By Ronron
November 9, 2007
Tanay, Rizal - The seven-member military panel that is trying the alleged February 2006 coup plotters formed themselves into a court on Friday after a walkout of the defense lawyers and the accused from the proceedings here.
The members of the panel, of which only five were present yesterday led by Armed Forces Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations Lt. Gen. Jogy Leo Fojas as President, were sworn in after they deemed waived the rights of the 28 accused to exercise their peremptory challenges.
The exercise of peremptory challenge, which allows the accused to individually ask the removal of any panel members, is required before the panel constitutes itself as a court martial. After which, they can arraign the accused, and then, entertain again the right of the accused to exercise challenge for cause against any of the court members.
Defense lawyer Trixie Angeles said the defense lawyers first walked out of the proceedings held at the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division camp here after the panel insisted on letting the accused, of whom only one was absent – Col. Januario Caringal – due to illness, exercise their right to peremptory challenge.
The defense lawyers and the accused had said they will not exercise their right to peremptory challenge until after the issue about the constitution of the panel and the filing of charges against them is resolved.
The defense argues that the filing of case against them for alleged violation of the Articles of War is illegal because Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. failed to explain why he is reverting the recommendation of the Pre-Trial Investigation Report to drop the charges against the accused.
But the panel said only after the Supreme Court issues a decision on that can they stop performing their duty to try the accused led by former Marines commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda and Army Scout Rangers chief Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim.
“I cannot take part in these sham proceedings because the accused are not legally charged. They have the right to know the allegations against them. They have the right not to participate in these sham proceedings,” defense lawyer Francisco Chavez said before walking out.
Other lawyers followed him.
When the panel called on the accused for their peremptory challenge, some of them refused to comply. “I will only exercise my right to peremptory challenge once the PTA is signed,” said Army Capt. Isagani Criste.
All 27 present accused then walked out.
On the motion of the prosecution, the panel said they consider the action of the accused as waiving their right to exercise the peremptory challenge.
This paved the way for the panel members to swear themselves in as members of a court martial.
“The court is now duly constituted,” panel law member Lt. Col. Marian Aleido said.
As a court, they can now arraign the accused, which can be done before February 2008, the deadline for the accused to be arraigned, otherwise, the charge can be dropped under the military law.
Angeles said they will possibly elevate the issue before the Supreme Court, both for proceeding even if the PTA issue is not yet addressed, and for proceeding even without the presence of the accused and the defense lawyers.
Angeles said that the basic rule is an accused has to be present in every procedure of his case unless he personally waives it.
The 28 were accused for planning to take part in the overthrow of the Arroyo government on February 24 and 26, 2006./DMS
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Boxes of dynamites found near Sampaloc dormitory
By Ronron
November 9, 2007
Two boxes of dynamites were found on Friday morning in front of a students’ dormitory in Manila City, police said.
The explosive materials were found past 6am by a security guard of the Holy Family Dormitory located at 1235 A. H. Lacson Street in Sampaloc, Manila City.
Upon inspection by personnel of the Manila Police District (MPD) Explosives and Ordnance Division (EOD), the boxes yielded 150 pieces of SLURRY dynamite, which measures 25 millimeters by 300 millimeters each, and 90 meters of commercial time fuse with blasting caps attached on both ends.
The items are being used in mining and quarrying activities, police said.
Police said the security guard saw a woman leave the boxes in front of the dormitory.
Police are still investigating the incident to determine the source of the explosives and its purpose.
The discovery of the explosives came a day after suspected items used in illegal fishing caused a major blast in Bacoor, Cavite on Thursday afternoon that killed five persons and wounded five others./DMS
November 9, 2007
Two boxes of dynamites were found on Friday morning in front of a students’ dormitory in Manila City, police said.
The explosive materials were found past 6am by a security guard of the Holy Family Dormitory located at 1235 A. H. Lacson Street in Sampaloc, Manila City.
Upon inspection by personnel of the Manila Police District (MPD) Explosives and Ordnance Division (EOD), the boxes yielded 150 pieces of SLURRY dynamite, which measures 25 millimeters by 300 millimeters each, and 90 meters of commercial time fuse with blasting caps attached on both ends.
The items are being used in mining and quarrying activities, police said.
Police said the security guard saw a woman leave the boxes in front of the dormitory.
Police are still investigating the incident to determine the source of the explosives and its purpose.
The discovery of the explosives came a day after suspected items used in illegal fishing caused a major blast in Bacoor, Cavite on Thursday afternoon that killed five persons and wounded five others./DMS
5 killed in Cavite blast
By Ronron
November 9, 2007
Five people were killed, one is missing and five others were hurt after a big explosion rocked a private subdivision in Cavite province on Thursday afternoon, police said.
Sr. Supt. Fidel Posadas, Cavite Provincial Police commander, said the explosion happened 4:15 pm at a house on Block 2, Lot 25 Yakal Street, Sorrento Town Homes, Phase 5, Barangay Habay 1 in Bacoor town.
“There was an explosion of items used in illegal fishing,” Posadas said in a phone interview, adding that several pieces of blasting caps were recovered from the vicinity of the blast.
Chief Insp. Reynold Rosero, deputy chief of the Philippine Bomb Data Center, said they saw unconsumed blasting caps, safety fuse, booster, and detonating cord at the blast site during an inspection hours after the incident.
“These items may be used in quarrying, dynamite fishing,” Rosero said.
Posadas said two of the fatalities and two of those injured are residents of the said house.
The rest of the casualties are neighbors whose houses were affected by the blast, which residents describe as very loud it was heard and felt several hundred meters away.
Aside from the main house, the two adjacent houses were also totally destroyed, while seven others were partially damaged due to shockwave effect. The incident did not result to fire.
Posadas said police has taken into custody two men who are nephews of the house owner. The two were caught leaving the blast site, bringing along “residue of TNT and blasting caps.”
He said the two were charged initially before the prosecutor’s office with illegal possession of explosives and explosive components, although they may be charged later for the death and injuries caused by the blast.
“They are related with the owner of the house, and they actually came from the house where the blast happened,” Posadas said.
Nearby residents said the occupants of said house are seen sometimes bringing boxes inside the house and only claim that they are into the dried fish business.
“Based on our initial investigation, there is no indication that this is a terroristic act. It seems like related to illegal fishing,” Posadas said./DMS
November 9, 2007
Five people were killed, one is missing and five others were hurt after a big explosion rocked a private subdivision in Cavite province on Thursday afternoon, police said.
Sr. Supt. Fidel Posadas, Cavite Provincial Police commander, said the explosion happened 4:15 pm at a house on Block 2, Lot 25 Yakal Street, Sorrento Town Homes, Phase 5, Barangay Habay 1 in Bacoor town.
“There was an explosion of items used in illegal fishing,” Posadas said in a phone interview, adding that several pieces of blasting caps were recovered from the vicinity of the blast.
Chief Insp. Reynold Rosero, deputy chief of the Philippine Bomb Data Center, said they saw unconsumed blasting caps, safety fuse, booster, and detonating cord at the blast site during an inspection hours after the incident.
“These items may be used in quarrying, dynamite fishing,” Rosero said.
Posadas said two of the fatalities and two of those injured are residents of the said house.
The rest of the casualties are neighbors whose houses were affected by the blast, which residents describe as very loud it was heard and felt several hundred meters away.
Aside from the main house, the two adjacent houses were also totally destroyed, while seven others were partially damaged due to shockwave effect. The incident did not result to fire.
Posadas said police has taken into custody two men who are nephews of the house owner. The two were caught leaving the blast site, bringing along “residue of TNT and blasting caps.”
He said the two were charged initially before the prosecutor’s office with illegal possession of explosives and explosive components, although they may be charged later for the death and injuries caused by the blast.
“They are related with the owner of the house, and they actually came from the house where the blast happened,” Posadas said.
Nearby residents said the occupants of said house are seen sometimes bringing boxes inside the house and only claim that they are into the dried fish business.
“Based on our initial investigation, there is no indication that this is a terroristic act. It seems like related to illegal fishing,” Posadas said./DMS
Friday, November 9, 2007
2 killed in blast in Cavite
By Ronron
November 8, 2007
Two persons were killed in an explosion Thursday afternoon at a subdivision in Cavite province, police said.
Provincial Police commander Sr. Supt. Fidel Posadas said the incident happened at around 4:15 pm at a house in Sorrento Subdivision, Barangay Panapaan in Bacoor town.
“There was an explosion of items used in illegal fishing,” Posadas said, adding that several pieces of blasting caps were recovered from the vicinity of the blast.
“We are still investigating what exactly exploded,” he added.
Posadas said the killed victims – an adult male and an adult female - were occupants of the house.
The incident caused the total wreck of the house and very partial damage on five others nearby./DMS
November 8, 2007
Two persons were killed in an explosion Thursday afternoon at a subdivision in Cavite province, police said.
Provincial Police commander Sr. Supt. Fidel Posadas said the incident happened at around 4:15 pm at a house in Sorrento Subdivision, Barangay Panapaan in Bacoor town.
“There was an explosion of items used in illegal fishing,” Posadas said, adding that several pieces of blasting caps were recovered from the vicinity of the blast.
“We are still investigating what exactly exploded,” he added.
Posadas said the killed victims – an adult male and an adult female - were occupants of the house.
The incident caused the total wreck of the house and very partial damage on five others nearby./DMS
Defense Secretary orders review of military doctrine and tactics to address human rights issue and avoid heavy casualties
By Ronron
November 8, 2007
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. has ordered a review of the doctrine and tactics of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) so as to improve the perception of the public on the military’s sensitivity to human rights issues and to avoid suffering heavy casualties.
Teodoro said the review will particularly focus on the military’s rules of engagement and he has tasked the AFP leadership to do it.
“We are fighting terrorist organizations, which have no regard for innocent lives and have no remorse. We must therefore fine-tune our doctrines and tactics to ensure that our doctrines and soldiers shall be truly responsive to the various threats facing our country today,” he said in a speech at the 57th founding anniversary celebration of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
“Legal and perception-rooted restrictions on our methods… continues to constrain our movements. This reality, together with the need to underscore respect for human rights, continues to challenge the way we think and we do things. I therefore enjoin the Marine leadership and the rest of our soldiers to evolve doctrinally and adapt to the changing security threats in asymmetric warfare because of the tactics employed by the enemy, as well as the legal constraints,” he added.
Teodoro said the review should be able to result in a perception that the military establishment upholds human rights, and that the tactics “conform to bigger requirements based on international reports.”
Asked if the review order means the current rules of engagement has allowed soldiers to abuse human rights, the defense chief said: “That’s what we will determine. First, for the AFP to determine, then I will review.”
Teodoro would not say that his order was in response to investigation made by UN Special Rapporteur Philip Alston and the Melo Commission, rather it was just coincidental.
Both entities have lashed at the military for somehow tolerating the abuses of some of its personnel.
“But we realize the perception, that we must make stronger the visible commitment of upholding human rights,” Teodoro said.
While he said his order was not brought about also by the heavy losses of the AFP in Sulu and Basilan since July, he said “we have to factor that in.”
“We have to balance out the need for our operational objectives, meeting them, balancing human rights and naturally, protecting our troops too. That is a fine balance that we have to do,” the Secretary explained.
Sought for his comment on Teodoro’s order, PMC commandant Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino disclosed that he will in fact issue a policy announcement Friday during the scheduled command conference of the AFP.
The policy, which he refused to make public so as not to forewarn their “enemies” about it, is intended to avoid a repeat of the July 10 incident in Al-Barka, Basilan, said Dolorfino./DMS
November 8, 2007
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. has ordered a review of the doctrine and tactics of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) so as to improve the perception of the public on the military’s sensitivity to human rights issues and to avoid suffering heavy casualties.
Teodoro said the review will particularly focus on the military’s rules of engagement and he has tasked the AFP leadership to do it.
“We are fighting terrorist organizations, which have no regard for innocent lives and have no remorse. We must therefore fine-tune our doctrines and tactics to ensure that our doctrines and soldiers shall be truly responsive to the various threats facing our country today,” he said in a speech at the 57th founding anniversary celebration of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
“Legal and perception-rooted restrictions on our methods… continues to constrain our movements. This reality, together with the need to underscore respect for human rights, continues to challenge the way we think and we do things. I therefore enjoin the Marine leadership and the rest of our soldiers to evolve doctrinally and adapt to the changing security threats in asymmetric warfare because of the tactics employed by the enemy, as well as the legal constraints,” he added.
Teodoro said the review should be able to result in a perception that the military establishment upholds human rights, and that the tactics “conform to bigger requirements based on international reports.”
Asked if the review order means the current rules of engagement has allowed soldiers to abuse human rights, the defense chief said: “That’s what we will determine. First, for the AFP to determine, then I will review.”
Teodoro would not say that his order was in response to investigation made by UN Special Rapporteur Philip Alston and the Melo Commission, rather it was just coincidental.
Both entities have lashed at the military for somehow tolerating the abuses of some of its personnel.
“But we realize the perception, that we must make stronger the visible commitment of upholding human rights,” Teodoro said.
While he said his order was not brought about also by the heavy losses of the AFP in Sulu and Basilan since July, he said “we have to factor that in.”
“We have to balance out the need for our operational objectives, meeting them, balancing human rights and naturally, protecting our troops too. That is a fine balance that we have to do,” the Secretary explained.
Sought for his comment on Teodoro’s order, PMC commandant Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino disclosed that he will in fact issue a policy announcement Friday during the scheduled command conference of the AFP.
The policy, which he refused to make public so as not to forewarn their “enemies” about it, is intended to avoid a repeat of the July 10 incident in Al-Barka, Basilan, said Dolorfino./DMS
Freak accident seriously injures ex-Senator Saguisag, kills wife
By Ronron
November 8, 2007
The wife of former Senator Rene Saguisag, former Social Welfare Secretary Dulce Saguisag, was killed in a freak accident before dawn of Thursday at a road intersection in Makati City, police said.
The former lawmaker, who continues to be prominent to this day because of his being a part of the defense team of deposed President Joseph Estrada, was also seriously injured, as well as their driver, identified as Felipe Calvario.
Police said the Saguisag’s were aboard their white Toyota Hi-Ace Grandia (ZFV-674) on their way home when, while crossing Pres. Osmeña Highway from Arnaiz Avenue in Barangay Pio del Pilar, a 10-wheeler dump truck smashed them at around 1:15 am.
The impact was on the middle of the left side of the van, directly hitting Mrs. Saguisag, and was so strong that the van was dragged some 30 meters away.
Mrs. Saguisag, 64, was seated at the back of the driver, and next to her on the right side was the 68-year-old ex-Senator. Seated beside the driver was a certain Imelda Obong, reportedly a dance instructor.
Police said the truck, driven by Manuel Geronimo, 42, was cruising Pres. Osmeña Highway and was heading towards Bulacan where he lives. Geronimo said he came from Laguna where he delivered sand and rocks.
Geronimo claimed he had the green light so he continued driving until he saw the van of the Saguisag crossing his way. “When I was stepping on my brake, it was already too late. The van was dragged,” he said in Filipino.
However, a taxi driver who claimed to be immediately tailing the van of the Saguisag’s, disputed the statement of Geronimo.
“We already have the GO (sign)… I even honked at the van because I was wondering why it was not yet moving. When we started moving, that was it – the Hi-Ace was hit perfectly in the middle… The truck was from the South Superhighway. It did not stop or even slow down,” said Jeofrey Olmoguez.
Geronimo said he was not sleepy at that time, nor was he under the influence of drugs or alcohol as he is not into the vice.
“I was really shocked after the incident, I could not immediately go down the truck,” he said.
Police said Mrs. Saguisag was declared dead on arrival at the Ospital ng Makati, while the former Senator and Calvario were transferred from there to the Makati Medical Center (MMC). Obong is also being treated at the MMC.
A medical bulletin of the MMC at 12 noon yesterday states that the former Senator “suffered severe trauma to the head and chest” and was admitted at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
“He may have to undergo surgical intervention to address complications resulting from the injuries he sustained,” the bulletin said.
A son of the Saguisag’s, Atty. Rene Andres, said he is hopeful his father will recover fast because the latter was responding to demands of the doctors like movement of the fingers.
Before office hours closed, the police was able to file charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, multiple physical injuries and damage to properties against Geronimo.
Rene Saguisag was born on August 14, 1939 in Mauban, Quezon. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1963 cum laude at San Beda College, and his Masters of Laws degree full scholar at Harvard University in 1968.
He was a member of the academe and a human rights lawyer before becoming the spokesman of Corazon Aquino from the time she was still a Presidential candidate in 1986.
He was then elected Senator in 1987, which he served until 1992. At that time, Saguisag was chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privilege and Ad Hoc Committee on the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.
Currently, Saguisag is a known defender of Estrada and critic of the Arroyo government.
His late wife, on the other hand, briefly held the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) portfolio during the Estrada’s presidency after then Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo quit the post due to alleged corruption in the Estrada government./DMS
November 8, 2007
The wife of former Senator Rene Saguisag, former Social Welfare Secretary Dulce Saguisag, was killed in a freak accident before dawn of Thursday at a road intersection in Makati City, police said.
The former lawmaker, who continues to be prominent to this day because of his being a part of the defense team of deposed President Joseph Estrada, was also seriously injured, as well as their driver, identified as Felipe Calvario.
Police said the Saguisag’s were aboard their white Toyota Hi-Ace Grandia (ZFV-674) on their way home when, while crossing Pres. Osmeña Highway from Arnaiz Avenue in Barangay Pio del Pilar, a 10-wheeler dump truck smashed them at around 1:15 am.
The impact was on the middle of the left side of the van, directly hitting Mrs. Saguisag, and was so strong that the van was dragged some 30 meters away.
Mrs. Saguisag, 64, was seated at the back of the driver, and next to her on the right side was the 68-year-old ex-Senator. Seated beside the driver was a certain Imelda Obong, reportedly a dance instructor.
Police said the truck, driven by Manuel Geronimo, 42, was cruising Pres. Osmeña Highway and was heading towards Bulacan where he lives. Geronimo said he came from Laguna where he delivered sand and rocks.
Geronimo claimed he had the green light so he continued driving until he saw the van of the Saguisag crossing his way. “When I was stepping on my brake, it was already too late. The van was dragged,” he said in Filipino.
However, a taxi driver who claimed to be immediately tailing the van of the Saguisag’s, disputed the statement of Geronimo.
“We already have the GO (sign)… I even honked at the van because I was wondering why it was not yet moving. When we started moving, that was it – the Hi-Ace was hit perfectly in the middle… The truck was from the South Superhighway. It did not stop or even slow down,” said Jeofrey Olmoguez.
Geronimo said he was not sleepy at that time, nor was he under the influence of drugs or alcohol as he is not into the vice.
“I was really shocked after the incident, I could not immediately go down the truck,” he said.
Police said Mrs. Saguisag was declared dead on arrival at the Ospital ng Makati, while the former Senator and Calvario were transferred from there to the Makati Medical Center (MMC). Obong is also being treated at the MMC.
A medical bulletin of the MMC at 12 noon yesterday states that the former Senator “suffered severe trauma to the head and chest” and was admitted at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
“He may have to undergo surgical intervention to address complications resulting from the injuries he sustained,” the bulletin said.
A son of the Saguisag’s, Atty. Rene Andres, said he is hopeful his father will recover fast because the latter was responding to demands of the doctors like movement of the fingers.
Before office hours closed, the police was able to file charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, multiple physical injuries and damage to properties against Geronimo.
Rene Saguisag was born on August 14, 1939 in Mauban, Quezon. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1963 cum laude at San Beda College, and his Masters of Laws degree full scholar at Harvard University in 1968.
He was a member of the academe and a human rights lawyer before becoming the spokesman of Corazon Aquino from the time she was still a Presidential candidate in 1986.
He was then elected Senator in 1987, which he served until 1992. At that time, Saguisag was chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privilege and Ad Hoc Committee on the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.
Currently, Saguisag is a known defender of Estrada and critic of the Arroyo government.
His late wife, on the other hand, briefly held the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) portfolio during the Estrada’s presidency after then Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo quit the post due to alleged corruption in the Estrada government./DMS
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Japanese nabbed at Manila airport for slapping immigration officer
By Ronron
November 7, 2007
A Japanese national was nabbed last Monday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City for slapping a female Immigration officer, police said on Wednesday.
Police said Isao Sato, 53, was about to board the Philippine Airlines Flight PR-408 bound for Kansai last November 5 when he displayed discourteous acts at the Immigration counter.
According to a police report at Camp Crame, the Japanese was going through the passport clearing process at NAIA II when the incident happened at around 10am.
Sato allegedly stood at the left side of the booth of Immigration Officer Suzette Saplad after submitting to the latter his passport for verification. But Saplad directed him to stay in front of the booth where passengers are supposed to be.
Sato allegedly complied but not without stumping his hands on the booth. And when he got his passport, he suddenly slapped it on the face of Saplad.
Police said there was no reason cited by the Japanese why he did it.
Immediately, Saplad filed a complaint against the Japanese for violation of Article 148 (Direct Assault) and Article 359 (Slandr by Deeds) of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines.
The complaint was referred to the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office on the same day but the latter issued a release order for Sato, citing lack of material evidence such as the medical certificate of Saplad, and the sworn statement of the security personnel who witnessed the incident.
This prompted the police stationed at the airport to release Sato last Tuesday.
The case, however, will continue as police intends to submit the required document in the coming days.
Although, they are no longer sure if Sato is still in the country or has already fled.
PO1 Roland Mondido of the airport police said the act of disrespect shown by Sato is rarely seen at the airport./DMS
November 7, 2007
A Japanese national was nabbed last Monday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City for slapping a female Immigration officer, police said on Wednesday.
Police said Isao Sato, 53, was about to board the Philippine Airlines Flight PR-408 bound for Kansai last November 5 when he displayed discourteous acts at the Immigration counter.
According to a police report at Camp Crame, the Japanese was going through the passport clearing process at NAIA II when the incident happened at around 10am.
Sato allegedly stood at the left side of the booth of Immigration Officer Suzette Saplad after submitting to the latter his passport for verification. But Saplad directed him to stay in front of the booth where passengers are supposed to be.
Sato allegedly complied but not without stumping his hands on the booth. And when he got his passport, he suddenly slapped it on the face of Saplad.
Police said there was no reason cited by the Japanese why he did it.
Immediately, Saplad filed a complaint against the Japanese for violation of Article 148 (Direct Assault) and Article 359 (Slandr by Deeds) of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines.
The complaint was referred to the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office on the same day but the latter issued a release order for Sato, citing lack of material evidence such as the medical certificate of Saplad, and the sworn statement of the security personnel who witnessed the incident.
This prompted the police stationed at the airport to release Sato last Tuesday.
The case, however, will continue as police intends to submit the required document in the coming days.
Although, they are no longer sure if Sato is still in the country or has already fled.
PO1 Roland Mondido of the airport police said the act of disrespect shown by Sato is rarely seen at the airport./DMS
8 Army men wounded in clash with ASG in Sulu
By Ronron
November 7, 2007
Eight soldiers were wounded in a fresh encounter with suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members in Sulu last Tuesday afternoon, a military spokesman said Wednesday.
Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Jr., spokesman of the Philippine Army, said the clash happened at around 4pm in Barangay Lower Talipao in Talipao town.
He said elements of the Bravo Company of the Philippine Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion were conducting combat operations at said area when they encountered approximately 20 ASG members.
The heavy firefight lasted for 30 minutes, resulting in the wounding of eight Army personnel, Torres said.
“Troops are still determining the casualty inflicted on the ASG… But report has it that two wounded terrorists were seen being carried on a hammock after the encounter,” Torres said, quoting the battalion commander concerned, Lt. Col. Henry Dar.
Torres said the eight soldiers are in stable condition at the Trauma Hospital in Jolo town, but they were set to be brought to the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command Hospital in Zamboanga City for further treatment.
Thousands of troops have been poured to Sulu and the neighboring island province of Basilan in the last few months with the task of neutralizing the ASG following the July 10 incident in Basilan and the subsequent firefights in Sulu in August, where the military suffered heavy casualties.
In an interview in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Philippine Marine Corps commandant Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino said yesterday that the “military operations against the Abu Sayyaf has been going on, without let-up.”
Reacting to the deadline set by Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. for the ASG neutralization as soon as possible, Dolorfino said: “I’m sure that with this challenge of the chief of staff, the units – Marine and Army – will be doubling their efforts in order to keep up with the challenge made by the chief of staff.”
“I think, if there’s a will, there will always be a way,” he added.
Asked if it means wiping out entirely the ASG, Dolorfino said: “I think what is meant by the chief of staff is strategic defeat of the Abu Sayyaf. And that would mean the neutralization of the center of gravity.”
Dolorfino said this refers to the “leaders” of the group. “If we will be able to neutralize the leaders, really, the organization will crumble down,” he said.
The military estimates the current strength of the ASG at no less than 300, most of them are in Sulu, in the company of Jemaah Islamiyah bombers Dulmatin and Umar Patek.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has directed the military to crush the ASG and other security threat groups by 2010 when she ends her term./DMS
November 7, 2007
Eight soldiers were wounded in a fresh encounter with suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members in Sulu last Tuesday afternoon, a military spokesman said Wednesday.
Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Jr., spokesman of the Philippine Army, said the clash happened at around 4pm in Barangay Lower Talipao in Talipao town.
He said elements of the Bravo Company of the Philippine Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion were conducting combat operations at said area when they encountered approximately 20 ASG members.
The heavy firefight lasted for 30 minutes, resulting in the wounding of eight Army personnel, Torres said.
“Troops are still determining the casualty inflicted on the ASG… But report has it that two wounded terrorists were seen being carried on a hammock after the encounter,” Torres said, quoting the battalion commander concerned, Lt. Col. Henry Dar.
Torres said the eight soldiers are in stable condition at the Trauma Hospital in Jolo town, but they were set to be brought to the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command Hospital in Zamboanga City for further treatment.
Thousands of troops have been poured to Sulu and the neighboring island province of Basilan in the last few months with the task of neutralizing the ASG following the July 10 incident in Basilan and the subsequent firefights in Sulu in August, where the military suffered heavy casualties.
In an interview in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Philippine Marine Corps commandant Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino said yesterday that the “military operations against the Abu Sayyaf has been going on, without let-up.”
Reacting to the deadline set by Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. for the ASG neutralization as soon as possible, Dolorfino said: “I’m sure that with this challenge of the chief of staff, the units – Marine and Army – will be doubling their efforts in order to keep up with the challenge made by the chief of staff.”
“I think, if there’s a will, there will always be a way,” he added.
Asked if it means wiping out entirely the ASG, Dolorfino said: “I think what is meant by the chief of staff is strategic defeat of the Abu Sayyaf. And that would mean the neutralization of the center of gravity.”
Dolorfino said this refers to the “leaders” of the group. “If we will be able to neutralize the leaders, really, the organization will crumble down,” he said.
The military estimates the current strength of the ASG at no less than 300, most of them are in Sulu, in the company of Jemaah Islamiyah bombers Dulmatin and Umar Patek.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has directed the military to crush the ASG and other security threat groups by 2010 when she ends her term./DMS
NAPOLCOM official in Central Luzon nabbed for extortion
By Ronron
November 7, 2007
An official of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) in Region III was apprehended on Wednesday morning in Pampanga province for alleged extortion activities, a police offical said.
Sr. Supt. Guillermo Eleazar, chief of the Region III Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said Atty. Eddie Mar Porquerino, head of the Technical Services Division of NAPOLCOM Region III, was nabbed at around 10:40 am yesterday in an entrapment operation at Greenwich Restaurant in Robinson’s Mall, Barangay Balibago, Angeles City.
The operation was launched by the Pampanga Police based on the complaint of a certain Maridel Marzan, wife of a policeman who died in 2005 in Nueva Ecija.
According to Marzan, Porquerino was demanding P50,000 from her in exchange for the release of the death benefits of her husband worth over P100,000.
“The suspect told the complainant that he will give instead the benefits to her mother-in-law if she will not give the P50,000,” Eleazar said.
During the entrapment operation, police prepared a marked boodle money covered on top with six pieces of genuine P500 bill.
“Porquerino was caught in the act receiving the marked money from Mrs. Maridel Marzan… He was positive during the ultra-violet exam at the crime laboratory,” Eleazar said.
Charges of robbery/extortion and violation of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) are being prepared against Porquerino.
“Atty. Leonardo Guzman, OIC Napolcom Region III, upon knowing the operation, advised the CIDG to see to it that appropriate criminal case be filed against Porquerino, and he will ultimately initiate an administrative case,” Eleazar said./DMS
November 7, 2007
An official of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) in Region III was apprehended on Wednesday morning in Pampanga province for alleged extortion activities, a police offical said.
Sr. Supt. Guillermo Eleazar, chief of the Region III Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said Atty. Eddie Mar Porquerino, head of the Technical Services Division of NAPOLCOM Region III, was nabbed at around 10:40 am yesterday in an entrapment operation at Greenwich Restaurant in Robinson’s Mall, Barangay Balibago, Angeles City.
The operation was launched by the Pampanga Police based on the complaint of a certain Maridel Marzan, wife of a policeman who died in 2005 in Nueva Ecija.
According to Marzan, Porquerino was demanding P50,000 from her in exchange for the release of the death benefits of her husband worth over P100,000.
“The suspect told the complainant that he will give instead the benefits to her mother-in-law if she will not give the P50,000,” Eleazar said.
During the entrapment operation, police prepared a marked boodle money covered on top with six pieces of genuine P500 bill.
“Porquerino was caught in the act receiving the marked money from Mrs. Maridel Marzan… He was positive during the ultra-violet exam at the crime laboratory,” Eleazar said.
Charges of robbery/extortion and violation of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) are being prepared against Porquerino.
“Atty. Leonardo Guzman, OIC Napolcom Region III, upon knowing the operation, advised the CIDG to see to it that appropriate criminal case be filed against Porquerino, and he will ultimately initiate an administrative case,” Eleazar said./DMS
Police confirms Japanese identity of dead man in Pangasinan hotel
By Ronron
November 7, 2007
The police in Pangasinan province confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that the foreigner who was found dead last November 4 at a hotel in Dagupan City is a Japanese national.
Officer-on-case Insp. Leo Llamas of the Dagupan City Police said the confirmation was arrived at with the help of the Japanese Embassy in Manila, which provided records of the man yesterday afternoon.
“This afternoon, we have identified the man through the help of the Japanese Embassy. His name is Seizaburo Giga, 70, a native of Tokyo, Japan,” Llamas said in a phone interview yesterday afternoon.
Llamas said the embassy based their confirmation from the specimen signature of the man recovered from the information desk of the Star Plaza Hotel where he checked in twice and later committed suicide.
Embassy records showed that Giga arrived in Manila from Japan last October 27. His next available record showed that he checked in at Star Plaza Hotel last October 29, and checked out the day after, Llamas said.
Giga went back to the hotel on November 3 and that was the last time he was seen alive.
“Initially, it was established to be a suicide case. Then, it was confirmed later by the medico legal officer of the Region 1 Police Crime Laboratory, Supt. Lilli Camara, that indeed, he committed suicide as per the examination done,” Llamas said.
The bases for the final conclusion, Llamas said, are the positive results of the paraffin test conducted on Giga’s hands. Gun powder burns were also found on his mouth, proving that he shot himself through the mouth.
A slug of a caliber .357 was recovered inside Giga’s skull.
Llamas said there was no suicide note left inside the room but this is not something unusual, he said, for Japanese people who commit suicide.
Nobody also knew Giga’s purpose of visit in the country, particularly in Dagupan City, nor was there anybody who surfaced to provide clue about the activities of the Japanese.
“As of now, we already consider this case closed,” Llamas said.
Llamas said the embassy plans to have the remains of Giga cremated before it will be flown to Japan./DMS
November 7, 2007
The police in Pangasinan province confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that the foreigner who was found dead last November 4 at a hotel in Dagupan City is a Japanese national.
Officer-on-case Insp. Leo Llamas of the Dagupan City Police said the confirmation was arrived at with the help of the Japanese Embassy in Manila, which provided records of the man yesterday afternoon.
“This afternoon, we have identified the man through the help of the Japanese Embassy. His name is Seizaburo Giga, 70, a native of Tokyo, Japan,” Llamas said in a phone interview yesterday afternoon.
Llamas said the embassy based their confirmation from the specimen signature of the man recovered from the information desk of the Star Plaza Hotel where he checked in twice and later committed suicide.
Embassy records showed that Giga arrived in Manila from Japan last October 27. His next available record showed that he checked in at Star Plaza Hotel last October 29, and checked out the day after, Llamas said.
Giga went back to the hotel on November 3 and that was the last time he was seen alive.
“Initially, it was established to be a suicide case. Then, it was confirmed later by the medico legal officer of the Region 1 Police Crime Laboratory, Supt. Lilli Camara, that indeed, he committed suicide as per the examination done,” Llamas said.
The bases for the final conclusion, Llamas said, are the positive results of the paraffin test conducted on Giga’s hands. Gun powder burns were also found on his mouth, proving that he shot himself through the mouth.
A slug of a caliber .357 was recovered inside Giga’s skull.
Llamas said there was no suicide note left inside the room but this is not something unusual, he said, for Japanese people who commit suicide.
Nobody also knew Giga’s purpose of visit in the country, particularly in Dagupan City, nor was there anybody who surfaced to provide clue about the activities of the Japanese.
“As of now, we already consider this case closed,” Llamas said.
Llamas said the embassy plans to have the remains of Giga cremated before it will be flown to Japan./DMS
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
AFP optimistic to get additional $2 million US aid
By Ronron
November 6, 2007
The Philippine military is optimistic it will get the additional $2 million aid of the United States government on top of the $30 million Foreign Military Funding (FMF) of the US for the Philippines for 2008.
Armed Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said Tuesday that the military is confident it will meet the requirements set by the US government before it can release the additional funding.
In a statement from New York, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said Monday that the US wanted to be assured that the Philippine government is addressing the extrajudicial killing cases in the country.
“We are very optimistic that with the efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, with what we are doing right now – I’m referring to the part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines which is in compliance, we are confident that it will be given to us,” Bacarro said of the $2 million.
Bacarro reiterated that the AFP has been complying with the recommendations of the Melo Commission and UN Special Rapporteur Philip Alston as regards the extrajudicial killings issue, and taking measures on its own to observe human rights protection.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr., in a separate statement yesterday, said: “We enjoin respect for human rights. It is an ongoing endeavor of the defense and military establishment to uphold human rights without any preconditions whatsoever.”
Bacarro said they expect to utilize the US aid in capability-upgrade programs and projects, particularly to thwart terrorism./DMS
November 6, 2007
The Philippine military is optimistic it will get the additional $2 million aid of the United States government on top of the $30 million Foreign Military Funding (FMF) of the US for the Philippines for 2008.
Armed Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said Tuesday that the military is confident it will meet the requirements set by the US government before it can release the additional funding.
In a statement from New York, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said Monday that the US wanted to be assured that the Philippine government is addressing the extrajudicial killing cases in the country.
“We are very optimistic that with the efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, with what we are doing right now – I’m referring to the part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines which is in compliance, we are confident that it will be given to us,” Bacarro said of the $2 million.
Bacarro reiterated that the AFP has been complying with the recommendations of the Melo Commission and UN Special Rapporteur Philip Alston as regards the extrajudicial killings issue, and taking measures on its own to observe human rights protection.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr., in a separate statement yesterday, said: “We enjoin respect for human rights. It is an ongoing endeavor of the defense and military establishment to uphold human rights without any preconditions whatsoever.”
Bacarro said they expect to utilize the US aid in capability-upgrade programs and projects, particularly to thwart terrorism./DMS
38 cops axed from the service last month
By Ronron
November 6, 2007
Thirty-eight policemen were dismissed from the service in October, the first month of Director General Avelino Razon, Jr. as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, due to different infractions, officials said Tuesday.
According to Director Edgardo Acuña, chief of the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM), the 38 are among the respondents in the 633 administrative cases filed before the various PNP disciplinary bodies from October 1 to 31 in the different parts of the country.
Aside from the 38, eight personnel were demoted in rank, 74 were suspended, 144 were penalized with salary forfeiture, 28 were reprimanded, and three were forced to resign.
“All these 633 administrative cases stemmed from complaints which were all investigated and acted upon at the different levels of command, some of which were meted non-disciplinary sanctions while others were either exonerated of their cases dropped,” Acuña said.
Acuña said the cases are as minor as many absences, to violation of Police Operational Procedures that result in death of people.
He said most of the cases come from Metro Manila.
Acuña said that compared to the cases in October 2006, this year’s were “a little bit higher because the stress-point of the chief PNP is to weed out undisciplined personnel who commit infractions left and right.”
When Razon assumed the top PNP post on October 1, he vowed to improve the image of the police in the concept of Mamang Pulis by weeding out rogue personnel.
In contrast, Acuña said 16,532 uniformed and non-uniformed personnel were awarded for outstanding performance of duty during the same period.
They include nine officers who were awarded the Medalya ng Katapangan sa Paglilingkod or PNP Distinguished Service Medal.
“Just as we are responsive to the morale and welfare needs of police personnel, and quick to give due recognition for outstanding performance of duty, we are also swift and decisive in addressing issues on misconduct and breach of discipline,” Razon said in a statement./DMS
November 6, 2007
Thirty-eight policemen were dismissed from the service in October, the first month of Director General Avelino Razon, Jr. as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, due to different infractions, officials said Tuesday.
According to Director Edgardo Acuña, chief of the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM), the 38 are among the respondents in the 633 administrative cases filed before the various PNP disciplinary bodies from October 1 to 31 in the different parts of the country.
Aside from the 38, eight personnel were demoted in rank, 74 were suspended, 144 were penalized with salary forfeiture, 28 were reprimanded, and three were forced to resign.
“All these 633 administrative cases stemmed from complaints which were all investigated and acted upon at the different levels of command, some of which were meted non-disciplinary sanctions while others were either exonerated of their cases dropped,” Acuña said.
Acuña said the cases are as minor as many absences, to violation of Police Operational Procedures that result in death of people.
He said most of the cases come from Metro Manila.
Acuña said that compared to the cases in October 2006, this year’s were “a little bit higher because the stress-point of the chief PNP is to weed out undisciplined personnel who commit infractions left and right.”
When Razon assumed the top PNP post on October 1, he vowed to improve the image of the police in the concept of Mamang Pulis by weeding out rogue personnel.
In contrast, Acuña said 16,532 uniformed and non-uniformed personnel were awarded for outstanding performance of duty during the same period.
They include nine officers who were awarded the Medalya ng Katapangan sa Paglilingkod or PNP Distinguished Service Medal.
“Just as we are responsive to the morale and welfare needs of police personnel, and quick to give due recognition for outstanding performance of duty, we are also swift and decisive in addressing issues on misconduct and breach of discipline,” Razon said in a statement./DMS
Alleged Japanese found dead in Pangasinan
By Ronron
November 6, 2007
A man who looked like a Japanese national was found dead inside a hotel room in the northern Philippine province of Pangasinan on Sunday afternoon, police said Tuesday.
The police could not immediately establish the identify of the victim due to lack of identification forms, but a form he filled up at the hotel’s front desk bears the name Sei Naito. It also had a signature that appeared like Japanese characters.
According to a report of Supt. Dionicio Borromeo, chief of police of Dagupan City, the victim was found dead inside the bathroom of Room 322 of Star Plaza Hotel located along A. B. Fernandez Avenue of said city at around 12:56 pm of November 4.
Room attendant Ronaldo Clemente, 32, discovered the dead body as he was about to ask the victim if he was going to check out already or extend his stay, the report said.
The victim bore a gunshot wound near his right ear, believed to be the exit point of the bullet. The presence of gunpowder near his lips led police to suspect that the victim pointed the gun inside his mouth.
A caliber 357 revolver was discovered near the victim’s body, which was lying on the floor of the bathroom, surrounded by a pool of still quite fresh blood. The gun’s cylinder, when examined, showed two cartridges and one fired cartridge.
Borromeo said when Clemente’s calls for the victim from the outside of the room went unanswered, he decided to open the door and discovered that the knob was not locked. But when he tried to push open the door, the double lock installed inside was locked.
When the victim still refused to answer Clemente’s calls, the attendant began to feel that something was wrong so he asked assistance from his co-worker, Michael Favila, 33, the hotel’s Officer-in-Charge for Personnel, for them to gain access inside the room.
When they entered, they immediately saw the body of the victim inside the bathroom, prompting them to call for police assistance. The body wearing a pair of short pants and a shirt, police said.
A check by scene of the crime operatives inside the room showed no signs of struggle, said Borromeo. What police recovered, aside from the gun, were an empty can of San Miguel Beer Light, one unconsumed bottle of Emperador Brandy, one wallet that contained cash money amounting 3,873 pesos in different denominations.
“No valid identification card that may lead to the victim’s identity was found,” Borromeo said.
Based on the hotel records, Borromeo said the victim checked in on November 3 at 12:56 pm. The victim, who appears to be in his early 60’s, did not indicate where he came from. A review of the surveillance camera of the hotel showed the victim checked-in alone.
After checking in, he took his lunch at the restaurant on the second floor of the said hotel at around 1pm. He went back inside his room at around 1:45 pm and requested an attendant to bring his leftover food, including his coffee, to his room. This would be the last time the victim was seen alive by somebody.
PO2 Dario Legeralde, Dagupan City Police investigator, said hotel attendants and guests in the hotel did not hear a firing of a gun from the afternoon of November 3 until the morning of November 4.
He said it could be because the room is very secluded.
“It is believed that the incident is a case of suicide as there was no indication of foul play without prejudice to the result of the examination being conducted by the SOCO team,” Borromeo said in conclusion.
But Legeralde said there was no suicide note found inside the room.
Legeralde said the SOCO team has yet to say the estimated time of death of the victim. The body was already brought to the Carmona Funeral Homes in the neighboring town of Calasiao where autopsy was conducted.
Legeralde said the Japanese Embassy was already notified about the incident, but as of Tuesday afternoon, it has yet to check on the cadaver and confirm the identity of the victim./DMS
November 6, 2007
A man who looked like a Japanese national was found dead inside a hotel room in the northern Philippine province of Pangasinan on Sunday afternoon, police said Tuesday.
The police could not immediately establish the identify of the victim due to lack of identification forms, but a form he filled up at the hotel’s front desk bears the name Sei Naito. It also had a signature that appeared like Japanese characters.
According to a report of Supt. Dionicio Borromeo, chief of police of Dagupan City, the victim was found dead inside the bathroom of Room 322 of Star Plaza Hotel located along A. B. Fernandez Avenue of said city at around 12:56 pm of November 4.
Room attendant Ronaldo Clemente, 32, discovered the dead body as he was about to ask the victim if he was going to check out already or extend his stay, the report said.
The victim bore a gunshot wound near his right ear, believed to be the exit point of the bullet. The presence of gunpowder near his lips led police to suspect that the victim pointed the gun inside his mouth.
A caliber 357 revolver was discovered near the victim’s body, which was lying on the floor of the bathroom, surrounded by a pool of still quite fresh blood. The gun’s cylinder, when examined, showed two cartridges and one fired cartridge.
Borromeo said when Clemente’s calls for the victim from the outside of the room went unanswered, he decided to open the door and discovered that the knob was not locked. But when he tried to push open the door, the double lock installed inside was locked.
When the victim still refused to answer Clemente’s calls, the attendant began to feel that something was wrong so he asked assistance from his co-worker, Michael Favila, 33, the hotel’s Officer-in-Charge for Personnel, for them to gain access inside the room.
When they entered, they immediately saw the body of the victim inside the bathroom, prompting them to call for police assistance. The body wearing a pair of short pants and a shirt, police said.
A check by scene of the crime operatives inside the room showed no signs of struggle, said Borromeo. What police recovered, aside from the gun, were an empty can of San Miguel Beer Light, one unconsumed bottle of Emperador Brandy, one wallet that contained cash money amounting 3,873 pesos in different denominations.
“No valid identification card that may lead to the victim’s identity was found,” Borromeo said.
Based on the hotel records, Borromeo said the victim checked in on November 3 at 12:56 pm. The victim, who appears to be in his early 60’s, did not indicate where he came from. A review of the surveillance camera of the hotel showed the victim checked-in alone.
After checking in, he took his lunch at the restaurant on the second floor of the said hotel at around 1pm. He went back inside his room at around 1:45 pm and requested an attendant to bring his leftover food, including his coffee, to his room. This would be the last time the victim was seen alive by somebody.
PO2 Dario Legeralde, Dagupan City Police investigator, said hotel attendants and guests in the hotel did not hear a firing of a gun from the afternoon of November 3 until the morning of November 4.
He said it could be because the room is very secluded.
“It is believed that the incident is a case of suicide as there was no indication of foul play without prejudice to the result of the examination being conducted by the SOCO team,” Borromeo said in conclusion.
But Legeralde said there was no suicide note found inside the room.
Legeralde said the SOCO team has yet to say the estimated time of death of the victim. The body was already brought to the Carmona Funeral Homes in the neighboring town of Calasiao where autopsy was conducted.
Legeralde said the Japanese Embassy was already notified about the incident, but as of Tuesday afternoon, it has yet to check on the cadaver and confirm the identity of the victim./DMS
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Engineer reported missing in Sulu
By Ronron
November 5, 2007
A Filipino engineer is reported missing in Sulu province since his arrival there last October 30, police officials said on Monday.
The missing engineer was identified as Murced Tagitis, said to be a coordinator of the Islamic Development Bank for its scholarship program.
Tagitis was last seen on October 30 when he checked in at USY Pension House in Barangay Kakuyagan in Jolo town at around 6am, and then checked out between 12 noon and 1 pm, said Sulu Provincial Police commander Sr. Supt. Ahiron Ajirim.
“Accordingly, he was to meet their scholars at the time that he checked out,” said Regional Police commander Chief Supt. Joel Goltiao in a separate phone interview.
The officials said the relatives of Tagitis sought police help on Sunday after they failed to contact the engineer since October 30.
Police are verifying if Tagitis came from Metro Manila or Davao City.
Ajirim said he assumes that this is not the first time Tagitis had been to Jolo.
“Apparently, he is familiar with the place because he left the pension house to meet his contacts on his own,” Goltiao said.
Ajirim said Tagitis did not make any formal coordination with the municipal or provincial police when he arrived on the island.
On Sunday, Ajirim said Tagitis stuff at the pension house were already taken out by people who knew him, assisted by police.
“There is no report that he was abducted or kidnapped so we are taking this case for now as a missing person case,” Goltiao said.
But Ajirim said he had already directed his men to trace the whereabouts of Tagitis, as Goltiao also sought the help of Sulu Governor Sakur Tan so the latter could use his local contacts.
As of Monday, Goltiao and Ajirim said nobody has owned up to having Tagitis under their custody.
Asked about the possible involvement of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), which has been involved in past kidnapping cases, Goltiao said: “It’s hard to speak if we have no evidence.”/DMS
November 5, 2007
A Filipino engineer is reported missing in Sulu province since his arrival there last October 30, police officials said on Monday.
The missing engineer was identified as Murced Tagitis, said to be a coordinator of the Islamic Development Bank for its scholarship program.
Tagitis was last seen on October 30 when he checked in at USY Pension House in Barangay Kakuyagan in Jolo town at around 6am, and then checked out between 12 noon and 1 pm, said Sulu Provincial Police commander Sr. Supt. Ahiron Ajirim.
“Accordingly, he was to meet their scholars at the time that he checked out,” said Regional Police commander Chief Supt. Joel Goltiao in a separate phone interview.
The officials said the relatives of Tagitis sought police help on Sunday after they failed to contact the engineer since October 30.
Police are verifying if Tagitis came from Metro Manila or Davao City.
Ajirim said he assumes that this is not the first time Tagitis had been to Jolo.
“Apparently, he is familiar with the place because he left the pension house to meet his contacts on his own,” Goltiao said.
Ajirim said Tagitis did not make any formal coordination with the municipal or provincial police when he arrived on the island.
On Sunday, Ajirim said Tagitis stuff at the pension house were already taken out by people who knew him, assisted by police.
“There is no report that he was abducted or kidnapped so we are taking this case for now as a missing person case,” Goltiao said.
But Ajirim said he had already directed his men to trace the whereabouts of Tagitis, as Goltiao also sought the help of Sulu Governor Sakur Tan so the latter could use his local contacts.
As of Monday, Goltiao and Ajirim said nobody has owned up to having Tagitis under their custody.
Asked about the possible involvement of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), which has been involved in past kidnapping cases, Goltiao said: “It’s hard to speak if we have no evidence.”/DMS
Six female teeners drown to death in Iloilo
By Ronron
November 5, 2007
Six female teenagers, three of whom are fresh victors in the recently held Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, died due to drowning while on a beach party in Iloilo province on Sunday afternoon, a police official said Monday.
Sr. Insp. Remias, Alavaren, chief of Carles Municipal Police, said in a phone interview that the victims are residents of Barangay Malapok in the adjacent town of Balasan and were celebrating their victory from the October 29 polls.
The party was held at a beach resort in Barangay Barosbos in Carles starting past 8am Sunday, Remias said.
Remias said the six victims, ranging from 16 years old to 13 years old, were walking farther from the shore when they suddenly fell to a deep part of the sea at around 1pm.
“All of them do not know how to swim so they were grappling each other until they drowned to death,” Remias said in Filipino.
The victims drowned some 100 meters away from the shoreline.
Remias said local fishermen attempted to rescue the six but were unsuccessful.
Among the fatalities are three newly proclaimed SK councilors of Barangay Malapok while the rest are their relatives.
Remias said the victims were joined by their families and even barangay and municipal officials during the party.
“It was unexpected because the weather was good, and it was low tide at that time. They did not expect that there was a deep portion in that area,” Remias said of the incident./DMS
November 5, 2007
Six female teenagers, three of whom are fresh victors in the recently held Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, died due to drowning while on a beach party in Iloilo province on Sunday afternoon, a police official said Monday.
Sr. Insp. Remias, Alavaren, chief of Carles Municipal Police, said in a phone interview that the victims are residents of Barangay Malapok in the adjacent town of Balasan and were celebrating their victory from the October 29 polls.
The party was held at a beach resort in Barangay Barosbos in Carles starting past 8am Sunday, Remias said.
Remias said the six victims, ranging from 16 years old to 13 years old, were walking farther from the shore when they suddenly fell to a deep part of the sea at around 1pm.
“All of them do not know how to swim so they were grappling each other until they drowned to death,” Remias said in Filipino.
The victims drowned some 100 meters away from the shoreline.
Remias said local fishermen attempted to rescue the six but were unsuccessful.
Among the fatalities are three newly proclaimed SK councilors of Barangay Malapok while the rest are their relatives.
Remias said the victims were joined by their families and even barangay and municipal officials during the party.
“It was unexpected because the weather was good, and it was low tide at that time. They did not expect that there was a deep portion in that area,” Remias said of the incident./DMS
PNP says credibility of its probe on Glorietta 2 blast can be questioned in court
By Ronron
November 5, 2007
A day after Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) disputed the gas explosion theory of the Philippine National Police (PNP) over the October 19 incident at Glorietta 2 that killed 11 persons and wounded over a hundred others, the PNP on Monday said skeptics can question the credibility of the probe it conducted in the proper court.
In a news conference at Camp Crame, Quezon City, Director Geary Barias, commander of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and spokesman of the Multi-Agency Investigation Task Force (MIATF) for the Glorietta 2 blast, maintained that the pieces of evidence gathered by investigators really point initially to gas explosion.
“It was really gas that caused the explosion coming from the basement. They did some swabbing at the basement and even outside of the building, they even went as far as Landmark just to make sure. That swabbing activity is to find out whether explosive was really used in that disaster. So they ruled out explosives because first, they could not find any part of the improvised explosive device,” Barias said.
Barias reiterated, however, that they do not have any final conclusion yet as of Monday because the MIATF is still determining what triggered the gas explosion. This means that the bombing angle is not yet totally ruled out, he said.
In a news conference last Sunday, ALI President and Chief Executive Officer Jaime Ayala said the local and foreign experts they hired have concluded the highly unlikelihood of a gas explosion, citing facts from the basement.
“For us, we have a forum to question our credibility, the credibility of our witnesses, the pieces of evidence that we have gathered, the integrity of these pieces of evidence that we gathered… And that is the court,” Barias said, apparently reacting to the contradictory findings of the ALI-hired experts.
But Barias expressed confidence that the police can defend its case, citing the thoroughness of its investigation.
“That is precisely the reason why it’s taking us a long time to investigate this case because we want to be sure we really have a case and that we can win our case,” he said.
Barias said the would-be respondents to a possible case can always have “very good lawyers to scrutinize the method” of the PNP investigation, “the credibility of our investigators, the pieces of evidence that we have.”
Barias confirmed that indeed, ALI furnished the MIATF a copy of its experts’ analysis and findings, and they will look into the report.
“We gave that to our investigators. Let’s see how they go about with their investigation, even giving consideration to these experts… Whether that would be material to our investigation or not, we leave that to our investigators,” Barias said.
But based on the pronouncements of Ayala on Sunday, Barias said there is nothing for the PNP to reconsider at this time.
“As I said, we haven’t concluded our investigation yet so as to the request that we look into all probable angles, that’s what we are doing,” Barias said./DMS
November 5, 2007
A day after Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) disputed the gas explosion theory of the Philippine National Police (PNP) over the October 19 incident at Glorietta 2 that killed 11 persons and wounded over a hundred others, the PNP on Monday said skeptics can question the credibility of the probe it conducted in the proper court.
In a news conference at Camp Crame, Quezon City, Director Geary Barias, commander of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and spokesman of the Multi-Agency Investigation Task Force (MIATF) for the Glorietta 2 blast, maintained that the pieces of evidence gathered by investigators really point initially to gas explosion.
“It was really gas that caused the explosion coming from the basement. They did some swabbing at the basement and even outside of the building, they even went as far as Landmark just to make sure. That swabbing activity is to find out whether explosive was really used in that disaster. So they ruled out explosives because first, they could not find any part of the improvised explosive device,” Barias said.
Barias reiterated, however, that they do not have any final conclusion yet as of Monday because the MIATF is still determining what triggered the gas explosion. This means that the bombing angle is not yet totally ruled out, he said.
In a news conference last Sunday, ALI President and Chief Executive Officer Jaime Ayala said the local and foreign experts they hired have concluded the highly unlikelihood of a gas explosion, citing facts from the basement.
“For us, we have a forum to question our credibility, the credibility of our witnesses, the pieces of evidence that we have gathered, the integrity of these pieces of evidence that we gathered… And that is the court,” Barias said, apparently reacting to the contradictory findings of the ALI-hired experts.
But Barias expressed confidence that the police can defend its case, citing the thoroughness of its investigation.
“That is precisely the reason why it’s taking us a long time to investigate this case because we want to be sure we really have a case and that we can win our case,” he said.
Barias said the would-be respondents to a possible case can always have “very good lawyers to scrutinize the method” of the PNP investigation, “the credibility of our investigators, the pieces of evidence that we have.”
Barias confirmed that indeed, ALI furnished the MIATF a copy of its experts’ analysis and findings, and they will look into the report.
“We gave that to our investigators. Let’s see how they go about with their investigation, even giving consideration to these experts… Whether that would be material to our investigation or not, we leave that to our investigators,” Barias said.
But based on the pronouncements of Ayala on Sunday, Barias said there is nothing for the PNP to reconsider at this time.
“As I said, we haven’t concluded our investigation yet so as to the request that we look into all probable angles, that’s what we are doing,” Barias said./DMS
ASG sub-leader killed in Basilan
By Ronron
November 5, 2007
Government security forces killed dawn of Monday a suspected sub-leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) during a raid in the southern island province of Basilan, a military commander said.
Lt. Col. Vincent Teodoro, commander of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 7, identified the fatality was Karim Jamsali Yebnom, who uses the alias Kumander Bakulaw.
Teodoro told Camp Aguinaldo reporters in a phone interview that Yebnom used to be a henchman of ASG spokesman Aldam Tilao, popularly known as Abu Sabaya, when the latter was still alive.
Teodoro said the military received information that Yebnom was hiding at a house in Sitio Sipit-sipit, Barangay Bato-bato in Akbar town, prompting a team from MBLT 7 to raid the said house at around 5:30 am yesterday (Monday).
The government troops, however, were met with some 10 armed persons at said house, resulting in an exchange of gunfire for 10 minutes, Teodoro said.
When the armed men escaped, the government soldiers scoured the house and saw the dead body of Yebnom, he said.
Asked if Yebnom is among the suspects behind the beheading of 10 Marine soldiers last July 10 in Al-Barka town, Teodoro said the matter is still under investigation.
On Saturday afternoon, wanted ASG sub-leader Jamal Taib was also killed as authorities were trying to arrest him in Maluso town of said province.
The government has poured in thousands of soldiers in Basilan and in the neighboring province of Sulu a few months back to run after lawless elements, especially those responsible for the July 10 incident and the subsequent fighting in Sulu in August./DMS
November 5, 2007
Government security forces killed dawn of Monday a suspected sub-leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) during a raid in the southern island province of Basilan, a military commander said.
Lt. Col. Vincent Teodoro, commander of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 7, identified the fatality was Karim Jamsali Yebnom, who uses the alias Kumander Bakulaw.
Teodoro told Camp Aguinaldo reporters in a phone interview that Yebnom used to be a henchman of ASG spokesman Aldam Tilao, popularly known as Abu Sabaya, when the latter was still alive.
Teodoro said the military received information that Yebnom was hiding at a house in Sitio Sipit-sipit, Barangay Bato-bato in Akbar town, prompting a team from MBLT 7 to raid the said house at around 5:30 am yesterday (Monday).
The government troops, however, were met with some 10 armed persons at said house, resulting in an exchange of gunfire for 10 minutes, Teodoro said.
When the armed men escaped, the government soldiers scoured the house and saw the dead body of Yebnom, he said.
Asked if Yebnom is among the suspects behind the beheading of 10 Marine soldiers last July 10 in Al-Barka town, Teodoro said the matter is still under investigation.
On Saturday afternoon, wanted ASG sub-leader Jamal Taib was also killed as authorities were trying to arrest him in Maluso town of said province.
The government has poured in thousands of soldiers in Basilan and in the neighboring province of Sulu a few months back to run after lawless elements, especially those responsible for the July 10 incident and the subsequent fighting in Sulu in August./DMS
Monday, November 5, 2007
Outgoing village captain killed, three companions wounded in Cavite shooting incident
By Ronron
November 4, 2007
An outgoing village captain was killed while two of his watchmen and a friend were hurt after they were shot by unidentified suspects on Saturday night in Cavite province, police said Sunday.
The fatality was identified as Dante Felismino, 52, the outgoing chairman of Barangay Fatima 1 in Dasmariñas town, while the wounded victims were identified as Renato Saylog and Anastacio Salarda, both watchmen, and Saturnino Buenolirao, Felismino’s 72-year-old friend.
Police said Felismino was seated in front of the barangay hall of Fatima 1, together with Saylog, Salarda, and Buenolirao, when two unidentified suspects armed with a long firearm approached and fired at them at around 9pm.
Felismino sustained multiple gunshot wounds while the three others were hit with stray bullets.
The suspects, meanwhile, immediately escaped by running towards a suspected getaway motorcycle parked from a distance.
Police said Felismino was declared dead on arrival at the De La Salle University (DLSU) Medical Center.
Scene of the crime operatives recovered from the shooting scene 28 empty shells of caliber 5.56.
Police are still investigating if the incident is related to the recently concluded barangay elections, although initial information suggests otherwise, noting a peaceful conduct of voting at Barangay Fatima 1 last October 29.
Felismino’s wife, Elsie, is the newly proclaimed chairman of Barangay Fatima 1.
“The Dasmarinas Municipal Police is still conducting dragnet operation for the apprehension and identification of the suspects,” a police report said.
Based on the latest record of the Philippine National Police, there are already 73 election-related violent incidents (ERVI’s) all over the country as of 10pm of November 3 since the election period began last September 29.
These incidents have resulted in the death of 38 people, the wounding of 34 others, and the loss of one who was abducted.
Among those killed were eight barangay chairman candidates, five barangay kagawad candidates, and 10 incumbent barangay officials. Among the wounded, on the other hand, are four barangay chairman candidates, four barangay kagawad candidates, and eight incumbent barangay officials.
Although the figures could still increase as the election period finally ends on November 13, the PNP has been saying that this year’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections will probably go down to history as the most peaceful ever.
This is because in the 2002 local elections, there were a total of 159 ERVI’s that resulted in the death of 75 people and the wounding of 69 others./DMS
November 4, 2007
An outgoing village captain was killed while two of his watchmen and a friend were hurt after they were shot by unidentified suspects on Saturday night in Cavite province, police said Sunday.
The fatality was identified as Dante Felismino, 52, the outgoing chairman of Barangay Fatima 1 in Dasmariñas town, while the wounded victims were identified as Renato Saylog and Anastacio Salarda, both watchmen, and Saturnino Buenolirao, Felismino’s 72-year-old friend.
Police said Felismino was seated in front of the barangay hall of Fatima 1, together with Saylog, Salarda, and Buenolirao, when two unidentified suspects armed with a long firearm approached and fired at them at around 9pm.
Felismino sustained multiple gunshot wounds while the three others were hit with stray bullets.
The suspects, meanwhile, immediately escaped by running towards a suspected getaway motorcycle parked from a distance.
Police said Felismino was declared dead on arrival at the De La Salle University (DLSU) Medical Center.
Scene of the crime operatives recovered from the shooting scene 28 empty shells of caliber 5.56.
Police are still investigating if the incident is related to the recently concluded barangay elections, although initial information suggests otherwise, noting a peaceful conduct of voting at Barangay Fatima 1 last October 29.
Felismino’s wife, Elsie, is the newly proclaimed chairman of Barangay Fatima 1.
“The Dasmarinas Municipal Police is still conducting dragnet operation for the apprehension and identification of the suspects,” a police report said.
Based on the latest record of the Philippine National Police, there are already 73 election-related violent incidents (ERVI’s) all over the country as of 10pm of November 3 since the election period began last September 29.
These incidents have resulted in the death of 38 people, the wounding of 34 others, and the loss of one who was abducted.
Among those killed were eight barangay chairman candidates, five barangay kagawad candidates, and 10 incumbent barangay officials. Among the wounded, on the other hand, are four barangay chairman candidates, four barangay kagawad candidates, and eight incumbent barangay officials.
Although the figures could still increase as the election period finally ends on November 13, the PNP has been saying that this year’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections will probably go down to history as the most peaceful ever.
This is because in the 2002 local elections, there were a total of 159 ERVI’s that resulted in the death of 75 people and the wounding of 69 others./DMS
Suspected ASG member killed in Basilan
By Ronron
November 4, 2007
A suspected member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) who has a standing arrest warrant for the crime of kidnapping and other related cases was killed in Basilan province on Saturday afternoon as authorities were trying to arrest him, a military official said Sunday.
Brig. Gen. Arturo Ortiz, commander of the Philippine Army’s Special Forces Regiment, identified the slain suspect as Jamal Taib, who allegedly used to operate under ASG leader Khadaffy Janjalani and sub-leader Abu Sabaya when the two were still alive.
Ortiz said Taib is in the government’s Order of Battle list and has a P150,000 bounty on his head for the crime of kidnapping and serious illegal detention.
Taib was first sighted at around 4:10 pm the other day (Saturday) in Maluso town by elements of the Army’s 3rd Special Forces Battalion, prompting the deployment of one team from said battalion to effect his arrest, Ortiz said.
But when the apprehending team was approaching, Taib allegedly resisted arrest and fired instead his caliber 45 to the government forces, said Ortiz.
The members of the apprehending team were forced to fire at Taib, causing his death, said Ortiz.
Recovered from Taib was his caliber 45, loaded with one magazine containing seven live rounds, Ortiz said.
The military has stepped up its operations in Basilan and the neighboring island province of Sulu a few months back following the deadly July 10 incident in Al-Barka town and in Sulu last August between government forces and some the rebel groups in the south.
The ASG has been tagged as a terrorist by the US government. The Philippine military estimates the current ASG strength at more than 300./DMS
November 4, 2007
A suspected member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) who has a standing arrest warrant for the crime of kidnapping and other related cases was killed in Basilan province on Saturday afternoon as authorities were trying to arrest him, a military official said Sunday.
Brig. Gen. Arturo Ortiz, commander of the Philippine Army’s Special Forces Regiment, identified the slain suspect as Jamal Taib, who allegedly used to operate under ASG leader Khadaffy Janjalani and sub-leader Abu Sabaya when the two were still alive.
Ortiz said Taib is in the government’s Order of Battle list and has a P150,000 bounty on his head for the crime of kidnapping and serious illegal detention.
Taib was first sighted at around 4:10 pm the other day (Saturday) in Maluso town by elements of the Army’s 3rd Special Forces Battalion, prompting the deployment of one team from said battalion to effect his arrest, Ortiz said.
But when the apprehending team was approaching, Taib allegedly resisted arrest and fired instead his caliber 45 to the government forces, said Ortiz.
The members of the apprehending team were forced to fire at Taib, causing his death, said Ortiz.
Recovered from Taib was his caliber 45, loaded with one magazine containing seven live rounds, Ortiz said.
The military has stepped up its operations in Basilan and the neighboring island province of Sulu a few months back following the deadly July 10 incident in Al-Barka town and in Sulu last August between government forces and some the rebel groups in the south.
The ASG has been tagged as a terrorist by the US government. The Philippine military estimates the current ASG strength at more than 300./DMS
Ayala presents experts’ findings contradicting PNP’s gas explosion theory at Glorietta 2
By Ronron
November 4, 2007
The Ayala Land, Incorporated (ALI) presented on Sunday several findings of their experts’ analysis that disputed the gas explosion theory being floated by the Philippine National Police (PNP) as a possible cause of the deadly blast at Glorietta 2 last October 19.
ALI President and Chief Executive Officer Jaime Ayala told reporters in a press briefing at a Makati City Hotel that the analysis was done by several local and foreign experts they consulted, including Dr. Stephen Etheridge, a specialist on waste water and effluent treatment with special expertise on biogas production, and Burgoynes, an international consulting firm specializing in the forensic investigation of fires, explosions, and engineering failures.
“Our analysis at this point in time, together with what our foreign experts have told us, makes it seem that it’s highly unlikely that there would have been sufficient methane in order to cause this kind of blast, and at the same time, that the diesel tank itself was not the primary source of this kind of damage,” Ayala said.
“So we urge them (government investigators) to really look into every angle here because it’s very important that we also have to find out exactly what happened on October 19,” he added.
Ayala said they sought the expertise of Etheridge and Burgoynes, among others, because the PNP has been highlighting before the media that what happened most likely was gas explosion resulting from the combustion of either methane or diesel vapor formed at the basement of Glorietta 2.
In their press conferences, the PNP repeatedly cited the presence of the septic tank and diesel tank at the basement, which, according to them, supports their theory that methane gas and diesel fumes have been generated, mixed up, and then ignited by either of the following – the portable submersible pump, circuit breaker, light switch, and light bulb.
Together with other government investigators, the PNP pointed out that there was insufficient ventilation at the basement, allowing therefore the methane gas and diesel fumes to build up together.
But all these were disputed by the experts hired by ALI, Ayala said.
“It is highly unlikely that methane would be produced in the Glorietta 2 basement sump pits because the conditions for the production of methane in substantial quantities were not present,” Ayala said, quoting their experts’ findings.
Ayala insisted that there is no septic tank at the basement, and that the sump pits are emptied several times per day.
Should there be methane production, Ayala said “accumulation of biogas in the basement is unlikely because it would have vented via the large open stairwell leading to the delivery bay,” which is an open area at the ground floor or street level.
The basement was under the delivery bay located at the ground floor that caters to a few restaurants in Glorietta 2.
Ayala’s statement contradicts the PNP’s claim that the basement was poorly ventilated.
Ayala said further that had there been biogas formation at the basement, then the personnel assigned to check the equipment there on a daily basis would have smelled “hydrogen sulfide, which smells like rotten eggs and causes nausea and eye and skin irritation.”
“No such smells or symptoms were observed by the various personnel working in and out of the basement on the days preceding the explosion as well as on the actual day of the explosion,” Ayala said.
As to the diesel component, Ayala reiterated that the flash point of the tank’s content during the day of the incident was within the normal range, at 76 degrees Celsius, as tested by a major oil company in its laboratory. Ayala explained that the flash point is the temperature at which sufficient vapor from a liquid is formed for combustion to occur.
“Furthermore, no evidence was found to indicate any contamination with a volatile liquid,” Ayala said.
Ayala said the deforming of the diesel tank’s roof and tearing along a weld “is relatively minor secondary damage” as a result of “an internal overpressure” during the incident.
“The overpressure in the diesel tank could not have caused the damage observed in Glorietta… And it is unlikely that a gas explosion in the basement would have caused the severe damage observed in the loading bay area because at the time of the incident, the loading bay was open to the street,” Ayala said.
When asked, however, as to any suggestion made by their experts as to the possible cause of the blast if they are discounting the gas theory, Ayala opted not to answer directly.
“At this point in time, we don’t want to add additional hypothesis and speculation to the investigation… being performed by the authorities… At this point in time, I think it’s really important that the authorities continue to look into all possibilities,” he said.
Pressed if their experts have found pieces of evidence to support a bombing theory, Ayala only said: “We’ve been focusing on methane and diesel because that is the primary hypothesis being put forward… And we continue to have no access to the site so our analysis in that area is not complete.”
“We cannot say conclusively say whether or not there is a bomb crater,” he added.
Ayala said they have already shared their experts’ findings to the PNP for the latter’s appreciation.
“Everything that we make available to the press is first made available to the PNP. We’re here as they are to seek, to find out what really happened there. So, any information that they feel is useful, we are happy to provide to them,” he said.
Thus, Ayala suggested that it is premature for the PNP to be talking at this time about negligence of some parties because there are no conclusive findings yet as to the cause of the blast that killed 11 people and wounded over a hundred others.
“I guess, for negligence to occur, it has to be connected to an incident. And so far, the incidents that have been theorized have been with respect to methane production or with respect to diesel. Because we are ruling out methane as the source of the explosion, and diesel as the cause of the explosion, we don’t think that negligence is relevant with respect to those particular possibilities,” Ayala said.
Ayala disclosed that the basement and the equipment there are really owned by Makati Supermarket. Therefore, the maintenance people who work at the basement are contracted by Makati Supermarket.
Although, ALI provides supervision as to the maintenance of the facility, he said./DMS
November 4, 2007
The Ayala Land, Incorporated (ALI) presented on Sunday several findings of their experts’ analysis that disputed the gas explosion theory being floated by the Philippine National Police (PNP) as a possible cause of the deadly blast at Glorietta 2 last October 19.
ALI President and Chief Executive Officer Jaime Ayala told reporters in a press briefing at a Makati City Hotel that the analysis was done by several local and foreign experts they consulted, including Dr. Stephen Etheridge, a specialist on waste water and effluent treatment with special expertise on biogas production, and Burgoynes, an international consulting firm specializing in the forensic investigation of fires, explosions, and engineering failures.
“Our analysis at this point in time, together with what our foreign experts have told us, makes it seem that it’s highly unlikely that there would have been sufficient methane in order to cause this kind of blast, and at the same time, that the diesel tank itself was not the primary source of this kind of damage,” Ayala said.
“So we urge them (government investigators) to really look into every angle here because it’s very important that we also have to find out exactly what happened on October 19,” he added.
Ayala said they sought the expertise of Etheridge and Burgoynes, among others, because the PNP has been highlighting before the media that what happened most likely was gas explosion resulting from the combustion of either methane or diesel vapor formed at the basement of Glorietta 2.
In their press conferences, the PNP repeatedly cited the presence of the septic tank and diesel tank at the basement, which, according to them, supports their theory that methane gas and diesel fumes have been generated, mixed up, and then ignited by either of the following – the portable submersible pump, circuit breaker, light switch, and light bulb.
Together with other government investigators, the PNP pointed out that there was insufficient ventilation at the basement, allowing therefore the methane gas and diesel fumes to build up together.
But all these were disputed by the experts hired by ALI, Ayala said.
“It is highly unlikely that methane would be produced in the Glorietta 2 basement sump pits because the conditions for the production of methane in substantial quantities were not present,” Ayala said, quoting their experts’ findings.
Ayala insisted that there is no septic tank at the basement, and that the sump pits are emptied several times per day.
Should there be methane production, Ayala said “accumulation of biogas in the basement is unlikely because it would have vented via the large open stairwell leading to the delivery bay,” which is an open area at the ground floor or street level.
The basement was under the delivery bay located at the ground floor that caters to a few restaurants in Glorietta 2.
Ayala’s statement contradicts the PNP’s claim that the basement was poorly ventilated.
Ayala said further that had there been biogas formation at the basement, then the personnel assigned to check the equipment there on a daily basis would have smelled “hydrogen sulfide, which smells like rotten eggs and causes nausea and eye and skin irritation.”
“No such smells or symptoms were observed by the various personnel working in and out of the basement on the days preceding the explosion as well as on the actual day of the explosion,” Ayala said.
As to the diesel component, Ayala reiterated that the flash point of the tank’s content during the day of the incident was within the normal range, at 76 degrees Celsius, as tested by a major oil company in its laboratory. Ayala explained that the flash point is the temperature at which sufficient vapor from a liquid is formed for combustion to occur.
“Furthermore, no evidence was found to indicate any contamination with a volatile liquid,” Ayala said.
Ayala said the deforming of the diesel tank’s roof and tearing along a weld “is relatively minor secondary damage” as a result of “an internal overpressure” during the incident.
“The overpressure in the diesel tank could not have caused the damage observed in Glorietta… And it is unlikely that a gas explosion in the basement would have caused the severe damage observed in the loading bay area because at the time of the incident, the loading bay was open to the street,” Ayala said.
When asked, however, as to any suggestion made by their experts as to the possible cause of the blast if they are discounting the gas theory, Ayala opted not to answer directly.
“At this point in time, we don’t want to add additional hypothesis and speculation to the investigation… being performed by the authorities… At this point in time, I think it’s really important that the authorities continue to look into all possibilities,” he said.
Pressed if their experts have found pieces of evidence to support a bombing theory, Ayala only said: “We’ve been focusing on methane and diesel because that is the primary hypothesis being put forward… And we continue to have no access to the site so our analysis in that area is not complete.”
“We cannot say conclusively say whether or not there is a bomb crater,” he added.
Ayala said they have already shared their experts’ findings to the PNP for the latter’s appreciation.
“Everything that we make available to the press is first made available to the PNP. We’re here as they are to seek, to find out what really happened there. So, any information that they feel is useful, we are happy to provide to them,” he said.
Thus, Ayala suggested that it is premature for the PNP to be talking at this time about negligence of some parties because there are no conclusive findings yet as to the cause of the blast that killed 11 people and wounded over a hundred others.
“I guess, for negligence to occur, it has to be connected to an incident. And so far, the incidents that have been theorized have been with respect to methane production or with respect to diesel. Because we are ruling out methane as the source of the explosion, and diesel as the cause of the explosion, we don’t think that negligence is relevant with respect to those particular possibilities,” Ayala said.
Ayala disclosed that the basement and the equipment there are really owned by Makati Supermarket. Therefore, the maintenance people who work at the basement are contracted by Makati Supermarket.
Although, ALI provides supervision as to the maintenance of the facility, he said./DMS
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Suspected Reds attack Globe cellsite in Masbate province
By Ronron
November 3, 2007
A telecommunications facility of Globe in Masbate province was attacked on Friday night by suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA), a police report said.
According to the report, an undetermined number of suspected rebels staged the attack at around 7:55 pm at the facility located at Barangay Bayanihan in San Fernando town.
The suspects first disarmed the security guard on duty, identified as Fernando Cantoria, as soon as they barged into the Globe Relay Station, the report said. Taken from Cantoria was his caliber 38 revolver service firearm.
They then hogtied Cantoria and brought him outside the relay station premises.
“Thereafter, the communist terrorists planted improvised explosives at the ladder foundation of the said installation, which caused explosion and resulted in the burning of the generator set,” the report said.
The report did not say the cost of the damages and whether or not the facility was still operational after the incident.
Elements of the San Fernando Municipal Police and the 5th Police Regional Mobile Group already conducted pursuit operations against the perpetrators. The direction of the operation was initially towards the neighboring village of Paraiso.
The 6,200-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside in the last 38 years in the hope of toppling the democratic form of government.
In June of last year, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the police and military to crush the movement by 2010 when she ends her term, citing the fear being sowed by the NPA to businessmen and would-be investors in the country./DMS
November 3, 2007
A telecommunications facility of Globe in Masbate province was attacked on Friday night by suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA), a police report said.
According to the report, an undetermined number of suspected rebels staged the attack at around 7:55 pm at the facility located at Barangay Bayanihan in San Fernando town.
The suspects first disarmed the security guard on duty, identified as Fernando Cantoria, as soon as they barged into the Globe Relay Station, the report said. Taken from Cantoria was his caliber 38 revolver service firearm.
They then hogtied Cantoria and brought him outside the relay station premises.
“Thereafter, the communist terrorists planted improvised explosives at the ladder foundation of the said installation, which caused explosion and resulted in the burning of the generator set,” the report said.
The report did not say the cost of the damages and whether or not the facility was still operational after the incident.
Elements of the San Fernando Municipal Police and the 5th Police Regional Mobile Group already conducted pursuit operations against the perpetrators. The direction of the operation was initially towards the neighboring village of Paraiso.
The 6,200-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside in the last 38 years in the hope of toppling the democratic form of government.
In June of last year, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the police and military to crush the movement by 2010 when she ends her term, citing the fear being sowed by the NPA to businessmen and would-be investors in the country./DMS
Police downgrades alert level
By Ronron
November 3, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) downgraded its alert level nationwide on Saturday morning, except for Metro Manila and the Special Action Force (SAF) unit, as it notes the “peaceful celebration” of the All Saints Day and All Souls Day last Thursday and Friday, respectively.
According to Chief Supt. Silverio Alarcio, chief of the PNP Directorate for Operations, the alert level of the PNP was lowered to heightened level as of 8am yesterday, except for the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and SAF, which retains its full alert status.
“Because of the peaceful celebration, we downgraded it to heightened, except for NCRPO and SAF,” Alarcio said in a text message yesterday afternoon.
NCRPO chief Director Geary Barias said in a separate phone interview that they are retaining the full alert status because they still have to guard the bus terminals and highways in the capital.
“We are expecting our fellow Filipinos to be back to Metro Manila only on Sunday from a long vacation in the provinces,” Barias said in Filipino.
The alert of the 120,000-strong PNP was placed on full status at 8am last October 31 as it launched Operation Plan Kaluluwa to secure the country’s celebration of the All Saints Day and All Souls Day.
When under full alert, the entire police force is required to go on duty to ensure adequate personnel in times of contingencies. But if it is only heightened level, only 50 percent of the police force is required to do so. Policemen can only avail of their official leave during a normal alert level.
But Alarcio said that even if they have downgraded their alert, policemen will still be “on the ground until all the people are back in their work places or residences.”
On Friday night, PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. reported that the long holiday was “generally peaceful,” noting only 11 incidents in Metro Manila and the LPG tank explosion in Cavite.
“This ideal situation of uneventful and orderly holiday celebration is the fruit of the vigilance of Mamang Pulis and the cooperation of the citizens,” Razon said in a statement.
As he commended all police personnel for the “excellent job,” Razon thanked the Armed Forces of the Philippines, non-governmental organizations, local government units and other government agencies “for extending assistance.”
“We are looking forward to implementing similar preventive security measures during the much-awaited Christmas season,” Razon said./DMS
November 3, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) downgraded its alert level nationwide on Saturday morning, except for Metro Manila and the Special Action Force (SAF) unit, as it notes the “peaceful celebration” of the All Saints Day and All Souls Day last Thursday and Friday, respectively.
According to Chief Supt. Silverio Alarcio, chief of the PNP Directorate for Operations, the alert level of the PNP was lowered to heightened level as of 8am yesterday, except for the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and SAF, which retains its full alert status.
“Because of the peaceful celebration, we downgraded it to heightened, except for NCRPO and SAF,” Alarcio said in a text message yesterday afternoon.
NCRPO chief Director Geary Barias said in a separate phone interview that they are retaining the full alert status because they still have to guard the bus terminals and highways in the capital.
“We are expecting our fellow Filipinos to be back to Metro Manila only on Sunday from a long vacation in the provinces,” Barias said in Filipino.
The alert of the 120,000-strong PNP was placed on full status at 8am last October 31 as it launched Operation Plan Kaluluwa to secure the country’s celebration of the All Saints Day and All Souls Day.
When under full alert, the entire police force is required to go on duty to ensure adequate personnel in times of contingencies. But if it is only heightened level, only 50 percent of the police force is required to do so. Policemen can only avail of their official leave during a normal alert level.
But Alarcio said that even if they have downgraded their alert, policemen will still be “on the ground until all the people are back in their work places or residences.”
On Friday night, PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. reported that the long holiday was “generally peaceful,” noting only 11 incidents in Metro Manila and the LPG tank explosion in Cavite.
“This ideal situation of uneventful and orderly holiday celebration is the fruit of the vigilance of Mamang Pulis and the cooperation of the citizens,” Razon said in a statement.
As he commended all police personnel for the “excellent job,” Razon thanked the Armed Forces of the Philippines, non-governmental organizations, local government units and other government agencies “for extending assistance.”
“We are looking forward to implementing similar preventive security measures during the much-awaited Christmas season,” Razon said./DMS
My acceptance of pardon doesn’t mean I admit being guilty of plunder – Estrada
By Ronron
November 3, 2007
Former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada clarified on Saturday that his acceptance of the Presidential pardon last October 26 from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo does not mean he admits to being guilty of plunder.
Speaking before a crowd of Tondo residents in Manila City, Estrada reiterated that he is innocent of the plunder charge of which he was found guilty by the Sandiganbayan last September 12 after several years of court hearings.
“If ever I accepted that pardon, it does not mean I am confessing to having committed the charge. I am innocent,” Estrada said in Filipino before some 500 residents of Tondo District.
“I would have accepted already the offer twice before of then Justice Secretary (Hernani) Perez for me to leave the country (immediately after I was unseated in January 2001) if I was guilty of anything… But I opted to be jailed for six years and six months, and I endured that so I could convey to them the message that I will face all their accusations against me,” he added.
It was just unfortunate, Estrada lamented, that the justice system in the country was already designed to convict him even from the start. “I knew I have no chance of winning but I still faced the charges,” he said.
Estrada said that if he was guilty of any irregularity during his term as President from 1998, it would definitely not include plunder or corruption.
“Not even a single centavo have I stolen from the national coffer. In fact, maybe, it’s time now that I tell you that from the time I became Mayor (of San Juan) until I became a Senator, Vice President and President, I did not receive my salary. Nobody knew about it. I put all my salary to the Erap Para sa Mahirap (Erap for the Poor) Scholarship Foundation, which, now has produced more than 9,000 college graduates,” he said.
Aside from a sentence of lifetime imprisonment, the Sandiganbayan Special Division also ordered Estrada when it handed down its verdict for him to return more than P500 million worth of properties and funds to the government as they were found to be illegally obtained by him.
But the crowd that welcomed Estrada yesterday at Tondo apparently are not convinced, based on their repetitive chant that he is “innocent.”
To this, Estrada said: “I cannot find the appropriate words to express to you my heartfelt gratitude for your prayers and continued support for me.”
He said he will forever be indebted to the Filipino masses who supported him from his mayoralty days until he lost power. In particular, he called the people of Tondo as his real fellow citizens because he was born at the Mary’s Child Hospital in Tondo.
“Before all Filipinos, before God, I come before you with all strength and look at you straight in the eye, to tell you that despite all the allegations against me, I am innocent,” Estrada bravely told the crowd.
In a separate speech, Manila City Mayor Alfredo Lim said Estrada only availed of the Presidential pardon because he wanted to spend time with his ailing mother who had been confined at the San Juan Medical Center for a few months now due to some illness.
“We should put in mind what he (Estrada) did – that a person who loves his /her mother, his/her parents is an honorable person whom we should emulate. That is President Erap,” said Lim, who is a close ally of the deposed leader.
To give back, Estrada promised the masses of his continued programs for them, like his education scholarship project, even if he is no longer in power.
In fact, his attendance yesterday in Tondo was to support the medical mission of his wife, former Senator Luisa “Loi” Estrada.
“He said he wanted to see our medical mission to find out how he could help. So I invited him to come here because the people also want to see him… Before, we used to do this twice a month. But he said he wanted us to do this everyday. But of course, I told him I can’t do that, it would be too tiring,” Mrs. Estrada, who is a medical doctor, said in an interview at the mission site.
The medical mission yesterday was attended by more or less 20 medical doctors and nurses, and provided not only free consultation but medicines as well.
The mission was able to provide services to over a thousand residents of Tondo.
Aside from assuring the masses of his services, the former President also reminded the youth of Tondo to veer away from using illegal drugs.
“Let us closely look after the drug addicts. This (drugs problem) will destroy the future of our youth. As our national hero Jose Rizal said, the hope of our country lies in the youth. So if our youth is hooked to drugs, then the future of our country will crumble,” Estrada said.
Joining Estrada in his visit to Tondo other than Lim are Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, former Senator Ernesto Maceda, Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco, and Senator Jinggoy Estrada./DMS
November 3, 2007
Former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada clarified on Saturday that his acceptance of the Presidential pardon last October 26 from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo does not mean he admits to being guilty of plunder.
Speaking before a crowd of Tondo residents in Manila City, Estrada reiterated that he is innocent of the plunder charge of which he was found guilty by the Sandiganbayan last September 12 after several years of court hearings.
“If ever I accepted that pardon, it does not mean I am confessing to having committed the charge. I am innocent,” Estrada said in Filipino before some 500 residents of Tondo District.
“I would have accepted already the offer twice before of then Justice Secretary (Hernani) Perez for me to leave the country (immediately after I was unseated in January 2001) if I was guilty of anything… But I opted to be jailed for six years and six months, and I endured that so I could convey to them the message that I will face all their accusations against me,” he added.
It was just unfortunate, Estrada lamented, that the justice system in the country was already designed to convict him even from the start. “I knew I have no chance of winning but I still faced the charges,” he said.
Estrada said that if he was guilty of any irregularity during his term as President from 1998, it would definitely not include plunder or corruption.
“Not even a single centavo have I stolen from the national coffer. In fact, maybe, it’s time now that I tell you that from the time I became Mayor (of San Juan) until I became a Senator, Vice President and President, I did not receive my salary. Nobody knew about it. I put all my salary to the Erap Para sa Mahirap (Erap for the Poor) Scholarship Foundation, which, now has produced more than 9,000 college graduates,” he said.
Aside from a sentence of lifetime imprisonment, the Sandiganbayan Special Division also ordered Estrada when it handed down its verdict for him to return more than P500 million worth of properties and funds to the government as they were found to be illegally obtained by him.
But the crowd that welcomed Estrada yesterday at Tondo apparently are not convinced, based on their repetitive chant that he is “innocent.”
To this, Estrada said: “I cannot find the appropriate words to express to you my heartfelt gratitude for your prayers and continued support for me.”
He said he will forever be indebted to the Filipino masses who supported him from his mayoralty days until he lost power. In particular, he called the people of Tondo as his real fellow citizens because he was born at the Mary’s Child Hospital in Tondo.
“Before all Filipinos, before God, I come before you with all strength and look at you straight in the eye, to tell you that despite all the allegations against me, I am innocent,” Estrada bravely told the crowd.
In a separate speech, Manila City Mayor Alfredo Lim said Estrada only availed of the Presidential pardon because he wanted to spend time with his ailing mother who had been confined at the San Juan Medical Center for a few months now due to some illness.
“We should put in mind what he (Estrada) did – that a person who loves his /her mother, his/her parents is an honorable person whom we should emulate. That is President Erap,” said Lim, who is a close ally of the deposed leader.
To give back, Estrada promised the masses of his continued programs for them, like his education scholarship project, even if he is no longer in power.
In fact, his attendance yesterday in Tondo was to support the medical mission of his wife, former Senator Luisa “Loi” Estrada.
“He said he wanted to see our medical mission to find out how he could help. So I invited him to come here because the people also want to see him… Before, we used to do this twice a month. But he said he wanted us to do this everyday. But of course, I told him I can’t do that, it would be too tiring,” Mrs. Estrada, who is a medical doctor, said in an interview at the mission site.
The medical mission yesterday was attended by more or less 20 medical doctors and nurses, and provided not only free consultation but medicines as well.
The mission was able to provide services to over a thousand residents of Tondo.
Aside from assuring the masses of his services, the former President also reminded the youth of Tondo to veer away from using illegal drugs.
“Let us closely look after the drug addicts. This (drugs problem) will destroy the future of our youth. As our national hero Jose Rizal said, the hope of our country lies in the youth. So if our youth is hooked to drugs, then the future of our country will crumble,” Estrada said.
Joining Estrada in his visit to Tondo other than Lim are Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, former Senator Ernesto Maceda, Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco, and Senator Jinggoy Estrada./DMS
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