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Village chiefs no say over 4Ps list removal
General Santos City — The City Social Welfare Development Office on Wednesday clarified that barangay officials and other local leaders have no power or authority to remove any 4Ps member in the official list from the DSWD. Sarah Kate Batilong of the CSWDO disclosed to the city council that barangay officials who are candidates in the upcoming BSKE next month must prohibit themselves in trying to intimidate or threaten beneficiaries with disenfranchisement if they are being found out not supporting a candidate. She added that only the DSWD can remove a beneficiary from the official list once they violate certain guidelines and provisions of the said program after thorough investigation and verification. To recall, the city councilors has invited the CSWDO to air some concerns they have received from the barangays saying that allegedly some barangay officials used the DSWD programs such as TUPAD and AICS to their leverage to solicit votes in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections 2023. When pressed by city councilor Elizabeth Bagonoc if there are any orders or memo addressed to the CSWDO on the event of inviting local officials to serve as witnesses during the releasing of payouts, Batilong said that there was none. However, she disclosed that “social workers should be able to understand the limits of involving candidates in their activities.” The post Village chiefs no say over 4Ps list removal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ombudsman vindicates (3)
It was the incendiary Independent Auditor’s Report on the Department of Health’s accounts and financial operations, crafted by a state auditor, a colleague of Heidi Mendoza’s, and released prematurely that roused strife between former CoA chairpersons allied with the senators of the Republic against President Rodrigo Duterte and Health Secretary Francisco Duque. On CoA’s and the senators’ side were Grace Pulido Tan, Heidi Mendoza and Michael Aguinaldo allied with Senators Richard Gordon, Franklin Drilon, Leila de Lima, Risa Hontiveros and Kiko Pangilinan. Words and deeds are enough to establish culpability for conspiracy by the former CoA chiefs and the senators of the Republic to destabilize the Duterte administration, to say the least, and to incite the people to sedition, at most. Immediately, this column issued commentaries informing the people that the report released by CoA on the alleged irregularities in DoH funds for Covid-19 was not an annual audit report but mere Audit Observation Memorandums, or AOMs, that were released prematurely. Almost instantaneously, Mendoza came from nowhere to declare that the release of the CoA findings on the P67.32 billion in DoH funds was not premature. The writings and voices of the former CoA chairpersons were loud, clear and eloquent in defense of an annual audit report that never was. “Today I weep for my colleague, a CoA-UN auditor, who just died of a heart attack. He was the auditor behind the DoH report. Stress can kill. Please let us offer a minute of prayer,” Mendoza said. Mendoza was referring to lawyer Jake Cimafranca who wrote the Independent Auditor’s Report on DoH’s accounts. Both Mendoza and Grace Pulido Tan were quick to say that the CoA annual audit report on DoH’s accounts and financial operations was regular and went through the process of review and approval before its release. The release was not premature, both said. The premature release put CoA under fire from President Duterte and administration officials like DoH Secretary Francisco Duque and allies for the screaming headlines in local newspapers and internet news flashes in capital cities around the world that said P67.32 billion intended to protect the people from Covid-19 was being lost to corruption. During the House hearing on CoA’s audit of the DoH, then CoA Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo announced that CoA would continue making and publishing audit reports on government agencies despite criticism from Duterte and Duque. Citing the huge misstatements and deficiencies contained in the Independent Auditor’s Report, Senator Leila M. De Lima submitted P.S. Res. No. 859 ( Resolution directing the appropriate Senate committee to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation on the findings of the Commission on Audit report on the DoH on the reported unspent funds, misstatements, irregularities and deficiencies, with the end in view of addressing recurrent issues that plagued its services, as well as the persistent faults and lapses that gave rise to wastage even amid times of scarcity and shortages, and holding accountable, identifying and holding accountable those responsible for the same). The Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon) headed by Senator Richard J. Gordon submitted its partial committee report to the Senate, preluded by a poem entitled “Pity the Nation” by Lawrence Ferlinghetti (After Khalil Gibran) 2007. “Pity the nation whose people are sheep And whose shepherds mislead them Pity the nation whose leaders are liars Whose sages are silenced And whose bigots haunt the airwaves Pity the nation that raises not its voice Except to praise conquerors And acclaim the bully as hero.” (To be continued) The post Ombudsman vindicates (3) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PRO-4B top officials negative in surprise, on-the-spot drug test
Ranking officers of the Police Regional Office in MIMAROPA — including its regional director Brig. Gen. Joel Doria — tested negative for illegal drugs in a surprise on-the-spot drug test during the command conference at Camp Brig. Gen. Efigenio C. Navarro, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro. The surprise drug test was conducted during the command conference on Wednesday attended by 42 top officials from the PRO-MIMAROPA command group, regional staff and chiefs of Regional Support Units. In a statement on Thursday, Doria said unannounced on-the-spot drug tests aimed to demonstrate PNP’s stern commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and professionalism within the organization. He stressed that the conduct of said surprise drug test strongly supports PNP’s internal cleansing program, cementing PRO-MIMAROPA’s firm stance against illegal drugs. “This initiative underscores our unwavering commitment to upholding the principles of transparency, accountability, and integrity within our organization,” Doria said. “The surprise drug testing is not only a demonstration of our dedication to maintaining a drug-free organization but also a symbol of our resolve to be at the forefront of ethical and moral conduct in all our activities.” The post PRO-4B top officials negative in surprise, on-the-spot drug test appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
QC councilor slapped anew with graft raps
The Quezon City Barangay Kaligayahan chairman who is an honorary councilor for being the League of Barangay Chairmen President is in for more trouble. One of his former employees slapped him along with the barangay (village) treasurer and a kagawad (councilor) with charges of violations of Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Falsification of Public Documents before the Office of the Ombudsman, late afternoon Monday. Arjean Abe, of Tawid Sapa 2, Greenfield’s, Barangay Kaligayahan charged Barangay Kaligayahan Chairman and Quezon City Councilor Alfredo “Freddie” Roxas, his treasurer Hesiree Santiago, and Kagawad Arnel Gabito chairman of Appropriation Committee with charges of violations R.A. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Revised Penal Code for faking her signature to appear that she is still a barangay employee. Abe, in her complaint, obtained by DAILY TRIBUNE, said she was hired as a teacher aide on 1 March, 2022, receiving a monthly salary of P6,000 and was detailed at the barangay day care center. She was later transferred as a clerk taking care of issuance of barangay clearance because of the pandemic and classes on face to face were suspended. Abe said on 31 January 2023 she resigned from her work with her letter of resignation received by Santiago. However, she found out that her name still appeared in the barangay payroll list, one of which was submitted by her as an evidence against the three officials. The payroll was for 1 to 31 May 2023 where her name and signature still appeared and projected that she is still an employee receiving P6,000. The payroll list, Abe presented as “Annex A”, also has the signature of Roxas, Santiago and Gabito. These documents, Abe said, are submitted to the Quezon City goverment for funding. She also submitted a copy of her Identification Card as “Annex B” bearing her true signature for the Ombudsman for vetting against the signature on the payroll list. Abe said the acts of the three officials also constitute falsification of documents which is a violation of Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code as she prays that the Ombudsman would act on her complaint and compelled Roxas and the two other Barangay Kaligayahan officials to answer to her charges and be jailed and eventually barred from holding public offices. The graft charges was the second to be slapped against Roxas as a barangay tanod (village watchman) earlier filed the same charges last month, accusing Roxas, Barangay Kaligayahan Secretary Maripha de Jesus and Santiago for also making him their “ghost employee.” Roxas also faced Graft and Corrupt Practices Act violations filed by one of their kagawad (village councilor) Allan Francisco Jr. who sued Roxas and other barangay kagawads Jim Mahusay; Alexander Rivera; former singer-actress Perla Adea; Arnel Gabito; Dionisio Gascon and Sofronio Grimaldo, and barangay secretary Josephine Penaranda for the approval of a barangay council resolution “interposing no objection to the application of M.M. Ledesma Laboratories Corp.” along Zabarte Road Extension on 15 April, the barangay assembly day, which is not a regular barangay council session day. The post QC councilor slapped anew with graft raps appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Another graft case slaps against QC honorary councilor
The Quezon City Barangay Kaligayahan chairman, who is an honorary councilor for being the League of Barangay Chairmen President, is in for more trouble. One of his former employees slapped him, along with the barangay (village) treasurer and a kagawad (councilor), with charges of violations of the Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and falsification of public documents before the Office of the Ombudsman, late afternoon Monday. Arjean Abe, of Tawid Sapa 2, Greenfields, Barangay Kaligayahan, charged Brgy. Kaligayahan Chairman and Quezon City Councilor Alfredo "Freddie" Roxas, his treasurer Hesiree Santiago, and Kagawad Arnel Gabito, chairman of the appropriation committee, with charges for violations of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Revised Penal Code for faking her signature to appear that she is still a barangay employee. Abe in her complaint, obtained by Daily Tribune, said she was hired as a teacher aide on 1 March 2022, receiving a monthly salary of P6,000, and was detailed at the barangay daycare center. She was later transferred as a clerk taking care of the issuance of barangay clearance because of the pandemic and classes on face-to-face were suspended. Abe said on 31 January 2023, she resigned from work with her letter of resignation received by Santiago. However, she found out that her name still appeared in the barangay payroll list, one of which was submitted by her as evidence against the three officials. The payroll was for 1 to 31 May 2023 where her name and signature still appeared and projected that she is still an employee receiving P6,000. The payroll list, Abe presented as "Annex A", also has the signatures of Roxas, Santiago, and Gabito. These documents, Abe said, are submitted to the Quezon City government for funding. She also submitted a copy of her identification card as "Annex B", bearing her true signature for the Ombudsman for vetting against the signature on the payroll list. Abe said the acts of the three officials also constituted falsification of documents which is a violation of Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code as she prayed that the Ombudsman would act on her complaint and compel Roxas and the two other Barangay Kaligayahan officials to answer to her charges and be jailed and eventually barred from holding public offices. The graft charges were the second to be slapped against Roxas as a barangay tanod (village watchman). She filed the same charges last month, accusing Roxas, Barangay Kaligayahan Secretary Maripha de Jesus, and Santiago of also making her their "ghost employee." Roxas also faced Graft and Corrupt Practices Act violations filed by one of their kagawads (village councilors), Allan Francisco Jr., who sued Roxas and other barangay kagawads Jim Mahusay, Alexander Rivera, former singer-actress Perla Adea, Arnel Gabito, Dionisio Gascon, Sofronio Grimaldo, and barangay secretary Josephine Penaranda for the approval of a barangay council resolution “interposing no objection to the application of M.M. Ledesma Laboratories Corp.” along Zabarte Road extension on 15 April, the barangay assembly day, which is not a regular barangay council session day. The post Another graft case slaps against QC honorary councilor appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CHR to cooperate with ICC on drug probe
The Commission on Human Rights maintained a steadfast stance in its commitment to work with the International Criminal Court to probe the country's war on drugs on the watch of then-President Rodrigo Duterte. In the deliberations for the department's budget for 2024 before the House Committee on Appropriations, CHR Chairperson Richard Palpal-latoc assured lawmakers the agency would cooperate with the ICC by furnishing evidence it gathered in its past investigation. "As you may recall, the CHR has investigated extra-judicial killings in relation to the drug war before. And out of that investigation, the CHR has generated a report on EJK in relation to the drug war," Palpal-latoc said. The confirmation came following a question by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman about the extent of cooperation the human rights watchdog intends to grant to the ICC as it previously declared that they are "willing to cooperate" into the drug war probe, which has resulted "in thousands of extra-judicial killings, particularly the impoverished and marginalized drug suspects." About 7,000 people were killed under Duterte's drug war, based on the government's data, the majority of whom were from low-income families. However, local and international human rights organizations estimate it exceeded 30,000. According to Palpal-latoc, they are willing to supply the ICC evidence that the CHR already gathered in the previous investigation. However, he stressed that since the agency has yet to learn the details of the case filed in the ICC, the parameters of their cooperation are unknown. This, however, did not sit well with Lagman, asserting that the CHR should have been aware of this matter, taking into account the accusation made openly and publicly. According to the veteran lawmaker, CHR's pronouncement of cooperation without initiating communication with the ICC was merely a "soundbite" and a "press release" for the media. "Why don't you know? It's an open and public accusation before the ICC against the culprits in this war on drugs. Do you have a copy of the accusation brought before the ICC by some affected victims and advocates?" Lagman said. "You are fully aware that the official position of the national government is not to cooperate with the ICC and that bold statement is, in fact, a challenge to that position," he added. Palpal-latoc, on the other hand, countered that the CHR is "not a party" to the ICC investigation. Nonetheless, the CHR chief said that they are willing to provide legal assistance to the victims of human rights violations as well as witness protection pursuant to their mandate. Calls were made to cease the ICC's probe into Duterte's "war on drugs" that claimed thousands of lives during his six years of power that started in 2016. Justice Secretary Boying Remulla maintained a firm stance that the country would not engage in the ICC, claiming that the Philippine government would not let the court interfere in the country's business. Senator Bato de la Rosa, who led Duterte's anti-drug campaign, locally known as "Oplan Tokhang" previously said that he is ready in case a warrant of arrest has been served, but only by Philippine authorities and not by any foreigner directed by the ICC. The former PNP chief and Vice President Sara Duterte were the Philippine officials mentioned in the ICC prosecutor's report on the killings. The post CHR to cooperate with ICC on drug probe appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Zambales micro businesses get livelihood aid
Iba, Zambales — Thirteen micro enterprises recently received livelihood kits from the Department of Trade and Industry here. According to DTI Zambales Business Development Division chief Marilou Arcega, the activity is under the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa as assistance by the agency to micro businesses affected by the recent calamity. She added that manufacturers and food processors from the town of Castillejos, San Marcelino, San Narciso, Palauig, and Masinloc are the beneficiaries of the said program as they are the most affected by typhoon “Egay,” and by a fire that broke out in this town. Certificate of Endorsement Arcega said the beneficiaries each have a Certificate of Endorsement from their respective local government units, ensuring that they are victims of the said calamities. Cooking oil, sugar, flour and sari-sari store items are mong the supplies given to the beneficiaries. The DTI official urges beneficiaries to not waste the opportunity to rebound from the problem and continue with their businesses. She added that the economy of the community will increase, including the productivity of the micro entrepreneurs. Fifteen farmers Meanwhile, 15 farmers in San Narciso underwent training in Rice Wine Processing organized by the Department of Agrarian Reform. The beneficiaries are selected officials of the H2O Irrigator’s Association Incorporated. According to DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Emmanuel Aguinaldo, the said training is under the Village Level Farm Focused Enterprise Development project. The project aims to prepare the group for the application of license under the Food and Drug Administration to allow them to conduct their businesses in wine making. He added that DAR aims to boost the support.services aimed for the beneficiaries as part of the agency’s thrust to increase the quality of products while boosting the livelihood of the beneficiaries. The post Zambales micro businesses get livelihood aid appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Barangay chair, 6 others slapped with graft raps
A Barangay Kaligayahan kagawad (village councilor) slapped his six colleagues and their chairman with graft and falsification charges before the Office of the Ombudsman Thursday, 24 August. Barangay Kaligayahan Kagawad Allan Butch Francisco Jr. in his complaint obtained by DAILY TRIBUNE, said barangay chairman Alfredo ‘Freddy’ Roxas, kagawad Jim Mahusay, kagawad Alexander Rivera, kagawad Perla Adea Mallari, kagawad Arnel Gabito, kagawad Dionisio Gascon, kagawad Sofronio Grimaldo, and barangay secretary Josephine Penarada violated Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Falsification of Public Documents, and Grave Misconduct for faking an approved resolution. Francisco claimed the said barangay officials made it appear that the Barangay Resolution No. 087 Series of 2023, “Interposing no objection to the application of M.M. Ledesma Laboratories Corp., located at Zabarte Ext.,” was approved on 15 April 2023. It was also certified by Penarada. However, Francisco explained that while they agreed to establish that regular session of their council shall be held every 1st and 2nd Saturdays of each month, 15 April fell on the 3rd Saturday, Roxas postponed it to give way for the Barangay Assembly Day held also on that day. “No session was actually conducted on that day,” Francisco said in his complaint referring to the date the said resolution was passed. He added that neither the supposed notice for the regular session was nor a notice for special session was issued by Roxas for the resolution to be passed. Roxas earlier was also charged of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act by Hernando Compendioa, barangay watchman, who suffered a stroke, and was told by the chieftain to stop working, but later learned that his name was still on the payroll list but not receiving a single centavo. Meanwhile, Graft and Falsification charges were also hurled against Barangay Pasong Tamo chairwoman Mae Tagle before the Office of the Ombudsman by three of her own village staff over a dozen “ghost employees.” Tagle had just been served with another six months suspension for leasing the space barangay pharmacy to private fish and meat vendor by the Special Investigation Committee of the City Council. Florence Andre Fabre, Ruvelinda dela Isla and Mary Lyne Casinos showed that Tagle hired them upon assuming her post on 1 July 2022. Tagle became the village chief because of rule of succession for being the number one kagawad (barangay councilor) when then barangay chairman Banjo Pilar won as a councilor in May 2022 polls. Fabre in their joint affidavit of complaint averred that he was a book keeper and assistant of barangay assistant treasurer Gloria Sareño who was in-charged of preparing payroll for the entire staff of their village. He said that from July to September 2022 nothing unusual happened in their payroll, until came October 2022, when there were 10 other names added to the list of their payroll, and was instructed by Tagle’s daughter Mary Jean, who acted as their admin aide IV, to also sign on behalf of the additional names on the list and be quiet about it. Fabre also found out that one of the names added was Tagle’s maid Melina Barcelo with a work item as “contact tracer” receiving a monthly salary of P6,500. To his estimate, about a million pesos has been pocketed by Tagle since that month until April 2023, as the names added in their payroll list were not really receiving their salary. Dela Isla, on the other hand, worked as an assistant trainer along with her daughter Florbhy who worked as a traffic enforcer from 1 July 2022 to 30 November, 2022. But the younger Dela Isla had resigned the following month. To her surprise, Dela Isla learned that the name of her daughter was still listed in their payroll when Tagle got her first suspension on June 2023, pocketing her daughter’s salary for six months. Casinos, on another end, who was also hired by Tagle as an Auxiliary member of the village watchmen team, also learned that even her husband’s name who was working at the nearby Himlayang Filipino was also listed as “ghost employee.” The three complainants also attached the affidavit of Daniel Tecson whose name was also listed as “ghost employees” who did not even received a single centavo from Tagle, when they filed the charges on 13 June 2023 for fear of being implicated in Tagle’s scheme. The post Barangay chair, 6 others slapped with graft raps appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Protect (not) their own
Enterprising journalists always insist on getting the so-called “spot reports” that cops responding to calls for police assistance immediately send to their superiors to inform them of actions taken. While the grammar is usually horrendous, the 5W and 1H reports (Who, what, when, where, why, and how) are oftentimes good enough for breaking news despite being sketchy, as in lacking in details. Then some reports are “sketchy” in the sense that the narrative appears dubious, and the storyline implausible because, just to cite one red flag, the actions cited by the cops run against normal human reactions. But then again, when it comes to crimes, logic cannot always explain the violent tendencies of men and women experiencing a wide gamut of emotions — pain, anger, desperation, jealousy, etc. — that throw them off the edge of sanity. For crimes of passion and even road rage, for example, we have a term for that, “Nagdilim ang paningin,” a phrase that roughly (not literally) translates to someone descending into the dark enough recesses of the human mind to commit a crime in an instant. If one blinded by anger kills without premeditation, he or she is charged with homicide if successful, but if the killing was planned or was attended by treachery and the use of overwhelming force, then murder would be. During olden times in the Philippines, a husband who stumbled upon his wife in bed with another man and killed one or both would have just merited the punishment of “destierro.” A legal reference defined destierro as a “mere banishment, rather than a punishment, one that serves to protect the killer or attacker from retaliation from the family members of the deceased.” How about that: Protecting the killer or killers? The intent of destierro, based on that definition, clearly elucidates the point that there are crimes that sometimes do not rise to the level of imputing criminal liability on the perpetrator. The same could be said of actions taken in self-defense. The point here is that even before suspects in criminal cases are brought before the prosecutors for inquest, or before the courts for trial, the police have always exercised control over information pertaining to crimes that are imbued with public interest and so must be ventilated by the media. Cops routinely release mug shots of those arrested in small-time drug busts, but their officials cry foul when members of the media report on incidents that may involve men in uniform, leading to the perception, right or wrong, of whitewashing or cover-up. Take that fatal shooting of “Jemboy” in what the Navotas police claimed to be a case of mistaken identity and of a couple of the warning shots (fired by all six responding policemen, mind you) finding their way into the teen’s head and hand. No spot report that contained the names of the cops that had since been restricted to quarters was released to reporters, while those few who had gotten the names from external sources were prevailed upon to withhold the names of the suspects. A case of double standard, would you say? The sacked Navotas police chief had it coming when he decided to withhold the names of the six cops who, after all, had already been subjected to inquest. Court reporters should have gotten the suspects’ names, too, but again the lid put on their identities was so tight in the few days after the shooting that the public started thinking something was being cooked. More so since the six were only charged with “reckless imprudence resulting in homicide” instead of homicide, as suggested by forensic investigator Raquel Fortun; or murder, as this Contrarian raised in a previous column. A lawyer of Jemboy’s family had said they are pushing for a charge of murder against the six cops. With what little we know of the case, that seems to be a fair enough course of action. Again, the National Bureau of Investigation should step into the picture if we are going to have a credible investigation and prosecution of this case. Out with the sanitized narrative of how Jemboy wound up in the murky depths of a Navotas river, with blood oozing from his head. The post Protect (not) their own appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Wave of violent Indonesia muggings sparks ‘shoot-to-kill’ calls
A spate of violent muggings by machete-wielding thieves in Indonesia has drawn coded calls from prominent politicians for them to be killed-on-sight by police, in comments condemned by rights groups as condoning extrajudicial murders. Last month, police in the northern Sumatran city of Medan shot dead a "begal" -- a term used to describe a type of street thief known for their brutality -- as part of what the force said was a bid to "eradicate" them. Bobby Nasution, Medan mayor and President Joko Widodo's son-in-law, lauded the officers involved, saying such criminals should be shot dead on the spot. "I appreciate this because begal and criminals have no place in Medan," he wrote in an Instagram post on July 9, sharing footage of the suspect's dead body. President Widodo has not commented on Nasution's statements. Other leaders, including the governor of North Sumatra province, have supported the comments. Rights groups want an investigation into the killing, and have condemned the rhetoric as giving officers and citizens the right to take the law into their own hands. "It is inappropriate for public officials to declare support for such extrajudicial actions," Amnesty International Indonesia director Usman Hamid told AFP. "The shooting not only violates human rights principles –- such as the right to life, the right to a fair trial -- but also the regulations." Indonesian police rules state that firearms should only be used as an officer's last resort. Indonesia's Institute for Criminal Justice Reform called Nasution's words "irresponsible". Some public sentiment, however, is on the mayor's side. Under viral videos of the begal attacks, social media users call for the thieves to be shot dead or to face the death penalty. And in a village east of Jakarta, local leaders have issued a 10 million rupiah ($662) bounty for the capture of begals. 'Begal' terror Begals have savagely attacked their victims with sickles, airguns and rocks, terrorising Indonesians in the capital Jakarta, Medan and other urban centres. They approach their victims on scooters, usually in carefully chosen areas that have few security cameras, so that they can rapidly escape after the robbery. "They have to do it quickly and cruelly to make the victim surrender," said Adrianus Meliala, a criminologist at the University of Indonesia. "Begal run away using the city labyrinth they have mastered." Medan, Indonesia's fifth-largest city, has been hit by 45 begal attacks since January, police say, and one brutal case two months ago caused an uproar. Student Insanul Anshori Hasibuan was riding a scooter home when a man hacked him in the head with a machete, stealing his wallet. Hasibuan, 22, died in hospital after the attacker and several accomplices escaped with the contents of the wallet: just 70,000 rupiah ($4.60). Four suspects were later arrested, and face up to 15 years in jail if convicted. Such brutal attacks have been splashed across Indonesian media, raising public fear and allowing Nasution to cast himself as a champion for law and order. According to official data, the rate of robberies has risen in 2023, but experts say Indonesian criminal data is often incomplete due to underreporting. Indonesia's national police force did not respond to an AFP request for comment. The issue is a complex culmination of factors, including rising poverty in one of the world's most unequal countries, the difficulty of countering such quick and violent attacks, weak rule of law and crumbling public trust in the police. "The begal phenomenon cannot be separated from the social economic order of society," said Ida Ruwaida of the University of Indonesia. Rights groups say they are concerned that calls by prominent politicians such as Nasution to kill suspects on sight could lead to chaos on the country's streets. "We are concerned that the statement by the mayor of Medan can serve as legitimacy for more extrajudicial killings," said Hamid. "This is very dangerous." The post Wave of violent Indonesia muggings sparks ‘shoot-to-kill’ calls appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Over 5,000 cops securing school opening
The National Capital Region Police Office on Monday announced that it will be deploying more than 5,000 police officers to ensure that the opening of classes, both private and public, this August 29 will be incident free. An estimated 1,262 public and private schools will be opening their doors again to Metro Manila’s students during that date. In line with this, NCRPO director Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez said they are now also coordinating with the Department of Education for the setting up of more than 600 police assistance desks near the entrance gate of school campuses. The PADs, he said, will be manned by 1,572 policemen and will cater to any concerns or queries from students, teachers, parents and other people. “The police officers will intensify law enforcement activities at schools, transportation hubs, and places of convergence to secure students, guardians, and teachers from crime incidents such as physical injuries, robbery, and theft among others,” the NCRPO chief added. And for added security, members of the explosive and ordnance division and K-9 units will also be deployed. Nartatez said a series of coordination meetings and dialogues with school officials have started to carry out public safety services. These include drug abuse prevention, information drives and other anti-criminality programs to prevent students from engaging in vices and illegal activities. “The safety and security of the students is our top priority. We have already established a security plan including the deployment of our personnel ready to assist and watch over the safety of the students, as well as all the teachers and guardians,” Nartatez said. “I also encourage everyone to approach policemen whenever security concerns are needed for they will always be there to help you to ease your fear of being victims of lawless elements,” he added. The post Over 5,000 cops securing school opening appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Barangay tanod files graft charges vs QC councilor, 2 b’gay officials
A barangay tanod (village watchman) slapped graft charges against a Quezon City councilor and two other barangay officials for allegedly getting his salary after he suffered a stroke last year. Hernando Compendio of Blk. 19, Lot 6A Tawid Sapa 2, Brgy. Kaligayahan, QC filed charges before the Office of the Ombudsman last 8 August, copies of which were given to Daily Tribune. He accused Barangay Captain and now honorary City Councilor Alfredo "Freddie" Roxas, Barangay Kaligayahan Secretary Maripha de Jesus and Barangay Treasurer Hersiree B. Santiago of violating the Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Compendio narrated that in 2016 he was employed as Barangay Kaligayahan Public Safety Officer with a salary of P11, 500. However, he suffered a stroke last year and was told by Roxas to stop working, receiving his last pay in June 2022. After recovering, he went back to their barangay to ask the official to take him back and give him any kind of work to survive, but was told there was no vacancy for him. Compendio asked some of his colleagues for help and was informed that his name was still included in the payroll list until December 2023, though he did not receive a single cent. Upon checking, he found out that the three officials had been withdrawing his salary, prompting him to file charges of violating Section 3 of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against the three officials. He also slapped them with Falsification of Public Documents under Art. 171 of the Revised Penal Code for faking his signature on the payroll. Roxas was not available for comment. He became an Ex Officio of the City Council after his election as the Federation President of all barangay chairmen in the city, and became the Chairperson of the Committee on Barangay Affairs. The post Barangay tanod files graft charges vs QC councilor, 2 b’gay officials appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Beware of fake bills, says SPD
The Southern Police District warned the public on Sunday against counterfeit money following the arrest of a former Army soldier who used counterfeit money in a store. According to SPD director Brig. Gen. Roderick Mariano, small store owners should always keep their vigilance against fake bills, now that the “ber” months are approaching and shopping season peaks. “We urge the public to immediately report any person to the authorities using such bills in any transaction for appropriate action as the “ber months’ or the peak shopping season draws near,” Mariano said. The SPD’s statements come after authorities arrested a certain Kevin Jhon Soncio, a dismissed Army soldier after using counterfeit money in a sari-sari store in Barangay Fort Bonifacio Taguig City on Friday evening. The police report said the suspect paid a P1,000 bill for one pack of cigarettes. The witness, a minor who was tending the store during the incident, examined the bill and discovered it was fake. He immediately sought the assistance of village officials, who eventually arrested the suspect. Authorities seized from Soncio nine P1,000 counterfeit bills and different identification cards. During the arrest, the suspect introduced himself as a member of the Philippine Army. Upon validation, police found that he was already dismissed from the service and that he carried falsified documents. The suspect is now facing charges of violation of Article 168 of the Revised Penal Code or Illegal possession and use of false Treasury or Bank Notes and Other Instruments of Credit, usurpation of authority, and falsification of public documents. Meanwhile, the Taguig City Police is now preparing a counterfeit money verification request to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The post Beware of fake bills, says SPD appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Imee lauds ‘never off duty’ QCPD at anniversary event
Senator Imee Marcos graced the 122nd Police Service Anniversary celebration of the Quezon City Police District on Monday, held at the QCPD Grandstand, Camp Karingal, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City. "Law enforcement officers are never off duty, it’s 24/7 for all of you. You are dedicated public servants, and even if we impose more and more instructions, duties and functions upon our PNP, it is important that we take care of our men as well," Senator Marcos said. For his part, QCPD Director P/Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said, "For 122 years, police officers have been at the forefront of safeguarding communities and upholding the rule of law. Today, another highlight of the program is to honor outstanding QCPD personnel, units and stations." Among those awarded were: Best Senior PCO Police Commissioned Officer for Administration -- PCOL Josefino D Ligan, former Chief District Directorial Staff Best Junior PCO for Administration -- PLTCOL Jerry Castillo, Station Commander, Novaliches Police Station (PS 4) Best Senior PNCO Police Non-Commissioned Officer for Administration -- PEMS Noel Borja, Fairview Police Station (PS 5) Best Junior PNCO for Administration -- PCpl Rosemarie B Allam, Public Information Office Best Senior PCO for Operations -- PLTCOL Benjamin P. Ariola, Chief, District Community Affairs and Development Division Best Junior PCO for Operations -- PLTCOL Rolando Lorenzo Jr., former Chief, District Special Operation Unit Best Senior PNCO for Operations -- PMSg Dan L Cabanting, Holy Spirit Police Station (PS 14) Best Junior PNCO for Operations -- PCpl Ranjay Refran, PS 14 Best Individual Awards NUP, Supervisory Level -- Lauren Gail Polintang, Non-Uniformed Personnel Project 4, Police Station (PS 8) Best Police Station of the Year -- PS 4 Best National Operational Support Unit of the Year -- Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-QCDFU Special Unit Awards with Most Number of Arrest Wanted Persons -- Criminal Investigation and Detection Special Unit Awards with Most Number of Firearms Confiscated -- La Loma Police Station (PS 1) Special Unit Awards with Highest Accomplishment on Anti-Illegal Drug Operations -- District Drug Enforcement Unit Special Unit Awards with Highest Accomplishment on Anti-Illegal Gambling Operations -- Payatas Bagong Silangan Police Station (PS 13) The post Imee lauds ‘never off duty’ QCPD at anniversary event appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Escudero to TESDA: Offer ‘tailor-fit’ training to former drug dependents
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority should offer training and livelihood programs ‘solely’ for former drug dependents who have undergone rehabilitation, said Senator Francis Escudero on Tuesday. Escudero made the recommendation after a meeting with the members of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education and TESDA officials earlier the day. In a public hearing, the Senate panel discussed Senate Bill 2115 and its counterpart House Bill 7721—both proposed measures seeking to institutionalize technical-vocational education and training or TVET and livelihood programs for former drug dependents— an anti-drug campaign that reintegrates them into the mainstream society. The senator said that he was surprised to learn that TESDA does not have any exclusive livelihood and training program for rehabilitated drug users. "If we will institutionalize TESDA's training and livelihood programs for rehabilitated drug dependents, we might as well design something that will specifically cater to them,” Escudero said. During the discussion, TESDA representative Joyce Balong confirmed that the government only prioritizes former drug users in their existing livelihood and training programs. Hence, Escudero ordered the consolidation of the two bills and referred them to a technical working group or TWG so they can better specify the training or livelihood programs that fit exclusively for rehabilitated or former drug dependents. Escudero also instructed the TWG to consider the existing Memorandum of Understanding or Memorandum of Agreement of the Dangerous Drug Board in formulating the new ‘tailored-fit’ programs for the rehabilitated drug dependents, partnering with various government bodies including the Department of Labor and Employment, the Commission on Higher Education and TESDA. Escudero is also rallying for possible additional functions for CHED in the institutionalization of such programs in support of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. He said there’s a need to create sustainable programs for the treatment and rehabilitation of individuals who have fallen victim to drug abuse or dangerous drug dependence. The TESDA records showed almost 9,000 former drug dependents were awarded scholarships in 2021, with more than 8,000 of them successfully completing various courses initiated by the TVET program. Escudero agreed with Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, the author of Senate Bill 2115, to include the crafting of exclusive training and livelihood modules for the former drug dependents in the proposed measure. SB 2115 seeks the institutionalization of TESDA's programs as a vital component of the recovery journey of the former drug dependent. “This will allow them to find meaningful employment and rebuild their lives,” said Escudero. The post Escudero to TESDA: Offer ‘tailor-fit’ training to former drug dependents appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Return of 56 Filipinos in Malaysia death row sought
Philippine and Malaysian officials will meet in Manila in October to negotiate the possible repatriation of 56 Filipinos in Malaysia’s death row, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in a recent interview. The government is proposing to the Philippines-Malaysia Joint Commission Meeting the serving of the Filipino detainees’ sentences in their own country, according to the president. He said the final decision would be up to the JCM. Marcos raised the issue of the Filipino prisoners with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during his visit to Kuala Lumpur early this week. He said the embassies of the two countries are already attending to the proposed transfer of the Filipinos to a Philippine prison. Data from the Department of Foreign Affairs show that 30 of the prisoners were serving time for murder and 18 for drug trafficking. The remaining eight were imprisoned for taking part in the deadly raid of a village in Lahad Datu, Malaysia in 2013. The alleged members of the “Royal Security Forces of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo” clashed with Malaysian security forces in a bid to reclaim Sabah for the Sultan of Sulu, Jamalul Kiram III, who considered the teritory part of the Sultanate of Sulu. An official from the Department of Foreign Affairs previouly said it was trying to secure Malaysia’s pardon of the 56 Filipino convicts. The post Return of 56 Filipinos in Malaysia death row sought appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The vagaries of resignation (1)
The alleged involvement of high-ranking police officers, three generals, and 15 colonels, in the recycling, selling, and distribution of the prohibited drugs, if true, is the worst act that those who are tasked to enforce the law could commit. Such a commission is a crime, a betrayal of the trust reposed on them by the people, a violation of their oath of office as public servants, and unpardonable malfeasance in office. Based on their alleged participation in the illegal drug trade, their courtesy resignations, which submission was required of them by the Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government, and upon the recommendation of the five-man committee and the National Police Commission, mandated to evaluate their performance as police officers and to probe their engagement in the nefarious and illegal drug cartel, have been accepted by the President, as announced by the latter in his State of the Nation Address. The announcement was received with thunderous applause by the audience composed of the members of the Senate and the House Representatives, members of the Cabinet, Diplomatic Corps, local government officials, and other dignitaries and guests. Without delving into the reason for requiring almost a thousand higher-level of police officers to submit their courtesy resignations, and its acceptance by the Chief Executive, a citizen would welcome such development given the widespread talked-about and public perception of police personnel dipping their hands into the huge cookie jar of illegal drug money. The immediate reaction is one of elation from those who have heard of the termination of their services because they would certainly think that those whose resignations were accepted were guilty of serious misdemeanors or crimes, and therefore deserving of their being kicked out from the service. It is, however, vital to know the antecedents of the filing of their resignations to give objective and appropriate remarks on the issue. A few months ago, the DILG Secretary publicly announced that based on his department’s and the PNP’s investigation, there were a few ranking police officers involved in the prohibited drug activities hence, there was a need for a cleansing of the police organization. He, thereafter, decided that the best way to get rid of these police scalawags was to ask for almost a thousand police generals and colonels to hand in their courtesy resignations. Immediately this lawyer, on various platforms, including this column, criticized the DILG honcho on the inappropriateness and illegality of the directive. Inappropriate because if you want to exclude less than five police officers from the hierarchy, why include those who are on the list of suspected drug coddlers? It is illegal because the order (certainly not a plea, nor a request and neither an appeal, anybody who says otherwise is a poor liar) to resign violates the security of tenure given to all employees of the government. The phrase “courtesy resignation” is, in reality, a demand/directive to resign laced with threats and intimidation, which failure to comply with would result in adverse repercussions to the one who disobeys the same. This writer argued that the legal way to pluck out from the police force these scoundrels was to file administrative and/or criminal charges against them and be given the opportunity to defend themselves under the constitutional guarantee of due process. The argument of the DILG head that it would be only tedious to apply the regular way to removing errant police officers but they could, meanwhile, use their position to influence the outcome of the administrative/criminal case, is hogwash. Under the law, there is an automatic preventive suspension of 90 days upon the filing of the complaint and therefore there is no way the suspended police officer could interfere with the legal process using his/her position. A 90-day suspension is sufficient for law enforcement authorities to prosecute the suspected criminals in uniform. If they have enough evidence to hurdle the requirement of proof beyond a reasonable doubt in court, then the accused will be placed behind bars. By just asking them to resign, the suspected guilty ones were given the opportunity not only to make hay on their criminal activities but to cover up their crimes using their office and position as they remained in office for 7 months for the acceptance of their resignations. (To be continued) The post The vagaries of resignation (1) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Discordant voices (1)
Two high government functionaries of the government can’t help themselves from being off-key with the position of their principal, the Chief Executive. They are either having difficulty in understanding the clear, unequivocal, and assertive language of the President or they just want to be solo players. In either case, they do not help in projecting a solid, irreversible, and correct foreign policy on the International Criminal Court’s intransigent intrusion on the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The ICC wants to supplant our judicial system with its own by investigating drug-related killings and crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the presidential term of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and in the latter’s incumbency as Mayor of Davao City. In issuing public statements which are at war with PBBM’s pronouncements on the ICC, they not only undermine the government’s position but give an arsenal to the international interloper to justify its unlawful and vexing interference with the country’s governance. Despite PBBM’s declaration that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines at the start of his presidency in the face of ICC’s attempts at intruding in our manner of administering justice to criminal offenders, these two high government officials gave pronouncements not only contrary to the President’s but illogical and balderdash submissions. On 17 March 2018, FPRRD ordered the withdrawal of the Philippines from the Rome Statute which created the ICC following the commencement by the ICC’s former special prosecutor Fatou Bensouda of a preliminary examination on whether or not the ICC could properly assume jurisdiction over complaints of drug-related killings. A year after, on 17 March 2019, the withdrawal became effective. In September 2021, former prosecutor Bensouda launched a formal inquiry into the drug war. Instead of slamming the ICC for its attempt to subject the Philippines, by that time already non-member state, the withdrawal has been effective, this government lawyer, who at the time headed the justice department, against FPRRD’s position that the ICC never acquired jurisdiction, filed a deferral request of the contemplated probe. Such filing is inconsistent with the “no jurisdiction” policy of the government. For if the ICC has no jurisdiction, this writer argued then as he criticized the move, why should our government request for a suspension of the investigation when it has no jurisdiction? By filing such deferral request, our country effectively placed itself under the jurisdiction of the ICC. Moreover, this columnist further slammed the deferral request action because the reason for its submission was anchored on the offer of the government to submit proof that its judicial system is working. Why should we be the ones to prove that our system of justice is working? It is the ICC that is accusing us that ours is not working, so it should be the ICC that should provide proof that the Philippines is incapable of prosecuting those committing crimes against humanity and committing mass murders. It is elementary that one who alleges must prove, and not the other being accused. That wrong legal maneuver was supported by the other government official who is a lawyer and who substituted him as the head of the office he once held under the previous administration. The former said that such filing of a request was just an act of courtesy, apparently either not understanding the depth of the folly or ignoring the absurdity and incongruity of the same. As this columnist anticipated and said so on various occasions and platforms, the ICC denied the deferral request. Instead of realizing his mistake, this government counsel, who then was appointed to another office handling legal matters, did another monstrous booboo by submitting a motion for reconsideration, adding another brick of error, and strengthening the contradiction of arguing against the lack of jurisdiction of the ICC but invalidating it by subjecting the Philippine government to its jurisdiction. (To be continued) The post Discordant voices (1) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tribune, Marcos share good gov’t journey (20)
In the days after the devastating typhoon “Yolanda” struck, killing from 6,000 to 10,000 individuals depending on the source of the figure since the administration of the late former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III directed the casualty count be stopped at 6,000 deaths, Daily Tribune tracked then Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was at Ground Zero several times after the disaster struck on 3 November 2013. BBM arrived in Tacloban City to offer assistance to the “Yolanda” victims on 17 November. The huge swath of devastation caused by the storm surges stunned Marcos, who said the extent of the damage was almost impossible to believe. “They have nothing. They have no homes, they have no water, they have nothing,” he said. Marcos said he came long after the day of devastation so as not to get in the way of the government relief efforts. “We did not want to come because if we had come we would have taken up resources and assets that were sorely needed at the time. You know if you come here, somebody will have to secure you, you will have to have a vehicle, you will have to have a place to stay, they will have to feed you. In the first few days they simply did not have those capabilities so we got out of the way and let people do what they could,” he said. Marcos told Tribune he spent the previous eight days in Manila coordinating the relief sent to donation centers by private donors. The Marcos family brought a ship and their donation of supplies to Surigao since there was congestion in Leyte. Between an Aquino, Romualdez His visit was significant because, among other things, in the heat of the recovery and relief mission, then-Interior Secretary Mar Roxas supposedly uttered to Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez the infamous line, “You have to understand, you’re a Romualdez and the President is an Aquino,” after city officials complained of the snail-paced government response. Marcos refused to comment on the criticism the government had been too slow and uncoordinated in responding to the devastation. The assessment can come later, he said. Eventually, Marcos commented that those in charge would have to admit to shortcomings. “For now, assisting the victims is of primary importance,” he said. “Could we have done better? Sure. Do we need to do more? Certainly. But this is not the time for all of this finger-pointing. This is the time to put our heads down and help the people who are suffering,” the senator said. Much later, Marcos called for a thorough investigation of the government response, primarily the reported dumping of hundreds of sacks of rice in a deep pit in the remote village of Dagami. “Various reports said the sacks of rice found in the pit bore markings of the NFA (National Food Authority) but there were also plastic bags marked DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) in the same pit,” according to Marcos. “Wasting rice is disgusting enough but if it turns out that these were relief goods, then it’s even more appalling. Somebody should answer for this,” Marcos asserted. Marcos lamented the slow pace of the government’s rehabilitation efforts in areas hardest hit by the typhoon despite billions of pesos allocated in the budget and from international donors. “What is disgusting is the government’s refusal to explain how the funds for ‘Yolanda’ victims were spent!” he fumed. “The government does not feel the need to explain itself in any way; never mind the tens of thousands that still live in makeshift homes, never mind that people have no jobs or sources of livelihood,” Marcos said. He said the late Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman could not wash her hands of responsibility for the wastage. “Soliman had admitted the rice and food packs were from the DSWD warehouses but clarified that they were intended to be distributed to those affected by typhoon ‘Ruby’ and typhoon ‘Glenda’ last year and not for the survivors of super-typhoon ‘Yolanda,’” he noted. According to Soliman, the DSWD is investigating why the relief goods were not given out. “Soliman cannot simply toss the responsibility for this mess to her underlings; she is the one ultimately responsible,” Marcos averred. The Commission on Audit tagged the DWSD for the spoilage of an estimated P2.8-million worth of relief goods intended for distribution to “Yolanda” survivors in 2013. “The DSWD claimed it had learned its lesson and even acquired a mechanized repacking system and yet this unconscionable wastage of relief goods continues to happen,” Marcos deplored. “According to Soliman, the buried goods were no longer fit for human consumption. Initial reports estimated that around 500 sacks of spoiled rice were disposed of in a 10-feet wide, 15-feet deep hole dug in Dagami.” “Can you imagine how many typhoon victims the DSWD could have helped with such an amount of relief goods? Surely, those responsible for this are unfit to be public servants. Someone should be held accountable,” Marcos concluded. (To be continued) The post Tribune, Marcos share good gov’t journey (20) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MPD rids NBI of clearance fixers
The Manila Police District has cleared the sidewalks of the National Bureau of Investigation’s clearance section of fixers who have been preying on clearance seekers. The operation was conducted on 19 July following a news report by Daily Tribune that highlighted the growing number of fixers in the area. Manila Police District-Special Mayor Reaction Team chief P/Maj. Edward Samonte told Daily Tribune that he immediately formed two teams to round up the fixers, who were charging clearance seekers between P500 and P3,000 for a free online NBI clearance transaction. “Following the reports of fixers in the area, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna and Manila Police District director Brig. Gen Andre Dizon ordered an operation as we formed teams which included the Manila Hawkers Department, MPD-PCP 5 and officials from Barangay 670 under village chief Bai Aleyah Bidua,” Samonte said. During the operation, one fixer was arrested after he was accused of extorting money from an overseas Filipino worker. The fixer had allegedly charged the OFW P3,000 for help with her NBI clearance application. The fixer was later released after the OFW retracted her complaint. The MPD thanked the NBI for their cooperation in the operation and said that they would continue to monitor the area to prevent fixers from returning. NBI officials, on the other hand, expressed gratitude to the MPD and Lacuna for their efforts to address the problem of fixers. “We would like to thank the MPD and Mayor Lacuna for listening to our concerns,” said an NBI official who requested anonymity. “We hope that this operation will send a strong message to fixers that they will not be tolerated.” The NBI also reminded the public that the online application for NBI clearance is free and that there is no need to use the services of fixers. “We urge the public to avoid fixers and to apply for their NBI clearance directly through our website,” said the NBI official. The post MPD rids NBI of clearance fixers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»