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From the Front Page: Two new TNCs, inflation slows

Even the holiday cheer failed to lift investor and consumer spirits this quarter, with confidence plummeting to multi-year lows as inflation continues to bite. Business optimism eroded in the current quarter to a nine-year low while households were at their most pessimistic in four years, the central bank found.
Inflation, however, finally eased in November, clocking in at its slowest rate in four months. Headline inflation dropped to six percent last month from a nine-year peak of 6.7% in September and October, the PSA said yesterday. This, however, is still faster than the three percent clocked in November 2017.
Approved foreign direct investments swelled to a nearly two-year high of P45.85 billion last quarter. If they materialize, foreign and local investments pledged in the third quarter are expected to generate 41,797 jobs across industries, 10.3% more than the 37,891 prospective jobs from investments pledged a year ago.
Local factory activity improved for the fourth straight month in November, marking its best performance in 11 months. Vietnam, however, outpaced the Philippines’ growth, taking the regional lead in the manufacturing sector after “the sharpest increase in output in over seven years.”
The LTFRB has just issued certificates of public convenience to two new transport network companies (TNC), Aztech Solution International Corp. and RYD Global. Their respective apps SnappyCab and RYD Global join six other accredited TNC offerings in the Philippines, excluding Grab Philippines, whose accreditation has yet to be renewed.

FX buffer edges up as of end-November but smaller than a year ago

GROSS INTERNATIONAL RESERVES (GIR) — which help shield the country from foreign exchange shocks — edged up as of end-November from their end-October level, propped up by income from the central bank’s investments abroad, but was six percent less than the year-ago amount, according to data released on Friday by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
GIR edged up to $75.486 billion as of end-November from $74.711 billion the preceding month, but was less than the year-ago $80.31 billion.
“… [T]he increase in the GIR level was partially tempered by payments made by the national government for its foreign exchange obligations and its net foreign currency withdrawals, as well as revaluation adjustments on the BSP’s gold holdings resulting from the decrease in the price of gold in the international market,” the central bank said in a press release accompanying the data.
It added that “[t]he end-November 2018 level of GIR continues to serve as an ample external liquidity buffer and is equivalent to 6.9 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income… [and was] also equivalent to 5.8 times the country’s short-term external debt (falling due in the next 12 months)…”
By component, the BSP’s foreign investment income, which contributed 80.9% to GIR, increased to $61.065 billion as of end-November from $59.759 billion the preceding month but was still less than the year-ago $65.179 billion.
The central bank’s gold holdings, which accounted for the second-biggest share of about a tenth, slipped to $7.776 billion as of end-November from $7.854 billion as of end-October and from the year-ago $8.046 billion.
The BSP’s foreign-exchange operations to smoothen movement of the peso’s value against the greenback yielded $4.982-billion inflows as of end-November, smaller than end-October’s $5.434 billion and the year-ago $5.445 billion.
The Philippines’ special drawing rights with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) — a reserve asset representing the amount member-countries can claim from the multilateral lender in US dollar, euro, renminbi, yen and British pound sterling — edged up to $1.184 billion as of end-November from end-October’s $1.183 billion but was below the year-ago $1.2 billion.
Finally, the country’s reserve position in the IMF slipped to $479.1 million as of end-November from $481.4 million as of end-October, but was 8.79% more than the year-ago $440.4 million. — with KANV

Trade dep’t says export of goods on track even as growth falls short of DBCC goal

By Victor V. Saulon, Sub-Editor
THE COUNTRY should be able to hit the Trade department’s merchandise export target in 2018, officials of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said on Friday, even though growth will be in low single-digit rate and will lag behind last year’s pace.
“We will meet our targets for 2018 and we don’t see any problem meeting the targets also for the rest of the year,” Senen M. Perlada, director of DTI’s Export Marketing Bureau, said in an interview at the sidelines of the National Export Congress 2018 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
“For this year, we’re looking at about — the target for this year is a range — $86-$87 billion. We’ll hit over $88 [billion],” he added.
“The growth rate is not what we have targeted. We have targeted absolute amounts.”
Separately, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez told reporters at the sidelines of the same event that merchandise export growth for the first two quarters of 2018 had been negative, but the third quarter saw a 0.3% year-on-year increment.
Preliminary Philippine Statistics Authority data show value of merchandise exports grew 9.5% to $62.875 billion last year against an eight-percent projection of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC).
But the nine months to September this year saw sales of Philippine goods abroad drop 2.1% to $50.755 billion against the DBCC’s downgraded two-percent growth projection for full-year 2018.
The DBCC is a multi-agency group formed in May 1970 to prepare and recommend the national budget — both expenditures and sources of funding — to the President. It consists of the Office of the President, the central bank, the National Economic and Development Authority, as well as the departments of Finance and of Budget and Management.
“Hopefully, we can still catch up with a positive number. I think a low single digit (growth) puwede pa (is still possible) for December,” Mr. Lopez told reporters.
“Ang importante kasi talaga ‘yung (What’s really important is) supply. We really have to have the supply for exports. When I say supply halo-halo na (it’s mixed) — both agriculture-based and non-agri-based,” he explained.
“Supply situation has to be addressed definitely,” he added. “I’ve been pushing for greater investments, more manufacturing activities, more activities in the ecozones,” he said.
“It’s important that we still provide an investment climate conducive for investors to come in, hopefully more on manufacturing that will build our production capacity.”
Mr. Lopez said that as merchandise exports struggle, manufacturers can still rely on strong domestic demand.
“Sometimes those for exports are also diverted to meet domestic demand,” he said.
“We supply the domestic demand. You really need to expand that capacity that will allow you to meet the growing domestic demand and still allow you to meet the growing export market.”
One bright spot in merchandise exports is the electronics segment, whose foreign sales grew by 5.743% to $28.46 billion in the eight months to September, accounting for 56.07% of total outbound shipments of Philippine goods in that period.
“Electronics, I just heard, double-digit growth siya. Hopefully it can pull up a bit for the last quarter the total for goods, as more than half of our exports are electronics.”
Mr. Lopez said export growth figures for the year could still change because of the processing of statistics, which comes in late.
“Remember what happened last year. We grew 10% in exports and then nung pumapasok na ‘yung ibang (when other) data on exports (came in), it turned out we grew 19% or 20%,” he said.
“What also happened is we’re coming from a higher base. Ngayon nahirapan this year [It’s tougher this year) to match that,” he added.
“Hopefully what we are seeing now is an incomplete number yet. In other words, if we can get more documents to be processed and more export numbers to come in, hopefully it can improve also the growth reports.”

Front-loading of borrowings pushes up state debt-GDP ratio

By Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan, Reporter
GOVERNMENT DEBT in proportion to economic output settled at 42.3% in the nine months to September, bigger than the 41.7% recorded in the same period last year, the Department of Finance (DoF) said in an economic bulletin on Friday.
The DoF attributed the higher state debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio — which reflects the capability of the economy to settle obligations — to front-loading by the Bureau of the Treasury of sale of government securities to avoid higher interest rates.
“The Treasury advanced some borrowing because interest rates are rising and increased deposits with BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) to help in liquidity management,” Finance Undersecretary and chief economist Gil S. Beltran said in a mobile phone message.
The debt-to-GDP ratio is a tad less than the 42.4% posted in the second quarter.
State debt to local lenders was equivalent to 27.1% of the country’s GDP and accounted for about 65% of total government debt.
The government’s external debt was equivalent to 15.2% of the economy.
The DoF said that the country’s ability to pay off its debt has been improving for over a decade due to a “prudent debt strategy” and faster economic growth.
“Over the period 2004-2018, the country’s capacity to pay has actually improved, despite the rise in the stock of debt. That is because the economy has been outgrowing the accumulation of both domestic and external debt. By 2017, nominal GDP was P15.8 trillion, more than three times the 2004 nominal GDP of P5.1 trillion,” said Mr. Beltran in the bulletin.
The DoF official noted that the government has been keeping the fiscal deficit within the targeted level, settling at 2.2% in 2017, and three percent as of the first three quarters this year despite an increased focus on spending.
He also said that borrowed funds have been invested in “productive capital expenditures” to ensure that “future servicing streams can be financed by revenues collected from a growing economy.”
“In formulating the Public Investment Program (PIP), the economic internal rate of return (EIRR) of each project should at least be equal to 15%. Almost all projects approved have EIRRs exceeding 20% since most of these projects will be operating at full capacity once they are finished. Even with the rise in interest rates arising from the Fed normalization, the projects will still be economically viable,” said Mr. Beltran.
He also said that the government negotiates external borrowings that carry low-interest and longer maturities. Mr. Beltran noted that the average interest rate on external borrowing is 4.3% and the average maturity of those loans is at 22.6 years, which is longer than the economic life of most projects.
The government targets its debt-to-GDP ratio to settle at 38.6% in 2022, from the actual 42.1% recorded in 2017. The government has set a borrowing mix of 75:25 in favor of domestic lenders from 2019 to 2022.

ADB cites hurdles to major railway project

THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB) has identified environmental risks to construction of the Solis-Calamba segment of the P777.55-billion North-South Railway Project, but said they can be mitigated.
The ADB said that the 60-kilometer railway project will affect 78 hectares of agricultural land and 24 hectares of developed areas, requiring resettlement of about 10,000 people.
”The project will have overall positive impacts and some negative impacts. Most of these negative impacts are mainly construction-related and can be mitigated by the successful implementation of the EMP (Environmental Management Plan). There will be some residual impact for significant negative impacts, which will be compensated by environmental enhancement measures recommended in the EMP,” the ADB said in a project assessment report on the railway project.
Expected negative impacts include blocking of roads, heavy traffic, as well as threats to road safety, health, hygiene and sanitation of construction workers and the public in the project area.
The project will also generate excess materials; block drainage of flood water; generate air, noise and vibration pollution; and cause soil erosion.
However, the project includes compensation measures such as resettlement of affected communities, traffic management plans, emergency response plans and environmental monitoring tools.
”Environmental enhancement plans and compensation measures such as tree planting/green area development plan are recommended to improve the environmental conditions in the project area,” the report read.
The assessment report also recommended establishment of an environmental enhancement fund. “This fund will be utilized for operation and maintenance of all environmental enhancement facilities proposed in the project and to fund any additional environmental enhancement project proposals,” the ADB said. — E. J. C. Tubayan

Ex-senator Revilla cleared of plunder

By Charmaine A. Tadalan, Reporter
THE Sandiganbayan special first division on Friday acquitted former senator Ramon B. Revilla, Jr. of plunder charges in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam.
“Ngayon maitutuloy na natin ang laban, maraming salamat po mga kababayan ko sa inyong patuloy na suporta (Now we can continue our fight. Many thanks to all my supporters),” Mr. Revilla told reporters after posting bail of P480,000 in connection with 16 counts of graft filed against him, as distinguished from the nonbailable offense of plunder.
Mr. Revilla was accused of gaining P224.5 million from the multi-billion pork barrel scam exposed in 2013.
His legal counsel Ramon Esguerra told reporters, “Hopefully, after posting the bail, the court will order his release from detention. Hopefully, by this afternoon he will be out of detention from the custodial center in Camp Crame.”
Mr. Revilla was released from the custody of the Philippine National Police early Friday evening.
As he was escorted out of the PNP Custodial Center, Mr. Revilla told reporters: “After more than 4 years and six months, finally nakalabas na din ako. Lumabas na ang katotohan (finally I’m free. The truth has prevailed).”
He added, “Nagpapasalamat ako at may hustisya pa rin sa ating bansa. Salamat sa aking mga kababayan na patuloy na nagdadasal sa akin.” (I am thankful that there is still justice in our country. Thank you to my countrymen who prayed for me.)
On the other hand, Mr. Revilla’s former chief-of-staff Richard A. Cambe, and alleged pork barrel queen Janet Lim-Napoles were sentenced to life imprisonment, having been found “guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”
The two were also “held solidarily and jointly liable to return to the National Treasury the amount of P124.5 million.”
The special division arrived at the verdict with a vote of 3-2, in favor of Mr. Revilla’s acquittal. Associate Justices Geraldine Faith A. Econg, Edgardo M. Caldona and Georgina D. Hidalgo all concurred, while Associate Justices Efren N. Dela Cruz and Ma. Theresa Dolores C. Gomez-Estoesta dissented.
The special division was organized after the regular first division court, led by Justices Dela Cruz, Econg and Caldona, failed to reach a unanimous decision.
“I am convinced beyond reasonable doubt that Revilla and Napoles were in a position and circumstance to forge the agreement testified to by the whistleblower,” Mr. Dela Cruz said in his opinion.
Mr. Dela Cruz voted for their conviction, adding: “They should be made to pay jointly and severally the National Treasury the amount of P185,435,000, comprising the amounts of P127,500,00; P44 million; and 13,935,000 that went to Revilla, Napoles, and Cambe, respectively.”
In his statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said, “The Judiciary has performed its constitutional duty of dispensing justice. While justice grinds so slow most of the time, it does grind, and when it stops it renders a verdict that is exacting and immutable.”
He added, “Nevertheless, we note that either party, whether for the prosecution or the defense, who feels aggrieved of the decision may still pursue remedies available under our procedural laws.” — with Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Duterte seeks another full-year extension of martial law in Mindanao

By Camille A. Aguinaldo, Reporter
PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte requested Congress to approve another full-year extension of martial law in Mindanao, Malacañang said on Friday.
In a statement, presidential spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo confirmed reports that Mr. Duterte has talked to Congress leaders on the martial-law extension and suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao.
“The request to extend martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao has already been communicated by the President to the leadership of both Houses of Congress,” Mr. Panelo said.
“While it is now up to Congress to decide on whether this initiative by the President is justified or not, we are positive that it will share our views as ours are purely intended for the general welfare of our brothers and sisters in Mindanao,” he added.
Mr. Panelo said “rebellion still persists” in the region, which compelled Mr. Duterte to ask for another year of martial law despite the progress made by security forces in the peace and order situation in Mindanao.
“A halt may only frustrate the progress we are witnessing in Mindanao and may even strengthen the rebellion and propel it to other parts of the country,” he said.
Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III also said Mr. Duterte has told him that he might call on Congress to convene in a joint session next week. Senators will hold a security briefing with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday, the Senate leader added.
“Monday morning we have briefing a briefing from AFP. I’m still waiting for the President’s letter re(garding the) joint session. He sent me a message saying he might call for it on Wednesday, Dec 12. But nothing is concrete until I receive his letter,” Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III told reporters in a mobile phone message.
But Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri raised concerns that a joint session may delay the passage of the proposed national budget for 2019.
“Well, that would delay the budget schedule….We will have to travel. Of course we will have to go to the House of Representatives for the joint session. And because of that, this will delay the passage of the budget on Wednesday.
In his speech during a forum on Friday, Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana mentioned that the declaration of martial law in Mindanao has allowed for better coordination between the security forces and local government agencies in dealing with “threat personalities” in the region.
He said martial law is also a necessary component in the ongoing rehabilitation of Marawi City.
Mr. Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao in May 2017 after government forces clashed with the terrorist Maute group in Marawi City. Congress later granted the President’s request for an extension of martial law in Mindanao until December 2018.
The AFP and Philippine National Police (PNP) recently signed a document recommending to the President to extend martial law in Mindanao in 2019.

Andaya defends budget adjustments

By Charmaine A. Tadalan, Reporter
HOUSE Majority Leader Rolando G. Andaya, Jr. of the 1st district of Camarines Sur defended the additional P9-billion financial assistance fund to local government units (LGUs) as “executive pork.”
“Well, if you really want to be technical about it, that’s executive pork because that will fall completely under the control of the Executive,” Mr. Andaya said in a press briefing.
He added: “That will fall under the control of the Secretary of DBM (Department of Budget and Management). Not under Congress because the guidelines on how, when, where it should be released will be determined by the DBM. Walang papel ang congressman (The congressman has no role there). That is executive pork, if you want to be blunt about it.”
Mr. Andaya said this in response to Senator Panfilo M. Lacson’s concern over the Assistance to LGUs which rose to P16 billion in the 2019 General Appropriations Bill, higher than the P7 billion proposed under the National Expenditure Program.
The Senator also said the increase was made without consultations with DBM, which Mr. Andaya argued was no longer necessary.
“Nasa part na po tayo ngayon ng budget authorization. Wala na pong papel ang DBM. Hindi nga, kahit hindi mo na siya konsultahin,” he said. (We are at the point of budget authorization. The DBM no longer has a role in this. There’s no need to consult them.)
The Majority Leader addressed more of Mr. Lacson’s allegations, particularly the P2.4-billion allocation in the district of Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the P1.9 billion in his district.
“Diretsuhin na po natin, I think the persons referred to are the Speaker and myself na lumalabas na napalaki ng allocation na binigay sa mga distrito. Just to clarify ang allocation ng ating Speaker, she’s actually ranked about 100. Around 99 congressmen na mas malaki po ang allocation sa kanilang distrito,” Mr. Andaya said. (Let’s get to the point, I think the persons referred to are the Speaker and myself, who appears to have huge district allocations. Just to clarify, on the allocation of the Speaker, she’s actually ranked about 100. Around 99 congressmen had higher district allocations.)
“Ang sa akin naman po, I am ranked 186th sa allocation sa mga distrito. Kung titingnan po natin ang probinsya ng Pampanga, ‘yung kay Speaker hindi pa rin po sa kanya malaking allocation. May mas malaking allocation sa distrito sa kanya at doon naman sa akin sa Camarines Sur, ako po ang pinakamaliit na allocation sa aming pong probinsya,” he added. (In my case, I am ranked 186th in terms of district allocations. If we look at it, the Speaker’s district didn’t even get the highest allocation in Pampanga, whereas my district in Camarines Sur got the lowest in the province.)
According to Mr. Andaya, the lawmaker whose district ranked the highest in terms of funding received “around P8 billion.” The Majority Leader refused to name the district and representative.

LTFRB to add more buses, UVs to PITX routes

By Reicelene Joy N. Ignacio
THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) said on Friday the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will add more buses to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).
Fifteen (15) buses will be added to each of the following routes: PITX to NAIA Airport Loop; PITX to Bonifacio Global City; PITX to Ayala via Buendia; and PITX to Lawton.
The LTFRB will also add 300 UV Express Units to the Paliparan to PITX via Molino route and 200 UV Express Units to the Bacoor to PITX via Molino route.
In a statement on Friday, the DoTr said: “Batay sa mismong monitoring ng DOTr at LTFRB, mas mababa kaysa sa nakasaad na database ang bilang ng mga bus na tumatalima sa mga itinakdang ruta kaugnay ng pagkakatatag ng PITX.” (Based on the monitoring of DoTr and LTFRB, the number of buses plying the routes of PITX is lower than what is recorded in the database.)
“Ito ang dahilan kung bakit kulang ang mga bus na dumadaan sa PITX upang kumuha ng mga pasahero. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit naiipon ang mga pasahero sa PITX lalo na tuwing gabi,” the DOTr added. (This is why there are few buses going to PITX to pick up passengers. This is why there are more passsengers at PITX especially at night.)
The Senate has begun its inquiry into the operations at PITX, as led by chair of the transportation committee Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares.
Ms. Llamanzares questioned why 300 buses were allowed to operate beyond PITX in October when buses, jeepneys and UVs coming from Cavitex were instructed to end their operations at the terminal.
The DoTr’s Department Order (DO) 2018-25 requires all provincial buses to terminate their route at the PITX, but 195 were exempted. The agency, however, said it is willing to reconsider the order.
In a statement on Friday, Ms. Llamanzares said, “We welcome the move of the DOTr and the LTFRB to immediately come up with concrete solution to the chaos at the PITX.
She added: “A major proposal of the DOTr and LTFRB involves the grant of new franchise for identified routes of buses, UV express and jeepney. Paano natukoy kung saan-saan ang mga rutang ito? Paano naitakda ang bilang ng mga bus, jeep o UV express na bibigyan ng prangkisa? Tandaan natin na ang pagbibigay ng karagdagang prangkisa ay nangangahulugang karagdagang sasakyan sa kalsada.” (How were the routes determined, and the number of vehicles to be given a franchise? Let us remember that more franchises means more vehicles on the road.)
“The DOTr, LTFRB, operators of bus, jeepney, UV express, commuters group and other concerned stakeholders should be gathered and have their say in this latest directive by the DOTr,” the senator also said. “A technical working group can be created to immediately draft a plan that will address the concerns of the users of PITX.”

Davao court orders arrest of Trillanes for libel

A DAVAO City court has issued a warrant of arrest against Sen. Antonio F. Trillanes IV for his libel case filed by former Davao City Vice Mayor and presidential son Paolo Z. Duterte.
Judge Melinda Alconcel-Dayanghirang of Davao City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 54 ordered Mr. Trillanes’s arrest but allowed him to post bail of P24,000.
The bond for the bail may be paid through depositing the amount to the nearest collector of the Bureau of Internal Revenue or Provincial, City or Municipal Treasurer.
The bail may be approved by any judge of any regional trial courts in Davao City, Metropolitan of Municipal Trial Judge or Municipal Circuit Trial Judge.
“The Officer making the arrest is hereby authorized to discharge the accused from custody after said accused has furnished the bail and duly approved and ordered released by the propped court,” the warrant read.
Mr. Duterte on September 2018 charged Mr. Trillanes with libel after the senator linked him and his brother-in-law Manases Carpio to corruption and extortion involving ride-hailing services.
Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said on Dec. 6 that the prosecution filed a motion for the issuance of a hold-departure order against the senator. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Indonesian kidnap victim escapes from Abu Sayyaf

AN INDONESIAN fishing ship worker escaped his Abu Sayyaf captors and has been rescued by security forces, the Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) reported on Friday, Dec. 7.
WesMincom said 35-year-old Usman Yusuf, who was abducted at the seawaters off Sempornah, Sabah, Malaysia aboard a Malaysian trawler vessel last Sept. 11, broke free from his abductors at Barangay Bual, Luuk, Sulu on Thursday morning.
Troops of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 3 and the Philippine Marine Ready Force Sulu under the Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu, in coordination with the Sulu provincial police and intelligence units, then took hold of him.
The JTF Sulu has been on an intensified pursuit of the Abu Sayyaf, who are still holding six captives, three of whom are foreigners and the rest Filipinos.
The rescue of Mr. Suyuf, who has undergone a medical check-up and has been brought to the WesMinCom headquarters in Zamboanga City, happened on the same day that eight members of the bandit group surrendered to government forces.
In a separate statement, WesMinCom said the eight were residents of different parts of Sulu and under various Abu Sayyaf sub-leaders.
They turned over eight high-powered firearms,consisting of an M14 rifle, M16 A1, M1 Carbine rifle, and five US M1 Garand rifles.
The military said the “successful surrender was facilitated through the efforts of the different Community Support Program (CSP) Teams” of the 2nd Special Forces Batallionled by Lieutenant Colonel Jessie R. Montoya.
“With the conduct of Community Support Programs, we hope that more bandits will be encouraged to lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law,” said WestMinCom Chief Arnel B. Dela Vega. — Marifi S. Jara

Couple linked to Reds arrested

A COUPLE linked to the communist movement was arrested by police in Bacoor, Cavite, at midnight of Friday, Dec. 7
According to a statement by the Interior Department, the arrestees, Rey Claro Casambre and Patricia Casambre, are members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA). Mr. Casambre also has a standing warrant of arrest for murder and two counts of attempted murder, as issued by Presiding Judge Emilio G. Dayanghirang III of the Regional Trial Court 11th Judicial Region, Branch 32, Lupon, Davao Oriental.
The Casambres were on board a silver car with plate number XKS-821 when they were stopped at Molino Boulevard in Bacoor and arrested by operatives of the Cavite PNP (Philippine National Police) Provincial Police Office and the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. Both agencies were cited by Interior Secretary Eduardo M. Año in the statement by his agency.
rding to police report, Mr. Casambre was arrested along with his wife Patricia, while on board a silver Toyota Vios at Barangay Niyog 3, Molino Boulevard in Bacoor.
”Seized from the couple were some high caliber firearms including one Colt Commander Cal. 45 pistol; one magazine for Cal. 45 pistol; seven live ammunition for Cal. 45; one bundle of Electric Detonating Cord; and one Fragmentation Grenade. Also confiscated were two cellphones, a Macbook laptop and a total of P6,000 cash,” the statement said, adding that, “According to (Mr.) Año, Casambre is the head of the National United Front and is the one orchestrating all the activities of the Kilusang Mayo Uno, Kadamay, and other Communist front organizations. He is also connected to the Movement Against Tyranny (MAT) and destabilization plots against the government.”
In his statement, Edre U. Olalia, legal consultant to the Negotiating Panel of the National Democratic Front, said, “As usual, and as predictable as the sun will come out tomorrow, the non-bailable murder charges (against Mr. Casambre) are trumped-up and sprang out of nowhere.”
He added, “The arrest of the Casambres, treacherous as it is baseless, once again proved that this government cannot be trusted and that it is the number one violator of the most basic human rights especially of those seeking genuine and long-lasting solutions to the problems besetting our people and our country.” — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

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