Philippine National Police and the MILF are also investigating the July 10 incident./DMS
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Japanese shot dead in Cebu
By Ronron
July 18, 2007
A Japanese trader was shot dead in Cebu before dawn Wednesday by two unidentified suspects.
Police identified the victim as Taru Suda, 36, single, and part owner of a restaurant. His death came two days after two Japanese nationals were found dead in Angeles City, Pampanga – one due to natural cause, and the other after being shot.
Suda was about to enter the Genzon Compound in Sitio Urel, Banilad, Mandaue City where he rents a house when the two motorcycle-riding suspects arrived and fired at him, police said.
The incident happened at around 12:45 am.
Police said Suda had just alighted from his Toyota Hi-Lux and was about to open the gate of the compound when the suspects struck using a caliber 45.
He sustained three fatal gunshot wounds in the different parts of his body. Found at the crime scene were nine empty shells for a caliber 45.
Police are still investigating the motive of the incident./DMS
July 18, 2007
A Japanese trader was shot dead in Cebu before dawn Wednesday by two unidentified suspects.
Police identified the victim as Taru Suda, 36, single, and part owner of a restaurant. His death came two days after two Japanese nationals were found dead in Angeles City, Pampanga – one due to natural cause, and the other after being shot.
Suda was about to enter the Genzon Compound in Sitio Urel, Banilad, Mandaue City where he rents a house when the two motorcycle-riding suspects arrived and fired at him, police said.
The incident happened at around 12:45 am.
Police said Suda had just alighted from his Toyota Hi-Lux and was about to open the gate of the compound when the suspects struck using a caliber 45.
He sustained three fatal gunshot wounds in the different parts of his body. Found at the crime scene were nine empty shells for a caliber 45.
Police are still investigating the motive of the incident./DMS
Another bus bombed in Sultan Kudarat province
By Ronron
July 18, 2007
Another passenger bus in Mindanao was bombed on Wednesday by suspected members of an extortion group, leaving two persons hurt, police said.
Supt. Joel Limson, chief of the Tacurong City Police, said in a phone interview that a unit of the Yellow Bus Line was blown off at around 12:10 pm yesterday while it was inside the public bus terminal of said city in Sultan Kudarat province, making a stopover.
The bus came from Isulan town in the same province, and was heading to Koronadal City in South Cotabato.
Limson said the improvised explosive device (IED) was placed at the rear portion of the bus, damaging that part. Recovered initially from the crime scene, he said, are parts of a mobile phone.
He said the two slightly injured persons were among the passengers about to disembark.
“This is more of an extortion case because the management has been receiving demands from some unidentified suspects. There is a possibility that the suspects belong to the same group that has been extorting the Weena Bus company,” Limson said in Filipino.
Limson said they are still gathering information to ascertain the identity of the person who left the IED.
Asked if they will apply the Anti-Terrorism Law in this case, Limson said: “We’ll see because the new is still very new.”
The law, which covers crimes involving destruction that sow and create widespread and extraordinary fear and panic among the populace in order that the government will give in to an unlawful demand, took effect last July 15.
The latest bus bombing in Mindanao also involved a Yellow Bus Line unit. The incident happened last July 7 in Koronadal City. Less than two months before that, two buses – one in Cotabato City and one in Davao del Sur – were also blown off, killing eight people and wounding 18 others.
Prior to those incidents, a bus was bombed in May in Matalam, North Cotabato, hurting 10 people, and another one in Cotabato City, killing at least one person and wounding over 30 others.
The suspects allegedly belong to the Alkhobar extortion group./DMS
July 18, 2007
Another passenger bus in Mindanao was bombed on Wednesday by suspected members of an extortion group, leaving two persons hurt, police said.
Supt. Joel Limson, chief of the Tacurong City Police, said in a phone interview that a unit of the Yellow Bus Line was blown off at around 12:10 pm yesterday while it was inside the public bus terminal of said city in Sultan Kudarat province, making a stopover.
The bus came from Isulan town in the same province, and was heading to Koronadal City in South Cotabato.
Limson said the improvised explosive device (IED) was placed at the rear portion of the bus, damaging that part. Recovered initially from the crime scene, he said, are parts of a mobile phone.
He said the two slightly injured persons were among the passengers about to disembark.
“This is more of an extortion case because the management has been receiving demands from some unidentified suspects. There is a possibility that the suspects belong to the same group that has been extorting the Weena Bus company,” Limson said in Filipino.
Limson said they are still gathering information to ascertain the identity of the person who left the IED.
Asked if they will apply the Anti-Terrorism Law in this case, Limson said: “We’ll see because the new is still very new.”
The law, which covers crimes involving destruction that sow and create widespread and extraordinary fear and panic among the populace in order that the government will give in to an unlawful demand, took effect last July 15.
The latest bus bombing in Mindanao also involved a Yellow Bus Line unit. The incident happened last July 7 in Koronadal City. Less than two months before that, two buses – one in Cotabato City and one in Davao del Sur – were also blown off, killing eight people and wounding 18 others.
Prior to those incidents, a bus was bombed in May in Matalam, North Cotabato, hurting 10 people, and another one in Cotabato City, killing at least one person and wounding over 30 others.
The suspects allegedly belong to the Alkhobar extortion group./DMS
Military court president hearing Miranda, et al’s case dislodged
By Ronron
July 18, 2007
The President of the Special General Court Martial created by military chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. to try the case against officers who allegedly plotted coup d’ etat in February 2006 was dislodged on Wednesday after one of the accused challenged him.
Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, who is concurrently the chief of the Southern Luzon Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, was forced to leave the court in the middle of the hearing yesterday at an Army camp in Tanay, Rizal after former Marine commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda entered a peremptory challenge against him.
Yano heads the seven-man panel created by Esperon in November last year.
He was immediately replaced yesterday by panel member Maj. Gen. Raul Caballes but the latter was also ejected after accused Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim posed the same peremptory challenge.
A peremptory challenge is allowed by the court martial rules so that the accused could have certain amount of control over the panel trying them, said defense lawyer Trixie Angeles. It does not require any reason to be cited and is allowed before an accused is arraigned.
A challenge for cause against panel members, meanwhile, is another right granted to the accused but it can only be availed after he is arraigned, said Angeles. This time, the accused has to cite a reason like perceived impartiality by a panel member.
With the ejection of Caballes, court member Maj. Gen. Cirano Austria assumed the President’s role. But he was questioned by the defense lawyers because they said Austria is junior to Miranda.
Under Section 4 of the Manual for Court Martial, a panel must have a President higher in rank and senior to the highest-ranking accused. The defense lawyers said Austria may be equal in rank with Miranda but the former is junior only to the latter in the Seniority Lineal List of the military.
But even before the matter could be resolved, the court adjourned.
Angeles said that for the defense, the court has no President as of this time. She said the military has to find another replacement for Yano and Caballes to complete the seven-man panel.
The next hearing was set on July 27. It will be the eighth since the proceedings began in December last year.
The military prosecution has aired its suspicion that the defense is delaying the arraignment of their client so they be saved through prescription. Under the court martial rules, a case may be dismissed against an accused if he is not arraigned within two years from the time of the commission of the alleged crime.
The group of Miranda allegedly connived with Left-leaning groups and anti-government sectors in the society in February last year to oust President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo through a coup d’ etat./DMS
July 18, 2007
The President of the Special General Court Martial created by military chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. to try the case against officers who allegedly plotted coup d’ etat in February 2006 was dislodged on Wednesday after one of the accused challenged him.
Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, who is concurrently the chief of the Southern Luzon Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, was forced to leave the court in the middle of the hearing yesterday at an Army camp in Tanay, Rizal after former Marine commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda entered a peremptory challenge against him.
Yano heads the seven-man panel created by Esperon in November last year.
He was immediately replaced yesterday by panel member Maj. Gen. Raul Caballes but the latter was also ejected after accused Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim posed the same peremptory challenge.
A peremptory challenge is allowed by the court martial rules so that the accused could have certain amount of control over the panel trying them, said defense lawyer Trixie Angeles. It does not require any reason to be cited and is allowed before an accused is arraigned.
A challenge for cause against panel members, meanwhile, is another right granted to the accused but it can only be availed after he is arraigned, said Angeles. This time, the accused has to cite a reason like perceived impartiality by a panel member.
With the ejection of Caballes, court member Maj. Gen. Cirano Austria assumed the President’s role. But he was questioned by the defense lawyers because they said Austria is junior to Miranda.
Under Section 4 of the Manual for Court Martial, a panel must have a President higher in rank and senior to the highest-ranking accused. The defense lawyers said Austria may be equal in rank with Miranda but the former is junior only to the latter in the Seniority Lineal List of the military.
But even before the matter could be resolved, the court adjourned.
Angeles said that for the defense, the court has no President as of this time. She said the military has to find another replacement for Yano and Caballes to complete the seven-man panel.
The next hearing was set on July 27. It will be the eighth since the proceedings began in December last year.
The military prosecution has aired its suspicion that the defense is delaying the arraignment of their client so they be saved through prescription. Under the court martial rules, a case may be dismissed against an accused if he is not arraigned within two years from the time of the commission of the alleged crime.
The group of Miranda allegedly connived with Left-leaning groups and anti-government sectors in the society in February last year to oust President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo through a coup d’ etat./DMS
Police preparing charges against Marine attackers in Basilan
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Japanese police seeks RP police assistance to solve 12-year-old murder case in Tokyo
By Ronron
July 18, 2007
The Japanese police started on Wednesday seeking the help of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for it to solve a 12-year-old murder case in Tokyo, which involved a Philippine-made gun.
Five Japanese policemen met with an official of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) yesterday morning and was given the assurance by the latter of its assistance.
“We will assist them as long as it is within our capabilities, without violating our laws here, and our protocol. But of course, we need their formal request before we could perform,” Sr. Supt. Christopher Laxa, Assistant Division Chief for Intelligence of the CIDG, told Manila Shimbun in an interview after the meeting.
Laxa said the Japanese policemen asked their Philippine counterparts to help them locate three to four Filipinos who could provide information about the case.
“They are witnesses who hopefully can provide them information vital to their filing of cases,” Laxa said of the Filipinos the Japanese cops want to interview.
He said these Filipinos, who are from provinces outside of Metro Manila, were in Japan when the crime happened in 1995.
The case is about the killing of three Japanese women, two of whom are high school students, while they were inside the office of a supermarket. The caliber 45 used by the suspect was discovered to have been made in the Philippines.
Laxa said he expects to receive the official request of the Japanese police in the middle of August. He explained that the Japanese Embassy will have to file its request before the Department of Foreign Affairs, which will in turn endorse the request to the PNP leadership.
“We are waiting for the diplomatic request from them… If we get it, we will assist them in pursuing the leads they told us. They said they just wanted to interview,” Laxa said.
He clarified, however, that they cannot force the Filipino witnesses to speak if they do not want to.
There is also no need for him to create a special team to assist the Japanese cops, he said.
The five Japanese policemen were accompanied yesterday during the meeting by the First Secretary of the Japanese Embassy in Manila./DMS
July 18, 2007
The Japanese police started on Wednesday seeking the help of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for it to solve a 12-year-old murder case in Tokyo, which involved a Philippine-made gun.
Five Japanese policemen met with an official of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) yesterday morning and was given the assurance by the latter of its assistance.
“We will assist them as long as it is within our capabilities, without violating our laws here, and our protocol. But of course, we need their formal request before we could perform,” Sr. Supt. Christopher Laxa, Assistant Division Chief for Intelligence of the CIDG, told Manila Shimbun in an interview after the meeting.
Laxa said the Japanese policemen asked their Philippine counterparts to help them locate three to four Filipinos who could provide information about the case.
“They are witnesses who hopefully can provide them information vital to their filing of cases,” Laxa said of the Filipinos the Japanese cops want to interview.
He said these Filipinos, who are from provinces outside of Metro Manila, were in Japan when the crime happened in 1995.
The case is about the killing of three Japanese women, two of whom are high school students, while they were inside the office of a supermarket. The caliber 45 used by the suspect was discovered to have been made in the Philippines.
Laxa said he expects to receive the official request of the Japanese police in the middle of August. He explained that the Japanese Embassy will have to file its request before the Department of Foreign Affairs, which will in turn endorse the request to the PNP leadership.
“We are waiting for the diplomatic request from them… If we get it, we will assist them in pursuing the leads they told us. They said they just wanted to interview,” Laxa said.
He clarified, however, that they cannot force the Filipino witnesses to speak if they do not want to.
There is also no need for him to create a special team to assist the Japanese cops, he said.
The five Japanese policemen were accompanied yesterday during the meeting by the First Secretary of the Japanese Embassy in Manila./DMS
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Killing by Marines of Imam very impossible – Marine commander
By Ronron
July 17, 2007
The commander of the entire Marine brigade in Basilan denied on Tuesday the allegation of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that his soldiers were responsible for the brutal murder of a highly-regarded religious leader in Basilan province last July 10.
Col. Ramiro Alivio, commander of the 1st Marine Brigade, said the allegation is “impossible” because the military has no motive to do such.
“Why will we do that when we have some media with us that day? … It’s very unlikely,” Alivio told Camp Aguinaldo reporters in a phone interview yesterday.
The elements of the 1st Marine Brigade that were in Barangay Guinanta, Al-Barka town last July 10 were accompanied by a three-man news team of GMA 7, led by reporter Jun Veneracion.
It was the group that later fought out with MILF troops and other armed fighters for nine hours, resulting in the death of 14 soldiers, 10 of whom were beheaded, and the wounding of nine others.
The group, according to the military, had just come from search operations for abducted Italian Catholic priest Fr. Gian Carlo Bossi.
According to the MILF, the Marine soldiers forcibly took Imam Hakim Ali or Alnakul from his house in Barangay Guinanta and forced him to accompany them to the MILF base. He was later found after the clash already dead, hogtied, with deep wounds, hacked in the back, and throat slashed that almost severed his head. His body was beside that of the fallen Marines.
The brutal killing of the Imam is believed to be the motive, like revenge, in beheading the 10 soldiers.
But Alivio said it is more likely that the Imam was tortured to death by a private armed group who suspected him to be an agent for the government.
“It is more possible that the private armed group killed the Imam. They must have suspected that he gave information to the military about the presence of the lawless armed elements in the area, that’s why the military entered the area,” Alivio said in Filipino.
He said that with all that was happening during that encounter, “do you think we still have time to torture and do those stuff?”
“They are trying to point an accusing finger to the military because they are the ones doing it,” Alivio said.
Different agencies are now investigating the incident, especially because of the beheading incident.
The MILF claims the military troops entered their territory without coordination and started the gun fire.
But the Marines said they just passed by the area and were on their way back to base after getting negative results in their search for the 57-year-old priest.
Bossi was abducted last June 10 in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay where he has been serving as parish priest since April of this year./DMS
July 17, 2007
The commander of the entire Marine brigade in Basilan denied on Tuesday the allegation of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that his soldiers were responsible for the brutal murder of a highly-regarded religious leader in Basilan province last July 10.
Col. Ramiro Alivio, commander of the 1st Marine Brigade, said the allegation is “impossible” because the military has no motive to do such.
“Why will we do that when we have some media with us that day? … It’s very unlikely,” Alivio told Camp Aguinaldo reporters in a phone interview yesterday.
The elements of the 1st Marine Brigade that were in Barangay Guinanta, Al-Barka town last July 10 were accompanied by a three-man news team of GMA 7, led by reporter Jun Veneracion.
It was the group that later fought out with MILF troops and other armed fighters for nine hours, resulting in the death of 14 soldiers, 10 of whom were beheaded, and the wounding of nine others.
The group, according to the military, had just come from search operations for abducted Italian Catholic priest Fr. Gian Carlo Bossi.
According to the MILF, the Marine soldiers forcibly took Imam Hakim Ali or Alnakul from his house in Barangay Guinanta and forced him to accompany them to the MILF base. He was later found after the clash already dead, hogtied, with deep wounds, hacked in the back, and throat slashed that almost severed his head. His body was beside that of the fallen Marines.
The brutal killing of the Imam is believed to be the motive, like revenge, in beheading the 10 soldiers.
But Alivio said it is more likely that the Imam was tortured to death by a private armed group who suspected him to be an agent for the government.
“It is more possible that the private armed group killed the Imam. They must have suspected that he gave information to the military about the presence of the lawless armed elements in the area, that’s why the military entered the area,” Alivio said in Filipino.
He said that with all that was happening during that encounter, “do you think we still have time to torture and do those stuff?”
“They are trying to point an accusing finger to the military because they are the ones doing it,” Alivio said.
Different agencies are now investigating the incident, especially because of the beheading incident.
The MILF claims the military troops entered their territory without coordination and started the gun fire.
But the Marines said they just passed by the area and were on their way back to base after getting negative results in their search for the 57-year-old priest.
Bossi was abducted last June 10 in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay where he has been serving as parish priest since April of this year./DMS
Soldier who killed No. 2 ASG man shot dead in military exercise
By Ronron
July 17, 2007
An Army trooper who shot dead the top two leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in January of this year was killed in a military exercise early this month in a military camp in Nueva Ecija.
Staff Sergeant Raul Suacillo, 34, was participating in a practical exercise on ambush and counter-ambush last July 3 at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija province when he was hit by a live bullet, causing his death, said Brig. Gen. Arturo Ortiz, commander of the Army Special Forces.
Suacillo, who now belongs to the 5th Special forces Company, shot dead Jainal Antel Sali, alias Abu Solaiman, in an encounter last January 16 at Mt. Dajo, Talipao, Sulu. Solaiman carried then a $5 million bounty on his head from the US government due to his notoriety.
The neutralization of Soliaman came less than a month after the Philippine military unearthed the remains of ASG top leader, Khadaffy Janjalani, who was killed in an encounter in September last year.
In a news conference in January, Suacillo recounted that he chanced on Solaiman while the latter was defecating.
Ortiz said Suacillo was acting as training umpire and aggressor during the exercise last July 3 when he was fatally hit by a bullet of an M16 rifle.
The bullet went through his right arm, then penetrated his heart before it got stuck and embedded inside his upper body, said Ortiz.
Ortiz said Suacillo was rushed to the Fort Magsaysay Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Initial investigation revealed that Corporal Edgar Caban immediately admitted to have used a live bullet accidentally after getting “puzzled” during the activity, Ortiz said. The participants should have used blank ammunitions in the exercise.
“After initial investigation, Cpl. Caban was turned over and detained at the Military Police stockade at Fort Magsaysay. The Army headquarters has sent the Army Inspector General to formally conduct a thorough investigation and we are still awaiting the findings,” Ortiz said.
Ortiz said Suacillo was buried last Saturday at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio. The hero’s burial was attended by officers and men of the Special Forces Regiment, the Special Operations Command, the Rangers, Light Reaction Brigade, as well as his family and relatives from Zamboanga and Pangasinan, Ortiz said.
For his participation in the neutralization of Solaiman, Suacillo was accorded with Distinguished Conduct Star Medal by the Philippine Army leadership during the 110th anniversary of the Philippine Army last March.
And then last June 29, he was also given the Special Forces Award of Distinction. It was the 45th anniversary then of the Special Forces, and the award was given by the event’s guest of honor, former President Fidel Ramos, the first commander and recognized father of the unit.
Ortiz said a road where Suacillo was accidentally shot will be named after him in his honor. It is a 1.5 kilometer road leading to the Special Forces School./DMS
July 17, 2007
An Army trooper who shot dead the top two leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in January of this year was killed in a military exercise early this month in a military camp in Nueva Ecija.
Staff Sergeant Raul Suacillo, 34, was participating in a practical exercise on ambush and counter-ambush last July 3 at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija province when he was hit by a live bullet, causing his death, said Brig. Gen. Arturo Ortiz, commander of the Army Special Forces.
Suacillo, who now belongs to the 5th Special forces Company, shot dead Jainal Antel Sali, alias Abu Solaiman, in an encounter last January 16 at Mt. Dajo, Talipao, Sulu. Solaiman carried then a $5 million bounty on his head from the US government due to his notoriety.
The neutralization of Soliaman came less than a month after the Philippine military unearthed the remains of ASG top leader, Khadaffy Janjalani, who was killed in an encounter in September last year.
In a news conference in January, Suacillo recounted that he chanced on Solaiman while the latter was defecating.
Ortiz said Suacillo was acting as training umpire and aggressor during the exercise last July 3 when he was fatally hit by a bullet of an M16 rifle.
The bullet went through his right arm, then penetrated his heart before it got stuck and embedded inside his upper body, said Ortiz.
Ortiz said Suacillo was rushed to the Fort Magsaysay Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Initial investigation revealed that Corporal Edgar Caban immediately admitted to have used a live bullet accidentally after getting “puzzled” during the activity, Ortiz said. The participants should have used blank ammunitions in the exercise.
“After initial investigation, Cpl. Caban was turned over and detained at the Military Police stockade at Fort Magsaysay. The Army headquarters has sent the Army Inspector General to formally conduct a thorough investigation and we are still awaiting the findings,” Ortiz said.
Ortiz said Suacillo was buried last Saturday at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio. The hero’s burial was attended by officers and men of the Special Forces Regiment, the Special Operations Command, the Rangers, Light Reaction Brigade, as well as his family and relatives from Zamboanga and Pangasinan, Ortiz said.
For his participation in the neutralization of Solaiman, Suacillo was accorded with Distinguished Conduct Star Medal by the Philippine Army leadership during the 110th anniversary of the Philippine Army last March.
And then last June 29, he was also given the Special Forces Award of Distinction. It was the 45th anniversary then of the Special Forces, and the award was given by the event’s guest of honor, former President Fidel Ramos, the first commander and recognized father of the unit.
Ortiz said a road where Suacillo was accidentally shot will be named after him in his honor. It is a 1.5 kilometer road leading to the Special Forces School./DMS
Two Marine soldiers killed in fresh clash in Sulu; death of Hapilon son during July 10 encounter being validated
By Ronron
July 17, 2007
Two Marine troopers were killed while another soldier was wounded after they clashed with suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Patikul, Sulu Tuesday morning.
Lt. Col. Ariel Caculitan, spokesman of the Philippine Marine Corps, said the firefight occurred while elements of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 5 were securing a main road at the vicinity of Barangay Tugas at around 6:30 a.m.
“Their mission was to secure the road for public utility and military vehicles,” Caculitan said.
He said the soldiers were fired upon reaching the area, triggering a 10-minute gun battle that resulted in the death of two Marine enlisted personnel and the wounding of another one.
The attackers, Caculitan said, were forced to withdraw after the arrival of more troops from the nearby camp of the Marines.
He said the bandits were led by a certain Jul Asbi. He could not, however, provide immediate information about Asbi.
Caculitan said the soldiers inflicted heavy casualties to the bandits whom he said was numbering to at least 30. But no cadaver of the bandits was retrieved during the clearing operations.
He said they are now conducting follow-up operation to hunt down the ASG members.
The killing of the two Marines came a almost a week since 14 Marines, 10 of them were beheaded, were killed in an ambuscade-turned-encounter perpetrated by suspected members of the ASG and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Al-Barka, Basilan.
Caculitan disclosed there are unconfirmed reports that the son of ASG leader Isnilon Hapilon was killed during the July 10 encounter, and Hapilon himself was wounded.
“We are still trying to confirm this report… Those reports are gathered by the intelligence units and some were volunteered by civilians in the area,” Caculitan said yesterday.
Asked if Hapilon’s presence in the clash site would mean that the ASG and the MILF are indeed working together, Caculitan said: “I think the whole story points to some speculations in the way as you may conclude. But again, let’s not preempt the CCCH (Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities of the government and the MILF) in the conduct of their investigation and let’s see how the result would be.”/DMS
July 17, 2007
Two Marine troopers were killed while another soldier was wounded after they clashed with suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Patikul, Sulu Tuesday morning.
Lt. Col. Ariel Caculitan, spokesman of the Philippine Marine Corps, said the firefight occurred while elements of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 5 were securing a main road at the vicinity of Barangay Tugas at around 6:30 a.m.
“Their mission was to secure the road for public utility and military vehicles,” Caculitan said.
He said the soldiers were fired upon reaching the area, triggering a 10-minute gun battle that resulted in the death of two Marine enlisted personnel and the wounding of another one.
The attackers, Caculitan said, were forced to withdraw after the arrival of more troops from the nearby camp of the Marines.
He said the bandits were led by a certain Jul Asbi. He could not, however, provide immediate information about Asbi.
Caculitan said the soldiers inflicted heavy casualties to the bandits whom he said was numbering to at least 30. But no cadaver of the bandits was retrieved during the clearing operations.
He said they are now conducting follow-up operation to hunt down the ASG members.
The killing of the two Marines came a almost a week since 14 Marines, 10 of them were beheaded, were killed in an ambuscade-turned-encounter perpetrated by suspected members of the ASG and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Al-Barka, Basilan.
Caculitan disclosed there are unconfirmed reports that the son of ASG leader Isnilon Hapilon was killed during the July 10 encounter, and Hapilon himself was wounded.
“We are still trying to confirm this report… Those reports are gathered by the intelligence units and some were volunteered by civilians in the area,” Caculitan said yesterday.
Asked if Hapilon’s presence in the clash site would mean that the ASG and the MILF are indeed working together, Caculitan said: “I think the whole story points to some speculations in the way as you may conclude. But again, let’s not preempt the CCCH (Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities of the government and the MILF) in the conduct of their investigation and let’s see how the result would be.”/DMS
Three communist rebels killed in Catanduanes encounter
By Ronron
July 17, 2007
Three suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed while a government soldier was wounded in an encounter dawn of Tuesday in Catanduanes province, a military spokesman said.
According to Lt. Col. Rhoderick Parayno, spokesman of the Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM), the clash happened at around 5:30 am at Sitio Dakulang Bato, Barnagay Danicup, Virac town while the elements of the Philippine Army’s 65th Infantry Battalion were conducting combat operations.
Parayno said the government troops clashed with some 20 NPA rebels for 45 minutes.
He said that aside from killing three rebels, the government soldiers also injured two others. An M16 rifle was also recovered from the rebel side.
The wounded soldier was identified as Private First Class Rico Garduce and was brought to the Eastern Bicol Medical Center in the town proper for medical treatment.
Parayno said hot pursuit was immediately conducted by the military against the fleeing rebels.
The 7,100-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside in the last 38 years.
Peace talks between the movement and the government bogged down in August 2004 and attempts to revive it are being done recently, with the government asking the communists to declare a ceasefire so that negotiations can resume./DMS
July 17, 2007
Three suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed while a government soldier was wounded in an encounter dawn of Tuesday in Catanduanes province, a military spokesman said.
According to Lt. Col. Rhoderick Parayno, spokesman of the Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM), the clash happened at around 5:30 am at Sitio Dakulang Bato, Barnagay Danicup, Virac town while the elements of the Philippine Army’s 65th Infantry Battalion were conducting combat operations.
Parayno said the government troops clashed with some 20 NPA rebels for 45 minutes.
He said that aside from killing three rebels, the government soldiers also injured two others. An M16 rifle was also recovered from the rebel side.
The wounded soldier was identified as Private First Class Rico Garduce and was brought to the Eastern Bicol Medical Center in the town proper for medical treatment.
Parayno said hot pursuit was immediately conducted by the military against the fleeing rebels.
The 7,100-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside in the last 38 years.
Peace talks between the movement and the government bogged down in August 2004 and attempts to revive it are being done recently, with the government asking the communists to declare a ceasefire so that negotiations can resume./DMS
Transco tower bombed in Kidapawan City
By Ronron
July 17, 2007
A tower of the National Transmission Corporation (Transco) in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato was bombed by unidentified suspects before dawn of Tuesday, police said.
Inspector Benjamin Mauricio, Jr., chief of the Investigation Section of the Kidapawan City Police, said the incident happened at around 2:15 am at the mountainous village of Nuangan, some 10 kilometers away from the city proper.
Mauricio said a pipe bomb, which was packed with TNT (trinitrotoluene), was used by the suspects believed to be members of an extortion group in the region. It was placed in the middle of the 72-feet high steel-made tower line.
“The blast was so powerful that it toppled the upper half of the tower, rendering it non-operational and affecting the power supply immediately in General Santos City and Davao City,” Mauricio said in a phone interview in the Cebuano vernacular.
Later in the afternoon, power supply in Kidapawan City was also cut off but Mauricio said they are not yet certain if it is an effect also of the tower bombing.
Mauricio said the local office of Transco has yet to apprise them of the estimated cost of damage on its tower.
“Those behind this incident could be extortionists who are believed to be responsible also for similar incidents in Lanao, Marawi City, and Iligan City,” he said.
The group allegedly has been demanding P60 million from Transco, otherwise, the tower will be bombed.
Mauricio said even if there is presence of the New People’s Army and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the area, it is unlikely that the groups will carry out the bombing./DMS
July 17, 2007
A tower of the National Transmission Corporation (Transco) in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato was bombed by unidentified suspects before dawn of Tuesday, police said.
Inspector Benjamin Mauricio, Jr., chief of the Investigation Section of the Kidapawan City Police, said the incident happened at around 2:15 am at the mountainous village of Nuangan, some 10 kilometers away from the city proper.
Mauricio said a pipe bomb, which was packed with TNT (trinitrotoluene), was used by the suspects believed to be members of an extortion group in the region. It was placed in the middle of the 72-feet high steel-made tower line.
“The blast was so powerful that it toppled the upper half of the tower, rendering it non-operational and affecting the power supply immediately in General Santos City and Davao City,” Mauricio said in a phone interview in the Cebuano vernacular.
Later in the afternoon, power supply in Kidapawan City was also cut off but Mauricio said they are not yet certain if it is an effect also of the tower bombing.
Mauricio said the local office of Transco has yet to apprise them of the estimated cost of damage on its tower.
“Those behind this incident could be extortionists who are believed to be responsible also for similar incidents in Lanao, Marawi City, and Iligan City,” he said.
The group allegedly has been demanding P60 million from Transco, otherwise, the tower will be bombed.
Mauricio said even if there is presence of the New People’s Army and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the area, it is unlikely that the groups will carry out the bombing./DMS
Pagdilao says initial withholding of Akiyoshi case facts due to Japanese embassy request is wrong
By Ronron
July 17, 2007
The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Public Information Office (PIO) branded on Tuesday as “wrong” the act of local policemen in Angeles City, Pampanga to withhold information to the media about the killing of a Japanese national there.
Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao, Jr. issued the statement to Manila Shimbun when informed that Sr. Inspector Luisito Tan, the deputy chief of the Angeles City Police Station 4, refused on Monday to give basic or initial facts about the killing of Reisuke Akiyoshi, citing a request of the Japanese Embassy for a news blackout.
Akiyoshi was found dead before noon of Monday inside his rented apartment in Barangay Anunas, Angeles City by his wife and responding policemen. Police confirmed on Tuesday that he died due to a gunshot wound to the head.
When asked for basic facts about the case later on Monday afternoon, Tan told the Manila Shimbun in Filipino: “I cannot give you the details yet because the Japanese Embassy personnel are coming and they are requesting for a news blackout.”
Tan continued to withhold the information from the Manila Shimbun even after he has already met with the two personnel from the Japanese Embassy – a Japanese national and a Filipino.
The Manila Shimbun was forced to get the basic facts of the case from a higher police office on Monday evening.
In a visit to the morgue where Akiyoshi’s body was brought, the Manila Shimbun was also denied of any information about the case for the same reason that police gave.
A source at the morgue said he cannot give any comment about the Akiyoshi case because there is an instruction from the Filipino personnel of the embassy to do so.
“He told me that they do not want the incident to come out to the media because it might scare investors away. He said let’s just do it (news blackout) for the benefit of our country,” the source said in Filipino.
In an interview yesterday morning, Pagdilao said of Tan’s withholding of information: “I think, that is wrong. The embassy does not and cannot control whatever we say. Our only job is to inform them of the incidents, the details, the facts about the incidents involving their nationals.”
When asked if Tan merits a sanction for doing such, Pagdilao refused to comment, saying he has to know the real reason from the police officer for withholding information.
“We are not sure if he (Tan) just wanted really to confirm first all the details from the Japanese Embassy personnel like the name of the victim,” Pagdilao surmised.
But Pagdilao laid out clearly the policy on releasing information about criminal cases involving foreign nationals. “For incidents that happen in our jurisdiction, Philippine authorities will determine when to release information. It is covered by our media relations policy.”/DMS
July 17, 2007
The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Public Information Office (PIO) branded on Tuesday as “wrong” the act of local policemen in Angeles City, Pampanga to withhold information to the media about the killing of a Japanese national there.
Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao, Jr. issued the statement to Manila Shimbun when informed that Sr. Inspector Luisito Tan, the deputy chief of the Angeles City Police Station 4, refused on Monday to give basic or initial facts about the killing of Reisuke Akiyoshi, citing a request of the Japanese Embassy for a news blackout.
Akiyoshi was found dead before noon of Monday inside his rented apartment in Barangay Anunas, Angeles City by his wife and responding policemen. Police confirmed on Tuesday that he died due to a gunshot wound to the head.
When asked for basic facts about the case later on Monday afternoon, Tan told the Manila Shimbun in Filipino: “I cannot give you the details yet because the Japanese Embassy personnel are coming and they are requesting for a news blackout.”
Tan continued to withhold the information from the Manila Shimbun even after he has already met with the two personnel from the Japanese Embassy – a Japanese national and a Filipino.
The Manila Shimbun was forced to get the basic facts of the case from a higher police office on Monday evening.
In a visit to the morgue where Akiyoshi’s body was brought, the Manila Shimbun was also denied of any information about the case for the same reason that police gave.
A source at the morgue said he cannot give any comment about the Akiyoshi case because there is an instruction from the Filipino personnel of the embassy to do so.
“He told me that they do not want the incident to come out to the media because it might scare investors away. He said let’s just do it (news blackout) for the benefit of our country,” the source said in Filipino.
In an interview yesterday morning, Pagdilao said of Tan’s withholding of information: “I think, that is wrong. The embassy does not and cannot control whatever we say. Our only job is to inform them of the incidents, the details, the facts about the incidents involving their nationals.”
When asked if Tan merits a sanction for doing such, Pagdilao refused to comment, saying he has to know the real reason from the police officer for withholding information.
“We are not sure if he (Tan) just wanted really to confirm first all the details from the Japanese Embassy personnel like the name of the victim,” Pagdilao surmised.
But Pagdilao laid out clearly the policy on releasing information about criminal cases involving foreign nationals. “For incidents that happen in our jurisdiction, Philippine authorities will determine when to release information. It is covered by our media relations policy.”/DMS
Akiyoshi case: Relative of slain Japanese’ wife is possible suspect to the crime
By Ronron
July 17, 2007
A relative of the wife of the slain Japanese national in Angeles City, Pampanga is now being hunted by police operatives to shed light on the crime, a police official said Tuesday.
Sr. Supt. Sonny Cunanan, chief of the Angeles City Police Office, said a relative of Elizabeth Akiyoshi had a previous misunderstanding with the latter’s Japanese husband, Reisuke, and this could be a possible motive for the killing of the Japanese.
Reisuke, 67, was found dead on Monday morning inside his rented apartment in Barangay Anunas, Angeles City by his wife and responding policemen. Police confirmed on Tuesday that he died of a gunshot wound to his head.
“We are concentrating on a possible suspect and we are already looking for him. He is a relative of the wife of the victim,” Cunanan told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview yesterday.
“Based on the information we gathered, he previously had a misunderstanding with the victim,” he added, but without elaborating.
Cunanan said the case is initially being considered robbery with homicide because some personal items of Akiyoshi are missing. These include his laptop computer and pieces of jewelry.
But Cunanan said they are not also discounting the possibility that the motive for the killing is job-related considering that the laptop of Akiyoshi contains important documents significant to his work.
Akiyoshi, according to police, is a civil engineer who works as a sub-contractor for the Clark Premiere Industrial Development Park Corporation, which has an ongoing construction project of the Clark-Tarlac Road.
Cunanan admitted though they do not know of any issue yet involving Akiyoshi at his workplace.
Akiyoshi’s wife sought for police assistance when the Japanese failed to respond to her calls outside their apartment when she arrived Monday morning from her home province, La Union.
The wife left their apartment last July 14th to go to San Fernando, La Union, and only went back Monday morning, together with their 19-year-old daughter./DMS
July 17, 2007
A relative of the wife of the slain Japanese national in Angeles City, Pampanga is now being hunted by police operatives to shed light on the crime, a police official said Tuesday.
Sr. Supt. Sonny Cunanan, chief of the Angeles City Police Office, said a relative of Elizabeth Akiyoshi had a previous misunderstanding with the latter’s Japanese husband, Reisuke, and this could be a possible motive for the killing of the Japanese.
Reisuke, 67, was found dead on Monday morning inside his rented apartment in Barangay Anunas, Angeles City by his wife and responding policemen. Police confirmed on Tuesday that he died of a gunshot wound to his head.
“We are concentrating on a possible suspect and we are already looking for him. He is a relative of the wife of the victim,” Cunanan told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview yesterday.
“Based on the information we gathered, he previously had a misunderstanding with the victim,” he added, but without elaborating.
Cunanan said the case is initially being considered robbery with homicide because some personal items of Akiyoshi are missing. These include his laptop computer and pieces of jewelry.
But Cunanan said they are not also discounting the possibility that the motive for the killing is job-related considering that the laptop of Akiyoshi contains important documents significant to his work.
Akiyoshi, according to police, is a civil engineer who works as a sub-contractor for the Clark Premiere Industrial Development Park Corporation, which has an ongoing construction project of the Clark-Tarlac Road.
Cunanan admitted though they do not know of any issue yet involving Akiyoshi at his workplace.
Akiyoshi’s wife sought for police assistance when the Japanese failed to respond to her calls outside their apartment when she arrived Monday morning from her home province, La Union.
The wife left their apartment last July 14th to go to San Fernando, La Union, and only went back Monday morning, together with their 19-year-old daughter./DMS
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Soldiers due in Manila City this week
By Ronron
July 16, 2007
Army troops tasked to carry out civil military operations in slum areas in the capital are expected to be redeployed in Manila City anytime this week, following the redeployment last week of their fellow soldiers in Taguig City and Caloocan City.
Armed Forces National Capital Region Command (NCRCom) chief Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino said Monday that 14 teams of 10 Army troopers each will go to 14 barangays in Manila City upon the go-signal of the national military headquarters.
Dolorfino said the redeployment of troops for Manila City has already been approved by Manila City Mayor Alfredo Lim.
“Each team will have two policemen trained on community relations,” Dolorfino said.
Last week, the military sent off some 70 soldiers for six areas in Quezon City, and 30 others for three areas in Taguig City.
Dolorfino said the redeployment for Caloocan City, which will complete the process, is just awaiting the approval of the local chief executive. But he is confident of a positive development, based on the previous case.
Dolorfino said the immersion of soldiers in Metro Manila is part of the military’s role in nation-building and is consistent with their constitutional role in protecting the State and the people.
He said soldiers will hold dialogues with local residents and officials to learn their concerns, especially on security matters, so as to win their hearts and minds against ideologies being pushed by Left-leaning and other anti-government groups.
Asked if the soldiers can also be utilized in monitoring people or groups that have plans to violate the Human Security Act of 2007 or the Anti-Terrorism Law, Dolorfino said: “Maybe, indirectly but the main intent is for civil-military operations.”
“If they get some information like presence of people planning to do untoward acts, they can relay to law enforcement unit like the Philippine National Police,” he added.
The HSA took effect last Sunday.
Dolorfino did not say how long will the troops be immersed in the communities but the previous deployment last for six months, from November last year up to May.
The deployment of troops in the capital was met with lots of criticisms especially that it happened during pre-election period and at a time when the anti-terrorism law was about to be implemented./DMS
July 16, 2007
Army troops tasked to carry out civil military operations in slum areas in the capital are expected to be redeployed in Manila City anytime this week, following the redeployment last week of their fellow soldiers in Taguig City and Caloocan City.
Armed Forces National Capital Region Command (NCRCom) chief Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino said Monday that 14 teams of 10 Army troopers each will go to 14 barangays in Manila City upon the go-signal of the national military headquarters.
Dolorfino said the redeployment of troops for Manila City has already been approved by Manila City Mayor Alfredo Lim.
“Each team will have two policemen trained on community relations,” Dolorfino said.
Last week, the military sent off some 70 soldiers for six areas in Quezon City, and 30 others for three areas in Taguig City.
Dolorfino said the redeployment for Caloocan City, which will complete the process, is just awaiting the approval of the local chief executive. But he is confident of a positive development, based on the previous case.
Dolorfino said the immersion of soldiers in Metro Manila is part of the military’s role in nation-building and is consistent with their constitutional role in protecting the State and the people.
He said soldiers will hold dialogues with local residents and officials to learn their concerns, especially on security matters, so as to win their hearts and minds against ideologies being pushed by Left-leaning and other anti-government groups.
Asked if the soldiers can also be utilized in monitoring people or groups that have plans to violate the Human Security Act of 2007 or the Anti-Terrorism Law, Dolorfino said: “Maybe, indirectly but the main intent is for civil-military operations.”
“If they get some information like presence of people planning to do untoward acts, they can relay to law enforcement unit like the Philippine National Police,” he added.
The HSA took effect last Sunday.
Dolorfino did not say how long will the troops be immersed in the communities but the previous deployment last for six months, from November last year up to May.
The deployment of troops in the capital was met with lots of criticisms especially that it happened during pre-election period and at a time when the anti-terrorism law was about to be implemented./DMS
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