Coronavirus Lockdown: Malaysia Medical Tourism, Hub for Business, and More!

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

According to Mayor Benitez Bacolod City has shown economic resiliency since the pandemic.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/benitez-bacolod-city-is-a-hub-for-business-and-economic-activity

"This is a victory for all Bacolodnons as we continue to drive growth, innovation, and opportunities in our city."

This was stressed by Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez after Bacolod was recognized as the Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit (LGU) in the country emerging at the top of a select group of five cities—Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, and Mandaue on Wednesday, October 23.

The award was presented during the 2024 Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Awards held at the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City.

Benitez, who personally received the award, said the recognition was based on four critical areas of evaluation: fast-tracking sustainable local economic development, ease of doing business initiatives, investment promotion efforts, and enhancing sectoral competitiveness.

“We are honored to receive this recognition, which reflects the commitment of Bacolod to creating an environment where businesses can thrive," he said.

Bacolod’s rise to the top of the list reinforces its reputation as a hub for business and economic activity in the Visayas region.

Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, chairperson of the City Council committee on appropriation, said last week, that Bacolod also received an award for best in financial performance among local government units granted by the Department of Finance.

"With this award as the Most Business-Friendly LGU also tied up on the city's best in collection performance," he said.

He added the city's award was also based on the programs implemented by Mayor Benitez such as the online payments and the quick-response code.

The caption to the picture says:

Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez says that the officials of SM Group and Nestle Philippines informed him that their revenues being generated have already reached the pre-pandemic levels.

SM Life which is SM Prime's employee development program, has won an award for People Program of the Year. Part of the review process is seeing how the program adapted before and after the pandemic.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2024/10/24/employee-development-program-wins-award-2232

SM Life is the flagship program for integrated talent management within SM Prime Group.

Launched in 2018 under the leadership of Hans Sy, Chairman of the SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) Executive Committee, SM Life empowers employees to learn, grow, and give back. It focuses on improving the overall employee experience, which SM Prime sees as essential to the company's success.

Under the Employee Experience and Engagement category of PMAP, the recognition highlights SM Prime's efforts to enhance employee development and create an inclusive workplace that promotes growth and empowerment.

"The SM Life program reflects our commitment to empowering our employees to get more out of life through their work and the advocacies we uphold at SM Prime," said SM Prime President Jeffrey Lim said after receiving the award.

The award process involved a rigorous three-month review, which looked into how the program was developed over the last five years, how it adapted before and after the pandemic, and how it meets the company’s business and organizational needs.

As part of the evaluation, assessors conducted onsite visits and interviews with randomly chosen employees from various levels and business units across SM Prime.

There were over 90 entries submitted for the three award categories: People Program of the Year, People Manager of the Year, and Employer of the Year.

SM Life emerged as one of ten finalists and was recognized for its innovative people management approach. This is SM's first time to join the PMAP Awards and the first-ever win for SM.

"Guided by the Sy family, our company champions the importance of developing our employees' potential and strives to collectively embody the work-life principles of our founder, Tatang, Henry Sy, Sr.," he added.

The SM Life program prioritizes overall employee experience. From learning and development to employee recognitions, demonstrating employee appreciation through simple gestures like sharing kudos cards via the SM Life app.

To date, over 100,000 online kudos cards have been given out across the company.

Coaching and mentoring are also key leadership responsibilities at SM Prime, embedded in the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of its leaders. This ensures employees receive ongoing guidance and support, driving both personal and professional growth.

"We are committed to continuously evolving the employee experience at SM Prime Group. We celebrate our wins and work harder on what we need to be better at," SM Supermalls Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Program Lead for SM Life Cheryll Agsaoay promised.

No word on exactly how this program has adapted to the pandemic. 

Apparently revenge travel is still a thing even though the pandemic is long over.

https://business.inquirer.net/486952/revenge-travel-going-strong-8-month-passenger-volume-up-11

Ahead of the holiday season, Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) continues to see a surge in passenger volume as travel demand remains on the rise, beating prepandemic levels.

Manila International Airport Authority said that based on its latest monitoring, he country’s primary gateway accommodated 33.68 million passengers in January to August.

This is equivalent to a nearly 11-percent growth from the same period last year and exceeded the prepandemic level of 32.38 million recorded in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic that halted air travel struck in 2020.

More than half of the passengers as of August this year were accounted for by local travelers at 18.07 million while international passenger volume reached 15.61 million.

Along with this, the number of flights serviced at Naia grew by almost 11 percent to 196,313 during the eight-month period from 177,398 last year.

A total of 119,490 flights were operated locally for the period. Airlines, meanwhile, flew 76,824 flights to international destinations from Naia in January to August.

The local carriers said the passenger volume was only expected to grow in the coming months due to the celebration of holidays.

Maybe this is just regular travel picking up and has nothing to do with revenge.

Perhaps some of these travelers are flying to Malaysia for affordable healthcare.

https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/indonesia-philippines-china-australia-india-and-bangladesh-boost-malaysia-medical-tourism-industry-for-its-affordability/

Malaysia medical tourism industry is making a remarkable comeback after the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging as one of the top healthcare destinations globally. Known for its affordable and high-quality medical treatments, Malaysia is positioning itself as a leader in medical tourism, with patients from around the world seeking care in its state-of-the-art facilities. The industry, which had faced a significant downturn during the pandemic, is now seeing growth as healthcare travelers return in large numbers.

The country’s ability to provide top-tier healthcare services at competitive prices has made it a popular choice for patients from regions like Indonesia, China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Australia, and beyond. According to the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), Malaysia is leveraging its reputation for quality healthcare to attract international patients, with particular emphasis on specialized treatments such as cardiology, orthopedics, cosmetic surgery, and cancer care.

In 2019, Malaysia generated over RM1.7 billion (approximately $406 million) from medical tourism, with key markets including Indonesia and China. While the pandemic slowed growth, Malaysia’s proactive efforts in public-private partnerships have helped the sector recover quickly. In 2022, the medical tourism industry nearly returned to its pre-pandemic levels, generating RM726 million by the third quarter alone, indicating robust recovery.

Penang and Melaka remain the top hotspots for medical tourists, particularly from Indonesia, who account for over 70% of healthcare arrivals in these regions. With their world-class hospitals and clinics, these cities offer a variety of treatments, including reconstructive surgery, neurosurgery, and comprehensive wellness programs.

Penang is currently transforming into a global medical tourism hub, attracting significant investments to improve its healthcare infrastructure. The state’s focus on high-end treatments, such as robotic surgery, coupled with affordable pricing, has drawn patients from all over Southeast Asia and beyond.

Or perhaps they are flying to Switzerland and Monaco. 

https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/travel-and-tourism/2024/10/30/2396172/switzerland-sees-600-growth-filipino-tourists-monaco-eyeing-more-pinoys-paris

Two European countries are eyeing more Filipino tourist arrivals in the coming years, one of them in particular already seeing a huge boost in the post-pandemic era.

In an exclusive interview with Philstar.com during TravMedia's International Media Marketplace Asia 2024 in Singapore last October 22, Switzerland Tourism's Marketing & Communication Manager for Southeast Asia Nazrul Jumahat shared positive numbers about Filipino tourists.

He shared that in 2023, Switzerland saw a 600% growth in Filipino tourists compared to 2019 right before the pandemic, and this year so far is seeing a double-digit growth in arrivals.

Jumahat attributed the opening of a satellite office in the Philippines helping in the awareness of possible tourism opportunities in Switzerland, which go from food options like chocolates and cheeses, to experiences like mountain hikes and train rides.

Elsewhere during the International Media Marketplace Asia 2024, Benoit Badufle spoke to Philstar.com on behalf of the Promotion Bureau of the Principality of Monaco about the possibility of having more Filipinos visiting the world's second-smallest country.

Badufle said many maritime people visit Monaco during the summertime (June to August), though while it is a growing leisure market for Southeast Asia, there is still no huge incentive for visits.

He added that the return of Air France's direct flights between Manila and the French capital of Paris will be a huge boost to the possibilities of having more Filipinos in Monaco.

Additionally, Philippines Airlines' President and Chief Operating Officer Stanley Ng told Philstar.com in a separate inteview the country’s flag carrier airlines is studying whether to launch its own Manila-Paris route.

"Filipinos are aware of Monaco's possibilities, [there's] just really no flights," Badufle explained, adding his colleagues are working on bringing Tim Yap and Raymond Gutierrez to Monaco in order to boost awareness.

Well, maybe not Monaco since there are no direct flights yet. 

HI, My Name is...53

Living in the Philippines means living with the danger of getting zapped. From low hanging wires to hidden wires the possibility of accidentally electrocuting yourself is very real.

Hi, my name is ordinary farmer. I was out for a walk when I accidentally touched a hanging live wire. Bzzt!!! And then I was dead. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/8/28/farmer-electrocuted-to-death-in-quezon

A farmer was electrocuted to death after he accidentally touched a hanging live wire while walking in Barangay Pacabit, this town, on Monday afternoon, August 26.

Police said residents turned the power off and removed the victim.

The victim was taken to the Bondoc Peninsula District Hospital here where he declared dead.

Police are conducting an investigation to determine who is responsible for leaving the dangling live wire unattended.

Hi, my name is Mario Sabalboro. My daughter and I were chasing a cat. All of a sudden I touched a live wire and died on the spot.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1793750/quezon-farmer-electrocuted-while-chasing-cat

A farmer died on Monday after he accidentally touched a live wire while chasing a cat in Mulanay town in Quezon province.

The Quezon police reported on Tuesday, June 27, that Mario Sabalboro, 38, and his 14-year-old daughter were chasing a feral cat in Barangay Ilayang Yuni around 10:30 p.m.

During the chase, Mario accidentally touched a live wire inside a private property and died on the spot.

His daughter tried to help her father but was also electrocuted and lost consciousness but suffered only injuries. She was taken to the Bondoc Peninsula District Hospital in neighboring Catanauan town for treatment.

Hi, my name is Edwin Pereyra. Me and my nephew were walking through a rice field and carrying a steel plow to cultivate my field. All of a sudden the plow accidentally touched a love hanging wire and electrocuted me to death. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/19/farmer-dies-after-being-electrocuted-in-quezon

A 45-year-old farmer died and his nephew was injured after they were electrocuted in Barangay Mangahan, this town, on Monday afternoon, September 18. 

Police identified the fatality as Edwin Pereyra and the injured as Angelo Gacula, also a farmer, and residents of Barangay Mangahan.

Investigation said Gacula was walking on a rice field carrying a steel plow to cultivate his farm.

But the steel plow accidentally touched a hanging electric wire and was electrocuted.

Pereyra rushed to help his nephew but he, too, was electrocuted.

They sustained injuries and taken by relatives to a clinic where Pereyra was declared dead and Gacula is undergoing treatment. 

Hi, my name is Loreto. I was working on the third for of a building when all of a sudden I touched a live wire. I plunged to the ground dying upon impact. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/8/16/laborer-electrocuted-in-cagayan

A construction worker plunged to his death after he was electrocuted on the third floor of a building under construction at the public market in Camalaniugan, Cagayan on Thursday, August 15.

Police identified the victim as Loreto, 27, of Barangay Felipe Tuzon, Camalaniugan.

Investigation said the iron bar the victim was holding accidentally touched a live wire. He was electrocuted and plunged to the ground.

The victim was first taken to a hospital in Camalaniugan and later transferred to a hospital in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan where he was declared dead.

Hi, my name is Ella. Mymother was cleaning the water pump of our makeshift hut when she touched a live wire and was electrocuted. I sprang into action to recuse her but I was also electrocuted. Being eight months pregnant both me and my baby died. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/9/5/pregnant-woman-dies-trying-to-save-mom-from-electrocution

A pregnant woman died after she tried to rescue her mother who was electrocuted in their residence in Barangay Arwas here on Wednesday, September 4.

Police identified the victim as Ella.

Investigation disclosed that the victim’s mother was cleaning the water pump of their makeshift hut when she was electrocuted.

The victim tried to rescue her mother but she was also electrocuted. 

They were taken to the hospital where Ella, who was eight months pregnant, was declared dead. Her baby also died.

Ella's mother is recuperating in the hospital.

Their water pump had not been functioning for three days allegedly due to a wet electric wire. 

Hi, our names are Amador, JR,  and Juan. We were installing a solar streetlight post when we touched a live wire of the Camarines Sur Electric Cooperative. Three of our coworkers were also injured. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/9/6/3-laborers-electrocuted-to-death-in-naga-city

Three construction workers died and two others were injured after they were electrocuted while installing a steel solar streetlight post in Barangay Bagumbayan Sur, Naga City, Camarines Sur province, on Friday afternoon, September 6.

Police Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office-5 (Bicol), identified the victims as Amador, 27, and JR, 30, from Camarines Norte and Juan, 40, from Camarines Sur.

Investigation said the victims were installing a steel solar streetlight post when they accidentally touched a live wire of the Camarines Sur Electric Cooperative and were electrocuted.

Two co-workers were injured – Anton, 24, from Camarines Norte and Jose, 36, from Camarines Sur.

Victims were taken to the Bicol Medical Center here where three of them were declared dead on arrival.

Calubaquib said that the injured are in a critical condition and under observation.

Investigation is ongoing as of posting time. 

Hi, our names our being withheld. Call us Nephew and Uncle. We are both farmers. While preparing the carabao sled a live wire fell and landed on it. I touched the sled and was electrocuted. My uncle, in a desperate attempt to recuse me, was also electrocuted and died. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/9/20/man-uncle-electrocuted-to-death-in-victorias-city

A 19-year-old man and his uncle died after they were electrocuted in Hacienda Carugiat, Barangay 13, Victorias City, Negros Occidental on Thursday, September 19. 

Police withheld the names of the 19-year-old victim from Barangay 13, Victorias City, and his 60-year-old uncle from Barangay Pasil, E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental.

Police Capt. Genus David, deputy chief of the Victorias City Police Station, said the victims, who were both farmers, were preparing their carabao sled when a live wire fell and landed on the sled.

The 19-year-old victim touched the sled and was electrocuted.

He collapsed to the ground, prompting his uncle to rush and rescue him. However, his uncle was also electrocuted. 

The victims were declared dead in a hospital. 

Hi, my name is Jessie James Torremocha. I wasn't electrocuted but I did die while restoring electricity during a storm. The wind was so strong it blew me right off the pole. I do not remember if I was wearing a safety harness which would have prevented such a fall. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/9/20/lineman-falls-to-death-while-working-in-bacolod

A 34-year-old lineman plunged to his death while working on an electric post in Barangay Villamonte here amid inclement weather due to the southwest monsoon or “habagat” enhanced by tropical cyclones on Sunday, September 15.

The Negros Electric and Power Corp. said the victim, Jessie James Torremocha, 34, from Davao City, fell from a 30-foot electrical post and passed away on Tuesday night, September 17, at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Metro Bacolod Hospital and Medical Center here.

NEPC said that Torremocha was a devoted lineman who died while diligently working to restore power following severe weather.

“He was an epitome of a true Line Warrior embodying dedication and bravery,” NEPC said.

NEPC mourned his death and condoled with the victim’s family and friends. The company thanked for his service and commitment.

Mayor Albee Benitez here also condoled with the family of Torremocha.

“Jessie’s dedication and commitment to ensuring the stability of our power services will always be remembered with gratitude,” Benitez said.

Benitez said that Torremocha’s sacrifice is a reminder of the risks and responsibilities taken on by those who work tirelessly for the greater good of our community.

Torremocha’s wife arrived here on Monday, September 16, to facilitate the transport of his remains back to Davao City.

Insurgency: CPP Acting Chair Nabbed

Once again a leader of the allegedly leaderless NPA has been captured. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/10/22/npa-leader-arrested-in-ilocos-norte

Troops from the 5th Infantry Division and police apprehended a high-ranking New People’s Army leader in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte on Monday, Oct. 21. 

Simon Fiaryao Naogsan Sr., alias Filiw and Wayat, also the spokesperson of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) in the Ilocos-Cordillera region, was apprehended  an intelligence-driven operation. 

He was executive committee member, head of regional propaganda, and former secretary of the Kilusang Larangang Guerilla-Marco under the Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Committee and faces murder and attempted murder cases before the regional trial courts in Ifugao and Mountain Province. 

Major Gen. Gulliver L. Señires, commander of the Army 5th Infantry Division, commended operating units for their achievement. 

Señires said Naogsan’s arrest followed the recent capture of three senior members of the ICRC in Conner, Apayao province and proof of the continuous dismantling of the leadership structure of the NPA in Northern Luzon. 

“The success of this operation is a testament to our troops' dedication and the community's unwavering support,” Señires said.  

“The invaluable information provided by residents was crucial in tracking Naogsan and ensuring his arrest. This demonstrates the growing partnership between the military and the community and the diminishing support for the communist insurgents due to the improved services in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Conflict-Affected Areas (GIDCAs).” 

Señires attributed the dwindling influence of the NPA in Northern Luzon to the whole-of-nation approach under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).  

Police Col. Frederick E. Obar, Ilocos Norte police director, said they are investigating the presence of Naogsan in Ilocos Norte.

The NTF-ELCAC has called the capture of this NPA leader a "major victory."

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1236050

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Tuesday lauded government troops for the capture of a ranking Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army (CPP-NPA) leader in northern Luzon.

The Army's 5th Infantry Division and the Philippine National Police in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte arrested Simon Fiaryao Naogsan Sr., also known as "Filiw" and "Wayat," on Oct. 21.

NTF-ELCAC Executive Director, Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., said Naogsan's arrest was a "major victory" that marks a "decisive blow to the remaining communist terrorist elements" in the region.

Of course the fall of this leader is a "decisive blow" to the remaining insurgents in the area. The NPA in Luzon will be falling any day now. 

An even more significant leader was captured in Quezon City. The acting chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines was arrested by the PNP. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/10/25/cpp-acting-chair-nabbed-in-qc-police-say

Authorities have arrested the alleged acting chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) during a joint operation by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Quezon City on Thursday, Oct. 24.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said that Wigberto Villarico alias “Baylon”, 68, was served with a warrant of arrest for two counts of kidnapping with murder in his house in Barangay Fairview.

Police Maj. Gen. Sidney S. Hernia, acting regional director of NCRPO, said that Villarico is among the suspects in the kidnapping and murder of two victims back in 2007 in Brgy. Cagsiay, Mauban, Quezon Province.

“The case was originally filed at Regional Trial Court Branch 64 in Quezon but was transferred to Taguig City RTC Branch 266, which certified the validity of the issued warrant of arrest,” Hernia said.

The arresting team also apprehended a certain Maryjoy Lizada, 35, for obstruction of justice after she allegedly provided "false identification of the accused."

According to the NCRPO, Villarico has been using several aliases to evade arrest such as “Benjamin Mendoza”, “Alejandro Montalan”, “Lawrence”, “Joven”, “Valer”, “Mark”, “Cris”, “MJ15”, and “FR88”. 

The NCRPO said he was the secretary of the CPP-New People’s Army (NPA) Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee (STRPC) which operates in Calabarzon (Region 4A) and Mimaropa (Region 4B). It noted that he is also a member of the Political Bureau (Politburo) of the CPP.

In a separate statement, National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año commended the PNP and AFP for the arrest of Villarico, whom he said replaced the late Benito Tiamzon as the acting chairman of the CPP that has been waging a communist insurgency against the government since the 1960s.

“This operation is a major step in our ongoing efforts to dismantle the leadership of the communist terrorist group and bring lasting peace to our country,” Año said.

Villarico, according to the NSA, assumed leadership of the CPP after the death of Benito Tiamzon during a military encounter in Samar on Aug. 22, 2022.

Villarico’s arrest is a “significant victory in neutralizing the CPP’s leadership structure” as he is the "last Communist leader at-large capable of commanding both the party and its armed wing, the New People’s Army", Año explained.

“The operation exemplifies the unwavering dedication of our security forces to pursue justice and uphold the rule of law. Villarico's capture closes the chapter on a terrorist fugitive responsible for numerous atrocities against the people, including leading violent purges within the CPP-NPA Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee in the 1980s, where many were executed by his own hands,” the NSA noted.

Surely now that the "last Communist leader at-large capable of commanding both the party and its armed wing, the New People’s Army" has been captured the NPA will finally be leaderless and the last remaining fighters will surrender. Right? Time will tell. 

Meanwhile clashes between the NPA and government forces continue. One rebel was killed in a recent clash.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1997007/npa-rebel-killed-in-agusan-del-sur-clash-2

A New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla was killed in a clash with soldiers in San Luis town, Agusan del Sur on Tuesday, October 22.

Lt. Col. Francisco Garello, public affairs chief of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID), said that troops of the 26th Infantry Battalion engaged some 50 rebels in an armed encounter in Sitio Tamyang, Barangay Binicalan of San Luis town.

The rebels, according to Garello, were identified with the NPA’s North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.

Soldiers recovered from the still unidentified rebel a Bushmaster M4 rifle, along with assorted war materiel and personal belongings.

The seized firearm added to the haul of three high-powered weapons taken by soldiers from a hidden arms cache of NPA rebels in various areas of the Caraga region in the past few weeks.

One down, how many more to go?

The mastermind behind the MSU bombing in December 2023 has finally been caught. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/10/22/2394271/mastermind-msu-campus-bombing-nabbed

The alleged mastermind in an attack on a Catholic religious ceremony at the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi, Lanao del Sur in December has been arrested.

Arsani Membisa, allegedly a member of the Dawlah Islamiya terror group, was arrested in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte on Oct. 16, the Bangsamoro police reported on Sunday.

The attack, which occurred on Dec. 3, 2003, killed four people and wounded 43 others.

The victims were attending a mass at the Dimaporo Gymnasium located in the MSU campus when an improvised explosive device went off.

Police arested two suspects weeks after the explosion.

Brig. Gen. Romeo Jaime Macapaz, Bangsamoro police director, said residents tipped off authorities about Membisa’s presence in the area.

A joint team of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and officers of the Lanao del Sur and Iligan City police arrested Membisa at his hideout in Barangay Maria Cristina.

The article says 2003 but it is actually 2023. He is "allegedly a member of the Dawlah Islamiya terror group" which means the DI is still a deadly and active force.

This week 5 DI members were killed while 2 were captured. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1996990/5-local-is-terrorists-killed-2-captured-in-arrest-ops-in-lanao-del-norte

Five members of Islamic State-linked Dawlah Islamiyah (DI) terrorist group were slain while two others were captured in a joint military and police operation on Tuesday in the interior village of Bangko in Sultan Naga Dimaporo town, Lanao del Norte.

The operation was launched at 1 a.m. on Tuesday, Brig. Gen. Anthon Abrina, commander of the Army 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, told the Inquirer.

The soldiers and personnel of the Police Regional Offices 9 and 10 were out to serve arrest warrants against Uya Dama Munagen, also known as Lagbas, and Musa Monagen Dama, both identified as members of DI, for murder, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention charges.

As the authorities approached the area, they were fired upon, triggering a fierce 30-minute exchange of gunfire, Abrina said.

Among those killed were Munagen and Dama, Abrina added. Of the two armed men captured, one sustained serious injuries and was rushed to a local hospital for treatment.

Recovered from the scene were two pistols, three M16 assault rifles, three M1 Garand rifles, assorted rifle magazines, an undetermined volume of assorted ammunition, ammunition clips for M1 Garand, and two fragmentation grenades, Abrina said.

The swift actions and seamless coordination between the PNP and the Army were vital in addressing the threats posed by these individuals.” Viray said.

Also joining the operation were Army troops from the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion, 5th Mechanized Infantry Battalion and the 1st Light Reaction Company.

“The success of this joint operation highlights the crucial collaboration between the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” said Major General Gabriel C. Viray III, commander of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division.

Again, how many more members of the Dawlah Islamiya terror group remain? Clearly they pose a threat. Perhaps they will set off another bomb in retaliation for these recent operations. No scenario should be left of the table. 

PNP Forbids Drinking on the Job

The PNP has now officially banned drinking while on duty. Who knew PNP officers were actually allowed, nay encouraged by the top brass, to drink on the job? 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1997769/consuming-intoxicating-drinks-at-pnps-workplaces-now-prohibited

Consuming any liquor or any intoxicating drinks  within the workplace of the Philippine National Police (PNP) is now prohibited, according to a memorandum issued on October 21 by the agency’s Chief of Directorial Staff.

“All offices/units are directed to strictly enforce the prohibition of drinking any kind of intoxicating liquor within the workplace (i.e offices, premises, or worksites, including training venues, places visited for field work assignment, and related situations),” the memorandum read.

Police officers were previously allowed “happy hour” and “beer busting” as a way to “unwind, foster camaraderie, and strengthen working relationships.”

However, the memorandum also said that the directive was instituted to prevent unfortunate instances such as endangering lives from these activities.

“[A]ll PNP personnel are reminded to always conduct and present themselves responsibly and professionally, in accordance with RA [Republic Act] No. 6713 and the PNP Ethical Doctrine,” the memorandum added.

RA No. 6713 provides the code of conduct and ethical standards for public officials and employees.

Further, the personnel who will violate the order and their Chief of Office/Unit Commander may be held liable.

Who was paying for the alcohol?  The taxpayer? Maybe it was donated by manufacturers. A few years back I posted a few pictures showing Tanduay's sponsorship of the PNP. 

https://philippinefails.blogspot.com/2018/09/pnp-sponsored-by-tanduay-rhum.html

I have seen liquor bottles on site at a PNP office once. But who knew happy hour and beer busting sessions were actually encouraged by leadership for officers to “unwind, foster camaraderie, and strengthen working relationships.” Aren't there better ways to do that without drinking on the job where guns are available? Apparently not.

It is rather shameful this practice has been encouraged for so many years. All that talk about cleaning up the ranks and the generals were letting their subordinates have a wild time in the office on the taxpayer's dime. Perhaps now the PNP will be a bastion of decency, incorruptibility, and sobriety. Doubt it. 

The God Culture: 100 Lies About the Philippines: Lie #28: Sinbad the Sailor Sailed to the Philippines

Welcome back to 100 Lies The God Culture teaches about the Philippines. Today's lie concerns Timothy Jay Schwab's claim that Sinbad the Sailor sailed to the Philippines.

In his video series Did the Ancient Greeks Sail Around Africa Tim relates the story of how Sinbad sailed to the Philippines and found sandalwood.

Did The Ancient Greeks Sail Around Africa? To Ophir, Philippines? Solomon's Gold Series 16B

43:58 But one last one and this is from Persia. It's not actually circumnavigating Africa but more the continuation of the journey to Ophir and Tarshish  This is the famous story of Sinbad the Sailor from Arabian Nights. He left Persia and set sail for the Indies. We all know where that is. That's Malaysia Indonesia and the Philippines. It includes the Philippines in their perspective and even if you go and look it up it will tell you today that the Philippines is part of the Indies, the East Indies, the islands in the East but this is really going to be a wow when you see it. Again, this is about 800 BC and he'll sail from the Persian Gulf, yes, not from even the Red Sea, and no he doesn't circumnavigate in Africa but he goes to this land and we'll see. They write, "We continued at sea for some time," they were lost in the Indies somewhere but where were they? Well, the answer becomes very obvious here. "Touched several islands and at last landed at that of Salabat where Sandalwood is obtained." 

Oh, wait a minute I think I just heard bell sound for our Filipino viewers? Yeah, you read that right, Salabat. That is a Tagalog word for their famous ginger tea Salabat. Wow! Now we know why most Filipinos drink it though not because it's good although it is. No, no, no. They drink it because it's widely believed to improve a person's singing voice. Ah, indeed. Just teasing but anyway. "And this is where Sandalwood is obtained." Oh that's also just so happens to be the Philippine national tree the narra which is red or yellow Sandalwood. Wow! Oh, Sinbad the famous sailor was in the Philippines, likely. Who would have known?

In this video segment Tim says it is "likely" that Sinbad the Sailor sailed to the Philippines but in a comment he claims it is definite history. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE3jc4oLbXw&lc=UgxrEqBIZtP1KfJfQ5d4AaABAg.9xDfHSfLuP89xEpdZkWKz_

You make an unsupported assumption you cannot. The East Indies in name never required them to be vassal states of a nation of India. They were the islands East of it. History has no such requirement. Even the Persian sailor Sinbad in about 700 AD, records the Philippines as part of the East Indies as did many. Again, not as a vassal state of India.

Is Timothy Jay Schwab out of his mind? Does he not know that Sinbad the Sailor is a fictional character from the 1001 Arabian Nights? 

Sinbad the Sailor is a fictional mariner and the hero of a story-cycle. He is described as hailing from Baghdad during the early Abbasid Caliphate (8th and 9th centuries A.D.). In the course of seven voyages throughout the seas east of Africa and south of Asia, he has fantastic adventures in magical realms, encountering monsters and witnessing supernatural phenomena.

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

Sinbad does not exist! And yet Tim refers to his story for support that the Greeks were circumnavigating Africa to the Philippines for a thousand years from the time of King Solomon to the time of Jesus Christ. It's complete and utter nonsense. 

Not only is Sinbad the Sailor fictitious but Tim is lying about where Sinbad sailed. In the first part of the clip where Tim says Sinbad sailed to the Indies he is citing from Sinbad's first voyage. 

The part about landing on Salabat where sandalwood can be found is from Sinbad's third voyage. 

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nyp.33433081836466&seq=138&q1=Salabat

Why cobble these two very different voyages together? What is the point of lying about the voyages of Sinbad the Sailor? 

Tim makes a big to-do about the island of Salabat noting it is a Tagalog word for ginger tea and sandalwood is the national tree of the Philippines. But the story mentions an island named Salabat not a tea. In a different translation it is Salahat. Sandalwood is not exclusive to the Philippines but is also found in India and in other islands in Southeast Asia such as Sumba and Timor.

The sandalwood is indigenous to the tropical belt of peninsular India, the Malay Archipelago and northern Australia. The main distribution is in the drier tropical regions of India and the Indonesian islands of Timor and Sumba

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

In fact, one editor of this story notes that Salabat is possibly Timor.

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc2.ark:/13960/t2988ds9j&seq=52&q1=salabat

But where exactly is Salabat or Salahat? Ultimately it is irrelevant because the entire story is fictitious. 

Now, lest Tim cavil and say that Sinbad the Sailor is based on a real person that does not matter. Tim did not cite that real person who's name is Soleiman Siraf. He even wrote a book about his travels titled "An Account of India and China."

https://archive.org/details/ancientaccountso00sira/page/n3/mode/2up

But Tim did not cite this book in this video nor does he mention it elsewhere. The fact is he claims the fictional Sinbad sailed to the Philippines as a matter of historical record. It's not true in the slightest. It is simply one more lie about the Philippines from Timothy Jay Schwab who is The God Culture.