Insurgency: Abduction of 2 Women Activists

The insurgency continues with the usual clashes, surrenders, and deaths but this week there is only one story worth talking about and that is the story of the two missing environmental activists. On September 2nd two girls who are environmental activists disappeared without a trace. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1826799/disappearance-of-2-anti-reclamation-activists-sends-alarm-bells-ringing

Days following the observation of the International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances, the list of desaparecidos under the Philippines’ current administration is feared to grow after two environmental activists went missing and believed to have been abducted in the province of Bataan.

On September 2, just days after the international day of the disappeared, two environment activists — Jonila Castro, 21, and Jhed Tamano, 22 — were reported missing and were later said to have been abducted by armed men in Barangay Lati, Orion town, in Bataan.

AKAP KA Manila Bay and human rights group Karapatan reported that the two were on their way to conduct relief operations and community consultation meetings with members of coastal communities when they were abducted by four unidentified armed men.

“Bataan netizens went in uproar as Facebook posts of several concerned citizens, at around 8:00 pm, September 2, claims to witness the violent abductions of then unidentified two young women by armed men, riding away in a gray SUV, just in front of the office of Orion Water District at Brgy. Lati, Orion, Bataan,” said Karapatan Central Luzon in a statement.

“Yesterday, September 3, we confirmed that the said abduction without doubt can definitely be the enforced disappearance of two young women environmental human rights defenders Jhed Tamano, 22, and Jonila Castro, 21,” the group added.

Prior to it, the two volunteers had reportedly already been subject to various forms of harassment, including surveillance.

A pair of slippers and a sandal, positively identified as Castro and Tamano’s, were discovered in the area where they were believed to have been forcibly taken.

As of September 4, the whereabouts of the two missing volunteers remained unknown.

AKAP Ka Manila Bay is a network of fisherfolk, church people, youth, and other sectors dedicated to defending the environment, homes, and livelihoods of coastal communities affected by the Manila Bay reclamation projects.

The AFP and PNP were shortly accused of abducting them.

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/9/7/orion-bataan-activists-abduction.html

Progressive groups said they believe authorities are involved in the abduction of female environmental activists Jhed Tamano and Jhonila Castro, who were reportedly forcibly taken in the evening of Sept. 2 in Orion, Bataan.

In a press conference at the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday, members of different groups led by Anakbayan and Karapatan recalled the abduction of the two activists.

[Translation: Those who took them were armed...so we believe that those behind their abduction are the NTF-ELCAC, the police and the military.]

Anakbayan said Tamano and Castro previously reported about armed individuals following them wherever they went.

[Translation: Before Jhonila and Jed disappeared, they had been reporting about unknown armed people spying on them, following them wherever they went.]

The only evidence against the PNP and AFP is the fact that armed men were reported to have been following the girls, witnesses saw them forcibly taken, and a slipper belonging to one of the girls was found at the scene of their disappearance. The PNP and AFP denied the allegations.

It was not until 13 days later on the 15th of September that these two ladies resurfaced. The AFP claimed that the two had surrendered to them and were kept safe in hiding.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/882353/afp-2-missing-activists-not-abducted-but-hiding-from-fellows-in-the-movement/story/

The two reported missing environment activists were not abducted by state security forces but were hiding from their associates in the communist movement, a top official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Saturday.

“There was no abduction. They asked for help from their acquaintances. First, to hide them from their fellows who want them back,” AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said during the News Forum in Quezon City.

"They want to leave the movement because things were getting difficult and there was also a group that disliked them. They want peace, they want security,” Aguilar said.

“I heard that they contacted somebody to keep them safe… from their former colleagues who want to force them to return to the movement,” he said.

On Friday, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) said activists Jhed Tamano, 22, and Jonila Castro, 21, yielded to authorities in Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan on September 12.

National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said Tamano and Castro were in good health.

According to the NTF-ELCAC, the two activists were linked to the New People’s Army (NPA) rebel group.

Bataan Provincial Police Office public information office chief Police Captain Carlito Buco Jr. said the two decided to surrender to authorities on September 6.

They asked for help from an acquaintance who picked them up and brought them to Guagua, Pampanga. Their acquaintance communicated with another person who contacted the authorities.

The inconsistencies in this story were quickly pointed out. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/09/16/2296764/groups-cite-inconsistencies-alleged-surrender-2-activists

"The government’s version of events begs so many questions, foremost of which is, why would Jonila and Jhed bother to ask [a woman named] 'Ate’s help and surrender in such a roundabout way, when a soldier by the name of Justin Gutierrez had already been frequenting Jonila’s family home in Plaridel, Bulacan since 2022 to 'convince' the activist to 'clear her name' and had even left his number with Jonila’s mother just in case Jonila decides to surrender," said the groups.

"The two activists could have also approached Jhed’s stepfather, who, as a former soldier, presumably has connections to the military."

A photo grab from a CCTV footage showing Jonila and Jhed walking on a road near the time of their reported abduction also did not show the aforementioned "Ate," nor did it show them normally entering a vehicle as claimed by the NTF-ELCAC and Philippine National Police (NTF-ELCAC)

Only brief video clips of the two were also presented yesterday and with no actual copies of their affidavits provided to the media for scrutiny.

"That they were not personally presented during the press conference reveals a lot of things. The most obvious of which is that the NTF-ELCAC and the PNP are not prepared to present them for questioning by the media, where they could be asked questions regarding the circumstances of their abduction," the groups continued.

"Further, the voluntariness of the execution of the alleged affidavits is of doubtful validity, considering that the same was signed while the two were under the custody of a military unit, and were not represented by a lawyer of their own choice."

"At no time during the press conference did the NTF-ELCAC and PNP say that Jonila and Jhed are facing charges. With no legal reason for State authorities to detain them, they should be released to their families immediately."

These two ladies allegedly signed a sworn affidavit to confirm the story of the AFP in the presence of lawyers from the PAO and CHR. They were then allowed to attend a press conference to once more affirm the story of the AFP. But once on camera before the nation they recanted their story and claimed that they had been abducted and that the affidavits were coerced.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/19/23/surrendered-activists-say-they-were-abducted

Two environmental activists whom authorities said last week had surrendered to the military told a government-organized press conference on Tuesday that they had been abducted and coerced into signing affidavits.

Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano were flanked by government officials in a press conference called by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and were expected to shed light on reports that they had been abducted.

(The truth is the military forced us into a van. We were forced to say we surrendered because our lives were being threatened. That is the truth.)

Tamano, a coordinator of the Ecumenical Bishops Forum, said that she and Castro were walking on the road on September 2 when they were grabbed. Activist and environmental groups earlier said the two were taken in Orion, Bataan while conducting research on Manila Bay reclamation.

(An SUV stopped in front of us and grabbed us. They forced us to go with them. That, too, is the truth. We even thought they were a [kidnapping] syndicate but they knew our names.)

Castro, at the same press conference, disavowed the affidavits.

(It is also not true that we wanted to be in military custody. The contents of the affidavits are not true because those were done and signed while we were in the military camp. We had no choice at that point.)

Their version of events seems to align with that of the eyewitnesses which is that the girls were forcibly abducted by armed men in an SUV. But this turn of events took the NTF-ELCAC, AFP, and PNP completely by surprise. Unable to come up with a reason for this 180 the NTF-ELCAC and AFP have posited that this was an elaborate hoax to discredit the government. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/09/21/2297835/afp-sees-sinister-npa-move-activists-retraction

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is seeing a sinister move supposedly by the New People’s Army (NPA) to embarrass the government by using two environmentalists who, after supposedly surrendering, suddenly accused the military of being behind their alleged abduction.

Such a script supposedly being played by communist rebels has also sparked fears that Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano, the environmentalists who went missing in Bataan earlier this month, may be treading a dangerous path.

“The act is brazen with a plot that is new, quite deep (with the interplay of red and white area forces) and dangerous (to them if they fail). The brazen act is part of a sinister plot to embarrass and discredit the government and its good intentions,” AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar said yesterday over dzMM Radyo630.

He issued the statement after learning how the parents of Tamano revealed in an interview that they too could not believe that their daughter changed her tune during the press briefing of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) in Plaridel, Bulacan on Sept. 19.

The environmentalists were supposed to be presented as surrenderees who sought the military’s help. Instead they claimed they were abducted and interrogated by the military.

In the interview, Tamano’s stepfather Enrique Manalastas claimed that they believe their daughter’s original statement and that it is Castro, allegedly a self-confessed member of the NPA, who is pulling the strings or running the story.

He said he and his wife want their daughter home but also agree with the decision of the Commission on Human rights to take custody for the safety of all.

Asked what he thinks really happened, he said he was also surprised by proceedings at the NTF-ELCAC press conference because he and his wife were there when Tamano and Castro surrendered or were rescued by the military.

“Maybe this Jonila has been planning to embarrass the government for a very long time. We all know that she has been part of the armed groups and we do not know their propaganda. This also weighs heavy on us and we hope that our daughter will finally leave this group because it will not give her a good future,” he added.

Interestingly the step-father of Jhed Tamano said he believes her friend is a self-confessed NPA member and is pulling the strings to orchestrate this ultimate pwning of the government. 

Just remember that for the past few years the AFP has repeatedly said the NPA is irrelevant and unable to launch any attacks. Now we are to believe that these two ladies are part of an elaborate hoax to discredit the government and the armed forces. Does that make sense? 

The DOJ has said they will look into the matter to find the truth.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he would look into the supposed abduction of the activists, but at the same time took a swipe at the leftist movement.

“We will find out who is telling the truth, pero ang tingin ko naman, the government has nothing to gain by violating the law, I think that is very clear to all of us,” Remulla said in a press briefing in Plaridel, Bulacan.

Remulla said the two activists, who are students of the University of the Philippines, could have been subjected to “peer pressure” by leftist and political groups. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/19/23/surrendered-activists-say-they-were-abducted

It appears the DOJ Secretary has already decided the case. It is rather amazing he says "the government has nothing to gain by violating the law." Does he live in the Philippines? The government routinely violates the law. But as for this case we shall see. As it is this is the story so far. 

Picture of the Week: Pure Shitzus For Sale

 I came across this lovely picture at the veterinarians office. 

Just look at those cute Shitzus for sale. Wait. What? Shitzu?  SHITzu????

It's actually spelled Shih Tzu. 

This is not a one off.

 Is this Taglish?

It's ridiculish!

More Low-Key Blatant Corruption in the Philippines

The bulk of the attention given to the 2024 budget hearings have been on the Office of the Vice President. Representative Sandro Marcos moved to end the hearing and deliberations which set off a firestorm of protest. It was seen as an outrageous move to protect Sara Duterte from having to explain her use of Confidential funds. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/08/30/2292535/ovp-budget-escapes-scrutiny-after-house-panel-swiftly-ends-deliberations

However there is even more egregious instances of protection going on in the House budget hearings. 

Deputy Speaker Frasco has asked his colleagues to go easy during the Department of Tourism budget hearings because the DOT secretary is his wife!

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/20/how-much-do-you-love-your-wife-deputy-speaker-frasco-asks-house-colleagues-to-go-easy-on-dot-1

"Just for the record, Mr. Speaker, distinguished sponsor, yung ating deputy speaker po ay kanina pang lumalapit dito sa amin. Bilang pagmamahal daw niya sa secretary ng DOT, kung pwedeng igsian namin ang aming tanong at wag pahirapan ang Department of Tourism," Hataman said. 

(Our deputy speaker have been approaching us. As a sign of his love for the secretary of DOT, he's asking if we could shorten our questions and not give the Department of Tourism a hard time.) 

Hataman was referring to Deputy Speaker and Cebu 5th district Rep. Vincent Franco "Duke" Frasco, whose lovely wife is none other than the DOT chief.

"Nag-agree po ang minorya na pagbibigyan ang ating deputy speaker (The minority agreed to grant the deputy speaker's request)," the Mindanao lawmaker said. 

That is outrageous. With such a conflict of interest he should have recused himself from the deliberations but instead he sought to influence them. Even more outrageous is this bold faced interference was not condemned by his colleagues!

But oh well that's how it is in the Philippines. There is corruption everywhere. 

Retards in the Government 328

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

 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209887

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has granted the request of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to suspend several local officials during the election period.

In a memorandum dated September 13, Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia approved the recommendation of the agency’s Law Department to allow the suspension of Clarin, Bohol Mayor Eugeniano Ibarra; San Simon, Pampanga Mayor Abundio Punsalan Jr.; Tabuk, Kalinga Mayor Darwin Estrañero; and Goa, Camarines Sur Mayor Racquel Lim.

Lim was subjected to a one-year suspension without pay due to grave abuse of authority/oppression, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, while Punsalan and seven other Sangguniang Bayan members were given six months suspension for simple neglect of duty and simple misconduct.

Estrañero was also suspended for six months for simple misconduct, while Ibarra was suspended for a month without pay due to simple dishonesty.

In allowing for their suspension during the election period, the Comelec noted that the cases against the elective officials “do not involve violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, hence prior authority from the Commission is required.”

Section 261 (x) of the Omnibus Election Code prohibits the suspension of any elective provincial, city, municipal or barangay officer without prior approval of the Comelec, “unless said suspension will be for purposes of applying the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act."

Several politicians have been suspended under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1832470/maguindanao-del-sur-village-councilman-slain-in-gun-attack

A village councilman here was killed in an ambush by still unidentified gunmen on Saturday afternoon, police said.

Lt. Colonel Armando Liwan, Datu Piang police chief, identified the victim as Leonardo de Jesus Jr., 59, incumbent barangay kagawad of Poblacion, and not a candidate in the Oct. 30 polls.

The victim was seated in the front seat of his silver Toyota Innova being driven by his son when ambushed by unidentified gunmen on a motorbike along a road in Barangay Kanguan at past 4 p.m.

He died while undergoing medication in a local hospital.

Police investigators believe the attack may be unrelated to the upcoming village elections.

A village councilman has been assassinated. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/09/18/2297197/barangay-councilor-hopeful-companion-killed-maguindanao-sur-ambush

Gunmen killed a barangay councilor hopeful and his companion in an ambush in South Upi, Maguindanao del Sur on Sunday afternoon.

The fatal ambush of Zeraphi Omar, a barangay councilor hopeful in Biarong, South Upi, and companion, Parato Mudzol, 32, happened a day after motorcycle-riding men shot dead Leonardo Asud De Jesus, Jr., a third-termer barangay councilor in Datu Piang town in the same province.

Col. Roel Rullan Sermese, director of the Maguindanao del Sur provincial police, on Monday said that Omar and Mudzol were together in a motorcycle when they were attacked by gunmen positioned along the road in a secluded area in Barangay Lamud in South Upi, killing them both on the spot.

The slain Omar is son of the incumbent barangay chairman of Biarong, Datu Esmal Omar

Another barangay councilor candidate has been assassinated.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/18/5-persons-convicted-for-misuse-of-p9-6-m-pdaf-of-late-congressman-herminio-teves

The Sandiganbayan has convicted five persons involved in the misuse of the P9.6 million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of the late Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Herminio G. Teves in 2007.

Found guilty of graft and malversation of public funds were former Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC) officer-in-charge of the Legislative Liaison Office Belina A. Concepcion, deputy director general Dennis L. Cunanan, chief accountant Marivic V. Jover, Teves' chief of staff Hiram Diday R. Pulido, and private individual Samuel S. Bombeo.

For graft, they were sentenced to a prison term ranging from six to 10 years with perpetual disqualification to hold public office.  For malversation, they were meted out jail terms ranging from 12 to 18 years and ordered to indemnify the government of P9.6 million with six per cent yearly interest until fully paid.

The cases against Teves had been dismissed on account of his death. Former TLRC department manager Francisco B. Figura was acquitted.  The cases against former TLRC director general Antonio Y. Ortiz remained archived pending his arrest or surrender.

In filing the criminal charges, the prosecution told the Sandiganbayan that on Feb. 27, 2007, Teves and his co-accused took advantage of their positions and gave Molugan   Incorporated (MFI) president Bombeo unwarranted benefits in the use of the P9.6 million PDAF.

Five people have been convicted of graft over the misuse of a PDAF money. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/18/23/former-nia-exec-found-guilty-of-harassment-oppression-of-employees

The Office of the Ombudsman found former National Irrigation Administration acting administrator Benny Antiporda guilty of harassment and oppression of employees.

In the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman approved by Deputy Ombudsman Jose Balmeo, Jr. on August 30, 2023, Antiporda was ordered suspended without pay for one year or pay an equivalent fine.

Antiporda was replaced last year by Acting Administrator Eduardo Guillen.

"In case he is, by this time, separated from the service, he shall pay a fine, in lieu of suspension, in the amount equivalent to his salary for one year as acting administrator of NIA," the Office of the Ombudsman said.

According to the Commission on Audit's Reports on Salaries and Allowances 2022, Antiporda's gross compensation as administrator and as vice chair of the NIA's board of directors was P2,445,876.12.

The Ombudsman acted on the complaints filed by the officers and members of the NIA Employees Association of the Philippines including lawyer Lloyd Alain Cudal and Michelle Gonzalez Raymundo.

They accused Antiporda of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, grave misconduct, harassment, oppression and ignorance of the law.

Among the complaints lodged against Antiporda were unjust termination and reassignment of officials.

Antiporda dismissed the allegations which he said were part of a smear campaign against him.

"Respondent Antiporda’s acts failed to live up to the high standards required of a government employee," the Ombudsman said.

In the decision however, the Ombudsman dismissed the charges of grave misconduct and ignorance of the law against Antiporda.

The Ombudsman added that the conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service was already covered in the harassment and oppression offenses.

A former NIA executive has been suspended for harassing employees.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/19/taguig-police-chief-relieves-officers-involved-in-warrantless-search

Taguig City police chief Col. Robert Baesa relieved police officers involved in a warrantless search and seizure operation in a city resident's house. 

Baesa announced his decision after complainants Michael Catanghal and Christina Alcober went to the “Wanted sa Radyo” program of Senator Raffy Tulfo to air their grievance about what happened last Aug. 30. 

"When I learned about the incident, I immediately called the attention of Sub-Station 8 Commander to explain the issue and directed the relief of police personnel involved in the incident,” said Baesa. 

In her narration, Alcober tearfully said there were six men involved. 

“They were looking for a person called ‘brother.’ It was pinpointed that the person was living in our house,” said Alcober. 

She said the men entered the house without a search warrant and asked for the name of her husband. She showed them her husband’s ID and the men took a picture of it. 

When she tried to take back the ID, she was told to ask her husband if he knew a certain Alvin, who she claimed they did not know. 

After getting her ID, one of the men followed her and told her to ask her husband to come down from the house. 

“He was trying to pull my husband out of the door. They were trying to take him,” she said. 

As a scuffle ensued, the men told her husband of being a “tulak” (drug pusher).” 

They shouted to seek help and the men suddenly disappeared except for one, who was joined by a barangay kagawad. 

During the program, Tulfo identified the two police officers involved in the incident as Sgt. Vincent Macabasag and Cpl. Marvin Blastique, who both belong to the Taguig police Substation 8. 

In a statement, the Taguig police vowed “to implement measures to ensure no bias treatment implemented.”

“The Investigation pertaining this matter is being handled by NCRPO thru Regional Investigation Detection and Management Division (RIDMD) that immediately took an action regarding the incident which transpired last August 30, 2023 and was aired in ‘Wanted sa Radyo Program,’ a live segment by Hon. Senator Raffy Tulfo,” they added. 

The Taguig police said, “As members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), one of our primary mandates is to ensure public safety. As police personnel and agents of law, we have high regard with people’s rights against unreasonable search and seizure. This is a constitutionally guaranteed right which we ought to respect and uphold.”

"We, the Taguig City Police Station under my leadership, assure the public that we will help, assist, and cooperate, in every way feasible and lawful, for the resolution of issues we have at hand,” they said. 

Two cops have been relieved following a warrantless search.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1833912/ex-cop-wanted-for-killing-a-military-officer-nabbed-in-rizal-after-28-years

A dismissed police officer wanted for killing a military officer was arrested after 28 years in Rizal on Tuesday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Fugitive Joel Consuelo Villanueva was a former police sergeant who had been on the list of the most wanted persons in the country. Authorities even offered a reward of P275,000 for any information that could lead to his arrest.

Based on the PNP report, Villanueva was collared by members of the PNP Intelligence Group in Cainta on the strength of a warrant of arrest issued by Branch 56 of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Lucena City for homicide.

In the 1990s, Villanueva was assigned to the 237th Philippine Constabulary Company in Candelaria, Quezon. He was convicted of homicide after killing an Armed Forces of the Philippines officer in 1991 and was dismissed from service in 1995.

According to the PNP, the suspect escaped the Lucena City jail in the same year and was recaptured in 1996. However, he escaped again while undergoing a medical examination and was on the loose until being captured on Tuesday.

A former cop wanted for murder has been arrested after 28 years. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/20/two-cavite-cops-accused-of-collecting-p1-5-m-monthly-payola-from-transpo-groups-arrested

Two police sergeants assigned in Cavite, who allegedly collect P1.5 million every month from transport operators in Bacoor, landed in jail following an entrapment operation conducted by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Tuesday, Sept. 19.

The two cops were identified as Police Senior Master Sgt. Joselito Bugay, assigned as intelligence officer of the Bacoor City Police Station; and Police Staff Sgt. Gregor Bautista, also assigned to the Bacoor City Police Station.

CIDG director Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat, Jr. said the operation also resulted in the arrest of the cops’ alleged cohort identified as John Louie De Leon, adding that follow-up operation is now being conducted against the other suspect identified as Edralin Gawaran.

“These policemen gained notoriety for allegedly extorting money from transport groups in Bacoor City. These individuals stand accused of collecting monthly payments or payola from tricycle operators, driver’s associations, and other transport groups,” said Caramat, citing Facebook posts from some concerned netizens.

“It is estimated that they amass around P1.5 million per month, with an average of P170,000 per transport group,” he added.

Caramat disclosed that the modus of the two policemen is to threaten the transport groups of arrests and shut down of operations especially in terminals in order to compel them to pay the monthly payola.

Two cops have been arrested for extortion. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1834138/fwd-retired-cop-transporting-15-guns-to-camp-crame-arrested

A retired police official caught transporting 15 handguns and shotguns to Camp Crame, Quezon City, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

CIDG director Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat opted not to disclose the identity of the former police officer but said personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters Gate 2 discovered 11 handguns and four shotguns in the suspect’s vehicle at the entrance inspection.

(Although the firearms are all legal and named after a security agency, he does not have a gun ban exemption from the Comelec gun ban.)

Caramat said CIDG has already started investigating what other violations the retired police official committed.

A cop has been arrested on illegal gun charges.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/20/lgu-employee-shot-dead-1

An employee of the local government unit of San Isidro, this province, was shot dead in front of the Southern Isabela Specialist Hospital in Barangay Ipil, this town, on Tuesday afternoon, September 19.

Police said Kendrick Pera, 29, a resident of Barangay Camarag, San Isidro, was standing at the entrance of the hospital when two unidentified men wearing black T-shirt and carrying a sling bag arrived on board a black motorcycle.

The suspects fired at the victim who was taken to the emergency room of the hospital where he died to multiple bullet wounds.

The gunmen fled to an unknown direction and are now the subject of a manhunt.

An LGU employee has been shot dead. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/19/ots-personnel-caught-swallowing-dollar-bills-after-alleged-theft-at-naia-departure-checkpoint

A female screening officer of the Office Transportation Security (OTS) assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 was caught on closed-circuit television (CCTV) trying to put some folded bills amounting to $300 into her mouth in an apparent attempt to hide what she had allegedly filched from the wallet of a departing Chinese passenger.

The CCTV footage was part of an official report released by airport authorities regarding the alleged theft that happened at one of the departure area’s final checkpoints. The x-ray operator at the checkpoint, as well as their supervisor, could also be in hot water.

The official report also included a chronology of events that was partly based on the CCTV video footages, starting at 8:18 p.m. on Sept. 8 when the departing passenger – a certain Mr. Cai – could be seen placing his shoulder bag on a tray for inspection.

Cai could be seen passing through the Advanced Imaging Technology Machine (AITM), while a female security screening officer (SSO) brought the tray containing the passenger’s bag to a table for a manual search.

When the SSO finished inspecting Cai’s bag, the report said she “suspiciously turned away while apparently holding something in her left hand with her fist tightly-closed”.

“She then swiftly placed something on her left torso/waist area, and went back to the inspection table,” the report added.

It was at this point that Cai sensed that someone had tampered with his bag – the wallet inside was open and several bills were missing.

This prompted Cai to confront the female SSO, her supervisor, a passenger service agent, a Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel, and a member of the Airport Police Department about the missing bills from his wallet which amounted to $300.

According to the report, an ocular inspection was then conducted at the departure final checkpoint.

“A follow-up was made at around 3 a.m. for a thorough review of another CCTV footage where the events were captured at the DFSCP beginning at 8:39 p.m.” the report added.

Based on the CCTV footage, the x-ray operator was seen handing over a bottle of water to the female SSO, who was described to be “edgy and restless”.

After accepting the bottle of water, the SSO turned her back on the group, and was “clearly seen deliberately swallowing the dollar bills, folded into one small piece”. She even ignored a passing female passenger who was asking her something.

But little did the SSO know that she was actually facing another CCTV when she turned her back on the group.

The report added: “She was seen to be having a hard time swallowing the bills despite drinking the bottled water earlier given to her.”

The report likewise noted that the SSO’s supervisor then approached her, and “was seemingly communicating with her as the latter was obviously almost choking in her effort to swallow the dollar bills while using her hanky to cover her mouth." 

The supervisor, according to the report, was “apparently ensuring that the bills are dispatched to preclude any evidence”. 

The report said its findings showed that “the CCTV footage clearly shows that the (suspect) SSO, with intent to gain, took the USD300 of Mr. Cai during her inspection process and was clearly in the possession of the stolen money as she deliberately swallowed the paper bills to avoid getting caught.”  

“In addition, supervisor...and x-ray operator... who gave the water bottle appeared to be in connivance relative to the execution and subsequent evasion on the consequence of herein illegal act of SSO,” it added.

However, according to the report, Cai could no longer be contacted if he planned to pursue any criminal complaint against the suspects.

Airport authorities proceeded to the Boarding Gate 16 at Terminal 1 and coordinated with an airline representative to inquire with the complainant regarding the filing of a criminal case against the subject SSO but Mr. Cai expressed unwillingness, the report added.

"Evidently, Cai did not return to Manila earlier after the incident but never made any contact with authorities regarding his complaint," the report said.

An airport screen was caught on camera stealing and trying to eat a passengers money. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/528401/teacher-caught-with-p2040-worth-of-shabu-in-barili-arrested

A 39-YEAR-OLD teacher of a public elementary school in Barangay Mantalongon, Barili town in southwestern Cebu will probably spend sometime in jail after he was caught with P2,040 worth of suspected shabu on Sunday, September 17, 2023, during a buy-bust operation in the barangay.

Police Major Janus Giangan, Barili Police Station chief, identified the teacher as Glenn Pacaldo of Sitio Kalubihan, Barili town.

Giangan in his initial police report described Pacaldo as a high value individual in their list of drug personalities in the town.

He said that the buy-bust operation against Pacaldo was conducted at past 1 p.m. on Sunday, September 17, in Sitio Kalubihan, where the suspect lived.

The suspect was arrested after the buy-bust was completed. Pacaldo was allegedly caught with 0.3 grams of suspected shabu.

Major Giangan said that the illegal drugs allegedly taken from the possession of Pacaldo had a market value of P2,040.

Pacaldo was detained at the Barili Police Station detention cell pending the filing of charges.

A teacher has been busted for drugs.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1834309/school-principal-survives-attack-after-being-shot-7-times-in-nueva-ecija

A school principal in Barangay Sto. Tomas North, Jaen, Nueva Ecija was shot multiple times on Tuesday but survived the attack.

Jaen Municipal Police Station identified the victim as Reden Daquiz, the principal of Sto. Tomas North Elementary School.

According to municipal police chief Master Sergeant Junard Yoyo, Daquiz was about to enter the vicinity of the school when two gunmen on board a motorcycle fired shots at his car at around 7:20 a.m.

“Nangyari po yan nang ano, 7:20 [a.m.], ganyan. Umaga. Pasukan po,” Yoyo told INQUIRER.net over the phone.

(The incident happened at 7:20 in the morning when classes were about to start.)

Police said seven cartridge cases of fired bullets were recovered at the scene.

Based on the initial police reports, Daquiz was hit in the side of his body and arms.

Yoyo said that the lead and possible motive behind the shooting remained to be established.

He also mentioned that teachers of the school reported earlier that their classes were still suspended.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education condemned the shooting.

“The Department is coordinating with the concerned field offices and the police to apprehend the perpetrators of this brutal crime,” it said on its Facebook page.

Daquiz is now recovering at the Nueva Ecija Medical Center.

A school principal has survived an assassination attempt. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/09/18/2297210/vacationing-soldier-killed-2-hurt-tacurong-city-gun-attack

Two men on a motorcycle shot dead a vacationing Army private and wounded two others in an attack that occurred at around Sunday midnight in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat province.

In a report to Brig. Gen. Jimili Lopez Macaraeg, director of the Police Regional Office-12, the Tacurong City Police Station identified the fatality as Pvt. Reymar Seredica Pelaez.

Pelaez, whose family resides in Barangay Buenaflor in Tacurong City, belonged to the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion based in Malabang, Lanao del Sur.

The soldier, who was on a military rest and recreation pass, and his cousin, Royce Seridica Garde, were talking to each other at the entrance to their residential yard when two men on a motorcycle arrived, pulled out pistols from their waists and opened fire, killing Pelaez instantly.

The attack left Garde and a bystander named Jay-Ar Bandar Dineal badly wounded, now both confined in a hospital.

Investigators from the Tacurong City police are still trying to identify the culprits for prosecution.

A solider on vacation has been assassinated. 

Coronavirus Lockdown: Pandemic TV, Pandemic Treaty, and More!

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

The economic recovery from the pandemic continues. President Marcos says the pandemic showed that the Philippines cannot rely on imports. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/882071/marcos-pandemic-showed-philippines-can-t-rely-on-importation/story/

The COVID-19 pandemic showed the Philippines could ill afford to continue its dependence on importation to have a sufficient supply of food at affordable prices, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has said.

Asked at the 10th Asia Summit in Singapore about the Philippine economy post pandemic, Marcos said the country had "come back fairly well... we have been able to return people to work and we just posted a 96% employment rate."

Marcos, however, pointed out that the Philippines had been hounded by problems on supply chains and agricultural production.

"But this is a lesson that we immediately learn. I said, we cannot now continue to depend on importation which is what has happened for the Philippines. In the past years, it became the easy way out," Marcos said.

"Just import more, import more rice, import more corn, import more everything. And the pandemic showed us that this was not a wise choice to have made," he added.

Marcos said the Philippines  continued to develop its agricultural sector "and the aspiration once again is that we are able to provide sufficient supply of food at prices that people can afford."

"We are not there yet but we have made many important steps to start that," Marcos said.

"We are trying to put the value chain, especially of agriculture, we are trying to put that value chain together, all the way from R&D, all the way to retail, to the market," he added.

That is actually a lesson the entire world learned. Too many nations are relying on China and with the shutdown the whole system almost collapsed. This is one reason inflation is up globally. 

The Army 4th Infantry Division says they have now resumed outdoor PT after three years!

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/13/4th-id-resumes-outdoor-physical-activities-after-3-years

The Army 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division has resumed outdoor physical activities after a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 4th ID restarted physical exercises, Taebo, and athletic day early this week, with the primary goal of boosting the morale and overall well-being of troops.

Major Gen. Jose Maria R. Cuerpo II, commanding general of the 4th ID, led the kickoff activity on Monday, September 4, and held on Tuesday, September 5, Taebo exercise during athletic day in Camp Evangelista, Barangay Patag, Cagayan de Oro City. 

Aside from the 4th ID, the 401st (Agusan del Sur), 403rd (Bukidnon), 901st (Surigao del Norte), and 402nd Brigade have also resumed physical activities.

These activities are part of the 4th ID's thrust and commitment to promote the physical and mental health of its personnel, including its Civilian Human Resource (CHR), to ensure their effectiveness in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities, 4th ID Public Affairs Office (PAO) chief Major Francisco P. Garello Jr. said. 

He added that the resumption of the activities provides soldiers and CHR a chance to stay physically fit, observe traditional military ceremonies and foster resilience, and reinvigorate their dedication to the service. 

Cuerpo stated that the return of these activities underscores the collective commitment of the 4th ID to sustain and continuously build the force to effectively serve the people by enhancing physical and mental well-being of troops.

What were they doing all this time? Did they do only indoor PT? Severely reduced PT? How did they stay in shape for the past three years? Even when there were roadblocks I never stopped my morning run. 

The Catholic Church is very adamant that parishioners need to get their butts back in the pews. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209957

The Diocese of Bacolod would implement changes in the live streaming of Masses in churches following the lifting of coronavirus restrictions by the government.

In a Sept. 14 decree signed by Bishop Patricio Buzon and released Friday, the diocese said the online broadcasting of Eucharistic Celebrations will be stopped effective Sept. 24.

“In recent months, health protocols have been relaxed, and the use of face masks has become optional. Churches are now open, and we are no longer physically prohibited from attending the Mass,” he said in the order.

“In light of these positive developments, we are informing all parishes, chaplaincies, and private oratories that the live streaming and broadcasting of Masses will be discontinued. This includes the live streaming and broadcasting of fiesta masses,” the Catholic prelate added.

However, the Bacolod diocese noted that there will still be live streaming and broadcasting of a Mass for the sick and homebound.

“For the sake of the sick and the homebound, the only Mass to be streamed and broadcast is the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass at the San Sebastian Cathedral. Parishes and chaplaincies that broadcast their Sunday Masses in other radio stations may continue to do so but are responsible for informing the faithful that such apostolate is only for the sick and the homebound,” Buzon added.

The order said the act of spiritual communion, being a devotional prayer, will no longer be read aloud when communion is received by the faithful in attendance.

Instead, it will be projected on screen for those who are following online.

At the same time, he reminded all the faithful of the importance of actively and physically attending the Sunday Mass.

"Taking part in Mass via the communications media, those who hear or view these broadcasts should be aware that, under normal circumstances, they do not fulfill the obligation of attending Mass. Visual images can represent reality, but they do not actually reproduce it,” he said.

Bad habits are hard to break but with the ending of all live streams except one perhaps the pews will be filled once more. 

The death rate for COVID-19 remains at a steady low 1.6%.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/15/doh-logs-153-new-covid-19-cases-fatality-rate-steady-at-1-6

The Department of Health (DOH) reported 153 new Covid-19 cases on Sept. 14, bringing the total number of Covid-19 cases in the country to 4,066,196.

Meanwhile, there were no new Covid-19-related fatalities recorded on this day, maintaining the fatality rate at a steady 1.6 percent as per DOH.

Based on the data, the country currently has 2,683 active Covid-19 cases.

The DOH Covid-19 Tracker reveals 195 new recoveries, accounting for a 98.3 percent recovery rate, while a total of 4,042,743 individuals have overcome the virus.

Regarding the availability of intensive care unit (ICU) beds designated for Covid-19 patients, the DOH has reported that out of the 2,027 ICU beds available, 214 beds, equivalent to 10.56 percent, are currently occupied.

Similarly, non-ICU Covid-19 beds have been frequently utilized, with 2,753, or 14.41 percent, of the 19,110 available beds in use.

In response to these statistics, the DOH has issued a strong reminder to the public, highlighting the importance of maintaining vigilance in the ongoing battle against the Covid-19 threat.

The DOH underscores the importance of restricted health standards. This involves wearing well-fitting facemasks on a regular basis and spending time in well-ventilated areas to limit the chance of transmission.

Has it ever been higher?

Pandemic television has been cancelled. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/09/15/2296446/pandemic-tv-show-bows-out

The pandemic-era public service program “Laging Handa” of state-run People’s Television (PTV) will air its final episode today and will be replaced by a show titled “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.”

“Laging Handa,” an hour-long program that serves as a platform for government officials to discuss their policies and to answer questions about pressing issues, will go off the air as part of PTV’s reprogramming.

A new program with a similar format titled “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon” will premiere on Monday and will be shown in the noon to 1 p.m. timeslot.

A news article posted on PTV’s website described “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon” as a “multi-agency public forum” that would tackle issues and address questions on frontline services from the public and the media. It will be hosted by former ABS-CBN reporter and now Radyo Pilipinas anchor Niña Corpuz.

“Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon” highlights the Bagong Pilipinas (new Philippines) brand of governance launched by the Marcos administration last July and calls for a “deep and fundamental transformation in all sectors of society and government and fosters the government’s commitment towards the attainment of comprehensive policy reforms and full economic recovery.”

“Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon” is one of the new shows to be launched by PTV, which is embarking on a programming makeover as part of its goal to become the Philippines’ second leading station.

“Laging Handa” started in January 2020 as a Malacañang press briefing that provided updates on the eruption of Taal Volcano and other disasters.

It became a standalone show hosted by then presidential communications secretary Martin Andanar and broadcaster Rocky Ignacio two months later after the country was placed on lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is quite fitting that the show will be replaced with Marcos administration propaganda. 

The Philippines is now a co-facilitator in the Pandemic Treaty negotiations in Switzerland. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/09/13/2295866/philippines-assumes-co-facilitator-role-pandemic-treaty-negotiations

The Philippines has assumed a key role as one of the co-facilitators in the ongoing negotiations on the Pandemic Treaty, according to the Philippine Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

During the drafting group meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) recently held at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, the Philippines, together with Colombia and Saudi Arabia, led member-state discussions on co-development and transfer of technology and know-how, one of the more challenging issues that will operationalize the proposed instrument.

The Philippines was appointed as a co-facilitator by fellow member-states during the 6th Meeting of the INB in July.

Co-facilitators are entrusted to help find convergence in the most crucial topics covered by the Pandemic Treaty.

“There is broad agreement among member-states that there is a need for a specific article on tech transfer in the Pandemic Treaty that would help expand access to countermeasures through diversification and decentralization of production,” Philippine Mission in Geneva First Secretary Jeff Valdez said during the meeting.

“Where there appears to be divergence is the extent to which such transfer of technology should be voluntary or mandatory, so this is what we hope to address in the next sessions,” Valdez added.

Other member-states appointed as co-facilitators for various topics are Australia, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, Pakistan, Tanzania and the United Kingdom.

The Philippines, Colombia and Saudi Arabia will conduct additional sessions this month as requested by member-states.

“The Philippines is fully committed to the Pandemic Treaty negotiations, and we welcome the trust and support from fellow WHO member-states,” Ambassador Carlos Sorreta, permanent representative of the Philippines to the UN in Geneva, said.

Why have such a treaty if no more pandemics were waiting in the wing?