Lanao del sur: The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has refuted online claims about its PHP75 million Communal Irrigation Project (CIP) in Lanao del Sur, stating that the circulating photos used to allege irregularities are "outdated and do not represent the current condition of the area."

According to Philippines News Agency, the agency's clarification, released in a statement Thursday following a joint site inspection, is a direct response to a social media expos© and the recent killing of its former senior legal officer, Niruh Kyle Antatico. NIA Administrator Eddie G. Guillen emphasized the agency's commitment to transparency. "We encourage the public to verify information through official sources and to rely on validated data before drawing conclusions," Guillen was quoted as saying.

The Maguing CIP, located in Barangay Bato-Bato, Maguing, Lanao del Sur, came under intense scrutiny after the killing of Antatico on Oct. 10. Investigators are pursuing the possibility that the lawyer's social media posts, which alleged irregularities, including that the Maguing project was reported as completed despite being unfinished, may be linked to his murder.

Led by NIA Project Coordinator Salome Layasan, the agency conducted a joint site inspection with NIA 10 (Northern Mindanao) and the Lanao del Sur Irrigation Management Office on Oct. 13-14. The inspection verified that the irrigation facilities are complete and consistent with approved designs, including operational canal structures and lateral sections.

Meanwhile, local officials, including Mayor Rolando Uy and Archbishop Jose Cabantan of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, condemned the killing and called for swift justice for Antatico, who was laid to rest via cremation on Thursday. NIA, which stated that it does not tolerate any form of irregularity, has welcomed independent verification of its projects as investigations into the assassination continue.