Category: Peace and Order

Gun ban should go with crime prevention

Published by Ellen on January 14, 2013

By Ace Esmeralda, VERA Files

A .45 caliber pistol like this one was used in the accidental shooting of Stephanie Nicole and in the rampage of Ronal Bae. Photo by SecurityMatters

The election period in the Philippines began Sunday and signalled the start of a nationwide total gun ban expected to minimize election-related offenses, particularly gun-related violence among political groups and clans.

For many, the gun ban brings some relief, especially since the country enters this period with heightened fear of gun-related violence.

The accidental death of 7-year-old Stephanie Nichole Ella in Caloocan City from a stray bullet fired on New Year’s Eve, to the killing of 10 people by an alleged mentally deranged and drug-crazed frustrated village politician in Kawit, Cavite a few days later have prompted calls for a total gun ban, gunless society, taking into the arena issues against gun ownership, regulation and control. Some quarters even associate gun crimes with President Benigno Aquino III’s passion for guns.

Scary cop

Published by Ellen on January 10, 2013

Hansel Marantan — Marantan: bloodied hands. Thanks to Philippine Star for photo.

Police officers are supposed to protect life and property.

Their being armed is supposed to protect citizens from lawless elements. It goes without saying that they should have a high value for life and respect for human rights.

That’s why we hope and pray that Police Supt. Hansel Marantan is an exception in the police force.

Consider his notorious record:

On Nov. 7, 2005, operatives of the national police Traffic Management Group killed Francis Xavier Manzano, Anton Cu-Unjieng and Brian Anthony Dulay while inside a maroon Nissan Exalta at the Ortigas Business District in Pasig City.

Police said they were suspected members of the Valle Verde car theft gang and that they were under surveillance for sometime before that fateful day when they were stopped at a checkpoint. Police said the three opened fire at them.

Their claim would have passed if not for UNTV crew who happened to be there and took video of what turned out to be cold-blooded murder.

Urgent call for gun control

Published by Ellen on January 8, 2013

As always, we need to be violently jolted to do what is needed to be done. Whether the three recent incidents are harrowing enough for our authorities and lawmakers to move remain to be seen.

Atimonan shootout — Bodies strewn after the gunbattle.

Last Sunday, 13 people died in a gun battle in Atimonan, Quezon. The reports get uglier as the root of the shootout or rubout is being uncovered. Three of those killed were members of the Philippine National Police and another three had identification cards of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Reports said the killings have something to do with jueteng.

Reports said authorities recovered from the vehicles 11 .45 ca. pistols, a 9 mm pistol, an M14 rifle and an M16 carbine.

Last Friday, a defeated candidate for barangay captain, Ronald Bae, went on a rampage with his .45 cal. Gun in Kawit, Cavite killing eight people including a pregnant woman, two children and a taho vendor who just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

What to do when you lose a cellphone

Published by Ellen on December 20, 2012

pickpocket at work — Pickpocket at work. Thanks to On the Road website.

I lost my cellphone to a pickpocket at Southmall, Las Pinas the other day.

I was queuing at the Supermarket cashier with a few items for crema de frutta that I was going to make for friends. While waiting for my turn, I brought out my cellphone to check on some messages.

From the grocery, I went to the National Book Store to buy some books for my grandnieces and nephew. To make sure that they have not yet read the books that I was going to buy, I thought of calling their Mom. That’s when I found out that my cellphone was gone.

I’m really puzzled how the thief could have found an opportunity to pick my bag because I was wearing a body bag. But looking back, there was a brief moment when I had difficulty closing my bag because of zipper problems and I dropped my bag of groceries. Someone helped me with them and I even thanked him.

President Aquino accepts Puno’s resignation

Published by Ellen on September 11, 2012

From Official Gazette:

Puno at Senate hearing. Thanks to Yahoo for photo. — Thanks to Yahoo for photo.

Statement of Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda on the resignation of Undersecretary Rico E. Puno:

Last Friday, former DILG Undersecretary Rico E. Puno submitted his letter of resignation to the President, through Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. The President has accepted Mr. Puno’s resignation effective immediately.

Statement of Undersecretary Puno on his resignation, September 11, 2012

As Undersecretary for Peace and Order in the DILG, I am entrusted with duties and responsibilities that involve strict confidence, security and protocol. Violating the confidential nature of my duties may expose people to danger or jeopardize critical operations. Hence, I am duty-bound to act with restraint and circumspection, even when subjected to personal attacks in the mass media. This is why I have opted not to react to the speculative accusations that have been hurled against me by some media organizations.

This is the chronology of events that transpired on August 18 and 19, 2012 as I followed the orders of the President:

DILG is make or break for Roxas’ presidential dream

Published by Ellen on September 2, 2012

Mar Roxas2 — As LP head, he is entitled to be DILG head to further his presidential ambition

Now that he has taken the helm at the Department of Interior and Local Government, it’s a make or break for Mar Roxas in his bid for the presidency in 2016.

The position will allow him to be high profile, conduct headline- grabbing operations that will change his image from a lackluster, elitist politician to a swashbuckling crime buster. If he succeeds, he would be gliding easily to Malacanang four years from now.

It would be the realization of his long-planned campaign for the presidency, which was shelved in 2010 when he slid to the vice-presidential race (in favor of Aquino) which he lost for a variety of reasons including complacency.

If the DILG position catapults Roxas to the presidency, President Aquino could then consider to have duly repaid the former the huge favor extended to him. In the Philippine culture of debt and gratitude, we say,“Quits na”

Roxas’ appointment at the DILG has nothing to do with good governance. It’s all about Roxas’ presidential plans and the Liberal Party extending its hold on power beyond 2016.

Mar Roxas is new DILG chief

Published by Ellen on August 31, 2012

ABS-CBNnews.com

President Aquino on Friday appointed Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas as the new chief of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Roxas, 55, an economist and president of the Liberal Party (LP), will take over the position vacated by the late DILG chief Jesse Robredo who died in a plane crash last August 18.

Speaking to reporters, Aquino said Roxas was on top of a short list of candidates as Robredo’s replacement even before they had confirmed that he had died in the crash.

“When Secretary Robredo was missing, we had to entertain the possibility [of a replacement]. I told Mar that he was first on my shortlist in case we had to replace Jesse,” the President said.

“Hindi naman pwedeng patagalin ang pagtakbo ng gobyerno. Kailangan siguraduhin natin yung functions na hindi nagawa ng naitalaga ay ipasa na kaagad sa isang tao na magpapatuloy sa magandang naumpisahan ni Jesse,” he added.

Carabuena apologizes for assaulting Fabros

Published by Ellen on August 23, 2012

Photo courtesy of Yves Gonzales — Carabuena reading his apology to Fabros. Photo by Yves Gonzales. ABS-CBN

By Joseph Holandes Ubalde, InterAksyon.com

Far from his hot-tempered demeanor when he slapped and threw expletives at a traffic enforcer two weeks ago, a calm and apologetic Robert Carabuena went to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to say sorry and ask the public for a “second chance.”

News5’s Jun Loyola reported that Carabuena arrived at the MMDA office at around 8 a.m. Thursday with his lawyer. He stayed about five minutes and left after delivering his public apology in the presence of MMDA officers and personnel.

Click here to view video: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/metro-manila/08/23/12/carabuena-apologizes-mmda-traffic-aide

“Hindi po lingid sa karamihan ang aking ipinakitang hindi kagandahang asal (It’s not unknown to many the bad behavior I showed),” Carabuena said. “Ako po ay humihingi ng kapatawaran (I ask for forgiveness).”

Click here for the full copy of the apology: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/41181/carabuena-apologizes-for-assaulting-mmda-man

Carabuena said he didn’t leave his home after the incident, which was caught on tape by the staff of TV5’s T3 program, blew over the Internet, spurring discussions on the conduct of motorists and MMDA officers on the streets.

Road rage triggers online rage

Published by Ellen on August 16, 2012

Carabuena bullies a hapless traffic enforcer — David vs Goliath, Philippine version

Nobody enjoys a lopsided fight.

TV5 Interaksyon’s profile story of MMDA traffic enforcer Saturnino Fabros explains the online rage that the video of the incident generated compelling the multinational company Philip Morris to suspend its offending Human Resource officer.

Interaksyon wrote: “ Robert Blair Carabuena, tobacco firm executive caught on video mauling an MMDA traffic enforcer, could not have picked a more pitiful underdog to assault on national television.”

It was a revolting picture: an arrogant, plump,Volvo-driving, Ateneo-educated, multinational company executive berating and mauling a hapless traffic enforcer whose physique is typical of people of Payatas, where he lives and raises singlehandly six children on an P8,000 monthly salary.

The incredible abduction of Rolito Go

Published by Ellen on August 15, 2012

Maguan Family’s statement,Aug. 16:

The family does not believe the claims of convicted killer Rolito Go that he was abducted, then suddenly released. It is very much like a zarzuela that was very poorly-written. This mockery of justice should not be condoned by the authorities.

See full statement in comments.

Update: Rolito Go surfaces, now in police custody
ABS-CBNnews.com

Convicted killer Rolito Go is now in police custody after he went missing from the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) in Muntinlupa City Tuesday night.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Director-General Nicanor Bartolome said Go and his nephew, Clemence Yu, are already in the custody of the PNP-Anti-Kidnapping Group in Camp Crame.

Go told police that he and his nephew were supposedly released by their alleged kidnappers in Tanauan, Batangas.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/08/15/12/rolito-go-surfaces-now-police-custody

Statement from the Maguan Family

We are deeply saddened and grieved by the latest news that convicted killer Rolito Go disappeared from the New Bilibid Prison last night and successfully escaped prison. This is his second escape.

Rolito Go was convicted for shooting and killing our brother Eldon in 1991. Eldon, the third in our family, was a 25-year old engineering student from De La Salle University. He was seated in his car when Rolito Go, in an attempt to alter the traffic, broke a one-way portion of Wilson St., San Juan and mercilessly shot Eldon in the head in a road rage fit. Our brother, who just bought pizza, was killed. News of Go’s escape has brought back the family’s grief and trauma over Eldon’s unjust death.

Contrary to statements that Go was believed to have been abducted, our sources say he is presently with his daughter, who is an intern at the Chinese General Hospital. The family finds it difficult to believe that Go can be kidnapped or abducted and even held for ransom while he was safely inside the Bureau of Prisons in Muntinlupa.