Latest news with #PNP
GMA Network
11 hours ago
- Business
- GMA Network
DA, PNP boost anti-smuggling campaign
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is intensifying its anti-smuggling campaign after discovering the sale of suspected smuggled onions in Paco Market in Manila. On Wednesday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the DA will partner with the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the crackdown against smuggled agricultural products they discovered smuggled onions being sold in the market. The imported red onions are larger and cleaner than local varieties. It also surfaced in markets despite the absence of import permits, he added. 'We did not give any permits to anybody since early this year. Lahat ng imported onions sa lahat ng palengke ay smuggled iyan,' said Laurel Jr. 'It's the directive of President Bongbong Marcos to stop smuggling—that's why we now have this law,' he said. The DA will conduct lab testing of seized onions to ensure they are not a public health threat. Previous inspections found traces of E. coli and heavy metals in smuggled white onions. 'But of course, our target remains the so-called 'big fish.' We will raid warehouses with the help of the PNP,' said Tiu Laurel. Meanwhile, the DA said they are also eyeing to train police officers to distinguish between locally produced and imported agricultural products, including pork, as part of efforts to strengthen the government's anti-smuggling campaign. In October 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No. 12022 into law, which repeals the 2016 Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act and introduces tougher, more comprehensive enforcement mechanisms.—VAL, GMA Integrated News
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GMA Network
2 days ago
- GMA Network
P104.7M worth of floating shabu found in Cagayan waters — PDEA
Authorities have intercepted another wave of floating illegal drugs off the coast of Cagayan, with the latest haul of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, amounting to over P104.7 million in street value. According to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), a sack containing 15 plastic packs of suspected shabu—roughly 15 kilograms and valued at ?102 million—was discovered on June 16 between the territorial waters of Babuyan Island and Gonzaga, Cagayan. The following day, June 17, a separate 400-gram package of the same substance, worth ?2.72 million, was found floating between Camiguin Island and Cape Engaño in Barangay San Vicente, Sta. Ana, Cagayan. The illegal drugs were turned over to combined personnel from PDEA Regional Office II (RO 2) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Office 2 (PRO 2) by concerned local fisherfolk who found them at sea. 'The honest acts of fishermen, the prompt response and proper turnover of the floating contraband to authorities, and the steady sea surveillance and patrolling, are all part of a holistic approach to curb the flow of illegal drugs in the coastal areas of Cagayan Province,' said PDEA Director General and Undersecretary Isagani R. Nerez. "We do not want these dangerous substances to fall into the clutches of the wrong people.' Undersecretary Nerez highlighted the role of the PNP's 'Project: SPIES' — Strengthening Port Interdiction to Enhance Security — a security initiative led by the Cagayan Police Provincial Office under Police Brigadier General Antonio Marallag Jr. The project focuses on securing maritime borders and ports against drug trafficking. 'We cannot simply overlook the value of the contribution of Project: SPIES and its implementing police officers,' Nerez emphasized. 'In tandem with PDEA, they have provided much heightened vigilance and increased law enforcement efforts on the lookout for the remaining floating contraband.' So far, all floating drug recovery incidents have occurred in the waters of Luzon. Authorities believe the drugs were offloaded at sea and meant to be collected by designated recipients. 'An in-depth investigation is currently underway to determine the place of origin of the recovered shabu,' Nerez said, noting that ocean currents may have pushed the contraband into Philippine waters. Ilocos Norte In a related incident, a kilo of shabu worth ?6.8 million was found by a resident along the shoreline of Barangay Pasaleng in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte on June 17. The package was also turned over to local authorities. PDEA continues to appeal to the public for cooperation. "If and when you stumble upon any of the floating contraband, do not hesitate to report it to the authorities. Doing so will help shield our communities from the sinister ways of illegal drugs,' Nerez urged. The agency also reminded the public that possession of prohibited drugs, regardless of intention, is punishable under Philippine law. — Sherilyn Untalan/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
PH still has a drug problem —Marcos
President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. admits that the drug problem remains prevalent in the country but said that he has already tasked authorities to double down on solving the issue. ''We still have a drug problem in this country, siyempre pumapasok pa rin 'yung shabu so sabi ko... Hulihin ninyo 'yung malalaki saka puntahan ninyo kung saan pumapasok, 'yun ang isara natin, and we're slowly doing that,'' Marcos said during an episode of the BBM Podcast. (Shabu continues to enter our country. I told them to catch big drug dealers and conduct operations in areas where illegal drugs enter.) ''Ito ngayon, sinabi ko sa Coast Guard at sa PNP, bantayan na ninyo kasi ayokong bumalik sa merkado 'yan. Sirain na ninyo kaagad, as quickly as possible, and make sure na andoon kayo para pag sinabing so many tons, ilang tonelada, 'yun talaga ang nandiyan... hindi nababawasan,'' he added. (I told the Coast Guard and the PNP to be vigilant because I don't want illegal drugs to return to the market. Destroy them immediately, as quickly as possible, and make sure that you're there so that when you mention how many tons, that's the specific figure. Audit the drugs properly and burn them.) Recently, authorities found floating packs of suspected shabu worth millions of pesos off the coasts of several provinces in Northern Luzon. Last month, Marcos said he wants law enforcers to go after small-scale drug dealers while strictly upholding due process in their anti-drug operations. In an interview with broadcast journalist Anthony Taberna, he said that his administration would carry out the anti-drug campaign without resorting to killings. The President also talked to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and told him that it is not good to see areas which have been experiencing drug menace. Marcos then mentioned the need for increased police visibility in those areas inflicted with illegal drugs. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
'Viral cop' nabbed for sedition charges
'Viral cop' Francis Fontillas, who had some harsh words for the government in his vlog after the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, has been arrested by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) for charges of incitement to sedition. According to a spot report from the NCRPO, Fontillas was nabbed at around 4 p.m. along Commonwealth, Quezon City on Monday through a warrant of arrest issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 224. '[The] case is already in court… Wala na po sa PNP (It is no longer with the Philippine National Police),' said NCRPO spokesperson Police Major Hazel Asilo. Fontillas' bail was set at P36,000. Cases of incitement to sedition were filed against Fontillas on March 18 following his criticism of Duterte's arrest, which he claimed was only his stand and an exercise of his freedom of expression. In a previous post on his Facebook account, Fontillias questioned the complaint filed against him, saying he only expressed his stand. "Inciting to sedition daw 'ýung ginawa ko? Hahaha. Okay lang ba kayo? I only expressed my stand and my principles. Where's our right to freedom of expression now? Kawawa naman ang Pilipinas. Hahaha," he said. Fontillas was dismissed from service for grave misconduct on May 8, 2025. The PNP previously stressed its zero tolerance for political bias among its ranks and reminded personnel to remain apolitical and uphold the highest ethical standards in their official duties and personal conduct, including their presence on social media. 'PNP officers shall remain apolitical and non-partisan at all times and we must refrain from posting unauthorized and biased contents in social media and other communication platforms,' the Quezon City Police District said. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Health
- GMA Network
Torre: Overweight cops to be sacked if they won't lose weight after a year
Overweight police officers will be removed from service if they will not be able to trim down their weight after a year, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Nicolas Torre III said Tuesday. Citing Section 30 of Republic Act No. 6975, also known as the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990, Torre said that among the general qualifications for appointment as officer or member of the PNP is that a person 'must weigh not more or less than five kilograms of the standard weight corresponding to his or her height, age, and sex.' 'So ibig sabihin, kung may standard weight and height, hindi ka dapat sobra ng five [kilos], hindi ka mababa,' he said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview. (So this means that if there is a standard weight and height, you should not be more or less than five kilograms.) Torre explained that under PNP regulations, cops who are not within his or her standard weight would be given six months to one year to normalize weight. However, if the cops are still overweight after a year, Torre said they may be sacked. 'After one year, may [there will be] separation from the service,' he said. For those with medical conditions, Torre said they may face 'complete disability discharge' or they may be transferred to administrative work. 'We'll consult with the NAPOLCOM regarding that matter. Pwede naman [that may be possible] actually,' he added. Torre, who only took over as PNP chief early this month, has ordered police officers to maintain their physical fitness as it may affect their promotions. The PNP said that this will also show police discipline to the public. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
