Posts by author
Rene Acosta
Banac named new PNP spokesman as Santos takes AFP-Eastmincom
Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar D. Albayalde designated on Tuesday Senior Supt. Bernard Banac as the new spokesman of the PNP and acting chief of the public information office (PIO).
Chinese navy contingent in PHL for four-day visit
Two Chinese frigates and a supply vessel are scheduled to dock in Manila today, Thursday, in what is considered as the first official port visit of Chinese military ships since President Duterte’s pivot to China.
P.N.P. checkpoints net 83 arrests, 82 gun confiscations so far
The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported the arrest of 83 individuals and confiscation of 82 firearms since following the launch of police checkpoint operations and implementation of the gun ban in view of the upcoming local and national elections.
Bicolanos’ duel: Villafuerte, Andaya showdown in House
Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund F. Villafuerte Jr. wants next week’s reopening of Congress to be a “day of reckoning,” as he called on the pro-Duterte majority coalition to kick out his fellow Bicolano Rep. Rolando G. Andaya Jr. as House majority leader for “subverting” Malacañang with his alleged nonstop maneuvers to further derail the already-delayed approval of the 2019 national budget.
Comelec control in 18 cities, municipalities eyed
National Police chief Director General Oscar D. Albayalde on Thursday said they were looking at 18 cities and municipalities around the country that may be accorded with “special attention” in view of the upcoming plebiscite in Mindanao and the national elections, given the possibility that violence may erupt in these areas.
Usman death toll climbs to 68; 19 missing
THE death toll from Tropical Depression Usman has risen to 68 as disaster and rescue personnel continue to assist victims affected by flooding and landslides, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Monday.
Merrymaking sans the tears: Government seeks ‘compromise’ with New Year’s Eve fire-works-use tradition to lessen injuries
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has vowed strict fireworks regulation and control during the New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day revelry, with PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde’s order to all police commanders to strictly enforce Executive Order (EO) 28, which prohibits the use of certain types of firecrackers.
PNP chief cancels Garin’s gun licenses after mauling incident
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde ordered on Thursday the cancellation of gun licenses issued to Iloilo Rep. Richard Garin and his father, Guimbal Mayor Oscar Garin, following the reported mauling of a policeman at a public plaza in the province.
Amid South China Sea rows, PHL prods US on defense treaty review
THE Department of National Defense (DND) wants a review of the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States, saying that it is high time both sides looked into its provisions given the dispute in the South China Sea.
Rebels storm Agusan Army patrol base, seize 12 militiamen, 2 soldiers, firearms
SOME 50 suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels stormed a military patrol base in Agusan del Sur on Wednesday, seized a cache of high-powered firearms and captured two soldiers and 12 militiamen, the police and military said.
DND inks defense cooperation agreement with Turkey’s SSB
THE Department of National Defense has signed a defense cooperation agreement with Turkey, which, DND officials said earlier, would be the source of attack helicopters for the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
PNP and AFP vow deeper probe into Army armory pilferage report
The police and military leadership will conduct an in-depth investigation into the alleged pilferage of weapons and ammunition from the headquarters of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division (ID), which a couple allegedly engaged in gunrunning activities have sold to policemen.
Rebel attack in Sorsogon wounds 3 cops, civilian
Suspected New People’s Army rebels attacked a police station in Sorsogon on Monday night, wounding three policemen and a civilian in what authorities described as latest case of harassments against military and police targets in the province.
LandBank opens lending window to former rebels
THE LandBank of the Philippines (LandBank) and the Department of National Defense (DND) has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) their officials expect will enhance the financial capability of former rebels and their families through the provision of loans from the government bank.
Police nab couple selling guns, ammunition to local terrorists
Policemen arrested on Sunday night a couple tagged as alleged suppliers of weapons and ammunition to security threat groups and private armed groups in Valenzuela City.
Army activates unit vs territorial threats
THE Philippine Army has activated over the weekend its 1st Brigade Combat Team (1st BCT) that would serve as the military’s primary defense force against territorial threats.
Bringing back the Balangiga bells
WHEN the bells of Balangiga in Eastern Samar toll anew this weekend, after being muted by distance more than a century ago, their clanging sound would not be simply to signal the start of the midnight Mass in the nine-day run-up to Christmas, but to relive the glorious sound of victory, something that the local parishioners last heard some 117 years ago.
2 police chiefs relieved over Chong aide’s slay
AT least 16 cops, including the Rizal Provincial Police Office director and the Cainta police chief, were relieved amid the serious questions raised on the ambush-slaying of Richard Santillan, trusted aide and bodyguard of former Biliran congressman and election lawyer Glenn Chong.
PHL eyes earlier completion of Code of Conduct in SCS
THE Philippines wants to see an earlier conclusion of negotiations for a binding Code of Conduct (COC) which will regulate actions in the South China Sea, and which the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is pushing with China.
AFP: Nothing controversial about PAF chief Kintanar’s early retirement option
The military on Thursday doused speculations that a corruption controversy preceded the decision of Lt. Gen. Galileo Gerard Kintanar Jr. to opt for an early retirement as chief of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
Military rejects Joma’s holiday peace overture
The military is not inclined to recommend a halt in its operations against the New People’s Army, despite an earlier statement by Communist founder Jose Maria Sison that the rebels will go on a Christmas cease-fire with the government.
Madrigal Jr. is new AFP chief–DND
President Duterte on Wednesday night approved the appointment of Lt. Gen. Benjamin R. Madrigal, commander of the Eastern Mindanao, as the incoming Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff, Vice Gen. Carlito G. Galvez Jr., upon the endorsement of Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana of the Department of National Defense (DND), the AFP Board of Generals and Galvez.
‘Radars a bigger worry than weather stations’
THE Philippine military is more concerned with the radars and other monitoring apparatus that China has put up in the Spratlys and not the weather stations, as these monitoring equipment can greatly impair the country’s territorial capability, Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana said on Tuesday.
Police cadets in sexual-misconduct incident dismissed from academy
Three cadets of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) who were reported to have been involved in a sexual- misconduct incident have been dismissed from the academy, PNP chief Director General Oscar D. Albayalde said.
Military backs 1-year martial law extension in Mindanao
The military, citing the position raised by regional peace stakeholders, will likely recommend the extension of martial law in Mindanao for another year.
War freaks or better citizens?
AMID the possible full-scale revival of the Reserved Officers Training Course (ROTC) on school campuses, the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have given assurances that measures will be undertaken to improve the course and rectify “previous mistakes” that led to its abolition.
Army CMO chief recalls social media’s role in siege
Social media had played a major role during the siege of Marawi City last year by combined local and international terrorists, a military official said, as he highlighted how the new media can turn deadly if it is improperly used.
Death squad idea needs further study – Lorenzana, Albayalde
Top military and police officials do not totally subscribe to President Duterte’s idea of creating a so-called death squad to deal with the liquidation unit of the New People’s Army – the infamous Sparrow unit of the 1980s – that had reportedly ceased to exist in the first place.
PNP deploys SAF troops to Bicol, Samar provinces to fight lawlessness, terrorism
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has deployed augmentation teams and realigned its forces in areas where President Duterte wanted to see stronger presence of security forces to suppress lawlessness and terrorism.