By Ronron
February 29, 2008
The rally in Makati City by anti-government forces ended peacefully, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said.
In a news conference last night at Camp Crame, Quezon City, Razon said the crowd at the rally swelled to 15,000 as it proceeded from 5pm to past 8pm.
"It was orderly and peaceful," Razon said in Filipino.
He said they also did not monitor any seditious or rebellious statement.
Southern Police District (SPD) Director Chief Supt. Luizo Ticman said the rally site at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas was cleared of the rallyists at around 9pm.
Razon said he has directed National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Geary Barias to maintain some forces in the area "until all rally participants have left and the city government of Makati has cleaned up the place."
So far, only minor incidents were reported during the rally – loss of personal items, some medical emergencies, and some inconvenience to motorists and commuters who were rerouted, Razon said.
In a statement, PNP spokesman Sr. Supt. Nicanor Bartolome confirmed that a "No-Fly Zone" was implemented by the Air Transportation Office (ATO) over Makati City from 5pm "to ensure the safety of the prayer rally participants."
Razon denied, however, in an interview that it was the PNP who recommended that.
At Camp Aguinaldo, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM) chief Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa ordered the soldiers who went on standby the entire day to go back to barracks at around 9:30 pm.
"Everything went well. Our efforts have bore fruits so Congratulations," he told the soldiers, who responded with cheers.
A total of three battalions, or about 1,500 soldiers, were placed on standby inside Camp Aguinaldo for possible deployment when requested by the PNP. With them were several tanks and military trucks.
About 200 of the soldiers were brought to the vicinity of Malacanang Palace in the morning, and 36 others to Makati City in the evening to ensure security as requested by the PNP, Mesa said.
But they were expected to be returned to the camp later on Friday night.
With the dispersal of the rallyists, Mesa said they no longer see any threat, particularly a power grab.
"We can sleep soundly. There is nothing to worry," he said.
But he said the NCRCOM will remain on Red Alert status until the PNP advises them that the situation has already normalized.
The forces from the regions will also remain in Metro Manila until they are already sure that there is no more threat to the stability of the government./DMS
Friday, February 29, 2008
Arroyo monitored Makati rally but was not worried, says AFP, PNP chief
By Ronron
February 29, 2008
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo made an unscheduled visit to the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Friday afternoon to get a briefing from police and military authorities on the inter-faith rally in Makati City last night.
Arroyo arrived at the National Headquarters building of the PNP shortly past 4pm after an official trip to Bulacan, and was joined by key Cabinet secretaries in the briefing given by PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr.
"Initially, this meeting with her was not scheduled. Then, we got a word that she would want to pass by. She came from Bulacan," Razon told reporters in Filipino after the President left the camp at around 6:45pm.
He said the meeting supposed to be was just between the PNP and the AFP.
"She knew that we are monitoring here the situation (in Ayala). So she said that if she gets a chance to pass by, she will join us in monitoring the developments of the situation," Razon said.
Asked if the President was worried of the situation that was why she personally joined the monitoring of the situation and she even had her key Cabinet officials, Razon said: "No. In fact, she immediately went back to her normal duties now. She has a function at Malacanang."
The President was joined in the briefing by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr., Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr., Transportation and Communication Secretary Leandro Mendoza, and Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye,
according to Razon.
Razon said he does not know why the said key officials were at the briefing with the President.
"It's just that they wanted a briefing and to monitor. It's as simple as that," he just said.
Asked what is their assessment on the rally, Razon said: "Well, it was quiet, orderly. So, we thank the rally organizers. Hopefully, in an hour, we can conclude this protest action and return to normalcy."
According to him, the crowd was at its highest at 15,000 and went down to 9,000 shortly before Arroyo left the camp.
Esperon said the meeting was not "tensed," as there was no reason to be, citing the "few turnout" of the rally participants and the "orderly" conduct of the activity, "to the credit of the rally organizers."
Esperon and Razon said it took the President almost three hours before she left because they had to monitor the actual events aired on television.
They said that no other issues were discussed during the meeting, such as the apprehension of a foreign national in relation to the alleged kill plot on Arroyo, and the calamities in Bicol and Eastern Visayas regions.
Razon said it is very likely that the problem of the calamity-affected areas will be discussed when the President returns to Malacanang because she was to meet with governors and mayors there.
Asked how was the President when she left, Razon said: "Well, she was happy, and she was back to her normal schedule."
He said the President just directed them to continue their monitoring and then report to her the developments. She also thanked them for their security preparations.
Razon said the PNP may downgrade its alert level to normal status depending on how the rally would end. Based on that, the AFP may also take the same action, said Esperon./DMS
February 29, 2008
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo made an unscheduled visit to the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Friday afternoon to get a briefing from police and military authorities on the inter-faith rally in Makati City last night.
Arroyo arrived at the National Headquarters building of the PNP shortly past 4pm after an official trip to Bulacan, and was joined by key Cabinet secretaries in the briefing given by PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr.
"Initially, this meeting with her was not scheduled. Then, we got a word that she would want to pass by. She came from Bulacan," Razon told reporters in Filipino after the President left the camp at around 6:45pm.
He said the meeting supposed to be was just between the PNP and the AFP.
"She knew that we are monitoring here the situation (in Ayala). So she said that if she gets a chance to pass by, she will join us in monitoring the developments of the situation," Razon said.
Asked if the President was worried of the situation that was why she personally joined the monitoring of the situation and she even had her key Cabinet officials, Razon said: "No. In fact, she immediately went back to her normal duties now. She has a function at Malacanang."
The President was joined in the briefing by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr., Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr., Transportation and Communication Secretary Leandro Mendoza, and Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye,
according to Razon.
Razon said he does not know why the said key officials were at the briefing with the President.
"It's just that they wanted a briefing and to monitor. It's as simple as that," he just said.
Asked what is their assessment on the rally, Razon said: "Well, it was quiet, orderly. So, we thank the rally organizers. Hopefully, in an hour, we can conclude this protest action and return to normalcy."
According to him, the crowd was at its highest at 15,000 and went down to 9,000 shortly before Arroyo left the camp.
Esperon said the meeting was not "tensed," as there was no reason to be, citing the "few turnout" of the rally participants and the "orderly" conduct of the activity, "to the credit of the rally organizers."
Esperon and Razon said it took the President almost three hours before she left because they had to monitor the actual events aired on television.
They said that no other issues were discussed during the meeting, such as the apprehension of a foreign national in relation to the alleged kill plot on Arroyo, and the calamities in Bicol and Eastern Visayas regions.
Razon said it is very likely that the problem of the calamity-affected areas will be discussed when the President returns to Malacanang because she was to meet with governors and mayors there.
Asked how was the President when she left, Razon said: "Well, she was happy, and she was back to her normal schedule."
He said the President just directed them to continue their monitoring and then report to her the developments. She also thanked them for their security preparations.
Razon said the PNP may downgrade its alert level to normal status depending on how the rally would end. Based on that, the AFP may also take the same action, said Esperon./DMS
Faeldon dares Esperon, Razon to spill the beans on alleged irregularities in Arroyo government
By Ronron
February 29, 2008
Fugitive Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon challenged Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. and Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. to disclose their knowledge about the alleged irregularities in the Arroyo government.
In a handwritten statement distributed Friday to Defense reporters by his lawyer, Trixie Angeles, Faeldon said in Filipino that the two should stop stressing that the chain of commands rests solely on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
"I challenge the both of you: If you are really professionals and are not partisan, go face the Senate, which represents the people, and reveal the irregularities that you know in government," Faeldon wrote.
"I challenge Gen. Esperon and Mr. Razon: If it is true that you don't want the military and police to be mocked by politicians, stop being used by Arroyo. Arroyo is not the government," he added.
Faeldon reminded the two officials that those attacking Arroyo are not enemies of the people, but of those stealing from the coffers of the government.
He particularly told Esperon that there is still time for him to start again serving the country from the core of his heart.
This as the military chief, according to Faeldon, remains no longer credible because of his alleged participation in the alleged 2004 electoral fraud.
Faeldon said Esperon and Razon should help shed light on the Hello Garci scandal, the ZTE scandal and other anomalies that they allegedly help in covering up.
"You should not order the soldiers to spy on and threaten those fighting against Arroyo. The police must not also be used to disperse those who are rallying for the truth," he said.
As he did in the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny and on the November 29, 2007 takeover at the Manila Peninsula Hotel, Faeldon reiterated that Arroyo, whom he addressed as a fake President, must step down or otherwise, be removed through peaceful means.
He also assured the public that the soldiers will follow the will of the civilians, thus they should not lose hope that many soldiers will serve the country.
"We will defend you and our democracy," he said.
Faeldon has gone on hiding since the November 29 incident last year and authorities have already put up a P1 million reward for his re-arrest.
He had also escaped in December 2005, but was recaptured in Caloocan City in January of the following year./DMS
February 29, 2008
Fugitive Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon challenged Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. and Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. to disclose their knowledge about the alleged irregularities in the Arroyo government.
In a handwritten statement distributed Friday to Defense reporters by his lawyer, Trixie Angeles, Faeldon said in Filipino that the two should stop stressing that the chain of commands rests solely on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
"I challenge the both of you: If you are really professionals and are not partisan, go face the Senate, which represents the people, and reveal the irregularities that you know in government," Faeldon wrote.
"I challenge Gen. Esperon and Mr. Razon: If it is true that you don't want the military and police to be mocked by politicians, stop being used by Arroyo. Arroyo is not the government," he added.
Faeldon reminded the two officials that those attacking Arroyo are not enemies of the people, but of those stealing from the coffers of the government.
He particularly told Esperon that there is still time for him to start again serving the country from the core of his heart.
This as the military chief, according to Faeldon, remains no longer credible because of his alleged participation in the alleged 2004 electoral fraud.
Faeldon said Esperon and Razon should help shed light on the Hello Garci scandal, the ZTE scandal and other anomalies that they allegedly help in covering up.
"You should not order the soldiers to spy on and threaten those fighting against Arroyo. The police must not also be used to disperse those who are rallying for the truth," he said.
As he did in the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny and on the November 29, 2007 takeover at the Manila Peninsula Hotel, Faeldon reiterated that Arroyo, whom he addressed as a fake President, must step down or otherwise, be removed through peaceful means.
He also assured the public that the soldiers will follow the will of the civilians, thus they should not lose hope that many soldiers will serve the country.
"We will defend you and our democracy," he said.
Faeldon has gone on hiding since the November 29 incident last year and authorities have already put up a P1 million reward for his re-arrest.
He had also escaped in December 2005, but was recaptured in Caloocan City in January of the following year./DMS
Foreigner nabbed over alleged Arroyo slay plot
By Ronron
February 29, 2008
A foreign national was apprehended by authorities over the alleged assassination plot on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Friday.
PNP chief Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said the suspect was nabbed last Wednesday in a province near Metro Manila as a result of their follow up operations on the alleged kill plot against Arroyo that was bared on February 14.
"The PNP conducted operations and after that, a foreigner was nabbed. But we will not give his name yet because there are still operations to account for his other companions," Razon told reporters in Filipino in a news briefing at Camp Crame yesterday.
The assassination plot against Arroyo was first disclosed two weeks ago by the Presidential Security Group, the PNP, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Razon had said then that the information came from a document recovered from a park somewhere in Metro Manila. The document, which contained writings in Arabic, allegedly showed routes taken by Arroyo, including one at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), and casing reviews of some embassies in the capital.
The embassies would reportedly be bombed, said Razon, while Arroyo will be hit by a sniper, said AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr.
Razon said the document was turned over to the PNP sometime in the first week of the month by a security guard who first saw it.
Immediately after receiving the report, Razon said the PNP not just exerted effort to hunt the people behind it, they also heightened the security at the "embassies and vital installations."
"The casing is the first step of their preparations. We can say that the plan of their group was already foiled," Razon said yesterday.
Razon said that after initial interrogation on the apprehended suspect, police learned that he has links with the Jemaah Islamiyah and the Abu Sayyaf Group terrorist organizations.
"We asked the foreigner if he could explain to us why he has that plan. He told us something," Razon said but did not elaborate.
The PNP chief said the authorities were not suppose to disclose the apprehension of the suspect so as not to jeopardize their ongoing follow up operations.
"Up to yesterday, our coordination with the Chief of Staff (of the AFP) is not to talk about the apprehension yet… We are careful about this, but we are forced to disclose it now because there are reports that this (assassination plot against the President) is just a staged plan," Razon said.
"So we hope we can protect our policemen and encourage them to pursue the case. We should not be demoralized… The public should know that we are working," he added.
Razon assured that in due time, they will present the foreigner to the media./DMS
February 29, 2008
A foreign national was apprehended by authorities over the alleged assassination plot on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Friday.
PNP chief Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said the suspect was nabbed last Wednesday in a province near Metro Manila as a result of their follow up operations on the alleged kill plot against Arroyo that was bared on February 14.
"The PNP conducted operations and after that, a foreigner was nabbed. But we will not give his name yet because there are still operations to account for his other companions," Razon told reporters in Filipino in a news briefing at Camp Crame yesterday.
The assassination plot against Arroyo was first disclosed two weeks ago by the Presidential Security Group, the PNP, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Razon had said then that the information came from a document recovered from a park somewhere in Metro Manila. The document, which contained writings in Arabic, allegedly showed routes taken by Arroyo, including one at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), and casing reviews of some embassies in the capital.
The embassies would reportedly be bombed, said Razon, while Arroyo will be hit by a sniper, said AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr.
Razon said the document was turned over to the PNP sometime in the first week of the month by a security guard who first saw it.
Immediately after receiving the report, Razon said the PNP not just exerted effort to hunt the people behind it, they also heightened the security at the "embassies and vital installations."
"The casing is the first step of their preparations. We can say that the plan of their group was already foiled," Razon said yesterday.
Razon said that after initial interrogation on the apprehended suspect, police learned that he has links with the Jemaah Islamiyah and the Abu Sayyaf Group terrorist organizations.
"We asked the foreigner if he could explain to us why he has that plan. He told us something," Razon said but did not elaborate.
The PNP chief said the authorities were not suppose to disclose the apprehension of the suspect so as not to jeopardize their ongoing follow up operations.
"Up to yesterday, our coordination with the Chief of Staff (of the AFP) is not to talk about the apprehension yet… We are careful about this, but we are forced to disclose it now because there are reports that this (assassination plot against the President) is just a staged plan," Razon said.
"So we hope we can protect our policemen and encourage them to pursue the case. We should not be demoralized… The public should know that we are working," he added.
Razon assured that in due time, they will present the foreigner to the media./DMS
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Death toll in RP flood and landslide incidents rise to 45, NDCC reports
By Ronron
February 28, 2008
The death toll due to the series of flooding and landslide incidents in some parts of the Philippines rose to 45 while eight remain missing as of Thursday evening, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said.
In its latest report dated 6PM of February 27, the NDCC said the cost of damages to infrastructure and agriculture has also reached P1.312 billion already, the bigger bulk of which come from Region 5 and 8, while the rest are from Regions 6, 10 and 12.
The NDCC report said 18 died in Region 5, one in Region 6, 18 in Region 8, seven in Region 10, and one in Region 12. The eight missing, meanwhile, come from Region 5 (five persons), Region 8 (two persons), and Region 10 (one person).
There were also 31 injured persons: seven from Sorsogon in Region 5; 15 in Eastern Samar in Region 8; and nine from Lanao del Norte in Region 10.
The victims either drowned, were electrocuted, or covered in landslides, among others.
The flooding and landslide caused by a low pressure area and the persistence of the tail end of cold front, according to the NDCC, have already affected 180,809 families or 873,009 persons, of which, 10,583 families or 41,472 persons are in 112 evacuation centers.
The affected population comes from Regions IV-B, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12.
Some of them were left homeless after 2,001 houses from Regions 4-B, 5, 8 and 10 were totally damaged, and 3,740 partially destroyed by the calamity, said the NDCC.
The NDCC said the flooding and landslides have caused the damage of at least P1.015 billion worth of infrastructure and at least P296 million worth of fisheries, crops and palays in Regions 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12.
Eastern Samar, Albay, Sigma town in Capiz and Magallanes town in Sorsogon remain under a State of Calamity so they could avail of the calamity fund, which is equivalent to five percent of their Internal Revenue Allocation.
So far, the following agencies have already extended their assistance to the affected populace: 1) NDCC, worth P1.574 million, and some 1,725 sacks of rice; 2) Department of Social Welfare and Development, worth P2.680 million; 3) Department of Health, worth P165,389.89; 4) local government units, worth P3.302 million; and, 5) non-governmental organizations, worth P338,462.00./DMS
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Weather Branch chief Nathaniel Cruz said that even if the tail end of cold front will no longer be felt in the country early next month, rains will still be expected until June of this year due to the La Nina phenomenon.
“The tail end of cold front may leave the country but the chances of having rains not only here in Metro Manila but also in other parts of the country, especially in the Bicol region and Eastern Visayas will still be there,” Cruz said./DMS
February 28, 2008
The death toll due to the series of flooding and landslide incidents in some parts of the Philippines rose to 45 while eight remain missing as of Thursday evening, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said.
In its latest report dated 6PM of February 27, the NDCC said the cost of damages to infrastructure and agriculture has also reached P1.312 billion already, the bigger bulk of which come from Region 5 and 8, while the rest are from Regions 6, 10 and 12.
The NDCC report said 18 died in Region 5, one in Region 6, 18 in Region 8, seven in Region 10, and one in Region 12. The eight missing, meanwhile, come from Region 5 (five persons), Region 8 (two persons), and Region 10 (one person).
There were also 31 injured persons: seven from Sorsogon in Region 5; 15 in Eastern Samar in Region 8; and nine from Lanao del Norte in Region 10.
The victims either drowned, were electrocuted, or covered in landslides, among others.
The flooding and landslide caused by a low pressure area and the persistence of the tail end of cold front, according to the NDCC, have already affected 180,809 families or 873,009 persons, of which, 10,583 families or 41,472 persons are in 112 evacuation centers.
The affected population comes from Regions IV-B, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12.
Some of them were left homeless after 2,001 houses from Regions 4-B, 5, 8 and 10 were totally damaged, and 3,740 partially destroyed by the calamity, said the NDCC.
The NDCC said the flooding and landslides have caused the damage of at least P1.015 billion worth of infrastructure and at least P296 million worth of fisheries, crops and palays in Regions 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12.
Eastern Samar, Albay, Sigma town in Capiz and Magallanes town in Sorsogon remain under a State of Calamity so they could avail of the calamity fund, which is equivalent to five percent of their Internal Revenue Allocation.
So far, the following agencies have already extended their assistance to the affected populace: 1) NDCC, worth P1.574 million, and some 1,725 sacks of rice; 2) Department of Social Welfare and Development, worth P2.680 million; 3) Department of Health, worth P165,389.89; 4) local government units, worth P3.302 million; and, 5) non-governmental organizations, worth P338,462.00./DMS
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Weather Branch chief Nathaniel Cruz said that even if the tail end of cold front will no longer be felt in the country early next month, rains will still be expected until June of this year due to the La Nina phenomenon.
“The tail end of cold front may leave the country but the chances of having rains not only here in Metro Manila but also in other parts of the country, especially in the Bicol region and Eastern Visayas will still be there,” Cruz said./DMS
PNP, AFP expect peaceful rally today (Friday) in Makati City; PAGASA says there will light rain
By Ronron
February 28, 2008
Government security forces are ready to secure the rally today (Friday) in Makati City by various groups to call for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are already on red alert status, and their forces will be securing the inter-faith rally, as well as key areas in the capital, officials said.
On Thursday noon, policemen from Region 5 arrived at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City to form part of the 5,000-strong Task Force Manila Shield that was activated for today’s activity.
PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said 3,500 troops from Police Regional Offices 1 to 5 will arrive in Manila, while 1,500 others will come from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
The AFP National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM), for its part, will put on standby some 1,500 “maneuverable force” in case the NCRPO will request for augmentation. The battalion-size force will stay at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
Officials said the inter-faith rally will begin at 5pm and end at 8pm. Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay said at least 50,000 will participate in the activity, quite higher than the 10,000 estimate of Razon.
Aside from Makati City, the task force will also secure Mendiola in Manila City, which the easiest gateway to Malacanang Palace, and EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City, which has been the staging point of both the 1986 and 2001 People Power Revolutions.
Manila Police District (MPD) head Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales and Eastern Police District (EPD) head Chief Supt. Nilo dela Cruz said that although there are no scheduled rallies at Mendiola and the EDSA Shrine, respectively, they will deploy troops there.
Rosales said there will be 800 policemen at Mendiola, while there will be about 300 at the EDSA Shrine, said dela Cruz.
“There will be a deployment because we don’t want to be caught flat-footed,” Rosales said.
Quezon City Police District chief Sr. Supt. Magtanggol Gatdula said he will also put on alert his troops for today’s activity, even if there are no planned rallies in his area of responsibility.
Razon assured that people from the provinces who want to join the rally at Makati City will not be prevented if no law is violated.
“We will not stop them. In fact, I have been saying that we will allow protest actions because we respect the rights of the citizens to hold rally and demonstrations, so long as these are orderly and within the bounds of the law,” he said.
Asked if they will monitor seditious or rebellious statements during the rally, the PNP chief said they will leave it to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to determine that.
Razon disclosed that while there are intelligence reports that communist rebels and Moslem terrorists will penetrate the mass gathering, these remain not validated and unverified.
AFP National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM) chief Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa said there are also no threats coming from rightists as he described the influence of Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and the Magdalo Group to be dead already.
Mesa said he is certain that no member of the military will join the rally.
Like Razon, he appealed to the rally participants, especially the organizers, to police their own ranks for possible infiltrators.
“We foresee that the mass actions will be peaceful and orderly,” Razon said.
Among the measures already taken by the PNP is the week-long suspension of the permit-to-carry-firearms-outside-of-residence to control the movement of firearms, which began last Monday.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned that today’s rally may be marred with rains due to the prevailing tail end of cold front.
“It will be rainy… We will still experience cloudy weather. There will still be chances of rains for as long as the tail end of cold front affects us,” PAGASA Weather Branch chief Nathaniel Cruz said.
He denied that there are cloud-seeding operations being conducted to induce rains to discourage protesters from joining the mass actions.
Cruz said the prevailing bad weather is more than enough reason not to allow airplanes to fly for cloud-seeding operations.
The Arroyo government is being accused of having a hand in the anomalous national broadband network project deal with ZTE Corporation./DMS
February 28, 2008
Government security forces are ready to secure the rally today (Friday) in Makati City by various groups to call for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are already on red alert status, and their forces will be securing the inter-faith rally, as well as key areas in the capital, officials said.
On Thursday noon, policemen from Region 5 arrived at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City to form part of the 5,000-strong Task Force Manila Shield that was activated for today’s activity.
PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said 3,500 troops from Police Regional Offices 1 to 5 will arrive in Manila, while 1,500 others will come from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
The AFP National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM), for its part, will put on standby some 1,500 “maneuverable force” in case the NCRPO will request for augmentation. The battalion-size force will stay at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
Officials said the inter-faith rally will begin at 5pm and end at 8pm. Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay said at least 50,000 will participate in the activity, quite higher than the 10,000 estimate of Razon.
Aside from Makati City, the task force will also secure Mendiola in Manila City, which the easiest gateway to Malacanang Palace, and EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City, which has been the staging point of both the 1986 and 2001 People Power Revolutions.
Manila Police District (MPD) head Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales and Eastern Police District (EPD) head Chief Supt. Nilo dela Cruz said that although there are no scheduled rallies at Mendiola and the EDSA Shrine, respectively, they will deploy troops there.
Rosales said there will be 800 policemen at Mendiola, while there will be about 300 at the EDSA Shrine, said dela Cruz.
“There will be a deployment because we don’t want to be caught flat-footed,” Rosales said.
Quezon City Police District chief Sr. Supt. Magtanggol Gatdula said he will also put on alert his troops for today’s activity, even if there are no planned rallies in his area of responsibility.
Razon assured that people from the provinces who want to join the rally at Makati City will not be prevented if no law is violated.
“We will not stop them. In fact, I have been saying that we will allow protest actions because we respect the rights of the citizens to hold rally and demonstrations, so long as these are orderly and within the bounds of the law,” he said.
Asked if they will monitor seditious or rebellious statements during the rally, the PNP chief said they will leave it to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to determine that.
Razon disclosed that while there are intelligence reports that communist rebels and Moslem terrorists will penetrate the mass gathering, these remain not validated and unverified.
AFP National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM) chief Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa said there are also no threats coming from rightists as he described the influence of Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and the Magdalo Group to be dead already.
Mesa said he is certain that no member of the military will join the rally.
Like Razon, he appealed to the rally participants, especially the organizers, to police their own ranks for possible infiltrators.
“We foresee that the mass actions will be peaceful and orderly,” Razon said.
Among the measures already taken by the PNP is the week-long suspension of the permit-to-carry-firearms-outside-of-residence to control the movement of firearms, which began last Monday.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned that today’s rally may be marred with rains due to the prevailing tail end of cold front.
“It will be rainy… We will still experience cloudy weather. There will still be chances of rains for as long as the tail end of cold front affects us,” PAGASA Weather Branch chief Nathaniel Cruz said.
He denied that there are cloud-seeding operations being conducted to induce rains to discourage protesters from joining the mass actions.
Cruz said the prevailing bad weather is more than enough reason not to allow airplanes to fly for cloud-seeding operations.
The Arroyo government is being accused of having a hand in the anomalous national broadband network project deal with ZTE Corporation./DMS
Razon finds no problem with revocation of EO 464
By Ronron
February 28, 2008
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said Thursday that he finds no problem with the revocation of Executive Order 464, which was recommended by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) last Tuesday night.
Razon said in fact, even when the said EO was in effect since its issuance in September 2005, he still showed up at the Senate when invited for some hearings.
“For me, it’s okay to revoke EO 464 because I see no problem in facing our Senators and Congressman. I don’t think it will really be a problem,” he told reporters in an interview at Camp Crame yesterday afternoon.
Instead of joining the calls for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the CBCP pressed on letting the truth out behind the allegations hurled against the current administration.
To achieve this, the CBCP urged the Arroyo government to junk EO 464, which Arroyo issued to let members of the Executive Branch seek her permission before appearing at Congressional hearings.
The EO was criticized by some sectors as a clear attempt of the Arroyo administration to evade scrutiny, especially that it came at a time when the Senate was probing the alleged electoral fraud in the 2004 Presidential polls.
Razon said he learned from Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno on Wednesday that the Cabinet will already be discussing for the possible review of the imposition of EO 464.
Razon disclosed that no less than Puno will be recommending to the Cabinet for a review on said order.
The police chief, meanwhile, hailed the CBCP statement, saying that by not calling for Arroyo’s resignation, it left a “calming effect on the Christian population.”
“What we can say on the stand of the CBCP not to call for the resignation of the President is that it has a calming effect on the Christian population amidst some calls for resignation, or coup d’ etat, or violence,” Razon said.
“What we are saying is that there should be no violence or resorting to extra-legal means because all these will put down our country again,” he added.
Arroyo’s family and administration is being linked to the alleged anomaly behind the $329-million national broadband network project that was cancelled last year./DMS
February 28, 2008
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said Thursday that he finds no problem with the revocation of Executive Order 464, which was recommended by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) last Tuesday night.
Razon said in fact, even when the said EO was in effect since its issuance in September 2005, he still showed up at the Senate when invited for some hearings.
“For me, it’s okay to revoke EO 464 because I see no problem in facing our Senators and Congressman. I don’t think it will really be a problem,” he told reporters in an interview at Camp Crame yesterday afternoon.
Instead of joining the calls for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the CBCP pressed on letting the truth out behind the allegations hurled against the current administration.
To achieve this, the CBCP urged the Arroyo government to junk EO 464, which Arroyo issued to let members of the Executive Branch seek her permission before appearing at Congressional hearings.
The EO was criticized by some sectors as a clear attempt of the Arroyo administration to evade scrutiny, especially that it came at a time when the Senate was probing the alleged electoral fraud in the 2004 Presidential polls.
Razon said he learned from Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno on Wednesday that the Cabinet will already be discussing for the possible review of the imposition of EO 464.
Razon disclosed that no less than Puno will be recommending to the Cabinet for a review on said order.
The police chief, meanwhile, hailed the CBCP statement, saying that by not calling for Arroyo’s resignation, it left a “calming effect on the Christian population.”
“What we can say on the stand of the CBCP not to call for the resignation of the President is that it has a calming effect on the Christian population amidst some calls for resignation, or coup d’ etat, or violence,” Razon said.
“What we are saying is that there should be no violence or resorting to extra-legal means because all these will put down our country again,” he added.
Arroyo’s family and administration is being linked to the alleged anomaly behind the $329-million national broadband network project that was cancelled last year./DMS
Two hurt in vintage bomb blast in Bacolod City
By Ronron
February 28, 2008
Two persons were injured in an explosion Thursday morning in Bacolod City, police said.
The victims were workers of a machine shop at Barangay Singcang in said city were the blast happened at around 9:30 am.
One of the victims allegedly attempted to cut off a metallic tube using acetylene, without knowing that it contained a suspected 75 mm mortar.
It was not yet known if the suspected vintage bomb was newly acquired by the shop or had been there long before yesterday.
The victims were brought to a hospital in the city where they remain confined for medical treatment./DMS
February 28, 2008
Two persons were injured in an explosion Thursday morning in Bacolod City, police said.
The victims were workers of a machine shop at Barangay Singcang in said city were the blast happened at around 9:30 am.
One of the victims allegedly attempted to cut off a metallic tube using acetylene, without knowing that it contained a suspected 75 mm mortar.
It was not yet known if the suspected vintage bomb was newly acquired by the shop or had been there long before yesterday.
The victims were brought to a hospital in the city where they remain confined for medical treatment./DMS
One killed, five hurt in blast at General Santos City
By Ronron
February 28, 2008
A man died after an explosive of unknown type that he was allegedly holding blew off late Wednesday night in General Santos City, the city police chief said Thursday.
Sr. Supt. Robert Po told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview that the incident happened at around 10:45 pm at the vicinity of the Old City Hall building in the center of the city.
The Old City Hall is just located at the back of the new city hall building where several people converged for the culmination of the 11-day Kalilangan Festival of the city.
Po said five passersby were also hurt slightly by the blast, which they are considering as “either a case of accidental explosion or pre-mature explosion.”
“The carrier himself was the casualty… His name is Gleen Octaviano, 26 years old, an ambulant vendor,” Po said.
He said they identified Octaviano through the pieces of document recovered from his cart and his co-ambulant vendors in the park.
The five wounded persons, Po said, include a 16-year-old, while the rest are already of legal age.
Po said the crime laboratory office of the Region 12 Police is still ascertaining if the blast was caused by a grenade, pillbox or an improvised explosive device (IED).
“We have not recovered IED parts. But we will still await for the scientific findings,” he said.
Based on that, they will then draw the possible motive behind the blast, Po said. “We don’t have specific motive yet now unless we are able to establish the source or the cause of the explosion – if it was a pillbox, a grenade or an IED.”
At the same time, they will check on the contents of the cellular phone of Octaviano, which police recovered intact.
The last time a bombing rocked the city was on January 30, which happened outside a tuna canning firm located some eight kilometers away from the center of the city.
The incident, which police say was motivated by an extortion attempt allegedly of the Al-Khobar Group, left five people killed./DMS
February 28, 2008
A man died after an explosive of unknown type that he was allegedly holding blew off late Wednesday night in General Santos City, the city police chief said Thursday.
Sr. Supt. Robert Po told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview that the incident happened at around 10:45 pm at the vicinity of the Old City Hall building in the center of the city.
The Old City Hall is just located at the back of the new city hall building where several people converged for the culmination of the 11-day Kalilangan Festival of the city.
Po said five passersby were also hurt slightly by the blast, which they are considering as “either a case of accidental explosion or pre-mature explosion.”
“The carrier himself was the casualty… His name is Gleen Octaviano, 26 years old, an ambulant vendor,” Po said.
He said they identified Octaviano through the pieces of document recovered from his cart and his co-ambulant vendors in the park.
The five wounded persons, Po said, include a 16-year-old, while the rest are already of legal age.
Po said the crime laboratory office of the Region 12 Police is still ascertaining if the blast was caused by a grenade, pillbox or an improvised explosive device (IED).
“We have not recovered IED parts. But we will still await for the scientific findings,” he said.
Based on that, they will then draw the possible motive behind the blast, Po said. “We don’t have specific motive yet now unless we are able to establish the source or the cause of the explosion – if it was a pillbox, a grenade or an IED.”
At the same time, they will check on the contents of the cellular phone of Octaviano, which police recovered intact.
The last time a bombing rocked the city was on January 30, which happened outside a tuna canning firm located some eight kilometers away from the center of the city.
The incident, which police say was motivated by an extortion attempt allegedly of the Al-Khobar Group, left five people killed./DMS
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Student hurt in blast at Surigao del Sur school
By Ronron
February 27, 2008
A fourth year male high-school student was slightly hurt in an explosion Wednesday afternoon inside a school in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, the city police chief said.
In a phone interview, Supt. James Goforth said the incident happened almost 3pm inside the campus of Andres Soriano College (ASC) in Mangagoy District.
Goforth said the male suspect was on foot outside of the school when he threw the explosive over the gate and landed at the open field inside.
"We still don't know if it was a grenade or an improvised explosive device… But it's quite remote that it's an act of terrorism," he said in Filipino.
He said initial investigation showed that the suspect, according to an eyewitness, was under the influence of liquor while passing through Lauron Street outside the school.
"We now have a lead on this suspect. Somebody saw him so we are looking for him now," Goforth said.
He said part of their investigation is to find out if the suspect has a gripe against ASC.
The injured victim who was hit slightly in the abdomen was already sent him after he was treated, Goforth said./END
February 27, 2008
A fourth year male high-school student was slightly hurt in an explosion Wednesday afternoon inside a school in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, the city police chief said.
In a phone interview, Supt. James Goforth said the incident happened almost 3pm inside the campus of Andres Soriano College (ASC) in Mangagoy District.
Goforth said the male suspect was on foot outside of the school when he threw the explosive over the gate and landed at the open field inside.
"We still don't know if it was a grenade or an improvised explosive device… But it's quite remote that it's an act of terrorism," he said in Filipino.
He said initial investigation showed that the suspect, according to an eyewitness, was under the influence of liquor while passing through Lauron Street outside the school.
"We now have a lead on this suspect. Somebody saw him so we are looking for him now," Goforth said.
He said part of their investigation is to find out if the suspect has a gripe against ASC.
The injured victim who was hit slightly in the abdomen was already sent him after he was treated, Goforth said./END
CPP's Ka Roger still alive but under treatment – AFP
By Ronron
February 27, 2008
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) spokesman Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal is still alive, but is undergoing treatment.
AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence Rear Admiral Leonardo Calderon told reporters that Rosal is being treated somewhere in Southern Tagalog.
"The reports indicate that he's sick and is undergoing treatment… within his territory," Calderon said.
Rosal had not been seen and heard for quite a period now, instead, he just issues statements through the internet./DMS
February 27, 2008
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) spokesman Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal is still alive, but is undergoing treatment.
AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence Rear Admiral Leonardo Calderon told reporters that Rosal is being treated somewhere in Southern Tagalog.
"The reports indicate that he's sick and is undergoing treatment… within his territory," Calderon said.
Rosal had not been seen and heard for quite a period now, instead, he just issues statements through the internet./DMS
PNP goes on full alert on eve of Makati rally on Friday
By Ronron
February 27, 2008
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will go on full alert at 6pm Thursday in preparation for Friday's rally in Makati City by militants, civil society, religious, and opposition groups, among others, calling for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
At the same time, the PNP Task Force Manila Shield will be activated to secure the rally activities in the capital, said National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Geary Barias.
Barias told reporters in Camp Crame, Quezon City that the NCRPO will contribute 1,500 personnel, to be augmented by 3,500 others from Police Regional Offices 1 to 5.
"Although the rally will be basically at Ayala in Makati City, we would also like that we should be prepared in other areas just in case here will be rallies in some other areas. We're talking about EDSA Shrine or even Mendiola," Barias said.
The rally at Makati City was granted a permit by Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, starting from 5pm up to 8pm, said Barias.
He explained that there is a need to raise the alert level nationwide so that the other regional offices are prepared to respond in case something happens in Metro Manila.
Barias said there is no monitored threat, however, to the gathering tomorrow.
Citing the preparations of the PNP like their dialogue on Tuesday with Binay and other rally organizers, Barias expressed hope that the rally will not turn violent.
"I will assure you, as it was assured by the Mayor of Makati that February 29 will be over with peace and tranquility… February 29 will not even be a threat to national security," he said.
Friday's rally will be held after last Monday's gatherings in Metro Manila and other parts of the country to call for the resignation of Arroyo, who is accused of corruption./DMS
February 27, 2008
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will go on full alert at 6pm Thursday in preparation for Friday's rally in Makati City by militants, civil society, religious, and opposition groups, among others, calling for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
At the same time, the PNP Task Force Manila Shield will be activated to secure the rally activities in the capital, said National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Geary Barias.
Barias told reporters in Camp Crame, Quezon City that the NCRPO will contribute 1,500 personnel, to be augmented by 3,500 others from Police Regional Offices 1 to 5.
"Although the rally will be basically at Ayala in Makati City, we would also like that we should be prepared in other areas just in case here will be rallies in some other areas. We're talking about EDSA Shrine or even Mendiola," Barias said.
The rally at Makati City was granted a permit by Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, starting from 5pm up to 8pm, said Barias.
He explained that there is a need to raise the alert level nationwide so that the other regional offices are prepared to respond in case something happens in Metro Manila.
Barias said there is no monitored threat, however, to the gathering tomorrow.
Citing the preparations of the PNP like their dialogue on Tuesday with Binay and other rally organizers, Barias expressed hope that the rally will not turn violent.
"I will assure you, as it was assured by the Mayor of Makati that February 29 will be over with peace and tranquility… February 29 will not even be a threat to national security," he said.
Friday's rally will be held after last Monday's gatherings in Metro Manila and other parts of the country to call for the resignation of Arroyo, who is accused of corruption./DMS
Bomb threats hit QC hall of justice and main Comelec office
By Ronron
February 27, 2008
A series of bomb threats was received by the Quezon City Hall of Justice and the main Commission on Election (Comelec) office in Manila City on Wednesday, officials said.
All turned out to be hoax after policemen and security personnel conducted clearing operations.
The first threat was made at around 8:15 am at Branch 39 of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, said Quezon City Police Explosives and Ordnance Division (EOD) head Insp. Arnulfo Franco.
Branch 39 is located at the third floor of the QC Hall of Justice, which is beside the QC Hall.
In a phone interview, Franco said the caller had a female sound and said that there is a bomb inside the courtroom that will explode before 12 noon.
The second call was made at around 9:40 am at Branch 406 on the fourth floor, believed to be by the same caller.
After sweeping operations by the canines of the internal security and the EOD personnel, the entire building was declared bomb-free at around 10 am, Franco said.
He said the bomb threat prompted some people to leave the building in an orderly manner.
"Maybe, these are just people who want to delay some court hearings," Franco said when asked of the possible motive of the caller.
At the Comelec Office, the first bomb threat was received at 10:55 am at the Education and Information Division (EID), which holds office outside of the Palacio del Gobernador on General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila City.
EID Director James Jimenez said in a separate phone interview that the caller, who had a male-sounding voice, claimed that the Palacio del Gobernador will be blown up at around 11 am.
A few moments later, the perceived similar caller called up another phone line at the EID and bad-mouthed the Comelec employee who received it.
Then, at around 11:05 am, the perceived similar caller made a final call at the same phone line and issued the same threat on blowing up the Palacio del Gobernador.
Upon learning about the calls, the occupants of the building "went out peacefully," and the inherent police personnel and private security proceeded to scour the entire edifice, Jimenez said.
"It was declared negative at around 1:30 pm and then the people started going back," he said.
Jimenez said the "most probable cause" of the bomb threat is the "existing activities at the Comelec such as election recounts or revisions."
"Some partisan groups could have gotten hot under the collar," he said, adding this "is not a novel thing" to the agency already./DMS
February 27, 2008
A series of bomb threats was received by the Quezon City Hall of Justice and the main Commission on Election (Comelec) office in Manila City on Wednesday, officials said.
All turned out to be hoax after policemen and security personnel conducted clearing operations.
The first threat was made at around 8:15 am at Branch 39 of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, said Quezon City Police Explosives and Ordnance Division (EOD) head Insp. Arnulfo Franco.
Branch 39 is located at the third floor of the QC Hall of Justice, which is beside the QC Hall.
In a phone interview, Franco said the caller had a female sound and said that there is a bomb inside the courtroom that will explode before 12 noon.
The second call was made at around 9:40 am at Branch 406 on the fourth floor, believed to be by the same caller.
After sweeping operations by the canines of the internal security and the EOD personnel, the entire building was declared bomb-free at around 10 am, Franco said.
He said the bomb threat prompted some people to leave the building in an orderly manner.
"Maybe, these are just people who want to delay some court hearings," Franco said when asked of the possible motive of the caller.
At the Comelec Office, the first bomb threat was received at 10:55 am at the Education and Information Division (EID), which holds office outside of the Palacio del Gobernador on General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila City.
EID Director James Jimenez said in a separate phone interview that the caller, who had a male-sounding voice, claimed that the Palacio del Gobernador will be blown up at around 11 am.
A few moments later, the perceived similar caller called up another phone line at the EID and bad-mouthed the Comelec employee who received it.
Then, at around 11:05 am, the perceived similar caller made a final call at the same phone line and issued the same threat on blowing up the Palacio del Gobernador.
Upon learning about the calls, the occupants of the building "went out peacefully," and the inherent police personnel and private security proceeded to scour the entire edifice, Jimenez said.
"It was declared negative at around 1:30 pm and then the people started going back," he said.
Jimenez said the "most probable cause" of the bomb threat is the "existing activities at the Comelec such as election recounts or revisions."
"Some partisan groups could have gotten hot under the collar," he said, adding this "is not a novel thing" to the agency already./DMS
FPJ supporters join calls for Arroyo resignation
By Ronron
February 27, 2008
Despite the death of Fernando Poe, Jr. (FPJ) in 2004, his supporters continue their fight for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, whom they accuse of cheating her way to power in 2004.
With fresh allegations of corruption hurled against the Arroyo government stemming from the expose of Rodolfo Lozada, Jr. on the alleged anomaly behind the now-cancelled National Broadband Network (NBN) deal, supporters of FPJ on Wednesday revived their calls for Arroyo’s resignation.
Meeting for the first time at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan after quite a long period, around 20 groups of FPJ supporters yesterday declared support to Lozada and other NBN witnesses, and vowed participation in efforts to oust Arroyo.
“The FPJ advocates will continue to be at the forefront of all protest activities and mobilizations, and be present at the February 29 inter-faith rally of all converging forces for truth and justice,” the group said in a statement.
Rez Cortez, chairman of the FPJ National Council of Concerned Volunteers (NCCV), said they will start joining the mass actions against Arroyo by attending the “Mass for Truth” on Thursday afternoon at the University of Makati.
After the February 29 rally at Makati City, the group will continue to actively campaign for the ouster of Arroyo, such as by joining another Holy Mass at the University of Sto. Tomas in Manila City on March 4th, he said.
“We will try to do it on a daily basis. We will not stop until Gloria Arroyo steps down from the position, which is not really hers,” Cortez said in Filipino, reiterating that Poe was cheated by Arroyo in the 2004 polls.
Oscar Valera, vice president of Filipinos for Peace, Justice and Progress Movement (FPJPM), appealed for Poe’s widow, Susan Roces, to join them in their activities.
“We are calling on Ms. Susan Roces that hopefully, she will join us now in making a stand. Her presence is very important in the crisis we are in now because she is the leader the FPJ supporters look up to,” Valera said in Filipino in the same gathering.
Nonetheless, even without Roces’ leadership, and despite the decision of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) not to call for Arroyo’s resignation, the hundreds of thousands of FPJ supporters will continue with their struggle, said Ed Bacungan of the FPJ Ideals group.
“The CBCP is just playing safe. It’s not that it’s gay or weak. It’s saying that the initiative must come from the people. So Gloria Arroyo should resign before it’s too late,” Bacungan said in the same event.
“We are not dismayed. In fact, we are challenged, we are determined to continue the fight until we see an end to this regime. So we are calling on all supporters of FPJ to join us,” Valera added.
Asked pointblank if there will be a march-to-Malacanang scenario in the coming days
involving FPJ supporters to force Arroyo’s ouster, Cortez just said: “We don’t know that yet. It should happen spontaneously. If that is what the people want, we will follow that. We will be sensitive to the true sentiments of the people.”/DMS
February 27, 2008
Despite the death of Fernando Poe, Jr. (FPJ) in 2004, his supporters continue their fight for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, whom they accuse of cheating her way to power in 2004.
With fresh allegations of corruption hurled against the Arroyo government stemming from the expose of Rodolfo Lozada, Jr. on the alleged anomaly behind the now-cancelled National Broadband Network (NBN) deal, supporters of FPJ on Wednesday revived their calls for Arroyo’s resignation.
Meeting for the first time at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan after quite a long period, around 20 groups of FPJ supporters yesterday declared support to Lozada and other NBN witnesses, and vowed participation in efforts to oust Arroyo.
“The FPJ advocates will continue to be at the forefront of all protest activities and mobilizations, and be present at the February 29 inter-faith rally of all converging forces for truth and justice,” the group said in a statement.
Rez Cortez, chairman of the FPJ National Council of Concerned Volunteers (NCCV), said they will start joining the mass actions against Arroyo by attending the “Mass for Truth” on Thursday afternoon at the University of Makati.
After the February 29 rally at Makati City, the group will continue to actively campaign for the ouster of Arroyo, such as by joining another Holy Mass at the University of Sto. Tomas in Manila City on March 4th, he said.
“We will try to do it on a daily basis. We will not stop until Gloria Arroyo steps down from the position, which is not really hers,” Cortez said in Filipino, reiterating that Poe was cheated by Arroyo in the 2004 polls.
Oscar Valera, vice president of Filipinos for Peace, Justice and Progress Movement (FPJPM), appealed for Poe’s widow, Susan Roces, to join them in their activities.
“We are calling on Ms. Susan Roces that hopefully, she will join us now in making a stand. Her presence is very important in the crisis we are in now because she is the leader the FPJ supporters look up to,” Valera said in Filipino in the same gathering.
Nonetheless, even without Roces’ leadership, and despite the decision of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) not to call for Arroyo’s resignation, the hundreds of thousands of FPJ supporters will continue with their struggle, said Ed Bacungan of the FPJ Ideals group.
“The CBCP is just playing safe. It’s not that it’s gay or weak. It’s saying that the initiative must come from the people. So Gloria Arroyo should resign before it’s too late,” Bacungan said in the same event.
“We are not dismayed. In fact, we are challenged, we are determined to continue the fight until we see an end to this regime. So we are calling on all supporters of FPJ to join us,” Valera added.
Asked pointblank if there will be a march-to-Malacanang scenario in the coming days
involving FPJ supporters to force Arroyo’s ouster, Cortez just said: “We don’t know that yet. It should happen spontaneously. If that is what the people want, we will follow that. We will be sensitive to the true sentiments of the people.”/DMS
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Kenney assures informant will get $10 million reward if Dulmatin’s death is confirmed
By Ronron
February 26, 2008
US Ambassador to Manila Kristie Kenney assured Tuesday that the $10 million reward for the neutralization of Indonesian bomber Dulmatin will go to the informant if his death is proven through the DNA test.
“We’ll look to find who’s responsible and make sure they get the money,” Kenney said in an interview at Maragondon, Cavite where she graced the launching of a newly-built school courtesy of soldiers who took part in the 2008 RP-US Balikatan exercises.
Dulmatin’s reward come from the US State Department for his alleged involvement in the bombings in Bali, Indonesia a few years back that killed locals and
foreign tourist.
Dulmatin is among the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) members who have allegedly entered the Philippines through the southern backdoor. He is with Umar Patek, who has a $1 million reward, and Marwan, who has a $5 million reward, among others, authorities have said.
Philippine military officials said they are trying to determine if the cadaver retrieved last week in Panglima Sugala, Tawi-tawi belonged to Dulmatin’s. The body belonged to a fighter who allegedly fought against Marine forces last January 31.
They also said they are verifying if Umar Patek was wounded in said encounter.
Kenney said that regardless of the result of the DNA test on the alleged remains of Dulmatin, “I’d like to congratulate the Armed Forces of the Philippines for doing a tremendous job of giving their lives in the south to track terrorists and people who destroyed our ways of life.”
For his part, AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. thanked their US counterparts in the south “for their technical assistance.”
“Without their technical assistance and all other help in pursuing the terrorists in that part of the land, we would not have been as successful,” he said.
Kenney calls the RP-US military partnership as a “great” one, which, she said, not only makes “our lives more peaceful and safer, but… making our lives more prosperous.”
Like it did when they gave the $10 million reward to informants for the death of Abu Sayyaf top leader Khadaffy Janjalani, Kenney said “brave civilians” will also receive the reward for the neutralization of Dulmatin once confirmed.
“There is a process of evaluation all of those who have contributed to all the information that led to the successful operations. Anyway, we have to wait for the result, but the process is now ongoing just in case,” Esperon said.
Kenney said the result should come out “in a couple of weeks,” courtesy of the Philippine National Police and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.
“If that is not Dulmatin, then it is very important to remember that that’s one terrorist less,” Esperon said./DMS
February 26, 2008
US Ambassador to Manila Kristie Kenney assured Tuesday that the $10 million reward for the neutralization of Indonesian bomber Dulmatin will go to the informant if his death is proven through the DNA test.
“We’ll look to find who’s responsible and make sure they get the money,” Kenney said in an interview at Maragondon, Cavite where she graced the launching of a newly-built school courtesy of soldiers who took part in the 2008 RP-US Balikatan exercises.
Dulmatin’s reward come from the US State Department for his alleged involvement in the bombings in Bali, Indonesia a few years back that killed locals and
foreign tourist.
Dulmatin is among the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) members who have allegedly entered the Philippines through the southern backdoor. He is with Umar Patek, who has a $1 million reward, and Marwan, who has a $5 million reward, among others, authorities have said.
Philippine military officials said they are trying to determine if the cadaver retrieved last week in Panglima Sugala, Tawi-tawi belonged to Dulmatin’s. The body belonged to a fighter who allegedly fought against Marine forces last January 31.
They also said they are verifying if Umar Patek was wounded in said encounter.
Kenney said that regardless of the result of the DNA test on the alleged remains of Dulmatin, “I’d like to congratulate the Armed Forces of the Philippines for doing a tremendous job of giving their lives in the south to track terrorists and people who destroyed our ways of life.”
For his part, AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. thanked their US counterparts in the south “for their technical assistance.”
“Without their technical assistance and all other help in pursuing the terrorists in that part of the land, we would not have been as successful,” he said.
Kenney calls the RP-US military partnership as a “great” one, which, she said, not only makes “our lives more peaceful and safer, but… making our lives more prosperous.”
Like it did when they gave the $10 million reward to informants for the death of Abu Sayyaf top leader Khadaffy Janjalani, Kenney said “brave civilians” will also receive the reward for the neutralization of Dulmatin once confirmed.
“There is a process of evaluation all of those who have contributed to all the information that led to the successful operations. Anyway, we have to wait for the result, but the process is now ongoing just in case,” Esperon said.
Kenney said the result should come out “in a couple of weeks,” courtesy of the Philippine National Police and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.
“If that is not Dulmatin, then it is very important to remember that that’s one terrorist less,” Esperon said./DMS
US watching RP political noise “with great interest”
By Ronron
February 26, 2008
The United States is “watching with great interest” the current political noise in Manila brought about by allegations of corruption in the Arroyo government.
But US envoy to Manila Kristie Kenney said they just hope that “our Filipino friends… honors the rule of law, remains peaceful and within the bounds of the Constitution” in the exercise of their freedom of expression and other democratic rights.
“We regard it as healthy. The free expression of views is the cornerstone of democracy. The peaceful protests, the expression of views is what makes our democracies great,” Kenney told reporters Tuesday in Maragondon, Cavite during the launching of a newly-built school courtesy of soldiers participating in the 2008 RP-US Balikatan Exercises.
Mass actions have frequented the capital and other key cities elsewhere to call for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo after her administration was linked to the alleged anomalous deal with ZTE Corporation for the implementation of
the $329-million National Broadband Network project.
After Monday’s rallies that coincided with the celebration of the 22nd anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolution that ended the dictatorial rule of former President Ferdinand Marcos, another event will be held this Friday in Makati City.
Kenney refused to comment on the issues hounding the Arroyo administration, except: “I think, from the US perspective, we’re watching as we always do. It’s a
lively and energetic Philippine democracy. Lots of citizens with lots of views.”/DMS
February 26, 2008
The United States is “watching with great interest” the current political noise in Manila brought about by allegations of corruption in the Arroyo government.
But US envoy to Manila Kristie Kenney said they just hope that “our Filipino friends… honors the rule of law, remains peaceful and within the bounds of the Constitution” in the exercise of their freedom of expression and other democratic rights.
“We regard it as healthy. The free expression of views is the cornerstone of democracy. The peaceful protests, the expression of views is what makes our democracies great,” Kenney told reporters Tuesday in Maragondon, Cavite during the launching of a newly-built school courtesy of soldiers participating in the 2008 RP-US Balikatan Exercises.
Mass actions have frequented the capital and other key cities elsewhere to call for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo after her administration was linked to the alleged anomalous deal with ZTE Corporation for the implementation of
the $329-million National Broadband Network project.
After Monday’s rallies that coincided with the celebration of the 22nd anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolution that ended the dictatorial rule of former President Ferdinand Marcos, another event will be held this Friday in Makati City.
Kenney refused to comment on the issues hounding the Arroyo administration, except: “I think, from the US perspective, we’re watching as we always do. It’s a
lively and energetic Philippine democracy. Lots of citizens with lots of views.”/DMS
Association of military and police generals seek "truth" behind Lozada expose
By Ronron
February 26, 2008
The Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AGFO), which is comprised of active and retired officers of the military and police, is urging men in uniform not to intervene in the current political noise, instead they should join the calls in seeking for the truth behind the allegation of Rodolfo Lozada, Jr.
"AGFO is appealing to all military and other law enforcement personnel, as well as to every Filipino in all sectors of society, to exercise restraint, observe sobriety and circumspection in addressing the present political situation," AGFO President and Chairman retired Brig. Gen. Jaime Echeverria said in an interview Tuesday at Camp
Aguinaldo.
"AGFO supports the on-going quest for truth and justice… In resolving existing political issues, due process, the rule of law and full transparency and accountability in all government transactions… shall be adhered to," he added.
Echeverria, who participated in coup plots during the Aquino administration and was a security officer of the late Presidentiable Fernando Poe, Jr., said some key leaders of AGFP held a special meeting yesterday morning to discuss the current situation, which they consider "serious."
Lozada had testified that the now-cancelled $329-million National Broadband Network project, which was awarded to China's ZTE Corporation, was rigged with anomaly.
A former consultant to the project, Lozada alleged that the former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos sought a $130 million kickback after brokering for ZTE Corporation.
He implied that First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo knew of the alleged act of Abalos, but tolerated it.
Former NEDA Secretary Romulo Neri also alleged that Abalos promised him P200 million if he made sure that the project is given a go-signal in favor of ZTE Corporation.
But when told about it, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo allegedly just told him to proceed with the project without accepting the alleged amount.
Calls for Arroyo's resignation have snowballed this month, the last to do it was former President Corazon Aquino yesterday.
Asked if AGFO supports these calls, Echeverria just said: "We are not saying we'll support or will not support. We do not get involve in such personal calls. We go for issues."
In directing those in the uniformed service not to intervene in the political turmoil, Echeverria echoed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr.'s statement that soldiers and policemen should not be distracted from their focus on their mission and duties.
"In the midst of this political problem that we have, if our soldiers will get carried away and forget their mission, that is dangerous," he said.
Past mass actions of the people in 1986 and 2001 have effected regime change after the military intervened.
The AGFO is composed of 750 active and retired generals of the military and police, including Esperon and PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. who act as ex-officio chairmen.
But Echeverria said the AGFO did not consult Esperon and Razon in their meeting yesterday./DMS
February 26, 2008
The Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AGFO), which is comprised of active and retired officers of the military and police, is urging men in uniform not to intervene in the current political noise, instead they should join the calls in seeking for the truth behind the allegation of Rodolfo Lozada, Jr.
"AGFO is appealing to all military and other law enforcement personnel, as well as to every Filipino in all sectors of society, to exercise restraint, observe sobriety and circumspection in addressing the present political situation," AGFO President and Chairman retired Brig. Gen. Jaime Echeverria said in an interview Tuesday at Camp
Aguinaldo.
"AGFO supports the on-going quest for truth and justice… In resolving existing political issues, due process, the rule of law and full transparency and accountability in all government transactions… shall be adhered to," he added.
Echeverria, who participated in coup plots during the Aquino administration and was a security officer of the late Presidentiable Fernando Poe, Jr., said some key leaders of AGFP held a special meeting yesterday morning to discuss the current situation, which they consider "serious."
Lozada had testified that the now-cancelled $329-million National Broadband Network project, which was awarded to China's ZTE Corporation, was rigged with anomaly.
A former consultant to the project, Lozada alleged that the former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos sought a $130 million kickback after brokering for ZTE Corporation.
He implied that First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo knew of the alleged act of Abalos, but tolerated it.
Former NEDA Secretary Romulo Neri also alleged that Abalos promised him P200 million if he made sure that the project is given a go-signal in favor of ZTE Corporation.
But when told about it, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo allegedly just told him to proceed with the project without accepting the alleged amount.
Calls for Arroyo's resignation have snowballed this month, the last to do it was former President Corazon Aquino yesterday.
Asked if AGFO supports these calls, Echeverria just said: "We are not saying we'll support or will not support. We do not get involve in such personal calls. We go for issues."
In directing those in the uniformed service not to intervene in the political turmoil, Echeverria echoed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr.'s statement that soldiers and policemen should not be distracted from their focus on their mission and duties.
"In the midst of this political problem that we have, if our soldiers will get carried away and forget their mission, that is dangerous," he said.
Past mass actions of the people in 1986 and 2001 have effected regime change after the military intervened.
The AGFO is composed of 750 active and retired generals of the military and police, including Esperon and PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. who act as ex-officio chairmen.
But Echeverria said the AGFO did not consult Esperon and Razon in their meeting yesterday./DMS
Prescription of Articles of War violations of Feb 06 coup plotters not yet definite
By Ronron
February 26, 2008
The supposed dropping on the basis of prescription of some charges against the 28 accused Army and Marine officers over the alleged February 2006 coup plot is not yet certain, a military court president said Monday.
Maj. Gen. Jogy Leo Fojas told Manila Shimbun in a chance interview that the matter of prescription is not automatic, rather it will have to be decided upon by them in the forthcoming hearings.
Defense lawyer Trixie Angeles said all charges, except violation of Articles of War 67 (Mutiny), against the group of Marine Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda and Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim should be dropped based on the case prescription rule.
She said that under Articles of War 38, "no person (in the military) shall be brought to trial" if the alleged offense he or she committed has lapsed two years since the commission without being arraigned.
Angeles said that in the next hearing, the defense lawyers will raise the prescription issue in a form of special plea or a demurrer.
The case that need to be dropped, she said, are the violations of Articles of War 63 (Disrespect Towards the President, Vice President, Congress of the Philippines, or Secretary of National Defense); 65 (Assaulting or Willfully Disobeying Superior Officer); 96 (Conduct Unbecoming of an Officer and a Gentleman); and, 97 (Conduct Prejudicial to Good Order and Military Discipline).
"We can say that our clients are not guilty on the basis that the alleged acts itself have already prescribed," Angeles said in a phone interview Monday.
All 28 accused officers are charged with violation of AW 67, which they allegedly conspired to commit on February 23, and AW 96.
However, Lim has an additional charge of violation of AW 63, 65, and 97; Marine Col. Ariel Querubin with AW 65 and 97; and Marine Lt. Col. Achilles Segumalian with AW 97.
These additional charges stemmed from acts allegedly committed on February 24 and 26.
The other accused Marine officers are the following: Col. Orlando de Leon, Col. Januario Caringal, Col. Armando Bañez, Lt. Col. Custodio Parcon, Maj. Francisco Domingo Fernandez, and 1Lt. Belinda Ferrer.
Their other co-accused from the Army are the following: Lt. Col. Nestor Flordeliza, Lt. Col. Edmundo Malabanjot, Maj. Jason Laureano Aquino, Maj. Jose Leomar Doctolero, Capt. James Sababan, Capt. Montano Almodovar, Capt. Joey Fontiveros, Capt. Ruben Guinolbay, Capt. Isagani Criste, Capt. William Upano, Capt. Dante Langkit, Capt. Allan Aurino, Capt. Frederick Sales, 1Lt Ervin Divinagracia, 1Lt. Jacon Cordero, 1Lt. Homer Estolas, 1Lt. Sandro Sereno, and 1Lt. Richiemel Caballes.
Lim's additional charges stemmed from his videotaped statement about his planned withdrawal of support from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and his defiance from then AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Generoso Senga's order that he order his men to go back to barracks on the eve of February 24 when the power grab plot was to be executed.
Querubin also has additional charges because he was with Lim when the latter talked to Senga and other top military brass on the night of February 23 about their men's plan to join the protest march on the following day on EDSA, which was the 20th anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolution.
Segumalian, meanwhile, is slapped with an additional charge for figuring in at the standoff at the Marine headquarters in Fort Bonifacio on February 26 after learning that Miranda was unceremoniously relieved as Marine commandant.
Fojas said he expects a heated debate on the prescription issue in the coming hearing because he anticipates the prosecution to counter the Article of War 38 rule by citing a provision that says the prescription period starts from the filing of the charges, and not from the alleged commission of the crime.
"As far as the Articles of War 96 and 97, there are some opposing views, different views regarding their prescription. That is what we are studying, that is what we are trying to confirm. Because there are some who say that there is no prescription," Fojas said.
Fojas said that he himself is not yet certain if the time of reckoning for the prescription of the other cases should be from "the time the offense was committed or from the time the charges were filed," which was in December 2006 after Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. ordered the conduct of court martial proceedings against the group of Miranda.
Esperon, for his part, told Manila Shimbun in a separate chance interview Monday that while he believes that the date of reckoning is when the alleged crime was committed, the two-year period may have to be extended "due to manifest interruptions like unreasonable delays" on the part of the accused.
But Angeles said there is no law that backs this claim of Esperon.
She said that if there were delays in the proceedings, it is because the prosecution did not follow the proper procedures such as giving the accused copies of the pre-trial investigation report (PTIR), and the pre-trial advise (PTA).
The accused were only able to get copies of the PTIR in April last year even if it was already available in October of 2006.
The PTIR, which recommended for the dropping of charges against most of the accused including Mutiny, is supposed to be a basis of Esperon in deciding whether or not the 28 accused will proceed to court martial proceedings.
It was subjected to review by Esperon's Senior Judge Advocate (SJA) or legal adviser, Col. Pedro Davila, who later overturned its recommendations. Davila's recommendation was contained in the PTA.
When the defense got a copy of the PTA two months later or in June last year, it raised doubts on the veracity of the 171-page document since it did not indicate if Esperon approved it or not, as it only bore the signature of Davila.
Responding to the defense' queries, Davila explained that Esperon is not obliged to sign the PTA document as having been approved or not because he only has to manifest it in a separate memorandum.
"It can't be a delay on the part of the accused, rather an assertion of their rights (to have the PTIR and PTA)," Angeles stressed.
The defense lawyers had surmised that the military prosecution refused initially to furnish the accused copies of the PTIR and PTA out of fear that these could work to their advantage.
Another delaying factor in the arraignment process was the issue of arraigning the accused in batches, which the defense lawyers strongly objected to.
Esperon, nonetheless, is quite confident that the other charges against the accused will not prescribe. "I don't think it will prescribe," he said.
Angeles said if this happens, then they will take up the matter before the Court of Appeals. Although, she sees no reason why the court martial should not rule in the favor of the accused as to the prescription issue. Among the motions of the defense that the panel granted, she said, is the access to the PTIR and the PTA.
If the prescription is approved, on the other hand, Esperon said he has no problem with it "if it is within the rules." "What is important is the rules are followed," the military chief said.
Besides, whether the other cases prescribe or not, Esperon said the full force of the law will still be imposed on the accused.
Fojas said the accused will still be facing the more serious charge of Mutiny in case the other charges are dropped based on prescription.
"The bearing (of the prescription) is only on the number of charges against the accused. There will just be lesser charges against them. The mutiny, which is more difficult, still remains," he said.
He said they will also still be in confinement.
But Angeles said that somehow, if the other charges are dropped based on prescription, this will work for a "greater defense."
"Mutiny has specific elements such as disobedience to military authority. Considering the charge sheet and the alleged acts, and the PTIR, it is clear that there was no mutiny committed by the accused," she said.
While Angeles refused to admit that a prescription of the other charges means a greater chance of the exoneration of the accused with only mutiny left to defend, she said it would have been more difficult to defend the other cases because they are supposed to be "catch-all offenses."
Asked if the panel will entertain a motion of the defense in the next hearing on the prescription issue, Fojas said: "We will cross the bridge when we are there."
But when asked what is the most likely agendum, he said: "We will go for the arraignment next hearing."
He said the panel has yet to decide on the date of the next hearing./DMS
February 26, 2008
The supposed dropping on the basis of prescription of some charges against the 28 accused Army and Marine officers over the alleged February 2006 coup plot is not yet certain, a military court president said Monday.
Maj. Gen. Jogy Leo Fojas told Manila Shimbun in a chance interview that the matter of prescription is not automatic, rather it will have to be decided upon by them in the forthcoming hearings.
Defense lawyer Trixie Angeles said all charges, except violation of Articles of War 67 (Mutiny), against the group of Marine Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda and Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim should be dropped based on the case prescription rule.
She said that under Articles of War 38, "no person (in the military) shall be brought to trial" if the alleged offense he or she committed has lapsed two years since the commission without being arraigned.
Angeles said that in the next hearing, the defense lawyers will raise the prescription issue in a form of special plea or a demurrer.
The case that need to be dropped, she said, are the violations of Articles of War 63 (Disrespect Towards the President, Vice President, Congress of the Philippines, or Secretary of National Defense); 65 (Assaulting or Willfully Disobeying Superior Officer); 96 (Conduct Unbecoming of an Officer and a Gentleman); and, 97 (Conduct Prejudicial to Good Order and Military Discipline).
"We can say that our clients are not guilty on the basis that the alleged acts itself have already prescribed," Angeles said in a phone interview Monday.
All 28 accused officers are charged with violation of AW 67, which they allegedly conspired to commit on February 23, and AW 96.
However, Lim has an additional charge of violation of AW 63, 65, and 97; Marine Col. Ariel Querubin with AW 65 and 97; and Marine Lt. Col. Achilles Segumalian with AW 97.
These additional charges stemmed from acts allegedly committed on February 24 and 26.
The other accused Marine officers are the following: Col. Orlando de Leon, Col. Januario Caringal, Col. Armando Bañez, Lt. Col. Custodio Parcon, Maj. Francisco Domingo Fernandez, and 1Lt. Belinda Ferrer.
Their other co-accused from the Army are the following: Lt. Col. Nestor Flordeliza, Lt. Col. Edmundo Malabanjot, Maj. Jason Laureano Aquino, Maj. Jose Leomar Doctolero, Capt. James Sababan, Capt. Montano Almodovar, Capt. Joey Fontiveros, Capt. Ruben Guinolbay, Capt. Isagani Criste, Capt. William Upano, Capt. Dante Langkit, Capt. Allan Aurino, Capt. Frederick Sales, 1Lt Ervin Divinagracia, 1Lt. Jacon Cordero, 1Lt. Homer Estolas, 1Lt. Sandro Sereno, and 1Lt. Richiemel Caballes.
Lim's additional charges stemmed from his videotaped statement about his planned withdrawal of support from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and his defiance from then AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Generoso Senga's order that he order his men to go back to barracks on the eve of February 24 when the power grab plot was to be executed.
Querubin also has additional charges because he was with Lim when the latter talked to Senga and other top military brass on the night of February 23 about their men's plan to join the protest march on the following day on EDSA, which was the 20th anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolution.
Segumalian, meanwhile, is slapped with an additional charge for figuring in at the standoff at the Marine headquarters in Fort Bonifacio on February 26 after learning that Miranda was unceremoniously relieved as Marine commandant.
Fojas said he expects a heated debate on the prescription issue in the coming hearing because he anticipates the prosecution to counter the Article of War 38 rule by citing a provision that says the prescription period starts from the filing of the charges, and not from the alleged commission of the crime.
"As far as the Articles of War 96 and 97, there are some opposing views, different views regarding their prescription. That is what we are studying, that is what we are trying to confirm. Because there are some who say that there is no prescription," Fojas said.
Fojas said that he himself is not yet certain if the time of reckoning for the prescription of the other cases should be from "the time the offense was committed or from the time the charges were filed," which was in December 2006 after Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. ordered the conduct of court martial proceedings against the group of Miranda.
Esperon, for his part, told Manila Shimbun in a separate chance interview Monday that while he believes that the date of reckoning is when the alleged crime was committed, the two-year period may have to be extended "due to manifest interruptions like unreasonable delays" on the part of the accused.
But Angeles said there is no law that backs this claim of Esperon.
She said that if there were delays in the proceedings, it is because the prosecution did not follow the proper procedures such as giving the accused copies of the pre-trial investigation report (PTIR), and the pre-trial advise (PTA).
The accused were only able to get copies of the PTIR in April last year even if it was already available in October of 2006.
The PTIR, which recommended for the dropping of charges against most of the accused including Mutiny, is supposed to be a basis of Esperon in deciding whether or not the 28 accused will proceed to court martial proceedings.
It was subjected to review by Esperon's Senior Judge Advocate (SJA) or legal adviser, Col. Pedro Davila, who later overturned its recommendations. Davila's recommendation was contained in the PTA.
When the defense got a copy of the PTA two months later or in June last year, it raised doubts on the veracity of the 171-page document since it did not indicate if Esperon approved it or not, as it only bore the signature of Davila.
Responding to the defense' queries, Davila explained that Esperon is not obliged to sign the PTA document as having been approved or not because he only has to manifest it in a separate memorandum.
"It can't be a delay on the part of the accused, rather an assertion of their rights (to have the PTIR and PTA)," Angeles stressed.
The defense lawyers had surmised that the military prosecution refused initially to furnish the accused copies of the PTIR and PTA out of fear that these could work to their advantage.
Another delaying factor in the arraignment process was the issue of arraigning the accused in batches, which the defense lawyers strongly objected to.
Esperon, nonetheless, is quite confident that the other charges against the accused will not prescribe. "I don't think it will prescribe," he said.
Angeles said if this happens, then they will take up the matter before the Court of Appeals. Although, she sees no reason why the court martial should not rule in the favor of the accused as to the prescription issue. Among the motions of the defense that the panel granted, she said, is the access to the PTIR and the PTA.
If the prescription is approved, on the other hand, Esperon said he has no problem with it "if it is within the rules." "What is important is the rules are followed," the military chief said.
Besides, whether the other cases prescribe or not, Esperon said the full force of the law will still be imposed on the accused.
Fojas said the accused will still be facing the more serious charge of Mutiny in case the other charges are dropped based on prescription.
"The bearing (of the prescription) is only on the number of charges against the accused. There will just be lesser charges against them. The mutiny, which is more difficult, still remains," he said.
He said they will also still be in confinement.
But Angeles said that somehow, if the other charges are dropped based on prescription, this will work for a "greater defense."
"Mutiny has specific elements such as disobedience to military authority. Considering the charge sheet and the alleged acts, and the PTIR, it is clear that there was no mutiny committed by the accused," she said.
While Angeles refused to admit that a prescription of the other charges means a greater chance of the exoneration of the accused with only mutiny left to defend, she said it would have been more difficult to defend the other cases because they are supposed to be "catch-all offenses."
Asked if the panel will entertain a motion of the defense in the next hearing on the prescription issue, Fojas said: "We will cross the bridge when we are there."
But when asked what is the most likely agendum, he said: "We will go for the arraignment next hearing."
He said the panel has yet to decide on the date of the next hearing./DMS
Two Reds killed in Aurora clash
By Ronron
February 26, 2008
Two suspected communist rebels died in an encounter Monday with government troops in Aurora province, a military official said.
Maj. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang of the Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command(NOLCOM) said the clash happened at around 4:30 pm at Sitio Maligaya, Barangay Tabas, Casiguran town.
He said elements of the Philippine Army's 69th Infantry Battalion were patrolling said area when they encountered an undetermined number of suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA).
The clash resulted in the death of two rebels, whose remains were recovered, and the recovery of three M16 rifles and one M14 rifle.
Maclang said pursuit operations were conducted, but no results have been reported yet.
The 5,760-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside for almost four decades now, although the government intends to neutralize them by 2010 when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ends her term.
Peace talks between the communists and the Arroyo government bogged down in August 2004 after foreign governments tagged the former as terrorists./DMS
February 26, 2008
Two suspected communist rebels died in an encounter Monday with government troops in Aurora province, a military official said.
Maj. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang of the Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command(NOLCOM) said the clash happened at around 4:30 pm at Sitio Maligaya, Barangay Tabas, Casiguran town.
He said elements of the Philippine Army's 69th Infantry Battalion were patrolling said area when they encountered an undetermined number of suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA).
The clash resulted in the death of two rebels, whose remains were recovered, and the recovery of three M16 rifles and one M14 rifle.
Maclang said pursuit operations were conducted, but no results have been reported yet.
The 5,760-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside for almost four decades now, although the government intends to neutralize them by 2010 when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ends her term.
Peace talks between the communists and the Arroyo government bogged down in August 2004 after foreign governments tagged the former as terrorists./DMS
Monday, February 25, 2008
35 killed, 10 missing due to flood and landslide incidents in RP
By Ronron
February 25, 2008
The death toll due to the series of flooding and landslide incidents in some parts of the Philippines rose to 35 while 10 remain missing as of Monday morning, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said.
In its 6am report yesterday, the NDCC said the cost of damages to infrastructure and agriculture has also reached the P1 billion mark already, the biggest bulk of which come from Region 8 while the rest are from Regions 5, 6, 10 and 12.
The NDCC report said nine died in Region 5, one in Region 6, 18 in Region 8, and seven in Region 10. The 10 missing, meanwhile, come from Region 5 (six persons), Region 8 (three persons), and Region 10 (one person).
There were also 27 injured persons: three from Sorsogon in Region 5; 15 in Eastern Samar in Region 8; and nine from Lanao del Norte in Region 10.
The victims either drowned, electrocuted, or covered in landslides.
The flooding and landslide caused by a low pressure area and the persistence of the tail end of cold front, according to the NDCC, have already affected 124,473 families or 597,077 persons, of which, 12,755 families or 56,257 persons are in 143 evacuation centers.
This affected population comes from Regions IV-B, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12.
Some of them were left homeless after 1,959 houses from Regions 4-B, 5, 8 and 10 were totally damaged, and 3,398 others were partially destroyed by the calamity, said the NDCC.
The NDCC said the flooding and landslides have also caused the damage of at least P825 million worth of infrastructure and at least P263 million worth of fisheries, crops and palays in Regions 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12.
Because of the effects, Eastern Samar, Albay, Sigma town in Capiz and Magallanes town in Sorsogon were already placed under a State of Calamity so they could avail of the calamity fund, which is equivalent to five percent of their Internal Revenue Allocation.
So far, the following agencies have already extended their assistance to the affected populace: 1) NDCC, worth P1.574 million, and some 1,725 sacks of rice; 2) Department of Social Welfare and Development, worth P1.808 million; 3) Department of Health, worth P165,389.89; 4) local government units, worth P2.246 million; and, 5) non-governmental organizations, worth P338,462.00./DMS
February 25, 2008
The death toll due to the series of flooding and landslide incidents in some parts of the Philippines rose to 35 while 10 remain missing as of Monday morning, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said.
In its 6am report yesterday, the NDCC said the cost of damages to infrastructure and agriculture has also reached the P1 billion mark already, the biggest bulk of which come from Region 8 while the rest are from Regions 5, 6, 10 and 12.
The NDCC report said nine died in Region 5, one in Region 6, 18 in Region 8, and seven in Region 10. The 10 missing, meanwhile, come from Region 5 (six persons), Region 8 (three persons), and Region 10 (one person).
There were also 27 injured persons: three from Sorsogon in Region 5; 15 in Eastern Samar in Region 8; and nine from Lanao del Norte in Region 10.
The victims either drowned, electrocuted, or covered in landslides.
The flooding and landslide caused by a low pressure area and the persistence of the tail end of cold front, according to the NDCC, have already affected 124,473 families or 597,077 persons, of which, 12,755 families or 56,257 persons are in 143 evacuation centers.
This affected population comes from Regions IV-B, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12.
Some of them were left homeless after 1,959 houses from Regions 4-B, 5, 8 and 10 were totally damaged, and 3,398 others were partially destroyed by the calamity, said the NDCC.
The NDCC said the flooding and landslides have also caused the damage of at least P825 million worth of infrastructure and at least P263 million worth of fisheries, crops and palays in Regions 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12.
Because of the effects, Eastern Samar, Albay, Sigma town in Capiz and Magallanes town in Sorsogon were already placed under a State of Calamity so they could avail of the calamity fund, which is equivalent to five percent of their Internal Revenue Allocation.
So far, the following agencies have already extended their assistance to the affected populace: 1) NDCC, worth P1.574 million, and some 1,725 sacks of rice; 2) Department of Social Welfare and Development, worth P1.808 million; 3) Department of Health, worth P165,389.89; 4) local government units, worth P2.246 million; and, 5) non-governmental organizations, worth P338,462.00./DMS
Nationwide mass actions held peacefully, says PNP
By Ronron
February 25, 2008
The mass actions Monday all over the country, especially in Metro Manila, in commemoration of the 22nd anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution that toppled the dictatorial rule of former President Ferdinand Marcos, went “peacefully,” the Philippine National Police (PNP) said last night.
In a statement, PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said the “generally peaceful mass actions and activities during the anniversary of the People Power” manifested the “responsible democracy” prevailing in the country now.
“All our preparations paid off, from the coordination with group leaders, to the deployment of police visibility patrols and assignment of security personnel to ensure order in the EDSA Day activities and mass actions,” Razon said.
In a news conference, Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao, Jr., commander of the National Capital Region Police Office’ (NCRPO) Task Force Kapayapaan, said that they monitored four activities in Metro Manila during the day.
These are the pro-government rally at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila City, the anti-government rally at Mendiola also in Manila City, the Holy Mass at EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City, and the Holy Mass at Baclaran Church in Paranaque City.
Pagdilao said the crowd at Liwasang Bonifacio reached about 10,000; at Mendiola about 2,000; at EDSA Shrine about 400; and at the Baclaran Church about 500.
They were secured and controlled by some 1,200 policemen and 300 civil disturbance management personnel of the National Capital Region Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said NCRPO chief Dir. Geary Barias.
PNP spokesman Sr. Supt. Nicanor Bartolome said there were also reports of rallies by some 600 protesters in Cebu City at around noon yesterday, but they also dispersed peacefully.
He said there were only two incidents that drew tension yesterday: the brief confrontation between some marchers and policemen who prevented the former from painting protest slogans on the columns and retaining walls of the Metro Rail Transit along EDSA, and the temporarily holding of Sanlakas members along EDSA near Camp Crame as they marched towards EDSA Shrine due to lack of permit.
Other than those, there were no more serious untoward incidents reported, said Bartolome.
But the PNP will continue to monitor ongoing activities such as the gathering at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City for a noise barrage and a concert in support to calls for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Calls for Arroyo’s ouster reverberated in the last few weeks after her husband was implicated by Rodolfo Lozada, Jr. in the alleged plan of former Comelec Commissioner Benjamin Abalos to get a $130 million commission for allegedly brokering the National Broadband Network (NBN) project to ZTE Corporation.
Both Abalos and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo have denied the allegation.
Arroyo, for her part, insisted that she will stay on to power until her term ends 2010./DMS
February 25, 2008
The mass actions Monday all over the country, especially in Metro Manila, in commemoration of the 22nd anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution that toppled the dictatorial rule of former President Ferdinand Marcos, went “peacefully,” the Philippine National Police (PNP) said last night.
In a statement, PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said the “generally peaceful mass actions and activities during the anniversary of the People Power” manifested the “responsible democracy” prevailing in the country now.
“All our preparations paid off, from the coordination with group leaders, to the deployment of police visibility patrols and assignment of security personnel to ensure order in the EDSA Day activities and mass actions,” Razon said.
In a news conference, Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao, Jr., commander of the National Capital Region Police Office’ (NCRPO) Task Force Kapayapaan, said that they monitored four activities in Metro Manila during the day.
These are the pro-government rally at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila City, the anti-government rally at Mendiola also in Manila City, the Holy Mass at EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City, and the Holy Mass at Baclaran Church in Paranaque City.
Pagdilao said the crowd at Liwasang Bonifacio reached about 10,000; at Mendiola about 2,000; at EDSA Shrine about 400; and at the Baclaran Church about 500.
They were secured and controlled by some 1,200 policemen and 300 civil disturbance management personnel of the National Capital Region Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said NCRPO chief Dir. Geary Barias.
PNP spokesman Sr. Supt. Nicanor Bartolome said there were also reports of rallies by some 600 protesters in Cebu City at around noon yesterday, but they also dispersed peacefully.
He said there were only two incidents that drew tension yesterday: the brief confrontation between some marchers and policemen who prevented the former from painting protest slogans on the columns and retaining walls of the Metro Rail Transit along EDSA, and the temporarily holding of Sanlakas members along EDSA near Camp Crame as they marched towards EDSA Shrine due to lack of permit.
Other than those, there were no more serious untoward incidents reported, said Bartolome.
But the PNP will continue to monitor ongoing activities such as the gathering at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City for a noise barrage and a concert in support to calls for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Calls for Arroyo’s ouster reverberated in the last few weeks after her husband was implicated by Rodolfo Lozada, Jr. in the alleged plan of former Comelec Commissioner Benjamin Abalos to get a $130 million commission for allegedly brokering the National Broadband Network (NBN) project to ZTE Corporation.
Both Abalos and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo have denied the allegation.
Arroyo, for her part, insisted that she will stay on to power until her term ends 2010./DMS
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Plane meets accident upon landing at Manila airport, two hurt
By Ronron
February 24, 2008
A Sea Air flight from Aklan province carrying 32 passengers and three crew members met an accident after landing late Sunday afternoon at the Domestic Runway of the Manila International Airport (MIA) in Pasay City.
According to a report from the MIA Public Affairs Department, the accident happened at around 5:55 pm, leaving two passengers with abrasion wounds.
The report said that upon the landing of the Sea Air Dornier 328-100, with tail number RP-C 5328, the “aircraft swiveled and went to the canal of taxi-way Delta.”
A report reaching the office of MIA Assistant General Manager for Security and Emergency Services Angel Atutubo said the plane allegedly “encountered problems with its brakes” while it was taxiing.
The pilot of the plane was identified as Capt. Tony Mendoza, while his co-pilot was identified as Jason Taaca. The said flight came from Catican Airport in Malay, Aklan where the world-renowned Boracay Beach Resort is located.
The “aircraft problem” will be subject of further “investigation by the Air Transportation Office, the MIA report said.
Meanwhile, the two passengers with abrasion were brought to the MIA Medical Clinic for treatment after all of them were offloaded and transferred to a bus by rescue teams from MIA and Sea Air Operations.
No flights were affected by the accident./DMS
February 24, 2008
A Sea Air flight from Aklan province carrying 32 passengers and three crew members met an accident after landing late Sunday afternoon at the Domestic Runway of the Manila International Airport (MIA) in Pasay City.
According to a report from the MIA Public Affairs Department, the accident happened at around 5:55 pm, leaving two passengers with abrasion wounds.
The report said that upon the landing of the Sea Air Dornier 328-100, with tail number RP-C 5328, the “aircraft swiveled and went to the canal of taxi-way Delta.”
A report reaching the office of MIA Assistant General Manager for Security and Emergency Services Angel Atutubo said the plane allegedly “encountered problems with its brakes” while it was taxiing.
The pilot of the plane was identified as Capt. Tony Mendoza, while his co-pilot was identified as Jason Taaca. The said flight came from Catican Airport in Malay, Aklan where the world-renowned Boracay Beach Resort is located.
The “aircraft problem” will be subject of further “investigation by the Air Transportation Office, the MIA report said.
Meanwhile, the two passengers with abrasion were brought to the MIA Medical Clinic for treatment after all of them were offloaded and transferred to a bus by rescue teams from MIA and Sea Air Operations.
No flights were affected by the accident./DMS
AFP, PNP on alert for mass gatherings today
By Ronron
February 24, 2008
The Philippine military and police are on alert for today’s mass gatherings as the country marks the 22nd anniversary of the People Power 1 Revolution that ended the dictatorial rule of former President Ferdinand Marcos.
Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said the military effective Sunday is on its highest alert level nationwide, while the national police is on the middle status, said its chief, Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr.
In Metro Manila, where several activities will take place, around 1,200 cops will be utilized to secure the rally venues, said National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Geary Barias.
Esperon said some 3,000 military troops will be on standby inside the AFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City for possible deployment in case the NCRPO seeks augmentation.
Razon said the policemen in the nearby regions of Central Luzon and Southern Luzon will also be on “standby alert” in case there is a need to deploy them to Metro Manila.
Among the activities today are the People Power anniversary program at the People Power Monument in Quezon City, a mass at the EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City, an anti-Arroyo rally at Mendiola in Manila City, a pro-government rally at Liwasang Bonifacio also in Manila City, and a separate mass at the Baclaran Church in Paranaque City to be attended by former President Corazon Aquino and Rodolfo Lozada, Jr.
The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said its provincial members and affiliates will also hold simultaneous protest actions in the following cities: Baguio, Calamba, Legaspi, Naga, Sorsogon, Daet, Masbate, Virac, Davao, Butuan, Surigao, Tandag, Bislig and Cagayan de Oro.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is not scheduled to attend the activities at the People Power Monument and EDSA Shrine, instead, she will attend a 10AM launching of AHON PINOY Program at Silangan Elementary School in Bagong Silang, Caloocan City, and the 1PM peace rally at the Capitol grounds in Trece Martires, Cavite.
Both Esperon and Razon said they have not received reports of serious threats to the activities today./DMS
February 24, 2008
The Philippine military and police are on alert for today’s mass gatherings as the country marks the 22nd anniversary of the People Power 1 Revolution that ended the dictatorial rule of former President Ferdinand Marcos.
Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said the military effective Sunday is on its highest alert level nationwide, while the national police is on the middle status, said its chief, Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr.
In Metro Manila, where several activities will take place, around 1,200 cops will be utilized to secure the rally venues, said National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Geary Barias.
Esperon said some 3,000 military troops will be on standby inside the AFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City for possible deployment in case the NCRPO seeks augmentation.
Razon said the policemen in the nearby regions of Central Luzon and Southern Luzon will also be on “standby alert” in case there is a need to deploy them to Metro Manila.
Among the activities today are the People Power anniversary program at the People Power Monument in Quezon City, a mass at the EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City, an anti-Arroyo rally at Mendiola in Manila City, a pro-government rally at Liwasang Bonifacio also in Manila City, and a separate mass at the Baclaran Church in Paranaque City to be attended by former President Corazon Aquino and Rodolfo Lozada, Jr.
The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said its provincial members and affiliates will also hold simultaneous protest actions in the following cities: Baguio, Calamba, Legaspi, Naga, Sorsogon, Daet, Masbate, Virac, Davao, Butuan, Surigao, Tandag, Bislig and Cagayan de Oro.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is not scheduled to attend the activities at the People Power Monument and EDSA Shrine, instead, she will attend a 10AM launching of AHON PINOY Program at Silangan Elementary School in Bagong Silang, Caloocan City, and the 1PM peace rally at the Capitol grounds in Trece Martires, Cavite.
Both Esperon and Razon said they have not received reports of serious threats to the activities today./DMS
Arroyo admission of alleged NBN-ZTE deal anomaly is ground for impeachment, says Senate President
By Ronron
February 24, 2008
The admission on Saturday of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that she approved the awarding of the National Broadband Network (NBN) project to China’s ZTE Corporation in April last year even after learning that it had an alleged irregularity is a ground for her impeachment, Senate President Manny Villar said Sunday.
“If she signed that, I think that is ground for impeachment,” Villar told DZBB radio in a phone interview.
Agreeing with Villar, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview that the act constitutes “corruption and failure to discharge her duties properly.”
“It really is an admission of guilt. That’s something that ties Gloria to the anomaly,” Pimentel said of Arroyo’s admission.
But he doubts if an impeachment will prosper against the President, citing her allies at the Lower House, which outnumber the members of the political opposition.
“It will just make some members of Congress rich,” Pimentel said, apparently referring to possible bribes in the Lower House to junk any impeachment complaint forwarded against the President.
In a radio interview, Arroyo said the other day that she just allowed the signing of NBN deal with ZTE Corporation to proceed on April 21 last year in Boao, China because she learned of the alleged anomaly the night before only.
Yesterday, she said in a speech at the Heroes' Hall in Malacanang Palace after a Holy Mass that it took her months to officially cancel the deal so as to give time for proper notification to the Chinese government.
Villar said he finds it hard to believe that the President made the admission about the alleged anomaly surrounding the $329 million project because all the while, when the Senate began its probe on it since last year, there were attempts from the executive branch not to talk about it.
He said it even used airport officials, the Presidential Security Group, and the Philippine National Police in an attempt to stop key witness, Rodolfo Lozada, Jr., from appearing at the Senate.
“I think the President is only after the sentiment of the people here. I think the President is worried of the outrage that came out over the ZTE deal… I think her confession is for the people to stop feeling hard against her,” Villar said.
“Maybe, somebody advised her that if you ask for forgiveness or own up to your mistake, it will cool down the heads of the people,” he added.
Mass actions have started to frequent the capital this month after Lozada disclosed his alleged knowledge on former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos' alleged insistence to get a $130 million kickback for endorsing ZTE Corporation to get the project. Lozada had also implied that First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo knew about the alleged commission demand.
Opposition Senator Panfilo Lacson said it is in fact more important and proper for Arroyo to cancel the project after she learned about the alleged anomaly, rather than push for it despite having knowledge already of the alleged irregularity.
In her speech yesterday, Arroyo reiterated that she is as interested as the people on the NBN issue that she even assures making people accountable if found to have liabilities over the deal.
“The people are mad at the corrupt, so am I. We are all bothered that’s why I immediately acted to cancel the contract upon learning that it has the slightest hint of anomaly. We just waited the proper notification to the government of China,” she said.
She said the allegation of bribery was also reported to Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ronaldo Puno, thus the order for an investigation over the matter by the authorized agencies.
Along with this action, she said that the immediately added funds to the Office of the Ombudsman for a stronger watch and action against corrupt officials.
“We directly acted to ensure that all these kinds of projects are closely monitored by people to avoid any irregularity,” Arroyo said.
But opposition Senator Benigno Aquino III pointed out in a separate interview that if she was really sincere to have it investigated, why did the Department of Justice and the Ombudsman only act recently, months after the Senate started its investigation.
According to Arroyo, she will not condone “friends and foe alike” if they are found to be corrupt as she challenged House Speaker Prospero Nograles, who attended the Holy Mass, to pass the “Anti-Corruption Reform” this year to prevent corruption and add heavier penalty to it.
She said this will be among her goals before she steps down in 2010. “We plan on working harder next two and a half years to fulfill our Philippine reform agenda until the day I leave the Presidency in 2010. We will fight for the economy, education and the environment.”
“We will work to fix the corruption that still plagues our nation,” Arroyo stressed as she debunked claims that her administration is more corrupt than the previous ones, citing the “lively economy” under her term.
“A corrupt nation will not prosper quickly within a generation or will not have a richer national coffer or will not be strict against tax cheaters or will not prosecute more officials if they are not transparent,” she said in defense to her administration.
The President admitted she is “not perfect” but she said she has “worked hard everyday to achieve positive and lasting change for the nation,” helping “create seven million jobs and bring in billions in new investment,” bring down unemployment and incidents of hunger, and bring up access to health care and a good education.
Lacson said he hopes Arroyo’s declaration of a strong stand against corruption is not just a lip service, especially since the First Gentleman is also tagged in the allegations.
“Her credibility has already sunk before the public, nobody believes her anymore. So if she says that people liable for corruption will be made accountable and yet does not take concrete action, the more nobody will believe her anymore,” he said.
Arroyo said she is saddened by the way her political nemesis have resorted to desperate moves to criticize her, especially since no evidence have been put forward so far.
Reacting to allegations that she is running a midnight Cabinet, Arroyo said this could be the impression left to those who do not know that she works starting early in the morning until, sometimes, way past midnight.
“I am the President, not anyone else. I decide on matters involving the government and not those who are not in the position,” she said in Filipino.
She said her family “is not engaged in any business venture with the government,” an act that is “not acceptable.”
As to calls for her resignation, Arroyo said: “I will follow the Constitution and my own desire to step down when my term ends. I can tell you that without any hesitation, I will step down when my term ends in 2010, although even up to that time, we will exert effort to push for reforms so we will leave a strong nation to the next leader.”
“We challenged our political leaders who are seeking the Presidency in 2010 to develop a positive agenda for change and reform. The people want us to focus on working for the people and avoid the endless saga of political vendettas and mindless investigations,” she said./DMS
February 24, 2008
The admission on Saturday of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that she approved the awarding of the National Broadband Network (NBN) project to China’s ZTE Corporation in April last year even after learning that it had an alleged irregularity is a ground for her impeachment, Senate President Manny Villar said Sunday.
“If she signed that, I think that is ground for impeachment,” Villar told DZBB radio in a phone interview.
Agreeing with Villar, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview that the act constitutes “corruption and failure to discharge her duties properly.”
“It really is an admission of guilt. That’s something that ties Gloria to the anomaly,” Pimentel said of Arroyo’s admission.
But he doubts if an impeachment will prosper against the President, citing her allies at the Lower House, which outnumber the members of the political opposition.
“It will just make some members of Congress rich,” Pimentel said, apparently referring to possible bribes in the Lower House to junk any impeachment complaint forwarded against the President.
In a radio interview, Arroyo said the other day that she just allowed the signing of NBN deal with ZTE Corporation to proceed on April 21 last year in Boao, China because she learned of the alleged anomaly the night before only.
Yesterday, she said in a speech at the Heroes' Hall in Malacanang Palace after a Holy Mass that it took her months to officially cancel the deal so as to give time for proper notification to the Chinese government.
Villar said he finds it hard to believe that the President made the admission about the alleged anomaly surrounding the $329 million project because all the while, when the Senate began its probe on it since last year, there were attempts from the executive branch not to talk about it.
He said it even used airport officials, the Presidential Security Group, and the Philippine National Police in an attempt to stop key witness, Rodolfo Lozada, Jr., from appearing at the Senate.
“I think the President is only after the sentiment of the people here. I think the President is worried of the outrage that came out over the ZTE deal… I think her confession is for the people to stop feeling hard against her,” Villar said.
“Maybe, somebody advised her that if you ask for forgiveness or own up to your mistake, it will cool down the heads of the people,” he added.
Mass actions have started to frequent the capital this month after Lozada disclosed his alleged knowledge on former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos' alleged insistence to get a $130 million kickback for endorsing ZTE Corporation to get the project. Lozada had also implied that First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo knew about the alleged commission demand.
Opposition Senator Panfilo Lacson said it is in fact more important and proper for Arroyo to cancel the project after she learned about the alleged anomaly, rather than push for it despite having knowledge already of the alleged irregularity.
In her speech yesterday, Arroyo reiterated that she is as interested as the people on the NBN issue that she even assures making people accountable if found to have liabilities over the deal.
“The people are mad at the corrupt, so am I. We are all bothered that’s why I immediately acted to cancel the contract upon learning that it has the slightest hint of anomaly. We just waited the proper notification to the government of China,” she said.
She said the allegation of bribery was also reported to Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ronaldo Puno, thus the order for an investigation over the matter by the authorized agencies.
Along with this action, she said that the immediately added funds to the Office of the Ombudsman for a stronger watch and action against corrupt officials.
“We directly acted to ensure that all these kinds of projects are closely monitored by people to avoid any irregularity,” Arroyo said.
But opposition Senator Benigno Aquino III pointed out in a separate interview that if she was really sincere to have it investigated, why did the Department of Justice and the Ombudsman only act recently, months after the Senate started its investigation.
According to Arroyo, she will not condone “friends and foe alike” if they are found to be corrupt as she challenged House Speaker Prospero Nograles, who attended the Holy Mass, to pass the “Anti-Corruption Reform” this year to prevent corruption and add heavier penalty to it.
She said this will be among her goals before she steps down in 2010. “We plan on working harder next two and a half years to fulfill our Philippine reform agenda until the day I leave the Presidency in 2010. We will fight for the economy, education and the environment.”
“We will work to fix the corruption that still plagues our nation,” Arroyo stressed as she debunked claims that her administration is more corrupt than the previous ones, citing the “lively economy” under her term.
“A corrupt nation will not prosper quickly within a generation or will not have a richer national coffer or will not be strict against tax cheaters or will not prosecute more officials if they are not transparent,” she said in defense to her administration.
The President admitted she is “not perfect” but she said she has “worked hard everyday to achieve positive and lasting change for the nation,” helping “create seven million jobs and bring in billions in new investment,” bring down unemployment and incidents of hunger, and bring up access to health care and a good education.
Lacson said he hopes Arroyo’s declaration of a strong stand against corruption is not just a lip service, especially since the First Gentleman is also tagged in the allegations.
“Her credibility has already sunk before the public, nobody believes her anymore. So if she says that people liable for corruption will be made accountable and yet does not take concrete action, the more nobody will believe her anymore,” he said.
Arroyo said she is saddened by the way her political nemesis have resorted to desperate moves to criticize her, especially since no evidence have been put forward so far.
Reacting to allegations that she is running a midnight Cabinet, Arroyo said this could be the impression left to those who do not know that she works starting early in the morning until, sometimes, way past midnight.
“I am the President, not anyone else. I decide on matters involving the government and not those who are not in the position,” she said in Filipino.
She said her family “is not engaged in any business venture with the government,” an act that is “not acceptable.”
As to calls for her resignation, Arroyo said: “I will follow the Constitution and my own desire to step down when my term ends. I can tell you that without any hesitation, I will step down when my term ends in 2010, although even up to that time, we will exert effort to push for reforms so we will leave a strong nation to the next leader.”
“We challenged our political leaders who are seeking the Presidency in 2010 to develop a positive agenda for change and reform. The people want us to focus on working for the people and avoid the endless saga of political vendettas and mindless investigations,” she said./DMS
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)