By Ronron
March 19, 2008
The Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are bracing for possible heightened activities of the New People’s Army (NPA) as their 39th founding anniversary approaches.
While there are still no direct threats monitored from the NPA, which marks its anniversary on March 29, the PNP assured the public on Wednesday that they are not letting its guard down, its spokesman said.
“The PNP is always prepared. As of now, there is no specific threat but the PNP will always be there,” said Sr. Supt. Nicanor Bartolome,
AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., for his part, said an intensified offensive of the NPA is expected by the military because “that is part of their overall preparation.”
“You expect that they would launch some activities if only to highlight their anniversary,” Esperon said, noting that there are still more than 5,000 armed fighters of the group.
But prior to the NPA anniversary, Esperon said the military could take advantage of the time by launching operations against the communists.
“The anniversary of the NPA comes (on) March (29), and … it’s time for them to be meeting. So, I think it’s a good time for us to be operating,” he said.
It is for this reason that Esperon said they will not declare a unilateral suspension of military offensives (SOMO) during the duration of the Holy Week.
The 5,760-strong NPA had already been active the last few days, attacking private firms and ambushing government troops.
The government vows to neutralize them by 2010 when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ends her term.
The communist movement backed out from the peace negotiations with the government in August 2004 after it was tagged as terrorist by foreign governments./DMS
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Querubin rushed to military hospital due to breathing problem
By Ronron
March 19, 2008
Marine Col. Ariel Querubin, one of the accused mutineers in February 2006, was brought to the hospital last Tuesday due to breathing problem, his wife told reporters Wednesday.
Maria Flor Querubin said her 51-year-old husband first complained of chest pains at around 3am Tuesday while inside his detention cell at the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) compound in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
But he just endured the pain until 7am when he woke up and asked to be brought to the camp hospital.
“He had to walk out of the detention compound because no vehicle can go in the detention area,” Mrs. Querubin said.
However, the awarded officer failed to get the kind of medical attention he needed because the X-ray machine at said hospital was not working, and it also had no available muscle relaxant medicines, said Mrs. Querubin.
She complained that it took two hours before her husband was transferred to the AFP Medical Center along V. Luna Street in Quezon City, where he was promptly attended to by specialists.
Mrs. Querubin blamed the delay in the transfer of her husband to the AFP Medical Center to Col. Arnulfo Marcos, the military custodian, who told the camp hospital doctors that a clearance is needed from higher authorities.
Mrs. Querubin said that upon arrival at the AFP Medical Center, her husband was immediately brought to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and breathes with an oxygen supply until yesterday.
“They are monitoring if there is damage to his heart,” she said, adding that her husband is already in stable condition.
“According to the cardiologist this morning, he will recommend for coronary angiography to be done at the Philippine Heart Center to rule on any pathology of the heart,” she added.
But she said that this can only be done if AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. approves it.
Mrs. Querubin recalled that when her husband was still detained at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal, the camp doctor diagnosed him to have asthma bronchitis.
Querubin is facing Articles of War violation charges before a military court due to his alleged participation in the attempted power grab plot in February 2006.
He is a recipient of the highest military award, the Medal of Valor./DMS
March 19, 2008
Marine Col. Ariel Querubin, one of the accused mutineers in February 2006, was brought to the hospital last Tuesday due to breathing problem, his wife told reporters Wednesday.
Maria Flor Querubin said her 51-year-old husband first complained of chest pains at around 3am Tuesday while inside his detention cell at the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) compound in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
But he just endured the pain until 7am when he woke up and asked to be brought to the camp hospital.
“He had to walk out of the detention compound because no vehicle can go in the detention area,” Mrs. Querubin said.
However, the awarded officer failed to get the kind of medical attention he needed because the X-ray machine at said hospital was not working, and it also had no available muscle relaxant medicines, said Mrs. Querubin.
She complained that it took two hours before her husband was transferred to the AFP Medical Center along V. Luna Street in Quezon City, where he was promptly attended to by specialists.
Mrs. Querubin blamed the delay in the transfer of her husband to the AFP Medical Center to Col. Arnulfo Marcos, the military custodian, who told the camp hospital doctors that a clearance is needed from higher authorities.
Mrs. Querubin said that upon arrival at the AFP Medical Center, her husband was immediately brought to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and breathes with an oxygen supply until yesterday.
“They are monitoring if there is damage to his heart,” she said, adding that her husband is already in stable condition.
“According to the cardiologist this morning, he will recommend for coronary angiography to be done at the Philippine Heart Center to rule on any pathology of the heart,” she added.
But she said that this can only be done if AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. approves it.
Mrs. Querubin recalled that when her husband was still detained at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal, the camp doctor diagnosed him to have asthma bronchitis.
Querubin is facing Articles of War violation charges before a military court due to his alleged participation in the attempted power grab plot in February 2006.
He is a recipient of the highest military award, the Medal of Valor./DMS
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Two alleged robbers killed in clash with Army and police in Camarines Sur
By Ronron
March 18, 2008
Two suspected robbers were killed in an encounter with joint Army and police operatives on Monday night in Camarines Sur province, officials said yesterday.
The incident happened at around 10:45 pm at Barangay Cristo Rey in Bato town, said Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command spokesman Maj. Randolph Cabangbang.
PO1 Rico Dancalan of the Bato Municipal Police Station, in a separate interview, said elements of the Region 5 police had been tailing the elements of the so-called Dacer Robbery/Hold-up Group, which operates in Albay-Camarines Sur area, until they received information that it will strike in Barangay Cristo Rey.
But even before the five members of said group could strike at their target, Dancalan said the authorities hit them, ensuing a 10-minute firefight.
The incident left two suspects killed, identified as Reynaldo Tibi and Francisco Elarde. Tibi is allegedly the leader of the five.
The three other suspects managed to escape but two were later accounted for. One, identified as Michael Gregorio, was recovered on Tuesday morning at the neighboring Barangay Lubong, while another one surrendered to police in Iriga City also yesterday. The third one remains missing.
Dancalan said Gregorio sustained a gunshot wound near his knee.
No one was hurt on the government side.
Recovered from the slain suspects were a caliber 38, a caliber 357 and two motorcycles that the suspects used.
Police are now checking the criminal profile of the suspects./DMS
March 18, 2008
Two suspected robbers were killed in an encounter with joint Army and police operatives on Monday night in Camarines Sur province, officials said yesterday.
The incident happened at around 10:45 pm at Barangay Cristo Rey in Bato town, said Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command spokesman Maj. Randolph Cabangbang.
PO1 Rico Dancalan of the Bato Municipal Police Station, in a separate interview, said elements of the Region 5 police had been tailing the elements of the so-called Dacer Robbery/Hold-up Group, which operates in Albay-Camarines Sur area, until they received information that it will strike in Barangay Cristo Rey.
But even before the five members of said group could strike at their target, Dancalan said the authorities hit them, ensuing a 10-minute firefight.
The incident left two suspects killed, identified as Reynaldo Tibi and Francisco Elarde. Tibi is allegedly the leader of the five.
The three other suspects managed to escape but two were later accounted for. One, identified as Michael Gregorio, was recovered on Tuesday morning at the neighboring Barangay Lubong, while another one surrendered to police in Iriga City also yesterday. The third one remains missing.
Dancalan said Gregorio sustained a gunshot wound near his knee.
No one was hurt on the government side.
Recovered from the slain suspects were a caliber 38, a caliber 357 and two motorcycles that the suspects used.
Police are now checking the criminal profile of the suspects./DMS
Suspected NPA members burn sugar transloading stations in Negros Occidental
By Ronron
March 18, 2008
Two sugar transloading stations in Negros Occidental were burned by suspected communist rebels on Sunday night, incurring millions of pesos in damages, police said.
SPO1 Norberto Angelino said Tuesday that the incident happened at around 11:30 pm of March 16 at Barangay San Jose in Toboso town, some 113 kilometers away from the provincial capital of Bacolod City.
Angelino, desk officer at the Toboso Municipal Police Station, said in a phone interview that some 50 alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) perpetrated the attack simultaneously at the Victoria Milling Corporation (VMC) and the Central Lopez Sugar Corporation (CLSC) transloading stations.
He said some 30 rebels entered the VMC while another group of 20 went to CLSC. The two facilities are located about two kilometers away from each other, said Angelino.
The heavily-armed guerillas arrived on foot, coming from the mountainous area in the back, and left 15 to 20 minutes later to the same direction.
Angelino said that when the rebels arrived at the VMC transloading station, they told the lone watchman in the Cebuano dialect: “We will burn this because the company does not pay revolutionary tax.”
At the CLSC, the lone watchman, according to Angelino, was just told by the perpetrators also in Cebuano: “You are not included here so just sit down there.”
The suspects then proceeded to empty two containers of gasoline in each transloading station and set the facilities on fire.
Angelino said that at VMC, three 16-wheeler Prime Mover trucks, one 10-wheeler truck, the fuel tank, and a crane were totally burned. It also lost to the suspects one radio ICOM base and a digital weighing scale. Total worth of damages was pegged at P4 million.
While at the CLSC, totally burned were the scale house, a mounted crane, an electronic weighing scale and its accessories (computer, printer, AVR, and wirings), one unit of polaroscope, an electrical panel board, two units of generator set (10 KVA and 3 KVA), and the generator shed. Estimated worth of damage is P835,000.00.
Angelino said it was a revival of the attacks of the NPA in said town, the last of which was still in the 1980’s.
He said pursuit operations were conducted by the police and Philippine Army against the suspects at 4am of the following day but to no avail.
The 5,760-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside for almost four decades now, and the government intends to put an end to it in 2010 as part of the legacy of the Arroyo administration.
Peace talks between the government and the communist movement bogged down in August 2004 after the latter was tagged as a terrorist by foreign governments./DMS
March 18, 2008
Two sugar transloading stations in Negros Occidental were burned by suspected communist rebels on Sunday night, incurring millions of pesos in damages, police said.
SPO1 Norberto Angelino said Tuesday that the incident happened at around 11:30 pm of March 16 at Barangay San Jose in Toboso town, some 113 kilometers away from the provincial capital of Bacolod City.
Angelino, desk officer at the Toboso Municipal Police Station, said in a phone interview that some 50 alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) perpetrated the attack simultaneously at the Victoria Milling Corporation (VMC) and the Central Lopez Sugar Corporation (CLSC) transloading stations.
He said some 30 rebels entered the VMC while another group of 20 went to CLSC. The two facilities are located about two kilometers away from each other, said Angelino.
The heavily-armed guerillas arrived on foot, coming from the mountainous area in the back, and left 15 to 20 minutes later to the same direction.
Angelino said that when the rebels arrived at the VMC transloading station, they told the lone watchman in the Cebuano dialect: “We will burn this because the company does not pay revolutionary tax.”
At the CLSC, the lone watchman, according to Angelino, was just told by the perpetrators also in Cebuano: “You are not included here so just sit down there.”
The suspects then proceeded to empty two containers of gasoline in each transloading station and set the facilities on fire.
Angelino said that at VMC, three 16-wheeler Prime Mover trucks, one 10-wheeler truck, the fuel tank, and a crane were totally burned. It also lost to the suspects one radio ICOM base and a digital weighing scale. Total worth of damages was pegged at P4 million.
While at the CLSC, totally burned were the scale house, a mounted crane, an electronic weighing scale and its accessories (computer, printer, AVR, and wirings), one unit of polaroscope, an electrical panel board, two units of generator set (10 KVA and 3 KVA), and the generator shed. Estimated worth of damage is P835,000.00.
Angelino said it was a revival of the attacks of the NPA in said town, the last of which was still in the 1980’s.
He said pursuit operations were conducted by the police and Philippine Army against the suspects at 4am of the following day but to no avail.
The 5,760-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside for almost four decades now, and the government intends to put an end to it in 2010 as part of the legacy of the Arroyo administration.
Peace talks between the government and the communist movement bogged down in August 2004 after the latter was tagged as a terrorist by foreign governments./DMS
Military to deploy close to 200 troops in MM for Lenten security
By Ronron
March 18, 2008
The military unit in the National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM) will be deploying close to 200 personnel starting Wednesday afternoon as part of its Oplan Tulong Lakbay program to assist police and traffic units in providing security to travelers during the Lenten break.
NCRCOM chief Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa said Tuesday that the personnel consist of security forces, bomb experts with bomb-sniffing dogs, mechanics, and medical practitioners.
“We will have soldiers from the Explosives and Ordnance Division (EOD) who have canines with them who will go around bus terminals to see to it that nobody will succeed in attempting to sow violence in bus terminals,” Mesa told reporters in Filipino in an interview at his office at Camp Aguinaldo.
They will particularly help secure four bus terminals in Manila City, five in Quezon City, four in the southern district, and two in the northern distric.
Aside from bus terminals, Mesa said the military personnel will also secure highways like the Northern Luzon Expressway, Southern Luzon Expressway, the Coastal Road in Cavite, and Marcos Highway near Masinag Market in Antipolo City.
They will work with elements of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), he said.
“We must move forward. Our soldiers should always be ready not just in terms of security. Whatever resources we have, we will also share with our countrymen, like helping them in their trips to provinces,” Mesa said.
“Our assurance to our countrymen is that your soldiers, even if it is Lenten season, are here, ready to assist,” he added.
Mesa said the soldiers will provide assistance until Maundy Thursday, and resume on Easter Sunday. They will be on a break on Good Friday and Black Saturday because the people are expected to be confined to their houses or in churches.
Mesa said the NCRCOM will maintain its blue alert status, which started after the anti-government rally in Manila City Friday last week.
He said that so far, the NCRCOM has not received any security threat during the break.
“Right now, we don’t see any threat. But we don’t want to be caught unprepared already so we are on alert,” he said.
The Philippine National Police (PNP), for its part, is going on heightened alert status effective Wednesday noon, as it expects a zero-crime rate on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, citing their hope that criminals will also observe the Lenten tradition.
Chief Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil, director of the Police Community Relations and concurrent director of the PNP Oplan Bantay Lakbay, said: “Usually, it is zero-crime rate. So hopefully, that can be duplicated this year. Criminals should also ponder upon their acts.”
The PNP’s Oplan Bantay Lakbay was activated Tuesday afternoon./DMS
March 18, 2008
The military unit in the National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM) will be deploying close to 200 personnel starting Wednesday afternoon as part of its Oplan Tulong Lakbay program to assist police and traffic units in providing security to travelers during the Lenten break.
NCRCOM chief Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa said Tuesday that the personnel consist of security forces, bomb experts with bomb-sniffing dogs, mechanics, and medical practitioners.
“We will have soldiers from the Explosives and Ordnance Division (EOD) who have canines with them who will go around bus terminals to see to it that nobody will succeed in attempting to sow violence in bus terminals,” Mesa told reporters in Filipino in an interview at his office at Camp Aguinaldo.
They will particularly help secure four bus terminals in Manila City, five in Quezon City, four in the southern district, and two in the northern distric.
Aside from bus terminals, Mesa said the military personnel will also secure highways like the Northern Luzon Expressway, Southern Luzon Expressway, the Coastal Road in Cavite, and Marcos Highway near Masinag Market in Antipolo City.
They will work with elements of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), he said.
“We must move forward. Our soldiers should always be ready not just in terms of security. Whatever resources we have, we will also share with our countrymen, like helping them in their trips to provinces,” Mesa said.
“Our assurance to our countrymen is that your soldiers, even if it is Lenten season, are here, ready to assist,” he added.
Mesa said the soldiers will provide assistance until Maundy Thursday, and resume on Easter Sunday. They will be on a break on Good Friday and Black Saturday because the people are expected to be confined to their houses or in churches.
Mesa said the NCRCOM will maintain its blue alert status, which started after the anti-government rally in Manila City Friday last week.
He said that so far, the NCRCOM has not received any security threat during the break.
“Right now, we don’t see any threat. But we don’t want to be caught unprepared already so we are on alert,” he said.
The Philippine National Police (PNP), for its part, is going on heightened alert status effective Wednesday noon, as it expects a zero-crime rate on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, citing their hope that criminals will also observe the Lenten tradition.
Chief Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil, director of the Police Community Relations and concurrent director of the PNP Oplan Bantay Lakbay, said: “Usually, it is zero-crime rate. So hopefully, that can be duplicated this year. Criminals should also ponder upon their acts.”
The PNP’s Oplan Bantay Lakbay was activated Tuesday afternoon./DMS
Monday, March 17, 2008
Hand-to-hand combat against foreign troops to defend Spratly’s, why not? – Esperon
By Ronron
March 17, 2008
Conceding that indeed, the Philippines does not have the military capability to match that of China or other territories that lay claim on the Kalayaan Group of Islands or the Spratly’s off Palawan province in the eastern part of the country, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. on Monday went on to boast only of the Filipino soldiers’ determination to fight.
“We may not have the chance (to win in a war with other claimant countries) but that does not mean that the soldiers are not willing to go to fight for the country,” Esperon told reporters in Baguio City where he is to attend Tuesday’s graduation at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).
“If it will be down to a hand-to-hand combat, why not?” he continued.
Esperon was asked of his view on defending the Spratly’s in the light of the controversy brought about by the Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) of private firms of the Philippines, Vietnam and China.
Esperon reiterated that as a military man, he is for the diplomatic means of addressing the issue concerning the Spratly’s not only because it is a more civilized approach, but also because a war might place the Philippines in the losing end.
“We can go to war. We can still go to war. But the next question is, can we win? Do we have the capabilities?” he said.
Esperon said a fight over the Kalayaan Group of Islands “would need some capital ships and fighter aircraft,” which “we don’t have.” It can be recalled that the AFP decommissioned its F5 fighter planes in October 2005.
“So if there are other ways, we will do it not by war,” he said.
Esperon said that there are about 60 AFP elements securing eight islands in the Spratly’s as of now.
The Spratly’s, believed to be rich in mineral and oil resources aside from marine resources, is being claimed wholly or partially by the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei, China and Malaysia./DMS
March 17, 2008
Conceding that indeed, the Philippines does not have the military capability to match that of China or other territories that lay claim on the Kalayaan Group of Islands or the Spratly’s off Palawan province in the eastern part of the country, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. on Monday went on to boast only of the Filipino soldiers’ determination to fight.
“We may not have the chance (to win in a war with other claimant countries) but that does not mean that the soldiers are not willing to go to fight for the country,” Esperon told reporters in Baguio City where he is to attend Tuesday’s graduation at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).
“If it will be down to a hand-to-hand combat, why not?” he continued.
Esperon was asked of his view on defending the Spratly’s in the light of the controversy brought about by the Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) of private firms of the Philippines, Vietnam and China.
Esperon reiterated that as a military man, he is for the diplomatic means of addressing the issue concerning the Spratly’s not only because it is a more civilized approach, but also because a war might place the Philippines in the losing end.
“We can go to war. We can still go to war. But the next question is, can we win? Do we have the capabilities?” he said.
Esperon said a fight over the Kalayaan Group of Islands “would need some capital ships and fighter aircraft,” which “we don’t have.” It can be recalled that the AFP decommissioned its F5 fighter planes in October 2005.
“So if there are other ways, we will do it not by war,” he said.
Esperon said that there are about 60 AFP elements securing eight islands in the Spratly’s as of now.
The Spratly’s, believed to be rich in mineral and oil resources aside from marine resources, is being claimed wholly or partially by the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei, China and Malaysia./DMS
Suspected Reds burn Globe facility in Compostela Valley province
By Ronron
March 17, 2008
Another facility of Globe Telecommunications was attacked Monday dawn by suspected elements of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Compostela Valley province, officials said.
The incident happened at around 5:30 am at Purok 1, Barangay Linoan in Montevista town, a police report showed.
The report said the more or less 20 perpetrators first disarmed the guard of his caliber 38 service firearm, and then went on to burn the cabin generator of the facility using gasoline.
The estimated cost of damage is P1.5 million, the police said.
The incident resulted in the cut off of Globe signal in the area, said Col. Benito de Leon, spokesman and chief of staff of the Army’s Infantry Division.
Asked if it is another case of punishment to Globe for not paying the so-called “revolutionary tax” being collected by the communist movement, De Leon said: “It appears to be. What else should be the motive?”
The 5,760-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside for almost four decades now, although the government aims to defeat them by 2010 when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ends her term.
Peace talks with the movement bogged down in August 2004 after it was tagged as terrorist by some foreign governments./DMS
March 17, 2008
Another facility of Globe Telecommunications was attacked Monday dawn by suspected elements of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Compostela Valley province, officials said.
The incident happened at around 5:30 am at Purok 1, Barangay Linoan in Montevista town, a police report showed.
The report said the more or less 20 perpetrators first disarmed the guard of his caliber 38 service firearm, and then went on to burn the cabin generator of the facility using gasoline.
The estimated cost of damage is P1.5 million, the police said.
The incident resulted in the cut off of Globe signal in the area, said Col. Benito de Leon, spokesman and chief of staff of the Army’s Infantry Division.
Asked if it is another case of punishment to Globe for not paying the so-called “revolutionary tax” being collected by the communist movement, De Leon said: “It appears to be. What else should be the motive?”
The 5,760-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside for almost four decades now, although the government aims to defeat them by 2010 when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ends her term.
Peace talks with the movement bogged down in August 2004 after it was tagged as terrorist by some foreign governments./DMS
Court of Appeals receives bomb threat
By Ronron
March 17, 2008
The Court of Appeals (CA) received on Monday morning a bomb threat from an unknown person, which authorities later declared to be a hoax.
A CA employee said a male-sounding person called up the court’s trunkline number (5241241) at around 8:20 am and first asked a female telephone operator if it was the CA.
The CA is located along Maria Orosa Street in Ermita District, Manila City.
When the operator responded in the affirmative, the caller said in Filipino: “Be careful, something will explode in a few minutes.” The caller then dropped the phone, the employee said.
Immediately, the operator reported the matter to Associate Justices Normandie Pizarro and Remedios Salazar-Fernando, and the guard on duty, who promptly sought police assistance.
The CA employee said there were some people in the CA building at that time, preparing to attend the court’s flag ceremony at 8:30 am.
But she said there was no commotion when everybody went out of the building to give way to members of the Manila Police District (MPD) Explosives and Ordnance Division in inspecting the entire edifice.
Elements of the MPD Station 5 and the National Bureau of Investigation also responded to the incident, said another CA employee.
The employees said the police officially declared the building as bomb-free shortly before 10 am, allowing the CA employees to go back to their normal job.
The office of Atty. Teresita Marigomen, the CA Clerk of Court, said there were no controversial cases to be heard during the day, which, possibly, may be the target of disruption by the bomb scare.
On January 31, 2006, a pillbox exploded outside the CA building, but authorities linked it to a fraternity war despite the claim of responsibility by the Taong Bayan at Kawal ng Pilipinas (People and Soldiers of the Philippines) shadowy group./DMS
March 17, 2008
The Court of Appeals (CA) received on Monday morning a bomb threat from an unknown person, which authorities later declared to be a hoax.
A CA employee said a male-sounding person called up the court’s trunkline number (5241241) at around 8:20 am and first asked a female telephone operator if it was the CA.
The CA is located along Maria Orosa Street in Ermita District, Manila City.
When the operator responded in the affirmative, the caller said in Filipino: “Be careful, something will explode in a few minutes.” The caller then dropped the phone, the employee said.
Immediately, the operator reported the matter to Associate Justices Normandie Pizarro and Remedios Salazar-Fernando, and the guard on duty, who promptly sought police assistance.
The CA employee said there were some people in the CA building at that time, preparing to attend the court’s flag ceremony at 8:30 am.
But she said there was no commotion when everybody went out of the building to give way to members of the Manila Police District (MPD) Explosives and Ordnance Division in inspecting the entire edifice.
Elements of the MPD Station 5 and the National Bureau of Investigation also responded to the incident, said another CA employee.
The employees said the police officially declared the building as bomb-free shortly before 10 am, allowing the CA employees to go back to their normal job.
The office of Atty. Teresita Marigomen, the CA Clerk of Court, said there were no controversial cases to be heard during the day, which, possibly, may be the target of disruption by the bomb scare.
On January 31, 2006, a pillbox exploded outside the CA building, but authorities linked it to a fraternity war despite the claim of responsibility by the Taong Bayan at Kawal ng Pilipinas (People and Soldiers of the Philippines) shadowy group./DMS
PNP commissions 500 new vehicles
By Ronron
March 17, 2008
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday morning commissioned 500 new vehicles that were purchased under its 2007 Procurement Program.
PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said the new mobile assets, which consist of 100 prowl cars, 266 police utility vehicles, and 145 motorcycles, is in addition to the existing 8,000 land vehicles of the organization.
Aside from the 500 vehicles, Razon also commissioned three newly-refurbished V150 armored tactical fighting vehicles.
Razon presented all said vehicles to Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno in simple ceremonies at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
“These added logistics will ensure that the PNP will be more capable and effective in performing the mission to serve and protect the people,” Razon said.
Razon said that prior to the commissioning of the 500 new vehicles, there are 202 police stations all over the country that have no police vehicles.
“Now, there will no longer be any police station that has no mobile service,” he said.
For 2008, Razon said the PNP will acquire three helicopters, 211 patrol cars, 526 utility vehicles, 295 motorcycles, 1,000 shotguns, 10,000 handguns, and special equipment for anti-criminality and internal security operations.
Razon said Malacañang has approved the PNP’s P10-billion modernization program for logistics and recruitment, in addition to the separate P1.7-billion fund for housing and infrastructure development earlier approved by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“The PNP leadership is pushing more resources and logistics to the field to meet the operational requirements of police units and personnel to develop all police stations in the country into fighting units against criminality, insurgency and terrorism,” PNP spokesman Sr. Supt. Nicanor Bartolome said./DMS
March 17, 2008
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday morning commissioned 500 new vehicles that were purchased under its 2007 Procurement Program.
PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said the new mobile assets, which consist of 100 prowl cars, 266 police utility vehicles, and 145 motorcycles, is in addition to the existing 8,000 land vehicles of the organization.
Aside from the 500 vehicles, Razon also commissioned three newly-refurbished V150 armored tactical fighting vehicles.
Razon presented all said vehicles to Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno in simple ceremonies at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
“These added logistics will ensure that the PNP will be more capable and effective in performing the mission to serve and protect the people,” Razon said.
Razon said that prior to the commissioning of the 500 new vehicles, there are 202 police stations all over the country that have no police vehicles.
“Now, there will no longer be any police station that has no mobile service,” he said.
For 2008, Razon said the PNP will acquire three helicopters, 211 patrol cars, 526 utility vehicles, 295 motorcycles, 1,000 shotguns, 10,000 handguns, and special equipment for anti-criminality and internal security operations.
Razon said Malacañang has approved the PNP’s P10-billion modernization program for logistics and recruitment, in addition to the separate P1.7-billion fund for housing and infrastructure development earlier approved by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“The PNP leadership is pushing more resources and logistics to the field to meet the operational requirements of police units and personnel to develop all police stations in the country into fighting units against criminality, insurgency and terrorism,” PNP spokesman Sr. Supt. Nicanor Bartolome said./DMS
Sunday, March 16, 2008
“Due recognition” awaits Pacquiao at Army headquarters
By Ronron
March 16, 2008
The Philippine Army is preparing “due recognition” for its reservist soldier, Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquaio, when he returns to the country with the title as new World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Featherweight Champion.
After Pacquiao’s victory against Juan Manuel Marquez on Saturday night (Sunday noon, Manila time) at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, USA, Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano said “Army Master Sergeant Manny Pacquiao” deserves “due recognition for another mission excellently done.”
“The Philippine Army is one with the whole nation in jubilation for the international honor brought about by one of its outstanding reservists. We shall await with enthusiasm the homecoming of M/Sgt. Pacquiao,” Yano said in a statement.
The Army community watched the 48-minute, 12-round bout of Pacquiao and Marquez at the Army Gym in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City yesterday noon. Yano said there were “thousands” who witnessed the live telecast of the action-packed match.
Yano said that during the fight and upon Pacquiao’s victory, he sensed “once again that a genuine sense of nationalistic pride was generated” by the boxing champ among Filipinos – “the kind of pride that provides inspiration, unites the whole nation, and gives hope to everyone that greatness is possible amid enormous challenges.”
Pacquiao was accorded the Master Sergeant rank, the highest for enlisted personnel, in October last year after winning his fight against Marco Antonio Barrera.
After getting the two-rank promotion, he visited troops a month later in Basilan and Jolo to boost their morale as they continue the fight against enemies of the State.
Pacquaio was first conferred an Army reservist rank in April 2006 also because of his victory in the boxing ring. He became a sergeant then.
While he may not have a salary for getting a rank, Pacquiao is expected to serve in whatever means like civic actions and disaster response operations for at least 30 days a year.
But the Army leadership is not immediately aware how Pacquiao complies with the service requirement./DMS
March 16, 2008
The Philippine Army is preparing “due recognition” for its reservist soldier, Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquaio, when he returns to the country with the title as new World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Featherweight Champion.
After Pacquiao’s victory against Juan Manuel Marquez on Saturday night (Sunday noon, Manila time) at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, USA, Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano said “Army Master Sergeant Manny Pacquiao” deserves “due recognition for another mission excellently done.”
“The Philippine Army is one with the whole nation in jubilation for the international honor brought about by one of its outstanding reservists. We shall await with enthusiasm the homecoming of M/Sgt. Pacquiao,” Yano said in a statement.
The Army community watched the 48-minute, 12-round bout of Pacquiao and Marquez at the Army Gym in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City yesterday noon. Yano said there were “thousands” who witnessed the live telecast of the action-packed match.
Yano said that during the fight and upon Pacquiao’s victory, he sensed “once again that a genuine sense of nationalistic pride was generated” by the boxing champ among Filipinos – “the kind of pride that provides inspiration, unites the whole nation, and gives hope to everyone that greatness is possible amid enormous challenges.”
Pacquiao was accorded the Master Sergeant rank, the highest for enlisted personnel, in October last year after winning his fight against Marco Antonio Barrera.
After getting the two-rank promotion, he visited troops a month later in Basilan and Jolo to boost their morale as they continue the fight against enemies of the State.
Pacquaio was first conferred an Army reservist rank in April 2006 also because of his victory in the boxing ring. He became a sergeant then.
While he may not have a salary for getting a rank, Pacquiao is expected to serve in whatever means like civic actions and disaster response operations for at least 30 days a year.
But the Army leadership is not immediately aware how Pacquiao complies with the service requirement./DMS
PNP gets no report of crimes all over the country during Pacquiao-Morales fight
By Ronron
March 16, 2008
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Sunday that it did not receive a single report of criminal incident in any part of the country at the time Filipino boxing champ Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and defending World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Featherweight Champion Juan Manuel Marquez fought for almost one hour at the boxing ring in Las Vegas, USA.
PNP spokesman Sr. Supt. Nicanor Bartolome said there was one criminal incident that transpired in Metro Manila but it happened several minutes after Pacquiao was declared the new WBC Super Featherweight Champion via a split decision by the judges.
“In all regions nationwide, we noted a zero-crime rate during the actual fight of Manny Pacquiao,” Bartolome said.
“In NCR (National Capital Region), there was a reported bus robbery/hold-up incident but it happened between 12:30 pm to 1pm,” he added.
The boxing match of Pacquiao and Marquez was viewed and heard in the Philippines starting 11:25 am up to 12:13 pm. The actual event was held at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada Saturday night, US time.
Event host Michael Buffer officially announced Pacquiao’s victory at 12:16 pm, Philippine time.
Bartolome said regardless of whether the bus robbery incident in NCR happened during or after the fight of Pacquiao and Marquez, this statistics “indicate that there was really a very good situation all over the country.”
“The outpouring of support by the entire nation for the Filipino fighter resulted in zero-crime incident in all regions of the country,” he said.
Based on an initial report from the NCR Police Office (NCRPO), a Genesis passenger bus (TVJ-877) bound for Balanga, Bataan was plying EDSA from Pasay City when eight men aboard it declared a hold-up at around 12:30 pm while it was near Crossing Mall at the corner of Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City.
The suspects were carrying handguns and a hand grenade, prompting passengers to surrender their “valuables.”
The report said one of the suspects fired one handgun in the upward direction during the heist, probably to scare the bus passengers.
Four of the suspects alighted at the corner of EDSA and Main Avenue in Cubao, Quezon City, while the remaining four did the same at the corner of Anonas Road and EDSA near Q-Mart Market.
Elements of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) and from some stations conducted follow up operations against the suspects, while the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) is conducting investigation on the incident.
The PNP had earlier expected a zero-crime rate in the country during Pacquiao’s bout, similar to past incidents, citing the people’s preoccupation in monitoring the fight on television and radio./DMS
March 16, 2008
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Sunday that it did not receive a single report of criminal incident in any part of the country at the time Filipino boxing champ Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and defending World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Featherweight Champion Juan Manuel Marquez fought for almost one hour at the boxing ring in Las Vegas, USA.
PNP spokesman Sr. Supt. Nicanor Bartolome said there was one criminal incident that transpired in Metro Manila but it happened several minutes after Pacquiao was declared the new WBC Super Featherweight Champion via a split decision by the judges.
“In all regions nationwide, we noted a zero-crime rate during the actual fight of Manny Pacquiao,” Bartolome said.
“In NCR (National Capital Region), there was a reported bus robbery/hold-up incident but it happened between 12:30 pm to 1pm,” he added.
The boxing match of Pacquiao and Marquez was viewed and heard in the Philippines starting 11:25 am up to 12:13 pm. The actual event was held at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada Saturday night, US time.
Event host Michael Buffer officially announced Pacquiao’s victory at 12:16 pm, Philippine time.
Bartolome said regardless of whether the bus robbery incident in NCR happened during or after the fight of Pacquiao and Marquez, this statistics “indicate that there was really a very good situation all over the country.”
“The outpouring of support by the entire nation for the Filipino fighter resulted in zero-crime incident in all regions of the country,” he said.
Based on an initial report from the NCR Police Office (NCRPO), a Genesis passenger bus (TVJ-877) bound for Balanga, Bataan was plying EDSA from Pasay City when eight men aboard it declared a hold-up at around 12:30 pm while it was near Crossing Mall at the corner of Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City.
The suspects were carrying handguns and a hand grenade, prompting passengers to surrender their “valuables.”
The report said one of the suspects fired one handgun in the upward direction during the heist, probably to scare the bus passengers.
Four of the suspects alighted at the corner of EDSA and Main Avenue in Cubao, Quezon City, while the remaining four did the same at the corner of Anonas Road and EDSA near Q-Mart Market.
Elements of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) and from some stations conducted follow up operations against the suspects, while the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) is conducting investigation on the incident.
The PNP had earlier expected a zero-crime rate in the country during Pacquiao’s bout, similar to past incidents, citing the people’s preoccupation in monitoring the fight on television and radio./DMS
Pacquiao is new World Boxing Council Super Featherweight champion
By Ronron
March 16, 2008
Filipino boxing champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao is the new World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Featherweight (130-pound category) champion after he beat defending champion Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico in a 12-round bout held in the United States Saturday night (Sunday noon in Manila).
The 29-year-old Filipino champion won by split decision by judges Jerry Roth (115-112 in favor of Marquez), Duane Ford (115-112 in favor of Pacquaio), and Tom Miller (114-113 in favor of Pacquiao).
“I suffered two cuts in the eye. It was tough and I got bothered, I could no longer concentrate because I could not see his (Marquez) punches anymore. I just survived through the 12 rounds,” Pacquiao, a native of the southern Philippine city of General Santos, said in Filipino in a televised interview after his victory was announced.
Pacquiao said that even if Marquez also suffered a cut in the face, he felt it was not as terrible as the ones he sustained because it affected his lead sight. “I just punched every time I could sense he was near me,” he revealed how he managed to pull it off.
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo personally called Pacquiao over the phone after the fight and congratulated him for his victory.
In a statement to the media, Arroyo said she joins “the Filipino people in savoring this sweet moment of sweet victory and national unity prompted by the courage, discipline and fighting heart of our boxing hero, Manny Pacquiao.”
“Manny Pacquiao has again brought immense glory to the Flag and Filipino people with his hard fought victory today. Once more, he has inspired us with his big fighting heart, his determination and grit,” Arroyo said.
The President called Pacquiao as “one of our nation’s heroes who can unite us even in times of divisiveness.”
“Like him, we, too, shall overcome the battles ahead, with courage and a steadfast faith in ourselves, our country and the Lord Almighty,” she said.
“An icon of the masses, Manny Pacquiao mirrors the champ within every Filipino, here and abroad,” she added.
Pacquiao, himself, appealed to his countrymen “to unite” at all times, and not only when he wins a fight in the ring.
“I really exercised hard for this fight because first and foremost, whatever problems our country is facing, I take them as my own too. So I strived hard and took it as an inspiration to win the fact that this could unite my countrymen,” he said in Filipino.
Pacquiao said that even if it was already difficult to sustain the fight on the ring due to his injuries near the eye, he did not entertain the thought of giving up so as not to frustrate his countrymen.
“Even if I was hurt already, I endured the pain because, as I said, this fight is not just for my family, or for myself, but also for the Filipino people. As I have said, I will put my life on the line for the honor of our country and if only to make my countrymen happy,” he said.
Pacquiao said he is now prepared to take his boxing career to a higher level, the 135-pound category, and opts not to entertain anymore a rematch with Marquez, a move the latter did not welcome./DMS
March 16, 2008
Filipino boxing champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao is the new World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Featherweight (130-pound category) champion after he beat defending champion Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico in a 12-round bout held in the United States Saturday night (Sunday noon in Manila).
The 29-year-old Filipino champion won by split decision by judges Jerry Roth (115-112 in favor of Marquez), Duane Ford (115-112 in favor of Pacquaio), and Tom Miller (114-113 in favor of Pacquiao).
“I suffered two cuts in the eye. It was tough and I got bothered, I could no longer concentrate because I could not see his (Marquez) punches anymore. I just survived through the 12 rounds,” Pacquiao, a native of the southern Philippine city of General Santos, said in Filipino in a televised interview after his victory was announced.
Pacquiao said that even if Marquez also suffered a cut in the face, he felt it was not as terrible as the ones he sustained because it affected his lead sight. “I just punched every time I could sense he was near me,” he revealed how he managed to pull it off.
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo personally called Pacquiao over the phone after the fight and congratulated him for his victory.
In a statement to the media, Arroyo said she joins “the Filipino people in savoring this sweet moment of sweet victory and national unity prompted by the courage, discipline and fighting heart of our boxing hero, Manny Pacquiao.”
“Manny Pacquiao has again brought immense glory to the Flag and Filipino people with his hard fought victory today. Once more, he has inspired us with his big fighting heart, his determination and grit,” Arroyo said.
The President called Pacquiao as “one of our nation’s heroes who can unite us even in times of divisiveness.”
“Like him, we, too, shall overcome the battles ahead, with courage and a steadfast faith in ourselves, our country and the Lord Almighty,” she said.
“An icon of the masses, Manny Pacquiao mirrors the champ within every Filipino, here and abroad,” she added.
Pacquiao, himself, appealed to his countrymen “to unite” at all times, and not only when he wins a fight in the ring.
“I really exercised hard for this fight because first and foremost, whatever problems our country is facing, I take them as my own too. So I strived hard and took it as an inspiration to win the fact that this could unite my countrymen,” he said in Filipino.
Pacquiao said that even if it was already difficult to sustain the fight on the ring due to his injuries near the eye, he did not entertain the thought of giving up so as not to frustrate his countrymen.
“Even if I was hurt already, I endured the pain because, as I said, this fight is not just for my family, or for myself, but also for the Filipino people. As I have said, I will put my life on the line for the honor of our country and if only to make my countrymen happy,” he said.
Pacquiao said he is now prepared to take his boxing career to a higher level, the 135-pound category, and opts not to entertain anymore a rematch with Marquez, a move the latter did not welcome./DMS
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