Why are the cops now dodging the Commission of Human Rights?

GMA7 TV-RADIO reports that the CHR (Commission of Human Rights) plan to cite the 10 TMG (Traffic Management Group) operatives with contempt for snubbing the hearing again and again. [Click here to watch the video.] I wonder why they are not appearing after Angelo Reyes & Angcanan
assured the CHR their full cooperation?

Is it because they may contradict themselves again?

Is it because they beleive they are above the law? (Afterall, Angcanan already cleared them.)

Is it because they have overly confused themselves with their lies?

Is it because they know there are new evidences that they may not be able to answer?

Interesting development. Write in and tell me what your thoughts are.

Police Internal Investigation Result: Ortigas victims did not shoot Police

The December 15 "SAKSI" report indicated that IASF (Internal Affairs Service) has found out that the bullet that "supposedly" wounded MURDERER, Police Insp SAMUEL BELMONTE (for which he was given a hero's medal) could NOT have come from the victims of the Ortigas rub-out. The doctor that examined his wound indicated the direction of the bullet was diagonal, coming from the top... it could have come from his companions' friendly fire.

BUT IN THEIR COVER UP, TMG reported that the bullet that hit MURDERER SAMUEL BELMONTE, came from one of the victim's gun. Note in their interview they said the reason they fired at the victims was because one of them shot first and hit Murderer Belmonte. So what is their justification now for firing at the victims when the victims could not have fired at Murderer Belmonte? How will they justify that the gun with that specific bullet came from them and not from the victims? HOW WILL TMG COVER-UP this new finding? Their lies are catching up with them and the inconsistency in their stories.

Angcanan said the truth will set his 10 policemen cum murderers free -- it has not -- because they never spoke the truth in the first place. They meant to fool the Filipinos. They have forgotten there is a just GOD in heaven and not in the TMG headquarters.

Reyes said: "To those saying the incident was a rubout, I think it’s hard to convince any police officer to shoot himself in the leg just to make it appear as a legitimate operation. It defies imagination and logic. We would never do that.".

Well, the TMG operatives and their superiors just committed MURDER and COVER UP that defies IMAGINATION & LOGIC! And they always do that!

See this Nov 9 report:

One policeman was o wounded in the shootout. The wounded police official was identified as Senior Inspector Samuel Belmonte of TMG’s Task Force Limbas based at Camp Crame in Quezon City. He is currently being treated at the Medical Center in Pasig City.

TMG officer-in-charge Chief Superintendent Augusto Angcanan said two teams from Task Force Limbas were conducting covert operations at the Ortigas Center following a tip that a maroon Nissan Sentra Exalta with license plates XDD-828 was about to be used in a carjacking.

The first group, led by Senior Inspector Henry Cerdon, spotted the Exalta on Garnet street at about 11 p.m. and immediately informed Belmonte’s group.

Belmonte’s team flagged down the vehicle, but the driver refused to yield, prompting the lawmen to give chase.

When the suspects were about to be cornered, one of them opened fire, hitting Belmonte in the right leg. The ensuing gunbattle left all three suspects dead.

"We had to use reasonable force to repel the aggressors. They fired at our policemen first," Angcanan said.

Interior Secretary Angelo Reyes, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Arturo Lomibao and Angcanan rushed to the crime scene and later headed to the Medical City, where they awarded Belmonte with the "Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting."

The DILG chief slammed insinuations that the incident was a "rubout."

"To those saying the incident was a rubout, I think it’s hard to convince any police officer to shoot himself in the leg just to make it appear as a legitimate operation. It defies imagination and logic. We would never do that.," Reyes said.

Just discovered Witness.org

I just discovered Witness.org. It's an organizations that many celebrities in the US support, which is how I stumbled upon it. Witness is an organization that fight for human rights through videos. I think the videos taken by UNTV apply for this case.

I posted a comment a comment in their forum to let their members know about what's happening in our country. (Click here to see the post.)

Check out their site at http://Witness.org and see for yourself the type of work they do against human rights violations. I hope Filipinos can do the same and have the courage to film for justice -- just like UNTV.

PRESS STATEMENT of the Family of the late FRANCIS XAVIER V. MANZANO

Thanks to the media person who sent me this statement to share with all of us. If you wish to share this with your family and friends, tell them to go to http://clearfx.blogspot.com/2005/12/press-statement-of-family-of-late.html


PRESS STATEMENT of the Family of the late FRANCIS XAVIER V. MANZANO
December 9, 2005

We are deeply pained and traumatized by the passing of our beloved youngest brother, Francis Xavier V. Manzano, under the most heinous of circumstances. Any death in a family is a cause for mourning; we, however, have greater reasons to mourn and grieve for Francis for the brutality that marked his death.

Our family is law-abiding and God-fearing; we were raised well by our parents and family members who inculcated in us high moral standards and values. We are also a very private family, with no desire to engage in public mudslinging with anyone. However, we believe that we owe it to our brother as well as to our late parents to not allow our name to be trampled upon and vilified without cause and without justification.

Francis has been described as a criminal and a carjacker by those who took his life. Francis, FX to us, was many things, but he was not a criminal, he was not a carjacker.

To his many friends, he was a kind-hearted and peace-loving person; to us, his family, he was a loving brother. We, who have known and taken care of him all his life, know him to be a person who abhorred violence and who was incapable of the acts he is now, in death, accused of having done.

This is why we have now come forward to break our peace.

We wish to say that we do not condemn the Philippine National Police as an institution. We are well aware that there are many men and women in uniform who serve with honor. However, we cannot turn a blind eye to the video footage of the killings as well as the testimonies of eyewitnesses that show beyond any doubt that those who killed Francis Xavier Manzano disregarded the rules of engagement and violated his fundamental human rights.

We believe in the rule of law. Francis was not accorded the rule of law. He was not a criminal, yet he was treated like the worst kind of criminal. He was never charged, tried, convicted or sentenced, yet he has already been executed.

After much reflection and prayer, the family agreed to cooperate with the Commission on Human Rights in its investigation. We acceded to their request to have the remains of Francis exhumed and his body re-examined by Dr. Raquel Del Rosario-Fortun, who had been commissioned by the CHR for this purpose. This was done on November 26-27, 2005 in Baguio City. We await her official report and findings which we are confident will bring us closer to the truth.

We wish to thank family members and friends who have condoled with us and supported us during this time of bereavement.

We acknowledge with gratitude UNTV and other witnesses who have bravely come forward to help shed light on the true circumstances of our brother’s death.

We thank the responsible members of the print and broadcast media for their objective and fair reporting and for respecting our privacy during this time of grief and mourning.

We thank, especially, the Commission on Human Rights, through the Honorable Chairperson Purificacion Quisumbing, for spearheading the independent investigation of this incident. We pray that the investigation may bear fruit and that justice may be done so that Francis may be able to truly rest peacefully.

Thank you very much and good day to all.

Sister Courageously Defends Slain FX Manzano

Amen to Jennifer Manzano for her courage! She said she had to do this despite some opposition and threats as it is the RIGHT THING, a BASIC RESPONSIBILITY of a human being to speak the truth for another who cannot defend himself --- whose right to life has been grossly violated by TMG operatives who violated their DUTY TO GOD & COUNTRY.

Jennifer, thank you. I'm sure FX is thanking you from the heavens for doing this. You have always done your very best for him, and that's to courageously speak the truth about him to the media despite some opposition and threats. Our country needs more people like you.

[A VIDEO CLIP]


"My brother was not a carjacker"
By Sandy Araneta
The Philippine Star 12/10/2005

A sister of a business school student gunned down last month by Traffic Management Group (TMG) officers during an anti-carjacking operation said yesterday her brother was not a criminal, the first time the family has made a public statement about the incident.

In a press conference held at the Astoria Plaza in Pasig City, Jennifer Manzano, 37, read a statement in connection with the killing of her brother Francis Xavier, praying that the investigation being conducted by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) "may bear fruit and that justice may be done so that Francis may be able to truly rest peacefully."

Francis Xavier, 26, a second year college student at the Thames Business School, was shot dead by police anit-carjacking operatives at the Ortigas Center in Pasig City last Nov. 7.

Also killed were his companions Brian Anthony Dulay and Antonio Cu-Unjieng.

Francis was the youngest of five siblings.

"He has been described as a criminal and a carjacker by those who took his life. Francis Xavier, FX to us, was many things, but he was not a criminal, he was not a carjacker," said Jennifer, who was almost in tears as she read her family’s statement.

She told the media men that neither Francis nor any other member of the family ever owned a firearm.

Jennifer said they are deeply pained and traumatized by the passing of their youngest.

"We believe that we owe it to our brother as well as to our late parents not to allow our name to be trampled upon and vilified without cause and without justification," she said.

Jennifer said that while they do not wish to condemn the Philippine National Police (PNP) as an institution, they cannot turn a blind eye to the video footage of the "overkill" as well as the testimonies of eyewitnesses "that show beyond any doubt that those who killed Francis disregarded the rules of engagement and violated his fundamental human rights."

"We believe in the rule of law. Francis was not accorded the rule of law. He was not a criminal, yet he was treated like the worst kind of criminal. He was never charged, tried, convicted or sentenced, yet he was executed," Jennifer said.

She said the family agreed to cooperate with the CHR in its investigation, and acceded the request to have the remains of Francis exhumed and his body re-examined by a doctor who had been commissioned by the CHR.

This was done last Nov. 26 in Baguio City. They are now awaiting the official report and findings of the autopsy which they believe would bring them closer to the truth.

Jennifer, on behalf of the family, thanked several people including CHR chairwoman Purificacion Quisumbing, UNTV for the video taken by a news crew and other witnesses, for helping them in the search for the truth.

Lawyer Theodore Te, legal counsel of the Manzano family, said they are now closely coordinating with Dr. Raquel del Rosario-Fortun, who performed the autopsy.

He said the family is hoping the report would come out soon.

"We are hoping that it will bring us closer to the truth to finding out what truly happened on Nov. 7, 2005. The re-examination and the re-autopsy will unearth a lot of things that right now cannot be explained in relation to the death of Francis," Te said.

He said that even if the families of those killed do not file charges, then the Department of Justice has a duty to do so, if the CHR finds basis.

Te said there were a lot of people in the area during the alleged shootout. He hopes that those witnesses will come forward.

"Without witnesses or without enough witnesses, I don’t think they will have too much basis to proceed. We are also making this appeal to people who may have been there, may have information, to come forward and coordinate with the CHR. If they are willing to coordinate with us, then I will coordinate with the CHR on their behalf," the lawyer said.

He said the Manzano family is thankful that the CHR took the initiative and continues to follow up the investigation.

---

"Suspected carjacker’s kin disputes police charges "
By Dennis Carcamo

THE elder sister of one of the suspected carjackers who were killed in a shootout with the police in Ortigas Center yesterday broke her silence and denied that her brother was involved in carjacking.

Jennifer Manzano, 37, sister of Francis Xavier Manzano, 26, one of the three alleged car thieves gunned down by operatives of the Traffic Management Group, surfaced to belie police’s allegations against her brother.

“Francis has been described as a criminal and a carjacker by those who took his life. Francis, FX to us, was many things, but he was not a criminal, he was not a carjacker,” Jennifer, along with her lawyer Thedore Te, said in press conference at Astoria Plaza in Barangay San Antonio Pasig.

She said their family is still waiting for the results of the autopsy on Francis performed by Dr. Raquel del Rosario-Fortun last Nov. 26 and 27 in Baguio City.

“We await her official report and findings, which we are confident will bring us closer to the truth,” she said.

Aside from Manzano, Brian Anthony Dulay and Antonio Cu-Unjieng were also shot dead by pursuing traffic policemen during an operation in Ortigas Center last Nov. 7.

But Jennifer described her brother as “a kind-hearted and peace-loving person” and “a person who abhorred violence and who was incapable of the acts he is now, in death, accused of having done.”

Jennifer read a statement of the family and refused to entertain any questions from journalists.

“Our family is law-abiding and God-fearing. We were raised well by our parents and family members who inculcated in us high moral standards and values,” she added.

The Manzano family, she pointed out, “(does) not condemn the Philippine National Police as an institution. But, they cannot turn a blind eye to the video footages of the killings as well as the testimonies of eyewitnesses that show beyond any doubt that the incident (was) not a legitimate shootout.”

---

"Manzano’s kin seek justice"
Inquirer

Editor's Note: Published on page A19 of the December 10, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer


THE FAMILY of one of three suspected car thieves killed in a clash with police have agreed to have his remains exhumed and reexamined, ending weeks of silence and starting what they said was a quest for justice and a “search for the truth.”

The family of Francis Xavier Manzano, 26, who was killed in a gunfight with police last month with two other suspected car thieves, said Manzano was wrongly reported as a car thief.

“Francis was not accorded the rule of law,” said Jennifer, 37, Francis’ sister. “He was not a criminal, yet he was treated like the worst kind of criminal.”

Jennifer said the family was now ready to cooperate with the Commission on Human Rights, which is investigating allegations that Manzano, Anton Cu-Unjieng and Brian Anthony Dulay were murdered by police.

The three, accused of being car thieves, were killed Nov. 7 at the Ortigas Business Center by agents of the Traffic Management Group (TMG).

The TMG said the three were killed in a gunfight, but witnesses were quoted as saying the young men never fired at the policemen.

Footage taken by TV station UNTV showed the police used “excessive force” against the three, according to lawyer Theodore Te, counsel of the Manzano family.

“We cannot turn a blind eye to the video footage of the killings as well as the testimony of eyewitnesses that show beyond any doubt that those who killed (Manzano) disregarded the rules of engagement and violated his fundamental human rights,” Jennifer said.

She said Francis, the youngest of five siblings who was called in the family as FX, never owned a gun.

“We don’t have a gun in the family,” she said. “Francis has been described as a criminal and a carjacker by those who took his life... But he was not a criminal, he was not a carjacker.”

She said it took the family “much reflection and prayer” before deciding to have his body exhumed and reexamined.

The family also chose to keep quiet for a long time.

“We are also a very private family, with no desire to engage in public mudslinging with anyone,” Jennifer said.

“However, we believe that we owe it to our brother as well as to our late parents to not allow our name to be trampled upon and vilified,” she added.

The body was exhumed Nov. 26-27 in Baguio City. It is already being reexamined by forensic expert Raquel Fortun as part of an ongoing investigation.

Te said the family doesn’t know how long the examination would take or when its results would be known.

Family of slain carjack suspect agrees to have body exhumed

Let's pray and support the family of Francis Manzano. The decision to exhume his body must have been a very difficult one to make, especially during such a painful time. Their belief in justice and solidarity as a family should be commended.

"Family of slain carjack suspect agrees to have body exhumed"
By Edson Castro Tandoc Jr.
Inquirer

THE FAMILY of Francis Manzano, one of three suspected carjackers killed in an alleged shootout last month with Traffic Management Group operatives, announced on Friday that they were willing to have his body exhumed and subjected to an autopsy.

Jennifer Manzano, sister of Francis, said that it took the family some time to agree to the exhumation because they were traumatized by the brutal killing.

The Commission on Human Rights is conducting an investigation into the Nov. 7 alleged shootout in Pasig City that resulted in the killing of Manzano, Anton Cu-Unjieng and Brian Anthony Dulay. The CHR wanted to have Manzano’s body autopsied anew.

The bodies of Cu-Unjieng and Dulay were cremated.

It's been a month. We're still waiting for justice

Don't forget to wear green today!

More on the life of Francis Xavier Manzano

I just received this comment on a blog I wrote, A Letter About FX. Thank you for sharing with us more about FX and letting the world know the true Francis Xavier Manzano.

I cried reading this blog. It reminded me of all the testimonies of people who spoke in FX's wake...especially his materially poor friends and classmates from the Mt Province to whom he gave ALL HIS THINGS when he graduated. I heard testimony from people from all walks of life. He touched many peoples' lives especially the poor and the needy in his quiet way. Most touching were the testimonies of his daughter and nieces and nephews who could not understand why "bad men had to kill Tito F" . Hindi siya "pasiklab" "mayabang". (He's not flashy or conceited.) He had more poor friends than rich ones. He has been a volunteer counselor for 3 years and we will never know what secret(s) involving TMG, PNP or the military were told to him - that's why he had to be rubbed out too. When something tragic like this happens, we think of "could haves" should haves" and one o fmy thoughts - if he was not too "mabait" (nice/kind-hearted) and too helpful with others' problems as a counselor- baka buhay pa siya ngayon (perhaps he may still be alive today)! Sayang to have his life taken and in such a brutal fashion. The cover-up is so sad but we should be used to it in the Philippines as we read about it everyday in the newspapers involving the highest levels of the government. Manhid na tayo!

Relationship between Philippine Police & Commission of Human Rights: A publicity stunt?!

The Philippine police are now desecrating the victims of the Human rights by "pretending" to uphold their rights after killing them. I wonder how fair this Commission of Human Rights (CHR) will be to Francis Xavier Manzano. I wonder how fair they will be to future victims. I question how fair CHR will be when they're so closely tied to the corrupt Philippine Military and Philippine Police.

I must commend the public relations adviser for the Philippine police for coming up with this strategy -- "Let's publicly befriend the CHR to gain the public's trust." Too bad for them that we're not foolish to their publicity stunts. Too bad for them that we realize the police effort in "partnering" with CHR is just their way of keeping "their enemies closer."

Let's continue to pray and hope for truth & justice in our country. I would like to ask fellow bloggers, readers, mailing lists, websites, e-mailers and others who wish to help us gain justice to please spread the link to this website or simply spread the word of our cry for justice. I pray that someone out there reading this can help gain justice for Francis Xavier Manzano.

EXCERPT:
"Police to join celebration of human rights week"
By Katherine Adraneda
The Philippine Star 12/05/2005

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Arturo Lumibao will join the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and human rights advocates in a ceremony that will recognize "CHR partners," including police and military officers, non-government organizations (NGOs), and civic and church-based groups.

"I hope the occasion will send a message of peace and harmony to every individual across the nation, that human rights knows no bounds," said
Commissioner-in-charge Wilhelm Soriano, of the CHR-National Capital Region.

Dubbed as "Karapatang Pantao: Igalang, Itaguyod, at Ipatupad," the event marks the convergence of police authorities, military officials, and other
"state actors," NGOs, urban poor, informal settlers, church groups, and those who firmly believe in the preservation of the dignity of every human
being.

"A celebration of human rights is a triumph of democracy," Soriano said.

Among those to be conferred plaques of appreciation for their contribution to human rights advocacy are Dagat-dagatan Council of Leaders led by Lilia Esparrago, Bantay Bata Foundation group, Human Rights Defense group, Superintendent Rolando Anonuevo of the PNP Intelligence Training Group, Dr. Liza Derillo of the Soroptomist International of the Philippines, Col. Winston Manay of the Philippine Air Force Officer School, Director Reynaldo Varilla of Human Resource Doctrine Development, General Renato Miranda of
the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Councilor Kevin Delgado of Muntinlupa City, and Councilor Corazon Braga of Antipolo City.

"Our theme concretizes the idea of bringing Filipinos together, regardless of their differences in ideologies and ideals, partisan politics notwithstanding...that they may see eye to eye in terms of defining human rights," Soriano said.

Human rights advocates and members of the police clashed months ago over the implementation of the administration’s calibrated preemptive response (CPR) and "no permit, no rally policy," which were deemed as curtailment to the people’s right to free expression.

The military, on the other hand, has been blamed for the series of human rights abuses, and killings against leaders and members of organizations in
the countryside, who were perceived as members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Meanwhile, human rights group KARAPATAN renews its call for the improvement of the human rights situation in the country.

In its 2005 Human Rights Report, the group said that the Arroyo administration has turned to wanton use of repression and "state terror" to cling to power. KARAPATAN has documented 874 cases of human rights violations, which affected 99,011 individuals; and 14,302 families in 288
communities from January to November this year.

Marie Hilao-Enriquez, leader of KARAPATAN, said that the report is a result of painstaking efforts of human rights workers and volunteers in the
Philippines.

"This makes 2005 possibly the worst year for human rights in the post-Marcos era," Enriquez said.

"The intensity of the political killings that occurred in 2005 and the broadness of its targets to include lawyers, human rights defenders, journalists, church leaders, local officials, community leaders and
organizers, ordinary peasants and workers and members of progressive parties and people’s organization surpasses that of any regime after Martial Law," she added.

According to KARAPATAN, 150 persons, including a two-year-old boy and two unborn children, were killed from January to November this year while the
number of political killings increased by more than 100 percent compared to 2004.

KARAPATAN said that of the 150 victims of political killings, 80 were activists who were critical of the Arroyo regime; the remaining 68 were not known to be affiliated with any political party or organization but were suspected by the military to be sympathizers, supporters, friends or relatives of communist or Muslim rebels.

"On the occasion of the 57th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we believe that possibilities for justice for the victims of
human rights violations and opportunities for the improvement of the human rights situation can only be opened up with the removal of Gloria Arroyo
from the presidency."

A Comment To Highlight

Received this comment on the blog and I just wanted to highlight it. (I'm not sure how easy it is to see the new comments that are posted on this blog. I receive many commments to various posts but it looks all spread out and not as easily seen, perhaps?)

To this anonymous person who wrote in: Thank you for writing.

--------
I was quite ashamed of myself thinking that it could have been true, but then I saw the video... just imagine how many people the police think they can fool! I'm one of them, but now, only now (how shameful) did I realize how wrong I was since I'm not much of a news watcher. We have seen the evidence, a true untainted one in fact. Not like the ones planted by the police just to make their story seemingly true.

So there is still hope. Just with this video we can convince the world that the Philippine Police is corrupted. I just hope that by doing so, the families of the victims and even the Filipino people can have their justice.

Anyway, how disgusting can it get? How low should the police stoop? Is killing three innocent and loved people not enough for them? I can't believe they are after the witnesses and the families!!! How crude and rude... disrespectful indeed. Tapping into the private conversations of the victim's families with their friends is an abuse. It's like denying them freedom. And God, how mean could they get into coercing the witnesses to change their stories.

I'm really sorry... and to the Police, how could you?! Just imagine those three victims as your own sons and think and feel the wrong you've done. Angelo Reyes, what a sick man you are!!! You see how things could turn in one instant, you may be resting in your comforts now, but tomorrow you'll see and you'd be in the victims places. Karma has a way of getting you! Be warned....
---------

Letting Oprah Fans Know

So I joined the Oprah Angel Network today and shared my story. Who knows if Oprah will read it. I doubt it. A new reader is enough accomplishment for me today - that they, too, will understand our cry for justice and our attempts to end corruption in our country.

Remember, green on the 7th! I'm going to pick up some green bands for my friends. Maybe, if maybe, the police have ended their threats and phone tapping to FX's family, I can share with them some of the green bands I get.

Anyone know someone from the media who can let our people know to wear green on the 7th?

A Touching Blog By A Classmate

I ran into this blog by Pameelicious, who reflects on seeing FX the afternoon before he was shot. Thank you for your blog. I got teary eyed at the end of reading this, remembering FX and how well he's liked.

Dec 7 - Show Your Support For Justice & Peace

I had a conversation with a mutual friend of FX. We were talking about our frustrations about the lack of justice this case has fallen into. He asked, "What can we do if we can't even trust the cops, the government, or the investigators to show us the truth, protect us with our truthful words, or give justice to FX?"

I kept thinking about his question. Is what I'm doing, blogging for justice, helping us gain justice for FX? I hope so. It's at least reaching the awareness to people all over the world that we, Filipinos, seek justice for the corruption happening in our country. Ever since I started this blog, I have been swamped with emails from readers from all over the world who support my efforts. Some who do not understand Tagalog have reached out to their Filipino friends to translate what is happening. Others share the link to this blog through email, forums and word of mouth. Thank you.

I believe that part of fighting for the truth and justice is to NOT ALLOW this story to die. We need to let each other know, peacefully, that we are aware of what the police have done and we wish justice for Francis Xavier Manzano. I would like to encourage you to wear green on Dec 7 -- a month after the incident -- to show your support for peace and justice. Let's do this every month -- until justice has been served -- to show that we are continuously aware of the injustice that was done to Francis Xavier Manzano. Let's wear our greens to show that we will not tolerate the Philippine police and military's corruption and threats against Filipinos. Even if you're not in the Philipppines... even if you're not a Filipino... please make an effort to wear green in your silent support for peace and justice for Francis Xavier Manzano.

So you have a week to prepare and to pass the word around! Dec 7 is Wednesday of next week.

Has Martial Law Begun and No One Bothered To Tell me?!

It seems to me that the police are killing and arresting just about anyone they please.

Just in the past few weeks, the police killed a man they "suspected" to be a terrorist leader. After they killed him and rejoiced to the media of their capture, it was revealed that they killed a man who just happen to "look like" the terrorist leader.

A few days later, they killed Francis Xavier Manzano, and, again, ran to the media -- rejoicing that they just killed "suspected" carjackers. They were so proud that they gave a medal to one of their officers only a few hours after the incident. They're now finding out that they killed an innocent man who is "not" a carjacker and hates guns. To make matters worse, they're whole mistake was documented by 5 video cameras.

The following week, a group of innocent farmers sleeping on the side of the road were killed by the police. Like the incident with Francis Xavier Manzano, the police planted a gun on their scene and claimed to the media that they were suspected terrorists.

The head of the UNTV was arrested for what reason again?! Oh, I get it, for not selling out to the police corruption. Just because UNTV captured what really happened and was brave enough to show the public the truth, they're now harassed and arrested. What gives?!

Today, they arrested and jailed a "suspected" financier of a "suspected" carjacking gang, Jayjay de los Santos. This guy stepped up to clear his name, that he's not a financier, and let the people know that he knew one of the men killed to be a good person.

Anyone see a trend here, or is it just me?! Seems to me that the police got a Martial Law memo without letting the public know.

Who's With the Commission of Human Rights During the Investigation?

Have you seen the TV coverage of the head of CHR (Commission of Human Rights) inspecting the victims' car riddled by bullets? Take a close look who is with her -- all the police and military
officials -- the same officials who want to cover up the murders! The car has been in their (police) possession since November 7. They have TAINTED the evidence that this was an UNJUSTIFIED MURDER of Francis Xavier Manzano!

The day after the murder, a Camp Crame officer who refuses to be named said none of the bullets came from the victims' car. Eyewitnesses have said the same. There was no shoot out! The UNTV video verifies this.

What can stop them from firing bullets just as they have placed the gun on Brian Dulay's hand as though he shot at them whereas originally his hand was on his chest? See the video! That's why Reyes, Lomibao, and Angcanan have arrogantly declared - "Bring on the lawsuits!" (Meaning, we've already tainted the evidence to the police's favor).

Please, naman, the FILIPINOS ARE INTELLIGENT and THEY CAN JUDGE FROM THE UNTV VIDEO WHAT REALLY HAPPENED!

Everyday in the newspaper, we read about the police or military killing innocent people on what they quickly claim as "legitimate operations." (See Palo, Leyte incident). The Ortigas incident has been called a "legitimate operation" and frankly without that UNTV video, there will be little public outcry. SOBRA NA!! (THIS IS TOO MUCH!!)

It would be a miracle if the Commission on Human Rights can give an unbiased report on tainted evidence but I can pray for a miracle! It is Christmas. I wonder how these policemen will enjoy the season with the innocents' blood in their hands! On second thought, sanay-sanayan lang iyan.

EXCERPT:

"CHR eyes Dec wrap to Ortigas shootout probe"

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday said it would finish the investigation on the alleged shooutout in Ortigas Center in Pasig by the middle of December.

In an interview with ANC, CHR Commissioner Wilhelm Soriano said they will be evaluating testimonies given during the investigation. Next in line is the questioning of the eight operatives of the police Traffic Management Group
(TMG) involved in the alleged shootout.

Soriano said the CHR committee tasked to investigate the incident is currently on a one-week break after hearing the testimony of the police Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) team on Thursday.

The CHR is conducting an independent inquiry of the alleged shootout between the TMG members and three suspected carjackers on November 7. The incident resulted in the death of suspects Brian Dulay, Francis Manzano and Anton Cu-Unjieng.

A video footage taken by television station UNTV showed TMG personnel firing at the seemingly inert bodies of the suspects inside an alleged stolen car.
The footage prompted the CHR probe.

Chief Superintendent Angcanan, TMG chief, said a fact-finding committee of the Philippine National Police (PNP) had already determined that the operation in Ortigas was legitimate and not a rubout. He said the TMG operation was a product of extensive intelligence operations conducted by members of Task Force Limbas.

Soriano said after the testimony of the eight TMG policemen, it would take them another week to evaluate all the evidence and depositions given at the probe. He said testimonies of the TMG members would take three hearings to finish.

After the testimonies and evaluation, Soriano said recommendations and findings would be ready by the second week of December.

On Thursday, the head of the SOCO team said they "overlooked" some details in processing the crime scene.

Senior Inspector Russel Leysa said his team did not photograph the recovered items from the suspects’ car. Leysa also revealed that TMG operatives had already marked the spent shells in the crime scene when they arrived.

Quit Tapping Their Phones!

In the past 2 weeks since the TMG police realized that their corruption has been exposed for the whole world, my friends and I have noticed an odd tapping-sound on the phone lines when we called the family members of Francis Xavier. Why are the phones of the family members being tapped?! Haven't the police caused enough pain to their family?!

If the PNP (Philippine National Police) TMG (Traffic Management Group) or the IAS (Internal Affairs Service) have nothing hide, then why in the world are they tapping the phones of his family?!!! Why are they preventing the family to speak on the phone without that irritating buzzing?

If the police have nothing to hide, then please quit tapping their phones! Also, quit threatening the lives of the witnesses and anyone else willing to speak the truth.

Having power is temporary. Knowing the truth is forever. The truth will always catch up to corrupt power -- until your last breath -- and to your children's children.

Stopping The Investigation Hides Their Lies

I just read this article, "Task force plea to hold shootout probe denied," from Inq7.net today.

EXCEPT:
"The Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the Philippine National Police which is investigating the Pasig City shootout incident involving suspected carjackers yesterday threw out a request from the lawyer of 10 Traffic Management Group (TMG) agents that it suspend its inquiry."

What is the police trying to hide?

Dead Men Tell No Tales

I was watching the videos from the eye witness over and over again today. There's this amateur video taken by a woman and a guy from what seemed to be the balcony of their condominium. (When I get the chance, I'll see if I can post the video here.)

A thought came to mind while I was watching the amateur video: Could the 3 boys have possibly witnessed a shooting that the PNP TMG (police) were involved in prior to being chased? Is this why the PNP TMG were determined to kill these boys? I mean, is it normal for the PNP TMG to be carrying m-16 rifles with a chest/shoulder full of bullets to go after "car thieves"?! They can't even afford proper forensic tools and here they are with heavy duty machines guns! Those guns may have been possibly aimed to kill (or have already killed) someone else. These 3 boys just happen to drive by the incident and witness it -- which led to their own deaths. That would explain why the police did such a thorough job of finishing them off.... since dead men tell no tales. What do you think?

There was a news interview with the lead investigator from PNP TMG regarding this amateur video. (Don't you find it ridiculous that the PNP TMG are the ones running their own investigation as proof of what really happened? It's like asking OJ Simpson to run his own investigation as to whether or not he really killed his wife. The outcome of their investigation is quite obvious before they even started: "Um... not guilty... yeah, right... that's it.. not guilty! Ahem.") Back to the lead investigator. He says that the amateur video will not be considered in their investigation and was so quick to change the subject away from that video. What are they trying to shun away from or not give light to?

People, It's Just A Car!

One of the interesting blogs I found is from PoliticalJunkie.Blogspot.com, where he explains the corrupt scam behind the carnapping in the Philippines. When you're done reading this blog, check his blog out!

Excerpt:
The widespread and frequent “carnapping”/carjacking incidents have been going on for years with the majority of owners unable to recover their vehicles. In some cases, stolen vehicles have been discovered being used by police officers.

Our sources tell us this cartheft syndicate is so big it has extended its operations to Fukuoka, Japan, and San Francisco and Los Angeles in the US. The report also reveals prominent names are involved. The entry point used to be Subic and Clark but it recently shifted to Cebu and Davao.

What's sad about all this is that all this is happening for a car.

Blogging For Justice

I just discovered this blog called OrtigasRubout.Blogspot.com. It's 2005. I hope that the power of blogs, your readership, the Internet, and spreading the truth can help us achieve justice for our people and our country. Please keep sharing this blog to as many people as you know. It's one of the little efforts we can contribute in spreading the truth about what really happened -- and possibly gaining justice.

A Letter About FX

I recently received this email in my mailbox. I thank you the sender of this letter for sharing his opinion on this matter:

----- LETTER ABOUT FX ---------------

I am a friend of FX's cousin and I have known him since he was orphaned 17 years ago. He had no wealth or power as the police told the media. Neither was he a spoiled scion of a prominent family. FX hated and feared guns and violence so it was unbelievable when the police claimed he had to be shot close range several times in the head because he had a sub-machine gun. ATROCIOUS LIE!

He would not even know how to operate a machine gun which my uncle said only the military has access to! (Thank God for the UNTV video that showed the guns were planted and thank God the police had to admit he never shot a gun.)

FX was gentle, caring, soft spoken, very unassuming and humble. He was good looking and dressed well -- and if not for that, you would not notice him as he would never push his way around or brag or be obnoxious. He was the "favorite uncle" as he was patient with the young children and was truly caring. He had many friends -- both rich and poor as he was "masyadong mabait" (very kind) and "marunong makisama" (gets along well with others easily).

On the evening of his death, he was on his way home from a quick trip to Starbucks and McDonald's (a burger and a night cap). He's was a considerate person, which is why he called his siblings to tell them of his whereabouts and that he's on his way home. (In fact, he only wore shorts and a t-shirt that evening.) He could have been your father, your brother, your uncle, your cousin or your best friend going out for a snack in Ortigas... then murdered... and to cover the murder, had to be branded as a carnapper.

So where can you go for justice in the Philippines? Not to the police or the military -- and definitely not the Dept of (In)Justice! You and your family will be harrassed, intimidated and killed. They may even brand you as a terrorist or an NPA that is a threat to the country. It is common now to read about the journalists, innocent farmers and ordinary civilians killed and branded as threats -- and we don't do anything about it. Instead, we accept the lies. Sana magising tayo sa katotohanan. (I wish we'll wake up to the truth.)

As you pointed out, they can produce FALSE WITNESSES until the sympathy of the TV/radio audience or newspapers will be prejudiced against you. They are in power and they can detroy you!

For Example:
Without even investigating, DILG head Angelo Reyes was quick to laud the handiwork of the TMG and pin a hero's medal on a policeman who witnesses say - his gun may have dropped and hurt him! (You are right in your blog: How could he produce a medal so soon? Do they have several in their pockets?) They can call murder a shoot-out even when the victims' car windows were all closed and a video shows them planting their evidence!

Even my uncle in Camp Crame said all the bullets came from the police. Please do not go to Angcanan or Lomibao for justice as they have to protect the murderers for the sake of the morale of their men! Isn't speaking the truth better than covered up lies for the morale of all men? Lastly, do not go to the head of the Dept of (IN)Justice who without even looking at the case from all sides smugly declared the TMG was justified -- it is okay to "kill dead men" but, oops... when they learned that FX Manzano's body was not cremated and could be exhumed, Angcanan had to confess he was still alive and could have been saved but his policemen considered him a threat and had to shoot him in the head several times.

Ten armed policemen against 3 hurt young men already peppered by 50 bullets! The TMG will not release their full report to the media and initially said it was incomplete because they had not yet interviewed the 10 policemen involved. As you said - what do you expect their report to say if the testimony of the murderers being investigated weighs more than the witnesses? How can the dead defend themselves - they were the ones branded guilty without an opportunity to prove their innocence!

But what would FX Manzano say to all of these blogs? He would say, "FORGIVE them as JUSTICE BELONGS TO THE LORD. If we cannot get justice on earth, we will get this in heaven." FX would say: "HAVE FAITH, TRUST GOD. He is in control. This does not make sense now but God has a plan - trust Him."

FX always taught the young children and his cousins to be patient, to be forgiving and let offenses slide off their shoulders as God does not approve of a bitter heart. Jesus forgave His enemies who said terrible lies about Him and then crucified Him. If we pray the OUR FATHER, we will not be forgiven our sins if we cannot FORGIVE the TMG hierarchy, the 10 policemen and the misguided in our society. We forgive these persons but we do not condone the sins they committed.

We need to speak the truth always and fight against injustice. Do not judge rashly the people condemned by the media or the government. Like FX, evidence against them may be planted and FALSE WITNESSES are easily brought up. Do not delay telling people you love them as you never know - they may just go for coffee or a burger and be killed and lost to you.

His sister bought two Bibles, one of which was placed in FX's casket and coincidentally both Bibles opened to Psalm 64 and they believe this is his message from the grave:

O God, hear my anguished voice; from the foes I dread protect my life.
Hide me from the malicious crowd, the mob of evildoers.
They sharpen their tongues like swords, ready their bows for arrows of poison words.
They shoot at the innocent from ambush, shoot without risk, catch them unawares.
They resolve on their wicked plan; they conspire to set snares; they say:
"Who will see us?"
They devise wicked schemes, conceal the schemes they devise; the designs of their hearts are hidden.
But God will shoot arrows at them and strike them unawares.
They will be brought down by their own tongues; all who see them will shake their heads.
Then all will fear and proclaim God's deed, pondering what has been done.
The just will rejoice and take refuge in the LORD; all the upright will glory in their God.

Raw Video! You Be The Judge : Shootout or Rubout?

I just got a submission of the raw video taken by UNTV that's now available on their website.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW CLIP #1

CLICK HERE TO VIEW CLIP #2

Backround info on what you are about to see: These are unmarked Philippine police (no uniform and unmarked car) who shot at these 3 boys, claiming that they were car thieves. Francis Xavier Manzano was in the backseat. You will see the police shoot the boys a few more times even after they have immobilized them. The police "claim" these boys are "suspected" (not proven and they have no proof) are car thieves. After shooting these boys to death, the police planted evidence to support their defense and are now in a mission to come up with ways and reasons to justify their actions. Keep you eye at the placement of the hand of the frontseat passenger. It's on his shoulder. Yet when the police shows it to the media, it's over a gun. Let your eyes be the judge.

My fingers are shaking as I type this. I just saw the footage. It hurts to see people you know who are good and innocent killed this way. It hurts to know that the police are destroying his reputation in order to defend their actions. It hurts to think it can happen to somebody else if justice and truth is not resolved in this case.

Welcome to my third world country! Help us gain peace and justice, please.

Point View of A Former Member of Special Project Alpha (under the Directorate for Intelligence, PNP and defunct PAOCTF)

I ran into this interesting blog. What is most fascinating about it is the author -- a former member of Special Project Alpha under the Directorate for Intelligence, Philippine National Police and defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF).

Excerpt:
The TMG operatives had M-16 rifles, and as seen on footages, several clips were wrapped around their body, two of them would have just disable any of its wheel; I think those young boys didn’t have to die, but if it were bank robbers, the situation demands that we have to prevent them from getting away and that we should never hesitate if being fired upon. The suspects can still be found and if in the process the operation to arrest them didn't go as planned, it wasn't the type of carnapping in progress to initiate a hot pursuit as they have been under close watch.

It was the same failure we have had and a week long surveillance just to go back to our base empty handed and be blustered by some ranking jerk. Clearly, it is the reason why we wanted the subject alive -- to understand their operation, to know who's behind it and who were the buyers. That could have been the procedure, and to this case, it gave the authorities more reasons to initiate an arrest for an attempted murder. It could have created a bigger impact other than a shootout scenario, if it's media mileage they wanted.

I don’t know if it’s wise enough for the TMG or to any future operations to end their investigation by killing the suspects until to the very last breath. You kill the lead; you lose the chance to get to the bottom of it and carnapping will continue to thrive. Of course, not if you run them and sensing that there is a competition from "other groups" -- not only that you have to neutralize them, it is a necessity to prevent any disruption of income from within.

New People's Army

I just read this article:

"WHATEVER you sow, you reap. Now, the tables have been turned on the November 7, 2005 shooting incident at Ortigas Center, Pasig City, as it is now the New People's Army which has expressed interest in looking into the killing of three suspected carnappers by elements of the Traffic Management Group (TMG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP)....

... if justice could not be given by the government's duly-constituted authorities to the victims and their families, justice, NPA-style, would be brought to bear upon the perpetrators. We shudder to think what this would really mean, but then, everyone must account for his deeds, at one time or another. "

Um... not sure what to say. Whatever the outcome of this is, I hope no one is physically hurt and we just get closer to peace and justice.

Ortigas: The Biggest Carnapping Ring in Manila

Received this message from another courageous citizen:

I had a friend in the anti-carnapping division of what is now PNP(philippine constabulary) and guess what they found? The biggest carnapping ring in Manila happened to be oeprated by cops and former cops. Where? Ortigas!

Justice for Francis Xavier Manzano

Have you read this article: "Has the Philippine National Police become desperate?" The pieces are coming together - slowly - as to why the PNP TMG refused to acknowledge the other videos presented to them by UNTV (witness to the incident). By refusing, it allows the PNP TMG to set it up so they can charge UNTV with lack of cooperation, thus, accomplishing their goal (from a previous incident unrelated to this matter) of arresting the owner and employees of UNTV.

4 Professional Cameras Wintessed The Shooting (not just 2)

I just learned that "at least" 4 videos were taken of the shooting -- before, during and after. These 4 came from the UNTV television network, whose offices were right by the incident. However, the police refuse to acknowledge the 2 other videos (plus the amateur video currently airing on TV).

Are these really police investigators?! Any news journalist (in the Philippines or abroad) will go nuts for this incredible story -- how a country filled with intelligent and good-hearted citizens live under a corrupt police system is unraveling in public.

Filipinos: Do Not Be Complacent!

Do a formal or informal survey of major carnapping in the Philippines and most will say they were carnapped by people in military attire with caps, sunglasses and uzis. C'mon -- it's common knowledge! That is why most won't even complain to the police as they have seen the same people who carnapped/kidnapped them in the police station.

Think about FX Manzano - he was picked up by his friends past 9 pm; seen by family friends about 9:30 pm; killed about 10pm?! If the TMG police accusations were even close to any truth, then why would they (Francis Xavier and friends) plot a carnap at McDonalds -- near where their friends and were family were in Ortigas?! Why not in the privacy of a home or enclosed neighborhood subdivision? Why commit a carnap wearing only shorts and t-shirt? Where were the sunglasses or ski masks or disguises? (Go ask any victim of a carnap that these are the uniforms that carjackers wear!)

People who saw Francis Xavier Manzano at the backseat of the car say that there was ABSOLUTELY no machine gun or hand-grenade there. (The police justifies that their existence is the reason why they shot him close range in the head for "self defense".)

10 "supposedly" trained policemen with arms surrounding 3 hurt, young men inside the car?! Truly a travesty! The police then justifies their actions by saying FX was a carnapper?! The police can whip up anyone who can positively identify someone by picture in his license or corpse with bullet wounds. (That, too, is common knowledge among Filipinos -- which is so sad.) Guess who identified Francis Xavier Manzano as an "alleged" carjacker? The driver of the brother of a high-ranking PNP (Philippine National Police)!!!!

As we all observe the development of this case, remember this: The media will be getting more of this slanders/accusations and more false witnesses will be produced. They just need to be careful of their dates and times as FX Manzano is no Superman -- he could not be in two places at one time. But expect more. Some of the public will probably believe what those TMG police says... just as they believe the many other lies fed to them. However, God and the Blessed Virgin Mary were also in Ortigas that night. God knows the truth. These men can intimidate the families, the witnesses, the cameraman and the public... but BEWARE - they cannot intimidate GOD.

If we, Filipinos, do not stand up for TRUTH and JUSTICE, then we have no right to complain about the conditions of our country. We may be comfortable and complacent until it happens to our parents, brothers and sisters, children, relatives and friends.

The Courage of VJ Iya

Just read this from Manila Tribune. I want to thank VJ Iya for her courage in expressing the truth. I respect the fact that she did this, despite having to face Angcanan's ignorance and stubborness. Thank you, Villania.

"VJ Iya ‘doubtful’ over TMG’s recovery of stolen vehicle"

Television host and video jockey yesterday expressed disappointment apparently over the way the Philippine National Police-Traffic Management Group (PNP-TMG) handled her case which involved the carjacking of her black Nissan Patrol (XPP 232) despite the recovery of the said vehicle by members of the group during an operation in Quezon City.“Personally I am not really happy with what really happened. I feel that there is really something behind these things,” PNP-TMG officer-in-charge Chief Supt. Augusto Angcanan quoted Villania as telling him and his men when the latter surfaced at the TMG office. Angcanan admitted he did not expect Villania's reaction as she apparently suspected that the TMG operatives of conniving with the car thieves.Commenting on the celebrity's words, Angcanan said “I don't know what she meant particularly when she said the TMG operatives are in connivance with the carnappers,” even daring Villania to face the public and prove her allegations.

No different from the underworld criminals by ROD P. KAPUNAN

"No different from the underworld criminals"
By ROD P. KAPUNAN
Daily Tribune

It was most disgusting for Chief Supt. Augusto Angcanan of the Traffic Management Group (TMG) to blurt out in defense of his men saying, “the truth will set them free.” It was an insult because what the horrified public saw was a familiar police fashion of solving a case they can't solve — applying the underworld method of rubbing out alleged suspects. Their superiors, including Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Chief Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil, are trying to cover it up, even suggesting that the shocked public shouldn't complain since the alleged suspects have been tagged as notorious carnappers long wanted by the law.

Such was the unfortunate fate of Anthony Dulay, Francis Xavier Manzano and Anton Guillermo Cu-Unjing, who come from prominent families, meeting their death in the hands of the most notorious unit of the PNP, with the police force forgetting that all the vilifications against them now having no more legal and probative value, since they know that dead men tell no tales and in the three suspects' case, they can hardly rebut that they did not stop when their car was flagged down, or disclaim that after a brief chase, there was an exchange of fire, and that Senior Insp. Samson Belmonte was hit on his right lower knee not by a fellow cop in frenzy firing his gun on them.

The discrepancy in Angcanan's version is unacceptable. The video tape catching the cops by surprise shows it was an ambush conducted to finish off the alleged suspects in a blocked area they thought was safe to carry out their executions. It looked like premeditated murder, for if the motive was to simply arrest the alleged suspects, they could have carried it out while the three were still in that night strip allegedly meeting with another group as the cops claim.

Surrounding and telling them to raise their hands would have scared the alleged suspects to death, as they have no previous criminal record of murder. It was the least risky as it would not have given them the opportunity to get their guns inside the vehicle. No one is alive to state that it was not case of policemen planting evidence. The TMG unit ignored that option that could have given the alleged suspects the least chance to escape, to use their alleged guns, and most important have them arrested and interrogated on the alleged 22 stolen vehicles now being charged at them.

In trying to clean up the mess, the lousy TMG team now comes out with their unbelievable version and even expect the public to swallow their tale. To reiterate, all their claims are now self-serving because that bloody incident could have been avoided if the alleged suspects were immediately surrounded and asked to surrender peacefully in the place where they were first spotted. But they did not, as in all probability, all the cops had was raw information that they were a bunch of carnappers and, who knows, somebody up there wants them dead. A simple alibi of defiance to stop, especially if nobody is around, is all that is needed for these trigger-happy cops to open fire.

The three were not even suspects because from the very admission of the PNP, there was no pending case against them in court nor was a warrant of arrest been issued against any one of them. The 10-feet tall yarn that the three young men were members of the so-called “Valle Verde Gang” responsible for the theft of several luxurious vehicles, and lately presenting a witness in support of their allegation, would not mean anything now for it seems they have already been executed before they could be tried in court.

Stupid as they are, they did not even circulate posters warning the public of the three with their pictures, names and crimes they committed, and giving rewards leading to their arrest or for them to be shot on sight the way monster cops summarily execute suspected terrorists.

Curiously, all the accusations against them surfaced right after they were killed.

Even assuming there is no crime in shooting a dead man, secretary of Justice Raul Gonzalez is not supposed to say that because that would trigger emotional outrage on the moral sensibility of the people. Whether one is a Christian, he is expected to respect the remains of the person. In that situation, the legal presumption is they were still alive, and shooting them again was a despicable violation of the rules.

Nonetheless, if the alleged suspects were already dead, the cop committed an even worse crime of outraging and scoffing the dead, and whatever way one would look at the video tape it is hard to believe that it was a simple case of multiple homicide. Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Angelo Reyes does not even have the right to say the public only saw part of the incident in which he has no way also of telling us what that unseen portion was all about. Rather, what the public saw affirms the truth that many of our policemen today are no different from the underworld criminals licensed to snuff out the life of anybody, and confident their bosses would readily absolve them.

Behind The Scenes of Philippine Carnapping

I understand why no one will reveal the truth of how this whole carjacking scheme really works in the Philippines. It's for fear of getting hurt. The country is in such bad shape that truthful citizens are harmed and killed. My classmates and friends have been victims of carnapping. It's a horrible thing to happen. However, the most horrific part of it is learning how it really works.

Here is a simple map of what is happening in the Philippines today -- 2005:

STEP 1. Corrupt military personnel / NBI will carnap (carjack) a citizen's car.

STEP 2. This car will now be stored in a secret compound.

STEP 3. Corrupt military personnel / NBI will then kill people who would fit the profile of a carnapper that the public will believe. They will tell the public that they just killed carnappers. The public will believe them and see them as heroes.

STEP 4. Corrupt military personnel / NBI will dig into their compound of pre-stolen vehicles (which they may have already pulled into pieces) and use them as evidence that the innocent people they just killed (their "staged carnappers to the public") stole those cars. They will also dig for people that fear them to act as witnesses or carjacked victims of those they just killed. This will solidify their case and help their public image.

If you don't believe this, scour through the rich neighborhoods and you will find lowly paid, corrupt military personnel / nbi living and funding mult-million homes in exclusive neighborhoods in the Philippines.

If you don't believe this, just realize what has happened and will happen to the case of Francis Xavier Manzano, my kind classmate who would cannot even step on a cockroach or a spider to kill it.

If you don't believe this, ask why the arms that were planted in the vehicle of the three men they just killed in Ortigas last Nov 7 were "from" the military. One of the guns those "claim" to be in the vehicle was so sophisticated that you can only find in the military. Hel-lo!!

Do the police really think that Filipinos are so stupid that we can't see through their corruption?! Guys.... we have to do something about this... or it will happen to one of us.

We're not talking Hollywood here. Those cops cannot pretend to be Stephen Spielbergs. Those innocent lives they have victimized are real people's lives -- our neighbors, our countrymen, our friends, our family, our Filipinos. We, the public, must stop being ignorant about this. This is real life corruption that can and will affect everyone one of us.

Manzano Was Still Alive!!!

The police are back-pedaling as much as they can -- to a point where they are so embarassed by the truth. The unfortunate part is that we may just witness the police destroy the lives of other people to cover the truth.

It's 2005 and we have new ways of setting the truth - the Internet! People, feel empowered by this and help give justice to the Francis Xavier Manzano, who was innocent and clean from all this trash that the police are staging.

Bullying the Eye Witness

The cameraman is reported to be in hiding. The police are doing as much as they can to bully any credible witnesses that will unravel their coverup. In fact, many people's lives who pose to uncover the truth about the TMG mistakes and corruption are now in danger. Welcome to the life of a third-world country citizen!

But there's hope! We have the Internet and we know how to spread the truth. I truly believe that Filipinos are good-hearted people who wish for peace. Don't let me down, people! Don't let these boys, who died under the police corruption, down.

Irony. The Tables Are Slowly Turning

Excerpt:
Asked why the report was turned over to the Internal Affairs Services, the PNP spokesman, Chief Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil, replied: Lomibao "is very sensitive to issues and concerns, including the morale and welfare of our cops."

The police are obviously more concerned of protecting their own men rather than the citizens of the Philippines. Please tell me there is "at least" one cop that has the conscience and courage to step up and tell the truth -- be a true proctector of the people and their safety.

Now, the police want their investigation findings in super-tight secrecy. The ironic part is that they were so quick in calling the media about "catch" before they realized they were being videotaped and had honest witnesses willing to tell the real truth of what happened.

I was watching the news on TV and saw one of the police chiefs being interviewed. He was "overly" defending his officers to a point where he almost looks insane. Then he said on the interview, "My officers are innocent until proven guilty."

My jaw dropped at that (and so did the remote control from my hand). Who is innocent until proven guilty again? Are not the three men killed by the officers innocent until proven guilty -- especially since they had no records or documentation beforehand (and even after on Francis Xavier Manzano) that these three men are guilty criminals?!!!!!!

And now they want to keep the media in the dark --- now that they, themselves, have realized the big mistakes their own officers have done. Bite your tongue and suck on a lemon!

Cabbie comes out with version of Pasig 'shootout'

A taxi driver plying the Ortigas route in Pasig on Tuesday claimed that the encounter between police and suspected carjackers last week was a rubout contrary to statements made by law enforcers.

"Grabe 'yung ginawa [ng mga pulis], bakit hindi man lang tinanong muna sila, niratrat derecho[ang mga suspek] (What they was gruesome. They did not even stop the suspects' car for questioning, they just opened fire)," the witness, identified only as "Mang Ado," told TV Patrol World.

The driver said he witnessed the incident after droppping off a passenger at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. After the hotel, he was cruising along Ortigas Street for a passenger when he saw a Toyota Revo van tailing a red car.

He said he was surprised when he heard gunshots.

Carjacking suspects Anton Cu-Unjieng, Bryan Dulay and Francis Xavier Manzano, who were aboard a red Nissan Exalta, were killed in what police claimed was a shootout near the corner of Garnet and Ortigas streets on November 7.

The witness said he did not see anyone from the car firing at the policemen from the Revo. "Hindi. Ang nagbabaril lang 'yung nasa Revo... nang ma-cut at maharangan ng Revo ang pulang kotse."

"Pinagbababaril pa 'yung kotse, 'yung isa nga sinuksok pa talaga 'yung baril niya sa loob ng kotse...'yung isang pulis, tinutukan kami at pinaikot kami (They shot at the car and one of the policemen placed what looked like a gun inside the car)," Mang Ado said.

The driver said he came out with the revelation though he fears for his family, especially since his young children. He also said his conscience bothered him.

PNP Panics

There is word that a high-ranking PNP officer will be reporting that Francis Xavier Manzano single-handedly carnapped him. Definitely a sign of panic for the police that they would go this far to report such a fraud. As I mentioned earlier, observe how the police will find and/or create as much dirt as they can on Francis Xavier Manzano.

For every defense the police creates, they successfully reveal their incompetence because they stupidly do not realize the strong evidence that can prove their big lies.

Please pray for the protection of Francis Xavier Manzano, the two other victims, and their families. The TMG police were caught in a very bad situation that could reveal how corrupt they are. If it weren't for the videos and the courageous witnesses who were willing to state the facts, despite contradiction to the stories of the police and the dangerous threat they may receive from the police, and the many supportive readers of this blog, justice may never be reached in this matter. Let's hope justice is served soon. I hope that innocent lives will no longer be taken and destroyed by this group.

You’re on Candid Camera!

You’re on Candid Camera!
MY VIEWPOINT By Ricardo V. Puno, Jr.
The Philippine Star 11/15/2005

An extended version of the UNTV video which recorded the fatal shooting of the three suspected carjackers in Ortigas Center, Pasig City, illustrates the folly of taking hard positions before a full-dress investigation has established all the facts.

Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Angelo Reyes stuck his neck out in vigorous defense of the Traffic Management Group operatives who took part in that incident. He may turn out have been a genius in retrospect. Or he may prove to have been a reckless cheerleader for poorly-trained gunmen in uniform whose basic instinct was to kill immediately rather than go the considerably more difficult route of enforcing the law in a civilized society.

Let me reiterate at the outset that what is needed in this case is hard facts arrived at by independent and qualified investigators, not the self-serving accounts of subalterns and comrades whose motivations, competence and impartiality are questionable.

The early reinstatement of all the involved operatives after only one day of suspension, on the basis of their own unverified explanations, as well as the results of PNP lab paraffin tests which by their own terms were inconclusive, is a clear indication of an unseemly rush to exoneration.

There is a tendency to think, incorrectly, that since there was evidence that the suspects were really involved in car thefts, they had lost all their rights, including the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. But their actual roles in carnapping or carjacking cases still had to be ascertained, whether they had in fact harmed or killed their victims, how many crimes they had been involved in, their modus operandi.

Not all of them, if any, might have committed capital offenses. Even if they had, summary executions are not the way we dispense justice in this country, at least last time I checked.

Admittedly too, lawmen have been injured or killed while going after carnappers and carjackers. They have a right to protect themselves and to respond to attacks with reasonable force. But there are "rules of engagement" which govern such encounters. These rules provide criteria for distinguishing legitimate shootouts from rubouts or summary executions which renegade lawmen and latter-day Dirty Harry’s seem to find more convenient, in light of the perceived impotence of our court system.

Still, the government’s various anti-crime task forces are not vigilantes in uniform or white-hooded avenging night riders. The fact that lawlessness – whether petty crimes, sexual offenses, armed robbery, drug-dealing, murder, kidnapping with ransom, or car thefts–is a hard nut to crack does not give law enforcers an open license to kill.

Going after criminals may be a hard, perhaps impossible, task in this country. But that is the life that agents of the law have chosen. I know many complain they’re not paid enough. Well, they are free to go do something else. No one’s forcing them to stay. But for as long as they remain, they can’t use the ways of outlaws to enforce the law.

The whining of TMG head Chief Superintendent Augusto Angcanan, to the effect that his men may lose their "enthusiasm" if questioned every time they are involved in fatal encounters with suspects, is particularly disheartening. His gross misapprehension of the TMG’s mission is ground for his dismissal from office. It is reason enough for him to be demoted to foot patrol duty to further his re-education.

If TMG operatives lose enthusiasm simply because they have to justify their actions when lives have been lost in an operation, then the entire group should be abolished and its duties absorbed by the PNP as a whole. It is also perhaps time to look into dismantling all "task forces" and placing full responsibility on the entire police organization for all kinds of crime. All policemen, from SPO1s to the Director General, should be made answerable for uncontrolled crime in their particular areas of assignment.

Return all policemen to anti-crime duty. Dissolve that silly VIP protection group and recall all bodyguards and mounted escorts of government officials. Put them back on the streets where they’re really needed. Deploy Special Action Force squads to local police districts to serve as organic SWAT teams. Involve local governments more in law enforcement, and make sure "operational control" by LGUs is a reality, not mere theory.

Going back to the Ortigas incident, the UNTV extended video clip you saw exclusively on the Insider newscast was a real shocker. Although the video does not provide absolute certainty of that night’s events, it does raise the possibility that things didn’t quite happen the way official police reports say they did.

The suspects could have been alive, although disabled and helpless inside their car, at the time they were shot in the head at pointblank range by TMG operatives. The video seems to show the two suspects in the front seats still stirring. They may not have been armed and the handgun found on one of them could have been planted.

They may not have actually fired at the TMG agents because the windows of their car were closed. The license plates found in the back seat of the suspects’ car may have also been planted. The trajectory of the bullet holes in the unmarked police car were all outward, and could not have been caused by incoming fire.

The extended UNTV video clip raises these and other serious questions. Contrary to crime scene photos, the video shows suspect Brian Dulay without a gun under his hand before a coup d’grace was apparently delivered. An operative is later seen engaged in some activity around his lifeless body.

After the shooting, another operative opens a rear passenger door and seems to be busy placing something (license plates?) in the back seat. The person in the back, Francis Manzano, had only two bullet wounds, both of them to the head and shot at close range.

The UNTV video caught on tape the area behind the scene of the "encounter." Contrary to Secretary Reyes’s version, no marked police cars could be seen. Nor were those uniformed policemen, who Angie said flagged down the suspects’ vehicle and then joined the chase when that vehicle failed to stop, anywhere in sight.

I’m not saying the police car and uniformed cops weren’t there, only that the video doesn’t confirm it. Other credible evidence will have to back up that claim.

The investigation of the Ortigas incident, if it is being seriously conducted by people in earnest search of the truth, is far from over. Any premature action or statement by police and other government officials opens them to the suspicion that they are directing the investigation towards a pre-determined result. That is exactly what is meant by a whitewash, a synonym of cover-up.

Another Video That Shows Police Corruption

"The station aired a second video on Monday, which showed police apparently placing something inside the suspects' car after the alleged shootout."

New witness disputes Pasig shootout claims

A witness, who is a former mayor, steps up. Here's a snippet of his report:

"'Walang shootout. Hindi lumaban ang mga namatay. Hindi ko alam ang pagkatao nila, pero alam ko, hindi nakaputok ang mga 'yun (There was no shootout. I do not know them but the suspects did not shoot at the policemen,' the witness told TV Patrol World's Karen Davila."

"The witness said all the gunshots came from the policemen. No shots came from the car of the slain carjackers, he added."

"The witness said conscience forced him to surface and tell something about the incident. He said that he cannot take the police claims that the suspects were killed in a shootout. The witness said he is willing to give his testimony before any court."

The Video

I found the video that was shown over and over again all over the media. This is a horrible video, so please do not watch it if you're not prepared to see something horrible.

On the other hand, this is truly a testament of how horrible those police were for firing shots at the already immobilized 3 innocent boys. It's even more disgusting that their chief of police awards and reinstates them for morale after... um... less than a week of investigation?!

Please help get justice for Francis Xavier Manzano!

"New video shows evidence vs suspected carjackers possibly planted"

"The pieces of evidence obtained by the Traffic Management Group from the car of three suspected carjackers who were killed in an alleged shootout Monday were possibly planted based on an extended footage provided by UNTV.

Footage taken by ABS-CBN News team at the scene 30 minutes after the incident showed Dulay’s right hand on his lap holding a gun. Police claimed the scene was untouched.

ABS-CBN’s cameramen were also able to capture stills of two car plates beside Manzano who was at the backseat of the car. This, police claimed, was as an indication the suspects were carjackers.

The footage shown by UNTV, however, showed that when the police fired at Brian Dulay point blank, his right hand was on his chest and not holding a gun.

The video also showed that after firing their guns, two policemen went close to car and were seen putting and fixing something in the vehicle.

The video showed another policeman also fixing something at the backseat of the car where Francis Manzano was seated.

The proof that the carjackers fired their guns that wounded a police officer was also disputed by the UNTV video. The footage showed the bullet-riddled windows of the suspects’ car were all closed."

Media Finally Sees The Other Side

ABS-CBN: "Suspected carjackers may have survived TMG operation"

"Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez also came in defense of the TMG saying the police did not commit any crime because the suspects were already dead when they were shot anew."

Um.... um.... what can I say to that? I bet Gonzales also believes that there's nothing wrong with kicking someone who's already down.

Columnists

It's interesting to learn how the people are reacting to this case. Here are 2 very different columns written in the past week. You be the judge:

#1) By Rod P. Kapunan of Tribune.net

http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20051112.com_backbencher.html


#2) By Ramon Tulfo of Inq7.net

http://news.inq7.net/metro/index.php?index=2&story_id=56277&col=31

My letter to Inq7.net:


Ramon Tulfo's column is a disgrace to Filipinos and Inq7.net's journalism. His request for sympathy towards the "overzealous" and inhumane cops puts him in the same league of ignorant people who have lost the respect for the life of a human being and the fair justice they deserve.

#1 -- "Overzealous" cops did not have the right to take away the life of Francis Xavier Manzano (or any other human being, as a matter of fact, including yours). It's a matter of human rights, plain and simple. No one has the right to "kill" another person.

#2 -- Not everyone in the car was a "carjacker," especially Francis Xavier Manzano (who was neither a criminal or a shooter). Manzano, who sat in the back seat, did not fire a gun to the police or had any control of the car. He was helpless in the back without the ability to protect himself from the actions of the driver and the cops. Talk about being damned!
The next time you or your newspaper publishes a statement that insinuates that "all" three men were carjackers/carnappers/criminals and that "all" three men fired at the police -- please have your facts straight and consult your lawyers first. You are misguiding your readers by your fraudulent statements and reports. Your disregard for the friends and family of Francis Manzano and careless reporting stains your credibility and of Inq7.net's.

Those cops had the "intent" to kill Manzano, despite his innocense. By Tulfo's column, you show your "intent" to be reckless with your power to reach the mass.

If your intent was to gain symphaty for those cops, then you failed. Manzano was innocent. Manzano was brutally killed. And, now, because of writers like you, Manzano is being trashed in the public eye to be remembered negatively. And you could care less, because "overzealous" cops have yet to murder your child, your parents, your relative, or your friend.

How inhumane Ramon Tulfo and his hypnotised readers have become!

He's Innocent.

Just in from ABS-CBN: "Of the three slain carjack suspects, only Manzano remains "innocent" from carjacking as police probers are still checking on his background."

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=21660

The police will try their darnest to probe for dirt. They should have done this probing before, and not after they murdered him.

Stealing From The Dead

Can you believe that after the tragic deaths of the three men, none of their cell phones, watches and other personal belongings of value were given to the families?!!!!!!! Who are the thieves now?!

Alleged Police Brutality?!

Philippines -- On the evening of November 7, 2005, three men were killed in their car by 10 officers of the Traffic Management Group (TMG).

Immediately after the shooting, the TMG police department was all over the news media. They were proud of murdering the three men they "suspected" to be carnappers (car thieves). They announced to the world what big heroes they are for killing such evil criminals. Their aggressive press campaign hypnotised the media with their captivating story, complete with an award to an officer injured from the event. (How quick can you whip up those awards, anyway?) The TMG was impressively quick to release a story which reminds me of "typical Filipino" movies -- good vs evil (including a hospital scene to generate sympathy towards the good and anger towards the evil).

Here are some of the stories (propaganda) used to lure support for the TMG police:
http://news.inq7.net/top/index.php?index=1&story_id=55861
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/News200511090404.htm

The country was "almost" fooled by the story that the police spun. The media was "almost" convinced by the TMG drama. I bet you're "almost" convinced as well, right? Well, almost!

But fools we are not!!! We are intelligent and educated enough to understand that their stories do not make sense. We realize that the villains are the 10 TMG men who fired over 50 bullets to "suspected" carnappers and killed them despite their innocense or the ability to prove that they're innocent:

- Henry Cerdon ("suspected" murderer)
- Hansel Marantan ("suspected" murderer)
- Samson Belmonte ("suspected" murderer - Here's your medal for murdering innocent civilians.")
- Lloyd Soria ("suspected" murderer)
- Rizalito Ramos ("suspected" murderer)
- Dexter Bernadas ("suspected" murderer)
- Jesus Fermin ("suspected" murderer)
- Sonny Robrigado ("suspected" murderer)
- Fernando Gapuz ("suspected" murderer)
- Josel Rey Lucena ("suspected" murderer)

The above "alleged" police chased the victims' car in an unmarked vehicle, with missing license plates, and carrying semi-automatic weapons. They were not even dressed in police uniforms! (Hello!!! Would you stop if it were you?!)

According to the police, they chased the victim's car because they suspected the victim and his passengers to be carnappers. However, when was it legal for the police to kill "suspected" carnappers? Are they going to start killing other "suspected" citizens?! Do they have any proof that all three were carnappers indeed?!

The police reports that a gun was initially fired at them during the chase. How do you fire a gun at someone from the inside of a car with the doors and windows closed? Also, how do you fire from an inside of a car and magically leave the shattered glass inside the car? Even more incriminating, where are the shell casings from the guns "supposedly" fired by the victims? Where's the bullet that was "allegedly" fired by one of the three victims and to the leg of the injured police officer?

Francis Manzano was seated in the backseat of the ambushed car. He was innocent from any wrong-doing; only there to hitch a ride with friends. He was not a carnapper. He was not a gangster. He was at the wrong place, at the wrong time. He could be your brother, your cousin, your son, your nephew, your father, your friend -- just sitting in the backseat of a car, driven by a friend who rented it. (See evidence of rental agreement.) He was not only shot, he was killed. The police approached the car after firing 50 bullets into their car and shot them again at arms length. The last bullet that Francis succumbed to was a shot to his at arms length by a police. Why?! To be sure they will never have the chance to say, "Listen, I'm innocent! I'll prove it to you!"

Francis Manzano had no way to prove his innocence. All over the web and the media right now, his name is attached to being a carnapper, which is a solid fraud. If you know him, you will know what a soft-spoken man he is. You will know how kind-hearted he is. You will know why everyone he meets likes him. In a TV interview with the secretary chief of police, he was confident to mention the "possible" criminal records of the other 2 people in the car. But he stuttered to say that they cannot find any evidence of Francis Xavier Manzano having any record at all. He quickly changed the subject and repeated their story over and over again -- as if repeating it helps him justify it in his head. You will understand why his name must be cleared. He may have died tragically, but he does not deserve to be remembered as a carnapper.

If anyone was a witness to the scene who can help clear his name, post away! I understand what a busy street Ortigas is and how many witnesses there were. But none have spoken out, only the police. Why is that?! Are they afraid to speak out? It's very telling, if you think about it. Are you going to leave it to the police to investigate and clear their own names in this matter? You can be the next police victim. You will not have the chance to clear your name. This TMG group will find dirt on your "after" the fact. If they can't find any, they'll just stutteringly associate you with any dirt you happen to come across even if you're innocent.

Be human - give back justice to Francis Xavier Manzano.