By Ronron
January 25, 2008
Seven inmates of the Zamboanga del Norte provincial jail located in Manukan town escaped last Wednesday, belated police reports reaching Camp Crame said Friday.
The jailbreak was discovered around 4am by one of the jail guards on duty, said the report.
“Investigation disclosed that the inmates make good of their escape by destroying the iron bars at the back portion of the jail,” the report said.
It did not say, however, how the iron bars were destroyed and what weapon was used by the jailbreakers.
The report identified the escapees as: Guphy Saiman, charged with carnapping; Jovencio Ramos, Sonny Leano, and Piope Cating, charged with robbery; Roel Sultan, charged with robbery-in-band; Vani Abrinica, charged with statutory rape; and Maximo Mercado, charged with acts of lasciviousness.
The report said the eight are being pursued by elements of the Manukan Police Station./DMS
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Church leader shot dead in Leyte
By Ronron
January 25, 2008
A pastor of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) was killed in an ambush last Wednesday morning in Abuyog, Leyte, police said yesterday.
The victim was identified as Felomino Catambis, 60, married, and a resident of Mahaplag town in said province.
Sr. Insp. Ismael Lantajo, police chief of Abuyog, said Catambis was driving his motorcycle when two suspects aboard another motorcycle followed him closely and shot him to death at around 7:30 am last Wednesday.
Lantajo said the incident happened at Sitio Catoogan, Barangay Balocawe in Abuyog.
He said the victim must be on his way to the UCCP church in Abuyog town proper when the ambush happened.
Lantajo said Catambis died on the spot due to multiple gunshot wounds all over his body.
The suspects immediately left the crime scene after the incident.
Recovered from the crime scene were nine empty shells and one slug for a caliber 9mm. Witnesses of the incident told police that the gunman was the back-rider of the tandem.
Lantajo said they are still at a puzzle as to the motive of the incident because they have not learned of any feud that Catambis is involved in.
He said Catambis could not also be a victim of political killing because he is not known to be a social activist./DMS
January 25, 2008
A pastor of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) was killed in an ambush last Wednesday morning in Abuyog, Leyte, police said yesterday.
The victim was identified as Felomino Catambis, 60, married, and a resident of Mahaplag town in said province.
Sr. Insp. Ismael Lantajo, police chief of Abuyog, said Catambis was driving his motorcycle when two suspects aboard another motorcycle followed him closely and shot him to death at around 7:30 am last Wednesday.
Lantajo said the incident happened at Sitio Catoogan, Barangay Balocawe in Abuyog.
He said the victim must be on his way to the UCCP church in Abuyog town proper when the ambush happened.
Lantajo said Catambis died on the spot due to multiple gunshot wounds all over his body.
The suspects immediately left the crime scene after the incident.
Recovered from the crime scene were nine empty shells and one slug for a caliber 9mm. Witnesses of the incident told police that the gunman was the back-rider of the tandem.
Lantajo said they are still at a puzzle as to the motive of the incident because they have not learned of any feud that Catambis is involved in.
He said Catambis could not also be a victim of political killing because he is not known to be a social activist./DMS
Esperon: No official word yet on my term extension
By Ronron
January 25, 2008
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said Friday he has yet to receive an official word from Malacañang on the extension of his term.
In a radio interview early yesterday morning, Esperon admitted though that somehow, he could feel that his term extension is already being considered.
“There is nothing official yet on that even if I could feel slightly that my term extension is already being considered. But there is nothing official yet given to me on the extension of my term,” he told DWIZ in radio interview while speaking in Filipino.
Esperon said he does not know also if President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will announce his term extension when she returns from her official trip abroad.
Nonetheless, Esperon said he will be ready to accept it, citing his willingness to continue taking the challenge in addressing the different threats to national security.
“I’ll be very honored to serve for a couple of time, especially that we really need to pursue the momentum of the Armed Forces against the New People’s Army and the Abu Sayyaf,” he said.
It was during Esperon’s term that Arroyo tasked the AFP and the Philippine National Police to jointly crush the insurgency movement by 2010 and defeat all other security threat groups when she ends her term./DMS
January 25, 2008
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said Friday he has yet to receive an official word from Malacañang on the extension of his term.
In a radio interview early yesterday morning, Esperon admitted though that somehow, he could feel that his term extension is already being considered.
“There is nothing official yet on that even if I could feel slightly that my term extension is already being considered. But there is nothing official yet given to me on the extension of my term,” he told DWIZ in radio interview while speaking in Filipino.
Esperon said he does not know also if President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will announce his term extension when she returns from her official trip abroad.
Nonetheless, Esperon said he will be ready to accept it, citing his willingness to continue taking the challenge in addressing the different threats to national security.
“I’ll be very honored to serve for a couple of time, especially that we really need to pursue the momentum of the Armed Forces against the New People’s Army and the Abu Sayyaf,” he said.
It was during Esperon’s term that Arroyo tasked the AFP and the Philippine National Police to jointly crush the insurgency movement by 2010 and defeat all other security threat groups when she ends her term./DMS
DND scraps bidding for acquisition of six attack helicopters
By Ronron
January 25, 2008
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. has scrapped the bidding for the acquisition of six night-capable attack helicopters (NCAH) worth over P1.2 billion from a private company, officials said Friday.
In a January 24, 2008 memorandum distributed to the media yesterday, Teodoro declared the bidding process that favored Asian Aerospace Corporation “null and void” due to the company’s failure in meeting the technical specification required of the helicopter that is needed, and the failure in strictly following the bidding procedures.
Quoting the report of an Investigating Committee, headed by Defense Undersecretary Ariston delos Reyes, Teodoro said AAC claimed during the bidding in September last year that its MD530F attack helicopter meets the 3,000-pound minimum payload requirement, when it actually cannot.
The Committee said they found the AAC’s inability to meet the minimum payload requirement from a previous communication of an AAC officer to the chairman of the Department of National Defense Bids and Awards Committee (DND-BAC), Defense Assistant Secretary Roberto Nuqui, and from the performance specifications of the MD530F helicopter posted on the website of McDonnell Douglas, the manufacturer of said chopper.
Also, the committee discovered that the proposed bid of the AAC was “highly excessive” than the actual rate of every helicopter because in January last year, the said company offered to sell 12 units of said chopper for about the same price as the one proposed later for six units.
“(AAC) submitted a bid amounting to P1,203,619,974.07 for the six NCAH’s. Yet, (AAC) previously offered to sell to the government 12 MD530F attack helicopters for approximately the same price. Thus, the bid price submitted by (AAC) was excessive and disadvantageous to the DND-AFP,” the committee said.
As to the violation of the bidding procedures, the committee specifically point out the “deficiencies in the post-qualification conducted.”
The committee said that the post-qualification team sent to the United States to verify whether or not the MD530F helicopter complies with the technical requirements for the NCAH did not actually test fly the said chopper with at least a 3,000-pound load.
“Neither did the post-qualification team secure documents and manuals which would establish that the MD530F helicopter meets the 3,000-pound minimum payload requirement,” it said.
Thus, based on said findings, Teodoro ordered the rejection of the bid of AAC and declared a failure of bidding.
He said the DND BAC is directed to find out the administrative and criminal liability of AAC, particularly under Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Law.
But the Investigating Committee is also tasked to look into the possible liabilities of the DND-BAC members before the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission and the Office of the Ombudsman, among others.
Delos Reyes said a new bidding will have to be called by the department in the coming months, but it is not yet sure if AAC will already be banned from participating./DMS
January 25, 2008
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. has scrapped the bidding for the acquisition of six night-capable attack helicopters (NCAH) worth over P1.2 billion from a private company, officials said Friday.
In a January 24, 2008 memorandum distributed to the media yesterday, Teodoro declared the bidding process that favored Asian Aerospace Corporation “null and void” due to the company’s failure in meeting the technical specification required of the helicopter that is needed, and the failure in strictly following the bidding procedures.
Quoting the report of an Investigating Committee, headed by Defense Undersecretary Ariston delos Reyes, Teodoro said AAC claimed during the bidding in September last year that its MD530F attack helicopter meets the 3,000-pound minimum payload requirement, when it actually cannot.
The Committee said they found the AAC’s inability to meet the minimum payload requirement from a previous communication of an AAC officer to the chairman of the Department of National Defense Bids and Awards Committee (DND-BAC), Defense Assistant Secretary Roberto Nuqui, and from the performance specifications of the MD530F helicopter posted on the website of McDonnell Douglas, the manufacturer of said chopper.
Also, the committee discovered that the proposed bid of the AAC was “highly excessive” than the actual rate of every helicopter because in January last year, the said company offered to sell 12 units of said chopper for about the same price as the one proposed later for six units.
“(AAC) submitted a bid amounting to P1,203,619,974.07 for the six NCAH’s. Yet, (AAC) previously offered to sell to the government 12 MD530F attack helicopters for approximately the same price. Thus, the bid price submitted by (AAC) was excessive and disadvantageous to the DND-AFP,” the committee said.
As to the violation of the bidding procedures, the committee specifically point out the “deficiencies in the post-qualification conducted.”
The committee said that the post-qualification team sent to the United States to verify whether or not the MD530F helicopter complies with the technical requirements for the NCAH did not actually test fly the said chopper with at least a 3,000-pound load.
“Neither did the post-qualification team secure documents and manuals which would establish that the MD530F helicopter meets the 3,000-pound minimum payload requirement,” it said.
Thus, based on said findings, Teodoro ordered the rejection of the bid of AAC and declared a failure of bidding.
He said the DND BAC is directed to find out the administrative and criminal liability of AAC, particularly under Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Law.
But the Investigating Committee is also tasked to look into the possible liabilities of the DND-BAC members before the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission and the Office of the Ombudsman, among others.
Delos Reyes said a new bidding will have to be called by the department in the coming months, but it is not yet sure if AAC will already be banned from participating./DMS
Globe facility in Iloilo attacked
By Ronron
January 25, 2008
A relay station of Globe Telecommunications was attacked before dawn Friday in Iloilo province by two unidentified men, police and military said.
The incident happened at around 12:45am at Sitio Apik, Barangay Ambarehon, Tubungan town, causing Globe signal in town to be cut off for a few hours, said PO3 Felix Tabago of the local police station.
Tabago said the two bonnet-wearing suspects arrived on foot, prompting the two security guards on duty to run away.
He said responding policemen found later at the Globe compound the cable feeder for the signal already cut off.
Tabago said the suspects used a bladed weapon to cut off the cable, although there was no weapon recovered.
There was also an apparent attempt to set fire the facility based on the presence of gasoline found inside the compound. "Maybe, they failed to ignite it for unclear reasons," Tabago said.
He said Globe officials have yet to assess the cost of damages.
After repairing the damaged equipment, Tabago said the communication signal was restored at past 11am.
He disclosed that the said facility was already bombed in June last year by suspected communist rebels. It was repaired by the company until it was attacked yesterday.
Tabago said they have yet to ascertain if the two perpetrators are members of the New People's Army, although he admitted the town is still infested with insurgents.
The motive for the attack is still undetermined, saying the suspects did not say a word upon entering the facility.
Several Globe facilities have been attacked already the past few years by suspected rebels allegedly due to failure to pay the so-called revolutionary taxes./DMS
January 25, 2008
A relay station of Globe Telecommunications was attacked before dawn Friday in Iloilo province by two unidentified men, police and military said.
The incident happened at around 12:45am at Sitio Apik, Barangay Ambarehon, Tubungan town, causing Globe signal in town to be cut off for a few hours, said PO3 Felix Tabago of the local police station.
Tabago said the two bonnet-wearing suspects arrived on foot, prompting the two security guards on duty to run away.
He said responding policemen found later at the Globe compound the cable feeder for the signal already cut off.
Tabago said the suspects used a bladed weapon to cut off the cable, although there was no weapon recovered.
There was also an apparent attempt to set fire the facility based on the presence of gasoline found inside the compound. "Maybe, they failed to ignite it for unclear reasons," Tabago said.
He said Globe officials have yet to assess the cost of damages.
After repairing the damaged equipment, Tabago said the communication signal was restored at past 11am.
He disclosed that the said facility was already bombed in June last year by suspected communist rebels. It was repaired by the company until it was attacked yesterday.
Tabago said they have yet to ascertain if the two perpetrators are members of the New People's Army, although he admitted the town is still infested with insurgents.
The motive for the attack is still undetermined, saying the suspects did not say a word upon entering the facility.
Several Globe facilities have been attacked already the past few years by suspected rebels allegedly due to failure to pay the so-called revolutionary taxes./DMS
Friday, January 25, 2008
Grenade lobbed at DAR office in Bacolod City
By Ronron
January 24, 2008
A grenade explosion rocked the office of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Bacolod City before dawn Thursday, police said.
City Police Director Sr. Supt. Ronilo Quebrar said in a phone interview that the incident happened at around 1:50 am yesterday inside the compound of the provincial office of DAR along Dawis San Sebastian Street in Barangay 14.
Quebrar said two men aboard a motorcycle threw the grenade, which blew off some five meters away from the main DAR building or about three meters away from the gate.
The incident left no casualties even if the security guard of the office and around 10 farmers who were holding a vigil-rally immediately outside the gate were present at the time of the blast.
Minor damages, however, were left on the wall, gate and glass door of the office.
Quebrar said the two suspects were wearing ball caps and sunglasses, and immediately sped off after the incident.
The official said the safety lever of the grenade was recovered by policemen.
“This incident could be related to an ongoing land dispute in the northern town of Pontevedra that is now being handled by that office… Our investigation is leading towards that direction,” Quebrar said when asked of the motive of the incident.
“It may be intended to harass DAR officials,” he added.
Quebrar said the provincial DAR officials have claimed that there was no direct threat to them prior to the incident./DMS
January 24, 2008
A grenade explosion rocked the office of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Bacolod City before dawn Thursday, police said.
City Police Director Sr. Supt. Ronilo Quebrar said in a phone interview that the incident happened at around 1:50 am yesterday inside the compound of the provincial office of DAR along Dawis San Sebastian Street in Barangay 14.
Quebrar said two men aboard a motorcycle threw the grenade, which blew off some five meters away from the main DAR building or about three meters away from the gate.
The incident left no casualties even if the security guard of the office and around 10 farmers who were holding a vigil-rally immediately outside the gate were present at the time of the blast.
Minor damages, however, were left on the wall, gate and glass door of the office.
Quebrar said the two suspects were wearing ball caps and sunglasses, and immediately sped off after the incident.
The official said the safety lever of the grenade was recovered by policemen.
“This incident could be related to an ongoing land dispute in the northern town of Pontevedra that is now being handled by that office… Our investigation is leading towards that direction,” Quebrar said when asked of the motive of the incident.
“It may be intended to harass DAR officials,” he added.
Quebrar said the provincial DAR officials have claimed that there was no direct threat to them prior to the incident./DMS
Police continues to withhold name of reporter who allegedly aided Faledon’s escape
By Ronron
January 24, 2008
The Philippine National Police (PNP) continues to withhold the identity of the reporter who, according to them, facilitated the escape of Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon last November 29, 2007 at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.
PNP spokesman Sr. Supt. Nicanor Bartolome said Thursday that they will only disclose the name of the reporter if their investigation is already completed and they are already ready to file charges.
He said they might also consider though the requirement that Faeldon should already be arrested when they reveal the reporter’s name. Earlier, PNP chief Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said they are intentionally withholding the name of the reporter because they have follow up operations to get Faeldon.
Told that a video footage of government station RPN-9 showed Dana Batnag of Jiji Press actually interacting with Faeldon inside the Manila Peninsula Hotel last November 29, Bartolome just said: “We are not mentioning names yet for now. And for the record, we have not named any names. The names that are coming out now came from the media.”
The video footage of RPN-9, which was submitted to the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group last December 11 in compliance with a subpoena, showed Batnag just talking to Faeldon.
Prior to Batnag, the names of Ellen Tordesillas of Malaya, Charmaine Deogracias of NHK, and Ces Drilon of ABS-CBN surfaced in the media as allegedly the reporter being referred by the PNP.
The four have denied the allegation.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) had criticized the PNP and the Department of Justice for apparently intimidating the media by threatening that the reporter, even if yet to be identified, will be charged with obstruction of justice and aiding/abetting an escaped felon.
But Bartolome said it is not their intention to leave such effect to the media.
“We maintain a policy of utmost support and cooperation with media, especially on matters of general public interest. We have high respect for journalists and the institution that they represent,” Bartolome said./DMS
January 24, 2008
The Philippine National Police (PNP) continues to withhold the identity of the reporter who, according to them, facilitated the escape of Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon last November 29, 2007 at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.
PNP spokesman Sr. Supt. Nicanor Bartolome said Thursday that they will only disclose the name of the reporter if their investigation is already completed and they are already ready to file charges.
He said they might also consider though the requirement that Faeldon should already be arrested when they reveal the reporter’s name. Earlier, PNP chief Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said they are intentionally withholding the name of the reporter because they have follow up operations to get Faeldon.
Told that a video footage of government station RPN-9 showed Dana Batnag of Jiji Press actually interacting with Faeldon inside the Manila Peninsula Hotel last November 29, Bartolome just said: “We are not mentioning names yet for now. And for the record, we have not named any names. The names that are coming out now came from the media.”
The video footage of RPN-9, which was submitted to the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group last December 11 in compliance with a subpoena, showed Batnag just talking to Faeldon.
Prior to Batnag, the names of Ellen Tordesillas of Malaya, Charmaine Deogracias of NHK, and Ces Drilon of ABS-CBN surfaced in the media as allegedly the reporter being referred by the PNP.
The four have denied the allegation.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) had criticized the PNP and the Department of Justice for apparently intimidating the media by threatening that the reporter, even if yet to be identified, will be charged with obstruction of justice and aiding/abetting an escaped felon.
But Bartolome said it is not their intention to leave such effect to the media.
“We maintain a policy of utmost support and cooperation with media, especially on matters of general public interest. We have high respect for journalists and the institution that they represent,” Bartolome said./DMS
Military court in a rush to arraign Tanay detainees to beat prescription deadline
By Ronron
January 24, 2008
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) leadership is rushing to arraign the group of Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda who are accused for the alleged power grab plot in February 2006 so as to beat the case prescription deadline next month.
Defense lawyer Vicente Verdadero, who represents accused Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, said this is his observation based on the pronouncement of the Judge Advocate General’s Office (JAGO) of the AFP that the succeeding hearings for the cases of the 28 accused will be devoted on their arraignment.
In a news conference yesterday afternoon at Camp Aguinaldo, JAGO spokesman Maj. Emilio Felicen said that the upcoming hearings “definitely will be focused on the arraignment.”
He said the arraignment can even proceed even if the accused have yet to exercise their right to pose a challenge for cause against the members of the court panel.
“The court already explained that the right to challenge for cause will be observed. So, even after the conduct of the arraignment, they can still make their challenge for cause,” Felicen said.
He said the next hearing will be next week on January 29 and it will be held at Camp Aguinaldo. Felicen disclosed that the military court already approved the motion of the defense to hold the hearing in Camp Aguinaldo, instead at Tanay, Rizal where the accused are detained.
But Verdadero said the proper procedure under the Manuals for General Court Martial (GCM) is the exercise of peremptory challenge first, then the challenge for cause, then the filing of special pleas, and finally, the arraignment.
“What arraignment are they talking about? Seven of the respondent officers have yet to be given the chance to exercise their right to peremptory challenge,” he said.
Co-defense lawyer Trixie Angeles, who is representing Army Capt. Ruben Guinolbay, among others, echoed the same view. “The GCM has failed to address previous issues so proceeding to arraignment is premature.”
Verdadero said Felicen’s pronouncement clearly showed that the military leadership is bent at violating the law just so the case will not prescribe.
Under the military law, a case may be dropped against an accused military personnel if he or she is not arraigned within two years from the commission of the alleged crime.
The 28 are facing various charges ranging from Article of War 67 (Mutiny or Sedition) to 97 (Conduct Prejudicial to Good Order and Military Discipline) for participating in an alleged power grab plot last February 24, 2006 and February 26, 2006.
But Felicen avoided to answer the matter when asked about it. “I cannot discuss as regards the prescription of the offenses because that is an issue that is being litigated by both the defense panel and the prosecution panel,” he said.
Asked if he could say that the case will already prescribe next month, he just said: “I beg to be excused in so far as that question is concerned.”
AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. had already hinted that the military is not bothered about the supposed prescription of the case because dilatory tactics by the defense can be factored in.
To which, Verdadero said: “That much delay is caused by them. To be specific, it took them four months to give us the Pre-Trial Investigation Report and another three months to release the Pre-Trial Advise on the case. So, who is delaying among us?”
The panel first convened to hear the case last December 14, 2006./DMS
January 24, 2008
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) leadership is rushing to arraign the group of Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda who are accused for the alleged power grab plot in February 2006 so as to beat the case prescription deadline next month.
Defense lawyer Vicente Verdadero, who represents accused Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, said this is his observation based on the pronouncement of the Judge Advocate General’s Office (JAGO) of the AFP that the succeeding hearings for the cases of the 28 accused will be devoted on their arraignment.
In a news conference yesterday afternoon at Camp Aguinaldo, JAGO spokesman Maj. Emilio Felicen said that the upcoming hearings “definitely will be focused on the arraignment.”
He said the arraignment can even proceed even if the accused have yet to exercise their right to pose a challenge for cause against the members of the court panel.
“The court already explained that the right to challenge for cause will be observed. So, even after the conduct of the arraignment, they can still make their challenge for cause,” Felicen said.
He said the next hearing will be next week on January 29 and it will be held at Camp Aguinaldo. Felicen disclosed that the military court already approved the motion of the defense to hold the hearing in Camp Aguinaldo, instead at Tanay, Rizal where the accused are detained.
But Verdadero said the proper procedure under the Manuals for General Court Martial (GCM) is the exercise of peremptory challenge first, then the challenge for cause, then the filing of special pleas, and finally, the arraignment.
“What arraignment are they talking about? Seven of the respondent officers have yet to be given the chance to exercise their right to peremptory challenge,” he said.
Co-defense lawyer Trixie Angeles, who is representing Army Capt. Ruben Guinolbay, among others, echoed the same view. “The GCM has failed to address previous issues so proceeding to arraignment is premature.”
Verdadero said Felicen’s pronouncement clearly showed that the military leadership is bent at violating the law just so the case will not prescribe.
Under the military law, a case may be dropped against an accused military personnel if he or she is not arraigned within two years from the commission of the alleged crime.
The 28 are facing various charges ranging from Article of War 67 (Mutiny or Sedition) to 97 (Conduct Prejudicial to Good Order and Military Discipline) for participating in an alleged power grab plot last February 24, 2006 and February 26, 2006.
But Felicen avoided to answer the matter when asked about it. “I cannot discuss as regards the prescription of the offenses because that is an issue that is being litigated by both the defense panel and the prosecution panel,” he said.
Asked if he could say that the case will already prescribe next month, he just said: “I beg to be excused in so far as that question is concerned.”
AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. had already hinted that the military is not bothered about the supposed prescription of the case because dilatory tactics by the defense can be factored in.
To which, Verdadero said: “That much delay is caused by them. To be specific, it took them four months to give us the Pre-Trial Investigation Report and another three months to release the Pre-Trial Advise on the case. So, who is delaying among us?”
The panel first convened to hear the case last December 14, 2006./DMS
Police charges killers of Japanese businessman in Cebu
By Ronron
January 24, 2008
Police on Thursday charged eight persons for the killing of a Japanese businessman in Cebu last July 2007.
Charged with murder for the death of Taro Suda last July 28, 2007 in Mandaue City are the following: Aristotle Aves, Jesus Singson, Jr., Cyron Pineda, Jose Mari Temblon alias Otik, Brandon Ramirez, an unidentified taxi driver, and two other John Does.
Region VII Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Sr. Supt. Jose Jorge Corpuz said the case was filed yesterday afternoon by his office at the Mandaue City Prosecutor’s Office.
He said their strongest evidence, aside from the pieces of physical evidence recovered like the weapon and motorcycle used, is the extra-judicial confession of Singson executed last December 5.
Singson had admitted being part of the group who killed Suda in exchange for a P10,000-fee.
In his statement, Singson said he served as lookout to Aves and Ramirez who actually shot Suda several times until he died.
Singson remains detained at Corpuz’ office located at Camp Sotero Cabahug in Cebu City, while Aves and Temblon are now detained at Mandaue City Jail, Corpuz said.
Aves, Singson and Temblon are already facing charges for possession of illegal drugs (shabu) and unlicensed firearm.
Pineda and Ramirez, on the other hand, remain at-large. Corpuz said Pineda is now working in Riyadh.
Corpuz said one of the two John Does they included in the case is actually the mastermind of the incident.
“We already have the identity of the mastermind and we have already filed an arrest warrant against him. If we get him, then we can disclose his identity,” Corpuz said.
He said “the brain is still here” in Cebu.
Asked if the mastermind is a Japanese national or a Filipino, Corpuz just said: “He is related to the victim.”
He disclosed that the motive in the killing involves monetary issues, which he cannot expound yet before the media pending the conduct of further investigation./DMS
January 24, 2008
Police on Thursday charged eight persons for the killing of a Japanese businessman in Cebu last July 2007.
Charged with murder for the death of Taro Suda last July 28, 2007 in Mandaue City are the following: Aristotle Aves, Jesus Singson, Jr., Cyron Pineda, Jose Mari Temblon alias Otik, Brandon Ramirez, an unidentified taxi driver, and two other John Does.
Region VII Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Sr. Supt. Jose Jorge Corpuz said the case was filed yesterday afternoon by his office at the Mandaue City Prosecutor’s Office.
He said their strongest evidence, aside from the pieces of physical evidence recovered like the weapon and motorcycle used, is the extra-judicial confession of Singson executed last December 5.
Singson had admitted being part of the group who killed Suda in exchange for a P10,000-fee.
In his statement, Singson said he served as lookout to Aves and Ramirez who actually shot Suda several times until he died.
Singson remains detained at Corpuz’ office located at Camp Sotero Cabahug in Cebu City, while Aves and Temblon are now detained at Mandaue City Jail, Corpuz said.
Aves, Singson and Temblon are already facing charges for possession of illegal drugs (shabu) and unlicensed firearm.
Pineda and Ramirez, on the other hand, remain at-large. Corpuz said Pineda is now working in Riyadh.
Corpuz said one of the two John Does they included in the case is actually the mastermind of the incident.
“We already have the identity of the mastermind and we have already filed an arrest warrant against him. If we get him, then we can disclose his identity,” Corpuz said.
He said “the brain is still here” in Cebu.
Asked if the mastermind is a Japanese national or a Filipino, Corpuz just said: “He is related to the victim.”
He disclosed that the motive in the killing involves monetary issues, which he cannot expound yet before the media pending the conduct of further investigation./DMS
Cimatu’s absence prompts postponement of Magdalo coup case hearing in Makati
By Ronron
January 24, 2008
Former military chief Roy Cimatu’s absence prompted the postponement of the scheduled hearing yesterday (Thursday) on the coup d’ etat case of the Magdalo Group at a Makati City court.
Atty. Reynaldo Robles, lawyer of accused Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, said Cimatu, who was supposed to be his witness, was reportedly out of the country and will only be back on February 7, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Robles said Cimatu is a key witness because he will testify that Malacañang approved an agreement that the Magdalo soldiers who took over the Oakwood Hotel in Makati City last July 27, 2003 will not be prosecuted if they surrender.
“All the other previous witnesses, except Gen. (Danilo) Lim, could not say for certain if the agreement was authorized by Malacañang. So, his (Cimatu) witness is important because he will establish the fact that the President approved the agreement not to prosecute those involved in the incident,” Robles said after yesterday’s proceedings was adjourned by Judge Oscar Pimentel.
During the Oakwood incident, which was led by Trillanes who was a Navy Captain then, Malacañang tapped Cimatu to negotiate with the rebel soldiers being a recently-retired chief then of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
It is because of this agreement that the defense says the case of coup d’ etat should be dropped against the 31 accused because the alleged crime actually did not materialize. Besides, it was not held at a government facility or installation, as what the law defined of the said crime, the defense added.
After Cimatu testifies, Robles said they might consider putting Trillanes to the witness stand to testify on the same point.
“We are considering presenting Sen. Trillanes as a witness. I already made the appropriate reservation on that,” Robles said.
Because of Cimatu’s absence, and a pending motion for reconsideration on the defense’ motion for Pimentel to inhibit from the case, Robles moved for a postponement of yesterday’s hearing.
Pimentel granted the motion and reset the hearing on the whole day of February 21. Yesterday’s proceedings lasted only for about 30 minutes.
Present during yesterday’s hearing were Trillanes and 12 other Magdalo members who are detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame, as well as the 12 other accused presently under the custody of the Philippine Army in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Among the absent is fugitive Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon, who escaped and has since been unaccounted for during the November 29, 2007 takeover of the Manila Peninsula Hotel, also in Makati City. The rest of the absent accused have waived their appearance for the hearing./DMS
January 24, 2008
Former military chief Roy Cimatu’s absence prompted the postponement of the scheduled hearing yesterday (Thursday) on the coup d’ etat case of the Magdalo Group at a Makati City court.
Atty. Reynaldo Robles, lawyer of accused Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, said Cimatu, who was supposed to be his witness, was reportedly out of the country and will only be back on February 7, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Robles said Cimatu is a key witness because he will testify that Malacañang approved an agreement that the Magdalo soldiers who took over the Oakwood Hotel in Makati City last July 27, 2003 will not be prosecuted if they surrender.
“All the other previous witnesses, except Gen. (Danilo) Lim, could not say for certain if the agreement was authorized by Malacañang. So, his (Cimatu) witness is important because he will establish the fact that the President approved the agreement not to prosecute those involved in the incident,” Robles said after yesterday’s proceedings was adjourned by Judge Oscar Pimentel.
During the Oakwood incident, which was led by Trillanes who was a Navy Captain then, Malacañang tapped Cimatu to negotiate with the rebel soldiers being a recently-retired chief then of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
It is because of this agreement that the defense says the case of coup d’ etat should be dropped against the 31 accused because the alleged crime actually did not materialize. Besides, it was not held at a government facility or installation, as what the law defined of the said crime, the defense added.
After Cimatu testifies, Robles said they might consider putting Trillanes to the witness stand to testify on the same point.
“We are considering presenting Sen. Trillanes as a witness. I already made the appropriate reservation on that,” Robles said.
Because of Cimatu’s absence, and a pending motion for reconsideration on the defense’ motion for Pimentel to inhibit from the case, Robles moved for a postponement of yesterday’s hearing.
Pimentel granted the motion and reset the hearing on the whole day of February 21. Yesterday’s proceedings lasted only for about 30 minutes.
Present during yesterday’s hearing were Trillanes and 12 other Magdalo members who are detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame, as well as the 12 other accused presently under the custody of the Philippine Army in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Among the absent is fugitive Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon, who escaped and has since been unaccounted for during the November 29, 2007 takeover of the Manila Peninsula Hotel, also in Makati City. The rest of the absent accused have waived their appearance for the hearing./DMS
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Japanese nabbed over counterfeit money in Cavite
By Ronron
January 23, 2008
A Japanese national was nabbed by police over the weekend in Cavite for transacting business using fake money.
But aside from that, police found out that 49-year-old Kiyoshi Nakanishi is also an unregistered alien in the country based on records culled from the Bureau of Immigration.
Nakanishi was apprehended at around 4pm last Saturday at a food chain restaurant inside a mall in Bacoor, Cavite during an entrapment operation, said SPO1 Bong Gerhem of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Division (CIDD).
The operation stemmed from a complaint of an individual who fell victim to Nakanishi’s illicit activity.
Gerhem said the female complainant had her first transaction with Nakanishi on January 18 in Makati City by exchanging her Japanese money with the suspect’s eight 1,000-peso bills. The Philippine denomination turned out to be counterfeit.
Because of this, the complainant immediately coordinated with the CIDD, prompting the conduct of an entrapment operation on the following day. The complainant made it appear that she had more Japanese money that she wanted converted to Philippine peso and US dollar.
During the entrapment operation, CIDD operatives recovered from Nakanishi 23 pieces of P1,000 bill, one piece of US$ 1,000 Federal Reserve Note, two pieces of US$ 500 Federal Reserve Note, 14 pieces of US$ 100 bill, three pieces of US$ 50 bill, and two pieces of US$ 20 bill.
Gerhem said the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) had already confirmed last Tuesday that the P1,000 bills are fake.
The US Embassy, for its part, had initially found the US dollar bills to be counterfeit, although its official report is still expected tomorrow (Friday).
Gerhem said Nakanishi only said he belongs to a group that is engaged in said activity, but would not tell who is their source of the fake money. Among the supposed syndicate members are Arab nationals and other Japanese nationals, Gerhem quoted Nakanishi to have said.
He allegedly admitted to having victimized four persons already.
Nakanishi told Gerhem that he lives alone in the country and has not left since 2004. In fact, he is already good in speaking Tagalog, said Gerhem.
Since he failed to present any document to prove his identity, Gerhem said Nakanishi was referred to the Bureau of Immigration by the CIDD for record verification.
When the CIDD found out that Nakanishi is not included in the list of registered aliens in the country, he was turned over last Tuesday to the BID his proper disposition.
Gerhem said that the BID’s record on Nakanishi is just his departure from the country on May 4, 1997.
Meanwhile, with the BSP’s certification already in their hands, the CIDD will file today (Thursday) various charges against Nakanishi at the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila City, Gerhem said.
The charges include violation of Article 166 (paragraph 1) of the Revised Penal Code (Forging of Treasury or Bank Notes or Other Documents Payable to Bearer, Importing and Uttering such False or Forged Notes and Document), violation of Article 315 (Estafa), and violation of Article 151 (Resistance and Disobedience to a Person in Authority or the Agent of Such Person).
Because of these cases, the CIDD asked the BID not to deport yet the Japanese national, Gerhem said./DMS
January 23, 2008
A Japanese national was nabbed by police over the weekend in Cavite for transacting business using fake money.
But aside from that, police found out that 49-year-old Kiyoshi Nakanishi is also an unregistered alien in the country based on records culled from the Bureau of Immigration.
Nakanishi was apprehended at around 4pm last Saturday at a food chain restaurant inside a mall in Bacoor, Cavite during an entrapment operation, said SPO1 Bong Gerhem of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Division (CIDD).
The operation stemmed from a complaint of an individual who fell victim to Nakanishi’s illicit activity.
Gerhem said the female complainant had her first transaction with Nakanishi on January 18 in Makati City by exchanging her Japanese money with the suspect’s eight 1,000-peso bills. The Philippine denomination turned out to be counterfeit.
Because of this, the complainant immediately coordinated with the CIDD, prompting the conduct of an entrapment operation on the following day. The complainant made it appear that she had more Japanese money that she wanted converted to Philippine peso and US dollar.
During the entrapment operation, CIDD operatives recovered from Nakanishi 23 pieces of P1,000 bill, one piece of US$ 1,000 Federal Reserve Note, two pieces of US$ 500 Federal Reserve Note, 14 pieces of US$ 100 bill, three pieces of US$ 50 bill, and two pieces of US$ 20 bill.
Gerhem said the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) had already confirmed last Tuesday that the P1,000 bills are fake.
The US Embassy, for its part, had initially found the US dollar bills to be counterfeit, although its official report is still expected tomorrow (Friday).
Gerhem said Nakanishi only said he belongs to a group that is engaged in said activity, but would not tell who is their source of the fake money. Among the supposed syndicate members are Arab nationals and other Japanese nationals, Gerhem quoted Nakanishi to have said.
He allegedly admitted to having victimized four persons already.
Nakanishi told Gerhem that he lives alone in the country and has not left since 2004. In fact, he is already good in speaking Tagalog, said Gerhem.
Since he failed to present any document to prove his identity, Gerhem said Nakanishi was referred to the Bureau of Immigration by the CIDD for record verification.
When the CIDD found out that Nakanishi is not included in the list of registered aliens in the country, he was turned over last Tuesday to the BID his proper disposition.
Gerhem said that the BID’s record on Nakanishi is just his departure from the country on May 4, 1997.
Meanwhile, with the BSP’s certification already in their hands, the CIDD will file today (Thursday) various charges against Nakanishi at the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila City, Gerhem said.
The charges include violation of Article 166 (paragraph 1) of the Revised Penal Code (Forging of Treasury or Bank Notes or Other Documents Payable to Bearer, Importing and Uttering such False or Forged Notes and Document), violation of Article 315 (Estafa), and violation of Article 151 (Resistance and Disobedience to a Person in Authority or the Agent of Such Person).
Because of these cases, the CIDD asked the BID not to deport yet the Japanese national, Gerhem said./DMS
Esperon to visit troops as part of farewell tradition prior to scheduled retirement
By Ronron
January 23, 2008
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said Wednesday he is “very prepared” to retire on February 9, in fact he will be visiting troops on the field starting today (Thursday) to bid them goodbye.
However, he still assured President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of his willingness to stay on and continue serving as military chief if she wishes him to do so beyond February 9 of this year.
“Yes, I’m very prepared. It has been an honor having served the top of the Armed Forces. Indeed, I’m retiring, I’m reaching the age of 56 come February 9,” Esperon told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo.
“If I will be extended, then it will the height of honor to continue serving, even for a short period, as Chief of Staff,” he added.
Asked if his scheduled troop visits starting today is already an exit call, Esperon said: “Both. It would be seamless – I would be inspecting our troops in Jolo and Basilan as part of ongoing operations, and also as part of my supposed farewell journey to my former units.”
He said that his first assignment after graduating from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in 1974 were units in Basilan and Sulu.
After visiting troops in Sulu, Basilan, and Zamboanga today, Esperon said he will visit in the next few days other units in Mindanao and in Luzon where he was assigned in the past.
“In the next few days, I will be visiting the 23rd Infantry Battalion where I was platoon leader, the 36th Infantry Battalion where I was company commander, the 30th Infantry Battalion where I was a battalion commander, and the two brigades – 602nd in Cotabato and 103rd in Basilan,” Esperon said.
“Later on, I will visit the SOCOM (Special Operations Command), 7th Division, and other units. But as I go through these, including my trip to the Philippine Military Academy for a testimonial parade, it would simply be part of my seamless phasing in from operations to retirement,” he continued.
Esperon said the reason why he could not talk yet of a definite retirement is because his term extension is a prerogative of the President, and not his.
“If I will be extended, it is because it is allowed and probably, there is a need for extension. But I must say that I’ve been honored enough,” he said.
He said he will be a good soldier, who will respond to the call of duty, if Arroyo extends his term.
Nonetheless, he said he is confident the 120,000-strong AFP will be in good hands even if he leaves the service next month.
“I must always say that there are also capable officers who can take on from where I would leave,” he said.
Critics of the Arroyo government had earlier said that the latter had warned of destabilization threats from the start of the year to justify a possible term extension for Esperon./DMS
January 23, 2008
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said Wednesday he is “very prepared” to retire on February 9, in fact he will be visiting troops on the field starting today (Thursday) to bid them goodbye.
However, he still assured President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of his willingness to stay on and continue serving as military chief if she wishes him to do so beyond February 9 of this year.
“Yes, I’m very prepared. It has been an honor having served the top of the Armed Forces. Indeed, I’m retiring, I’m reaching the age of 56 come February 9,” Esperon told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo.
“If I will be extended, then it will the height of honor to continue serving, even for a short period, as Chief of Staff,” he added.
Asked if his scheduled troop visits starting today is already an exit call, Esperon said: “Both. It would be seamless – I would be inspecting our troops in Jolo and Basilan as part of ongoing operations, and also as part of my supposed farewell journey to my former units.”
He said that his first assignment after graduating from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in 1974 were units in Basilan and Sulu.
After visiting troops in Sulu, Basilan, and Zamboanga today, Esperon said he will visit in the next few days other units in Mindanao and in Luzon where he was assigned in the past.
“In the next few days, I will be visiting the 23rd Infantry Battalion where I was platoon leader, the 36th Infantry Battalion where I was company commander, the 30th Infantry Battalion where I was a battalion commander, and the two brigades – 602nd in Cotabato and 103rd in Basilan,” Esperon said.
“Later on, I will visit the SOCOM (Special Operations Command), 7th Division, and other units. But as I go through these, including my trip to the Philippine Military Academy for a testimonial parade, it would simply be part of my seamless phasing in from operations to retirement,” he continued.
Esperon said the reason why he could not talk yet of a definite retirement is because his term extension is a prerogative of the President, and not his.
“If I will be extended, it is because it is allowed and probably, there is a need for extension. But I must say that I’ve been honored enough,” he said.
He said he will be a good soldier, who will respond to the call of duty, if Arroyo extends his term.
Nonetheless, he said he is confident the 120,000-strong AFP will be in good hands even if he leaves the service next month.
“I must always say that there are also capable officers who can take on from where I would leave,” he said.
Critics of the Arroyo government had earlier said that the latter had warned of destabilization threats from the start of the year to justify a possible term extension for Esperon./DMS
4 killed, 37 hurt in vehicular accident in Bataan
By Ronron
January 23, 2008
Four women died and 37 others were hurt after the jeepney they were riding collided with a trailer truck dawn of Wednesday in Bataan province, police said.
Officer-on-case PO2 Dennis Abad said the incident happened at around 4:30 am yesterday at the national highway in Barangay Roosevelt in Dinalupihan town.
Abad, an investigator from the Dinalupihan Police Station, said in a phone interview that the jeepney (plate number CXC-300), driven by Edward Bayan and with 40 passengers, was heading towards Botolan town in Zambales, while the trailer truck, owned by FedEx and driven by Danny Baba, was heading the opposite direction towards Metro Manila.
Abad said a passenger of the jeepney, Sonny Evangelista, told him that their vehicle was trying to overtake another vehicle ahead of them, but failed to get back to their lane and smashed instead at the approaching trailer truck.
Abad said four of Bayan’s passengers died while being treated at the Jose Payumo Memorial Hospital in Dinalupihan and at the James Gordon Memorial Hospital in Olongapo City.
Fourteen other passengers also continue to be confined at both hospitals due to the injuries they sustained. The rest of the passengers were no longer admitted because they only sustained minor injuries, Abad said.
Baba, on the other hand, and his lone companion were not hurt, said Abad. But they were brought to the police station pending determination whether or not they will be charged for the incident.
Abad, however, was quite certain, based on Evangelista’s account, that Bayan will be charged for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and multiple serious physical injuries with damage to properties.
“Based on the initial investigation, as per the account of the passenger of the jeepney, it was them who overtook and then hit the FedEx truck,” Abad said.
Bayan remains confined at the hospital, said Abad.
Abad disclosed also that the privately-hired jeepney was overloaded because it only has a capacity of 26 passengers at the most.
Abad said the jeepney passengers were supposed to join a fiesta celebration in Botolan had the incident not happened./DMS
January 23, 2008
Four women died and 37 others were hurt after the jeepney they were riding collided with a trailer truck dawn of Wednesday in Bataan province, police said.
Officer-on-case PO2 Dennis Abad said the incident happened at around 4:30 am yesterday at the national highway in Barangay Roosevelt in Dinalupihan town.
Abad, an investigator from the Dinalupihan Police Station, said in a phone interview that the jeepney (plate number CXC-300), driven by Edward Bayan and with 40 passengers, was heading towards Botolan town in Zambales, while the trailer truck, owned by FedEx and driven by Danny Baba, was heading the opposite direction towards Metro Manila.
Abad said a passenger of the jeepney, Sonny Evangelista, told him that their vehicle was trying to overtake another vehicle ahead of them, but failed to get back to their lane and smashed instead at the approaching trailer truck.
Abad said four of Bayan’s passengers died while being treated at the Jose Payumo Memorial Hospital in Dinalupihan and at the James Gordon Memorial Hospital in Olongapo City.
Fourteen other passengers also continue to be confined at both hospitals due to the injuries they sustained. The rest of the passengers were no longer admitted because they only sustained minor injuries, Abad said.
Baba, on the other hand, and his lone companion were not hurt, said Abad. But they were brought to the police station pending determination whether or not they will be charged for the incident.
Abad, however, was quite certain, based on Evangelista’s account, that Bayan will be charged for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and multiple serious physical injuries with damage to properties.
“Based on the initial investigation, as per the account of the passenger of the jeepney, it was them who overtook and then hit the FedEx truck,” Abad said.
Bayan remains confined at the hospital, said Abad.
Abad disclosed also that the privately-hired jeepney was overloaded because it only has a capacity of 26 passengers at the most.
Abad said the jeepney passengers were supposed to join a fiesta celebration in Botolan had the incident not happened./DMS
Eight former members of a communist breakaway group fall in government hands
By Ronron
January 23, 2008
Eight alleged former members of a breakaway group of the New People’s Army (NPA) were nabbed last Saturday in Laguna province by police operatives, officials said Wednesday.
The eight, who have broken away from the Revolutionary Proletariat Army – Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB), were presented yesterday afternoon to the media at Camp Crame by National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Geary Barias.
Southern Police District (SPD) director Chief Supt. Luizo Ticman identified the eight as: Brandy Nilo Gerona, Lloyd Perez, Rommel Baying, Elly Macariola, Frangilico Gerona, Jonathan Cartujano, Jenny Canlas, and Sienna Quiambao.
SPD Intelligence chief Supt. R’win Pagkalinawan said Brando Nilo Gerona, 28, is the group’s leader.
The eight were apprehended at around 8am last Saturday at their hideout on Block 3, Lot 8, Pacita 2-C in San Pedro, Laguna by joint operatives of the SPD Intelligence Unit and the Special Action Force.
Pagkalinawan said the eight were accosted at the same time at the said house, while two others managed to escape.
Ticman said the raid at the suspects’ hideout was sanctioned by a search warrant for alleged violation of Presidential Decree 1866 (Illegal Possession of Firearms) issued by Judge Cezar Mangrobang of Branch 22-Imus, Cavite.
“Intelligence reports revealed that this group was originally part of the RPA-ABB breakaway group. But apparently, Brandy Gerona had other things in mind. He transformed his group into a gun-for-hire, extortion and mafia-like organized crime syndicate,” Pagkalinawan said.
Ticman said Gerona allegedly admitted that his group is responsible for 40 successful liquidation operations, including those of Virgilio Bunye and Obet Bunye, a first cousin and a nephew of Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye, respectively, in Muntinlupa City.
Virgilio was shot on December 20, 2006, while Obet, the city administrator of Muntinlupa, was killed on August 20, 2007.
Ticman said recovered from the group during their apprehension were one KG 9 assault rifle, one MP 5 assault rifle, one caliber 45, one caliber 25, three hand grenades, different types of ammunitions and magazines, and several document.
On Tuesday, police filed charges for violation of PD 1866 against the eight at the prosecutor’s office in San Pedro.
Aside from the killing of the two Bunye’s, Gerona and some members of the group were also implicated in the attempted killing of a policeman in Muntinlupa City in 2004, a barangay chairman in Las Pinas City in 2006, a Makati City government executive in Taguig City in 2006, the union president of Alaska in Laguna in 2006, and many others.
If not identified by witnesses, the group was implicated in said cases based on the “case folders” recovered from.
Pagkalinawan said the least amount that the group received for their gun-for-hire operations is P5,000 and the most that they got was P500,000.
Among the eight, only Gerona has a standing arrest warrant for the crime of homicide at the time of their apprehension.
“With this arrest, we could prevent high-profile killings by the group that will happen in the future,” Barias said./DMS
January 23, 2008
Eight alleged former members of a breakaway group of the New People’s Army (NPA) were nabbed last Saturday in Laguna province by police operatives, officials said Wednesday.
The eight, who have broken away from the Revolutionary Proletariat Army – Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB), were presented yesterday afternoon to the media at Camp Crame by National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Geary Barias.
Southern Police District (SPD) director Chief Supt. Luizo Ticman identified the eight as: Brandy Nilo Gerona, Lloyd Perez, Rommel Baying, Elly Macariola, Frangilico Gerona, Jonathan Cartujano, Jenny Canlas, and Sienna Quiambao.
SPD Intelligence chief Supt. R’win Pagkalinawan said Brando Nilo Gerona, 28, is the group’s leader.
The eight were apprehended at around 8am last Saturday at their hideout on Block 3, Lot 8, Pacita 2-C in San Pedro, Laguna by joint operatives of the SPD Intelligence Unit and the Special Action Force.
Pagkalinawan said the eight were accosted at the same time at the said house, while two others managed to escape.
Ticman said the raid at the suspects’ hideout was sanctioned by a search warrant for alleged violation of Presidential Decree 1866 (Illegal Possession of Firearms) issued by Judge Cezar Mangrobang of Branch 22-Imus, Cavite.
“Intelligence reports revealed that this group was originally part of the RPA-ABB breakaway group. But apparently, Brandy Gerona had other things in mind. He transformed his group into a gun-for-hire, extortion and mafia-like organized crime syndicate,” Pagkalinawan said.
Ticman said Gerona allegedly admitted that his group is responsible for 40 successful liquidation operations, including those of Virgilio Bunye and Obet Bunye, a first cousin and a nephew of Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye, respectively, in Muntinlupa City.
Virgilio was shot on December 20, 2006, while Obet, the city administrator of Muntinlupa, was killed on August 20, 2007.
Ticman said recovered from the group during their apprehension were one KG 9 assault rifle, one MP 5 assault rifle, one caliber 45, one caliber 25, three hand grenades, different types of ammunitions and magazines, and several document.
On Tuesday, police filed charges for violation of PD 1866 against the eight at the prosecutor’s office in San Pedro.
Aside from the killing of the two Bunye’s, Gerona and some members of the group were also implicated in the attempted killing of a policeman in Muntinlupa City in 2004, a barangay chairman in Las Pinas City in 2006, a Makati City government executive in Taguig City in 2006, the union president of Alaska in Laguna in 2006, and many others.
If not identified by witnesses, the group was implicated in said cases based on the “case folders” recovered from.
Pagkalinawan said the least amount that the group received for their gun-for-hire operations is P5,000 and the most that they got was P500,000.
Among the eight, only Gerona has a standing arrest warrant for the crime of homicide at the time of their apprehension.
“With this arrest, we could prevent high-profile killings by the group that will happen in the future,” Barias said./DMS
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Karapatan, police give conflicting reports on alleged victims of political killings
By Ronron
January 22, 2008
The human rights advocate group Karapatan and Philippine National Police (PNP) have conflicting reports over two incidents of alleged political killings in the country at the start of the year.
The first case is the alleged killing of Tildo Rebamonte, 45, whom Karapatan said is a carpenter from Claveria town in Masbate province.
Karapatan claimed Tuesday that Rebamonte was abducted by members of the Police Regional Mobile Group last January 12 at around 5am after ransacking his house.
He was then brought allegeldy to the ranch of Claveria Mayor Eduardo Andueza in Barangay Binas.
The policemen allegedly forced Rebamonte to disclose the location of New People’s Army (NPA) camps in the area. On January 14, the policemen allegedly brought Rebamonte with them in an operation to look for NPA camps.
The next thing that people learned of him was his death on January 16 after his mutilated body was allegedly brought by policemen to the Claveria Municipal Hall. Karapatan said Rebamonte’s hands were crushed and he had gashes on his face.
Karapatan said it was Rebamonte’s neighbor who provided them all the information cited above.
But the Philippine National Police (PNP) countered the claim of Karapatan, saying that Rebamonte is actually an NPA rebel who got killed in a legitimate encounter.
The PNP Task Force USIG, who identified the slain person as Meni Rebamente, alias Tildo, a resident of Barangay Curvada in said town, said the latter was among the group of four NPA rebels that engaged policemen in an encounter last January 15 at 9am in Baraangay Malapinggan in Claveria.
Director Jefferson P Soriano, PNP Director for Investigation and Detective Management and concurrent commander of PNP Task Force USIG, said Rebamente was seriously wounded in that encounter and later died while being evacuated to the town proper for medical treatment.
Citing a report from Senior Superintendent Henry Ranola Jr., Chief of the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division of PRO5, Soriano said Rebamente was abandoned by his companions who fled after the clash.
Troops from Bravo Company of the 5th Provincial Mobile Group led by Inspector Dennis Balla recovered from Rebamente an M16 rifle, a cal.45 pistol, a hand grenade, and a backpack containing ammunition clips, gun spare parts, and personal provisions, said Soriano.
"We immediately took cognizance of the case of Rebamente because it was first reported by the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) as a case of political violence, however, we found out that the incident was the result of a legitimate encounter between police forces and the NPA," Soriano stressed.
The second case, meanwhile, involves an alleged ex-political prisoner whom Karapatan identified as Ronaldo Sendrijas.
According to Karapatan, Sendrijas was gunned down in Tagbilaran City, Bohol last January 17, his 35th birthday, by two armed men.
Sendrijas had just visited allegedly his sister who had just given birth at the Ramiro Hospital in the city when the shooting incident happened, said Karapatan.
Sendrijas was supposed to buy medicine at the Paz Pharmacy across the hospital when the two suspects on board a motorcycle stopped in front of the pharmacy.
The back-rider then alighted and approached Sendrijas from behind, put his arm around the victim’s neck, and said “Ronald,” as if to confirm his identity.
The suspect then shot Sendrijas twice at the back of his head using a 9-millimeter pistol, causing his instantaneous death, Karapatan said.
The perpetrators immediately sped off to an unknown direction.
Karapatan said Sendrijas was charged with rebellion and other criminal cases by police but he was released in August 2006.
He was also allegedly implicated by no less than the former chief of Bohol Police in the assassination of Bayan-Bohol Chairperson Victor Olayvar on September 17, 20006.
“Prior to Sendrijas’ death, he became a target of the police and military’s vilification campaign,” Karapatan said.
Karapatan said it was Sendrija’s sister who admitted that the victim was under surveillance and had been receiving death threats through his mobile phone.
Sendrijas had allegedly told his colleagues that he was offered with positions within the government in exchange for his surrender and cooperation with the Philippine Army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade.
The police in Bohol has yet to respond to Manila Shimbun’s inquiry about the case since the officer-on-case is out of office as of yesterday afternoon.
Karapatan said it condemns the killings of Rebamente and Sendrijas “in the strongest terms.”
“These incidents indicate that the extrajudicial executions have not stopped and will continue with the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ counter-insurgency program, Oplan Bantay Laya II.
Karapatan has accused the government of being responsible for close to 900 cases of human rights violations in the country since 2001.
The PNP, however, disputes Karapatan’s figure, saying only over 100 cases are validated as political killings./DMS
January 22, 2008
The human rights advocate group Karapatan and Philippine National Police (PNP) have conflicting reports over two incidents of alleged political killings in the country at the start of the year.
The first case is the alleged killing of Tildo Rebamonte, 45, whom Karapatan said is a carpenter from Claveria town in Masbate province.
Karapatan claimed Tuesday that Rebamonte was abducted by members of the Police Regional Mobile Group last January 12 at around 5am after ransacking his house.
He was then brought allegeldy to the ranch of Claveria Mayor Eduardo Andueza in Barangay Binas.
The policemen allegedly forced Rebamonte to disclose the location of New People’s Army (NPA) camps in the area. On January 14, the policemen allegedly brought Rebamonte with them in an operation to look for NPA camps.
The next thing that people learned of him was his death on January 16 after his mutilated body was allegedly brought by policemen to the Claveria Municipal Hall. Karapatan said Rebamonte’s hands were crushed and he had gashes on his face.
Karapatan said it was Rebamonte’s neighbor who provided them all the information cited above.
But the Philippine National Police (PNP) countered the claim of Karapatan, saying that Rebamonte is actually an NPA rebel who got killed in a legitimate encounter.
The PNP Task Force USIG, who identified the slain person as Meni Rebamente, alias Tildo, a resident of Barangay Curvada in said town, said the latter was among the group of four NPA rebels that engaged policemen in an encounter last January 15 at 9am in Baraangay Malapinggan in Claveria.
Director Jefferson P Soriano, PNP Director for Investigation and Detective Management and concurrent commander of PNP Task Force USIG, said Rebamente was seriously wounded in that encounter and later died while being evacuated to the town proper for medical treatment.
Citing a report from Senior Superintendent Henry Ranola Jr., Chief of the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division of PRO5, Soriano said Rebamente was abandoned by his companions who fled after the clash.
Troops from Bravo Company of the 5th Provincial Mobile Group led by Inspector Dennis Balla recovered from Rebamente an M16 rifle, a cal.45 pistol, a hand grenade, and a backpack containing ammunition clips, gun spare parts, and personal provisions, said Soriano.
"We immediately took cognizance of the case of Rebamente because it was first reported by the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) as a case of political violence, however, we found out that the incident was the result of a legitimate encounter between police forces and the NPA," Soriano stressed.
The second case, meanwhile, involves an alleged ex-political prisoner whom Karapatan identified as Ronaldo Sendrijas.
According to Karapatan, Sendrijas was gunned down in Tagbilaran City, Bohol last January 17, his 35th birthday, by two armed men.
Sendrijas had just visited allegedly his sister who had just given birth at the Ramiro Hospital in the city when the shooting incident happened, said Karapatan.
Sendrijas was supposed to buy medicine at the Paz Pharmacy across the hospital when the two suspects on board a motorcycle stopped in front of the pharmacy.
The back-rider then alighted and approached Sendrijas from behind, put his arm around the victim’s neck, and said “Ronald,” as if to confirm his identity.
The suspect then shot Sendrijas twice at the back of his head using a 9-millimeter pistol, causing his instantaneous death, Karapatan said.
The perpetrators immediately sped off to an unknown direction.
Karapatan said Sendrijas was charged with rebellion and other criminal cases by police but he was released in August 2006.
He was also allegedly implicated by no less than the former chief of Bohol Police in the assassination of Bayan-Bohol Chairperson Victor Olayvar on September 17, 20006.
“Prior to Sendrijas’ death, he became a target of the police and military’s vilification campaign,” Karapatan said.
Karapatan said it was Sendrija’s sister who admitted that the victim was under surveillance and had been receiving death threats through his mobile phone.
Sendrijas had allegedly told his colleagues that he was offered with positions within the government in exchange for his surrender and cooperation with the Philippine Army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade.
The police in Bohol has yet to respond to Manila Shimbun’s inquiry about the case since the officer-on-case is out of office as of yesterday afternoon.
Karapatan said it condemns the killings of Rebamente and Sendrijas “in the strongest terms.”
“These incidents indicate that the extrajudicial executions have not stopped and will continue with the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ counter-insurgency program, Oplan Bantay Laya II.
Karapatan has accused the government of being responsible for close to 900 cases of human rights violations in the country since 2001.
The PNP, however, disputes Karapatan’s figure, saying only over 100 cases are validated as political killings./DMS
Three hurt in tanker blast in Batangas
By Ronron
January 22, 2008
Three persons were hurt in an explosion Tuesday morning at a tanker docked in Batangas province, police said.
SPO2 Radam Ramos, officer-on-case, said the incident happened at around 10:15 am aboard M/T Shogun that was docked at the Batangas Bay Terminal Inc. in Barangay San Miguel, Bauan town.
Ramos, who is from the Bauan Municipal Police, said the explosion happened after the vessel’s engine was switched on upon the connection of a newly-installed air compressor.
“According to the victims, the ship captain must have bought the wrong, incompatible air compressor that’s why it exploded,” he said.
The victims of the blast were ship employees identified as Ivan Paul Serrano, Ronillo Cabati, and Roseler Triño, who were attending then at the engine.
Quoting the three, Ramos said the explosion came from the valve of the engine that was connected to the air compressor.
Two of the victims sustained second-degree burns due to the heat that came from the engine valve, while the other one only sustained minor injuries like bruises. They were brought to the Bauan Doctors General Hospital for treatment.
Ramos said there was no other damage sustained aboard the ship, which was loaded at the time with one million liters of ethyl alcohol to be used by San Miguel Corporation (SMC) in making gin.
The vessel, he said, is owned by Chinese national Antonio Loo, and is just hired by SMC. It allegedly got the ethyl alcohol from Ormoc City.
Ramos said the victims are not yet decided whether or not they will file charges against their employer for the accident that happened.
Last Friday, a fire happened at a shipyard in Zambales province that killed two persons and hurt three others. The incident was allegedly triggered by sparks that ignited oil lubricants./DMS
January 22, 2008
Three persons were hurt in an explosion Tuesday morning at a tanker docked in Batangas province, police said.
SPO2 Radam Ramos, officer-on-case, said the incident happened at around 10:15 am aboard M/T Shogun that was docked at the Batangas Bay Terminal Inc. in Barangay San Miguel, Bauan town.
Ramos, who is from the Bauan Municipal Police, said the explosion happened after the vessel’s engine was switched on upon the connection of a newly-installed air compressor.
“According to the victims, the ship captain must have bought the wrong, incompatible air compressor that’s why it exploded,” he said.
The victims of the blast were ship employees identified as Ivan Paul Serrano, Ronillo Cabati, and Roseler Triño, who were attending then at the engine.
Quoting the three, Ramos said the explosion came from the valve of the engine that was connected to the air compressor.
Two of the victims sustained second-degree burns due to the heat that came from the engine valve, while the other one only sustained minor injuries like bruises. They were brought to the Bauan Doctors General Hospital for treatment.
Ramos said there was no other damage sustained aboard the ship, which was loaded at the time with one million liters of ethyl alcohol to be used by San Miguel Corporation (SMC) in making gin.
The vessel, he said, is owned by Chinese national Antonio Loo, and is just hired by SMC. It allegedly got the ethyl alcohol from Ormoc City.
Ramos said the victims are not yet decided whether or not they will file charges against their employer for the accident that happened.
Last Friday, a fire happened at a shipyard in Zambales province that killed two persons and hurt three others. The incident was allegedly triggered by sparks that ignited oil lubricants./DMS
Military chief declares that RP already out of destab threat
By Ronron
January 22, 2008
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. declared on Tuesday that the country is already over the shaky stage as far as the stability of the Arroyo government is concerned.
Esperon issued the assessment even as authorities have yet to substantiate their earlier claims of a destabilization threat this year in follow up of the alleged power grab attempt by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, and many others at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City last November 29, 2007.
“As to this destabilization, we are no longer in that stage. We have overcome that. We are over the hump in so far as destabilization is concerned,” Esperon told reporters Tuesday at Camp Aguinaldo.
He said the government is already certain that the alleged destabilizers “cannot really succeed” and what they are doing is just “an exercise in futility.”
Despite his declaration though, Esperon said military will not let down its guard, especially since some suspects remain unaccounted for like Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon.
“I must say he will always try or attempt to recruit some people. But I must also tell them that we are more than ready to quell any of their activities if they should go, if they should come out openly,” Esperon said.
He cited the failure of the Trillanes’ group to muster support both from the uniformed service and the civilian populace last November 29, which showed that even if there is a plan, it would not necessarily mean it will materialize.
“”If you are to take it from the November 29 Manila Peninsula incident, you will see that there are no new faces. Even the civilian supporters who joined their march are already low-batt (weak),” Esperon said.
The military chief is apparently referring to former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Jr., former University of the Philippines President Francisco Nemenzo, and Bishop Julio Labayen, all senior citizens, among others.
Esperon, meanwhile, disclosed that some senior officers, junior officers, and enlisted personnel who allowed Trillanes and the other Magdalo officers to walk out of the Makati City court and march to Manila Peninsula Hotel last November 29 are still not yet off the hook.
He said a pre-trial investigation against them for “infidelity to custody” by failing to control their wards may soon subject them to court martial proceedings.
“If you were the commander on the ground, you have to answer that, you have to explain before the court martial,” Esperon said.
Since the incident, Esperon said the concerned personnel who come from the Marine Brig and the National Capital Region Command have been relieved of their duties.
Immediately after the incident, Esperon had denied that the security escorts already defected from the government. Rather, they just allowed their wards to march so as to avoid violent confrontation./DMS
January 22, 2008
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. declared on Tuesday that the country is already over the shaky stage as far as the stability of the Arroyo government is concerned.
Esperon issued the assessment even as authorities have yet to substantiate their earlier claims of a destabilization threat this year in follow up of the alleged power grab attempt by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, and many others at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City last November 29, 2007.
“As to this destabilization, we are no longer in that stage. We have overcome that. We are over the hump in so far as destabilization is concerned,” Esperon told reporters Tuesday at Camp Aguinaldo.
He said the government is already certain that the alleged destabilizers “cannot really succeed” and what they are doing is just “an exercise in futility.”
Despite his declaration though, Esperon said military will not let down its guard, especially since some suspects remain unaccounted for like Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon.
“I must say he will always try or attempt to recruit some people. But I must also tell them that we are more than ready to quell any of their activities if they should go, if they should come out openly,” Esperon said.
He cited the failure of the Trillanes’ group to muster support both from the uniformed service and the civilian populace last November 29, which showed that even if there is a plan, it would not necessarily mean it will materialize.
“”If you are to take it from the November 29 Manila Peninsula incident, you will see that there are no new faces. Even the civilian supporters who joined their march are already low-batt (weak),” Esperon said.
The military chief is apparently referring to former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Jr., former University of the Philippines President Francisco Nemenzo, and Bishop Julio Labayen, all senior citizens, among others.
Esperon, meanwhile, disclosed that some senior officers, junior officers, and enlisted personnel who allowed Trillanes and the other Magdalo officers to walk out of the Makati City court and march to Manila Peninsula Hotel last November 29 are still not yet off the hook.
He said a pre-trial investigation against them for “infidelity to custody” by failing to control their wards may soon subject them to court martial proceedings.
“If you were the commander on the ground, you have to answer that, you have to explain before the court martial,” Esperon said.
Since the incident, Esperon said the concerned personnel who come from the Marine Brig and the National Capital Region Command have been relieved of their duties.
Immediately after the incident, Esperon had denied that the security escorts already defected from the government. Rather, they just allowed their wards to march so as to avoid violent confrontation./DMS
Over 1,300 cops meted with disciplinary action in 2007
By Ronron
January 22, 2008
Over 1,300 personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) were meted with various forms of disciplinary action for the entire year of 2007, police records showed Tuesday.
Based on the summary of data provided by Director Edgardo Acuña, chief of the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM), 256 personnel were dismissed from the service; 53 were demoted; 448 were suspended; 336 were forfeited of their salary; 240 were reprimanded; two were restricted; and 10 were forced to resign.
Acuña said most of those dismissed from the service were those who went on absence-without-official-leave, while the remaining few violated the law such as on anti-corruption.
The 1,345 personnel who were meted with penalties were involved in 1,120 cases, and many of them (1,224 to be specific) are non-commissioned officers. The rest are commissioned officers (83) and non-uniformed personnel (38), Acuña’s record showed.
He said the 2007 figure is just relatively similar to the 2006 data.
Aside from the 1,345 punished personnel, 14 other personnel were slapped with the minor disciplinary action of admonishment and warning, and 308 others were dropped from the rolls last year.
“We are really resolving these disciplinary cases as they come to show to our policemen and the public that we are imposing disciplinary actions,” Acuña said.
“The message we are sending here is that we’d like to professionalize the rank and file of the police force by strictly enforcing the laws and regulations, and the policies off the Philippine National Police across all units,” he added.
Acuña said that by penalizing erring personnel, this would “translate to enhancing public service and strengthen the advocacy of servant leadership.”
The PNP currently has a strength of 125, 000 uniformed personnel, way below the ideal 170,000-strong force to achieve the ideal policeman-civilian ratio of 1:500, Acuña revealed.
The lack in policemen, however, has been addressed already since 2006 when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo authorized the yearly recruitment of 3,000 to 3,500 policemen for five years, he said.
For this year, Acuña said 3,500 policemen will be recruited to meet the target strength of 170,000, while another group of 4,500 policemen will also be hired to fill-up the positions left behind by those who retired, resigned or have been removed from the service.
Acuña said that hopefully, the PNP strength in 2010 when Arroyo ends her term is anywhere between 138,000 to 140,000 already./DMS
January 22, 2008
Over 1,300 personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) were meted with various forms of disciplinary action for the entire year of 2007, police records showed Tuesday.
Based on the summary of data provided by Director Edgardo Acuña, chief of the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM), 256 personnel were dismissed from the service; 53 were demoted; 448 were suspended; 336 were forfeited of their salary; 240 were reprimanded; two were restricted; and 10 were forced to resign.
Acuña said most of those dismissed from the service were those who went on absence-without-official-leave, while the remaining few violated the law such as on anti-corruption.
The 1,345 personnel who were meted with penalties were involved in 1,120 cases, and many of them (1,224 to be specific) are non-commissioned officers. The rest are commissioned officers (83) and non-uniformed personnel (38), Acuña’s record showed.
He said the 2007 figure is just relatively similar to the 2006 data.
Aside from the 1,345 punished personnel, 14 other personnel were slapped with the minor disciplinary action of admonishment and warning, and 308 others were dropped from the rolls last year.
“We are really resolving these disciplinary cases as they come to show to our policemen and the public that we are imposing disciplinary actions,” Acuña said.
“The message we are sending here is that we’d like to professionalize the rank and file of the police force by strictly enforcing the laws and regulations, and the policies off the Philippine National Police across all units,” he added.
Acuña said that by penalizing erring personnel, this would “translate to enhancing public service and strengthen the advocacy of servant leadership.”
The PNP currently has a strength of 125, 000 uniformed personnel, way below the ideal 170,000-strong force to achieve the ideal policeman-civilian ratio of 1:500, Acuña revealed.
The lack in policemen, however, has been addressed already since 2006 when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo authorized the yearly recruitment of 3,000 to 3,500 policemen for five years, he said.
For this year, Acuña said 3,500 policemen will be recruited to meet the target strength of 170,000, while another group of 4,500 policemen will also be hired to fill-up the positions left behind by those who retired, resigned or have been removed from the service.
Acuña said that hopefully, the PNP strength in 2010 when Arroyo ends her term is anywhere between 138,000 to 140,000 already./DMS
AFP sends off new batch of peacekeeping soldiers to Liberia and Haiti
By Ronron
January 22, 2008
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) leadership sent off on Tuesday morning over 300 of its personnel who will perform peacekeeping duties in Liberia and Haiti under the United Nations program.
AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., who led the send-off ceremony, said the contingent to Liberia consists of 164 personnel, while those for Haiti is 154-strong. They will replace the contingents in said countries that will end their six-month tour of duty.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines is proud that we have once again shown our firm resolve to contribute in preserving global peace and security by sending the ninth Philippine contingent to Libera and the seventh Philippine contingent to Haiti,” Esperon said in a speech.
He said the contingent for Liberia will be under Col. Narciso Alamag, while the contingent for Haiti will be led by Col. Rodrigo Diapana.
Alamag said the troops for Liberia will leave in two batches on January 23 and February 6, while Diapana said his team will leave on January 30.
Esperon said the Filipino soldiers should be able to contribute to establishing peace and order in Liberia and Haiti, and take advantage, at the same time, of the experience for professional growth.
Esperon noted that in Haiti, there is still some form of anarchy, while Liberia is still in the reconstruction and rebuilding phase.
“On your shoulders rest our nation’s high expectations that not only you will perform your duties as the so-called Blue Helmets under the command of the United Nations but most importantly, as Filipino ambassadors of goodwill who will extend friendshp and commitment to peace on behalf of a grateful Filipino people,” Epseron said./DMS
January 22, 2008
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) leadership sent off on Tuesday morning over 300 of its personnel who will perform peacekeeping duties in Liberia and Haiti under the United Nations program.
AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., who led the send-off ceremony, said the contingent to Liberia consists of 164 personnel, while those for Haiti is 154-strong. They will replace the contingents in said countries that will end their six-month tour of duty.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines is proud that we have once again shown our firm resolve to contribute in preserving global peace and security by sending the ninth Philippine contingent to Libera and the seventh Philippine contingent to Haiti,” Esperon said in a speech.
He said the contingent for Liberia will be under Col. Narciso Alamag, while the contingent for Haiti will be led by Col. Rodrigo Diapana.
Alamag said the troops for Liberia will leave in two batches on January 23 and February 6, while Diapana said his team will leave on January 30.
Esperon said the Filipino soldiers should be able to contribute to establishing peace and order in Liberia and Haiti, and take advantage, at the same time, of the experience for professional growth.
Esperon noted that in Haiti, there is still some form of anarchy, while Liberia is still in the reconstruction and rebuilding phase.
“On your shoulders rest our nation’s high expectations that not only you will perform your duties as the so-called Blue Helmets under the command of the United Nations but most importantly, as Filipino ambassadors of goodwill who will extend friendshp and commitment to peace on behalf of a grateful Filipino people,” Epseron said./DMS
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Faeldon actively engaged in recruiting for destab attempts – NCRCOM chief
By Ronron
January 21, 2008
Fugitive Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon is actively involved in recruitment efforts to destabilize the Arroyo government even if he is in hiding, a military commander said Monday.
According to Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa, chief of the Armed Forces National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM), they have received reports that Faeldon called up some persons last week, inviting them to join destabilization efforts against the government.
“The report I got is that he called up some people, recruiting them for their movement… about the recruitment that they are doing,” Mesa told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo.
Mesa said it is the people themselves who received the call from Faeldon who reported to authorities.
“There were a few who reported,” he said.
Mesa would not say, however, who are these people that Faeldon called up, saying their follow-up operations to get the Magdalo key leader might get jeopardized.
Asked if the recruitment is particularly intended for the mobilization in today’s mass actions of peasant groups, he said: “There was no specific mention to that or any other effect. It was more of a general destabilization attempt.”
Faeldon had been missing since the November 29 takeover by the Magdalo Group of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.
According to initial police report, a journalist facilitated his escape from the posh hotel. It can be recalled that Faeldon earlier gave his military escorts a slip in December 2005 after attending a court hearing in Makati City. He was rearrested in January of the following year.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said in a news conference yesterday at Camp Crame that he will disclose the identity of the journalist in due time.
“We ask for your understanding and indulgence because we need to hide the identity of the journalist to give us an edge in our operation,” Razon said.
He said that once their follow up operations is successful, he will “immediately” reveal the journalist’s identity.
“I owe that to you (to name the said journalist),” Razon said.
He said should police decide to sue the journalist, the case would be obstruction of justice and aiding/abetting an escape felon.
Razon had earlier said that the journalist was caught on camera allowing Faeldon escape the hotel last November 29 before authorities assaulted it. A witness also allegedly testified to police to said effect.
The government has put up a P1-million peso reward for Faeldon’s arrest. He is facing various charges before civilian and military courts for his alleged participation in the Oakwood Mutiny in July 2003 and the Manila Peninsula takeover last year./DMS
January 21, 2008
Fugitive Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon is actively involved in recruitment efforts to destabilize the Arroyo government even if he is in hiding, a military commander said Monday.
According to Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa, chief of the Armed Forces National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM), they have received reports that Faeldon called up some persons last week, inviting them to join destabilization efforts against the government.
“The report I got is that he called up some people, recruiting them for their movement… about the recruitment that they are doing,” Mesa told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo.
Mesa said it is the people themselves who received the call from Faeldon who reported to authorities.
“There were a few who reported,” he said.
Mesa would not say, however, who are these people that Faeldon called up, saying their follow-up operations to get the Magdalo key leader might get jeopardized.
Asked if the recruitment is particularly intended for the mobilization in today’s mass actions of peasant groups, he said: “There was no specific mention to that or any other effect. It was more of a general destabilization attempt.”
Faeldon had been missing since the November 29 takeover by the Magdalo Group of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.
According to initial police report, a journalist facilitated his escape from the posh hotel. It can be recalled that Faeldon earlier gave his military escorts a slip in December 2005 after attending a court hearing in Makati City. He was rearrested in January of the following year.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said in a news conference yesterday at Camp Crame that he will disclose the identity of the journalist in due time.
“We ask for your understanding and indulgence because we need to hide the identity of the journalist to give us an edge in our operation,” Razon said.
He said that once their follow up operations is successful, he will “immediately” reveal the journalist’s identity.
“I owe that to you (to name the said journalist),” Razon said.
He said should police decide to sue the journalist, the case would be obstruction of justice and aiding/abetting an escape felon.
Razon had earlier said that the journalist was caught on camera allowing Faeldon escape the hotel last November 29 before authorities assaulted it. A witness also allegedly testified to police to said effect.
The government has put up a P1-million peso reward for Faeldon’s arrest. He is facing various charges before civilian and military courts for his alleged participation in the Oakwood Mutiny in July 2003 and the Manila Peninsula takeover last year./DMS
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