Bam Aquino

Bam questions PNP: Why are scalawags still in service?

Sen. Bam Aquino urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to hasten the process of dismissing scalawag policemen from the service to stop the abuses and help regain the trust of Filipino people in the organization.

“Iyong mga pag-abuso ng mga pulis na nakikita natin hindi iyan mababawasan kung hindi mababawasan iyong mga delinkwenteng kapulisan na dapat tinatanggal sa hanay ng PNP,” said Sen. Bam during the interpellation for the 2018 budget of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

 “The sooner we’re able cleanse our ranks, the faster we will be able to stop these abuses na nangyayari,” added Sen. Bam.

 “Of our 181,000 policemen, ​PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa stated​ around two percent, while the president has mentioned five percent of the police force is involved in illegal drugs. This gives us a range of 3,620 to over 9,000 policemen involved in illegal drugs,” he added.

Currently, 447 policemen are under surveillance while 262 policemen have already been dismissed for various reasons and not necessarily for involvement in drugs.

 Sen. Bam is hoping the PNP will focus on these cases in the coming months to ensure that the organization is closer to getting rid of its ranks of scalawags.

 “Sana maaksuyanan muna ng PNP ang paglinis ng kanilang mga rangko bago sila magsagawa ng malawakang drug operation na posibleng magdulot ng pang-aabuso at pagkamatay ng mga inosenteng tao,” said Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam also wants ensure that the PNP has the necessary budget for its internal cleansing.

 “The PNP should pursue its internal cleansing just as ferociously as the country’s drug problem. With the war on drugs being the main thrust of the administration and with Filipinos feeling threatened by the violence tied to this war, we need to ensure that our policemen are trustworthy and upstanding,” emphasized Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam asks DILG, PNP: Why are drug infested barangays on the rise?

​Sen. Bam Aquino​ ​​questioned the rise in number of drug-infested barangays in the country despite the aggressive campaign of the Philippine National Police (PNP) against illegal drugs​.

 ​​”In just seven months, the number of moderately drug-affected barangays jumped from 4,303 to 9,207. Why is there such a large increase, more than double,” Sen. Bam Aquino asked ​d​​uring his interpellation on the budget of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)​.

 Moderately affected barangays are defined as areas where at least two percent of the population are involved in illegal drugs. Based on records from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), these barangays increased from 4,303 to 9,207 from January to July of this year.

 ​​On the other hand,​ ​Sen. Bam lauded the decrease in the number of seriously affected barangays – or communities with a reported presence of a drug laboratory or marijuana plantation — from 217 in January 2017 to just 44 identified in July of the same year.

“May progreso naman ang kampanya ng pamahalaan. Maybe we can expect this to drop to zero seriously affected barangays by the end of the year,” said Sen. Bam.

 ​Still, Sen. Bam asserted that the police force must work to win the trust of the Filipino people, especially with the issues hounding the government’s drug war.

“Marami nang Pilipino ang natatakot na maging collateral damage ng drug war,” said Sen. Bam, referring to the June 23 to 26, 2017 SWS survey where seven of 10 Filipinos expressed fear that they themselves or someone they know will become a victim of an extrajudicial killing (EJK).

  The senator noted that ​while the drop in the country’s crime rate is commendable, there are still regions with alarming numbers for homicide cases, such as ​​Central Luzon ​with 1,397 deaths, CALABARZON with 2,185, Davao Region with 1,141 deaths and NCR with 3,141 deaths.

 “Bakit may mga areas na bumaba ang crime rate na wala ga​a​nong homicide cases​ habang may mga regions na in the thousands ang mga namamatay?” Sen. Bam asked the DILG and PNP.

 “Dapat pag-aralan ang mga area gaya ng​ M​IMAROPA​​ ​​at CAR na mababa ang kaso ng pagpatay. Hindi ba ito ang dapat tularan, na sa ​ pagbaba ng​​ ​crime rate, mababa rin ang bilang ng namamatay,” ​​​stated Sen. Bam, to which the PNP agreed.

 Region 4-B or MIMAROPA reported 273 deaths while CAR reported 175 deaths.

Sen. Bam also encouraged the DILG to hasten the process of dismissing scalawag policemen from the service to stop the abuses and ​the killings. As of latest data, the PNP said around two percent or 3,620 of the 181,000 policemen in the country are involved in illegal drugs.

Sen. Bam: Heavier penalty for government officials acting as source of fake news

Sen. Bam Aquino believes that government officials acting as source or spreading fake news should be meted with a heavier penalty, saying they should be more responsible for their statements as public servants.

“Panahon na para gumawa ng batas para sa fake news at panagutin ang mga nagkakalat nito, lalo na kung sila ay tauhan ng pamahalaan. Dapat lang na mas mabigat ang parusa sa mga lingkod bayan na nagkakalat ng pekeng balita,” said Sen. Bam.

“Public servants should be held to a higher standard,” he added.

During the Senate hearing on fake news, Sen. Bam said both majority and minority senators agreed to fight fake news through legislation. Sen. Joel Villanueva recently filed a measure aimed at punishing persons spreading fake news, including government officials 

“Freedoms have limits  May hangganan ang kalayaan. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit mayroon tayong batas kontra libel at laban sa anumang pagbabanta ng ibang tao,” explained Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam also called as “premature” the pronouncement of President Duterte that no law against fake news will passed during his term.

“Premature pa iyan. Kasi kaka-hearing pa lang natin, at sa totoo rin lang, marami pang mag-e-engage dito sa batas para mas mapayaman ito. So tingnan natin kung saan ito pupunta,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam also stressed that it’s high-time that platform and netizens behind the spread of fake news, misinformation and black propaganda online should be punished.

 “Panahon na rin sa ating bansa na magkaroon ng ganyang rules dito,” said Sen. Bam, adding that this legislation could help create clear rules of engagement for social media.

Sen. Bam to netizens: Make a stand, be vocal

Stressing that the Philippines is a democracy, Sen. Bam Aquino encouraged netizens, whether pro- or anti-government, to speak up on crucial issues hounding the country, such as the extrajudicial killings (EJKs).

“It’s time to speak up, whether it’s for or against the administration, the opposition, the EJKs, etc. It goes for all sides,” said Sen. Bam during the Senate hearing on fake news on social media.

“Now, more than ever, kailangan tayong tumayo at manindigan. Laban kung laban. Tagisan ng talino, tagisan ng kuro-kuro but we have to do it through civilized means,” Sen. Bam asserted.

Sen. Bam called on pro- and anti-government bloggers and netizens to be more circumspect in expressing their views, to condemn hate speech, and to stop the spread of fake news.

Sen. Bam then submitted a list of fake news sites to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to unmask those behind the propagation of misinformation online. Many of the websites used the name of the president.

 “Hindi ba nakakasama sa administrasyon kapag ginagamit and pangalan ng pangulo para magkalat ng fake news?” Sen. Bam posited.

The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) conceded there are websites bearing the President’s name that do create fake news and that they should take actions against it.

Sen. Bam added that the Senate is ready to step in and legislate a measure to provide rules of engagement for social media to avoid the situation from getting worse. 

“It will intensify, from both sides. And if we need rules of engagement, then we will legislate,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam: No destabilization plot; stop silencing dissenters

Sen. Bam Aquino maintained that the liberal party is not involved in any destabilization or ouster plot against President Duterte even as he criticized efforts to silence dissenters and critics of the government.

“Hindi kami involved sa anumang ouster plot. Ang mga paratang na yan ay gawa-gawa lamang,” said Sen. Bam in a media interview.

 Instead of exerting efforts to persecute or silence dissenters, Sen. Bam said the government should allow people to hold a separate stand on issues and air their criticisms without fear of retribution.

 “Nakikita ho natin sa ating bansa na kapag may taong tumututol, sila agad-agad ay inaatake. Sa isang demokrasya, hindi dapat ginigipit ang mga may ibang panig,” Sen. Bam stressed.

 “This is no longer healthy for our democracy. Sa isang demokrasya, dapat may kakayahan tayong magsabi ng ating saloobin. Dapat pinapayagan na mayroong dissent at oposisyon. Nakikita naman natin na tumututol na rin ang maraming Pilipino sa mga polisiya ng gobyernong ito,” he added.

Sen. Bam also criticized Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre for branding “yellowtards” as one of the enemies of the state during the launching of a group that intends to protect President Duterte’s administration.

  “Hindi lang secretaries pati ang pinakamataas na opisyal ng bansa, nagbibigay ng paratang na ganyan na wala namang basehan,” added Sen. Bam.

 “This is political persecution. Lantaran na ito,” said Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam emphasized that the minority will continue to work on important matters crucial to the country, like the 2018 national budget and the tax reform.

 “We just continue to do our job. Ngayong dinidnig ang budget season at ang tax reform program, mapapansin niyo na tuluy-tuloy ang pagtutok ng minority rito,” Sen. Bam stressed.

Sen. Bam urges Church to provide witnesses, policemen with stories about drug war

Sen. Bam Aquino called on the Catholic Church to encourage their witnesses to share direct information about the involvement of policemen in extra-judicial killings (EJKs) in connection with the government’s drug war.

During the hearing of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs on the deaths of Kian delos Santos, Carl Arnaiz and Reynaldo de Guzman, Fr. Robert Reyes and Fr. Bong Sarabia revealed that they were approached by families of young victims with knowledge of involvement of policemen in EJK.

According to the priests, they were also approached by policemen who have first-hand knowledge about EJKs. However, the priests said these witnesses have refused to reveal what they know because of fear for their lives and reprisal from people who might be affected by their disclosure.

“Ang pinakamainam na paraan ay mailantad ang mga kuwentong ito. With the help of the committee, puwede naman silang kunan ng salaysay and there are ways na hindi malalaman ang kanilang pagkakakilanlan. “Mas maganda kung makuha natin ang kanilang salaysay upang maimbestigahan nang maayos,” said Sen. Bam.

“Let’s cooperate and find a way na mailabas ang mga kuwentong ito para sabay-sabay nating bantayan na magkaroon ng hustisya ang mga namatayan,” added Sen. Bam, who also commended the Catholic Church for providing sanctuary for witnesses with knowledge about the EJKs in the country.

Sen. Bam also called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to involve different sectors of society, including the Catholic Church, to ensure that no rights are violated in their anti-drug operations.

“It will be better if the PNP will cooperate and involve different sectors of society, especially the Catholic Church to join its anti-drug operations to guarantee that the rights of suspects are respected,” said Sen. Bam.

“Hopefully, we can come to a situation where the PNP will be more transparent with groups and sectors that have raised serious concerns with the war on drugs. Nanawagan na rin ang simbahan na itigil na ang extra-judicial killings sa ating bansa,” added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam calls for absolute transparency to end corruption in Customs

Senator Bam Aquino called on the leadership of the Bureau of Customs (BoC) to implement absolute transparency in all its dealings to eradicate corruption in the bureau and hold Customs personnel liable for smuggling and drug trafficking.

 The senator made this call to BoC commissioner Isidro Lapena during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the P6.4 billion shabu that made its way into the country through the Port of Manila.

 “Hindi sana nakapasok ang tone-toneladang droga kung walang korupsyon sa Customs,” said Sen. Bam.

 Among the moves suggested by Sen. Bam is the use of x-rays in all the ports in the country and allowing the video feed to be broaddcast live online. By making the inspection process transparent and open to the public and available online anytime, Sen. Bam hopes to stamp out corruption.

 “Iyong pinakamagandang kalaban ng dilim, ilaw. Kaya ilawan natin and make the process transparent. Tingnan natin kung magkakaroon ng undervaluation kung gagawin nating transparent ang proseso,” said Sen. Bam.

 “The private sector, maaari rin silang magbuo ng watchdog groups upang mabawasan ang pagpasok ng smuggled items sa bansa,” the lawmaker added.

By allowing different groups to witness the inspection process, Sen. Bam said the space for corruption will be reduced and the revenue would go directly to the government and not to the pockets of unscrupulous individuals preying on brokers and other stakeholders.

Sen. Bam lamented that the current reforms undertaken by Lapena, such as moving two collectors to different positions, are not enough, saying the system should undergo a major change to totally erase corruption in the bureau.

 “Hindi na sapat ang paglilipat ng tao. If it means changing systems, which I think is the only solution to the problem, gawin natin,” said Sen. Bam, assuring Lapena that the Senate will support his initiatives to reform the bureau.

 Sen. Bam also urged Lapena to hold liable Customs personnel behind the smuggling and trafficking of illegal drugs.  “Hindi papasok ang droga kung walang corruption sa BoC,” Sen. Bam stressed.

Bam: Recognition as national athletes, another win for Pinoy gamers

Sen. Bam Aquino welcomed the Games and Amusements Board’s move to recognize the Filipino e-gamers as national athletes, saying it is another big win for our talented Filipino gamers.

“We’re very happy that these athletes are now legitimized and recognized by the Games and Amusement Board,” Sen. Bam said in a statement in reaction to the GAB’s move to legitimize the country’s esports athletes, who have excelled in several local and international tournaments.

 “We hope to continue developing the esports industry in the Philippines and supporting our professional gamers as they represent the Philippines, added Sen. Bam, a staunch supporter of eSports and video game development industry in the Philippines.

Sen. Bam said the move was timely since esports will be a demonstration sport at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia. In 2022, esports will be an official medal event at the 2022 Hangzhou Games.

With GAB’s accreditation, Sen. Bam expects the government to fully support the endeavors of Filipino e-gamers, including their participation in local and international tournaments to further hone their skills.

Sen. Bam is convinced that esports and the video game development sector both have huge potentials in bringing honor to the country and creating jobs and livelihood for Filipinos.

The senator helped establish Philippine esports Association (PeSPA) to strengthen the foundation of esports in the country, look after the welfare of cyber athletes and stakeholders and promote esports in the country.

“We have tremendous talent and potential to conquer the global gaming arena, which is why we worked with the eSports community to organize PeSPA and to resolve visa issues when they compete abroad,” Sen. Bam stressed.

Sen. Bam files for investigation on death of hazing victim

A senator has filed a resolution to look into the death of University of Sto. Tomas law student Horacio Tomas Castillo III allegedly due to hazing-related activities. 

In his Senate Resolution No. 510, Sen. Bam said the probe will focus on ways on how to give more teeth to Republic Act No. 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Law to keep it abreast with the changing times.

“There is a need to improve the existing mechanisms for the deterrence of hazing-related crimes,” said Sen. Bam, adding that the community and the schools and universities are integral in ensuring that the crimes of the past will not happen again to pre-empt deaths of new members.

 Since the passage of RA No. 8049 in 1995, around 26 cases of hazing-related violence were reported, according to Sen. Bam.

 These include Mervin Sarmiento and Oliver Estrella in 1995, Alexander Icasiano in 1998, Ace Bernabe Ekid and Dominante Tunac in 2000, Rafael Albano in 2001, Marlon Villanueva in 2006, Mark Rodriguez and Chris Mendez in 2007, Elvis Sinaluan in 2009, EJ Intia in 2010 and Anthony Javier in 2015.

 The 22-year-old Castillo was found on a sidewalk in Balut, Tondo on September 17, 2017. He was brought to the Chinese General Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. Horacio’s body was bloated, bruised and had candle and cigarette marks all over the body. 

 Before he was found dead, Horacio asked for permission from his parents to attend the “welcoming ceremony” of the fraternity Aegis Juris where he is a new member. The victim’s parents gave their consent, thinking it was just a harmless social activity.

 Earlier, Sen. Bam condemned the death of Horacio, saying that the culture of violence in the Philippines must end.

 “There should be no place in our society for violence and cruelty,” said Sen. Bam, who called on authorities to investigate the matter and put those behind this heinous crime behind bars so justice may be served to the family of the victim.

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