Insurgency: Philippine Government Looking for "Right Time" for Final Settlement With Reds

The secession of sovereign Philippine territory to a group fo terrorists known as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the MILF, is going so well that Presidential Peace Advisor Galvez claims it will become a model for the world. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1190067

Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) chief, said the various normalization mechanisms of the Bangsamoro peace process will make the Philippines a model for other countries to follow.

“We (Philippines) will become the model of the world in terms of our peace process,” Galvez said in his message during the Joint Normalization Committee (JNC) meeting and assessment workshop held on Dec. 2 and was posted on the OPAPRU Facebook page on Sunday.

He said these mechanisms are helping the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in fulfilling commitments made by the national government under all signed Bangsamoro peace agreements.

Galvez also said the successful implementation of these normalization mechanisms allowed the President to make the Bangsamoro peace process as the "centerpiece" of his administration’s bid to become a member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) by 2027.

Galvez noted that these mechanisms, which are under the oversight of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Peace Implementing Panels, "aim to transform former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants and their families into peaceful and productive individuals, and their areas into progressive and resilient communities.

It's not clear which countries exactly will be taking the BARMM as a model. Will Russia cede Chechnya  as an act of appeasement molded on the BARMM? Doubtful. 

Remember the leader of the MILF Ebrahim Murad  is on record saying decommissioning does not mean surrender.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1162067/milfs-murad-decommissioning-is-not-surrender

“We have not given up on our struggle.” 

“We are not surrendering. Decommissioning is not tantamount to surrendering,” said Ebrahim, who is also Chief Minister of the interim Bangsamoro government. 

“I would like to emphasize that the decommissioning doesn’t mean we have given up on what we used to fight for,” Ebrahim emphasized.

What the MILF used to fight for, the reason the group broke away from the MNLF, is the formation of an independent Muslim Mindanao. Will they continue to pursue this goal? According to Murad the answer is yes. How they continue this fight remains to be seen.

This is the first time I have seen joining the UN Security Council as a goal of the Marcos administration. Has this ben kept under wraps? Why bother joining the UNSC when the Philippines clearly rejects international law by refusing to enforce the WPS ruling? 

As I have noted before with each new President the clock on the insurgency gets reset back to zero. Marcos is no exception. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1185663

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has dismantled five guerilla fronts during the first 100 days in office of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The military likewise neutralized 310 members of the New People's Army and 58 members of local terrorist groups, and recovered some 350 firearms, AFP Public Affairs Office chief, Col. Jorry Baclor, said in a statement on Saturday.

Honestly who cares? Did Marcos dismantle these fronts? Was the AFP suddenly inspired by Marcos to dismantle these fronts? This is a 52 year insurgency at this point. Instead of looking at the small picture why not look at the whole? When Marcos is gone we will see the same kind of reporting with the next president and it will be just as asinine and unhelpful. 

In fact it is certain the Communist insurgency will continue at least for a few more years. At least until the time is right. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/08/22/govt-looking-for-right-time-for-final-settlement-with-reds-peace-adviser

With what he describes as successes in local peace engagement with communist rebels, the Philippine government’s peace advisor said on Wednesday he remains optimistic the world’s longest insurgency will be brought to an end “at the right time”.

Sec. Carlito Galvez, presidential adviser on peace, reconciliation, and unity, said a “non-lethal approach” implemented by the government in recent years has helped win over former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) - New People’s Army (NPA).

The administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has also focused on amplifying localized talks as its main tool of engaging with rebels, but Galvez said they are waiting for the “perfect moment” to finally put the insurgency to a close.

“We will keep still kahit ‘yong small opening for the final settlement—political settlement—of the conflict. And we are looking for the right time for that. And hopefully the right time is really now,” Galvez told reporters at a forum in Manila.

“Even though we are engaging now massively with local peace engagement, there should be a complete termination of the conflict, and that is the political settlement. And we are waiting for the time the CPP-NPA will commit itself for very goodwill engagement with the government.”

The peace adviser, who is a retired military general, said they will look at having a final settlement with the Reds once the government is “convinced they are sincere” in that commitment.

Since 2019 when the Duterte administration terminated peace talks with the Reds, around 27,000 communist guerrillas have surrendered to the government, Galvez said.

Armed confrontations, he added, have “completely diminished into negligible levels”, as police and military have been able to implement what he calls a “perpetual ceasefire.”

It sounds like they are waiting for the CPP-NPA to complete stop fighting before they will engage in any peace talks as any other situation shows they are not sincere. Confrontations still happen so it is not right to call the current situation a perpetual ceasefire. This is the kind of dismissive attitude that always leads to trouble. 

On December 8th the AFP engaged with 5 rebels in Kalinga. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1703434/army-troops-npa-rebels-clash-in-kalinga

Army soldiers and seven alleged communist rebels clashed in Tinglayan town, Kalinga province on Thursday (December 8), the military said Friday.

Army Capt. Rigor Pamittan, chief of the military’s 5th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office, said the government troops chanced upon the rebels belonging to the Komiteng Larangang Gerilya-Abra Mountain Province Ilocos Sur during a security operation at Sitio (sub-village) Balay in Barangay (village) Tulgao West before noon.

A five-minute firefight ensued from the encounter, forcing the rebels to eventually withdraw.

Pamittan said no soldiers were wounded in the skirmish, but bloodstains were spotted at the clash site, an indication that some of the rebels could have been wounded in the firefight.

Two days later in the same province they found an abandoned arms cache. 

https://www.kalinawnews.com/50ib-pnp-recover-arms-cache-in-kalinga/

An arms cache containing several war materiel was recovered in a joint operation of the 50th Infantry Battalion and Kalinga PNP at Sitio Kalakatan, Barangay Mabaca, Balbalan, Kalinga on December 9, 2022.

The said troops acted upon the information provided by a concerned citizen on the alleged hideout of the Communist NPA terrorist believed to be members of the Weakened Komiteng Larangang Guerilla – Baggas.

Upon verification, combined troops discovered an enemy hideout that was abandoned for months based on the tracks found.

After a thorough search in the area, the combined troops located an arms cache containing one colt M16A1 rifle with four magazines, two Garand rifles with five magazine clips, one carbine rifle, three rifle grenades, 27 pieces of 7.62mm ammunition, two M203 live ammunition, one 60mm live ammunition, two sticks of Ammonium nitrate, three improvised explosive devices, electric wire, blasting cap, medical paraphernalia, NPA flag other personal belongings, and subversive documents.

The dwindling number of the KLG-Baggas may have sorted in leaving the war materiel to escape the government forces. Moreso, the sustained campaign of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) of Kalinga draws close to the dismantling of KLG-Baggas.

To recall, on December 8, troops of the 54th Infantry Battalion encountered the members of Weakened KLG Ampis in Brgy Tulgao, Tinglayan, Kalinga.

Get it? The KLG is being weakened. But on December 6th the AFP engaged he KLG in Apayo. 

https://www.kalinawnews.com/firearm-ammos-recover-after-firefight-in-apayao/

High-powered firearm owned by the members of Komiteng Larangan Guerilla North Abra were recovered after an armed encounter on December 06, 2022, in Barangay Maragat, Kabugao, Apayao.

Along with the high-powered firearm, ammunitions and subversive documents were also retrieved by the troops of the 102nd Infantry Battalion after scouring the encounter site.

Prior, troops of the 102nd Infantry Battalion conducted combat operations when the locals tipped off the presence of the terrorist group.

It should be recalled that back in August this year 2 soldiers died during an firefight in this same town and province.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1181718

Two Army soldiers died on Thursday in a running gunbattle between the soldiers and communist guerrillas in the mountains of Lenneng in Kabugao town, Apayao province, the military reported.

Captain Rigor Pamittan, 5th Infantry Division public affairs chief and spokesperson, identified the fatalities as 2nd Lt. Nasser Dimalanes of Maguindanao, and Private First Class Jaime Fontanilla Jr. of La Union.

The Army soldiers chanced upon the 30-member communist guerrillas operating along the Apayao-Abra area of the Cordillera in a combat patrol following tips from villagers that armed men have been spotted in Lenneng village.

30 NPA fighters is nothing to sneeze at nor is the death of these two soldiers. For Sec. Carlito Galvez to say that encounters "have completely diminished into negligible levels” and that there is a "perpetual ceasefire" is ridiculous propaganda belying the facts on the ground. 

Last month the AFP said they have reduced the number of active guerrilla fronts from 80 to 5. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/07/22/afp-active-communist-guerrilla-fronts-down-to-5

Only five communist guerrilla fronts remain active, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Lt. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro said Monday.

During the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, there were as many as 89 guerrilla fronts.

Bacarro said there are 19 communist guerrilla fronts that are being pursued, but these are classified as “weakened.”

“Insurgency is already in the down trend. It has reached the level na kaya na natin sila. This is a commitment we have given to the former president and to the current president,” Bacarro told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo.

He went on, “We have a thinking enemy also. For every action we do, there is always a reaction. So kailangan natin ng counteraction. But I am happy to report that out of the 89 active guerrilla fronts that we had starting 2018, right now, we have around 24 guerrilla fronts."

"But out of these 24 guerrilla fronts, only five are active. The remaining 19 are now classified as weakened.”

Most of the active communist armed groups are based in Samar and Cotabato.

The AFP chief said he expects the remaining guerrilla fronts to be dismantled “within a short period of time,” adding that communist rebels are losing relevance due to the continuous decrease of their forces.

“We are gaining traction. We are gaining a lot of accomplishments in further reducing the capabilities of the enemy, particularly insurgents. This comes in the form of manpower nila, firearms nila, resource generation, even the support they’re getting from the people and the community, medyo mababa na,” said Bacarro.

According to the AFP, there are only around 2,100 communist rebels holding arms.

If there are 19 "weakened" fronts then they are still active. Weakened does not mean dismantled. And with the AFP constantly warning about recruitment they know these "weakened" fronts could see a resurgence. Note that the estimated number of NPA fighters holding arms is 2,100. A few months ago it was a flat 2,000.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/844943/insurgents-present-manpower-no-more-than-2-000-says-military/story/

The current number of insurgents in the country is only about 2,000, a military official told lawmakers on Thursday, even as he admitted that "social ills" continue to inspire individuals to join armed anti-government struggle.

"Based on our assessment, the manpower is no more than 2,000 insurgents and approximately the same number of firearms," said Vice Admiral Rommel Anthony Reyes, deputy chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, during a budget presentation at the House of Representatives.

2,100 could be said to be "about 2,000" but why would the AFP raise the estimate to 2,100 only two months later? Is this another simple mistake or something more? 

The Philippines Commission on Appointments is a Joke

The Commission on Appointments is a body of lawmakers tasked with vetting Presidential appointees. Their job is very important as it is through the process of vetting that the public learns if the appointee is worthy of the position assigned to them. But in the Philippines it seems the CA is a joke. In particular I am referring to the hearing of DOST Secretary Renato Solidium. 

Three questions were asked of him that reflect quite poorly on the men the people elected to represent them. First up is Representative Jurdin Jesus Romulado.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1702689/solon-to-science-secretary-can-a-volcano-be-punctured

With suggestions about puncturing a volcano and inventing astronauts’ food, the confirmation hearing for Science Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. at the legislative Commission on Appointments descended into a theater of the absurd.

Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo asked if the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) could fashion a metal drill used to make spaceships to pierce volcanoes.

The lawmaker from an island province with seven volcanoes in Mindanao raised the rather ridiculous suggestion, and deadpanned: “I want to ask if the material used for rockets that can withhold heat in going to the moon or (space) exploration can be used to drill holes on volcanoes.”

“The lava will come out so that the volcano will not erupt. Is there a study on that? I’m so curious,” he said.

“Imagine, (space rockets) do not melt when they return from space. Why can’t we use it to drill holes so that volcanoes will no longer erupt?”

Solidum explained that volcanoes spew out materials due to the buildup of pressure and high temperature from within.

“Even if one would tamper with the volcano, it may trigger eruption, not stop it because the magma is more enormous than whatever trigger we want to do,” Solidum said.

“We cannot control it. It might actually cause the volcano to explode as we lessen the pressure,” added Solidum, who served the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology for 14 years.

“If we lessen the pressure of the volcano at the top, it might trigger the sudden rise of magma and it will explode. That’s why nobody has tried to do that,” he said.

It's easy to laugh at this idiot for suggesting volcanoes can be drilled in order to let off pressure thereby preventing an eruption but let's get behind the question. The fact is there are active volcanoes in the Philippines, notably Mayon and Taal. People have been displaced and have died as a result of eruptions. Obviously Representative Romulado wants to avert any future disasters and save lives.

But there are ways to do that without planning something as ridiculous as drilling into a volcano. How about cordoning off the area and forbidding habitation within a certain limit of all active volcanoes? It is a fact that residents are reluctant to leave their homes despite the danger. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/826425/some-residents-around-taal-refuse-to-flee/story/

Perhaps Representative Romulado prides himself for thinking outside the box but he is doing no such thing. He dreaming impossible dreams when there are solutions at hand. It's like using a hammer to open a can of beans. It can be done but why do it when you can use a can opener!? Why is he asking this question anyway? What bearing does it have on the fitness of Solidium to the post of DOST Secretary? It has none and it only serves to make Romulado look like a complete incompetent fool. 

The next Bozo is worst than the first.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1702514/astronaut-food-or-food-pill-for-poor-broached-at-dost-chiefs-confirmation-hearing

Feeding the poorest Filipinos with food pills that could last for days or months like what astronauts eat in space has crossed the mind of a lawmaker.

Sagip Partylist Representative Rodante Marcoleta broached this idea on Wednesday during the confirmation hearing of Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Umali Solidum Jr.

Marcoleta noted that astronauts survive in space even without cooking food there.

"I’m thinking aloud that if we could invent food that they can eat, I will give it to our poor countrymen. Even for months that they don’t eat, they will not die," the lawmaker said during the hearing of the Commission on Appointment’s committee on science and technology.

"Do we have that kind of food? Can we do that?," he asked. 

Solidum answered in the negative, noting that what is available right now are meals ready to eat for disaster victims, which have a shell life of six months.

Explaining further his idea, Marcoleta cited an example of a food pill that could be taken only once but could last for weeks already.

"Because when astronauts eat their food, it will last for several days, if not months. The poorest of the poor really have no food to eat,"  he said.

"This is just palliative. Meaning to say, we just have to fill up the gap. In case we can help the poorest of the poor, you can invent a pill or whatever, and I will accept it,"  he added.

“If the poor can take the pill, they can go two weeks without buying food or cooking, and that is a huge deal. Can we make something like that?” the lawmaker further asked.

Solidum said they would look into it but assured the committee that food security is a concern of the DOST.

You have to hand it to Solidum for maintaining his composure while this pompous ass is questioning him about magic food pills that will suppress the appetite for weeks and months on end. There is no such thing and if there were procuring them would be vastly more expensive than actually increasing the harvest yield. Astronauts eat real food that is specially prepared for their needs. Not only that but they can also "cook" their food.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_food

Modern astronauts have a greater variety of main courses to choose from and many astronauts request personalized menus from lists of available foods including items like fruit salad and spaghetti. Fresh fruits and vegetables that can be safely stored at room temperature are eaten on space flights. Astronauts sometimes request beef jerky for flights, as it has an extended shelf life and a strong flavor.

The International Space Station is fitted with rehydration chambers and food warmers to prepare the packaged food before consumption. The first and only kitchen on ISS was located in the Russian Orbital Segment (ROS), containing a hydration system for reheating food, and a food warmer for canned food. The United States developed the second food warmer system in a briefcase-like shape to provide the reheating function for packet-style food items. A second galley was added to the Unity module due to the crew size increase. Combined dinners were rare, as Russian, Space Shuttle, and other ISS astronauts were often eating in their own segments with different schedules.

On Tiangong Space Station, the kitchen is located in the Tianhe core module, alongside with living quarters and entertainment systems. Huang Weifen, the chief astronaut trainer of China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), explained that the station is equipped with a small kitchen table for food preparation and the first-ever microwave oven in spaceflight so that astronauts can "always have hot food whenever they need."

Representative Marcoleta deserves nothing but laughter for this asinine line of questioning. And he admits that it "is just a palliative" and that they "have to fill up the gap!" How about he ask Solidum questions regarding how he would fill that gap? What about increasing food production and bringing down prices and ending rampant food smuggling which undercuts famers? I suppose reality is too much for this politician that he'd rather resort to magical solutions to feed the poor people of the Philippines. Is this the modern equivalent of let them eat cake? 

By the way Marcoleta loves to brag about how he helped destroy ABS-CBN by voting no for a franchise renewal. 

https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom/status/1508980933638377474

Great job, bobo!

The third and final clown in the Commission on Appeals' theater of the absurd is Camarines Sur Representative Luis “Lray” Villafuerte. 

At the start of the hearing, Camarines Sur Representative Luis “Lray” Villafuerte asked about Solidum’s favorite movies.

“Just to know the character of  the person, my colleagues might laugh again, but this is  in relation to your fitness.  Your hobby is watching  Netflix…My question is, what is your favorite movies in Netflix?” Villafuerte asked.

When Solidum said he was into investigative series, Villafuerte commented that the nominee should have been  in the cyberlab section of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The lawmaker explained that if the DOST chief really loves science and technology, he should be watching  documentaries like how other countries prospered because of science and technology.

Senator  Grace   Poe   interjected,  saying: “I think many of us, although we like our jobs, when we go home, we like to watch something that is a little bit different from what we do.”

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1702589/can-rocket-materials-be-used-to-stop-volcanic-eruptions-solon-asks-dost-chief

How does what Solidium enjoy watching on Netflix have any bearing on his fitness to his being DOST Secretary? It does not! And then Villafuerte has the gall to tell this man that if he "really loves science and technology" then "he should be watching  documentaries like how other countries prospered because of science and technology." What?

So, this career politician, who has been charged with graft multiple times over the past decade, thinks the DOST Secretary should be watching documentaries in order to learn skills that can aid him in causing the Philippines to prosper because of science and technology? How would that transfer to prosperity for the Philippines? And what documentaries does he have in mind? Can he name even one? Does he watch documentaries about proper governance in order to cause the Philippines to prosper? Does this moron not understand that it is corrupt politicians and bureaucrats like himself who stand in the way of progress in the Philippines? 

Here is my take away from this "theater of the absurd." Filipino politicians have ZERO solutions for this nation. From drilling into volcanos to feeding the poor appetite suppressing food pills they are engaged in magical thinking that has no bearing on reality whatsoever. It's as bad as someone planning his life around winning the lottery instead of actually fixing his life. These men simply refuse to deal with the problems in the Philippines in anything like a forthright and honest manner. 

Retards in the Government 287

It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption in the Philippine government.

  

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1700468/cop-accidentally-fires-service-rifle-inside-pnp-camp-in-laguna

A policeman in Calamba City accidentally fired his service firearm on Thursday.

The Region 4A police reported that Staff Sergeant Joel Ramos, assigned to Camp Vicente Lim in Calamba, accidentally discharged his service rifle during the routine inspection of firearms around 8 a.m.

No one was hit by the bullet from the firearm.

The report said Ramos was the outgoing duty guard when the incident happened.

Police confiscated Ramos’ firearm and placed him inside the camp’s barracks while an investigation was underway.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. has ordered all police commanders to ensure their men are adept at gun handling.

Azurin also ordered all policemen to undergo more gun safety training

Another cop is being investigated for accidentally discharging his firearm.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1189939

The Sandiganbayan has convicted comedian and former Quezon City councilor Roderick Paulate for graft and nine counts of falsification of documents in connection with the hiring of “ghost employees” in 2010.

The 7th Division of the Sandiganbayan sentenced Paulate and his driver Vicente Bajamunde up to 62 years imprisonment for falsifying public records of up to 30 fictitious workers assigned to his office.

“It bears noting that the job order contracts and general payrolls are deemed falsified documents because the job contractors subject therein do not exist. Accused (Paulate) maintained their existence and thus, to overcome the prosecution’s claim, accused only need to prove that they exist. Unfortunately, he failed in this respect,” the decision penned by Associate Justice Zaldy V. Trespeses, said.

The court said Paulate took advantage of his position and used the documents to obligate the funds and disburse them.

“..(I)t can safely be concluded that he was the author of the falsification or asked somebody else to prepare the falsified documents,” the court added.

Paulate was elected as Quezon City councilor in 2010 and was later accused of hiring 30 job order (JO) workers from July to December of the same year. He issued certifications after every 15th and end of the month that the job contractors rendered services for 40 hours a week.

He also designated his then driver, co-accused Bajamunde, as liaison officer and authorized him to receive in bulk the wages of the job contractors.

During those months, Paulate’s office received PHP125,000 every payday, totaling PHP1.109 million.

Verifications made on entries in the personal data sheets of the hired job contractors later revealed that they have no birth records, NBI application, or school records and their addresses could not be located. 

Comedian gets elected to office, hires ghost employees, and gets sentenced to 62 years in prison! Send in the clowns!

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1700636/court-convicts-kalayaan-mayor-of-online-sexual-harassment

A local court here has found Kalayaan town Mayor Roberto del Mundo guilty of gender-based online sexual harassment under Republic Act 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by a former employee of Kalayaan local government who accused del Mundo of sending her lewd messages, and “making unwelcome advances and sexist remarks through Facebook messenger from February to March 2020.

The victim sought help from the National Bureau of Investigation in May 2021 to file a case before the city prosecutor, which later found probable cause to charge del Mundo.

In the 22-page decision signed by Judge Rohima Sarra of Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 2 dated November 28, del Mundo was found guilty “beyond reasonable doubt” and was sentenced to two years, four months, and one day to three years and six months imprisonment.

Sought for comments, del Mundo’s spokesperson Ariel Carlos said through a text message that the mayor “cannot issue anything yet because we have not yet received a copy (of the decision).”

Del Mundo is currently serving a one-month suspension for “simple misconduct” in relation to a grave abuse of authority and misconduct complaint filed against him and several other local government officials in 2018 before the Office of the Ombudsman. He is set to return to office on Monday, December 5.

A local mayor has been found guilty of sexual harassment. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1190064

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Monday announced that its operatives in Cagayan de Oro City along with the local police have arrested a Philippine Army (PA) corporal engaged in the illegal selling of high-powered firearms.

CIDG director, Brig. Gen. Ronald O. Lee, identified the suspect as 33-year-old Cpl. Gilbert Roja.

He said Roja was arrested while in the act of selling high-powered weapons to a poseur buyer around 1:15 a.m. Sunday along Masterson Avenue, Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City.

Seized from Roja’s possession were one modified Troy Carbine M-4 rifle with attached scope; one Rock Island .45-caliber pistol; two fragmentation grenades; one M-16 magazine; three .45-caliber magazines; one hand fragmentation grenade safety case; 411 rounds of assorted ammunition; one backpack; one sling bag; two IDs; three mobile phones; and marked money.

The arrested suspect along with the pieces of evidence are now under the custody of the CIDG Cagayan de Oro.

Roja will face charges for violation of Republic Act (RA) 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Law) and RA 9516 (illegal possession of explosives).

An Army corporal has been arrested for illegally selling firearms.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/05/22/police-officer-who-allegedly-hit-security-guard-in-naia-placed-on-administrative-relief

A police officer who allegedly hit a security guard in NAIA Terminal 1 has been relieved, the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (AVSEGROUP) announced Sunday.

P/Lt. Col. Reynaldo Honrado, Public Information Officer of the AVSEGROUP, said in a phone interview that the said cop was placed on “administrative relief.”

Acting Director of AVSEGROUP P/Col. Anthony Aberin explained in a statement that the move was “to give way to an impartial investigation.”

“It has always been my instruction to our field commanders to coordinate and give full support to our partner agencies involved in the security of our airports,” Aberin said.

A senior officer allegedly hit a security guard last Dec. 1 at around 11:35 p.m. after the former’s group was prevented from entering through the lobby exit area, according to the statement released by the PIO AVSEGROUP.

Aberin said the cop will face the necessary consequences if proven guilty.

"We will not tolerate our staff if it is proven that there was a mistake and something was done contrary to the sworn duty. We will investigate what happened and we will also cooperate with the concerned authorities in the investigation of this incident", he said.

A police officer who hit a security guard at NAIA has been placed on administrative leave. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1190178

A former town official was killed while her husband was wounded in a predawn drive-by shooting incident in Isabela City of Basilan province on Tuesday.

Col. Richard Verceles, operations chief of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao, said Melissa Alih, 30, died while her husband, Jack, 30, was hospitalized following the 12:10 a.m. attack.

Melissa was the former assistant municipal secretary in the island town of Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan.

Verceles said investigation showed the couple was aboard a motorcycle on the way home to Barangay Tabuk, Isabela City, when repeatedly shot at closed range by one of two men riding tandem on another motorcycle that tailed them in Barangay Doña Ramona T. Alano.

He said the attending physician declared that Melissa expired around 12:45 a.m.

Police investigators recovered four empty shells from a .45-caliber pistol at the crime scene.

A thorough probe is underway to determine the motive as well as identities of the perpetrators behind the incident, police said.

A former town official has been assassinated. 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1947978/manila/local-news/chief-of-pdea-office-2-agents-arrested-in-drug-sting

POLICE arrested in a drug bust Tuesday evening, December 6, 2022, the chief of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Southern District in the National Capital Region along with two of his agents and driver.

Southern Police District Director Brigadier General Kirby John Kraft identified the arrested individuals as Enrique Lucero, chief of the PDEA Southern District Office, PDEA agents Anthony Vic Alabastro and Jaireh Llaguno, and driver Mark Warren Mallo.

He said the drug bust was conducted at the PDEA South District Office located on A. Bonifacio St., Barangay Upper Bicutan, Taguig City around 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Seized during the operation were substance believed to be methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) with an estimated weight of more or less 1,350 grams and worth P9,180,000.

PDEA Director retired General Moro Virgilio Lazo expressed dismay over the arrest of his men but he assured that there will be no “sacred cows” under his leadership.

The suspects are now under the custody of the National Capital Region Police Office drug unit for proper disposition pending the filing of appropriate charges at the Taguig City Prosecutor's Office. 

A local PDEA Chief and two PDEA agents have been busted on drug charges.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1702226/sultan-kudarat-gov-orders-relief-of-lambayong-town-police-chief

Sultan Kudarat Governor Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu has ordered the relief of the Lambayong police chief and police personnel involved in the operation that killed three youths in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat at the dawn hours of Dec. 2.

Mangudadatu said the relief of the police officers would pave the way for an impartial investigation which was what the family of the slain youths demanded from the government. “We assure the public and the families of the victims that we are exhausting all efforts that there will be justice,” he said. “Wala tayong kinikilingan (We are not siding with anyone),” he added.

Among those ordered relieved was Major Jenahmeel Toñacao, Lambayong town police chief, who admitted having led the operation that killed the three youths, and 14 other policemen under him. They were now restricted inside Sultan Kudarat police provincial office in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.

Earlier, the victims’ family had disputed the police’ claim that the youths–policeman’s son Horton Ansa Jr., 19; his cousin Anshad Ansa, 18 Samanoden Ali, 19–died in a shootout, saying that the youths were not armed.

Sahaboden Ali, 22, whose younger brother Samanoden, 19, was among those killed, said his brother was only out to road test his motorcycle that night as he planned to join the roadshow in town on Monday, December 5.

Patrolman Horton Ansa Sr., a police officer at Shariff Saydona Mustapha town and father of Ansa Jr., said his son had pleaded for his life in front of the police officers before he was killed.

He said a witness said his son was pleading for his life, telling the Lamabyong police officers “I am the son of a policeman, please spare me.”

Relatives of slain teenagers claimed the pistol, grenade and shabu the Lambayong police claimed to have found in their bodies, “were all planted.”  “All the three boys had never been involved in any crime while living in Lambayong,” Ansa Sr. said.

The families of Ansa and Ali will hold Wednesday, Dec. 7, a “caravan for justice” in the town proper and in front of the Lambayong municipal hall to demand justice for the victims.

A town police Chief and 14 other cops have been relieved pending an investigation into a recent operation which ended in the death of 3 youths. Witnesses claim the men, 18 and 19 are not youths, were unarmed and not criminals. 

Coronavirus Lockdown: Refocus Drive on General Public Health, 44 Million Doses Wasted, and More!

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

The pandemic is so bad that 8 towns in Pampanga are now COVID free. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1699239/8-pampanga-towns-now-covid-free

Eight of the 21 localities in Pampanga province have again obtained COVID-19-free status, the latest data from the provincial epidemiology and surveillance unit showed.

The towns with zero active cases include Magalang, Sasmuan, Santa Rita, Mexico, Masantol, Minalin, San Simon, and San Luis.

Arayat and Candaba towns have a single case each as of Nov. 27.

The City of San Fernando has the most active cases at 26, followed by Mabalacat City with nine and Bacolor town with eight.

Data also showed that the number of active cases in the province stood at 73. 

That is actually not so great seeing as in June 14 Pampanga towns were declared COVID free. 

Despite warning about Christmas parties the DOH says there is no COVID surge. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1700735/doh-no-covid-surge-despite-strains-holidays

Department of Health (DOH) officer in charge Maria Rosario Vergeire does not expect a resurgence in COVID-19 infections despite the presence of more immune-evasive Omicron subvariants and the expected in-person gatherings during the holidays.

At a press briefing on Friday, Vergeire expressed confidence that there would be no significant increase in the number of cases by the end of December “as long as the public knows how to protect themselves [against COVID-19].”

“We think that the increase in cases would not be felt as much,” said the health official. But what is “more important,” she said, is keeping severe and critical infections as well as hospitalizations at a manageable level.

The health agency expects daily cases to reach only up to around 3,100 by December, Vergeire said. The number, however, is nearly triple the current average number of infections at 1,288 per day.

The case projections for the coming Christmas season, however, are much higher than the recorded daily infections in late December last year which remained below the 1,000 level. But by January, the country bore the brunt of the highly contagious Omicron variant which pushed the country’s new cases to as high as around 39,000.

Meanwhile, pandemic monitor OCTA Research sees a “BQ.1 wave” this month, as it reports a continued rise in daily infections in Metro Manila.

The DOH OIC is confident there will be no surge “as long as the public knows how to protect themselves [against COVID-19].” I am pretty sure the public knows how to "to protect themselves [against COVID-19].” This is just a backhanded way to preemptively blame the public. 

It's the last month of the year and the state of emergency is almost up. Don't worry though because despite what you may be seeing with your eyes the state of emergency still exists!

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/853479/public-health-emergency-remains-due-to-covid-19-variants-threat-health-expert/story/

Infectious diseases expert Dr. Rontgene Solante said Sunday that among the reasons the state of public health emergency is not yet lifted in the country is due to the threat of COVID-19 variants of concern.

In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, Solante said COVID-19 infections in the country are now “very stable” and even the hospitals are no longer getting overwhelmed with new cases.

“Maybe the only problem I see here on why we still can't get rid of the public health emergency is because of the threat of the variants of concern,” he said.

Variants are such a concern that the public health emergency should stay in place? Really?  That is not what Dr. Solante was saying in October. 

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/10/15/infectious-disease-expert-on-Omicron-subvariant-XBB.html

The new Omicron subvariant XBB may not be a cause for concern, but Filipinos are advised to remain careful and continue practicing health protocols, an infectious diseases expert said Saturday.

"As of now I don't see any cause (for) concern because (of) our positivity rate and number of cases per day, [I] think it's stable, it's not increasing that much," Dr. Rontgene Solante said in an interview with CNN Philippines.

"But again we need to monitor and we need to advise people to be careful." he added. "We should not be complacent about it."

It seems that not being "complacent about it" entails keeping the state of emergency so the government can do what it wishes with zero oversight. 

In the Davao Region the vaccination rate is 87%.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1189844

At least 87 percent of the targeted population for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination in Davao Region is now fully immunized, the regional Department of Health (DOH-11) office said Thursday.

In its weekly bulletin, DOH-11 said the figure equates to some 3,338,052 vaccinated individuals in the region as of Nov. 28.

The agency also said a total of 7,448,661 vaccine doses have been administered in the region.

Around 94.7 percent or 3,594,646 individuals have received their first dose of the vaccine that included the single shot Johnson and Johnson jabs.

Of the fully vaccinated, at least 17.6 percent or 668,678 individuals got their first booster shots, while 3.4 percent or 127,239 individuals were administered second booster shots.

To the casual observer those numbers are not so bad. In fact Davao City alone has achieved a 101% vaccination rate. 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1947970/davao/local-news/davao-city-achieves-vaccination-rate-of-101-vs-covid-19

AMONG the cities and provinces in Davao Region, Davao City has the highest vaccination rate at 101 percent or around 1.3 million fully-vaccinated individuals.

On December 5, 2022, the Department of Health Davao Region (DOH-Davao) reported that the target population of Davao City to be vaccinated is 1,327,323 but has exceeded its expectation of total fully vaccinated individuals of 1,343,974, an excess of 16,651 individuals.

But for the DOH it's not enough. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1190123

The Department of Health (DOH) is keen on expanding vaccination coverage in the Davao Region as it kicked off Monday its nationwide Bakunahang Bayan Part 2 here.

In a media interview, Dr. Annabelle Yumang, DOH-Region 11 director, described the Bakunahang Bayan Part 2 as "a great opportunity" for the public to increase not only the region's vaccine coverage but the whole country as well.

"The local government units and other sectors of the government here in Davao Region continuously work for the benefit of the people," she said.

"We know that vaccination is still the best defense against Covid-19," Vergeire said.

Despite that mantra about vaccination being the best defense against COVID-19 vaccines are still going to waste.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/478257/doh-wasted-covid-19-jabs-now-at-44-million-doses

COVID-19 vaccines going to waste in the country due to expiration or mishandling continue to pile up.

The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday said about 44 million doses had been wasted, of which 13 million were reported in the last two weeks.

DOH officer in charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said that of the total figure, 24.6 million doses had gone unused past their shelf life, while 6.7 million were discarded due to “operational” lapses in their storage or handling.

The cause of wastage for the remaining 12 million doses was still being determined, Vergeire said at a press briefing.

Of the vaccines that had expired, “almost 75 percent” were delivered to the country through procurements made by private companies and local governments, the health official noted.

Only about 2 percent of the total wastage came from batches procured by the national government, she added.

Vaccines lost to operational wastage mainly refer to dosages that were damaged due to mishandling during calamities, broken vials, discoloration or wrong storage temperature.

Still struggling to expand the country’s vaccination coverage, the DOH is set to hold another Bakunahang Bayan campaign from Dec. 5 to Dec. 7, this time focusing on giving primary shots to children age 5 to 11 years old.

While some wastage is expected this amount is unacceptable to many including lawmakers. 

The DOH is still in emergency mode as it deals with the pandemic but Marcos wants them to shift to covering general health concerns again. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1701993/fwd-marcos-jr-tells-doh-to-start-refocusing-on-general-public-health-concerns-prioritize-fight-vs-hiv-tuberculosis

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday ordered the Department of Health (DOH) to now make the campaign against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) infections its priority aside from the battle against COVID-19.

According to Marcos, the government should now start concentrating on general public health matters alongside the pandemic.

“Let’s start refocusing again on the general public health concerns. Siyempre COVID has not come away. [We] still have to deal with it,” he told DOH officials in a meeting in Malacañang, as quoted in a statement released by the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS).

“But let’s not deal with COVID-19 at the expense of all these other public health concerns,” he added.

Perhaps he should start by appointing a DOH secretary. 

Travel restrictions continue to be relaxed.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1702431/no-more-vax-card-inspection-at-bacolod-silay-airport

The Negros Occidental government no longer requires passengers to present COVID-19 vaccination cards at the Bacolod-Silay Airport.

Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said he sent a letter to acting airport manager Roel Aranzado to inform him that the inspection of vaccination cards ended on Dec. 1.

“This was implemented to harmonize with domestic airport protocols, especially in Manila,” Diaz said.

At least 21 flights arrive at the Bacolod-Silay Airport in a day.

Diaz said the province’s vaccination inspection team at the airport had reported back to the capitol.

Despite easing restrictions, the local government reminds the public not to let their guard down against COVID-19.

Dropping vaccination card requirements at domestic airports is a huge change. Back in January the DOTr issued a "no vax, no fly" directive. We are a few steps closer to free travel once more.