MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) announced that it would assist the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in going after unregulated sale and distribution of ivermectin drugs.

Amid the reports on the use of the anti-parasite drug to treat the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) without the approval of the FDA, the PNP-CIDG said it would strictly monitor the distribution and use of Ivermectin across the country. It would also conduct an investigation and intensified police operations against any violations of RA 9711 and of the FDA’s Compassionate Special Permit (CSP).

“The CIDG will assist the FDA in suppressing or deterring lawless elements in their criminal acts of endangering the well-being of the community,” the PNP said in a statement.

CIDG Director, PMGen. Albert Ferro said that they will go after those who will violate the said provisions specifically on fake, unregistered/ unlicensed, and no permit on the sales and distribution of the said drugs.

“We strongly advise the public to seek professional help and opinion before using the said drug and buy only from authorized sources. We also encourage them to report any illegal dispense and use of the said medicine,” he said. AAC

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detention Group (PNP-CIDG) operatives have captured another ranking rebel leader, Allan Morales, who is wanted by the court to stand trial for murder.

In an advisory, the PNP Public Information Office said that the operation was under the instruction of PNP chief, PGen. Debold M Sinas to “intensify the implementation of court processes against CPP-NPA-NDF personalities wanted by the law for criminal cases.”

The move was also in support to Executive Order No. 70 creating the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

The PNP said Morales, who uses the aliases Joseph Erwin Rimando, Alvin Advincula, Budlat and Dante Morales, was arrested by a composite police-military team led by CIDG, NCRPO and JTF-NCR in Saphire Street, Brgy. Payatas B, Quezon City at 12:00 noon on Wednesday (January 6).

The arresting team served a Warrant of Arrest issued by Tagbilaran City RTC Branch 4 presiding judge Sisinio C. Virtudazo for the crime of murder.

Based on the reports by CIDG Director, PMGen. Joel Napoleon Coronel, authorities have confiscated from Morales the following:

• eight barrel assemblies for M4 assault rifle;
• one fragmentation hand grenade;
• one KG9 9mm submachine gun with one magazine and 22 pieces of 9mm ammunition; and
• one caliber .45 pistol with on magazine assembly loaded with seven rounds of cal.45.

Morales is the Deputy Secretary of the Regional Committee of the Negros-Cebu-Bohol-Siquijor (NCBS) Regional Committee of the CPP-NPA-NDF.

He is formerly the Secretary of Regional Peasant Sugar Workers Bureau (RPSWB) of Negros, a former Secretary of Regional Committee for Central Visayas, and a former Secretary of the National Youth Student Bureau.

MANILA, Philippines – The number of inmates who perished in a riot that erupted Monday at the New Bilibid Prison’s maximum security compound has climbed to four, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said.

BuCor spokesperson Gabriel Chaklag said 20 other persons deprived of liberty (PDL) injured in the brawl are still undergoing medical treatment.

The bureau initially confirmed three fatalities and 64 wounded inmates in the incidence of violence that broke out Monday morning between the Sigue-Sigue Sputnik and Commando gangs.

The incident occurred exactly one month after a riot erupted inside the NBP maximum security compound that left nine inmates dead and several others injured.

Chaklag said inmates are currently not allowed to leave their cells as part of the disciplinary action imposed by the bureau following the incident.

“Binigyan natin sila ng pagkakataon dati, ano. Although mga kriminal yun, tinrato natin sila bilang tao at napakalaking bagay yun. Pinakinggan sila ng Chief for humanitarian reason, pagkakataon na ipagkasundo nila yung mga nag-aaway-away na miyembro pero ganun pa rin ang nangyari despite that,” he said.

“So medyo drastic ang actions natin ngayon, yung mga disciplinary action ang ibig nating sabihn,” he added.

Chaklag assured that the situation is now under control and that the NBP is back to normal operations. – RRD (with details from Correspondent Mac Cordova)