President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presents to the media Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presents to the media Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, the remaining kidnap victim of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), after being released by his captors on Friday (September 16, 2016) in Indanan, Sulu.

Sekkingstad is one of the four (4) victims taken hostage by the ASG in Samal, Davao del Norte last November 2015. The other hostages were Canadians James Ridsdel and Robert Hall who were beheaded by the bandit group, and Filipina Marites Flor who was released last June.

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De Lima witness "Rody Duterte Code Name Charlie Mike"

Edgar Matobato told the Senate that he was a previous individual from the "Davao Death Squad." He talked around a few occasions when President Rodrigo Duterte, then chairman of Davao City, educated them to execute individuals.

Matobato revealed that after the 1993 shelling of the Davao Cathedral in Davao City, "Umorder si Duterte na masscare-in yung Mosque ng mga muslim." (Duterte issued the request to slaughter the Muslims in the mosque.)

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He said it was Duterte himself who went to their office to give them the occupation. Matobato said he was the person who heaved the explosive at Bangkerohan Mosque.

No one was harmed amid the blast, in any case. (Perused: A past filled with bombings in Davao)

Matobato said the individuals from the demise squad were "phantom representatives" at the Davao City Hall under the "Common Security Unit."

In 2002, Matobato reviewed that Duterte again requested them to murder a specific "Sally Makdum." He said the gathering abducted and slaughtered him, and slashed him to pieces.

Matobato said Ronald dela Rosa, now the head of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who was at the Thursday Senate hearing, thought about this operation as he was at the time the head of Davao City's Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force.

Contracted as Cafgu

Matobato said he was initial a Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) part under the Scout Rangers in Davao City. He was later enrolled into the "Lambada Boys." They occupation should execute offenders in the city – drug pushers, attackers, and snatchers.

The Davao Death Squad is a vigilante bunch in Davao City that objectives culprits. Duterte, who was leader of Davao for more than two decades before accepting the administration, has for quite some time been connected to the gathering.

Duterte at one time "asserted" responsibility for Davao Death Squad, additionally demanded that there is no proof to connection him to the vigilante bunch.

Matobato said

Matobato they were requested to grab and later, execute Salim Makdum. Matobato says PNP boss Dela Rosa, then head of PAOCTF, thought about this.

Source: Rappler

LOOK: Biggest Clam Pearl in the world

Puerto Princesa City- A fisherman from Palawan entrusted his ever kept and claimed to be the biggest natural giant pearl in the world to the City Tourism Office.

The pearl weighed 34 kilograms and is measuring  1 foot wide, 2.2 feet long. They said that it is much bigger than the gigantic pearl found in 2014, which only weighs 24.7 kilos.

The giant pearl was turned over to them by a certain man from Palawan who luckily found the specimen while he was fishing more than a decade ago, Puerto Princesa City Tourism Officer Aileen Cynthia Amurao said.

“Sumabit sa angkla nila ng minsan sila nangisda, naabutan ng bagyo, sumabit itong shell na mayroon palang pearl,” Amurao stated.

Amurao also added that the owner did know of the pearl’s value but only kept it to bring luck and since the fisherman has always changing residency, he decided to entrust it to City Tourism Officer (CTO) who then turned it over to the City Government of Palawan.

“Humihingi ako ng tulong sa inyo sa mga gemologist, baka mayroon tayo dito na puwedeng mag-certify ng authenticity nito at mag-appraise," Amurao stressed.

He called the attention of the Gemologist Institute to properly authenticate and appraise the said giant clam pearl.

The CTO wishes that this new discovery in their place will help boost tourism in the city.

The said pearl will be presented for public viewing on Monday, August 22, at the Puerto Princesa City Hall.

Source: facebook philstar

Espinosa's Lawyer and Companion shot dead

Tacloban City, Ph. - Mayor Rolando Espinosa yesterday sought assistance from the provincial Police as unidentified gunmen shot dead his lawyer, Rogelio Bato Jr. 48, and his 15 year-old female companion in Tacloban City.

The gunmen riddled with bullets the victim’s car from an M-16 and a .45 caliber pistol both the lawyer and his companion died instantly.

When asked about the ambush, Espinosa refused to comment about it but said that he will cooperate with the authorities and will give more information on the drug activities of his son Kerwin, who is still at large.

Chief Insp. Jovie Espinido, Albuera Police accompanied Espinosa to the provincial headquarters and disclosed that the Mayor will identify the Police officers and other top government official linked to illegal drugs and if he is qualified, he could apply as a state witness against illegal drugs operations of his son and his cohorts.

But it is the DOJ’s decision if he would be qualified to be a state witness, and at this time, we are here to secure him. Espinido said.

Espinosa’s daughter said that they are no longer safe and they are in danger as of the moment now that their lawyer was killed, and they fear that their father and his relatives could be the next target, although she confirmed, that his brother Kerwin is the only one involved in the drug trade in their family.

The National Police Commission removed the Espinosa’s authority to supervise the Police after he was named by the President to be involved in illegal drugs. Although he insisted that only his son was engaged in the trafficking.

PNP region 8, Palo Leyte, led by acting regional police Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar, vowed to conduct a thorough investigation and immediate arrest of the killers.

Source: Interaksyon

LOOK: Duterte reveals Matrix links De Lima in illegal drugs

As President Rodrigo Duterte promised to reveal the said matrix that would linked Senator Leila De Lima to illegal drugs.

The most awaited matrix has finally come to surprise us that the Sen. De Lima, Ronnie Dayan(ex-driver of De Lima), BM Raul Sison, Congressman Amado Espino, Raffy Baraan, Gen. Franklin Bucayo and DOJ Usec Toti Baraan are on the list.

Allegedly the senator was said to have a driver who is her lover and has helped in collecting the money out of the narco from the New Bilibid Prison of Muntinlupa.

President Duterte and Depart. of Justice Secretary Aguirre said that they effectively assembled witnesses that can demonstrate the assertions against Sen. De Lima.

The President conceded that the Senator is not straightforwardly included in unlawful drug trade, but rather she is tolerating cash from the drug lords to keep up their business inside the National Penitentiary.



Source: PTV

LOOK: Duterte to reveal matrix, proves De Lima the highest officiallinks to illegal drugs

After Senator Leila De Lima denied the President Rodrigo Duterte's accusation against her and said that it's an “absolute lie.” and she also said that she is “willing to be shot” in front of the President if the allegations to her will be proven true.

As quoted De Lima stated,“I’m denying it again. That’s an absolute lie, that’s completely false,” referring to her drug links.

The latter said that De Lima was the highest ranking official who has links to illegal drugs, Duterte said during the oath-taking of generals and flag officers at Rizal Hall, Malacañang.

Duterte added that he would come out next week with a matrix that would show the involvement of the senator in narco inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), Duterte said on Tuesday.

“I will show to you, maybe this week, the matrix. I am just validating the matrix in Muntinlupa. De Lima is included in the matrix. So it would share her role there,” the President said at the sideline of the oath-taking of generals and flag officers at the Palace’s Rizal Hall.

However, Duterte refused to give detailed information about the matrix, he also gave clues that a certain governor and an undersecretary were also on the list.

He stressed, “When I go out with the matrix, you will know. There is also a governor and you know, he’s my friend, I could not believe it but he’s there in the revelation. There’s a governor and an undersecretary."

Asked if it is the former Justice undersecretary Francisco Baraan III, Duterte answered, "How did you know? Yes, he is."

Duterte also said that during the time of De lima being Justice Secretary of DOJ that most of the detainees were given preferential treatment inside the NBP.

Duterte explained, “There were parties being held almost every night; there was a combo, a musical group; liquors and alcoholic drinks flowed freely and women went inside and out the prison."

“If she would face me here, I would tell her: Explain to me your immorality and explain to me your connection with the drug people… She cannot deny it because there are pictures taken at that time. But she never for a moment just deny it,” Duterte added referring to De Lima.

Source: Sunstar

VIDEO: Trillanes: We know what is right. We weren’t trained in theacademy to do what’s wrong & illegal

On Monday, during the Senate inquiry on the alleged extrajudicial killings in the country, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV was having the chance to ask the Philippine National Police Chief Dir. General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, “We were not trained by the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) to do what’s wrong and illegal,” Trillanes said referring to Dela Rosa.

While Dela Rosa was on the grill by Trillanes, he refreshed his memory that the PMA did not teach them to participate themselves in something illegal.

“Let’s just do the right thing. Alam natin kung ano ang tama. Hindi tayo tinrain sa academy to do what’s wrong and illegal" "We know what is right. We weren’t trained in the academy to do what’s wrong and illegal,” Trillanes said.

Trillanes was known for heading the Oakwood Mutiny on 2003  when he and some of the officers and men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) protested for alleged spreading corruption inside the government.

Dela Rosa and Trillanes were both from PMA class, Dela Rosa is from “Sinagtala” Class of 1986 while Trillanes is from “Marilag” Class of 1995.

Trillanes also cautioned the policemen that President Rodrigo Duterte will not always be there to protect them because he has only six years on his term.

“General, umiikot ‘yung mundo eh. Ngayon si Duterte naka-pwesto; eh malay natin ‘yung susunod na pwesto ang priority ay human rights at magconduct ng investigation, by then retired na kayo at nakatiwang-wang mga pulis,” Trillanes added.

For almost seven and a half years Trillanes was also detained before after leading the protest against corruption.

“Kapag binuksan ang honest to goodness investigations, kailangan properly sagutin nila. Otherwise, sila rin manangot long after commanders nila nagretire na—‘yung mga nag-guarantee sa kanila na, ‘Sagot ko kayo,’ walang mangyayari habang sila nasa pwesto. Pero hindi sila habang buhay nakapwesto,” Trillanes said.

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Source: Inquirer