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‘Rent-tangay’ suspect falls
An alleged member of a crime ring linked to the theft of over 100 vehicles in a “rent-tangay” scam was arrested in Quezon City, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission announced on Saturday......»»
43 Chinese nationals engaged in human trafficking deported
In a press release, the BI said that the Chinese citizens are part of the more than 100 foreign nationals previously arrested in Pasay City for the alleged violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act......»»
55% of Filipinos favor gov’t cooperation with ICC probe — survey
Results of the poll released Sunday showed that 55% of adult Filipinos are in favor of the government cooperating with the probe into alleged crimes against humanity committed during the previous administration’s anti-illegal drugs campaign. .....»»
Sandiganbayan acquits Binay matriarch of graft, malversation
The anti-graft court acquitted former Makati City Mayor Elenita Binay of graft charges over the alleged anomalous purchase of medical equipment amounting to P9.9 million in years 2000 and 2001. .....»»
6 UN experts sound alarm over Philippine government’s ‘unchecked’ anti-terror powers
The UN experts counted at least 24 alleged victims of rights violations from the government’s counter-terrorism efforts from 2019 to 2023 — which covers the second half of the Duterte administration and Marcos’ first year in office......»»
Rights groups urge lawmakers to support resolutions on ICC probe
Human rights organizations called on the House of Representatives to support resolutions urging the government to cooperate with the International Criminal Court’s investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed in the anti-illegal drugs campaign of former President Rodrigo Duterte. .....»»
Union organizer gets unwelcome visitors – NTF-ELCAC agents – at home
A union organizer in Davao City was harassed by alleged government anti-communist agents in his residence last Monday afternoon, Kilusang Mayo Uno reports......»»
Probe ordered on fireman’s ‘promotion for sale’ scam
Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on Thursday ordered a thorough and deeper probe on a fireman who was accused of being involved in a “lateral promotion for sale” scam at the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). The suspect, Fire Officer 1 Ramces Paul Benipayo of the Muntinlupa Fire Station, was collared by undercover operatives on Wednesday, 25 October, in an entrapment operation shortly after receiving P200,000 from his alleged victim. Policemen arrested Benipayo after accepting P200,000 in marked money from his classmate, a BFP firefighter from Western Visayas, whom he promised to assist in getting a promotion within the bureau in exchange for money. Benipayo’s modus is to convince his would-be victims to give him money in exchange for non-existent promotion which will allegedly be facilitated by his “contacts” in the BFP, which of course would never materialize. “I have been briefed on the case of FO1 Benipayo and I could say that what he did was unacceptable,” said Abalos. The BFP together with the Philippine National Police is an attached agency of the DILG. This, as Abalos also ordered a thorough probe on the case and background of Benipayo to determine if he has cohorts at the BFP who could be working with him. Abalos’ order came after BFP intelligence and investigation division director Chief Supt. Gilbert Dolot reported that three more complainants came forward and accused the suspect of also duping them using the same modus operandi. “We will not tolerate this kind of illegal activity. That’s why I’ve already ordered the PNP to work closely with the BFP to get to the bottom of this issue and prosecute everyone involved,” Abalos pointed out. “Walang puwang sa gobyerno natin at sa DILG or sa BFP for that matter ang mga katulad niya,” he continued. Benipayo had undergone inquest proceedings before the Muntinlupa Prosecutor’s Office and was slapped with complaints for violating Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and estafa in relation to RA 10175, also known as the cybercrime prevention law. He is currently detained at the CIDG detention facility. The head of the CIDG’s anti-organized crime unit, Col. Reynaldo Lizardo, said Benipayo initially told them his cohort is with the BFP. . The post Probe ordered on fireman’s ‘promotion for sale’ scam appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
P16 million shabu seized in Quezon province
Shabu with a total street value of P16 million was seized in separate anti-narcotics operations that resulted in the arrest of four alleged major drug suppliers in Lucena and Infanta, Quezon on Saturday night......»»
Canada withdraws 41 diplomats from India in row over separatist killing
Canada said Thursday it had withdrawn 41 diplomats from India as a result of the fallout from a bitter dispute over the killing of a Sikh separatist on Canadian soil. New Delhi planned to revoke diplomatic immunity for all but 21 of Canada's diplomats and their families by Friday, forcing Ottawa to pull out the others, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said. "We have facilitated their safe departure from India," Joly added. "This means that our diplomats and their families have now left." Relations between India and Canada have plunged since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last month publicly linked Indian intelligence to the killing of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, allegations New Delhi has called "absurd". Nijjar, who advocated for a separate Sikh state carved out of India, was wanted by Indian authorities for alleged terrorism and conspiracy to commit murder. "Revoking the diplomatic immunity of 41 diplomats is not only unprecedented, but also contrary to international law," Joly said Wednesday, but added Canada did not plan to retaliate in kind, so as to not "aggravate the situation." "Canada will continue to defend international law, which applies to all nations and will continue to engage with India," she said. India's foreign ministry said in a statement that the government's pressing for a reduction in Canada's diplomatic presence was within "international norms". "The state of our bilateral relations, the much higher number of Canadian diplomats in India, and their continued interference in our internal affairs warrant a parity in mutual diplomatic presence," it added. Canada has called for India to cooperate in the investigation but New Delhi has rejected the allegations and taken countermeasures, such as shutting down visa services for Canadians. Ottawa also expelled an Indian diplomat over the affair. 'Badgering the Canadians' Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said last month in New York that his country would be willing to examine any evidence presented by Canada. "We have actually been badgering the Canadians. We've given them loads of information about organized crime leadership which operates out of Canada," Jaishankar said, referring to Sikh separatists. "We have a situation where actually our diplomats are threatened, our consulates have been attacked," he added. The Indian government has called the accusations over the killing "absurd" and advised its nationals not to travel to parts of Canada "given the increase in anti-Indian activities." New Delhi also temporarily stopped processing visa applications in Canada. Nijjar, who immigrated to Canada in 1997 and became a Canadian citizen in 2015, was shot dead by two masked assailants in the parking lot of a Sikh temple near Vancouver in June. Canada is home to some 770,000 Sikhs, who make up about two percent of the country's population, with a vocal minority calling for creating a separate state of Khalistan. The Sikh separatist movement is largely finished within India, where security forces used deadly force to put down an insurgency in the state of Punjab in the 1980s. Hundreds of Sikh protesters rallied outside Indian diplomatic missions in Canada last month, burning flags and trampling on pictures of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Tensions between Ottawa and New Delhi have created a delicate situation for close Canadian ally Washington, which is seeking closer ties with India in a bid to limit Chinese influence in the region. The post Canada withdraws 41 diplomats from India in row over separatist killing appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gun-for-hire group members nabbed in Bohol, P300K shabu seized
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Members of a suspected gun-for-hire group that is based in Bohol landed in jail after they were caught by authorities during a buy-bust operation early on Thursday morning, October 19,2023. The anti-illegal drugs operation was made in Purok 1, Barangay Danao in Panglao, Bohol at around 6:30 a.m. Two of the arrested persons were identified as Regie Abundo and his alleged cohort, Christian Manayaga. Also arrested were their “associates” who were identified as Bridget Rose Olaivar and Princess Vanna Cutaran. Meanwhile, two minors were also rescued during the buy-bust operation. Police described the suspects as high-value individuals (HVI) who are part of an “emerging” gun-for-hire group. Authorities recovered from their possession 55 grams of suspected shabu worth at least P374,000; a .9mm pistol loaded with 9 live ammunitions; and a KG-9 sub machine gun with 19 live ammunitions. The buy-bust operation was organized by the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU)/ Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) of the Bohol Police Provincial Office together with the Panglao Municipal Police Station and Dauis Municipal Police Station. Gun-for-hire group Police Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), said that based on their investigation, the arrested individuals were part of a gun-for-hire group. He said that the highly-organized group may have been responsible for previous drug-related shooting incidents in Bohol province. “Sa atong investigation nga gihimo, kini nga grupo na-involve ni sila sa mga drug-related shootings in Bohol previously. So, atoning gitan-aw. What we are going to do is we conduct ballistic examination sa armas nga nakuha, atong i-match didto sa mga previous shooting incidents,” he said. Pelare said that they will be conducting backtracking as part of their ongoing investigation. “We are now considering backtracking of shooting incidents in previous months kay naa tay nakita nga mga information nag na-involve sila sa drug-related incidents,” he said. Surveillance According to Pelare, local authorities conducted surveillance and intelligence monitoring to gather evidence before the conduct of the buy-bust operation. He also disclosed that they received information that the group may have been used to commit crimes and disrupt the conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections scheduled on October 30. “Ato sang nakita nga kining grupoha, possible untang magamit sa Barangay and SK elections by some unscrupulous political candidates. But because of this aggressive operation instructed and supervised by our Regional Director Police Brigadier.....»»
Janet Napoles found guilty of 8 graft, malversation raps; given 64 yrs in jail
MANILA, Philippines — Janet Napoles, the alleged mastermind behind the pork barrel scam, is found guilty of eight charges of graft and malversation, the Sandiganbayan said on Friday, Oct. 20. Napoles, together with former National Agribusiness Corporation (Nabcor) officials Rhodora Mendoza, Victor Cacal, and Maria Ninez Guañizo, were also found guilty of graft and malversation charges. Napoles was proven to have violated Republic Act (RA) 3019 or Anti-graft and Practices Act. “The court finds accused Rhodora B. Mendoza, Maria Ninez P. Guanizo, Victor Roman C. Cacal, and Janet L. Napoles guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violation of Section 3(e) of RA 3019, as amended, and are hereby sentenced to suffer the indeterminate penalty of imprisonment of six years and one month, as a minimum, to 10 years, as maximum, and to suffer perpetual disqualification from holding public office,” reads the decision from the Special Second Division of the anti-graft court. Napoles and the Nabcor officials were found guilty of four counts of corruption, and four counts of malversation of public funds. Collectively, the charges translate to 64 years of imprisonment at the minimum and 82 years at most. Sandiganbayan also ordered Napoles to pay government P41 million in damages. Each malversation charge requires Napoles to pay the equivalent amount of money involved in the criminal offense. Meanwhile, former South Cotabato Representative Arthur Pingoy Jr. was acquitted of graft and malversation charges in the same court decision. RELATED STORIES Napoles cleared in one pork barrel case but convicted in another Sandiganbayan acquits Napoles in 16 graft raps over pork barrel scam ‘Janet Lim Napoles’ listed among convicts freed on good conduct.....»»
Canada withdraws 41 diplomats from India in row over separatist killing
Canada said Thursday it had withdrawn 41 diplomats from India as a result of the fallout from a bitter dispute over the killing of a Sikh separatist on Canadian soil. New Delhi planned to revoke diplomatic immunity for all but 21 of Canada's diplomats and their families by Friday, forcing Ottawa to pull out the others, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said. "We have facilitated their safe departure from India," Joly added. "This means that our diplomats and their families have now left." Relations between India and Canada have plunged since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last month publicly linked Indian intelligence to the killing of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, allegations New Delhi has called "absurd". Nijjar, who advocated for a separate Sikh state carved out of India, was wanted by Indian authorities for alleged terrorism and conspiracy to commit murder. "Revoking the diplomatic immunity of 41 diplomats is not only unprecedented, but also contrary to international law," Joly said Wednesday, but added Canada did not plan to retaliate in kind, so as to not "aggravate the situation." "Canada will continue to defend international law, which applies to all nations and will continue to engage with India," she said. India's foreign ministry said in a statement that the government's pressing for a reduction in Canada's diplomatic presence was within "international norms". "The state of our bilateral relations, the much higher number of Canadian diplomats in India, and their continued interference in our internal affairs warrant a parity in mutual diplomatic presence," it added. Canada has called for India to cooperate in the investigation but New Delhi has rejected the allegations and taken countermeasures, such as shutting down visa services for Canadians. Ottawa also expelled an Indian diplomat over the affair. 'Badgering the Canadians' Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said last month in New York that his country would be willing to examine any evidence presented by Canada. "We have actually been badgering the Canadians. We've given them loads of information about organized crime leadership which operates out of Canada," Jaishankar said, referring to Sikh separatists. "We have a situation where actually our diplomats are threatened, our consulates have been attacked," he added. The Indian government has called the accusations over the killing "absurd" and advised its nationals not to travel to parts of Canada "given the increase in anti-Indian activities." New Delhi also temporarily stopped processing visa applications in Canada. Nijjar, who immigrated to Canada in 1997 and became a Canadian citizen in 2015, was shot dead by two masked assailants in the parking lot of a Sikh temple near Vancouver in June. Canada is home to some 770,000 Sikhs, who make up about two percent of the country's population, with a vocal minority calling for creating a separate state of Khalistan. The Sikh separatist movement is largely finished within India, where security forces used deadly force to put down an insurgency in the state of Punjab in the 1980s. Hundreds of Sikh protesters rallied outside Indian diplomatic missions in Canada last month, burning flags and trampling on pictures of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Tensions between Ottawa and New Delhi have created a delicate situation for close Canadian ally Washington, which is seeking closer ties with India in a bid to limit Chinese influence in the region. The post Canada withdraws 41 diplomats from India in row over separatist killing appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ecuador officials fired as 7th ‘assassin’ slain in prison
Another suspect in the assassination of a presidential candidate in Ecuador has died in prison, the same fate that befell six other suspects to the crime at another penal facility. The prison authority reported Saturday the killing of the Colombian suspect at the El Inca prison in Quito as President Guillermo Lasso announced the sacking of the police force’s general commander, investigations chief and prisons director. Lasso’s office also said it will file a criminal complaint against the director of the Guayaquil prison, where the six prisoners were said to have died amid “disturbances.” “He has already been detained... to give his version before the prosecutor’s office,” the presidency said. Authorities have not provided details on the inmate deaths, nor explained how the Quito prison failed to provide extra protection for the seventh suspect following Friday’s killings. All dead victims were arrested and detained in August over their alleged involvement in the assassination of anti-corruption crusader Fernando Villavicencio. The centrist candidate who had been polling in second place was gunned down days ahead of the 20 August as he left a stadium where he held a campaign rally. One suspected assassin was killed by police responding to the shooting of Villavicencio, while another six were arrested. The suspects’ deaths come just over a week before the election between leftist frontrunner Luisa Gonzalez and challenger Daniel Noboa. The winner of the 15 October vote will succeed Lasso, who called snap polls to avoid possible impeachment for embezzlement. The post Ecuador officials fired as 7th ‘assassin’ slain in prison appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
P1.7-M worth shabu seized from alleged Sultan Kudarat drug dealer
Anti-narcotics agents seized P1.7 million worth of shabu from an alleged drug dealer, entrapped in Esperanza town in Sultan Kudarat province on Friday......»»
Ecuador probes AI-generated pornographic videos
Ecuadoran prosecutors launched an investigation on Thursday into the distribution of videos generated by artificial intelligence that showed sexual content using images of students. The probe was opened following "the dissemination of images and videos of students of an educational institution in Quito, modified using AI," the prosecutor's office said on X, formerly known as Twitter. The alleged perpetrators manipulated teenagers' pictures by superimposing their faces onto other people's naked bodies. Sybel Martinez of the anti-bullying program Grupo Rescate Escolar said that there were "approximately 700 videos of sexual and erotic content" involving images of between 20 and 24 students. Distributing child and adolescent pornography is punishable by up to 16 years in jail in Ecuador. The investigation follows an incident in Spain where AI-generated nudes of underage girls were distributed. The advent of AI has caused growing concern around the world that the technology can be used for malicious purposes such as the creation of so-called "deepfakes" -- computer-generated, often realistic images and video, based on a real template. About 96 percent of deepfake videos online are non-consensual pornography, and most of them depict women, according to a 2019 study by the Dutch AI company Sensity. The post Ecuador probes AI-generated pornographic videos appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tabuk mayor’s plea junked
The Sandiganbayan on Thursday announced that it has junked Tabuk City Mayor Darwin Estrañero’s bid to quash graft raps filed against him in connection with the alleged procurement of medical supplies at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic that were “grossly overpriced.” In a 9-page resolution signed on 4 October, the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division turned down the mayor’s appeal, owing to lack of merit. To recall, Estrañero was charged with breaching the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act or RA 3019 for entering into contracts with various suppliers in May 2020 for purchasing medical supplies that were 135 percent to 609 percent grossly overpriced. Based on the charges, Estrañero allegedly entered into contracts notwithstanding an order from the executive on a price freeze on emergency supplies under Joint Memorandum Circular 2020-01. The post Tabuk mayor’s plea junked appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Indian police raid homes of media people
Indian anti-terror police said Tuesday they had arrested two people linked to a news website and raided the homes of 44 others, in a case reportedly connected to alleged Chinese funding. The dawn raids in the capital New Delhi raised international concerns over the situation for media in a country where press freedom has nosedived. Those raided are reported to be connected to NewsClick, an English-language news website that Indian authorities filed a case against in 2021 alleging it was receiving foreign funding. The New York Times in August reported that NewsClick was financed by United States millionaire Neville Roy Singham, saying it “sprinkled its coverage with Chinese government talking points” — claims Singham rejected. The report accused Singham of working closely with Beijing and of “financing its propaganda worldwide.” The post Indian police raid homes of media people appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM says govt will not tolerate agri hoarders as rice smugglers apprehended
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reiterated that the government would not tolerate smugglers plaguing the agriculture sector as the government has already apprehended four rice traders for alleged smuggling and hoarding of rice. Speaking during the distribution of rice in Taguig on Wednesday, Marcos said the government will not tolerate those who take advantage and harm our livelihood and the entire agricultural sector. Marcos Jr. cited Republic Act No. 10845, which allows for the imprisonment for life and double fines for those proven to be smuggling agricultural products, including all associated taxes, duties, and charges. He also highlighted Republic Act No. 7581, which imposes heavy penalties on individuals caught illegally stockpiling supplies. Marcos also said that the government has charged four violators for violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, the Rice Tariffication Law, and the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016. "We have now filed charges against San Pedro Warehouse and Blue Sakura Agri Grain Corporation, F.S. Ostia Rice Mill, and Gold Rush Rice Mill for their actions," Marcos said. He also emphasized that there is no rice shortage in the country and placed the blame squarely on smugglers, hoarders, and price manipulators for the fluctuating prices. "You know, there shouldn't be any problem with rice. We have an abundant supply. Our buffer stock, as they say, our reserves are at 30 days, and it's steadily increasing," Marcos said, adding that the country would have more than 70 days of rice buffer after the harvest. President Marcos Jr. also commended the efforts of ordinary citizens engaged in urban farming initiatives in Taguig. He applauded projects like the BGC Community Farm, situated in the heart of Bonifacio Global City, and the City Farm led by student Anna Beatriz Suavengco, showcasing the cultivation of vegetables in an urban farm in North Signal, Taguig. The Taguig Agriculture Office was not left out of the President's praise, as he lauded their extensive efforts to promote urban gardening in communities. The post PBBM says govt will not tolerate agri hoarders as rice smugglers apprehended appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Teacher who slapped student probed
The Schools Division Office of Antipolo City on Tuesday said it is taking “appropriate actions” to address the alleged child abuse incident at an elementary school in Antipolo City. “We have forwarded the required intake sheet, incident report, and narrative report to the Office of the Regional Director, DepEd Region IV-A, for information and appropriate action,” DepEd Antipolo said in a statement. DepEd Antipolo added that the Office of the Regional Director had issued an order designating a fact-finding team. Last 20 September at about 9 a.m., 14-year-old Francis Jay Minggoy Gumikib, a Grade 5 student at the Peñafrancia Spring Valley Elementary School in Barangay Cupang, Antipolo City, was allegedly slapped by his teacher, Mirasol Sison. Gumikib reportedly developed a severe headache after the incident and was brought to the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Marikina City for treatment only on 26 September. He died at the hospital on Monday, 2 October. A complaint of homicide in relation to the Anti-Child Abuse Law would be filed against the teacher. An autopsy of the student’s remains was requested to determine the cause of death. “Currently, the school principal has assigned an alternate teacher to handle the classes of the teacher concerned who is on official leave,” it added. DepEd Antipolo has formed a team of selected registered guidance counselors, school health nutrition unit representatives, and youth formation development coordinators to help avert a repeat of the incident. The post Teacher who slapped student probed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»