Coronavirus Lockdown: 5 Kilos of Rice, Phase of Acceptance, and More!

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

While the government is expending all its efforts to get everyone vaccinated Bohol has eliminated the vaccine card requirement for entry.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/22/22/bohol-stops-requiring-covid-vax-card-for-entry

Bohol province will stop requiring COVID-19 vaccination cards for most inbound travelers, its governor said in an order released on Thursday. 

"The presentation of COVID-19 vaccination cards or certificate of vaccination for travelers entering Bohol will no longer be required for asymptomatic individuals," Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado said in an executive order signed on Wednesday. 

However, inbound travelers with COVID-19 symptoms will still be required to present a vaccination card for entry. If this is unavailable, they will be advised to seek medical intervention and disclose personal information for contact-tracing, the order said. 

The order "shall take effect immediately," said the governor. 

"Relaxing the entry protocol to Bohol is one way of stimulating the local economy and start the march to economic recovery," Aumentado said, adding that COVID-19 cases are "no longer as high" as they were at the start of the pandemic. 

Meanwhile, the vaccination drive will be "intensified in all levels of the local government units in Bohol," according to his order.

In fact the government is looking to ease border restrictions for foreigners. Experts say if that happened a surge would be unlikely. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/09/22/2211335/new-covid-19-surge-unlikely-amid-eased-border-restrictions

Another surge in COVID-19 cases is unlikely even if the government eases the country’s border restrictions for foreign travelers.

For University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital Emergency Medicine chair Dr. Ted Herbosa, the easing of border restrictions may pose risks, but strict compliance with minimum public health standards could prevent COVID transmission.

“There are, indeed, risks if we ease border restrictions; other COVID variants might enter, and if you haven’t been infected by that particular variant, there’s a chance that you can really be infected,” Herbosa said in Filipino and English during the Laging Handa public briefing yesterday.

“But if you are vaccinated, perhaps, if you get infected, you could have very mild symptoms because that’s the promise of vaccination. And if we will wear face mask, there won’t be another COVID outbreak in the country even if we ease border restrictions,” he added.

The government is looking into the possibility of easing the country’s border restrictions and allowing the entry of all foreigners while the task of verifying the travelers’ medical status will be given to airline companies, according to the health expert.

Emphasizing that the country is still nowhere near the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, infectious diseases expert Dr. Rontgene Solante has warned the public against the possible emergence of a more virulent variant of the infectious illness.

In an interview with “The Chiefs” aired on Cignal TV’s One News last Tuesday night, Solante advised the public to stay vigilant because the pandemic is far from over.

“We are not yet off the hook, even (if) cases are going down, there are still people who die of COVID,” he said.

People are still dying of COVID?  Also week we were told it was an average of 3 per day. How is that a cause for concern? And what are the stats on those deaths? Vaccinated? Unvaccinated? Half-vaccinated? Boosted? Old? Young? Comorbidities?? Those statistics are relevant and important and they are always omitted.

The founder of Go Negosyo says the Philippines is now entering the "phase of acceptance."

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/09/23/2211594/philippines-enters-phase-acceptance-pandemic-concepcion

Filipinos continue to learn to live with the COVID-19 virus as the country enters a phase of acceptance in the pandemic, Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion said.

In a statement yesterday, Concepcion said the Philippines is entering a “phase of acceptance” in the COVID-19 pandemic, where people are aware of the risks but are learning to manage them.

“I believe it has started and that we will have to live with the risks of the virus still being around,” he said.

Infectious disease expert Benjamin Co said that the country cannot wait for everyone to decide on his or her personal health.

“We cannot protect everyone all the time. I guess we have already provided everyone with the tools to prevent, diagnose and treat Covid-19. The next move is ours on an individual basis,” said the OCTA Research fellow.

Co further explained that it may appear that SARS-CoV-2 cases are going down globally, but that it is not because there are fewer people getting infected, but because people are not testing as frequently as before and prefer to move on in spite of the pandemic.

The infectious disease expert further likened the pandemic to the stages of grief – anger, denial, bargaining, depression and acceptance.

“The sixth stage is the final journey after acceptance – finding meaning,” Co said.

He acknowledged the difficulty in returning to how things were before the pandemic. “We will never be the same anytime soon. Yet we need to be,” he said.

Gee, I don't know for sure but I am pretty sure the people have learned to live not only with COVID but with the unnecessary restrictions imposed by the government within the first week of the first lockdown. It's really the government who is finally learning to live with the virus as seen by the mandatory face mask ordinance being dropped. 

The vaccine program remains in full swing. Seniors in Angeles City who get injected with the experimental goo will get 5 kilos of rice.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1669650/5-kilos-of-rice-free-for-angeles-city-seniors-who-get-covid-19-vaccine

In a bid to ramp up its vaccination program against COVID-19, the city government here announced on Friday that senior citizens who will have themselves vaccinated will  also get 5 kilos of rice for free.

“To encourage more people to be vaccinated, resident senior citizens who will receive first dose of vaccines against COVID-19 will get five kilos of rice,” an emailed statement from the city government said.

The city government told Inquirer the “vaccine-to-rice” program will be held at the legislative building of the city hall from Sept. 26 to 29.

Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. said the program is a form of reward to encourage the elderly to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

(The vaccine is our only protection against the virus, so we are encouraging our senior citizens to get vaccinated.)

If "the vaccine is our only protection against the virus" then get rid of the face mask ordinance completely. Get rid of social distancing completely. But they won't do that because the government does not really believe "the vaccine is our only protection against the virus." Vaccinated people do die despite and because of receiving the vaccine.

Zamboanga City is also offering this same deal of 5 kilos of rice in exchange for getting a booster shot. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1184626

To encourage more people to get vaccine boosters during the weeklong "national vaccination days," Mayor John Dalipe announced Monday that each booster vaccinee will receive five kilos of rice as an incentive.

Dalipe announced this during the launching of the Sept. 26 – 30 “Bakunahang Bayan: PinasLakas Special Vaccination Days here at the Southern City Colleges.

The local government has allocated rice for the 16 health districts for distribution to booster vaccines during the special national vaccination days, the mayor said.

Dalipe urged residents to “continue to safeguard one another by encouraging our friends, family, and relatives to get the shots” for added protection against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Remember, that 5 kilos of rice will be gone within a week but the after effects of the experimental vaccine will last forever. 

Commuters in areas with Alert Level 1 are now allowed to stand on buses and jeepnies.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1670959/standing-allowed-once-again-in-buses-e-jeeps

Commuters can once again put up with standing during their commute, after public utility vehicles (PUVs) have been allowed once more to accommodate passengers beyond their seating capacity.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Monday issued Memorandum Circular No. 2022-070, which brought back, starting that day, the practice among PUVs with seats already fully occupied to allow more passengers and have them stand on the aisles.

This was effectively discouraged by the rule of physical distancing at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But since the pandemic isn’t over, the circular still imposes certain limits on allowing standing commuters in PUVs.

For “low-entry/low-floor” buses, only a maximum of 15 standing passengers will be allowed and they must be “at least one person apart,” the circular said.

For coach-type buses, only 10 standing passengers are allowed and they must maintain the same social distancing rule.

Modern e-jeepneys can only accommodate up to five standing passengers.

The LTFRB said “existing policies on minimum public health protocols inside PUVs shall be strictly observed at all times.”

Thus, failure to comply with the circular will be deemed a violation subject to penalties stipulated in Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01, which includes suspension or revocation of a PUV’s license.

But commuters are only too familiar with these rules, as opposed to the realities on the ground. INQ

Does commuters knowing the realities on the ground mean these rules aren't enforced? Another rule that has been lifted pertains to OFWs traveling to their destination. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/09/25/2212006/wearing-ppes-no-longer-required-traveling-ofws

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has issued an advisory against requirements of certain agencies for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to wear full personal protective equipment (PPE) while traveling to their country of destination.

The advisory, issued by POEA officer-in-charge Bernard Olalia last Friday, was in compliance with a directive from Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan Ople.

Ople, who is in New York as part of the presidential delegation to the United Nations General Assembly, said the wearing of PPEs is not sanctioned by the department and the POEA.

“I agree with the sentiments of Sen. Pia Cayetano and other legislators that the PPE requirement for departing OFWs is outdated, misguided and oppressive. I regret not having issued this order much earlier to spare our OFWs the discomfort of going to the airport in full PPE attire,” she said in a statement.

In the POEA Advisory No. 62 Series of 2022, Olalia reminded recruitment agencies not to make the wearing of PPEs a requirement for OFWs as they travel “whether in Philippine airports or in the countries of destination.”

“Asking our OFWs to wear PPEs at this time is like asking surfers to wear ballgowns – it’s cumbersome, awkward and extremely peculiar,” Ople added.

It was learned that a manning agency’s Japanese principal had required the wearing of PPEs and masks for Filipino crew bound for Japan since the COVID-19 virus is still prevalent in that country.

A Chinese shipping vessel also requires its local manning agency to supply PPEs to embarking crew to prevent infection during travel, with the cost of the PPEs shouldered by the employer.

But Ople said: “The DMW firmly believes that having vaccines plus booster shots and wearing face masks provide sufficient protection to our overseas workers. Until otherwise recommended by our health officials, the POEA advisory against mandatory wearing of PPEs for our OFWs by their respective recruitment and manning agencies shall remain in force.”

This article does not describe exactly what kind of PPE's OFWs were being forced to wear but it sounds like they were fully suited up.

Hi, My Name is...28

Say hello to our monthly selection of friends. Some of these people have only recently come out of hiding after a number of years.

Hi, my name is being withheld to protect my son. You see, it was he who reported me to the cops for mauling and abusing him.  On the provincial level this made me one of the top 5 most wanted men in the province. This is not my first dance with the law as I was previously busted in 2016 for causing physical injuries and in 2018 for selling drugs.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/459324/father-nabbed-in-cebu-city-for-allegedly-mauling-10-year-old-son

Allegations of child abuse by his own 10-year-old son landed a 35-year-old construction worker in jail.

On Friday morning, August 19, 2022, personnel of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Cebu City Field Unit, in coordination with personnel from the City Mobile Force Company in Cebu City, and 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Cebu Police Provincial Office, served the warrant of arrest against the accused in Barangay Carreta, Cebu City, for allegedly abusing and mauling his own child.

The accused is a resident of Lapu-Lapu City.

CDN Digital opted not to name the suspect to protect his son who is a minor.

The warrant of arrest was issued by Judge Ester Veloso, Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 6, Cebu City, last January 14, 2022, with a bail of P80,000, says Police Lieutenant Colonel Joey Caise, chief of CIDG CCFU, in his report.

CIDG-CCFU also listed the accused as the Top 5  Most Wanted Person at the provincial level. The warrant of arrest was for violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act, particularly Section 10 (a).

Caise added that the accused also had a previous offense for physical injuries last 2016 and for possession and selling of illegal drugs in 2018.

Hi, my name is Markus Janich. I am married to a Filipina and have been living in the Philippines for the past ten years. I even own a resort. You could say I am an upstanding resident. My home country of Germany would not say that. On April 22 of this year a Munich court issued a warrant of arrest for “public incitement to commit criminal offense” and called me an undesirable alien. I don't know what will happen to my wife and resort but that is the least of my problems at the moment. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/08/20/2203799/german-fugitive-found-hiding-romblon

A German citizen wanted in his country was arrested in Romblon on Thursday.

Oliver Markus Raoul Janich, 53, was apprehended at a resort that he owns in Barangay Hinag-oman in Ferrol town, based on a warrant issued by a court in Munich on April 22, Maj. Clyde Kalyawen, Mimaropa police spokesman, said.

He said Janich is married to a Filipina and has been living in the country for almost 10 years.

Police liaison officer Ulrich Gundlach of the German embassy said Janich is an undesirable alien and a risk to public safety and security. His offense in Germany was “public incitement to commit criminal offense.”

Hi, my name is Jundie Doroteo. I was out on a drinking session with a friend of mine having a blast. On the way home, with my head full of alcohol,  I lost control of my motorcycle and crashed into the rear of a truck which had stopped at a red light. I died but my lady friend only suffered minor injuries. Now, dig this. Even though I was totally at fault, since I was drunk and I hit a truck stopped at a red light, the truck driver and my family came to a settlement! Imagine that! 

https://mb.com.ph/2022/08/17/man-celebrating-birthday-killed-in-motorcycle-crash-in-bacolod/

A man celebrating his 28th birth anniversary was killed in a motorcycle crash in Barangay Mandalagan here Tuesday, August 16.

Police identified the victim as Jundie Doroteo of Sagay City, Negros Occidental.

Police Capt. Armilyn Vargas, head of Police Station 3, said Doroteo and his female companion had a drinking session to celebrate his natal day.

However, Doroteo lost control of his motorcycle while they were on their way home and crashed into the rear of a truck that stopped for a red traffic light.

Vargas said the fatality succumbed to head injuries while his friend suffered minor injuries.

An initial settlement between the victim’s family and the truck driver, who came from a catering service at that time, has been made, according to Vargas.

Hi, my name is Aries Villanueva. I investigate fires. A pre-dawn fire in Pampanga not only destroyed 50 homes and displaced 20 families but two infants also perished in the flames. One was three months and the other was a year old. Their mothers went out to buy milk for them just before the fire started at 3:50 am. That does not sound remotely believable. I mean who is selling milk at 3:50 am and at their ages those babies should have been nursing. Nevertheless, please don't leave your children unattended. Especially infants. Anything can happen. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/463231/2-infants-left-alone-die-in-pampanga-fire

Two infants died before dawn on Thursday, September 8, from suffocation and third-degree burns after their house was engulfed in flames in Dau village in this city.

Senior Fire Officer 1 Aries Villanueva, the investigator, said the fatalities were a 3-month-old girl and a 1-year-old boy.

“When we interviewed the children’s parents, they told us that they left their house before the fire broke out to buy milk,” Villanueva told the Inquirer.

Villanueva, who did not disclose the names of the victims, said the cause of the fire had yet to be determined, as they have not concluded their investigation.

He said the fire started around 3:50 a.m. and lasted for more than 10 minutes. The damage was placed at P60,000.

Villanueva said the two infants were brought to a nearby private hospital but were declared dead on arrival.

“Adults should not leave kids alone, especially if they are still unable to escape from danger, like fire, by themselves. If adults must leave their young ones, they should at least ask someone to look after them,” Villanueva said.

Hi, my name is Jomar Monterey. I used to be three years old. Now I am dead. My sister Lenie watched our mother Lyn-lyn drown me in the river and then bury me in a shallow grave. She ran and told our grandmother who reported it to the police. Maybe they will find our mother and learn why she did it because I certainly have no idea.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/06/11/manhunt-on-for-mother-who-drowned-buried-three-year-old-son-in-a-shallow-grave-in-quezon/

Police are hunting a 25-year-old woman who allegedly drowned then buried her three-year-old son in a shallow grave on a riverside in Sitio Central, Barangay Sta. Maria, here last May 29.

Police identified the victim as Jomar Monterey of Sitio Halindog, Barangay Sta. Maria.

Investigation showed that Lenie, the victim’s sister, saw her mother Lyn-lyn Monterey, 25, drown her brother on the river until he died. The suspect then buried her son in a shallow grave on the riverside and fled.

Lenie told police that she heard her mother heard say: “Napapagod na akong mag-alaga sa iyo (I am tired of taking care of you).”

The victim’s body was found at around 4:30 p.m. on June 9 and the incident was reported to the police the following day, June 10, by Lenie and her grandmother.

Hi, my name is being withheld to protect the victim. Alleged victim.  You see, I am the real victim here. What happened is I was living with my son and his girlfriend from December 2021 to January 2022. After that I left and then in July 2022 I ended up in Lapu-Lapu City living with relatives. I was at church singing and playing guitar as usual when the cops showed up. They claimed they wanted to talk but all they said was, "You're under arrest."

They claimed I raped my son's girlfriend! I told them that was a lie. It was definitely retaliation from my son. He got arrested in June of this year but I was unable to help him. How else can you explain the lapse in my alleged crime until charges were filed?  

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/450638/man-accused-of-raping-sons-live-in-partner-nabbed-in-lapu-lapu-city

A 56-year-old man accused of raping his son’s live-in-partner was arrested in Barangay Poblacion, Lapu-Lapu City, last June 29, 2022. 

Police Lieutenant Zosimo Ravanes Jr., team leader of the Anti-Kidnapping Group Visayas Field Unit, said that the arrest was via virtue of a warrant of arrest issued for three counts of rape. 

The said warrant of arrest was issued by Judge Bernardito Malabago,  Executive Judge Branch 95 of the Regional Trial Court 7th Judicial Region in Barili, Cebu, last June 28, 2022, with no bail recommended. 

CDN Digital is withholding the names of those involved for their protection. 

Ravanes said that the victim was the 27-year-old live-in-partner of the accused’s  son, who was in jail at the time when the alleged rape was committed around December 2021 to January 2022 in Dumanjug. 

Before the formal compliant was filed, the accused went to Lapu-Lapu City as he also had relatives there. He has been in Lapu-Lapu for at least three months. 

Police said the accused served in a church, playing the guitar. Police were able to locate and communicate with the accused and asked to meet outside the church he was serving. 

This was when he was arrested. 

The accused belied the accusations filed against him, saying his son did this to him because he had grudges against him. 

According to the accused, his son is getting back at him because he was not able to help his son when the latter was jailed. 

His son was arrested for causing trouble and was released from jail in June 2022. But he is still under probationary.

Hi, my name is Nilo Alvarez. I was out stealing bananas from a neighbors property when all of a sudden my old enemy, Manuel Mailig, showed up. Now, he had a personal grudge with me from way back. So, when he saw me trying to cart off some bananas that weren't mine he pulled a gun and shot me dead. Good thing I wasn't actually dead. Surgery saved my life. But what will the owner to the bananas do to me?

https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/18/farmer-shot-for-stealing-bananas-in-quezon/

A 43-year-old farmer was shot for allegedly stealing a bunch of bananas in Sitio Kanluran, Barangay Bukal here on Saturday, Sept. 17.

Police identified the victim as Nilo Alvarez of Barangay Bukal.

Corporal Arvin Comia, officer-on-case, said the suspect, Manuel Mailig, also a resident of Barangay Bukal, allegedly caught the victim carting away bananas from the land owned by Allan Rodriguez at 8:30 p.m.

Mailig, who had a personal grudge against Alvarez, drew a gun and fired at the victim who sustained multiple bullet wounds.

The suspect fled with the weapon and Alvarez was taken to the Candelaria District Hospital in Quezon here but was transferred to the Quezon Medical Center in Lucena City due to his condition and is set for surgery.

Police here learned of the incident after hospital staff informed them that they admitted a patient with bullet wounds.

Hi, my name is Norvie Pacheco Romero. I was out drinking with my friends and we were all having a good time. The music was blasting and the beer was flowing and we were all laughing. What my friends did not know is that I was not having a a good time. Not in the slightest.  In fact I brought a gun and all of a sudden I pulled it out of my sling bag and began firing. I killed three of my friends by shooting them in the head. Another I shot in the shoulder and two others ran away to hide. With my work done I turned the gun on myself and pulled the trigger. Being horrified at what I had done my father removed the gun from the scene of the crime. He was charged with obstruction of justice. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1655400/3-dead-1-wounded-as-man-shoots-drinking-pals-in-apayao

Three people were killed and another was wounded when they were shot by their drinking buddy in Santa Marcela town, Apayao province, on Monday (August 29) evening, police said.

Investigators identified the fatalities as Bong Badua Ramirez, 48; Ryan Santi Soriano, 39; and Edmar Turilla Aguinaldo, 30. The wounded was Stephen Jones Baysa Salvatiera, 33.

An initial investigation showed that suspect Norvie Pacheco Romero, 32, and the victims were having a drinking session when Romero suddenly took his firearm from a sling bag and shot his companions.

It was not immediately known what triggered the suspect to shoot the victims.

Police said the suspect shot himself in the head after the incident.

The suspect’s father was charged with obstruction of justice after allegedly removing the gun from the crime scene.

Hi, my name is Pedro Pequero. My relative, a lawyer named Epafrodito Nollora, died in 1986 and I stole his identity. I even came before the court, appearing as a member of the bar to argue a case. Eventually they got suspicious and I was caught in an entrapment scheme when I appeared before a trial court. I told them that I never knew my father or that I had a relative with the same name as mine but it was to no avail. I was convicted in 2011 and the conviction was upheld in 2020. My story is only now breaking the headlines. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1184410

The Court of Appeals (CA) affirmed the six-year jail sentence of a man who assumed the identity of his dead relative, a lawyer, and even appeared before the court.

In a resolution dated September 19, the CA Sixth Division dismissed the motion for reconsideration filed by Pedro Pequero, found guilty of illegally using an alias, using a fictitious name, usurpation of authority for assuming the identity and name of the late Epafrodito Nollora, and appearing before the court as a member of the Bar.

Aside from the jail term, the appellate court affirmed on March 23, 2020 the 2011decision of a Rizal Regional Trial Court Branch 69, imposing a PHP12,000-fine on Pequero.

Court records showed that Pequero was nabbed in an entrapment operation by the National Bureau of Investigation on June 22, 2011 after he presented himself as Nollora before a Binangonan trial court.

Pequero claimed that he was wrongfully identified as Pedro Nollora Pequero but he is actually Epafrodito Nollora, without a middle name because he is an illegitimate child.

He said the "other" Epafrodito Nollora has the middle name Ariem.

Insisting he is really “Atty. Nollora”, Pequero said he never knew his father and did not know he has a relative who has the same name as his. 

The court said Pequero's assertion that he is a different “Atty. Epafrodito Nollora" is self-serving as court records showed there is only one person with that name in Bar records and who died on May 19, 1986.

Hi, my name is Ricky Candeleria. In 2003 I was cooking a meal outside my house when a friend came up behind me and hit me with something very hot. He also kicked me and beat me. So I took a knife and stabbed his leg. I must have hit an artery because he died due to blood loss. It was a total accident in self-defense but I was not taking any chances so I ran. During my time on the run I painted houses to support my child back home. I was convicted of homicide in 2009. I was only recently caught and will have to spend time in prison but at least I was able to provide for my child despite being absent.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/18/22/man-nabbed-in-muntinlupa-13-years-after-homicide-conviction

A man convicted in 2009 for homicide despite his absence during his trial was nabbed by police on Saturday in Muntinlupa City.

Personnel of the Southern Police District arrested Ricky Candelaria, 37, who went into hiding after being apprehended in 2003 for homicide.

Police said that after being released on bail, Candelaria did not appear anymore in court for his trial.

Candelaria said his case stemmed from a violent encounter with this friend, which resulted in the latter's death.

He said he was cooking outside his home in Muntinlupa when his friend attacked him.

"It didn't happen on purpose. He suddenly hit me. He kicked me, then he beat me with something hot. I took the kitchen knife, I hit him on the leg. That's why he has a wound on his hand, because he was grabbing it, " said Candelaria.

The victim was taken to the hospital but died due to blood loss and cardiac arrest.

Candelaria said that while in hiding, he tried to earn money by painting houses in order to provide for his child's needs.

"Wherever the work is, there is (me). Because I already had a child, no one will support the child," he said.

Candelaria will be transferred to the New Bilibid Prison, police said.

Insurgency: Court Says CPP-NPA Is Not A Terrorist Organization

 It's happened again! The NPA has collapsed. This time in  two places. The first is Agusan del Sur. 

https://www.kalinawnews.com/communist-terrorist-group-in-agsur-collapses-after-a-high-ranking-ctg-leader-and-five-members-surrender-to-the-government/

A Communist Terrorist Group operating in Agusan del Sur collapsed following the surrender of its leader and members to the 26th Infantry Battalion led by Lt Col Sandy Majarocon in Brgy Zamora, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur on September 17, 2022.

The unit's strengthened partnership and collaboration with IP leaders, Former Rebels, families, and the Local Government Units (LGUs) and relentless Focused Military Operations (FMOs) paved way for the surrender of six (6) NPA members including Badong Gumansel Lipanda alias "Reymund ”, CO of Pltn Banglas, Sub-Regional Committee 3, NCMRC. They also surrendered three (3) high-powered firearms and three (3) low-powered firearms consisting of one (1) M16 rifle, two (2) Garand rifles, one (1) shotgun, and two (2) cal.45 pistols, all with magazines and live ammunition.

Fear for their lives, scarcity of food supply, being away from their families and children, and without support from their former mass bases and higher units had pushed alias "Reymund" and his comrades to surrender and finally abandon the terrorist movement. "After the series of encounters with the army, the loss of support from the masses, and the lack of support from our superiors, and the difficulty of food and the desertion of our children, I have decided to surrender with my wife and other members. It will be very difficult for us to approach our former masses because they no longer believe in us and they do not want to be involved in the chaos anymore", alias "Reymund" said in an interview.

Meanwhile, Lt Col Sandy Majarocon, Commanding Officer of this unit, applauded the decision of alias "Reymund" to surrender. "I and the entire army in 26IB are happy that you followed the call to our government and your people when you stopped your futile and aimless activities and we will return to the bosom of our government and pray for good and peace", he said to the surrenderees.

"His (Badong) surrender together with the recent neutralization of his members indicate the collapse of Pltn Banglas, a notorious CTG under SRC3, NCMRC that has been conducting atrocities in the hinter areas of the municipalities of San Luis, Esperanza, and Talacogon of this province since 2010”, Lt Col Majarocon added.

Isn't that great? These rebels who have committed crimes, likely murdered people, and have done only god knows what are now welcomed back into the fold and will never face justice. And it's all because of the bribery program under the NTF-ELCAC.  

One group of surrenderees in Davao City was given motorcycles. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1184002

An association of former rebels have received 15 motorcycles from the city government over the weekend, as part of its Peace 911 initiative aimed at providing sustained support for communities formerly influenced by communist rebels.

“These units will be used to complement our efforts in keeping the peace here in Paquibato. I guarantee (residents) that the city government will always be here for you," said lawyer Jonah Margarette Presto, Peace 911 focal person, in an interview on Monday.

Peace 911 is a comprehensive peace-building and development initiative that focuses on peace economy and strengthening people’s organization, good governance and rule of law, identity and healing, strengthening of people's organizations, and helping resolve ancestral domain issues.

Presto said the 120-strong Paquibato District Peace Builders received the motorcycles to "capacitate" them in maintaining peace and order in Paquibato area, a former flash point for New People's Army (NPA) activities.

The group, composed of former communist mass base organization members, was organized trained, and mobilized as peace advocates during the term of former mayor and now Vice President Sara Z. Duterte.

Their objectives include safeguarding cleared areas from re-entry and resurgence of the NPA in communities, and promote government peace programs and initiatives.

They are going to ride those motorcycles all over and prevent the NPA from regaining strength. That implies that the NPA is not dead at all and Davao City remains threatened.

The second place where the insurgency has collapsed is Davao Oriental.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1941486/davao/local-news/davor-declared-insurgency-free

THE Provincial Government of Davao Oriental officially declared that the province is "insurgency free" — the last in Davao Region to make a formal declaration.

The declaration was formalized during the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting at Honey's Hotel in Mati City on Monday, September 19.

The council unanimously approved Resolution Number 1 series of 2022, declaring the province as insurgency-free after Guerilla Front South was dismantled on April 18, 2021; Guerilla Front North on June 20, 2021; and Guerilla Front 18 on September 15, 2022, all previously operating in Davao Oriental. Likewise, 108 Communist NPA Terrorists and 109 firearms were neutralized and captured by the security sector in the said province from the 3rd Quarter of 2019 to date.

In a report presented by 701st Infantry Brigade Commander BGen. Oliver Maquiling, he said they attribute the successful counterinsurgency campaign to the convergence of government agencies in implementing various peace and development programs.

Governor Corazon Malanyaon said it was high time to declare the province as insurgency-free, especially now that the province is aggressively promoting its tourism.

“We have what it takes to be a premier tourist destination, and Davao Oriental is worth visiting. But we also have to consider that the tourism industry is too sensitive to peace and order,” Malanyaon said.

"We are now witnessing history. All of our provinces here in Davao Region were declared insurgency-free. Now, I urge everyone to continue our efforts and not rest on our laurels. We will continue to push further towards the attainment of sustainable development in the whole Region,” Mempin said.

Is it simply unbelievable that the reason they made this declaration is to promote tourism. Sure, they claim all the guerrilla fronts have been dismantled and all known NPA terrorists have been captured or neutralized but the fact that peacekeepers have been given motorcycles to ride around the Davao Region and make sure the NPA does not regain strength means the threat of the NPA is not over. 

In Surigao del Sur a top NPA leader was killed.  

https://www.kalinawnews.com/communist-terrorist-leader-dead-in-surigao-del-sur/

The leader of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) Noel Tumarlas Alacre found dead after the intensified military operation of the 36th Infantry (Valor) Battalion at Sitio Mahanon, Maitom, Tandag City on September 16, 2022.

On September 15, 2022, at 1:30 am, more or less four (4) unidentified personalities burned three (3) motorcycles and fired several gunshots along Barangay Maitom road, Tandag City, Surigao del Sur. The Mahanon Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA) detachment of 36IB then conducted a strike patrol to trail the arsonists which led them along the Tandag river line. The following day, troops on the continuous pursuit of the CTGs then recovered an armed and lifeless body along the river bank of Sitio Maitom, Mahanon, Tandag City, Surigao del Sur on September 16, 2022.

The cadaver was then identified as Noel Tumarlas Alacre, also known as Megan/Hardy/Heinrich/Vernie/Jerson, the Commanding Officer (CO) of Platoon 2, Weakened Guerilla Front 30 (WGF30), North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC). Alacre has Twenty-eight (28) Warrants of Arrest for numerous Criminal Cases composing Twelve (12) counts of Murder, Eight (8) counts of Attempted Murder, Three (3) counts of Frustrated Murder, Two (2) counts of Slight Illegal Detention, One (1) count of Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention, Arson, and Abduction.

The 36IB was able to recover in his possession the following: One (1) R4A3, steel and plastic rifle magazines with live ammunition, rifle grenades, cellular phones, and personal items.

The terroristic act of arson and reckless firing perpetuated by the CTGs was immediately responded to by the Mahanon CAA Detachment, forcing the CTG leader to cross the Tandag river even under heavy rain and current leading to his eventual death. Troops were able to recover the lifeless body of Alacre as his subordinates fled and left their commander for their personal safety.

That is good news. It might spell the end of NPA in Surigao del Sur. Another NPA leader was also killed during fighting with the NPA and IP's are calling it justice. In fact it seems there has been an unbated slaughter of IPs by the NPA.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1184138

The recent death of New People’s Army (NPA) leader Noel Alacre gives justice to indigenous peoples (IPs) who fell victims to the cruelty of communist insurgents in Surigao del Sur, an IP representative said Tuesday.

In an interview, Datu Rico Maca, the Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of San Miguel town, said Alacre and his men were responsible for the killing of several IP leaders and members in the province.

“I could no longer count the number of IP leaders and members, particularly from the Manobo tribe these NPA rebels have killed for years,” Maca said.

He cited the killing of 73-year-old Datu Bernandino Montenegro Astudillo, the tribal chieftain of Barangay Magroyong, San Miguel.

Astudillo, along with another IP member Zaldy Ibañez, 52, were stabbed to death by NPA rebels on March 19, 2020, in Barangay Magroyong.

“It was Alacre’s men who killed Astudillo and Ibañez. They even admitted it in a statement they released a few days after committing the murder,” Maca said.

He described the NPA rebels under Alacre's command as “notorious criminals who treated the IPs in Surigao del Sur as wild animals.”

Just think about this. If the killing of an NPA leader who terrorized people is justice what does it say about the government's bribery program whereby any terrorist can surrender and be given money, housing, and job training? Imagine if Alacre had surrendered and been given job training and money. 

Now for the biggest story of the week regarding the insurgency. A court in Manila has rejected the DOJ's bid to declared the CPP-NPA as a terrorist group.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1668742/manila-court-nixes-govts-petition-to-declare-cpp-npa-as-terror-organization

A Manila court has dismissed the government’s petition to declare the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), as a terrorist organization.

The government filed the proscription petition through the Department of Justice (DOJ) in 2018 based on Section 17 of Republic Act 9372 or the Human Security Act of 2007. If granted, it hoped to seek clearance from the Court of Appeals for wiretapping, freezing, and viewing bank accounts of CPP-NPA leaders and members.

In denying the government’s case, Manila Regional Trial Court Presiding Judge Marlo Magdoza-Malgar said the CPP-NPA was not organized for terrorism.

“While the armed struggle with the violence that necessarily accompanies it is indubitably the approved means to achieve the CPP-NPA’s purpose, means is not synonymous with purpose. Stated otherwise, armed struggle is only a means to achieve the CPP’s purpose; it is not the purpose of the creation of the CPP,” part of the court’s 135-page ruling said.

CPP’s 10-point plans of action, the court said, “are reasonable aspirations of any civilized society.”

Included in the 10-point program are the following:

– Fight for national unity and democratic rights

– upholding the principle of democratic centralism,

– solving the land problem,

– carrying out national industrialization,

– promoting national scientific and mass culture,

– respecting the right to self-determination of the Bangsamoro and other national minorities and adopting an active and independent foreign policy.

That is quite an astonishing ruling and it will not be surprising if this judge is harassed and red-tagged by the usual suspects. In brief the court ruled that founding purpose of the CPP-NPA is not armed struggle. Armed struggle is only a means to achieve that purpose. Purpose and means are not synonymous. The DOJ will not be contesting this ruling because it was filed under the now obsolescent HSA.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1669467/doj-wont-contest-manila-courts-dismissal-of-bid-to-tag-cpp-npa-as-terrorists-they-used-old-law

The Department of Justice (DOJ) would not contest a Manila court’s dismissal of a petition for proscription that sought to label the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as terrorist organizations on the grounds that the court had relied on an archaic legal provision in reaching its decision.

DOJ spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano said in a statement on Friday that the Human Security Act of 2007 was the basis for the Manila Regional Trial Court’s decision, despite having been repealed by Republic Act No. 11479, also known as the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

According to Clavano, it is the responsibility of the Court of Appeals, not lower courts, to determine whether or not a group is a terrorist organization, as required by the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). Therefore, the Department of Justice did not petition for reconsideration (MR).

“Yes, we will forego remedies of filing a Motion for Reconsideration and Petition for Certiorari under Rule 65. Instead, we will file a new proscription case under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (ATA),” he said.

“Under that law, jurisdiction over proscription cases fall under the original jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals,” he added. “We opted not to file an MR because the basis of the RTC decision is the Human Security Act which has already been repealed by the ATA.”

Earlier, in an interview with CNN Philippines’ The Source, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla also shared Clavano’s sentiments, noting that the duty of proscription or designation falls under the Court of Appeals.

“The law used in RTC case is already a law repealed by the anti-terror act of 2020. Appealing the case will not serve us any good or even filing MR kasi walang batas talaga na dapat pagusapan dito. The law covered by the case is a repealed law,” Remulla said.

If there is one thing this ruling elucidates it is the need for Philippine courts to act FASTER! It took four years for this case to come to a conclusion and in that time the original law on which it was based was repealed! 

It should be remembered that last year the Anti-Terrorism Council, ATC, declared the CPP-NPA to be terrorist groups. However, such a declaration has no legal weight but is only the opinion of the ATC. With this court ruling the DOJ is prevented from wiretapping, and freezing the bank accounts of CPP-NPA leaders and members. 

While some see this ruling as a setback former Senator Lacson says that is not the case. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1669101/dismissed-bid-to-declare-cpp-npa-as-terrorists-not-a-setback-to-anti-terror-law

Former senator Panfilo Lacson maintained that the decision of a Manila court to dismiss petitions seeking to declare the Communist Party of the Philippines and the the New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as terrorists is not a setback to the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 2020.

Lacson, a strong proponent and the author of the law, said that the Manila Regional Trial Court’s decision to junk the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) petition for proscription is pursuant to the ‘Saving Clause’ provision which the ATA itself provided.

Thus, Lacson said, it “should not in any way be interpreted as a setback for the law itself.”

The former lawmaker also explained that this is basically the reason why proscription is relegated to the wisdom of the court, as it may involve the detention of individuals and members of organizations suspected of violating the ATA.

“That being said, that is exactly the reason why ‘proscription’ is designed to be the exclusive authority of the judiciary since it could involve possible detention of individuals and members of organizations suspected to be violating the Act, hence due process of law must be strictly observed,” Lacson said.

“Unlike ‘designation’ which only involves preliminary freezing of bank accounts and assets of those involved in terrorist financing, and which the Anti Terrorism Council is given the authority to perform since it is merely an administrative act,” he explained.

It appears he is saying two things here. The first is that only the courts have the authority to proscribe, or forbid and outlaw, the CPP-NPA. The second is that persons suspected of violating the ATA could be detained which means "due process of law must be strictly observed." That is to say innocent people could be detained. That has been one of the arguments against the ATA from the beginning.  Strange to hear Lacson spouting those talking points. 

It turns out that the judge who made this ruling was indeed harassed, red-tagged, and even threatened with death by Lorraine Badoy.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1669815/judge-attacked-online-for-junking-terror-tag-on-cpp-npa

In a Sept. 23 post on Facebook, a former spokesperson for the government’s anti-communist task force ranted against the judge who dismissed the Department of Justice (DOJ) petition to outlaw the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA).

Lorraine Badoy accused Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 19 Presiding Judge Marlo Apalisok Magdoza-Malagar of lawyering for the CPP-NPA after she dismissed the DOJ’s 2018 proscription petition. She called the judge a “friend” and “true ally” of the insurgents who gave her 135-page decision as a “gift” and “propaganda material.”

The online attacks against Malagar led by Badoy and her followers have prompted a former president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines to call on the Supreme Court to provide “clear and concrete” assistance to ensure the protection of lawyers and judges who are victims of red-tagging.

Lawyer Domingo Cayosa told the Inquirer that the court should “do a lot more,” including educating the public on judicial roles and processes.

The government should also pass anti-red tagging laws to prosecute and penalize people engaged in the practice, he said.

“The new national security adviser announced that red-tagging would be discontinued, but it remains to be seen,” Cayosa said in a text message.

In her now-deleted Facebook post, Badoy said: “So if I kill this judge and I do so out of my political belief that all allies of the CPP NPA NDF must be killed because there is no difference in my mind between a member of the CPP NPA NDF and their friends, then please be lenient with me.”

By making her statement “hypothetical,” Cayosa said Badoy “avoids being charged with grave threats”

“Criticizing or commenting on a judicial decision is part of freedom of expression,” he said.

Badoy has removed that Facebook post.

Truly Lorraine Badoy is a disgusting creature. A group of judges have spoken out condemning Badoy's words but that won't deter her. More decisive action is needed against that woman.