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Garma, ruthless killer’
By Nidz Godino
“And now, it is very clear mastermind in killing of Gen. Baraguya is none other than Col. Garma in cooperation, in cahoots, with Col. Leonardo based on testimony of our two resource persons,”Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel of House quad committee branded former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma as “ruthless killer” who hides behind “ innocent facade to commit brutal crimes.”
In his interpellation, Pimentel underscored Garma orchestrated murder to prevent PCSO board secretary and retired police general Wesley Barayuga from exposing corruption within PCSO.
During hearing, Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza testified that Garma ordered Barayuga’s assassination in exchange for P300,000. This claim was corroborated by retired Police Cpl. Nelson Mariano, who said he was responsible for recruiting hitman, identified as “Toks.”
According to Pimentel, when Garma was assigned to Cebu City when she was still police colonel, there were 198 recorded killings, as reported by former Mayor Tommy Osmeña.
He urged committee to include recommendation to file murder charges against Garma and Leonardo in its report.
“Illegal POGOs will have guerrilla operations in small residential areas or subdivisions… that’s where they will go,” Philippine National Police (PNP) public information officer Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said. with disintegration of Philippine offshore gaming operators, PNP is gearing up for operations against guerrilla-type POGOs in the country.
Fajardo said they expect people behind POGOs to continue their operations on smaller scale.
Fajardo said PNP is regularly coordinating with other law enforcement agencies in operations against illegal POGOs.
“We have STG Skimmer purposely for manhunt and operation against POGOs,” she said, referring to special task group created in July.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.has banned POGOs in the country and gave them until end of the year to wind up operations following spate of crimes such as human trafficking, kidnaping and murder within industry.
Fajardo said it is also not surprising that some Filipinos are involved with illegal POGOs, noting people behind industry have hired locals.
“We have rescued may Filipinos because they are used for familiarity in the area and for language barrier,” she said.
At least 14 witnesses will be presented in the petition for bail of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo in qualified trafficking case being tried by Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 167, her lawyer Nicole Jamilla said.
Jamilla said under ‘continuous trial rule,’ court has 30 calendar days within which to decide on Guo’s petition for bail.
Jamilla said prosecution’s burden to prove in court that evidence against Guo’s guilt is strong and bail has no basis.
She said Guo and the other accused attended hearing through video-conferencing as was rule of the court.
She added that court has scheduled marathon hearing of Guo’s petition for bail to Oct. 22 and 23.
Guo is under trial for charges of qualified trafficking under Section 4 (1) in relation to Sections 6 (c), (d), and (i) of RA 9208, as amended by RA 10364 and RA 11862.
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EJK probe won’t spare Duterte
By Nidz Godino
“Whoever it may be…we all know that it is important to reveal truth to public,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said. government’s investigation on cold cases of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) will spare no one not even former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose so-called war on drugs led to deaths of thousands of drug suspects.
Remulla made this clear as Philippine National Police (PNP) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have begun taking another look at killings of drug suspects by security forces in the name of Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs.
Remulla stressed importance of uncovering truth behind killings, now also being investigated by International Criminal Court.
Remulla said there will be no sacred cows. “As long as we’re not favoring anyone… what’s important is that if you have wronged the society, you must pay for it…that’s all there is to it,” he said.
Remulla reiterated government would leave no cold case unresolved as he called on individuals with evidence or testimonies to come forward and assist Department of Justice in uncovering truth. “There will be no peace until we obtain justice…people’s peace of mind about attaining justice is most important thing in our society,” he stressed.
PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) acting director Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III confirmed they are ready to file charges against anyone, including Duterte, if evidence warrants.
Torre said PNP-CIDG would work with NBI in looking into allegations of numerous killings raised during hearings by House of Representatives quad committee on EJKs. He noted that hearings had given hope to families of victims.
“It’s natural for families of victims to seek justice, and this is start of wheels of justice grinding for them,” Torre said.
“We will see what will be said, in what direction investigation on cold cases will go…if we see any link to whoever, including former president, then so be it, we will include them in charges if evidence warrants,” he added.
Torre outlined potential criminal liabilities of those involved in EJKs, depending on nature of their participation. “There are different kinds of principal accused direct participation, inducement or indispensable cooperation…we will assess evidence and categorize their roles accordingly,” he explained.
Former presidential chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo, however, denied EJKs occurred during Duterte administration, asserting casualties were either suspects resisting arrest or members of warring drug syndicates. Panelo argued that if any extrajudicial killings were proven, charges would have been filed during previous administration.
Retired police colonel and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Royina Garma had testified during quad comm hearings that some police operations may have overstepped legal limits, and revealed Duterte himself had approved killings.
She had also linked Sen. Ronald dela Rosa to killings. This was denied by the senator, who offered to lead parallel investigation on EJKs.
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Another alleged Marcos Jr. drug video debunked
By Nidz Godino
“Some individuals are using these kinds of content to propagate wrong narrative… if video or photo is shared in wrong context, it becomes easy for some to convince public to believe in wrong information,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) belied another video implying President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.is using illegal drugs and urged public to examine claims that are making rounds online.
Video showing President Marcos receiving something from supporter while posing for selfies during public event has gone viral, spawning speculations that he got sachet of illicit drugs.
Critics of Marcos alleged object contained “white substance” and assailed him for his supposed brazen acceptance of narcotics.
In video posted on Facebook, PCO clarified someone handed Marcos lapel pin containing logo of his party Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, not prohibited drugs.
PCO called on public to know complete story behind such videos and to examine their details.
Giving of lapel pin was “simple action that was given different interpretation” because some of details in the story were lacking, PCO added.
PCO said blurring and cutting of clips and sharing of information in wrong context are effective ways to deceive public.
PCO also called on public to “think critically, share responsibly” and to join fight against fake news.
Marcos’ critics are claiming he is addicted to illegal drugs, but the President merely laughed off accusation.
Last week, PCO cited report by fact-checker Vera Files stating that artificial intelligence experts from Deepfakes Analysis Unit had found traces of manipulation in video that tried to portray Marcos as cocaine user.
PCO said experts’ findings vindicated Marcos from “malicious individuals” who have been trying to slander him and cast aspersions on his character.
Officials have said people behind now-debunked video could face charges
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Abalos ‘cheapfake’ probe urged
By J.Lo
Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC).is looking into Cheapfakes or rudimentary deepfakes of former interior secretary Benhur Abalos.
Abalos is vying for senatorial seat in May 2025 midterm elections.
Billboard promoting Abalos reads: “Kalaban ng Kriminal (Enemy of criminals) Benhur Abalos.” On social media, altered version of billboard says “enemy and criminal.”
Cheapfakes are “visual disinformation for authentic images or videos are re-contextualized to deliberately alter their meaning,” CICC said, citing Commission on Elections Resolution 11064 promulgated in September.
Malicious use of social media and artificial intelligence to spread misinformation and disinformation may constitute election offense, said CICC executive director Alexander Ramos.
Creation and dissemination of deepfakes, cheapfakes, softfakes and fake news are punishable under the law, he noted.
Cybercrimes related to 2025 polls should be reported to Inter-Agency Response Center hotline 1326, Ramos said.
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‘Hospital arrest’ for Quiboloy junked
By J.Lo
“We received this morning order denying it,” Israelito Torreon, Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy lead counsel told reporters on sidelines of pre-trial conference at Pasig court said Pasig regional trial court has junked petition to have Quiboloy placed under “hospital arrest” at Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Davao City.
Torreon, said court’s Branch 159 denied motion for hospital arrest they filed in September due to KOJC leader’s existing medical condition.
“Yes the judge denied our motion, though the judge clarified during our hearing this afternoon that we can coordinate with the warden of Camp Crame Custodial Center if there is an urgent need for Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to be brought to the hospital. But only that it should be with the PNP General Hospital within Camp Crame,” he .said
Torreon said they intend to ask court to reconsider its decision.
Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, Philippine National Police (PNP) public information officer, said they have yet to receive an update about court proceedings.
She declined to reveal results of medical examination conducted by PNP Health Service on Quiboloy who is accused of qualified human trafficking at Pasig court and child and sex abuse cases at Quezon City court.
“I don’t have personal confirmation with respect to court ruling on medical findings submitted by PNP,” Fajardo said.
Quiboloy remains detained at PNP Custodial Center at Camp Crame over a month after he was arrested on Sept. 8 at KOJC compound in Davao City.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia said Quiboloy might still run as independent candidate for senator after Workers and Peasants Party (WPP), supposedly nominated his senatorial bid, disowned KOJC leader.
Garcia said Quiboloy cannot be declared “nuisance candidate” even if WPP denied him party membership.
Quiboloy is still included in partial official list of aspirants qualified to run in Senate race, he added.
“If person’s candidacy is questioned by his own party, he can still run as an independent candidate,” Garcia said, noting that 17 of 66 aspirants qualified to run for senator are independent candidates.
He added that Comelec is unlikely to declare Quiboloy nuisance simply because of the submission of fake certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA).
“Just because nomination was removed he is now considered nuisance, answer is no because CONA is not basis and ground for declaring someone nuisance candidate,” Garcia explained.
WPP president Sonny Matula earlier filed before Comelec petition seeking to declare Quiboloy nuisance candidate and to disqualify him from Senate race for misrepresenting himself as party member.
Garcia said Comelec still has to look into this complaint of misrepresentation and that it intends to resolve all pending nuisance cases before end of November or before printing of ballots in December.
Unless those declared nuisance would be able to secure temporary restraining order from Supreme Court, Garcia said their names will not be included on official ballots.
Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) filed sedition and inciting to sedition complaints against Torreon, two hosts of Sonshine Media Network International and nine others before Department of Justice.
CIDG chief Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III led filing of complaints against Torreon, Lorraine Badoy (who previously served as spokesperson for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict), Jeffrey Celiz, Eleanor Cardona, Carlo Catil, Kathleen Kaye Laurente, Trinidad Arafol, Lord Byron Cristobal, Joey Espina Sun, Esteban Lava, Jose Lim III and lawyer Marie Dinah Tolentino-Fuentes.
Torre alleged 12 committed sedition and inciting to sedition when they hindered police operatives from serving arrest warrants against Quiboloy inside KOJC compound in Davao City last month.
“The government is serving warrant of arrest against five fugitives and they prevented us from doing so… that is qualified for sedition and inciting sedition…we alleged in the complaint that they called on the people to rise against government, prevent police from serving warrant of arrest and many others,” Torre told reporters.
Complaint also alleged 12, along with KOJC supporters and members, barricaded compound’s gate and “manifested their opposition to the conduct” of police operation…
Vehicles of KOJC members and supporters likewise barricaded highway and attacked members of police’s Civil Disturbance Unit (CDM).
Protesters also threw plastic chairs and stones at CDM contingents, sprayed fire extinguishers and mocked police officers.
Under Revised Penal Code, sedition is committed when people rise “publicly and tumultuously” to prevent government from exercising its functions, among others. Inciting to sedition is committed when people, without taking any direct part in the crime of sedition, “incite others to accomplishment of any of the acts which constitute sedition.”
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Senate to wrap up POGO, Guo probe
By Nidz Godino
“Our investigation on Guo Hua Ping is last chapter in our POGO investigation,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros referring to dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo’s Chinese name, the latter has denied before senators who uncovered her alleged fake Filipino citizenship.
Senate is set to wrap up its yearlong investigation on illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO), Hontiveros said
According to Hontiveros, investigation on Guo’s involvement in illegal POGOs is the last chapter of inquiry.
Senators looked into Guo’s involvement in the raided POGO hub Zun Yuan Technology while she was Bamban mayor. Guo has since been dismissed from elective post by Office of the Ombudsman.
Guo also quo warranto case after senators blew lid on her alleged espionage activities and role in forcing trafficked persons to do scams in POGO hub.
Senate as early as last year looked into raided POGO hubs, served as cryptocurrency scam farms. Their investigation took turn when authorities stumbled upon POGO hub located just behind Bamban municipal hall.
Hontiveros said Senate would conclude hearing by digging deeper into claims made by self-confessed Chinese spy She Zhijiang in Al Jazeera documentary that he and Guo worked for Chinese Communist Party.
Senate is also inclined to invite accused POGO kingpin Lin Xunhan, alias Lyu Dong, allegedly knew Guo and is seen as pioneer in illegal POGOs. Lin was arrested by authorities in Biñan City, Laguna last Thursday.
Hontiveros lamented that Senate could not reach out to She Zhijiang after latter was put into maximum security prison following Al Jazeera documentary. She Zhijiang is detained in Thailand for alleged illegal casinos and is fighting extradition to China.
“We have learned from media sources that She, charged with illegally operating casino, is currently unreachable and has been moved to different prison facility, I am holding the Department of Foreign Affairs to its commitment during latest Senate hearing that it is urgently exhausting all diplomatic and legal channels to allow Philippine officials, with permission by Thai authorities, to communicate with She,” Hontiveros said.
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said deadline for POGO foreign workers to voluntarily downgrade their visas has been extended until today.
Deadline was originally set for Oct. 15, but Remulla said Bureau of Immigration (BI) would accept applications for downgrading of visas until Oct. 18.
“We want as many people to voluntarily downgrade their visas because automatic cancellation has lot of implications,” Remulla told reporters.
Foreign workers were told to downgrade their 9G visas to tourist visas, allowing them to stay in the country until yearend.
According to BI, over 12,000 foreign POGO workers have applied for downgrade of working visas.
BI Commissioner Joel Viado already said there would be no more extensions for filling and that those who do not meet deadline will have to leave the country.
BI also plans to conduct implementation days for POGO companies where it can issue on-site exit clearances and Department of Labor and Employment personnel can accept Alien Employment Permits surrendered by POGO workers.
As for Filipinos who take over POGO operations, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said scenario is potential ticking time bomb and problem for the country as majority of them go scot-free.
Spokesman Winston John Casio admitted PAOCC is facing challenges in holding hundreds of Filipinos found to be involved in POGO operations criminally liable.
“Due to lack of material time to be able to develop credible case against most of these Filipinos, we’re able to let them go,” he said.
Casio raised scenario wherein 400 Filipinos are caught in one scam farm, noting that it will be challenge to prosecute all of them.
Despite directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.for them to cease operations, several POGOs appear to be continuing their activities as smaller units and shifting to underground operations.
Casio said unscrupulous Filipinos have also learned trade of scamming people from Chinese nationals who are running POGOs.
Philippine National Police (PNP) said former presidential spokesman Harry Roque, who is questioned for involvement in POGO operations, could be hiding in Mindanao.
Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, PNP public information officer, said Criminal Investigation and Detection Group received information that Roque was spotted twice in Mindanao.
Fajardo did not specify areas in Mindanao where Roque was spotted so as not to jeopardize manhunt operations for former government official.
“Your guess is as good as mine with respect to his intention…why should he go to that place?” Fajardo said, referring to Mindanao.
“My loyalty to that person will go forever and ever… I will sink or swim with president Duterte,” Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said with more investigations on previous administration’s deadly campaign against illegal drugs on horizon, has professed his undying loyalty to his former boss, former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Despite this loyalty to the former president and apparent conflict of interest the senator believes he would be able to lead Senate investigation on drug war, he implemented as Duterte’s first chief of police.
“I have function that I have to do as chairman of Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, so I know where I stand,” he stressed.
Dela Rosa is open to proposals for investigation to be conducted by Senate possibly convened as committee of the whole.
“I have no problem with that… I’m OK with that… If they will question my motu proprio investigation on PDEA ,Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency leaks that was suspended, we can talk about it,” he added.
Dela Rosa was referring to his committee’s previous investigation on supposed leaked documents that linked several high-profile personalities, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to illegal drugs.
According to the senator, if his committee’s inquiry into drug war pushes through, it will be continuation of PDEA leaks probe and will not start from scratch.
Dela Rosa was initially hesitant to conduct probe on drug war, but realized there was need for “checks and balances” given ongoing quad committee investigations at House of Representatives.
Several witnesses, including retired police colonel and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office chief Royina Garma, bared details of supposed reward system implemented during drug war.
“I see that the lies being told at Lower House are getting out of hand…somehow, we want to see at Senate if they will be consistent in what they will say,” he said, referring to witness testimonies.
He earlier said that Duterte may be more comfortable attending investigation at Senate than at House of Representatives.
For former Senate president Franklin Drilon, plan of Dela Rosa and Sen. Bong Go to lead investigations will put Senate’s credibility on line.
Like Dela Rosa, Go also has close ties with Duterte. He served as special assistant to the president until 2019, when he was elected senator.
“Credibility of Senate as institution is at stake… public will not believe that it will be in aid of legislation because they were mentioned in House hearings,” Drilon said .
He said investigation by committee of the whole is better option. But it can only be convened once Senate resumes session on Nov. 4, he pointed out.
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