Saturday, December 15, 2007

Suspect denies participating in Cebu killings, including those involving Japanese nationals

By Ronron
December 14, 2007

Cebu City - A suspect in several killings here including of two Japanese nationals in the neighboring city of Mandaue denied on Friday the allegations against him by police.

Jose Mari Temblon, who was nabbed Thursday, told reporters during his brief presentation yesterday at the office here of the Region VII Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) that he has no knowledge about all the crimes he is being accused of having committed.

“Those are all not true,” said the 21-year-old Temblon who is being dragged into the killings of Taro Suda last July 18 and Hiroshi Kusaka last November 13.

Temblon said he could not have joined Aristotle Aves, one of the suspects already arrested, in the killings because he does not know how to drive a motorcycle, and he does not even have a driver’s license.

Police have noted that Aves, 26, rides in tandem with another person if he engages in the shooting incidents he allegedly perpetrated. Aves, who was the number one most wanted criminal in Cebu City at the time of his arrest last December 3 at a port in Mandaue City, started to become notorious in 2004.

Temblon confirmed, however, that he is a member of the Alpha Kappa Rho (AKRHO) fraternity and that he also knows Aves.

He admitted that he meets with Aves on a monthly basis, together with other AKRHO members, but these are over their fraternity activities.

But he denied that the meetings are held at his place in Barangay Ibabao, Mandaue City, saying that the venue is at the house of a fellow AKRHO member he identified as Ivan Pineda.

Pineda’s house is allegedly near the residence of slain fellow suspect Ramon Baclohan at Barangay Zapatera, this city. Baclohan, who is Pineda’s uncle, was shot dead after fighting it out with police last Monday at his residence during an attempt to apprehend him.

Temblon denied, however, that Baclohan is a member of their group. Police had earlier said Baclohan is just a conduit between Ave’s group and the masterminds of the killings.

Temblon refused to talk more about their group.

Police are initially preparing to charge him with illegal possession of firearms and possession of illegal drugs.

Police are planning to charge the suspects next week over the killing of Suda and Kusaka./DMS

Friday, December 14, 2007

Police nabs another suspect to Japanese killings in Mandaue City

By Ronron
December 13, 2007

Cebu City – Another suspect in several killings here and in the neighboring city of Mandaue, including two Japanese killing incidents, was apprehended Thursday morning, police said.

Nabbed was Jose Mari Temblon, alias Otik, 21, a member of the Alpha Kappa Rho (AKRHO) Fraternity, residing at Barangay Ibabao in Mandaue City.

Supt. Jose Jorge Corpuz, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Region VII, told reporters here yesterday afternoon that Temblon was apprehended at around 7am at his residence by operatives from CIDG VII and the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO).

Corpuz said the police operatives were armed with a search warrant against Corpuz for illegal possession of firearms issued by Cebu City Regional Trial Court Branch 9 Judge Geraldine Faith Econg.

The search warrant was based on the confession of fellow AKRHO member Jesus Singson, Jr. who was arrested last December 3 together with Aristotle Aves, described by police as a hitman of the AKRHO, on a ferry at the Mandaue City port bound for Ormoc City, Leyte.

“Based on our information, Otik was with the group who did the casing and killing. They all gather at his place after the killing where they cool off,” Corpuz said.

“Otik is involved in the killing of Taro Suda. He was also involved in the killing of (Hiroshi) Kusaka,” he added.

Singson had said in his sworn statement dated December 5, 2007 that Aves was one of the gunmen in the killing of Taro Suda last July 18 in Barangay Banilad, Mandaue City, while Temblon offered his house as meeting place during their planning and after execution of the kill plot.

Singson had stated that Temblon’s place was at Barangay Alang-alang, but police clarified yesterday that he may have just mistaken it for Barangay Ibabao.

Aves has yet to issue a statement confirming or denying Singson’s allegation against him.

But Singson himself admitted that he participated in killing Suda from the time it was planned in the afternoon of July 17, until during the execution at around 12:45 am of July 18 where he served as a lookout.

Singson said further that he “heard” that the same group was involved in killing Kusaka last November 13 also in Mandaue City.

Corpuz said that Temblon did not resist arrest when policemen, assisted by barangay officials, caught up with him.

A search at his house yielded the following items: a caliber 45 pistol; a magazine of caliber 45; six ammunitions for caliber 45; one black jacket; one photo album; three small plastic sachets containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu; four pieces of empty transparent plastic sachet; one piece empty transparent plastic containing tin foils; one piece of tissue paper; and one piece cylindrical plastic film container.

Corpuz said the recovered gun is now being subjected to ballistics examination to find out if it was among those used in the alleged killing activities of the group.

He said Temblon will be charged initially with violation of Republic Acts 8294 (Illegal Possession of Firearms) and 9165 (Dangerous Drugs Act).

But he may eventually be among those to be charged for the killings of Suda and Kusaka, which may be done anytime next week.

Asked if Temblon already confessed to committing the crimes he is accused of, Corpuz said the tactical interrogation was still ongoing.

“As of now, for the two Japanese cases, we already have a solid direction. It’s just a matter of packaging,” Corpuz said.

While there are details already for the Suda case except on the aspect of the mastermind, the picture for the Kusaka case remains hazy, except the admission of Singson that he heard the same group was involved in that.

Meanwhile, Corpuz disclosed that the caliber 45 surrendered by Singson was found to have been used not only in killing Suda, but also for eight other fraternity killings in Cebu and Mandaue cities.

It was allegedly the gun used by fellow suspect Brando Ramirez in shooting Suda. Ramirez is still at large.

As to the motorcycle allegedly used in killing Suda and Kusaka, Corpuz said it was surrendered by Singson last Sunday, although they only presented it yesterday. Singson said he is the owner of the motorcycle.

Corpuz said the group of Aves is believed to be composed of 10 to 12 people. But so far, they have already accounted for four people – Aves (who is now at the Cebu City Jail), Singson (who is now under the CIDG custody), Ramon Baclohan (who was killed when police attempted to arrest him last Monday), and Temblon (who is also under the CIDG custody).

“We still have several search warrants to be served. We are just waiting for the right time,” Corpuz said.

“We can’t say yet that we have already disabled the group. There are still many we are looking for. But we assure you we are going to disable them, especially with the information we have now, and the people we have taken in already,” he added.

Corpuz said had they taken custody of Baclohan, they would have known the motive of the killings and more importantly, the mastermind./DMS

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Fratman killer identified as gunman in Suda killing case

By Ronron
December 12, 2007

Cebu City- A suspected gunman-for-hire who was arrested early this month over various killing incidents here was identified by a witness as the gunman in the killing of a Japanese national in the neighboring city of Mandaue last July.

Aristotle Aves, 26, a suspected hitman of the Alpha Kappa Rho (AKRHO) fraternity, was identified by Jesus Singson, Jr. as the killer of Taro Suda last July 18 in Barangay Banilad, Mandaue City.

Singson, 27, was arrested together with Aves while they were aboard a ferry bound for Leyte last December 3 at a Mandaue City port. The arrest of Aves was based on standing warrants for previous killing cases, while that of Singson was for illegal possession of drugs (shabu).

In his sworn statement to police investigators last December 5, a copy of which was obtained Wednesday by Manila Shimbun, Singson said Aves shot Suda several times after a companion, identified as Brando Ramirez, shot the victim once at around 12:45 am of July 18.

Singson said he witnessed the incident because he acted as lookout then. In fact, he said he boarded the motorcycle used by Aves and Ramirez after the execution of the crime to escape.

Singson said the mission to kill Suda was for a fee of P10,000 to the group.

He did not say, however, who the source of the money is, who masterminded the killing, and what is the reason behind the killing. Police refused to give the said details as well due to ongoing follow up operations against the cohorts of Aves and Singson.

Singson recounted in his three-page sworn statement that at about 3 pm of July 17, he was invited by Ramirez to go to their meeting place in Alang-alang, Mandaue City. Upon their arrival there, Aves, Cyron Pineda and Jose Marie Temblon, alias “Otik,” were already there.

“Few minutes later, Cyron Pineda informed them that they will kill somebody for a consideration of P10,000. Cyron Pineda told them that his uncle, a certain Boy Baclohan, was in charge of this plan to kill,” Singson said.

Baclohan, 53, was killed in a shootout with police last Monday afternoon at his residence in Barangay Zapatera, this city. He was identified by police as a broker for gun-for-hire operations. Police had earlier said that Baclohan may have been able to shed light on the spate of killings in this city if he was captured alive.

“He (Pineda) further told them that the person whom they will kill was a Fil-Japanese and was employed as chief cook of a Japanese restaurant in Cabancalan, Mandaue City,” Singson went on.

Immediately, Singson said he, Aves, Pineda and Ramirez went to Cabancalan at around 4:30 pm to survey the activities of the victim and the area. They stayed until 6pm.

While conducting surveillance, Pineda told them that Suda lives in Sitio Urel in front of Queensland Motel, and will leave his workplace at around 12 midnight.

At around 8pm, while at their meeting place in Alang-alang, Singson said he saw Pineda arrive aboard a taxi. He then saw the taxi driver hand over a caliber 45 to Pineda.

At 9pm, the group, consisting of Singson, Aves, Ramirez, and Pineda proceeded to Cabancalan. Avis and Ramirez were aboard a black Honda motorcycle, while Pineda and Singson rode on the taxi.

However, after 30 minutes of staying there, they retreated to the vicinity of the New Mactan Bridge upon the instruction of Pineda to kill the time. At the bridge, Singson said he saw Baclohan.

Upon learning at around 12 midnight that Suda already left the restaurant where he works, Singson said he was instructed by Pineda to go ahead at their target’s house to serve as lookout. Aves and Ramirez immediately followed and pre-positioned themselves in the area.

When Suda arrived near the gate of his house at 12:45 am, Singson said Ramirez shot the Japanese once, and Aves followed with several shots.

“As soon as the victim was down, we fled on board a black motorcycle. When we reached the junction, I disembarked and transferred to the waiting taxi cab. We proceeded to Alang-alang, Mandaue City where the five of us met,” Singson said.

Singson said that at around 10am of July 18, he received a payment of P2,000 from Pineda.

Singson admitted as the owner of the motorcycle used in killing Suda, however, police have yet to recover it even as he already said it was left in his house in Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City.

As to the caliber 45 used by Ramirez in shooting the Japanese, Singson turned it over to police because Ramirez asked him to keep it sometime in October. Police said yesterday that it was found to be the actual gun used in killing Suda.

Meanwhile, asked if he has personal knowledge about the killing of Hiroshi Kusaka last November 13 also in Mandaue City, Singson just said: “Yes sir, I heard that they (group of Aves) were responsible in the deaths of Hiroshi Kusaka, a Japanese national, in Mandaue City, and a Tau Gamma (fraternity) member … in Pardo, Cebu City.”

Without citing the identity of Singson and his testimony, Chief Insp. Rex Derilo of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Region VII told reporters yesterday that indeed, they have a “strong case because of the testimonial and physical evidence they have at present.”

Derilo said yesterday they still have search warrants to be effected against some persons in the coming days.

They expressed confidence that the killing cases involving Suda and Kusaka will be solved very soon.

“We are on the right track, and we have witnesses. Maybe, we can solve this case very soon,” said Sr. Insp. Reynaldo Magdaluyo of the CIDG-Japan International Coordinating Agency (JICA) office that is based in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Magdaluyo facilitated the coordination made by four Japanese policemen with the CIDG Region VII on Tuesday and Wednesday with regard to the Suda and Kusaka killing cases.

“They are very satisfied with the investigation. Especially, they are very thankful to the efforts being made by the CIDG Region VII. They are very, very satisfied,” Magdaluyo said of the Japanese cops’ reaction to the local investigation to the two incidents.

Magdaluyo disclosed that aside from providing information they gathered from Japan about the victims, the visiting Japanese police investigators also helped in analyzing some pieces of evidence, including documents and text messages that are in Japanese characters.

Magdaluyo quantified the rate of the solution of the cases at 95 percent, saying “I tell you people, (we are) very, very close.”

He refused, however, to comment when asked if any Japanese nationals could be behind the killings and what could be the motive.

It can be recalled that the name of a certain Mr. Oda cropped up during the investigation on the Kusaka case because the latter had confided to some persons days before his death that he was looking for Oda who owed him P20 million. Police are not saying anything yet about Oda.

Singson, meanwhile, remains under the custody of the CIDG Region IV although he was already charged with illegal possession of drugs for the shabu recovered from him and Aves during their arrest. Aves, on the other hand, is detained at the Cebu City Jail./DMS

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Cebu cops assure Japanese counterparts of making headway in two Japanese killing cases

By Ronron
December 11, 2007

Cebu City - Four Tokyo-based Japanese policemen on Tuesday sought an update from police investigators here on the investigation on the killing of two Japanese businessmen in this city’s neighboring city of Mandaue in July and November this year.

The foreign investigators – three from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) and the remaining one from the National Police Agency (NPA) – were briefed here by officials the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Region 7, the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO), and the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) on the status of the murder cases of Taro Suda last July 18 and of Hiroshi Kusaka last November 13, both in Mandaue City.

The briefing, which actually assured them of a close to solving the murder cases, especially that involving Suda, was given a day after a possible suspect to the two incidents was killed in Barangay Zapatera here while resisting police operatives out to search his house for possible illegal possession of firearms.

The Japanese contingent consists of Yuji Yawagisawa, Assistant Police Inspector at the Education and Training Division of the TMPD; Matsuura Teruhiko, Detective Assistant Inspector of the TMPD; Kai Shigetaka, Police Inspector of the TMPD; and, Tadashi Haimai, Detective Chief Inspector of the NPA’s International Investigative Operation Division.

They were escorted by two Japanese experts assigned with the Japan International Coordinating Agency (JICA) office in Camp Crame, Quezon City, and a CIDG officer also from Camp Crame.

“They’re here to coordinate with us because there were two Japanese nationals who were killed in Mandaue City and the latest one is November 13, Hiroshi Kusaka... We exchanged notes and we gave them what we collected,” CIDG Region 7 Chief Investigator Chief Insp. Rex Derilo told reporters after the briefing at his office inside the CCPO compound.

“They were actually here for the Kusaka case but we included Taro Suda’s case… We discussed how the incidents transpired, when, and the extent of our investigation, and even the developments of the case,” he added.

None of the Japanese contingent talked to the media after the briefing when sought for their statements.

But Derilo disclosed that so far, their Japanese counterparts were helpful as far as providing a picture of the victims’ “affiliations and friends.” He refused, however, to go into details, saying the new pieces of information will still be utilized in the investigation.

But Derilo categorically said that so far, any Japanese national has yet to surface in their probe as possible mastermind or conspirator in the killing of Suda and Kusaka.

“We will be discussing the technical aspect soon but as of now, what we need is their identification of other affiliation of these victims, the identities of the friends of these victims,” Derilo said of the assistance provided by the Japanese policemen.

“That’s just one of their contribution, but we need more from them. But as of now, we can move on even without them because the technical assistance will follow,” he added.

But after the briefing, which started past 9am until shortly past 11 am, the Japanese contingent were seen gathering more information from the scene of the crime operatives. They even inspected again the van that was carrying Kusaka at the time he was shot. The inspection lasted from 11:45 am until shortly past 1pm.

The contingent then proceeded to the crime scene in Mandaue City at around 2:30 pm.

They capped their day in an assessment meeting at the CIDG 7 office here.

Derilo said that during the briefing, they told the Japanese contingent that while they were focusing their probe on the Kusaka case, they arrived closer in solving the case of Suda.

He likened their investigation to “hitting two birds” at one time.

When asked if this means there could be a similar set of suspects in the Suda and Kusaka case, Derilo said: “Yeah, same group, same suspects. And in fact, after this, we will not be solving those cases only. We will be solving other unsolved cases too.”

Without citing details to avoid jeopardizing their investigation, Derilo explained his statement about getting closer in solving the Suda case by saying that they already have testimonies and physical evidence implicating some suspects.

These pieces of evidence, unfortunately, are what they do not have to implicate the same set of suspects on the Kusaka case, said Derilo.

“We already know the identities of these two murder incidents’ suspects but we can’t disclose to you who they are,” Derilo said.

Derilo said they are still investigating if Ramon Baclohan, who was killed inside his house in Zapatera village the other day, is really involved in the two Japanese murder cases. The same thing with Baclohan’s alleged companion, Aristotle Aves, who was arrested earlier on December 3 at the Mandaue City port.

Asked categorically if they already have leads to link Baclohan and Aves to the killing of Suda and Kusaka, Derilo only said: “I won’t disclose that. What I can say is we are in the right direction.”

Pressed if the raid against Baclohan’s house helped them become enlightened about the Kusaka and Suda cases, he said: “Actually, if I have to discuss in details, it will complicate our operation because one complication will affect the entire investigation. Not only one, two cases, but we will be solving more than that. So if we will do it in a haphazard manner, it will compromise our investigation and eventually, we can never arrest anyone behind these killings.”

But he pointed out that among the guns and ammunitions recovered from Baclohan’s residence, none apparently matches with the weapon used to kill Suda and Kusaka.

Without linking Baclohan and Aves to the killing of Suda and Kusaka, CCPO Director Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador said the former has been tagged as alleged broker for gun-fore-hire operations in the city, which Aves and other suspects execute.

Aves is now detained at the Cebu City jail because of standing homicide cases./DMS

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Possible suspect in Kusaka case, Cebu City cop killed in shootout

By Ronron
December 10, 2007

A possible suspect in the killing of a Japanese national in Cebu province last month died in a shootout with policemen Monday afternoon in Cebu City.

Chief Insp. Rex Derilo of the Region 7 Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview last night that a Cebu City cop was also killed in said incident that happened at around 2:30 pm in Cebu City.

Derilo said joint operatives from CIDG Region 7 and the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) were trying to effect a search warrant at the possible suspect’s house when the latter fired at them.

PO1 Edario Manatag of the CCPO Homicide Section identified the possible suspect as Ramon Baclohan, 53, resident of Jaime Compound at Sitio Sab-a in Barangay Zapatera of said city.

“The operatives were supposed to find out if he (Baclohan) was involved in the killing of the Japanese national in Mandaue City last month,” Manatag told Manila Shimbun in the Cebuano dialect in a separate phone interview last night.

Manatag was referring to the killing of Japanese businessman Hiroshi Kusaka, 49, last November 13 in Mandaue City.

Kusaka was supposed to catch a flight to Japan when two suspects riding on a motorcycle shot him while he was aboard a van. The suspects fled after the incident.

Manatag said the search warrant against Baclohan was for an alleged illegal possession of firearm. The warrant was issued by Cebu City Regional Trial Court Branch 9 Judge Faith Econg.

But Manatag disclosed that, Baclohan, as far as the Homicide Section knows, has no standing arrest warrants or criminal records.

However, Derilo said they have unconfirmed reports that Baclohan had been involved in past criminal activities in Metropolitan Cebu.

“As of now, we have no solid proof to link him to the killing of Hiroshi Kusaka. We will still look into this,” Derilo said in the Cebuano dialect when asked of Baclohan’s possible involvement to the Kusaka case.

According to Manatag, when police operatives arrived at Baclohan’s place yesterday, the other residents told them that their target was not around.

The police, however, decided to enter Baclohan’s house, which was very dark at that time, since they were armed anyway with a search warrant.

When the police operatives switched on the light inside the house, Baclohan, who was hiding inside a bedroom, suddenly opened fire, hitting PO1 Noriel Luage on the right side of his face.

This prompted the other policemen to shoot Baclohan, hitting him on his right temple, causing later his death.

Recovered from Baclohan was a homemade caliber 357, said Manatag.

Meanwhile, Luage, who is in his 20’s, died while being treated at the Chong Hua Hospital in said city.

Derilo said there will be follow up operations to yesterday’s incident, which hopefully could shed light to the Kusaka killing incident./DMS

PNP denies torture claim of Jamiri, maintains case against Salappudin, Hatamans remains strong

By Ronron
December 10, 2007

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday denied the claim of former Tuburan, Basilan Mayor Hajarun Jamiri that he was tortured while under police custody to point at former Basilan Rep. Gerry Salappudin, Anak Mindanao Party-list Rep. Mujiv Hataman and that latter’s brother, Jim Hataman, as the mastermind of the November 13 bombing at the Batasan Complex in Quezon City.

PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said he is “sure” the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) will not hurt Jamiri because they are aware that “any evidence that is taken using torture or by force cannot be used in court, so our efforts to solve the case will just be put to waste if we do it.”

CIDG chief Dir. Edgardo Doromal said Jamiri could just be recanting his earlier statement “perhaps” to save his own skin.

While Razon could not provide any possible reason for Jamiri’s recantation, he acknowledged that it is really possible for suspects to do it.

Doromal categorically denied hurting Jamiri while he was under police custody from the time he was arrested on November 19 in Manila City until he was released December 3 after posting bail for the crime of illegal possession of firearm.

Asked how could Jamiri have sustained the injuries he showed through photographs, Doromal only said that for a while, Jamiri was not exposed to the media after his release from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

Razon, nonetheless, said that he has ordered an internal probe into Jamiri’s claim, saying “we cannot allow the use of torture and other illegal means to be incorporated in the investigation procedures of our policemen.”

“That is illegal,” Razon said.

Doromal, meanwhile, warned that the CIDG could charge Jamiri with perjury because of his recantation.

“If warranted, because he already gave his first statement, and now he is saying he was just tortured and forced to sign that statement, we might file perjury against him,” Doromal said.

For the meantime, Doromal said they will take the initial statement of Jamiri as it is. “His first statement will stay.”

But should it no longer be considered by the Department of Justice, Doromal said they are confident their case against Salappudin, and the other suspects, will remain strong.

Doromal pointed out that Jamiri is not in fact even a witness.

“He is one of the suspects also, he was part of the conspiracy. And we have three other suspects who were arrested (in Payatas, Quezon City on November 15), and they have corroborative statements with Jamiri’s first statement in fact,” Doromal said.

Razon, for his part, acknowledged that Jamiri’s recantation could provide a setback to the police investigation. But he said they will just double their effort to build up their case against Salappudin and the Hatamans, and the other suspects.

“We are not totally reversed (because of Jamiri’s recantation),” he said.

Quoting the statements of the accused under police custody, Razon reiterated that Salappudin and the Hatamans allegedly plotted the November 13 bombing to kill Basilan Rep. Wahab Akbar, one of the five fatalities in said incident.

The motive is allegedly politics, but Salappudin and the Hatamans denied it./DMS

Soldiers will not perform poll duties on December 15

By Ronron
December 10, 2007

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. has not allowed soldiers to perform election duties during the upcoming December 15 special polls in some parts in Mindanao and in Pasay City, a military commander said on Monday.

Maj. Gen. Nelson Allaga, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command, said that upon the order of Teodoro, all military personnel will just be tasked to secure areas where the special elections will be held.

“We will just be limited to providing security. Anyway, Task Force Comet, which is based in Jolo, is already taking care of the security preparations there. They can do it,” Allaga told Defense reporters in a phone interview.

The special elections for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials will be held in 319 villages in Sulu, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Cotabato, Shariff Kabunsuan, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur, and Pasay City.

Voting in these areas during the October 29 elections did not push through due to various forms of security threats that resulted, among others, the refusal of teachers to perform election duties.

Allaga said that should teachers decide not to perform again as election tellers on Saturday, they are expecting the Commission on Election (Comelec) to deputize instead police personnel, instead of soldiers.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez, for his part, confirmed that only the Philippine National Police (PNP) was deputized to provide security during the conduct of the special polls.

“For Sulu, we can just talk about increased police strength there to address the possible high security threat. We have not deputized the AFP because we have not changed yet the Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of National Defense (DND) that only in cases of serious armed threat can the AFP be called in,” Jimenez said in separate phone interview.

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao, Jr. said in a separate interview that the PNP has already prepared for its role this Saturday.

“It’s the usual stuff that the police do when we are deputized. We’re there to ensure the security of the election process, that transport of election paraphernalia, ensuring that the election supervisors or tellers will be able to safely perform their duties, and after that, the canvassing, and brining back of the accountable forms to the municipal treasurer’s office,” Pagdilao said.

As to the performance of some police personnel as election officers, Pagdilao said: “We can do that if we are deputized by the Comelec, if they issue an order. We already did that in Lanao del Sur in the previous elections where police officers acted as election inspectors.”

Allaga said the military forces have already coordinated with the police for the security preparations, especially in Sulu where an improvised explosive device went off late Saturday night in front of the provincial Comelec office.

As regards their operations against Islamic militant rebels in Sulu and Basilan, Allaga said: “Our operations are ongoing as intelligence reports come. But our focus is just a little bit distracted because there were failure of elections in 70 barangays in Sulu (last October 29).”

The MOA between the Comelec and the DND that was signed in October 2006 was arrived at following the controversial “Hello Garci” tape exposure wherein several officers were implicated in alleged vote rigging operations during the May 2004 Presidential polls./DMS

Security at Makati court tightened today

By Ronron
December 10, 2007

The security at the Makati City court will be tightened for today’s (Tuesday) hearing of the coup d’ etat case of the Magdalo group to avoid another walkout of some of the accused like what happened last November 29.

At least 1,300 military and police forces will be deployed for the security set-up that will begin from the route of the accused up to the Makati City hall building itself, officials said Monday.

Southern Police District (SPD) chief Chief Supt. Luizo Ticman said the security forces will be composed of the following: 1,100 from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM); 70 from the Makati City Police; 120 from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center; and, 70 from the SPD Swat.

“This is sizeable because we wouldn’t want another walkout or escape staged by the group of Trillanes,” PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said.

During the November 29 hearing at the Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 148, 14 of the accused Magdalo officers and soldiers walked out as defense witness Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim was about to undergo cross-examination. Lim was testifying on his personal knowledge about the agreement arrived at that ended the takeover by the Magdalo Group of the Oakwood Hotel also in Makati City last July 27, 2003.

The accused who walked out, led by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, marched, along with Lim, towards the Manila Peninsula Hotel, which they took over for five to six hours and where they called for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

In an interview at Camp Aguinaldo, NCRCOM spokesman Capt. Carlo Ferrer said NCRCOM chief Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa assured that the November 29 incident “will never happen again.”

“(Gen. Mesa) commanded the troops to prevent at all cost a repeat of the walkout of the accused,” Ferrer said.

Ferrer said the troops from the NCRCOM will come from the Philippine Army’s 48th Infantry Battalion and the Philippine Air Force’ 750th Combat Group.

He said half of the military troops will be securing the Makati City hall premises, while the rest will be dispersed in the route of the accused from Camp Crame in Quezon City and Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.

Aside from the sizeable military personnel, the AFP has also set up a communications van outside the Makati City hall, Ferrer said.

He said among the scenarios being considered is the possible escape of the accused through the Pasig River located behind the city hall building.

Ferrer said until authorities are able to account for the missing suspects in the November 29 incident, the government will always take into consideration that the detained suspects might escape or be sprung out by their sympathizers./DMS

Monday, December 10, 2007

Kuwaiti Emir commutes Ranario’s sentence to life from death – Malacanang

By Ronron
December 9, 2007

The Emir of Kuwait on Sunday commuted the death sentence of convicted Filipino housemaid Marilou Ranario to life imprisonment following a personal appeal made by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and other Philippine officials.

Arroyo’s spokesman, Ignacio Bunye, said in a statement that Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al Sabah met with the Philippine leader and her party yesterday from 12:30 pm to 12:55 pm Kuwaiti time at the Bayan Palace in Kuwait.

“Normally, I don’t interfere in the judicial process. We have separate judicial system. But since you are here to personally appeal for her, I will not sign the decree of execution,” Bunye quoted the Emir as telling Arroyo during the meeting in which he was also a part of.

“That is within my power. I will reduce the penalty to life and when the other parties sign the forgiveness, I will further reduce the penalty,” the Emir added.

Bunye said “Arroyo thanked the Emir for his compassion,” after which, the Philippine delegation was invited by the Emir to lunch.

Bunye said present during the meeting with the Emir aside from himself was Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Ambassador Ricardo Endaya, Senator Edgardo Angara, and Rep. Aurelio Gonzales, Jr.

Before arriving at Kuwait from Arroyo’s European working trip, the Philippine government had already expected a “reprieve” for Ranario, a 34-year-old elementary teacher from Surigao del Norte who opted to work as a domestic helper in Kuwait in December 2003.

Ranario was convicted by the Kuwaiti court for stabbing to death her lady employer in January 2005. Ranario, through her lawyers, claimed it was in self-defense and a result of paranoia brought about by her employer’s maltreatment./DMS

Four earthquakes jolt RP within almost two hours

By Ronron
December 9, 2007

Four earthquakes jolted the Philippines within a span of two hours on Sunday, although no damages were reported, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) chief said.

According to Dr. Renato Solidum, the first quake was recorded at 11:57 am with a 3.9 magnitude, affecting Sto. Domingo (Intensity III) and Abra/Sinait (Intensity II) towns in Ilocos Sur.

The second followed at 1:22 pm, registering a magnitude of 5.3. It shook Oras and Can-Avid towns in Eastern Samar at Intensity IV; Catarman in Northern Samar, and Brorongan in Eastern Samar at Itensity III; and, Tacloban in Leyte, and Irosin in Sorsogon at Intensity II.

At 1:34 pm, the third quake happened with a 3.4 magnitude, rocking Can-Avid town again at Intensity II.

“The 1:22 pm and 1:34 pm quakes in Eastern Samar are related,” Solidum said.

The last quake happened at 1:54 pm with a magnitude of 3.1, affecting Pasuquin in Ilocos Norte at Intensity III, and Sinait again at Intensity II.

This last quake, Solidum said, is not related, however, to the 11:57 am incident, nor to the 1:22 pm and 1:34 pm earthquakes.

But he said all four earthquakes were tectonic in origin and emanated only from shallow level.

“There were no damages because these are just weak intensities. We expect damages during Intensity 6 and above,” Solidum said./DMS

PNP readies security measures for Christmas season

By Ronron
December 9, 2007

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has begun preparing its security measures for the upcoming Christmas season, its spokesman said Sunday.

Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao, Jr. said in a radio interview that PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. has already issued a letter of instruction (LOI) to all police regional and unit commanders, alerting them of what to do to ensure that crimes are prevented from happening.

Quoting the LOI, Pagdilao said all field commanders were given three specific instructions: 1) information campaign; 2) intensified intelligence gathering; and, 3) additional street patrols.

He said the directive is expected to be handed down to precinct commanders all over the country.

“First in our operation plan is the conduct of information campaign so our citizenry will have additional tips about taking extra caution because that is the best ante-dote against being victimized by criminals, especially when they go to flea markets and shopping malls,” Pagdilao said in Filipino.

“Second is the intelligence-gathering. We need this as preemptive measure particularly against groups that are out to commit crimes like robbery and other petty crimes,” he added.

“Third is the preventive measure, which is placing additional patrol men. In Metro Manila, I think they are deploying additional 1,000 but if necessary, the national headquarters can augment that on-the-need basis,” Pagdilao said.

He said the additional policemen will be placed in malls, flea markets like in Divisoria, and in entertainment areas.

“We are adding policemen for crime prevention,” Pagdilao explained./DMS

Blast rocks Comelec office in Sulu ahead of special polls

By Ronron
December 9, 2007

A week before special elections for barangay and youth officials will be held in Sulu and elsewhere in Mindanao and Pasay City, an explosion rocked the Commission in Elections (Comelec) office there on Saturday night, police said Sunday.

Supt. Danilo Bacas, Police Regional Operations and Plans chief in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said in a phone interview that the blast happened at around 10:30 pm, although no casualty was reported.

“The improvised explosive device (IED) that went off was placed inside a trash can in front of the Comelec Office at the Capitol complex of Sulu in Jolo (town),” Bacas said in Filipino.

While there was no casualty reported, he said minor damages were sustained in the Comelec’s office since the blast ripped through the latter’s façade. He said the trash can was placed right in front of the Comelec office.

“There is an ongoing investigation now to determine the suspect and the type of bomb used. Meanwhile, the area was immediately secured by our policemen there and elements of the Task Force Comet of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Bacas said.

Bacas said they are looking into the angle that the blast is related to the scheduled special elections for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials on December 15 in 319 villages in Sulu, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Cotabato, Shariff Kabunsuan, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur and Pasay City.

“It (explosion) could not have been intended for a particular person as target,” Bacas said.

The Comelec has set the holding of special elections after voting in the above-mentioned areas last October 29 did not push through due to various security reasons.

Starting Monday, a total gun ban in the 319 villages will take effect “to prevent the recurrence of violent incidents” in said areas. The gun ban will last until December 20, the Comelec had earlier said in a resolution.

Exempted from the gun ban are members of the Philippine National Police, the AFP, and other law enforcement agencies deputized by the Comelec./DMS