Can a drug-cleared barangay status be reverted?
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Barangays that were declared drug-cleared in Central Visayas can be reverted from their status once barangay officials and the community cease from taking actions in maintaining their status. With 14 barangays in Central Visayas declared drug-cleared on Friday, May 20, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-7) which is the chairman of […] The post Can a drug-cleared barangay status be reverted? appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Shabu dealer linked to Dawlah Islamiya busted in Marawi
Another drug trafficker identified with the Dawlah Islamiya was arrested after selling P102,000 worth of shabu to non-uniformed policemen in a sting operation Thursday in Barangay Cabasaran in Marawi City......»»
Balamban site is for road project, not Capitol bldg – Gwen
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The cleared site in Barangay Cambuhawe, Balamban, in western Cebu, is not for the new Capitol building, but for nationally funded road projects. Cebu Provincial Governor Gwen Garcia made this clarification after photos of a deforested mountain in Balamban, initially thought to be the site development of the new Capitol building,.....»»
Drug den in Punta Princesa, Cebu City shut down, three men nabbed
CEBU CITY, Philippines — With the help of concerned citizens, law enforcers arrested three newly identified drug personalities and dismantled a suspected drug den in Sitio Tres de Abril, Barangay Punta Princesa, Cebu City on Thursday afternoon, March 21, 2024. The drug bust took place at around 1:25 p.m. in the barangay, which was previously.....»»
Drug den in Brgy. Apas: Couple nabbed, P108,800 ‘shabu’ seized
CEBU CITY, Philippine — A couple was arrested for allegedly running a drug den in Barangay Apas, Cebu City on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, with call center agents and habal-habal drivers as their usual clients. A buy-bust operation at around 5:30 p.m. led to the arrest of Jonathan Roca, 44, and his common law partner,.....»»
The Municipality of Baras and one Barangay in Caramoran Declared Drug-Cleared
In the deliberation conducted by the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing (ROCBDC) at nine o’clock in the morning on the 19th of January, the Municipality of Baras was officially declared a “Drug-Cleared Municipality,” while Barangay Baybay in the Municipality of Caramoran was declared a Drug-Cleared Barangay. The activity was led by Dir III […] The post The Municipality of Baras and one Barangay in Caramoran Declared Drug-Cleared appeared first on Bicol Peryodiko......»»
Laing 5 ka barangay sa siyudad sa Mandaue ma-drug-cleared na
Laing 5 ka barangay sa siyudad sa Mandaue ma-drug-cleared na.....»»
More barangays eyed to be drug-cleared
In the Philippines, the Drug Enforcement Agency is spearheading an operation to clear barangays of drugs in preparation for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections. So far, 945 out of 1162 barangays across five provinces have been cleared. The operation is a joint effort between the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Department of Health, the Philippine National Police, local government entities, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency......»»
P23.6-B narcotics seized in PBBM term
Authorities have seized P23.62 billion worth of narcotics across the country since the start of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said on Monday. The latest PDEA data also showed 61,269 were arrested, including 4,174 high-value targets, during 44,338 anti-illegal drugs operations from 1 July 2022 to September 30 this year. It said a total of P23.62 billion worth of illegal drugs which includes over 3,000 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride locally known as shabu, 25.78 kilograms of cocaine, 43,940 pieces of ecstasy, and 2,739.93 kilograms of marijuana were apprehended. Authorities likewise dismantled 683 drug dens and one clandestine shabu laboratory during the same period. At least 27,748 out of 42,046 barangays (villages) have been declared drug-cleared as of September 30 while 7,785 are still drug-affected. The barangays with drug-cleared status were issued certifications by members of the oversight committee on the barangay drug-clearing program. In a related development, Quezon City Police District Director Brg. Gen. Redrico Maranan on Monday said that 817 drug suspects and confiscated P41,124,151.60 worth of illegal drugs in a series of buy-bust operations conducted for the third quarter of this year in the city Maranan also said that a total of 458 anti-drug operations were conducted by the different police stations and units of QCPD which resulted in the confiscation of 5,699.72 grams of shabu, 18,442.13 grams of marijuana, and 158 grams of Kush or high-grade marijuana. On top of these were the operations conducted by the Novaliches Police Station 4 under Lt. Col. Jerry Castillo that led to the arrest of 74 drug personalities and the confiscation of P9,363,399.60 worth of illegal drugs followed by the District Drug Enforcement Unit under officer-in-charge Maj. Wennie Ann Cale who apprehended 29 drug peddlers and confiscated PHP8,851,200.00 worth of shabu and marijuana. Likewise, the Kamuning PS 10 under Lt. Col. Robert Amoranto confiscated P4,017,304.00 and arrested 78 drug suspects while the Talipapa PS 3 under Lt. Col. Morgan Aguilar nabbed 53 drug suspects and seized P3,962,680 worth of illegal drugs. Meanwhile, 55 drug peddlers were also arrested and P3,628,304 worth of illegal drugs and confiscated by the operatives of the Batasan PS 6 under Lt. Col. Paterno Domondon Jr. The post P23.6-B narcotics seized in PBBM term appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NTF-ELCAC gives Church a seat
The Catholic Church will play a more significant role in the anti-insurgency effort through a recalibrated National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, or NTF-ELCAC, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said yesterday. The task force will now have the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs as a member. “We welcome the CBCP through its Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs to the NTF-ELCAC Executive Committee and we look forward to working with them in pursuing peace and development in all parts of the country, especially in conflict-affected areas,” Año said. The task force indicated an openness to suggestions from the Church in adopting “moral and ethical approaches in addressing the communist insurgency,” as cited by CBCP president and Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David in a recent statement. “We are opening the door of NTF-ELCAC to the Church because it has an important role to play in ending violence and terrorism in the country,” Año said. “For more than 50 years, we have lived with the scourge of the communist armed conflict. With peace now in sight, the Church has an important role to play in ensuring peace and development in the long term,” he added. With the CBCP in the NTF-ELCAC, Año believes that concerns raised by the Church or by cause-oriented groups supported by them could be immediately addressed. “Because of this development, the Church will have more opportunity to relay its concerns, since its mandate is to act as a liaison of the CBCP to the government,” he said, citing the attendance of Fr. Jerome Secillano at the NTF-ELCAC executive committee meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang on Friday. Año reiterated that the task force’s main mandate is to formulate “whole-of-nation” policies to end armed conflict in the country. “CBCP’s membership in the task force ensures a whole-of-nation’s participation because the religious sector is an important component of the nation,” he said. Intervention in influenced areas Año sees the CBCP making significant contributions to the development of areas previously under the influence of the New People’s Army, as well as facilitating social inclusivity in the pursuit of peace. “Given that we are now on the road to total victory, it’s necessary that we recalibrate the way we do things and the entry of the CBCP to the NTF-ELCAC is one of the changes we have implemented under the Marcos administration,” he said. More rebels rejoin society NTF-ELCAC also expressed optimism the government can sustain its peace-building effort to encourage more rebels to reintegrate into mainstream society. At a forum on Saturday, NTF-ELCAC director Alexander Umpar said that in 2023, a total of 959 villages cleared of the insurgency were included in the Barangay Development Program or BDP, an initiative that aims to bring sustainable development programs to conflict-prone and conflict-affected communities. Under the BDP, each village recipient receives a package of programs, activities, and projects worth a maximum of P20 million. BDP beneficiaries in 2021 and 2022 numbered 822 and 1,406, respectively, he said. Umpar said the NTF-ELCAC is confident that by 2028, it would have attained its goal of achieving lasting peace and development in areas that are vulnerable to armed conflict. “‘By 2028, it is about sustaining the momentum of NTF-ELCAC gains with regard to the dismantling of guerrilla fronts, the reintegration of former rebels, and most of all, building resiliency for our communities under the ambit of good governance toward unity, peace and development,” he said. The government, he said, has dismantled 69 of 89 guerrilla fronts since the creation of the task force in 2018. One of the 20 remaining guerrilla fronts, he said, is active while 19 others had weakened. “‘When we say strategic victory, this (because) of the 19 weakened guerrilla fronts and only one is left to be confronted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he said. “There are still concerns about the armed groups but they are no longer able to initiate an armed struggle or to topple our government. So, that’s the strategic victory,” Umpar said. On the other hand, NTF-ELCAC director Jose Descallar urged rebels to give up and join the government in its goal of transforming the country into a “new Philippines.” He said the military could shift its focus to “external threats,” once the government is able to address the local insurgency. Meanwhile, Director Emmanuel Santos of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity said the conduct of localized peace engagements has been proven to be the “most effective” approach in addressing the communist insurgency. “We’re localizing the engagement so we will be closer to the people to make them feel that the government is really here,” Santos said. He added, however, that there should be “clear directions” to ensure the full reintegration of FRs into mainstream society. The post NTF-ELCAC gives Church a seat appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NTF-ELCAC to sustain peace-building efforts
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict over the weekend expressed optimism that the government would be able to sustain its peace-building efforts to encourage more rebels to reintegrate into mainstream society. At the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, NTF-ELCAC director Alexander Umpar said that in 2023, a total of 959 villages cleared of insurgency threats were included in the Barangay Development Program (BDP), an initiative that aims to bring sustainable development programs to conflict-prone and conflict-affected communities. Under the BDP, each village recipient will receive a package of programs, activities, and projects (PAPs) worth a maximum total of P20 million. BDP beneficiaries in 2021 and 2022 were pegged at 822 and 1,406, respectively, he said. Umpar said the NTF-ELCAC is bullish that by 2028, it would attain its goal of achieving lasting peace and development in areas that are vulnerable to armed conflicts. “By 2028, it is about sustaining the momentum of NTF-ELCAC gains with regards to the dismantling of these guerilla fronts, the reintegration of our FRs, and most of all, building resiliency for our communities under the ambit of good governance towards the unity, peace, and development,” he said. Umpar added that the government has dismantled 69 of 89 guerilla fronts since the creation of the task force in 2018. One of the 20 remaining guerilla fronts, he said, is active while 19 others are already weakened. “‘When we say strategic victory, this is the 19 weakened guerilla fronts and only one is left to be confronted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines),” he said. “There are still concerns about the armed groups but they are no longer able to initiate an armed struggle or topple down our government. So, ‘yun ‘yung (that’s the) strategic victory,” Umpar said. On the other hand, NTF-ELCAC director Jose Descallar urged rebels to give up and join the government in its goal of transforming the country into a “new Philippines.” He said the military could shift its focus on “external threats,” once the government is able to address local insurgency. Meanwhile, Director Emmanuel Santos Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity said the conduct of localized peace engagements has been proven to be the “most effective” approach in addressing communist insurgency. “We're localizing the engagement so we will be closer to the people to make them feel that the government is really here,” Santos said. However, he added that there should be “clear directions” to ensure the full reintegration of former rebels (FRs) into mainstream society. The post NTF-ELCAC to sustain peace-building efforts appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Over 27K villages ‘drug-cleared’
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Friday announced that more than 27,000 barangays across the country have been cleared of illegal drugs since the start of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. It disclosed that 27,553 out of 42,045 barangays have been declared drug-cleared as of 31 July, while 7,975 are still drug-affected and PDEA said that these barangays have reached drug-cleared status after the issuance of a certification by members of the oversight committee on the barangay drug-clearing program. Latest PDEA data also showed 57,474 were arrested during 41,587 anti-illegal drugs operations from 1 July 2022 to 31 July this year. Authorities likewise dismantled 622 drug dens and one clandestine shabu laboratory during the same period. PDEA also said the authorities have seized a total of P23.23 billion worth of narcotics across the country in the same period. The post Over 27K villages ‘drug-cleared’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
At least 21 dead as boat capsizes
At least 21 people were reported to have died while 30 others were rescued after their boat sank in waters just meters from their port of origin in Barangay Kalinawan, Binangonan, Rizal. An initial report by the Philippine Coast Guard’s substation in Binangonan identified the sunken outrigger boat as Princess Aya. The PCG said the boat departed from Binangonan at around 12:30 p.m. en route to Gulod, Talim Island, “when it encountered strong winds, causing all passengers to panic and rush to the port (left) side.” PCG spokesperson Armando Balilo said the boat was cleared by the PCG to sail as there was no longer a typhoon signal in the area. The boat capsized hours after typhoon “Egay” had left the Philippine area of responsibility. Local disaster official Jose Hernandez confirmed the number of fatalities. Two female boat passengers were declared dead on arrival at a local hospital in Darangan at around 4:30 p.m. A report by ABS-CBN said there were only 24 names in Princess Aya’s passenger manifest. @tribunephl_Lade The post At least 21 dead as boat capsizes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl Air Force augments disaster response ops in Baguio, Ilocos Norte
The Philippine Air Force, through its Tactical Operations Group 1 (TOG 1) and 505th Search and Rescue Group (505th SRG), is conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations in Baguio City and Ilocos Norte after Super Typhoon Egay battered Northern Luzon. PAF spokesperson Col. Consuelo Castillo said their search and rescue team, together with personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection, cleared the obstructed roads in Barangay Loakan, Baguio City. A separate response team in Ilocos Norte rescued and evacuated stranded residents who have been affected by the continuous pouring rains that resulted in flooding in the province’s Barangay Barong. “The PAF remains committed to its mission of safeguarding the Filipino people and will continue to provide swift assistance to communities in need during calamities,” Castillo said.### The post Phl Air Force augments disaster response ops in Baguio, Ilocos Norte 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......»»
Echiverri cleared of graft, falsification raps
The Sandiganbayan has acquitted former Caloocan City mayor Enrico Echiverri of graft and falsification charges in connection with the procurement of P25.816 million worth of group life insurance policies for barangay officials in 2013......»»
Sandiganbayan clears ex-Tagbina mayor
The Sandiganbayan Third Division recently acquitted former Tagbina town, Surigao del Sur Mayor Rufo Pabelonia of technical malversation as no further evidence was presented to prove ill will on his part, other than discrepancies on computation. The anti-graft court Third Division cleared Pabelonia of alleged technical malversation involving P300,000 in municipal funds. “Reviewing closely the evidence introduced by both parties, this Court is convinced beyond a moral certainty that accused Mayor Pabelonia did not act with evident bad faith in the construction of the gymnasium to the detriment of the government,” said the anti-graft court in a 30-page ruling. Pabelonia, now 70, was mayor from 1986 to 1995. The three charges involved Pabelonia’s part in allegedly diverting P63,000 from local funds appropriated for the construction of the Tagbina Municipal Building to pay for the cash gift of municipal officials and employees, including casual workers, in 1990. The second charge also involved the diversion of P151,642 from funds intended for the Tagongon Barangay Gymnasium to pay the claim of another municipal building contractor, while the third charge was for unexplained expenses worth P54,849 for the same gymnasium. Pabelonia was cleared in other graft raps arising from other projects in 1987, for which he was arrested in Davao City in 2018 for failing to appear in his arraignments. The Sandiganbayan said then that “the prosecution was not able to present proof other than the documents signed by Pabelonia.” Last year, the Sandiganbayan acquitted him of another graft charge stemming from projects for rehabilitating a public school in his town 26 years ago, citing the prosecution’s failure to show evidence other than paperwork signed by the local chief executive. The post Sandiganbayan clears ex-Tagbina mayor appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Live where you patrol, Okubo tells NCR cops
P/Maj. Gen. Edgar Allan Okubo, the chief of the National Capital Region Police Office, said Friday he wants to keep Metro Manila barangays drug-free by letting policemen live in the areas they are patrolling. Okubo said the government must not turn its back on barangays that have been reportedly cleared of illegal drugs. “The problem with illegal drugs is they keep coming back,” he said. “We have barangay drug-clearing programs, declare a barangay cleared, and put users through a recovery wellness program.” “Then we leave them behind. But under our Revitalized Police sa Barangay, our policemen live in the barangays and maintain the drug-free status of the area to ensure that it won’t be affected again,” he added. The police official said he would seek the help of other stakeholders to make sure the barangays’ needs for government services are met. He pointed out that the RPB program looks at what the people need in terms of government services and livelihood, then they are connected to other stakeholders like non-government organizations so those needs can be met. The Philippine Statistics Authority said Metro Manila has a population of almost 13.5 million people as of May 2020. The Department of the Interior and Local Government launched last year its “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan,” or BIDA, program that aims to clamp down on the demand for drugs through communities. The strategy is a complete turnabout from the strategy of the previous administration. The post Live where you patrol, Okubo tells NCR cops appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
AFP monitoring 300 villages amid upcoming barangay, SK polls
The Armed Forces of the Philippines said it is monitoring more or less 300 villages nationwide amid the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October. In an interview with reporters on Wednesday, AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar clarified that these areas under monitoring were previously cleared of the influence of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army. “They are not election hotspots for the BSK Election. They are barangays that we want to clear or to remain clear from the presence of armed insurgents, which will be helpful in the conduct of a secure and free election,” he said. Aguilar said the CPP-NPA rebels are trying to recover their strength in those areas "where they have a presence." “We are also looking at areas where there are still active guerilla fronts like the Samar area,” he added. The AFP said there are 22 remaining CPP-NPA guerrilla fronts nationwide, but only two are still actively operating. No groups of former military personnel tapped for illegal activities in connection with elections have so far been monitored, said Aguilar. “We are strengthening our counterintelligence capabilities to make sure that we can still monitor those who have special skills so they don’t get hired for illegal activities,” he added. Aguilar also stressed that the process of determining the "Election Areas of Concern" shall be done by the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns. The post AFP monitoring 300 villages amid upcoming barangay, SK polls appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Troops recover firearms from Northern Samar clash
TACLOBAN CITY — The Philippine Army revealed that at least 15 assorted firearms were recovered in the latest armed encounter between the communist New People’s Army and government troops in the hinterlands of Barangay Magsaysay, Mapanas, Northern Samar early Wednesday morning. 8th Infantry Division spokesperson Capt. Jefferson Mariano disclosed that troops from the 74th Infantry Battalion had a brief skirmish with members of NPA’s Platoon 1, Front Committee 15 of the Sub-Regional Committee Arctic, of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee. Mariano narrated that government soldiers were conducting focused military operation based on information provided by a surrendered rebel about the location of the rebel’s hideout when they clashed with an estimated 30 NPA members that lasted for about 20 minutes. The operation resulted to the capture of two M14 rifles, two AK47 rifles, two M16 Rifles, two M4 rifles, one Ingram, one Uzi submachine gun, one homemade shotgun, three cal.45 pistol, one 38 revolver, one bandolier, 12 backpacks and subversive documents. Mariano said one soldier sustained a minor injury after he was hit by a bullet on his left arm. Blood stains were also seen on the track where the communist rebels fled indicating that there were casualties on the enemies’ side. Meantime, Colonel Efren Morados, commander of the 803rd Infantry Brigade, which has the operational control of the area, lauded the collaboration of the 74IB and the former rebels that resulted in the major setback of the communists in Northern Samar. “We will relentlessly pursue them, for we are determined to put an end to their atrocities here in Northern Samar. Despite this, we are still offering you peace to start a new life with your loved ones. Lay down your arms and return to the folds of the law,” Morados said. 8th Infantry Division commander Major General Camilo Z. Ligayo also commended the troops for their unwavering effort and commitment to sustain the operations in addressing the CTGs in the region and ensuring safety and security in Eastern Visayas. The Regional Task Forced to End Communist Armed Conflict had previously conducted a Community Support Program in Barangay Magsaysay of Mapanas Northern Samar. The village was declared cleared of communist control last 10 November 2022, after its underground mass organization was unearthed, and politico-military structures were dismantled. The post Troops recover firearms from Northern Samar clash appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NPA-cleared Ifugao barangays get boost
The Department of the Interior and Local Government announced on Thursday that at least P24 million-worth of infrastructure projects were given to insurgency-cleared barangays of Ifugao under the Support to Barangay Development Program. DILG Cordillera Administrative Region director Araceli San Jose said the projects will provide the concerned community residents with safer access to health, education, transportation and delivery of farm produce to the market centers that will boost the economic development in the barangays. “The implementation of the Support to Barangay Development Program is a game-changer in our fight for justice, long lasting peace and inclusive and sustainable development in the country,” San Jose said. The post NPA-cleared Ifugao barangays get boost appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»