Coronavirus Lockdown: Return of Flagellants, Job Hunt Tough, and More!

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

Holy Week is here and of course everyone is told to be careful to follow health protocols becasue of large gatherings. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1198889

Noting that the coronavirus disease-19 (Covid-19) still exists, the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) reminded Dabawenyos Tuesday to be cautious during the Holy Week gatherings.

Maj. Catherine Dela Rey, DCPO spokesperson, emphasized the importance of taking precautions to prevent the spread of the virus in the absence of official restrictions on public gatherings.

The Department of Health has yet to declare that Covid-19 is no longer a major public health threat, thus the need for vigilance and precautions, she said.

“It's up to the people’s discretion, but we should not forget that Covid-19 is still around. As much as possible, wear a mask if you don’t want to be exposed to the virus," the police official said.

Aside from wearing face masks, she urged the public to still practice social distancing, especially inside churches.

She noted that the recent changes in weather have resulted in many people suffering from coughs and colds.

Don't forget that despite an insignificant spike in cases the DOH has said point blank there is nothing to worry about. In fact they said there is no need to stay home if you are vaccinated. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/866161/doh-amid-hike-in-covid-19-cases-no-need-to-stay-home-if-vaccinated/story/

The recent increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases remains "insignificant" and should not cause Filipinos to limit their movement, Department of Health officer in charge Dr. Ma. Rosario Vergeire has said.

According to Lei Alviz's report on "24 Oras", Vergeire made the remark after the DOH registered a daily new COVID-19 cases of 275 from March 29 to April 4—an increase of 35% from the daily average number 204 cases from the week before.

(As long as we're vaccinated, we're wearing masks, we don't have to limit our movement to staying home. We can do the important things we have to do just as long we know how to protect ourselves.)

Vergeire said the hospital bed utilization rate across the country was "low-risk" at 16%.

The positivity rate—the percentage of those who tested positive from among those who had themselves tested for COVID-19—was at 5.8% as of April 3. 

"It was relatively quiet since December and even worldwide... So what could be driving it? There could be a new subvariant," said Dr. Guido David of OCTA Research.

"We’re monitoring a new subvariant in India, it’s XBB1.16," he added, saying it was reported to be more transmissible and it remains to be seen if it can cause severe disease.

Other factors for the increasing number of cases are the waning immunity of those who have been vaccinated and those who have been infected, and the easing of health protocols.

Does that mean the unvaccinated should stay home? What are the statistics for un vaccinated vs vaccinated people getting COVID? No doubt many un vaccinated people have not gotten COVID and vice-versa. 

Plenty of Holy Week activities are back after a three year halt.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/07/23/devotees-flock-to-antipolo-for-alay-lakad-after-3-year-halt

After three years, Ashley Mendoza finally has returned to Antipolo Cathedral, the place she had visited annually to find comfort, hope, and repentance since she was 12. 

(I'm happy. It feels good to be back. I haven't been here in 3 years. It felt so good seeing the church. It's a different feeling.)

A string of families, including young children and senior citizens, flocked to the Antipolo Cathedral for the Alay Lakad, where devotees trek to the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage starting Holy Thursday afternoon. 

Apart from her kids, her 64-year old father also joined the throng of faithfuls heading to Antipolo Cathedral by foot.

(Now that I am old, I want to try it. They are here every year except during the pandemic.) 

Flagellation is also back after COVID-19 protocols have been relaxed. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/multimedia/photo/04/07/23/good-friday-sees-return-of-flagellants

A penitent lies down while self-flagellating during a local ritual meant to atone for sins in observance of Good Friday in Brgy. Bambang in Bulakan, Bulacan. Relaxed COVID-19 protocols in the country have seen a return of extreme shows of faith despite the Catholic church’s disapproval. 

The lifting of COVID travel restrictions has resulted in quite a few deaths but not from COVID. It was COVID revenge travel.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/04/10/2257839/72-dead-drowning-after-holy-week-season-police

At least 72 people have died by drowning in the Philippines since the start of the month, police said Monday, attributing the unusually high figure in part to millions hitting the beach for Holy Week.  

The holiday is traditionally marked in the Catholic-majority nation by millions of people leaving the capital Manila to spend time with family.

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokeswoman Colonel Jean Fajardo said the high toll was partly due to "revenge travel" as the country emerges from years of mobility restrictions to contain the coronavirus. 

"People got a bit excited to go to beaches and resorts," Fajardo told AFP.  

A breakdown of the fatalities was not immediately available, but Fajardo said the victims included children who were left unattended by guardians while swimming, as well as people who hit beaches while drunk.

Fajardo called the death toll "unusual" and higher than past years. 

"Resorts and beaches were packed. This also contributed to the number of drowning incidents," she added. 

Of course travel restrictions have been lifted for a year and a half now. How many times do people have to be told to never leave your children unattended while swimming and don't go swimming drunk?

Bacolod is compiling a list of COVID health emergency allowance benefits. 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1958080/bacolod/local-news/cho-told-to-submit-list-of-covid-allowance-beneficiaries

THE Bacolod City Council has approved a resolution requesting the City Health Office (CHO) through the office of Mayor Alfredo Benitez to submit to the City Council the complete list of names with corresponding designation and area of assignment of all qualified recipients/health workers of the One Covid Allowance (OCA) health emergency allowance (HEA).

The City Council also asked the CHO to submit its guidelines for the qualification of the said grant in compliance with the colatilla for ratifying Resolution No. 211, Series of 2023.

The resolution, authored by Councilor Em Ang, was approved during the regular session of the City Council on Tuesday afternoon, April 4.

Ang said Resolution No. 211 Series of 2023 was passed on March 1, 2023 during the 35th Regular Session ratifying the Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of Health, represented by Dr. Adriano Subaan and the City of Bacolod, represented by Benitez regarding the transfer of funds for the grant of the OCA/HEA.

She said a colatilla was added to the resolution that the CHO must first submit to the City Council the complete list of names with corresponding designation and area of assignment of all qualified recipients and health workers of the OCA/HEA and likewise its guidelines for the qualification of the said grant.

She added that the City Treasurer's Office started disbursing the allowance to recipients in the last week of March.

Ang noted that the City Council has not received the list of qualified recipients pursuant to the colatilla of the above-mentioned Resolution.

"This is to reiterate our call to the CHO to submit the aforesaid requested documents to the City Council immediately," Ang said.

This money is long overdue to health workers. 

Local residents are saying an oil spill has been more devastating than the pandemic. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/866490/some-residents-say-oil-spill-impact-worse-than-that-of-covid-19-says-group/story/

Affected residents of two towns in Oriental Mindoro find the assistance they have been given after the oil spill in March insufficient, a study conducted by an environmental group has shown.

At a press conference, Center for Environmental Concerns Philippines (CEC) research coordinator Jordan Fronda said some residents have said the impact of the oil spill was worse than that of the COVID-19 pandemic.

(Some were saying that the oil spill is worse than COVID-19 in terms of its effects. Because of the oil spill, they have nothing. They cannot get food from the sea.)

(Almost everyone received relief in Pola but there was relatively less distribution in Calapan. Nonetheless, there is a sentiment that the quantity and quality of relief needs to be improved.)

Strange they would think that seeing as the government practically destroyed the economy. Both are manmade disasters though. 

The lack of face-to-face classes over the past three years has caused problems for job seekers.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1755172/job-hunt-tough-for-graduates-of-pandemic-generation

Fresh graduates are finding it more difficult to land jobs as many of them lack “soft skills” — or those related to empathy, creativity, resilience, and communication — and practical job skills that would have been best honed in face-to-face classes.

This was among the main findings of a recent Commission on Human Rights (CHR) situational report, which sought to underline urgent challenges faced by new graduates in a post-pandemic normal.

The report also provided one of the first snapshots of the hardships faced by the “pandemic generation,” or the first wave of students who experienced pandemic learning during their formative school years.

Its findings were culled from focus group discussions with officials of the national government, prospective employers, school teachers, administrators and principals, and the youth.

Among others, it found that new graduates tended to experience a “culture shock” upon entering the workplace “because their expectations differ[ed] from what they were taught at school.”

There is more to it than that of course but count on it the lack of face to face classes did nothing to help students or stop the spread of the virus. 

The God Culture: 100 Lies About The Philippines: #3 Queen City of the South

Welcome back to 100 lies The God Culture teaches about the Philippines. Today's lie concerns the nickname of Cebu City which is The Queen City of the South. Timothy Jay Schwab says no one knows how that moniker was bestowed upon Cebu City but as we shall see that is simply another lie.

This lie can be found on pages 87-88 of Timothy's book The Search for King Solomon's Treasure.

Solomon's Treasure, pg 87-88

Cebu City today is still known as the “Queen City of the South” and no one seems to coherently know where that identifier originated. Iloilo, Panay, also in Visayas near Cebu, has the same nomenclature. It likely originated in Matthew 12:42 as Messiah called Sheba the “Queen of the South” which is the same connotation of Cebu and Iloilo today (Matt. 12:42, Luke 11:30). Along the same vein, Sheba means 7 and Cebu just by chance happens to be in Region 7. Additionally, is it not fascinating that Lake Sebu in Mindanao has Seven Falls or Sheba Falls?

That is total nonsense and stems from Tim's false teaching that Cebu island is the Biblical land of Sheba. It is not. The biblical land of Sheba is in Southern Arabia likely Yemen. It is certainly not the island of Cebu which is half a world away from Israel. Cebu is also to the east of Israel and not to the south.

The origin of the nickname "Queen City of the South" is actually well known. It was first bestowed upon Ilolio by the Queen Regent of Spain. 

Due to the loyalty of the Ilonggos, the city of Iloilo was honored with the perpetual title of Muy Noble (Most Noble). The Royal Decree granting this title was signed on 1 March 1898 by Queen Regent Maria Cristina. Over time, this title earned for Iloilo City the reputation of it being "The Queen's Favored City in the South" or simply "Queen's City in the South", and was later evolve to "The Queen City of the South", being the second Spanish port of importance next to Manila, and being located South of the Archipelago's Capital. On a side note, at the beginning of the American period until the Second World War, Cebu became the second port of importance (Iloilo having been partly ravaged by bombardment, fire, and riots during the American occupation of Iloilo City).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iloilo_City#The_Revolutionary_Period_(1896)

During World War 2 Iloilo was destroyed and Cebu City then became a prominent port and surpassed Iloilo economically. It was then that Cebu City took the name of Queen City of the South. 

Iloilo City was originally known as the "Queen City of the South," a title that evolved from another Iloilo title, "Queen's Favored City of the South." From being the Queen Regent of Spain, Maria Christina's favorite city in the south of Manila in the late 19th century. Iloilo became the second-most important city in the Philippines at that time, giving it a reason to evolve to the title of "Queen City of the South" until the mid 20th century, after World War II, leaving the city devastated and causing investors to flee to nearby Cebu City. Cebu later claimed the title after it surpassed Iloilo's economy in the 80s. Although some people disagree with Cebu's claim since the title is of historical significance to Iloilo alone and not for which city is the next second-most important in the country

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

This paragraph has been deleted by a Wikipedia editor who claimed he was cleaning up unnecessary clutter on the Cebu City entry but you can read it at this link. 

If Timothy Jay Schwab had bothered to research the origin of the name Queen City of the South he would not have written something so dumb as to say the name originates in the Gospel of Matthew. It is a recent name applied only 40 years ago. 

Insurgency: Don't Play Victim

The recent attacks by the NPA near schools in Masbate have caused an outcry amongst public officials. DepEd Secretary Duterte and the Alliance of Concerned Teachers have engaged in a word war over these attacks. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1198459

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Wednesday urged the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) to stop using the "victim card" and condemn the terrorist attacks of the New People's Army (NPA) in Masbate, which have affected learners.

Duterte made the remark after the group accused her of red-tagging following her comments on the group's "unrealistic and impossible" requests.

"Part of its deceptive tactic when stripped down of its intentions – with its real political agenda exposed to the public – is to conveniently hide under the blanket of red-tagging," she said. "ACT Teachers should stop dropping the victim card around the table whenever they are exposed as sympathizers and supporters of the NPA, the Communist Party of the Philippines, and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines."

Duterte added that it is with great urgency to expose the group's intention, having been a "fake representative of learners and teachers."

"The real victims here are the learners, and the Department of Education is pouring in all our efforts to solve the problem," she said.

The ACT earlier called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to hire 30,000 teachers and allot PHP100 billion in funds for the building of classrooms annually.

The education chief, however, criticized the timing of the request, saying it was a diversion from the supposed issue of the alarming terrorist attacks in Masbate.

"If ACT Teachers stands for the education sector, it would not have ignored the NPA terrorism in Masbate that resulted in the suspension of classes in six towns of the province, affecting more than 55,000 learners and 2,815 personnel, which they claim to represent," Duterte said. "We should only take ACT Teachers seriously if it publicly condemns NPA atrocities in Masbate and all other NPA terroristic activities that hampered the learning of children across the country."

This is not the first time the ACT has been labelled a terrorist front. Strangely enough even though the NTF-ELCAC also claims they are a front neither they nor the DepEd are barring teachers from joining the group.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1198904

The Department of Education (DepEd) and National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Tuesday warned public school teachers and the youth to remain vigilant in joining groups that are considered legal fronts of communist groups. 

The agencies made the warning following tirades of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) against DepEd amid terrorist attacks in Masbate, Camarines Sur and Rizal. 

In a press conference, DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said that although it is not illegal to join organizations, it is important to identify the organizations' nature. 

"No, we will not abridge the freedom of our teachers to join these organizations or for these organizations to conduct their activity whatever they want. But even if we allow them in their activities because we cannot stop them, we will not condone teachers who commit or engage in criminal activities," he said. 

Officials discussed their stance on organizations like the ACT, which is said to be "linked to underground mass organizations." 

"That's why I call on the teachers, including those who are members of the ACT, to be more vigilant. They should be discriminating. And try to understand, evaluate them and check their profile for themselves, as to where their leaders are directing them. Listen to what they are saying," NTF-ELCAC executive director Ernesto Torres Jr. said. 

Torres said that although the majority of ACT members are not part of the underground propaganda, the profile and intent of its core leaders must be tested. 

"Majority of them are not really aware that they are supporting the underground mass organization which is KaGuMa. KaGuMa is Katipunan ng mga Gurong Makabayan... Their core leaders in ACT, we can confidently say that they are part of KaGuMa, that they are party members of the CPP-NPA-NDF. So what we should be dealing with are those agitators within the ACT," he said.

The NTF-ELCAC described agitators as individuals or leaders who operate with the intent to agitate others, leading them to doing something criminal or socially unacceptable. 

If the ACT is a front for the CPP-NPA-NDF why would the DepEd allow teachers to join the organization? If the ACT is a terrorist group then all considerations of freedom of association is out. Would they allow teachers to join ISIS or ASG or the BIFF or the NPA? Of course not and if the ACT is a front for the NPA then they are indeed a terrorist organization. These contradictory statements make no sense. On the one hand they condemn the ACT and on the other they allow teachers to join.

As for what is recalling happening in Masbate, the public may never know since everything we can read about it is propaganda in one way or the other. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1749961/masbate-clashes-when-propaganda-war-eclipses-battle-outcomes

News reports indicate at least 55,199 students, 2,815 teachers, and 140 schools were constrained to shift their classes from in-person to modular distance learning to ensure their safety from the crossfire and cross-explosions.

The NPA has admitted to launching coordinated harassment operations in Placer and Dimasalang in commemoration of the NPA’s 54th anniversary on March 29, as well as undertaking a successful active defense maneuver in Cawayan.

The latter incident resulted in the NPA killing of Cpl. Antonio Parreno Jr. of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Battalion, among several Army and PNP casualties claimed by the NPA-Masbate Jose Rapsing Command.

The Army has accused the NPA of detonating improvised explosive devices near populated areas such as schools. The NPA says its tactical offensives were of some distance to the schools. It has instead accused the soldiers of retreating to those school grounds (thereby using the schoolchildren as human shields) and indiscriminately firing their weapons including a rifle grenade on those grounds.

The propaganda war by both sides continues to intensify parallel to their armed hostilities. They cannot be relied on for the truth because this is the proverbial first casualty in war, where propaganda has become even more important than the actual military score. Ordinarily, this would be an occasion for some sectors to call for resumption of peace negotiations (but conspicuously not also calling for an accompanying ceasefire) between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), which represents the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its military arm the NPA.

But we have to get real. At this point, both sides simply do not want peace talks, much less a ceasefire. The new Masbate incidents are the best evidence of this. Both sides believe (or say) that they are winning their war. The problem is that this could go on for another 54 years. But at what cost to the country and to the people purportedly being served? What then is to be done in a situation of continuing local communist armed conflict?

Indeed every statement from the AFP, DepEd, and NTF-ELCAC must be taken with a huge grain of salt especially since they contradict themselves. If the ACT is a terrorist front then all teachers must be barred from joining. In fact the NTF-ELCAC says the NPA has a history of victimizing students. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1198764

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Monday scored the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) for its "pattern" of victimizing students by mounting “ruthless and indiscriminate” attacks near public schools while demanding the resumption of peace talks with the government.

In a statement, the NTF-ELCAC pointed out the attacks are in flagrant and utter disregard for the welfare and safety of thousands of pupils, teachers and their communities, noting schools are peace zones.

"The communist terrorist’s violent design is clear -- launch attacks near schools and other vulnerable public places to sow fear and confusion in a desperate but, ultimately, futile bid to project an image of strength, to coerce and blackmail the government to submit to a ceasefire, and fall into the trap of another round of national peace talks with the CPP-NPA and their allies in the National Democratic Front (NDF),” it said.

"It is for this reason that the NTF-ELCAC joins Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte and our partners in the education sector in calling out and condemning the communist terrorist perpetrators, their insidious enablers and callous conspirators who should be held to account for these transgressions,” it added.

The NTF-ELCAC noted that such tactics "are among the oldest and dirtiest tricks in this enemy’s playbook, used to great effect for decades now."

The task force also debunked the need for peace talks at the national level since local peace talks “have been fruitful and, in a short period, have borne more positive results than decades worth of ‘peace talks’ with self-styled leaders of the CPP-NPA-NDF.”

On the other hand, the NTF-ELCAC supported the Vice President's stand in rejecting calls by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers for peace talks.

It likewise commiserated with the victims of the CPP-NPA’s latest assaults on peace -- children who were subjected to the trauma of explosions and gunfire, teachers and pupils alike fearing for their lives and safety as soldiers and innocent civilians were treacherously attacked.

“To those who were harmed, maimed or killed, we grieve and offer our sincerest sympathies. To the cowards who perpetrate these attacks, we swear the righteous justice of our laws and that of God. On the face of these assaults against our nation’s peace by the cowards of the CPP-NPA, we shall continue to bring genuine progress and meaningful development to the people and communities victimized by this 54-year insanity of the CPP-NPA-NDF," it said.

This victimization no doubt extends to recruitment of the youth. Back in February the AFP said COVID slowed recruitment down but now it could pick up again. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1194856

The Philippine Army on Thursday said recruitment by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) could intensify now that movement restrictions due to the health pandemic have eased up.

Philippine Army Visayas commander, Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, said they are now assessing and analyzing the effects of the pandemic in terms of the conduct of recruitment.

"We feel that Covid-19 also was able to slow down their recruitment," he said.

Arevalo said roughly the strength of the CPP-NPA in Panay island is between 200 to 250.

Apart from the pandemic, Arevalo also credited the efforts of the Regional Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) in the drop of the CPP-NPA recruitment.

With the slowdown in recruitment, the PA Visayas commander ordered his men to fast-track the neutralization of the armed component of the communist movement.

"Let us not wait for our enemy to die of old age, let us not wait for them to just fade away. We really have to exert pressure on our operations and be able to convince them to go back to the folds of the law if not be captured," he said.

Movement restrictions have been lifted for about a year and a half. If recruitment was going to intensify then it should have done so already. Plus the AFP keeps saying that the NPA is irrelevant and has less roughly 2,000 members. It seems they really don't know what is happening with recruitment-wise with the NPA.

Davao City is celebrating it's insurgency-free status. 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1957685/davao/local-news/council-passes-resolution-celebrating-davao-citys-insurgency-free-status

THE Davao City council has passed a resolution commemorating the anniversary of Davao City’s declaration as “insurgency-free.”

“It has been one year since Davao City has enjoyed the status of ‘Insurgency Free’ and it is appropriate to celebrate this event to remember the efforts of our peace-keeping and security forces in the City of Davao and give the opportunity to honor their actions that shaped a better future for our City,” Davao City councilor Luna Acosta, chairperson of the committee on peace and public safety, said during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod on March 28, 2023.

On March 24, 2022, Davao City was declared as insurgency free through resolution no. 0115-22, which was passed on July 19, 2022.

“Peace and Order are considered as a vital factor in sustaining a harmonious and well-developed locality, thus, the 20th City Council recognizes the remarkable actions of the peace-keeping and security forces in the City of Davao,” Acosta said.

Following the passage of the resolution, 10th Infantry Division (10ID) supported its idea of the celebration.

“The 10th Infantry (AGILA) Division, Philippine Army, welcomed the resolution passed before the Davao City Council celebrating the first anniversary of the city as “insurgency-free” since its declaration on March 24, 2022,” 10ID said in their press release.

10ID Division Commander Major General Jose Eriel M Niembra said the military force will continue “the gains of peace and development not only in Davao City but in the entire area of responsibility of Agila Division.”

“Since the declaration of Davao City and the whole of Region 11 as insurgency-free, we have seen and experienced a boom in tourism, socio-economic activities, infrastructure, and many more. We will keep it that way as we stand to safeguard the welfare of all Davaoeños to ensure peace and order," Niembra said.

But not every region is so lucky as the fight continues to rage especially in the Visayas. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199038

A soldier of the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) was wounded during an encounter with the remnants of the dismantled New People’s (NPA) Army Northern Negros Front (NNF) in the hinterlands of Toboso, Negros Occidental on Thursday afternoon.

The 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) said the trooper, whose identity is still being withheld by the unit, is now in a stable condition at a hospital here, where he received the Wounded Personnel Medal from Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, commander of 303IBde, on Friday morning.

“It is with great pride that I commend the tireless efforts of officers and troops of 79IB under Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines. The same goes for our wounded personnel. Truly, the devotion and sacrifices made by our soldiers to their oath to safeguard fellow Filipinos and the country are beyond measure,” Edralin said.

He added the 303IBde appreciates the continued support of the locals who provide information to the troops on the presence of the NPA rebels in their community.

“They have now understood that communist-terrorists are the menace of the society. The 79IB also acted immediately to the information given by the locals,” he added.

At around 4 p.m., soldiers engaged about 10 NPA fighters in Sitio Seraje, Barangay San Isidro after residents complained of extortion and propaganda activities.

Based on the accounts of the locals, at least three wounded rebels were seen withdrawing from the encounter site, the report said.  

During the clearing operation, troops recovered two homemade shotguns with two magazines and live ammunition, mobile phone battery, medicine kits, hammocks, rainboots and other personal items, and subversive documents.  

The NNF, which was part of the NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor, was dismantled by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police in April 2021.

From late 2021 to 2022, some of its top leaders have been killed in clashes while some members have surrendered, although others continue to conduct recruitment and recovery efforts, particularly in the hinterland villages in the boundaries of Escalante City, in Toboso and Calatrava towns, and in other remote areas of northern Negros.

"Remnants of the dismantled New People’s (NPA) Army Northern Negros Front (NNF)?" The AFP claims the NNF was dismantled in 2021 but it seems they are still operating even though it be with "remnants." This is why the AFP cannot and should not definitively declare fronts dismantled and areas cleared until they are actually dismantled and cleared meaning all NPA are neutralized not simply that they have not been seen for some time. 

Pokwang Lawsuit Proves How Disgusting She Really Is

I do not write about celebrities because honestly, who cares? However, the saga of Pokwang and her American ex-boyfriend Lee O'Brian is certainly worth writing about because of the nasty and all too Filipino turn it has taken.

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/492714/pokwang-braces-for-legal-battle-vs-ex-lee-obrian-taps-high-profile-lawyer

Actress-comedienne Pokwang appeared to be taking her domestic woes with estranged partner Lee O’Brian to court over the custody of and child support for their daughter Malia, after she tapped a high-profile law firm to represent her.

While she did not specifically disclose the case she would be filing, Pokwang was in fighting form when she appeared before the Calinisan Domingo and Beron law offices, where public interest lawyer Ralph Calinisan was a founding partner.

Calinisan is also the boyfriend of actress Dawn Chang, who Pokwang met during the 2022 presidential campaign for former Vice President Leni Robredo.

(Thank you, Atty. Ralph Calinisan. The fight for our future continues. I am not going to give up for you, my daughter Malia. If I can raise my eldest daughter alone, I will continue to work hard and be courageous for you and your older sister.)

Pokwang also uploaded a photo of herself posing with Atty. Calinisan, and her daughters Malia and Ria, on her Instagram Stories.

“Thank you, Atty. @ralph_calinisan lalaban tayo! Bansa ko ang [Pilipinas] so sino ang mag-aadjust? Para kay Malia di ako susuko t*h ka! Wooh! Ang saya sayaaaa,” she wrote on the photo. (Thank you, Atty. Ralph Calinisan. We will fight. The Philippines is my country so who will adjust? For Malia, I will not give up. I’m so happy.)

While the comedienne has yet to reveal the details of their meet-up, it seems that she is aiming for a legal battle for custody against O’Brian, as seen in the comments of her post, where she responded to one of her supporters.

“File child support here [in the U.S because] he’s a US citizen,” one @susan_bq pointed out. O’Brian, who’s currently based in the Philippines, is noted to be a citizen of the U.S.

Pokwang responded, “Tamaaa!!!! (Correct!)”

Calinisan also uploaded the photo of their meet-up on his personal Instagram account, which appeared to have occurred last March 17.

“Alam na this. Salamat po ma’am,” he said in the caption. (You know this. Thank you, ma’am.)

Earlier this month, Pokwang became emotional after a Philippine Airlinesflight attendant approached her to commend her for being a strong mother, during a trip to the U.S.

She also revealed that there’s no stopping her from pushing back against O’Brian, noting that the latter never said sorry for his supposed wrongdoings against her and her children.

What's all too Filipino about this is rather than treating the lawsuit as something serious, somber, and private she is beaming and proud about it. She has even included her children in these pictures with her lawyer. 

Years ago I wrote about the lawsuit happy nature of Filipinos and also noted that the same was observed 300 years ago by an Augustinian friar. 

50. They are revengeful to an excessive degree—so much so that they are vile and cowardly; and the ministers have great trouble in reconciling them with their enemies; and although they do it through fear, it is never with the whole heart, for this passion has great influence over them. And since they need magnanimity and manliness to overcome it, and these virtues are foreign to them, hate generally forces its roots into them so deeply that it is impossible to eradicate it in a whole lifetime.

This is the reason why they are so inclined to litigation, and to going before the audiencias and courts with their quarrels, in which they willingly spend their possessions for the sole purpose of making others spend theirs and of causing them harm and trouble. For that they are even wont to pledge their sons and daughters.

http://www.philippinehistory.net/views/1720sanagustinb.htm

The only thing new here is that now her children have been drawn not simply into a lawsuit but into their mother's very public drama concerning her ex-boyfriend. How sad for them. How pathetic and disgusting for Pokwang.

The God Culture: Jesus Christ is Not Our Passover Lamb

It is no secret that Timothy Jay Schwab who is The God Culture teaches that the Book of Jubilees is sacred scripture. The problem with that book is that it exalts the law as God's highest revelation and wrongly tells us that the Patriarchs were celebrating the feasts spelled out in the Mosaic law. What happens then is that the meaning of the feasts (Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles) are no longer rooted in the Exodus and lose all their Christological significance as well. Case in point is Tim's teaching about the first day of unleavened bread where he says in no uncertain terms that the meaning of Jesus Christ's crucifixion is rooted in the sacrifice of Isaac and not the Feast of Passover. That means Jesus Christ is not our Passover lamb sacrificed for us.

The Miraculous First Day of Unleavened Bread. Far More Than We Are Taught. This Is Awesome!!!

46:44 Messiah didn't follow the timeline of the Passover Lamb either, many bring that up, he followed the Covenant timeline set in the sacrifice to be of Isaac the son of Covenant. Isaac was offered, of course the angel stopped Abraham, but Abraham in his heart placed Yahuah above his own son. this is exactly what Yahusha is repeating in timeline not the Passover Lamb in that sense. It's about the Covenant.

49:16 He was not crucified with the Passover Lamb. That's nonsense. He was with Isaac's sacrifice.

53:06  There's no logic to him being crucified on Passover, uh, itself which is an evening event and that's just this nonsense. Uh, he would not because, at the bottom on the 15th, uh, that is the same time frame that Isaac was to be sacrificed.

That is absolute unbiblical heresy. The Bible tells us quite plainly that Jesus Christ is the lamb who taketh away the sins of the world and that he is our Passover sacrificed for us. 

At no point in the Bible do we find the death and birth of Christ tied to the birth and death of Isaac. Yes Isaac is a type of Christ as are Joseph, Noah, David, Solomon, and Adam but the meaning of Christ's death is to be found in the Passover and the Passover is rooted in the Exodus and not in any time previous. Jesus shed his blood on the cross and he leads us out of bondage and into freedom just as the Israelites were saved by the blood on the door posts and lead out of Egypt to the promised land.

What bondage and freedom is that?  Galatians tells us quite plainly the bondage of the law and the freedom of Christ.

Now, there is a lot more nonsense in this latest video from Timothy Jay Schwab who is The God Culture but the main point is covered. Because he uses the Book of Jubilees as Scripture Tim denies that Jesus Christ is our Passover Lamb who has been sacrificed for us. This blasphemy and denial of the plain truth of the Bible is what you get when you introduce nonsense like Jubilees as Scripture. 

The God Culture: 100 Lies About The Philippines: #2 Ferdinand Pinto Located The Philippines at 9N20

Welcome back to 100 lies The God Culture teaches about the Philippines. Today's lie concerns Ferdinand Pinto's shipwreck on the Lequios islands. Timothy Jay Schwab claims that Pinto located the Lequios islands at coordinates that match the Philippines and concludes that the Philippine islands are the Lequios islands. But as we shall see that is a lie. 

This lie can be found on page 163 of  Timothy Jay Schwab's book The Search for King Solomon's Treasure. 

Solomon's Treasure, pg. 163

Contemporary to Magellan, Ferdinand Pinto classified the Lequios and Chinese as the wealthiest in the Orient trading in gold and silver especially. He defines the Lequios Islands as an archipelago, not Taiwan, as well as a separate country. He also differentiates the Lequios as not Japan, China, Indonesia nor Malaysia but in between those. Pinto also travelled to the Lequios Islands from Malaysia headed North which he placed in the modern Philippines specifically on 9N20.  

Tim's source for this claim is J.G. Cheock's book Phoenicians in the land of Gold. 

Take note that Tim is citing Cheock who is citing Rebecca Catz's translation of The Travels of Mendes Pinto. Why didn't Tim cut out the middle man and cite Rebecca Catz directly? Also take note that there is no page number given for Cheock's citation of Catz. In her book it looks like this:

Cheock claims Rebecca Catz is where she got Pinto locating the Leqouis Islands at 9N20. What is 9N20 anyway? 9 is a northern latitude but what is 20? Longitude? Which direction? East or West? On its face 9N20 is gibberish and not coordinates at all.

The fact is 9N20 does not appear anywhere in Catz's translation whatsoever.  Here is what her translation actually says:

page 1,291 of epub

“This Ryukyu island is situated at twenty-nine degrees latitude.”

Excerpt From: Fernão Mendes Pinto. “The Travels of Mendes Pinto.” Apple Books. 

That's right. Along with everyone else in the world Rebecca Catz identifies the Lequios Islands with the Ryukyu Islands which are off the coast of Japan going towards China. Now let's take a look at the first English edition of Pinto's Travels and see what it says. 

In this manner we departed from Pungor the capital City of the Island of Lequios, of which I will here make a brief relation, to the end that if it shall one day please God to inspire the Portugal Nation, principally for the exaltation and increase of the Catholick faith, and next for the great benefit that may redound thereof, to undertake the Conquest of this Island, they may know where first to begin, as also the commodities of it, and the easiness of this Conquest. We must understand then that this Island of Lequios, scituated in nine and twenty degrees, is two hundred leagues in circuit, threescore in length, and thirty in bredth.

Pinto, pg. 188

Here we see that he locates the Leqouis Islands at nine and twenty degrees! Somehow nine and twenty became 9 N 20 and now this mistake is being passed off as truth by Timothy Jay Schwab and J.G. Cheock. This first edition English translation of 1663 has this story which Cheock claims was too outrageous to be included and so was censored!

Explorer and writer Ferdinand Mendes Pinto who travelled in service to the Portugese crown and in association with the Jesuit Missionaries, recounted in his journal, how he had been shipwrecked on the island of Lequois while passing through the Malay Archipelago. He described the Lequios as a land belonging to a large group of islands that had abundant resources of gold and silver. In his journal he had the audacity to give details on Lequois, putting it in the latitude of 9N20 on a meridian similar to that of Japan. Given these directions, Lequois would be at the very heart of the Philippines. The story of his shipwreck on Lequios was deemed so outrageous that it was omitted from his book when it was first published.

Phoenicians in the Lands of Gold, pg. 11

J.G. Cheock is wrong and Tim is wrong because he cites her. If The God Culture were an actual group of researchers and not just one man it is doubtful this mistake would have been made. Surely someone on the team would have gone looking for the original source rather than rely on a second hand citation. But Tim is on record saying it does not matter if he cites sources secondhand because they always say what he claims they say. 

https://youtu.be/EscrM4o-h4M

17:18 However a Pharisee looks at that and scoffs. "Heh! Well you could have used a better source. Why is your font so small on that screen? That one quote doesn't say that!" Though it always does say exactly what we represent by the way because it always vets, every single challenge has. "That map that shows those islands southeast of China's not really showing southeast of China. That's, well, India." Huh? No it's southeast of China. That's what the maps shows, duh. "And that map, and that map, and those directions, and those directions, and aww that font should be larger and yaw you should have quoted that differently, and..." 

I mean that's the kind of stuff that you get for going out, stepping out on a limb, and doing the research and telling people what is truth. And we prove it.  Those same people don't even bother to actually review the whole case. No. No, no. They'll watch one brief video or a few brief videos and then go and just ramble on and on and on.  And they are absolutely ignorant.  They don't even know what we prove, what we don't prove but all along they'll say "Ah see you didn't prove that." Well how will you know what we prove? You didn't even review the case. But it doesn't matter because it's not their point. They throw it all out in ignorance, haven't even reviewed the case yet they know because they know what we're going to prove because they have what basis? Absolutely none.  

"You used a font too small! Throw it out!"  Really? "You quoted a secondary source citing the original" oh which happens to be true and in representation actually match the original? Duh! I mean could you be more ridiculous? Yet we get all of this.

As you can see Tim did not step out and do any research when it comes to Ferdinand Pinto's locating the Leqouis Islands. Instead he relies on Cheock and he gets it wrong and now this lie is a part of his "monumental case for the Philippines no one can disprove." This is why primary sources are imperative. He would know that if he was a real researcher but Timothy Jay Schwab is no researcher. He is a propagandist.

Tim makes this same claim about Pinto locating the Lequios islands at 9N20 in a video where he gives a source very different from J.G. Cheock. 

Clue#25: Philippines is Ophir: Magellan, Pinto, Barbosa, King of Spain, Cabot KNEW - Ophir, Tarshish

6:15 Pinto even goes as far as to give the exact location latitude of the main Lequios Island as modern-day Luzon Philippines in fact if you follow his directions exactly and we'll do that later you will end up in Northwest Luzon or Ilocos specifically

The source here is ancientphilippines.blogspot.com. He also has a very long citation as if he were actually citing page 262 of the 1663 English translation of Pinto's Travels but he is definitely not citing it. That citation is not to be found on the ancientphilippines blog site. As I showed above on page 188 Pinto locates the Lequios Islands at a latitude of 29 North. It just goes to show that accurately citing primary sources is very important. 

So where exactly do the coordinates 9N20 put you anyway?

9N20

Central Africa! That's a long way from the Philippines.