By Ronron
February 15, 2008
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said Friday that he will not defect from the Arroyo administration amidst the current calls for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and other Cabinet members to resign due to the alleged irregularity in the government deal with ZTE Corporation for the National Broadband Network (NBN) project last year.
“Why should I defect? I will continue to serve and protect the duly constituted government, and I don’t intend to defect,” Razon said in an interview at Camp Crame, Quezon City yesterday morning.
Razon said he wants to find out who are those who want him to resign just so he would supposedly save his reputation because he said it might just be a trap to effect the downfall of the Arroyo government.
“In my view, I don’t see a reason for me to resign. There is no reason for me to quit my post. I am just serving my country. And I think I have no shortcomings before my countrymen,” he said.
In a statement, the Police Cavaliers Association, Inc. (PACI), chaired by Deputy Director General Emmanuel Carta, the PNP Directorial Staff chief, expressed support to Razon, and tagged as “totally uncalled for” the suggestions that Razon must resign.
The PACI is an organization of alumni of the Philippine Military Academy who are in the active police service.
“Especially now that the PNP is being dragged into a national controversy, we are pouring all our support to our PNP chief and look up to him to lead the organization,” PACI President Chief Supt. Romeo Hilomen said.
Like the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the PNP, said Razon, remains united and solid behind the Arroyo government.
But rebel soldiers, led by Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, erstwhile commander of the Scout Rangers Regiment, continue to ask the people, including those in the active service, to denounce the Arroyo government.
In a hand-written statement dated February 14, 2008, Lim, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, and 11 other officers who are all detained at Camp Crame for the November 29, 2007 incident at the Manila Peninsula Hotel said in Filipino: “It’s time to decide! It’s time to make a stand! It’s time to move! It’s time to choose a new leader for our country!”
The group said they join the people in supporting Rodolfo Lozada, Jr., who testified on the alleged irregularity in the NBN-ZTE deal./DMS
Friday, February 15, 2008
Guinsaugon survivors appeal for investors in St. Bernard town
By Ronron
February 15, 2008
Two years after the tragic landslide in St. Bernard town in Southern Leyte that covered the entire Barangay Guinsaugon, survivors are seeking for the local government to draw in investors so they will have a regular source of living as they occupy their temporary new houses.
Nancy Cajes, 34, told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview Friday that she had to leave the housing unit she got from Gawad Kalinga (GK) at the New Guinsaugon Village (NGV) for Manila because the income of her husband is not sufficient to sustain their living.
“I had nothing to do there (in St. Bernard) while I was there. And my husband’s income here in Manila where he works as a welder is not enough for us because we are also supporting some close relatives,” Cajes said in mixed Cebuano and Tagalog dialects.
Employed as a nanny to a five-year-old boy in Fairview, Quezon City since May 2007, Cajes said she and her husband now have P5,000 more in their income compared to when she remained at the NGV in Barangay Magbagacay in St. Bernard.
NGV chairman Felix Coquilla said Cajes is just one of some residents in NGV who have left their housing units to the care of relatives to find greener pasture elsewhere, including Metro Manila.
Coquilla said that of the 330 housing units at NGV donated by GK, Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), and the Japan International Coordinating Agency (JICA), about 20 percent have been left by original occupants to the care of their relatives.
He said they are either recipients who opted to work in Metro Manila or orphans who preferred to study in Butuan City, Cebu City or Maasin City.
The remaining residents, said Coquilla, resort to construction jobs, farming, and running small variety stores to sustain their living in town.
“A regular source of income is really the problem here. I hope there will be interested investors here who will put up a company or factory that will provide a permanent job to our people here,” Coquilla said.
Cajes shared Coquilla’s thoughts. “Even I might consider going home if I will get a permanent job there,” she said.
Coquilla boasted of the town’s abaca production that must be exploited by investors for export or domestic consumption.
He said he believes the survivors of the Guinsaugon tragedy on February 17, 2006 have already recovered from the incident, and are ready to take permanent jobs if available.
Coquilla admitted that for a while, when donors supplied his fellow survivors with regular food rations, some residents became lazy in helping their selves.
He said he would even see some residents just drink the afternoon away with liquor, although when asked, would claim they just want to forget the tragedy that still lingers in their minds.
“I understand them of course because they lost some family members. But I remind them that after getting intoxicated, does that mean they will have to drink again because they are reminded again of the tragedy?,” Coquilla said in Cebuano.
But when the rations stopped last year, Coquilla said the people realized that they have no choice but to help themselves.
“I don’t believe they are lazy by nature. I know that if there are job opportunities here, these people will really work,” said Coquilla.
Coquilla recounted that prior to the tragedy, the people of Guinsaugon did not have much difficulty like they are in now because of the vast farmland then. He said they had the ricefield, coconut plantation, and the abaca plantation that people get their income from.
On Sunday, during the second anniversary of the tragedy, a mass will be held near the landslide site at 9am.
Over a hundred persons were recovered dead while about a thousand others were buried alive and remain unearthed when mixed boulders and mud came down from Mt. Kan-Abag in Barangay Guinsaugon on February 17 two years ago due to continuous rains in the province./DMS
February 15, 2008
Two years after the tragic landslide in St. Bernard town in Southern Leyte that covered the entire Barangay Guinsaugon, survivors are seeking for the local government to draw in investors so they will have a regular source of living as they occupy their temporary new houses.
Nancy Cajes, 34, told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview Friday that she had to leave the housing unit she got from Gawad Kalinga (GK) at the New Guinsaugon Village (NGV) for Manila because the income of her husband is not sufficient to sustain their living.
“I had nothing to do there (in St. Bernard) while I was there. And my husband’s income here in Manila where he works as a welder is not enough for us because we are also supporting some close relatives,” Cajes said in mixed Cebuano and Tagalog dialects.
Employed as a nanny to a five-year-old boy in Fairview, Quezon City since May 2007, Cajes said she and her husband now have P5,000 more in their income compared to when she remained at the NGV in Barangay Magbagacay in St. Bernard.
NGV chairman Felix Coquilla said Cajes is just one of some residents in NGV who have left their housing units to the care of relatives to find greener pasture elsewhere, including Metro Manila.
Coquilla said that of the 330 housing units at NGV donated by GK, Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), and the Japan International Coordinating Agency (JICA), about 20 percent have been left by original occupants to the care of their relatives.
He said they are either recipients who opted to work in Metro Manila or orphans who preferred to study in Butuan City, Cebu City or Maasin City.
The remaining residents, said Coquilla, resort to construction jobs, farming, and running small variety stores to sustain their living in town.
“A regular source of income is really the problem here. I hope there will be interested investors here who will put up a company or factory that will provide a permanent job to our people here,” Coquilla said.
Cajes shared Coquilla’s thoughts. “Even I might consider going home if I will get a permanent job there,” she said.
Coquilla boasted of the town’s abaca production that must be exploited by investors for export or domestic consumption.
He said he believes the survivors of the Guinsaugon tragedy on February 17, 2006 have already recovered from the incident, and are ready to take permanent jobs if available.
Coquilla admitted that for a while, when donors supplied his fellow survivors with regular food rations, some residents became lazy in helping their selves.
He said he would even see some residents just drink the afternoon away with liquor, although when asked, would claim they just want to forget the tragedy that still lingers in their minds.
“I understand them of course because they lost some family members. But I remind them that after getting intoxicated, does that mean they will have to drink again because they are reminded again of the tragedy?,” Coquilla said in Cebuano.
But when the rations stopped last year, Coquilla said the people realized that they have no choice but to help themselves.
“I don’t believe they are lazy by nature. I know that if there are job opportunities here, these people will really work,” said Coquilla.
Coquilla recounted that prior to the tragedy, the people of Guinsaugon did not have much difficulty like they are in now because of the vast farmland then. He said they had the ricefield, coconut plantation, and the abaca plantation that people get their income from.
On Sunday, during the second anniversary of the tragedy, a mass will be held near the landslide site at 9am.
Over a hundred persons were recovered dead while about a thousand others were buried alive and remain unearthed when mixed boulders and mud came down from Mt. Kan-Abag in Barangay Guinsaugon on February 17 two years ago due to continuous rains in the province./DMS
AFP brings in troops and tanks from Tarlac for Metro Manila security
By Ronron
February 15, 2008
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) brought in on Friday morning in Metro Manila a company-size of troops and several tanks from a military camp in Tarlac province to help the National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM) respond to contingencies when requested by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
NCRCOM spokesman Capt. Carlo Ferrer said the elements and assets of the 1st Armored Company of the Philippine Army’s Light Armored Division arrived in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City in two batches – the first at 1am, and the second at around 11:30 am yesterday.
They consist of 95 personnel, three V150 tanks, three Simba tanks, two Scorpion tanks, one humvee and one six-by-six truck.
“One company of Armored unit coming from the Light Armed Division of the Philippine Army based in Camp O’ Donnel, Capas, Tarlac will be augmenting the NCRCOM, AFP for its operational readiness to ensure that the socio-economic and political activities within NCR will continue to be unhampered and to enable the populace to feel secured,” Ferrer said.
“The arrival of said armed unit will reinforce forces of NCRCOM, which is on red alert status primarily because of the reported CPP/NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army) and other threat groups’ planned activities within NCR. Said forces are available just in case the NCRPO will request for augmentation,” he added.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said the NCRPO has set aside 2,000 policemen to secure the anti-Arroyo rally in Makati City from 4pm until 8pm yesterday.
The police and military had said that suspected communist rebels reportedly plan to infiltrate the rally, prompting the NCRCOM to raise the alert level to highest status 7pm of Wednesday.
The NCRPO and the rest of the police regional offices followed at 5pm Thursday by going on heightened alert status.
NCRPO chief Dir. Geary Barias said that as of 5:30 pm, the rally was very peaceful and orderly.
The strength of the rallysists, according to Barias, reached a peak of 8,000, although Renato Reyes, Secretary-General of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), one of the rally organizers, said the participants reached close to 12,000, much higher than their expected of 5,000.
Earlier in the day, Razon belittled the possibility that the rally was going to transform into something like the 1986 People Power Revolution and the 2001 People Power Revolution that resulted to regime change.
“No. I think the people are already fed up with it, and they just want the country to move on and for our economy to strengthen, for people to have job, and for our country to progress. People Power and coup d’ etat will just detract our moving forward,” he told reporters at Camp Crame./DMS
February 15, 2008
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) brought in on Friday morning in Metro Manila a company-size of troops and several tanks from a military camp in Tarlac province to help the National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM) respond to contingencies when requested by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
NCRCOM spokesman Capt. Carlo Ferrer said the elements and assets of the 1st Armored Company of the Philippine Army’s Light Armored Division arrived in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City in two batches – the first at 1am, and the second at around 11:30 am yesterday.
They consist of 95 personnel, three V150 tanks, three Simba tanks, two Scorpion tanks, one humvee and one six-by-six truck.
“One company of Armored unit coming from the Light Armed Division of the Philippine Army based in Camp O’ Donnel, Capas, Tarlac will be augmenting the NCRCOM, AFP for its operational readiness to ensure that the socio-economic and political activities within NCR will continue to be unhampered and to enable the populace to feel secured,” Ferrer said.
“The arrival of said armed unit will reinforce forces of NCRCOM, which is on red alert status primarily because of the reported CPP/NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army) and other threat groups’ planned activities within NCR. Said forces are available just in case the NCRPO will request for augmentation,” he added.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said the NCRPO has set aside 2,000 policemen to secure the anti-Arroyo rally in Makati City from 4pm until 8pm yesterday.
The police and military had said that suspected communist rebels reportedly plan to infiltrate the rally, prompting the NCRCOM to raise the alert level to highest status 7pm of Wednesday.
The NCRPO and the rest of the police regional offices followed at 5pm Thursday by going on heightened alert status.
NCRPO chief Dir. Geary Barias said that as of 5:30 pm, the rally was very peaceful and orderly.
The strength of the rallysists, according to Barias, reached a peak of 8,000, although Renato Reyes, Secretary-General of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), one of the rally organizers, said the participants reached close to 12,000, much higher than their expected of 5,000.
Earlier in the day, Razon belittled the possibility that the rally was going to transform into something like the 1986 People Power Revolution and the 2001 People Power Revolution that resulted to regime change.
“No. I think the people are already fed up with it, and they just want the country to move on and for our economy to strengthen, for people to have job, and for our country to progress. People Power and coup d’ etat will just detract our moving forward,” he told reporters at Camp Crame./DMS
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Arroyo kill plot by ASG, JI alive – AFP, PNP
By Ronron
February 14, 2008
Philippine military chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said Thursday that Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) elements are out to assassinate President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
In a news conference at Camp Aguinaldo, Esperon said the plot is "a rolling plan," wherein the ASG and JI elements will hit if they have the opportunity.
"We have now a report on an active attempt on the life of the President herself and this has become the basis of our actions for putting the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in full state of preparedness," he said.
"You can name it but I know that one is by direct assassination by a sniper," he said when asked how the plot will be executed.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said the police got the report from documents turned over to police by a security guard in Metro Manila last week.
"In the ensuing investigation, it was learned that the documents were recovered in a parking lot somewhere in the Metro Manila area. It was initially theorized that the documents were accidentally left by its owner," Razon said in a statement.
According to him, the documents contained writings in Arabic text and when translated, disclosed plans of monitoring some embassies and carrying out bombings, as well as targeting the President.
"After an initial analysis, the (PNP Intelligence Group) concluded that the documents outlined a plan to case monitor several locations and individuals to include (Arroyo). In its report, the IG stated that it is certain that the movements of the President, particularly the presidential convoy, are being monitored," Razon said.
Razon said it appears from the document that those behind the plots are the ASG and JI, and they initially learned that the supposed perpetrators are already in the capital.
Asked if this means the ASG and JI are already physically present in Metro Manila, Esperon just said: "We will give an update on that in due time."
Razon said follow up operations are ongoing against the supposed perpetrators.
While Esperon admitted that there are also other groups with the same plan, he opted not to disclose it yet due to ongoing efforts to validate it.
Razon explained that immediately after receiving the report, and having it initially checked by the PNP IG, they passed the information to the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and advised for the limited movement of the President.
The PNP also sought the assistance of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency on the matter, said Razon.
Esperon denied that the disclosure of the Arroyo kill plot was just an excuse for authorities to heighten the alert level in Metro Manila and nearby regions so as to discourage ordinary people from joining today's (Friday) rally in Makati City.
"We are doing this not out of the political question. We are simply acting as security forces and so we have deemed it necessary that we come up in the open about our assessment of the situation," he said.
Various groups – cause-oriented, militants, civilians, religious, and the political opposition – will gather at 4pm today at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas to express support to Rodolfo Lozada, Jr., a witness to the ZTE-NBN deal scandal.
The AFP National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM had already raised its alert level to the highest status at 7pm Wednesday in preparation for the rally, particularly because of reports that communist rebels will infiltrate the ranks of the mass demonstrators.
But aside from this alleged threat, Esperon said yesterday that a new group composed of former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who were allegedly responsible for the toppling of power transmission towers in Central Mindanao have plans also of attacking Metro Manila.
"As there had been a lot of agitations, some apprehensions brought about by charges and counter-charges in connection with the hearings at the Senate and there are further expressions of support in the form of rallies or some prayer rallies, we know that this could be taken advantage of by some groups. And so we are putting the Armed Forces of the Philippines in full state of preparedness," Esperon said.
Told that some sectors might question the timing of their coming out with the Arroyo kill plot, Esperon said: "Well, it would be better to say it now rather than say it when things have happened."
"I used to be with the Presidential Security Group so I must tell you that the assassination attempts (against the President) are real," he added.
Esperon said the kill plot report was one of the reasons why the PSG recommended that Arroyo no longer proceed to Baguio City this weekend for the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Alumni Homecoming.
While under a full state of preparedness, the entire AFP, said Esperon, should be prepared all the time to respond in cases of emergencies, especially when events turn violent.
"We are putting the (AFP) in full state of preparedness first, to support the Philippine National Police; second, to be in tandem with them (PNP); and third, to act unilaterally if there is a need to counter any violent actions from enemies of the State," he said.
Esperon said PNP forces will be expected to guard the entry points to Metro Manila today to conduct "routine checks" to prevent the entry of armed rebels who may join the ranks of rallyists.
And if there is a need for their troops, he said the AFP is prepared to send an augmentation force to police.
The military chief said they have nothing against the holding of the rally because it is part of the Constitutional rights of Filipinos. But he said the military and the police will closely monitor it because of the alleged threat of infiltration by communist rebels and terrorists.
At the same time, he assured that no member of the military is participating in political activities in support of Lozada, who has accused former Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos of getting a $130 million kickback from ZTE Corporation for brokering the National Broadband Network (NBN) project.
"As you also know, there have been a lot of disinformation that have been going around so I would like to take this opportunity to assure the public, the Filipino people that there is no truth to the rumors that some generals have signified their intention to join destabilization attempts. It is not also true that junior officers
have joined in this destabilization attempt," he said.
"These are simply rumors and disinformation messages that have been going around to put a crack on the solidarity of the Armed Forces of the Philippines," he added.
In a separate news conference at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City earlier in the day, Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano said he will not hesitate to take drastic action against Army enlisted personnel and officers who violate their Constitutional mandate to remain apolitical.
"We will strictly impose the laws that govern military discipline. We are all aware that any soldier who defies authority becomes an outlaw and a disgrace to his uniform. Such soldiers will be dealt with drastically," he said.
Yano admitted that there was a need for him to make a statement on their loyalty to the Constitution and Arroyo, the commander-in-chief of the AFP, because of the current political noise.
"At this point, I would like to assure you that the Armed Forces of the Philippines remains a very Constitutional organization, and it shall not allow any extra-legal action anytime. And therefore, we are ready to put our counter-forces against any attempt for any extra-legal action," Esperon said.
He said so far, no one has called him up from the oust Arroyo groups to get his support.
Esperon also denied reports that authorities are monitoring members of the media.
He said that while he shares the call of Lozada to end corruption in government, this does not mean he believes Lozada's account or dismisses it as pure lies.
"I can't say at this point that I believe him. I can't also say that it's false because so far, there is no evidence presented," Esperon said.
He said the issue brought out by Lozada should be brought to court to finally put an end to it./DMS
February 14, 2008
Philippine military chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said Thursday that Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) elements are out to assassinate President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
In a news conference at Camp Aguinaldo, Esperon said the plot is "a rolling plan," wherein the ASG and JI elements will hit if they have the opportunity.
"We have now a report on an active attempt on the life of the President herself and this has become the basis of our actions for putting the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in full state of preparedness," he said.
"You can name it but I know that one is by direct assassination by a sniper," he said when asked how the plot will be executed.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said the police got the report from documents turned over to police by a security guard in Metro Manila last week.
"In the ensuing investigation, it was learned that the documents were recovered in a parking lot somewhere in the Metro Manila area. It was initially theorized that the documents were accidentally left by its owner," Razon said in a statement.
According to him, the documents contained writings in Arabic text and when translated, disclosed plans of monitoring some embassies and carrying out bombings, as well as targeting the President.
"After an initial analysis, the (PNP Intelligence Group) concluded that the documents outlined a plan to case monitor several locations and individuals to include (Arroyo). In its report, the IG stated that it is certain that the movements of the President, particularly the presidential convoy, are being monitored," Razon said.
Razon said it appears from the document that those behind the plots are the ASG and JI, and they initially learned that the supposed perpetrators are already in the capital.
Asked if this means the ASG and JI are already physically present in Metro Manila, Esperon just said: "We will give an update on that in due time."
Razon said follow up operations are ongoing against the supposed perpetrators.
While Esperon admitted that there are also other groups with the same plan, he opted not to disclose it yet due to ongoing efforts to validate it.
Razon explained that immediately after receiving the report, and having it initially checked by the PNP IG, they passed the information to the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and advised for the limited movement of the President.
The PNP also sought the assistance of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency on the matter, said Razon.
Esperon denied that the disclosure of the Arroyo kill plot was just an excuse for authorities to heighten the alert level in Metro Manila and nearby regions so as to discourage ordinary people from joining today's (Friday) rally in Makati City.
"We are doing this not out of the political question. We are simply acting as security forces and so we have deemed it necessary that we come up in the open about our assessment of the situation," he said.
Various groups – cause-oriented, militants, civilians, religious, and the political opposition – will gather at 4pm today at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas to express support to Rodolfo Lozada, Jr., a witness to the ZTE-NBN deal scandal.
The AFP National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM had already raised its alert level to the highest status at 7pm Wednesday in preparation for the rally, particularly because of reports that communist rebels will infiltrate the ranks of the mass demonstrators.
But aside from this alleged threat, Esperon said yesterday that a new group composed of former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who were allegedly responsible for the toppling of power transmission towers in Central Mindanao have plans also of attacking Metro Manila.
"As there had been a lot of agitations, some apprehensions brought about by charges and counter-charges in connection with the hearings at the Senate and there are further expressions of support in the form of rallies or some prayer rallies, we know that this could be taken advantage of by some groups. And so we are putting the Armed Forces of the Philippines in full state of preparedness," Esperon said.
Told that some sectors might question the timing of their coming out with the Arroyo kill plot, Esperon said: "Well, it would be better to say it now rather than say it when things have happened."
"I used to be with the Presidential Security Group so I must tell you that the assassination attempts (against the President) are real," he added.
Esperon said the kill plot report was one of the reasons why the PSG recommended that Arroyo no longer proceed to Baguio City this weekend for the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Alumni Homecoming.
While under a full state of preparedness, the entire AFP, said Esperon, should be prepared all the time to respond in cases of emergencies, especially when events turn violent.
"We are putting the (AFP) in full state of preparedness first, to support the Philippine National Police; second, to be in tandem with them (PNP); and third, to act unilaterally if there is a need to counter any violent actions from enemies of the State," he said.
Esperon said PNP forces will be expected to guard the entry points to Metro Manila today to conduct "routine checks" to prevent the entry of armed rebels who may join the ranks of rallyists.
And if there is a need for their troops, he said the AFP is prepared to send an augmentation force to police.
The military chief said they have nothing against the holding of the rally because it is part of the Constitutional rights of Filipinos. But he said the military and the police will closely monitor it because of the alleged threat of infiltration by communist rebels and terrorists.
At the same time, he assured that no member of the military is participating in political activities in support of Lozada, who has accused former Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos of getting a $130 million kickback from ZTE Corporation for brokering the National Broadband Network (NBN) project.
"As you also know, there have been a lot of disinformation that have been going around so I would like to take this opportunity to assure the public, the Filipino people that there is no truth to the rumors that some generals have signified their intention to join destabilization attempts. It is not also true that junior officers
have joined in this destabilization attempt," he said.
"These are simply rumors and disinformation messages that have been going around to put a crack on the solidarity of the Armed Forces of the Philippines," he added.
In a separate news conference at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City earlier in the day, Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano said he will not hesitate to take drastic action against Army enlisted personnel and officers who violate their Constitutional mandate to remain apolitical.
"We will strictly impose the laws that govern military discipline. We are all aware that any soldier who defies authority becomes an outlaw and a disgrace to his uniform. Such soldiers will be dealt with drastically," he said.
Yano admitted that there was a need for him to make a statement on their loyalty to the Constitution and Arroyo, the commander-in-chief of the AFP, because of the current political noise.
"At this point, I would like to assure you that the Armed Forces of the Philippines remains a very Constitutional organization, and it shall not allow any extra-legal action anytime. And therefore, we are ready to put our counter-forces against any attempt for any extra-legal action," Esperon said.
He said so far, no one has called him up from the oust Arroyo groups to get his support.
Esperon also denied reports that authorities are monitoring members of the media.
He said that while he shares the call of Lozada to end corruption in government, this does not mean he believes Lozada's account or dismisses it as pure lies.
"I can't say at this point that I believe him. I can't also say that it's false because so far, there is no evidence presented," Esperon said.
He said the issue brought out by Lozada should be brought to court to finally put an end to it./DMS
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Military forces in Metro Manila go on highest alert
By Ronron
February 13, 2008
The military unit in Metro Manila went on full alert Wednesday evening after the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) ordered the New People’s Army (NPA) to intensify its offensives in the light of the alleged corruption in the Arroyo government bared by Rodolfo Lozada, Jr.
National Capital Region Command spokesman Capt. Carlo Ferrer said the full alert status, which directs all forces to be on duty, was effective 7pm yesterday.
“Said alert is not only because of the scheduled rally on Friday itself, but because of intelligence reports that the CPP/NPA will take advantage of the situation and will deploy their members in the NCR to infiltrate the ranks of the rallyists, and that they (NPA) may cause other destabilization activities to create confusion among the people and an atmosphere of chaos in NCR,” Ferrer said.
The CPP, in a statement early yesterday, urged their colleagues in the legal front “to muster the strength of several hundred thousands up to millions of the Filipino people and launch all possible forms of protest actions and movements in the National Capital Region and across the country to eventually cause the downfall” of the Arroyo government.
It said that their armed comrades have also been instructed to “further intensify tactical offensives in the next few weeks and months to help further weaken the Arroyo regime and contribute significantly to its ouster.”
“The CPP enjoins the Filipino people to wage revolutionary struggle to put an end to the entire reactionary ruling system. In the final analysis, only by waging and achieving victory in their revolutionary struggle can the Filipino people put a decisive end to the entire rotten, corrupt and repressive ruling system,” the CPP said.
Ferrer urged the organizers of the rally on Friday “to police their own ranks so they will not be infiltrated and will have an orderly and peaceful mass action.”
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Information Chief Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro, for his part, said that the declaration of the CPP “just shows the true color of the CPP-NPA.”
“They are going to ride on an issue like this to pursue their overall intention of grabbing power, and add to the worries of our countrymen,” he said.
“But the Armed Forces of the Philippines is ready to address the call of the CPP-NPA for intensified attacks. We are ready,” Bacarro said./DMS
February 13, 2008
The military unit in Metro Manila went on full alert Wednesday evening after the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) ordered the New People’s Army (NPA) to intensify its offensives in the light of the alleged corruption in the Arroyo government bared by Rodolfo Lozada, Jr.
National Capital Region Command spokesman Capt. Carlo Ferrer said the full alert status, which directs all forces to be on duty, was effective 7pm yesterday.
“Said alert is not only because of the scheduled rally on Friday itself, but because of intelligence reports that the CPP/NPA will take advantage of the situation and will deploy their members in the NCR to infiltrate the ranks of the rallyists, and that they (NPA) may cause other destabilization activities to create confusion among the people and an atmosphere of chaos in NCR,” Ferrer said.
The CPP, in a statement early yesterday, urged their colleagues in the legal front “to muster the strength of several hundred thousands up to millions of the Filipino people and launch all possible forms of protest actions and movements in the National Capital Region and across the country to eventually cause the downfall” of the Arroyo government.
It said that their armed comrades have also been instructed to “further intensify tactical offensives in the next few weeks and months to help further weaken the Arroyo regime and contribute significantly to its ouster.”
“The CPP enjoins the Filipino people to wage revolutionary struggle to put an end to the entire reactionary ruling system. In the final analysis, only by waging and achieving victory in their revolutionary struggle can the Filipino people put a decisive end to the entire rotten, corrupt and repressive ruling system,” the CPP said.
Ferrer urged the organizers of the rally on Friday “to police their own ranks so they will not be infiltrated and will have an orderly and peaceful mass action.”
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Information Chief Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro, for his part, said that the declaration of the CPP “just shows the true color of the CPP-NPA.”
“They are going to ride on an issue like this to pursue their overall intention of grabbing power, and add to the worries of our countrymen,” he said.
“But the Armed Forces of the Philippines is ready to address the call of the CPP-NPA for intensified attacks. We are ready,” Bacarro said./DMS
Trillanes, Lim, IBP express support to Lozada
By Ronron
February 13, 2008
Detained alleged mutineers Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and resigned Navy Lt. Senior Grade Antonio Trillanes IV have joined different groups supporting ZTE-NBN deal scandal witness Rodolfo Lozada, Jr.
In a one-page statement dated February 12, 2008, Lim and Trillanes “praised” what they say as “the courage and patriotism displayed” by Lozada “on his expose of yet another series of condemnable acts by the GMA administration.”
Lim and Trillanes are currently detained at Camp Crame, Quezon City for their participation in the alleged power grab plot last November 29, 2007 at Makati City. Other than that, Lim is also facing charges for his alleged participation in the failed coup attempt in February 2006, while Trillanes for his participation in the same attempt in July 2003.
Like them, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) also expressed support yesterday to Lozada and called for “zero corruption in all public procurements.”
“We are greatly appalled and concerned by the revelations made by ZTE-NBN deal witness Rodolfo ‘Jun’ Lozada, Jr. during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation. We condemn and oppose all kinds of corruption,” the IBP said in a statement.
“There could no be no ‘moderation of greed’,” it stressed, referring to the directive allegedly of former National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) chairman Romulo Neri on how Lozada should act on the intention of former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Benjamin Abalos to get a $130 million kickback from the National Broadband Network (NBN) project.
The IBP, chaired by Feliciano Bautista, said it “will provide necessary legal protection” to Lozada “if, in the end, he will be charged in court because of his revelations.”
In implicating Abalos, Lozada implied that First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo was aware of it.
“We will actively observe the proceedings before the Senate investigations by sending representatives thereto… We express our full support and uphold the integrity of the Senate and the Supreme Court, two branches of government that will not allow themselves to be used in snatching from our people their dignity and honor as a people,” the IBP said.
The IBP said it supports “the creation of an independent Citizen’s Commission that will continue the Senate investigation,” and “will take immediate action on complaints against lawyers who may have violated their oath and the Code of Professional Responsibility in connection with the Senate investigations on the ZTE-NBN deal.”
Lim and Trillanes hope that the revelations of Lozada “would be enough to finally convince the Filipino people to stand up and assert their sovereign power to choose a government that would truly protect their rights and fight for their interests.”
“As somebody once said: ‘The limits of a tyrant are defined by the patience of those whom he (she) oppresses’,” their statement reads.
The statement, which was apparently hand-written by opposition Senator Trillanes, was distributed yesterday by the family of officers facing court martial proceedings at Camp Aguinaldo over their alleged participation in the February 2006 coup attempt.
Like other officers in the military, Philippine Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Pedrito Cadungog warned soldiers yesterday against joining moves to grab power from the Arroyo government.
“Now, there are military officers claiming to be idealistic. I can say, they are not (idealistic), and they can go to hell,” Cadungog said.
Cadungog said he had been in both sides of the coin in the past, and any attempt to grab power is always violent and detrimental to ordinary Filipinos.
He said he was among the young officers who joined the People Power Revolution in 1986 to topple the Marcos regime, and the subsequent coup attempts against the Aquino administration. And he was also in Malacañang on May 1, 2001 to protect the Arroyo government from enraged supporters of deposed President Joseph Estrada.
Meanwhile, in reaction to the directive of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) for the New People’s Army to intensify their offensives in the next few weeks in the light of Lozada’s exposes, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Information Chief Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said: “This just shows the true color of the CPP-NPA. They are going to ride on an issue like this to pursue their overall intention of grabbing power, and add to the worries of our countrymen.”
“But the Armed Forces of the Philippines is ready to address the call of the CPP-NPA for intensified attacks. We are ready,” he added.
Praising Lozada, the CPP said in a statement yesterday that he actually “bared the immensity of the Arroyo regime’s capacity for greed, perfidy, malevolence, and fascist abuse of state power.”/DMS
February 13, 2008
Detained alleged mutineers Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and resigned Navy Lt. Senior Grade Antonio Trillanes IV have joined different groups supporting ZTE-NBN deal scandal witness Rodolfo Lozada, Jr.
In a one-page statement dated February 12, 2008, Lim and Trillanes “praised” what they say as “the courage and patriotism displayed” by Lozada “on his expose of yet another series of condemnable acts by the GMA administration.”
Lim and Trillanes are currently detained at Camp Crame, Quezon City for their participation in the alleged power grab plot last November 29, 2007 at Makati City. Other than that, Lim is also facing charges for his alleged participation in the failed coup attempt in February 2006, while Trillanes for his participation in the same attempt in July 2003.
Like them, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) also expressed support yesterday to Lozada and called for “zero corruption in all public procurements.”
“We are greatly appalled and concerned by the revelations made by ZTE-NBN deal witness Rodolfo ‘Jun’ Lozada, Jr. during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation. We condemn and oppose all kinds of corruption,” the IBP said in a statement.
“There could no be no ‘moderation of greed’,” it stressed, referring to the directive allegedly of former National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) chairman Romulo Neri on how Lozada should act on the intention of former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Benjamin Abalos to get a $130 million kickback from the National Broadband Network (NBN) project.
The IBP, chaired by Feliciano Bautista, said it “will provide necessary legal protection” to Lozada “if, in the end, he will be charged in court because of his revelations.”
In implicating Abalos, Lozada implied that First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo was aware of it.
“We will actively observe the proceedings before the Senate investigations by sending representatives thereto… We express our full support and uphold the integrity of the Senate and the Supreme Court, two branches of government that will not allow themselves to be used in snatching from our people their dignity and honor as a people,” the IBP said.
The IBP said it supports “the creation of an independent Citizen’s Commission that will continue the Senate investigation,” and “will take immediate action on complaints against lawyers who may have violated their oath and the Code of Professional Responsibility in connection with the Senate investigations on the ZTE-NBN deal.”
Lim and Trillanes hope that the revelations of Lozada “would be enough to finally convince the Filipino people to stand up and assert their sovereign power to choose a government that would truly protect their rights and fight for their interests.”
“As somebody once said: ‘The limits of a tyrant are defined by the patience of those whom he (she) oppresses’,” their statement reads.
The statement, which was apparently hand-written by opposition Senator Trillanes, was distributed yesterday by the family of officers facing court martial proceedings at Camp Aguinaldo over their alleged participation in the February 2006 coup attempt.
Like other officers in the military, Philippine Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Pedrito Cadungog warned soldiers yesterday against joining moves to grab power from the Arroyo government.
“Now, there are military officers claiming to be idealistic. I can say, they are not (idealistic), and they can go to hell,” Cadungog said.
Cadungog said he had been in both sides of the coin in the past, and any attempt to grab power is always violent and detrimental to ordinary Filipinos.
He said he was among the young officers who joined the People Power Revolution in 1986 to topple the Marcos regime, and the subsequent coup attempts against the Aquino administration. And he was also in Malacañang on May 1, 2001 to protect the Arroyo government from enraged supporters of deposed President Joseph Estrada.
Meanwhile, in reaction to the directive of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) for the New People’s Army to intensify their offensives in the next few weeks in the light of Lozada’s exposes, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Information Chief Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said: “This just shows the true color of the CPP-NPA. They are going to ride on an issue like this to pursue their overall intention of grabbing power, and add to the worries of our countrymen.”
“But the Armed Forces of the Philippines is ready to address the call of the CPP-NPA for intensified attacks. We are ready,” he added.
Praising Lozada, the CPP said in a statement yesterday that he actually “bared the immensity of the Arroyo regime’s capacity for greed, perfidy, malevolence, and fascist abuse of state power.”/DMS
Defense lawyers discover hidden camera during mutiny hearing against Miranda, Lim, et al
By Ronron
February 13, 2008
Defense lawyers saw a hidden camera pointed at them during Wednesday’s court martial hearing in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City against Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda and 27 others for their alleged mutinous activity in February 2006.
Atty. Vicente Caoile, lawyer for accused Marine Lt. Cols. Achilles Segumalian and Armando Bañez, discovered the small camera that was hidden in a colored green plastic flower decoration hung on the wall of the court room at Daza Park in Camp Aguinaldo.
Caoile said he suspected that it was not an ordinary decorative piece because during last week’s hearing, it was colored silver. The device was located at the back of the defense lawyers, pointing down at them.
“It was silver in color in last week’s hearing but now it was repainted green,” Caoile told the court after discovering the gadget at past 12 noon, or more than two hours since the start of the trial.
After calling the attention of the six-man panel led by Maj. Gen. Jogy Leo Fojas, the latter immediately ordered the military policemen inside the court room to remove it.
“We have not directed anybody to place surveillance cameras. I direct whoever installed that to remove it immediately. Then, we can proceed,” Fojas said.
Caoile complained that the use of the camera “is a violation of the anti-wiretapping law and the Human Security Act.”
“We object to the presence of this camera… Who knows, Big Brother is watching us?” he told the court.
Caoile surmised that it was being used to monitor and record the legal strategies of the defense lawyers, in violation, according to him, of a Supreme Court ruling.
Defense lawyer Trixie Angeles, who represents Army Captain Ruben Guinolbay, took a picture of the gadget after it was removed.
In a phone interview after the hearing, court martial spokesman Captain Edgardo Abad explained that the camera had already been there even before the hearing was transferred there last week from Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal.
He said the camera was being used to monitor the entrance of the hall, which is a actually a pavilion when not being used as a court room. The camera is connected to a CCTV.
Abad denied that it was used to monitor the legal strategies of the defense, although he admitted it was purposely painted green so the defense will not be conscious about it.
The court, meanwhile, failed to arraign the 28 accused after both prosecution and defense agreed to amend some of the charges and specifications in the case. The accused are facing charges for violation of various Articles of War, including mutiny./DMS
February 13, 2008
Defense lawyers saw a hidden camera pointed at them during Wednesday’s court martial hearing in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City against Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda and 27 others for their alleged mutinous activity in February 2006.
Atty. Vicente Caoile, lawyer for accused Marine Lt. Cols. Achilles Segumalian and Armando Bañez, discovered the small camera that was hidden in a colored green plastic flower decoration hung on the wall of the court room at Daza Park in Camp Aguinaldo.
Caoile said he suspected that it was not an ordinary decorative piece because during last week’s hearing, it was colored silver. The device was located at the back of the defense lawyers, pointing down at them.
“It was silver in color in last week’s hearing but now it was repainted green,” Caoile told the court after discovering the gadget at past 12 noon, or more than two hours since the start of the trial.
After calling the attention of the six-man panel led by Maj. Gen. Jogy Leo Fojas, the latter immediately ordered the military policemen inside the court room to remove it.
“We have not directed anybody to place surveillance cameras. I direct whoever installed that to remove it immediately. Then, we can proceed,” Fojas said.
Caoile complained that the use of the camera “is a violation of the anti-wiretapping law and the Human Security Act.”
“We object to the presence of this camera… Who knows, Big Brother is watching us?” he told the court.
Caoile surmised that it was being used to monitor and record the legal strategies of the defense lawyers, in violation, according to him, of a Supreme Court ruling.
Defense lawyer Trixie Angeles, who represents Army Captain Ruben Guinolbay, took a picture of the gadget after it was removed.
In a phone interview after the hearing, court martial spokesman Captain Edgardo Abad explained that the camera had already been there even before the hearing was transferred there last week from Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal.
He said the camera was being used to monitor the entrance of the hall, which is a actually a pavilion when not being used as a court room. The camera is connected to a CCTV.
Abad denied that it was used to monitor the legal strategies of the defense, although he admitted it was purposely painted green so the defense will not be conscious about it.
The court, meanwhile, failed to arraign the 28 accused after both prosecution and defense agreed to amend some of the charges and specifications in the case. The accused are facing charges for violation of various Articles of War, including mutiny./DMS
PNP to deploy 650 personnel on Friday’s rally in Makati City
By Ronron
February 13, 2008
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will deploy a total of 650 personnel on Friday when opposition, militant and civil society groups gather in Makati City to express support to ZTE-NBN deal scandal witness Rodolfo Noel “Jun” Lozada, Jr.
“We have already organized a civil disturbance management (CDM) team from RSAU (Regional Special Action Unit) and the different contingents from the (five police) districts,” Supt. Rhodel Sermonia, spokesman of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), said Wednesday.
He said each of the five police districts will contribute 100 personnel, while the RSAU will field 150 personnel. They will be armed with shields, knight sticks, whistle and helmets, and will not be allowed firearms.
Sermonia said elements of the Armed Forces National Capital Region Command will be on standby for possible augmentation upon the request of the NCRPO.
For today (Thursday), the police will try to talk with the rally organizers to establish communication lines and ground rules for tomorrow’s (Friday) activity, Sermonia said.
“We are calling on all organizers to make sure that the activity will be orderly. The should also police their ranks from violent infiltrators,” Sermonia said.
PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said they have yet to receive reports of destabilization plots against the Arroyo administration in the light of Lozada’s testimony and amidst calls for the President’s resignation, as well as of Commission on Higher Education Chairman Romulo Neri and Environment Secretary Lito Atienza.
“We only have this protest actions but our policy there is for maximum tolerance. We will allow those who want to hold demonstration rallies as long as they are peaceful. But we don’t see an indication that it will be a big rally,” Razon said./DMS
February 13, 2008
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will deploy a total of 650 personnel on Friday when opposition, militant and civil society groups gather in Makati City to express support to ZTE-NBN deal scandal witness Rodolfo Noel “Jun” Lozada, Jr.
“We have already organized a civil disturbance management (CDM) team from RSAU (Regional Special Action Unit) and the different contingents from the (five police) districts,” Supt. Rhodel Sermonia, spokesman of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), said Wednesday.
He said each of the five police districts will contribute 100 personnel, while the RSAU will field 150 personnel. They will be armed with shields, knight sticks, whistle and helmets, and will not be allowed firearms.
Sermonia said elements of the Armed Forces National Capital Region Command will be on standby for possible augmentation upon the request of the NCRPO.
For today (Thursday), the police will try to talk with the rally organizers to establish communication lines and ground rules for tomorrow’s (Friday) activity, Sermonia said.
“We are calling on all organizers to make sure that the activity will be orderly. The should also police their ranks from violent infiltrators,” Sermonia said.
PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said they have yet to receive reports of destabilization plots against the Arroyo administration in the light of Lozada’s testimony and amidst calls for the President’s resignation, as well as of Commission on Higher Education Chairman Romulo Neri and Environment Secretary Lito Atienza.
“We only have this protest actions but our policy there is for maximum tolerance. We will allow those who want to hold demonstration rallies as long as they are peaceful. But we don’t see an indication that it will be a big rally,” Razon said./DMS
PNP may sue Lozada for perjury and abuse of writ of habeas corpus
By Ronron
February 13, 2008
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is contemplating on filing a perjury case against Rodolfo Noel “Jun” Lozada, Jr., the key witness to the alleged anomalous deal between the government and ZTE Corporation for the National Broadband Network (NBN) project.
Razon told a news conference at Camp Crame yesterday that they will also study if Lozada could be held liable for “abuse of the writ of habeas corpus,” which his family filed before the Supreme Court a day after he claimed he was abducted by police agents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
“We are studying if perjury is applicable. We are also asking around if an abuse of the writ of habeas corpus is possible… But this is not yet sure. That is being studied by our legal service,” Razon said in Filipino.
Asked why perjury, Razon said: “He signed some documents wherein he claimed this was what really happened, when in fact it’s not.”
Razon insisted that it was the PNP that became a victim in the incident, and not Lozada, who had claimed he was taken against his will by government agents upon his arrival at the NAIA from Hongkong last February 5.
According to Lozada, he did not know that Environment Secretary Lito Atienza sent for him some police agents to act as his security detail in response to his claim he is under threat.
Lozada said the personnel who fetched him at the airport did not even introduce who they are.
“He was not grabbed. They are using colorful terms like grabbed, forced. If he was kidnapped, they should have stayed very close to him and handcuffed Mr. Lozada upon his arrival,” Razon said.
“If he felt he was under threat then, he could have shouted there. But he was even allowed to say at the comfort room for 10 minutes and our men saw him use his cellphone. So it doesn’t seem logical. No kidnapper would allow his victim to use a cellhpone,” he added.
Razon lamented that it was actually Lozada who victimized the PNP in his “grand scheme” of making Atienza and the PNP believe that he is under threat and that he needs protection.
“All of a sudden, on Thursday, he submitted himself to the control of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms which he is supposed to be afraid of,” Razon said, recalling the move of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms to take custody of Lozada dawn of February 7 after the latter held a press conference at La Salle Greenhills in San Juan.
Razon said Lozada even admitted later that he was actually in touch with Senator Panfilo Lacson since December last year, which contradicts his claim to Atienza that he is afraid of the Senate and its Sergeant-at-Arms.
“Somebody is controlling Mr. Lozada. He may appear to be a victim but the way I see him, he was the one who victimized the people who helped him… He may say he is weak and a small person, but he is a good planner that he even caught us in his trap of a grand design,” the PNP chief said.
Lozada had said at the Senate that he is afraid to be at the Senate hearing because he will not be able to tell a lie. He had claimed to have knowledge of former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos’ intent to get a $130 million kickback from the NBN project that was awarded to ZTE Corporation through a loan agreement. He also implied that First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo had knowledge of Abalos’ activity.
But Abalos and Arroyo denied the allegation, which was also made earlier by Jose de Venecia III and former National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Romulo Neri.
Asked who could be the force behind Lozada, Razon said: “We are determining that.”
Razon said he will be submitting his affidavit to the Office of the Solicitor General for the proper action against Lozada. He said he has directed Police Security and Protection Office (PSPO) chief Chief Supt. Romeo Hilomen and deputy chief Sr. Supt. Paul Mascariñas to do the same.
Razon admitted that during the Senate hearing last Monday wherein he was seated next to Lozada, he found the latter’s mannerisms to be quite disturbing.
“I was wondering sometimes because he would sometimes act like he was in pain, then he would do other things, and then he would suddenly cry, get his handkerchief, and then break into a laughter. I think he was under extreme pressure,” Razon said./DMS
February 13, 2008
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is contemplating on filing a perjury case against Rodolfo Noel “Jun” Lozada, Jr., the key witness to the alleged anomalous deal between the government and ZTE Corporation for the National Broadband Network (NBN) project.
Razon told a news conference at Camp Crame yesterday that they will also study if Lozada could be held liable for “abuse of the writ of habeas corpus,” which his family filed before the Supreme Court a day after he claimed he was abducted by police agents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
“We are studying if perjury is applicable. We are also asking around if an abuse of the writ of habeas corpus is possible… But this is not yet sure. That is being studied by our legal service,” Razon said in Filipino.
Asked why perjury, Razon said: “He signed some documents wherein he claimed this was what really happened, when in fact it’s not.”
Razon insisted that it was the PNP that became a victim in the incident, and not Lozada, who had claimed he was taken against his will by government agents upon his arrival at the NAIA from Hongkong last February 5.
According to Lozada, he did not know that Environment Secretary Lito Atienza sent for him some police agents to act as his security detail in response to his claim he is under threat.
Lozada said the personnel who fetched him at the airport did not even introduce who they are.
“He was not grabbed. They are using colorful terms like grabbed, forced. If he was kidnapped, they should have stayed very close to him and handcuffed Mr. Lozada upon his arrival,” Razon said.
“If he felt he was under threat then, he could have shouted there. But he was even allowed to say at the comfort room for 10 minutes and our men saw him use his cellphone. So it doesn’t seem logical. No kidnapper would allow his victim to use a cellhpone,” he added.
Razon lamented that it was actually Lozada who victimized the PNP in his “grand scheme” of making Atienza and the PNP believe that he is under threat and that he needs protection.
“All of a sudden, on Thursday, he submitted himself to the control of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms which he is supposed to be afraid of,” Razon said, recalling the move of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms to take custody of Lozada dawn of February 7 after the latter held a press conference at La Salle Greenhills in San Juan.
Razon said Lozada even admitted later that he was actually in touch with Senator Panfilo Lacson since December last year, which contradicts his claim to Atienza that he is afraid of the Senate and its Sergeant-at-Arms.
“Somebody is controlling Mr. Lozada. He may appear to be a victim but the way I see him, he was the one who victimized the people who helped him… He may say he is weak and a small person, but he is a good planner that he even caught us in his trap of a grand design,” the PNP chief said.
Lozada had said at the Senate that he is afraid to be at the Senate hearing because he will not be able to tell a lie. He had claimed to have knowledge of former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos’ intent to get a $130 million kickback from the NBN project that was awarded to ZTE Corporation through a loan agreement. He also implied that First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo had knowledge of Abalos’ activity.
But Abalos and Arroyo denied the allegation, which was also made earlier by Jose de Venecia III and former National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Romulo Neri.
Asked who could be the force behind Lozada, Razon said: “We are determining that.”
Razon said he will be submitting his affidavit to the Office of the Solicitor General for the proper action against Lozada. He said he has directed Police Security and Protection Office (PSPO) chief Chief Supt. Romeo Hilomen and deputy chief Sr. Supt. Paul Mascariñas to do the same.
Razon admitted that during the Senate hearing last Monday wherein he was seated next to Lozada, he found the latter’s mannerisms to be quite disturbing.
“I was wondering sometimes because he would sometimes act like he was in pain, then he would do other things, and then he would suddenly cry, get his handkerchief, and then break into a laughter. I think he was under extreme pressure,” Razon said./DMS
Mayor in Batangas killed in ambush, 3 companions hurt
By Ronron
February 13, 2008
A mayor in Batangas province was killed in an ambush by unidentified men Wednesday morning in Malvar town, police said.
Malvar chief of police Supt. Flaviano Garcia, Jr. said three other companions of the victim, Balete Mayor David Pamplona, were also hurt in the incident that happened past 9:15 am at Barangay Bulihan.
Garcia said Pamplona was riding a Nissan Exalta (plate number SFZ-219), with a driver, two female housemaids, and a daughter when fired upon by at least three gunmen armed with Armalite rifles.
He said the group was on their way to Manila, coming from Balete.
Pamplona, 50, was declared dead on arrival at the Mercado Hospital in Tanauan City of said province due to multiple gunshot wounds.
His driver, Jerson Diokno, 45, and the two housemaids, Jonalyn Gonzalez and Marilyn Paguyanan, were also brought to the same hospital due to gunshot wounds. They were found to be in stable condition a few hours later.
Garcia said the lone survivor was Pamplona’s daughter, Lorelyn, in her legal age.
The suspects, who fired behind coconut trees, escaped aboard a getaway vehicle. Pursuit operations against them were immediately launched, said Garcia.
Responding authorities recovered from the crime scene 48 shells for caliber 5.56 rifle.
Garcia said they are still clueless about the motive for the ambush since they have yet to talk to the family of Pamplona and the Balete police./DMS
February 13, 2008
A mayor in Batangas province was killed in an ambush by unidentified men Wednesday morning in Malvar town, police said.
Malvar chief of police Supt. Flaviano Garcia, Jr. said three other companions of the victim, Balete Mayor David Pamplona, were also hurt in the incident that happened past 9:15 am at Barangay Bulihan.
Garcia said Pamplona was riding a Nissan Exalta (plate number SFZ-219), with a driver, two female housemaids, and a daughter when fired upon by at least three gunmen armed with Armalite rifles.
He said the group was on their way to Manila, coming from Balete.
Pamplona, 50, was declared dead on arrival at the Mercado Hospital in Tanauan City of said province due to multiple gunshot wounds.
His driver, Jerson Diokno, 45, and the two housemaids, Jonalyn Gonzalez and Marilyn Paguyanan, were also brought to the same hospital due to gunshot wounds. They were found to be in stable condition a few hours later.
Garcia said the lone survivor was Pamplona’s daughter, Lorelyn, in her legal age.
The suspects, who fired behind coconut trees, escaped aboard a getaway vehicle. Pursuit operations against them were immediately launched, said Garcia.
Responding authorities recovered from the crime scene 48 shells for caliber 5.56 rifle.
Garcia said they are still clueless about the motive for the ambush since they have yet to talk to the family of Pamplona and the Balete police./DMS
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Security officials assure of a safe 2008 Valentine’s Day
By Ronron
February 12, 2008
Top officials of the police and military assured on Tuesday that tomorrow’s Valentine’s Day celebration, particularly in Metro Manila, will be bombed free.
Chief Supt. Rolando Añonuevo of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Intelligence Group, Director Geary Barias of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), and Armed Forces National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM) chief Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa all said yesterday that they have not monitored any terrorist threat for tomorrow like what happened three years ago.
“We have not received any report that there will be violent incidents,” Añonuevo said in a phone interview.
On February 14, 2005, eight people killed and over 100 others were hurt after three bombings simultaneously rocked the cities of Makati, General Santos and Davao.
Barias and Mesa that they have yet to receive reports of a terrorist attack in Metro Manila similar to the bombings three years ago.
“For now, we don’t see any indication but it is always good to be on alert,” Mesa said in a separate interview at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Añonuevo said the terrorist groups will never stop attempting to attack Metro Manila because this is where the incidents will get noticed not just domestically but also internationally.
Asked if there are Abu Sayyaf or Jemaah Islamiyah members in the capital, Añonuevo said: “We are trying to trace to that. We are assessing that.”
Both Barias and Añonuevo said they have yet to find out if the alert level of the PNP will be raised tomorrow as part of the security preparations.
Añonuevo said if ever it will be raised, it will be coming from the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA).
But Barias said policemen in Metro Manila who have been ordered to increase visibility in the streets and intensify their intelligence gathering against bank robbers since last week will definitely include in their monitoring any terrorist attempt.
“The eight-point anti-bank robbery measures ordered by the chief PNP actually are also in preparation for February 14. That’s also why we are guarding our MRT, LRT, and conducting checkpoints,” Barias said in a separate interview in Cubao, Quezon City yesterday morning.
Mesa said that aside from the “very strong police visibility,” the efforts of blue guards towards this should also be cited.
“You can see that those who should act on this are already doing their job like the blue guards at the MRT, LRT. They are actually very strict (in inspecting baggage of passengers),” he said.
Mesa disclosed that he already assured Barias of more military personnel if the NCRPO needs more.
Right now, the NCRCOM has lent 50 personnel to augment the more or less 400 police personnel guarding the streets of Quezon City in their anti-bank robbery operations following the series of heists in the city since January.
“If Gen. Barias says he needs more, then I will provide,” Mesa said.
Barias encouraged the public to do their share in maintaining peace and order by reporting to policemen any reports they receive with regard to any attempt to sow terror or other forms of violence.
He said the public can simply approach the nearby cops, or send text message to PNP TXT 2920, or call 117.
He said that the police will not disregard any simple reports like the text message that circulated last week about the alleged bombing plots in five areas in Metro Manila to divert the attention of the public from the persisting controversy hounding the aborted National Broadband Network Project.
“We monitored it was a hoax. Although, we didn’t really disregard that,” Barias said./DMS
February 12, 2008
Top officials of the police and military assured on Tuesday that tomorrow’s Valentine’s Day celebration, particularly in Metro Manila, will be bombed free.
Chief Supt. Rolando Añonuevo of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Intelligence Group, Director Geary Barias of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), and Armed Forces National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM) chief Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa all said yesterday that they have not monitored any terrorist threat for tomorrow like what happened three years ago.
“We have not received any report that there will be violent incidents,” Añonuevo said in a phone interview.
On February 14, 2005, eight people killed and over 100 others were hurt after three bombings simultaneously rocked the cities of Makati, General Santos and Davao.
Barias and Mesa that they have yet to receive reports of a terrorist attack in Metro Manila similar to the bombings three years ago.
“For now, we don’t see any indication but it is always good to be on alert,” Mesa said in a separate interview at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Añonuevo said the terrorist groups will never stop attempting to attack Metro Manila because this is where the incidents will get noticed not just domestically but also internationally.
Asked if there are Abu Sayyaf or Jemaah Islamiyah members in the capital, Añonuevo said: “We are trying to trace to that. We are assessing that.”
Both Barias and Añonuevo said they have yet to find out if the alert level of the PNP will be raised tomorrow as part of the security preparations.
Añonuevo said if ever it will be raised, it will be coming from the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA).
But Barias said policemen in Metro Manila who have been ordered to increase visibility in the streets and intensify their intelligence gathering against bank robbers since last week will definitely include in their monitoring any terrorist attempt.
“The eight-point anti-bank robbery measures ordered by the chief PNP actually are also in preparation for February 14. That’s also why we are guarding our MRT, LRT, and conducting checkpoints,” Barias said in a separate interview in Cubao, Quezon City yesterday morning.
Mesa said that aside from the “very strong police visibility,” the efforts of blue guards towards this should also be cited.
“You can see that those who should act on this are already doing their job like the blue guards at the MRT, LRT. They are actually very strict (in inspecting baggage of passengers),” he said.
Mesa disclosed that he already assured Barias of more military personnel if the NCRPO needs more.
Right now, the NCRCOM has lent 50 personnel to augment the more or less 400 police personnel guarding the streets of Quezon City in their anti-bank robbery operations following the series of heists in the city since January.
“If Gen. Barias says he needs more, then I will provide,” Mesa said.
Barias encouraged the public to do their share in maintaining peace and order by reporting to policemen any reports they receive with regard to any attempt to sow terror or other forms of violence.
He said the public can simply approach the nearby cops, or send text message to PNP TXT 2920, or call 117.
He said that the police will not disregard any simple reports like the text message that circulated last week about the alleged bombing plots in five areas in Metro Manila to divert the attention of the public from the persisting controversy hounding the aborted National Broadband Network Project.
“We monitored it was a hoax. Although, we didn’t really disregard that,” Barias said./DMS
Metro Manila police prepares for Friday rally in Makati City
By Ronron
February 12, 2008
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Geary Barias said Tuesday that contingency measures are lined up for the planned rally of militant and opposition groups on Friday in Makati City over the alleged corruption hounding the aborted National Broadband Network (NBN) project.
“Our forces in Makati are prepared all the time for whatever contingencies,” Barias told reporters in an interview in Cubao, Quezon City yesterday morning.
“We will be monitoring what is going to happen, and the size of the troops to secure the activity will depend on that,” he added.
Various groups critical of the Arroyo government have planned to gather this Friday in Makati City to raise “awareness” on the alleged corruption in the Arroyo administration as shown in the awarding of the NBN project to ZTE Corporation courtesy of the brokering of former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos.
A consultant of the project, Rodolfo Lozada, Jr., had alleged that Abalos sought a $130 million commission from ZTE Corporation. The same allegation was raised by Jose de Venecia III, whose Amsterdam Holdings, Inc. lost in the bid to get the $329 million project.
The ZTE scandal was revived last week after Lozada was perceived to have been purposely prevented by Malacanang to speak at the Senate hearing over the issue.
So far, only small groups have launched demonstrations since Friday and the activities were done at the Senate grounds in Pasay City while the hearing over the controversial deal was being conducted.
In a separate interview, Armed Forces NCR Command chief Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa said he will be ready to send his men to augment the NCRPO if needed.
“We have a reasonable size of force in Metro Manila… For as long as the rally is within the bounds of the law, then there is nothing for us to worry about. What is not good is if there will be violence during the rally. So we are watching them,” Mesa told reporters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City yesterday afternoon.
“If there will be instigators to violence, then the full force of the law will be handed to them,” he added.
As of yesterday, Barias said the police do not see any reason yet to raise the alert level in Metro Manila.
“We are still on normal alert,” he said, adding that the raising of the alert will depend on the developments as Friday approaches.
Mesa reiterated that no member of the military has so far been monitored to be openly taking sides following Lozada’s expose regarding the NBN project.
“There is nothing to worry. We have not monitored any recruitment. So far, our place is quiet,” he said. “I can assure our people, particularly here in Metro Manila, that the situation is normal, nothing to worry… We can sleep soundly.”
He said he always reminds his men to tow the line, follow the chain of command, and remain apolitical.
“We should always be able to strengthen and follow the chain of command because having that, then we will be able to contribute in strengthening the stability of our country. And that is what the economists are always looking for,” Mesa said.
So, the Lozada expose, he said, should not be able to affect the soldiery because “this is part of democracy, wherein if there are allegations, it has to be investigated.”
Mesa warned those who might take advantage of the crowd on Friday to destabilize the government that the police and military will be there to quell them like what happened on November 29, 2007 at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.
“The Armed Forces, together with the Philippine National Police, will always be vigilant. We will always be on the alert. And we will not allow them to be a cause for instability,” he said./DMS
February 12, 2008
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Geary Barias said Tuesday that contingency measures are lined up for the planned rally of militant and opposition groups on Friday in Makati City over the alleged corruption hounding the aborted National Broadband Network (NBN) project.
“Our forces in Makati are prepared all the time for whatever contingencies,” Barias told reporters in an interview in Cubao, Quezon City yesterday morning.
“We will be monitoring what is going to happen, and the size of the troops to secure the activity will depend on that,” he added.
Various groups critical of the Arroyo government have planned to gather this Friday in Makati City to raise “awareness” on the alleged corruption in the Arroyo administration as shown in the awarding of the NBN project to ZTE Corporation courtesy of the brokering of former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos.
A consultant of the project, Rodolfo Lozada, Jr., had alleged that Abalos sought a $130 million commission from ZTE Corporation. The same allegation was raised by Jose de Venecia III, whose Amsterdam Holdings, Inc. lost in the bid to get the $329 million project.
The ZTE scandal was revived last week after Lozada was perceived to have been purposely prevented by Malacanang to speak at the Senate hearing over the issue.
So far, only small groups have launched demonstrations since Friday and the activities were done at the Senate grounds in Pasay City while the hearing over the controversial deal was being conducted.
In a separate interview, Armed Forces NCR Command chief Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa said he will be ready to send his men to augment the NCRPO if needed.
“We have a reasonable size of force in Metro Manila… For as long as the rally is within the bounds of the law, then there is nothing for us to worry about. What is not good is if there will be violence during the rally. So we are watching them,” Mesa told reporters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City yesterday afternoon.
“If there will be instigators to violence, then the full force of the law will be handed to them,” he added.
As of yesterday, Barias said the police do not see any reason yet to raise the alert level in Metro Manila.
“We are still on normal alert,” he said, adding that the raising of the alert will depend on the developments as Friday approaches.
Mesa reiterated that no member of the military has so far been monitored to be openly taking sides following Lozada’s expose regarding the NBN project.
“There is nothing to worry. We have not monitored any recruitment. So far, our place is quiet,” he said. “I can assure our people, particularly here in Metro Manila, that the situation is normal, nothing to worry… We can sleep soundly.”
He said he always reminds his men to tow the line, follow the chain of command, and remain apolitical.
“We should always be able to strengthen and follow the chain of command because having that, then we will be able to contribute in strengthening the stability of our country. And that is what the economists are always looking for,” Mesa said.
So, the Lozada expose, he said, should not be able to affect the soldiery because “this is part of democracy, wherein if there are allegations, it has to be investigated.”
Mesa warned those who might take advantage of the crowd on Friday to destabilize the government that the police and military will be there to quell them like what happened on November 29, 2007 at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.
“The Armed Forces, together with the Philippine National Police, will always be vigilant. We will always be on the alert. And we will not allow them to be a cause for instability,” he said./DMS
Crime down in QC after deployment of cop-military tandems
By Ronron
February 12, 2008
Crime incidents in Quezon City went down after the increased police visibility since late last week in the streets and the augmentation of military personnel, the city police director said Tuesday.
Sr. Supt. Magtanggol Gatdula claimed that crime rate was down by seven percent as of yesterday (Tuesday) morning with the activation of 129 mobile police stations all over Quezon City since Thursday last week.
“We have a total now of 129 mobile police stations all over the city, with about 400 personnel. And they are also augmented with 50 elements from the National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM),” Gatdula said in Filipino in an interview in Cubao district yesterday morning.
The deployment of more personnel in the streets, Gatdula said, was in compliance with the directive of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. last week to beef up security measures following the series of robberies and hold up incidents in the city since January.
Over the weekend, Razon issued the eight-point anti-bank robbery measures for all police commanders due to the “alarming” incidents that happened in Quezon City.
Quezon City, according to Gatdula, is a host to around 600 banks.
Gatdula said the bulk of the mobile police stations are in Cubao and Timog areas because of the large presence there of commercial establishments.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Geary Barias said the present deployment is intended to last for a month to determine if it will be effective in deterring crimes. After a month, it will be evaluated to assess the strength of the force to be deployed.
But even this early, Barias noted that there have been no carnapping incidents in Quezon City in the last two days, and “street crimes have reduced.”
It can be recalled that Quezon City was once tagged as the carnapping capital of the country a few years back.
But the QCPD redeemed itself by getting the award for being the best police district in Metro Manila for 2007. The award was conferred by no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Razon to Gatdula during the PNP’s 17th founding anniversary celebration last week at Camp Crame.
Meanwhile, Barias said the public should not worry about the physical presence of military men in the streets who are also carrying long firearms because they only serve as “back-up” to the policemen.
“They should not be afraid of the soldiers,” he advised the public.
Besides, the soldiers will be “mounted” or aboard the police cars most of the time and will only alight if they need to help policemen in responding to alarms, Gatdula said.
So far, only QC had received deployments from the NCRCOM, according to Barias.
The eight-point anti-bank robbery measures ordered by Razon are the following:
1) Intensify intelligence gathering and sharing among different PNP units and government law enforcement agencies;
2) Mobilize the core group of the Joint-Anti Bank Robbery Action Committee (JABRAC) and the Bank Security Manager’s Association (BSMA);
3) Develop crime-mapping in NCR (National Capital Region) to guide in the deployment of police units;
4) Intensified police visibility, mobile checkpoints especially to check on motorcycle riding persons;
5) Strict implementation of ‘No Plate, No Travel’ policy;
6) Station commanders and cops to be in the streets from 9am-3pm (banking hours) daily;
7) Intensified manhunt operations against known bank robbery suspects; and,
8) Publication of rouge’s gallery of wanted personalities engaged in bank robbery./DMS
February 12, 2008
Crime incidents in Quezon City went down after the increased police visibility since late last week in the streets and the augmentation of military personnel, the city police director said Tuesday.
Sr. Supt. Magtanggol Gatdula claimed that crime rate was down by seven percent as of yesterday (Tuesday) morning with the activation of 129 mobile police stations all over Quezon City since Thursday last week.
“We have a total now of 129 mobile police stations all over the city, with about 400 personnel. And they are also augmented with 50 elements from the National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM),” Gatdula said in Filipino in an interview in Cubao district yesterday morning.
The deployment of more personnel in the streets, Gatdula said, was in compliance with the directive of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. last week to beef up security measures following the series of robberies and hold up incidents in the city since January.
Over the weekend, Razon issued the eight-point anti-bank robbery measures for all police commanders due to the “alarming” incidents that happened in Quezon City.
Quezon City, according to Gatdula, is a host to around 600 banks.
Gatdula said the bulk of the mobile police stations are in Cubao and Timog areas because of the large presence there of commercial establishments.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Geary Barias said the present deployment is intended to last for a month to determine if it will be effective in deterring crimes. After a month, it will be evaluated to assess the strength of the force to be deployed.
But even this early, Barias noted that there have been no carnapping incidents in Quezon City in the last two days, and “street crimes have reduced.”
It can be recalled that Quezon City was once tagged as the carnapping capital of the country a few years back.
But the QCPD redeemed itself by getting the award for being the best police district in Metro Manila for 2007. The award was conferred by no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Razon to Gatdula during the PNP’s 17th founding anniversary celebration last week at Camp Crame.
Meanwhile, Barias said the public should not worry about the physical presence of military men in the streets who are also carrying long firearms because they only serve as “back-up” to the policemen.
“They should not be afraid of the soldiers,” he advised the public.
Besides, the soldiers will be “mounted” or aboard the police cars most of the time and will only alight if they need to help policemen in responding to alarms, Gatdula said.
So far, only QC had received deployments from the NCRCOM, according to Barias.
The eight-point anti-bank robbery measures ordered by Razon are the following:
1) Intensify intelligence gathering and sharing among different PNP units and government law enforcement agencies;
2) Mobilize the core group of the Joint-Anti Bank Robbery Action Committee (JABRAC) and the Bank Security Manager’s Association (BSMA);
3) Develop crime-mapping in NCR (National Capital Region) to guide in the deployment of police units;
4) Intensified police visibility, mobile checkpoints especially to check on motorcycle riding persons;
5) Strict implementation of ‘No Plate, No Travel’ policy;
6) Station commanders and cops to be in the streets from 9am-3pm (banking hours) daily;
7) Intensified manhunt operations against known bank robbery suspects; and,
8) Publication of rouge’s gallery of wanted personalities engaged in bank robbery./DMS
Monday, February 11, 2008
Army officer tells men not to be swayed by current development at Senate
By Ronron
February 11, 2008
An Army officer on Monday urged members of the Philippine Army not to be affected by the ongoing hearings at the Senate over the anomalous National Broadband Network (NBN) project.
Brig. Gen. Ricardo Morales, commander of the Philippine Army’s Headquarters and Headquarters Support Group, said in a speech at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City before Army personnel and civilian employees that they should “remain steadfast and loyal to the chain of command, and to the commander-in-chief,” President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“Our personal opinions are personal and private. As we listen and have access to what is happening in the political scene, we will keep our opinions to ourselves,” Morales said.
Morales’ reminder came three days after the Senate resumed its probe on the aborted NBN project with the arrival in the country of whistleblower Rodolfo Noel “Jun” Lozada, Jr., and hours before another hearing was conducted over Lozada’s alleged abduction by government agents.
Lozada had alleged that former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos sought for a $130 million kickback from the NBN project, and implied that First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo was aware of the irregularity.
Morales said that should there be text messages that reach Army personnel and employees for them to “act one way or another,” they should “not pass on this text message or rumor.”
“Do not spread rumors. Do not pass on rumors. You will pass on this message or rumor only to your intelligence officer. Remember that! We will not participate in any political activity,” Morales said.
“As members of the Philippine Army, our purpose remains clear. Our role remains clear. We will remain loyal and faithful to the chain of command and to the commander-in-chief… Ours is a purely volunteer Army. No one in this Army is indispensable,” he went on.
He said that if any Army personnel or employee is not happy anymore with the organization, then they should just leave the service.
In an interview at Camp Aguinaldo, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said that so far, they have not monitored any “recruitment” activities within the organization to join destabilization efforts against the Arroyo government following Lozada’s exposes.
“The members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines will focus on their job. They wouldn’t bother themselves in things, which would be political in nature. So, from a distance, the individual soldier may be will be keeping watch, watching the developments. But as an organization, we will remain to be solid,” Bacarro told reporters./DMS
February 11, 2008
An Army officer on Monday urged members of the Philippine Army not to be affected by the ongoing hearings at the Senate over the anomalous National Broadband Network (NBN) project.
Brig. Gen. Ricardo Morales, commander of the Philippine Army’s Headquarters and Headquarters Support Group, said in a speech at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City before Army personnel and civilian employees that they should “remain steadfast and loyal to the chain of command, and to the commander-in-chief,” President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“Our personal opinions are personal and private. As we listen and have access to what is happening in the political scene, we will keep our opinions to ourselves,” Morales said.
Morales’ reminder came three days after the Senate resumed its probe on the aborted NBN project with the arrival in the country of whistleblower Rodolfo Noel “Jun” Lozada, Jr., and hours before another hearing was conducted over Lozada’s alleged abduction by government agents.
Lozada had alleged that former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos sought for a $130 million kickback from the NBN project, and implied that First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo was aware of the irregularity.
Morales said that should there be text messages that reach Army personnel and employees for them to “act one way or another,” they should “not pass on this text message or rumor.”
“Do not spread rumors. Do not pass on rumors. You will pass on this message or rumor only to your intelligence officer. Remember that! We will not participate in any political activity,” Morales said.
“As members of the Philippine Army, our purpose remains clear. Our role remains clear. We will remain loyal and faithful to the chain of command and to the commander-in-chief… Ours is a purely volunteer Army. No one in this Army is indispensable,” he went on.
He said that if any Army personnel or employee is not happy anymore with the organization, then they should just leave the service.
In an interview at Camp Aguinaldo, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said that so far, they have not monitored any “recruitment” activities within the organization to join destabilization efforts against the Arroyo government following Lozada’s exposes.
“The members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines will focus on their job. They wouldn’t bother themselves in things, which would be political in nature. So, from a distance, the individual soldier may be will be keeping watch, watching the developments. But as an organization, we will remain to be solid,” Bacarro told reporters./DMS
Six hurt in Iligan City blast
By Ronron
February 11, 2008
Six persons were hurt in an explosion Sunday night in Iligan City in Lanao del Norte province, police officials said Monday.
The incident happened at around 9:15 pm at a park adjacent to the plaza at the city center where an amateur singing contest was being held.
Police said the njured victims include couples who are dating at the park. They were brought to the Dr. Uy Hospital and Iligan City Hospital for treatment.
Police are still determining the type of explosive used and the motive behind the incident.
Deputy Region 10 Police Chief for Operations Sr. Supt. Amerodin Hamdag said they are looking at many angles, although he opts not to enumerate it.
He said there is also no suspect yet behind the incident./DMS
February 11, 2008
Six persons were hurt in an explosion Sunday night in Iligan City in Lanao del Norte province, police officials said Monday.
The incident happened at around 9:15 pm at a park adjacent to the plaza at the city center where an amateur singing contest was being held.
Police said the njured victims include couples who are dating at the park. They were brought to the Dr. Uy Hospital and Iligan City Hospital for treatment.
Police are still determining the type of explosive used and the motive behind the incident.
Deputy Region 10 Police Chief for Operations Sr. Supt. Amerodin Hamdag said they are looking at many angles, although he opts not to enumerate it.
He said there is also no suspect yet behind the incident./DMS
Municipal police chief in Masbate survives ambush attempt by suspected NPA
By Ronron
February 11, 2008
The chief of police of Mandaon town in Masbate province survived an ambush attempt by suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) last Saturday morning.
Chief Insp. Brian Castillo told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview Monday that he was driving his personal vehicle, an enclosed owner-type jeep, on his way home to Masbate City when gunfire suddenly came his way from the side of the road at around 7:30 am.
Castillo said he was at the boundary at that time of Mandaon and Aroroy towns, particularly at Barangay Managa-naga in Aroroy town.
“It was a weekend so I wanted to go home because I was also expecting some visitors at home,” Castillo said in Filipino.
Castillo said when he started receiving gunfire from some 15 suspected rebels who were already pre-positioned, he did not stop driving using his left hand, and fired back using his right hand.
“It was very quick because they also withdrew immediately after firing at me,” he recalled.
He said it was only his vehicle that sustained 10 bullet holes after the incident.
“I think they have long planned this against me because we have caught up with them many times already and we have neutralized a lot of them already,” Castillo said, referring to the alleged NPA perpetrators.
While he has not received personal threats to his life from the communist movement, Castillo said the intelligence report that the NPA intends to raid the Mandaon Police Station persists.
Castillo said a pursuit operation was immediately conducted against the perpetrators by joint elements from the 5th Police Regional Mobile Group and the local unit of the Philippine Army.
The 5,760-strong NPA has been directed by its leadership to continue launching offensives against government and private installations.
The government intends to neutralize the movement by 2010 when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ends her term.
Peace talks between the movement and the government bogged down in August 2004 after the NPA and its affiliated organizations and key officials were tagged by the United States and other foreign bodies as terrorists./DMS
February 11, 2008
The chief of police of Mandaon town in Masbate province survived an ambush attempt by suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) last Saturday morning.
Chief Insp. Brian Castillo told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview Monday that he was driving his personal vehicle, an enclosed owner-type jeep, on his way home to Masbate City when gunfire suddenly came his way from the side of the road at around 7:30 am.
Castillo said he was at the boundary at that time of Mandaon and Aroroy towns, particularly at Barangay Managa-naga in Aroroy town.
“It was a weekend so I wanted to go home because I was also expecting some visitors at home,” Castillo said in Filipino.
Castillo said when he started receiving gunfire from some 15 suspected rebels who were already pre-positioned, he did not stop driving using his left hand, and fired back using his right hand.
“It was very quick because they also withdrew immediately after firing at me,” he recalled.
He said it was only his vehicle that sustained 10 bullet holes after the incident.
“I think they have long planned this against me because we have caught up with them many times already and we have neutralized a lot of them already,” Castillo said, referring to the alleged NPA perpetrators.
While he has not received personal threats to his life from the communist movement, Castillo said the intelligence report that the NPA intends to raid the Mandaon Police Station persists.
Castillo said a pursuit operation was immediately conducted against the perpetrators by joint elements from the 5th Police Regional Mobile Group and the local unit of the Philippine Army.
The 5,760-strong NPA has been directed by its leadership to continue launching offensives against government and private installations.
The government intends to neutralize the movement by 2010 when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ends her term.
Peace talks between the movement and the government bogged down in August 2004 after the NPA and its affiliated organizations and key officials were tagged by the United States and other foreign bodies as terrorists./DMS
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Abalos mulls filing of libel, perjury against Lozada; DOTC exec clears Arroyo husband and Abalos of influence in pricing of NBN project
By Ronron
February 10, 2008
Former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos will sue Rodolfo Noel “Jun” Lozada, Jr. for libel and perjury over what he views as “baseless and malicious” accusations that he wanted a $130 million kickback from the aborted National Broadband Network (NBN) project.
Abalos’ lawyer, Salvador Panelo, told a news conference in Pasig City Sunday morning that the case will be filed as soon as they get and finish studying a certified copy of the transcripts of the Senate proceedings last Friday where Lozada testified.
Panelo said the case will be filed at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court and they will demand “P100 - P200 million” in damages.
“For your information, if you malign a person, whether the allegation is true or not, if there is malice, then that is libel,” Panelo said.
To this, Lozada just said: “I guess that’s the price I have to pay. Anyway, the courts are with them so I don’t know, maybe, I will just leave my fate to the Church.”
In the news conference, Abalos showed a two-page letter of the Chinese Ambassador in Manila to then Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor, which stated that the Chinese government was already agreeing to a loan package for the NBN project.
Abalos pointed out that the letter was dated December 2, 2006, making it inconsistent, he said, with Lozada’s claim that a letter was immediately received by Abalos from Chinese officials after they met in September that year regarding the project.
Lozada had said that he was tapped by then National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Romulo Neri to be a consultant of the NBN project, which was of interest to ZTE Corporation, being lobbied by Abalos, and Amsterdam Holdings of Jose de Venecia III.
“On this alone, the statement of Lozada should crumble. You will see here that his story is fabricated,” Abalos said.
“If Mr. Lozada is not afraid of these libel and perjury raps because he might think these are small matters, maybe he should be afraid of what I have gathered that some groups will file anti-graft charges against him on the basis of his admission at the Senate (regarding the alleged irregular procurement of his office at the Philippine Forest Corporation)… He admitted it under oath, so he will definitely be convicted for that,” Panelo added.
Abalos said Lozada just alleged that he talked to First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo prior to receiving the letter from the Chinese government sometime in September “to implicate the First Gentleman.”
Panelo said “obviously, there is conspiracy” between Lozada and de Venecia “to malign” Abalos and then “implicate the First Gentleman” because “if the First Gentleman is implicated, then the wife should also be implicated.”
“If the wife (President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) is involved, then that is the issue now,” he went on.
Abalos also said that demanding a $130 million kickback, which is about half of the proposed $262 million project, is “fantastic and incredible.” He said no businessman would agree to giving a commission that huge, if ever.
Abalos maintained that he just assisted the ZTE Corporation executives in getting a deal with the government for the NBN project because they became close to him after being introduced by a common friend before.
He said that if indeed he sought for a kickback, then this should put the Chinese Ambassador in Manila at that time in a bad light because this would mean he was tolerating the supposed bribery.
“Don’t tell me the Ambassador of China connived with us too?” Abalos said.
Abalos said he is wondering why Lozada was talking about the financial aspect of the project, when Neri, according to him, testified at the Senate that Lozada was hired only to evaluate the technical aspect of the project. “What is his interest there?” Abalos asked.
He said what he knows is de Venecia was interested in the project because he wanted to partner with ZTE Corporation after the government rejected Amsterdam Holding’s Build-Operate-Transfer scheme proposal to get the NBN project.
But the problem was the ZTE Corporation, according to Abalos, does not want to deal again with De Venecia because he allegedly incurred and failed to settle a $10 million debt in a previous transaction.
In a hearing last year at the Senate, de Venecia claimed that he was personally told by the First Gentleman to “back off” from the project after he insisted in getting it for Amsterdam Holdings.
In a separate hearing, Neri also implicated Abalos by saying that that the latter assured him of P200 million if NEDA approves the NBN project in favor of ZTE Corporation.
Asked how he felt that three persons have already implicated him, Abalos said: “It’s not the number of witnesses. It’s the credibility of the witness. The statement should be credible by itself.”
As regards the threat he allegedly posed on Lozada, Abalos said: “Do I look like a man who’s capable of saying those things?... And secondly, why is he coming out only now, which is one year or so after I allegedly threatened him?”
Asked if he will go back to the Senate for the conduct of further investigation on the controversy, Abalos said: “Only if necessary… But maybe, the purpose is accomplished, for purposes probably of helping them come up with legislations, because the issues have already been addressed and heard.”
In a separate news conference yesterday, Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Secretary Leandro Mendoza said Abalos and the First Gentleman “never” had any influence in the pricing of the NBN project at $329 million when it was signed last year.
Mendoza reiterated that the price of $262 million increased to $329 million because the coverage of the project had to be expanded from just 30 percent of the villages and municipalities in the country.
Mendoza said that in fact, Abalos was not with the party of the President when the signing of the project was done in China last year.
Lozada had said that when he quit his consultancy job for the NBN project after being threatened by Abalos in January last year, the proposed price was still $262 million. But he noted that when it was signed a few months later, it was already at $329 million.
“I wonder where Mr. Lozada is coming from when he was not part of the negotiation by our technical team,” Mendoza said.
Mendoza suggested that to clear the issue whether the project was overpriced or not, an independent appraiser should be hired.
Meanwhile, Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Apostol apologized Sunday for his racist statement against Lozada last Friday.
In a statement, Apostol said he just uttered the words “crying lady” in referring to Lozada who was testifying at the Senate last Friday morning because he was “emotional” after Lozada implicated First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo to the alleged bribery.
Apostol said he uttered those words in reaction to Lozada’s hearsay statements against the First Gentleman.
“Be that as it may, I sincerely apologize to our hardworking and law-abiding Filipino Chinese who may have been offended by my unintended slur,” Apostol said.
Aside from likening to a “crying lady,” Apostol suggested last Friday that Lozada should be deported for being a nuisance in the country.
Teresita Ang-See of the Kaisa Para sa Kaunlaran, Inc. and a known anti-crime advocate from the Filipino-Chinese community lambasted Apostol for uttering the “unacceptable” statement.
In an interview aired on ABS-CBN network last night, Lozada said the controversy has “disrupted completely” the lives of his children.
“That’s really the difficult part – you’re the one telling the truth (but) you are the one on the run. While the ones who are lying are there in the comfort of their houses, fancy homes, all the comforts are still with them,” he said.
Asked if what transpired between the President and Neri could be incriminating to the former that is why the latter invokes “executive privilege” at the Senate hearing when asked about it, Lozada only said: “I guess so.”
The Senate will continue its probe today (Monday) on the matter, although they will focus on the alleged abduction of Lozada by government agents when he arrived in the country last Tuesday afternoon from Hongkong.
Some Senators perceive the incident as an attempt to stop Lozada from disclosing what he knew about the ZTE scandal./DMS
February 10, 2008
Former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos will sue Rodolfo Noel “Jun” Lozada, Jr. for libel and perjury over what he views as “baseless and malicious” accusations that he wanted a $130 million kickback from the aborted National Broadband Network (NBN) project.
Abalos’ lawyer, Salvador Panelo, told a news conference in Pasig City Sunday morning that the case will be filed as soon as they get and finish studying a certified copy of the transcripts of the Senate proceedings last Friday where Lozada testified.
Panelo said the case will be filed at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court and they will demand “P100 - P200 million” in damages.
“For your information, if you malign a person, whether the allegation is true or not, if there is malice, then that is libel,” Panelo said.
To this, Lozada just said: “I guess that’s the price I have to pay. Anyway, the courts are with them so I don’t know, maybe, I will just leave my fate to the Church.”
In the news conference, Abalos showed a two-page letter of the Chinese Ambassador in Manila to then Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor, which stated that the Chinese government was already agreeing to a loan package for the NBN project.
Abalos pointed out that the letter was dated December 2, 2006, making it inconsistent, he said, with Lozada’s claim that a letter was immediately received by Abalos from Chinese officials after they met in September that year regarding the project.
Lozada had said that he was tapped by then National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Romulo Neri to be a consultant of the NBN project, which was of interest to ZTE Corporation, being lobbied by Abalos, and Amsterdam Holdings of Jose de Venecia III.
“On this alone, the statement of Lozada should crumble. You will see here that his story is fabricated,” Abalos said.
“If Mr. Lozada is not afraid of these libel and perjury raps because he might think these are small matters, maybe he should be afraid of what I have gathered that some groups will file anti-graft charges against him on the basis of his admission at the Senate (regarding the alleged irregular procurement of his office at the Philippine Forest Corporation)… He admitted it under oath, so he will definitely be convicted for that,” Panelo added.
Abalos said Lozada just alleged that he talked to First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo prior to receiving the letter from the Chinese government sometime in September “to implicate the First Gentleman.”
Panelo said “obviously, there is conspiracy” between Lozada and de Venecia “to malign” Abalos and then “implicate the First Gentleman” because “if the First Gentleman is implicated, then the wife should also be implicated.”
“If the wife (President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) is involved, then that is the issue now,” he went on.
Abalos also said that demanding a $130 million kickback, which is about half of the proposed $262 million project, is “fantastic and incredible.” He said no businessman would agree to giving a commission that huge, if ever.
Abalos maintained that he just assisted the ZTE Corporation executives in getting a deal with the government for the NBN project because they became close to him after being introduced by a common friend before.
He said that if indeed he sought for a kickback, then this should put the Chinese Ambassador in Manila at that time in a bad light because this would mean he was tolerating the supposed bribery.
“Don’t tell me the Ambassador of China connived with us too?” Abalos said.
Abalos said he is wondering why Lozada was talking about the financial aspect of the project, when Neri, according to him, testified at the Senate that Lozada was hired only to evaluate the technical aspect of the project. “What is his interest there?” Abalos asked.
He said what he knows is de Venecia was interested in the project because he wanted to partner with ZTE Corporation after the government rejected Amsterdam Holding’s Build-Operate-Transfer scheme proposal to get the NBN project.
But the problem was the ZTE Corporation, according to Abalos, does not want to deal again with De Venecia because he allegedly incurred and failed to settle a $10 million debt in a previous transaction.
In a hearing last year at the Senate, de Venecia claimed that he was personally told by the First Gentleman to “back off” from the project after he insisted in getting it for Amsterdam Holdings.
In a separate hearing, Neri also implicated Abalos by saying that that the latter assured him of P200 million if NEDA approves the NBN project in favor of ZTE Corporation.
Asked how he felt that three persons have already implicated him, Abalos said: “It’s not the number of witnesses. It’s the credibility of the witness. The statement should be credible by itself.”
As regards the threat he allegedly posed on Lozada, Abalos said: “Do I look like a man who’s capable of saying those things?... And secondly, why is he coming out only now, which is one year or so after I allegedly threatened him?”
Asked if he will go back to the Senate for the conduct of further investigation on the controversy, Abalos said: “Only if necessary… But maybe, the purpose is accomplished, for purposes probably of helping them come up with legislations, because the issues have already been addressed and heard.”
In a separate news conference yesterday, Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Secretary Leandro Mendoza said Abalos and the First Gentleman “never” had any influence in the pricing of the NBN project at $329 million when it was signed last year.
Mendoza reiterated that the price of $262 million increased to $329 million because the coverage of the project had to be expanded from just 30 percent of the villages and municipalities in the country.
Mendoza said that in fact, Abalos was not with the party of the President when the signing of the project was done in China last year.
Lozada had said that when he quit his consultancy job for the NBN project after being threatened by Abalos in January last year, the proposed price was still $262 million. But he noted that when it was signed a few months later, it was already at $329 million.
“I wonder where Mr. Lozada is coming from when he was not part of the negotiation by our technical team,” Mendoza said.
Mendoza suggested that to clear the issue whether the project was overpriced or not, an independent appraiser should be hired.
Meanwhile, Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Apostol apologized Sunday for his racist statement against Lozada last Friday.
In a statement, Apostol said he just uttered the words “crying lady” in referring to Lozada who was testifying at the Senate last Friday morning because he was “emotional” after Lozada implicated First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo to the alleged bribery.
Apostol said he uttered those words in reaction to Lozada’s hearsay statements against the First Gentleman.
“Be that as it may, I sincerely apologize to our hardworking and law-abiding Filipino Chinese who may have been offended by my unintended slur,” Apostol said.
Aside from likening to a “crying lady,” Apostol suggested last Friday that Lozada should be deported for being a nuisance in the country.
Teresita Ang-See of the Kaisa Para sa Kaunlaran, Inc. and a known anti-crime advocate from the Filipino-Chinese community lambasted Apostol for uttering the “unacceptable” statement.
In an interview aired on ABS-CBN network last night, Lozada said the controversy has “disrupted completely” the lives of his children.
“That’s really the difficult part – you’re the one telling the truth (but) you are the one on the run. While the ones who are lying are there in the comfort of their houses, fancy homes, all the comforts are still with them,” he said.
Asked if what transpired between the President and Neri could be incriminating to the former that is why the latter invokes “executive privilege” at the Senate hearing when asked about it, Lozada only said: “I guess so.”
The Senate will continue its probe today (Monday) on the matter, although they will focus on the alleged abduction of Lozada by government agents when he arrived in the country last Tuesday afternoon from Hongkong.
Some Senators perceive the incident as an attempt to stop Lozada from disclosing what he knew about the ZTE scandal./DMS
PNP chief lays down eight-point measures to counter bank robberies
By Ronron
February 10, 2008
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. came out over the weekend with eight measures for local police commanders to take to prevent bank robberies.
Razon issued the directive through the Directorate for Operations after a series of robbery and hold-up incidents happened in Quezon City last week.
“We are alarmed with those incidents so we are doing something to stop these incidents,” Razon said in an interview at Camp Crame late last week.
The eight measures are the following:
1) Intensify intelligence gathering and sharing among different PNP units and government law enforcement agencies;
2) Mobilize the core group of the Joint-Anti Bank Robbery Action Committee (JABRAC) and the Bank Security Manager’s Association (BSMA);
3) Develop crime-mapping in NCR (National Capital Region) to guide in the deployment of police units;
4) Intensified police visibility, mobile checkpoints especially to check on motorcycle riding persons;
5) Strict implementation of ‘No Plate, No Travel’ policy;
6) Station commanders and cops to be in the streets from 9am-3pm (banking hours) daily;
7) Intensified manhunt operations against known bank robbery suspects; and,
8) Publication of rouge’s gallery of wanted personalities engaged in bank robbery.
“The PNP is already doing something on this (series of robberies and hold up incidents in Quezon City)… We specifically directed the National Capital Region Police Office, the Quezon City Police District and the Traffic Management Group to implement the ‘No Plate, No Travel’ policy so they will work together,” Razon said.
On February 5, a supermarket earning of about P500,000 was robbed in Project 3, Quezon City by 10 motorcycle-riding armed men. A security guard was killed by the suspects in the process.
More than two hours later, a bank on Timog Avenue in the same city was robbed by several armed men, carting away an undetermined amount of money. The suspects hurt two bystanders in the incident.
On the following day, when QCPD was being awarded in Camp Crame for being the best police station in Metro Manila as the PNP was celebrating its 17th founding anniversary, another robbery incident happened, victimizing a sales agent.
The incidents were preceded by the bold heist at the Landbank branch on West Avenue in January.
The series of incidents have prompted Razon to sack two police station commanders in Quezon City and the deployment of military personnel to join policemen in conducting roving patrols./DMS
February 10, 2008
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. came out over the weekend with eight measures for local police commanders to take to prevent bank robberies.
Razon issued the directive through the Directorate for Operations after a series of robbery and hold-up incidents happened in Quezon City last week.
“We are alarmed with those incidents so we are doing something to stop these incidents,” Razon said in an interview at Camp Crame late last week.
The eight measures are the following:
1) Intensify intelligence gathering and sharing among different PNP units and government law enforcement agencies;
2) Mobilize the core group of the Joint-Anti Bank Robbery Action Committee (JABRAC) and the Bank Security Manager’s Association (BSMA);
3) Develop crime-mapping in NCR (National Capital Region) to guide in the deployment of police units;
4) Intensified police visibility, mobile checkpoints especially to check on motorcycle riding persons;
5) Strict implementation of ‘No Plate, No Travel’ policy;
6) Station commanders and cops to be in the streets from 9am-3pm (banking hours) daily;
7) Intensified manhunt operations against known bank robbery suspects; and,
8) Publication of rouge’s gallery of wanted personalities engaged in bank robbery.
“The PNP is already doing something on this (series of robberies and hold up incidents in Quezon City)… We specifically directed the National Capital Region Police Office, the Quezon City Police District and the Traffic Management Group to implement the ‘No Plate, No Travel’ policy so they will work together,” Razon said.
On February 5, a supermarket earning of about P500,000 was robbed in Project 3, Quezon City by 10 motorcycle-riding armed men. A security guard was killed by the suspects in the process.
More than two hours later, a bank on Timog Avenue in the same city was robbed by several armed men, carting away an undetermined amount of money. The suspects hurt two bystanders in the incident.
On the following day, when QCPD was being awarded in Camp Crame for being the best police station in Metro Manila as the PNP was celebrating its 17th founding anniversary, another robbery incident happened, victimizing a sales agent.
The incidents were preceded by the bold heist at the Landbank branch on West Avenue in January.
The series of incidents have prompted Razon to sack two police station commanders in Quezon City and the deployment of military personnel to join policemen in conducting roving patrols./DMS
2 killed, 9 hurt in vehicular accident in Ilocos Norte
By Ronron
February 10, 2008
Two men died while nine others were hurt after the truck they were riding crashed Saturday noon in Ilocos Norte province, police said Sunday.
The victims came from a fiesta carnival and were on they way home when their Isuzu cargo truck (UHF-642) lost its brakes while negotiating a downward, curved road in Barangay Monte, Paoay town, said PO1 Jully Bacud of the Paoay Police Station.
Bacud said the accident happened at around 12:30 pm.
He identified the killed victims as Marvin Bartu, 30, the truck driver, and Roderick Bangit, 18, one of the truck passengers.
The nine injured victims sustained fractured wounds in the different parts of their bodies as some of them jumped off the truck even before it crashed.
Bacud said all 11 victims were working for a company that provides “running light” to fiesta carnivals. Their company is based in Batac City of the same province.
The injured victims were brought to Mariano Marcos Medical Hospital in Batac City, Bacud said./DMS
February 10, 2008
Two men died while nine others were hurt after the truck they were riding crashed Saturday noon in Ilocos Norte province, police said Sunday.
The victims came from a fiesta carnival and were on they way home when their Isuzu cargo truck (UHF-642) lost its brakes while negotiating a downward, curved road in Barangay Monte, Paoay town, said PO1 Jully Bacud of the Paoay Police Station.
Bacud said the accident happened at around 12:30 pm.
He identified the killed victims as Marvin Bartu, 30, the truck driver, and Roderick Bangit, 18, one of the truck passengers.
The nine injured victims sustained fractured wounds in the different parts of their bodies as some of them jumped off the truck even before it crashed.
Bacud said all 11 victims were working for a company that provides “running light” to fiesta carnivals. Their company is based in Batac City of the same province.
The injured victims were brought to Mariano Marcos Medical Hospital in Batac City, Bacud said./DMS
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