LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines — A light aircraft on Tuesday exploded on landing at an airport here at about 10 a.m., police said.
Chief Inspector Realito Rodriguez, deputy police chief of Lingayen, said Japhit Chua and Raven John Mirasol, both student pilots who were seen boarding the plane here at 9:25 a.m., were missing.
He said policemen and rescuers did not find Chua or Mirasol in the plane or near the crash site.
Citing witnesses' accounts, Rodriguez said the plane (body number RP-C8204) veered off the runway as it touched down. It then crashed into a concrete wall and exploded.
Officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines here declined to issue a statement pending an investigation. (report from Gabriel Cardinoza, Inquirer Northern Luzon)
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Arroyo hails Reyes for ‘courage, patriotic service’
MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) Former president and Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo hailed former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes for his “courage and patriotic service” as she condoled with his family over the untimely death.
“We join the family, friends and colleagues of Secretary Angelo Reyes in mourning his tragic passing. … We pray for the repose of his soul, and call on our people to remember above all his courage and patriotic service,” Arroyo said through her spokesperson Elena Horn-Bautista.
Arroyo said Reyes “served his country well in uniform and in the halls of government, particularly at a critical moment in our history when our people called for radical reform of governance, an extraordinary time that demanded extraordinary measures.”
Arroyo personally went to see Reyes at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center where he was brought after reportedly shooting himself.
In separate text messages, former colleagues of Reyes in the Arroyo Cabinet expressed sympathy to his family over his death.
Bohol Representative and former Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said Reyes was not only a colleague in government service, but a family friend.
"Manong Angie [Reyes] saw me grow up playing tennis with his kids. He was a friend of my father. We continue to be in shock over what has happened and find it difficult to say much at this point except that we will sorely miss him,” Yap said.
Former presidential legislative liaison office head Jake Lagonera also expressed shock over the incident.
“Angie was a friend. I knew him as a good and honorable man. We worked together and I always found him to be a gentleman. He will be missed,” he said.
Former Public Works Secretary Vic Domingo remembered Reyes as a man who deeply cared for the environment.
“I remember working with Secretary Reyes on the reforestation of the denuded mountains around Catbalogan [Samar] while I was presidential assistant for Eastern Visayas. He was a man who cared deeply for the environment ,” Domingo said.
Reyes served as chief of staff, defense secretary, local government secretary and energy secretary during the nine-year administration of Arroyo from 2001 to 2010. He played a large role in catapulting Arroyo to power when, as Armed Forces chief, he led the military in ousting then president Joseph Estrada in a second “people power revolt.” (report from Lira Dalangin-Fernandez, Inquirer.net)
“We join the family, friends and colleagues of Secretary Angelo Reyes in mourning his tragic passing. … We pray for the repose of his soul, and call on our people to remember above all his courage and patriotic service,” Arroyo said through her spokesperson Elena Horn-Bautista.
Arroyo said Reyes “served his country well in uniform and in the halls of government, particularly at a critical moment in our history when our people called for radical reform of governance, an extraordinary time that demanded extraordinary measures.”
Arroyo personally went to see Reyes at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center where he was brought after reportedly shooting himself.
In separate text messages, former colleagues of Reyes in the Arroyo Cabinet expressed sympathy to his family over his death.
Bohol Representative and former Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said Reyes was not only a colleague in government service, but a family friend.
"Manong Angie [Reyes] saw me grow up playing tennis with his kids. He was a friend of my father. We continue to be in shock over what has happened and find it difficult to say much at this point except that we will sorely miss him,” Yap said.
Former presidential legislative liaison office head Jake Lagonera also expressed shock over the incident.
“Angie was a friend. I knew him as a good and honorable man. We worked together and I always found him to be a gentleman. He will be missed,” he said.
Former Public Works Secretary Vic Domingo remembered Reyes as a man who deeply cared for the environment.
“I remember working with Secretary Reyes on the reforestation of the denuded mountains around Catbalogan [Samar] while I was presidential assistant for Eastern Visayas. He was a man who cared deeply for the environment ,” Domingo said.
Reyes served as chief of staff, defense secretary, local government secretary and energy secretary during the nine-year administration of Arroyo from 2001 to 2010. He played a large role in catapulting Arroyo to power when, as Armed Forces chief, he led the military in ousting then president Joseph Estrada in a second “people power revolt.” (report from Lira Dalangin-Fernandez, Inquirer.net)
Suicide one of the biggest sins against life — Bishop Iñiguez
MANILA, Philippines — It is one of the biggest crimes and sins against life. If a person committed suicide, he is not allowed a Christian burial.
This was what Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez said in a Radyo Inquirer interview Tuesday regarding the alleged suicide of former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes who was recently tagged in massive corruption in the military.
Iñiguez, however, said that Reyes could still be granted a Christian burial “if there is any doubt that it was a deliberate suicide or there were signs of repentance before he died.” (report from Inquirer.net / DZIQ-Radyo Inquirer)
This was what Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez said in a Radyo Inquirer interview Tuesday regarding the alleged suicide of former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes who was recently tagged in massive corruption in the military.
Iñiguez, however, said that Reyes could still be granted a Christian burial “if there is any doubt that it was a deliberate suicide or there were signs of repentance before he died.” (report from Inquirer.net / DZIQ-Radyo Inquirer)
Reyes said ‘sorry’ — eyewitness
MANILA, Philippines — “Sorry” was the last word that former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes uttered when he committed suicide Tuesday morning in front of the grave of her mother at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City.
This was according to a Radyo Inquirer interview with Feliciano Recorba, a contractual maintenance staff at the Loyala Memorial Park, who rushed to help Reyes upon hearing a gunshot.
“Ang narinig ko po na sinabi niya ay sorry, palagay ko po ay para sa anak [I heard him say sorry, perhaps to his son],” Recorba told Radyo Inquirer. (report from Don Lejano, DZIQ-Radyo Inquirer)
Australian fires destroy 68 homes
PERTH - Firefighters on Tuesday brought a raging wildfire that destroyed 68 houses and damaged 32 others near the Australian city of Perth under control, officials said.
As soldiers and emergency workers helped clean up and repair battered towns on the country's east coast and restore electricity to residents hit by top-strength Cyclone Yasi last week, blazes burned in the west.
"One hundred... firefighters have worked throughout the day and into the night to contain the fire," the Western Australia fire service said after an all-night battle to control a devastating fire that erupted Sunday.
Fast and unpredictable flames swept through rugged terrain at Roleystone, on Perth's southern fringes, and along its northern outskirts at Red Hill, levelling 68 homes and scorching hundreds of hectares (acres) of forest.
The smouldering ruins of houses dotted the landscape on the outskirts of the country's fourth largest city, as the flames that sent residents fleeing from their homes into emergency shelters died down.
"We are talking hundreds of people (homeless), with 68 homes, that's 68 families, that are affected," said Allen Gale of the state Fire and Emergency Services agency.
About 150 firefighters worked through the night to dig fire breaks and strengthen containment lines around the Roleystone blaze, which has burnt about 440 hectares (1,100 acres).
Officials said that despite the ferocious flames, firefighters managed to save a number of homes, sheds and fences from the fire, which was accidentally sparked by someone using an angle grinder.
No deaths or serious injuries were reported, but a fireman was in a stable condition in hospital after being hit by a vehicle while several other people were treated for smoke inhalation.
The fire came just four days after Cyclone Yasi hit Queensland state, wreaking at least Aus$500 million ($500 million) in crop damage, and weeks after record flooding that killed more than 30 people and swamped tens of thousands of homes in Queensland and Victoria.
An especially strong La Nina weather system, typically bringing cyclones and floods to Australia, has been blamed for the extreme conditions. (report from Agence France-Presse)
As soldiers and emergency workers helped clean up and repair battered towns on the country's east coast and restore electricity to residents hit by top-strength Cyclone Yasi last week, blazes burned in the west.
"One hundred... firefighters have worked throughout the day and into the night to contain the fire," the Western Australia fire service said after an all-night battle to control a devastating fire that erupted Sunday.
Fast and unpredictable flames swept through rugged terrain at Roleystone, on Perth's southern fringes, and along its northern outskirts at Red Hill, levelling 68 homes and scorching hundreds of hectares (acres) of forest.
The smouldering ruins of houses dotted the landscape on the outskirts of the country's fourth largest city, as the flames that sent residents fleeing from their homes into emergency shelters died down.
"We are talking hundreds of people (homeless), with 68 homes, that's 68 families, that are affected," said Allen Gale of the state Fire and Emergency Services agency.
About 150 firefighters worked through the night to dig fire breaks and strengthen containment lines around the Roleystone blaze, which has burnt about 440 hectares (1,100 acres).
Officials said that despite the ferocious flames, firefighters managed to save a number of homes, sheds and fences from the fire, which was accidentally sparked by someone using an angle grinder.
No deaths or serious injuries were reported, but a fireman was in a stable condition in hospital after being hit by a vehicle while several other people were treated for smoke inhalation.
The fire came just four days after Cyclone Yasi hit Queensland state, wreaking at least Aus$500 million ($500 million) in crop damage, and weeks after record flooding that killed more than 30 people and swamped tens of thousands of homes in Queensland and Victoria.
An especially strong La Nina weather system, typically bringing cyclones and floods to Australia, has been blamed for the extreme conditions. (report from Agence France-Presse)
Ex-AFP chief shoots self amid graft charges
MANILA, Philippines — (UPDATE 4) Former Armed Forces Chief and Defense Secretary Angelo Tomas Reyes on Tuesday morning committed suicide by shooting himself in front of the grave of his mother at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City.
He was 65.
A close friend of Reyes called the Philippine Daily Inquirer to break the news, while Colonel Boogie De Leon, a former administrative officer of Reyes when he was AFP chief, said Reyes was rushed to the Quirino Hospital at about 7:45 a.m. to revive him. Members of his family could not be reached for comment.
De Leon said that Reyes’s son Jett called him up to inform him of the incident.
Reyes, who earlier suffered a mild stroke before the congressional investigations on the alleged AFP financial irregularities, said he could not take anymore the smear campaign against his name and his family.
“Not my family,” he said.
Reyes, who loved his mother very much when she was still alive, earlier told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in an interview that he would never do anything that would besmirch the name of “my good mother.”
In a press conference aired on radio and television, Health Secretary Enrique Ona confirmed Reyes has died from gunshot wound to the heart. He said Reyes was proclaimed dead on arrival at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City.
Ona said the doctors tried to resuscitate Reyes who was brought to the hospital at 7:30 a.m. from Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City where he visited the grave of his mother.
Ona refused to say what caused the gunshot wounds and could not determine the kind of gun used, saying all these were under investigation.
He “was brought here to the emergency room, wala nang pulso at di na humihinga. Nilagyan ng tubo at nag-resuscitation, swero, binigyan ng gamot. But after 45 minutes, which means that at 8:32 a.m., talagang wala na (without pulse and not breathing. He was tubated and resuscitated, put on IV. But after 45 minutes, which means that at 8:32 a.m., he’s really gone)."
He had a gunshot wound to the heart and an external wound to the back. However, doctors cannot determine yet if the bullet wound was self-inflicted.
Ona said that an autopsy of the body of the retired general will be conducted to determine if he had committed suicide.
A bullet wound on the left side of the chest near the heart was the cause of death.
"Malamang may tama sa puso (The heart was probably hit)," Ona told reporters.
In a separate press briefing, Dr. Fernando Lopez, a spokesman for the Quirino Memorial Medical Center, said Reyes was brought to their hospital at 7:45 a.m. Tuesday.
Reyes had no blood pressure, heart beat, and respiratory rate, his pupils were dilated, he was not breathing and had cold, clammy skin, Lopez said.
A gunshot wound, with entry point at the 5th intercostal space on the left side of the chest and with one centimeter in diameter was seen. The exit wound was on the left side of the back, also 1 centimeter in diamater.
Reyes, a graduate of Philippine Military Academy Class ’66, was AFP chief under President Joseph Estrada, and secretary of defense, interior and local government, and energy during the term of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from 2001 to 2003. He graduated as the class valedictorian in high school and was among the top ten graduates of the PMA.
He went on to obtain two masteral degrees, namely: Masters in Business Administration from Asian Institute of Management in 1973 and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1991. He also took up International Defense Management Course in Monterey, California in 1983.
In 1987, he graduated No. 1 in Trust Operations Management Course conducted by the Trust Institutes Foundation of the Philippines at the Ateneo Business School which eventually earned him a scholarship to the Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois. (report from Katherine Evangelista of Inquirer.net, Cynthia Balana and Nancy Carvajal of Philippine Daily Inquirer/DZIQ-Radyo Inquirer)
Monday, February 7, 2011
Six civilians killed in N. Cotabato rebel feud
NORTH COTABATO, Philippines - Six civilians including a four-year-old boy were killed as a feud between two Muslim rebel groups escalated in Mindanao, police said Monday.
The deaths bring to 19 the number of people killed since the clashes erupted a month ago, with commanders from the rival groups battling for control of valuable rice farming land in the province of North Cotabato.
However the latest casualties, which occurred over the weekend, were the first time civilians had been killed.
The six villagers died as the warring groups fired mortars and rifles at the each other in the remote town of Kabacan, said local police chief Superintendent Joseph Semillano.
"Civilians in the area told us there were already six fatalities as of Sunday, including the boy," he told reporters.
The violence has pitted hundreds of guerrillas from a unit of the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) against a faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
The MILF has been waging a decades-old struggle to forge an independent Muslim homeland in Mindanao, and is set to resume peace talks with the government this week.
However the MILF leadership has admitted to losing control of some factions in recent months, in developments that have raised alarm in Manila.
The rival MNLF signed a peace treaty with Manila in 1996 but many of its members have kept their weapons, and its leaders similarly cannot always control sections of the group.
Kabacan social welfare chief Susan Makalipat said the dead child belonged to a family living beside an evacuation centre which they thought was safe from the fighting.
"The mother had just gotten food supplies for the family from the evacuation centre. As the children were looking at the food, a stray bullet came into their home and hit the boy," Makalipat told Agence France-Presse.
About 6,500 villagers, mostly impoverished Muslim farm hands, had already fled the fighting, she said, but some people had remained to guard their farms. (report from Agence France-Presse/Inquirer.net)
The deaths bring to 19 the number of people killed since the clashes erupted a month ago, with commanders from the rival groups battling for control of valuable rice farming land in the province of North Cotabato.
However the latest casualties, which occurred over the weekend, were the first time civilians had been killed.
The six villagers died as the warring groups fired mortars and rifles at the each other in the remote town of Kabacan, said local police chief Superintendent Joseph Semillano.
"Civilians in the area told us there were already six fatalities as of Sunday, including the boy," he told reporters.
The violence has pitted hundreds of guerrillas from a unit of the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) against a faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
The MILF has been waging a decades-old struggle to forge an independent Muslim homeland in Mindanao, and is set to resume peace talks with the government this week.
However the MILF leadership has admitted to losing control of some factions in recent months, in developments that have raised alarm in Manila.
The rival MNLF signed a peace treaty with Manila in 1996 but many of its members have kept their weapons, and its leaders similarly cannot always control sections of the group.
Kabacan social welfare chief Susan Makalipat said the dead child belonged to a family living beside an evacuation centre which they thought was safe from the fighting.
"The mother had just gotten food supplies for the family from the evacuation centre. As the children were looking at the food, a stray bullet came into their home and hit the boy," Makalipat told Agence France-Presse.
About 6,500 villagers, mostly impoverished Muslim farm hands, had already fled the fighting, she said, but some people had remained to guard their farms. (report from Agence France-Presse/Inquirer.net)
Prosecutor has different version of gun-toting incident with salesman
MANILA, Philippines -- The Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutor allegedly involved in a gun-toting incident last week in Quezon City now has his own version of the incident.
Assistant State Prosecutor John Resado on Friday lodged criminal raps against the salesman he allegedly threatened with a firearm, saying the salesman was the one who acted aggressively during the incident.
In a five-page affidavit before the Quezon City prosecutors office, Resado filed a complaint against Carlo Gaw Lim for grave threats, alarm and scandal, discharge of firearms and attempted homicide.
The DOJ prosecutor’s recollection of the February 3 incident outside his rented house on Ilagan St. in San Francisco del Monte painted a different version, as Resado claimed he was respectful toward Lim.
The complaint was filed on Friday afternoon, hours after Lim lodged a complaint for malicious mischief, threat using a firearm, and slight physical injuries against Resado.
“I am a responsible duly licensed gun owner for more than 10 years and I was never involved in any incident like this,” Resado’s complaint read.
Resado is known for having handled the illegal drugs case against the so-called Alabang Boys in 2009.
The DOJ prosecutor alleged that Lim shouted at him and even tried to grab his gun, and that the gun was fired during the struggle for the gun.
Lim, 25, alleged that Resado fired a gun at his car while Lim was visiting his girlfriend Kathleen Bautista.
The salesman’s car was parked in front of Bautista’s compound along Ilagan St. where Resado is a tenant.
According to Lim’s version, Resado was allegedly drunk and was angered upon seeing Lim’s car blocking the gateway. The prosecutor was accused of pointing the gun at Lim and firing at Lim’s car.
Lim claimed that some bits of metal flew off and wounded his legs during the incident, which happened at around 10:45 p.m. that night. Resado left the compound after the incident.
Resado said he wanted to report the incident at once to the Masambong police station but did not.
“…I prevented myself from doing so because it would appear that I was at fault being the gun owner and that the car of the respondent was hit by a bullet… I fear that I might be arrested and accused of the crimes that were committed by the respondent,” Resado said.
In his version, Resado said he saw Lim’s maroon Honda City parked in front of the gate and that he politely asked Lim to move his car so that Resado can park his own sedan.
The prosecutor alleged that Lim shouted at him, even shouting invectives at him but Resado claimed he maintained his courteous demeanor.
“I was totally shocked and surprised because I was so polite and respectful, and yet he replied as if I was disturbing him where in truth and in fact… he was at fault by not properly parking his car away from the driveway.”
Lim allegedly threw punches at him and that it was during the scuffle that Resado’s gun became visible through his barong.
The prosecutor alleged that Lim managed to grab his gun but while grappling for control, the gun fired and hit the car.
After recovering his car, Resado claimed that Lim was still aggressive, prompting him to just drive away to avoid any more harm or trouble.
“I preferred to leave the place although he continued to shout at me to avoid greater evil, avoid the involvement of my family and to avoid his aggressive mood,” the affidavit added. (report from Julie M. Aurelio, Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Assistant State Prosecutor John Resado on Friday lodged criminal raps against the salesman he allegedly threatened with a firearm, saying the salesman was the one who acted aggressively during the incident.
In a five-page affidavit before the Quezon City prosecutors office, Resado filed a complaint against Carlo Gaw Lim for grave threats, alarm and scandal, discharge of firearms and attempted homicide.
The DOJ prosecutor’s recollection of the February 3 incident outside his rented house on Ilagan St. in San Francisco del Monte painted a different version, as Resado claimed he was respectful toward Lim.
The complaint was filed on Friday afternoon, hours after Lim lodged a complaint for malicious mischief, threat using a firearm, and slight physical injuries against Resado.
“I am a responsible duly licensed gun owner for more than 10 years and I was never involved in any incident like this,” Resado’s complaint read.
Resado is known for having handled the illegal drugs case against the so-called Alabang Boys in 2009.
The DOJ prosecutor alleged that Lim shouted at him and even tried to grab his gun, and that the gun was fired during the struggle for the gun.
Lim, 25, alleged that Resado fired a gun at his car while Lim was visiting his girlfriend Kathleen Bautista.
The salesman’s car was parked in front of Bautista’s compound along Ilagan St. where Resado is a tenant.
According to Lim’s version, Resado was allegedly drunk and was angered upon seeing Lim’s car blocking the gateway. The prosecutor was accused of pointing the gun at Lim and firing at Lim’s car.
Lim claimed that some bits of metal flew off and wounded his legs during the incident, which happened at around 10:45 p.m. that night. Resado left the compound after the incident.
Resado said he wanted to report the incident at once to the Masambong police station but did not.
“…I prevented myself from doing so because it would appear that I was at fault being the gun owner and that the car of the respondent was hit by a bullet… I fear that I might be arrested and accused of the crimes that were committed by the respondent,” Resado said.
In his version, Resado said he saw Lim’s maroon Honda City parked in front of the gate and that he politely asked Lim to move his car so that Resado can park his own sedan.
The prosecutor alleged that Lim shouted at him, even shouting invectives at him but Resado claimed he maintained his courteous demeanor.
“I was totally shocked and surprised because I was so polite and respectful, and yet he replied as if I was disturbing him where in truth and in fact… he was at fault by not properly parking his car away from the driveway.”
Lim allegedly threw punches at him and that it was during the scuffle that Resado’s gun became visible through his barong.
The prosecutor alleged that Lim managed to grab his gun but while grappling for control, the gun fired and hit the car.
After recovering his car, Resado claimed that Lim was still aggressive, prompting him to just drive away to avoid any more harm or trouble.
“I preferred to leave the place although he continued to shout at me to avoid greater evil, avoid the involvement of my family and to avoid his aggressive mood,” the affidavit added. (report from Julie M. Aurelio, Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Globe Telecom to borrow P7B from BDO to fund capex and pre-pay debts
MANILA, Philippines — The Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc. is borrowing P7 billion from Banco de Oro Unibank (BDO) for the refinancing of maturing obligations and to fund expansion projects in 2011.
In a disclosure, the country’s second largest telecommunications firm said it wanted to take advantage of low interest rates offered by banks today.
“We intend to use the BDO facility to fund our capital expenditure (capex) requirements this year and prepay up to P3 billion in loans that originally mature in 2012. The current low interest rate environment allows us to replace these loans with cheaper debt, generating savings for the company,” said Albert De Larrazabal, Globe Telecom’s chief financial officer.
In 2010, the company had a capex of about $500 million. Globe president and CEO Ernest Cu has said the firm plans to spend a similar amount, or even less, in 2011. (report from Paolo Montecillo, Philippine Daily Inquirer)
In a disclosure, the country’s second largest telecommunications firm said it wanted to take advantage of low interest rates offered by banks today.
“We intend to use the BDO facility to fund our capital expenditure (capex) requirements this year and prepay up to P3 billion in loans that originally mature in 2012. The current low interest rate environment allows us to replace these loans with cheaper debt, generating savings for the company,” said Albert De Larrazabal, Globe Telecom’s chief financial officer.
In 2010, the company had a capex of about $500 million. Globe president and CEO Ernest Cu has said the firm plans to spend a similar amount, or even less, in 2011. (report from Paolo Montecillo, Philippine Daily Inquirer)
No military report linking police general to car thieves
MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines does not have any report linking Police Director Roberto Rosales to car theft syndicates, according to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.
Robredo, who earlier said his department has been investigating the possible coddling of carjacking syndicates by police officials, said he had asked AFP Chief of Staff Ricardo David about the existence of the so-called intelligence report implicating Rosales. But Robredo said David "totally denied there is such a report."
A report published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted a source in the military as saying that there has been information about Rosales’s coddling of the car theft syndicate allegedly headed by brothers Roger and Raymond Dominguez in Central. The alleged military intelligence report has also pointed to information linking Superintendent Napoleon Cauyan, former head of the defunct Traffic Management Group (TMG) in Central Luzon, to car theft.
Rosales and Cauyan denied any link to carjacking syndicates, and said their track record in apprehending carjackers could be the reason why unseen forces have been trying to destroy their reputations.
At the same time, the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group said it did not receive any report, whether intelligence data or validated ones, linking Rosales to car theft, as alleged by an intelligence report purportedly from the AFP.
“I officially informed him (Rosales) that as far as HPG is concerned, we have not received any report or information, whether intelligence or investigation, pertaining to him as one of the coddlers involved in carnapping (sic),” HPG director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina told reporters during a news conference.
Espina said police are the main unit investigating car thefts and said that they were “surprised” over the release of the report.
“I would like to be fair to the good director. In fairness to him, there are no intelligence reports linking him as far as we are concerned,” Espina added.
Rosales seemingly was also cleared by no less than PNP Director General Raul Bacalzo.
Quoting Bacalzo during their conversation on Sunday, Rosales said, “He told me, ‘Boysie, that’s nothing.’ But I told him, ‘Sir, this is very serious and I have to face this query.’”
However, Bacalzo still organized an investigating body to look into these allegations and coordinate with the AFP to obtain a copy of the intelligence report.
Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said police are coordinating with the AFP’s intelligence unit (or J2) to obtain a copy of the report.
Espina said that the supposed intelligence report from the AFP was being treated as “yet raw and unconfirmed.”
“Anybody can name anyone in intelligence reports using perception, issue blind items, and others including their enemies, taking advantage of the sensitiveness of the issue at hand…to muddle our investigation or skirt specific cases we have charged them with,” he said.
Espina appealed to concerned units, including the “intel community,” to forward to them reports for proper investigation.
Meanwhile, Rosales on Monday reiterated his denial of any involvement in car theft.
He challenged those behind the report to come out and back up their allegations.
“Face me like a man and accuse me with that so-called confidential report. In person. In front of the people. Together with your cohorts. Let us face the investigating body of the executive and legislative branches of the government and answer all the questions bedeviling us,” Rosales told a separate news conference.
He said that he was using his skills in intelligence-gathering to identify the person or group behind the report, which he called as “malicious” and a “smear campaign” against him.
“Bakit hindi siya lumabas? Kung talagang meron talaga silang report, ebidensiya, bakit hindi sila lumalabas? Isa lang ang namumuo sa isipan natin: kung meron silang kinalaman sa sindikatong ito, gagawa at gagawa sila ng paraan dahil well-entrenched yan (Why won’t he come out. If there is such a report, or evidence, why doesn’t he come out? Only one thing is forming in our minds: if they have something to do with this syndicate, they will do everything because they’re well-entrenched),” Rosales said. (report from Abigail Kwok and Alcuin Papa, Inquirer.net & Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Robredo, who earlier said his department has been investigating the possible coddling of carjacking syndicates by police officials, said he had asked AFP Chief of Staff Ricardo David about the existence of the so-called intelligence report implicating Rosales. But Robredo said David "totally denied there is such a report."
A report published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted a source in the military as saying that there has been information about Rosales’s coddling of the car theft syndicate allegedly headed by brothers Roger and Raymond Dominguez in Central. The alleged military intelligence report has also pointed to information linking Superintendent Napoleon Cauyan, former head of the defunct Traffic Management Group (TMG) in Central Luzon, to car theft.
Rosales and Cauyan denied any link to carjacking syndicates, and said their track record in apprehending carjackers could be the reason why unseen forces have been trying to destroy their reputations.
At the same time, the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group said it did not receive any report, whether intelligence data or validated ones, linking Rosales to car theft, as alleged by an intelligence report purportedly from the AFP.
“I officially informed him (Rosales) that as far as HPG is concerned, we have not received any report or information, whether intelligence or investigation, pertaining to him as one of the coddlers involved in carnapping (sic),” HPG director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina told reporters during a news conference.
Espina said police are the main unit investigating car thefts and said that they were “surprised” over the release of the report.
“I would like to be fair to the good director. In fairness to him, there are no intelligence reports linking him as far as we are concerned,” Espina added.
Rosales seemingly was also cleared by no less than PNP Director General Raul Bacalzo.
Quoting Bacalzo during their conversation on Sunday, Rosales said, “He told me, ‘Boysie, that’s nothing.’ But I told him, ‘Sir, this is very serious and I have to face this query.’”
However, Bacalzo still organized an investigating body to look into these allegations and coordinate with the AFP to obtain a copy of the intelligence report.
Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said police are coordinating with the AFP’s intelligence unit (or J2) to obtain a copy of the report.
Espina said that the supposed intelligence report from the AFP was being treated as “yet raw and unconfirmed.”
“Anybody can name anyone in intelligence reports using perception, issue blind items, and others including their enemies, taking advantage of the sensitiveness of the issue at hand…to muddle our investigation or skirt specific cases we have charged them with,” he said.
Espina appealed to concerned units, including the “intel community,” to forward to them reports for proper investigation.
Meanwhile, Rosales on Monday reiterated his denial of any involvement in car theft.
He challenged those behind the report to come out and back up their allegations.
“Face me like a man and accuse me with that so-called confidential report. In person. In front of the people. Together with your cohorts. Let us face the investigating body of the executive and legislative branches of the government and answer all the questions bedeviling us,” Rosales told a separate news conference.
He said that he was using his skills in intelligence-gathering to identify the person or group behind the report, which he called as “malicious” and a “smear campaign” against him.
“Bakit hindi siya lumabas? Kung talagang meron talaga silang report, ebidensiya, bakit hindi sila lumalabas? Isa lang ang namumuo sa isipan natin: kung meron silang kinalaman sa sindikatong ito, gagawa at gagawa sila ng paraan dahil well-entrenched yan (Why won’t he come out. If there is such a report, or evidence, why doesn’t he come out? Only one thing is forming in our minds: if they have something to do with this syndicate, they will do everything because they’re well-entrenched),” Rosales said. (report from Abigail Kwok and Alcuin Papa, Inquirer.net & Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Lacson’s lawyers threaten to sue DOJ, NBI over continuing manhunt
MANILA, Philippines -- The camp of Senator Panfilo Lacson threatened on Monday to sue authorities should they insist on arresting the missing lawmaker despite the Court of Appeals ruling clearing him of involvement in the 2000 murders of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and his driver, Emmanuel Corbito.
Lawyer Alex Poblador argued that the Court of Appeals (CA) order immediately took effect despite a motion for reconsideration that was expected to be filed by the complainants.
The senator has been on the run since January 2010, shortly before an arrest warrant was issued against him.
Lacson denied the allegation, saying he was a victim of political persecution under then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
"If he decides to come out and they arrest him on the basis of the warrant that has already been set aside, we will file cases against the authorities and the (Department of Justice), if (it) instructed (them) to do so, for arbitrary detention or illegal arrest," Poblador said in a statement.
Poblador refuted Justice Secretary Leila De Lima's contention that the arrest warrant remained in effect because the CA ruling could still be appealed to the Supreme Court.
The lawyer said arrest warrants were "obviously mere ancillary to the main criminal case and are therefore deemed automatically lifted when the criminal cases against Senator Lacson were dismissed."
"Therefore, the nullification of the arrest warrant is immediately executory," he said.
Citing Rule 39, Section 4 of the Rules of Court, Lacson's lawyer maintained that decisions on injunctions "shall be enforceable after their rendition and shall not be stayed by an appeal taken there from."
"Since the arrest warrants have been nullified, there is no more basis to deprive him of his liberty," Poblador said.
"A person is entitled to immediate liberty, particularly considering that he is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved, and not until the appeal or motion for (re)consideration is over."
Poblador acknowledged that the complainants could still file a motion for reconsideration and later ask the Supreme Court to review the case.
But he said "the pendency of such petition cannot stay the execution of the judgment, which is the subject thereof, in the absence of any preliminary injunction ordered by the Supreme Court."
Last Friday, De Lima said the National Bureau of Investigation, an agency attached to the DOJ, has been ordered to continue the hunt for Lacson because "the warrant of arrest is still subsisting." (report from Christian V. Esguerra, Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Lawyer Alex Poblador argued that the Court of Appeals (CA) order immediately took effect despite a motion for reconsideration that was expected to be filed by the complainants.
The senator has been on the run since January 2010, shortly before an arrest warrant was issued against him.
Lacson denied the allegation, saying he was a victim of political persecution under then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
"If he decides to come out and they arrest him on the basis of the warrant that has already been set aside, we will file cases against the authorities and the (Department of Justice), if (it) instructed (them) to do so, for arbitrary detention or illegal arrest," Poblador said in a statement.
Poblador refuted Justice Secretary Leila De Lima's contention that the arrest warrant remained in effect because the CA ruling could still be appealed to the Supreme Court.
The lawyer said arrest warrants were "obviously mere ancillary to the main criminal case and are therefore deemed automatically lifted when the criminal cases against Senator Lacson were dismissed."
"Therefore, the nullification of the arrest warrant is immediately executory," he said.
Citing Rule 39, Section 4 of the Rules of Court, Lacson's lawyer maintained that decisions on injunctions "shall be enforceable after their rendition and shall not be stayed by an appeal taken there from."
"Since the arrest warrants have been nullified, there is no more basis to deprive him of his liberty," Poblador said.
"A person is entitled to immediate liberty, particularly considering that he is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved, and not until the appeal or motion for (re)consideration is over."
Poblador acknowledged that the complainants could still file a motion for reconsideration and later ask the Supreme Court to review the case.
But he said "the pendency of such petition cannot stay the execution of the judgment, which is the subject thereof, in the absence of any preliminary injunction ordered by the Supreme Court."
Last Friday, De Lima said the National Bureau of Investigation, an agency attached to the DOJ, has been ordered to continue the hunt for Lacson because "the warrant of arrest is still subsisting." (report from Christian V. Esguerra, Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Mancao to govt: Try best to reverse Court of appeals ruling on Lacson
MANILA, Philippines--Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, counsel for former police officer Cezar Mancao, on Monday urged the government to do its best to reverse the Court of Appeals decision clearing Senator Panfilo Lacson of double murder for the death of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito.
Topacio said the pleadings filed by the Office of the Solicitor-General before the court is weak.
"We hope that with Solicitor General Jose Anselmo Cadiz, they will be able to raise stronger arguments to reverse the decision," Topacio said taking note of the capability of Cadiz, who is a former president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
At the same time, Mancao, who met with Justice Secretary Leila De Lima, maintained that there are no inconsistencies in his testimony contrary to the Court of Appeals ruling.
He said he is ready to reaffirm his testimony and he is not afraid despite the court's decision that cleared Lacson.
Also, the parties pushing for the prosecution of the senator will hold a joint conference to determine the next step to assail the decision of the Court of Appeals clearing him of plunder.
Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said they need to convene to discuss the merits and demerits of the case and determine their next step.
Last week, the Court of Appeals reversed the findings of probable cause issued by the Manila City Regional Trial Court Branch 18 and invalidated the warrant of arrest issued against the fugitive senator.
Meanwhile, counsel of the Dacer family Demetrio Custodio said his firm will file a motion for reconsideration before the Court of Appeals. (report from Tetch Torres, Inquirer.net)
Topacio said the pleadings filed by the Office of the Solicitor-General before the court is weak.
"We hope that with Solicitor General Jose Anselmo Cadiz, they will be able to raise stronger arguments to reverse the decision," Topacio said taking note of the capability of Cadiz, who is a former president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
At the same time, Mancao, who met with Justice Secretary Leila De Lima, maintained that there are no inconsistencies in his testimony contrary to the Court of Appeals ruling.
He said he is ready to reaffirm his testimony and he is not afraid despite the court's decision that cleared Lacson.
Also, the parties pushing for the prosecution of the senator will hold a joint conference to determine the next step to assail the decision of the Court of Appeals clearing him of plunder.
Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said they need to convene to discuss the merits and demerits of the case and determine their next step.
Last week, the Court of Appeals reversed the findings of probable cause issued by the Manila City Regional Trial Court Branch 18 and invalidated the warrant of arrest issued against the fugitive senator.
Meanwhile, counsel of the Dacer family Demetrio Custodio said his firm will file a motion for reconsideration before the Court of Appeals. (report from Tetch Torres, Inquirer.net)
Rosales: Cauyan gave information on carjack operations
MANILA, Philippines – Police Director Roberto Rosales today said Superintendent Napoleon Cauyan had volunteered information regarding carjacking operations in the past, which the latter claimed to have yielded positive results.
Rosales, chief of the Northern Luzon Directorate for Integrate Police Operations, said Cauyan, a former head of the defunct Traffic Management Group of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Task Force Limbas, had not been under his command during his stint as National Capital Region Police Office head.
"He volunteered some pieces of information. It turned out most of information volunteered by Cauyan turned out to be true," Rosales said during a media briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City this morning.
Rosales and Cauyan have been named by a newspaper article as among the protectors of carjackers, quoting an intelligence report.
Rosales said the arrest of two Land Transportation Office (LTO) personnel was the result of such information given by Cauyan.
He said two more LTO's plate division employees managed to evade arrest during the raid by authorities.
Asked if he conducted an investigation on Cauyan for his sources of information, Rosales said all the inputs volunteered to them had been validated.
He said he knew that Cauyan, now on floating status, had been saddled with several cases when the police official approached him with the information.
"I have heard those (cases) repeatedly. But I did not know what were these cases, which the Supreme Court already dismissed. Let the case of Cauyan rest," Rosales said. (report from Dennis Carcamo, Philstar.com)
Rosales, chief of the Northern Luzon Directorate for Integrate Police Operations, said Cauyan, a former head of the defunct Traffic Management Group of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Task Force Limbas, had not been under his command during his stint as National Capital Region Police Office head.
"He volunteered some pieces of information. It turned out most of information volunteered by Cauyan turned out to be true," Rosales said during a media briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City this morning.
Rosales and Cauyan have been named by a newspaper article as among the protectors of carjackers, quoting an intelligence report.
Rosales said the arrest of two Land Transportation Office (LTO) personnel was the result of such information given by Cauyan.
He said two more LTO's plate division employees managed to evade arrest during the raid by authorities.
Asked if he conducted an investigation on Cauyan for his sources of information, Rosales said all the inputs volunteered to them had been validated.
He said he knew that Cauyan, now on floating status, had been saddled with several cases when the police official approached him with the information.
"I have heard those (cases) repeatedly. But I did not know what were these cases, which the Supreme Court already dismissed. Let the case of Cauyan rest," Rosales said. (report from Dennis Carcamo, Philstar.com)
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