Hi, my name is...25

Another month, another roster of interesting folks both dead and alive worth meeting in the Philippines. 

Hi, my name is Peter Clifford Humes. I am the education and safety director at Paraglide Tandem International in Ocean City, New Jersey, USA. I came out to the Philippines to Cebu to upgrade and certify Solo and Tandem Pilots of Oslob Cebu Paragliding Development. In an ironic twist I was out paragliding one Sunday morning which happened to be a bit foggy and I crashed into he side of a mountain. They took me to a hospital but I was pronounced dead on arrival. As a result all paragliding in Oslob has been suspended for the moment. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/441260/american-dies-in-glider-crash-in-oslob

A foreign national died in a glider accident in the mountainous area of Sitio Can-anaw, Barangay Poblacion, Oslob, Cebu, Sunday morning, May 15, 2022.

Police identified the victim as Peter Clifford Humes, 63, from the United States of America (USA). 

According to Oslob police, Humes was fatally injured after the glider he was flying crashed at the mountainous area of Sitio Can-anaw. 

Police said that the American was reportedly flying the glider in foggy weather.

His glider fell approximately seventy (70) feet to the ground.

Police Capt. Kelvin Roy Mamaradlo, acting Oslob Police Station chief, said the American was immediately brought to the Oslob District Hospital by the staff of the Oslob Cebu Paragliding Development, but Humes was pronounced dead on arrival by the hospital’s attending physician.

Mamaradlo said that Tito Rendon, operator of the Oslob Cebu Paragliding Development, informed them that Humes was the education and safety director at Paraglide Tandem International in Ocean City, New Jersey, USA. 

Rendon said that the victim came to Cebu to upgrade and certify Solo and Tandem Pilots of Oslob Cebu Paragliding Development, which was also located in the mountainous area of Sitio Can-anaw, Barangay Poblacion, in Oslob. 

Hi, my name is Bradley John Moore. I have been in the Philippines since December 6, 2020. I thought I could hide from the McKinney Texas authorities but the Bureau of Immigration caught up with me. I am wanted for aggravated sexual assault of a child and three counts of indecency and having sexual contact with a child.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/13/bi-catches-american-wanted-in-us-over-alleged-sexual-assaults-on-children/

Agents of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) have arrested an American wanted in the US for child molestation.

In a statement, Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente identified the fugitive as 49-year-old Bradley John Moore, who was arrested Thursday in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte by operatives from the bureau’s fugitive search unit (FSU).

The arresting agents were armed with a mission order from Morente who issued the same upon receiving information of his crimes from US authorities in Manila.

“We will send him back to the US immediately for him to face his crimes, after which he will be placed in our blacklist and banned from re-entering the country,” Morente said.

The BI chief described Moore as an undesirable alien whose continued presence here poses a serious threat to Filipino children.

According to BI-FSU acting chief Rendel Ryan Sy, Moore is already an overstaying alien as records showed that he last arrived in Manila on Dec. 6, 2020 and did not depart since then. His passport has likewise been cancelled already by the US government, making him an undocumented alien.

Sy said Moore is wanted to stand trial before a district court in McKinney, Texas which issued the warrant for his arrest.

He was allegedly charged before the said court with aggravated sexual assault of a child and three counts of indecency and having sexual contact with a child.

Hi, my name is Jerome Villarin. I am the head of a local cult. One Sunday morning me and 20 of my followers interrupted a local mass. I shouted, "Don’t believe that priest. What he is saying is not true. Those words are from the demon." That caused the priest a lot of embarrassment and he stopped the mass to call the cops. By then my followers had all run off leaving me all alone. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/441420/cult-leader-who-disrupted-mass-in-barili-church-nabbed-detained

An alleged cult leader has been arrested on May 15 after he allegedly led a group of people to disrupt an ongoing Mass inside a Catholic Church that afternoon.

Rev. Fr. Fiel Suico, parish priest of San Isidro Labrador Parish in Barangay Mantalongon, filed a complaint at the Barili Police Station that same day (May 15), against Jerome Villarin, who allegedly disrupted the celebration of a Holy Mass inside the San Isidro Labrador Parish on that Sunday afternoon, said Police Major Felicisimo Aranas Jr., Barili Police Station chief.

Villarin, 46, who also claims to be a faith healer and who is from Sitio Tagaytay, Barangay Vito of Barili town, was detained at the Barili Police Station as police waits for information from the fiscal of the schedule of Villarin’s inquest proceeding.

Aranas said Villarin would be facing a complaint of interruption of a religious worship.

Investigation showed that at about 4:15 p.m. on Sunday, May 15, Father Suico was celebrating a Holy Mass when at least 20 individuals led by Villarin went inside the church. 

When Father Suico started his homily, Villarin allegedly shouted: “Ayaw mog to-o ana nga pari. Dili na mao iyang gipanulti. Iyaha na sa demonyo.” (Don’t believe that priest. What he is saying is not true. Those words are from the demon.)

Father Suico told police that he was shocked and embarrassed in front of his parishioners when Villarin shouted those words during the Mass.

This also caused Father Suico to stop the Mass for a while as the priest tried to talk and convince the group not to interrupt the Mass.

But they did not heed the priest’s request prompting the priest to call the police.

Aranas also said that they did not know about the name of Villarin’s alleged cult group.

(It was only Father (Suico), who called them a cult, but we do not know of a church there or the name of their group. They only have a leader though.)

Hi, my name is Ian Jimenez Arandia, age 22, and this is Loez Edward Lumahan Simena, age 27. We were the two most wanted child abusers in Dinagat until we caught got. I got a 15 year old girl pregnant while Simena molested and threatened a 13 year old girl. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1174676

Two most wanted persons accused of abusing children in the Province of Dinagat Islands were apprehended during separate operations in the area, police said Tuesday.

Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr., Police Regional Office in Caraga (PRO-13) director,  said suspects Ian Jimenez Arandia, 22; and Loez Edward Lumahan Simena, 27, were both nabbed on Monday.

Arandia has a standing warrant of arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch (RTC) 32 in Surigao City for child abuse under the Republic Act .

Based on the report of the San Jose police, Arandia allegedly forced and seduced a 15-year-old girl into sexual intercourse in July 2021. The victim got pregnant.

Simena, on the other hand, also has an arrest warrant for violating RA 7610, specifically on Child Abuse issued by RTC Branch 23 in Surigao City.

Simena was accused of molesting and threatening a 13-year-old girl sometime in December 2020.

Hi, my name is Adelyn Homicillo Letegio. I, along with my boyfriend Monico Plando, were arrested because I kidnapped a four-month-old-baby I was watching as a house helper. They recovered the baby of course and no harm was done to him.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/442217/house-helper-accused-of-kidnapping-four-month-old-baby-nabbed-in-dalaguete-cebu

A 36-year-old house helper who allegedly kidnapped a four-month-old baby was arrested by police personnel  in Barangay Obong, Dalaguete, southern Cebu Thursday night, May 19, 2022.

Police identified the suspect as Adelyn Homicillo Letegio, a resident of Sitio Lao-Ang in Barangay Valencia, Alegria, Cebu.

Letegio was arrested via a hot pursuit operation on Thursday for allegedly kidnapping a four-month-old baby she was tasked to take care of.

The alleged kidnapping took place on May 17 in Barangay Madridejos in Alegria town, a police report from the Dalaguete Police Station read.

According to Police Major Gilfred Gempisao of Dalaguete Police Station, they held the joint hot pursuit with personnel from Alegria Police Station after they received an information that Letegio and the victim were in Dalaguete on the night of the arrest.

He said the parents of the victim positively identified Letegio and their baby.

The baby was recovered safely and returned back to her parents, while Letegio is now under the custody of the Alegria police.

Also arrested was the suspect’s boyfriend identified as Monico Plando, who was with the suspect when police arrested her. It is not clear if the boyfriend had something to do with the alleged kidnapping of the baby.

Hi, I am the most wanted man in Bulacan. I am facing 64 counts of statutory rape and 41 counts of sexual assault. The victim is my 13 year old granddaughter but I don't know anything about it. The criminal complaint was filed by her grandmother. There is no bail for these charges so I will be rotting in jail for years while the trial drags its way through the courts.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1600327/most-wanted-man-facing-64-counts-of-rape-falls-in-bulacan

Police on Thursday (May 19) arrested the city’s most wanted person who is facing 64 counts of statutory rape and 41 counts of sexual assault.

Col. Charlie Cabradilla, Bulacan police director, said the suspect is a 31-year-old man from Barangay Bitungol, Norzagaray town.

The suspect was arrested on the strength of a warrant of arrest issued by a San Jose del Monte City court.

Col. Allan Palomo, City of San Jose del Monte police chief, said the suspect’s victim is his 13-year-old stepdaughter, who lives in this city with her mother.

The suspect denied the allegations, adding that he was unaware of the arrest warrant, which was based on the case filed by the victim’s grandmother.

Hi, my name is Ronnel Nator. I love cockfighting. I was out watching a fight and it was great. Then I about to set my cock out to fight another and all of a sudden his gaff punctured my femoral artery. I bleed to death right there. I guess no one knew how to make a tourniquet. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1601346/roosters-gaff-kills-cockfight-aficionado-in-quezon

A cockfighting aficionado died Sunday, May 22, after a rooster’s gaff accidentally hit him inside a cockpit arena in Tagkawayan town, Quezon province.

Quezon police said Ronnel Nator, 47, was about to release around 2:50 p.m. his game cock for a fight with another rooster in Tagkawayan Cockpit Arena in Barangay San Vicente.

Nator’s rooster suddenly went berserk, and his bladed gaff accidentally hit the right thigh of the handler.

The victim was rushed to a local hospital but did not make it alive due to excessive bleeding.

The rooster’s gaff is a sharp blade fixed to its leg for fighting.

Hi, my name is Ronnie Francisco and this is Remy Subalidsid. We also love cockfighting. We were watching a fight when all of a sudden a man named Erwin Subalidsid pulled out a gun and started firing at Remy. He was killed and I was wounded. But Erwin got away.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1175069

A farmer died and another was wounded by a stray bullet in a shooting during a cockfight in Pambujan, Northern Samar on Sunday.

Reports reaching the Philippine National Police regional office here on Monday disclosed that Remy Subalidsid, 38, was shot several times by Erwin Subalidsid, 26 using a short firearm.

Wounded was Ronnie Francisco, 26, when a stray bullet hit him.

The incident happened around 9:30 a.m. on Sunday while the suspect and victims were watching "tupada", an illegal cockfighting event in Ynaguingayan village.

The suspect immediately fled from the crime scene.

Hi, my name is Larry Lantape Sabellano. I work as a a sand and gravel gatherer. I robbed an old lady and if that is not enough I chopped off her head and pushed her down a ravine. Of course I fled after I did the crime but then I came back and the cops were waiting for me.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/443691/man-nabbed-for-beheading-elderly-woman-in-san-fernando-cebu

Policemen in San Fernando town arrested a man on Friday, May 27, for the gruesome killing of a senior citizen.

The suspect Larry Lantape Sabellano, 37, was arrested in his residence a day after he allegedly committed the crime.

He may face robbery with homicide charges for the killing and beheading of a certain Diomedesa Gedaro, 67, in Barangay Greenhills, San Fernando town, according to Police Staff Sergeant Paul Baclay of the San Fernando Police Station.

Gedora’s body was found in Sitio Tagipti in Barangay Greenhills on Thursday morning, May 26.

Baclay said Gedaro’s body was found dumped at the bottom of a ravine by a group of children who happened to pass by the area.

Their parents then reported the discovery of the body to a personnel of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office personnel, who later on shared the information with the police.

(They reported the discovery of the body of an elderly woman.  Our personnel immediately responded. When they arrived, they saw that the victim’s head had been cut off.)

As of now, the police are considering the possibility of robbery as the primary motive for Gedaro’s killing since her belongings, including her cash, were not recovered at the crime scene.

Baclay said a witness identified Sabellano as Gedaro’s killer.

Sabellano, a sand and gravel gatherer, and a resident of Purok Moringa, Sitio Cogon in Barangay Greenhills reportedly fled after killing the old woman.

But he returned to his residence at around 5 p.m. on Friday, where he was arrested by a team led by Police Major Efren Diaz Jr.

Hi, my name is Eduardo Martinez Degollacion. I was out and about when I passed a stray dog who started barking at me. I kept going on my way and he followed me. I speed up a bit and burst into a full run with the dog giving chase. Not wanting to get bit and maybe get rabies and die I ran across the street. However, I did not look before I crossed the street and a truck driven by an Army Sgt. plowed right through me. I died on the spot due to my head injuries. 

https://mb.com.ph/2022/06/25/man-being-chased-by-stray-dog-killed-by-car-in-pangasinan/

A 59-year-old man being chased by a stray dog was hit and killed by a car in Barangay San Leon here Friday, June 24.

The Pangasinan Police Provincial Office identified the victim as Eduardo Martinez Degollacion of Barangay San Leon.

Investigation showed Degollacion crossed the road to avoid the animal but was struck by the car, a Toyota Innova driven by Army Sgt. Leo Solomon Andres, 39, of Barangay Tanulong, Bayambang, Pangasinan, on its way to Rosales, Pangasinan at about 8:20 p.m. Degollacion died on the spot due to head injuries.

Hi, we are seven dogs. A collection of strays, stolen pets, and some who were sold from their owners. They stuffed all of us into a tricycle but we weren't going to loving homes. We were going to be butchered and sold as meat. Luckily for us a concerned citizen noticed the tricycle we were in and contacted the authorities. The driver of the tricycle was able to get away though. Now we are at the pound waiting to be adopted.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/06/26/7-dogs-rescued-from-being-butchered-in-bacolod/

Seven dogs were rescued from being slaughtered after two persons allegedly purchasing them for the illegal meat trade were intercepted in Barangay Handumanan here Wednesday, June 22.

The rescue of the dogs was reported over the weekend by Bach Project PH, a non-profit animal welfare advocate, which posted photos of the animals on Facebook calling for adoption. 

Police Major Richard Fajarito, head of Police Station 10, said a concerned citizen sighted a tricycle loaded with dogs roaming around the barangay that day.

The suspects were flagged down by a security guard of slaughterhouse but fled, leaving the dogs and the tricycle behind.

The dogs were rescued and turned over to the City Veterinary Office. They are now under the care of the Bacolod City Pound.

Police said the suspects buy the dogs for not less than P100 each.

Bach Project PH believes that these dogs were either stolen pets, snatched from the streets, or bought from owners.

Ask The God Culture: Who Translated the Septuagint?

Welcome back to Ask The God Culture, the place where Timothy Jay Schwab will answer any question you may have. Our first question this week comes from Randy Claywell.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp7gPSua-Yo&lc=UgwvVS17D_3xuW9G8o94AaABAg

Randy Claywell: It's my understanding that the Septuagint was translated by a group of Jews not Greeks.

The God Culture: There were NO Hebrews in Egypt at that time. The Bible is clear all the Southern Kingdom that was in Egypt either returned or died. The Hebrews who could do such with authority were in the Temple and we find their library in Qumran where they were exiled. No other library has such credibility as that one as they are the Biblical keepers of scripture since Moses. Anyone else, is not. Yah Bless.

Randy says it is his understanding that the Septuagint was translated by a group of Jews and not Greeks. Tim says there were no Hebrews in Egypt at the time the Septuagint was translated. 

This is an incredibly illiterate and ignorant answer coming from Mr. Schwab. The fact is Alexandria had a numerous population of Jews from the time of Alexander the Great and history attests to the fact that Jewish scholars were commissioned to translate the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek. Our primary source for this information is the letter of Aristeas.

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

While many consider the letter to be pseudepigrapha the basic outline of the letter remains true.

In detail, the work relates how the king of Egypt, presumably Ptolemy II Philadelphus, is urged by his chief librarian Demetrios of Phaleron to have the Hebrew Law translated into Greek, and so add the knowledge of the Hebrews to the vast collection of books the empire had already collected. The king responds favorably, including giving freedom to Jews who had been taken into captivity by his predecessors, and sending lavish gifts (which are described in great detail) to the Temple in Jerusalem along with his envoys. The high priest chooses exactly six men from each of the twelve tribes, giving 72 in all; he gives a long sermon in praise of the Law. When the translators arrive in Alexandria the king weeps for joy and for the next seven days puts philosophical questions to the translators, the wise answers to which are related in full. The 72 translators then complete their task in exactly 72 days. The Jews of Alexandria, on hearing the Law read in Greek, request copies and lay a curse on anyone who would change the translation. The king then rewards the translators lavishly and they return home. Elements of this narrative are re-told in the Babylonian Talmud in Tractate Megillah.

The fact is that, contrary to what Timothy Jay Schwab claims, there was a sizable Jewish population in Alexandria and it is they who translated the Septuagint. 

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

If one is going to base their canon of scripture buy what is found in the Dead Sea Scrolls as Timothy Jay Schwab does there is no reason to reject the Septuagint as some Hebrew fragments found there agree with the Septuagint more than the Masoretic text. It is simply a fact of history that the Septuagint was widely used by the Jews, read by Jesus, cited by the Apostles, and continues to this day as the Scripture of the Eastern Orthodox Churches. The reason the Jews ended up rejecting it is because the Christians adopted it as their own. 

Our second question this week comes from Joe Boakie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnf85Z_gVFI&lc=UgxBHaXx6_BY5u8j6OV4AaABAg 

JoeBokaie:  Another great video. I have a question regarding 2 Cor 12. Jesus said that no man except he has ascended to Heaven. In 2 Cor Chapter 12 when Paul speaks of his stoning, was he just given a vision of heaven? Did he go to paradise/Abraham's bosom?

The God Culture: All souls go into the chambers upon death including Messiah. He resurrected from there and is the first to ascend to Heaven indeed but that is where He went when He died not Heaven. Paul is certainly in Abraham's bosom. Enoch and Elijah did not die. Yah Bless.

Joe wants to know where Paul went when he spoke of his heavenly vision in 2 Corinthian 12.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/2-Corinthians-Chapter-12/

Tim responds by refusing to answer the question and by bringing up the impertinent subject of Enoch and Elijah whom Joe never mentioned. Absolutely incredible. To quote the 1995 classic film Billy Madison:

Mr. Schwab, what you have just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hfYJsQAhl0

That's all for this time on Ask The God Culture. See you next time!

Retards in the Government 264

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

  

 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1611943/village-councilor-killed-in-sorsogon-shooting

A village councilor in Irosin town in Sorsogon was shot and killed on Thursday morning, police said.

Police Staff Sergeant Eugene Equipado, chief investigator of Irosin police, said Shyrma Medel, 38, resident of Barangay (village) Bulawan, was shot by still unidentified assailants in Barangay Gabao at around 8:20 a.m.

Initial investigation said Medel was driving his tricycle with his wife, who was not identified in the report, as a passenger along Maharlika Highway when the incident happened.

The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds on his body that resulted in his instant death, while his wife was unharmed.

A village councilor was assassinated by unknown men for unknown reasons.

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/6/17/National-Anti-Poverty-Commission-2021-audit-report-.html

State auditors flagged the unnecessary hiring of consultants by the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) that led to additional cost of over ₱3 million.

In its 2021 audit report, the Commission on Audit noted the NAPC hired a total of 13 consultants -- six for legal, four for media, and one each for financial, gender and development/indigenous people, and economic affairs.

COA said upon reviewing the tasks and functions, and accomplishments of these personnel, hiring of such is not essential or redundant.

NAPC also hired professionals who have tasks and functions that were not aligned to its mandate, the state auditing firm said.

One example provided was having a financial consultant that was seen redundant since such has the same functions as the commission’s AFMS- Financial Unit and Internal Audit Unit, state auditors noted.

It is also unnecessary since NAPC is not into investing, COA added.

“Hiring of unnecessary consultants resulted in the incurrence of additional expenditures totaling ₱3,398,636.36 which is considered not essential and which can be dispensed with without loss or damage to property,” COA said, adding that this could have been avoided had the management properly assessed whether the hiring is needed.

The state auditors recommended to the NAPC to stop hiring consultants with redundant functions. The latter said this will be disseminated to its different offices that require future consultant services.

COA also called out NAPC hiring of consultants that did not undergo posting requirements to the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System that is contrary to the provisions of the Government Procurement Policy Board.

“Hiring of consultants were not done through competitive bidding as individually checked through their Procurement Monitoring Report for CY 2021,” COA said. “No documents were also provided evidencing the procurement of such consultants under alternative method upon confirmation with Bids and Wards Committee.”

The audit report noted that the total budget of NAPC for consultancy services was only ₱300,000 last year, but total disbursements reached ₱8,219,636.

NAPC was told to strictly comply with the requirements of the law and to strictly observe its budget and ensure that disbursements do not exceed the allocation.

The National Anti-Poverty Commission has been flagged by the COA for hiring unnecessary consultants. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/16/22/barangay-kagawad-patay-sa-pamamaril-sa-sorsogon

A councilor in Barangay Bulawan in Irosin town, Sorsogon died after being shot while driving a tricycle Thursday morning.

The victim, identified as barangay councilor Shyrman Medel, 38, sustained gunshot wounds to the head and various parts of his body.

The victim's wife, who was sitting inside the tricycle, survived the shooting.

During the initial police investigation, the couple was on their way to Sorsogon City when the shooting happened.

Police are still investigating the alleged four unidentified culprits behind the shooting and the motive for the crime.

Aside from being a barangay councilor, the victim was also riding a tricycle, according to police.

A barangay councilor was assassinated by unknown men for unknown reasons.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1612566/soldier-shot-dead-by-comrade-in-camarines-sur-army-camp-suspect-kills-self

An Army official with a rank of major was shot dead and another soldier, a sargeant, was wounded in a shooting incident at Camp Weene Martillana in Pili town in Camarines Sur province on Saturday morning, June 18.

Maj. John Paul Belleza, the Army’s 9th Infantry Division public affairs office chief, told Inquirer in a text message that the incident transpired at the satellite finance unit of the camp at around 1:30 a.m.

The suspect, who was an Army captain, also died when he allegedly shot himself inside the camp after shooting his fellow soldiers.

A solider killed his comrade and then himself.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1177068

The Court of Appeals (CA) convicted a former village chief in Manila for illegal possession of firearms during the election gun ban in 2004.

The CA on June 13 said there is “no compelling reason” to reconsider its Jan. 25, 2021 ruling that sentenced Guillermo Dadios, former chair of Barangay 187, Zone 17 in Obrero, Tondo, to up to two years imprisonment.

The original CA decision affirmed the October 2018 verdict of the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 10, which also disqualified Dadios from holding public office and exercising his right to suffrage.

The Manila court similarly ordered the forfeiture to the government of the firearm, a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver.

On March 3, 2004 which was covered by the election gun ban, Dadios responded to a commotion at the corner of R. Papa and F. Aguilar Streets where a man was mauled following a traffic altercation.

Dadios joined the group in harming the man and fired his revolver when police officers arrived.

Dadios denied firing shots and said he usually leaves his gun at his office. He admitted though that he did not apply for exemption, contrary to his earlier pronouncement when arrested.

In convicting Dadios, the court noted several witnesses, including the mother of the man mauled and responding policemen, who testified that he brandished and fired his firearm in public.

The Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction of a Barangay captain for violating a gun ban.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1613896/village-councilor-dead-in-masbate-shooting

A village councilor was shot and killed on Monday, June 20, in a coastal area in Baleno town in Masbate, the police said in a belated report on Tuesday.

Police Major Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol cop spokesperson, said Romnick Drio, 33, was sleeping inside their compound when two unidentified men approached and shot him around 2:30 p.m. several times in Barangay Obongan-Diot. Drio died instantly.

The police recovered three fired cartridge cases for caliber .45, five for 7.62mm, and 27 for 5.56mm guns.

The report said police were investigating the incident for the arrests of at least 12 suspected New People’s Army members involved in the killing.

A village councilor was assassinated by unknown men for unknown reasons. It might have been the NPA.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1177154

A village chairperson escaped a slay try in an ambush staged by still unidentified gunmen in Maguindanao’s town of Ampatuan, a police official said Tuesday.

Lt. Reynaldo Samson, Ampatuan town police chief, said Chairperson Zoraida Mamaluba of Barangay Kamasi had just alighted from her Mitsubishi Montero Monday afternoon when her vehicle was fired upon by the gunmen in a drive-by fashion.

“She is safe, she was not in the car when it was ambushed a few meters from her home,” Samson said.

Saudi Zacaria Dimaliba, the village chair’s driver, was slightly injured with broken windshield pieces after he accidentally stepped on the vehicle’s gas pedal and hit an electric post during the barrage of gunfire.

A barangay utility worker, Dolce Montery Mambantawan, who was in Mamaluba’s vehicle, also escaped unscathed.

.

Samson said an investigation is ongoing to determine the motive behind the incident.

“We would like to find if this ambush incident has something to do with the cases that she (Mamaluba) resolved in the barangay court,” he said.

A village executive has survived an assassination attempt.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1177255

The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation of Butuan City condemned Wednesday the killing of a colleague as they seek a speedy investigation to render justice to the family of the victim.

Nelbert Mancao Gacosta, 27, the SK chairperson of Barangay Lumbocan, was gunned down by an unidentified assailant at 9:40 p.m. Tuesday in Barangay Masao here.

“The untimely death of Mr. Gacosta reflects the horrible reality of our society where injustice and evil reign,” the SK Federation said in a statement.

The group also expressed “deep regret” for the passing of their fellow youth leader and demanded “immediate justice for Nelbert.”

A police report said the victim succumbed to five gunshot wounds in the upper right back of his body.

He was pronounced dead at around 10:07 p.m. Tuesday by an attending physician at the Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital.

An SK chairperson was gunned down by unknown men for unknown reasons.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1614157/village-exec-survives-gun-attack-in-nueva-ecija

A 63-year-old village councilor survived a gun attack in Barangay Malabon Kaingin here on Monday (June 20) evening, police said.

Investigators identified the victim as Marianito Herminigildo, a resident of Malabon Kaingin.

Herminigildo was driving an electric bike and was on his way home from his farm when he was attacked by assailants on a motorcycle using a .9mm-caliber pistol.

The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds, including a bullet piercing his face. The man is currently in the intensive care unit of a local hospital.

Another village councilor survived an assassination attempt.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1177273

A police station commander and a jailer on-duty are now under investigation by the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) following the escape of three detainees under their watch.

DCPO spokesperson, Capt. Ma. Teresita Gaspan, identified those relieved from their posts as Maj. Alberto Abella, the Sasa police station commander, and Master Sgt. Roger Babao, the station’s on-duty jailer.

“They are now placed under careful watch while temporarily assigned to do administrative work. We are investigating whether they have involvements in the matter,” Gaspan said in a press briefing Wednesday.

Abella was replaced by Major Jose Rodrigo Mendoza in a turnover ceremony on June 20.

Gaspan said the two could be charged with administrative cases.

A police station commander and a jailer are under investigation because three inmates escaped on their watch.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/835711/coa-flags-ocd-over-slow-utilization-of-covid-19-funds/story/

The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) for the supposed slow utilization of funds intended for the government’s COVID-19 pandemic response.

In its audit report for 2021, COA said the OCD’s slow construction of quarantine and isolation facilities in various local government units (LGUs) “deprived the intended beneficiaries of the needed facilities” to curb the spread of the virus.

State auditors said the implementing agency has received P4.5 billion under Republic Act (RA) No. 1194 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act for the construction and maintenance of isolation facilities.

In compliance with the law, the OCD transferred over P713.529 million across 24 LGUs in six regions, of which P335.293M was allocated for the operational requirements of two LGUs, while the remaining P378.235 million was intended for the construction of isolation facilities in 22 LGUs.

However, according to COA, Only four of the 22 LGUs completed the construction of the isolation facilities.

“The non-completion of these isolation facilities within the target completion date deprived the intended beneficiaries of the needed facilities to curtail the spread of the virus during the pandemic,” said COA.

“Moreover, failure of the LGUs to complete the construction within the deadline will result in the termination as provided under Section 4 of RA 1159 or the ‘Extending the Availability of the Appropriations under RA 11494’,” it added.

The audit agency, however, pointed out that the OCD has “deliberately made consistent efforts to ensure the timely implementation of the program and projects through the issuance of various memoranda which clearly set clear guidelines and conditions including the validity of funds for all recipient LGUs to be guided properly.”

For his part, OCD Administrator Ricardo Jalad said the COVID-19 funds are “demand-driven.”

Since the budget was allocated for the utilities and maintenance of COVID-19 facilities as well as for the basic needs of healthcare workers, Jalad said “it cannot be spent on other expenses.”

“If these requirements are meant, there’s no need for additional expenses. if these quarantine facilities will have a reduction in occupancy, there will be a reduction in expenses,” he said in an interview on ANC.

He said the slow implementation of funds is due to the late downloading of funds. He added that some of their personnel were also hit by COVID-19.

Despite the unused funds, Jalad said the OCD received an Unqualified Opinion from COA. The Unqualified Opinion is the highest finding bestowed on post-audit.

The Office of Civil Defense has been flagged for the slow utilization of funds.

Coronavirus Lockdown: Fatty Liver, Child Beggars, and More!

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

Cebu province's governor Gwendolyn Garcia's EO limiting the use of face masks has caused quite a shock to the nation. The DOJ, DOH, DILG, and PNP all proclaimed that the order is null and void but now the DOJ is asking for a compromise.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1611502/doj-chief-suggests-compromise-on-face-mask-dispute

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra offered a suggestion on Wednesday to end the standoff between the Cebu provincial government and the Cabinet-led Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) over contradicting face mask policies.

According to him, Cebu officials can just ask the IATF for permission to do a pilot test of the optional wearing of face masks outdoors to see if it would lead to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Guevarra made the proposal during an online media forum even as he stressed the national government’s authority to ensure that local governments observe national policies aimed at fighting COVID-19.

Even if the Cebu provincial government has issued an ordinance on the optional wearing of face masks when outdoors, “it is still not consistent with the national rule or policy on the mandatory wearing of face masks. So, to that extent, the acts of the provincial government of Cebu are ultra vires (beyond its powers),” he told reporters.

“What [Cebu] Gov. Gwen [Garcia] or any local government official who feels they can remove masks in their [local government] should do is to go to the IATF and say, ‘Maybe it’s time to modify the existing rule,’” Guevarra said.

He added that IATF members, mostly Cabinet secretaries, were “very reasonable” and “can easily adjust if there is scientific basis to take a particular action.”

“Just go to the IATF and make a proposal and that’s it. We can pilot test in Cebu,” he said.

“The IATF at the next meeting may probably consider that suggestion to test in Cebu. If there is no upsurge in cases even if face mask is optional, maybe it’s a good time to change the rule on mandatory wearing of face mask,” Guevarra said.

It is highly unlikely that the IATF would permit such a test. It is also highly unlikely that LGU's would be given the power to determine face mask usage as a presidential adviser has advised.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1611592/let-lgus-decide-on-outdoor-mask-rule-concepcion

Local government units (LGUs) should be allowed to decide whether or not to enforce the use of face masks outdoors, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion said.

Concepcion made the statement after the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Cebu provincial government clashed over the latter’s decision to make face masks optional in open and well-ventilated spaces.

“To me, I believe a mask mandate outdoors is not necessary, I think we should give it to our LGUs to make that decision,” Concepcion said in an interview over One News’ The Chiefs Wednesday night.

He reiterated that masking outdoors should be made optional.

“Let’s just encourage masks outdoors, let’s not mandate the use of masks outdoors because we know that Omicron is a variant that is quite mild when you get sick and hospitalization are not even there yet and we’re focusing too much on the number of people getting infected daily,” he said.

“It’s like we’re in a microscope and being so paranoid if infection [does] go up and we know very clearly, once you do get Omicron, once you get vaccinated or not, you can still get Omicron, vaccination does not prevent you from getting Omicron at all, what it prevents you is severe infection and death,” he went on.

That is a very reasonable statement which is exactly why no one will listen. The DILG is going to make sure all LGUs toe the line.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1611630/dilg-taps-legal-team-to-ensure-lgus-toe-national-govt-line-on-face-masks

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is consulting with its legal team in a bid to keep local government units (LGUs) from defying national policies, including the matter of using face masks outdoors.

(We are consulting our legal team for our next move to ensure that this practice will stop.)

(That’s the number one position of the national government and we will implement that. The police will continue to confront—and if necessary, arrest those who are hard-headed, the Philippine National Police will do that.)

Año further stressed that the pandemic “is not yet over,” saying the country is still under a state of calamity, thus the cooperation of local government are imperative.

“Ang pinakaimportante dito, yung kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan. We are still under the state of calamity based [Executive Order No.] 1218,” he added, noting that the declaration of the state of calamity due to COVID-19 remains in effect until September 2022.

While the national and local governments clash over face mask rules the private sector is getting back on its feet.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/447561/local-airlines-spreading-their-wings-more-as-pandemic-wanes

Local airlines have been ramping up flights to other countries to address increasing demand for air mobility as international travel returns.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) will resume its Manila-Bali, Indonesia route by July 1, flying thrice weekly. The flag carrier will add two weekly flights by Aug. 1 and another two by Oct. 4. In the latter part of the year, PAL will have a total of seven weekly flights to Bali. “We are excited to be able to fly leisure and business travelers to Bali, one of the world’s most spectacular and beloved destinations,” PAL vice president for sales Bud Britanico said.

By July 2, Cebu Pacific will offer a total of 10 flights from Manila to Dubai every week. “This is a chance for every Juan to experience a bit of what Dubai has to offer – from its megastructures, shopping, food and cultural heritage. With the easing of travel protocols in and out of the country, travelers also need not worry about hassles when coming back to the Philippines,” said Xander Lao, chief commercial officer of the Gokongwei-led budget carrier.

Meanwhile, AirAsia Philippines resumed flights to Seoul on Tuesday after recently relaunching routes to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia and Hong Kong. “In 2022, we are aggressive in growing our flight frequency and route network,” said Steve Dailisan, the airline’s spokesperson and head of communications and public affairs.

Anticipating full restoration of operations by the end of this year, he said that AirAsia has already attained 80 percent of its prepandemic flight capacity as of the second quarter.

“With additional flights, we expect tremendous growth in our ancillary businesses like baggage, meals, and even hot seats. The situation is truly looking up for all lines of businesses in aviation this year,” Dailisan added.

The recent easing of mobility restrictions, along with the reopening of borders, has helped in boosting passenger traffic recently.

But with rising fuel costs and inflation can they make new gains and recoup a profit?

Remember how everyone was locked down, not allowed out, and was forced to order fast food basically? It turns out that was not a healthy idea at all.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1612052/silent-epidemic-risk-of-fatty-liver-disease-rising-among-pinoys

Gastroenterology and hepatology experts have raised a “growing concern” over the increased risk of fatty liver disease among Filipinos who gained weight and developed unhealthy habits due to quarantine restrictions in the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic.

About 10 percent to 20 percent of Filipinos have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), dubbed the “silent epidemic” afflicting millions globally, Philippine College of Physicians president Dr. Diana Alcantara Payawal said 

“This is a growing concern,” she said. “There were a lot of things that we needed to address [even] before the pandemic. The WHO (World Health Organization) had already earmarked projects for noncommunicable diseases. In fact, most of the strategies were aimed at noncommunicable diseases. But during the pandemic, these were sidelined.” The limitations during the pandemic “definitely” affected clinical diagnosis and detection, Payawal said, citing the current crop of patients with uncontrolled metabolic disorders, such as liver diseases and cancer as well as diabetes and colon diseases.

What more proof do we need that the lockdowns were not about public health? It's always been about government control. Had it been about health the lockdowns would never have happened. Or at least the government would have encouraged healthy behaviors aside from diving the public to constantly be washing their hands.

Lifting of COVID-19 restrctions in Cebu means more child beggars on the streets.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1932339/cebu/local-news/cebu-city-police-to-round-up-child-beggars-anew

THE police have noticed that streetchildren are starting to go back to the streets to ask for alms from passengers and passersby after major restrictions against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) have been removed.

Lieutenant Colonel Wilbert Parilla, deputy city director for administration of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said they will again be rounding up the minors, in coordination with the City Social Welfare Services (CSWS) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas (DSWD).

Parilla said the rescued children will be turned over to the CSWS or DSWD-Central Visayas as they have no shelter facility for them.

The CCPO had already advised the street dwellers, including those living underneath the bridge, to go back to their respective hometowns, but when the Covid-19 restriction eased, they started returning to the city, where they prefer to stay to earn a living.

Parilla said allowing child beggars in the streets exposes them to risks of getting hit by cars or contracting the Covid-19 virus. 

Of course with the easing of restrictions comes an increase in cases. The DOH says the Philippines is hitting a peak but it is not yet a surge.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1613653/doh-another-peak-in-covid-cases-starting

The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday said the country was seeing the start of another “peak” in COVID-19 cases and urged the public to observe health protocols, including isolating when experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

Detected infections rose by 82 percent to 436 daily average new cases last week—the highest in about two months—from 240 the previous week, according to the DOH.

“Right now what we’re seeing is that the number of cases is continuously increasing, especially here in the National Capital Region (NCR) and we can see that this is really the start of the peak in the number of cases,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a television interview on Monday.

“We are again guiding the public and making them aware that this might be the start when cases will continuously increase in the next couple of weeks,” she added.

Vergeire refused to refer to the increasing cases as a “surge,” saying the term “has caused a lot of confusion among the public.”

A rise in cases but not a surge because the term has "causes a lot of confusion among the public." And whose fault is that DOH? The public continues to be served mixed messages of be a surge is coming be afraid and it's inevitable so don't worry. Here's the latest mixed message from PCOO Secretary Anadar.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/06/22/palace-uptick-of-covid-19-cases-bound-to-happen-as-economy-reopens/

Malacañang considers normal the increase in Covid-19 cases in the country because people are now allowed to go outside as efforts to revive the economy continue.

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar cited this after the Department of Health (DOH) said that the number of coronavirus cases in the country has started to peak anew.

In an interview with reporters, Andanar, however, said that while the uptick is normal, everyone has to be careful not to let a surge of cases happen.

“It’s not a cause for another surge. Pero kailangan tayong mag-ingat talaga kasi it’s not only in the Philippines. Meron din sa ibang bansa (But we have to be careful because it’s not only in the Philippines. It’s happening in other countries as well),” he said.

“It’s bound to happen, kasi nagbukas na nga iyong ekonomiya, eh. Mahirap naman na puro tayo lockdown (because we’re opening the economy. We can’t just continue doing lockdowns),” he added.

The press secretary, instead, reminded the public to continue following health protocols to protect themselves from the disease.

“Wear your masks, [practice] social distancing, [and] wash your hands,” he said.

“Now, it’s inevitable to be in crowded areas because the economy is open. You just really have to be careful, drink your vitamins, eat healthily, don’t stay up late, and sleep long,” he added.

"Drink your vitamins, eat healthily, don’t stay up late." Fine advice coming now. Of course if you do not know COVID-19 can be deadly in already sick people especially obese people yet the government hasn't exactly been mindful about the people's health.

The pandemic has caused people to get innovative.  Here is a neat new invention.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1614278/pup-thesis-leads-to-project-offering-help-vs-covid

Mechanical engineering students from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) have designed an ultraviolet disinfection conveyor to contain the new coronavirus and sterilize documents.

This device was the result of a thesis that the students were working on after they saw how fast ultraviolet rays could disinfect objects — for as short as eight seconds.

Soon enough their dissertation led to a P100,000 project that the university approved to develop the machines.

In February 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended the use of ultraviolet-C (UVC) lamps in disinfecting surfaces in homes, saying that UVC radiation was effective in reducing the spread of bacteria.

“UVC radiation has [also] been shown to destroy the outer protein coating of the SARS-coronavirus, which is a different virus from the current SARS-CoV-2 virus. The destruction ultimately leads to inactivation of the virus,” the agency said.

“[But it] may also be effective in inactivating the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is the virus that causes COVID-19,” the US FDA added.

According to Gino Andres, project head and director of PUP’s Intellectual Property Management Office (Ipmo), the conveyors will be sent to offices that use up large quantities of paper.

“We plan to distribute the machines to crowded areas [in the university], like the accounting office, registrar’s office and those… that are receiving a lot of documents,” he said.

An ultralight disinfection conveyor. Seems like a rather simple device to invent. But is it really still necessary? Will it actually prevent the spread of COVID-19? Well, we see how effective face masks and rubbing alcohol have been in stopping the spread of COVID-19.