Best Posts in Thread: Organised crime gang operating in Negros oriental

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"Organised crime gang operating in Negros oriental"

Apparently I have unwittingly hit a nerve with some. This was not my intent. I was merely trying to give my point of view and some basic information to the expats here who may not be aware of how things worked in the Philippine Legal System. I do have knowledge of it as a family member of mine was murdered and my family and I had to deal with it and it was a real eye opener for me. I was trying to pass on the information I learned to this thread to hopefully help any other expats who may find themselves in that unenviable position of having to deal with the justice system. For anyone that felt slighted my sincerest apologies.

DaveD

 

A, Philippines – Police said they have seized several balikbayan boxes that were found to contain guns, bullets and other illegal items.

The seizure took place on Monday – the items were from a cargo container which came from the United States.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency spokesperson said they confiscated 400 rounds of ammunition and two firearms in the shipment.

The container was shipped to Cebu City where it now sits in a warehouse at the Bureau of Customs.

BOC spokesperson said, “These contraband can be used by armed groups working for politicians in the 2016 elections.”

He also added that “If these were able to sneak out of Cebu, these will possibly go in the hands of goons.”

Officials noted that the bullets had an estimated value of 300,000 pesos, not including the two firearms which were a .38 cal. and a .357 mag. – the shipment originated form Oakland, California.

BOC officials said they will look into the identities of the shipper and the receivers of the noted boxes and file appropriate charges.

BOC Port of Cebu District Collector Arnulfo Marcos confirmed that they seized two revolvers with live ammunition from a returning resident to the Philippines.

 

Yes Davy the justice system in the Philippines does suck and everyone (including Filipinos) knows it.

I think what Dave is saying is summarized in the words he uses, "It is what it is" and whilst all may not like it, at least we foreigners have options to leave and live somewhere else, that is not available to the average Filipino. Notwithstanding this experience (and a number of other unpalatable issues) I am eagerly looking forward to my move to Dumaguete next month. Sure my partner has a lot to do with that but also there are many unpalatable issues here in Sydney, Australia. Without doubt it is a most beautiful city and country but the values of the people has changed - probably as they have become wealthier and probably because they want to become even wealthier...

I have been very privileged here but I find that there is a general honesty and wholesomeness in the Filipinos which has long left Australia. Maybe in a few years I might regret that statement but for now it is the dream I am perusing.

 

Sorry it's not like at home. Here in the PI the affected individual (or surviving family) have to file charges. The state will not pursue any charges on their own without a victim first filing charges (and paying off the local cops to investigate) for the alleged crime. That's why blood money here is so pervasive in cases of murder either intentional or accidental. If enough money is paid to the victims family then they refuse to press charges and any criminal case disappears as if it never existed (which it didn't since no family member filed charges). See how this works... Insidiously clever and devious! If any questions or you want a better explanation PM me with any questions and I will try to answer as best as I can. Oh and by the way if the blood money is not enough and they file charges but they are killed before the court case concludes guess what happens? The case is dismissed because there is no victim to pursue the case! How do ya like them apples!

 

1. 
   
   Pio DumagueteCity
   8 hrs ·
   FROM PNA NEWS:Suspect in string of robbery cases, murders, three others killed in shootout with police
   
   DUMAGUETE CITY, Oct. 19 (PNA) -– A murder suspect and alleged leader of a criminal gang and three of his companions were killed in a shootout with police officers in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental Sunday evening.
   
   This came as the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Negros Oriental is relentlessly going after wanted persons as mandated by higher headquarters.
   
   An initial police report identified the slain murder suspect as Michael Garsula of Barangay Malaunay, Valencia town in Negros Oriental.
   
   He is the leader of the Garsula gang that police have previously tagged as allegedly responsible for the murder of businessman Demeterio Larena III, and other crimes allegedly perpetrated by the group.
   
   The three others with Garsula remain unidentified at press time although police recovered from one of them a voter’s identification card that bore the name of Bonifacio Catano, said Chief Insp. George Badon, police chief of Sta. Catalina.
   
   According to the police chief, about 10 police operatives and Army soldiers comprising a composite group flagged down the four men, who were on board motorcycles, at Sitio Cambungao, Poblacion Sta. Catalina around 8 p.m. Sunday, and announced that they were government troops.
   
   The law enforcers were to serve court warrants of arrest against Garsula, Badon said.
   
   Garsula and his group, upon learning that these were police and military personnel, turned around their motorcycles, dropped to the ground and opened fire at the law enforcers, Badon added.
   
   A shootout followed which lasted for a few minutes where the four suspects were killed.
   
   Recovered from Garsula and his companions were a Caliber .45 handgun, a Caliber .38 revolver and an improvised shotgun, said Chief Insp. Badon.
   
   The bodies are now at a funeral parlor in Sta. Catalina, Badon said.
   
   Police chief Badon disclosed that Garsula was facing a number of arrest warrants, to include one for a murder case that was issued by Regional Trial Court Barnch 39 Judge Arlene Catherine Dato.
   
   Another arrest warrant for murder was also issued against Garsula by Judge Eric Maxino, as well as other court orders for his arrest in relation to a frustrated murder case and robbery.
   
   To recall, police investigators identified Michael Garsula as among those responsible for the death of Demetrio “Pororoy” Larena III, who was shot dead along the national highway in Sibulan, Negros Oriental on October 20, 2011.
   
   The 65-year old Larena, owner of a number of pawnshops, was driving his Pajero sport utility vehicle when armed men shot and killed him in broad daylight.
   
   Other suspects were identified as brothers Jimmy and Jerry Inocerta, who have also been linked to a series of robbery incidents in San Jose town.
   
   Michael Garsula and Jimmy Inocerta are also facing a murder case involving the death of a chief tanod in Malaunay, previous police reports had said.
   
   Meanwhile, provincial police director Sr. Supt. Dionard Carlos said they will look into the impact of Garsula’s death on the alleged crime group that he purportedly led.
   
   The firearms that were recovered from the slain Garsula and his companions will also be submitted for ballistics tests and cross-matching to determine if they will match evidences, such as slugs and spent shells, recovered from previous criminal activities in the province, Carlos added.

 

I agree it can be very frustrating for a foreigner to deal with but this is the system the locals set up to deal with these situations and as much as we may dislike/disagree with it, It is their country and their system of Justice (term used very loosely). The locals have a saying about foreigners here who complain about the PI, it's laws, customs or anything else for that matter. "If you don't like it you can always leave" as in we have passports and money and can go anytime we want to. Nothing is keeping us here unlike themselves. Many locals would like to leave and go overseas in search of a better life for themselves and their families but due to poverty or lack of education/skills, family commitments, criminal record (even at the Barangay level) or whatever they cannot leave so they are forced to work within the system. They realize how messed up it is but they cannot change it or leave as easily as we can so they learn to live with it and work within the parameters they have to work with. Ask your partner. If you have a strong relationship she will explain this in more detail. It baffles logic but it is what it is... Their country and their laws! We are visitors here!