By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. said the the agency and the Philippine National Police (PNP) will guard crowded places to ensure the public’s safety during Holy Week.

A total of 35,000 police officers will be deployed from March 28 to 31 in churches, terminals, pilgrim sites, and tourist spots.

Meanwhile, 427 police service dogs will also be deployed in the said areas to help guard and inspect luggage.

The police will also conduct checkpoint operations in strategic areas in addition to red-teaming operations with the Regional and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils, in preparation against disasters, the DILG chief said.

“Kalakip po ng ating pagpapakita ng pananampalataya ay ang pag-iingat laban sa mga kriminal na walang pinipiling panahon upang mambiktima,” Abalos said.

“Mahigpit po ang paalala namin sa publiko na mag-ingat at maging listo upang maiwasan ang disgrasya at maging biktima ng krimen.”

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has uncovered several additional resorts nestled within the picturesque Chocolate Hills of Bohol during their investigation into the Captain’s Peak Resort, which was constructed in the heart of the UNESCO heritage site.

DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos revealed that a task force was dispatched to Bohol for a thorough three-day investigation.

Abalos also issued a memorandum circular to scrutinize all protected areas and assess the extent of construction within these zones.

“They have visited many sites, thoroughly exploring the area. It’s not just the Chocolate Hills; there are other places too. I mean, within the Chocolate Hills area, there’s more than just one resort. It seems there are others. That’s where I’ll be headed,” Abalos stated.

Abalos is scheduled to visit Bohol on Thursday (20 March 2024) to continue the investigation.

“It’s an eye-opener. This is a UNESCO Heritage site, and it should be protected. The situation here is the opposite, so let’s review the procedures—why this happened, the documents provided, what was signed,” remarked the DILG official.

“Regardless of when this occurred, everything should be thoroughly checked now. Everything needs to be documented,” he added.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — As if they’re saying “‘Di kami natutulog sa pansitan”, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Saturday (16 March 2024) found its voice and announced that it formed a task force to look into a resort built on the foot of the Chocolate Hills in Bohol.

Aside from the Captain’s Peak which had readily admitted to having gained a business permit even without an environmental compliance certificate (ECC), two other resorts namely the Sagbayan Peak and Bud Agta are operating their resorts on Chocolate Hills in Sagbayan, Bohol but have their respective ECCs.

In a statement, the DILG warned that it would hold local officials found “complicit or negligent concerning any violation” accountable.

“These officials may be suspended or dismissed,” the DILG said. 

Several netizens have criticized the establishment of  Captain’s Peak resort in Sagbayan, Bohol earlier this week.

Subsequently, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said it ordered the establishment closed.

But a Captain’s Peak manager retorted that they were allowed to operate despite lacking an ECC, but stressed that they tried to acquire one.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Aware that modern technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used for nefarious activities, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos has warned scammers to stop their illicit activities immediately as the proverbial long arm of the law will soon catch up with them.

Abalos issued the warning after he attended in Lingayen, Pangasinan on Friday (23 February 2024) the first court hearing of the estafa, spoofing, and identity theft charges against an individual who was arrested in December for duping local government officials by pretending to be the DILG chief

“Maganda po ang teknolohiya; ngunit nakakatakot din, lalo na’t kayang-kaya ng Artificial Intelligence gayahin ang boses at pagtawa natin na maaaring magamit sa panloloko,” Abalos told reporters outside Lingayen Municipal Trial Court.

Despite the ingenuity of the scammers in modern technology, the DILG chief still warned that their days are numbered.

“Para sa mga mapagsamantala — tumigil na kayo at mahuhuli namin kayo!” Abalos stressed.

(el Amigo/MNM)