Coronavirus Lockdown: Volleyball Growth, Satire Post, and More!

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

 Post-pandemic Filipino concert-going habits have been difficult to predict. 

https://tribune.net.ph/2025/08/22/live-nation-ph-exec-filipino-concertgoers-harder-to-predict-post-pandemic

Working as the Operations Manager for Live Nation Philippines, Bey Pascua told DAILY TRIBUNE on Friday that Filipino audiences are not easy to please or predict.

“No, definitely not,” Pascua said. She explained that the pandemic shifted Filipinos' interests and preferences, especially when it comes to concerts, as people have become more discerning and practical.

“Many people really want to attend concerts where they get more value for their money,” she said, highlighting perks like VIP inclusions and meet-and-greet opportunities with artists they genuinely admire. She added that if the performer is someone audiences have only recently discovered or don’t know much about, people tend to be “less motivated to pay to see them live.”

Speaking about the pandemic and its impact on the live events industry, Pascua shared that they managed to weather the crisis by leveraging online platforms. “We actually did a lot of events online, whether through streaming or virtual engagements,” she said.

Pascua revealed that she’s always envisioned herself in the industry, having looked up to her mother, who was also involved in live entertainment. “She’s been my idol ever since,” she confessed, adding that she never needed to look elsewhere for inspiration. Her passion for the industry was ignited early on, watching her mother perform onstage. “I saw how much work she put into it, how passionate she was, and how many people she made happy,” Pascua shared.

Now a professional in the same field, Pascua acknowledged that the journey is far from smooth. Quoting a saying, she noted, “You can be the sweetest peach in the world, but there will always be somebody who doesn’t like peaches.” Though she admits to feeling sad or upset at times, she reminds herself not to let the emotions take over and instead chooses to “move on to the good part.”

This seems more like business as usual than being specifically pandemic related. Who doesn't hesitate to pay for acts they don't know much about?

The Ibalong Festival in Legazpi City is kicking off and promises to be more vibrant than ever. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/08/22/ibalong-festival-2025-kicks-off-in-legazpi-city

The two-week Ibalong Festival 2025 officially kicked off Friday here with Mass, followed by an opening parade from Saint Raphael Church to Ibalong Park in Barangay Puro.

Mayor Hisham Ismail announced temporary road closures on Saint Raphael Church, Legazpi City Boulevard, and Barangay Puro to give way to the festivities, advising motorists to avoid the affected routes.

The city government expects between 100,000 to 200,000 tourist arrivals during the festival, which was seen as a major boost to the city’s tourism and local economy.

“With the scheduled concert of popular P-pop girl group BINI, we expect a large influx of visitors not only from across the Bicol region but also from other provinces nationwide,” Ismail said.

He added that various activities and cultural showcases are lined up to make this year’s festival more vibrant, after years of subdued celebrations brought about by the pandemic, calamities, and other challenges.

A key highlight of the festivities will be the “Festivals of Festivals” street presentation, where different local festivals across Albay will compete in a grand cultural showcase.

The Ibalong Festival pays tribute to the epic heroes Baltog, Handyong, and Bantong, whose legendary exploits form part of the Ibalong epic, a tale that celebrates the bravery and cultural heritage of the Bicolanos.

In an interview with the Manila Bulletin, Department of Tourism (DOT)-Bicol regional director Herbie Aguas emphasized the importance of reviving the Ibalong Festival in strengthening the region’s tourism industry.

“Albay has been leading in tourist arrivals, and the Ibalong Festival will further boost this momentum,” Aguas said, citing the recent success of the Bicol Loco Festival, which drew thousands of visitors and left most hotels in the province fully booked.

“I don’t want to frame this as competition since every province has its own strengths in tourism. But the Bicol Loco Festival proved to be a huge help in drawing tourists, and with the Ibalong Festival, we can expect arrivals to rise even higher,” he added.

This is the second year of the festival since being suspended during the pandemic. Was it not vibrant enough last year?

Mactan-Cebu International Airport aims to be a center of post-pandemic growth. 

https://www.regionalgateway.net/connectivity-at-philippines-mactan-cebu-international-airport/

In the heart of the Philippines, Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) is emerging as a strong regional player with impressive post-pandemic growth and plans to become a central transit point for the island nation’s thriving tourism industry – the first transfer hub in the country.

The second largest airport in the Philippines’ recovery tells a story of remarkable transformation. After seeing traffic decimated by Covid, MCIA experienced an 81 per cent year-on-year increase in passenger traffic in 2023/24, reaching 10 million.

It is hoping to add another 20 per cent growth this year. Domestic traffic has now not only recovered but surpassed pre-pandemic levels, and while international traffic has not yet reached its previous peak, the airport is confident it will do so in 2025.

“We have been growing very fast,” Julius Neri, MCIA’s General Manager, tells Regional Gateway. “Our domestic traffic has already surpassed pre-Covid levels and we expect international traffic to catch up shortly.”

The most significant challenge remains the absence of Chinese travellers, who were previously the airport’s second-largest market but who have stopped travelling in such numbers as a result of geopolitical issues and visa complexities.

To compensate for the diminished Chinese market, Cebu Airport has been aggressively diversifying its international routes. Recent launches include direct flights to Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam and a groundbreaking route by United Airlines via Tokyo’s Narita Airport – marking the first regular service by a US carrier to Cebu.

The airport is also preparing to welcome Jetstar’s direct flights to Brisbane in November, with “several more destinations in the pipeline” according to Neri.

The Korean market has emerged as a particular bright spot, currently supporting 12 daily flights, with South Koreans ranking as MCIA’s number one inbound visitor group.

The airport’s leadership attributes this success to Korean travellers’ love for warm-weather destinations, and favourable visa arrangements.

“Koreans love our beaches, especially during their winter,” says Neri, highlighting the appeal of Cebu’s tropical climate.

MCIA is also turning to India. The Indian market presents obstacles, with current visa processes for those wishing to visit the Philippines requiring physical embassy interviews, seen as a significant deterrent for potential travellers.

The airport’s infrastructure is designed to support a substantial expansion of passenger numbers.

The existing configuration can accommodate up to 18 million passengers annually, while the figure currently hovers around 11.8 million, leaving significant room for growth.

A recently completed second parallel runway, set to be operational by June 2025, will increase operational efficiency by 25 to 30 per cent, enabling those figures to grow.

“When the second runway is operational, we’re going to rehabilitate and repair our main runway,” says Neri. “After that is done, then we can talk about operating both.”

The runway strategy is designed to extract maximum benefit for the airport. While the two runways are too close to operate independently, MCIA plans to use one for take-offs and another for landings, creating a more streamlined operational model in pursuit of higher traffic flows.

Perhaps most exciting in the airport’s plans is its “Cebu Connect” transfer hub – the first of its kind in the Philippines.

This system, launched last year, allows international travellers to connect to domestic flights without leaving the terminal, with automatic luggage transfer and simplified immigration processes.

Neri says: “We are situated in the centre of the Philippines, within a one-hour flight of over 90 per cent of tourist destinations. Connectivity is crucial in an archipelago of over 7,000 islands. We want to provide our arriving tourists with as seamless connectivity as possible.

“Unlike in the other airports in the country, you can just connect directly within the domestic terminal. Your luggage is all transferred [and] you progress through immigration and customs without having to step out of the terminal. That’s a first in our country, and it’s been doing very well.” 

Currently, the airport offers transfers for passengers switching between domestic flights on the same airline.

By focusing on strategic route expansion, infrastructure development, and technological innovation, Cebu Airport is positioning itself as a model of post-pandemic airport recovery.

As global travel continues to rebound, Cebu Airport appears ready to lead in the region.

Domestic travel is up while international arrivals lag behind with the absence of Chinese tourists being to blame. 

Cebuana artist Maria Victoria “Bambi” Beltran was accused of cyber libel during the pandemic for a satirical post about Cebu City becoming "the epicenter in the whole solar system.” She has been acquitted. 

https://www.rappler.com/philippines/visayas/court-clears-charges-cebu-artist-bambi-beltran-covid-satire-post/

The Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 14 in Cebu City has granted the demurrer to evidence of Cebuana artist Maria Victoria “Bambi,” Beltran who was accused of spreading “fake news” during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Presiding Judge Merlo Bagano granted the demurrer in an order dated August 14, effectively dismissing the last case filed against Beltran.

Beltran, an award-winning writer and recipient of the 2020 Deutsche Welle Freedom of Speech Award, was arrested on April 18, 2020, for a Facebook post regarding the surge of COVID-19 cases in Sitio Zapatera, Barangay Luz, Cebu City.

In her post, Beltran wrote: “9,000+ new cases (all from Zapatera) of COVID-19 in Cebu City in one day. We are now the epicenter in the whole solar system.”

The late Cebu City mayor Edgardo Labella shared Beltran’s post and warned her that she would be arrested for spreading “fake news.” The same day of that post, Beltran was arrested without warrant and detained for three days.

Beltran was charged with cyber libel, violating Republic Act No. (RA) 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, Republic Act No. 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act, and unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances.

On August 17, 2020, the Cebu Municipal Trial Court Branch 3 dismissed the cyber libel case against Beltran for lack of jurisdiction. In September 2020, the Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 3 in Cebu City dismissed the cases related to the violation of RA 11469 and RA 11332.

The RTC Branch 14 dismissed the last charge. According to Bagano’s order, the prosecution failed to establish that Beltran’s Facebook post was false or made to mislead the public, adding that prior to the publication of her post, there were news outlets that had already reported that Sitio Zapatera was the epicenter of COVID-19 cases in Cebu City.

“In light of these prior reports, the Facebook post made by the accused…appears to be a satirical or hyperbolic commentary rather than a deliberate dissemination of false information,” Bagano wrote.

“Without proof that the content of the post was knowingly false or malicious, criminal liability cannot be imposed,” Bagano concluded. 

Similarly, Judge Yvonne Artiaga of the Cebu Municipal Trial Court in Branch 3 stressed in her 2020 dismissal order that what Beltran posted was purely satire and affirmed that it was protected speech.

The court rightly recognized the satire and dismissed the charges. That won't recoup the time and money wasted over the whole situation. 

Philippine volleyball continues to rebound post-pandemic. 

https://www.spin.ph/volleyball/pvl/kobe-shinwa-coach-captain-laud-ph-volleyball-growth-literally-a5172-20250823

KOBE Shinwa University schooled ZUS Coffee in its first game back in the Philippines, eight years since lifting the 2017 Philippine Superliga (PSL) Invitational Cup title.

Nearly a decade later, Kiyokazu Yamamoto remains the champion school’s head coach, as they finally set foot in the PVL after aborting their initial comeback three years ago due to the pandemic.

It might be a different team he’s bringing in a different league against different opposition, but there’s been one striking change Yamamoto noticed in their first few days back in Manila.

The Japanese mentor actually held an unpopular opinion - inside Philippine volleyball circles, at least - that Filipino players grew taller and more defensive nearly a decade later.

“It's been eight years since I came here. After eight years, I saw Philippine volleyball and how Philippine volleyball has changed,” Yamamoto said in Nihonggo following their 25-24, 27-25, 25-17 sweep of the Thunderbelles to open the 2025 PVL Invitational Conference.

“Yes, the level of the defense has improved a lot. And the height of the players has increased a lot. Not only the middle players, but also the other players. The number of players with high performance has also increased a lot.”

Kobe Shinwa captain Sakura Furuta echoed the sentiment and cited how she had to regularly adjust to ZUS Coffee’s taller defense, which didn’t even have 6-foot-2 Thea Gagate.

“The Philippine team [ZUS Coffee] has many tall players. In west side Japan where we play, there aren’t a lot of tall university players,” she said. “Our strategy today was focused on getting past tall players.”

With an average age of 19, the inexperienced Japanese side looks to sharpen their craft in the week-long tournament against some of the PVL’s powerhouse squads.

“Most of the members who came here this time, except for the captain, had almost no experience abroad,” Yamamoto said.

“The most important thing was how to get used to the environment in the Philippines now that we were given a hard schedule of practice.”

This time it's a Japanese team setting foot in the Philippines for the first time since the pandemic who is stealing the spotlight. 

Hi, My Name is...62

In the Philippines trees can be deadly. Especially coconut trees. Say hello to some people who met their ultimate fate at the hands of a tree.

Hi, my name is Vergilio Sayago. My brother-in-law and I had been having an argument about uprooted coconut trees. We tried to resolve the problem through the barangay but to no avail. So, I went over to his house to confront him, carrying a gun for my safety. I did not believe any of his excuses. During our argument his wife and their daughters. His wife, my sister, brought a bolo and that is when I began shooting, killing my brother-in-law and his daughter and wounding his other daughter. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/504168/brother-in-law-kills-farmer-pregnant-daughter-over-uprooted-coconut-tree

An altercation over an uprooted coconut tree ended in the fatal shooting of a farmer and his pregnant daughter, and the wounding of the farmer’s other daughter in Barangay Cadulawan, Minglanilla town in southern Cebu at past 5 a.m. today, May 13.

The suspect, the brother-in-law of the farmer, was arrested in his house a few hours later in the barangay.

Police Captain Kalvin Jomari Golitod of the Minglanilla Police Station identified the dead victims as Alfredo Herbias, 67; and his daughter, Marjorie Caparida, 30.

Golitod said that Caparida was seven months pregnant.

“The father was hit in the chest. The pregnant woman was really shot in the face,” said the police captain.

Golitod also said that the third victim, Florgen Bastatas, 35, who is the eldest daughter of Alfredo, was also wounded in the attack.

Bastatas was shot in the stomach.

The victims were rushed to the Minglanilla District Hospital but the attending physician declared Alfredo and Caparidas dead on arrival while Bastatas was transferred to the Vicente Sotto Medical Center.

Golitod said that the suspect, Vergilio Sayago, 62, said that he and Alfred tried to settle their differences, especially on the uprooted coconuts, in the barangay once, but this was not resolved.

Initial Investigation showed that at past 5 a.m. today, May 13, Sayago confronted Alfredo in his house about an uprooted coconut tree in Sayago’s lot.

Witnesses said that Sayago allegedly pulled out a gun and shot Alfredo.

Sayago also then shot Alfredo’s daughters.

Golitod said that the gun used by the suspect was a paltik .357 Magnum revolver.

The Police Captain said that Sayago claimed that he bought the gun in Naga City.

Golitod said double murder and frustrated murder charges would be filed against Sayago.

Sayago, for his part, also said during an interview with dyHP that when he confronted Alfredo he made sure that he had with him a gun.

He said that he just wanted to be sure of his safety.

"Why don’t you know [about the uprooted tree]? Why did you uproot the coconut tree?," said Sayago.

But Alfredo told him that he did not know about it.

Sayago, however, said that he did not believe Alfredo because the farmer’s house was just near where the uprooted coconut was planted.

But then, Sayago claimed that Alfredo’s daughters and his wife joined the altercation.

Sayago also claimed that he started shooting when he saw that his sister was allegedly bringing with her a bolo.

Police Captain Golitod said that Sayago was arrested in his house and was detained at the Minglanilla Police Station detention cell pending the filing of charges.

Hi, my name is being withheld to protect the identity of my daughter. She left home one afternoon without my permission and that angered me. So, I stormed off to find her. When I had located her I dragged her home and beat her with a branch. By the time we arrived home she was unresponsive so I placed her in a sack and brought her to the hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/06/17/woman-beats-six-year-old-daughter-to-death-with-tree-branch-in-lamitan-city

Police are investigating the death of a six-year-old girl who was allegedly hit and killed by her own mother in what was believed to be a child abuse case in Lamitan City, Basilan last June 14. 

Investigation showed that the girl left her home last Saturday afternoon to buy vegetables with a cousin without notifying her mother. 

Apparently enraged by the child's absence, the mother set off and found the girl by the roadside. Witnesses said the girl was repeatedly hit with a tree branch and dragged home. 

Upon their return, the woman placed the unresponsive child inside a sack and brought her to the Lamitan District Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival. 

Police arrested the woman who is now facing parricide charges in relation to Republic Act 7610, the law which provides special protection for children against abuse, exploitation, and discrimination. 

Police Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz, Bangsamoro police chief, urged the community to be vigilant against suspected cases of child abuse.

Hi, our names have been withheld. One afternoon we were riding a motorocycle and enjoying life. All of a sudden a tree fell over right onto us. We  were killed instnatly. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/07/18/2-men-killed-by-falling-tree-in-camarines-sur

Two men onboard a motorcycle were killed by a falling tree on the Gov. Fuentebella Highway in Barangay Moriones, Ocampo town, Camarines Sur province, at noon on Friday, July 18.

Police Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib, Police Regional Office-5 spokesperson identified the victims as Christian, 36, and Freddy Mar, 33, residents of San Isidro, Naga City. 

Initial investigation said an acacia tree suddenly toppled over and fell directly onto them. 

They were taken to a hospital where they were declared dead from serious injuries. 

Follow-up investigation is ongoing.

Hi, my name is being withheld but I was a nine-month pregnant woman. I was walking home after doing the laundry at a well near my house. It was a clam and clear day. All of a sudden a 100-year-old coconut tree toppled over on top of me. Even though I was so close to giving birth my baby also died. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/07/18/nine-month-pregnant-woman-killed-by-falling-coconut-tree

A nine-month pregnant woman was killed by a falling coconut tree in Barangay Ticulon, Malita, Davao Occidental on Thursday. 

Reports said the 23-year-old victim was walking on her way home after doing the laundry in a well near her house when a coconut tree suddenly toppled. 

The victim was hit along with her pet dog. The canine died on the spot. 

She was taken to a hospital where she died of serious injuries. Her baby also died. 

Reports said the weather was clear and the wind was calm when the incident happened. 

The coconut tree was estimated to be about 100-years-old. 

The victim was about to give birth anytime when she died. 

A photo taken by the police showed her husband hugging her body.

Hi, my name is Catalina. One day I was out but I didn't come home. My brother later found me pinned underneath a fallen coconut tree. Apparently the recent typhoon softened he ground enough that it toppled over. It just so happened that it toppled over onto me and killed me.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2087718/woman-crushed-to-death-by-falling-coconut-tree-in-batangas

A woman died on Saturday after being struck by a falling coconut tree in Calaca City, Batangas, police said on Sunday.

According to a report from the Calabarzon Police Regional Office (PRO-4A), the victim, identified only as “Catalina,” was found lying on the ground in Barangay Puting Kahoy at 6:45 p.m.

Her body, which sustained fatal injuries to the head and leg, was discovered beneath the uprooted coconut tree by her brother.

Preliminary investigation indicated that the tree fell due to the softening of the surrounding soil, likely caused by days of heavy rain brought by the southwest monsoon.

Hi, my name is Andrew. I was out harvesting coconuts with three other people when all of a sudden a coconut tree fell over onto of me. I died of a cerebral hemorrhage. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/07/29/farmer-killed-by-falling-coconut-tree

48-year-old coconut farmer was killed by a falling coconut tree on Monday morning, July 28, in Barangay Bucao, here. 

Police identified the victim as Andrew. 

The victim, along with three others, was harvesting coconuts in a coconut farm owned by the barangay chairman when a coconut tree suddenly toppled and hit him. 

The incident was reported by the barangay chairman to the police. 

He died on the spot and based on the examination of the municipal health officer, the cause of death of the victim was cerebral hemorrhage secondary to an accidental fall from a coconut tree.

Insurgency: Lawfare

Recently four rebels accused of murder were acquitted but the Taguig City Regional Trial Court Branch 266. The NTF-ELCAC says that is indicative of lawfare.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1256766

A ranking official of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Monday said the acquittal of five ranking members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) of kidnapping and murder charges highlights the "sophisticated use of lawfare" by the group.

NTF-ELCAC executive director, Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., said the CPP-NPA-NDF's use of such tactics shows the group's efforts to evade accountability and perpetuate impunity.

Lawfare is defined as the use of legal systems and institutions to affect foreign or domestic policies.

"It serves as a stark challenge to our law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies. The NTF-ELCAC views this as a call to action to strengthen collaboration, enhance investigative capabilities, and ensure the effective presentation of complex insurgency-related cases in court. We owe this to the victims and our security personnel who risk their lives to apprehend perpetrators," he said in a statement.

Torres was referring to the decision of the Taguig City Regional Trial Court Branch 266 last week to acquit Tirso Alcantara, Dionisio Almonte, Diony Borre, Renante Gamara, and Raul Razo of two counts of kidnapping with murder.

While stressing that the NTF-ELCAC respects the judiciary and the legal process, Torres said the acquittal of the five shows the challenges in seeking justice for victims of the CPP-NPA-NDF.

"However, this acquittal, based on the standard of reasonable doubt, compels us to confront the broader context and persistent challenges in seeking justice for victims of the Communist CPP-NPA-NDF," he added.

Despite this, Torres said this ruling does not diminish their resolve in seeking justice for the victims.

"It reinforces the fundamental truth that sustainable peace cannot be built on impunity. True reconciliation requires accountability. More importantly, it validates the core mission of the NTF-ELCAC: addressing the root causes of insurgency – poverty, injustice, lack of opportunity – that groups like the CPP-NPA-NDF exploit to recruit and sustain their violent campaign. They twist legitimate grievances into fuel for terrorism," he said.

Torres said the NTF-ELCAC remains steadfast in its goal to support law enforcement and the prosecution service in building robust cases against those who threaten the peace and amplify the voices of victims and survivors.

He also vowed to redouble their efforts in implementing the National Action Plan for Unity, Peace and Development (NAP-UPD), which focuses on holistic development and good governance to remove the very conditions insurgents exploit.

Torres said they will work tirelessly to ensure no Filipino family, youth, or community remains vulnerable to the destructive manipulations of the CPP-NPA-NDF.

"The acquittal of these senior cadres is a chapter closed in court, but the broader struggle for justice and lasting peace continues. The NTF-ELCAC is committed to writing the next chapter: one where insurgency has no fertile ground, and communities thrive in security and prosperity," he added.

Lawfare? That is not the full definition of lawfare. This article has posted half of the definition from Wikipedia and it is inapplicable to this situation. 

Lawfare is the use of legal systems and institutions to affect foreign or domestic affairs, as a more peaceful and rational alternative, or as a less benign adjunct, to warfare.

Detractors have alternately begun to define the term as, "An attempt to damage or delegitimize an opponent, or to deter an individual's usage of their legal rights". The term may refer to the use of legal systems and principles against an enemy, such as by damaging or delegitimizing them, wasting their time and money (e.g., strategic lawsuits against public participation or SLAPP), or winning a public relations victory. Alternatively, it may describe a tactic used by repressive regimes to label and discourage civil society or individuals from claiming their legal rights via national or international legal systems. This is especially common in situations when individuals and civil society use nonviolent methods to highlight or oppose discrimination, persecution, corruption, lack of democracy, limiting freedom of speech, violations of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law.

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

How exactly was the defense of the CPP-NPA-NDF an instance of using "legal systems and institutions to affect foreign or domestic affairs, as a more peaceful and rational alternative, or as a less benign adjunct, to warfare?" It's not. The  CPP-NPA-NDF using the courts to end the insurgency would be lawfare . In this case, seeing as they were acquitted because of faulty evidence that did not stand the test of reasonable doubt, the one committing lawfare would be the state as they sought to silence and delegitimize the CPP-NPA-NDF.

The NTF-ELCAC says this acquittal is a wake-up call "to strengthen collaboration, enhance investigative capabilities, and ensure the effective presentation of complex insurgency-related cases in court." They should have been doing that from the get-go. 

The AFP has had the same reaction as the NTF-ELCAC.

https://mb.com.ph/2025/08/18/afp-reacts-to-acquittal-of-ndfp-consultants-3-others-over-2007-kidnap-slay-of-army-soldier-rebel-returnee

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday, Aug. 18, acknowledged the decision of the Taguig Regional Trial Court (RTC) clearing two consultants of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and three others for the kidnapping and killing of a Philippine Army (PA) soldier and a rebel-returnee 18 years ago. 

AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said the military views the court’s ruling to acquit NDFP consultants Tirso Alcantara and Renante Gamara, along with Diony Borre, Raul Razo, and Dionisio Almonte “not as an endpoint but as a call to double our resolve.” 

The five were cleared of charges in the kidnap-slay of Private First Class Ereberto Eclavea and rebel-returnee Richard Cortizano in Quezon province on May 27, 2007. 

“While we acknowledge the recent decision of the Taguig Regional Trial Court, which has acquitted certain individuals—including Tirso Alcantara and four others—who held senior positions in the CPP-NPA-NDF, it is important to remember: these are not merely activists, but individuals who held significant leadership roles in an organization legally designated as terrorist, one that for decades perpetrated violence and inflicted suffering upon Filipino communities,” Padilla said. 

The CPP and its armed wing, the NPA, were formally designated as terrorist organizations in 2017 under Proclamation No. 374 issued by then-president Rodrigo Duterte. 

The case of the NDFP, however, was more complex. 

In 2021, the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) also labeled the NDFP as a terrorist organization, describing it as an “integral and inseparable part” of the CPP–NPA. The move drew criticism from legal experts and human rights advocates, who argued that since the NDFP had once been recognized as a negotiating party in peace talks, its designation could complicate the prospects for future peace negotiations. 

For the AFP, Padilla said that judicial outcomes, whether convictions or acquittals, underscore the critical importance of sustained operations, community engagement, and intelligence-driven actions. 

“Rather than emboldening the communist armed groups, we believe such decisions reinforce the necessity for unified, lawful efforts to ensure they remain irrelevant—denied both the resources and public support needed to continue armed struggle,” she noted. 

Padilla stressed that while the AFP respects the independence of the judiciary, the military would continue to perform its mandate to defend the Constitution, uphold public safety, and protect the communities from ideological violence. 

“We reaffirm our call for members of the CPP-NPA to abandon the path of armed conflict, return to the rule of law, and embrace constructive dialogue through legal and peaceful means,” she said. 

According to reports, the Taguig Regional Trial Court Branch 266 cleared Alcantara, Gamara, Borre, Almonte, and Razo over the kidnap-slay of Eclavea and Cortizano after the prosecution failed to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt. 

The court said that the killing of Eclavea and Cortizano was established through a witness’ testimony, who claimed that he knew about the victims and the suspects, and who stated that he was informed of the killing by two other individuals. The court ruled that the witness’ statements were mere hearsay and not based on personal knowledge. 

Human rights watch group Karapatan hailed the acquittal of the NDFP consultants and activists, saying the charges filed against them were “trumped-up”. 

Karapatan Secretary-General Cristina Palabay said that while Gamara and Alcantara were NDFP consultants, Almonte, Borre and Razo were not communist rebels, contrary to what the military alleged. She said Borre and Razo were construction workers and activists, while Almonte was a peasant organizer. 

“We are glad that the court saw through the lies and inconsistencies in the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses,” Palabay said, “and we hail the efforts of the defense lawyers in ferreting out the truth and securing the liberty of those who had been wrongfully accused and unjustly detained for so long. Free all political prisoners!”

The AFP respects the decision but says it is a reminder of "the necessity for unified, lawful efforts to ensure they remain irrelevant." No kidding. Any case brought before a court needs to be tight and unassailable.

The AFP continues to root out the NPA through clashes and seizures. In Mindoro the NPA seized war material after a clash. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1256895

Soldiers from the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division (2ID) seized war materiel after an armed encounter with members of the communist New People's Army (NPA) in Barangay Panaytayan, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro, on Tuesday.

According to Lt. Col. Jeffrex G. Molina, chief of the Division Public Affairs Office (DPAO), troops from the 4th Infantry Battalion clashed with NPA elements during a security operation based on reports from residents.

Recovered after the 15-minute firefight were an M16 rifle, three bandoliers, 22 magazines, 124 rounds of live ammunition, three backpacks, a generator set, six hammocks, 16 poncho tents, a sack of rice, as well as vitamins and medicines.

While no government casualties were recorded, troops discovered bloodstains at the site, indicating possible enemy casualties. Clearing and pursuit operations are ongoing as soldiers continue to track the fleeing rebels.

“This development comes as 2ID intensifies its operations across Mindoro, with the goal of clearing the island of the remaining NPA influence and ensuring lasting peace and security for its communities before the year ends,” Molina said.

Tents, rice, vitamins, and medicines. Truly these rebels were set to defeat the Philippine government.  War material was also recovered in Camarines Norte. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/956410/npa-war-materiel-recovered-in-camarines-norte-2id/story/

Authorities recovered war materiel of the New People’s Army (NPA) during security operations in Barangay Malaya, Labo, Camarines Norte on Monday, the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) said.

“Recovered from the site were six M16A1 rifles, one AK47 rifle, a claymore-type Anti-Personnel Mine, and 195 rounds of live ammunition,” the 2ID said.

“The discovery of the arms cache prevented the possibility of these firearms being used in hostile actions against government forces and civilians in the area,” the military added.

Citing information from the 201st Infantry Brigade, the 2ID said a concerned citizen gave the state forces information regarding the location of the supposed NPA arms cache in their community.

This information led to the security operations of the 16th Infantry Battalion, 85th Infantry Battalion, and the Philippine National Police in the area.

The seized items were brought to the concerned authorities for proper documentation and disposition, according to the 2ID. 

The existence of these caches means the NPA remains a determined threat. 

The biggest discovery this week is 17 bombs in South Cotabato. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2098724/soldiers-recover-17-bombs-in-south-cotabato-foil-alleged-rebel-plot

Soldiers in South Cotabato recovered 17 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) believed to have been planted by communist rebels, preventing a possible attack in the province, the military said on Thursday.

Troops from the Army’s 105th Infantry Battalion responded to reports from residents and members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) about suspicious items in Sitio Bagong Silang, Barangay Maan, Tboli town, on Wednesday afternoon.

The search led to the recovery of 16 anti-personnel mines and another explosive device along an abandoned road leading to Lake Maughan, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) said.

Brig. Gen. Michael Santos, commander of the 603rd Infantry Brigade, thanked the community for their cooperation, saying the information they provided prevented “a possible tragic incident that could have claimed many lives.”

The military said the explosives were linked to members of Guerrilla Front 72 of the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army, allegedly led by a commander known as “Gawets.”

Maj. Gen. Donald Gumiran, commander of the 6ID and Joint Task Force Central, said in a statement that the recovery underscored the importance of coordination between communities and security forces in countering rebel activities. 

These IEDs have been linked to a Guerrilla Front. But Marcos in his SONA said there were no more Guerrilla Fronts. He was certainly wrong and the NPA remains a deadly threat. 

The threat raised its head when a tip lead to a clash between the NPA and the AFP in Aurora. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1257114

A timely report from a concerned citizen sparked a brief firefight between government forces and remnants of the communist New People's Army (NPA) in Barangay Ibona, Dingalan, Aurora on Thursday afternoon.

The 703rd Infantry Brigade (703IB) “Agila” Brigade reported on Friday that its troops engaged about 10 members of the dismantled Komiteng Rehiyon Gitnang Luzon.

There was no military casualty at the end of the 10-minute firefight. Enemy losses remained unconfirmed as of posting.

After the clash, soldiers recovered possible NPA belongings, like backpacks, bandoliers, ammunition, a hand grenade and communication equipment.

“This encounter showed that the community stands firm against the remnants of the CTG (communist terrorist group). Their support makes our job possible,” Brig. Gen. Eugenio Julio Osias IV, 703IB commander, said in a statement.

He also urged the remaining NPA members to surrender and reintegrate into society, while appealing to local government officials to sustain their collaboration with security forces.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines repeatedly emphasizes that community involvement is a decisive factor in the counterinsurgency campaign.

No word on how many rebels were encountered but the AFP did recover war materials after the fight. 

No More Hell Run By Filipinos 6: LGUs Blame Lazy Filipinos For Flooding

It's the rainy season and once again the nation is being flooded. Who is to blame? The lazy public, that's who. If only the unwashed masses did not toss their garbage in the waterways then they would not become clogged and there would be no flooding. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/641357/disaster-officials-blame-flooding-in-cebu-on-lack-of-discipline

The persistent flooding in Cebu has been blamed on the community's lack of discipline, which officials say is undermining the effectiveness of flood control measures.

This came after several areas in the province were inundated by heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon (habagat) and a low-pressure area that began affecting Cebu on June 6 and is expected to continue until Wednesday, June 11.

The Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) made the statement during a news forum on Tuesday, June 10, as calls for better disaster preparedness mount amid worsening weather patterns.

Engineer Wilson Ramos, Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer III, said that flood mitigation efforts, including desilting and drainage clearing, are conducted regularly before the onset of the rainy season.

However, these are often rendered ineffective due to residents' continued improper waste disposal.

"Our problem is really our community. What first came out of the drainages? Garbage," Ramos said.

"No matter how much we do desilting, if the people throw away garbage, [there is still nothing]," he added.

Similar problems have been identified in Cebu City's major rivers, where household waste and human activities are threatening freshwater systems.

According to the 2025 River Assessment Report released by the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO), many rivers are now classified as biologically dead or in critical condition.

The report flagged untreated wastewater, detergent sachets, and organic debris as among the top household pollutants clogging the city's waterways.

It also cited other contributing factors such as deforestation, industrial waste discharge, and agricultural runoff.

"Even the cleanest rivers, if left unprotected, will eventually be polluted," the report warned.

In a 2024 report by CDN Digital, Engineer Maria Nenita Jumao-as of the University of San Carlos – Water Resources Center Foundation Inc. (WRCFI) emphasized that flooding in Cebu cannot be attributed to a single cause.

"When asked about the causes of flooding in Cebu, I cannot give a straightforward answer because there are many factors involved," she said.

Among the causes she cited for flooding in Cebu were clogged drainage systems, lack of regular maintenance, rapid urbanization, deforestation, improper waste disposal, and weak enforcement of environmental laws.

WRCFI is a Cebu-based private research institution providing technical assistance on water resource management to both government and private sector agencies.

The issue of public discipline has also been raised at the national level. In a 2023 public briefing, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Lord Villanueva said that "discipline" remains a key missing factor in solving flood problems in Metro Manila.

"I have a one-word answer for you, and that's discipline," Villanueva said. "Discipline, I think, is what our citizens lack today."

The report also attributes flooding to "deforestation, industrial waste discharge, and agricultural runoff" and there is no way those issues are caused by the public at large yet DILG Undersecretary Lord Villanueva has no words for the captains of industry who cause those problems. Of course one does not want to anger the business sector. 

Bacolod City is also having the same issue. If only those undisciplined lumpenproletariats wouldn't litter the city would not flood. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1254092

The city government here enjoined Bacolodnons to take part in flood mitigation efforts after 26 tons of garbage were dredged from Mambuloc Creek on Thursday.

In a statement on Friday, Mayor Greg Gasataya, who personally supervised the initial dredging operation, said civic participation is critical to the long-term success of the initiative.

“I urge everyone to take part in protecting the environment. Maintaining clean waterways is a shared responsibility of the people,” he said.

The clean-up drive in waterways is part of the city’s flood mitigation efforts targeting vulnerable areas, including Barangays 2, 8, and 10, which are located in the city proper, adjacent to shopping malls and other major business establishments.

“We can clean this today, but if people keep throwing trash, nothing will change. Cooperation is the key. While the city can implement infrastructure solutions, lasting change requires active participation from the community,” Gasataya said.

To help maintain the cleanliness of the creek, he said the city would install catch nets and other reinforcements along the waterways.

Based on the waste analysis and characterization study of the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office, this highly urbanized city generates an average of 577 tons of garbage each day, about 400 tons of which enter the sanitary landfill daily.

All of this sounds good and blaming the masses is certainly easy but there are two problems wrong here and they are both the fault of the local government.

1. Education about proper disposal and a fully functioning garbage collection system. The public litters because they do not know any better. They see the street sweepers and think someone else will take care of it. It's not their problem. There must be a nationwide education program to instill in the minds of the public that littering is a moral wrong and those who do it are no better than criminals. It is in fact criminal to litter, especially to dump waste in public. However, a decades long program that will teach the public to not litter is very necessary. Anti-littering ads can be placed on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, TV, Youtube, and everywhere else ads go. Famous celebrities can be hired as spokesmen, catchy jingles can be composed, memorable mascots can help teach the children. 

A strict enforcement of the law must exist alongside this campaign. That includes fines for littering, illegal dumping, and open burning. Enforcement is key because the law on littering and open burning of garbage is never or rarely enforced. 

Accompanying these efforts, the government must improve its sanitation system. That means paying the bills, ensuring weekly routes that pick-up at the same time and day of the week, and educating the public about the sanitation system which will prevent them from littering and open burning. 

2. Local government needs to perform regular maintenance and build proper flood control systems. In the case of Bacolod, President Marcos has promised to allocate more funds for flood projects. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2082322/bacolod-solon-marcos-promised-to-reinstate-flood-control-funds

Following the floods that recently hit this capital city of Negros Occidental, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has pledged funds to support this city’s flood mitigation efforts, Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Monday, July 14.

Benitez said the President also assured that the funds for crucial flood control projects slated for partial funding this year but which “disappeared” in the national budget would be “rectified” and be put back in.

The lawmaker said he had discussed with the President constructing floodgates and pumping stations at Bacolod’s rivers to address the flooding problem.

These projects were initially slated for partial funding in this year’s national budget but like other projects nationwide, the allocation reportedly “disappeared,” according to Benitez.

“So I spoke to the President and he assured me that it would be rectified. The funds would be put back in,” he said.

Benitez said he initially requested P300 million for floodgates and pumping stations covering three rivers here. But now that the scope had been expanded to cover five rivers, a larger budget will be required, he said.

Floodgates and pumping stations are crucial components in flood control, which are urgently needed, Benitez said.

He said Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan also expressed the same commitment.

Benitez and Mayor Greg Gasataya have directed government agencies to take immediate action following the widespread flooding that occurred in Bacolod City on the night of Friday, July 11, which affected more than 5,000 Bacolod residents, the Bacolod City communications office said on Monday, July 14.

The two leaders convened an emergency meeting with the Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction Council and key response units to discuss immediate remedies and long-term flood mitigation strategies. Those who were in the meeting included the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Bacolod City District Engineering Office, the Bacolod City Engineering Office, the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Bacolod City Police Office.

Benitez instructed the DPWH to immediately submit cost estimates for a proposed flood mitigation project to fast-track its implementation.

Priority measures include installing floodgates and pumping stations in vulnerable areas like Banago and Mandalagan to enhance water discharge capacity and prevent water surges.

“We cannot afford to waste any more time. We must act now,” Benitez said.

Gasataya echoed this call, stressing the need for decisive and coordinated action to prevent a repeat of the recent disaster. “We can’t wait any longer. All departments and the City Council need to work together. Let’s have quick and real solutions. Let’s get it done,” Gasataya urged.

The meeting also addressed critical drainage improvements, including :

• Identifying optimal water channels
• Clearing obstructed floodways
• Emergency dredging operations for the Mandalagan shoreline and Banago River

On Sunday afternoon, the mayor dispatched a team from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to drain floodwaters from Purok Katilingban in Barangay Banago, where 132 families live. 

“We cannot afford to waste any more time. We must act now??" Unbelievable. What was Benitez doing as Mayor for the past three years? But really the City of Bacolod should have been acting for the past few decades. There is no excuse for Bacolod or any other city in the Philippines to have problems with flood control. Everyone knows the rainy season brings flooding. Obviously the efforts of LGUs have not worked. But that is no excuse. The incompetence of the government in this matter is just another reason to declare, No More Hell Run By Filipinos!