Coronavirus Lockdown: Business Still Struggling, Rediscovered Painting, and More!

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

The DOH is reporting a 35% decrease in daily COVID-19 cases. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/16/ph-reports-35-decrease-in-daily-covid-19-cases-doh

The Department of Health (DOH) said on Friday, Feb. 16, that 661 new Covid-19 cases were recorded from Feb. 6 to 12.

It noted that these cases showed a 35 percent decrease compared to the previous week from Jan. 30 to Feb. 5.

Based on the latest data, seven of the newly reported cases have been classified as "severe” or “critical.”

Meanwhile, the DOH recorded two additional Covid-19-related deaths that occurred between Jan. 30 to Feb. 12.

It was also stated that as of Feb. 11, hospitals across the Philippines had admitted a total of 184 severe and critical Covid-19 patients for treatment.

Of the 1,345 ICU beds designated for Covid-19 patients, 151 of them, or 11 percent, are currently occupied.

DOH also noted that 1,528 out of 11,291 non-ICU Covid-19 beds, constituting 14 percent, are also in use.

Related to this, it reminded the public that practicing different layers of protection can limit transmission among vulnerable groups and in enclosed, overcrowded areas.

Frequent handwashing, using masks, social distancing, and providing adequate ventilation in closed settings altogether remain effective prevention measures.

Testing is done to confirm cases to determine appropriate clinical management and isolation at home may be done for mild cases, the DOH added.

Despite the decrease don't forget to wash your hands, wear a mask, and social distance. 

Tourism in Cebu is slowly recovering but construction is struggling to reach pre-pandemic levels.  

https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/2024/02/18/2334274/business-still-struggling

Tourism in Cebu is still recovering while the construction business is not as dynamic as it used to be.

These were the observations disclosed by Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Charles Kenneth Co during the latest episode of The Freeman’s “Hot Seat”.

Co said that while the food businesses are already doing okay, the tourism sector is still recovering and the construction industry is slowing down.

“Food business, medyo okay-okay,” he said, as people who were in lockdown due to the pandemic shifted from ordering online to going out to explore and eat out again, as evidenced by the current traffic situation.

He, however, said that the construction industry has slowed down the situation was even better during the pandemic.

“Construction projects, nag lie low pud karon,” Co said.

He said there are currently only a few construction projects, especially government projects.

“Little government projects especially in Cebu unlike in the Build Build Build program (under former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s term), when it was very strong ang atoang construction sector,” said Co.

“That’s not only for the Philippines, not only to Cebu… During the pandemic, the government was really conscious of the lockdown. Most of the government’s priming, nibuga gyud ug maayo ang government…. Now, slow down even in China and other world economies,” he added.

Co said the Philippines is even luckier as it still has the Business Process Outsourcing sector as well as the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), as they have kept the country Gross Domestic Product to grow up at 4 to 5 percent.

For Cebu’s tourism industry, Co said, it is still recovering and has not rebounded yet to its pre-pandemic time.

This, Co said, could have been caused by “territorial disputes” that affects tourists from coming here.

“We need to look at other Asian neighbors also for tourism,” he said.

In particular, Co said, hotels here are already doing okay, but not that much for resorts.

“Resorts?  Not so…. Lesser than pre-pandemic,” he said, adding that among other factors, non-resumption of many direct flights to Cebu could be a reason.

He also said that to help address the situation, the government could help by making visa applications easier for visitors.

Cebu appears to be contradicting the DOT which claims tourism isn't struggling but is actually thriving and will fully recover this year. This report also contradicts the claims of the other reports regarding business growth post-pandemic. 

https://business.inquirer.net/446029/growth-champions-shine-post-covid-2

Philippine business seems to be well on its way to recovery after the devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that struck the country hard in 2020.

The Philippines Growth Champions 2024, the Top 30 companies in the country that achieved the highest percentage growth in revenues between 2019 and 2022, impress, even dazzle, with their success during those three years, notwithstanding the fact that 2020 was a year that could be written off for most enterprises.

The highly diverse roster includes employment services, e-commerce ventures, information technology (IT) and software, real estate, advertising and marketing, financial technology services, construction and engineering, health care and life science, manufacturing and professional and scientific services.

Compiled by the Philippine Daily Inquirer and the Germany-based Statista, the world’s leading data and business intelligence portal, the rated companies had to meet the following criteria:

• Revenues of at least P5 million in 2019

• Revenues of at least P30 million in 2022

• The company must be independent (acts largely independently in its business decisions and does not derive financial benefits from its parent company)

• The company is headquartered in the Philippines

• The revenue growth between 2019 and 2022 was primarily organic (i.e. “internally” generated)

For the 2024 Growth Champions selection, the Inquirer and Statista invited companies to participate. Application period was from Aug. 7 to Oct. 31, 2023. Revenue figures had to be certified by the chief financial officer, chief executive officer or a member of the company’s executive committee.

All data reported by the companies were processed and checked by Statista. Missing data were research in detail. The minimum average growth rate for the covered period to be included in this year’s ranking was 7.04 percent.

While the ranking involved a complex procedure and research was extensive, the Inquirer and Statista do not claim that the ranking is complete. Some companies did not want to make their figures public or did not participate for other reasons.

The caveat is that these ranking are based on self-reporting. 

A Filipino based in Singapore who picked up his paintbrush during the pandemic is having his first show in Manila. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/artandculture/897792/this-singapore-based-filipino-architect-rediscovered-painting-in-the-pandemic-now-he-is-in-art-fa/story/

At the Art Fair Philippines media preview, Johnrey Quiban couldn’t stop smiling. He couldn’t believe his luck either. 

It’s the 38-year-old Singapore-based Filipino architect’s first time participating in the highly acclaimed art event, as one of the artists that Galerie Stephanie is exhibiting at their space, in Booth 44 on the 6th floor of The Link Carpark.

“It’s all overwhelming,” Quiban tells GMA News Online, wide-eyed. “Bago lahat sa ‘kin,” he adds.

While Quiban has always enjoyed painting as a hobby, he forgot about it when he started working as an architect.

It was when he moved to Singapore in 2012 that he picked up his paintbrush again, and when the pandemic hit, Quiban went on overdrive.

“It was out of boredom at first,” he admits. “Paint lang ako nang paint. Duon ako nakaka-release ng energy and stress.”

With strong appreciation for the likes of Monet and Juan Luna — “minimalist landscape impressionism,” he says — Quiban paints textured scenes of natural landscapes like mountains and streams, of oceans and of what looks like forgotten foot paths. They’re almost like vacation photos except Quiban’s landscapes are moodier and darker. 

All his art is emotion-based, the artist says. “Ang process niya is, I have no idea what to paint,” Quiban says. "It's just a feeling, like a mood.”

“It's like, an emotion left unexpressed,” he adds, saying he doesn’t stop until he feels that distinct “lukso ng dugo.”

He likes to paint in the dead of the night, in the dark because “duon ako nakakakuha ng energy.” 

"At this point in my life - I'm 38 - hindi ko alam kung depression or anxiety or kung ano man 'to. So china-channel ko ang mga 'yon to this thing," Quiban said.

When he rediscovered painting in the pandemic, his process also included uploading photos of his works on Instagram.

In 2021, Singaporean gallery Sound of Art took notice. “Someone messaged me, they went to my house to check some of my works. Then they asked me to join a group show.”

Things were going well with Sound of Art, with whom he would often join group shows, when Filipina art enthusiast, Mia Jaranilla, found him also on Instagram the following year. 

According to Quiban, that was the first time he’s ever encountered Jaranilla. “I didn’t know her. Nagulat na lang ako sa kanya,” the artist recalls.

Jaranilla messaged him on Instagram, requesting to see a few more of his works. She happened to like them, and then offered to help him get his paintings exhibited in Manila.

It takes a lot of work but any hobby can become a career. 

The National Anti-Poverty Commission  says the Philippines has still not reach pre-pandemic employment levels. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/19/philippines-sees-rise-in-employment-but-pre-pandemic-level-not-yet-reached-napc

The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) on Monday, February 19, acknowledged the progress in the country's employment rate but stressed the need for continued efforts to recover from pandemic losses.

When asked how is the country’s employment rate going, Danilo Laserna, NAPC-Formal Labor and Migrant Workers Sector Alternate Sectoral Representative said in an interview: “We have not yet reached (pre-pandemic employment) there are still many workers who were laid off during the pandemic.”

He explained that because during the pandemic the skeletal workforce lost almost 75 percent.

Although, Laserna pointed out that "Formal labor is slowly returning, with businesses, particularly in the service industry, reopening —-this only shows that there is an “increase” in Philippines economic activities.

He further highlighted the continued deployment of Filipino migrant workers abroad indicates relaxed restrictions and returning to normal.

“In fact, our migrant workers continue to be deployed in different parts of the world. Restrictions especially on health establishment declarations have disappeared, so their deployment is okay,” he said.

Moreover, addressing the reports on the Philippines' lowest unemployment rate in over two decades, Laserna expressed cautious optimism.

"We (NAPC) think that the increase in employment and underemployment is the result of seasonal, especially the data shown by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data, a large part of which is from the contribution of seasonal rates," he said.

The Philippines' unemployment rate dropped to 3.1 percent in December 2023, according to a PSA Labor Force Survey ---this shows a decline of 617,000 unemployed individuals compared to December 2022

This also means that the employment rate surged during the period, which was posted at 96.9 percent or 50.52 million employed individuals from 95.7 percent in December 2022.

"Christmas season, for example, sees a surge in demand for workers in tourism and hospitality,” he added.

Meanwhile, the NAPC added that while the Philippines shows positive signs of employment recovery, they still urged continued efforts to address underemployment, especially supporting those still struggling, and striving for pre-pandemic employment levels.

"Our capacity to engage in services and receive incoming goods has reached 100 percent, but we still need more workers compared to pre-pandemic levels," he said.

“Besides, we will also look at the pattern of not increasing radically, nor decreasing radically, the rate is almost stable,” Laserna said.

Thus, he added that “we still need to focus on re-integrating those who lost their jobs during the pandemic."

Many of the jobs lost during the pandemic are never going to return.

The DepEd is amending the school calendar to shift back to the pre-pandemic April-May break. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1219220

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday released its amended school calendar amid its gradual shift back to the pre-pandemic April-May school break.

According to DepEd Order No. 3, series of 2024 dated Feb. 19, the “adjusted end of the school year (SY) shall be May 31, 2024.”

The DepEd urged schools to conduct all end-of-school-year rites from May 29 to 31, as the school break is set from June 1 to July 26.

Moreover, the start of the SY 2024-2025 is set for July 29 which will then end on May 16, 2025.

Besides this, the DepEd also reminded schools that they are not allowed to give teachers all forms of assignments for the entire June.

“No voluntary or mandatory tasks or activities shall be assigned to teachers from June 1 to 30,” the DO reads.

The said adjustments were made in response to the petitions to gradually revert the school calendar to a pre-pandemic setup, as well as the results of consultations with various stakeholders and a study conducted by the Philippine Normal University (PNU).

Maybe that will fix the education problem the Philippines is facing?

The God Culture: 100 Lies About the Philippines: Lie 16: Duarte Barbosa Places the Lequios in the Philippines

Welcome back to 100 lies The God Culture teaches about the Philippines. Today's lie once again concerns the identification of the Lequios Islands. Timothy Jay Schwab claims that Duarte Barbosa's description of the Lequios Islands is the Philippines. As we shall see this is simply another lie.

In his videos Tim says:

The Lequios of Luzon: Key to Finding Ophir and Chryse. Clue #52 

9:08 Now then, quotes Barbosa. "Facing this great land of China," oh, is Malaysia facing China? No. "There are many islands in the sea beyond which on the other side of the sea there is a very large land which they say is mainland," in other words a large island, "from which there come to Malacca every year three or four ships like those of the Chins." You mean Chinese junks? Right. Exactly. The Philippines is documented by Pigafetta to have several by the way. Now, "belonging to white men," we will explain this, "who are said to be great and rich merchants. They bring much gold and silver in bars, silk rich cloth, and much very good wheat, beautiful porcelains and many other merchandises. All merchandises found in the Philippines.

In his book The Search for King Solomon's Treasure Tim says mostly the same thing. 

The Search for King Solomon's Treasure, pg. 37

Exploring Malaysia, the Portuguese Duarte Barbosa observed a people known as the “Lequios” or “Lequii” or in some sources, “Lucoes.” This people is later specified even by Pigafetta as originating in the Philippines as we will cover in the history chapter. The Lequios were described as:

“From Malaca they take the same goods as the Chins [Chinese] take. These islands are called Lequios [in one version ‘Liquii’]. The Malaca people say that they are better men, and richer and more eminent merchants than the Chins.” –Duarte Barbosa, 1516 [148]

Nowhere in his book or videos does Tim actually cite from Duarte Barbosa's book. The above quote which looks like it is from Barbosa is actually from Charles E. Nowell's introduction to his book Magellan's Voyage Around the World: Three Contemporary Accounts. 

Something else was on his agenda of discovery, and he thought he knew where to find it. 

That something was the island cluster composed of Formosa and the Ryukyus, the latter known to the Portuguese, who had not yet visited them, as Lequios. Duarte Barbosa, who wrote a geographical account of the countries bordering on the Indian Ocean and those within range of the ocean, has this to say of the Ryukyu inhabitants: 

From Malaca they take the same goods as the Chins [Chinese) take. These islands are called Lequios [in one version ‘Liquii']. The Malaca people say that they are better men, and richer and more eminent merchants than the Chins. Of these folk we as yet know but little, as they have not yet come to Malaca since it has been under the King our Lord.

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.31822013755558&view=1up&seq=34

As you can see from the bolded part Tim cites word for word Nowell's text about Barbosa's description of the Lequios Islands which means he has not read Barbosa's book. That will prove to be his undoing. 

Tim is very adamant that the Lequios cannot be the Ryukyu Islands because the Lequios are not Japanese. 

The Search for King Solomon's Treasure, pg. 163

Some attempt an etymology of the Liu Kiu in the Ryukyu Islands of Japan yet Lequios are not Japanese, these are not Southeast of China and never found there but in the Philippines which boasts a much more direct etymology and several. It is no surprise that the Lequios, Lequii or Lucoes equate to Iloconos of Ilocos.

Of course the Lequios are not Japanese but neither are the Ryukyu Islands Japan! It's all a lying canard. A closer look at the itinerary in Barbosa's book shows that the Lequios Islands cannot be the Philippines, specifically Luzon. 

Starting at the Cape of Good Hope Barbosa describes 127 locations. He ends with the Lequios Islands. Just looking at the itinerary shows it is not possible for the Lequios Islands to be the Philippines. Location 113 is Sumatra.

https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.47303/page/n19/mode/2up

Continuing Eastward 115 is Java Major, 116 is Java Minor, 120 is the Maloucca Islands. That would be the Spice Islands where Magellan was headed. 121 is Celebes and 123 is Solor which is the Sulu Archipelago.

Solor here evidently refers to the Sulu Archipelago and not to the Island of Solor in the Lesser Sunda Islands. The name includes not only the chain of islands between Borneo and Mindanao, but also the north-eastern part of Borneo itself, which still bears the name Sulu. The expression "very large island" can only refer to this tract. The islands were skirted by the Spanish expedition on their way to the Moluccas after leaving Borneo, and are called Zolo by Plgafetta. Colo (i.e. Colo) appears in Ribero's map of 1529. 

124 is Borneo, 125 is Champa which is Vietnam, 126 is China, and finally 127 is the Lequios Islands. See how the progression from Sumatra has gone east and then north? If Barbosa had wanted to describe the Lucoes he would have done that after describing Borneo. But instead he goes from Borneo to Vietnam and then to China. Why would he deviate his course and return south? He would not. The Lequios Islands are not the Philippines. They are the Ryukyu Islands and Formosa also known as Taiwan. His description is as follows:

FACING this great land of China there are many islands In the Sea, beyond which stretch a very great land which they say is the mainland. Hence every year come to Malaca three or four ships like those of the Chins belonging to certain white folk, who they say are great and rich merchants. 

They bring a great quantity of gold, silver in bars, silk and rich cloths, a great deal of good wheat, fine porcelains, and many other goods. From Malaca they take the same goods as the Chins take. [These people are called Liquii. Rinnasio. These islands are called Lequeos. Spanish version.] The Malaca people say that they are better men, and richer and more eminent merchants than the Chins. Of these folk we as yet know but little, as they have not yet come to Malaca since it has been under the King our Lord. 

That last sentence is very important. Barbosa composed his book in 1516 which was a year before the Lequios Islands were visited by the Portuguese in 1517 by Jorge de Mascarenhas with the help of Chinese pilots. He says they had not yet come to Malaca. But Tome Pires, who completed his Summa Oriental in 1515, says the Lucoes were trading in Malaca.

The Lucoes are about ten days' sail beyond Borneo. They are nearly all heathen; they have no king, but they are ruled by groups of elders. They are a robust people, little thought of in Malacca. They have two or three junks, at the most. They take the merchandise to Borneo and from there they come to Malacca.

Pires, pg. 133

The Lequios were not trading in Malaca in 1516 but the Lucoes were. That means they are not the same people. If Tim had done actual research he would have known that fact. 

It is quite simple to follow Barbosa's course from South Africa to China. There is no question that the Lequios Islands are not the Philippines. But Timothy Jay Schwab did not bother to actually read Barbosa or Tome Pires or Ferdinand Pinto. Instead he relies on second hand sources and he gets everything wrong. As I have said before this shoddy research is not the work of a team but is more evidence The God Culture is the work of Timothy Jay Schwab alone. Duarte Barbosa did not identify the Lequios Islands with the Philippines.

Insurgency: By End of 2024

The insurgency is ending by the end of the year. Again. The AFP says so.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1904285/afp-targets-to-eliminate-11-remaining-guerilla-fronts-by-end-of-2024

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) aims to eliminate 11 remaining New People’s Army (NPA) weakened guerrilla units in the country by the end of this year, according to its spokesperson, Col. Francel Padilla.

Padilla said on Wednesday that it has always been the national government’s goal since January this year to end the country’s internal insurgency problem and transition to external defense in line with the “Bagong Pilipinas” movement.

“We want to end the internal insurgency problem. We want to transition already and focus on external defense. So the timelines given [by the national government] to our commanders is to finish this within the year,” Padilla disclosed in a press conference hosted by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac).

“Until the end of the year, we’ll pursue the elimination of all these weakened guerilla fronts that are left,” she added.

In January this year, the number of weakened guerrilla units declined from 13 to 11, as AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr reported.

Although a weakened guerrilla unit can no longer implement programs such as recruitment and generating resources for the armed struggle, NTF-Elcac executive director Usec. Ernesto Torres Jr. earlier explained that AFP troops are still in areas where the presence of armed groups was detected.

Already the AFP wants to declare Negros Island insurgency free to encourage development.. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1218855

The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) is pushing for the declaration of a state of stable internal peace and security (SIPS) in the local government units (LGUs) in Negros after dismantling all the communist guerrilla fronts in the island.

Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, commander of 3ID, said having the SIPS status in a locality would attract investments, generate jobs, and bring more opportunities to its people.

“The conditions have been met in Negros Island and the SIPS can now be formally declared by our concerned local chief executives,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.

Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, public affairs chief of 3ID, said there was a directive for line battalions to coordinate with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the LGUs to declare SIPS status in their respective cities and municipalities.

“This will also serve as supporting events to declare SIPS in both provinces of Negros,” he said in an interview.

At the LGU level, the peace and order council recommends the declaration of SIPS for adoption by the city or municipal council.

The mayor, PNP, and the Philippine Army have to pass a joint resolution formally declaring the SIPS in the locality, Javines said.

Six battalions, including the 79th, 62nd, 94th, 15th, 11th, and 47th Infantry Battalions (IB), under the supervision of the 302nd and 303rd Infantry Brigades, are based in Negros Island.

The 94IB dismantled the Central Negros 2 of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) late last year, after the dismantling of the South East Front, Northern Negros Front, and Central Negros 1.

The 3ID also recommended the formal declaration of the South West Front as being dismantled.

Javines, however, said the focused military operations against rebel remnants in Negros Island continue to prevent the CPP-NPA from recovering their lost territories and recruiting new members.

It's all about economic development and not about the actual end of the insurgency.  Remember the AFP has said they will never end the insurgency but can reduce them to "a negligible point." 

Año admitted insurgency cannot be totally eliminated, but he believes the issue may be brought down to a negligible point.

“While we may not be able to attain this zero insurgents, but at least reduced to an irrelevant number that will not cause concern for peace and order,” he said.

“They will become isolated and just become bandits, because of lost ideology and non-support from the people,” he projected.

https://philippinefails.blogspot.com/2023/09/insurgency-communist-insurgency-to-end.html

There will NEVER be zero insurgents and that comes from the mouth of those who know. Do you get that? The insurgency may "officially" end but according to those who know it will NEVER end. 

Meanwhile in Mindanao the Maute Group is allegedly on the brink of collapse. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/897311/maute-group-on-brink-of-collapse-afp/story/

The Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group is expected to be dismantled soon after the series of military operations that killed its leader and some members, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Tuesday.

In a press briefing, AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said 12 Maute members were killed, three surrendered, and three others were arrested in these operations.

"Maute Group is already on a brink of collapse following a series of decisive military and joint law enforcement operations, particularly against the leadership and perpetrators of the Mindanao State University (MSU) improvised explosive device bombing," she said.

Yeah OK. Didn't they say the same thing after the Marawi siege? The thing is they should not make premature announcements of victory. Last week Maute elements involved in the 2023 MSU bombing were killed.  This week the mastermind was eliminated. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/02/12/2332815/mastermind-behind-marawi-bombing-killed-military-ops

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said that the person behind the fatal bombing of the Mindanao State University last year was one of nine armed rebels recently killed in a military operation.

In a statement on Monday, the AFP said that the Khadafi Mimbesa or “Engineer,” who they believe is the amir or leader of Dawlah Islamiyah - Maute Group, was one of the nine alleged armed Dawlah Islamiyah members killed in a military operation from January 25 to 26. 

Mimbesa is the brains behind the bombing incident in Marawi City last December, the AFP said, citing corroborated information from a “surrendered terrorist.”

 “The efforts of the 103rd Brigade, under the leadership of their Commander, BGen Yegor Rey Barroquillo Jr., resulted in the neutralization of local terrorists and armed members of the Dawlah Islamiyah in Lanao del Sur on January 25 to 26, 2024, who were identified as perpetrators of the fatal bombing at Mindanao State University (MSU) on December 3, 2023,” the AFP said.

The military also recovered nine high-powered firearms, one bandolier, four Baofeng radios and one smartphone. 

AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. said the incident should prompt other members of the group to surrender.

"Our troops will be relentless in the pursuit of those who will seek to disturb the peace. Take this as an invitation and a call to surrender now and avoid the same fate as your dead comrades," Brawner added.

Last year, the AFP admitted that some form of “failure of intelligence due to failure of capabilities” on the part of the military led to the bombing incident at a gymnasium in MSU, which led to four deaths and 50 others injured.  

Immediately after the incident, the military and the police launched an extensive manhunt for those responsible for the attack.

No amount of killing terrorists will ever make up for the AFP's many intelligence failures. It is only a matter of time before the next bombing, hand wringing, and retaliation by the AFP. 

Caraga is on target to be terror free by the end of 2024. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1905568/marcos-hopes-caraga-region-to-be-cleared-of-terror-groups-by-end-of-2024

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said he hoped for the Caraga region to be cleared of terrorist threats by the end of 2024.

He said this during his visit to the troops of the Army’s 401st Infantry Division, one of several events he attended in Agusan del Sur.

(The progress looks good here. In fact, there is a projection by the planning that maybe by the end of the year, hopefully the target is by the end of the year, we could say that the area is cleared.)

Marcos then congratulated the troops, who had to lead the charge against the enemies.

Moreover, the President also asked the soldiers to support the government’s new approach to tackling internal conflict. Marcos encouraged the soldiers to become peacemakers while continuing to fight groups that threaten peace and democracy.

The 401st Infantry Division is included in the Joint Task Force (JTF) Diamond, which is tasked with covering the Caraga region. Other troops in the taskforce are the 402nd, 403rd, and 901st Infantry Brigades.

The Palace said that the JTF Diamond has been able to neutralize 200 insurgents.

“There is a reported downtrend in the presence of insurgents in the JTF Diamond’s area of operation, from 437 rebels in the first quarter of 2023, decreasing by 28.6 percent to 312 as of February 15, 2024,” said the Presidential Communications Office.

Don't forget, any declaration of an area being insurgent free does not meant there are no insurgents.

Backyard Garbage Burn Pile Becomes Backyard Funeral Pyre

I have documented on this blog how Filipinos love to burn garbage. They simply cannot be bothered to gather all the trash, put it in a bag, and wait for it to be collected. Most of the time the result is simply a disgusting gray miasma hanging in the air and creeping through your window. This time burning garbage resulted in a man's death. 

 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/14/octogenarian-dies-in-backyard-fire

An 85-year-old man was burned to death while cleaning his backyard in Barangay Taliba here on Tuesday afternoon, February 13.

Police identified the victim as Sofronio Atienza Marasigan.

Investigation said the octogenarian was burning garbage in his backyard when the fire reached the nearby bamboo trees.

Marasigan attempted to extinguish the flames but lost his balance and fell into the burning bamboo.

He failed to get up and was burned to death.

Firemen put out the fire and found the victim’s body.

This old man was burning his garbage, the fire spread, and when he attempted to put it out he was consumed in the flames. 

Now, of course this is not the normal run of things. This is not usually how sparking a pile of leaves and trash turns out but this time it did. It COULD happen. It's a wonder it does not happen more often. Especially the spreading of the fire. Every single time a trash pile is lit on fire the arsonist wanders away leaving the flames to their own devices. Tragedy is one gust of wind away. 

The lesson is clear. Don't burn your trash!

The Davao Landslide Was "A Tragedy Waiting to Happen"

Filipinos are routinely lauded by government officials for being resilient in the face of disaster. But the fact is many of those disasters, be they fires, typhoons, floods, or landslides, are either directly caused or exacerbated by the same corrupt government officials applauding Filipinos for being resilient.  

Case in point is the recent landslide in Davao which, so far, has killed 92 people. This disaster would NEVER have happened if corrupt government officials had not ignored warnings to not build in the area.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/a-tragedy-waiting-to-happen

However, these stories of the survivors would have not been here should the concerned government agencies, officials, and even the residents have followed the advisory of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in the Davao Region (MGB-Davao).

During the Budyong Online held on February 10, MGB-Davao revealed that Barangay Masara has been assessed to be a "No Build Zone" since 2008. 

The bureau's Geosciences Division Chief, Beverly Mae M. Brebante revealed that as early as 2008, Barangay Masara was already identified as a critical area.

"In 2008, we all know that there was this kind of deluge of earth, and it covered part of the barangay Masara, the original Barangay Masara before, that is why it was already recommended to be a "No Build Zone," Brebante said.

Brebante said that Barangay Masara's land is mostly made of up volcaniclastics, or in the word of the official, "this was previously rocks that after volcanic eruptions it became easily withered and eroded."

Volcaniclastics, according to Collins Dictionary, is composed mainly of "fragments of volcanic origin, as agglomerate, tuff, and certain other rocks."

Despite a "No Build Zone", Masara is not only home to many residents, but also to barangay halls, schools, and even small- and large-scale mining companies.

In fact, the operation of one of the largest mining companies in the country is located in Masara.

"As early as January, we have already experiencing the impacts of our shear line, that was on January 15 to 19, around that week, then it was followed by the trough of LPA on the later part of January, during this time the whole region experienced continuous rainfall and naturally our land here in the region, especially in Davao de Oro, particularly in Masara...too wet and saturated ... and of course if that is already the condition of our soil then it would easily give in," the bureau's official said.

The bureau's Geosciences Division Chief also revealed that after the 2008 landslide, they always go back to the area and give updates about the situation to the concerned government offices.

"We always find the area to be progressing, meaning there is active falling of soil in the area where the landslide exactly occurred," Brebante said.

She also said the bureau had provided listings of barangays down to the puroks which are identified as as areas highly to very highly vulnerable to landslide and even to flooding.

"And in fact, Masara was already part of that list even prior to the landslide, mga January namin na advisory... We haven't prepared much so that's why this is the impact of what happened," she said.

Since 2008, for 26 years, government officials have been aware that this area is a "No Build Zone." But instead of NOT BUILDING they allowed residents and businesses and even schools to move into this very dangerous are.  

The current Governor has passed the blamed to past administrations excusing their negligence by saying they had nowhere to relocate the people so "they had to give the semblance of normalcy to the lives of our community." Normalcy apparently meaning continuing to live and build in a dangerous area designated as a "No Build Zone."

Meanwhile, Gov. Gonzaga said she cannot answer as to what had happened before her administration, since she was only seated as governor in 2022.

"First and foremost, these structures and the fact that there are still residents, I could not comment because I was just governor in 2022, so all these structures and the people were already there," the governor said.

"I could only say for the past administrations that since they haven't been able to relocate the people, of course they had to give the semblance of normalcy to the lives of our community, so they did. There is also a school there, there is also a barangay hall, because the communities haven't been moved yet, why don't they have schools," she said.

She also emphasized that the MGB has not yet given a "definite recommendation" on where the residents in critical areas in Maco be relocated.

Brebante revealed that a team from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau has already conducted an assessment for possible relocation sites.

"Kasi nga gusto natin na it's already declared as a "No Build Zone" (Because we want the area to be really a "No Build Zone)," she said.

But as to the areas ideal for relocation sites for vulnerable places in Maco, the bureau has yet to provide the results of its assessment.

Meanwhile, Gov. Gonzaga reiterated that ever since she started to sit as the governor, it has been her priority to find an ideal place for relocation sites that is recommended by the MGB itself.

The "No Build Zone" classified by the MGB does not only cover the residents but all the businesses inside the critical areas as well.

"It is regardless of establishments, may it be residential, industrial, or commercial, when we say zone, ito po yung area," Brebante said.

But in the meantime, will people, businesses, and activities inside Masara continue?

After 26 years are we really to believe that local officials could not find a suitable relocation area for these residents? At the very minimum they could have prevented the building of any new residences and businesses but that did not happen. 

Instead 92 people, as of this writing, are dead and 63 people are missing all because of corrupt and inept government officials. But who cares because of all the miraculous survivals and rescues? After all the downtrodden Filipinos who get stomped on by the people elected to serve them are resilient in the face of disaster. 

Retards in the Government 352

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

 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1901957/town-councilor-in-nueva-ecija-gunned-down

A municipal councilor in this town was fatally shot early Thursday by unidentified assailants on a motorbike, police said.

Roberto Carpio, a resident of Barangay Luyos and a two-term member of the municipal council, was driving his motorcycle when ambushed around 7:30 a.m. by two men wearing black shirts and shorts aboard a black single motorcycle, without a helmet, in Barangay Sto. Cristo in this town, an initial investigation showed.

The victim had gunshot wounds in the head, while the assailants fled northward, according to a police report.

Carpio was taken to the nearest hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Authorities have begun reviewing security camera footage to identify and apprehend the suspects. The motives behind the attack have yet to be determined.

A town councilor has been assassinated.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/11/8-red-tape-cases-convicted-5-from-lto-arta

The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) said it has successfully prosecuted eight red tape cases for this year alone, with five of these cases coming from the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

In a media forum, ARTA director-general Secretary Ernesto Perez said the conviction of the said cases proves that ARTA is serious in quelling anomalous transactions within government offices.

"We want to set an example. You know that we in government don't want to press charges. We don't want to be facing charges before the Civil Service Commission, before the Office of the Ombudsman, before any regular court.

"So, we would like to send that strong signal. So that is why in the last two years we have conducted entrapment operations. Most are from the Land Transportation [Office], he added.

According to Perez, five of the red tape cases that they have successfully prosecuted were from the LTO, one from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), one from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and another from an undisclosed local government unit.

Despite this, the ARTA official recognized the reforms that LTO has implemented to improve its services whether online or walk-in services.

"They have improved thier services, they are fully digitalized. When you apply for your driver's license, you can get it in a matter of minutes," Perez said.

"If you walk-in, it's also quick for walk-in application, half-day you can get it," he added.

Meanwhile, Perez hoped that government agencies would realize that ARTA is only doing its job.

"ARTA is very serious in this matter— to streamlining and improving our government processes. It is the advantage of our people to give them the strong signal that there is an agency that is looking at their performance, that there is this agency that is serious about implementing the law, that is conducting entrapment operations to catch fixers," he said.

"It's the same with the LTO. We know that you don't need fixers anymore because the process of renewing your driver's license and getting your vehicle's registration is fast," he added.

Perez encouraged the public to file complaints with ARTA against erring officials.

"Let us know so that we can be of help," he said.

The ARTA has successfully prosecuted 8 red tape cases this year. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1901875/sc-finds-ex-pagcor-chair-liable-for-disallowed-donations

The Supreme Court affirmed the liability of former Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) Chair Efraim Genuino in the company’s disallowed donations totaling P550,000 to a private residential subdivision in Makati City in 2008.

In a 16-page decision promulgated on June 13, 2023, but published only on Thursday, the high court denied Genuino’s certiorari petition questioning the Commission on Audit’s (COA) ruling that the donations were “private in purpose” and he was liable for approving it.

It also remanded the case to the COA for a final determination of the amount Genuino should return.

In 2011, a notice of suspension was issued regarding Pagcor’s donations totaling P550,000 to the Magallanes Village Association Inc. for improving Magallanes Avenue, San Gregorio, and Magdalena Streets in Makati City.

Genuino argued that the board of directors, and not him, approved the payout of Pagcor funds.

The high court, however, said that aside from being the government firm’s CEO, Genuino was also the board chair and was present when they approved the first donation of P330,000.

“Just as in the 2023 Genuino Resolution, therefore, and applying once again the guidelines laid down in Torreta v. COA, Genuino is found personally liable for the donations as an approving officer and for his showing of gross ignorance,” it added.

The court disagreed with Genuino’s claim that the donations were valid for a “sociocivic and public purpose.”

It cited information from the Makati City administrator, who said the streets had not been turned over to the local government.

The high court also noted the COA’s earlier finding that Genuino was a resident of Magallanes Village.

“Without delving further into the additional ramifications of this finding of the COA, the court finds that these considerations, together with the lack of [proof] showing that the donations [were] mainly for a public purpose, all lead the court to rule that the disallowance of the donations was indeed proper,” it said.

The former PAGCOR chairman has been found liable for disallowed donations. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1903917/albay-gov-faces-graft-raps-over-jueteng-payola

A former village official in Daraga town of Albay on Tuesday filed administrative and criminal charges before the Office of the Ombudsman against Gov. Edcel Greco “Grex” Lagman for allegedly receiving around P8.16 million as payola (payoff) from the operation of “jueteng,” an illegal numbers game, during his time as vice governor of the province.

Saying he was finally blowing the whistle for fear of his life, Alwin Nimo, a former village and Sangguniang Kabataan chair of Barangay Anislag, accused Lagman of graft, bribery and violations of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and Republic Act No. 9287 (an Act Increasing the Penalties for Illegal Numbers Game).

In the 35-page complaint, Nimo claimed he served as “bagman” for jueteng operators delivering P60,000 per week to Lagman from August 2019 to June 2022.

Lagman allegedly demanded the “protection money” from jueteng operators when the illegal numbers game proliferated after the small town lottery (STL) was ordered halted in Albay in 2017, Nimo claimed.

Reached for comment, Lagman on Tuesday strongly denied receiving any money from jueteng operators, particularly from Nimo.

Lagman said he never demanded a single centavo from illegal numbers game operators.

“When I assumed the vice governorship, I don’t know of any person connected with illegal numbers game. There is, therefore, absolutely no factual basis for me to have allegedly demanded jueteng money from anyone. Those persons involved don’t even know me,” he said in a phone interview.

Regarding the direct bribery complaint lodged against him, he said that under the law, there should be evidence of him protecting his accuser in exchange for the bribe.

“And what concrete act that’s categorical, tangible to protect the illegal numbers game? I don’t even know who needs to be protected there. So how could he actually accuse me of direct bribery?” he said.

He said the filing of cases against him is purely politically-motivated, adding it was a “badly scripted act to divert the heat from certain big politicians serving in Congress who are under investigation from the Senate for the misuse of billions (of pesos) of public funds.”

Nimo, who claimed he had deep connections with jueteng and STL operators in Albay, has alleged that Lagman “directed (him) to be his conduit … asked (him) to intervene for him and get in touch with the financier of jueteng” in Albay after being elected vice governor in 2019.

The payola was “in exchange for him as vice governor and presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan … to look the other way and refrain from using their investigative powers to inquire into the proliferation of jueteng in Albay,” Nimo said.

Among the jueteng financiers, locally known as “bangkero,” identified by Nimo in his affidavit were a late former vice mayor of a Batangas town and another person from Bulacan who had also died.

The payoffs were personally handed to Lagman or his driver at a gas station in Legazpi City until sometime in November 2020, when the then vice governor asked for the money to be deposited into a bank account “to avoid the possibility of being seen receiving bundles of money in public places,” Nimo claimed.

The governor of Albay has been charged with bribery and graft over receiving jueteng payloa.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1218771

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief, Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., has ordered the dismissal of 10 police officers from the service for their involvement in the alleged unlawful arrest, arbitrary detention, and robbery of four Chinese nationals in a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) establishment in Parañaque City in September last year.

Ordered dismissed were Lt. Col. Jolet Guevara, Maj. Jason Quijana, Maj. John Patrick Magsalos, Capt. Sherwin Limbauan, Executive M/Sgt. Arsenio Valle, Cpl. Rexes Claveria, and Staff Sergeants Roy Pioquinto, Mark Democrito, Danilo Desder and Christian Corpuz.

“The following personnel are dismissed from the service effective February 12 for grave misconduct, grave irregularity in the performance of duty, grave neglect of duty, the conduct unbecoming of (a) police officer, less grave misconduct, less grave neglect of duty,” read the order released on Tuesday, a copy of which was obtained by the Philippine News Agency.

10 cops have been dismissed from the service over an illegal arrest and detention. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/14/chr-conviction-of-3-policemen-for-torture-significant-victory-in-battle-for-human-rights

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said it scored a “significant victory” with the conviction of three policemen it charged with torture before the trial court in Koronadal City in South Cotabato.

Police officers Edmer Gerodias, Edwin Habagat, and Allen Candido were found guilty of violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 9745, also known as the Anti-Torture Act of 2009, by the municipal trial court in cities (MTCC).

The CHR said the policemen were sentenced to six months to two years imprisonment each and ordered to pay their victim P5,000 each as temperate damages and P20,000 each as moral damages, and to pay the cost of the suit jointly.

It said that Ernesto Omani was arrested by the policemen on Feb. 3, 2018 for traffic violation and placed in custody.  However, it said, the policemen inflicted physical injury on Omani by kicking his face and body, and striking his arm and leg with a rifle butt.

"The Commission strongly denounces any form of violence, particularly when perpetrated by people who are agents of peace and those in positions of authority. This case is not just a blatant violation of the law but also a direct transgression against the principles of humanity," the CHR said in a statement.

With the conviction of the three policemen, the CHR issued another reminder to all police officers to adhere to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Operational Procedures which states that "no violence or unnecessary force shall be used in making an arrest."

It stressed that law enforcement officers must understand the importance of "proportional and judicious" force, since that is the only way to ensure that justice, human rights, and the rule of law are upheld and respected.

"We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting the rights of every person, regardless of circumstances. While we recognize the utmost importance of accountability, we believe that the true essence of justice is the fair and humane treatment of all. We shall build a society that protects human rights and enables everyone to live without fear of abuse, torture, or cruelty," the CHR declared. 

3 cops have been convicted of torture. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/02/14/2333325/ambush-govt-doctor-maguindanao-del-sur-condemned

Vice President Sara Duterte condemned Wednesday the ambush of a government physician in Maguindanao del Sur earlier this month. 

Dr. Sharmaine Barroquillo, who works in the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital, was driving her car in Buluan town when she was attacked by unidentified gunmen on the evening of February 3. Barroquillo survived the attack.

Duterte said the incident reflects the state of security and order in the country. 

(We hope that we do not stop until justice is served to Dr. Barroquillo and those responsible for this are held accountable.)

(Our call is to ensure that responsible government agencies ensure the safety of our citizens against the threat of criminals, terrorists, and other forces that seek to intimidate our people and harm our country.)

After the attack, the wounded Barroquillo managed to drive her car away from the scene of the incident.

Medical responders and personnel from the Bulaan Municipal Police Station brought her to a hospital for treatment. 

“Dr. Shai, at such a young age and with a bright future ahead of her, will have to spend months and perhaps even years to regain and optimize her functional abilities,” the batchmates of Barroquillo and faculty members of the Davao Medical School earlier said. 

They pointed out that instead of working abroad, Barroquillo chose to serve the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, where there is one physician to 32,000 people.

“Dr. Sharmaine does not deserve this. Her patients do not deserve this.”

A government doctor has survived an assassination attempt.