By Ronron
September 21, 2007
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr., for the first time, spoke on Thursday night about his views on the controversial National Broadband Network (NBN) project of the government.
During the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) night at the Intercontinental Hotel in Makati City, Teodoro said if ever any contract is entered into by the government for the pushing of the NBN, the Defense department should be consulted for the security considerations in having such project.
The Secretary’s view about the issue was sought in the light that the company that supposedly got the government’s nod to do the project is a Chinese corporation, the ZTE Corporation.
Despite having good diplomatic relations between China, the Philippines also has some disputed issues with it like the territorial claims at the South China Sea.
“At this point in time, because the operation of the broadband network has not been submitted to the Armed Forces yet or the DND, we believe that it should be included in the implementation, if ever, of a contract of some security precautions and firewalls,” Teodoro suggested.
“We would assume that and we will review it when it comes to us – firewall security or software, whatever. Naturally, this is an issue which must be brought not merely to the department but to the National Security Council at the proper time,” he added.
The Senate is currently investigating the controversial deal of the government with ZTE Corporation following claims of Jose de Venecia III, son of House Speaker Jose de Venecia, that the project is overpriced to include bribe amount for Philippine government officials./DMS
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Military won’t say sorry for its Martial Law atrocities – Defense chief
By Ronron
September 21, 2007
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. does not see the need for the military to apologize for its atrocities during the implementation of the Martial Law since 1972 until 1981.
During the forum with the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) on Thursday night, the eve of the 35th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law by former President Ferdinand Marcos, Teodoro said the “atrocities” committed then were not by “institutions,” rather, “by men.”
“There is nobody countenancing atrocities within and amongst the ranks of the Armed Forces of the Philippines so definitely, the institution should not apologize for the wrongdoings, if ever, of any of its members,” Teodoro said.
Under the Martial Law rule, Marcos utilized the military in curtailing the basic rights like freedom of speech of the people, especially those who are criticizing government and the First Family. It was during said period that many human rights violations were allegedly committed by security forces.
Asked how could the military get rid of the Martial Law stigma attached to it, Teodoro said: “There’s no quick answer to that. The best thing that can happen is the behavior of the military, given a fixed period of time.”
Another is the attitude of the military leadership now towards alleged violations of human rights. “The best way to deal with the problem, number one, is to really perhaps provide an example, based on competent evidence, that we do not tolerate it. As (Armed Forces chief of staff) Gen. (Hermogenes) Esperon, Jr. said, there are some cases pending which I won’t comment on.”
According to Esperon, since the activation last June of five General Courts Martial (GCM) - two for the Army, one for the General Headquarters, one for the Navy and one for the Air Force - to deal with alleged human rights violations of soldiers, three cases are now at the pre-trial investigation stage.
The three cases involve 13 soldier-suspects tagged behind the murder of four people, Esperon said.
“While we want to be quick on this, due diligence and the rules of the procedures must be observed. We do not want to pin down anybody based on suspicions. We want to be very thorough about it. But I can tell you that the GCM will be working on this,” Esperon said in the same MOPC forum.
Aside from this, a better relationship of the military with the community through its good behavior while doing their job, and their accomplishments, basically, will also be good eventually for the military’s image with the public, Teodoro said.
“It will take time and only a confluence of several factors, particularly our behavior, which has been stated in Basilan and Sulu, has been no less than commendable, our relationship-building with the community, and our professionalism from the junior officers up will perhaps improve the image of the Armed Forces,” he said.
Teodoro said he is of the opinion that Martial Law is already over when the Marcoses were ousted in February 1986, through what is now called as People Power I Revolution./DMS
September 21, 2007
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. does not see the need for the military to apologize for its atrocities during the implementation of the Martial Law since 1972 until 1981.
During the forum with the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) on Thursday night, the eve of the 35th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law by former President Ferdinand Marcos, Teodoro said the “atrocities” committed then were not by “institutions,” rather, “by men.”
“There is nobody countenancing atrocities within and amongst the ranks of the Armed Forces of the Philippines so definitely, the institution should not apologize for the wrongdoings, if ever, of any of its members,” Teodoro said.
Under the Martial Law rule, Marcos utilized the military in curtailing the basic rights like freedom of speech of the people, especially those who are criticizing government and the First Family. It was during said period that many human rights violations were allegedly committed by security forces.
Asked how could the military get rid of the Martial Law stigma attached to it, Teodoro said: “There’s no quick answer to that. The best thing that can happen is the behavior of the military, given a fixed period of time.”
Another is the attitude of the military leadership now towards alleged violations of human rights. “The best way to deal with the problem, number one, is to really perhaps provide an example, based on competent evidence, that we do not tolerate it. As (Armed Forces chief of staff) Gen. (Hermogenes) Esperon, Jr. said, there are some cases pending which I won’t comment on.”
According to Esperon, since the activation last June of five General Courts Martial (GCM) - two for the Army, one for the General Headquarters, one for the Navy and one for the Air Force - to deal with alleged human rights violations of soldiers, three cases are now at the pre-trial investigation stage.
The three cases involve 13 soldier-suspects tagged behind the murder of four people, Esperon said.
“While we want to be quick on this, due diligence and the rules of the procedures must be observed. We do not want to pin down anybody based on suspicions. We want to be very thorough about it. But I can tell you that the GCM will be working on this,” Esperon said in the same MOPC forum.
Aside from this, a better relationship of the military with the community through its good behavior while doing their job, and their accomplishments, basically, will also be good eventually for the military’s image with the public, Teodoro said.
“It will take time and only a confluence of several factors, particularly our behavior, which has been stated in Basilan and Sulu, has been no less than commendable, our relationship-building with the community, and our professionalism from the junior officers up will perhaps improve the image of the Armed Forces,” he said.
Teodoro said he is of the opinion that Martial Law is already over when the Marcoses were ousted in February 1986, through what is now called as People Power I Revolution./DMS
NPA leader in Western Visayas captured
By Ronron
September 21, 2007
A suspected leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Western Visayas was apprehended by the military last Wednesday, an Army commander said Friday.
Maj. Gen. Jovenal Narcise, commander of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, identified the captured rebel as Hernando Laurente, alias Ka Nikki/Intsik, who claimed to be the Logistics and Finance Officer of the Northern Negros Front of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA.
Narcise said Laurente, 26, is included in the military’s Order of Battle in the region.
Laurente was nabbed at around 9pm last Wednesdy by elements of the Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion in Barangay Blumentrit, Murcia town, Negros Occidental, Narcise said.
“(Laurente) is a graduate of the Paglaum National High School in Bacolod City. He is already two years in the underground movement and due to his wit and talent, was already entrusted of sensitive positions in the movement. He was recruited by Bong Mata in 2005,” Narcise said.
As Logistics and Finance Officer, Laurente claimed he was in charge of procurement of supplies to support the needs of armed men operating in Silay, Cadiz and Sagay, all known areas of the Northern Negros Front, Narcise said.
He disclosed that the family of Laurente had earlier advised him to go back to the folds of the law “as they too believed that what they are fighting for is a lost cause.”
The 7,100-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside in the last 38 years to push for a revolutionary form of government./DMS
September 21, 2007
A suspected leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Western Visayas was apprehended by the military last Wednesday, an Army commander said Friday.
Maj. Gen. Jovenal Narcise, commander of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, identified the captured rebel as Hernando Laurente, alias Ka Nikki/Intsik, who claimed to be the Logistics and Finance Officer of the Northern Negros Front of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA.
Narcise said Laurente, 26, is included in the military’s Order of Battle in the region.
Laurente was nabbed at around 9pm last Wednesdy by elements of the Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion in Barangay Blumentrit, Murcia town, Negros Occidental, Narcise said.
“(Laurente) is a graduate of the Paglaum National High School in Bacolod City. He is already two years in the underground movement and due to his wit and talent, was already entrusted of sensitive positions in the movement. He was recruited by Bong Mata in 2005,” Narcise said.
As Logistics and Finance Officer, Laurente claimed he was in charge of procurement of supplies to support the needs of armed men operating in Silay, Cadiz and Sagay, all known areas of the Northern Negros Front, Narcise said.
He disclosed that the family of Laurente had earlier advised him to go back to the folds of the law “as they too believed that what they are fighting for is a lost cause.”
The 7,100-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside in the last 38 years to push for a revolutionary form of government./DMS
Esperon says at least six soldiers sanctioned for alleged recruitment for destabilization
By Ronron
September 21, 2007
At least six personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have been sanctioned for allegedly getting involved in destabilization attempts against the Arroyo government, the top military commander said Friday.
According to Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, the said personnel, who are junior officers and enlisted personnel, were found to have recruited fellow soldiers into joining anti-government efforts.
“There are active members but it’s more of inactive or former members of the military approaching some active members of the military,” Esperon told Camp Aguinaldo reporters yesterday.
“We have done some moves short of arresting them like reassigning them or putting them on hold, and continuing surveillance on them,” he added of the six.
Esperon said the sanctions were imposed “within the last week.” There are also other sanctions in mind, but not as harsh as possible charging before the court martial, he said.
But aside from them, the military leadership is also looking at civilians and politicians who are part of the destabilization efforts, Esperon said.
He said the alleged destabilizers have included in the issues they are raising against the government the recent controversial deal of the government with ZTE Corporation for the National Broadband Network (NBN) Project.
Fortunately, Esperon said, the attempts were not successful based on the fact that there were no unauthorized troops movements monitored.
During the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) Forum at Intercontinental Hotel in Makati City, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. said the organization is “prepared to deal with those threats.”
He admitted though that even if “they are not succeeding,” the defense department is not taking them lightly.
On Friday afternoon, the AFP National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM) formally accepted in its organization two battalions that will undergo training in the capital for an unspecified period of time to make them prepared to respond for any contingency.
The augmentation troops are from the Philippine Army’s 54th Infantry Battalion, based in Gamu, Isabela, and the Philippine Air Force 760 Combat Group, based in Clark, Pampanga.
“As we have said, there are (destabilization) attempts. We want to be on the safe side. We want to have the forces available here with us, just in case,” Esperon explained.
“This is also an exercise. We want to make sure that we can do what we want to do when there are contingencies that we have to address. So we want to know how fast they can come, we want to know how many people are ready,” he added.
The 443-strong 54th IB was flown in via C130 plane from Isabela, while the 220-strong Air Force troops moved by land early Friday morning.
Unexpectedly, the Air Force personnel had a brief problem in their entry to Manila because they were stopped by elements of the police Special Action Force (SAF) near Balintawak area in Quezon City.
“They held us to check and verify our mission here at the General Headquarters… Maybe we can attribute it to lack of coordination because we were just informed about this at 10 last night (Thursday),” said 760 Combat Group Deputy Commander Maj. Emmanuel Bello when asked of the incident that happened at around 6:30am.
When the SAF personnel were convinced of the mission order they presented, Bello said they were released after almost one hour and a half.
NCRCOM chief Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa said that aside from the destabilization threats, the two augmentation forces will also be trained to respond to calamities and disasters./DMS
September 21, 2007
At least six personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have been sanctioned for allegedly getting involved in destabilization attempts against the Arroyo government, the top military commander said Friday.
According to Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, the said personnel, who are junior officers and enlisted personnel, were found to have recruited fellow soldiers into joining anti-government efforts.
“There are active members but it’s more of inactive or former members of the military approaching some active members of the military,” Esperon told Camp Aguinaldo reporters yesterday.
“We have done some moves short of arresting them like reassigning them or putting them on hold, and continuing surveillance on them,” he added of the six.
Esperon said the sanctions were imposed “within the last week.” There are also other sanctions in mind, but not as harsh as possible charging before the court martial, he said.
But aside from them, the military leadership is also looking at civilians and politicians who are part of the destabilization efforts, Esperon said.
He said the alleged destabilizers have included in the issues they are raising against the government the recent controversial deal of the government with ZTE Corporation for the National Broadband Network (NBN) Project.
Fortunately, Esperon said, the attempts were not successful based on the fact that there were no unauthorized troops movements monitored.
During the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) Forum at Intercontinental Hotel in Makati City, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. said the organization is “prepared to deal with those threats.”
He admitted though that even if “they are not succeeding,” the defense department is not taking them lightly.
On Friday afternoon, the AFP National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM) formally accepted in its organization two battalions that will undergo training in the capital for an unspecified period of time to make them prepared to respond for any contingency.
The augmentation troops are from the Philippine Army’s 54th Infantry Battalion, based in Gamu, Isabela, and the Philippine Air Force 760 Combat Group, based in Clark, Pampanga.
“As we have said, there are (destabilization) attempts. We want to be on the safe side. We want to have the forces available here with us, just in case,” Esperon explained.
“This is also an exercise. We want to make sure that we can do what we want to do when there are contingencies that we have to address. So we want to know how fast they can come, we want to know how many people are ready,” he added.
The 443-strong 54th IB was flown in via C130 plane from Isabela, while the 220-strong Air Force troops moved by land early Friday morning.
Unexpectedly, the Air Force personnel had a brief problem in their entry to Manila because they were stopped by elements of the police Special Action Force (SAF) near Balintawak area in Quezon City.
“They held us to check and verify our mission here at the General Headquarters… Maybe we can attribute it to lack of coordination because we were just informed about this at 10 last night (Thursday),” said 760 Combat Group Deputy Commander Maj. Emmanuel Bello when asked of the incident that happened at around 6:30am.
When the SAF personnel were convinced of the mission order they presented, Bello said they were released after almost one hour and a half.
NCRCOM chief Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa said that aside from the destabilization threats, the two augmentation forces will also be trained to respond to calamities and disasters./DMS
Friday, September 21, 2007
Three missing due to typhoon “Goring,” says OCD
By Ronron
September 20, 2007
Three persons were reported missing by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) due to heavy flooding in the Western Visayas region when typhoon “Goring” prevailed in the country early this week.
Region VI OCD Officer-in-Charge Eligio Calaor said in a phone interview Thursday that the first two missing persons got swept by the sudden surge last September 17 at the Paliwan River in Bugasong, Antique.
They were identified as Edmar Jauod, 10, and Rizza Operiano, 9.
The third victim, Calaor said, is Analyn Laude, 28, who was also carried away by the current at the Macarena Creek in Patnongon town of the same province last Wednesday.
“As of this time, we have yet to receive a report from the provincial disaster councils regarding the condition of these three,” Calaor said yesterday afternoon.
There were no reports of deaths or injuries, he added.
Aside from the missing persons, Calaor reported also that 11 barangays in Iloilo City were affected by “Goring” due to flooding. A total of 1,242 families or 5,655 persons were affected, 985 of whom were brought to evacuation centers, he said.
The OCD main office in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City said 28 villages in Negros Occidental province were also affected by floods due to the continuous rains. The breakdown is as follows: one in Bago City, six in Ilog, four in Pulupandan, 10 in San Enrique and seven in Valladolid.
A total of 6,286 families or 31,430 persons from said province were affected, the OCD report said.
On September 17, a tornado incident also occurred in Bacolod City, damaging 23 houses (four totally and 19 partially) and affecting 23 families or 115 persons, the report said further.
Quoting the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the OCD said the continuous heavy rains in the western part of the country was due to the southwest monsoon that prevailed even if “Goring” already exited the Philippines on September 18./DMS
September 20, 2007
Three persons were reported missing by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) due to heavy flooding in the Western Visayas region when typhoon “Goring” prevailed in the country early this week.
Region VI OCD Officer-in-Charge Eligio Calaor said in a phone interview Thursday that the first two missing persons got swept by the sudden surge last September 17 at the Paliwan River in Bugasong, Antique.
They were identified as Edmar Jauod, 10, and Rizza Operiano, 9.
The third victim, Calaor said, is Analyn Laude, 28, who was also carried away by the current at the Macarena Creek in Patnongon town of the same province last Wednesday.
“As of this time, we have yet to receive a report from the provincial disaster councils regarding the condition of these three,” Calaor said yesterday afternoon.
There were no reports of deaths or injuries, he added.
Aside from the missing persons, Calaor reported also that 11 barangays in Iloilo City were affected by “Goring” due to flooding. A total of 1,242 families or 5,655 persons were affected, 985 of whom were brought to evacuation centers, he said.
The OCD main office in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City said 28 villages in Negros Occidental province were also affected by floods due to the continuous rains. The breakdown is as follows: one in Bago City, six in Ilog, four in Pulupandan, 10 in San Enrique and seven in Valladolid.
A total of 6,286 families or 31,430 persons from said province were affected, the OCD report said.
On September 17, a tornado incident also occurred in Bacolod City, damaging 23 houses (four totally and 19 partially) and affecting 23 families or 115 persons, the report said further.
Quoting the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the OCD said the continuous heavy rains in the western part of the country was due to the southwest monsoon that prevailed even if “Goring” already exited the Philippines on September 18./DMS
NPA attacks another Globe cellsite in Bicol
By Ronron
September 20, 2007
Suspected communist rebels attacked anew on Thursday another facility of Globe Telecommunications in the Bicol region even as the police and military have vowed to strengthen their defense against so-called enemies of the State on orders recently of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The latest incident happened at around 6:45 am yesterday at the Globe Relay Station in Barangay Tagpu, Mandaon town in Masbate province, the municipal police officer, Chief Inspector Brian Castillo, said in a phone interview with Manila Shimbun.
Castillo said around 20 men who are suspected to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA) arrived at around 5:40 am at the Globe facility and first held the lone security guard at gunpoint.
The perpetrators, who were armed with M16 rifles with grenade launchers, M14, baby Armalite, and carbines, then proceeded to pour kerosene on the generator set of the facility and set it on fire.
When the flame was already huge, the suspects left on foot, heading towards the hinterlands. They were pursued later by joint elements of the Mandaon Policce, the neighboring Milagros Municipal Police Station, the Masbate Provincial Police Office, and the 506th Provincial Police Mobile Group.
“They spared the tower and other materials there,” Castillo said.
Castillo said the guard claimed the estimated cost of damage is almost P1 million.
Because of the burned generator set, the facility was shut down temporarily until the operator is assured that the electricity line is not affected, Castillo said.
“They (perpetrators) have no other intention there but for propaganda and destruction. They want to show to the public that they are still present and they are a force to reckon with,” Castillo said when asked of the motive.
As to the possibility of extortion being the motive, he said the police have yet to gather information from the local officials of Globe Telecoms regarding monetary demands by the communist group from them.
On September 17, suspected NPA rebels also attacked two Globe facilities in the towns of Pamplona and Libmanan in Camarines Sur province.
A day after, Arroyo ordered the military to strengthen further its defenses against the NPA and other security threat groups so as to create an environment conducive to business and investment./DMS
September 20, 2007
Suspected communist rebels attacked anew on Thursday another facility of Globe Telecommunications in the Bicol region even as the police and military have vowed to strengthen their defense against so-called enemies of the State on orders recently of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The latest incident happened at around 6:45 am yesterday at the Globe Relay Station in Barangay Tagpu, Mandaon town in Masbate province, the municipal police officer, Chief Inspector Brian Castillo, said in a phone interview with Manila Shimbun.
Castillo said around 20 men who are suspected to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA) arrived at around 5:40 am at the Globe facility and first held the lone security guard at gunpoint.
The perpetrators, who were armed with M16 rifles with grenade launchers, M14, baby Armalite, and carbines, then proceeded to pour kerosene on the generator set of the facility and set it on fire.
When the flame was already huge, the suspects left on foot, heading towards the hinterlands. They were pursued later by joint elements of the Mandaon Policce, the neighboring Milagros Municipal Police Station, the Masbate Provincial Police Office, and the 506th Provincial Police Mobile Group.
“They spared the tower and other materials there,” Castillo said.
Castillo said the guard claimed the estimated cost of damage is almost P1 million.
Because of the burned generator set, the facility was shut down temporarily until the operator is assured that the electricity line is not affected, Castillo said.
“They (perpetrators) have no other intention there but for propaganda and destruction. They want to show to the public that they are still present and they are a force to reckon with,” Castillo said when asked of the motive.
As to the possibility of extortion being the motive, he said the police have yet to gather information from the local officials of Globe Telecoms regarding monetary demands by the communist group from them.
On September 17, suspected NPA rebels also attacked two Globe facilities in the towns of Pamplona and Libmanan in Camarines Sur province.
A day after, Arroyo ordered the military to strengthen further its defenses against the NPA and other security threat groups so as to create an environment conducive to business and investment./DMS
PNP implements reshuffle among Metro Manila commanders
By Ronron
September 20, 2007
The Philippine National Police is implementing starting today (Friday) a reshuffle of some of its commanders in Metro Manila.
Sr. Supt. Danilo Abarsoza of the Manila Police District (MPD) said he will head the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in Silang, Cavite, and will turn over the MPD to Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales of the Southern Police District (SPD).
Rosales will then be replaced at the SPD by Eastern Police District (EPD) director Chief Supt. Luizo Ticman.
Ticman, meanwhile, will pass on the EPD to Sr. Supt. Leon Nilo dela Cruz, who comes from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Abarsoza said.
Abarsoza said the simultaneous turn over of commands will be done today at the NCRPO headquarters in Taguig City.
Asked how he felt with his new assignment, Abarsoza said: “It’s okay with me. It’s a natural process, administrative process in the PNP to have a reshuffle.”
“When the right time comes, I will announce my programs at the PNPA that will contribute to the improvement of the organization,” he added.
Abarsoza had earlier expressed his preference to stay on at the MPD instead of getting into the academic affairs of the police./DMS
September 20, 2007
The Philippine National Police is implementing starting today (Friday) a reshuffle of some of its commanders in Metro Manila.
Sr. Supt. Danilo Abarsoza of the Manila Police District (MPD) said he will head the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in Silang, Cavite, and will turn over the MPD to Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales of the Southern Police District (SPD).
Rosales will then be replaced at the SPD by Eastern Police District (EPD) director Chief Supt. Luizo Ticman.
Ticman, meanwhile, will pass on the EPD to Sr. Supt. Leon Nilo dela Cruz, who comes from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Abarsoza said.
Abarsoza said the simultaneous turn over of commands will be done today at the NCRPO headquarters in Taguig City.
Asked how he felt with his new assignment, Abarsoza said: “It’s okay with me. It’s a natural process, administrative process in the PNP to have a reshuffle.”
“When the right time comes, I will announce my programs at the PNPA that will contribute to the improvement of the organization,” he added.
Abarsoza had earlier expressed his preference to stay on at the MPD instead of getting into the academic affairs of the police./DMS
Magdalo trial at Makati RTC expected to end by yearend
By Ronron
September 20, 2007
The Makati City judge handling the coup d’ etat case of the 29 junior officers and two former enlisted personnel allegedly involved in the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny wants to end the trial by the end of this year.
Judge Oscar Pimentel of Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148 promised even during Thursday’s hearing of the case that he will not be late or absent in the upcoming hearings, contrary to what usually happens in previous hearings.
To realize said goal, Pimentel sought the agreement of both the prosecution and defense in coming up with fixed schedule of the upcoming hearings for the defense’ presentation of its evidence.
With the consent of both panels, the first hearing is set on October 10, while the last will be on November 22.
Pimentel then required the defense that seven days before the hearing date, they should provide a list of the witnesses they intend to present and the synopsis of their testimony.
“Failure to submit to the court and to the panel of State prosecutors the list of the witnesses and the documents in advance of the hearing will make the court disallow the presentation of the witnesses,” Pimentel said in open court.
“The court, likewise, seeks the commitment of the defense counsels not to seek the postponement of the trial so as to expedite the proceedings,” he added.
Pimentel acknowledged that the accused have been in detention since 2003 that is why the target goal of wrapping up the trial by yearend will also be good for them, he said.
“Naturally, they want an expeditious resolution of the case. If one party (from the defense) will not be able to present evidence, then they should make arrangement with the other parties (from the defense) for them to present their evidence,” the judge said.
Defense counsel Trixie Angeles, who represents accused Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon, said if the schedule is strictly followed, then by December, they will have the summation of the case already.
And by January or February, Pimentel may already come out with a ruling, she said.
Angeles and fellow defense lawyer Reynaldo Robles, who represents former Navy Lt. Senior Grade and now Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, disclosed that aside from the testimony of the accused, they also intend to present evidence that would support their claim that there is no case because the crime of coup d’ etat, based on the definition under the law, is supposed to be committed at a government or military facility or installation./DMS
September 20, 2007
The Makati City judge handling the coup d’ etat case of the 29 junior officers and two former enlisted personnel allegedly involved in the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny wants to end the trial by the end of this year.
Judge Oscar Pimentel of Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148 promised even during Thursday’s hearing of the case that he will not be late or absent in the upcoming hearings, contrary to what usually happens in previous hearings.
To realize said goal, Pimentel sought the agreement of both the prosecution and defense in coming up with fixed schedule of the upcoming hearings for the defense’ presentation of its evidence.
With the consent of both panels, the first hearing is set on October 10, while the last will be on November 22.
Pimentel then required the defense that seven days before the hearing date, they should provide a list of the witnesses they intend to present and the synopsis of their testimony.
“Failure to submit to the court and to the panel of State prosecutors the list of the witnesses and the documents in advance of the hearing will make the court disallow the presentation of the witnesses,” Pimentel said in open court.
“The court, likewise, seeks the commitment of the defense counsels not to seek the postponement of the trial so as to expedite the proceedings,” he added.
Pimentel acknowledged that the accused have been in detention since 2003 that is why the target goal of wrapping up the trial by yearend will also be good for them, he said.
“Naturally, they want an expeditious resolution of the case. If one party (from the defense) will not be able to present evidence, then they should make arrangement with the other parties (from the defense) for them to present their evidence,” the judge said.
Defense counsel Trixie Angeles, who represents accused Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon, said if the schedule is strictly followed, then by December, they will have the summation of the case already.
And by January or February, Pimentel may already come out with a ruling, she said.
Angeles and fellow defense lawyer Reynaldo Robles, who represents former Navy Lt. Senior Grade and now Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, disclosed that aside from the testimony of the accused, they also intend to present evidence that would support their claim that there is no case because the crime of coup d’ etat, based on the definition under the law, is supposed to be committed at a government or military facility or installation./DMS
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Army boosts ties with PNP in fight against insurgents
By Ronron
September 19, 2007
The Philippine Army is strengthening further its ties with the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the fight against insurgency following the directive of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the military to intensify its “defenses against destruction and killings by enemies of the State.”
“We will further strengthen our security arrangements with the PNP and other security forces in order to guarantee the protection of vital installations, businesses and their government offices and personalities against the wicked plans of the NPA (New People’s Army),” Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano told Camp Aguinaldo reporters Wednesday.
The PNP already has an agreement with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as regards its role in internal security operations following the signing in June last year by Arroyo of Executive Order 546, allowing the PNP to take active role in fighting the NPA.
On Tuesday, Arroyo said government security forces should intensify its operations against the NPA and other lawless elements to help create an environment conducive for business and investments.
Yano said the directive of the President should not be viewed to mean that the government is under serious attack by communist terrorists, but rather, to ensure that peace prevails.
“The Army has been constantly on the offensive in defeating the NPA’s. We continuously conduct combat operations and information gathering so as not to give the terrorists a chance to harm the Filipino people,” he said.
The Army chief said the military has not been remiss in securiting vital installations and facilities all over the country, with proper coordination with the PNP in different localities.
“Actually, there is a close coordination and partnership between the military, the police and the potential (victims), the businessmen themselves. So, it’s a team effort,” Yano said.
Just last Monday, two cellular sites of Globe Telecommunications were burned by suspected NPA rebels in Camarines Sur province.
According to a police report, the first incident happened at the cellsite located in Barangay Batang, Pamplona town at around 9pm. The cost of damages is pegged at P150,000.00.
Less then an hour later, or at 9:50 pm, the cellsite at Delfin’s Compound in Barangay Tinangguihan, Libmanan town was also set on fire by the same group of rebels. Cost of damages is estimated at P1.6 million.
The NPA has been attacking Globe facilities over the last few years due to the company’s alleged refusal to give in to the movement’s extortion demand./DMS
September 19, 2007
The Philippine Army is strengthening further its ties with the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the fight against insurgency following the directive of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the military to intensify its “defenses against destruction and killings by enemies of the State.”
“We will further strengthen our security arrangements with the PNP and other security forces in order to guarantee the protection of vital installations, businesses and their government offices and personalities against the wicked plans of the NPA (New People’s Army),” Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano told Camp Aguinaldo reporters Wednesday.
The PNP already has an agreement with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as regards its role in internal security operations following the signing in June last year by Arroyo of Executive Order 546, allowing the PNP to take active role in fighting the NPA.
On Tuesday, Arroyo said government security forces should intensify its operations against the NPA and other lawless elements to help create an environment conducive for business and investments.
Yano said the directive of the President should not be viewed to mean that the government is under serious attack by communist terrorists, but rather, to ensure that peace prevails.
“The Army has been constantly on the offensive in defeating the NPA’s. We continuously conduct combat operations and information gathering so as not to give the terrorists a chance to harm the Filipino people,” he said.
The Army chief said the military has not been remiss in securiting vital installations and facilities all over the country, with proper coordination with the PNP in different localities.
“Actually, there is a close coordination and partnership between the military, the police and the potential (victims), the businessmen themselves. So, it’s a team effort,” Yano said.
Just last Monday, two cellular sites of Globe Telecommunications were burned by suspected NPA rebels in Camarines Sur province.
According to a police report, the first incident happened at the cellsite located in Barangay Batang, Pamplona town at around 9pm. The cost of damages is pegged at P150,000.00.
Less then an hour later, or at 9:50 pm, the cellsite at Delfin’s Compound in Barangay Tinangguihan, Libmanan town was also set on fire by the same group of rebels. Cost of damages is estimated at P1.6 million.
The NPA has been attacking Globe facilities over the last few years due to the company’s alleged refusal to give in to the movement’s extortion demand./DMS
Cop killed, three others hurt in Batangas shooting
By Ronron
September 19, 2007
A policeman was killed while three of his friends were wounded in a pre-dawn shooting incident Wednesday in Batangas province, police said.
The slain victim was identified as PO2 Efren Ong of the San Jose Municipal Police Station, while his wounded friends were Crisanto Godoy, 52; Jonel Delgado, 24; and Dr. Raul Mendoza, all residents of Barangay Alangilan, Batangas City.
Police said the incident happened at the residence of Ong’s friend, Florito Cena, at Saint Peter Subdivision in Barangay Alangilan at around 1:30 am.
Ong and his friends were reportedly talking to each other at the garage of Cena’s house when three men, armed with short firearms, suddenly showed up and opened fire at them.
Ong died instantly due to multiple gunshot wounds while his three friends survived despite sustaining gunshot wounds. The three were brought to Batangas City Regional Hospital for medical treatment.
Recovered from the crime scene were seven empty shells for caliber 45, and four deformed slugs of caliber 38.
Police are still investigating the motive of the incident, especially since they have yet to identify the perpetrators./DMS
September 19, 2007
A policeman was killed while three of his friends were wounded in a pre-dawn shooting incident Wednesday in Batangas province, police said.
The slain victim was identified as PO2 Efren Ong of the San Jose Municipal Police Station, while his wounded friends were Crisanto Godoy, 52; Jonel Delgado, 24; and Dr. Raul Mendoza, all residents of Barangay Alangilan, Batangas City.
Police said the incident happened at the residence of Ong’s friend, Florito Cena, at Saint Peter Subdivision in Barangay Alangilan at around 1:30 am.
Ong and his friends were reportedly talking to each other at the garage of Cena’s house when three men, armed with short firearms, suddenly showed up and opened fire at them.
Ong died instantly due to multiple gunshot wounds while his three friends survived despite sustaining gunshot wounds. The three were brought to Batangas City Regional Hospital for medical treatment.
Recovered from the crime scene were seven empty shells for caliber 45, and four deformed slugs of caliber 38.
Police are still investigating the motive of the incident, especially since they have yet to identify the perpetrators./DMS
10 killed, three hurt in North Cotabato shootout
By Ronron
September 19, 2007
Ten people were killed and three others were hurt in a shootout Wednesday morning in North Cotabato province, police and military said.
Officials said the incident involved the rival parties of Nuruddin Matalam, former vice-mayor of Pagulangan, Maguindanao, and Mokamad Andoy, a barangay captain of still unknown place.
According to Col. Pedro Soria, commander of the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade based in Carmen town of said province, the shootout happened at around 9:45 am right at the national bridge in Barangay Lamyong, Kabacan town.
He said Matalam, his wife, and other companions were aboard a Toyota Land Cruiser, and were being tailed by escorts aboard a back-up pick-up, while the party of Andoy were aboard two owner-type jeeps.
Both parties were heading towards Pagulangan town, said Soria, and when they arrived near the bridge, they began to race against each other.
Soria said the two owner-type jeeps were running ahead of Matalam’s convoy at first, but Matalam’s Land Cruiser was able to overtake.
“Maybe, when the party of the barangay captain realized that it was Matalam’s vehicle that overtook them, they started shooting at the Land Cruiser because the bullets pierced through the rear portion of that vehicle,” Soria said in Filipino when interviewed by phone yesterday afternoon.
According to police, Matalam is a political rival of the father and son tandem of Macabangen and Utto Montawal, the incumbent vice mayor and mayor of Pagulangan, respectively. Andoy is reportedly a known staunch supporter of the Montawals.
Police said Matalam ran against but lost to Utto Montawal in the mayoralty race in Pagulangan last May 14, 2007 elections.
In April of this year, supporters of Matalam and the Montawals already figured in a firefight, police recounted.
Soria said Wednesday’s shootout lasted no more than 15 minutes, leaving seven members of Andoy’s group dead, as well as the driver/bodyguard of Matalam, and two civilians who were caught in the crossfire.
Soria said it was unfortunate that a passenger jeepney bound for Kabacan town proper passed by the encounter site from the opposite direction, that was why aside from two of its passengers getting killed, a male toddler was also slightly hurt.
Aside from the young boy, Matalam and his wife were also injured, said Soria. The Matalams were rushed to a hospital in Davao City for medical treatment.
Soria said recovered from the place of the firefight were empty shells for M14, M16 and Garand rifles.
The fighters from both parties were also wearing military uniforms, preventing five CAFGU personnel stationed nearby from responding at the height of the firefight.
When the exchange of gunfires subsided, all but the Land Cruiser sped off to different directions, Soria said.
Soria said responding elements from the 602nd Brigade, and the 7th, 57th, and 38th Infantry Battalions only caught up with Matalam and his Land Cruiser, and all the dead bodies when they arrived at the scene of the shootout.
Police is now investigating the incident for the filing of possible charges against those responsible for the death of the 10, especially the civilians./DMS
September 19, 2007
Ten people were killed and three others were hurt in a shootout Wednesday morning in North Cotabato province, police and military said.
Officials said the incident involved the rival parties of Nuruddin Matalam, former vice-mayor of Pagulangan, Maguindanao, and Mokamad Andoy, a barangay captain of still unknown place.
According to Col. Pedro Soria, commander of the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade based in Carmen town of said province, the shootout happened at around 9:45 am right at the national bridge in Barangay Lamyong, Kabacan town.
He said Matalam, his wife, and other companions were aboard a Toyota Land Cruiser, and were being tailed by escorts aboard a back-up pick-up, while the party of Andoy were aboard two owner-type jeeps.
Both parties were heading towards Pagulangan town, said Soria, and when they arrived near the bridge, they began to race against each other.
Soria said the two owner-type jeeps were running ahead of Matalam’s convoy at first, but Matalam’s Land Cruiser was able to overtake.
“Maybe, when the party of the barangay captain realized that it was Matalam’s vehicle that overtook them, they started shooting at the Land Cruiser because the bullets pierced through the rear portion of that vehicle,” Soria said in Filipino when interviewed by phone yesterday afternoon.
According to police, Matalam is a political rival of the father and son tandem of Macabangen and Utto Montawal, the incumbent vice mayor and mayor of Pagulangan, respectively. Andoy is reportedly a known staunch supporter of the Montawals.
Police said Matalam ran against but lost to Utto Montawal in the mayoralty race in Pagulangan last May 14, 2007 elections.
In April of this year, supporters of Matalam and the Montawals already figured in a firefight, police recounted.
Soria said Wednesday’s shootout lasted no more than 15 minutes, leaving seven members of Andoy’s group dead, as well as the driver/bodyguard of Matalam, and two civilians who were caught in the crossfire.
Soria said it was unfortunate that a passenger jeepney bound for Kabacan town proper passed by the encounter site from the opposite direction, that was why aside from two of its passengers getting killed, a male toddler was also slightly hurt.
Aside from the young boy, Matalam and his wife were also injured, said Soria. The Matalams were rushed to a hospital in Davao City for medical treatment.
Soria said recovered from the place of the firefight were empty shells for M14, M16 and Garand rifles.
The fighters from both parties were also wearing military uniforms, preventing five CAFGU personnel stationed nearby from responding at the height of the firefight.
When the exchange of gunfires subsided, all but the Land Cruiser sped off to different directions, Soria said.
Soria said responding elements from the 602nd Brigade, and the 7th, 57th, and 38th Infantry Battalions only caught up with Matalam and his Land Cruiser, and all the dead bodies when they arrived at the scene of the shootout.
Police is now investigating the incident for the filing of possible charges against those responsible for the death of the 10, especially the civilians./DMS
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Crime rate from January to July consistently went down since 2005 to this year, says PNP
By Ronron
September 18, 2007
The volume of crimes from January to July in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively, has consistently gone down due to efficient police measures, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported Tuesday.
Based on the data presented by Director Jefferson Soriano, chief of the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM), total crime volume for the first seven months of 2005, 2006 and 2007 exhibited a downward trend, at an annual rate of 7.58 percent.
Soriano said that for 2005, there were 45,964 crimes reported; for 2006, there were 42,141; and for 2007, there were only 39,261.
In particular, he said that index crimes (murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, and theft) went down from 26,115 in 2005, to 25,134 in 2006, and to 22,280 in 2007.
Street crimes also posted a decline over the three-year period, from 8,609 in 2005, to 6,769 in 2006, and to 6,150 in 2007.
“This (downtrend) is because of our pro-active programs like increased police visibility, deployment of motorcycle cops, walking the beat program, implementation of containment rings like checkpoints and chokepoints, non-stop manhunt operations, deployment of secret marshals, night-watch program, and our community linkages,” Soriano explained.
But while there is a downtrend in the volume of crimes, the PNP conceded that there is also a drop in its crime solution efficiency, from 88.57 percent in 2005, to 88.28 percent in 2006, and to 88.15 percent in 2007. This means that not much crime incidents were solved by the PNP this year compared to the previous years.
Soriano failed to explain this slight reduction.
Meanwhile, the PNP announced that effective 12 noon yesterday (Tuesday), the alert status all over the country, except for Metro Manila and the Special Action Force, is already back to normal level.
The alert in Metro Manila and the SAF, at the same time, is down from full to heightened level.
“We do not see a big threat anymore and the issues involving pro-Erap groups have already subsided so we recommended for the downgrade of the alert,” said Director Wilfredo Garcia, chief of the PNP Directorate for Operations.
The PNP raised its alert to full status last week in preparation for any outburst by supporters of former President Joseph Estrada due to his conviction for plunder at the Sandiganbayan.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines, for its part, has yet to fully bring to normal status its alert in Metro Manila as it is yet to finish its assessment of the prevailing situation./DMS
September 18, 2007
The volume of crimes from January to July in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively, has consistently gone down due to efficient police measures, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported Tuesday.
Based on the data presented by Director Jefferson Soriano, chief of the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM), total crime volume for the first seven months of 2005, 2006 and 2007 exhibited a downward trend, at an annual rate of 7.58 percent.
Soriano said that for 2005, there were 45,964 crimes reported; for 2006, there were 42,141; and for 2007, there were only 39,261.
In particular, he said that index crimes (murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, and theft) went down from 26,115 in 2005, to 25,134 in 2006, and to 22,280 in 2007.
Street crimes also posted a decline over the three-year period, from 8,609 in 2005, to 6,769 in 2006, and to 6,150 in 2007.
“This (downtrend) is because of our pro-active programs like increased police visibility, deployment of motorcycle cops, walking the beat program, implementation of containment rings like checkpoints and chokepoints, non-stop manhunt operations, deployment of secret marshals, night-watch program, and our community linkages,” Soriano explained.
But while there is a downtrend in the volume of crimes, the PNP conceded that there is also a drop in its crime solution efficiency, from 88.57 percent in 2005, to 88.28 percent in 2006, and to 88.15 percent in 2007. This means that not much crime incidents were solved by the PNP this year compared to the previous years.
Soriano failed to explain this slight reduction.
Meanwhile, the PNP announced that effective 12 noon yesterday (Tuesday), the alert status all over the country, except for Metro Manila and the Special Action Force, is already back to normal level.
The alert in Metro Manila and the SAF, at the same time, is down from full to heightened level.
“We do not see a big threat anymore and the issues involving pro-Erap groups have already subsided so we recommended for the downgrade of the alert,” said Director Wilfredo Garcia, chief of the PNP Directorate for Operations.
The PNP raised its alert to full status last week in preparation for any outburst by supporters of former President Joseph Estrada due to his conviction for plunder at the Sandiganbayan.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines, for its part, has yet to fully bring to normal status its alert in Metro Manila as it is yet to finish its assessment of the prevailing situation./DMS
Another bus blown up in South Cotabato
By Ronron
September 18, 2007
Another unit of the Yellow Bus Line was blown up Tuesday morning in Koronadal City, South Cotabato by suspected extortionists, police said.
But there were no reported casualties, nor any major damages on the bus as “it is safe to say that it was not meant to harm,” said city police director Supt. Florendo Quidilla, Jr.
Quidilla said the explosion happened inside Yellow Bus Line Unit A-106, an air-conditioned bus, while it was parked at the Yellow Bus Terminal along General Santos Drive in Koronadal City.
The incident occurred at around 10:47 am, minutes after the air-conditioned bus arrived from Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat and while a few more passengers are alighting.
The suspect/s allegedly used a “cellphone-operated explosive device,” placed at seat row 18 of the bus, which is near the rear portion.
Quidilla said only a small hole was left at the seat after the blast.
“We don’t know yet if it was triggered by a call or it was already timed,” he said.
The police chief said they are linking the incident to the extortion try of the Al-Khobar Group since a person, who claimed to be a member of said group, immediately called the bus line management at 2pm.
Police are now investigating who could have left the device, noting that it was a non-stop bus from Tacurong City to Koronadal City.
Yellow bus line units have been bombed since July of this year, hurting only a few people./DMS
September 18, 2007
Another unit of the Yellow Bus Line was blown up Tuesday morning in Koronadal City, South Cotabato by suspected extortionists, police said.
But there were no reported casualties, nor any major damages on the bus as “it is safe to say that it was not meant to harm,” said city police director Supt. Florendo Quidilla, Jr.
Quidilla said the explosion happened inside Yellow Bus Line Unit A-106, an air-conditioned bus, while it was parked at the Yellow Bus Terminal along General Santos Drive in Koronadal City.
The incident occurred at around 10:47 am, minutes after the air-conditioned bus arrived from Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat and while a few more passengers are alighting.
The suspect/s allegedly used a “cellphone-operated explosive device,” placed at seat row 18 of the bus, which is near the rear portion.
Quidilla said only a small hole was left at the seat after the blast.
“We don’t know yet if it was triggered by a call or it was already timed,” he said.
The police chief said they are linking the incident to the extortion try of the Al-Khobar Group since a person, who claimed to be a member of said group, immediately called the bus line management at 2pm.
Police are now investigating who could have left the device, noting that it was a non-stop bus from Tacurong City to Koronadal City.
Yellow bus line units have been bombed since July of this year, hurting only a few people./DMS
Four suspected car thieves of the van of MMDA exec’s daughter nabbed in San Juan
By Ronron
September 18, 2007
Police have apprehended four men who were said to be responsible for the carjacking Monday of the van of the daughter of Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Traffic Operations Center Director Angelito Vergel de Dios.
The four were nabbed at around 9pm Monday in San Juan, Metro Manila, less than 12 hours since they forcibly took the black Hyundai Starex van of Czarina Rose de Dios, 26, at a carwash shop along Visayas Avenue in Barangay Vasra, Quezon City.
Traffic Management Group (TMG) Director Chief Supt. Perfecto Palad presented the four yesterday before the media at Camp Crame, along with the firearms seized from them and the recovered van, and another vehicle they also purportedly stole.
The four were identified as Dennis Ignacio, alias Daga; Eduardo Bonifacio; Edmond Bonifacio; and Ronald Berber. Recovered from them were three unlincensed Colt Mark IV caliber 45 pistols, two hand grenades, and six magazines for caliber 45 loaded with ammunitions.
Paul Anthony Calimag, the driver of the van, positively identified three of the four suspects as those who held him at gunpoint from the Boom Carwash and took the vehicle heading towards the north direction.
Palad said that immediately after learning the incident, a flash alarm was given to all police units to check out black Starex vans, particularly that which has plate number ZGZ-711.
Police initially thought that the suspects would take the van to Region III after they dropped Calimag in Novaliches, Quezon City, near Valenzuela City.
Palad said that tt around 9pm, a TMG mobile crew spotted a black-colored Starex van with plate number ZDX-923 cruising along Greenhills Avenue in San Juan, driven by a man later identified as Ignacio.
A few minutes later, a Mitsubishi Adventure bearing plate number ZFC-690, with three men and a woman aboard it, drive side by side the said Starex van, and instructed the latter’s driver to stop. The woman was later found out to be a 17-year-old niece of Eduardo Bonifacio.
Palad said the TMG mobile crew then noticed that Ignacio, while transferring to the Adventure, was sporting a gun on his waistline. The Adventure then sped off, giving the TMG personnel the opportunity to check the Starex van.
Meanwhile, other TMG operatives tailed the Adventure until Connecticut Street, near EDSA where they flagged it down. The people aboard it peacefully complied and surrendered without firing a shot. They were then taken to the TMG headquarters in Camp Crame for further investigation, Palad said.
Palad explained that Ignacio purposely left the Starex van because it was supposed to be picked up by its buyer. He said that it is part of the modus operandi of carnappers to find a buyer before taking a vehicle. The Starex van of de Dios was reportedly sold already for P100,000 to a buyer that is still being investigated by the police.
Palad said that a check made with the plate ZDX-923 showed that it was registered to a 2006 Model Toyota Fortuner that was included in the list of wanted/stolen motor vehicles of the TMG. It is owned by a certain Juliana Adora of Commonwealth, Quezon City and was stolen last January 30, 2007 along Mayon Street in Quezon City.
The Starex van’s chassis and engine numbers also showed that it is the same make and type of motor vehicle that was taken from Calimag. Its original plate, ZGZ-711, was found inside the van.
A check made with the Adventure also revealed that it is owned by a certain Herminia Isail of Caloocan City, and was believed to have been carjacked also. Police are still awaiting Isail to appear before them to shed light on the involvement of her vehicle.
Palad disclosed, meanwhile, that the four suspects allegedly have links with the Abuyog Criminal Gang. They allegedly claimed to have forcibly taken also two Fortuner, three other Starex vans, and one Honda CRV, all now subject of follow up operations by the TMG.
Palad said the four suspects will be charged for illegal possession of firearms and explosives, and violation of the Anti-Carnapping Law.
The female minor, on the other hand, may be used as witness against the four, since she claims she only accompanied her uncle in search for money, without knowing that they were already in an illegal operation./DMS
September 18, 2007
Police have apprehended four men who were said to be responsible for the carjacking Monday of the van of the daughter of Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Traffic Operations Center Director Angelito Vergel de Dios.
The four were nabbed at around 9pm Monday in San Juan, Metro Manila, less than 12 hours since they forcibly took the black Hyundai Starex van of Czarina Rose de Dios, 26, at a carwash shop along Visayas Avenue in Barangay Vasra, Quezon City.
Traffic Management Group (TMG) Director Chief Supt. Perfecto Palad presented the four yesterday before the media at Camp Crame, along with the firearms seized from them and the recovered van, and another vehicle they also purportedly stole.
The four were identified as Dennis Ignacio, alias Daga; Eduardo Bonifacio; Edmond Bonifacio; and Ronald Berber. Recovered from them were three unlincensed Colt Mark IV caliber 45 pistols, two hand grenades, and six magazines for caliber 45 loaded with ammunitions.
Paul Anthony Calimag, the driver of the van, positively identified three of the four suspects as those who held him at gunpoint from the Boom Carwash and took the vehicle heading towards the north direction.
Palad said that immediately after learning the incident, a flash alarm was given to all police units to check out black Starex vans, particularly that which has plate number ZGZ-711.
Police initially thought that the suspects would take the van to Region III after they dropped Calimag in Novaliches, Quezon City, near Valenzuela City.
Palad said that tt around 9pm, a TMG mobile crew spotted a black-colored Starex van with plate number ZDX-923 cruising along Greenhills Avenue in San Juan, driven by a man later identified as Ignacio.
A few minutes later, a Mitsubishi Adventure bearing plate number ZFC-690, with three men and a woman aboard it, drive side by side the said Starex van, and instructed the latter’s driver to stop. The woman was later found out to be a 17-year-old niece of Eduardo Bonifacio.
Palad said the TMG mobile crew then noticed that Ignacio, while transferring to the Adventure, was sporting a gun on his waistline. The Adventure then sped off, giving the TMG personnel the opportunity to check the Starex van.
Meanwhile, other TMG operatives tailed the Adventure until Connecticut Street, near EDSA where they flagged it down. The people aboard it peacefully complied and surrendered without firing a shot. They were then taken to the TMG headquarters in Camp Crame for further investigation, Palad said.
Palad explained that Ignacio purposely left the Starex van because it was supposed to be picked up by its buyer. He said that it is part of the modus operandi of carnappers to find a buyer before taking a vehicle. The Starex van of de Dios was reportedly sold already for P100,000 to a buyer that is still being investigated by the police.
Palad said that a check made with the plate ZDX-923 showed that it was registered to a 2006 Model Toyota Fortuner that was included in the list of wanted/stolen motor vehicles of the TMG. It is owned by a certain Juliana Adora of Commonwealth, Quezon City and was stolen last January 30, 2007 along Mayon Street in Quezon City.
The Starex van’s chassis and engine numbers also showed that it is the same make and type of motor vehicle that was taken from Calimag. Its original plate, ZGZ-711, was found inside the van.
A check made with the Adventure also revealed that it is owned by a certain Herminia Isail of Caloocan City, and was believed to have been carjacked also. Police are still awaiting Isail to appear before them to shed light on the involvement of her vehicle.
Palad disclosed, meanwhile, that the four suspects allegedly have links with the Abuyog Criminal Gang. They allegedly claimed to have forcibly taken also two Fortuner, three other Starex vans, and one Honda CRV, all now subject of follow up operations by the TMG.
Palad said the four suspects will be charged for illegal possession of firearms and explosives, and violation of the Anti-Carnapping Law.
The female minor, on the other hand, may be used as witness against the four, since she claims she only accompanied her uncle in search for money, without knowing that they were already in an illegal operation./DMS
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Car of MMDA official’s daughter taken by armed men in QC
By Ronron
September 17, 2007
The car of the daughter of an official of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) was the latest target of carjackers in Metro Manila after it was successfully seized by four suspects on Monday morning.
Police said the Starex van (plate number ZGZ-711) of Csarina Rose de Dios, daughter of MMDA Traffic Operations Center Director Angelito Vergel de Dios, was being washed at the Boom Carwash along Visayas Avenue in Barangay Vasra, Quezon City when forcibly taken by four armed men.
The incident happened at around 10:15 am yesterday, said PO3 Ted Bacolod of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Anti-Carnapping Unit.
At the time, Bacolod said only Paul Anthony Calimag, 35, an MMDA driver, was in charge of the vehicle as the younger de Dios was not around.
Bacolold said two of the four suspects first came up to Calimag. When the driver resisted, the remaining two suspects arrived, forcing him to give in to the pressure. Calimag claimed to police that each suspect was armed with a short firearm.
The four then drove off towards the north direction, bringing along Calimag. Calimag said he was released unharmed somewhere in Valenzuela City, as the suspects headed most probably to Region III area.
A follow up operation is now ongoing, said Bacolod.
“We would like to remind the public to take extra caution because carjacking incidents are now happening during daytime. They should always be aware of their surroundings, watch out for suspicious people or vehicles nearby,” Bacolod said.
Quezon City was once tagged as the carnapping capital of the Philippines due to several cases reported./DMS
September 17, 2007
The car of the daughter of an official of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) was the latest target of carjackers in Metro Manila after it was successfully seized by four suspects on Monday morning.
Police said the Starex van (plate number ZGZ-711) of Csarina Rose de Dios, daughter of MMDA Traffic Operations Center Director Angelito Vergel de Dios, was being washed at the Boom Carwash along Visayas Avenue in Barangay Vasra, Quezon City when forcibly taken by four armed men.
The incident happened at around 10:15 am yesterday, said PO3 Ted Bacolod of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Anti-Carnapping Unit.
At the time, Bacolod said only Paul Anthony Calimag, 35, an MMDA driver, was in charge of the vehicle as the younger de Dios was not around.
Bacolold said two of the four suspects first came up to Calimag. When the driver resisted, the remaining two suspects arrived, forcing him to give in to the pressure. Calimag claimed to police that each suspect was armed with a short firearm.
The four then drove off towards the north direction, bringing along Calimag. Calimag said he was released unharmed somewhere in Valenzuela City, as the suspects headed most probably to Region III area.
A follow up operation is now ongoing, said Bacolod.
“We would like to remind the public to take extra caution because carjacking incidents are now happening during daytime. They should always be aware of their surroundings, watch out for suspicious people or vehicles nearby,” Bacolod said.
Quezon City was once tagged as the carnapping capital of the Philippines due to several cases reported./DMS
Military lowers alert level as situation normalizes
By Ronron
September 17, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has lowered its alert level over the weekend as it saw the situation to have normalized following the promulgation last week of the Sandiganbayan’s decision on the plunder case of former President Joseph Estrada.
AFP Public Information Officer (PIO) Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said Monday that the alert, except for the National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM), has been lowered nationwide from red to blue effective 6am last Saturday after assessing that no more untoward incident could happen.
“We do not see any violence that could happen… We could see that everything is quite calm now,” Bacarro told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo.
NCRCOM PIO 1Lt. Garysande Mamaludin, in a separate interview, said the alert in Metro Manila may be brought down to blue level later on Monday.
But Bacarro said the military will continue monitoring the situation, especially that text messages regarding destabilization efforts continue to circulate among the ranks of the AFP.
Bacarro disclosed that the text messages that supposedly come from AFP personnel obviously intend to cause divisiveness within the military.
“They’re using issues of useless death of soldiers due to lack of logistical support, so on and so forth. That’s the basic thing. They ride on issues within the Armed Forces of the Philippines and they take advantage of this, creating an atmosphere of divisiveness within the organization,” Bacarro said.
One of the text message that Bacarro received reads: “Dear countrymen, a crisis of horrific proportion has hit our nation. No less than our Senate has called for an investigation. You, as citizens, are called upon to make a choice to decide the fate of our beleaguered nation. Make the patriotic choice now for our people, country and God. Now is the time to remove the cancer in our society. It’s time now to remove GMA and all her evil minions that cause irreparable in our country. We at AFP and PNP need you now more than ever.”
He said there are efforts now being done to identify the source of the text messages since the phone numbers come from anonymous source.
Bacarro, nevertheless, assured that no soldier will be lured into joining any anti-government movement, citing “how professional the AFP is now.”
“The soldiers are fed up with this already. Many of those I talk to who have received this kind of text message do not even waste their time reading it, more so, send it to others,” Bacarro said./DMS
September 17, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has lowered its alert level over the weekend as it saw the situation to have normalized following the promulgation last week of the Sandiganbayan’s decision on the plunder case of former President Joseph Estrada.
AFP Public Information Officer (PIO) Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said Monday that the alert, except for the National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM), has been lowered nationwide from red to blue effective 6am last Saturday after assessing that no more untoward incident could happen.
“We do not see any violence that could happen… We could see that everything is quite calm now,” Bacarro told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo.
NCRCOM PIO 1Lt. Garysande Mamaludin, in a separate interview, said the alert in Metro Manila may be brought down to blue level later on Monday.
But Bacarro said the military will continue monitoring the situation, especially that text messages regarding destabilization efforts continue to circulate among the ranks of the AFP.
Bacarro disclosed that the text messages that supposedly come from AFP personnel obviously intend to cause divisiveness within the military.
“They’re using issues of useless death of soldiers due to lack of logistical support, so on and so forth. That’s the basic thing. They ride on issues within the Armed Forces of the Philippines and they take advantage of this, creating an atmosphere of divisiveness within the organization,” Bacarro said.
One of the text message that Bacarro received reads: “Dear countrymen, a crisis of horrific proportion has hit our nation. No less than our Senate has called for an investigation. You, as citizens, are called upon to make a choice to decide the fate of our beleaguered nation. Make the patriotic choice now for our people, country and God. Now is the time to remove the cancer in our society. It’s time now to remove GMA and all her evil minions that cause irreparable in our country. We at AFP and PNP need you now more than ever.”
He said there are efforts now being done to identify the source of the text messages since the phone numbers come from anonymous source.
Bacarro, nevertheless, assured that no soldier will be lured into joining any anti-government movement, citing “how professional the AFP is now.”
“The soldiers are fed up with this already. Many of those I talk to who have received this kind of text message do not even waste their time reading it, more so, send it to others,” Bacarro said./DMS
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