VIRAL: Gun-wielding cop relieved from post

MANILA - A policeman who appeared to be boasting of his gun during a road altercation has been relieved from his post, the Philippine National Police said Friday.

The cop, identified PO2 Manuel Carvajal Taytayon, has been placed under the jurisdiction of the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City for preventive measure, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said in a statement Friday.

Taytayon will face a probe and has since been ordered to vacate his post, NCRPO said.

In videos that recently went viral on social media, Taytayon, an officer assigned at the Southern Police District, was seen wielding his gun and shouting expletives against 2 minors in Pasay City.

NCRPO chief Oscar Albayalde said PNP will not tolerate misbehavior among its ranks.

“Kung mapapatunayan na may paglabag si PO2 Taytayon, ay hindi po mangingimi ang NCRPO na patawan sya ng karampatang parusa,” Albayalde said.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

PNP chief Bato's son seeks to follow dad's footsteps

DAVAO CITY - The only son of Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa took his shot at following his father's footsteps on Sunday by taking the Cadet Admission Test (CAT) at the Bolton campus of the University of Mindanao.

Rock dela Rosa took up Business Administration at Philippine Women's College, but realized recently that his true passion lies in becoming a policeman.

He said growing up in a family of public servants is a major factor in his decision.

"Gusto jud nako kay nidako naman ko sa mga pulis so kabalo na pud ko sa ilang kinabuhi," he said in an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News.

(I wanted [to become a policeman] because I grew up with cops in the family and I knew what they have been through.)

LOOK: Gen. Bato Dela Rosa's only son, Rock, takes PNPA exam. Via Angelo Caballero | @stanleypalisada pic.twitter.com/u8MSfJgyNg

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) October 30, 2016

He also shared that his father did not push him to become a policeman, but advised him instead to enjoy life and pursue his won dreams.

"Dili nako gusto buhaton para sa iyaha, gusto nako ni buhaton kay love nako ang akong pamilya, mga PNP, mura nakog pamilya sa ilaha ug tibuok Pilipino gyud, ug ang Presidente pud, mahal jud nako ang Presidente," the 22-year-old explained.

(I am not doing this for him, but for my love for my family, the PNP, my fellow Filipino people and the President.)

Asked about his father's critics, he exclaimed, "Let's get it on!"

 "Normal man na kay kung naa kay paninindigan, daghan jud ka kalaban na muabot," he added.

(It's natural to have haters coming if you have strong will.)

Rock, the youngest in a brood of three, also revealed that he looked up to President Rodrigo Duterte more than his father.

He was among over 22,000 aspiring policemen who took the Cadet Admission Test today.

The annual test is conducted by the Philippine National Police Academy to select 300 students for its Bachelor of Science in Public Safety class, who will become members of the PNP, Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology after graduation.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

VIRAL: Lady cops pose with Mark Anthony Fernandez

A photo of two smiling policewomen flanking Mark Anthony Fernandez after the former matinee idol was arrested for illegal possession of a kilogram of marijuana went viral Wednesday as the two lady cops appeared to be smitten by the former 'Gwapings' member.

Fernandez was arrested Monday night by police in Pampanga province for trying to slip past a checkpoint and for possession of marijuana with an estimated street value of P15,000

Some netizens criticized the two policewomen for allegedly being unprofessional, and for supposedly giving preferential treatment to Fernandez.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said no sanctions have been imposed against the unnamed lady cops as officials have yet to review if taking pictures with suspects is a violation of the PNP's ruled and regulations.

"Ako nakikita ko wala namang masama... Ang tinitingnan namin diyan ay ang tamang paggamit ng uniporme habang sila ay nakauniporme," PNP spokesperson S/Supt. Dionardo Carlos said.

[I personally do not see anything wrong with it, but we are looking into possible violations of the proper use of the PNP uniform.]

Carlos admitted that PNP personnel have to be reminded about their proper conduct, especially when using social media.

"Ire-review namin kung ano nagiging policy sa training service. Possibly baka kailangan sumabay sa kasakuluyan na teknolohiya ang regulasyon ng PNP," he said.

[We have to review the training service policy on social media. We might have to adjust some PNP regulations so that it will be at par with the current technology.]

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

LOOK: Good Samaritans and honest Pinoys

In this day and age when almost everyone in the country is trying their best to make ends meet, it is heartwarming to know that some people chose to stay honest in the midst of temptation.

Doing small good deeds is also one of the advocacies of newly-appointed Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Ricardo Marquez, who urged all 160,000 officers and personnel of the national police for to do at least one good deed everyday.

Here are some stories of people from different walks of life who chose to be honest and kind in the midst of hardship.

Mobile users can view the desktop version of this slideshow here.

1. Airman Mario Teadilla, who bought food and dined with two street children in Cebu

A photo of Teadilla dining with two street children in a fast food chain in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu went viral. He said he decided to buy food for the children after he saw them sleeping by the sidewalk of a mall in the city.

 source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Prosecutors to inspect site of Mamasapano carnage

MANILA - State prosecutors who are members of the justice department's Joint Special Investigation Team probing the bloody Mamasapano encounter last January 25th between Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force (SAF) commandos and Moro rebels will conduct their ocular inspection of the clash and operation site on February 26.

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima told reporters that this is the final schedule given to her by Assistant State Prosecutors Juan Pedro Navera, Irwin Maraya, Gino Paolo Santiago, Jocelyn Dugay, and Ethel Rea Suril after the inspection did not push through this week.

ABS-CBN News had earlier learned that the Joint Special Investigation Team, which also includes agents from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), had sought clearance from the joint Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCH) of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for the conduct of the ocular inspection.

Forty-four SAF commandos were killed in the clash with fighters from the MILF, its splinter group, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and private armed groups (PAGs).

The SAF commandos were on a special mission to serve outstanding arrest warrants for alleged Bali bomber Marwan, whose real name is Zulkifli bin Hir, and his Filipino cohort, Abdulbasit Usman.

The PNP has reported that Marwan was killed in the operation.

De Lima created the Joint Special Investigation Team upon orders of President Aquino. The team is tasked to do a fact-finding investigation into the incident, and undertake the necessary case build-up for the fiing of appropriate charges against those found responsible for the bloody clash.

The clash took place amid a ceasefire agreement between the GPH and MILF; the ceasefire agreement is part of ongoing peace negotiations between the two parties.

Public outrage ensued following the bloody encounter after it was found that several of the fallen SAF troopers were "finished off" and shot at "close range," and their firearms, ammunition and personal belongings taken by the rebels.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

SAF survivors open up to senators

MANILA, Philippines - Superintendent Raymond Train and PO2 Christopher Lalan, two of the Special Action Force (SAF) police commandos who survived the Mamasapano firefight, yesterday narrated the fierce battle they had to endure in a bid to escape the bloody encounter with Muslim rebels that left 44 of their comrades dead in Maguindanao last Jan. 25.

Train and Lalan gave their statements before the senators who went into executive session at around 4:30 p.m. after almost seven hours of open hearing that started at 10 a.m. at the plenary hall.

Senators were all ears as Train recalled events which started when he and his team of 36 operatives began their trek to the lair of terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, at 2:30 a.m. from their drop-off point near Maharlika Highway.

Train led the SAF’s 84th Seaborne Company in the assault on Marwan’s hut, located 250 meters from the drop-off point. Only 13 of the assault team were able to cross the river because of strong currents.

In a debriefing, Train said he and 12 of his men proceeded with the plan to get Marwan since the others were having difficulty crossing the river. He added some of his men almost drowned in trying to get across.

Train and his men reached the target at 4:15 p.m. Marwan opened fire at the SAF team after he was alerted by the presence of the lawmen surrounding his hut.

After the initial exchange of gunfire, SAF commandos attacked the hut and Marwan was shot in the chest. The team quickly took pictures of Marwan and severed his index finger, which was later turned over to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation for DNA test.

Train said they decided to immediately withdraw from the area, fearing the exchange of fire could have alerted villagers.

Another target, Basit Usman, was able to escape the assault. His hut was about 70 meters away from Marwan’s.

Train also responded to queries of senators about how they managed to get out of the area up to the time they were rescued by a special team at 11:30 p.m. as validated by the Philippine National Police’s Board of Inquiry.

Lalan, meanwhile, told the senators that he hid near a river dike as many of his 35 comrades crawled in the vast cornfields, then still awaiting rescue.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

WATCH: Anatomy of the Mamasapano clash

The sequence of events on the night of the fateful clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao as told to ABS-CBN reporter Chiara Zambrano by the men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

SAF commandos battle post-traumatic stress

MANILA - The Special Action Force (SAF) members involved in the Mamasapano clash received stress debriefing from their battle-hardened colleagues in the Marines.

“My unit has experienced bloody encounters in the past and this helped us connect with our comrades from the PNP [Philippine National Police]. They were able to unload most of the pain and this is important for people who are grieving,” Marine Battalion Landing Team-1 (MBLT-1) commander Lt. Col. Ronald Juan said.

Forty-two from the Police Regional Office-9, all comrades of the 44 commandos wiped out in the Mamasapano clash, talked about their experiences to reduce post-traumatic stress disorder.

Zamboanga City Mayor Bheng Climaco-Salazar, a qualified counselor, and Dr. Lolina Bajin also joined the stress debriefing.

Juan said “we could already feel the sadness” when the commandos entered the discussion groups.

“Based on the feedback of their battalion commander, the SAF troopers felt a sense of relief after the activity. We are very fortunate that our team was prepared and are capable to conduct the stress debriefing,” Juan said.

MBLT-1 is equipped with skills to facilitate stress debriefing after undergoing trainings and workshops under the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Capacities in Combat Operations.

MBLT-1 is also planning to facilitate psychosocial support for the families of the fallen commandos.

“We are just waiting for orders and also for a mutually applicable time to conduct the debriefing,” Jian said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Suspended Purisima invited to Congress for Mamasapano probe

MANILA - The House Committee on Public Order and Safety has invited suspended Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima and other top officials of the PNP and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to the investigation on the January 25 Mamasapano clash.

The Manila Standard Today reported last week that Purisima was one of those who authorized the PNP-Special Action Force (SAF) operation that led to the encounter with rebels.

The committee met Tuesday and agreed to set the hearing on February 11 at 9:30 a.m.

The committee had received letters from PNP officer-in-charge Leonardo Espina and Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino begging off from the investigation today.

In his letter, Espina cited the need for the PNP to attend to the needs of the bereaved families of the 44 SAF members killed in the clash.

Batino sent a similar letter, citing the absence of the PNP.

Committee chairman Jeffrey Ferrer said, "My observation with two letters, it's valid reason... The leadership of the PNP will have also to attend to the needs of the family. In my point of view, in humanitarian consideration, I will grant the request and we will reset the hearing next week."

Ferrer told his colleagues that he immediately calendared a hearing after resolutions calling for a congressional investigation were filed soon after the Mamasapano incident.

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, meanwhile, expressed apprehensions about possible schedule conflicts since the same resource persons will be invited to a parallel investigation of the Senate.

"There are parallel hearings in the Senate. As mentioned by the chair, this is really a very important issue. The whole country is watching. There are a lot of questions yet to be answered," he said.

Ferrer said, "Next hearing wala nang excuse. Dapat mag-attend na lahat."

House Speaker Sonny Belmonte had pushed for a joint Senate and House investigation on the matter.

Belmonte, in a text message, confirmed he has discussed his proposal with Senate President Franklin Drilon, who told him that he will take it up with the senators.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

SAF trooper's widow begs PNoy: Please help us

MANILA - The wife of a slain Special Action Force commando broke down in tears Friday as she begged President Aquino to pursue justice for her husband and other SAF troopers killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Speaking before the necrological service for the 44 slain SAF commandos, Erica Pabalinas, wife of slain Senior Inspector Ryan Pabalinas, said she was unsure if she should feel sad for losing a husband or happy that he died a hero and fought to his last breath to claim peace.

She said that before the incident, she tried to ask her husband not to go to the Mamasano operation.

"Naglalambing ako sa kanya. Sabi ko: 'Daddy, wag ka na lang po sumama kasi di ka pa ok.' And then, he replied: 'Mommy, ayan ka na naman. Hindi mo na naman naiintindihan.'"

"And then our little girl said to him: 'Daddy, wag ka na lang umalis kasi gabi na. Baka kunin ka lang po ng bad guys.'"

"Despite that, Ryan left. It is a clear manifestation that my husband put duty first before family and I understand."

Pabalinas said she has come to slowly accept that her husband cannot be with them anymore. She also told the wives of the other slain troopers to be strong and not think that all they wanted was the reward money for the capture of Marwan.

"For the grieving wives just like me, let us be strong for our children because behind every brave SAF trooper is a strong wife. Behind every SAF trooper is a strong wife," she said.

She then told the President: "To our President, we seek for your help to attain justice. Please, sir president. Please help us."

The 44 SAF commandos were killed by Moro rebels during an operation to hunt down terror suspects Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Basit Usman.

The incident has threatened to derail peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

US provided intel on Marwan: report

MANILA - It was the United States government who provided President Aquino intel on terror suspect Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan, a newspaper report said.

Citing a police general, the Manila Standard said the US used drones and satellites in gathering intelligence while suspended Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima sent men to verify the intel.

A Palace official will neither confirm nor deny the matter.

President Aquino earlier said elements of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force attacked an isolated village in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Sunday to arrest terror suspects Zulkifli bin Hir alias ''Marwan'' and Basit Usman in Tukanalipao village.

A total of 44 SAF commandos were killed in the operation.

While confirming that he talked to the SAF chief, the President said there was "very minimum compliance" on the part of the SAF in coordinating with the military before starting the operation to hunt two Jemaah Islamiyah terrorists.

He said a military battalion was only informed about the operation just when the SAF was near the jump-off point for the raid. Unfortunately, the soldiers were securing a main supply route in the area.

The President said the encounter should not derail government efforts to forge a lasting peace deal with the MILF, saying that more innocents will be affected if war breaks out in Mindanao anew.

The Manila Standard report said the President was in Zamboanga on Sunday to closely monitor the developments in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Some lawmakers are now urging the President to make public everything he knows about the Mamasapano mission.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

PH mourns police killed in anti-terror bloodbath

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Miriam tells Purisima to leave 'White House'

MANILA - Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago is advising suspended Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima to move out of the so-called White House, the official residence of the PNP Chief in Camp Crame.

"Hindi na siya dapat doon because all of these are inherent with the position. If the suspension order has been handed down, out of delicadeza he should move somewhere else. Maybe he thinks it's only six months, maybe he thinks of the fiscal inconvenience of moving out. It's the nominal consequences."

The Ombudsman earlier ordered Purisima's preventive suspension for six months for grave misconduct and serious dishonesty stemming from an anomalous contract with Werfast Documentary Agency.

An anonymous complaint has alleged that Purisima and other PNP officials got commissions from the mandatory delivery fees paid by gun owners in securing their gun licenses.

Purisima earlier ordered the closure of satellite offices of the Civil Security Group (CSG) tasked to process the licensing of firearms across the country.

Gun owners were then required to troop to the PNP's headquarters in Camp Crame for license renewal and other processes, while their license cards will be delivered by Werfast to their respective homes.

Purisima has sought an appeal of his suspension over a corruption case pending before the Office of the Ombudsman. The PNP chief is protesting the manner by which the suspension was implemented.

Santiago, a former trial court judge, however said: "Ano rason bakit ayaw sumunod? What stays in my mind [is he is] basing his argument on procedure. Mali pagbigay sa kanya. If that's the case, trial judges will always uphold substance of law rather than procedure of law. Argument is weak. It is merely procedural. Nagkamali sa pagbigay, natanggap niya, anong problema? He received the notice."

While President Aquino has been asked to replace Purisima, Santiago sidestepped the issue.

"I don't have any particular ambition to let go or not let go of some incumbent. That's for the President to decide. I must say that the tipping point will come when Purisima himself becomes fully aware he has turned into an embarrassment for the President then perhaps out of loyalty to his chief, he should offer to resign," she said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Election checkpoints, gun ban start

MANILA -- Top officials from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Philippine National Police (PNP) visited security checkpoints in various areas in Metro Manila as the gun ban and election period for the barangay elections started Friday midnight.

The Comelec said signages for security checkpoints should be uniform in size and visible to motorists.

Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes explained why tighter security is needed in the barangay polls.

"Dahil barangay ito, mas personal ang labanan -- magkakapitbahay, magkakamag-anak. Kaya medyo binabantayan natin, saka ano ito manual... Dito kailangan natin tutukan ng konti, babalik na naman tayo sa dating gawi eh," he said.

Although the checkpoints caused traffic to stall in some areas, authorities appealed for patience.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo Jr. said, "Humihiling po tayo ng pag-unawa sa ating mga kababayan, sa inconvenience na madadala ng checkpoints at kooperasyon na rin po nila."

Some motorists, meanwhile, welcome the added security despite the inconvenience.

Checkpoints also immediately proved their worth after police in Pasay City helped a taxi driver who was being robbed by two men who posed as passengers.

"Nakita ko na may checkpoint tapos kinabig ko ng kaliwa tapos sinigaw ko holdap. Naglapitan ang mga pulis," said taxi driver Romeo Gala.

Confiscated from the robbers were a grenade and an ice pick. -- Report from Carolyn Bonquin, ABS-CBN News

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

PNoy, Mar alarmed over rise in metro crimes

Calls for a meeting with PNP officials

MANILA -- Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas on Wednesday expressed alarm over the rise in crime incidents in the country despite the ongoing election gun ban and the police checkpoints being set up in various areas.

"Kasama niyo ako na naaalarma din. Sa kabila ng mga hakbang na isinasagawa ng [Philippine National Police] at pati na rin 'yung mga checkpoint, gun ban at iba pa, eh itong mga masasamang loob e talagang gusto nilang subukan ang pamahalaan," Roxas told radio dzMM.

He said even President Benigno Aquino II already expressed concern over the growing crime rate in Metro Manila.

"Siya rin mismo nababahala. Kinikilala niya na sa kabuuan ng Pilipinas 'yung crime rate, statistics sa iba't-ibang rehiyon ay bumaba or gumanda. Pero dito sa Kamaynilaan...ay tumaas."

Roxas said he has called for a meeting with PNP officials today to discuss the necessary measures the government should now take to combat crimes in the country.

"Para malaman ano ba talaga ang status, ano bang isinasagawa nila, papaano ba natin mapapahusay 'yung pagdeploy ng ating mga pulis para maiwasan or para madeter itong mga krimen na ito," he said.

"'Yung mga hakbang para sa mga law-abiding [citizens] ay hindi talaga sinusunod. Kaya kailangan ng ibang mga hakbang para dito sa masasamang loob," Roxas added.

The DILG secretary also admitted that their lack of human resources is one reason why they experience difficulty in deterring crimes.

"Malaki talaga ang problema... Malaki ang kakulangan sa tao, malaki kakulangan sa intelligence, resources at iba pa," he said.

'No CCTV, No Business Permit'

Roxas said the government is now studying if a "No CCTV, No Business Permit" policy should be implemented across the country.

Under the policy, business establishments will have to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras inside and outside their offices in order to be given business permits.

"Isa sa mga hakbang na pinag-iisipan pa, hindi pa po ito policy huwag munang maalarma ang ating mga kababayan o ang ating mga negosyante pero pinag-iisipan ito... Para makakuha ng business permit, lalong-lalo na sa mga bangko, pawnshop, jewelry shop, lahat itong mga tindahan na naglalaman ng mamahalin o pera, ay obligado na silang magkaroon ng CCTV sa loob at saka sa labas ng kanilang tindahan," Roxas said.

"Makakatulong ito, kung hindi man sa pag-prevent o pag-deter ay sa paghuli [ng mga kriminal]," he added.

He noted that footage from CCTVs can sometimes help determine the identity of a criminal.

Armed men robbed a jewelry store inside SM Megamall last Saturday.

On Tuesday, several armed men robbed at least P60,000 from a Western Union branch in Sucat, Parañaque.

Meanwhile, over 300 people have been arrested for violating the election gun ban since its implementation last January 13.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

PNP revokes gun permits of Bantiles, Carabuena

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has revoked the gun permits of Allan Bantiles and Robert Blair Carabuena after both figured in separate controversial incidents, a radio dzMM report said.


PNP – Firearms and Explosive Office (FEO) chief Raul Petrasanta is expected to release within the day an order to have the two guns of Bantiles confiscated.

The PNP – FEO granted the request of the camp of Colegio San Agustin student Jaime Garcia who earlier accused Bantiles of poking a gun at his face.

 The gun-poking incident stemmed from Bantiles' son's alleged bullying of Garcia. Bantiles, through his lawyer, has denied the accusation.

 Garcia on Tuesday filed charges of murder, slander and slander by deed against Bantiles before the Makati City prosecutor’s office.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, meanwhile, confirmed requesting the PNP – FEO to revoke the gun permit of Carabuena. Thereafter, the PNP asked for a copy of the complaint as basis for the revocation.

Carabuena, an executive for a tobacco company, is facing charges for slapping a traffic enforcer. The incident was caught on video by a local TV station and posted on YouTube.

MMDA traffic czar Yves Gonzalez said the agency sent a copy of the complaint to the FEO, requesting for the revocation of Carabuena's firearm license, permit to carry and permit to transfer. The MMDA also asked for the revocation of Carabuena's driver's license.

Carabuena's gun, meanwhile, has yet to be confiscated after its permit was revoked weeks ago.- with a report from Edwin Sevidal, dzMM

source: abs-cbnnews.com