Friday, December 23, 2022

Retards in the Government 289

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

  


https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1190910

Operatives of the Philippine National Police's (PNP) anti-scalawag unit have arrested two police officers in Makati City for extorting money from a resident whom they accused of involvement in the theft of automated teller machine (ATM) cards.

Citing a report from the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG), the PNP Public Information Office identified the police officers as Pat. Mark Dann Advincula, 32, and Pat. Mark Joseph Segador, 31, both assigned at Sub-Station 6, Makati City Police Station.

The report said joint elements of the IMEG, District Intelligence Division of the Southern Police District (SPD) and Poblacion Substation of Makati City Police Station conducted an entrapment operation at A. Mabini St. Poblacion, Makati City at around 4:30 a.m. Friday.

The complainants identified as Angelica Dacer and Dante Ruanto, both residents of Don Fabian, Quezon City, filed a complaint against Advincula, who was identified through his cellular phone number, which was also the number declared on his PNP personal data sheet, and two unidentified cohorts.

They both alleged that the suspects were extorting money from them.

Investigations showed that on Dec. 8, at about 8:25 p.m. Dacer met a foreigner and befriended her, to which they exchanged numbers.

The following day, she received a message from a different cellular number that invited her to Makati City Police Station where they alleged that there was a complaint by a foreigner about a missing ATM card and money worth PHP130,000.

When she decided to meet the texter somewhere in Makati City, she was accosted by the two police officers onboard a white vehicle with “Pulis” marking without an attached blinker and brought her to sub-station 6 in Makati CPS and confiscated her iPhone.

The two police officers also went to their house in Quezon City and confiscated Ruanto’s iPhone and then they were taken to the Barangay Poblacion and was indicated that they should pay an amount of PHP50,000 in exchange for their two iPhones.

Reportedly, no criminal case was filed against Dacer and Ruanto.

The suspects yielded the PHP1,000 marked money used in the operation, 49 pieces of PHP1,000 bill, two PNP ID cards of the suspects, two motorcycle keys; a Canik pistol with serial number BG 26990; and another Canik pistol, BG 19990 with an inserted magazine.

The report said the arrested policemen and pieces of evidence were taken to the IMEG headquarters for documentation and filing of appropriate charges.

Two cops have been busted for extortion.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/480672/policeman-who-was-into-illegal-gambling-caught-robbing-gasoline-station-in-bohol

An active police officer was arrested after he allegedly robbed a gasoline station in Barangay Poblacion in Trinidad town in Bohol Province on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. 

Police Colonel Lorenzo Alfeche Batuan, police director of Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO), identified the suspect as Police Staff Sergeant Conchito Payac, 33, an active desk officer of the Dauis Police Station. 

Payac is a resident of Barangay Aguining, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia in Bohol province. 

“We assure the public that police officer Payac will face the consequences of his actions — both criminal and administrative cases,” Batuan said. 

Complaints of robbery with intimidation and violence against persons, and administrative case are readied against Payac.

In an online interview, Batuan said that the suspect was engaged in illegal gambling, particularly in cockfighting, which perhaps had affected him financially and led him to engage in this crime. 

"He is into illegal gambling. He has fighting cocks. There is a possibility that he could not sustain his needs financially," Batuan said.

Batuan said that Payac was also tagged as responsible in two separate robberies in municipalities of Alicia and Duero in Bohol province on Dec. 1 and 7 respectively, where gasoline stations in those towns were robbed.

The suspect reportedly operates on his own. 

A policeman has been arrested for robbery. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1191028

A total of 279 erring police officers have been dismissed from the service since President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assumed office, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.

Citing latest data, PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said the figure is among the 1,211 PNP personnel meted with various sanctions from July 1 to Dec. 7, 2022.

The number also includes 79 who were demoted, 427 suspended and 381 personnel who were sanctioned with various penalties such as forfeiture of salary, reprimand, restriction, and withholding of privileges.

“The PNP will never tolerate any irregularity and breach of discipline in the police service. We will always be steadfast in our thrust to discipline our personnel while we value each and everyone’s welfare while serving the Filipino people,” Azurin said.

The PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS) has taken an aggressive stance in handling and investigating police personnel who were slapped with administrative charges.

Working hand in hand with the IAS is the PNP Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group, whose functions include receiving complaints and information against erring personnel and conducting relevant information-gathering activities, detecting and conducting intelligence buildup on the involvement of PNP personnel in illegal activities, acts of graft and corruption, and other crimes for the conduct of prompt countermeasures, and initiating law enforcement operations against rogue cops.

A total of 279 cops have been dismissed in the past six months. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/854900/doj-to-file-charges-vs-3-cops-over-missing-e-sabong-agent/story/

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday announced that it will file charges against three members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in connection with the disappearance of an e-sabong agent in 2021.

According to the DOJ, the information against Police Staff Sergeant Daryl Panghangaan, Patrolman Roy Navarete, and Patrolman Rigel Brosas for robbery and kidnapping will be filed at the San Pablo City Regional Trial Court.

This stemmed from the alleged abduction of e-sabong agent Ricardo Lasco from his home in Barangay San Lucas, San Pablo City on August 30, 2021.

“During the preliminary investigation, the Investigating panel finds probable cause against respondents Paghangaan, Navarete, and Brosas for robbery and kidnapping of Lasco,” the DOJ said in a briefer.

“These respondents were identified by the complainants,” it added.

Paghangaan, Navarete, and Brosas, along with others, allegedly arrested Lasco in relation to the crime of large-scale estafa filed against him.

His relatives said the PNP members initially introduced themselves as operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation.

They said they also took several valuables from them.

Three PNP officers have been charged in connection with a missing e-sabong agent.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1191084

A police sergeant was arrested Sunday for firing his gun indiscriminately in Mangatarem town.

Chief Master Sergeant Raul Cayabyab, a resident of Barangay Olo Cafabrosan, Mangatarem, is now facing criminal and administrative charges for firing his gun multiple times at the JK Resort in nearby Barangay Caviernesan.

Mangatarem Police recovered 42 pieces of fired cartridge cases at the scene; and a nine-millimeter Glock generation 4 gun was seized from Cayabyab.

A cop has been arrested for indiscriminately firing his gun. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/854980/manila-cop-in-hot-water-over-confrontation-with-ust-judo-juniors-team-members/story/

A policeman in Manila is in hot water for allegedly bringing out his service firearm during a confrontation with members of the UST Judo Juniors Team, according to Darlene Cay's report on Unang Balita on Tuesday.

The report said six jubilant members of the team aged 12 to 17 years old were walking along a street in Sampaloc, Manila around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday following a victory in a competition when they were approached by the policeman for being noisy.

(We thought at first that he would just congratulate us, but he was aggressive.)

The policeman allegedly brought out a handcuff and invited the team to board a police mobile. When they students refused, the policeman allegedly brought out his service firearm.

(He held his gun. He said he did that because I was looking at his gun. That's unlikely.)

Another member of the team said they panicked because they did not know what to do.

(We really did not know what to do. Of course we are just kids. Who would want someone to bring out a gun in front of you.)

The students, who were still wearing their uniforms and medals, then contacted their coach.

The policeman, identified as Police Corporal Marvin Castro, apologized to the students and their parents and coaches when they faced each other at the barangay hall.

(They were not listening to me. I was asking them to stop but they would not stop.)

Castro said he felt threatened by the team.

When the parents brought the issue to the police station, a parent said they were urged to just drop the complaint in the spirit of Christmas.

(They asked us to drop the complaint in the spirit of Christmas. They asked us to just talk to Castro because they said he is a good cop. But what if something happened to our children? What about the psychological effect on them?)

The Manila Police District (MPD) is already looking into the incident.

According to MPD director Police Brigadier General Andre Dizon, Castro felt "imminent danger" in the presence of the students.

(We he confronted them, the students moved as if they were about to attack him, which prompted him to hold his gun, according to our station commander. He just made sure that he would be on self-defense. As long as he did not point the gun at somebody, then it shows that he had no intention of firing it.)

Castro has been barred from doing rounds in the area while the investigation is ongoing. He was also asked to surrender his service firearm.

A PNP officer is facing complaints over harassing students. The PNP urged them to drop the matter "in the spirit of Christmas."

https://mb.com.ph/2022/12/20/conviction-of-ex-nabcor-officials-affirmed/

The Sandiganbayan has affirmed the conviction for graft and malversation of two former officials of the now-defunct National Agribusiness Corporation (NABCOR).

Affirmed was the guilty verdict handed down on the cases of former Administrative and Human Resources Manager Encarnita Cristina Munsod, who was also the vice chairperson of the then bids and awards committee (BAC), and former General Services Unit head Romulo M. Relevo.

Their motions to reconsider the decision handed down last Sept. 2 was denied by the anti-graft court.

The cases against them arose from the misuse in 2008 of the P4.85 million priority development assistance fund (PDAF) of the late Eastern Samar Rep. Teodulo “Doloy” M. Coquillla whose case had been dismissed on account of his death.

In convicting Munsod and Relevo, the anti-graft court said their actions caused the illegal transfer of the PDAF from NABCOR to Gabaymasa Development Foundation, Inc. which submitted falsified acceptance and delivery reports, disbursement reports, project proposals, and other important documents.

The conviction of to NABCOR officials in conjunction with the PDAF scandal has been upheld. 

https://mb.com.ph/2022/12/22/retired-municipal-administrator-in-leyte-gunned-down/

A retired municipal administrator of San Isidro, Leyte was killed in an ambush on the national highway in Barangay Libongao, Kananga, Leyte, on Wednesday, Dec. 21.

Police identified the victim as Juanita Balmoria Veloso, 77, a resident of Barangay Linao, San Isidro, and sister of San Isidro Mayor Remedio Veloso.

Initial investigation disclosed that the victim, together with driver Edmil Bacay and companion Leleena Veloso, were on board a white Sports Utility Vehicle towards San Isidro from Ormoc City.

Upon reaching Barangay Libongao, men armed with high-powered firearms on board a gray Nissan Navarra pickup truck with license plates ABN-7103 fired several times at the victims’ vehicle.

Juanita, who was sitting at the back of the driver, was hit, while Bacay and Leleena were unharmed.

Leleena ran towards a grassy portion of the road to seek cover while the suspects fled towards the direction of Capoocan, Leyte.

Juanita was declared dead on arrival in a hospital by the attending physician.

A retired municipal administrator has been assassinated. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1705847/ex-cop-shot-dead-in-calamba-city

A former policeman was shot dead Thursday by an unidentified assailant in Calamba City, Laguna province.

Leo James Agpalo, an officer of a security agency, was traveling around 6:15 p.m. aboard his motorcycle along a service road in Barangay Mayapa when the assailant appeared and repeatedly shot him, the police Region 4A said in a report Friday.

Investigators said the killer fled after the shooting and left his target dead.

Police were conducting further investigations to establish the motive behind the murder and identify the killer.

An ex-cop was assassinated by an unknown man for an unknown reason. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1706495/marine-sergeant-dies-in-cotabato-city-gun-attack

An off duty Marine sergeant was killed in a daring daylight gun attack here Sunday, police said.

Major John Vincent Bravo, Cotabato City police station 1 chief, said Marine Sgt. Rodolfo Magno, who is based in Buldon, Maguindanao, was sitting inside his Toyota Vios parked along Moreno Drive, Barangay Rosary Heights 2, waiting for his wife buying some vegetables from a roadside store when two men riding pillion on motorbike arrived.

One of them pulled a caliber .45 pistol and shot Magno three times before fleeing toward Notre Dame Avenue.

Magno died from two bullet wounds on his head and body.

An off-duty Marine has been assassinated for unknown reasons.

Thursday, December 22, 2022

Coronavirus Lockdown: Science-Based, Response Changes, and More!

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

Negros Occidental is getting some help to boost their vaccination rate. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1190835

The Negros Occidental provincial government gained the support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in its continued efforts to increase coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination among Negrenses.

Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, provincial health officer, Thursday said both the UNICEF and the USAID have been deploying social mobilizers in localities with low vaccination rates.

“There are still many unvaccinated individuals but more so, we are lagging behind in our booster doses, (particularly) the second boosters. Our development partners are now helping us for demand generation,” Tumimbang said.

Tumimbang said the UNICEF, with its partner non-government organization, Relief International, have assigned social mobilizers to areas in the cities of Sipalay and Kabankalan and the municipality of Cauayan in the south and in San Carlos City in the north.

He added that USAID’s ReachHealth project has sent similar personnel in the towns of Toboso and Calatrava, also in the north.

“They are the ones creating demand (for vaccines). They convince people to get vaccinated. They focus more on those groups that are still hesitant. Those that their stand can still be reversed. They are giving us good results even just gradually,” Tumimbang said.

He also said that UNICEF has expressed willingness to continue their social mobilization efforts in Negros Occidental up to June next year.

USAID and UNICEF are "creating demand" for vaccines by going out to the far flung villages and convincing people to get the experimental COVID jab. But will they convince them to get the full round including boosters.

Simbang Gabi is starting and face mask usage is a must for some churches. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/854638/face-mask-social-distancing-still-a-must-in-some-churches-during-simbang-gabi/story/

With the start of the anticipated Simbang Gabi on Thursday, December 15, 2022, most churches are already at full capacity. However, mass-goers are still required to follow health and safety protocols such as social distancing and wearing facemasks.

Mariz Umali reported on "24 Oras" that some churches, such as the Manila Cathedral and Quiapo Church, expect more people to attend mass this year compared to last year.

Meanwhile, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and the Philippine National Police Air Unit (PNP-Au) carried out strict security measures in various churches in Metro Manila.

“We also monitor the security coverage for Simbang Gabi.,” said NCRPO spokesperson Police Lieutenant Colonel Dexter Versola.

 

One thing the pandemic did was expose the weakness of the Philippines health system. To that end the House has finally passed a bill to create a Center for Disease Control. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1190604

A Philippine Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) will soon be created as the bill proposing the new agency was approved on final reading at the House of Representatives.

During Monday's plenary session, a total of 255 lawmakers voted to approve House Bill 6522 creating the CDC, which shall be an agency directly under the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH).

The bill is included in the list of priority legislation mentioned by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his first State of the Nation Address.

The CDC shall be vested with technical authority on forecasting, analysis, strategy, formulation and standards development for the prevention and control of all diseases of public health importance and health security events, whether domestic or international in origin.

The CDC shall coordinate with global CDCs and act as the national focal point of the Philippines for international health regulation (IHR) concerns.

The proposed agency shall implement disease surveillance and field epidemiology activities; perform data collection and analytics; recommend actions for public health threats to appropriate national government bodies; lead public health and risk communications; and strengthen public health laboratories, among others.

The bill also mandates the establishment of the following component centers: Center for Health Statistics (CHS), Center for Epidemiology and Surveillance (CES), Center for Health Evidence (CHE) and Center for Health Laboratories (CHL).

If enacted into law, the President, during public health emergencies, may direct the operations of any privately-owned establishment including, among others, hospitals and medical and health facilities, passenger vessels and other private enterprises, to perform functions and provide support services for public health emergency response.

As laudable and even necessary a CDC may be it will ultimately be another cause of corruption as every bureaucracy in this nation is. 

9 in 10 Pinoys are apparently not paying attention to how the government is handling the waning pandemic and approve of their actions.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1190991

Most Filipinos appreciate the Marcos administration's handling of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), according to the result of the OCTA Research's latest Tugon ng Masa poll.

The survey conducted from Oct. 23 to 27 found that 92 percent of adult Filipinos approve of the government's response to prevent the further spread of Covid-19.

The latest approval score was higher by 10 percent from the 83 percent in March 2022 under the Duterte administration.

Around 49 percent of the respondents said they "truly approve" while 43 percent said they "somewhat approve" of the Marcos administration's Covid-19 response efforts.

Only two percent expressed disapproval while five percent were ambivalent.

How could any sane person approve of how the Marcos administration is handling the COVID-19 situation when he refuses to appoint a DOH secretary? Not to mention that the pandemic is basically over at this point.

The DOH is pushing for importing new bivalent vaccines. Senator Bong Go says they need to make sure no vaccines will be wasted. 

https://mb.com.ph/2022/12/19/bong-go-to-doh-ensure-jabs-wont-be-wasted-in-plans-to-acquire-bivalent-vaccines/

The Department of Health (DOH) should make sure no vaccines would go to waste despite its plan to acquire bivalent COVID-19 vaccines.

Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, made the appeal as he expressed concerns over the effectiveness of the vaccines. 

“These bivalent vaccines, first study carefully if it is effective for us now,” Go said in a recent interview in San Nicolas, Batangas.

“There are still vaccines here that have not even been used up, others are already expiring, so I’m sure our health officials know better what to do now. If it is appropriate to buy, will it be necessary?,” Go pointed out.

“Can we convince our countrymen to be injected with it? Not one should be wasted. But the life and health of every Filipino is more important to me. It’s better that we’re ahead so that we won’t be surprised… It’s better that we’re protected from the disease,” he underscored.

DOH Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire had earlier told senators in a Senate hearing that bivalent vaccines are expected to be available in the country by the first quarter of 2023. 

Even the Alliance of Health Workers is urging the DOH to use the remaining jabs by administering a 2nd booster shot.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/20/22/govt-urged-use-remaining-jabs-before-procuring-bivalent-vaccines

A health workers group is urging the Department of Health to use up its remaining stores of COVID-19 vaccines before procuring bivalent vaccines to the Philippines.

Alliance of Health Workers president Robert Mendoza warned that procuring COVID vaccines is "becoming a business" as the government continues to procure more jabs despite existing stock and high vaccine wastage.

DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier said the Philippines may have lost P22 billion after 44 million of its COVID-19 vaccines went to waste due mainly to short shelf life.

"It's like becoming a business...Let's not waste our money. Maybe the bivalent vaccines are no longer needed because the current vaccines are effective," Mendoza said in a TeleRadyo interview.

"Consume that first before buying bivalent vaccines," he added.

Mendoza also confirmed that nearly 600,000 of some 1.1 million health workers in the country have yet to receive a 2nd COVID-19 vaccine booster.

He said many health workers are confident with the protection given by 2 COVID-19 vaccine doses plus a booster shot since many health workers are no longer getting sick.

"Maybe the 2 vaccines they received are enough," he said.

Mendoza also backed a proposal to distribute booster shots to the general population particularly senior citizens and those with co-morbidities.

"Even if you build a house, it should be used properly. It's a shame if it can't be used," he said.

          While some health workers may not want a 2nd booster shot they are being made available to a limited part of the population.
    https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1707159/open-second-booster-dose-administration-to-general-public-doh-says-decisions-based-on-science

    Decisions of the Department of Health (DOH) are based on science, Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Tuesday when asked why the administration of second booster shots against COVID-19 is still not open for the general public.

    Vergeire explained that evidence showed that the second booster dose is effective for vulnerable individuals such as the elderly and persons with comorbidities.

    (When we are making decisions and policies in the Department of Health, this is based on evidence. It’s based on science.)

    (The current evidence for second boosters shows that it is effective for the elderly, those with comorbidities, the vulnerable sector. So up to now, we are offering the second booster shots only for these groups.)

    If the agency could, they would provide the vaccines to everyone to avoid vaccine wastage, said Vergeire. However, she reiterated that their decisions are science-based.

    Despite the limited second booster shot administration, the health official assured the public that review of evidence is ongoing.

    (Our fellow Filipinos do not need to worry because we continue to review evidence.)

    The elderly and those with comorbidites are the two most at risk group for COVID in the first place. Otherwise it's a hardly a deadly virus.

    It's only been six months since Marcos took office but that is long enough to analyze his administration's response to the pandemic. So, how are they doing? 

    https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1707088/from-duterte-to-marcos-covid-stays-but-response-changes

    The new administration led by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was given six months to prepare and kickstart its COVID-19 response plan before 2022 ended.

    As the Marcos administration took over, it inherited a slew of health-related problems from the previous administration, including the task of managing those beyond the administration’s control, mainly COVID.

    Before Marcos, the government under then-President Rodrigo Duterte had been criticized for his pronouncements and threats against those who would refuse to comply with his pandemic policies—curfews, lockdowns, and vaccination against SARS Cov2, the virus that causes COVID.

    Then President Duterte’s COVID response was made controversial by some of his statements against the unvaccinated.

    The Department of Health (DOH), particularly then-Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, also had its share of controversies during the pandemic.

    In a bid to address pandemic-related issues left behind by the Duterte administration, Marcos vowed to fix the previous administration’s flaws and shortcomings in the government’s response to COVID-19.

    “There were shortcomings in the COVID-19 response. We will fix them, out in the open, no more secrets in public health,” Marcos said at his inaugural speech last June 30.

    However, as the year ends, while the Marcos administration has imposed a few pandemic-related policies, it has also fallen short of addressing some key challenges and issues needed to manage COVID.

    Aside from keeping his promise not to impose lockdowns in the country this year, Marcos has issued an executive order allowing the voluntary wearing of face masks indoors and outdoors—despite threats and cases of emerging COVID-19 variants and sub-variants.

    According to health reform advocate and former special adviser to the National Task Force on COVID-19 Dr. Tony Leachon, Marcos’ decision to ease the use of face masks in the country is an “economic decision.”

    When asked what score he would give the Marcos administration for its COVID-19 pandemic response this year, Leachon said he would give it a seven out of ten or 70 percent—higher than the 60 percent score he gave the Duterte administration.

    “The [pandemic response during] Duterte administration, with due respect with them, had alleged anomaly,” Leachon explained, citing controversial deals between the DOH and  Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Corp. for overpriced PPE and other COVID items investigated by the Senate last year and the wastage of P31.3 million worth of vaccines.

    “[I gave] 70 percent for the Marcos administration because it has not been a full year yet. However, it already had problems such as the lack of a secretary of health, even though his main problem is health,” Leachon explained.

    The lack of a health secretary remains a huge problem and it will remain a huge problem every day there is no dedicated DOH Secretary. 

    Wednesday, December 21, 2022

    Did ISIS Attempt to Assassinate President Trump In Manila in 2017?

    In 2018 National Geographic released a documentary about the United States Secret Service titled "United States Secret Service: On the Front Line." It is touted as "an unprecetended behind the scenes look" at how the Secret Service protects the Pesident of the United States of America. The first 40 minutes of the documentary are about President Trump's visit to the ASEAN conference in Manila in November 2017. It is in this section where we are told for the first time ever that President Trump was targeted for assassination by ISIS. 

    I have edited the documentary to include only the relevant clips about the alleged ISIS assassin. You can watch the clip here:

    Let's analyze this clip and see if the claims of the Secret Service claims make any sense. First of all we meet Audrey Gibson of protective intelligence. She says:

    There is credible information that an incident could occur during ASEAN. This is a map of the threat actors that are present in this country. The more prominent colors on the bottom, those represent ISIS and ISIS affiliated groups. As of this week the Philippines has escalated to a critical threat level. The battle of Marawi lasted approximately from May and ended in October of this year. So, for five months the Philippine government and ISIS was engaged in a conflict. This is really significant because it's the only major city outside of the Middle East that was held by ISIS. During those five months these ISIS fighters were able to hone and develop tactics and their skill set: IED's, snipers, grenades. It's easy to obtain anything from a small fire arm to military grade weapons. So, although the government liberated Marawi the threat remains that these terrorists could travel north and conduct retaliatory attacks and it has been factored into the security plan. Thank you.   

    If there is one take away from this brief speech it is that the US government, unlike the Philippine government, was taking the threat of ISIS seriously back in 2017. Audrey warns that there could be retaliatory attacks by ISIS during the ASEAN meeting and even says the threat is very credible. Harry Roque was saying the exact opposite.

    Roque assured the public that there are no monitored terror threats so far in Manila and elsewhere in the country. 
    “The Philippine government has no information about any increased terror threat in the country and we assure our foreign friends that local authorities have been enforcing tight security measures, especially in populated areas while we urge everyone to continue being aware of one’s surroundings,” he said.
    Of course this was not true as three members of Abu Sayyf were arrested for planning to attack the 2017 ASEAN. 

    Prior to their arrest, authorities monitored Jikiri's Facebook page where they reportedly saw "hints" of a plan to launch terrorist attacks in Metro Manila.
    Jikiri posted photos of high-powered firearms, improvised explosive devices with a caption which said that they were to be used against “non-believers and Muslim apostates.”

    He also posted photos of the places he supposedly planned to target including a mall and a park. Dela Rosa said Jikiri also “cased” the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), the venue of the ASEAN Summit.

    Police found photos of him and “other armed youth” in his Facebook page. The posts prompted police to launch a background investigation and found that he was indeed a member of the Abu Sayyaf Group, linked to the Maute-Islamic State (ISIS) group which led the Marawi siege.

    Police Director Oscar Albayalde, National Capital Region Police Office chief, said monitoring social media is part of  police intelligence-gathering.

    Police said Sabtalin and Jhofar were linked to Jikiri as they met with the Abu Sayyaf member and were “supporters.”

    The police tracked the men with the help of the National Bureau of Investigation and found them together at Salaam Compound in Barangay Culiat, Quezon City.

    That sounds like Audrey Gibson was totally justified in giving her warning that a terrorist attack COULD happen during the ASEAN meeting. But this is NOT the assassination plot against Trump. That is something completely different. 

    The next person we meet is Ruben Rivera-Perez who is a research specialist. His job is to monitor social media for possible threats. And boy does he find one. 

    This guy just posted a concerning post. "Gonna be in Manila at the same time as Trump. I'll take one for the team lads." And there's a picture of Lee Harvey Oswald. And I mean, that's pretty concerning because he says, "I'll take one for the team lads." It may show that he's got others maybe working with him. Let's go to his Instagram. Just because he made a veiled threat saying I'm on my way to Manila and Trump's gonna be there that doesn't necessarily mean anything. It doesn't raise the hair on the back of my neck. Now, when I'm looking through his social media after the initial threat we're looking for weapons, or anything, any comments that are nonsensical. That's, that's concerning.

    Scrolling around on this alleged threat's Instagram page Ruben finds the following two images:


    So, this is definitely a red flag, a book that says "how to kill." We will investigate him. I'm gonna let Audrey know. 

    Ruben believes a post reading "Gonna be in Manila at the same time as Trump. I'll take one for the team lads" is worth researching further. He then says he is looking for pictures of weapons or nonsensical comments on the suspects social media but instead finds that the suspect is reading a book about the history of assassins and decides that makes his post a credible threat. Is Ruben really on the internet all day sifting through endless chatter to ferret out threats to the President? If so how does he not know that the phrase, "I'll take one for the team, lads" is a meme used by 4chan and 8chan. I'd be rather surprised if ISIS used that kind of speech. 

    This person's social media posts are a far cry from that of the Abu Sayyaf member who was arrested for planning a terrorist attack in Manila during the ASEAN. There are no pictures of weapons or buildings or any indication that this person is a bonafide terrorist. In fact, in the selfie it appears he is a white guy from Europe. Whatever city that is it's definitely not in the Philippines. 

    Next the narrator says

    Ahead of the President's arrival, the threat level in Manila is critical.

    Just how critical is it? Analyst James Swanson tells us:

    For the threat levels we're not seeing the organized presence of ISIS. They're spelling out right now as the possibility of the threat from lone wolves. It's possible there moving up here so that's why they're the main concern right now. Do we want to look into Facebook threat? 

    Audrey: That's a little concerning the language which reads, "Gonna be in Manila at the same time as Trump. I'll take one for the team lads" uh, posted a picture of Lee Harvey Oswald. Um, also posted a photo of the current book he is reading, How to Kill the Definitive History of the Assassin. I don't know if we have an identity on this guy as of yet but it looks like he's got a few different social media platforms he uses one of his platforms, Twitter, says that he is currently in Manila. Um, maybe a couple different aliases so we probably need to see if we can run down what we can get on this guy.

    At this point the Secret Service still has no idea the identity of this alleged threat. Note that they also admit there is no organized presence of ISIS in Manila at the time they are filming which is days before Trump arrives. Does that sound critical? Instead they are focused on "the possibility" of lone wolves which this anonymous threat could be.

    Using the surveillance technology Edward Snowden warned us all about the Secret Service verifies that this person is really in Manila. Audrey Gibson reports to her boss:

    So, we have some updates for you on the Facebook guy first off. We are still tracking him. We are aware of generally where he is. There is an active warrant so we're hooking this guy up. 

    But then comes the big reveal. James Swanon says:

    Um, so we've learned actually earlier that ISIS operatives could be coming to try to disrupt at ASEAN.  

    His boss then tells the camera:

    The big thing over here is that ISIS is very prevalent. Protective intelligence was giving us a lot of good information and they were able to figure out a member of ISIS made furtive movements to come to Manila. 

    The narrator says:

    An ISIS operative in Manila, his whereabouts and agenda unknown. 

    Audrey just said they know where their suspect is and even have a warrant out for him. So that can't be the lone wolf ISIS member right? Wrong. The narrative from here on out will be that the person who posted a picture of Lee Harvey Oswald is an ISIS operative who made his way north. The switch from anonymous internet poster to lone wolf ISIS assassin is rather abrupt and makes no sense given what is known about this person which is practically nothing. Remember no weapons or actual threats or any indication this person is a terrorist has been found on his social media. Only a picture of Lee Harvey Oswald and a book about the history of assassins. 

    In the final section of this clip there are just 20 minutes before Trump arrives and the suspect has yet to be caught.

    Behind closed doors protective intelligence briefs lead agent Chad Reagan on the location of the ISIS operative.

    Audrey: Our guy is in contact with an associate in Luneta Park, a mile north of our RON.

    Chad: We'll work to get some assists over there. As luck would have it Audrey tracked him over to a park very close to our hotel. It's unnerving to us because he shows up right before wheels down. 

    Back to the narrator:

    Working in conjunction with the Philippine National Police, known as the PNP, agents have eyes on the ISIS operative and his associate. 

    Finally we are shown a large contingent of police vehicles swarming Luneta park as the man is arrested and the clip ends. 

    Now, this is all patently ridiculous to anyone paying the slightest attention. Somehow this anonymous internet poster goes from being wholly unknown to a bonafide member of ISIS and they find him at Luneta Park which is a rather popular place. Are we really to believe that this person knew exactly where Trump was staying or intended any real harm and that was why he was in the park? How would he have known Trump's location when that was a secret? Is there a mole inside the Secret Service? Compare Mr. "I'll take one for the team, lads" to the Abu Sayyaf member who posted pictures of weapons and actual threats of violence. They don't compare in the least. One is a real terrorist and the other sounds exactly like a shitposter of which the internet is full. He is even using their language when addressing the "lads."

    If a lone wolf ISIS member bent on assassinating President Trump was arrested in Luneta Park in November 2017 during the ASEAN why did no one report on it at the time? The ASG members were reported on by Rappler but were not mentioned at all in this documentary despite being the larger and more realistic potential threat. Why is that? 

    Nothing about this scenario comes off as true. If a lone wolf would-be ISIS assassin had been arrested in Manila during the ASEAN in 2017 that would have been huge news that no one would have been able to conceal. It's unfathomable that this incident went unreported for over a year only to be revealed in a National Geographic documentary. The details of the case also don't make sense. Whoever posted the picture of Lee Harvey Oswald is clearly not a Filipino or a member of ISIS. Reading a book about the history of assassination is not a crime and is not a red flag. If it were then why was it allowed to be published? 

    While this nonsense may make for good enough TV to entertain the masses, anyone paying attention to the real threat of terrorism in the Philippines will be able to see right through the charade. Without any concrete evidence such as a mugshot and a police report this claim that an ISIS operative bent on assassinating Trump was arrested in Manila is totally bogus. 

    Tuesday, December 20, 2022

    Insurgency: No Security Threats Detected For Yuletide

    It's Christmas time once more in the Philippines and that means several things regarding the insurgency. First of all is the CPP's 54th anniversary. 

    https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1190630

    Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. has placed the Special Action Force (SAF) and all 17 Regional Mobile Force Battalions (RMFB) on high alert to prevent attacks by communist rebels ahead of the 54th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

    Azurin made this announcement during the year-end PNP command conference attended by ranking SAF and RMFB as well as heads and other officials of various police units nationwide at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Monday afternoon.

    "(All) SAF and 17 RMFBs nationwide will be put to highest alert for any possible tactical engagements and harassments against government forces as the CPP marks its 54th anniversary on Dec. 26, 2022," he added.

    Other highlights of the briefing included the presentation of updates on the security situation and threat assessment and forecast for the Yuletide Season, national crime situation and updates on rape cases, operational accomplishments, Revitalized Kasimbayanan Project, updates on crime situation, anti-crime efforts and deployment during Christmas holidays.

    “The successful outcome of the major events that unfolded during the year is the result of sheer hard work, careful planning and preparation by PNP units," Azurin added.

    He also said the challenge for the PNP now is to sustain its gains and prevent criminals from taking advantage of the holiday season when increased economic activities are expected.

    While the PNP remains on high alert for any possible attacks by the NPA to mark the CPP's 54th  anniversary the AFP says they have detected no serious threats this Christmas season. 

    https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1190728

    The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) does not see any security threats for the Yuletide Season as insurgent rebels have been greatly weakened.

    "We have not seen any threat yet so far and I think even the capability of the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines), a local terrorist group, (has) weakened that they are incapable of mounting large scale or shall we say a terrorist act that will disturb the peace," AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said when asked during an interview with CNN Philippines on Wednesday.

    Aguilar said the AFP will just provide support to the Philippine National Police (PNP) as it is the lead agency when it comes to security operations and preparations for the Yuletide Season.

    "Now, in the conduct of security operations, what we will do is to provide our support to PNP because they are the lead effort when it comes to security operation and preparation during Yuletide Season," he said.

    The second thing regarding the insurgency during this time of the year is the annual Christmas truce. This year there will be no truce because the AFP says there is no leadership with which to negotiate such a truce. 

    https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1704764/afp-no-talks-of-christmas-ceasefire-with-npa

    The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is not discussing the possibility of a Christmas ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippines’ (CPP) armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA).

    AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar revealed this Tuesday in a text message to INQUIRER.net. He also pointed out that even if there is a cessation of hostilities between the AFP and NPA amid the Christmas season, there is no guarantee that the Maoist rebels could impose the truce due to what he called a “leadership crisis” within the CPP.

    “It is not being discussed yet,” he said, “and the CPP is suffering from [a] leadership crisis after the neutralization of many of its national leaders.”

    “In short, there is no one to negotiate with, and the Party has no capability to impose [a] ceasefire.”

    Aguilar, however, said the government could impose a suspension of military operations or Somo against the NPA “especially in areas where they are already weak.”

    “We pray for the enlightenment of the CPP cadres that reforms have already taken place in our government and our society. It is time for them to abandon armed struggle and disband the NPA,” he also said.

    Isn't Joma Sison still head of the CPP? Can they not negotiate with him? No because now he is dead!

    https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/12/17/2231445/cpp-founder-joma-sison-dies-83

    The Communist Party of the Philippines announced that its founding chairperson Jose Maria Sison died Friday night after a two-week confinement in the hospital. He was 83.

    Sison, a former youth leader and university professor who founded the CPP and the New People's Army, had been in exile in the Netherlands since the late 1980s. He had also often been rumored to have died. The party on Saturday morning said that this time, it was true.

    “The Filipino proletariat and toiling people grieve the death of their teacher and guiding light,” the CPP said Saturday in a statement as it gave its “highest possible tribute” to Sison whom it called a “great Marxist-Leninist-Maoist thinker, patriot, internationalist and revolutionary leader.”

    "Even as we mourn, we vow to continue to give all our strength and determination to carry the revolution forward guided by the memory and teachings of the people's beloved Ka Joma," the CPP said further.

    It remains to be seen how the consequences of his death will play out in the remaining leadership of the CPP and for the future of the insurgency. 

    While there will be no ceasefire the AFP says they might suspend operations where the NPA is already weak. But isn't the NPA weak everywhere? That is the message the AFP has been conveying for the past several months. It's all due to infrastructure being built in remote areas.

    https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1190663

    A key official of the Philippine Army in Negros Island on Tuesday said the threat posed by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) is diminishing as peace and development efforts continue to bring in progress in affected areas.

    Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, told the Philippine News Agency that there is a significant improvement in peace and development over the years since he was first assigned in 2017 in the island of Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental provinces.

    “I was still the deputy brigade commander in 2017 and what I have seen then is a far cry from the current situation now, considering that we only had two Army battalions on the island,” Pasaporte said in mixed English and Filipino.

    “The 62nd Infantry Battalion was deployed in the north and the 79th Infantry Battalion in the south of Negros because the other units were pulled out to help address the terrorism problem in Mindanao, specifically in Marawi,” he noted.

    Pasaporte said the threat slowly diminished upon the return of the other units from Mindanao a couple of years later. Massive deployment of troops followed in organized areas where the NPA had concentrated its primary strength and support.

    The brigade commander also noted the huge contribution provided by the local government units (LGUs), agencies, and other stakeholders to improve the peace and security on the island.

    Despite saying the NPA has been weakened nationwide 400 Rangers are joining the fight in the Eastern Visayas.

    https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1190685

    The Philippine Army (PA) on Tuesday announced that 400 soldiers from the 4th Scout Ranger Battalion arrived at the Calbayog City Port in Samar on Dec. 11 to help in the ongoing anti-insurgency campaign in Eastern Visayas region.

    The 4th Scout Ranger Battalion, headed by Lt. Col. Ricarte Dayata, will also augment units of the 8th Infantry Division commanded by Maj. Gen. Camilo Z. Ligayo.

    ”Remain alert and vigilant as you join our fight against the communist terrorists here in Eastern Visayas. I trust that everyone remains mission-oriented and always respects human rights, adhere to the international humanitarian law and the rule of law as you proceed to your area of operations,” Ligayo said.

    The 4th Scout Ranger Battalion -- which earlier helped in the anti-insurgency campaign in the Caraga region in northeastern Mindanao -- will be deployed to Northern Samar where four rebel fronts are still active, said Army spokesperson, Col. Xerxes Trinidad, in a statement.

    Will they be successful in quickly dismantling the reaming four fronts? In Mindanao 6 more NPA units have been dismantled this month. 

    https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1190634
    The Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) reported Tuesday that another six Communist New People's Army (NPA) units were dismantled this month.

    In a statement, Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol, Eastmincom commander, said the dismantled units were the NPA's Regional Sentro de Grabidad, Regional Operational Command, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (RSDG, ROC, SMRC), Sub-Regional Committees (SRC) 1, 2, 4, and 5, under SMRC and SRC 4 of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.

    "Most of them formerly operate in Davao Region and Bukidnon," Almerol said.

    As a result of the "neutralization of the NPA leadership," Almerol said the Eastern Mindanao Area-Clearing and Validation Committee composed of the Eastmincom and Area Police Command - Eastern Mindanao recommended the NPA units' dissolution to the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council.

    In addition to the capture and deaths of top NPA leaders, Almerol noted that no reports have been received of the NPA's activities or presence in their former mass bases in Eastern Mindanao.

    He said Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro and Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. signed the dissolution status for the dismantled NPA units in a joint resolution on Dec. 6.

    "Since the declaration of the Davao Region as 'insurgency-free,' Eastmincom has not monitored any extortion activities, harassment, and other atrocities by the NPA, including their presence in the said area," he said.

    Again, no reports of NPA activity is being conflate with absence of the NPA entirely. But with the death of Joma Sison it could be the insurgency is now officially dead. 

    Monday, December 19, 2022

    After all These Years the Philippines Remains Number One in Child Sexual Exploitation

    The Philippines has led the world in child sexual exploitation for a number of years. 2022 is no different. 

    https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/853913/philippines-leading-in-child-sexual-exploitation-says-remulla-after-meeting-un-rapporteur/story/

    The Philippines is leading in child sexual exploitation, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Thursday.

    Remulla thus told reporters after he met Mama Fatima Singhateh, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Sale and Sexual Exploitation of Children, who paid him a courtesy call.

    Asked about the status of online sexual exploitation in the country, Remulla said, "We’re No. 1 in the world."

    "We're number 1 in the world. This should be gone. The Marcos administration is making efforts to stop the Philippines’ status on being the leading country in child sexual exploitation,” Remulla said.

    Remulla said he gave Singhateh "an official letter" to tell her what the Philippines was doing to combat child sexual exploitation.

    "Actually, we've declared war on this. It's the first thing we did since the inception of the Marcos regime," Remulla said of the government's campaign against child sexual exploitation.

    Now, it is true that one of the first acts of President Marcos was to declare a war on child sexual exploitation. But who cares when there has been a war on child sexual exploitation for several years? Is Remulla more concerned about fighting child sexual exploitation or with touting Bongbong Marcos as a savior of the children?

    United Nations Special Rapporteur Mama Fatima Singhateh on Thursday bared that the Philippines remained to be a source and place for child trafficking, sale, sexual abuse, and forced marriage and labor, among others.

    In a news conference, Singhateh presented the preliminary findings of her 11-day visit to the Philippines.

    She said there was a lack of explicit legal provision in the Constitution to penalize the exploitation of children for travel and tourism.

    The purpose of the constitution is to delineate how the government functions. There are laws on the books penalizing the exploitation of children in the Philippines and this is later acknowledged in the article.  

    She said the tourism industry lacked information to prevent sexual exploitation.

    The Department of Tourism (DOT) said there's a law to prevent child abuse in the country, especially in the tourist destinations, according to “24 Oras” report on Thursday.

    The department said they also have training in the DOT-accredited resorts and hotels to capture the perpetrators.

    It added that there is also a hotline to immediately contact hotels and resort personnel.

    Singhateh goes on to make several recommendations one of which is to see this problem holistically. 

    https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/12/08/2229470/un-expert-urges-philippines-focus-tackling-sexual-exploitation-children-tourism-too

    The UN expert observed that while there are a lot of focus on the online exploitation of children, the attention on matters related to sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism, and through transactional sex “has not been adequate.”

    “Sexual abuse and exploitation should be seen holistically,” said Singhateh, who served as The Gambia’s justice minister.

    “I’m highlighting sexual abuse and exploitation in the context of tourism and travel, and in transactional sex because I did not hear the government talk about it. If the government is not talking about it, that means interventions that are being used are not focused on that area,” she added.

    Why does the Philippines remain number one in the world for child sexual exploitation after all these years? Why do foreigners either travel here for sex or solicit women online to abuse their children on camera? Why do Filipinas sell their babies on Facebook? Why are authorities so inept at stopping these crimes? 

    A while back I wrote about a case where the authorities knew a woman was running a cybersex den with children yet refused to arrest her because she stopped for a while during the pandemic. 

    Wednesday’s raid stemmed from an anti-online sexual exploitation operation conducted last 2020, in which the arrested individuals told investigators about the female suspect’s illegal activities, too. 

    Ibo said they were about to entrap her back then. However, lockdowns and mobility restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic apparently prompted the suspect to halt any online sexual exploitation activities. 

    That kind of incompetence is shocking. As far as the trafficking of children goes, especially in regards to illegal adoption, the incompetence is even more shocking. 

    Last year, he said his agency examined about 10 cases of commercial adoption of children. The case numbers have been "steady" in recent years, but that is because the NBI does not have a unit dedicated to tackling the crime. 

    Aguto said that if there were investigators dedicated to this kind of crime, the case numbers would probably shoot up.

    https://philippinefails.blogspot.com/2021/12/why-do-filipina-women-sell-their-babies.html 

    It is not known exactly how widespread this problem of illegal adoption is because the "NBI does not have a unit dedicated to tackling this crime." If they actually started looking then the number of cases would likely increase exponentially. Amazing.

    It is true that sex trafficking operations are routinely busted in the Philippines. Some involve children and others involve adults. But nothing has changed over the six years since the infamous 2016 UNICEF report tagging the Philippines as the number one global source of child pornography. 

    http://www.manilatimes.net/philippines-is-no-1-global-source-of-child-pornography/267148/

    I have written about online child sexual exploitation several times over the years on this blog. It seems like nothing has changed. I certainly have nothing new to add.  Online exploitation of children is a billion dollar family business and there is a culture of silence and impunity that allows it to happen. And God forbid we start discussing other topics such as the global elite and their predilection for the young as testified by the Epstein case. Who knows how deep the rabbit hole goes and what role the Philippines plays in that world? It would be folly to place the blame on poverty. There are plenty of poor folks who do not descend to such depravity as pimping their children.