NBI files inciting to sedition charges vs. Roque, vlogger ‘Maharlika’ 17 Apr 12:27 AM (3 days ago)
By Benjamin Pulta
MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation has filed inciting to sedition charges before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and vlogger Claire Contreras, known as Maharlika.
In a transmittal letter addressed to Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon dated April 14, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the NBI-Cybercrime Division initiated a case against the two following the online circulation of a video suggesting that a man resembling President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was snorting a white powdery substance.
“This video coincided with the President’s 2024 State of the Nation Address (SONA), raising suspicions of malicious timing and intent,” Santiago said.
Besides the sedition charges, Contreras was also charged with one count of Unlawful Use of Means of Publication and Unlawful Utterances under Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code, in relation to Section 6 of R.A. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012); one count of Cyber Libel under Section 4(c)(4) of R.A. 10175, in relation to Articles 353 and 355 of the Revised Penal Code; and one count of Computer-Related Forgery under Section 4(b)(1) of R.A. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012).
The video was first posted on Facebook and later recirculated by a page managed by Contreras which gained significant attention.
“Through open-source digital investigation, supported by video forensics and authenticated evidence, the NBI traced its propagation, linked its content to inciting language during rallies and livestreams, and assessed public admissions of ownership and intent by the involved parties,” Santiago said.
On July 21, 2024, the video was shown during a rally in Vancouver, Canada that was livestreamed by the Facebook page Pilipinas Nating Mahal.
During the rally, Roque urged the audience to prepare for the “world premiere” of the video from Boldyakera (Maharlika), which he said would be taken down by platforms like Facebook and YouTube. He incited them to share and disseminate it across platforms such as TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Rumble.
A second livestream by Channel 167 in Los Angeles on July 22, 2024 featured both Maharlika and Roque. During the event, Roque declared that “tonight, the rumors will end” and called on the audience to be ready to judge and act if the President was shown to be “bangag” (high).
“The video’s timing — coinciding with the President’s SONA suggests premeditated coordination. Its content and propagation through major social media platforms demonstrate intent to discredit the President, incite public outrage, and undermine the credibility and stability of the administration,” the NBI said.
The NBI also cited several instances wherein Roque and Contreras made repeated calls for public resistance and direct action against the administration.
“Maharlika published tampered and misleading videos falsely accusing the President and other high-ranking officials of serious crimes. Similarly, Atty. Roque made public statements in livestreams broadcast from abroad, encouraging Filipinos to spread videos that allegedly expose illegal acts by the President and hinting at mobilization against the government,” Santiago said.
Crackdown vs. fake news peddlers
Meanwhile, the NBI also filed charges against Mary Joy dela Cerna Lacierda aka “Mary Seville Yamato,” lawyer Raul Lambino and Ronald Cardema for Unlawful Use of Means of Publication and Unlawful Utterances under Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code, in relation to Section 6 of R.A. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012).
The charges stemmed from statements they made last March 11 following the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
They claimed that Duterte was arrested and forcibly taken to The Hague in Netherlands to face charges before the International Criminal Court despite a supposed temporary restraining order (TRO) from the Supreme Court (SC).
On April 8, the Supreme Court directed lawyer Lambino to show cause for spreading fake news about the TRO.
“In a Facebook Live broadcast on March 11, 2025, Attorney. Lambino falsely claimed that the Supreme Court had issued a TRO against the arrest of former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte. This misinformation caused public confusion and misled the people about the SC’s actions,” the court said. (PNA)
PNP-HPG seizes P102-M shabu in Samar checkpoint 17 Apr 12:27 AM (3 days ago)
By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine National Police – Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) on Wednesday seized about 15 kg. of suspected shabu with an estimated steeet value of PHP102 million loaded into an Asia utility vehicle (AUV) in Catbalogan City, Samar.
In a press briefing held at Camp Crame, PNP-HPG spokesperson, Lt. Nadame Malang, said the AUV driver, identified as Topher, became uneasy when directed to pull over at a checkpoint along Maharlika Highway in Barangay Mahayag at 11:55 a.m.
He said the police noticed the packed items in the back seat, which turned out to be at least 15 kg. of suspected shabu.
“Talagang mavi-visualize na nakapack ang 15 kilos na hinihinalang shabu. Nang tinanong na ng mga tropa, doon sila umamin na sila ay may dala-dalang iligal na kontrabando (The packs can be visualized as having 15 kg. of suspected shabu. When questioned by the troops, they admitted that they were carrying contraband),” Malang said.
He added that the police are still investigating the background and intended destination of the contraband.
“We are still seeking the advice and certification from the forensic group at ito ay ituturnover na para mapag-alaman natin kung ito ba talaga ay shabu (and these will be turned over to determine if these are indeed shabu),” he said.
HPG Chief Brig. Gen. Eleazar P. Matta commended the operating team for their vigilance and dedication.
“This interdiction highlights how proactive and intelligence-led road safety enforcement can disrupt the movement of illegal drugs across our highways,” Matta said.
The driver is currently detained at the local PNP facility and would face charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. (PNA)
Chinese fugitive nabbed in Parañaque 17 Apr 12:26 AM (3 days ago)
By Benjamin Pulta
MANILA – A Chinese national wanted in his country for drug trafficking charges has been arrested in Parañaque City, Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Wednesday.
In a news release, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the fugitive as Ouyang Shixing, 40, who was arrested inside his condominium unit by elements from the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU).
“Ouyang is the subject of a red notice from the Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization) which was issued last year after he was indicted for drug trafficking in violation of China’s criminal laws,” Viado said.
He said the suspect is also the subject of an arrest warrant issued in November 2023 by the public security bureau in Fuzhou City, Jiangxi, China.
Based on the information received by the BI, Ouyang conspired with another suspect on May 12, 2023 in purchasing methamphetamine from a drug supplier, and later sold the substance to a buyer who paid them 70,000 yuan or nearly USD10,000.
Ouyang then took a train to Hong Kong on Aug. 2 of the same year and absconded with the money by fleeing to the Philippines.
“He has not left the country since he last arrived here on Aug. 3, 2023, thus he will be deported for being an undesirable and overstaying alien,” Viado said.
“He will be blacklisted and banned from re-entering the Philippines.” (PNA)
CIDG busts jail perks of ex-SWAT member 17 Apr 12:26 AM (3 days ago)
By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Wednesday said it busted the privileges of a jailed Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) member who has been lording it in a Bulacan provincial jail.
For a long time, CIDG director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the former elite cop, identified as Abdua, enjoys certain privileges that include going out of the detention facility even without a court order.
He said Abdua heads the inmates as “mayor” after he was dismissed from the service and detained for a case of murder.
Also arrested were a certain Mario, a member of a prison gang tagged as the “Chairman of Barangay. 11” of the prison facility; a certain Tee-Jay, jail guard of Bulacan Provincial Jail; and Sarah, wife of Abdua.
On Sunday, the CIDG operatives monitored the four leaving the Bulacan Provincial Jail on board a red Toyota-Hi-Lux pick-up. They were later collared going to the house of Sarah in Malolos City, at least five kilometers away from the provincial jail facility.
The operatives seized from them a caliber 45 pistol, a Glock 17 9mm pistol, magazines, rounds of live ammunition, and the Toyota Hilux pick-up.
“This is a remarkable intelligence-driven operation. With this arrest, we significantly removed from the streets two dangerous prisoners with firearms, a rogue jail guard, and an accomplice,” Torre said.
Torre said the investigation is underway to identify the people behind the special treatment and if all of them are involved in illegal activities. (PNA)
DICT cracks down on election troll armies, fake news online 17 Apr 12:25 AM (3 days ago)
By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
MANILA – The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has started a crackdown against fake news and organized ‘troll armies’ on social media to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
In a news release on Wednesday, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda announced the agency’s collaboration with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on several key initiatives to enhance the technological infrastructure of the elections.
“These initiatives include the establishment of Configuration Hubs, where DICT personnel will assist in managing the hubs during the election process, as well as the development of online services such as the Precinct Results Finder, Registration Status Verifier, and Election Results Website, all aimed at ensuring transparency and providing real-time access to election data,” Aguda said.
The DICT’s Cybersecurity Bureau is also rolling out critical initiatives such as vulnerability assessment and penetration testing (VAPT) to identify and mitigate security risks, and ensure the security for digital infrastructures throughout the election process.
“A key technological advancement in securing the election is the deployment of (Philippine National) Public Key Infrastructure (PNPKI) digital certificates, which will be used by teachers serving as electoral board members. These certificates will ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and authentication of election data,” he said.
Aguda also recognized the growing the influence of social media platforms in the elections and welcomed the stance of technology giants — Tiktok, Google, and Meta — who pledged to ban paid political ads on their platforms.
“We must be proactive, not reactive. The threats are evolving. From fake news to deepfakes and organized troll armies –our election system must be ready to face them head-on,” he said.
Google, in particular, has implemented the ban on election advertisements since the start of the official campaign period.
“[It is] a move that supports the shared goal of a clean, fair, and credible election,” he said.
On Tuesday, Aguda convened the Comelec Advisory Council (CAC) in Taguig City as part of its mission to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process ahead of the 2025 polls.
The CAC, composed of representatives from government, academe, information and communications technology professional organizations, and non-government electoral reform organizations, convened to discuss issues concerning the elections.
“Key topics tackled during the meeting include updates on the recent Comelec briefing, recommendations for the use of digital and automated election systems, and proposed timeline for submitting inputs to Comelec, among others,” he said. (PNA)
DFA repatriates 26 from Cambodia, warns Filipinos anew vs. scam jobs 17 Apr 12:25 AM (3 days ago)
By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday cautioned Filipinos anew against dubious overseas jobs after it repatriates 26 Filipinos from Cambodia.
The agency cited an advisory by the Philippine Embassy in Cambodia reminding Filipinos to be vigilant and take necessary steps to verify job opportunities offered overseas such as “customer service representatives (CSR)” or chat support representatives.
“In many cases, these supposed CSR jobs involve victimizing unsuspecting individuals through love scams or fake investment schemes,” it said.
Quite a few Filipinos, it added, have either “knowingly pursued or been duped” by the employment package offers, including getting a salary ranging from USD800 to USD1,000 or more.
“According to Filipinos who were lured into this line of work, their recruiters provided no employment contracts,” the advisory read.
“Instead of direct flights to the country of destination, they were made to travel via other airports in the region. Some were taken to certain sea channels in the southern Philippines to escape immigration checks,” it added.
The DFA confirmed that it repatriated 26 Filipinos from Oddar Meanchey Province in Cambodia on Wednesday but has yet to confirm their profile or whether they were victims of the scam hubs in Southeast Asia.
The repatriation was made possible with the coordination between the Embassy and the Cambodian authorities.
The DFA said this is “a testament to the long-standing friendly ties between the Philippines and Cambodia and highlights both governments’ readiness to cooperate closely in matters of mutual concern,” it said.
Representatives from government agencies, including the DFA, Department of Migrant Workers, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), were at the airport to personally receive the 26 repatriates and provide them assistance.
The DFA, meanwhile, assured that its Assistance-to-Nationals mandate remains a priority for all Philippine Foreign Service Posts. (PNA)
Comelec task force seeks DQ of Pasig congressional bet 17 Apr 12:24 AM (3 days ago)
By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – The Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) Task Force on Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections (SAFE) on Wednesday filed a motu proprio petition for disqualification against Pasig City congressional candidate Christian Sia.
In the petition filed before the Clerk of the Commission, task force head Sonia Bea Wee-Lozada sought Sia’s disqualification for violating Comelec Resolution 11116, or the Anti-Discriminatory and Fair Campaigning Guidelines, for this year’s midterm elections over his lewd remarks against single mothers.
Sia, in an April 3 campaign sortie, said he is willing to sleep with single mothers who are still menstruating and are lonely once a year if he is elected.
Ordered by the task force to explain the incident, Sia invoked his freedom of speech for making the remarks.
“Aside from the disqualification, we also prayed, in case the petition has remained undecided or unresolved by the time the election was over and the respondent have won, the suspension of proclamation,” Lozada added.
Asked if there would be more petitions to be filed, she said “none as of yet.”
“We are still studying the same.There could be more but at this point, it’s still hard to say as we are still waiting for the answers. Studying the answers by the recipients of show cause orders,” she added.
Aside from Sia, other candidates have been issued show cause orders – Peter Unaba, who is seeking to be reelected as Misamis Oriental governor; Batangas gubernatorial candidate Jay Ilagan; Davao de Oro 2nd District Rep. Ruwel Peter Gonzaga, who is looking to be elected as provincial governor; Silang, Cavite mayoral candidate Alston Kevin Anarna; Virgilo Bote, gubernatorial candidate in Nueva Ecija; and Pasay City mayoral candidate Editha Manguera. (PNA)
7 Ormoc cops face raps for loose firearms, poll gun ban 17 Apr 12:24 AM (3 days ago)
By Sarwell Meniano
TACLOBAN CITY – The seven police officers tagged as persons of interest in the shooting of self-confessed drug lord and Albuera, Leyte mayoralty bet Kerwin Espinosa are facing charges for carrying loose firearms in violation of the election gun ban.
Leyte police provincial director Col. Dionisio Apas said only five of the 14 firearms they voluntarily surrendered were officially issued, one was owned by a civilian, and eight were loose.
“Based on these findings, complaints have been filed against seven individuals for violations of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act and the election gun ban. These charges were filed because some of the firearms were unregistered, and others were carried without the required permission during the election period,” Apas told reporters in a press briefing late Tuesday.
The 14 firearms consisted of six 5.56 caliber rifles, two 45 caliber pistols, one Mini Uzi submachine gun, and five 9mm pistols.
Categorized as loose firearms are five 5.56 caliber rifles, two .45 caliber pistols, and the Mini Uzi submachine gun based on examination of registration records with the Regional Civil Security Unit.
One 5.56 caliber rifle is registered to a civilian, while the five 9mm pistols were validated by the Regional Logistics and Research Development Division as officially issued, according to Apas.
He said forensic examinations tests showed that all firearms were operational, with gunpowder residue found on all of them.
“However, paraffin tests conducted on the persons of interest showed no traces of gunpowder residue on their hands or clothing,” Apas added.
Espinosa was shot by an unidentified suspect during a campaign activity in Tinag-an village on April 10.
After a few hours, seven officers in civilian attire were arrested in a residential area where witnesses said the shooter fled.
Those arrested are a police colonel, a lieutenant colonel, a staff sergeant, three corporals, and a patrolwoman.
They are under custody of the Eastern Visayas police regional office in Palo, Leyte, according to Apas.
Apas said that based on the initial investigation, the police officers were in the area for a meeting since they would serve a warrant of arrest at a village in Ormoc, near Albuera.
“The investigation into the frustrated murder complaint continues as authorities carefully piece together evidence while examining several possible motives. Investigators are working diligently to identify which of these motives aligns with the facts and the profiles of the victims, ensuring that the case builds on credibility,” the official added.
Supporters of Espinosa believed the shooting was politically motivated, noting that his opponent in the mayoral race, Vince Rama, is the brother-in-law of Ormoc Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez, the wife of Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez.
Incumbent Mayor Sixto Dela Victoria is running for reelection, making it a three-way fight.
Espinosa is supporting the candidacy of reelectionist Gomez’s rival, former Court of Appeals Associate Justice Vicente Veloso III. (PNA)
PCG rescues 9 fishers from half-submerged boat off Pangasinan coast 17 Apr 12:23 AM (3 days ago)
By Hilda Austria
MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Pangasinan Station rescued nine fishers from a half-submerged fishing vessel off the coast of Dasol town on Tuesday.
In a report of the PCG Pangasinan station issued on Wednesday, it stated that the crew of the boat made a distress call to nearby boats, which was reported to their office on April 15.
“PCG successfully responded to a distress call involving the half-submerged fishing vessel F/B RICKMAR 1, located approximately 17.46 nautical miles west of Tambobong Point Dasol town, Pangasinan. Contact was established through radio, and the fishing boat was confirmed to be secured to a Fish Aggregating Device (PAYAW). All crew members were reported safe,” the statement said.
PCG personnel said the boat encountered mechanical trouble due to issues with its shafting propeller.
At around 5:50 a.m. on April 16, the Coast Guard vessel BRP Cabra released the towing line, while F/B Trinidad stood by and officially began towing F/B Rickmar 1 to Barangay Cato in Infanta, Pangasinan by 6:01 a.m.
The rescued fishers were brought to the PCG Infanta Substation, where they received initial medical assistance from the Infanta Rural Health Unit. (PNA)
Phivolcs urges continued vigilance in areas near Mt. Kanlaon 17 Apr 12:22 AM (3 days ago)
By Ma. Cristina Arayata
MANILA – Communities near the Kanlaon Volcano must remain vigilant and heed guidance from authorities, the head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Wednesday.
“Communities are advised to remain vigilant and to follow the guidance of Phivolcs and their respective LGU (local government unit) disaster risk reduction offices,” Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol told the Philippine News Agency in an interview.
“Residents should be prepared for possible evacuation, if necessary, especially in the event of an escalation in volcanic activity,” he added.
Kanlaon is still under Alert Level 3, which means it is in a relatively high level of unrest and there is a possibility of further explosive activity.
For the past 24 hours, the volcano generated 16 volcanic earthquakes.
Sulfur dioxide emission was measured at 1,170 tons on Tuesday, which is still above background levels.
There were two ash emission events, generating plumes that reached up to 200 meters high.
“We strongly remind communities near Kanlaon Volcano to avoid entering the 6-km. danger zone due to the risk of sudden explosions,” Bacolcol said.
In case of ash fall, he said residents are advised to wear face masks to avoid inhaling fine ash particles, which can cause respiratory irritation. (PNA)