
Maguindanao del Sur mayor, wife arrested over vice mayor slay
The Philippine National Police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) arrested on Tuesday the incumbent mayor South Upi, Maguindanao del Sur and his wife in connection to the 2024 murder of the town's vice mayor.
The suspects, only identified as 'Rey' and 'Janet', were nabbed by the authorities in Barangay Making in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte following an arrest warrant for murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder issued by a regional trial court in Cotabato City.
'After a tedious and in-depth investigation, in November 2024, the SITG filed criminal complaints for violation of Article 248 of Revised Penal Code - Murder, Frustrated Murder, and Attempted Murder against twelve accused including the Mayor and his wife for their alleged participation as alleged 'masterminds' in the planning and orchestration of the ambush,' the PNP-CIDG said in a statement Wednesday.
South Upi Vice Mayor Ronald Benito and one of his security aides were killed in an ambush in August 2024.
Benito, members of his family, and security detail were onboard a pick-up truck in Sitio Linao, Barangay Pandan when they were attacked.
Benito's wife—a barangay chairperson—their child, and another security escort were wounded in the incident. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
2 Customs brokers nabbed for alleged extortion
Authorities arrested two Customs brokers in Ermita, Manila for allegedly engaging in extortion targeting a local freight forwarder. In a statement on Wednesday, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said the suspects allegedly attempted to extort the victim by demanding an additional P1.9 million 'greasy money' for various offices that would issue the company's shipment from being on hold. The suspects were arrested Wednesday, a day after the freight forwarder company filed a complaint. 'It was to my understanding that the complainant was given only until June 3 to produce an additional P1.9 million on top of the P500,000 that was already previously paid for Otsuka's shipment. Even though the complaint was only filed on June 2, we needed to act fast in just a day to conduct the entrapment operation because there was a so-called deadline from the suspects,' BOC Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service Director Verne Enciso said. According to the BOC, the company already paid one of the suspects P500,000 for an 'all-inclusive engagement fee' that includes the broker's fee and customs duties and taxes. 'But upon arrival of the shipment, this certain Wyeth allegedly told the complainant that the shipment was on hold and would be subjected to a Warrant of Seizure and Detention unless the complainant, this Otsuka, pays an additional P1.9 million,' Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy said. One of the suspects also said the shipment would be subject to a warrant of seizure and detention if the company failed to pay the additional fee by June 3. The suspects will face charges of robbery with violence or intimidation of persons by way of extortion under the Revised Penal Code. They were brought to the National Bureau of Investigation for booking procedures and will undergo inquest proceedings. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News


GMA Network
2 days ago
- GMA Network
LTO: Motorcycles most of 18k unregistered vehicles apprehended in May 2025
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) said Tuesday it apprehended 18,934 unregistered motor vehicle, most of which are motorcycles, for the month of May. According to a statement, the majority were motorcycles with 12,206. There were 3,105 tricycles, at least 1,800 vans, and over 1,000 private vehicles. The remainder is divided between passenger jeepneys, buses and trucks. LTO data revealed that most of the apprehensions occurred in the jurisdiction of LTO- Region 4A with 9,906 apprehensions. This area covers the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon. 'Our campaign will remain aggressive until such time that we compel these motor vehicles to comply with their obligation to have their motor vehicles registered because it is through registration that motor vehicles are checked for road worthiness… This is not only part of your obligation as motor vehicle owners, it is part of your responsibility not only for your safety but also of your family,' said LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II. The LTO official urged motor vehicle owners to register their cars to avoid hefty fines, adding that driving an unregistered motor vehicle has a P10,000 fine. The agency's campaign against unregistered vehicles is being conducted by the LTO with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News


GMA Network
2 days ago
- GMA Network
Darryl Yap pleaded not guilty in Vic Sotto's cyberlibel case — lawyer
Director Darryl Yap on Tuesday pleaded not guilty in the cyberlibel case filed against him by actor-host Vic Sotto, his lawyer confirmed. The arraignment was at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 203. Atty. Raymond Furtun, Yap's legal counsel, said that the next hearing will take place on August 19, Tuesday. Yap was charged for libel under Article 353 and 355 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended in relation to violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 The case stemmed from the teaser of the Yap's upcoming film, 'The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma,' released last January 1, wherein the character of Gina Alajar (who is portraying Charito Solis) asked the lead actress portraying Pepsi Paloma if she was raped by actor-host Vic Sotto. The lead character replied, 'yes.' Sotto's camp has denied the allegations against him. —AOL, GMA Integrated News