Insurgency: Recruitment of Minors

It should not be forgotten that the AFP has declared the NPA to be strategically defeated, leaderless, incapable of carrying out operations, and incapable of recruiting. Yet apparently the NPA is recruiting minors in Northern Samar. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1230040

The local government unit of Palapag, Northern Samar, has urged parents not to allow their children to be recruited by the New People’s Army (NPA).

Palapag Mayor Florence Batula made the appeal a few days after the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) turned over three minors to their families after being recruited by the NPA.

Soldiers of the Philippine Army’s 74th Infantry Battalion rescued the minors after a clash with rebels in Osmeña village in Palapag town on June 3.

The two 14-year-old boys and one 13-year-old boy were brought by the military to the personnel of the Palapag municipal police station and municipal social welfare and development office after their rescue.

When interviewed, the three minors admitted that their parents and some of their relatives are NPA members and supporters. Their task is to deliver food and other essentials to the communist group.

“As parents, let's not allow our minor children to be used as instruments to deceive the government. It is not a good role model for children that we include (them) in the activities of rebel groups,” Batula said in a phone interview Tuesday.

She said the practice of using children as food couriers or any task that is linked with insurgency operations should not be tolerated, but should rather be discouraged.

“This should be stopped, and if people know that there are parents who are engaging in these practices, they should be reported because we have a law that protects children,” Batula added.

The local government also appealed to residents of Palapag who are still active members of the communist group to surrender and grab the opportunity to avail themselves of support and programs implemented by the government intended for former rebels.

The rescued minors will also receive educational support. Alias “Mike” will be enrolled in Grade 7, while alias “Julian” and "Justin,” who were in Grades 1 and 2, respectively, will be enrolled in the Alternative Learning System program.

The family of the three minors will also receive assistance from the social welfare agency, such as Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, and other financial assistance.

Personnel from the local social welfare and development office also clarified that the minors were brought to Balay Darangpan, located in Catarman town due to the absence of facilities in Palapag to cater to the needs of the rescued children.

That is not recruitment at all. That is parents who are NPA supporters using their children as couriers. And yet these minors will be returned to their parents? The same parents who are allegedly recruiting them. The families will also be reaching financial assistance. No word on if they have surrendered and renounced their allegiance to the NPA.

The Philippine Army is hot on the trail of weapons caches in northern Negros. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1230095

The Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) continues to conduct operations to locate more weapons hidden by the New People’s Army (NPA) after the discovery of firearms in two areas in northern Negros in the past two weeks.

“The intention is to recover the loose firearms of the dismantled Northern Negros Front (NNF) to prevent further use of these weapons to harass the community or create violence,” First Lt. Dan Carlo Samoza, 79IB civil-military operations officer, said in an interview on Tuesday.

On Monday, troops found high-powered firearms buried in a secluded area in Barangay Pinowayan, Don Salvador Benedicto, bordering Calatrava and San Carlos City in Negros Occidental.

Recovered were two M14 rifles, one M1 Garand rifle, one 12-gauge shotgun, three Garand clips with 24 ammunition, 100 rounds of live ammunition for M14, and five shotgun ammunition.

Samoza said they received information from a concerned individual regarding the buried weapons that corroborated the revelation of a recently surrendered NNF combatant who was involved in the encounter with 79IB troops in Barangay Pinapugasan, Escalante City last February.

In a statement, Lt. Col. Arnel Calaoagan, commander of 79IB, said the latest recovery of various firearms and ammunition is a testament to their unit’s commitment to end the atrocities, intimidation, and abuses carried out by the remnants of the dismantled NNF.

On July 16, troops of 79IB also found weapons and personal items in a rebel hideout in the hinterlands of Cadiz City.

Recovered were a magazine and 30 rounds of live ammunition for an M16 rifle, two hammocks, two keypad mobile phones, two military backpacks, three subscriber identity module cards, three flash drives, a flashlight, utility ropes, medical items, personal belongings, and subversive documents.

It is interesting how the Northern Negros Front has been declared dismantled and yet the Army is worried about the group causing havoc. Sounds like they are not dismantled at all. 

In Southern Negros a 64-year-old NPA combatant was killed in a clash with the Army. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1230151

A 64-year-old combatant of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed during an encounter with troops of the Philippine Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Basak, Cauayan, Negros Occidental on Monday.

The 3rd Infantry Division (ID) said in a report on Wednesday that Ramon Moico Enseniales, with aliases Art and Bugtong, was considered a remnant of the dismantled South West Front (SWF). He was killed during a two-minute encounter between the soldiers and about five NPA rebels Monday noon, according to Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, commander of the 3ID.

He said the collaboration between the 15IB troops and the community led to the neutralization of Enseniales.

“To those who remain in hiding, I urge you to choose the path of peace to avoid the fate of your comrades in previous encounters,” he added.

The body of the slain combatant was found after other rebels fled the encounter site.

Enseniales’ identity was confirmed by his wife, Epeania, the report said, adding that their family resides in Purok 1, Barangay Tambad, also in Cauayan.

During the clearing operation, the troops also recovered an improvised 12-gauge shotgun, two hand grenades, three keypad mobile phones, personal belongings, and subversive documents with high intelligence value.

This old man had a shirt with PKP@50 emblazoned on it which means he is likely a member of the old guard and had been in the NPA for quite some time. At the least it means he was devoted to the cause of the Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas It seems as if he was not living in the mountains as his wife identified his body and said they have a residence in Cauayan. 

It's too bad this old man did not surrener or he could have availed of E-CLIP and all the benefits that entails. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1230303

At least 74 former communist rebels in Bukidnon province received PHP4.8 million worth of financial and livelihood assistance on Thursday, the Department of the Interior and Local Government in Northern Mindanao (DILG-10) said.

In a statement, the DILG-10 said the distribution is part of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), coordinated with the provincial government and the Philippine Army's 403rd Infantry Brigade.

"The financial package includes food packs and surrendered firearms remuneration, which Governor Rogelio Neil Roque facilitated," the agency said.

Earlier, DILG-10 Assistant Director Yvette Tolentino Sunga said the series of E-CLIP recipients in the region encouraged more rebels to leave the life of insurgency to start a new and better life for themselves and their families.

“We want our former rebels to ensure that the benefits they are receiving from the government will mainstream back to the society. Hopefully, they will live normal lives and be productive citizens in their communities,” Sunga said.

In Davao, a region which has been declared insurgency free for two years, P12 million worth of ECLIP benefits have recently been distributed. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1230084

The Department of the Interior and Local Government in the Davao Region (DILG-11) distributed PHP12 million worth of support to hundreds of former communist rebels last year under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP).

In a press briefing Tuesday, Abdullah Matalam, DILG-11 regional director, said that of the total amount, PHP2.19 million were released to the former rebels (FRs) for immediate assistance, livelihood assistance (PHP6.2 million) and reintegration assistance (PHP3.67 million).

Of the allotment, Davao del Norte FRs got PHP5.7 million; Davao City, PHP4.3 million; Davao Oriental, PHP1.2 million; Davao de Oro, PHP674,000; and Davao del Sur, PHP122,000.

“Through ECLIP, the DILG-Davao del Norte Provincial Office also handed over financial and livelihood assistance to 65 FRs in the province,” Matalam said during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum here.

Currently, DILG-11 is waiting for the funding allocation of ECLIP for the first quarter of this year, which amounts to PHP2.2 million, and PHP8.2 million for the second quarter.

Matalam also reported that 1,162 villages received basic orientation course for newly elected officials to ensure they are prepared to serve effectively.

Why is this much money being given out after two years? Is it a long process? Are rebels still surrendering? 

The NTF-ELCAC will be distributing 1 billion pesos to insurgency cleared areas.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1230114

Over PHP1.07 billion have been made available for 238 projects under the Local Government Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP) for barangays cleared from insurgency in Western Visayas from 2022 until 2024.

SBDP is a flagship program of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

“These projects are focused on poverty alleviation and development and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs). These are formerly communist conflict-affected areas and have been cleared,” said engineer Juan Jovian Ingeniero, regional director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Western Visayas, during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on Tuesday.

He said among the projects are farm-to-market roads, the installation of rural electrification, sanitary water systems, health stations, and school buildings, among others.

He added the number of recipients is getting smaller since the number of conflict areas is fast declining.

“From the start, we targeted 170 conflict areas, but the number is declining. The number of sightings of rebels is also declining,” he said, adding that, together with the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, they hope to make Western Visayas cleared area by 2028.

Other than the cleared conflict-affected areas, the SBDP also funded projects in GIDAs to let the residents feel the services of the government, he said.

They say the areas being given money are declining. Does this mean that when the insurgency is finally defeated the money will decline to zero? All the things this money is going towards are normal government projects. Truly national development has become a counterinsurgency program.

Stopping The Taylor Swift-Ready Entertainment Complex Won't Save the Philippines' Education System

The Philippines missed out on Taylor Swift's worldwide tour in 2024. That is due wholly to the fact that Singapore contracted with Taylor Swift to hold concerts in Southeast Asia exclusively in Singapore. However, the Philippines hopes to attract Taylor Swift with a brand new entertainment complex.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/12/philippines-is-taylor-swift-ready-by-2028-ciac-exec-says

The Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) is now on the process of receiving proposals for the construction of an entertainment and event center that may encourage pop icon Taylor Swift to consider Philippines in her next round of world tour. 

“By 2028, we will be Taylor Swift-ready,” said CIAC president and chief executive officer Arrey A. Perez during the Build Better More Infrastructure Forum at the New Clark City in Tarlac on Friday, July 12.

In planning on Taylor Swift for the construction of its entertainment and even center, Perez explained that the intention is to showcase the flagship projects that will transform the Civil Aviation Complex into an Airport City.

Perez revealed that at least three investors have already shown interest in building the entertainment and event center— a Singaporean company, a US company and local firm— with some of the investors planning to join forces in building the facility. 

The beauty of the planned entertainment and event center that they are planning to build, according to Perez, is that it would just be a walking distance from the Clark International Airport.

“You will not see that in other countries. Just imagine that after the plane lands, you will just walk—no traffic hassle— to the concert of Taylor Swift,” said Perez.

But that's if, and only, if they would be able to convince Taylor Swift to hold a concert in the Philippines as Perez himself said that Singapore has already bought the exclusivity of her concerts in Southeast Asia.

The Philippines was not included in the recent Eras Tour of Taylor Swift that prompted Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey  Salceda to complain and later asked the Department of Foreign Affairs to question the Singapore's exclusivity contract. 

The CIAC head, however, is optimistic: “We will court her because we are aware of the restrictions. But I hope that by that time we build our complex, and we are ready to host her, she would agree because the Philippines has been a music-loving country.”

Perez said the plan on an entertainment and event center started in November last year and by next year if they would receive the proposal before the end of 2024, they are expecting the signing of the contract with the private company that would be chosen to build the facility.

“Give us six to nine months to process the proposal and signing of contract definitely happens next year,’ said Perez.

“And the construction immediately starts by 2025, then you have two to three years to build this entertainment complex,” he added.

Perez said the plan is for the entertainment and event center to have 25,000 to 35,000 capacity since it is the ideal seating capacity based on their study.

Isn't it great that a whole new entertainment complex is being built with one entertainer in mind? The Alliance of Concerned Teachers says "no." They think the money would be better spent on education.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/21/group-criticizes-government-for-prioritizing-taylor-swift-ready-stadium-over-education-needs

Calling it a “gross misplacement” of priorities amidst the country's worsening education crisis, a group of education workers on Sunday, July 21, strongly criticized the government's plan to build a Taylor Swift-ready stadium at Clark Airport.

“As we approach Brigada Eskwela next week, it's appalling to see the government prioritizing a concert venue over the urgent needs of our education system," said Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Chairperson Vladimer Quetua in a statement.

"This decision clearly demonstrates how out of touch our leaders are with the realities faced by millions of Filipino students and teachers,” he added.

Quetua emphasized the stark contrast between the proposed stadium project and the severe shortages plaguing the education sector.

The country’s basic education system, Quetua said, is “facing a staggering shortage” of 165,000 classrooms and over 100,000 teachers.

“Add to that the persistent backlogs in learning materials for the coming school year,” Quetua said. “These are the real issues that demand immediate attention and resources from our government," he added.

Quetua also questioned the wisdom of investing in infrastructure that primarily caters to entertainment when basic educational needs remain unmet.

"How can we justify building a stadium for international pop stars when our own children are crammed into dilapidated classrooms if they're lucky enough to have classrooms at all?” he asked. “This project may benefit a few, but it's certainly not addressing the needs of the majority of our people, especially our students,” he added.

ACT then called on the government to “reassess its priorities and redirect funds” towards addressing the critical shortages in education.

"Instead of dreaming about Taylor Swift concerts, our government should be losing sleep over how to provide quality education to every Filipino child,” Quetua said.

“We demand that they cancel this misguided project and channel those resources into building classrooms, hiring teachers, and producing learning materials. That's the kind of 'infrastructure' our nation truly needs,” he added.

Bluntly stated money will NOT save the Philippine education system. While it is important to have classrooms and books if the teachers are not of high calibre then the education will be no good. Take the instance of this newly minted teacher. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/22/failure-not-an-option-five-time-antipolenyo-let-taker-finally-becomes-licensed-teacher

A 40-year-old mother from Antipolo City did not just become famous because of a now viral TikTok video. 

She also became a true testament to hard work and perseverance after finally achieving her dream of becoming a licensed teacher despite taking the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) for five times.

Theresa Abibas, a resident of Barangay Mayamot, captured the hearts of netizens after being featured in a TikTok video where she was seen crying with joy after passing the March 2024 LET while riding a public utility jeepney (PUJ).

"According to Theresa, this is her fifth time taking the board exam after first taking it in 2005. She tried to take the exam again together with her sibling the following year but unfortunately, she had once again failed it while her sibling passed," Antipolo City Mayor Jun Ynares said Monday, July 22.

Abibas said that it took her another three years to once again try to take the LET. However, she also failed on her third attempt.

"Despite failing to pass the board exam on her first three tries, Theresa did not failed in giving her family a comfortable and happy life by focusing on her work to provide for her children," Ynares said.

After 13 years of putting her dream on hold, Abibas' dream of passing the LET was once again reignited after her younger sibling passed the exam. This inspired her to once again take the board exam for the fourth time.

However, luck was still not on her side as she got a 74.4 percent rating, just shy of .6 percent for her to pass. This prompted her to enroll in the city government's review center to help her prepare for the March 2024 LET.

"Because of her financial constraints, we helped Theresa through our Review Assistance Program for board exam takers to pay for her review center fee," Ynares said, adding that in May of this year, Abibas finally passed the board exam.

Abibas is now working as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher.

The mayor said Abibas expressed her wish to finish her masteral studies while also preparing herself and her documents for applying to the city's public schools.

"If ever she will continue her master's or PHD, the city government has financial assistance and scholarship programs available for those who wish to enter graduate school," he noted.

"We are so proud of you Theresa. Thank you for teaching us the beauty of determination, perseverance, and patience. Your story proves that if we keep trying, we will eventually succeed," the local chief said.

It took Theresa Abibas 5 times over 14 years to finally pass the Licensure Examination for Teachers. While her final score is not noted her fourth score was 74.4% just .6 points shy of passing. More than likely her passing score is not much better.

And the government of Antipolo City not only paid her exam fee but the local Barangay Chief congratulated her for "teaching us the beauty of determination, perseverance, and patience." He goes on to say, "Your story proves that if we keep trying, we will eventually succeed." 

No kidding if someone keeps at it they will likely meet their goals. But this is not a sporting event. This is a woman who will now be tasked with teaching children. It is a shame that she will be allowed to do so because her failure at the exam has showed she is unqualified. The DepEd needs to put a limit to the number of tries to weed out people like her. 

Could it be the reason she failed four times is because she obtained a poor education from a teacher who also took multiple attempts before passing the LET? Perhaps. One teacher took FOURTEEN ATTEMPTS before she BARELY PASSED with a score of 76.80%.

While building an entertainment complex just to attract Taylor Swift is unbelievably daft so is thinking tossing money at the DepEd will solve a single thing. It is past time for the DepEd to prevent test takers who fail the LET multiple times only to end up barely passing from becoming teachers. The majority of passers in 2022 were repeaters. 

It is further announced that of the 8,737 elementary teacher passers, 2,678 are first timers and 6,059 are repeaters. For the secondary teachers, 4,652 passers are first timers and 7,422 are repeaters.

https://www.prc.gov.ph/article/january-2022-results-licensure-examination-teachers-released-thirty-30-working-days/5508

But that won't happen. The DepEd won't act and the ACT won't speak up. Idiots who can barely pass the LET after multiple times will continue to be praised as paragons of perseverance. Filipino students will continue to be dumbed down as they are taught by those idiots. It is time to end this vicious circle of stupidity. 

The God Culture: God Did Not Preserve His Word on Earth

Timothy Jay Schwab who is The God Culture claims to be a Bible teacher who has found out all sorts of things  within its pages concerning the Philippines. But it is not possible for Tim to know anything about what the Bible actually says or means because he claims God has only preserved his Word in Heaven and not on Earth. 

20:17 This is the best track possible because scripture was kept in Heaven first and that Heavenly Tablet was shared with Moses on Mount Sinai which keeps that in perfect condition even better than what we call the Bible passed down. Everybody worries about how this or that is translated but understand, you know, Yahuah said he would preserve his word he meant in Heaven it's perfect.

Biblical Tithe Series: Part 7: The History of the Law of Tithing

According to Tim God has not preserved His word perfectly on earth but only in Heaven! What good is that for us who are not in Heaven but on Earth? It is a denial of God's sovereignty and an admission that no one, Tim included, can ever know what God's word says for sure because it is only perfectly kept in Heaven. 

This is the fruit of leaving the Church and spitting on all the faithful Christian scholars who have devoted their lives to studying and explaining the Hebrew and Greek texts. The sum of it is Timothy Jay Schwab, by declaring Bible translations, dictionaries, and concordances to be corrupt, has admitted he has no idea what the Bible actually teaches nor will he ever know what it teaches.

Residential Fires July, 2024

This is a reported list of residential fires in the Philippines for July, 2024. The Bureau of Fire Protection is on record saying the fire codes does not apply to residential areas which is why so many of them go up in flames during a fire. Being made of light materials all it takes is one spark to cause massive devastation. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/3/fire-hits-houses-in-bambang-tondo-1

At least 20 families or 40 individuals were left homes in a fire that hit a residential area along Tindalo Street corner Bambang Street in Sta. Cruz, Manila, on Wednesday, July 3.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the fire was declared first alarm at 11:46 a.m.

It was immediately raised to the second alarm at 11:55 a.m. due to lack of water supply.

Firefighters managed to put the fire under control at 12:55 p.m.

They said most of the affected houses were made of light materials. They added that they struggled enter the area and bring the water cannons because there was only one narrow alleyway to get to the burning houses.

The fire was extinguished at 2:14 p.m.

Initial investigation disclosed that the fire allegedly started on the second floor of a house owned by Amora family.

BFP said around 15 houses were damaged in the incident, while no one was reportedly injured.

The origin of the fire is still under investigation.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1228274

Three children died while their two siblings were hurt after a fire razed their house Wednesday night in a remote barangay of Maasin, Iloilo.

Maasin Fire Station arson investigator FO2 Remigio Peloquero Jr. said Arnel and Michelle Decir left their five minor children at their house in Sitio Araw-awon, Barangay Dalusan, to attend a wake when the fire erupted at past 10 p.m.

Peloquero said the fire was caused by a bonfire to drive away mosquitoes, adding that the house was made of light materials.

“Our investigation is ongoing, but based on witnesses and relatives in the area, they had a bonfire to drive away the mosquitoes because Maasin also has cases of dengue,” he said in an interview on Thursday.

Authorities identified the children who died from the fire as Ashley, 5; Arjon, 4; and Arjen, 1.

Rachel Ann, 12, and Arcel, 8, are now being treated at Western Visayas Medical Center for multiple burns.

The cost of damage was pegged at PHP22,750.

 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/9/47-families-affected-by-fire-in-muntinlupa

At least 47 families were affected when a fire hit a residential area in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa on July 8. 

According to the Muntinlupa City Fire Station, the fire started at about 2:20 p.m. from a house in Phase 4 on Biazon Road of the Southville 3 housing project. 

The first alarm was raised at 2:28 p.m. followed by a second alarm at 2:46 p.m. The blaze was put under control at 3:22 p.m. before it was put out at 4:38 p.m. 

The fire station estimated that the fire razed about 20 houses and destroyed P175,000 worth of properties.  

Mayor Ruffy Biazon said the 47 families affected by the fire were based on a partial estimate of the city’s Social Services Department (SSD). 

The Muntinlupa City government sent assistance to the families including food. The families are staying in an evacuation center. 

The SSD is conducting mapping for the distribution of the Disaster Assistance Family Access Card (DAFAC).

The distribution of relief to the affected families is ongoing. 

The fire station said the cause of the fire is under investigation. A total of 27 fire trucks and eight ambulances responded to the incident. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/14/2-dead-1-hurt-in-davao-city-fire

Two persons were killed and one was injured in a fire in Purok 2, Barangay 2-A, this city, on Saturday night, July 13.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Davao City Fire District said the fire affected 203 families and destroyed 150 houses in a land with an area of approximately 2,000-square meters.

The fire started at 8:25 p.m.

Firefighters from different stations here immediately responded to the blaze.

The fire reached third alarm before it was put under control around 11 p.m. and extinguished at 1:05 a.m.

Police Capt. Hazel Tuazon, spokesperson of the Davao City Police Office, said that the fire started from the house of a certain Charlene Puerto Lopez. 

She said the two fatalities were cousins.

Tuazon said that the parents of the victims, Rjay Lopez, 11, and  Roy Reteza, 14, both with autism, informed firemen that their children were missing. 

The bodies of the victims were found inside the comfort room of their house during mopping-up operations. She said their remains were brought to Villa Funeral, Toril, Davao City.

She said 203 families or 545 individuals are temporarily taking shelter at Magallanes Elementary School. 

Damage to property was estimated at P2.250 million.

Arson investigators are determining the cause of the fire. Tuazon said that the houses were made of light materials.

 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/15/cavite-city-fire-leaves-3-300-individuals-homeless

A residential area in Barangays 5 and 7 in Cavite City was engulfed by fire on Sunday, July 14.

The Cavite Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDDRMO) said the fire was reported at 3:08 p.m. and reached the third alarm at 3:40 p.m.

The blaze was declared under control at 4:14 p.m. and was put out at 5:54 p.m.

In a Facebook post, Cavite 1st District Rep. Jolo Revilla said the fire left 1,200 families or 3,300 individuals homeless.

Revilla also said they are coordinating with Sen. Bong Revilla, the Agimat Partylist, and government agencies to bring help to affected families.

The fire victims are currently seeking temporary shelter at Dalahican Elementary School and Sta. Cruz Elementary School.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/21/fire-razes-houses-in-muntinlupa-1

A fire razed houses and affected eight families in Bagong Silang in Barangay Sucat, Muntinlupa on July 20. 

According to the Muntinlupa City Fire Station, the blaze started at about 6:25 p.m. from a house in Block 4. 

Firefighters raised the first alarm at 6:59 p.m. followed by a second alarm at 7:13 p.m. 

Eight houses were affected by the fire, which destroyed about P25,000 in properties. The fire station said the blaze allegedly started from the stairs of the house. The cause is under investigation. 

The fire was put under control at 8:13 p.m. and was put out at 8:18 p.m. 

A total of 44 fire trucks and three ambulances responded to the incident.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/586201/tipolo-fire-1-injured-3-homes-burned

One was injured while at least P100, 000 worth of properties went up in smoke in a fire incident that broke out in a residential area in Brgy. Tipolo in Mandaue City on Tuesday, July 23.

One of the residents who was identified as Jaylord Chua, 36, suffered a first-degree burn on his back.

The fire broke out at 3:10 a.m. and burned three homes that were made of light materials, according to a report by the Mandaue City Fire Station.

It  was raised to second alarm at 3:15 a.m. before it was finally put out at 3:30 a.m.

As of this writing, fire investigators continue to determine the cause of the fire that displaced three families.

Neighbors said that the fire-affected homes were occupied by Korean nationals who were engaged in the food business.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/07/24/2372481/1-dead-caloocan-blaze

A woman was killed in a fire that hit a residential area in Bagong Barrio, Caloocan before dawn yesterday.

The 59-year-old woman, who is yet to be identified, was the lone casualty in the fire.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection, the fire started at around 4 p.m. and reached the first alarm before it was put out by firefighters two hours later.

Based on initial investigations, a barangay official said that an unattended candle may have ignited the fire.

The BFP recorded no injuries, but three persons were left homeless.

Arson probers have yet to determine how much property was damaged in the fire.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/25/elderly-missing-another-hurt-in-marikina-blaze

A senior citizen died while a firefighter suffered from smoke inhalation after a fire hit a residential area in Pipino Street, Barangay Tumana, Marikina City early Friday morning, July 26.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the blaze started at 2:50 a.m. and was declared fire out at 3:55 a.m.

During the fire, the senior citizen reportedly went back inside his burning home to retrieve some paperwork when the second floor of his house collapsed, trapping him.

After hours of searching for him, authorities found his body in an adjacent apartment from his home.  

Arson investigators are still determining the cause of the fire.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1966028/woman-dead-in-bacoor-city-fire

A woman died on Thursday night, July 25, in a fire that gutted her house in Bacoor City, Cavite.

The Region 4A police said in a report on Friday that the blaze of still unknown origin struck the two-story residential house of Evangeline Manuel Perlas in Barangay Molino 3.

The fire started at 10:15 p.m. and was extinguished by responding firemen 26 minutes later.

Police said Perlas perished in the blaze. The report did not provide additional information on the victim and how she died.

Investigators have yet to determine what caused the fire.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/26/11-houses-destroyed-in-cadiz-city-fire

Eleven houses were destroyed in a fire that hit Purok Baybay, Barangay Daga, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental on Thursday, July 25.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said seven houses were destroyed and four others were partially damaged.

Most of these houses were made of light materials.

The fire broke out around 10:56 a.m. and the BFP is still probing the cause.

Fire out was declared at 12:02 p.m. No injuries were reported. Damage to property is yet to be determined.

Fire victims were temporarily sheltered at the barangay covered court.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1966768/fire-razes-28-houses-in-rizal-town

A fire of still unknown origin razed 28 houses in Taytay town in Rizal province on Saturday, July 27, the local fire station said.

The Police Region 4A reported on Sunday that the blaze erupted around 2 p.m. in Purok 15, Valle Compound in Barangay San Juan. Local firemen were able to put off the fire after two hours and 48 minutes.

The police said no one was reported injured during the blaze.

Mayor Allan de Leon, in a report on his Facebook page, said the authorities evacuated 50 families composed of 200 individuals during the fire.

They were brought to a covered court in the village for their temporary settlement and were attended by local social workers.

The police said the property damage and the cause of the fire have yet to be determined by authorities.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/29/fire-hits-makati-residential-area-2

A fire hit a residential area along Gerry Street corner Arguilles Street in Barangay Pio del Pilar, Makati City Monday, July 29.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the blaze started at 11:45 a.m. and quickly rose to the 2nd alarm at 11:49 a.m.

Firefighters declared fire out at 12:16 p.m. No one was reported hurt in the inferno.

Arson investigators are still determining the cause of the fire and amount of damage to property.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/31/fire-hits-houses-in-paco-manila

A 10-year-old boy was dead in a fire that hit three houses along Mercedes Street corner Perdigon Street,  Barangay 681, Paco, Manila, on Wednesday morning, July 31.

Authorities said the body's victim was found on the second floor of his house.

Fire responders said the boy was suddenly separated from his parents when they left home to evacuate.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported that the fire was raised to the first alarm at 10:20 a.m. and was elevated to the second alarm at 10:30 a.m.

Firefighters managed to control the blaze at 11:03 a.m. and extinguish it at 11:38 a.m.

They said around P70,000 worth of property was damaged in the fire.

Arson investigators said they are still conducting mopping operation to ensure the fire is put out.

A follow-up investigation to determine the cause of the fire is ongoing, they added.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1968193/fire-hits-81-bacolod-houses-due-to-improvised-mosquito-repellant

A fire that was believed to have been triggered by burning cardboard egg trays used as improvised mosquito repellants hit 81 houses at Purok Kagaykay, Barangay 2 here at 3:26 a.m. Wednesday, July 31.

The fire destroyed 73 houses and damaged eight, mostly made of light materials, said Superintendent Jenny Mae Masip, Bacolod fire marshal.

Estimated damage was P1.4 million, the Bureau of Fire Protection-Bacolod reported.

About 344 residents were affected.

The fire started from the house of Monaliza Magbanua where a person identified only as alias “Waldo” also live, Masip said.

The fire was believed to have been caused by burning cardboard egg trays “Waldo” used as improvised mosquito repellants.

Masip said neighbors saw “Waldo” pouring water to put out the fire but it quickly spread as the house and all around it were made of light, highly combustible materials.

“We are still very fortunate that there were no casualties or persons injured considering that the fire started early in the morning when most people were asleep,” she said.

Pauline Joy Ismael, 20, said they were asleep when they heard people shouting that there was a fire.

She said they just ran, nothing from their home was saved.

Emma Tesoro, 64, said thieves stole 14 cellular phones and P20,000 from her store that was damaged by the fire. A house next door that she was renting out was destroyed.

Tersoro, who had worked in Kuwait for 10 years, began residing in Purok Kagaykay about three years ago and used her savings to start her store, where neighbors also pawned their cellular phones and borrowed money.

The P20,000 stolen was her rolling capital, she said.

The Bacolod City government provided the affected families with food aid, hygiene kits and water.

Those whose houses were destroyed would receive P15,000 each, damaged, P10,000 each and house renters and sharers, P5,000 each, the Bacolod social welfare officer Alma Gustilo said.

That is 15 reported incidents for July. Remember, these are only the major fires reported in the national media. Residential fires are up all across the nation and they do not all make the news. This is the tip of the iceberg concerning the real situation in the Philippines.