MILF Armed Contacts for the Fourth Quarter of 2011, Part II: The 113 Base Command in Payao Goes Off the Reservation: The Prequel

As I often explain, the MILF offers very little financial support to its military organisation, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, or the BIAF in shorthand. This has two very important detrimental results, both for the MILF/BIAF and for its unfortunate stakeholders. First, the BIAF is forced to find ways in which to creatively fund itself. Unlike the NPA which enjoys considerable earnings from multi-national mining and lumber concessionaires, the BIAF almost always operates in areas bereft of natural resources. Therefore, the "Revolutionary Taxes" collected by the BIAF- usually under a religious sheen as "Zakat," (charity), one of five compulsory acts incumbent upon all adult Muslims (how convenient)- is far too paltry to support the organisation above and beyond basic sustenance.

In 2004 the BIAF's Field Divisions were converted to their current form, the ostensibly mobile "Base Commands." Each Base Command operates independently of all other Base Commands and so they each raise their own funds. In order to be able to provide for weaponry, etc., most resort to illegal activities although such activities vary according to the particular Base Command and the "pickings" available within their individual AORs, or Areas of Responsibility (military-speak for Areas of Operation). In the case of some Base Commands, the 102, 103, 105, 113, 114, and 118, this involves heavy amounts of both commercial extortion (Protection Rackets), and KFR, or Kidnap for Ransom. Among the most active in those two activities is the 113.

The 113 Base Command's main camp sits atop a small mountain, a hill really, Bundok Payong (Mt.Payong) which lends its name to the surrounding barangay, now known simply as Barangay Payong. Located in the municipality of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, formerly known as Karomatan, in Lanao del Norte Province, directly bordering the Zamboanga Peninsula and its three constituent provinces:

1) Zamboanga Sibugay

2) Zamboanga del Sur

3) Zamboanga del Norte

The 113's AOR, apart from Sultan Naga Dimaporo, consists of the entire Zamboanga Peninsula proper, and some of its offshore islands. Other offshore islands, including those belonging to Zamboanga City, belong to the 114 Base Command which is centered in Basilan (and of which I have written about relating to the latest violence in the municipality of Al Barka). This close proximity sometimes leads to commerce between the two adjacent Base Commands, mostly consisting of the 113, the more prolific of the two, seling KFR victims to the 114 which then reaps a profit from simply ransoming them.

Authorities aren't stupid (well some anyway). If I, a foreigner, am this knowledgeable about the ins and outs of that little corner of hell you can bet your bottom barong that both the PNP and AFP (Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines) know the same information and in a precious few cases, even know a lot more (usually because they too profit from payoffs and sometimes direct involvement). My last rejoinder of course explains just why these degenerate scumbags aren't prosecuted for their literally thousands of major crimes. On April 5th, 2011, that changed in a major way.

One of the 113 Base Command's major extortion targets, Rural Bus Lines, refuses to bow down and hand over its hard earned profits to a bunch of social parasites. The result of course is that the 113 Base Command regularly targets the company, and this usually involves shooting and burning busses that pass through BIAF-controlled communities. As a result of these frequent attacks which have been targeting that particular company for 5 years and three other similarly reluctant bus companies for nearly as long, the AFP extended its SCAA Program to include bus companies.

SCAAs, or Special Citizen Active Auxiliaries are a variant within the CAA Protocol. CAAs, or Civilian Active Auxiliaries, are the post-Marcos equivalent of the CHDF, or Civilian Home Defense Force. In the AFP's COIN (counterinsurgency) program the AFP clears rebel-controlled communities. At that point it is up to the original CAA entity, the CAFGU, or Citizens Active Force Geographical Unit, to "Hold" the community- in other words, to keep the insurgents from re-infiltrating and eventually re-controlling the community. CAFGU are geographically fixed, manned by citizens of specific barangays who aren't supposed to ever operate outside those particular barangays. Of course the reality is alot different but that of course is besides the point.

Seeing a need for a localised force dedicated towards "Holding" the areas of operation for big businesses, the AFP then created the SCAA. The SCAAs are receuited by and paid for by a specific company but armed, trained, and ostensibly under the control of an AFP detachment known as a "cadre battalion" (as are CAFGU). Eventually SCAA were utilised in other ways, such as using them to serve as "Bus Marshals" here on Mindanao. A passenger taking a trip on a targeted company's bus will usually see two young men in camouflage fatigues, cradling M1, M14, or M16 assault rifles, sitting in staggered positions. Unfortunately the SCAA soldiers, known as CAAs, usually take the very same seating arrangement each and every time, one dead centre on the rear bench, the other at the midway point on eaither side depending on the demand of passengers for specific seats.

On the day in question, April 5th, 2011, four young men boarded Rural Bus Lines unit #9342 in the municipality of Roseller T.Lim (RT Lim) in Zamboanga Sibugay Province. Like the majority of bus passengers on Mindanao these four men flagged down the bus as it sped down National Hwy, heading into Zamboanga City, in Zamboanga del Norte Province, from the town of Ipil (the capital of Zamboanga Sibugay Province).

As the bus entered the municipality of Tungawan's Barangay Upper Tungawan, one of the four men suddenly stood. Quickly, a second one stood as well. Almost as if on cue the two pulled 45 caliber pistols, the first man quickly pivoting and with pinpoint accuracy shot the CAA sitting on the bus' rear seat right between the eyes, killing Lito de la Cruz instantly. His companion drew down on the second CAA, Frederico A.Luchaves, nodding his head slowly as if to warn him against moving a muscle. Sitting next to the dead CAA in the rear was AFP Major Julistidi Arasid, the EXO (Executive Officer, as in Second in Command) of the 18IB (Infantry Battalion), stationed in Ipil. Major Arasid's wife Sitti Alaya Jundam Arasid and their 15 year old son had travelled all the way from their Zamboanga City homes just to meet the Major as he came off of rotation in Ipil, so that they could travel home to Zamboanga City together. It was a special week for the couple, their eldest son, the 15 year old joining them, was about to graduate from highschool (most Filipinos do so by age 16).

Though not in uniform Major Arasid, like most AFP personnel, always carried his AFP-issued sidearm, a 45 caliber pistol. Perhaps fearing for his and his family's life Major Arasid, sitting immediately to the left of the just killed CAA, suddenly, perhaps instinctually, reached for his pistol. Just as suddenly both he and his wife were shot in the head and immediately killed. Pandemonium broke out as passengers began screaming and some quickly rushed towards the front trying to exit the closed door. As this took place the second gunman who had been training his pistol on CAA Luchaves saw the man suddenly move and promptly dropped his with a single round, wounding him. Major Arasid's 15 year old son took that as an opportunity to dive out the open window beside him and run for dear life.

The remaining two gunmen quickly revealed themselves and ordered all passengers and the bus driver, Crispin Lozada, to empty out all their valuables onto their seats and then slowly move towards the front, as they had Mr.Lozada open the door to allow passengers out. Once all passengers were lined up on the side of the road, two of the gunmen trained the newly captured M14s taken from the two CAAs, and trained them on their terrified captives as a third gunman went down the line checking for secreted valuables. Inside the bus the gunmen who had killed the three victims at the rear of the vehicle trained his pistol on the painfully wounded CAA, Luchaves. Kicking the man as he crawled, he forced the badly wounded CAA off of the bus and onto the roadside. As bad as Frederico Luchaves surely felt I guarantee that he felt much better after witnessing which took place shortly after he tumbled down the steps and onto the pavement.

The lone gunman inside of the bus doused the interior with gasoline that had been brought aboard in a jerrycan by one of the four gunmen. Walking to the bus' entrance he threw a lit matchbook down the aisle and immediately set the whole interior aflame. The three bodies inside the bus were charred beyond recognition when authorities finally doused the flames nearly two hours later. Had CAA Luchaves not crawled out of the bus he too would have ended up burned beyond recognition.

So ends this entry, a prelude to the recent AFP operation in the municipality of Payao. I will continue this sad tale in "Part 2."

Kidnap for Ransom, Third Quarter of 2011, Part X: Luisita Galvez

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Political Developments, Second Quarter of 2011, Part I: More Setbacks for the Jalosjos Clan and the Push for a Third Congressional District in Zamboanga del Norte Province

In "Portrait of a Warlord, Part II: Romeo Jalosjos Sr." I chronicled the fascinatingly bizarre life of a cheesy television producer cum Congressman cum child rapist and the political dynasty he is trying to create on the Zamboanga Peninsula. The quinessential Mindanowan strongman, Jalosjos positioned his three children in the 2010 Election and must have felt on top of the world when they not only all emerged victoriously, but also decimated the clan of his arch nemesis, ex-Governor of Zamboanga Sibugay Province, George Hofer Sr. However, Jalosjos wasn't smiling for long as one petition after another was lodged with COMELEC, the Philippine electoral authority, trying to snatch each and every one of the clan's victories.

On Monday, April 4th, 2011 it was COMELEC's turn to file a petition when it asked the Supreme Court to uphold COMELEC's ruling that disqualified Romeo "Jon Jon" Jalosjos Jr.'s victory for the 2nd District Congressional seat in Zamboanga Sibugay Province. On June 3rd, 2010 COMELEC had ruled that Jalosjos shouldn't even have been permitted to enter the race, let alone win it. The sticking point was the prerequisite Residency Requirement which mandates that any potential candidate must have resided in the elected position's AOR, or Area of Responsibility, for 12 consecutive months prior to an election.

In filing his Certificate of Candidacy Jalosjos listed his address as Barangay Veteran's Village in the municipality of Ipil, the capital of Zamboanga Sibugay Province. After both he and his brother, who also emerged victoriously from that same May of 2010 Election, the Barangay Captain of Veteran's Village, Dan Erasmo Sr. filed two petitions with COMELEC in which he said he had never even seen either man visiting the barangay, let alone living in it. After gaining his Congressional seat Jalosjos thumbed his nose at COMELEC and its June 3rd ruling saying that since he had already been sworn into office it was out of the agency's hands. If anyone was to address the issue of Residency, or any other objectionable issue, they would have to do so via the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal, or HRET. COMELEC responded that when Jalosjos had been sworn into office the issue of Residency had been pending with the agency and so the mandate clearly lies with COMELEC.

In fact, the controversy had begun as soon as the Jalosjos Clan's intentions became clear. Barangay Captain Erasmo had gotten Jalosjos removed from Ipil's List of Registered Voters on September 11th, 2010 in a Regional Trial Court Ruling in Pagadian City. Boosting the Residency issue was the fact that Jalosjos was then serving as Mayor of Tampilisan, in Zamboanga del Norte Province. Here he is insisting that he is living in Ipil, even though the barangay captain of his registered domicile has never even seen him! To boot, he is. Serving as the mayor of a municipality in another province! Either he lied about Tampilisan OR he lied about Ipil, you can't simultaneously live in 2 municipalities in 2 provinces. On September 30th Ipil's Election Registration Board issued a pointed Resolution that formally scrubbed Jalosjos from the race. Jalosjos of course didn't take that outcome lying down and so filed to have his name restored. On November 26th the Court of Appeals 22nd District sitting in Cagayan del Oro City in Misamis Oriental Province Ruled in Jalosjos favor. Here is the extremely interesting part: With the cut off for adding one's name to the Election Registration Board List being 5PM the next day, November 27th, the Sheriff in Cagayan del Oro City boarded a helicopter that landed in Ipil at 2PM on the 27th! At 4PM he handed the Court of Appeals Ruling directly to the Election Registration Board and when the books closed at 5PM Jalosjos' name was restored! Obviously a significant amount of cash was given for the Ruling, how else to explain the personalised messenger service provided by the Sheriff?

On November 28th Jalosjos filed his Certificate of Candidacy for the 2nd District of Zamboanga Sibugay Province. The incumbent, Dulce Ann Hofer, daughter of George Sr., opted to run for the Governor's seat being vacated by her father who had reached his 9 year term limit. Meanwhile, her brother, George "Jet" Hofer Jr. was running for Dulce Ann's vacated Congressional seat, with Jalosjos shouldering himself into the race as mentioned earlier.


In a recent "Political Developments" entry I had discussed clan patriarch Romeo Jalosjos Sr.'s push to reorganise Region 9, the Region comprised of the three Zamboangan Provinces:

1) Zamboanga del Norte

2) Zamboanga del Sur

3) Zamboanga Sibugay

The Jalosjos scheme involves adding Misamis Occidental Province, or rather re-adding it since it had in the past been joined with the region. The plan also called for the renaming of two of the Zamboangan Provinces and a couple of other less important facts. As if that isn't a radical enough face lift there is now a push for the addition of a third Congressional District within Zamboanga del Norte Province. The 3rd District would cover Za$boamga City.

Zamboanga City Councilors Rommel Agan, Melchor "Mel" Rey Sadain, and Cesar Jimenez Sr. along with former Councilor Al Jihan Edding and ex-Vice Mayor of Zamboanga City Manuel "Mannix" Jose Dalipe met with Congressman Erico "Erbie" Basilio Fabian of Zamboanga del Norte Province's 2nd District to try and strengthen their hand. Fabian is still on the fence and merely saying that he will keep an open mind. Ex-Vice Mayor Dalipe says that Congresswoman Maria Isabelle "Beng" Climaco Salazar of Zamboanga del Norte Province's 1st District has climbed aboard and has hosted at least one forum on the initiative. According to Dalipe, most attendees at that forum supported the plan.

Spokesman for the scheme is Councilor Rommel Agan, who is also an attorney as well as being the son of another former Vice Mayor of Zamboanga City, Vitaliano Agan. For all the support thus far, the province's most powerful politico, Mayor Celso Lobregat of Zamboanga City, is dead set against it. Lobregat argues that creating a Congressional District solely for Zamboanga City would end up dividing the municipality, given all the outlying barangays and offshore islands and islets within the city's borders. In fact, Lobregat firmly controls all but a 4 person clique in the City Council so that Councilor Agan doesn't have much of a chance of gaining more support within Zamboanga City. In fact, at a self-orchestrated press conference to disseminate this initiative Agan whined about Lobregat's political machine. According to Agan, anytime any one of the four Opposition Councilors table anything beneficial to their constituency, Lobregat and his allies soundly trounce it. Agan is no political neophyte, experienced on his own as well as being an insider during his father's stint as city Vice Mayor, so why the sob story? This is how the game is played, no suprises.

Currently, each of the two Congressional Districts in Zamboanga del Norte Province receive P70 Million ($1.4 Million), plus hundreds of millions of more Pesos in development and pork. The Local Government Code of 1991 mandates that any new Congressional District must have a minimum population of 250,000. The city now has 800,00.

Political Developments,First Quarter of 2011,Part II:Disgraced ex-Congressman Romeo Jalosjos Sr.Tries to Re-draw Zamboanga

In my entry"Portait of a Warlord Part II:Romeo Jalosjos Sr.,Part 1"and"Part 2"I focused on the patriarch of what is presently Western Mindanao's most powerful political dynasty,the Jalosjos Clan.The man at the centre of this emerging power to be reckoned with is the convicted child molestor,Romeo Jalosjos Sr.Since I covered his misdeed and its consequences in those 2 entries I won't touch upon it here.

As I noted in those aforementioned entries,ex-Congressman Jalosjos spent the latter part of his 13 years in prison strategising politically and so when he was finally released from New Bilibid Prison in March of 2009 Jalosjos already had a gameplan ready to put into play.Branching out from the clan stronghold of Zamboanga del Norte Province he backed his children in races in Zamboamga Sibugay and Misamis Occidental Provinces in the May,2010 Election.While fending off the de riguer judicial challenges in almost every one of the just gained electoral victories Jalosjos still found time to lobby allies outside his clan to support what he called,the"Western Mindanao Movement."As he saw it,the entire region could be doing a whole lot better if only a couple of very basic,yet still radical shifts took place.

For starters,having 3 provinces sharing the name"Zamboanga"leads outsiders to confuse the provinces and stifled infrastructural outlay from the Government.Under Jalosjos' latest scheme Zamboanga Sibugay Province would be re-named,simply,"Sibugay."Zamboanga del Norte Province and the Jalosjos Family stronghold would be re-named"Zamnorte."On the other hand,Zamboanga del Sur Province would be known as"Zamboanga."

The most pressing issue as Jalosjos sees it is the issue of the Regional Center.Where as the Regional capitol currently lies in Zamboanga City,Jalosjos would have Regional Government offices spread throughout the Region.For example,Zamboanga City might retain the Regional DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) but the Regional branch of the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources might be moved to Ipil,etc.,etc.In Jalosjos' mind this insane idea would spur Development though he has only spoken of hotels and resturants that eould be needed to handle the envisioned influx of vistors to these disparate Regional Centres.In other words,this huge plan would turn the Region into a service economy dependent upon its own citizenry patronising the various Regional Government Centres.Jalosjos doesn't offer a single iota more.It is a typical swindle.Jalosjos would be the consummate used car salesman,talking rapidly about a 17 year old car's shiny hubcaps and new windshield wipers while never once lifting the hood to examine the engine._

Before unveiling this grandiose scheme Jalosjos had formed his new political party,or put more accurately,his new political bloc,APP,or Aggruppation of Political Parties.After hoodwinking second rate politicians into falling in behind his clan who had just swept the May of 2010 Election in 3 local provinces,he began seducing less established,less powerful politicians into joining this self serving Regional scheme.One of the uncomfortable realities of Democracies is that to engineer an election a candidate must be willing to spend A LOT of money.In many nations,the United States for example,the central government contributes a pretty penny towards this cost.Not so in the Philippines.In such a nation,one would imagine that the rich and powerful sponsor candidates whom they would"own"if elected.Again,not so.Instead,it is the rich and powerful themselves who run for election.Then,without stautes barring nepotism they perpetuate their hold on particular regions.One hears the phrase"Political Dynasty"tossed around so much that it becomes almost an afterthough if indeed it is considered at all.The point?The number one job priority of virtually all Philippine politicians is to further entrench themselves and their families within the degenerate political landscape.A Regional Plan that promises nothing EXCEPT the erasure of the present structure,unveiled just after staking clan members in 2 non-traditional provinces (Misamis Occidental and Zamboanga Sibugay) that together with his bastion of Zamboanga del Norte Province form 75% of this envisioned Region is nothing more than a naked,unadulterated grab for power.

On board this travesty and present at a 5 hour meeting at the Jalosjos owned Dakdak Resort on January 9th,2011 to finalise the roster of fools and swindlers were:

1) Governor Rolando Yebes,Zamboanga del Norte Province

2) Governor Rommel Jalosjos,Zamboanga Sibugay Province,son of the plan's architect,Romeo Jalosjos Sr.

3) Governor Antonio Cerilles,Zamboanga del Sur Province

4) Governor Herminia Ramiro,Misamis Occidental Province

5) Congressman Seth Jalosjos,Zamboanga del Norte Province,First District,another son of the plan's architect

6) Congressman Cesar Jalosjos,Zamboanga del Norte Province,Third District,brother of the plan's architect

7) Congressman Romeo Jalosjos Jr.,Zamboanga Sibugay Province,Second District,another son of the plan's architect,as well as his namesake

8) Congressman Jonathan Cabilao,Zamboanga Sibugay Province,First District

Jalosjos has made it clear that he doesn't need Zamboanga City's Mayor Celso Lobregat on board.The plan's unveiling took place just after Jalosjos' new political bloc,APP,began recruiting inside of the city.The message was clear,you are with us,or you are against us.After a few days Lobregat allowed that while he isn't against an addition of Misamis Occidental Province to Region 9,the region presently composed of the 3 Zamboangan Provinces,he would not allow the Regional Center to be moved from Zamboanga City.

In fact,the push to nullify Zamboanga City's status as Regional Center isn't new at all.In the heady days after the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos' fall from power the government of President Corazon"Cory"Aquino decided to completely restructure the nation's system of Regional Governance.EO (Executive Order) #429 transferred the Center to Pagadian City.More over,it also attached Misamis Occidental AND Lanao del Norte Provinces to Region 9.

The following President,former-General,Fidel Ramos,issued EO #325 which transferred the Center back to Zamboanga City.In 2001 newly installed President Gloria M.Arroyo issued EO #36 which severed Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental Provinces from Region 9 and returned them to Region 10,their original structure but ignored the issue of Regional Center placement.Not able to leave it alone,in 2004 her Executive Secretary,Eduardo Ermita,issued Memorandum Circular #75,citing President Corazon Aquino's EO #429,which transferred the Center once again,to Pagadian City.Interestingly though,only 32 of the 121 Regional Government offices actually complied with the Memorandum's directive.18 other offices have tried to maintain a semblance of compliance by opening satellite branches in Pagadian City,12 of which maintain that they aren't satellites at all but merely transitioning to their new"home."Of course a move that has taken 7 years with no end in sight is a joke.

In what has become a ritual among successive Administrations,with only President Joseph"ERAP"Estrada not having taken action,Arroyo's successor jumped on the carousel.President Aquino,son of the late Corazon who started the whole mess,issued Memorandum Circular #11 on December 22nd,2010,though only released the following month.The Memorandum,signed by Executive Secretary Paquio Ochoa,directed the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government),Presidential Management Staff,Civil Service Commission,NEDA (National Economic Development Authority) and the Department of Budget and Management to jointly issue a comprehensive report within 30 days on the effect such a transfer to Pagadian might have.Why has it taken 25 years for this idea to break the surface?As intelligent as the idea WAS,it has gone the way of most bright ideas in the Philippines,sputtering out in the ether.The Report was never compiled,let alone filed and so Zamboanga City retains its position...somewhat.

Portrait of a Warlord Part II:Romeo Garcia Jaslojos Sr.,Part 2

As the accusations of rape against Congressman Jalosjos' surfaced in mid-August of 1995 the predictable media frenzy began.By the time the charges were formally lodged the man who had boasted loudly about wanting his day in court was nowhere to be found.On December 26th,1995 NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) agents attempted to serve an arrest warrant at Jalosjos' unit in the Ritz Tower,the same Makati condominium where the accused was said to have repeatedly raped his 11 year old victim.However,by then Jalosjos was in the wind.New Year came and went amid rumors that the disgraced public servant had been holing up at his island resort off of the Zamboanga Peninsula in Mindanao.As NBI agents spent 2 weeks in small boats surrounding the tiny island Jalosjos was far away,in Batangas Province in Central Luzon.

It was in that province that Jalosjos was brought to heel in a scene easily lifted from a Holloywood set.Alerted by a local tipster the PPO (Provincial Police Office) placed the fugitive Congressnan under 24 hour surveillance.Surrounded by well armed gunmen Jalosjos wouldn't be a simple take down.Fearing a bloodbath then President Fidel Ramos ordered his own Presidential Security Group to take Jalosjos into custody.Until the creation of the AFP's (Armed Forces of the Philippines) LRC (Light Reaction Company) element in 2003 the PSG was the creme de la creme of the Philippine Security Apparatus.Tasked solely with guarding the President's life it had the added onus of protecting the Chief Executive from the perennial coup attempts that have tortured the nation since Marcos fell in 1986.

Not long after the PSG deployed on Janurary 17th,1996,Jalosjos alerted to their presence and hopped into a speedboat,gunmen around him,and made a beeline for an islet near the municipality of Bagac in Bataan Province.Giving chase in 3 speed boats of their own the PSG,personally led by their Deputy Commander,then Colonel Hermogenes"Gene"Esperon Jr.,who would go on to play a pivotal role in Philippine politics during the following decade.As the pursuing water craft gained on him Jalosjos made a sharp turn in desperation and ended up in a narrow inlet.The 3 PSG boats inched closer,Esperon in the centre craft,and averted bloodshed when Jalosjos,always thinking of himself,ordered his gunmen to lay down their weapons.

Transported to Makati City where his long reserved Cell,#14,in that city's jail,had been waiting for him since the warrant was sworn out.With the 2 charges of Statutory Rape being non-bailable offenses the forlorn Jalosjos settled in for the long haul.Indeed it was a long 11 months until December of 1997 when Regional Trial Court (RTC) #62 found him guilt on both counts of rape and 6 of 12 counts of Lasciviousness.

With Congressman Romeo Jaslojos' convictions came a sentence of Life.All things considered Jalosjos made out like a bandit since he had been facing the Death Penalty.It goes without saying that a good many people were outraged that a child rapist like Jalosjos could escape the Death Penalty while poor farmers found to have been growing 4 marijuana plants could be strapped to a gurney and executed.

Inmate #N98P-8748 was sent to the nation's largest prison,New Bilibid in Muntinulpa City on Luzon.Like all wealthy inmates his life wasn't that far removed from the standard he had enjoyed before entering the prison system.Inmates with money are allowed to apply for"Penal Colonist Status"which if given,allows the prisoner to live outside the prison walls,though still technically on prison property.Like many prisons in under-developed nations New Bilibid resembles a city more than a correctional institution.With 12,000 plus inmates the prison's administrators cannot really be blamed if they try to creatively lessen overcrowding,or so the story goes.

Outside the prison walls,in Barangay Katarungan,inmate Jalosjos began looking for a suitable homesite.Not satisfied he sought,and was allowed to buy a lot in a subdivision reserved for Bureau of Corrections and Judiciary personnel and their families.Finding just the right lot on M.Araullo Street the disgraced Congressman then had a roomy 3 room concrete bungalow constructed along with an adjacent tennis court.

Even though his bungalow was fully equipped with numerous amenities such as 2 telephone lines,a home theater and a stereo system Jalosjos still found himself getting bored.It was at this point that he constructed a restaurant,bar,bakery,coffee shoppe,sauna and spa on prison grounds and in the process becoming a favourite inmate to staff and prisoners alike.Though his wife and children had become Australian citizens in the 1980s Jalosjos was far from lonely since,even while incarcerated,he had managed to retain his Congressional seat in the 1998 and 2001 elections.

Still,by 2002 Jalosjos had exhausted his Legal Appeals and was then mandatorily stripped of his Congressional seat.It was at this point that Jalosjos buckled down trying to affect an Act of Clemency from his partymate,then President Gloria M.Arroyo.Arroyo,or"GMA"for short,was far from secure herself.Rising to power in a 2001 coup she,like all Presidents in the post-Marcos Era before her,was always subjected to coup attempts and impeachment proceedings.More to the point,partymate or not,she only became President 3 years into Jalosjos' prison sentence.Ergo he hadn't been able to earn any real favours before coming to prison.

The nearly two year period between 2002 and late 2003 must have been the worst for Jalosjos despite the luxuries afforded while in prison.With all Appeals finished and a President who only viewed Jalosjos as a liability if indeed she thought of him at all life must have seemed bleek indeed.In 2004 though things began to change.The year didn't start too grandly when Jalosjos passed out on the tennis court.Rushed to Makati General Hospital for what he thought was high bloodpressure Jalosjos found that he had actually suffered a mild stroke.As bad as that was the rest of the year might have been even worse if not for a stroke of fortuitous timing.An election was coming down the pike in 2004 and GMA knew that she had little if any hope of emerging victorious.Though she had been serving as Vice President when plucked from obscurity by the military who then dropped her in the palace she was an unknown quotient to most voters.Jalosjos sent word through the party apparattus that he could promise her 2 key provinces on Mindanao,Zamboanga del Norte and the adjacent,newly created Zamboanga Sibugay.What's more he also promised to call in all favours and otherwise apply the right pressure so as to produce a strong showing in the 3rd Zamboangan province,Zamboanga del Sur.It wasn't long before GMA allowed that it would be highly appreciated.In 2004 Jalosjos kept his word and delivered more than a 100,000 point lead for GMA allowing her to thrash her nearest challenger,Fernando Poe Jr.

Knowing that he would receive his payback towards the end of Ms.Arroyo's 6 year term Jalosjos busied himself with his business interests outside the prison and by strategising for an eventual political comeback.Though his 1995 SALN (Statement on Assets,Liabilities and Net Worth) pegged his holdings at P26MNillion (US475,000) he was actually raking in,by his own admission,at least P12 Million (US200,000) EVERY MONTH just in honorariums as the figurehead on several boards of directors.His interests inside New Bilibid Prison served to secure his safety and luxurious living conditions though he often bragged that it was pure altruism.For example,the aforementioned bakery,located within the walls of the maximum security complex of the prison provided jobs for impovershed inmates who would otherwise be left to their own devices.Philippine prisons,like most SE Asian jails do not provide even the most basic of foodstuffs.2 meals a day of a watery rice gruel and barely potable water led easily to malnutrition and illness.More over the profits of the bakery provided for educational scholarships to 50 children belonging to the most powerful gangleaders in the huge prison.

As the 2007 Election approached Jalosjos agreed to provide the President's Team Unity Ticket with the same victory given to the President in her 2004 Election.Though GMA wasn't in the running she badly needed allies in the Senate and so she looked towards Jalosjos to once again deliver.Deliver he did with a 7 to 5 ration that swept Team Unity past the competition.Following this last victory a grateful President Arroyo promised to favourably evaluate any request Jalosjos might make via the Bureau of Corrections Clemency Programme.Back dating her Decision to negate the predictable accusations of impropriety President Arroyo commuted Jalosjos' sentence from Life to a much more lenient 16 years,3 months and 3 days.With credit for his pre-trial incarceration in Makati City Jalosjos was nearly at the 11 year mark by that point.Still,there were ways in which to close that 5 year gap.

As noted earlier,in the Philippines inmates may apply for"Penal Colonist Status."Aside from being allowed outside prison walls it also grants an inmate from 5 to 15 days off for each month served.Since Jalosjos had already received the needed status he need only apply to the Bureau of Corrections for an applicable re-calculation of time served with those days off being taken into account.Applying to the Bureau's Director,Vicente Vinarao he received a favourable reply but was cautioned that no real action could be taken because Director Vinarao was about to retire.However he vowed to leave it as a priority task for his successor,Ricardo Dapat.

On December 15th,2007 newly installed Director Dapat signed an Order of Release for Jalosjos based upon his predecessor's calculation and forwarded it to New Bilibid's Superintendent,Juanito Leopando who began processing Jalosjos' release.On December 19th the Secretary of the Department of Justice,or DOJ,Raul Gonzalez found out about Jalosjos' imminent release and was enraged that he hadn't even been consulted.Truth be told that EVEN IF Gonzalez hadn't been an Arroyo appointee (meaning he certainly had no reason to be angry even if corners were bent),the DOJ has nothing to do with such calculations OR releases.Like the American system it is patterned after,once the courts end proceedings the inmate is fully in the custody of the Bureau of Corrections.It is entirely a decision of the Bureau.Still,livid as he was,Gonzalez did his best to stop the impending release,with no success.

On December 26th,2007 Jalosjos left New Bilibid and went immediately to Makati City's Domestic Airport where a private jet flew him to Dapitan City,in his home province of Zamboanga del Norte.Spending a few hours with his brother Dominador Garcia Jalosjos Jr.,the city's Mayor,he discovered that Secretary Gonzalez had gotten into a pissing contest with Director Leopando and had just that morning pulled rank by swearing out an arrest warrant on Jalosjos charging him with ESCAPE.After conferring with his attorneys Jalosjos re-boarded the plane and flew to nearby Zamboanga City where he voluntarily surrendered himself at the San Ramon Penal Farm,a Bureau of Corrections facility on his home turf.The decision to do so was a way in which to circumvent Gonzalez who aimed to have the NBI arrest Jalosjos and transport him back to Luzon for re-internment at New Bilibid.Since San Ramon is in his home province,Jalosjos' power base,he would be able to come and go as he pleased,leaving him an inmate on paper only.Perhaps just as importantly though,it allowed Jalosjos to cast doubt upon allegations of Escape.After all,he had purposefully flown to Zamboanga City just to surrender.

On January 1st,2008 Secretary Gonzalez lashed out again by claiming he was negating all time off,an act outside his powers of authority.Meanwhile Jalosjos filed a Writ of Habeus Corpus over the re-arrest order/warrant authored by Gonzalez.The Writ was quickly denied because Jalosjos was still a sentenced prisoner and as such ineligible for a Writ if in the custody of the Bureau of Corrections.On January 4th,2008 Jalosjos decided to cut to the chase and voluntarily agreed to leave San Ramon and return to New Bilibid.In the end he returned to Luzon just as had left it,in his private jet and of his own accord.

The rest of the year was spent in planning,strategising over a political comeback.Very quickly Jalosjos cast himself aside realising that his convictions would only serve to distract voters though he did test the waters after his release by officially conferring with the electoral authority,COMELEC.As he had predicted COMELEC told him immediately that unless he received a Full Pardon erasing his conviction he was judged tainted by Moral Turpitude. Instead Jalosjos decided to have his children run in the synchronised National/Local Elections in 2010.By June of 2008 he had decided to have his son Romeo Jr.,or"Jon Jon,"take a huge leap and run for Congress.In the 2007 Elections Jalosjos had set the stage by directing Jon Jon to take his first step into politics with a run on the mayoralty of Tampilisan,a small municipality in his home province of Zamboanga del Norte.Emerging victorious in that initial foray Jon Jon had taken to politics like a fish to water.Still,there is a world of difference between serving as the Mayor of a rural burg in the midst of a province controlled by one's clan and serving in Congress in in the dog eat dog world of Manila.

How much more difficult would it be if that Congressional race were outside the clan stronghold of Zamboanga del Norte?Jalosjos had always thought big but it had been a long time since he had operated outside of his comfort zone.In 2010 the ex-Congressman decided to think REALLY big.With 2 of Zamboanga del Norte's 3 Congressional Districts controlled by members of his immediate family Jalosjos decided to cross provincial lines.Of the 2 remaining provvinces on the Zamboanga Peninsula,Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay,it was Sibugay that was the more vulnerable.

Created only in 2001 Sibugay is still in its infancy.Dominated by the Hofer Clan,whose patriarch George T.Hofer Sr.was single handedly responsible for its creation.The movement to create a third province on the peninsula actuaLly began in the mid-1960s when the people of Zamboanga del Sur began expressing frustration over the lack of progress outside of Zamboanga del Norte,the original province that had covered the entire peninsula.The conventional wisdom held that in creating a new province it would be easier to build up both Zamboanga del Sur and the new province whose partisans believed should be named,"Zamboanga Occidental."Congressman Vincenzo Sagun introduced the first Bill to create the envisioned third province,HB #17574.However this Bill and subsequent Bills after it (HB #8546 by Rep.Belma Cabilao,HB #341 by Rep.Vicente M.Cerilles,etc.) were all tossed into the waste-paper basket.It wasn't until 1993 that the movement managed to gain momentum.Known as the Zamboanga Occidental Movement the 3rd District of Zamboanga del Sur managed to gain almost universal support in its home District,Zamboanga del Sur's Third.In 1997 an un-official referendum was held during that year's Barangay Elections.The result was a landslide in support of the newly re-popularised initiative.

In 2000 3rd District Congressman,the aforementioned George T.Hofer Sr.,introduced HB #1311 with an important variation;Instead of labeling the desired province"Zamboanga Occidental,"Hofer named it,"Zamboanga Sibugay."This was a very important innovation because it allowed the many politicians who publicly vowed never to support the creation of"Zamboanga Occidental"to smoothly slide in behind this"new"intiative that clearly enjoyed thorough support on the ground.On February 24th,2001 then President Joseph"ERAP"Estrada signed RA (Republic Act) #8973 into Law and formally created Zamboanga Sibugay.Representative Hofer became the province's first,and until 2010,only Governor.

Aside from the province being a mere 9 years old and it containing mostly inexperienced politicians,the 2010 Elections were forcing Hofer out of office.Having reached his mandatory 9 year term limit Hofer set his sights on the mayoralty of the provincial capitol,Ipil.As is so often the case he regally ordained a close family member to keep the Governor's seat warm.Daughter Dulce Ann Hofer had been serving as Congresswoman representing the province's 2nd District.Soon to be ex-Governor Hofer designated his son George Jethro"Jet"K.Hofer to fill that Congressional seat,having heretofore served as Sibugay's Provincial Administrator under his father.I can imagine any foreigners reading this convoluted explanation might be rolling their eyes right now.The sad thing though is that this sort of political"Musical Chairs"is all too common in the Philippines where nepotism is to be applauded and admired.

Ironically perhaps,the Hofers and the Jalojoses had been obstensibly allied since the Hofer's"Laki"party had allied with the Jalosjoses"KAMPI"way back in 1998.Though Jalosjos positioned his children within KAMPI he was already building an alternative apparatus that he labeled,"Aggrupation of Political Parties,"or APP,to be launched AFTER securing positions in the 2010 Election.Having utilised the considerable Lakas-KAMPI-CMD (CMD being the"Christian Muslim Democrats,"a party that had likned with Lakas in 1991) to get his ticket to a wider audience.Internally though,by the time the Election Season began in September of 2009 the Jalosjos Clan had burned most bridges with Lakas-KAMPI-CMD.As the race picked up momentum all bets were off and Jalosjos didn't care who knew about the internal strife within the party.

As Hofer began using a popular radio station he owned to disparage Jalosjos.Labeling Jalosjos as the baby piddler he is things turned violent.On April 5th,2010 in the Hofer's hometown of Titay in Zamboanga Sibugay a man on a motorcycle slowy drove past the aforementioned radio station.Located in Sitio African Daisy in Barangay Catibog the 1 story building was absolutely covered in Hofer campaign materiel.More over,even the large aluminum support structures for the station's attenae were also covered in posters supported by 2 X 4 boards.Ergo when the motorcycle riding attacker threw a fragmentation grenade inside the station's compound the explosive hit one of those 2 X 4s and rolled back towards the entrance of the car park.While the building housing the station,103.5"Magic FM"was unscathed the same cannot be said of an innocent bystander.The poor woman was critically wounded by shrapnel.

On April 8th the Lakas-KAMPI-CMD mayoralty candidate for Titay,George Castillo,was himself subjected to a grenade attack.Again disaster was averted when the hapless attacker failed to clear the waist high block wall around Castillo's home in Barangay Poblacion.

That same evening,April 8th,Lakas-KAMPI-CMD was holding a rally in the barangay hall of Barangay San Antonio in the town of Kabasalan in that same province of Zamboanga Sibugay when 4 men riding tandem on 2 motorcycles roared by and threw a hand grenade.Sadly this one was successful,critically wounding 4 bystanders:

1) Ernesto Casil,age 36

2) Steffanie Cabasin,age 12

3) Jose Cabasin,her 8 year old brother

4) Rosie Binauro,age 14.

Minutes later on that same night a grenade was thrown at a PNP (Philippine National Police) officer's home in Kabasalan's Barangay Poblacion critically wounding 3 passers by.

For the sake of brevity I will desist from listing the rest of the violent attacks if only because I catalouged them extremely explicitly in my entry on the 2010 Campaign and Election Related Violence in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

While Jalosjos licked his lips over Zamboanga Sibugay he also moved to expand into a third province,Misamis Occidental.Daughter Sveltana"Lanah"Jalosjos had never desired a political career.Instead the young lady with an artistic bent kept herself busy running one of the family's numerous businesses,the"Fantasyland"amusement park in the family stronghold of Dapitan City.In pushing into Misamis Jalosjos decided,true to form,to go right for the jugular by neutralising that province's pre-eminent political dynasty,the Yap Family.In going against the Yap's Jalosjos aimed to lop off their head in of all places,the Yap hometown of Baliango.Capitalising on Yap inner strife Jalosjos built solid alliances with "Jojo"Yap to undermine town mayor Agne [sic] Yap.On Election Day Sveltana ended up winning by a mere 6 votes.

Son Romeo"Jon Jon" M.Jalosjos,whom I discussed earlier in this entry,had been groomed by his father who directed him to run in the 2007 Election for Mayor of Tampilisan,a tiny town in the clan stronghold of Zamboanga del Norte Province.An easy win under his belt Jr.was now told to run for Dulce Ann Hofer's seat in the 2nd Congressional District of Zamboanga Sibugay,though the race would be against Dulce Ann's brother Jet.For all of Jalosjos' strategising he failed to take into account an extremely simple issue: RESIDENCY.The Local Government Code of 1991 requires that all candidates reside in the municipality or province they plan to run for,for at least 12 months prior to the election.In filing a Certificate of Candidacy for Sibugay Jr.created a huge problem,one that would become even more complicated as time passed.

Jalosjos ordered son Rommel A.Jalosjos to run in the Sibugay gubneratorial race against Dulce Ann,who as noted earlier,sought the position held by her father,family patriatch George Sr.

Jalosjos brother Dominador Garcia Jalosjos Jr.was running to retain his positionas mayor in the family baliwick of Dapitan City in Zamboanga del Norte Province.

Their sister Cecilia Garcia Jalsjos Carreon was running to retain Jalosjos' old position as Congressman of Zamboanga del Norte,a position she won at the behest of Jalosjos himself.

On Election Day,May 10th,2010,all 5 of the Jalosjos candidates won their respective races.All the Hofers,including patriarch George Sr.,lost in spectacular fashion.Even before Election Day arrived detractors and opponents had filed petitions with COMELEC,the electoral authority.In the provincial capitol of Ipil,Dan Erasmo Sr.,a Barangay Chairman/Captain in Barangay Veteran's Village filed Petitions seeking to disqualify Jalosjos' sons Rommel and Romeo Jr.Both claimed on their respective Certificates of Candidacy that they had resided in Barangay Veteran's Village.Erasmo stated that he hadn't seen either one,ever.

Also an issue was Rommel's citizenship.In 1981 he and his mother had moved to Australia where both soon became citizens.At the time the Philippines forbade dual citizenship and so by taking Australian citizenship Rommel negated his Philippine citizenship.In the end COMELEC ruled that Rommel was not disqualified over citizenship because 4 days after arriving in the Philippines in November of 2008 he had taken advantage of the dual citizenship statute which had been enacted in the long interim,re-taking his formal vow.However Rommel had no such luck with regard to the main accusation,Residency.COMELEC's 2nd Division Ruled him ineligible.Rommel in turn filed a Petition with the Supreme Court seeking to nullify that decision.As Rommel did tis he was declared the winner with 121,441 votes versus Dulce Ann Hofer's 107,276.After taking his Oath of Office Rommel claimed that any issues surrounding his Residency are outside of COMELEC's mandate which deals only with the electoral process.Instead he says,it should be up to Congress as to whether or not he is in fact disqualified since he was no longer a candidate but a sitting Congressman.Arrogant bar none.

On Sveltana's victory against Agne Yap,by a mere 6 votes,COMELEC likwise disqualified her over Residency following a Petition filed by Yap himself.As of posting,June 17th,2011 all 3 Jalosjos children have managed to retain their seats as the Supreme Court and COMELEC continue to battle it out.

In a somewhat interesting turn of events their uncle,Dominador Garcia Jalosjos Jr.,brother of our anti-hero,child rapist Romeo Jalosjos Sr.,incumbent Mayor of Dapitan City won re-election.However an ally of the Hofers has filed a Petition with COMELEC seeking to disqualify him as well.Why?Moral Turpitude,revolving around Dominador's 1986 conviction for Armed Robbery.Great family,just beautiful.

Portrait of a Warlord,Part II:Romeo Garcia Jalosjos Sr.,Part I

Mention the name Jalosjos in Western Mindanao and many things come to mind,especially the patriarch Romeo Garcia Jalsjos Sr.'s raping of an 11 year old girl and then shamelessly using his power to try and have the case buried.Disgusting is far too weak an adjective but then Mindanao has no shortage of things"disgusting."

In 1996 Romeo Garcia Jalosjos Sr.was serving as a Congressman representing his home province of Zamboanga del Norte.Aside from serving his country (cough) he was also producing television shows such as the long running,"Eat Baluga"and the long ago cancelled"Valiente"while operating out of a sleazy office located near Robinson's Galleria,a mall in Makati City within the larger metropolis of Metro Manila.One day in February of 1996 a man named Simplicio Delantar showed up with his"daughter"in tow.She wasn't really his daughter though.The 56 year old sausage seller (I swear it's true!) is gay and has never so much as kissed a girl.Instead,aside from selling his sausages he rented rooms to the down and out of his Pasay City neighborhood.One day in 1986 Simplicio took in his own sister who made her living as a prostitute.Before long Ms.Delantar gave birth to a pretty little girl named Marie Rosilyn and convinced by Simplicio,added him as the father on the birth certificate,allowing the lonely man to have the child he thought impossible.The fact that he was now listed as the husband of his own sister didn't bother him a bit.After all,this a man who...well you will see...

By all accounts Simplicio was a doting father to his baby girl,taking her everywhere.In 1991 his sister returned and gave birth to a baby boy named Shandro who tagged along with his elder sister,who by then much preferred to be known by her middle name,Rosilyn.One supposes the people of Pasay City don't much prefer sausages because Simplicio had a very difficult time making ends meet.As a sidewalk vendor he was always meeting people from all walks of life.Some of these"walks"involved"strolling,"as in"strolling" the night...on street corners.Pimping wasn't a secure line of work but it did help him make ends meet.

In 1994,as Simplicio dragged his 2 children around with him,from hawking his sausages to delivering prostitutes a regular customer of his made a special request.An Arab man,known to Simplicio as"Mr.Hammond,"had asked for a very young girl and as he said it he smiled at 9 year old Rosilyn.That night Simplicio betrayed his adopted daughter's trust and sold her to Mr.Hammond for the evening.

By New Years of 1995 Mr.Hammond had grown tired of the now 10 year old Rosilyn and so Simplicio was looking at a different angle,trying to help his niece slash daughter slash employee break into show business.Meeting a talent scout named Eduardo Suarez who promised big things Simplicio finally agreed to bring Rosilyn to an"audition"with a well known television producer...our erstwhile Congressman from Zamboanga del Norte Province...Romeo Garcia Jalosjos Sr.

On the afternoon in question Simplicio and Rosilyn were quickly ushered into Jalosjos' water stained and rundown office by the talent scout who had preceded them.Jalosjos,talking to Simplicio,asked how old Rosilyn was.Told that she was only 10 years old but would be 11 on May 11th of that year Jalosjos just nodded his head.Seeming to think about that a bit Jalosjos then asked if Rosilyn knew how to sing.Smiling Simplicio nudged the nervous little girl who stuttered to life as she sang,"Tell Me You Love Me."Now smiling Jalosjos motioned for Rosilyn to approach.Looking from her to Simplicio he asked whether she had attractive legs but before anybody could offer an answer he took it upon himself to reach over,grab the front of her skirt and folded the hem up to the middle of her thigh.Not missing a beat Jalosjos asked the 2 men whether Rosilyn had developed breasts yet.Once again,not waiting for an answer he took his right hand and actually cupped her breast and squeezed it.

Congressman Jalosjos then told Simplicio that he could launch Rosilyn's show business"career."Excitedly Eduardo Suarez began discussing contracts with Simplicio but almost immediately Jalosjos interjected that he himself should adopt her or at the very least,have her live in his condominium in Makati City,all the better to guide and train her.With that all 3 men agreed to meet soon and to go forward with their plans for Rosilyn.As she and Simplicio turned to leave the office Jalosjos reached and handed her P2,000 (at the time,US40.00),more that a weeks pay for a physician at the time.

Before too long Simplicio took Rosilyn and her brother Shandro to Congressman Jalasjos' condominium at Makati City'Ritz Tower in Metro Manila.Obstensibly the meeting was called to discuss Jalosjos' commitment towards financing Rosilyn's education,a standard issue with Filipino child talent.The meeting proceeded cordially and at the end Rosilyn's new benafactor tipped her P500 (then US10.00),an astrnomical sum even now for a 10 or 11 year old.

At the 3rd meeting,also in that same condo,Unit #1710 at the Ritz Tower,Jalosjos had an attorney present.After small talk the Congressman regally turned to his attorney and ordered him to compose a Talent Contract for Rosilyn.After the contract was concluded and Rosilyn,Shandro and Simplicio were in the hallway waiting for the lift,Jalosjos rushed out to catch them and almost as an after thought and stuffed P3,000 into her small hands (then US60.00).

The 4th meeting,on June 18th,1995,also in Jalsjos' Makati City condo,the Congressman was in his bedroom when his guests arrived.Coming out to talk to Simplicio,Rosilyn was told by her"father"to go into Jalosjos' bedroom to watch television as the 2 men"talked."After awhile Jalosjos re-entered the bedroom,stood smiling down at her and then walked in front of her and kissed her squarely on the mouth,before going back out to the "sala,"or livingroom.As if what had just transpired had been part of a test of some sort Simpatico joined her in the bedroom.Rosilyn worriedly told her"father that the 56 year old married producer slash television producer slash degenerate pervert had just tried to stick his tongue into her mouth.Her concerned father's reply?"Halik lang naman"(It's just a kiss) and with that bid his"daughter"goodnight as he left the condo.

Her new mentor,Romeo Garcia Jalosjos Sr.re-entered the room and went into the CR (Comfort Room as Filipinos usually refer to the bathroom/lavarotory).Coming out sometime later he was clad only in an extra-long tee-shirt and had a matching one for young Rosilyn.Telling her he would help her"change her clothes"she insisted she was quite capable of handling it on her own.The wise Congressman's response?"Daddy mo naman ako"(Well,I AM your daddy afterall).With that Big Daddy Jalosjos proceeded to strip an 11 year old girl.When he got to her panties she loudly said,"Huwang po!"(Please don't do it sir!).This time he replied in English,"After all I'm your daddy."Finally dressed only in matching long tee-shirts they began watching TV but before too long"Daddy"again let his fingers do the walking.

For foreigners reading this you must understand that while the Philippine System of Justice IS directly patterned upon the American System there ARE major differences.For example,rape victims ARE identified and in fact get their identities plastered all over the domestic media.There are rare exceptions such as that poor 20 year old nurse who was volunteering for a Government Programme providing free health services in Maguindanao Province.More or less 20 men brutally gang raped her,including local politicians,but suprisingly she was given her justly deserved privacy.Unfortunately the victim in this sordid episode was denied it.How despicable it is that an 11 year old girl has had her identity tarnished in a society providing almost no therapeutic services of any kind for rape victims.

I will omit the rest of these disgusting details,allowing one to use their imagination if they dare...

Fast forward to August 16th of that same year,1995,Simplicio took Rosilyn back to Jalosjos' condo only to find the Congressman on his way out to a previous engagement.Though he asked Simplicio to bring Rosilyn back later that evening it would be the last time he would see the little girl outside of a courtroom.Simplicio DID try to drag the unwilling girl back to Jalosjos but gave up when Rosilyn threw a tantrum in public.Arriving back in Pasay City Simplicio whipped Rosilyn with a clothes hanger,something he often did.The next morning Rosilyn poured out her wounded soul to one of Simplicio's latest"houseguests."Unlike many who found succor in Simplicio's home Yamie Estrata actually had a conscious,a sense of right and wrong.Hand in hand Ms.Estrata ran with Rosilyn to the Pasay City CPO (City Police Office) and ended up with a criminal complaint that shocked the nation...for 30 minutes anyway and then it was time for"Eating Baluga."

Kidnap for Ransom,First Quarter of 2011,Part VII:Rene Drapiza,Habib Sacaria and Nora Dicay

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Kidnap for First Quarter,2011 Part III:Frank Chung and Randelle Talania

On February 21, 2011 54 year old Frank Chung of Midsayap,North Cotabato must have experienced de ja vu as yet another KFR (Kidnap for Ransom) attempt was made against him.The owner of Midsayap's largest hardware store had managed to escape harm in the first attack which took place on September 17, 2010 and did it by outwitting his assailants.In the first case Mr.Chung had been opening his hardware store when gunmen suddenly grabbed him and tried to force him into an idling SUV.The Tsinoy (Chinese Filipino) then faked a heart attack and collapsed onto the sidewalk in front of his shoppe.Unable to lift Mr.Chung, who stands 6'2,"the would be kidnappers panicked and quickly left the scene.

In this latest case he was once again grabbed while opening his store,FMC Hardware,in Barangay Poblacion.Unbeknownst to Mr.Chung,as he was occupied with trying to open the metal gate in front of his business,a green pickup truck slowed as it approached him with the occupants craning their necks to scrutinise his actions.As the would be kidnappers examined Mr.Chung however,a CVO (Civilian Voluntary Organization,a CAA,or Civilian Active Auxiliary,element sublimated to municipal police departments in areas affected by Islamic Insurgencies) soldier was carefully watching their every move.As the pickup moved past the shoppe and was about to turn at the next corner the CVO soldier moved to stop the truck,having already radioed in his concerns.

Before the CVO soldier could reach the pickup truck a man wearing a black jacket jumped out of the passenger side door and began almost jogging to FMC and Mr.Chung.Other CVO soldiers ran to cut him off at which point the man in the black jacket had second thoughts and did his best to run back to the green truck.Seeing the other CVO soldier at the truck the man in the black jacket pulled out a 45 caliber pistol from his waistband and reeled around.Before the gunman could get a shot off however 3 CVO personnel began firing their M1 rifles.Still doing his best to reach the truck tand what he had hoped would be his escape he gunman was shot in his buttocks.The truck then gunned its gas pedal and drove around the single CVO soldier trying to stop it.The gunman, now moderately wounded then made a run for a petrol station at the corner nearest FMC.Running past a bedspacer (rooming house) he almost ran head on into an elderly occupant of that boarding house.At that point the gunman took the old man as a hostage,intending to use him as a human shield.Managing to flank the gunman though,a CVO soldier got behind him and shot him in the back,killing him.

By then the 40IB (Infantry Battalion) was rushing to the scene.Having heard about the truck's escape the army (40IB) sent several small detachments to act as Blocking Forces to prevent the rest of the kidnap team from disappearing into Ligusan Marsh.A composite Blocking Force of the 40IB and the village CAFGU (Civilian Auxiliary Forces Geographical Unit, another CAA element,this one sublimated to the army) spotted the green pickup truck as it entered Barangay Pomologan,roughly 10km from the botched kidnapping. Pomolok is 1 of many towns that provide a route of entry into Ligusan Marsh and so that Blocking Force detachment moved into defencive positions only to have the truck come to a halt 1km away from the marsh due to its tires shaving been shredded by bullets.Five men quickly got out of the truck and engaged in a running firefight.Within minutes 3 of the 5 gunmen were laying dead,1 had disappeared into a canal leading into the marsh and the 5th man meekly surrendered to soldiers from the 40IB.

The captured man,21 year old Esmael Mamison,a Maguindanowan Tribesman with no understanding of Cebuano,Ilonggo,Tagalog OR English said that he had been recruited just that morning and therefore claimed he could offer little in the way of valuable information.The first man killed,the kidnapper in the black jacket was identified as the epononymously named Abubakar.According to municipal officials and the PNP (Philippine National Police) the assailents were BIFF guerillas (Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the new MILF breakaway group led by Kumamder Ustadz Ameril Ombra Kato).Kato himself denied the accusation.Inside the abandoned pickup truck authorities discovered one M16, two 45 caliber pistols and two M79 grenades.


Later,a local Islamic Cleric again accused the BIFF of having committed the attempted kidnapping.Ustadz Ome (sic) Ikhayr said that the kidnappers were new BIFF recruits who had been given the operation as a "Test Mission"before full membership.Of course noone has ever heard of this"cleric"so that noone awards the accusation any credibility.

On March 09, 2011 in Barangay Poblacion,Titay,Zamboanga Sibugay Province,9 year old Randelle Talania, son of Barangay Capt.Rose Marie Talania of Barangay Namnama in that same town was standing in front of the fence surrounding his school waiting for a ride home from school.as Randelle stood in front of Titay Central School's fence a white van pulled up next to him.Immediately two men opened the side panel of the cargo van,grabbed yound Randelle and threw him into the vehichle before getting in themselves.Driving off through Barangay Poblacion three eye witnesses alerted school officials of the kidnapping and mentioned that the van had taken off towards the town of Kalawit in that same province.By the time a composite force of PNP (Philippine National Police) and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) arrived in Kalawit the kidnappers had already arrived,switched vehicles,and set fire to their abandoned van before departing Barangay Marcelo.