Retards in the Government 308

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

 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1762300/village-watchman-another-slain-in-separate-hacking-incidents-in-bicol

A village watchman and another person were killed in separate hacking incidents on Thursday in the Bicol region.

Lieutenant Colonel Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson, said in a report that while on a drinking spree, William Bumalay, 57, was hacked and stabbed around 5:30 p.m. by the suspect identified as Ronnie Peda, 40, in Barangay Basiad.

Bumalay died instantly due to multiple wounds.

The initial investigation showed that the police were considering personal grudge as a possible motive for the killing, Calubaquib said.

A village watchman has been slain in a hacking incident. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/5/1/sandigan-affirms-conviction-of-ex-cebu-town-treasurer

The Sandiganbayan has affirmed the conviction of the former treasurer of Ronda town in Cebu as it also denied his motion for the inhibition of the justices who rendered the decision.

Affirmed was the guilty verdict imposed on Esperato A. Del Socorro in a decision handed down last Feb. 7.

Del Socorro was sentenced to six to 10 years imprisonment for his graft conviction with perpetual disqualification from holding public office. For his malversation conviction, he was sentenced to six to 10 years imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine of P2,063,422.72. The anti-graft court also held him civilly liable for the amount of P2,063,422.72, which he should refund to the Bureau of Treasury.

In his motion for reconsideration, Del Socorro cited "reversible error" and prayed for his acquittal.  He also pleaded that “the Honorable Presiding Justices of the instant case" should "voluntarily inhibit themselves from acting upon the motion because of manifest bias and partiality."

But the Sandiganbayan’s sixth division ruled that it would be an "exercise in futility" should it grant the motion to inhibit with motion for reconsideration.

It stressed that there is no compelling reason or cause for them to voluntarily inhibit because of "unconscious bias."

"In fine, the prized ideal of 'the cold neutrality of an impartial judge' implicit in the due process guarantee had been met," the court said.

It also said that since Del Socorro's motion for reconsideration merely contained "warmed over arguments previously put forward and found to be unmeritorious, it would be an exercise in futility for the court to reiterate itself.”

The Sandiganbyan has upheld the conviction of a formrer town treasurer for graft. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/868647/manila-policeman-hits-traffic-enforcer-gets-arrested-by-navotas-cops/story/

A member of the Manila Police District was arrested by authorities in Navotas City after he allegedly hit a traffic enforcer who apprehended him.

According to Jun Veneracion's report on "24 Oras", the video of the Manila policeman being arrested by Navotas cops led by Navotas chief of police Police Col. Allan Umipig has already gone viral.

Police MSgt. Ramon Guina reportedly tried to flee after he was apprehended by Navotas traffic enforcer Mark Luzuriaga.

Guina was reportedly driving a tricycle without a franchise.

The chase ended with Guina reportedly punching Luzuriaga.

Guina was then arrested by Navotas policemen.

"'The leadership of the Manila Police District we do not tolerate our rank and file in the event that they make a mistake," said MPD spokesperson Police Major Philipp Ines.

A cop has been arrested for punching a traffic enforcer. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/05/03/2263348/2-police-generals-2-colonels-recommended-drug-raps

Four ranking police officials have been recommended to be removed from the Philippine National Police (PNP) due to alleged involvement in illegal drug activities.

A five-member advisory panel headed by former PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. recommended the acceptance of the courtesy resignations of the third-level officials, including two one-star generals and two colonels.

The four were among the 953 third-level officers evaluated by the panel after they submitted their courtesy resignations.

The panel cleared 917 of them, while it endorsed the suspension of President Marcos’ disposition on the 32 officers.

The STAR opted not to reveal the names of the officials as the National Police Commission (Napolcom) has yet to resolve the administrative cases filed against them.

Marcos, being the country’s Chief Executive, will have the final say on the matter.

The four had one thing in common: they were once assigned at the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG).

The panel endorsed the filing of administrative charges against the officials before the Napolcom for violation of the PNP’s rules and regulations against illegal drugs.

Drug charges have been recommended against four high ranking PNP officers who were sonce part of the PDEG.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/5/3/raps-files-vs-mayor-2-others-in-cebu-for-alleged-failure-to-stop-construction-of-illegal-structures

Charges have been filed against the mayor and two other officials of Badian town, Cebu province after they allegedly failed to stop the illegal construction of structures in one of the coastal barangays in the municipality.

 

Charged before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas on Tuesday, May 2, were Badian Mayor Carmencita Lumain, Engr. Vicente Jojie Nillas, head of the town’s Office of the Building Official, and Manolito Recopelacion, chief of the Municipal Environmental and Natural Resources Office.

The charges were filed by Gilbert Yap, president of the Redwood Heritage Landholdings Corp., who asked the anti-graft court to investigate the three officials for “grave misconduct; inefficiency and incompetence in the performance of officials duties; refusal to perform official duty; conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and Article 208 of the Revised Penal Code for prosecution of offenses; and negligence and tolerance.”

According to Yap’s legal counsel, Van Roe Asoque, the filing of charges stemmed from Lumain, Nillas, and Recopelacion’s alleged failure to enforce the order stopping the construction of illegal structures in Barangay Lambug.

 

In his complaint-affidavit, Yap said he bought a property in Lambug from one Cresencia Felomino and the sale was finalized after the Deed of Absolute Sale was executed and annotated in October 2021.

 

After the completion of the sale, Yap said he was surprised when the fence in the property that he bought was destroyed by some individuals.

 

Yap identified those behind the destruction of some property and illegally occupied the area as Rafael Chan, Cita Chan, Marcia Martelino, Ven Martelino, Nieva Martelino, Julian Sy, Maria Carmela Sy, and Lucio Rebajo, among others.

 

Security guards from the Eross Security Force Agency were deployed in the area to prohibit anyone from entering the property, Yap said.

 

Yap said he has filed charges for grave coercion and malicious mischief against these individuals.

He  said several structures were then built in the property which violated Republic Act 7586 (National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992) and Presidential Decree 1067 (Water Code of the Philippines).

 

In his letter to the mayor, Yap said the construction of structures violated the 40-easement rule.

 

Yap said Lumain issued a cease-and-desist order on Aug. 19, 2022 ordering Ven Martelino and Benjamin Martelino to stop the construction of structures in the area.

 

It was also found out during the investigation of the Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Office that the construction of the structures had no necessary permits, Yap said

 

However, despite the cease-and-desist order issued by Lumain, construction in the property continued, Yap said.

 

Yap said he repeatedly asked Lumain and Nillas to enforce the order but to no avail. This prompted Yap to sue Lumain, Nillas, and Recopelacion before the Ombudsman.

 

Yap said he believed that the three officials committed grave misconduct when they did not allegedly enforce the order to stop the construction.

Charges have been filed against the mayor and two other officials of Badian town, Cebu province after they allegedly failed to stop the illegal construction of structures in one of the coastal barangays in the municipality.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1200696

Four erring cops were dismissed from service as part of the internal cleansing within the Police Regional Office in the Caraga Region (PRO-13).

In a statement Wednesday, PRO-13 director Brig. Gen. Pablo Labra II said the four were part of the 15 police personnel who were penalized.

 

“We won’t allow a few bad apples among our ranks to spoil the image of our entire organization eclipsing the good deeds being done daily by the majority of police personnel,” Labra said.

 

Cops involved in crimes and illegal activities, he added, will be sanctioned accordingly following their constitutional right to due process.

 

Based on the PRO-13 Discipline, Law, and Order Section (DLOS) records, at least 38 police personnel are facing administrative cases, 34 of which were filed since Labra assumed his post as PRO-13 chief last year.

Fifteen of the 38 were penalized as of May 3, of which four were ordered dismissed from service, five were suspended, two were forfeited of their salary, and four were reprimanded.

Those dismissed from service were proven guilty of grave neglect of duty and grave misconduct, Labra said. 

Four cops have been dismissed from PRO-13 for undisclosed reasons. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/5/4/jealous-cop-fatally-shoots-woman-in-tacloban

A 44-year-old police officer gunned down a 30-year-old teacher due to alleged jealousy on Wednesday afternoon, May 3, in Barangay 43, Quarry District here.

Police identified the victim as Jessica Durana, 30, a resident of Barangay  42, this city.

Durana’s mother told police that she and her daughter were walking toward  the pathway in Barangay 43 when the suspect, Police Senior Master Sgt. Van Gregory Benitez, 44, assigned to the Tacloban City Police Office, suddenly appeared from behind and stood in front of them.

Benitez pointed a short firearm and fired several shots at the victim while uttering the word "Sorry, Jessica."

The suspect casually walked away to the exit of the pathway in Barangay 44 and disappeared.

Responding policemen found the victim lying on the pavement in the middle of the pathway with multiple bullet wounds in the body.

The victim's body was taken to the  Tacloban City Hospital after crime scene processing and was officially declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Police have launched a thorough investigation and hot pursuit operation against the suspect.

A cop enraged by jealousy has shot dead a teacher. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1764703/bacolod-exec-sacked-over-alleged-irregularities-in-govt-fuel-use

A city government official was dismissed from service for allegedly availing himself of gasoline from the city for an unserviceable bulldozer nine times in October 2022.

Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez found Ramel Palalon, head of the city’s Department of Public Services (DPS), liable for nine counts of grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty upon the recommendation of the City Legal Officer (CLO).

DPS driver Darwin Cardones was also found guilty of the same offenses, and was ordered suspended for six months.

CLO Romeo Carlos Ting Jr. on Tuesday, May 2, said Cardones was found to have signed the trip tickets of the bulldozer that he did not use.

“The driver was made to sign the trip tickets by his boss,” Ting said.

Cardones, he said, filed a motion for reconsideration for a lesser penalty so his suspension had not been enforced yet.

Palalon claimed that the gasoline was used for a bulldozer of IPM-Construction and Development Corp., the garbage hauler of Bacolod City, for road clearing operations, the investigation by the CLO showed.

However, an inquiry by the CLO showed that IPM did not use the city government gasoline for its bulldozer.

Palalon’ dismissal from service, which was implemented on April 27, may be appealed before the Civil Service Commission.

Ting said Palalon could no longer be allowed to work in the city government.

A Bacolod City government official has been let go for stealing gasoline. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1200747

A male immigration officer will face an administrative case for supposedly facilitating the departure of a couple who are reportedly victims of trafficking in Myanmar, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Thursday.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco, in a statement, said the officer has been removed from his post for his involvement in the case of the couple who worked as love scammers and arrived home on April 25 after escaping their employers.

Tansingco warned immigration personnel not to be involved in illegal cross-border activities.

"If you are innocent, I will defend you. But if I find out that you are involved, you will know the consequence of your action. I don't care who your backer is," he said.

According to the victims, they experienced physical abuse, threats, and starvation as consequences for not reaching their quota.

Both claimed that they were recruited via social media by a certain Maxesa and left the country in October 2022 purportedly for a four-day vacation in Singapore.

The two noted that from Singapore, they flew to Bangkok and were transported by armed men to Mae Sot City to eventually take a boat ride to Myanmar. After their successful escape, they sought assistance from the Philippine Embassy in Thailand.

A BI officer is being investigated for human trafficking. 

Coronavirus Lockdown: Post-Pandemic Recovery on Track, No Need for COVID-19 Alert System, and More!

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

In this series of article about the pandemic I have noted the return of many town festivals. VP Sara Duterte says this means post-pandemic recovery is on track

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1760978/sara-duterte-is-confident-phs-post-pandemic-recovery-on-track-amid-town-festivals

Vice President Sara Duterte is confident in the Philippines’ post-pandemic recovery and cites the nationwide fiestas as evidence.

Duterte participated in the Pasalamat Festival in La Carlota City and the 64th Founding Anniversary and 23rd Pagbana-ag Festival of Hinoba-an town in Negros Occidental on April 24. She praised the Pasalamat Festival for showcasing La Carlota City’s resilience and unity.

La Carlota City is an important center for tourism, Duterte said, adding that its vast sugarcane farms have made significant progress in supporting sustainable agriculture and crop diversification.

She also stressed the importance of creating jobs and businesses to uplift people’s lives.

“I enjoin our local government leaders, private sector partners and civil society groups to work with us in creating decent jobs and sustainable livelihood opportunities that bring meaningful change in the lives of Filipinos,” she said.

She called on the public to ensure their children are studying, saying that education is the greatest equalizer.

But perhaps all is not as it seems because cases are rising. In Caraga 59 active cases have been recorded among the vaccinated. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1200018

At least 70 unvaccinated individuals comprise the 129 remaining active coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in the Caraga Region, the Department of Health in the area (DOH-13) reported Monday.

“Of the remaining active cases in the region, 53 are considered asymptomatic, 70 are with moderate symptoms, and six are with severe symptoms,” DOH-13 said.

The report indicated that 58 of the active cases are individuals who are fully vaccinated, while one is fully vaccinated with a dose of booster shot.

One of the 59 vaccinated even had a booster shot! That is the real news here. More confirmation that the vaccine and boosters do not prevent infection. 

Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion says it's time to get rid of the COVID-19 alert system because Filipinos have learned to live with the virus. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/04/27/2261906/concepcion-no-need-covid-19-alert-level-system

There is no more need for an alert level system in the country as Filipinos have learned to live with COVID, according to Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion.

“The question we should be asking is why are we still implementing this alert level system when we are no longer under a state of public health emergency?” Concepcion said in a statement yesterday.

At the height of the pandemic, the Go Negosyo founder led private sector efforts in purchasing vaccines and actively pushed for the gradual reopening of the economy.

“We don’t have alert level systems when there are a lot of dengue cases. We warn the public and increase awareness so that they will be more careful,” Concepcion said.

He said the country could not afford to implement lockdowns or see a loss of consumer confidence.

“We need more mobility and spending if we want to see our GDP (gross domestic product) move higher. We have to remember that it is the economy that is at a higher risk now,” he said.

Concepcion said there is little evidence that the currently circulating variant is a cause for concern.

“This is still the COVID variant that is mild, even the doctors are saying that,” he said, adding most experts do not see the health care system under threat.

Hospital capacity was among the considerations in the imposition of mobility restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus.

“At this point, Filipinos know what to do. They are aware of the risks but are willing to take them because they are capable of managing them. Filipinos, especially the elderly and the vulnerable, know when situations are risky and they mask up,” Concepcion said.

But how does getting rid of the alert system help those in power stay entrenched in power? 

Makati City is on the way to full recovery says Mayor Abby.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/27/makati-reaches-72-percent-of-revenue-target-reports-increase-in-collections-mayor-abby

Makati City Mayor Abby Binay announced on Thursday, April 27, that the local government is on its way to full recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic as it hit 72 percent of its revenue target owing to an increase in tax and other revenue source collections during the first quarter of the year.

“By all indications, Makati is well on its way to full recovery from the pandemic. Once again, we are seeing double-digit growth in our total revenue collection as brisk business in the city attracts more new investors while driving current businesses to expand,” Binay said.

As of the end of March, the Office of the City Treasurer (OCT) has collected a total of P12,925,503,905.76, which is 72 percent of the full-year revenue target of P17.84 billion. This is an 18 percent increase compared to collections in January to March in 2022.

Based on the report of City Treasurer Jesusa Cuneta, the city garnered a total of P7.07 billion (71 percent) out of the P9.90 billion target in business tax collections. This is a 33 percent increase compared to the P5.27 billion collected in March 2022.

“We are heartened by the remarkable results of reforms and innovations we have done to make our systems and processes more efficient, transparent, and sustainable. We thank the business community, property owners, and all Makatizens for supporting our initiatives and putting their trust in the city leadership,” Binay said.

So the collection of taxes proves everything is back on track? There is much more to recovery than money.  How about the state of mental health amongst residents? How about the state of education? 

The public in Negros Oriental is being urged to wear face masks once more as COVID-19 cases rise. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1200270

The Provincial Health Office in Negros Oriental is asking the public to continue wearing face masks and observe minimum protocols as coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases rose significantly this week, an official said Thursday.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Liland Estacion said that as of April 26, Negros Oriental logged 49 active cases.

“Last week and in the previous weeks, active infections were reported in single digits, sometimes as low as three or five cases, but now the number has gone up,” Estacion said.

One new death, a 73-year-old female from Bais City, was also reported. The fatality, who had comorbidities, died last week. She did not receive any booster shots, Estacion said.

The health official also appealed to the public to abide by the minimum health protocols, especially now that the province is under Alert Level 2, except for six towns and cities.

This is due to a low 58 percent vaccination rate among the province’s total target population of 1,148,424.

Those under Alert Level 1 are this provincial capital city and the towns of Amlan, Bacong, Dauin, Valencia and Zamboanguita, for having acquired a high vaccination rate.

Meanwhile Iloilo and Bacolod City have reintroduced mandatory face masks inside PUVs. Iloilo has also imposed mandatory face masks in establishments. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/868362/mandatory-face-mask-use-back-in-iloilo-bacolod-cities/story/

Iloilo and Bacolod cities have once again implemented the mandatory wearing of face mask in several areas amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Unang Balita reported on Friday.

In Iloilo City, face mask use is mandatory inside establishments and public utility vehicles (PUVs), while in Bacolod City it is implemented only inside PUVs.

The mandatory face mask use was ordered by the two cities' respective local governments.

The national government, meanwhile, is not keen on coming up with the same order, but the Department of Health (DOH) is urging the public to assess for themselves when and where they should put their face mask on.

The mandatory use of face mask, however, is still strictly enforced in all trains of the Light Rail Transit (LRT), Metro Rail Transit (MRT), and Philippine National Railways (PNR), according to the Department of Transportation.

President Marcos has said the government is considering reimposing useless face mask mandates nationwide because of rising COVID-19 cases. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1763195/marcos-says-govt-might-require-use-of-face-mask-again-amid-rising-covid-19-cases

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sunday (US time) said the government might bring back the mandatory use of face masks in the Philippines amid the recent rise in COVID-19 cases.

Marcos said his administration is studying the current trends of COVID-19, particularly looking at the rate of increase of the occurrence and its baseline, among other factors.

“We’ll look at it. Tingnan natin kung may guidance ang IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force), may guidance and DOH (Department of Health). I hope we don’t have to, but we might. But I hope not,” he said in an interview with reporters en route to Washington.

(We’ll see if the IAFT and the DOH will have guidance.)

“Ako ang tinitingnan ko is although ‘yung rate of increase lumalaki, ang baseline natin na sinimulan eh maliit lang so hopefully we’re still going to be able to do it,” Marcos added.

(What I’m looking at is although the rate of increase is rising, the baseline of it is only small so hopefully we’re still going to be able to do it.)

The President said the government is also putting into consideration how the summer heat affects the health of the public, making them more vulnerable to COVID-19.

This, he said, may prompt the government to conduct a vaccination drive among the public to boost their immunity against the severe respiratory illness.

“Looks like we will have to conduct again, especially for the young people, a vaccination push para mabawasan na ‘yan, especially with people na nahihirapan na nga eh dahil sa init, humihina ang katawan and that will make them more vulnerable to COVID-19 again,” Marcos said.

(People’s health may decline due to the heat and that will make them more vulnerable to COVID-19 again.)

The government also says they are going to began pushing vaccination drives anew. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/501820/as-govt-eyes-reviving-face-mask-rule-covid-vax-drive-needs-more-push

The business community here continues to urge the public to take their booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccine as the country saw an increase in the number of new infections, believed to be largely due to a new variant.

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) made this statement after President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. bared his administration’s plans to reinstate the face mask rule to prevent further spread of COVID-19.

Should the national government proceed with their plans, the CCCI will support it, said its President Charles Kenneth Co.

“The business community will be supportive of a masked mandate to limit the spread of the new variant,” Co told CDN Digital in a text message.

The CCCI official also said they find the mandatory face mask rule a reasonable measure in curbing the spread of COVID-19.

“So far, it doesn’t pose a critical threat to mandate a reduction in operating capacity for public establishment,” added Co.

However, the rise of COVID-19 cases in the country should also prompt the public to take their booster shots, Co said.

“The delayed rollout of the bivalent booster shot is another cause for concern,” he explained.

“We hope we can learn from the past and exhaust all means to have the booster shots as soon as possible especially to our health care professionals and vulnerable population,” he added.

If they really hoped to learn from the past then they would not be supporting face mask mandates which have been proven to be harmful. 

However, the DOH says there is no need to reimpose mask mandates. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1763841/fwd-doh-mandatory-face-masks-still-not-needed

The Department of Health (DOH) said on Tuesday that reinstating the face mask mandate was unnecessary, and people should adapt to the virus without fluctuating policies.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday floated the idea that the government might bring back the mandatory face masks following the recent rise in COVID-19 cases,  depending on the recommendations of the DOH and Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire, in a press briefing, said the health department and other members of the IATF have already submitted their recommendation not to bring back COVID-19 restrictions, including mandatory face masks.

(We already have recommended to the Office of the President, based on the agreements coming from the IATF discussions, that there is no need to return the mandate, we need to shift the mindset of our countrymen.)

(Cases will increase and decrease in our country because the virus is here, it will not disappear, and the virus will mutate and produce variants every now and then.)

Vergeire explained that what the public needs is for each individual to know how to protect themselves and their family — by choosing to wear a mask when going to high-risk places, especially if they are unvaccinated, immunocompromised, senior citizens, or pregnant.

 (Our policies do not need to be back and forth, we all need to help each other to overcome this situation.)

Likely, this is not the last word on the matter. 

You Might Be A Propagadnist If....

There are so many lies and liars today. I want to provide a very easy guide to ferret out the noise. If you are chatting with someone and they cannot answer the following questions without giving a simple answer they might just be a propagandist.

1. Did Bongbong Marcos graduate from Oxford?

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-27/oxford-gets-pulled-into-philippine-row-over-marcos-jr-s-degree

2. Is Bongbong Marcos a convicted criminal who has still not paid his back taxes?

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/12/3/Bongbong-Marcos-no-record-compliance-payment-court-tax-case.html

3. Did Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos steal millions if not billions from the Philippines?

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/9/29/sandiganbayan-marcos-ill-gotten-wealth.html

The answers are, no, yes, yes.  If you or anyone you know cannot answer those questions without offering explanations then you or they might be a propagandist!

Insurgency: Two Years

The military under the Marcos administration has given an official timeline until the defeating of the NPA. It will happen in two years. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/04/26/2261720/government-sees-end-cpp-npa-2-years

The government now considers the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), as a dying threat that will finally end in the next two years under the Marcos administration.

With the confirmed death of top communist leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon in August and Jose Maria Sison in December as well as the recent arrest of Eric Casilao in Malaysia, the National Security Council (NSC) believes that total victory against the insurgency is at hand.

With the CPP-NPA allegedly now at its weakest, the government is rejecting any idea of reviving the peace talks and is instead pushing for an amnesty law that will give remaining communist fighters and supporters more reasons to lay down their arms and live peaceful lives.

“It is in a dying stage now based on the latest data we have, which showed that of the 89 guerrilla fronts of the CPP-NPA, 67 have been dismantled since 2018. In 2018, four; 2019, 13; 2020, 10; 2021, 21 and 2022, 19,” NSC assistant director general Jonathan Malaya said in an interview with One News’ The Chiefs aired over Cigal TV/TV5 on Monday night.

Malaya said there are currently 22 guerrilla fronts nationwide left, including 18 that have been severely weakened by the intensified operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the combined efforts of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

“We only have four active guerrilla fronts in the country. Essentially we are in a good place. The military considers that we are at a strategic victory level and hopefully in the next two years, we will have total victory against the CPP-NPA,” Malaya said.

Noting similar claims in previous years that the country’s insurgency problem is soon coming to an end, Malaya said the difference now is the whole-of-government approach or whole-of-nation approach started by the Duterte administration, which President Marcos adopted and continued to implement.

He said during the administration of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the approach was that the CPP-NPA or the communist terrorist group problem is a military or police matter.

“Through the NTF-ELCAC, there is this understanding that it has to be a whole-of-nation approach. It cannot be solved merely by a military solution. You need the support of other government agencies to develop rebel-controlled barangays. Because the problem is, when the military comes in, they clear the barangay and move on to the next without pursuing development in these areas. And because of that, the NPA just keeps coming back,” he said.

“The other problem is, we were not doing anything about recruitment because they continue to recruit in urban areas. And now that we are doing something about it, they are facing less and less, they are recruiting less and less people to the mountains,” he added.

Malaya said the CPP-NPA problem should be handled through a multi-faceted approach, wherein focused military operations have so far resulted in the dismantling of 67 of 89 guerrilla fronts with 3,340 NPA-controlled barangays now cleared and with only 409 remaining under the influence of the rebels.

“This is the first time that we reached that stage – 409 remaining barangays and the estimated armed strength of the NPA is now down to around 2,000 members in 22 guerrilla fronts all over the country… and also the widespread loss of support coming from many parts of the country. Seventy-nine percent of the LGUs have denounced the CPP-NPA,” he said, referring to local government units.

What does this defeat entail? The end of front groups? The end of infiltrators in the government? Don't forget the NICA said there are 300,000 to 400,000 NPA sympathizers who have infiltrated the government. What about them? Will they finally be gone? 

The government is pushing for an amnesty law and the AFP backs this proposal.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1762023/afp-chief-backs-amnesty-for-former-npa-rebels

Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Andres Centino backs giving amnesty to former members of the New People’s Army, saying other approaches in eradicating the longest-standing communist insurgency in the world should also be explored.

“I have advocated that other approaches of the government in dealing with insurgency should be considered, such as giving amnesty,” Centino said in a statement as he noted that some NPA members are apprehensive about surrendering due to their pending cases in court.

Centino also encouraged Filipinos to accept former rebels he deemed to be “friends rescued.”

“By achieving the goal of really creating an environment of enduring peace, I think that will be the victory of the Filipino people, then we will have progress and development that we, for so long, deserve,” Centino said. “With peace, there is progress.”

Centino made the statement as the Task Force Balik Loob (TFBL) recently reported their accomplishments.

The task force has said that since 2016, a total of 37,413 “former rebels” and “former violent extremists” have returned to the folds of the law.

Of the surrenderees, 10,637 have been presented with immediate livelihood, reintegration benefits, and firearms remuneration through the TFBL’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

However, the task force was not without controversy, as leftist organizations accused the government of using fake surrenderees in a bid to prop up the program.

Established on March 29, 1969, the NPA has around 2,112 forces with 1,800 weapons in its arsenal, according to military estimates.

Hold the phone!! Since 20156 37,413 rebels have returned to the fold of the law?  Another article says over 10,000 rebels have received livelihood, that is NTF-ELCAC benefits, since 2016. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1760637/over-10000-ex-rebels-have-received-livelihood-aid-since-2016

Over 10,000 former rebels have received livelihood assistance from the government since 2016 when the amnesty program began, the Department of National Defense said in a statement on Monday.

This was reported during the first quarter meeting of the Task Force Balik-Loob headed by Defense Undersecretary Angelito de Leon.

Of the 37,413 “former rebels” and “former violent extremists,” 10,637 have been presented with immediate, livelihood, reintegration benefits, as well as firearms remuneration through the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or (E-clip).

The immediate assistance granted to the former rebels amounted to P147.33 million. And the total amount of livelihood assistance provided by the task force’s partner agencies reached P322.85 million.

This article does not break it down but in 2016 there were about 3,926 rebels left. But I won't go through that again. The thing is the AFP combines supporters and actual NPA fighters into the same group. That drastically inflates the numbers. It is simply not believable that 37,413 rebels have surrendered since 2016. 

The CPP has rejected the AFP's call for amnesty.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1762369/cpp-scoffs-at-afp-chiefs-amnesty-push

The Communist Party of the Philippines Friday firmly rejected the Armed Forces of the Philippines chief’s call for amnesty.

The Marxist–Leninist–Maoist revolutionary organization firmly believes its armed wing’s members will stay true to its cause and unwavering loyalty to the movement.

“The call for amnesty for members of the New People’s Army (NPA) is a sugar-coated bullet,” CPP spokesperson Marco Valbuena said in a statement.

On Thursday, AFP chief Gen. Andres Centino said he supports other approaches to eradicating the longest-standing communist insurgency in the world, such as providing amnesty to the NPA.

But Valbuena said the communist armed movement would reject Centino’s call.

“Centino’s amnesty proposal will be rejected by revolutionaries who are whole-heartedly committed to serving the oppressed and exploited masses,” he said.

“In the face of the Marcos regime’s heightened fascist repression and subservience to foreign economic and geopolitical interests, they are even more determined to arouse, organize and mobilize the people in their numbers to fight for the country’s sovereignty and people’s well-being,” he added.

At least they are committed to their ideology. This flies in the face of assertions that many who joined did not do so because of ideology. 

The AFP claims the insurgency in Eastern Samar is on the verge of collapse. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1200334

The New People’s Army (NPA) in Eastern Visayas region is now on the verge of collapse with the deaths of key leaders and the surrender of combatants and staunch supporters.

Maj. Gen. Camilo Ligayo, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, said Friday the NPA in the region could not find potential leaders who would direct and make critical decisions for the group.

“We are not sure who leads them since they are disorganized after the death of the Tiamzon couple and Helenita Pardales last year,” Ligayo said in an interview.

On April 21, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) confirmed the deaths of its leaders, couple Benito and Wilma Tiamzon during a boat explosion in Catbalogan City, Samar province on Aug. 22, 2022.

The Tiamzon couple made critical decisions for the armed struggle. Benito was believed to be the chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic (CPP-NDF) and its armed wing, the NPA.

On the other hand, Pardales, secretary of the NPA’s Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC) died during a fierce gun battle on Nov. 23, 2022, at the rebel’s regional headquarters in the mountains of Imelda village in Las Navas town, Northern Samar.

“Their strength is now diminishing and the trend is irreversible following the deaths and surrender of their key leaders and members,” Ligayo added.

Based on estimates, there are still 200 armed NPA members in the entire region, majority of them are in Northern Samar, said the official.

Only two NPA guerilla fronts in Samar Island remain in existence after the dismantling of one front and the weakening of another during the first quarter of the year.

They may be weakening but they remain active. 

The anti-communist task force has reiterated that the CPP-NPA-NDFP are all terrorists.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/23/anti-communist-task-force-reiterates-cpp-npa-ndfp-a-terrorist-organization

The government’s anti-communist task force has reiterated that the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the New People’s Army (NPA), and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) are terrorist organizations.

Gonzales reiterated this after a newspaper (not the Manila Bulletin) labeled slain high-ranking NPA leader Rogelio Posadas as an NDFP consultant.

Posadas was killed in an encounter with soldiers under the 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) of the Philippine Army on April 20 in Negros Occidental.

Gonzales slammed the report for describing Posadas as a “revolutionary.”

“It cannot alter the fact that Rogelio Posadas is a CPP-NPA-NDFP leader responsible for several atrocities against the people of Negros Island,” said Gonzales.

“It is about time that mainstream media must learn to stick to the facts rather than to water down the facts by playing with words for the purpose of painting a totally different picture of the reality,” added Gonzales.

The news report being condemned appears to be from Philstar. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/04/22/2260863/ndfp-consultant-rogelio-posadas-killed-military-after-alleged-encounter

Another top communist leader was gunned down by the military after an alleged gunfight in Negros Occidental, according to the 303rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Army claimed that they had killed Posadas, also known as "Putin", after a series of encounters in the boundaries of Isabela and Balbagan on April 20.

The 303 IB claimed that Posadas is the "top leader" of the New People's Army's Komiteng Rehiyon- Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor (KR-NCBS), who was responsible for "assassinations, extortions, kidnappings, arsons and other forms of violence against innocent civilians and government personalities."

The military said the revolutionary was identified through the help of informants and former rebels who earlier surrendered to the 94IB. His remains are reported to be at Soledad Funeral Homes, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental.

"The death of the Communist NPA terrorists top regional leader Rogelio Posadas is a result of the local resident’s vigilance and their full trusts to the government," said 303rd Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin in a statement.

"The encounter also manifests the continuing loss of support of the NPA terrorists in the communities. This is another victory for all the countless victims of the KR-NCBS in Negros island in particular and in the region in general."

However, as you can see, the article includes the AFP's statement about Posada being a terrorist. Labelling Posada a revolutionary and an NDFP consultant is not inaccurate since he was both of those things. The media did stick to the facts contrary to the anti-terrorism council's statement. 

Iloilo Fire Prevention Efforts Won't Prevent Fires

There have been several fires in Iloilo and the authorities have decided to step in to prevent any more from happening. Let's take a look at their methods.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199647

About 84 of the 180 barangays in Iloilo City are susceptible to fire and 14,226 households in those areas are still using illegal connections, an official of an electric power distribution company here said on Tuesday.

Iloilo City targets zero fire incidents with the implementation of the Integrated Approach to Fire Prevention program initiated by the local government, distribution utility More Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and concerned stakeholders.

To prevent fires due to illegal connections, a team consisting of representatives of the city engineer’s office and office of the building official of the city government, safety officers and community relations officers of MORE Power, and personnel of the BFP visit target barangays for the inspection. 

“More Power has deployed safety officers to do the electrical safety orientation and community relations officers to talk about applying for legal connection, while the BFP discusses how to eliminate and prevent fire in day-to-day living. Our technical team join the city engineers’ office and the office of the building official for the actual inspection,” MORE Power vice president for customer care and project head Maricel Pe-Calunod said in an interview. 

She said a team has been visiting target barangays daily since the launch of the program in Barangay Alalasan in Lapuz district last week.

A lecture and inspection covering secondary lines, service drops, metering facilities, and flying and loop connections are done in a day.

With the inspection, they hope to ensure that all service lines are jumper-free, old Elevated Metering Centers and over-extended low-lying wires are rehabilitated, fire safety through community involvement is institutionalized, and households with no connections be regularized through the MORE Konek program. 

“The reason why our community relations officers are joining the team is to encourage new applications otherwise, their use of jumper will lead to fire due to overload,” she added.

Early this month, Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna, in a privilege speech at the Sangguniang Panlungsod, attributed many fire incidents in the city to electrical problems, such as illegal connections, tapping, unauthorized load side connections, and substandard wirings that lead to overloading. 

He said 186 of the 300 houses in Barangays West Habog-Habog and San Juan that were burned down during what could be the biggest fire in the city have no legal connections.

Ha, ha, ha!! Wow. These people think doing a visual inspection and having a talk with these residents will stop fires?  NO! They are poor and cannot afford legal hook-ups. Too bad for them but the best thing to do is to TEAR THE ILLEGAL CONNECTIONS DOWN.  Full Stop. The only way to prevent these fires is to totally eradicate their source.  Why won't the city do that? Muh feelings?

I mean look how stupid they are being.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/18/integrated-approach-to-curb-fires-in-iloilo-city-launched

“The fire incidents in Iloilo City are mostly preventable and due to illegal electric connections,” added Treñas.

In January, 300 houses were gutted in a fire in Barangays West Habog-Habog and San Juan in Molo District and 186 had no electric meters.

Iloilo City Couuncilor Sedfrey Cabaluna had earlier revealed that more than 14,000 households do not have legal electrical connections.

With the program, the city government and the BFP are encouraging residents to avail of legal connections through the MORE Konek program.

They admit the fires are preventable and their solution is to encourage residents to avail of legal connections??  JUST TAKE THEM ALL DOWN!! That is the answer. Even if it is harmful it will prevent fires.