Coronavirus Lockdown: Surfing Tourney, Equity, and More!

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

DOH Secretary Herbosa appeared before the UN to talk about what the Philippines is doing to prevent another pandemic from happening. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/22/herbosa-reaffirms-ph-pandemic-prevention-efforts

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa reaffirmed the Philippines' commitment to enhancing pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response efforts during a United Nations-led high-level meeting in New York City.

Herbosa on Sept. 20 conveyed the department's commitment to lead the organization of developing member-states in a Group for Equity within the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body for Pandemic Threats.

He also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the member-states on behalf of the Filipino people for their assistance during the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly through donations of countermeasures.

Herbosa emphasized the value of open communication between the public and private sectors and emphasized the necessity of a multisectoral strategy for addressing the multifaceted vulnerabilities that nations face.

He also took great pride in recognizing the crucial contributions made by Filipino healthcare professionals around the world during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The DOH chief also brought up the need for balance during the meeting to prevent a large-scale exodus of healthcare professionals, which might result in a brain drain for developing nations, such as the Philippines.

He also said equity must be a central tenet during any future global pandemics. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/22/ph-advocates-equity-in-global-pandemic-response

The Department of Health (DOH) expressed the country’s position that equity should remain a central tenet of multilateral efforts concerning pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response at the United Nations General Assembly's (UNGA) Multi-Stakeholder Panel meeting on Sept. 20.

DOH Undersecretary Kenneth Ronquillo underscored the importance of integrating gender equality and migrant protection into the discussion.

This is especially important because the Philippines contributes significantly to the global healthcare workforce, he said.

Furthermore, Ronquillo expressed the country's strong support for the establishment of a global health governance structure dedicated to pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.

He pointed out that this move is in line with the Philippines' commitment to fostering international cooperation and accountability in addressing global health crises.

Ronquillo said the DOH's active participation in the UNGA panel demonstrates the Philippines' commitment to promoting a fair and inclusive approach to tackling pandemics on a global scale.

Apparently this will offer protection to the many Filipino OFW health workers. 

Tourism continues to rebound this time with the second year of the return of the international surfing tournament in Siragao. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1210397

The hosting of the upcoming 27th Siargao International Surfing Cup will bring full recovery of the tourism industry on Siargao Island, the Department of Tourism in the Caraga Region (DOT-13) said Friday.

“Looking back to its modest beginnings in 1992, the annual Siargao International Surfing Cup has proven to be a game changer in the tourism industry, not only in the province of Surigao del Norte but in the entire country as well,” DOT-13 Director Ivonnie Dumadag said in a statement.

Also on Friday, the DOT-13 announced the start of registration for the upcoming sports event that will be held at the Cloud 9 Surfing Spot in General Luna town, Surigao del Norte, from Oct. 25 to Nov. 1.

The event, categorized as Qualifying Series 3000, is sanctioned by the World Surf League.

Siargao's annual surfing cup is considered the longest-running international sports tourism event in the country that has brought the island to the global tourism map.

The event, however, was stalled in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and the onslaught of typhoon Odette.

Last year, the 26th international surfing tourney staged from Oct. 15 to 21 was preceded by the national surfing cup sponsored by the local government of General Luna town.

The international event this year is organized by the Office of Surigao del Norte 1st District Rep. Francisco Jose Matugas II and the General Luna town government, with the support of House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Presidential son Vincent Marcos and the Tingog Party-list.

Most of the hotels, resorts, restaurants and other tourism-related establishments (TREs) in General Luna town are fully operational over a year after the “Odette” typhoon, just in time for the upcoming international surfing event.

Many tourism establishments are full after Odette but there are places still recovering from that typhoon two years later. 

In particular the local dive industry in Cebu is still recovering from the pandemic and Odette. 

https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-business/2023/09/23/2298444/local-dive-operators-seek-help-fight-vs-colorum-instructors

While it is apparent that the dive tourism sector in Cebu has recovered, local operators are also facing a challenge with the rising number of colorum dive instructors.

Gary Cases, vice president of Malapascua Business Association, said the island, which is consistently voted as one of the top five best diving destinations in the world, is not only attracting professional scuba and pre diving hobbyists but also foreigners who are also illegally practicing as diving operators and instructors.  

In an interview with Cases, he revealed that local dive instructors need the help of the government to help police or apprehend the presence of unlicensed foreign diving instructors who are now affecting the jobs of the people in the local diving industry.

These foreign diving operators, Cases said are conducting businesses without permits not only in Malapascua, but also in other diving destinations in the Philippines.

Cases, who operates DiveLink Cebu, noted that these colorum dive instructors do not only steal jobs from the local dive tourism business, but also threatens the safety of tourists with their outright disregard of the laws.

“They can work here. We are not telling them not to work here, but they need to get permits,” he said.

Existence of colorum dive instructors have been there for a while, but Cases said it has worsened these days as foreign divers are coming back after the pandemic.

Cases hopes that the government like the Department of Tourism (DOT) and even the Local Government Units (LGUs) will help the local stakeholders in the diving industry to protect their livelihood.

“When we go to other countries and seek for work, we get work permits. They should do the same here,” he explained. 

One of the main reasons why some foreign diving expeditions or groups prefer to bring their own dive instructors is due to language barrier, Cases said.

Mactan Island based scuba diving instructor and dive shop operator Jaime J. Sarte said professional divers as well as hobbyists from all over the world are starting to come, saying recovery from the pandemic is happening although some infrastructure like boats, logistics among others are still not fully fixed after the super typhoon Odette.

Sarte, who owns and operates the Feel Deep dive shop affirmed that the industry is now at least 60 percent recovered compared to pre-pandemic.

The pandemic recovery has brought out illegal dive instructors while infrastructure is still in need of repair two years after Odette.

Gambling income is almost back to pre-pandemic levels. 

https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2023/09/22/pagcor-remittance-to-government-approaching-pre-pandemic-levels/

Philippines gaming regulator PAGCOR remitted 43% more revenue to the government’s coffers in the first seven months of the year than during the same period in 2022, according to a Bureau of the Treasury report, although this is still 6% lower than pre-pandemic levels.

As per the Manila Bulletin, total remittance between 1 January and 31 July 2023 reached Php18.84 billion (US$331 million), compared with Php13.12 billion (US$231 million) in the 2022 period and Php20.13 billion (US$354 million) from January to July 2019. The Php2.83 billion (US$49.8 million) remitted in July alone was 26% higher year-on-year.

The figures correspond to the gaming regulator’s revenue recovery, with Philippine law mandating it remit 50% of its revenues to the government each year to aid nation building.

As noted by the Manila Bulletin, PAGCOR revenue from January to June 2023 increased by 35.6% year-on-year to Php36.21 billion (US$637 million), with Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco expecting industry-wide GGR to exceed 2019 levels by the end of the year.

“Pagcor will certainly ride on the tide of our country’s economic growth,” Tengco said previously.

“As economic activities reach pre-pandemic levels, we are optimistic that we can sustain the gaming industry’s growth momentum as we fortify our regulatory policies to attract more investors in the Philippines.”

With people out of work and rising inflation do people have as much leisure to spend on gambling?

COVID-19 quarantine centers are being repurposed into shelters for displaced people. 

https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/2023/09/26/2299120/covid-19-container-vans-be-used-shelter

The container vans used as quarantine and halfway houses during the Covid-19 pandemic will be converted into temporary shelter for those who will be displaced in line with the city’s Gubat sa Baha.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, in an interview with reporters yesterday, said he already told Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan his wish regarding the use of those donated container vans from their department back in 2020 for another purpose.

DPWH, who was then headed by now senator Mark Villar, turned over P294-million worth of healthcare facilities for treatment and isolation of medical workers in Cebu which included some container vans-turned-dormitories for medical workers and other frontliners in Cebu City.

Rama also said he is connecting with the private sector to request for heavy equipment to put all of these container vans together at the SRP and make it a temporary shelter for those that will be displaced in the recovery of the city rivers.

Although the city government is also planning to build its own temporary and permanent shelters to those that will be displaced, Rama wants to utilize whatever is available at the moment.

Flooding is a major problem that needs to be addressed now, Rama said.

At least they won't go to waste.

COVID-19 cases are up slightly by 13%.

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/9/25/doh-covid-tally-092523.html

A total of 1,164 new COVID-19 cases nationwide were recorded from Sept. 18 to 24, the Department of Health (DOH) reported Monday.

In its weekly bulletin, the DOH said the average number of infections recorded daily was 166 — 13% higher than the cases logged the previous week.

Of the new cases, 10 were under severe and critical condition. Meanwhile, 260 patients with the same condition are currently in hospitals, reflecting 8.7% of the total COVID-19 admissions in the country.

Health officials also verified 11 deaths due to COVID-19, nine of which occurred this month while the other two were in August.

As of Sept. 25, the country confirmed at least 4.11 million COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began, including over 4.04 million recoveries and more than 66,600 deaths. The number of active cases is 2,905.

Only 9 deaths this month so far and less than 3,000 active cases. It's quite literally nothing to worry about. 

Hi, My Name is...40

Stabbing, hacking, chopping...It's More Fun in the Philippines! Wait that slogan is now obsolete. Love the hacking Philippines?

Hi, my name is Wilfredo Tolda. I am a farmer. It is a hard life which is why I like to drink and sing karaoke to let off the stress. Well, this time it was me and my son singing. We had a fight over the microphone and he would not let go so I stabbed him dead. The police may be looking for me but at least I am the better singer. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1761804/father-hacks-son-to-death-due-to-fight-over-karaoke-microphone-in-quezon-province

A father hacked his son to death in a squabble over a microphone during a karaoke session on Wednesday in Mulanay town in Quezon province.

Farmer Wilfredo Tolda, 48, and his son Reynante, 27, were engaged in a karaoke singing session during a drinking spree around 7 p.m. inside their house in Barangay Ibabang Yuni, the Quezon police said in a report Thursday, April 27.

As the music machine started to play the love song “Kung Sakaling Ikaw ay Lalayo” popularised by the J Brothers, the father and son struggled to hold the microphone to sing the song by himself alone.

During the incident, Wilfredo repeatedly hacked Reynante with an unspecified bladed weapon until he died on the spot, the police said.

The father fled after the incident and is now the subject of a police manhunt.

Hi, my name is Efren de Roxas. I was at a debutante party which was pretty swell. So many beautiful girls. Anyway I got into it with a guy who was there. I saw him on the terrace and I stabbed him in the abdomen. Yeah, he died. Now the police are looking for me. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/5/8/farmer-kills-man-in-debut-party-in-batangas

A 40-year-old farmer allegedly stabbed a 21-year-old to death during a debut party on Sunday afternoon, May 7, in Barangay Cahil, here.

Police identified the victim as Carlo Caag, single.

Investigation said the victim was standing on the terrace of the debutante's house when the suspect, Efren de Roxas, appeared from behind and suddenly stabbed him with a kitchen knife in the abdomen.

De Roxas fled on foot while Caag was taken to the Ospital ng Calaca where he was declared dead.

Police are conducting a manhunt against the suspect.

Hi, my name is John Michael Fano. I was at a barangay festival and was totally wasted. Then this chump stood up and knocked the glass I was holding out of my hand. What!! Of course I whipped out my knife and stabbed him six times until he was dead. Ugh. My honor is intact at least. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/503085/carcar-attack-accidental-bump-broken-glass-led-to-stabbing-wounding-of-19-year-old-man

 A 22-year-old man landed in jail after he stabbed and wounded a 19-year-man over an accidental bump and a broken glass during a fiesta celebration in Barangay Can-asujan in Carcar City early this morning, May 7.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Ardioleto Cabagnot, Carcar City Police Chief, identified the suspect as John Michael Fano of Sitio Pit-os, Barangay Calidngan this city.

Fano was accused of stabbing Jericho Tangaja six times in the body. Tangaja survived the attack.

Fano, who fled after the attack at past 3 a.m. today, May 7,  was arrested later at noon in Barangay Liburon in San Fernando town in southern Cebu.

Initial investigation showed that Tangaja and Fano were having a drinking spree as the barangay was holding a disco as part of the celebration of the barangay fiesta.

But at past 3:30 a.m., as Tangaja, who was already tipsy stood up, he accidentally bumped Fano, who was holding a glass of liquor in his hand.

The glass fell and broke when it hit the ground.

This angered Fano, who then pulled out a knife and allegedly stabbed Tangaja six times, hitting the victim in the body.

Fano then fled after the attack while Tangaja was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Cabagnot said they were informed by the Carcar Provincial Hospital about a man, who was stabbed being admitted in the hospital.

But Cabagnot said that the attending physician at the Carcar Provincial Hospital told police investigator that the victim, Tangaja, was still in serious condition.

Despite the victim’s situation, Cabagnot said the victim still managed to tell them who attacked him and why.

The police then conducted a hot pursuit operation, and they located the suspect in San Fernando town where he was later arrested.

Fano was detained at the Carcar City Police Station detention cell pending the filing of frustrated murder case against him.

Hi, my name is Bobby Taburnal. I came home one night very drunk and very late. My brother got all up in my face so I punched him. No one interfered and everyone went to sleep. When we woke up in the morning my brother was dead! Now I am being accused of his death and charged with parricide! What!? It should be fratricide!

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/452906/man-in-minglanilla-arrested-for-allegedly-killing-own-brother

Police in Minglanilla town, south Cebu arrested a 47-year-old man tagged as the person responsible for the death of his older brother on Wednesday, July 13, 2022.

Police identified the suspect as Bobby Taburnal, who is accused for the death of his older brother, 55-year-old Dario Taburnal. 

According to Police Master Sergeant Junel Ater of the Minglanilla police, Dario was found dead at around 4 am on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, in his home he shares with his brother Bobby in Barangay Tubod.

Initial investigation by police revealed that Bobby allegedly punched his older brother when the latter came home home drunk late Tuesday night, July 12. 

The confrontation between the two didn’t escalate further as other members of the household managed to intervene. Dario reportedly just went to sleep after the altercation. 

It was not until early Wednesday morning when some members of the household found Dario lifeless.

They called the police to report the incident.   

When police arrived at the victim’s home, they found Bobby also there and arrested him.  

Bobby is currently detained pending the filing of a parricide case against him. 

Hi, my name is Leo Diaz. I operate a hog farm. It's hard work which is why I like to let off steam by drinking. One night after a drinking session I was asleep when I heard a noise. I picked up a knife and went to check when I came up on a robber. I stabbed him but it was my unemployed cousin!

https://mb.com.ph/2022/07/04/hog-raiser-stabs-jobless-relative-to-death-for-robbing-house-in-negros-occidental/

A 52-year-old hog raiser allegedly stabbed his jobless relative to death after he was caught robbing his house in Hacienda Lucricia, Barangay Cabatangan, Talisay City, Negros Occidental Monday, July 4. 

Police identified the victim as Recardo Nasis, 51, of Barangay Cabatangan, the second cousin of the suspect and house owner identified as Leo Diaz.

Police Chief Master Sgt. Reginaldo Suelto, case investigator of the Talisay City Police Station, said Nasis allegedly destroyed the bamboo grills of the window of Diaz’s house.

Diaz, who was sleeping inside his room, heard a noise, prompting him to check their living room around 12:14 a.m.

The suspect caught Nasis, armed with a kitchen knife, in the living room allegedly trying to look for something as the area was somehow messy, according to Suelto.

Diaz confronted Nasis but the victim attempted to attack him with the knife. They grappled for the weapon until Diaz was able to grab the knife and stab Nasis several times.

Suelto said that Nasis was taken to a hospital where he died due to multiple stab wounds while Diaz is under police custody.

Prior to the incident, Suelto said that Nasis had a drinking spree with friends.

Suelto said they are awaiting the decision of Nasis’ family if they will file a case.

Hi, our names are Niño Chris Baggayan and A-jay Lumabao. We were digging around a mound of soil having fun when all of a sudden it collapsed on us! We were rushed to the hospital but we did not survive. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1610687/2-boys-die-after-mound-of-soil-collapses-in-cagayan-province

Two boys died after being buried in a mound of soil that collapsed June 10 near the Cagayan River in Solana town, Cagayan province, police said in a belated report on Tuesday, June 14.

Captain Isabelita Gano, Cagayan police spokesperson, said Niño Chris Baggayan, 13, and A-jay Lumabao, 10, were digging soil in Barangay Andarayan North when it caved in and collapsed on them.

Rescuers took the boys to St. Paul Hospital in this city but they died while being treated.

Hi, my name is  Gerald Superficial. I have a twin brother who looks just like me. Sadly he is into drugs while I am not. Because he is into drugs he is around a lot of bad people. He must have angered someone because somebody stabbed me to death thinking I was him. It was a case of mistaken identity.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/08/08/drug-suspect-mistaken-for-twin-brother-stabbed-dead-in-silay-city/

A 20-year-old alleged drug personality mistaken for his twin brother was stabbed dead in Barangay Mambulac, Silay City, Negros Occidental Friday, August 5.

Police identified the victim as Steven Placido of Barangay Mambulac.

The victim sustained stab wounds in his armpit and a slash wound on his throat.

Police arrested the suspect the following day identified as Gerald Superficial, 35, of Barangay Mambulac after he was positively identified by some witnesses.

According to Placido's younger sister, the death of her older brother was a case of mistaken identity.

Placido's sister believed that the target of Superficial was her brother’s twin since he was the one who had previous altercations with the suspect.

Placido was wearing a jacket also worn by his twin brother which probably made the suspect assume that he was his target.

Police are looking into grudges as possible motive in the incident.

Hi, my name is Irish Mae Payonga. On October 28, 2022 I boarded the pedicap of Reymark Bellez to attend a church event. He reeked of alcohol so I asked if he could still drive. For my question he abdicated me, raped me, strangled me, and then stuffed me into a sack. Thank goodness he apparently used condoms though. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/850075/suspect-confessed-to-killing-18-year-old-student-in-camarines-sur-police-says/story/

A pedicab driver has admitted to the killing of an 18-year-old student in Camarines Sur, Provincial Police Office director Police Colonel Julius Caesar Domingo said on Wednesday.

Domingo told GMA News Online that complaints of rape, murder, and robbery are set to be filed against the arrested suspect identified as Reymark Belleza, who gave an extrajudicial confession to the police on November 1.

“'Yung murder, 'yung rape, saka 'yung robbery,” he said in a phone interview, adding that these were included in the confession of the suspect.

The complaints were filed Wednesday noon.

On October 28, victim Irish Mae Payonga left her home in Barangay Marupit in Camaligan to attend a church event at the Capitol Convention Center in Pili, Domingo said in a press conference on Tuesday.

CCTV footage showed Payonga boarding Belleza’s pedicab, along with another female passenger, on her way to the venue.

But, the victim did not make it to the event.

On October 29, Camaligan Police sent a flash alarm for the missing girl after her parents reported that she failed to return home.

On October 31, Payonga’s body was found inside a sack by two kids in Barangay Cadlan in Pili.

On November 1, the police were able to locate the pedicab and its driver Belleza and conducted a walkthrough at the crime scene.

According to Domingo, the statement of Belleza matched the evidence in the investigation and the doctor’s findings that Payonga died due to suffocation.

Aside from the clothes and belongings of the victim, the police also found two condoms around the area where the body was found.

Police said Belleza also took Payonga's phone.

In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB late Wednesday afternoon, Camarines Sur PPO spokesperson Police Major Maria Victoria Abalaing said they already established enough evidence to file the complaint of murder, robbery, and rape against the suspect.

She said the victim did not know the suspect.

(According to the witness, when she was with the victim in the pedicab at that time, she asked the suspect if he could still drive because he reeked of alcohol.)

(Based on the suspect's statement, he left the victim lying there and she was still alive. And then he returned the next morning around 5 a.m and saw there was already a pile of cement sacks on the victim's body.)

Abalaing said they conducted a physical examination on the suspect and found that he had scratches and wounds which could be possible signs that the victim tried to fight back.

(According to the Pili police report, they will dig deeper into the suspect's background. Even the birth certificate could not be presented because it was allegedly burned according to the suspect’s father.)

Hi, my name is  Clyde Engaska. On October 24th, 2022 I woke up late for my exam. Of course I hopped on my motorcycle and sped off to school. However I was going so fast that when a man stepped into the street to cross I was unable to avoid hitting him even though I slammed on the brakes. Now he is dead. And I am still late!

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/471104/speeding-student-on-motorcycle-tries-to-make-it-to-exams-hits-old-man-lands-in-jail-instead

A college student, who was reportedly driving his motorcycle at high speed because he was running late for his school exams, did not reach his school at all and ended in jail instead.

This was after the motorcycle he was driving hit a 77-year-old man, who was crossing a pedestrian lane in Barangay Poblacion Pardo, Cebu City at nearly noon on Monday, Oct. 24.

 The victim, Benjamin King died in the accident.

The speeding student, Clyde Engaska, of Talisay City, was detained at the Inayawan Police Station detention cell pending the filing of charges.

Police Senior Master Sergeant Edilberto Gabucan Jr. said that Engaska’s fate would rest on whether he could settle amicably with the family of the victim.

Gabucan said if not, then a complaint of Reckless Imprudence resulting to Homicide would be filed against him.

The police officer said that investigation showed that King of Barangay Poblacion Pardo was crossing the pedestrian lane in the barangay when Engaska on his motorcycle slammed into him.

(The victim crossed the street and the one driving the motorcycle from the south area heading to Cebu City, was really driving fast.)

(He [suspect] noticed the victim crossing the street quite late. What he said was that the old man crossed the street, but because he was driving at high speed that even when he stepped on the brakes, his motorcycle still slammed into the old man.)

Gabucan said that the victim fell due to the impact of the speeding motorcycle that slammed into him, and he hit his head on the pavement.

The police officer said that when emergency responders arrived at the accident site, the victim was already unresponsive, had no pulse and was not breathing anymore when checked.

King was alone when he crossed the pedestrian lane.

For now, the family of the victim has yet to decide whether or not to file the case against Engaska.

With the accident, Gabucan reminded motorists to drive carefully and to always be mindful of one’s speed especially when traveling near pedestrian lanes.

Hi, my name is Ginalyn Ortega. I live in Dumaguete City which is not so bad for the Philippines. However, while Iw as out on my walk some guy came out of nowhere and stabbed me to death for no reason. They caught the guy, Michael Katada, and will be pressing charges which is unusual since usually the PNP waits on families to file a case before they press charges.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/525721/woman-stabbed-dead-by-man-while-walking-on-street-in-negros-oriental

A woman lost her life after a man stabbed her out of nowhere while she was walking along the street in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental on Monday afternoon, September 4, 2023.

The stabbing attack happened  at around 2:20 p.m. but was reported to personnel of the Dumaguete City Police Station at around 3:10 p.m.

Police identified the victim as Ginalyn Ortega, legal age, married, and a resident of Barangay Calo, San Jose, Negros Oriental.

According to the police report, the initial investigation of the responding officer revealed that at the time of the incident, the victim was walking by herself when a man wearing a gray hood jacket and black pants began tailing her.

The closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage showed the woman walking while holding items she bought when she was suddenly attacked.

When the victim reached the area corner of Locsin Street and Real Street in front of a gasoline station, the alleged suspect approached her from the back and stabbed the back portion of the woman’s body. 

The victim was able to walk a few steps before eventually collapsing on the ground by the side of the road.

The CCTV also showed the perpetrator slowly walking away after seeing the victim lying on the ground.   

A pedicab driver who was near the area immediately brought the injured victim to the Holy Child Hospital.

However, she was pronounced dead by the attending physician, Dr. Ylvirose Dollete, at around 2:45 p.m. on Monday, September 4.

The police immediately conducted a hot-pursuit operation to arrest the perpetrator behind the alleged stabbing incident. 

Police identified the suspect as Michael Katada, legal age, and a resident of Barangay Taclobo, Dumaguete City. 

During the operation, the alleged suspect was reportedly seen inside a convenience store at around 8:20 p.m. on the day of the incident.

Police personnel chased the alleged suspect who ran after being spotted until they cornered and arrested him in Purok Santan in Barangay Taclobo. 

Katada is now detained at the Dumaguete City Police Station pending for the filing of charges. 

He will be facing charges of murder.

Hi, my name is Rolly Barrido. I know everyone in my neighborhood so it was a surprise to me when I saw a new guy acting all tough like he owned the place. What was his problem? I went over to him to apply some psywar and said, "Hey tough guy." 

He said, "Yeah?"

I said, "You ain't from around here so don't act so tough." 

He said he would be back and then he left. Ten minutes later he pulled up on a motorcycle and we began to argue. Then he shot me twice, killing me. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/525639/carcar-killing-man-shot-dead-for-sternly-warning-a-new-face-in-the-area-not-to-act-tough

A 37-year-old Carcar City resident was killed for confronting a new face visiting the sitio where he lived and telling the latter sternly not to act tough because he was new in the area.

Police Staff Sergeant Robert Gemoya, investigator of the Carcar City Police Station, said that Rolly Barrido died after he was shot twice in the body by the gunman, whom he confronted in the area, in Sitio Tangasan, Barangay Valladolid, at past 8 p.m. of September 3.

Gemoya said that they had identified the alleged gunman, but he begged off from naming the assailant because an ongoing hot pursuit operation was being conducted to arrest him.

The assailant as of this posting has remained at large.

Gemoya said that initial investigation showed that Barrido of Sitio Lamacan of the barangay had earlier confronted another man, whom he saw as a new face visiting the sitio.

He told the man not to act tough because he was new in the area.

(He employed psywar on the suspect. He told him that you are not from here, don’t act tough here.)

The police officer said the suspect, who was slighted by what the victim did, told him he would be back.

(The suspect replied, wait for me there, I will be back for you.)

The confrontation happened at around 8:40 p.m. and the suspect left the area and returned 10 minutes later on a motorcycle.

Gemoya said that the victim was standing at the side of the road when the assailant arrived and stopped the motorcycle he was driving near the victim.

The assailant got off the motorcycle and confronted the victim, where they started arguing and at the height of the argument, the assailant pulled out a gun and shot the victim twice.

The assailant then fled the area on his motorcycle.

Barrido was rushed to the Cebu Provincial Hospital-Carcar City for treatment but he was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Gemoya said that they believed that the gun used in the killing was a .45 caliber pistol because they recovered a .45 caliber cartridge at the crime scene.

Insurgency: Abduction of 2 Women Activists

The insurgency continues with the usual clashes, surrenders, and deaths but this week there is only one story worth talking about and that is the story of the two missing environmental activists. On September 2nd two girls who are environmental activists disappeared without a trace. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1826799/disappearance-of-2-anti-reclamation-activists-sends-alarm-bells-ringing

Days following the observation of the International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances, the list of desaparecidos under the Philippines’ current administration is feared to grow after two environmental activists went missing and believed to have been abducted in the province of Bataan.

On September 2, just days after the international day of the disappeared, two environment activists — Jonila Castro, 21, and Jhed Tamano, 22 — were reported missing and were later said to have been abducted by armed men in Barangay Lati, Orion town, in Bataan.

AKAP KA Manila Bay and human rights group Karapatan reported that the two were on their way to conduct relief operations and community consultation meetings with members of coastal communities when they were abducted by four unidentified armed men.

“Bataan netizens went in uproar as Facebook posts of several concerned citizens, at around 8:00 pm, September 2, claims to witness the violent abductions of then unidentified two young women by armed men, riding away in a gray SUV, just in front of the office of Orion Water District at Brgy. Lati, Orion, Bataan,” said Karapatan Central Luzon in a statement.

“Yesterday, September 3, we confirmed that the said abduction without doubt can definitely be the enforced disappearance of two young women environmental human rights defenders Jhed Tamano, 22, and Jonila Castro, 21,” the group added.

Prior to it, the two volunteers had reportedly already been subject to various forms of harassment, including surveillance.

A pair of slippers and a sandal, positively identified as Castro and Tamano’s, were discovered in the area where they were believed to have been forcibly taken.

As of September 4, the whereabouts of the two missing volunteers remained unknown.

AKAP Ka Manila Bay is a network of fisherfolk, church people, youth, and other sectors dedicated to defending the environment, homes, and livelihoods of coastal communities affected by the Manila Bay reclamation projects.

The AFP and PNP were shortly accused of abducting them.

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/9/7/orion-bataan-activists-abduction.html

Progressive groups said they believe authorities are involved in the abduction of female environmental activists Jhed Tamano and Jhonila Castro, who were reportedly forcibly taken in the evening of Sept. 2 in Orion, Bataan.

In a press conference at the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday, members of different groups led by Anakbayan and Karapatan recalled the abduction of the two activists.

[Translation: Those who took them were armed...so we believe that those behind their abduction are the NTF-ELCAC, the police and the military.]

Anakbayan said Tamano and Castro previously reported about armed individuals following them wherever they went.

[Translation: Before Jhonila and Jed disappeared, they had been reporting about unknown armed people spying on them, following them wherever they went.]

The only evidence against the PNP and AFP is the fact that armed men were reported to have been following the girls, witnesses saw them forcibly taken, and a slipper belonging to one of the girls was found at the scene of their disappearance. The PNP and AFP denied the allegations.

It was not until 13 days later on the 15th of September that these two ladies resurfaced. The AFP claimed that the two had surrendered to them and were kept safe in hiding.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/882353/afp-2-missing-activists-not-abducted-but-hiding-from-fellows-in-the-movement/story/

The two reported missing environment activists were not abducted by state security forces but were hiding from their associates in the communist movement, a top official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Saturday.

“There was no abduction. They asked for help from their acquaintances. First, to hide them from their fellows who want them back,” AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said during the News Forum in Quezon City.

"They want to leave the movement because things were getting difficult and there was also a group that disliked them. They want peace, they want security,” Aguilar said.

“I heard that they contacted somebody to keep them safe… from their former colleagues who want to force them to return to the movement,” he said.

On Friday, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) said activists Jhed Tamano, 22, and Jonila Castro, 21, yielded to authorities in Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan on September 12.

National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said Tamano and Castro were in good health.

According to the NTF-ELCAC, the two activists were linked to the New People’s Army (NPA) rebel group.

Bataan Provincial Police Office public information office chief Police Captain Carlito Buco Jr. said the two decided to surrender to authorities on September 6.

They asked for help from an acquaintance who picked them up and brought them to Guagua, Pampanga. Their acquaintance communicated with another person who contacted the authorities.

The inconsistencies in this story were quickly pointed out. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/09/16/2296764/groups-cite-inconsistencies-alleged-surrender-2-activists

"The government’s version of events begs so many questions, foremost of which is, why would Jonila and Jhed bother to ask [a woman named] 'Ate’s help and surrender in such a roundabout way, when a soldier by the name of Justin Gutierrez had already been frequenting Jonila’s family home in Plaridel, Bulacan since 2022 to 'convince' the activist to 'clear her name' and had even left his number with Jonila’s mother just in case Jonila decides to surrender," said the groups.

"The two activists could have also approached Jhed’s stepfather, who, as a former soldier, presumably has connections to the military."

A photo grab from a CCTV footage showing Jonila and Jhed walking on a road near the time of their reported abduction also did not show the aforementioned "Ate," nor did it show them normally entering a vehicle as claimed by the NTF-ELCAC and Philippine National Police (NTF-ELCAC)

Only brief video clips of the two were also presented yesterday and with no actual copies of their affidavits provided to the media for scrutiny.

"That they were not personally presented during the press conference reveals a lot of things. The most obvious of which is that the NTF-ELCAC and the PNP are not prepared to present them for questioning by the media, where they could be asked questions regarding the circumstances of their abduction," the groups continued.

"Further, the voluntariness of the execution of the alleged affidavits is of doubtful validity, considering that the same was signed while the two were under the custody of a military unit, and were not represented by a lawyer of their own choice."

"At no time during the press conference did the NTF-ELCAC and PNP say that Jonila and Jhed are facing charges. With no legal reason for State authorities to detain them, they should be released to their families immediately."

These two ladies allegedly signed a sworn affidavit to confirm the story of the AFP in the presence of lawyers from the PAO and CHR. They were then allowed to attend a press conference to once more affirm the story of the AFP. But once on camera before the nation they recanted their story and claimed that they had been abducted and that the affidavits were coerced.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/19/23/surrendered-activists-say-they-were-abducted

Two environmental activists whom authorities said last week had surrendered to the military told a government-organized press conference on Tuesday that they had been abducted and coerced into signing affidavits.

Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano were flanked by government officials in a press conference called by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and were expected to shed light on reports that they had been abducted.

(The truth is the military forced us into a van. We were forced to say we surrendered because our lives were being threatened. That is the truth.)

Tamano, a coordinator of the Ecumenical Bishops Forum, said that she and Castro were walking on the road on September 2 when they were grabbed. Activist and environmental groups earlier said the two were taken in Orion, Bataan while conducting research on Manila Bay reclamation.

(An SUV stopped in front of us and grabbed us. They forced us to go with them. That, too, is the truth. We even thought they were a [kidnapping] syndicate but they knew our names.)

Castro, at the same press conference, disavowed the affidavits.

(It is also not true that we wanted to be in military custody. The contents of the affidavits are not true because those were done and signed while we were in the military camp. We had no choice at that point.)

Their version of events seems to align with that of the eyewitnesses which is that the girls were forcibly abducted by armed men in an SUV. But this turn of events took the NTF-ELCAC, AFP, and PNP completely by surprise. Unable to come up with a reason for this 180 the NTF-ELCAC and AFP have posited that this was an elaborate hoax to discredit the government. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/09/21/2297835/afp-sees-sinister-npa-move-activists-retraction

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is seeing a sinister move supposedly by the New People’s Army (NPA) to embarrass the government by using two environmentalists who, after supposedly surrendering, suddenly accused the military of being behind their alleged abduction.

Such a script supposedly being played by communist rebels has also sparked fears that Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano, the environmentalists who went missing in Bataan earlier this month, may be treading a dangerous path.

“The act is brazen with a plot that is new, quite deep (with the interplay of red and white area forces) and dangerous (to them if they fail). The brazen act is part of a sinister plot to embarrass and discredit the government and its good intentions,” AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar said yesterday over dzMM Radyo630.

He issued the statement after learning how the parents of Tamano revealed in an interview that they too could not believe that their daughter changed her tune during the press briefing of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) in Plaridel, Bulacan on Sept. 19.

The environmentalists were supposed to be presented as surrenderees who sought the military’s help. Instead they claimed they were abducted and interrogated by the military.

In the interview, Tamano’s stepfather Enrique Manalastas claimed that they believe their daughter’s original statement and that it is Castro, allegedly a self-confessed member of the NPA, who is pulling the strings or running the story.

He said he and his wife want their daughter home but also agree with the decision of the Commission on Human rights to take custody for the safety of all.

Asked what he thinks really happened, he said he was also surprised by proceedings at the NTF-ELCAC press conference because he and his wife were there when Tamano and Castro surrendered or were rescued by the military.

“Maybe this Jonila has been planning to embarrass the government for a very long time. We all know that she has been part of the armed groups and we do not know their propaganda. This also weighs heavy on us and we hope that our daughter will finally leave this group because it will not give her a good future,” he added.

Interestingly the step-father of Jhed Tamano said he believes her friend is a self-confessed NPA member and is pulling the strings to orchestrate this ultimate pwning of the government. 

Just remember that for the past few years the AFP has repeatedly said the NPA is irrelevant and unable to launch any attacks. Now we are to believe that these two ladies are part of an elaborate hoax to discredit the government and the armed forces. Does that make sense? 

The DOJ has said they will look into the matter to find the truth.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he would look into the supposed abduction of the activists, but at the same time took a swipe at the leftist movement.

“We will find out who is telling the truth, pero ang tingin ko naman, the government has nothing to gain by violating the law, I think that is very clear to all of us,” Remulla said in a press briefing in Plaridel, Bulacan.

Remulla said the two activists, who are students of the University of the Philippines, could have been subjected to “peer pressure” by leftist and political groups. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/19/23/surrendered-activists-say-they-were-abducted

It appears the DOJ Secretary has already decided the case. It is rather amazing he says "the government has nothing to gain by violating the law." Does he live in the Philippines? The government routinely violates the law. But as for this case we shall see. As it is this is the story so far. 

Picture of the Week: Pure Shitzus For Sale

 I came across this lovely picture at the veterinarians office. 

Just look at those cute Shitzus for sale. Wait. What? Shitzu?  SHITzu????

It's actually spelled Shih Tzu. 

This is not a one off.

 Is this Taglish?

It's ridiculish!

More Low-Key Blatant Corruption in the Philippines

The bulk of the attention given to the 2024 budget hearings have been on the Office of the Vice President. Representative Sandro Marcos moved to end the hearing and deliberations which set off a firestorm of protest. It was seen as an outrageous move to protect Sara Duterte from having to explain her use of Confidential funds. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/08/30/2292535/ovp-budget-escapes-scrutiny-after-house-panel-swiftly-ends-deliberations

However there is even more egregious instances of protection going on in the House budget hearings. 

Deputy Speaker Frasco has asked his colleagues to go easy during the Department of Tourism budget hearings because the DOT secretary is his wife!

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/20/how-much-do-you-love-your-wife-deputy-speaker-frasco-asks-house-colleagues-to-go-easy-on-dot-1

"Just for the record, Mr. Speaker, distinguished sponsor, yung ating deputy speaker po ay kanina pang lumalapit dito sa amin. Bilang pagmamahal daw niya sa secretary ng DOT, kung pwedeng igsian namin ang aming tanong at wag pahirapan ang Department of Tourism," Hataman said. 

(Our deputy speaker have been approaching us. As a sign of his love for the secretary of DOT, he's asking if we could shorten our questions and not give the Department of Tourism a hard time.) 

Hataman was referring to Deputy Speaker and Cebu 5th district Rep. Vincent Franco "Duke" Frasco, whose lovely wife is none other than the DOT chief.

"Nag-agree po ang minorya na pagbibigyan ang ating deputy speaker (The minority agreed to grant the deputy speaker's request)," the Mindanao lawmaker said. 

That is outrageous. With such a conflict of interest he should have recused himself from the deliberations but instead he sought to influence them. Even more outrageous is this bold faced interference was not condemned by his colleagues!

But oh well that's how it is in the Philippines. There is corruption everywhere.