PBBM accepts resignation of three police generals, 15 others in illegal drugs probe

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

A statement issued by the Presidential Communications Office on Tuesday said the police officials tendered their resignation pending the investigation being conducted by the Ad Hoc Advisory Group tasked to determine if the 953 Third Level Officers of PNP are engaged in drug trafficking.

Among those who resigned were Police Brig. Gen. Remus Balingasa Medina, Brig. Gen. Randy Quines Peralta, Brig. Gen. Pablo Gacayan Labra II, Police Col. ogarth Bulalacao Campo, Col. Rommel Javier Ochave, Col. Rommel Allaga Velasco, Col. Robin King Sarmiento, Col. Fernando Reyes Ortega, and Col. Rex Ordoño Derilo.

The other affected police officials, who left PNP, were Col. Julian Tesorero Olonan, Col. Rolando Tapon Portera, Col. Lawrence Bonifacio Cajipe, Col. Dario Milagrosa Menor, Col. Joel Kagayed Tampis, Col. Michael Arcillas David, Col. Igmedio Belonio Bernaldez, Col. Rodolfo Calope Albotra Jr., and Col. Marvin Barba Sanchez.

In his letter addressed to the President, PNP Chief Benjamin Acorda Jr. said the order for the relief of the said resigned officers will be immediately executed and they will be assigned to the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit to ensure they may not be able to use their position in PNP for illegal activities.

He also noted the said officials are still being monitored even after their resignation.

In an interview with reporters last Tuesday, Interior Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos Jr. clarified the resignation of the said officials will take effect once they receive the official communication that their resignation was accepted by the President.

He also pointed out the Department of the Interior and Local Government is studying the possibility of filing charges against the said police officials and if they could still be able to avail of their separation benefits.

During his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday, Marcos said he is determined to clean up the ranks of PNP as part of his administration’s campaign against illegal drugs.

He vowed he would be accepting the resignation of PNP officials, who were involved in the drug trade.

House vows to support PBBM’s fight vs smugglers, hoarders of agri products

THE House of Representatives said on Tuesday vowed to wield its legislative power to help the government’s “war” against smugglers of agricultural products.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said the lower chamber strongly backed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s war against the smuggling and hoarding of rice and other agricultural products.

“We share the President’s anger and frustration with smuggling, hoarding, and price manipulation. We will redouble our efforts to stop the smuggling and hoarding of rice, sugar, onions, garlic, and vegetables, which harms our farmers’ competitiveness and disrupts the agricultural value chain,” said Romualdez.

“We in Congress will help the President prevent the increase in the price of basic goods. We will do everything we can in this mission,” Romualdez said.

The House leader reiterated the President’s warning that the days of smugglers, hoarders, and price manipulators are now numbered.

“We shall safeguard the interests of our farmers and our people in general, ensure equitable market conditions, and foster sustainable farming methods to guarantee our nation’s food security,” he said.

The Speaker noted that under President Marcos, the agriculture sector has started to flourish, even as vowed that the House would continue to monitor consumer prices.

“We will continually check on prices, especially of staples like rice, vegetables, meat, onions, and garlic, to protect our people from hoarding, price manipulation, unreasonable price increases, and other practices in restraint of trade that hamper competition,”

Speaker Romualdez said.

“That is part of our oversight function. We have the appropriate tools to carry this out, including conducting follow-up hearings and summoning suspected hoarders, smugglers, and cartel leaders if needed. We will not shirk from our duty to help our people,” he said.

The Speaker called on concerned departments and other state offices and banks to assist farmers in obtaining technology, funding, equipment, and inputs to improve their harvest and boost the supply of agricultural products.

“Needless to say, if there is sufficient supply, it would not be profitable for traders to resort to hoarding and similar anti-competitive activities,” he stressed.

The President vented his anger at smugglers and hoarders in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

SIM card registration target now on track–DICT chief

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

THE buzzer has beaten for existing telco subscribers to register their SIMs, and those that did not make it will have their telco services cut in five days, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said on Tuesday.

A t otal of 105.9 million SIMs were registered as of Monday, the latest data from the regulatory body showed, representing 70 percent of the total active SIM cards in the Philippines.

D epartment of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary

Ivan Uy noted that he is already satisfied with the outcome of the SIM registration initiatives, explaining that this number represents legitimate users.

O f the 105.9 million successful SIM registrations, Smart Communications Inc. had 50.0 million, Globe Telecom Inc. had 48.4 million and Dito Telecommunity Corp. had 7.5 million.

SIM registration was extended from April 26 to July 25 after a relatively low turnout before the deadline. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed the SIM Registration law last year, triggering the requirement that started in late December.

The NTC reiterated to the public that there “will no longer be any further extension in the deadline to register active SIMs.”

The Chief Executive said the government will go after smugglers and hoarders of agricultural commodities that unreasonably jack up prices, stressing that their days are numbered.

For his part, House Committee on Appropriations Chairman Elizaldy Co of the Ako Bicol Party List expressed his unwavering support for the priority bills, particularly the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act.

“Agriculture has always been the backbone of the Philippines, and measures must be taken to protect and promote the interests of our hardworking farmers and fisherfolk. The proposed amendments to the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act are crucial in safeguarding our local agricultural industries from unfair competition and ensuring the prosperity of our rural communities,” said Co.

Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz