Coronavirus Lockdown: DOH Allays Fears, Ordinary Spike, and More!

More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government. 

There are new COVID variants going about but the DOH says to forget about them and focus on real diseases! 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1943545/fwd-herbosa-on-covid-19

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on Wednesday said it is better to focus on  preventable, “killer” ailments such as heart attack, diabetes and cancer rather than COVID-19.

(I will scare you with what you should be scared of. Filipinos die from heart attack and stroke, cancer, diabetes — that is what you should write about.)

Herbosa said that it was important for people to learn how to prevent heart attacks and strokes, control hypertension and diabetes, among others.

According to Herbosa, these are preventable diseases, but are still the leading causes of death in the Philippines.

COVID-19, however, is similar to the common cold, said Herbosa.

“For the young and healthy, there is nothing to fear – you just self-isolate; take vitamins, paracetamol and you should recover. At risk are the people who are elderly, with cancer, with immunocompromised,” Herbosa added.

COVID-19 is like the cold!!! What!? That is what many people having been saying for the past four years!

Cases are increasing in Singapore but the DOH says border controls and mandatory masks are not required.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/22/no-border-control-mandatory-masks-doh-chief-says-amid-rise-in-covid-19-cases-in-singapore

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday, May 22, said that there is no need to control the country's borders or implement mandatory mask-wearing despite the rise of Covid-19 cases in Singapore.

At a Palace press briefing, DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa underscored that the department is monitoring Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI), with Covid-19 being one of those.

"Luckily, even the cases in Singapore are mostly respiratory droplet infections, common cold-like, so I'm not thinking border control, mandatory masks, I'm not thinking of that," Herbosa said in a mix of English and Filipino.

However, Herbosa advised the public to follow minimum health standards.

"If you are sick, experiencing cough, colds, or a sore throat, it's better to stay home. If you need to go out, wear a mask. So it's still a personal (responsibility)," he said.

Meanwhile, the secretary answered the question circulating that the public should be vaccinated again due to the Ministry of Health of Singapore suggesting there might be a waning effect of immunity,

"That should be a personal discussion between the physician and you, the one with the request for a vaccination," said Herbosa "because I think the ones that need the vaccination are only the high-risk people."

He then emphasized that there are 78 million people that were vaccinated with boosters and "I think they still have some level of immunity."

"So, no requirement for border control, no requirement for mandatory mask, no requirement for additional vaccination," Herbosa said.

"But we're monitoring the cases," he added.

A waning effect of immunity?  So the current vaccines are worthless.

Nevertheless says high-risk groups should take precaution.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1944270/high-risk-groups-warned-vs-new-covid-variants

Despite an assurance from the Department of Health (DOH) that all regions nationwide remain at low risk for COVID-19 amid the appearance of new variants, an infectious disease expert on Thursday urged vulnerable populations, especially the elderly and immunocompromised, to take precautions to reduce their risk of contracting severe COVID-19.

But Dr. Rontgene Solante, president of the Philippine College of Physicians, the umbrella organization of internists in the country, said the public should not be alarmed over the recent rise in cases.

According to him, the cases due to the new “FLiRT” variants in other countries were not as bad as those traced to the Alpha and Delta variants in 2020 and 2021. FLiRT refers to a whole family of new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which have picked up the same set of mutations. There are three new variants under monitoring by the World Health Organization (WHO) named JN.1.18, KP.2 and KP.3. All three are descendants of JN.1, an offshoot of the Omicron variant.

Quoting the WHO, the DOH said there was no evidence for now that the KP.2 and KP.3 variants were causing severe to critical cases in the country or abroad. While the new variants cause “self-limiting and mild” symptoms where patients in general will recover without taking any medicine, Filipinos should take precautions as these mild symptoms may become severe in senior citizens and the immunocompromised.

“There is a tendency that these vulnerable populations may get severe COVID-19. And that’s what we are experiencing in hospitals right now. They have a very weak immune response that their bodies cannot fight off these low-risk types of variants,” Solante said

He explained that the previous COVID-19 vaccines given to Filipinos—generally two doses and a single-shot booster—were not as effective against the new strains, including the FLiRT variant.

“It is just unfortunate that because of the mutations, we are no longer protected against these new variants from the previous COVID-19 shots we received. In fact, there are reformulated and updated vaccines available in the market abroad already, but these are not currently available in the Philippines,” Solante said.

As a precaution, he urged the public, especially the elderly, to consult a doctor if their symptoms do not subside in a few days.

“They have to be immediately checked if they will need treatment or be admitted. Because in our current experience, those who are usually admitted to the hospitals were already late. They already had a fever for a few days and developed complications, including pneumonia,” Solante said.

He also echoed the call of the DOH for people to properly wear face masks, especially when they go to public or enclosed spaces with a large crowd.

WOW! The DOH has admitted Filipinos are not protected against the new variants. That is really shocking. But they also say the new wave of spikes are ordinary.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/05/24/2357535/new-wave-covid-19-cases-just-ordinary-spike

There is no need to panic over the new wave of COVID-19 infection as this is just a normal increase in cases, infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante said yesterday.

“It will not continue to spread. The uptick (in cases) will just be temporary,” Solante said at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon program.

Three new COVID-19 variants – JN.1.18, KP.2 and KP.3 – are now under monitoring by the World Health Organization. KP.2 and KP.3 are known as the “FLiRT” variants.

The Department of Health (DOH) earlier said “there is no evidence now that the KP.2 and KP.3 variants are causing severe to critical COVID-19, both locally and internationally.”

“These are variants that mutated through several months and that so far, this has slow public health risk unlike the Delta and Alpha (variants) which carried higher risk of severe infection or getting hospitalized,” Solante added.

He still advised the public to be vigilant and protect themselves against the virus.

It won't continue to spread? Then there is nothing to worry or warn about!

But maybe there is something to warn about as the DOH Secretary has directed the Bureau of Quarantine "conduct thorough screening at points of entry for arriving visitors coming from countries where the new COVID-19 “FLiRT” variants have been detected."

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/908086/boq-on-heightened-alert-vs-flirt-covid-19-variants/story/

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa has directed the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) to conduct thorough screening at points of entry for arriving visitors coming from countries where the new COVID-19 “FLiRT” variants have been detected.

Department of Health (DOH) spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo confirmed on Monday the BOQ’s Memorandum No. 2024-48 dated May 24, which placed all BOQ stations and other concerned agencies under “heightened alert” for the FLiRT variants.

“The BOQ, as directed by Secretary Herbosa, is conducting thorough screening for symptoms of COVID-19, among others,” Domingo told reporters.

The KP.2 and KP.3, more commonly known as “FLiRT,” are currently circulating COVID-19 variants under monitoring by the World Health Organization (WHO). They are descendants of the JN.1—a variant of interest—which was responsible for the infection increase earlier this year.

The BOQ, a line bureau of the DOH, thus reminded travelers to complete the health questionnaire available on the e-travel app. Those who have COVID-19 signs and symptoms were also advised to go on home isolation.

“The general public should take basic health measures such as frequent hand washing, coughing etiquette, avoiding crowded situations and getting in contact with people with flu-like symptoms,” the memorandum read.

According to the DOH, all regions in the country remain at low risk for COVID-19, despite a “small” increase in cases recently observed and new variants being monitored internationally.

Despite this order the DOH is quick to say the country remains "at low risk for COVID-19."

But even if the new variant posed any health threat there are currently no funds to procure new vaccines. The Philippines is now relying on the kindness of strangers.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1945940/doh-no-budget-for-new-vaccines-vs-flirt-variant

The government has zero budget set aside this year to procure updated doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to protect vulnerable Filipinos from the new “Flirt” variants driving a wave of infections around the world, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

The jabs are seen as crucial to the safety and protection of the elderly as well as people with compromised immune systems from the fast-spreading Flirt variants, which, while not considered deadly, are sparking concerns of a COVID-19 resurgence four years since the advent of the pandemic.

The DOH spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, said the public’s immunity from the virus due to the original primary series of COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots administered from 2021 to 2023 had waned over time, although “not totally lost.”

“There may be some degree of residual immunity left, which is still better than having not been vaccinated at all,” Domingo said in a message to the Inquirer.

But the DOH has no budget under the 2024 appropriations law to acquire updated COVID-19 vaccines considered more effective against the Flirt variants, the official said, noting that the department’s current funding was focused on procuring doses for the routine immunization of children.

“Budget allocations for COVID-19 vaccination are made based on an assessment of public health needs. In situations where the case severity is low or mild only, there may not be an urgent need to budget and procure as before,” Domingo explained.

For COVID-19 doses, the DOH is relying on donations, including a million doses pledged by Gavi Vaccine Alliance, a global health partnership formed in 2000 to provide equal access to new and underused vaccines for children living in the world’s poorest countries.

The first tranche of 500,000 jabs is set to arrive in the second quarter.

“The DOH is processing this to obtain the best/most updated COVID-19 vaccines given the circumstances,” Domingo said.

According to the DOH, it is the duty of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “to encourage and accept applications for registration of the newer COVID-19 vaccines so that they may be made available in the local market.”

The emergency use authorizations issued by the FDA to nine COVID-19 vaccines administered in past years are set to lapse in July, a year after President Marcos lifted the state of public health emergency in the country due to COVID-19 on July 23, 2023.

This means that COVID-19 vaccines without a certificate of product registration (CPR) from the FDA could no longer be administered or sold in the country.

What residual immunity? None of the vaccines actually prevented COVID-19 infection. 

Hi, My Name is...48

 Let's say hello to a few deranged foreigners and several crazy Filipinos. 

Hi, my name is being withheld because I am a minor. My younger half brothers and I were out swimming one day. All of a sudden I hit my younger brother on the head with a rock and drowned him while my other brother watched. He is the one who told on me. I killed my younger brother because I was angry that his father always told me to leave his house. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/572773/lapu-lapu-city-drowning-5-year-old-drowned-by-own-half-brother

A 5-year-old boy died after he was allegedly drowned by his own half-brother while they were swimming in the seawaters of Sitio Lawis, Brgy. Suba-Basbas in Lapu-Lapu City on Friday, May 10, 2024, at around 9 a.m., police said.

Before drowning his stepbrother, the 14-year-old suspect allegedly hit the head of the victim with a rock.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Christian Torres, spokesperson of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LCPO), said that the 5-year-old victim and the 14-year-old suspect have the same mother but have different fathers.

They were joined in their swimming excursion by their 7-year-old sibling who witnessed the whole tragic incident and who told police what really happened..

According to Torres, the suspect in the Lapu-Lapu City drowning incident killed the victim out of his anger towards the father of the child for allegedly always asking him to leave their house.

Torres added that the suspect was ill-mannered and a trouble-maker.

He said that the incident was reported to them at around 1:00 p.m. yesterday by the mother.

The Lapu-Lapu City drowning incident was not reported immediately since the mother had no idea yet of what really happened to the victim. Until the 7-year-old witness spilled the beans.

"They have no idea about the real incident because they believe that they just drowned. That's why the other brother told the story that he saw the incident where the head was hit on a rock because some guy injured the child's face. Then that's it, the boy also saw that the younger brother was really tired and dry," Torres said.

The suspect was turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for proper interventions. Authorities are also investigating if the 14-year-old suspect is into drugs.

Hi, my name is Marilou Tabugara Tumangquiz. I asked my grandson to help me pick up some coconuts on our farm. All of a sudden I grabbed him, tied up his hands and feet, and hacked him to death with a bolo. The family called the police and the came right away which is good because they were about to hack me to death. No matter that I am old and suffer from mental illness.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1858387/granny-kills-grandson-in-basilan

Angelito Sunajo Olis, 12, was picking coconuts on the family farm in Barangay Bohe Sapa, Lamitan City in Basilan when he was allegedly attacked with a bolo by his grandmother.

Police Colonel Arlan Delumpines, city police director of Lamitan, said the incident happened around 7 p.m. on Friday but they were able to respond about two hours later after a report from Jojo Manuel, the barangay chair of Bohe Sapa.

He identified the alleged attacker as Marilou Tabugara Tumangquiz, 53.

In their initial investigation, Delumpines said that Tumangquiz requested her grandson to accompany her to pick up coconuts which is why they went to the farm.

“We found the lifeless body of the young boy with both hands and feet tied with a rope and he sustained multiple hack wounds on his head, body, hands, and feet that resulted [in] his instantaneous death,” Delumpines said.

The grandmother admitted to the crime and family members claimed the old woman was suffering from mental illness.

“We are still filing a murder case against the woman. If we were late in responding, the old woman would have suffered the same fate as her grandson as the infuriated family was planning to kill her,” Delumpines said.

Hi, my name is Sergio Corbalan. I am an American. At the annual Christmas festival in Naga City I got real drunk. I was so drunk that I threw stones at a guy and I hit him in the shoulder. The cops arrested me right away.  

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/544592/american-jailed-for-causing-trouble-during-pasko-sa-naga-launch

An American national landed in jail for causing trouble Friday night, December 8, during the opening program of “Pasko sa Naga” in Naga City, Cebu.

The suspect, who was identified as Sergio Corbalan, 52, allegedly threw stones at a spectator before punching him on his left shoulder, Naga City police said in its report.

Corbalan is temporarily residing in Barangay Tunghaan in Minglanilla town.

According to the police report, Corbalan was drunk while he was at the Naga City plaza to witness the official launch of “Pasko sa Naga.”

Without apparent reason, he allegedly threw stones at Julius Reuyan Salidaga, 36, and his sister, Andrea, 28.  Both are from Barangay Ilaya in San Fernando town.

After that, Corbalan alleged punched Julius, hitting him on his left shoulder.

Policemen who secured the celebration immediately responded and arrested Corbalan.  They brought the American national to the hospital for a liquor test before they brought him to the police station.

Naga City police said complaints for alarm and scandal and slight physical injury may be filed against the foreign national.

Hi, my name is being withheld and so is my nationality. I am a foreigner living in Mandaue City. The dogs here are very noisy especially at night making me unable to sleep. So, I fed them rat poison. Seven dogs and five cats died and I was finally able to get some peace. But everyone found out it was me and they wanted to file a case. But they did not because I asked for forgiveness.  

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/545298/poisoned-pets-owners-settle-case-with-foreigner

The owners of dogs and cats killed in Aliño Compound, Barangay Cabancalan, Mandaue City on December 2 have withdrawn their complaints against the foreigner accused of killing the pets using rat poison.

The complainants and the wife of the foreigner met at the Barangay Hall on Wednesday, December 13, 2023.

The foreigner was summoned by Barangay Captain Francis Karlo Remedio after they received complaints about seven dogs and five cats allegedly killed in the compound.

But Remedio said that the foreigner was unable to attend the meeting because of medical issues.

However, one neighbor and owner of one of the dogs that died wants to pursue and file a case against the foreigner, which is why Remedio scheduled another meeting in January.

"The complainant is the only one, he is the only one, because he is concerned about the dog, he is said to have been close to it because it is said to be cheap and will deliver it to him as soon as they are taken away from them. He really wants to file with PAWS (Philippine Animal Welfare Society). If he files a complaint with him, we will support him, we will give him a notice to proceed," said Remedio.

Remedio said that the other pet owners decided to forgive the foreigner after he asked for their forgiveness.

"Even though it was Christmas, they were forgiven because there was nothing they could do. They don't have a dog," said Remedio.

Remedio said that, according to the wife of the foreigner who is already 60 years old, he poisoned the pets because they were very noisy, especially at night.

"Supposedly because of the resentment towards the foreigner, because he is sick, he is said to be very noisy at night. That's why he's angry, he's dizzy," he said.

Hi, my name is Gerald Balsa. I am jobless, live with my mom, and depend on her to give me money. One day I was very hungry and was served boiled pork soup to eat. But it was awful. It was so awful I lost my mind and ended up burning my house down. My mother's leg was burned as a result of the fire I set. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/546550/balamban-father-who-did-not-like-soup-served-on-him-burns-house-down

A 39-year-old man, who was angry because he was not satisfied with how the boiled pork soup (linat-ang baboy) that was served to him was cooked, set his house on fire and burned it down.

The incident happened last Sunday, December 17, in Sitio Sam-ang, Barangay Pondol, Balamban town in western Cebu.

Police later arrested Gerald Balsa, 39, a resident of Sitio Sam-ang.

Investigation showed that Balsa, who got so angry for being served a boiled pork soup that was not to his taste and liking, caused him to go over the edge and set his house on fire.

According to FO2 Gerald Fritz Desierto, investigator of the Balamban Fire Station, that Balsa allegedly started the fire by burning his foam mattress on his bed.

Desierto said that Balsa’s mother was burned in the leg and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Balsa’s house was razed leaving his live-in partner, 60-year-old mother, his stepfather and his stepbrother homeless this Christmas.

According to the Balamban Fire Station, the damage to property was estimated at P400,000.

The displaced family members are now staying at Gerald’s stepsister’s house.

Desierto said that Balsa, who has no job, allegedly depended on his mother to give him money.

Gerald Balsa was detained at the Balamban Police Station pending the filing of charges.

Desierto said that Balsa would face the charges of arson and physical injury.

No casualties were recorded during the incident.

Hi, my name is Lars Flemming Heding Nielsen. I am a Danish national. I was found guilty by the courts of sexually abusing two minors from 2014-2015. My defense was that I did not do it but they said that was not enough and my innocence was something impossible for me to prove. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1880021/tagbilaran-court-finds-danish-guilty-of-abusing-2-minors-in-bohol

A 63-year-old Danish national was convicted for sexual abuse of two minors in 2014 to 2015 in a resort in Panglao, Bohol.

Lars Flemming Heding Nielsen was found guilty for seven counts of acts of lasciviousness by Judge Leo Moises Lison of the Regional Trial Court Branch 3 in Tagbilaran City on Dec. 19.

Nielsen was meted a penalty of eight years and one day as minimum to 17 years, four months and one day as maximum.

He was also ordered to pay each victim P50,000 in civil indemnity and P50,000 in moral damages.

In its decision, the court observed that the victims provided detailed accounts of the lascivious acts committed against them by Lars.

Their consistent and affirmative testimonies also remained uncontroverted during cross-examination.

“Lars admitted that he had no categorical denial of the charges against him. He further explained in re-direct examination that he is not guilty of the charges and did not do the acts for which he is accused. That constitutes his defense. However, he cannot prove it because it is impossible,” Lison said.

“The state shall defend the right of the children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions prejudicial to their development.”

A hold departure order had been issued against Lars on January 25, 2021.

Private prosecutor Esther Gertrude Biliran said the victory was an affirmation of their advocacy for women and children.

“It is really true that it takes a community to raise a child. We may have all the laws for women and children but if the victims remain silent, if the parents are not supportive or will just settle the case, if the advocates easily give up, or if the government does not cooperate, all these laws would remain futile,” she said.

“I commend these two survivors and their parents for their perseverance. May this victory inspire us to continue to bring to justice these perpetrators for the safety of our women and children,” she added.

Hi, my name is Mary Evelyn Dolor Neuen. Though I am a Dutch national I was traveling on a German passport with my family on holiday. While airport security was looking through my bags I said, "There is a bomb." I was promptly arrested. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1216355

A 70-year-old female passenger bound for Manila is facing charges for making a bomb joke while her luggage is being screened at the departure area of the Laoag International Airport (LIA) Wednesday night.

Police Captain Nelson Fantonia, team leader of LIA’s office of transport security, identified the passenger as Mary Evelyn Dolor Neuen, a Dutch national and holder of a German passport who came with her family to Santa Maria town in Ilocos Sur for a holiday.

As of press time, Neuen is still in police custody while awaiting preliminary investigation at the Fiscal’s Office here. The passenger has also availed the service of a lawyer.

Fantonia said the screening officer suddenly stopped screening the passenger’s luggage when he heard her said: “There’s a bomb.”

The screening officer then alerted the Aviation Security Group as part of the standard procedure.

“Upon receiving the report, the K9-OED unit immediately conducted paneling and upon thorough inspection, the result was negative of explosive,” Fantonia said.

He said this was the first time that they encountered such an incident and that this would serve as a lesson to everyone. 

Hi, my name is Kim Sunmin and I am a Korean national. In the early morning around 4 am I saw a beautiful 21-year old college girl walking home form her shift at a bar. We took a taxi to my house where I had invited her to eat. But there was no food. Instead I consumed a bottle of alcohol and instructed the girl to go into the bathroom. When she emerged I was fully naked. I then forced her on the bed, stripped her clothes off, threatened to kill her and her family if she continued to resist, and raped her. Later she left and told the police. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/555038/korean-national-nabbed-for-rape

A 38-year-old Korean National landed in jail after being accused of raping a woman he allegedly brought to eat inside his apartment on early Monday morning, February 5, 2024.

The suspect was identified as Kim Sunmin, 37, who is currently residing at an apartment complex in Barangay Kasamabagan, Cebu City.

Meanwhile, the victim, who sought help from authorities, is a 21-year-old female college student.

The incident reportedly took place in the suspect’s apartment at around 4 a.m. on Monday.

According to a police report, at around 11 a.m., a woman came to the Women and Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD) of the Mabolo Police Station to report an alleged rape incident.

The victim told police that after her shift at a bar in the area, she was walking home when she passed by a bakery and saw the suspect. They then took a taxi and went to Kim’s house.

When they arrived at the suspect’s residence, the victim hesitated, but the suspect answered, “Trust me, let’s just eat.”

After this, Kim allegedly took the college student to his room, where he retrieved a bottle of alcohol and consumed it.

After realizing there was no food, the victim announced that she would be going home. The suspect then instructed her to go to the restroom before leaving, and she complied.

However, upon emerging from the bathroom, the victim told police she was surprised to find the Korean national completely naked.

Kim then allegedly pulled her and forced her to lie on the bed with him and stripped her.

According to the report, the suspect allegedly became angry when the victim resisted and threatened to kill her along with her family.

He then reportedly covered the victim’s mouth and proceeded to rape her.

After receiving the report, police personnel in Mabolo immediately went to the alleged crime scene and apprehended the suspect.

As of this writing, Kim is detained at the custodial facility of the Mabolo Police Station pending the filing of appropriate charges against him. He will be facing charges of rape, stated the report.

Hi, my name is Nardito Pakuan-kuan Acbo. My family saw me hitting my head with a rock and took me to the hospital. After receiving treatment I returned home and everybody left. They found me lifeless not long afterwards due to my injuries.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/555104/man-dies-after-striking-his-own-head-with-rock

A senior citizen died after striking his head with a rock inside his own house in Barangay Antipolo, Medellin, Cebu, on Monday, February 5, 2024.

The victim, identified as Nardito Pakuan-kuan Acbo, 62 years old, was a resident of the said place.

According to Police Executive Master Sergeant Mamerto Gastador, deputy station commander of Medellin Police Station, before the incident, the victim had attended the birthday party of a relative’s husband in the same place on February 3.

However, at around 12:30 p.m. yesterday, his relatives saw him striking himself with a rock on his head several times.

His relatives stopped him and brought him to the nearest hospital for treatment.

After receiving immediate treatment, the victim was brought back to his residence.

But at around 3 p.m., when they checked on him, they found him lifeless inside his house.

They brought him again to the hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Based on the investigation, the victim was alone in his house since his wife was working in Cebu City, while his children already had their own families.

Gastador added that the victim was allegedly suffering from depression.

Hi, my name is being withheld because of what I did to my daughter. See, she is only three years old. Her mother, my live-in partner, is an OFW in Europe. She used to send us money but then all of a sudden she blocked me on Facebook and stopped the payments. So, to get her attention I made a video  choking, slapping and threatening to hack with a knife my 3-year-old daughter inside my cab. I then posted it online. But my partner did not see it. How could she when she has me blocked? Instead an old classmate of mine who is also a cop saw the video. It was he who put the word out for my arrest.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/559077/taxi-driver-nabbed-after-posting-video-of-him-choking-slapping-3-year-old-daughter-inside-cab

A desperate taxi driver was arrested on February 26 after he went online and showed a video of him choking, slapping and threatening to hack with a knife his 3-year-old daughter inside his cab on February 26.

All this to allegedly catch the attention of his estranged live-in partner, who was in Europe and whom the driver claimed to be allegedly in a relationship with a foreigner there.

The driver told authorities after he was arrested that his live-in partner left for Europe eight months ago and had since cut communications with him by blocking him in her social media pages and had allegedly stopped sending financial support to him and their daughter.

Initial investigation showed that the taxi driver, who drove his cab around Cebu City and eventually ended near the city of Naga allegedly went online and showed him maltreating his 3-year-old daughter inside his cab.

The online posts caught the attention of the classmate of Police Lieutenant John Paul Galacio, deputy chief of Police of Waterfront Police Station in Cebu City, who informed him about the disturbing post.

Galacio then contacted the taxi operator, who helped them locate where the taxi cab was by sending to the police officer the GPS location of the cab, which was later found to be in Naga City in southern Cebu.

Galacio said that he then informed Police Lieutenant Colonel William Homoc, Naga City Police Station chief, of the situation. 

Homoc then issued an order directing all police officers of the station to look for, pursue and arrest the taxi cab driver and rescue the 3-year-old girl.

He was later located in the city and arrested and the child was rescued.

The arrested taxi cab driver later told police during the investigation that he did that to his daughter and posted what he did online to get the attention of his estranged live-in partner, who was in Europe for eight months now.

He said he was desperate after his live-in partner blocked him from her social media pages.

He also said that she allegedly had cut financial support to him and their daughter.

The taxi driver, who is from Liloan town in northern Cebu, was turned over to the Waterfront Police Station in Cebu City by the Naga City Policemen because the taxi driver committed the crime in Cebu City, particularly, in the area under the jurisdiction of the Waterfront Police Station.

He was detained at the Waterfront Police Station detention cell pending the filing of child abuse charges or for violation of RA 7610 (Physical abuse).

The child is now under the custody of a relative of the driver in a Cebu City barangay.

Hi, my name is Honeylyn Tamayo. While I was breastfeeding my brother-in-law stabbed me several times until I was dead. He refused to tell anyone why he did it but everyone knows he is "cursed after he cut down a tree believed to house a spiritual being." 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/551613/mom-stabbed-dead-by-bro-in-law-in-malabuyoc

A 31-year-old woman did not survive after her brother-in-law allegedly stabbed her several times while she was breastfeeding her baby at home on the morning of Wednesday, January 17, 2024.

The incident occurred in Sitio Calugtugan, Barangay Cerdeña, Malabuyoc town, southwestern Cebu.

The victim, identified as 31-year-old Honeylyn Tamayo, a mother of a 4-year-old and a 2-month-old, was fatally attacked. The suspect, Jobert Valera, a 53-year-old farmer and Tamayo’s brother-in-law, was apprehended after the incident.

An ongoing investigation aims to determine Valera’s motive in killing his wife’s sister.

According to Police Senior Master Sergeant Ronidilo Duerme, the brutal incident happened inside the victim’s house around 7:30 a.m. as she was breastfeeding her baby girl.

Valera allegedly entered the house with a 32-centimeter-long kitchen knife taken from his nearby residence. Without apparent reason, he reportedly began stabbing the victim multiple times, causing her to collapse on the ground.

A neighbor heard Tamayo screaming, prompting her siblings to rush inside the house. Valera allegedly used the victim’s 4-year-old daughter as a shield, but the siblings were able to stop him and rescue the child unharmed.

They then sought help from authorities.  Upon the arrival of responding personnel, Tamayo was rushed to the nearest hospital.  The attending physician declared her dead on arrival due to the six wounds on her chest and back.

The police said there was no prior history of conflict between the parties.  Valera, when questioned by the police, denied the accusations by shaking his head and refusing to speak.

Intelligence reports also suggest that Valera is not known to be a user of illegal drugs.

Meanwhile, there were speculations that Valera may be cursed after he cut down a tree believed to house a spiritual being.

Insurgency: Samar Island More Peaceful

President Marcos says Samar Island is more peaceful now that the NPA has been weakened. But he is also cautious enough to admit there are still encounters. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225152

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Samar Island is more peaceful now with the weakening of the New People’s Army (NPA).

In an ambush interview here Monday, the President said he had seen the progress report of the peace and order situation in Samar provinces.

He said it is “getting better and better.”

"It's not so much anymore, it's not as chaotic as it used to be and there are still encounters, but not because -- large numbers and their organization have been reduced to small groups. So, I think the progress is sufficient. And, I think we will be able to do it in the schedule that we have given ourselves," the President said.

The military earlier reported that about 1,000 communities in Eastern Visayas were influenced by the NPA before the formation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict under the Duterte administration in 2018.

Most of the areas are in the three Samar provinces.

According to previous military pronouncements, while there are still sightings of rebels in the tri-boundaries of Samar provinces, the villagers are no longer supporting them.

The government is targeting to make all areas in Samar completely free from NPA influence within the year.

In Samar province, Governor Sharee Ann Tan said insurgency is obviously weaker in recent years with the surrender of several leaders and fighters.

“In the 2022 elections, no politician in Samar received a letter demanding for revolutionary tax. That was the first election with no attempts from NPA to collect,” Tan said in an interview.

Meanwhile, Northern Samar Governor Edwin Ongchuan asked the national government to build a circumferential road in the tri-boundaries of Samar to ensure the sustainability of anti-insurgency efforts.

"We are the last bastion of insurgency and ending insurgency is a big challenge, especially in the boundaries of three Samar provinces," he said.

The proposed road will connect the towns of Silvino Lubos and Las Navas in Northern Samar to Matuguinao in Samar and Jipapad in Eastern Samar.

Only a week before making this declaration a soldier was killed in an encounter with the NPA. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/20/soldier-killed-in-northern-samar-encounter-8th-ib-mourn-death

The 8th Infantry “Stormtroopers” Division mourned the death of a soldier in an encounter with the New People's Army in Barangay Lourdes, Las Navas, Northern Samar, on May 16.

Corporal Isagani Balmes from the 19th Infantry Battalion and a Taft, Eastern Samar native, died from fatal injuries during the 15-minute encounter.

Balmes led the Community Support Program which facilitated the provision of essential services to the community.

Major Gen. Camilo Ligayo, commander of the 8th ID, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of an outstanding soldier. 

Ligayo highlighted Balmes' unwavering dedication and service in the quest for peace in Eastern Visayas. 

“The Philippine Army extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Corporal Balmes. His heroism and dedication will never be forgotten,” Ligayo said.

Though the NPA is weakened in Samar that does not mean they are not a threat. 

The same goes for Negros. Despite the AFP claiming to have dismantled most of the fronts there are still remnants wandering around. One NPA remnant was recently killed in Central Negros. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225232

A remnant of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed during an encounter with troops of the Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB)  in a remote village of Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental Tuesday morning.  

In a report, the 62IB identified the fatality as Richard “Rocky”  De la Peña, 50, from the dismantled Central Negros 1 guerrilla front.

First Lt. Mary Liza De Guzman, civil-military operations officer of 62IB, said in a statement that De la Peña died during a 10-minute clash that took place around 7 a.m. in Sitio Inangaw, Barangay Quintin Remo.

The soldiers launched focused military operations following reports of civilians about the presence of NPA remnants conducting extortion and forced recruitment, she added.

After the encounter, the troops recovered the body of De la Peña along with an M16 rifle, three magazines with live ammunition, a bandolier, and subversive documents.

According to the 62IB, De la Peña was involved in various crimes and human rights violations, among these the murder of Albert Navaro Goles, whom the NPA accused of being a military informant, last April 24.

It was also reported he was in the company of Marivic “Ivan” Ebarle, a communist rebel killed in an encounter on July 20, 2023, at Sitio Kawayanan, Barangay Montilla, Moises Padilla.

In a separate statement, Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, commended the operating troops and the locals of Barangay Quintin Remo for their concerted efforts that led to the neutralization of the NPA remnant and the recovery of a high-powered firearm.

“Our peace and security efforts in Negros will persist even as the achievement of a stable internal peace and security environment for all Negrenses is at hand. This is an integral part of our sustainment strategy to prevent any attempts at recovery and resurgence by the dismantled guerrilla fronts of the NPA,” he added.

Another NPA remnant was killed in Northern Negros. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225416

A remnant of the dismantled Northern Negros Front of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in a clash with joint government troops in Barangay Cambayobo, Calatrava, Negros Occidental Wednesday afternoon.

The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), in a report on Thursday, identified the fatality as Jeje Redobles, whose body the government troops recovered from the encounter site.

Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, commander of the 3ID, lauded the troops of the 79 Infantry Battalion and their counterparts from the Philippine National Police 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force for the successful joint enhanced military and police operations.

“This unity is evident in the series of encounters where information from local residents plays a crucial role in our combat operations, especially in locating and hitting the remnants of the communist-terrorist group with precision,” he added.

Sison renewed his call for the remaining NPA rebels in Negros to return to the fold of the law.

“Surrender now while you still have time. Negros is no longer a safe refuge for you,” he added.

Redobles died during a 10-minute firefight between government troops and seven NPA remnants in Sitio Manaysay just before 4 p.m., the 3ID report said.

During the clearing operation, the soldiers and police officers recovered weapons, including an M16 rifle, hand grenade, and magazines containing ammunition, along with subversive documents, medicines, food items, and personal belongings

In Northern Negros the NPA remains very active having killed several civilians in the past few weeks. The Army is partnering with LGUs to strengthen their alliance for peace. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225307

The municipality of Calatrava and the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Negros Occidental have strengthened their alliance for peace in the wake of the series of killings perpetrated by the New People's Army (NPA) in the northern Negros locality.

First Lt. Dan Carlo Samoza, civil-military operations officer of 79IB, said on Wednesday that Mayor Marilyn Era, who chairs the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC), condemns the atrocities of the remnants of the NPA.

“This is a manifestation of the mayor’s sincerity of protecting her constituents in line with her mandate as the head of the municipality’s TF-ELCAC,” he told the Philippine News Agency.

This year alone, five persons were killed by NPA assailants in Calatrava, as admitted by the communist terrorist group in their public pronouncements; the latest was Alexander Alquizar, a village watchman of Barangay Lagaan, who was gunned down on April 20.

In a meeting at the municipal hall on May 20, Era expressed her condemnation as she also appealed for the remaining NPA rebels in Calatrava to surrender to the authorities.

“I personally condemn the killing incidents that happened in my municipality without a valid reason. I am pleading to my brothers on the other side to please come and join the government that is ready to help you,” the mayor said.

First Lt. Kenn Brian Adesas of the 79IB, Lt. Artus Escuadra of the Calatrava Municipal Police Station, and representatives of other government agencies attended the meeting to assure the NPA remnants of support for their reintegration to their respective communities once they decide to surrender.

In a statement, Lt. Col. Arnel Calaoagan, commander of 79IB, welcomed the mayor’s condemnation of the killings and her call on the communist rebels to surrender.

“This is a manifestation of our strong alliance towards the same goal and shared aspiration of making Calatrava a haven of peace and progress. We will remain steadfast in our commitment and support to the local government units to once and for all decimate this terror group,” he added.

The NPA also remains active in Mindanao. Two NPA rebels were slain in an encounter in South Cotabato. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225400

Two communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels were killed as authorities served an arrest warrant against one of them in T'boli, South Cotabato on Thursday.

Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera, Army's 6th Infantry Division chief, said one of the soldiers backing up the local police was wounded when the suspects resisted and traded shots with law enforcers at about 10 a.m. in Barangay Talcon.

Citing a report from the Army's 5th Special Forces Battalion, Rillera, also the head of Joint Task Force Central, identified the slain rebels as Yasser Catacutan and Eizar Emam.

"Police and military forces were to serve an arrest warrant for Catacutan, who was facing murder charges when he resisted upon seeing lawmen near his home," he said.

The injured soldier belonged to the Army's 10th Special Forces Company.

And two ranking NPA rebels were killed in August del Norte and Misamis Oriental. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225387

Two ranking New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and a member were killed in recent encounters that took place in Agusan del Norte and Misamis Oriental provinces, the Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) said in a statement Thursday.

On May 21, the Army’s 16th Infantry Battalion (IB) engaged in a 10-minute skirmish with a group of NPA rebels in Barangay Bal-ason, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, which resulted in the death of two ranking leaders.

The fatalities were identified as Zaldy Galamiton, the secretary of the Sub-Regional Committee 1, and Johnjhon Ayuma Ramos, the commanding officer of the Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad Eagles, both under the NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.

Recovered from the encounter site were two M16 rifles, bandoliers, magazines, ammunition, and personal belongings, the 4ID said.

On May 20, troopers of the Army’s 29IB on a pursuit operation in Bangonay, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte also clashed with a group of communist insurgents.

The insurgents immediately abandoned their position after the five-minute firefight and left behind a dead comrade identified as Berto Dayong, a member of the NPA Sub-Regional Sentro de Grabidad West under the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee.

Government troops also recovered a 9mm pistol and a .45-caliber pistol at the clash site.

Maj. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, 4ID commander, commended the 29IB and 16IB for swiftly responding to citizens' reports of the presence of NPA guerrillas in their localities.

“These reports indicate the continuing support of the civilians to our government and our forces,” Cuerpo said.

The operations, he added, also thwarted the plans of the insurgents to conduct extortion and harassment of civilians in the area.

This means not only are the NPA active in Mindanao but they are not without leadership. 

San Pedro City in Laguna is set to be awarded the stable internal peace and security designation having had no significant rebel activity in over a year. In preparation the AFP "will soon be conducting peace and order-oriented seminars for first-time job-seekers in this city in hopes of steering them away from communist rebels’ influence."

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225435

Instructors from the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) 2nd Civil Military Operations (2CMO) Battalion will soon be conducting peace and order-oriented seminars for first-time job-seekers in this city in hopes of steering them away from communist rebels’ influence.

This plan came together as San Pedro is poised to be awarded the stable internal peace and security (SIPS) designation, a seal the AFP confers on jurisdictions that have been without significant rebel activity for at least one year.

In an interview on Thursday, Lt. Col. Rolando Acido, commander of 2CMO, said the military looks forward to contributing to the city’s economic development by promoting constructive relations between the workforce tripartite, which is composed of the government, employers and the labor force by upholding industrial peace.

The Army officer said there was a meeting of minds when officers of the AFP and the Philippine National Police held an engagement meeting with local government leaders at the city hall on Wednesday.

He disclosed that San Pedro Mayor Art Joseph Mercado gave his support for the proposal to conduct AFP-led seminars for prospective entrants to the workforce in venues to be determined by the local leader.

"By fostering an environment of enduring peace within the community and becoming the pioneer city in Laguna to achieve SIPS status, Santa Pedro City can unlock its full economic potential for the benefit of all its constituents," Acido said.

He explained that his office hopes to leverage the participation of the human resource departments of the various hiring enterprises in the city to ensure they have access to as many applicants as possible.

Additionally, it was also agreed upon during Wednesday’s meeting that the military would conduct similar seminars for other community stakeholders, including village representatives and the youth of San Pedro.

“The local government has generously offered venues and other necessary support, while the PNP and CMO will contribute by providing speakers and moderators,” Acido added.

He noted that Santa Pedro has remained devoid of violent terrorist incidents for over a year, and as such, the SIPS seal should be forthcoming.

What does this even mean? Are the NPA now recruiting through jobs? Or is this a subtle way to red-tag unions and labor organizers? Are the AFP warning first-time job seekers to stay away from unions? It would not be inconceivable.