MIRIAM SANTIAGO DIES AT 71

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago

Labeled as the Iron Lady of Asia, the woman who eats death threats for breakfast, Senator Miriam Santiago died this morning peacefully in her sleep.  The lawmaker has been battling stage 4 lung cancer since 2009.

Her husband who has been with her said the passing was smooth and peaceful. 

"She died peacefully in her sleep this morning", Atty. Jun Santiago said. 

This was confirmed by a tweet from her official twitter account stating that the senator died 8:52 AM while being confined at St. Luke's Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City. 

Sen. Miriam Santiago Official Twitter Account

Now a former lawmaker, Sen. Miriam Santiago will forever be missed as a true and loving leader of the Philippines. 

Read more

HOSTAGES RELEASED BY THE ASG WAS A GREAT PROGRESS SAID THE DEFENSE SECRETARY

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana ordered the troops sent in Mindanao to strengthen the security avoid more or another kidnapping incidents in Southern Philippines specifically in the Western region of Mindanao. The Secretay also addressed the troops to save the other hostages left in the hands of the ASG. It was reported recently that the ASG released a few of their hostages. Secretary Lorenzana was happy with this news and defined it a good sign for the military pressure they put up to the ASG. He even added that the ASG can now feel the intense pressure and hopes for further success of this activity, save more lives, and release all hostages. He also wished to a peaceful Mindanao and no more kidnapping incidents.

“Magandang signal yan, good sign na under pressure na sila (ASG) and we are really happy na marami na narelease na mga hostages at sana wala nang hong kidnapping,” [It was a good sign that the ASG are now feeling the pressure and I hope there will be no kidnapping incidents] Def. Sec. Lorenzana said.

The military troops recently saved a businesswoman whom was kidnapped in Cagayan de Oro City. By the help of the local residents and vigilants, the troops are able to locate the suspects and save the hostage right away. 

Read more

EDGAR MATOBATO FACING FRUSTATED MURDER CASE

Edgar Matobato

Atty. Salcedo confirmed that he already filed a case against Edgar Matobato. Matobato by the way is the prime witness against the case of the controversial “ extra judicial killings” in the Philippines under Duterte Administration. Matobato  even said that he was one of the DDS (Davao Death Squad) who executed many drug addicts in Davao City in 2009.

Atty. Salcedo points Matobato as the trigger man who ambushed him by the time he was serving the Regional Adjudicator of the Department of Agrarian Reform Adjudication Board Region XII. In 2014, Salcedo stated that Matobato is the killer he has been searching for and it has been 2 years to his big surprise when he saw Matobato on national television witnessing the case against the killings in the Philippines. Salcedo was shot thrice in his stomach and in his left shoulder which he said was done by Edgar Matobato. He even remembered that the statements made by Matobato from his testimony matched his statements from the senate inquiry that he was asked to kill him for 400,000 pesos in return.

“Tinuod nga nakafile na kami bago lang nahuman didto sa Digos City sa kaso nga frustated murder kay wala man ko mamatay. Ang akong gisumbong si Edgar Matobato,”  [It’s true we already filed a case against Edgar Matobato. Frustated murder for I was not killed.] Atty. Salcedo confirming the filed case.

Read more

DUTERTE FEARS NO DRUG LORDS

President Duterte

On September 23 this year, President Rodrigo Duterte visited Camp Amado Dumlao

the Regional Office XII in Tambler General Santos City. Duterte said before that he is ready to be in jail but only after he is done with his campaign against drugs and crimes in the Philippines which he considers an epidemic crisis. 

"Go out and hunt down the criminals, arrest them and if they do any violent resistance and if you think you will be in trouble, kill them first," Duterte said.

On the other hand, the media now labels the Philippine President as a leader but not a statesman. On this issue, Duterte joked that he ran for the position of being president and he already won. He don't even know what a statesman does and what is that position. 

"Tapos na ang eleksyon, nanalo na tayo... 6 million nga ang lamang eh," 

[The already won the election and we got 6 million votes ahead] Duterte said.

Read more

Chinese News Anchor Claims Philippines to Belong to Chinese Sovereignty, Aired on National TV!

While China and the Philippines are in the territorial dispute for some time now. One Chinese anchor now even believes that the entire Philippines actually belongs to China.

On May 07 a news anchor for the the TV network CCTV, was speaking to a colleague on the late TV news the news anchor said: "We all know that the Philippines is China’s inherent territory, and the Philippines belongs to Chinese sovereignty. This is an indisputable fact."

According to the report, The news clip, which has been removed from CCTV’s website, was part of a report on a month-long standoff between China and the Philippines over a remote shoal in the South China Sea, which both nations claim as their own. The CCTV officials have refused to make a comment.

The CCTV news anchor was later identified as He Jia. The viewers even joked that the news anchor’s nationalistic views led to her mistake.

Read more

Witness Against Leila De Lima Exposed!

Herbert Colangco visited by PNP Chief Director General Ronaldo dela Rosa at the Bilibid 

Reports have been saying that Senator elect Leila de Lima is in connection to the spread of drug trade in the Philippines and she was even labeled as “The Protector” of drug lords inside the Bilibid. The senator is in denial against this because according to her,  these are all alleged issues and lies used against her but her case has already been set for a hearing on September 20.

Senator de Lima is even allegedly had a part from drugs proceeds amounting to 5 million pesos which the information came from witnesses inside the Bilibid.

“Colangco is one of the 10 to 12 high-profile inmates na mag-te-testify,” Atty. Aguirre said today. 

Colangco and with other inmates are said to testify against de Lima on the hearing.

Read more

Viral Now: Davao Death Squad Investigation

Senator Leila de Lima

D-D-S. This three-letter word has been viral due to the hearing done yesterday inline with the so-called "extra judicial killings" in the Philippines. Senator Leila de Lima has been investigating this since she was CHR, then when she was DOJ Secretary, and now being a senator. The goal of de Lima is to prove that the current Philippine President, Rodrigo Duterte, is in connection with the DDS which they called to be the "DAVAO DEATH SQUAD". 

First of all, where did this label (DDS) came from? From the time that President Duterte was still Mayor of Davao City, his campaign against illegal drugs and drug lords was a kick of true movement. If you're in Davao, and you're a drug addict, you're dead but that doesn't mean that all orders came from the Mayor himself as said by the Davao Police. Yesterday, during the hearing, PNP Chief Bato dela Rosa stated that Davao Death Squad does not exist. He doesn't even know where that came from.

PNP Chief Director General Ronaldo "Bato" dela Rose

He admitted that ..."yes, there killings in Davao but those were done by the vigilantes out there, marami mga vigilante sa Davao..."

Davao Death Squad has been viral since yesterday's hearing and has been on trends for 18 hours now. Let's take a look at how netizens reacted:

Read more

Filipina, Shot by Police In Belgium

“Bigla siyang nagwala. Buti na lang walang namatay. [She suddenly went wild. Good thing no one died]… she will be undergoing exam to detemine her mental health,” Jose said

Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose had a press briefing and told the press about the case of a Filipina, permanent resident in Belgium, who is in a coma right now.  He told the press that a Filipina is in comatose right now and currently being treated in a hospital in Belgium. She was shot by a Belgian police officer for she was in caught stabbing three people on a bus. She was able to do the stabbing because of her apparent breakdown.  She is 52 years old and nobody knows what’s the cause of her breakdown.

The women was not named yet and is under investigation and under police protection. The Philippine government will provide her with legal assistance. She lives in Belgium for a couple of years already with her family. If the woman recovers, she will be undergoing medical and psychiatric exams to determine her criminal liability. Once proved to have a mental disability, the woman may past the edge of criminal charges. 

Read more

Davao Blast: Suspects Arrested

The perpetrators of the Davao city blast were arrested in Cotabato City and was now taken to Camp Crame for investigation.

Additional reports from the local news radio said that the mastermind of the Davao blast last September 2 and killed 14 and injured 67 people was the Vice Mayor Abdul Wahad Sabal of Talitay, Maguindanao and his brother Montasir Sabal.

The arrested bomb maker who is also in the custody of the police was the one who spilled the information to the authorities.

Police Informants also said that Abdul Wahad Sabal belongs to the list of the narco politicians that President Duterte released.

As of now the official statement of Davao city mayor and the PNP about the said arrest was not yet released.

Read more

Mary Jane Veloso To Be Executed For Real This Time

Mary Jane Veloso with the Indonesian Police

Can you still remember Mary Jane Veloso? Yes, the Filipina maid who was arrested for carrying a 2.6 kg of heroin inside her suitcase at the Indonesian airport. She is a mother of two and they live in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija in the Philippines. She was sentenced to death in 2009 and was supposed to be executed through a firing squad last 2015 but during the final minute, the Indonesian government granted the plead to spare her life for a while.  She was granted the plead because of the numerous campaigns against her execution and even got the attention and support of the Filipino Champ Manny Pacquiao who is now a senator in the Philippines.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said that it’s “GO”. Mary Jane Veloso will be executed this time as reports say it's a green light from President Duterte. According to an article from Inquirer.net saying that Widodo's counterpart (Duterte) had given the GO ahead signal for Mary Jane Veloso's execution, a statement that was not met by rebuttal from Manila, but also sparked criticisms at home. 

"So I see that Duterte has a very high consistency in regards to the eradication of narcotics. There is no tolerance so he said that he respected the legal process in Indonesia. The meaning of that is clear." Widodo said

President Duterte clearly accepts whatever decision of the Indonesian government and so as President Widodo respects the processes done by the Philippine government. Both parties are in respect with the due process ongoing in the Philippines and also in Indonesia. 

Read more

Sara Duterte, Not Expecting Triplets Anymore

Presidential daughter Sara Duterte, current Mayor of Davao City, had a miscarriage! It was reported last month in the height of the celebration of Kadayawan Festival in Davao that the Mayor is conceiving not one, not two, but three babies! Everyone in Davao City were very delighted about this news which they consider a blessing but this delight ended in an unfortunate miscarriage of the Mayor. It was reported that two of Mayor Sara’s triplets, sadly lost their heartbeat inside her womb. Mayor Sara said she was not feeling well on Monday and she needed a definite help of a doctor. 

“Lunes, buong araw iyak ako nang iyak. I lost my identical twins”

[“I’ve been crying all day last Monday,”] Mayor Sara said. 

She also added that the fetuses (identical twins) will not yet be able to be extracted for it may affect the baby left which still has a chance of survival. 

After the official state visit of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte from Indonesia following the ASEAN summit, the president arrived at Davao City International Airport received this unfortunate news and became emotional after he was asked about Mayor Sara’s health condition. 

President Duterte said he went to the bathroom after he received the news and cried himself inside the bathroom stall.

“I cried. These are the things in life na… You just have to be yourself,” teary-eyed Duterte said. 

Read more

ABU SAYYAF GROUP VS. MILF AND MNLF?

MNLF regroups amid heavy fighting vs Abu Sayyaf

The Abu Sayyaf Group has been sending threats of terrorist activities such as bombing in Mindanao and areas in the Philippines. The most recent bombing incident was in Davao City which the ASG claimed to be one of their threats. Also recently in Sulu which made Pres. Rodrigo send troops of armies there to secure the people from attacks. Few encounters have been happening in Sulu and 15 soldiers died already.  Because of this, through a Facebook post of Philippine Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol that President Duterte is open to hire mercenaries to totally obliterate the ASG.  The government wishes to finish the Abu Sayyaf Group to attain total peace. 

It was reported on Monday, September 5 that Teddy Baguilat, Ifugao representative, has been making moves to urge the MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) and the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) to think of themselves as a cooperative national groups. This idea have been in the realizations of Representative Baguilat inline with President Duterte's willingness to hire mercinaries to totally make the ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) stop their disastrous activities and make Mindanao and the whole country peaceful. 

Read more

White House Cancels Meeting With The Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte

Photo by PhilStar

It was reported today that the White House turned down the scheduled meeting of US President Barack Obama and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte inline also with the upcoming ASEAN Summit to happen this week in Laos. This decision was suggested by Obama who said that he want a productive meeting and he wants something to be done. He was referring to the fragile topic of the controversial drug and crime campaign of the Duterte Administration in the Philippines. This statement made Duterte agitated and left a statement in a press interview aired on national television on September 5, 2016.

“I AM NO AMERICAN PUPPET. I AM THE PRESIDENT OF A SOVEREIGN COUNTRY AND I’M NOT ANSWERABLE TO ANYONE EXCEPT THE FILIPINO PEOPLE… SON OF A BITCH, I WILL SWEAR AT YOU.” -DUTERTE ON OBAMA

This was the angry response of the Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on the rising number of political and countries who were in great worry about the alleged "extra judicial killings" in the Philippines. President Duterte even remarked that he owe no one an explanation to this (not even other countries) unless they are a Filipino. EXTRA JUDICIAL KILLING is not even the right term to use. As we can remember, leaders from different countries are in a great worry about the increasing number of "killings" in the Philippines which, as a Filipino can either be the result of Duterte's campaign against drugs and crimes or just plain criminal activities by criminals. 

He even looked back to the time when the Americans invaded the Philippines few years back which he used to blame USA to the current situation of the Philippines especially the people of Mindanao who was made to be America's subjugated people during that time. 

Read more

Davao Blast: List of Victims Released By the Local Government of Davao City

Grieving Families of the Bombing in Davao
Photo: ibtimes

The local government of Davao City has released names of the victims of the deadly blast.

Fatalities:

· Larida, Daniel
· Larida, Melanie Faith
· Adremesin, Jay
· Cagantas, Rogelio
· Basilisco, Mercy
· Mr. X (unidentified)
· Decolongon, Cristelle (ferried to Surallah, South Cotabato)
· Merisido, Ruth
· Salvador, Reynaldo
· Biscocho, Eufemia
· Reyes, Christian Denver
· Sobrecary, Evelyn
· Ms. Y (unidentified)
· Person Z (unidentified)

Injured:

· Cartagenas, Rosa
· Lopez, Sherry
· Palima, Haemaccel
· Palima, Daryl Ang, Mary Jane
· Sobrecarey, Reyna Joy
· Saiyon, Perliza
· Fuerte, Marivic
· Ms. A (unidentified)
· Usman, Junaeb
· Jeukarnin, On Palao
· Carayao, Jerome
· Magardino, Jay
· Bansil, Jeramil
· Bansil, Myrna
· Loreto, Joel
· Claro, Annie Lee
· Tagadaya, Princess
· Cayao, Samuel
· Cruz, Mary Grace
· Gallardo, Julino
· Masucat, Wilfredo
· Salusugan, Joan Marie
· Tayao, Samuel
· Cruz, Mary Grace
· Malang, Raihana
· Rosal, Jenalyn
· Magandig, Joy
· Merioles, Gleen
· Kimberly (from Tibungco)
· Puton, Mylene
· Cape, Jean
· Sarong, Trisha
· Cruz, April Ann
· Lamban, Losario
· Larida, Dennis
· Tagadaya, Steven
· Esterno, Joel
· Manalo, Fatima
· Mr. B (unidentified)
· Kara, Angeline
· Egbus, Michael
· Rodriguez, Reezabeela
· Rodriguez, Camille
· Grecia, Anji Laura
· Tumampos, Jay
· Balili, Marieta
· Reyes, Joanna
· Torres, Donny
· Goc-ong, Brando
· Nacario, Erickson
· Cabaral, Glenn
· Campos, Errol
· Uy, Flordeliza
· Caniba, Jamil
· Esportono, Lilibeth
· Samonh, Dionane
· Artigos, Melvin
· Ampaso, Eldy
· Manan, Farusi
· Nacario, Emelita
· Tandang, Karen
· Bernales, Liezel
· Padernal, Antonio
· Merioles, Jasmin

Read more

Davao City Blast: The Official Statement of Davao city Mayor Sara Duterte

Add caption

Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte, expressed her sympathy to the bereaved family of the Davao Blast last Friday, September 2, 2016. She also promised to give financial assistance to the victim of the said incident.

“I would like to express my deepest condolences to the families of those who died last night.”

“I would also like to reassure all of them, as well as the families of those who are injured that the City Government of Davao will assist in all their needs for hospitalization, burial, funeral and day to day expenses.”

“I am sorry for what happened.”

“I would like to remind other officials to stay within the bounds of their official duties according to their position. Please leave me in peace to do my job and I'll leave you to focus on your own work.”

“We will not be terrorized by this heinous crime and I call on all Dabawenyos to unite and let us help each other rise from this senseless incident.”

“Let us remain vigilant, please report any and all suspicious activity, no matter how insignificant it may seem.”

“There will be a memorial at 4:00 this afternoon at the explosion site. Everybody is welcome to say their prayer, lay their flowers and light a candle for those who passed.”

“Thank you.”

Read more

Malacañang Palace: The Drive Against Drug Abuse Was A Success

Duterte showing the Drug Matrix
Photo: Cnnphilippines

Malacañang Palace treats the initial onslaught of the Duterte fever amongst the drug abusers as a success despite the disagreeing claims of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). Secretary Andanar boasted over a radio station interview on DzRB Radio that the current administrations drive against drug abuse was a success with an estimated count of 700, 000 thousand person surrendered or subjected themselves for rehabilitation. The secretary also added that the government is now ready to progress to the second phase of the anti drug campaign and will be furthermore explained by the president himself.

The data from the PNP that was released on august 2 shows that over 600,000 persons have surrendered from July 1 to August 2.

The president’s promise during campaign was recalled by Secretary Andanar and stated that the president is doing what he can and as fast as possible, and ‘in three to six months 70  to 80 percent of it is expected to be cleaned.

The palace said that the success of the first phase of the operation was due to president Duterte’s “matrix” that established the links of the big time drug-lords and certain personnel in the alleged illegal drug operation inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

Presidential spokesman said that those involved in the NBP “matrix” will also face graft related cases.

Secetary Andanar furthermore said that charges will indefinitely be imposed to those names that were in Duterete’s “matrix”. He also added that a criminal case will be filed immediately will have no time line as long as the evidences will have a strong hold against the accused and as long as the evidences are concrete and person of interest haven't submitted their counter affidavit.

Included in the ”matrix“ were former justice secretary De lima, former Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan, and Pangasinan representative Amado Espino Jr., all of whom denied the accusations against them.

Prior to the release of the matrix, Duterte also read out a list of PNP officers, local government officials and members of the judiciary who are supposedly involved in the illegal drug trade. He had also accused former and incumbent police generals of protecting drug operations. 

Read more

Leak of Evidence Against De Lima, Not From DOJ?

Senator Leila De Lima

Senator elect Leila de Lima has been accused of being a part of the wide spread drug trade in the Philippines. The former DOJ Secretary also has been defending herself against these accusations. She is also labeled as “The Protector” of drug syndicates who have a close connection to drug trade and drug lords. The leak of evidences against the Philippine Senator was not from the Department of Justice as reports say but under a Polygraph Examination or Lie Detector Test that was made by 2 persons whom they consider witnesses because of their connection to de Lima as former staffs when de Lima was still the DOJ Secretary. These witnesses were named Jong Caranto and Bogs Obuyes who both made their testimonies to testify de Lima’s backdoor negotiations as alleged. The two testified about the bank accounts which de Lima used to deposit money gained from drug activities which also was registered to their names.

The evidences also include a deposit slip of 24 million pesos. Reportedly, the two witnesses who made their testimonies was not reporting to their duties right after the said amount of money was deposited to their accounts.

Vitaliano Aguirre, current Justice Secretay, said it is possible that these reports are used to make false judgments to Senator de Lima and to turn the Filipino people’s attention to the focal issue of the country which is the new administration. He also added not to believe any premature statements made to a newly build up case against Senator de Lima.
On the defending side of Senator de Lima, she said that these reports are just inventions and false accusations. These are just stories made up by people who want to drag her down so she can be a bad image.

Whatever details that may come out to the upcoming days of investigation about this case, may the truth prevail.

Is Senator Leila de Lima really a “Protector” ofthe drug lords in the Philippines?

Read more

Breaking News! Davao Blast: 14 Confirmed Dead

September 2, 2016 Davao Bombing

  The peaceful night of Davao City were ruined after a bomb exploded in Roxas Street in front of Ateneo University around 9:30-10 PM. Many people thought it was just a gasoline tank explosion but it was confirmed that it was really a bomb explosion. Before this shocking incident happened, witnesses said that they saw two women walking around a spa near Ateneo University. It was so easy for these women to leave a certain “bag” or others say it “travel bag” they were carrying around the massage area. Everybody around and near the area didn’t had an idea because these two are woman. 

Pres. Duterte Visiting the Victims

After this tragic incident it was reported that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte visited right away the place where the bombing happened and of course the victims. Reports already confirmed that 14 people died, 67 wounded including a pregnant woman whom was reported to be in a 50-50 condition inside the ICU of Southern Medical Center. Duterte visited all the victims wherever hospital they were admitted in leaving him no sleep until this time. The government will give P26,000 to the families of those who died in this bombing as a support. These innocent people were now at the Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes and their families are in great distress. This is a very tragic incident.  You will never know when these bombing are going to hit your place. Everybody is now praying for the families of the victims and the victims themselves who were just innocent people.

Reports said that this bombing might be a revenge of the ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) against President Duterte’s movement and campaign for Peace in Mindanao. Many also are thinking that is a revenge also by the drug lords whom are Pres. Duterte’s great enemies.  Paolo Duterte, son of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, was said to have been threatened by a certain text message that a bombing will happen in Davao City. This report was not confirmed yet by Paolo Duterte and people must keep up to date for more information because this incident is still in a great investigation. The area around Ateneo University has CCTV cameras and the Davao Police and investigators are looking forward to review it and have a copy of the CCTV footage. The Davao Police also asked the people and the media to not to report unconfirmed news yet and wait for the official details of the said bombing.

This article will be updated soon as the official and confirmed details are released.
If you happened to be a witness of this tragic event, where were you when the bombing happened?

What are your thoughts about this? Let’s talk in the comments section below.

Read more

Duterte at the ASEAN Summit 2016

President Duterte at Asean Summit

ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) is an organization of southeastern Asian nations that promotes both political and economic activities of nations comprising it. ASEAN Summit is a yearly activity in which the leaders and representatives of the member countries discuss things regarding their concerns of different issues and certain things they want to promote and talk about. This year 2016, the ASEAN Summit will be held in Laos which will be attended also by US President Barack Obama.

Known for his fearless governance, especially his campaign against drugs and crimes, newly elected president of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte gives positive vibes to the members of the ASEAN wanting to meet him and have one on one conversation with him. Six political leaders including host country Laos president already sent him an invitation of one on one meeting but none of them so far received confirmation.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in the Philippines asked the media and political leaders especially ASEAN members NOT to give false judgments on President Duterte’s unresponsiveness. Reports say that the Philippine President turned down the invitations including Obama’s. Pres. Duterte’s response was not affirmative yet but also not a “no”. The office of the ASEAN Affairs Secretary dela Vegas asked the members of the ASEAN not to give malice on this. The secretary even added that the main reason why the Philippine President has not confirmed any invitations yet it is because of his hectic schedule. This schedule includes meetings mostly everyday which run from night until early in the morning,  interviews and media press conference, his appearances in military events, and visiting different regions in the Philippines. Also his responsibilities while going to different regions in Mindanao which is a region of diverted communities, especially in Davao City and recently in Sulu and the devoted Philippine President might not grant any invitations outside of his priorities yet because of these.

Read more