Retards in the Government 304

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

  

 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1198699

Police operatives arrested a traffic enforcer of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) during an entrapment operation in Port Area, Manila on Friday after an extortion complaint filed by a trucking company.

In a press statement, the National Capital Region Police Office said Rey Gaza, 53, MMDA Traffic Enforcer 3, was nabbed inside Room No. 227 Champ Building, Port Area, Manila at 2:40 p.m. Friday.

Police seized two pieces of marked PHP1,000 and boodle money; a .45 caliber pistol; a magazine with live ammunition; IDs and permit to carry firearms; and personal cash amounting to PHP1,300 in different denominations from the suspect.

The operation stemmed from the complaint of the owner of a trucking company, whose name was not disclosed.

The complainant reported that Gaza and his cohorts, identified as one Ben Colete and a certain Almoguer, have been collecting “payola” money amounting to PHP10,000 every month since 2019 to avoid inconvenience and for the smooth operation of his trucking and transport service.

Charges of robbery extortion and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act await the suspect.

A traffic enforcer has been arrested for extortion. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1751677/bi-confirms-ofw-complaint-vs-officer-who-allegedly-asked-for-p150000-escort-fee

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday confirmed that an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) personally sought Commissioner Norman Tansingco and complained against one of its officers for extortion.

In a public briefing, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said the officer allegedly asked the Filipino seafarer for money in exchange for assistance to board a flight to France.

(We learned that a seafarer passenger was allegedly asked by one immigration personnel for P150,000. The passenger personally went to BI Commissioner Tansingco to tell the story.)

(We validated that the person is an employee of the BI.)

Sandoval’s confirmation came following reports that a Filipino seafarer named JC Manganti was allegedly asked for P150,000 by a BI officer to help him board a plane to France after he was offloaded at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).

According to news reports, the passenger was not allowed to board the plane last August 7, 2022, despite having a valid Schengen visa and complete documents.

When he went to the BI main office, the agency said he had complete documents and may proceed with his flight, but he was again reportedly prevented from boarding upon reaching the airport.

On his third effort, an immigration officer at the BI headquarters allegedly volunteered to accompany him to the airport and board the plane for a charge of P150,000.

Sandoval said they are already investigating the matter, and the personnel will face an administrative complaint if proven guilty of the accusation.

The BI is also waiting for the formal complaint of the seafarer against the employee, she added.

A BI officer has been accused of extortion. 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1957319/manila/local-news/pnp-former-cop-played-major-role-in-degamo-slay

AUTHORITIES arrested a former policeman who allegedly played a vital role in the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo said on Tuesday, March 28, 2023.

In a press conference, Fajardo said Nigel Lagunay Electona, a former cop assigned at Dumaguete City Police Office, was arrested during the service of a search warrant on March 24 at the HDJ Bayawan Agri-ventures Corporation, Tolong compound in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental that was owned by former Negros Oriental governor Pryde Henry Teves.

Recovered during the March 24 raid in Teves’ compound were various high-powered firearms, including a sniper rifle, ammunition and improvised explosive device that were kept underground and cash amounting almost P19 million.

(Based on the report given to us by the STG PRO7 (Special Task Group Police Regional Office 7), Nigel played a big role because it appears from the reports and information given by previously arrested suspects, he was involved in the planning and in fact, he is the one who helped gunmen in the casing and surveillance of Governor Degamo's house.)

Fajardo said that on March 26, police conducted a raid by virtue of a search warrant in Electona’s residence in Barangay Villareal in Bayawan City. Seized during the operation were illegal firearms and ammunition, hand grenades, pictures of Degamo and his family, maps, house routes and a photo of the gate of Degamo’s residence.

Fajardo said Electona was arrested due to illegal drugs in 2016 and was dismissed from the police service in 2017. He then started working with Teves and later became the chief security officer of the HDJ Tolong compound.

A former cop has been arrested for his role in the Degamo assassination.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1198819

A village official and two others were wounded while the official’s driver was killed in an ambush in a remote area in Basilan province, a top police official said Monday.

Lt. Col. Arlan Delumpines, Lamitan City police chief, said the incident occurred around 3:50 p.m. in Barangay Maloong San Jose.

Delumpines identified the slain driver as Omar Akirin, who died on the spot.

Wounded were Robert Jalal, village chief of Simbangon, and his companions, Akil Nasala and Sali Muslimin. 

Delumpines said investigation showed that the victims were on their way home when a group of unidentified gunmen fired at them from an elevated area.

“It is also possible that the incident was related to a dispute involving the family of the village chief,” he added.

A village chief was wounded in an attempted assassination. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/3/pasay-police-station-commander-sacked-over-escape-of-10-inmates-tracker-teams-formed

Metro Manila police chief Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo has ordered the relief of the station commander of the Malibay Sub-Station 6 in Pasay City following the daring escape of 10 inmates on early morning of Monday, April 3.

At the same time, Okubo ordered a manhunt against the 10 inmates, including the creation of tracker teams,  in order to expedite the operations for their recapture.

Sacked was Police Maj. Jerry Sunga. He will also be subjected to administrative investigation in connection with the incident.

“I already ordered the District Director of Southern Police District and the chief of police of Pasay City to form tracker teams that will conduct manhunt operations for their recapture. They were also instructed to resolve this incident within 48 hours,” said Okubo.

Initial investigation revealed that the inmates broke the metal grills and eventually held and mauled the duty officer. 

The inmates also took the service firearm of the duty officer, cash money and various keys of the jails. 

Eight of the inmates are reportedly facing drug charges while the other two face robbery and theft charges.

“I have also tasked the acting director of the Regional Internal Affairs to conduct a motu proprio investigation regarding this incident. We will hold accountable all those who would be found to be negligent that led to this incident,” said Okubo.

The Pasay City police station commander has been relived from duty after ten inmates escaped. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1752776/cop-shot-dead-in-legazpi-city

A police officer was shot dead on Wednesday morning, April 5, in this city.

Lieutenant Kharren Formales, Albay police spokesperson, said the victim, Staff Sergeant Abel Sevilla, was assigned at the Police Community Precinct 4 of the Legazpi City Police Station.

Initial investigation said while Sevilla was on his way to the office, he was shot by unidentified men in Sitio (Sub-village) Agna in Barangay Homapon at around 7 a.m.

The victim suffered gunshot wounds in the head and other parts of the body. He died instantly.

Formales said all stations were alerted and directed to conduct checkpoint for possible apprehension of the suspects.

Investigation is ongoing.

A cop has been assassinated by unknown persons. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1751617/military-reservist-acted-as-casting-director-in-planning-degamo-slay-remulla

A military reservist acted as the “casting director” in the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and nine others, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Monday.

The suspect, which Remulla said is considered one of the masterminds, is Marvin Halaman Miranda. Miranda is responsible for the recruitment of persons that would be part of the attack as well as the firearms that would be used.

(Not middleman. We think he’s like the mastermind because he’s the one who’s always in contact to get people, get weapons, recruit people, and who [knew] the last person was to arrive when they planned. Even in the planning stage of their movement, he’s involved.)

A military reservist recruited the team which assassinated Governor Roel Degamo.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1753114/hpg-chief-resigns-as-video-schows-son-punching-trainee

The director of the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (HPG) has stepped down after his son and subordinate were captured on video hitting and bullying a trainee during the graduation rites of a motorcycle-riding course in Quezon province on Sunday.

In a statement on Tuesday, the PNP said Brig. Gen. Clifford Gairanod wrote a letter to PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. saying he was “voluntarily relinquishing his post to pave [the] way for a fair investigation” and “takes full responsibility for the unfortunate incident.”

A video clip circulating on social media shows Gairanod’s son, Capt. Clifton Gairanod, punching the unnamed trainee in the chest and ordering him to go down on his knees, as part of initiation rites for graduates of the HPG’s Executive Motorcycle Riding Course (EMCRC) in a resort in Sariaya town on April 2.

The younger Gairanod, an HPG officer, only stopped after the trainee complained that the blows were too strong, drawing laughter from the other HPG officers, the clip showed.

He was seen delivering two more punches to the victim and taunting him: “Who’s your lawyer? Why don’t you sue me for physical injuries?”

The EMCRC is open to personnel of the PNP or other law enforcement agencies with the rank of major or higher, government officials, and prominent civilian leaders and business industry executives.

The course aims to equip and familiarize students on the proper operation of high-performance motorbikes, traffic enforcement and defensive motorcycle training.

Before turning in his resignation letter as HPG head, Gairanod relieved his son and the other members of the training staff who were directly involved in the incident from their HPG posts.

Azurin accepted Gairanod’s resignation and reassigned him to the Office of the Chief PNP.

The head of the Highway Patrol Group has resigned after a video surfaced showing an HPG trainee being beaten during graduation rites by his son Capt. Clifton Gairanod. 

 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1752960/dilg-chief-high-ranking-police-officers-involved-in-drug-case-of-axed-ex-intel-cop

Ranking police officers are allegedly embroiled in the drug case of a dismissed police intelligence agent from whom authorities purportedly confiscated P6.7 billion worth of crystal meth, locally called “shabu,” in October 2022.

Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. revealed on Wednesday that “heads will roll” as he would name names in the coming days.

During a press conference at Pasay City Hall, Abalos cast doubts on former Police Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo Jr.’s sole involvement in what is thought to be one of the most significant drug busts in law enforcement history, suggesting he may not have acted alone.

(I do not believe that Sgt. Mayo is the only person involved in this case. It is my personal opinion that many are involved in this.)

According to Abalos, he had ordered Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. last February to report to him the result of the special task force’s investigation of Mayo as well as events linked to the ex-policeman’s supposed attempt to withhold 42 kilograms from the seized 990 kilograms shabu and the disposal of the confiscated illegal substance.

Also, Abalos said that on March 27, he instructed National Police Commission (Napolcom) Vice Chair Alberto Bernardo to conduct a fact-finding inquiry into the same case.

(I ordered Alberto Bernardo to have a fact-finding inquiry into this case involving the 990 kilograms of shabu, and I’m telling you, I am not happy with the evidence I’m seeing. There are many police officers in high positions involved here.)

(I will announce it in the coming days, and heads will roll. I expect that they will take leave pending investigation. If not, they will be suspended pending investigation.)

High ranking police officers are allegedly involved in a drug bust that happened months ago. DILG Secretary says heads will roll soon. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199005

A military training assistant and two most wanted persons were separately arrested on Wednesday as the Police Regional Office-9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) intensified the serving of warrants of arrest in the region, officials have said.

Arrested were Army Master Sergeant Vicente Wooton; Alkain James, 43; and, Cosain Bura, 32.

Col. Alexander Lorenzo, Zamboanga City Police Office director, on Thursday, said Wooton, a training assistant, was arrested around 6:40 a.m. at Camp General Arturo Enrile, Barangay Malagutay, this city.

Lorenzo said Wooton has a standing warrant of arrest for four counts of rape with no recommended bail issued by a court in this city dated April 3, 2023.

An Army officer has been arrested on rape charges. 

Coronavirus Lockdown: Kissing of Images Still Discouraged, Animal Fights Halted, and More!

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

Iloilo City is in a quandary whether to pay for expired COVID-vaccines. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1750562/iloilo-city-in-quandary-whether-to-pay-for-expired-covid-19-vaccines

The local government here sought the guidance of the Commission on Audit (COA) on whether or not it would pay for COVID-19 vaccines procured in 2021, more than half of which had expired.

Assistant City Legal Officer Quintin Magsico, on Monday, March 27, said they had not paid British drugmaker AstraZeneca for 600,000 doses of Vaxzevria (formerly AZD-1222) after 416,700 doses expired.

He said the city government’s stand was either to not pay the pharmaceutical company, or have the vaccines replaced through the Department of Health (DOH).

“As protector of government funds, [the city government’s] stand is not to pay them unless there is a replacement. We will only pay what we have used. We will pay the entire amount if we were assured replacements through the DOH,” Magsico told the Inquirer.

The unused vaccines include 269,300 doses, which expired in March 2022, and 147,400 which expired in April 2022. Only 183,300 were utilized.

According to Magsico, laws on sales bind the city government to pay the drugmaker.

“If you look at it from the legal aspect, you ought to pay what is delivered. When the AstraZeneca facility’s [vaccines] arrived [in Iloilo], they were already good as delivered, because that was the agreement,” the lawyer explained.

“The memorandum of agreement was drafted by [the DOH], [which is] a contract of adhesion. We didn’t have a choice at the time. When you are in a crisis, you have to conform or not to conform. We couldn’t [easily] say what we wanted [in the contract], because it was pro forma, and all LGUs used the same pro forma contract [with the DOH]. We had no choice, we had to conform,” he added.

Magsico said their actions ultimately hinged on COA chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba’s advice, having written to him but have not received any response as of Tuesday.

“Until we get that instruction or guidance from COA, or assured of a replacement of those expired vaccines, we will not pay [AstraZeneca],” he said.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas earlier expressed his intent to terminate their agreement with AstraZeneca, citing the expiry of the vaccines.

They also previously moved to distribute these to other local governments in Iloilo province and Guimaras to avoid the expiration.

City General Services Office chief Joren Sartorio, who had been in charge of the vaccine’s logistics, cited delays in delivery as one of the main factors of the underutilization of these doses.

“[AstraZeneca] was manufacturing from India and Thailand, which also suffered from the pandemic, so they may have prioritized requirements there, which caused a delay in deliveries here,” said Sartorio.

“It was also during that time that production of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines also increased. The COVAX facility was able to deliver to the national government those vaccines, and later on, [from] private donors. Who can refuse those vaccines for the populace? For us in logistics, we had to accept those,” he added.

“When the AstraZeneca vaccines arrived, there were already many vaccines available, and the people, we didn’t understand why they preferred other brands. That caused the low utilization rate.”

Funny how they subtly blame the people for the expiration of the vaccines because they preferred other brands. No doubt too many vaccines of various varieties were ordered. The fact that they refuse to pay for what they ordered just shows that from the ICC on down the Philippines does not want to be bound to its commitments. 

Cebu City has brought back its vaccination bribery program. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1750551/cebu-city-brings-back-pabakunana-ta-bonanza-program

Fully vaccinated residents in this city get another chance to win a brand new car, motorcycles, appliances, a condo unit, and other prizes.

Mayor Michael Rama on Tuesday, March 28, announced his plans to revive the “Pabakunana Ta (Let’s get vaccinated) Bonanza” program to encourage more people to get jabbed against COVID-19.

City residents, who have been fully vaccinated under the PabakunaTa program are automatically part of the raffle draw as their names are already in the database.

While the number of persons infected with COVID-19 in the city had died down, Rama said it was still important to have people vaccinated against the dreaded virus.

“With the economy returning, schools opening, and most students having face-to-face classes already, the city government is encouraging the students, teachers, and those who have not been vaccinated to get their shots,” the mayor explained.

The city government launched the Pabakunana Ta Bonanza on November 11, 2021.

During the raffle, many residents received a house and lot, a brand new car, motorcycles, P25,000 worth of gift cash, groceries, and flat-screen television, among others.

Rama hoped that another raffle draw would encourage the public to get the booster shot as added protection against COVID-19 and in preparation for moving further away from the pandemic.

He said vaccination against COVID-19 remains the direction of the city because it is only through a vaccinated population that the city could further ease restrictions.

Restrictions in the city are at a bare minimum as face masks are required only in medical facilities.

Get injected with an experimental drug and win a house or a car! What could go wrong?  

Face masks and physical distancing will not be mandatory at this year's End of School Year Rites. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/2/face-masks-physical-distancing-not-mandatory-during-in-person-eosy-rites-dep-ed

In the annual conduct of full in-person End-of-School-Year (EOSY) rites for School Year 2022-2023, the Department of Education (DepEd) said the "observance of physical distancing shall no longer be mandatory."

Wearing face masks as well as observing physical distancing will no longer be mandatory for those who will attend graduation and moving ceremonies this school year, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced.

“The DepEd moves to allow and encourage the full face-to-face conduct of the moving up and graduation ceremonies starting this school year 2022-2023,” the agency said in DepEd Order No. 009 series of 2023 or “An Order Updating the Multi-Year Implementing Guidelines on the Conduct of the K to 12 Basic Education Program End-of-School-Year Rites (EOSY)” signed by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte.

“Further, the observance of physical distancing and wearing of face mask is no longer mandatory,” DepEd said.

The latest issuance, DepEd said, aims to guide both public and private elementary and secondary schools nationwide in the annual conduct of EOSY rites.

Another signal of a return to normalcy. 

Visa applications for the US are returning to normal.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/3/us-visa-application-in-ph-returning-to-normal-consul

United States (US) Embassy in Manila consul general Mark McGovern said that the visa processing for business or tourists travels is returning back to normal

The consul general of the United States (US) Embassy in the Philippines said that the visa application processing was “almost” back to normal levels after several months of backlogs created by the Covid-19 pandemic and other factors.

Mark McGovern, consul general of the US Embassy in Manila, posted on Twitter about the visa operations and wait times in the embassy.

“Thanks to the hard work of our kahanga-hangang consular team here at the US Embassy (Thanks to the hard work of our admirable consular team here at the US Embassy),” he said in a video message posted by US Embassy in Manila last weekend.

“We are happy to report that we have significantly reduced visa interview appointments wait times over the last several months,” he stated, adding that the visa processing “visa is rebounding is faster than we even had projected.”

McGovern reported that the embassy processed “more than twice as many non-immigrant visas in 2022 as in 2021.”

This meant that those applying for business or tourist travels, they could get their appointments “within the next few months.”

Processing for immigrant visas is also “now almost back to normal levels.”

“And for immigrant visas, we are now at pre-pandemic wait times for almost all categories. We are working hard to continue reducing wait times as quickly as possible,” the official said.

Noting that traveling to the US is important for Filipinos and also for the United States, McGovern underscored how “travel for family, business, and tourism strenghtens the vital people to people relationships that connect our two countries.”

“The good news is that our operations are on the way back to normal and it is wonderful to see the smiling faced and feel the energy of the more than 1,000 visa applicants we see everyday,” he said.

Filipinos have to be fully vaccinated to enter the USA so maybe the increase in visa applications will see an increase in vaccinations.

The first curse ship amid the pandemic has arrived at the Hundred Islands National Park. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1198802

The Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) has welcomed some 500 foreign guests and Filipino crew of the first luxury cruise ship to visit the park during the pandemic.

In a statement obtained by the Philippine News Agency on Monday, the City Tourism Office said the guests arrived at the national park from Singapore on Sunday onboard MV Star Breeze. From the Philippines, the ship will proceed to Hong Kong.

MV Star Breeze is the first to visit the park as travel restrictions were eased since the pandemic started in 2020.

The Quezon Island in the national park where the luxury cruise ship’s guests were received was closed to other visitors on Sunday.

They were greeted with cultural presentations and served with the delicacies of Pangasinan, including the famous longganisa of Alaminos City.

The guests went hopping with motorboats specifically at the Pilgrimage, Ramos, Quezon, Governor’s, Lopez, Mimpis and Marcos islands where they enjoyed the sceneries and water and eco-sports activities.

City tourism officer Miguel Sison, in a recent interview, said two more international cruise ships --MS Minerva and MS Seaborn Sojourn, are tentatively arriving on May 10 and June 8, respectively.

“We have been preparing for the return of these cruise ships to showcase the beauty of the Hundred Islands as well as the different activities and products of the whole province of Pangasinan,” he said.

The HINP recorded 389,006 tourist arrivals from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2022.

Of this number, Sison said 118,459 were local tourists or those from Pangasinan, 267,567 were domestic tourists or those from Philippine areas outside Pangasinan, and the rest were foreign tourists.

"The number of tourists increased since the restrictions were eased in 2022," he added.

Slowly tourism returns to normal 

The daily average number of COVID cases is up. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1198828

The country’s daily average of new coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases went up by 33 percent from March 27 to April 2, the Department of Health (DOH) reported Monday.

The agency posted 246 daily infections from 185 recorded between March 20 to 26.

The DOH also reported 1,298 new cases and 60 verified deaths in the recent week.

To date, the country has logged over 4.08 million coronavirus cases and more than 66,332 fatalities.

During the same week, the tally of severe and critical infections went up to 347 from the previous 307.

Only 13.7 percent or 271 out of the 1,984 intensive care unit (ICU) beds are in use, while 16.5 percent or 2,626 of 15,936 non-ICU beds were utilized.

But the DOH says this is not significant because hospital admissions are not increasing.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/4/rise-in-ph-s-covid-19-cases-remains-insignificant-doh

There is an increase  in the number of new Covid-19 cases in the Philippines but the rise in infections is “insignificant”  the Department of Health (DOH) said on Tuesday, April 4.

DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the country’s average number of daily cases is at 268 as of April. 3.

“This is a 29 percent increase from last week,” said Vergeire in a media forum.

Despite the increase in cases, Vergeire assured the public that there is nothing to worry about at this point in time.

“We are seeing an increase in cases in the  different areas of the country. But up until now, it remains to be insignificant,” she said.

The country’s healthcare utilization is currently at a low-risk category with only 16 percent utilization, said Vergeire.

“We can see that the hospitalization is still manageable,” she said.

“The increase in cases only becomes significant if we see that alongside the rise in the number of cases, hospital admissions are also increasing,” she added.

So, who cares then? 

Carigara in Leyte province suspended their annual animal fighting during the pandemic and now the fights have been suspended for good. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1751979/leyte-town-halts-festival-cites-law-vs-animal-cruelty

Good news for animal lovers. There will be no carabao or horse fights on Black Saturday in the town of Carigara in Leyte province this year.

Canceled in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the highly anticipated Turogpo Festival would not push through because of a law prohibiting animal cruelty.

“Of course, we are sad because Turogpo Festival is part of Carigara’s tradition, especially during Black Saturday. But we cannot do anything about it because there is a law protecting our animals like carabaos,” Councilor Joenlee Larraga said in a phone interview over the weekend. “We have to respect the law.”

Carigara Mayor Eduardo Ong Jr. said that a Mass and short program would be held instead. “Our municipality will be celebrating this year’s Turogpo in a simpler way that will be just as meaningful,” he added.

The local government cited Republic Act No. 10631, otherwise known as the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, in its decision to call off the festival. Under the law, any person who subjects any animal to cruelty, maltreatment or neglect shall, upon conviction by final judgment, be punished by imprisonment and/ or a fine based on the court’s discretion.

While RA 10631 was amended only in 2013, the regulatory division of the Department of Agriculture in Eastern Visayas received some reports and concerns about the Turogpo Festival, prompting the local government to cancel the event.

Larraga said that they tried to get the support of the Department of Tourism and even the Leyte provincial government to promote the festival as a tourist attraction. But their request was turned down because of the law against animal cruelty.

Pitting animals against one another is no way to celebrate Holy Week. Kissing images is the more Catholic  way to celebrate but in Cebu that is still discouraged. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1198866

With the resumption of in-person church activities here in time for the Holy Week, Catholics were reminded on Tuesday that kissing images is still prohibited as part of health protocols against the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Archbishop Jose Palma said while touching sacred icons in churches has been allowed even before the Lenten season, they discourage the churchgoers from kissing the crucifix and other religious images this Holy Week, citing advisories from the Department of Health (DOH) on the continuing presence of Covid-19.

Part of the churches’ protocols, the Archdiocese of Cebu said, is the mandatory wearing of face masks, especially for those who would go to church in spite of illness.

At the historical Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, the Augustinian friars strictly implement the precautionary measures imposed by the archdiocesan officials.

“Although here in the Basilica, we allow touching of the relics and images of saints and even opened the chapel for the Sr. Sto. Niño so that people can come near the sacred image, we don’t allow kissing,” the Basilica’s spokesperson, Fr. John Ion Miranda, said.

Thousands of faithful are expected to flock to over 170 parishes, mission stations, non-parochial, and national shrines in Cebu.

It's not like kissing images is a biblical practice in the first place. 

Assassinated Businessmen

Even without the pandemic business has alway been tough in the Philippines. Why is that? Because if you are a businessman in the Philippines any rival you have will gladly assassinate you. The problem of assassination is not limited to politicians. Let's take a look at a few recent assassinated businessmen. These  are killings which have happened since the beginning of 2023. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1197351

Two gunmen riding a motorbike shot dead a businesswoman and wounded her husband in an ambush in Barangay Fatima, Gen. Santos City early Tuesday.

In a report, Col. Jomar Alexis Yap, General Santos City police director, identified the victim as Amelia Tajala, of Barangay Fatima, Gen. Santos City.

Tajala was declared dead at the GenSan Medical Center while her husband Belgar, who was driving the Mitsubishi Montero (MFN-927), was critically injured.

The victims were heading to the city fish port area at about 4:45 a.m. where they are managing a fish and money lending business when waylaid by the gunmen, who sped off in an unknown direction.

Police found 16 empty shells for a .45-caliber pistol at the crime scene.

They said they have yet to establish the motive and identities of the perpetrators.

https://digicastnegros.com/businessman-killed-3-others-found-dead/

A businessman was killed and three others were found dead in Negros Occidental, the police reported Wednesday, March 1.

Businessman Ronnie Galve Pabilona, 47, was killed at Brgy.4 Poblacion, Himamaylan City, 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, February 28.

Pabilona was eating lunch at his store when a male person entered and ordered lunch. The person went out of the store, and returned a few minutes later and suddenly shot Pabilona on the back of his head using a .45 caliber pistol, the police said.

The victim was brought to the Governor Valeriano M. Gatuslao Memorial Hospital but was declared dead on arrival, the police added.

The suspect escaped.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1954495/zamboanga/local-news/businessman-killed-6-unharmed-in-drive-by-gun-attack

A BUSINESSMAN who once served as executive assistant to the late Basilan Governor Wahab Akbar was killed while his six companions were unharmed in a drive-by gun attack in this Zamboanga City, the police reported Sunday, February 26, 2023.

Police Colonel Alexander Lorenzo, Zamboanga City Police Office director, identified the fatality as Paruk Taguri Marijun, 50, a resident of Isabela City, Basilan province.

Lorenzo said the incident happened around 6:02 p.m. Saturday in Sitio Canelar Moret, Canelar village, Zamboanga City.

Investigation showed that Majirun was driving a pick-up vehicle with six passengers coming from a wedding at a local hotel when repeatedly shot by an unidentified gunman aboard a motorcycle.

Marijun, though wounded, continued driving until he accidentally crashed into a parked motorcycle and a sundry store.

Marijun was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead by the attending physician. The suspect escaped.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/04/23/businessman-shot-dead-outside-rosario-batangas-town-hall

A businessman was shot dead outside the municipal hall of Rosario, Batangas on Tuesday, local police said.

Authorities identified the victim as Anselmo Javier Jr., 44, a resident of Barangay Bayawang of the said town.

Rosario Police records show that Javier was inside his vehicle parked outside the municipal hall when he was shot several times by a yet unidentified gunman at around 9:20 a.m. Tuesday.

Witnesses said the shooter, who was wearing a helmet and raincoat fled towards San Juan, Batangas after committing the crime. 

Javier was rushed to the Sto. Rosario Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/02/25/2247417/2-nabbed-indian-businessmans-murder

The alleged mastermind and gunman in the murder of an Indian businessman in Quezon City last Feb. 14 were arrested on Thursday.

Randy Manalo, 32, and Mark Darriel Lagarde, 21, were apprehended in separate operations, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said.

Lagarde was arrested in Barangay Pasong Putik at around 2:45 p.m. followed by Manalo in Barangay Batasan Hills at around 3:30 p.m.

The suspects were implicated in the murder of Beant Singh, 47, in Barangay Batasan Hills.

The victim was collecting payments from several people at Kagawad and San Mateo Roads when he was shot dead by an armed man at around 2:30 p.m.

Torre said police investigators tracked down Lagarde’s whereabouts based on footage from closed-circuit television cameras and the testimony of the driver of a habal-habal, a colorum motorcycle taxi, which the suspect rode to Batasan Hills.

Police seized a .380-caliber handgun and a hand grenade from Lagarde.

Under interrogation, Lagarde identified Manalo as the one who ordered him to kill Singh in exchange for P20,000.

An investigation revealed Manalo wanted Singh dead as he owes the foreigner an unspecified amount of money.

Meanwhile, two Indian traders were ambushed by motorcycle-riding assailants in Quezon City on Thursday night, which left one of them wounded.

The incident occurred in Barangay Santol at around 9:35 p.m., the QCPD Station 11 said.

Sukhwinder Singh, 32, and Sidhu Tirlochan Singh, 30, were on a motorcycle when they were attacked at the corner of Brixton Hill and Landargon streets.

The victims told probers that two men on a motorcycle, one of whom was armed with a handgun, were the suspects.

Sukhwinder was hit in his left hand and was brought to a hospital for medical treatment while Sidhu was unscathed.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/01/08/2236194/vietnamese-man-believed-killed-over-money-owed-him

A Vitenamese businessman living in Abra may have been kidnapped and killed over money he had lent someone, provincial police said.

Police Lt. Col. Maly Cula, Abra police director, said initial probe results point suggest that money lent by Vo Tien Dung, 46, might have led to someone killing him instead of paying him back. Dung was found dead in a ravine in Barangay San Marcial, San Isidro town in Abra before New Year.

Dung was reported missing on December 28, 2022. In the afternoon of December 31, two students found him dumped along the provincial road in Barangay San Marcial. 

They reported what they saw at nearby police station in Villaviciosa town who, in turn reported the discovery to San Isidro cops.

Police Executive Master Sergeant Simon Mariano, San Isidro deputy chief, said they immediately went to the scene and found the body, which he said was already decomposing. He added police were able to identify the victim as some of his clothes matched the description of those worn by Dung when he went missing.

Dung was found wearing gray pants but no upper garments.

Mariano also said that — according to the pathologist who examined Dung's remains — the victim had been strangled to death. The body also had a wound that could have been from a sharp object or a bullet.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1198221

Four foreign nationals implicated in the kidnap for ransom and killing of a Filipino-Chinese businessman in Quezon City have been arrested, the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) said on Saturday.

The arrested suspects were Chinese citizens Bei Huimin, 30; Jielong Shen, 26; and Sun XiaoHui, 26; and Vietnamese national Hong Puc Le, 33, according to a news release.

"After receiving the information from the victim’s family, PNP-AKG operatives responded to the complaint and immediately commenced an investigation. However, while the investigation and backtracking were still ongoing, the kidnapped victim was killed by his captors and they threw away his cadaver in Tanza, Cavite in the morning of March 22, 2023," the PNP-AKG said.

The PNP-AKG sought assistance from the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center.

After getting all the pertinent data, the PNP-AKG conducted operations on March 23.

The three Chinese nationals were arrested after withdrawing the ransom money of PHP560,000 from a bank along Quirino Avenue in Parañaque City.

Hong was arrested later on the same day at a mall in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

“The arrest of these individuals is an important step forward in our efforts to dismantle their group and protect our communities. Rest assured that justice will spring out and we will get to the bottom of this," PNP-AKG chief Brig. Gen. Rodolfo Castil Jr. said in a statement.

That is seven businessmen assassinated in the first quarter of the year.