Insurgency: Church-Based Org Charged With Financing Terrorism

The Anti-Terror Act of 2020 was passed in a bid to strengthen the fight against the insurgency. Not long after it's passing the CPP-NPA-NDFP were declared to be terrorist organizations and their assets were frozen. One of the many groups protesting the ATA was the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines or RMP. Now 16 members of the RMP have been charged with financing terrorism.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/08/15/2202821/doj-indicts-members-church-based-org-allegedly-financing-terrorism

The Department of Justice has indicted 16 persons, including members of national church-based organization Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, on alleged terrorist financing—a non-bailable case.

In a briefer sent to reporters on Monday, the DOJ said there was probable cause to indict 16 persons, including nuns and supposedl communist rebels, "for making funds available to the [Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army]."

They are facing chages in violation of Section 8 of Republic Act 10168 or the The Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 that has punishment of reclusion perpetua or 40 years imprisonment, and a fine from P500,000 to P1,000,000.

No bail is recommended for this case filed before the regional trial court of Iligan City.

According to Frontline Defenders, the RMP is comprised of priests and lay persons; empowers farmers, fisher-folk and indigenous peoples; and educates them on their rights.

The complaint stemmed from a financial investigation of the Anti-Money Laundering Council that supposedly found that the indicted persons provided financial support to the CPP-NPA, both of which the government has designated as terrorist organizations.

The money-laundering watchdog investigated the bank accounts of Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP)/RMP-Northern Mindanao Region with Bank of Philippine Islands based on sworn statements of two government witnesses who were said to be former communist rebels, the DOJ said.

The DOJ briefer did not name the two former members of the CPP-NPA. It only stated that one witness is a former member of the communist rebels and a finance officer of various CPP-NPA NGO fronts.

Lawyer Mico Clavano of the Office of the Justice Secretary said the respondents "failed to submit their respective counter-affidavits during the preliminary investigation."

"Thus, no defense on the respondents were received by the prosecuting panel," he added.

The DOJ has yet to respond to questions on whether respondents were furnished with subpoenas or whether they were able to participate in the preliminary probe.

The RMP, a religious organization, is one of the petitioners against the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

They told the court then that there is danger that their advocacies to uplift marginalized sectors such as indigenous peoples will be tagged as “constitute financing terrorism.”

They stressed: "Petitioners come before the Honorable Court not only with the possibility, but the actuality of incurring grave and irreparable damages."

"In the present factual milieu, many of those who dare voice out against the government or even just on social issues are vilified in public. Right now, the ATA can be a masterful weapon that can be wielded against them," they added.

The RMP's fears have now become true as the DOJ has accused them of financing terrorist organizations. The government run PNA has more and specific details about the charges. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1181372

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday announced the filing of criminal charges against 16 individuals who were part of a conspiracy to divert money from foreign sources to local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) used as fronts by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and its allied groups.

The DOJ said it found probable cause to indict Emma Teresita Cupin, Susan Dejolde, Ma. Fatima Napoles Somogod, Augustina Juntilla, Maryjane Caspillo, Melissa Comiso, Czarina Golda Selim Musni, Maridel Solomon Fano, Jhona Ignilan Stokes, Hanelyn Caibigan Cespedes, Angelie Magdua, Emilio Gabales, Mary Louise Dumas, Aileen Villarosa, Evelyn Naguio and Aldeen Yañez for “making available funds to the CPP-NPA.”

In a statement, the DOJ said Musni, Fano, Dumas, and Villarosa are members of the CPP-NPA and were made payees in several checks issued under the name of Rural Missionaries of the Philippines and Rural Missionaries of the Philippines - Northern Mindanao Region (RMP-NMR).

The DOJ said that on the basis of the sworn statements of two former members of the CPP-NPA, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) inquired into RMP/RMP-NMR’s bank accounts.

One of the two witnesses used to be the finance officer of various CPP-NPA NGO fronts, including RMP.

According to the witness, the RMP sends project proposals to foreign funders. Once approved, the money will be diverted to communist terrorist groups.

Cespedes and Magdua, acting as cashiers and upon orders of Gabales, distributed funds; Cespedes provided 60 percent to Fano by issuing checks; and in turn, Fano sent funds to Yañez, who is a CPP-NPA officer.

Cupin, Dejolde, Comiso, Caspillo, and Juntilla are members of the RMP board of trustees and hold general supervision and control over the group’s operations, the DOJ said.

The AMLC earlier directed the bank to freeze the RMP accounts for 20 days, which the Court of Appeals extended to six months.

Czarina Golda Selim Munsi is a member of the National Union of People's Lawyers. The NUPL issued a statement calling these charges baseless and defending Munsi.

https://twitter.com/mikenavallo/status/1559830548301762561/photo/1

3. The projects of the RMP-NMR went through the rigors process of selection, monitoring and auditing by its respective donors, such as the European Union, the United Nations, and many others.

 4. Atty. Czarina Golda Salim Musni is our Secretary - General and has been a member of the UPLM-CDO since her law school days. As officer of the UPLM, she has figured prominently in various projects in partnership with RMP-NMR Chapter in providing legal assistance to the lumad communities.

5. These engagements have strengthened the indigenous peoples’ movement in the assertion of their rights as a people.

6. Ironically, these developments triggered the government and earned its ire. Anyone who dares to run counter to the policies of this government faces the wrath of red-tagging, and worse, the marking as a terrorist and an enemy of the state.

7. Thus ore the cases against the RMP/RMP-NMR and its officers and staff, including our very own Sec-Gen, Czarina Golda S. Musni. With particular respect to the European Union, the bloc has explicitly stated, through its then Ambassador to the Philippines Mr. Franz Jessen, the no funds form the Union have been used to support the armed rebellion. 

8. To indict these individuals merely on the basis of unvetted or still to be clarified statements, without strong documentary or object proof, is to act on rumors. No less than the Department of Justice is expected to heed the principles of justice, truth and fairness in the conduct of its duty to the public which it has sworn to serve.

The NUPL claims that all RMP projects were thoroughly vetted by the EU, UN, and other donors while the government says two unnamed former CPP members claim the RMP is a communist front. This unnamed person also aims to have been the finance officer of the RMP so it should not be hard for him to be identified. Munis is also alleged to be a member of the CPP which would mean that perhaps the NUJP is a Communist front. The proofs are not given as the DOJ has refused to release their resolution has been deemed "a private matter for parties of the case only."

It is odd that only now these people are being charged with crimes when the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) froze the RMP's bank accounts in 2019. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/08/18/2203527/rural-missionary-work-affected-terrorist-financing-raps-group-says

In a statement issued Thursday afternoon, RMP said that its missionary work with peasants, indigenous peoples and other rural poor has been "seriously hampered" because of what they said were relentless state attacks. 

This comes after the DOJ indicted 16 people on terrorist financing raps. Most of the respondents are members of the group, including nuns. Terrorist financing is a non-bailable charge. 

"All RMP projects are well-documented, reported and accounted for. It has complied with requirements in securing funds for their projects, including audits," RMP said as it expressed concern for the safety of those charged. 

It said that the charges follow "the same playbook" as the Duterte administration in discrediting legal organizations that provide much-needed services to communities.

RMP in its statement also pointed out that the DOJ's charges were based on the testimonies of two supposed surrenderees with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army. 

In 2019, the Anti-Money Laundering Council also froze three of the RMP's bank accounts which was later expanded to other accounts in 2020. 

The group questioned the circumstances behind the testimony, saying that the unnamed surrenderee was made to "execute a spurious statement" accusing the group of communist links in exchange for the release of her mother who was also in custody. 

How can the RMP be financing anything if their bank accounts have been frozen since 2019? This makes no sense at all. If they financed terrorism before 2019 why are they only being charged now? Again it makes no sense at all. 

That last sentence is quite intriguing and suggests that the RMP knows exactly who has accused them of being a communist front. We the public can only gawk at this sideshow and wait to see how it will play out in court. With the government's track record of having cases tossed out against alleged reds because of faulty warrants and with RMP projects being thoroughly vetted it might be that none of these charges will stand the light of day. 

Samar Island is a hotbed of the insurgency. However, the AFP has gradually whittled the NPA down and now peace is just ahead. What is needed is a peace and development plan for the whole island.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1181606

The three provincial governments in Samar Island will come up with a multi-year peace and development plan, as agreed upon by their governors during a forum on Wednesday.

Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan said it would be more realistic if Samar Island would have its own plan instead of incorporating its proposals into the regional peace and prosperity roadmap.

Samar is located in the Eastern Visayas region.

“We have the same problem and same advocacy. We understand our needs. We are hoping that Samar will be noticed, and Samar will also be considered as one of the most developing areas under the new administration,” Tan said during the forum held in Catbalogan City, Samar.

During the gathering, Tan, Northern Samar Governor Edwin Ongchuan, and Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone committed to convening a technical working group to harmonize and consolidate the plans for Samar Island to address its peace and development challenges.

In his presentation, Ongchuan proposed the construction of more roads leading to rebel-infested communities, such as Las Navas, Northern Samar.

“The construction of more road networks in the heart of Samar Island will deter the operations of communist terrorist group in these areas. More importantly, road interconnectivity addresses interrelated primary and secondary issues, such as delivery of basic social services, transportation, and increased agricultural productivity,” he added.

Evardone said he would convene key officials of different sectors in his province to list down priority projects for possible inclusion in the plan.

During his speech, he highlighted Eastern Samar’s new program “Isang Propesiyunal, Isang Pamilya” as part of their commitment to the regional peace and prosperity roadmap by providing support to families in remote communities and enabling these families to produce college graduate.

“If these families from remote communities are able to produce graduates and hopefully, these graduates find employment, this will certainly help them improve their economic status and in the long term help their communities enjoy peace and security,” Evardone added.

Tan said they would consolidate all proposals and complete the draft within the year.

This is not the first time we have heard that building roads will defeat the insurgency. But would not roads allow the NPA to move more freely? The graduate program is likewise head scratching. What it means is that the one who graduates from college will get a job and send all his money back home! Is that really a plan? Will encouraging freeloaders really defeat the NPA? Who knew that defeating the NPA was as easy as a family's son or daughter graduating from college, getting a job in the big city, and sending all the money back home! 

This band-aid ignores the real issues about the insurgency.  Alleged issues anyway. It reduces the insurgency and the family to an economic transaction which is what Marx explicitly wrote against!

The bourgeoisie has torn away from the family its sentimental veil, and has reduced the family relation to a mere money relation.

https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/download/pdf/Manifesto.pdf

Imagine thinking the way to defeat the insurgency is by turning the family relation into "a mere money relation." Incredible!

Of course all this week the AFP has engaged the NPA killing some and capturing others but that is commonplace news. The real fight against the insurgency lies in the word war between VP Sara Duterte and the Makabayan Bloc. 

https://mb.com.ph/2022/08/11/round-3-makabayan-solon-calls-vp-sara-new-red-tagging-queen-duterte-camp-responds/

The word war between Vice President and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sara Duterte and the Makabayan bloc continued to rage on Thursday, Aug. 11, after one of the militant lawmakers referred to Duterte as the new “red-tagging queen”.

Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel lambasted the Vice President during a presser for alleged role in red-tagging activists and progressive groups.

“(She is now the) primary figure head  (because Lorraine Badoy is now unemployed and she replaced her as the) red-tagging queen (in our country),” the lawmaker said, referring to former National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) spokesperson Lorraine Badoy, who had become infamous for red-tagging even celebrities and volunteer workers.

Lawyer Reynold Munsayac, Duterte’s spokesman, maintained that the Vice President was merely saying the truth about the Makabayan bloc, who the latter had linked to the Communist Party in the Philippines, National Democratic Front, and New People’s Army (CPP-NDF-NPA) in a previous statement.

“(Like what was said by) Vice President Inday Sara Duterte, (telling the truth is not) red-tagging,” he said in a statement.

‘(Also, she will always have the time to tell the truth about the) Makabayan bloc (to finally end their deception of the public, especially the youth sector),” Munsayac added.

Manuel questioned the supposed miscommunication between government agencies since National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos stated the government does not condone red-tagging while Duterte does the opposite.

“(I want to ask our) government officials (do they discuss about having a) united  (stand) against red-tagging (because we shouldn’t allow this) brazen stance  (of a commission of the government),” the rookie lawmaker said.

He claimed that the Vice President leads the way in red-tagging operations, which include distributing posters and tarpaulins.

In what appears to be a now deleted post Lorraine Badoy jumped into this fray with her own hot take. 

https://twitter.com/GiboTeodoroJr/status/1559855208796422144

He called our beloved VP, redtagging Queen. Pwes, let’s call him the NPA Recruitment Queen. Doon lang tayo sa tutoo!

Is Sara telly "beloved?" To add to the nonsense Badoy, who really is the red-tagging queen, has changed her profile picture to show her cosplaying as an Indigenous Person just like Sara!

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10159999886414834&set=a.452607139833

This is no way to fight the insurgency but it sure is entertaining! 

Another Foreigner Having More Fun in the Philippines

 Oh, look it's another foreigner having more fun in the Philippines. 

This man's name is not Rupert and he is not from London but he is living on the streets of the Philippines. Why is this? How is that a foreigner is living on the streets of the Philippines sustained by the handouts of generous passers-by? Because he gave all his money to a woman who lied about being single and now he is stuck here. 

When it came time to fly home it turned out his flight had been rescheduled without his notice and so the ticket was cancelled. Eventually he ran out of what little money he had left and now lives on the streets. There is no one he can call to send him money or buy a ticket home for him. He is all alone in this cruel world. The streets are now his home.

Oddly enough a judge ruled that he must stay in the Philippines until 2025 because he was convicted of pulling a knife during a confrontation in which he was attempting to defend himself. Does that make any sense at all? But that's his claim and not mine. 

The Bureau of Immigration is aware he has been overstaying yet they have not made any moves to deport him because he owes them money and the longer he overstays the more he will owe and they aim to collect that bill. That's what not-Rupert says anyway. 

I admit this is a truncated story with lots of gaps. It is an outline of a Shakespearean tragedy on the scale of As You Like It. I cannot fill those gaps or broaden the outline. All I can do is show you a picture of another foreigner having more fun in the Philippines. 

BTW: This man's real name is Bradley Vincent, he is Australian, and his Facebook page can be accessed here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072656580991

Retards in the Government 272

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

  

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/841272/barangay-captain-shot-dead-by-motorcycle-riding-assassins-in-cagayan/story/

A barangay chairman was killed was killed after he was shot by two unidentified men on a motorcycle in Rizal, Cagayan.

The Cagayan Police Provincial Office identified the victim as Roberto de Ocampo, 50, of Anurturo.

Investigation showed that Ocampo and his wife were in their pickup truck traversing the provincial road in Barangay Gumarueng in Piat town on Wednesday when the suspects shots them.

The victim sustained gunshot wounds in different parts of his body and was immediately brought by responding police officers to the Tuao District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

His wife survived the shooting incident.

The police said the suspects immediately fled the scene on a silver-grey Nmax motorcycle.        

A barangay captain has been assassinated by unknown men for unknown reasons. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1645467/gunman-kills-local-govt-exec-in-batangas

A local government official in Lobo town in Batangas province was shot and killed by a lone gunman on Thursday night.

The Batangas police reported Friday, August 12 that Romeo Sulit, 61, the municipal council secretary, was delivering a speech around 8 p.m. at a debut party in Barangay Tayuman, when an assailant approached him from behind and shot him.

The gunman wore a green jacket, black shorts, and a hat.

He fled on foot and left his target with a fatal bullet wound at the back of his head.

The police said Sulit, a former vice mayor of Lobo, was brought to Batangas Medical Center in Batangas City for treatment.

Captain Roy Cuevas, Lobo police chief, said Sulit died at 12:34 a.m.

A former vice mayor was assassinated by unknown men for unknown reasons. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/11/22/coa-flags-customs-for-allowing-importers-with-violations

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has allowed 974 importers to continue transactions despite violating laws and rules, the Commission on Audit (COA) said in its report. 

COA said the importers should have been suspended instead of being allowed to import 77,049 consumption entries with assessed duties and taxes amounting to P28.954 billion.

State auditors noted that 644 of the 974 importers have records of violations, seizure, abandonment and smuggling, while 330 were habitual violators of importation with generic description.

“When left uncorrected, this may cause the breakdown of risk controls, which will significantly affect the efficient implementation of accreditation and defeats the purpose of accreditation,” the audit team said.

The audit report also noted that the BOC management agreed to the recommendations of the audit team, including ensuring that the account management office is furnished with all the warrants of seizure and detention as well as abandonment cases.

The report further mentioned the importation of 553 regulated commodities costing P1.44 billion in duties and taxes which were processed and released despite lack of import permits and other documents.

Included in the P1.44 billion duties and taxes are P684.028 million from the importation of luxury vehicles which were assessed and released without necessary permits and other documents

The audit team also flagged the inconsistent and inappropriate tagging of the BOC within their system for a total of 100,944 consumption entries with assessed duties and taxes of P122.146 billion.

The BOC uses a color-coded system in its system using colors such as green to signify release without further inspection, red for x-ray scanning and physical examination, among others.

The audit team noted that 5,989 entires amounting to P1.733 billion which should have been tagged as red were released without conducting 100 percent physical inspection.

There was also an understatement of P105.108 million on duties and taxes for the importation of 765 commodities due to deficient computation of insurance.

“The non-compliance by the BOC with the prescribed computations could affect the collection of total duties and taxes accruing from the importations, thus, a possible loss of revenue,” the audit team said.

The COA has tagged the BOA over multiple violations of improper paperwork and documentation which resulted in a loss of revenue. 

https://mb.com.ph/2022/08/12/sandiganbayan-affirms-graft-convictionof-ex-rep-pichay-as-then-lwua-head/

“Courts are not the forum to plead for sympathy. The duty of courts is to apply the law, disregarding their feeling of sympathy or pity for an accused.”

Thus declared the Sandiganbayan as it turned down the motion filed by former Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) Chief and ex-Rep. Prospero A. Pichay Jr. and Deputy Acting Administrator Wilfredo M. Feleo to reconsider the court’s decision that convicted them of three graft charges.

In his motion for reconsideration, Pichay highlighted the “disparity” between the offense charged emanating from bad business decision-making of a public official and entailing criminal liability.

“If every mistake, error, or oversight is met with criminal punishment, then qualified individuals would be hindered in serving the government,” Pichay said.

In a resolution issued last Aug. 10, the anti-graft court said: “After turning all stones, the Court finds no sufficient justification to warrant abandonment of our earlier ruling.”

Pichay and Feleo were sentenced to a prison term ranging from 18 to 30 years in the purchase of the Express Savings Bank, Inc. (ESBI) when they were top LWUA officials in 2009.

The criminal charges arose from LWUA’s purchase of ESBI, a local thrift bank based in Laguna through WELLEX Group Inc. (WGI) and Forum Pacific Inc. (FPI).

The anti-graft court said that as head of the LWUA board, Pichay approved the acquisition of ESBI even without securing the regulatory approvals from the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (MB-BSP), the Department of Finance (DOF), and the Office of the President.

“It cannot be denied that accused Pichay and Feleo knew of this requirement as they have been in consultation with the Office of the President, DOF, and BSP. They were specifically advised to secure prior approval of the Monetary Board. This advice was given before LWUA purchased the ESBI shares,” the court said.

The court said that Pichay and Feleo may not have been impelled by “patently fraudulent and dishonest purpose,” since they were merely carrying out a lawful mandate. However, the court pointed out that they carried out the task with “haphazardness and nonconforming ways.”

“Even assuming that accused did not act in bad faith or with manifest partiality, their negligence under the circumstances was not only gross but also inexcusable,” the court stressed.

A former Representatitve and then head of the LWUA has asked the Sandiganbayan to reconsider his graft conviction because he did not intend to commit a crime. The Sandiganbayan says no, the law must be applied without pity. 

https://mb.com.ph/2022/08/13/cop-gunned-down-in-nueva-vizcaya/

A 43-year-old policeman was shot dead by gunmen onboard a motorcycle here Saturday, August 13.

Police Col. Ranser Evasco, Nueva Vizcaya police chief, identified the victim as Police Senior Master Sgt. Aldwin Aspacio James, a Baguio City resident.

Evasco, quoting field reports, said James, a field training officer of the local police, was gunned down on Manalansan St., Purok 3, Barangay Homestead.

Police here said the victim had just arrived at his boarding house when he was killed by the suspects riding a matte gray Yamaha NMAX motorcycle without license plates.

James sustained six bullet wounds and was taken to a hospital where he was declared dead.

The gunmen fled towards the bypass road in this town.

A cop has been assassinated by unknown men for unknown reasons.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/08/14/casual-cadiz-city-government-employee-falls-in-buy-bust/

A casual employee of the city government of Cadiz in Negros Occidental was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Tinampa-an Saturday, August 13.

Police identified the suspect as Charlie Bacroya, 43, of Barangay Tinampa-an, who was assigned at the City Veterinary Office.

Police Lt. Col. Gil John Despi, Cadiz City police chief, said Bacroya is their Top 2 priority target at the police station.

Despi said that they have been monitoring the suspect for some time.

Police recovered from Bacroya 1.8 grams of suspected shabu worth P12,240 and the P500 marked money.

Bacroya is considered a high value individual, according to the police.

A casual government employee who was also a high value target has been arrested on drug charges.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1181329

A former Zamboanga del Sur town mayor escaped conviction for malversation of public funds but must pay a fine of PHP50,000 under a plea bargaining deal that saw him plead guilty to the lesser charge of failing to render accounts.

In its decision dated August 10, the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division found Wilson Nandang, former mayor of Labangan, guilty of 10 counts of violating Section 218 (Failure of Accountable Officer to Render Accounts) of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) and ordered him to pay a fine of PHP5,000 for each count.

The graft court also granted the prosecution’s motion for the dismissal of 10 counts of violation of Article 217 (Malversation of Public Funds) against Nandang.

A plea bargaining agreement was approved by the Ombudsman for the malversation charges to be dropped after the accused entered a plea of guilty to a lesser charge.

In 2018, the Ombudsman said Nandang received 10 cash advances for travel expenses from January to August 2011, totaling PHP1,250,000.

Despite demands from the Commission on Audit (COA), he failed to liquidate and account for the cash advances.

A former mayor has been funded for failing to renew his accounts properly.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/15/22/coa-p267-million-in-donations-including-vehicles-unrecorded-in-pnp-books

Donations made to the Philippine National Police totaling P267.085 million remain unrecorded in its books of accounts, according to the latest audit report of the Commission on Audit (COA).

As of end of 2021, the donations received by the PNP remain unrecorded due to the non-submission of deeds of donation and other relevant documents by logistics officers to their respective accounting units.

Included in the list are 49 units of Hyundai Elantra and 81 Starex vans donated from 2017 to 2020 by the Republic of Korea to regional and provincial offices as well as offices in the PNP headquarters.

“Moreover, we gathered information from PNP’s annual reports and news articles and have noted that the following donations were not yet recorded in the books of accounts,” the state auditors said.

The list also included 22 units of Toyota Grandia donated by the Public Safety Savings and Loans Association, 4 units of Toyota Hilux from Servequest Properties Corporation, 2 units of Toyota Hilux from Rotary Club Makati Central, all donated in 2020.

P3.65 million worth of equipment such as scuba gear and other training equipment were donated by the United States government from 2020 to 2021, as quoted by the audit team from various news articles.

The audit team noted that the PNP management agreed to the recommendations, among others, to promptly submit copies of the deeds of donation and other documents for all unrecorded donated properties.

The COA says the PNP has not properly documented P267 million in donations.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/15/22/coa-flags-dswd-over-undistributed-donations-for-ulysses-victims

Various donations made to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) intended for victims of Typhoon Ulysses in November 2020 remain undistributed at the end of 2021, state auditors said. 

The Commission on Audit (COA) in its latest report said that the DSWD office in Region 2 received a total of 126,172 in-kind donations during the last quarter of 2020 until 2021, but a total of 21,824 were still on hand.

The report noted that the donations were given by various donors for the families affected by the massive flooding and huge destruction of property in the region.

“However, to date, the above balance of in-kind donations remains undistributed which should have been made immediately especially those goods that are highly exposed to damage, rotting and expiration,” the audit team said.

The report is a reiteration of last year’s findings in the 2020 audit report on the DSWD.

It also mentioned the non-submission of reports of in-kind donations to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) through the Office of Civil Defense.

“Also, the transparency and accountability in the use of aid/donations was significantly affected especially that this has become an issue of considerable importance for donors and the public,” the audit team noted.

The COA says the DSWD has undistributed donations in thier coffers. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1181338

A police manhunt is underway against a group behind the ambush-slay of a former village chief and his worker in Barangay Kidama here on Sunday evening.

Lt. Col Jingle Parallag, town police chief, identified Monday the victims as Felipe Sara Maluenda, 61, former chairperson of Barangay Kidama, and Joseph Mariano Flores, a laborer and resident of Alamada town, North Cotabato province.

Parallag said Maluenda was driving his sedan together with Flores on their way to Barangay Kilada when gunmen positioned on both sides of the road at a local sugarcane plantation opened fire on them around 7:00 pm.

Both victims were brought to separate hospitals here but were declared dead on arrival by the attending physicians.

“The victims obtained fatal wounds in different parts of their body,” she said.

 Police recovered eight pieces of empty shells from an M16 rifle, another empty shell from a .45-caliber pistol, and other pieces of evidence.

“The suspects swiftly ran into the sugarcane plantation after the incident”, Parallag said.

“Our investigation is ongoing,” she said, declining to give more information so as not to jeopardize police operation.

A barangay captain has been assassinated by unknown men for unknown reasons. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/08/16/2202939/ex-nia-chiefs-sentence-over-dam-project-affirmed

The Sandiganbayan has affirmed its earlier ruling convicting former National Irrigation Administration (NIA) chief Carlos Salazar in connection with a dam project initiated in 2009 without approval from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

In a resolution promulgated on Aug. 3, the anti-graft court said Salazar failed to raise in his appeal substantial or compelling matters that would warrant the reversal of the decision finding him guilty of violating Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The anti-graft court earlier sentenced Salazar to six to eight years in prison and perpetually disqualified him from holding public office.

The court ordered Salazar, who was NIA administrator during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, to indemnify the agency P98.55 million or equivalent to the amount of NIA funds found to have been illegally disbursed.

Filed by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2018, the case stemmed from a P712.37-million contract that Salazar entered into with A.M. Oreta on May 8, 2009 for the construction of the Libmanan-Cabusao Diversion Dam in Camarines Sur.

The ombudsman said the contract was awarded to A.M. Oreta without prior approval from the NEDA-Investment Coordination Committee, which was required under Executive Order 230 or the reorganized NEDA charter.

The ombudsman said that two days after the signing of the contract, Salazar issued a notice to proceed with the project, allowing the firm to collect an advance payment of P98.5 million.

The project, which was supposed to be constructed in Sipocot River, was called off due to opposition from local communities and environmental groups.

The Sandiganbayan has upheld the graft conviction of former NIA Chief Carlos Salazar over an illegal advance payment he made to a construction company for a dam. The project was later called off. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1647299/qcpd-cop-tagged-in-hit-and-run-relieved-from-post

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has relieved its officer, after it was identified that he is the registered owner of the vehicle that figured in a hit-and-run incident that killed a tricycle driver and injured a passenger.

In a statement on Tuesday, the QCPD said Lt. Col. Mark Julio Abong, chief of the QCPD Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, will be reassigned to the District Personnel Holding and Accounting Section while the investigation is ongoing.

It noted, however, that Abong had “denied responsibility [for] the incident and claimed that a certain Ronald Centino, who was responsible for the maintenance of the vehicle, drove the same without his consent when the accident happened.”

Abong and Centino are facing complaints for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, physical injury, and damage to property.

Two QCPD cops "are facing complaints for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, physical injury, and damage to property" after a hit-and-run incident.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1181425

Members of the anti-scalawag unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday arrested three Manila policemen who allegedly tried to extort PHP2,000 from a driver whose tricycle was earlier impounded by the group.

In a statement Tuesday, Brig. Gen. Warren De Leon, chief of the PNP-Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG), identified the suspects as Staff Sgt. Erwin Licuasen, 34; Cpl. Chimber Importa, 33; and Pat. Leopoldo Tuason, 39.

They were arrested at around 10:45 p.m. inside the Paco Police Community Precinct (PCP) located at the corner of Pedro Gil and Angel Linao Sts. in Paco, Manila.

De Leon said the operation stemmed from the complaint of tricycle operator Frederick Alba, 34, of Sampaloc, Manila who said the driver of his tricycle was apprehended for a traffic violation on Aug. 14.

He said the suspects demanded PHP2,000 in exchange for the release of the tricycle which was impounded.

The suspects were arrested after receiving the PHP2,000 marked money from the complainant during the entrapment.

Recovered from the suspects were the marked money, three mobile phones, a blotter book, six pieces of magazines with ammunition, and a motorcycle with an orange sidecar. Their service firearms were also confiscated.

The suspects are now under the custody of the IMEG headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City for proper documentation before inquest proceedings.

Three Manila cops have been arrested for extortion.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/08/18/2203453/pnp-92-extortion-cases-filed-vs-rogue-cops

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. has ordered police commanders to exercise disciplinary authority over their personnel.

Azurin issued the directive after records from the PNP Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) showed that 92 cases have been filed before the courts against policemen accused of robbery and extortion in July.

“If you are not going to do your job, then the entire police station or sub-station will be relieved and they will be replaced with more responsible and accountable PNP personnel,” Azurin said in a statement.

A policeman who is wanted for kidnapping with rape was apprehended in Taguig on Tuesday.

Azurin identified the suspect as Pat. Jerome Arroyo, who is assigned with the MPD.

Arroyo was nabbed based on a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Anne Beatrice Balmaceda of the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 27.

Azurin reminded police officers that they could be held administratively liable based on the doctrine of command responsibility.

92 cops have been charged with extortion in July and one cop has been arrested for kidnapping. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/841852/coa-flags-doh-over-p185m-worth-of-covid-19-items-not-properly-distributed/story/

State auditors have flagged the Department of Health over the millions worth of COVID-19-related items that were not properly distributed to their intended recipients.

In a 2021 audit report released on August 15, the Commission on Audit (COA) said items amounting to at least P185,602,876 were either not received by the intended recipients, not received at all, or insufficient or excessive.

According to COA, P166.2 million worth of items were delivered to agencies other than the intended recipients, P18.5 million were not received by intended recipients, and P835,402 showed discrepancies between the quantities indicated and the actual quantities received.

The state auditors said this indicated “inefficiency in the distribution system of said government assets exposing them to risks of loss, misuse, or wastage.”

The items were purchased by the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) using the funds transferred by the DOH. The deliveries were made by the PS-DBM through third-party logistics.

COA said the items worth P166.2 million were supposed to be delivered to the Cagayan Valley Center for Health Development (CHD), the Southern Isabela Medical Center, and the Ninoy Aquino Stadium COVID site.

However, items totaling P54 million were received by the Office of the Civil Defense while P108.6 million were received by individuals whose offices or agencies could not be identified.

The agency also said that 150,000 masks amounting to P3.4 million were delivered to the Caraga CHD instead of the Northern Mindanao CHD.

Meanwhile, state auditors said six agencies indicated in the PTRs confirmed that they did not receive the COVID-19 items totaling P18.5 million.

These were the Northern Mindanao CHD, the Dr. Jose Rizal Memorial Hospital, Margosatubig Regional Hospital, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Department of Education, and the Maria Lourdes Maternity Hospital.

The Metro Manila CHD and the Caraga CHD, meanwhile, disclosed discrepancies between the quantities indicated in the distribution list and the actual quantities delivered that were either less or more.

Millions of pesos worth of COVID-19 related equipment which were purchased by the DOH were not properly distributed.

Coronavirus Lockdown: Public Health Emergency Extended, More Filipinos in Poverty, and More!

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

Recently US State Department Secretary Antony Blinken visited the Philippines and affirmed that the US gave $50 million dollars worth of assistance to fight the pandemic. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/840736/blinken-us-provided-50m-worth-of-assistance-for-philippines-covid-19-response/story/

The United States has extended at least $50 million worth of assistance to help the Philippines mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, visiting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday.

This was disclosed by Blinken during his attendance at a COVID-19 assistance event in Manila, where he also witnessed the vaccination of children ahead of the opening of classes later this month.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in support of the Philippines’ PinasLakas vaccination and booster campaign, initiated a pediatric vaccination activity with handover of COVID-19 aid and logistical equipment on Saturday at the Manila Zoo.

Aside from Blinken, present during the event were US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, Department of Health (DOH) Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire, and Manila City Mayor Dr. Honey Lacuna.

"We’ve been proud to have donated more than 33 million safe, effective vaccines to the Philippines, [with] no political strings attached," Blinken said in his speech.

Through the COVAX Facility, the US has donated more than 33 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to the Philippines which consisted of Pfizer, Moderna and J&J platforms, DOH said.

"We’ve provided more than $50 million to your COVID-19 response to help train healthcare workers, to boost the vaccine rollout, [and] to support the economic recovery," Blinken said.

"We’re also providing supplies for the continued fight against COVID-19, and we have some here with us here today—testing kits, laboratory equipment. All of that will go to the Philippines Genome Center, the Bulacan Medical Center, and our other partners who are here with us today," he added.

Vergeire thanked the US government "for helping the Philippines get back on its feet and build back better."

Department of Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire, who was also present at the event, thanked the US government "for helping the Philippines get back on its feet and build back better."

"The Filipino people will never forget the kindness you have shown during these trying times," she said.

Not China. Not Russian. The United States donated all the assistance. The DOH OIC says the Filipino people will never forget such kindness but I have my doubts. Many people probably don't even know this happened and others will certainly claim there are strings attached.

School is starting again and the OCTA says outbreaks are unavoidable. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1645466/covid-19-outbreaks-unavoidable-during-face-to-face-classes-octa

With the resumption of face-to-face classes starting soon, independent COVID-19 monitor Octa Research warned that possible COVID-19 outbreaks in schools can’t be avoided.

Octa fellow Dr. Guido David said that schools should have policies in place for COVID-19 and parents should manage their expectations when their children return to school for in-person classes.

(We cannot avoid outbreaks, not surge per se but there will be outbreaks in schools. Infections will be expected).

Despite this, David stated that infection among children is unlikely to become severe but it is still possible.

(Most kids who are infected have mild or asymptomatic cases, since their bodies are healthy. But there might still be severe cases).

David advised schools to take precautions during face-to-face classes, such as vaccinating teachers and ensuring proper ventilation in classrooms.

Finally they are admitting that being healthy mitigates the effects of the virus. This is what many have been saying all along. Without comorbidities such as obesity or diabetes the virus is more than 99% survivable. 

Churches were one of the many causalities of the pandemic. Mass was forbidden in come cases and when everything started reopening churches could only be partially filled. Everyone was live-streaming Mass which is of course impossible because Mass includes partaking of the body and blood. Now Churches are struggling to refill their pews. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/08/14/2202516/bringing-people-back-physical-mass-challenge

Bringing people back to physical masses is perceived by an official of the Catholic Church as a challenge when the COVID pandemic is over, as the faithful are now used to attending masses online due to movement restrictions in the early days of quarantine.

In an episode of The Chiefs on Thursday, St. John Paul II parish priest Aris Sison said that a lot of Catholic faithful are already attending physical masses now that some COVID restrictions were lifted, but many still favor online or live-streamed masses.

“Many have come back, but I will admit, it seems there are those that have gotten used to online mass,” Sison said in a mix of Filipino and English.

Asked about the positive impact of online masses, Sison said the Catholic faithful have learned to pray, as he emphasized that online or live-streamed masses served as one of the people’s sources of spiritual nourishment, especially during the early days of the pandemic.

“So many have said that during the difficult times of the pandemic, many were saying that online masses really became a source of strength for them. They could not go to church. They were so afraid to go out of their homes and the online mass was their only source of spiritual nourishment,” he said.

However, Quiapo Church parochial vicar Fr. Douglas Badong and Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Public Affairs Commission executive secretary Fr. Jerome Secillano said it would not be hard to bring people back to physical masses.

“It’s not a challenge. It is more challenging to invite people to attend masses either physically or online,” Badong said, as he emphasized that online masses are a big help for people, especially those who are living alone and those who are suffering from depression.

He added that hearing the word of the Lord, either physically or virtually, helps people nourish their spiritual needs.

Secillano echoed Badong, saying online masses have become another form of family bonding, more people were given access to liturgical masses and social media platforms have been used for “sacred purposes” as they have been the modern medium for holy masses and other religious activities.

The obvious thing to do would to stop hosting online masses. But that's not likely. 

The nation is not on lockdown anymore and most of the nation is at alert level 1 but there are still many restrictions on social distancing and wearing face masks everywhere. The DOH say the nation must boost its immunity in order to lift those restrictions. You know what that means. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/14/22/ph-must-boost-immunity-before-lifting-covid-restrictions-doh

The Department of Health (DOH) said the Philippines will gradually follow the United States' model of loosening COVID-19 restrictions.

DOH officer-in-charge Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the country is taking the same direction as the US, where the healthcare system will only "protect the most vulnerable."

"We are here to live with the virus because we know that the virus will stay. Ang importante sa ating lahat, and I think the US government also has that kind of objective, that we will protect the most vulnerable, we will protect our healthcare system from being overwhelmed, and will try to prevent as much as possible severe and critical cases and deaths," Vergeire said last Friday.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had earlier recommended the lifting of the following restrictions: physical distancing, quarantine, and testing for asymptomatic patients with no exposure.

It has also recommended limiting contact tracing to healthcare personnel and other high-risk settings.

The CDC said the United States is now in a better condition to protect the public from severe COVID-19 infection.

Although the loosening of restrictions does not mean that the pandemic is over, it aims to help the public to return to their normal lives without having to worry about the coronavirus.

“We’re in a stronger place today as a nation, with more tools—like vaccination, boosters, and treatments—to protect ourselves, and our communities, from severe illness from COVID-19,” CDC Field Epidemiology and Prevention Branch chief Greta Massetti said.

“We also have a better understanding of how to protect people from being exposed to the virus, like wearing high-quality masks, testing, and improved ventilation. This guidance acknowledges that the pandemic is not over, but also helps us move to a point where COVID-19 no longer severely disrupts our daily lives," she added.

For Vergeire, the Philippines needs to increase its immunity before lifting restrictions. But for now, she said the DOH is pushing for individual responsibility among Filipinos for everyone's protection.

The Philippines needs to increase its immunity before lifting restriction and the DOH is "pushing for individual responsibility" in this regard. That means they really are flirting with making the vaccine and booster shots mandatory.

LGUs are being accused of allowing the surge for not being vigilant enough in enforcing health protocols. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/08/13/2202318/lgus-told-be-more-vigilant-enforcing-health-protocols

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos has directed local government units (LGUs) to strengthen the enforcement of health protocols as projections from the Department of Health (DOH) showed that COVID-19 cases could hit over 10,600 cases daily by October.

“We are calling for LGUs to closely monitor COVID cases in their areas. We are still in a pandemic and we count on our local officials to lead this war, especially in the coming months when alarming numbers of COVID-19 cases are projected,” Abalos said yesterday in a statement.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government chief noted that the DOH projection is a clear warning for local chief executives that they should not relax their COVID-19 measures. He stressed that the DILG is trying to avoid a spike in the National Capital Region (NCR) as this could also spread to other parts of the country.

“Many of our countrymen are working in Metro Manila, it is the country’s economic center, so the defense here must be strong to prevent the increase in cases that could spread in other areas,” he added.

Because we all know not wearing face masks properly is what actually spreads the virus. 

Here is a tale of two pandemics. Tale 1:

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/460658/the-gift-of-the-pandemic-to-anne-curtis-as-mom-and-wife

Each parent has his or her own unique journey, according to new mom Anne Curtis.

“When it comes to parenting, what you do won’t always be right in the eyes of others, but it’s the right way for you. This is the best parenting tip I’ve received from my own mom. I think what she is trying to say is, you’re not the perfect parent, no one is, so don’t let what other people say affect you,” declared the mom of 2-year-old Dahlia Amelie.

The wife of vlogger and restaurateur Erwan Heussaff also claimed that she is a “super hands-on” mom and wife. “I think that’s the gift of having to go through the series of lockdowns because of the pandemic; it really gave me an opportunity to focus on being a mother and a wife,” she pointed out.

Isn't it great that this rich starlet was forcibly locked down with there family which gave her "an opportunity to focus on being a mother and a wife." Now here is tale 2:

https://www.philstar.com/business/2022/08/15/2202777/pandemic-pulls-more-filipinos-back-poverty-2021

More Filipinos ended poor in 2021 compared to three years ago after the pandemic wiped out gains in poverty reduction that took years to achieve.

A survey of 165,029 families nationwide showed there were 19.99 million Filipinos living below the poverty line last year, up from 17.67 million recorded in the comparable period in 2018, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported Monday. Poverty is measured every 3 years.

This translated to a poverty rate among the country’s population of 18.1% last year, higher than 16.6% rate posted in 2018.

The latest data indicates that the Duterte administration ended its six-year term missing its watered-down poverty reduction goal for its final year in 2022, when a poverty reading will not be conducted. Economic growth rebounded to 5.7% year-on-year in 2021 from a historic crash in 2020.

The previous administration originally hoped to cut the poverty rate by 13-14% this year for the Philippines to become an upper-middle income economy. There were notable gains in 2018 when the proportion of poor Filipinos was lowered from 22% in 2015, but those wins appeared to have been lost when the pandemic struck.This prompted the government at the time to temper that goal: to reduce the poverty rate to 15-17.5% this year.

Meanwhile the Marcos Jr. administration wants to cut poverty rate to 9% in its final year in 2028. To do this, the government is targeting to slash the current poverty rate by 5 percentage points by midterm of the nascent government.

"The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including income and employment losses, caused the poverty incidence to rise," Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan told a press conference.

"Restrictions on mobility and low earning capacity of poor households due to limited access to regular and productive jobs made the lives of Filipinos difficult," he added.

For the rich it was certainly the best of times. But for the poor it has been the worst of times and might even get worse. 

There are a lot more stories from the pandemic this week. Monkeypox has halted international flights at Cebu Airport. 20 million COVID vaccines have been wasted. Despite the wastage the DOH has set aside funds to procure vaccines against other variants of COVID.  The US CDC has issued a travel warning for the Philippines because of COVID-19 while the DOT says they have safety measures in place. The DOH says COVID cases are plateauing. ICU admissions are up but the Philippines remains low risk for COVID. There is more of course but I can't put it all here. 

The most important thing to know for this week is that Marcos has decided the state of emergency will remain until the end of 2022 at least.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/08/17/2203298/marcos-says-extend-state-public-health-emergency-until-year-end

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Wednesday he will be extending the state of public health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic until year-end.

Asked by a reporter whether he will lengthen the state of public health emergency, which is different from the state of national calamity also declared due to COVID-19, Marcos answered in the affirmative.

Saying that amending emergency procurement laws could take time, he told reporters at the sidelines of a vaccination event in Manila that “we will likely extend it (state of public health emergency) until the end of the year.”

The Department of Health had warned that lifting the state of calamity would affect the emergency use authorizations granted to vaccines and medicines for COVID-19 and also the benefits enjoyed by healthcare workers.

Do you see? This is a way for the government to hold on to power in the name of public health. Now they can procure vaccines easily without all that red tape because it's an emergency.