Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Residential Fires March, 2024

This is a reported list of residential fires in the Philippines for March, 2024. The Bureau of Fire Protection is on record saying the fire codes does not apply to residential areas which is why so many of them go up in flames during a fire. Being made of light materials all it takes is one spark to cause massive devastation. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/559843/2-injured-after-fire-hits-house-in-brgy-labogon-mandaue-city

Two were injured in an early morning fire that broke out in a residential area in Sitio Chicos, Barangay Labogon, Mandaue City early morning on Sunday, March 3.

According to a report by the Mandaue City Fire Station, the fire started at around 4:52 a.m. in a house owned by Fortunato Managbanag.  It was raised to first alarm.

The fire was placed under control at 5:13 a.m. and was put out at 5:15 a.m.

According to the report, two individuals sustained injuries as they were trying to flee the fire site.

They were identified as Jimrod Bica, who sustained an abrasion on his right knee, and Zophia Chua, who had an abrasion on her left and right wrists.

Damage caused by the early morning fire in Brgy Labogon was estimated at P156,000.

Mandaue City fire investigators are yet to determine the cause of the Labogon fire.


https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/899330/fires-hit-3-bulacan-towns-over-the-weekend/story/

Separate fires occurred in Bocaue, Plaridel, and San Rafael towns in Bulacan, damaging dozens of homes and a warehouse on the first weekend of Fire Prevention Month.

According to a 24 Oras Weekend report by Jamie Santos on Sunday, a fire gutted a residential area at Sitio Bihunan, Barangay Biñang 1st in Bocaue on Saturday night.

Over 50 houses and some 50 families were affected in the incident. No casualties were reported as of posting time.

The blaze quickly spread due to the strong winds. The houses were made of light wooden materials.

Residents in Sitio Bihunan said they heard an explosion shortly before the fire began.

"May sumabog. Eh 'di siyempre, nagtakbuhan kami," said one of the victims.

(Something exploded. Of course, we ran.)

"May babae akong nakausap. Nagsimula raw sa kuryente, sa wire. Siguro nag-spark. Ayun, nagdire-direcho. Lumaki iyong sunog sa lakas ng hangin," said the barangay captain.

(I was able to talk to a woman who said the fire started from electrical wires. Looks like these sparked, then spread due to strong winds.)

Responders had difficulty controlling the fire, which reached the first alarm at around 6 p.m. Saturday.

In Plaridel, a warehouse for motorcycle parts caught fire at an industrial park in Barangay Parulan at about 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Both fires were declared out early by early Sunday morning. Authorities are investigating the incidents.

Meanwhile, GMA Integrated News Bulletin reported Sunday that a grass fire occurred near a fireworks factory in Barangay Maronquillo, San Rafael.

Explosive materials outside the factory were affected, although the structure itself was undamaged.


https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1914279/4-dead-1-hurt-in-cavite-town-fire

Four people died and one was injured in a fire early Tuesday, March 5, that gutted at least five houses in Tanza, Cavite.

The Tanza Fire Station said in a report furnished by Police Region 4A that the blaze broke out at 11:54 p.m. on Monday, March 4, in a residential area in Barangay Biwas and was put out at 2:39 a.m. the next day.

The report identified the casualties as Teresita, 68; Anthony, 39; Gerrone Owen, 12; and Gemille Anthea, 5, all surnamed Domingo.

One Jeni Domingo, suffered body surface burn and was taken to Tanza Specialist Hospital for proper medication.

The report did not provide details on the family relationship among the victims.

Citing witnesses, the fire investigators said the blaze started on the second floor of Domingo’s house.

The property damage was placed at around P9 million.

Investigation was ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1914330/3-hurt-as-fire-hits-houses-in-las-pinas-city

Three people were injured as fire burned houses in Las Piñas City on Tuesday afternoon, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said.

The blaze that occurred in Barangay Elias Aldana reached the first alarm at 1:23 p.m. and escalated to the second alarm just two minutes later, the BFP noted.

In less than 10 minutes, it reached the third alarm and the fourth alarm at 2:20 p.m., the BFP also said.

A fire at the fourth alarm means that flames have already affected around eight to nine houses.

Firefighters were able to place the blaze under control at 3:04 p.m., and eventually extinguish it at 3:22 p.m.

According to BFP, it has so far counted three people injured from the incident: a 26-year-old male, who suffered a 1st degree burn on his right forearm; a 58-year-old woman, who lost consciousness; and a 22-year-old woman who, experienced difficulty breathing and dizziness.

The BFP said it has not monitored any fatality from the blaze.

A total of 21 firetrucks responded to the scene.

The BFP said an investigation is underway.


https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1914867/fire-in-quezon-razes-3-houses

A fire that was possibly caused by faulty electrical wiring burned three houses in Gumaca town in Quezon province on Tuesday, March 5, police said.

The blaze started around 12:45 p.m. on the second floor of the house owned by Nestor Hular in Barangay San Vicente, the police said in a report Wednesday, March 6.

Because the house was made of light materials, the blaze quickly spread and burned two more adjacent houses owned by Shiela and Angelo, both surnamed Hular. The report did not provide details on the family relationship among the three house owners.

Local firemen were able to put off the fire 35 minutes later.

Fire investigators suspected that the blaze was caused by defective electrical wiring after one of the victims saw flashing wires before the blaze broke out.

No casualties or serious injuries were reported in the fire incident.

The property damage was placed around P220,000.


https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/03/09/2339191/300-families-homeless-quezon-city-fire

At least 300 families were left homeless after a fire hit a shantytown in Quezon City on Friday.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)’s National Capital Region field office said the fire started at around 5:05 a.m. and reached second alarm.

Chief Inspector Marvin Mari, the Quezon City fire district’s chief operations officer, said the fire originated on the third floor of a shanty along 1st Camarilla street in Barangay San Roque.

“The flames spread quickly because the houses were made of light materials,” Mari said in an interview over GMA News.

Arson investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire, which destroyed an undetermined number of houses.

A staff at the barangay hall said in a phone interview that over 300 families were displaced in the fire. They were relocated to an evacuation center.

Classes were suspended at the Camarilla Elementary School, Dona Josefa Elementary School and Aguinaldo Elementary School, which were near the area of the fire.

Firefighters were able to douse the fire at 7:43 a.m., the BFP said.

The barangay hall staff said they have not received any report of people who were injured in the fire.

The BFP said 18 fire trucks responded to the scene.


https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/8/fire-hits-neighborhood-in-malibay-pasay-2327

A fire broke out at a residential area in Malibay, Pasay City on Friday night, according to a report from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Initial information disclosed that the fire was first reported at 8:27 in the evening at a neighborhood in Apelo Street, Barangay 157.

The fire reached the second alarm by 8:44pm and was extinguished at 10:27pm.

No casualties were reported in the incident. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/12/400-families-lose-homes-in-mandaue-city-fire
More than 400 families were displaced by a huge fire in Barangay Looc, Mandaue City on Tuesday noon, March 12. 

The fire affected two areas, Sitio Bantayan sa Hari and Sitio Under The Bridge, said Looc barangay captain Raul Kevin Cabahug.

Several houses on stilts built under the old Mactan-Cebu bridge were razed.

Cabahug said the area was also hit by fire last year.

Data from the Mandaue Public Information Office showed that as of 5 p.m., a total of 444 families or 1,537 individuals were affected by the fire.

The fire started at 12:12 p.m. It was raised to third alarm at 12:22 p.m. and was declared under control at 12:42 p.m. Fire out was declared at 2:16 p.m.

The fire spread quickly as most of the houses were built close to each other.

The bridge was also temporarily closed to traffic as the thick smoke caused zero visibility in the area.

Aside from personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection, private tugboats and the Philippine Coast Guard also helped put out the fire.

Rubber boats were also used to rescue some residents from their burning houses.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/03/15/2340716/mandaluyong-fire-2-dead-hundreds-homeless

Two persons died and at least 150 families were left homeless when a fire broke out at a residential area in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday night.

Arson probers said the fire in Barangay Poblacion started at 11:51 p.m. and reached first alarm.

The fire destroyed around 50 houses before it was doused by firefighters before 2 a.m. yesterday.

Firefighters said they recovered the bodies of a 15-year-old girl and her six-year-old brother during mopping-up operations.

A 22-year-old woman was treated by first-aid responders for lacerations on her face.

Probers said the fire originated on the second floor of a two-story house. The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

Damage to property was placed at P9 million.

The displaced residents are taking shelter at an evacuation center.   

https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/15/minor-2-women-hurt-in-valenzuela-fire

Two women and a minor were hurt in a fire that struck a residential area in Barangay Lingunan, Valenzuela City, on Friday, March 15.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), injured were Meann Del Rosario, 32, who sustained first-degree burns on her left shoulder and arm; Caroline Okay, 50, who sustained first-degree burns on the right arm, and a two-year-old boy who sustained first-degree burns on his forehead.

The fire, which started at 8:36 a.m., quickly escalated to the second alarm at 8:40 a.m.

Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control at 9:01 a.m., and it was extinguished by 9:29 a.m.

As of writing this, authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire.


https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/16/3-hurt-100-families-displaced-in-tondo-fire

Three people, including a volunteer firefighter, were hurt while around 100 families were displaced in a fire that broke out in a residential area at the corner of Quirino Street and Herbosa Street in Tondo, Manila on Friday night, March 15. 

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said that a 20-year-old Moriones Fire and Rescue volunteer sustained a laceration wound on his hand, while a 34-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman both suffered first-degree burns. 

They were immediately treated and are now in good condition.

The BFP said the fire started at 10 p.m. and was immediately raised to the first alarm at 10:06 p.m. and second alarm at around 10:13 a.m. 

After an hour, the fire was declared under control at 11:24 p.m. and was extinguished at around 11:48 p.m. 

Arson investigators said around 20 houses made of light materials were burned, affecting over 100 families or 200 individuals. 

On Saturday, March 16, the affected residents went back to their houses to check if there were items they could still use.

Probers said the residents are temporarily staying at the barangay covered court.

They are still conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the fire and the estimated cost of damage.


https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/18/700-families-now-affected-by-alabang-fire

The number of families affected by a huge fire in Barangay Alabang on March 17 rose to 700, according to the Muntinlupa City government. 

Mayor Ruffy Biazon announced the new tally during the flag-raising ceremony at the Muntinlupa City hall on March 18. 

Based on the initial reports by the Muntinlupa City Fire Station and Muntinlupa City Department of Disaster Resilience and Management, the fire started at about 4:48 a.m. in Mariategue and Joaquin Compounds in Wawa, Alabang. 

The fire, which lasted for nearly five hours, reached the second alarm at 7:22 a.m. before it was put under control at 9:06 a.m. and put out at 9:42 a.m. 

The affected families are now staying at two evacuation sites: Alabang Elementary School and Pedro E. Diaz High School. 

The Muntinlupa Social Services Department continued the mapping operation in the fire site to determine the number of families affected. 

Biazon immediately ordered the provision of food and basic needs for the families. 

The city government also announced that classes will be held at the schools being used as evacuation sites. 

The school operations are not affected by this, according to the Muntinlupa Schools Division Office. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/19/3-hurt-in-qc-fire-2

Three persons were hurt when a fire broke out in a residential area in Barangay Damayan Lagi, Quezon City, on Tuesday, March 19. 

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) identified the injured as Manny Abayon, 31, a resident of Barangay Damayan Lagi, Quezon City, who sustained a laceration on his left foot; Donis Mamano, 33, who sustained laceration on his left foot and was brought to Quezon City General Hospital (QCGH), and Jun Jun Olalla, who sustained laceration on his left hand.

The BFP said the blaze was raised to the first alarm at around 10:44 a.m. and was elevated to the second alarm at 10:49 a.m.

The fire was raised to the third alarm by 10:55 a.m.

The blaze quickly reached the fourth alarm by 11:01 a.m., and escalated to the fifth alarm by 11:04 a.m.

Authorities said the fire was raised to Task Force Alpha by 11:38 a.m.

Firefighters were able to put the fire under control at 12:21 p.m.

It was extinguished by 1:39 p.m.


https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/19/fire-hits-residential-area-wareshouse-in-tondo-manila

Seven people, including five firemen, were hurt in a fire that destroyed houses and a warehouse on Benita Street in Barangay 186, Tondo, Manila on Tuesday, March 19.

BFP said that its three personnel sustained lacerations.

Injured were Fire Senior Inspector (SINSP) Charles Bacoco who suffered a laceration on a right middle finger, and two Senior Fire Officer I (SFO1) who sustained sustained lacerations on the palm and left thumb, respectively. 

A 30-year-old fire volunteer was reportedly beaten by the residents for unknown reason while responding to the fire. The other fire volunteer experienced suffocation. 

Meanwhile, a 51-year-old man sustained a laceration on his left toe and a 21-year-old woman suffered minor burns on both feet.

They were all immediately assisted and given medical treatment.

BFP said the fire started at around 1:50 a.m., reached the first alarm at 1:53 a.m. and the second alarm at 1:59 a.m. 

Firefighters were able to put the fire under control after almost 10 hours at around 11:22 a.m. 

It was extinguished at around 4:33 p.m.

Arson investigators said that two houses were fully gutted while one house was minimally damaged, displacing over 15 families. 

It added that a warehouse of assorted garments was heavily gutted.

As of this writing, firefighters have yet to determine the estimated amount of damage to property and the cause of the blaze.


https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/22/2-fire-volunteers-hurt-600-families-displaced-in-tondo-fire

Two fire volunteers were hurt while around 600 families were left homeless by a fire that gutted houses in Tondo, Manila on Thursday night, March 21. 

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said a 17-year-old fire volunteer sustained lacerations on his right middle finger, while 30-year-old fire volunteer sustained a puncture on his right foot. 

The BFP said the fire started at around 10:34 p.m. from a temporary housing building in Barangay 105, Aroma Street, Tondo.

The fire was raised to the first alarm at 10:36 p.m. and was elevated to the second alarm at 10:39 p.m.  

It escalated to the third alarm at 10:51 p.m. and quickly reached the fourth alarm at 10:57 p.m. 

Authorities said the fire was raised to the fifth alarm at 11:19 p.m. 

They were able to put the fire under control on Friday, March 22, at 12:44 a.m.

 It took almost five hours before authorities officially declared the fire out at 5:26 a.m. 

The BFP said the fire razed over 200 houses, of which 140 were totally damaged and 60 were partially damaged. 

The fire allegedly started from the second floor of a two-story house in Building 29 where around 1,800 individuals were affected. 

At least P6.5 million was the estimated cost of damage to property, the BFP added.

There were reports that some residents broke a fire truck's windshield. 

The cause of the fire is still being investigated. 


https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/21/fire-hits-mandaluyong-residential-area

Five people were hurt in a fire that hit a residential area in Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City on Thursday, March 21, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said.

The BFP said the blaze started at 8:58 a.m. and has already reached the second alarm at 9:02 a.m.

Firefighters declared fire out at 9:47 a.m.

Arson investigators are still determining the cause of the fire and the amount of damage to property.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/03/24/news/19-families-lose-homes-in-malabon-fire/1938273

Nineteen families lost their homes to a fire that hit a residential area in Malabon City early Sunday, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) said.

The CDRRMO said the blaze occurred around 4:30 a.m. along C. Arellano Street in Barangay Ibaba. It was contained after two hours.

"Luckily, no one was reported injured during the fire as firemen as well as fire volunteers managed to secure the area and control the fire before it could spread and burn more houses," a CDRRMO personnel said.

City Administrator Alexander Rosete said Mayor Jeannie Sandoval ordered all concerned local departments to extend assistance to the affected families.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/24/50-families-affected-in-tondo-fire-2350

A fire broke out in a residential area in Capulong Road 10 Tondo, Manila Sunday evening, affecting 50 families.

Bureau of Fire Protection Station 1 Commander Ronald Lim said more or less 30 structures were destroyed, with an estimated damage of P750,000. 

Although there were no fatalities reported, one civilian was injured due to difficulty in breathing but was immediately given medical attention, according to Lim. 

"[C]hallenge po maliit po yung eskinita natin sa loob pero sa pagtutulungan po ng Bureau of Fire at ng mga volunteers, napasok po agad natin yung loob – na-contain agad yung fire," he said. 

The fire was raised to first alarm at 7:59 p.m., second alarm at 8:04 p.m., and escalated to a third alarm at 8:09 p.m. because most structures were made of light materials. 

It was brought under control at 8:49 p.m., and was declared fire out at 9:26 p.m. 


https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/23/fire-hits-homes-in-valenzuela-quezon-city

Two fires hit residential areas in Valenzuela City and Quezon City on March 22 and March 23.

According to the Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP), the fire in Barangay Mapulang Lupa, Valenzuela City reached the first alarm at 12:12 a.m. Saturday, March 23.

The blaze was raised to the second alarm at 12:20 a.m.

Firefighters put the fire under control at 12:52 a.m. and extinguished at 1:10 a.m.

Prior to the Valenzuela fire, a residential area in Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City was also hit by a blaze on Friday night, March 22.

BFP said the fire started at 11 p.m. and escalated to second alarm by 11:08 p.m.

The blaze was placed under control at 11:51 p.m. and extinguished at 12:43 a.m. on March 23.

Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the two fires.

 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/03/27/2343636/fires-leave-2-hurt-100-families-homeless

Two people were injured and around 100 families were left homeless after fires broke out in two cities in Metro Manila on Monday.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-National Capital Region said chefs Erickson Silvestre, 27, and Nelson Mabilin, 49, of the Red Rhino restobar in Mandaluyong City were treated for first-degree burns on their bodies after a gas leakage caused a fire.

The fire at the restobar in Barangay Highway Hills occurred at 5:48 p.m., the BFP said in a report.

Meanwhile, around 100 families were displaced after a two-hour fire broke out in a shantytown in Barangay Damayang Lagi, Quezon City yesterday afternoon.

A staff at the barangay hall said around 100 families or 355 people were relocated to an evacuation center.

There were no casualties in the fire, based on data from the barangay hall.

Probers are conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.

That is 20 reported incidents for March. Remember, these are only the major fires reported in the national media. Residential fires are up all across the nation and they do not all make the news. This is the tip of the iceberg concerning the real situation in the Philippines. 

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Insurgency: Much Needs To Be Done

The NTF-ELCAC has declared 3 more NPA fronts have been dismantled. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1221533

Three more weakened guerilla fronts of the New People's Army (NPA) have been dismantled, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) reported.

"Right now, we have zero active guerrilla fronts already but we still have 11 weakened guerrilla fronts to totally defeat: five in Luzon, three in the Visayas and another three in Mindanao. But as we speak now, meron ng mga reports (there are reports referring to) the eventual total dismantling of two guerrilla fronts in the Visayas and another one in Mindanao," NTF-ELCAC executive director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. said in a statement released Monday night.

He added they are only waiting for the official validation of the dismantling of these three weakened guerilla fronts before coming out with an official announcement.

Torres also said significant progress had been made this year in terms of neutralizing members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and weakening their ranks.

But the dismantling of these fronts have not even been verified. Why say anything then? Why announce this when they are waiting on validation before "coming out with an official announcement?" 

The NSA is encouraging all rebels to apply for amnesty. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1221541

National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año on Tuesday renewed his call for remnants of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) to avail of the amnesty program offered by the government.

Año, also chair of the National Security Council (NSC), said this invitation is open to all rebels wishing to reunite with their families and loved ones and integrate with mainstream society.

"The National Amnesty Commission has begun accepting applications for amnesty after Congress concurred with the Amnesty Proclamation of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. This is a significant development and a game changer in ending the more than 50-year communist armed conflict in the country," he said in a statement.

Año also said the amnesty program will allow these rebels to build a peaceful and brighter future for themselves and their families.

"We encourage all the remaining active members of the armed rebel groups to seize and embrace this chance for reconciliation and renewal of hope as we all work together towards lasting peace and development," he added.

He also noted that the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict is on track to dismantle all remaining weakened guerilla fronts before the end of the year.

The problem is informing them of this amnesty and their being able to access the internet to fill out the forms. But surely it has to be easy because the NTF-ELCAC has handed out so much money to surrounding rebels that they must have a list. Right?

The fight goes on against those who do not surrender. Two high ranking NPA leaders were recently killed.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/26/high-ranking-npa-leader-2-others-killed-in-batangas-clash-military-2117

A high-ranking member of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) and two others were killed in an encounter with the military in Batangas Tuesday. 

According to the Philippine Army, military troops were conducting operations at Barangay Leviste in Rosario town when they encountered an undetermined number of gunmen allegedly led by Junalice Arante-Isita alyas Arya, from the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee.

Isita and two others, Bernardo Bagaas alias John Paul, and Erickson Bedonia, alias Ricky, were killed in the 30-minute firefight.

Authorities also recovered several high-powered firearms, 6 jungle packs, and a wire for improvised explosive devices (IED).

Isita has a standing warrant of arrest for violating Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. She was the wife of Isagani Isita alias Yano, who died on July 30, 2023 in Quezon.

The neutralization of Isita is “a substantial blow to the NPA’s leadership and their reorganization effort in Batangas province,” the military added.

Of course the death of this leader is “a substantial blow to the NPA’s leadership and their reorganization effort in Batangas province." It's the same script they give after every death of an NPA leader. 

Two soldiers were hurt in a clash with NPA in Quezon. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1923020/2-soldiers-hurt-in-clash-with-npa-in-quezon

Two Philippine Army soldiers were wounded in an encounter Monday with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Calauag town in Quezon province.

The Region 4A police identified the wounded troops in an initial report on Tuesday, March 26, as Sergeant Gilbert Esteban, 33, and Corporal Anthony Quierre, 31, who were both hit by shrapnel from an improvised explosive device set up by NPA rebels.

They were taken to the nearest hospital for treatment.

The report said a unit from the Army’s 85th Infantry Battalion was conducting a patrol around 6 p.m. when they encountered NPA rebels in Barangay Doña Aurora.The report did not provide added details on the encounter except that no residents were affected during the clash.

Government checkpoints have been established in strategic areas to support the ongoing pursuit operations against the NPA rebels on the run.

The government forces are also monitoring hospitals and clinics near the area to search for the wounded alleged NPA rebels.

Calauag is located in the province’s 4th district on the boundary of Bicol region.

In June last year, Quezon was declared free from the influence of communist insurgents after it attained “Stable Internal Peace and Security” or SIPS status, which means that the Communist Party of the Philippines, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, and the NPA are no longer a threat to the peace and order in its localities.

However, authorities admitted that the NPA may still have remnants in the province.

But last year Quezon was declared insurgent free! Yet it turns out they are not really insurgent free. So why make that declaration? 

The CPP belies AFP reports of their demise.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1749858/npas-54th-anniv-cpp-touts-steady-advance-afp-sneers-at-irrelevant-movement

The 54th founding anniversary of the communist New People’s Army on Wednesday, March 29, prompted a war of words between both sides of the conflict.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) touted the government’s failure to fully crush the NPA, but the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the Maoist movement is nearing its end.

“The NPA has steadily advanced and surmounted every disadvantage and setback at every historical juncture,” the CPP Central Committee said in its anniversary message.

“It has frustrated the enemy’s campaigns of encirclement and suppression one after another.”

The CPP, while stressing that the AFP’s encirclement campaigns “largely failed to attain its declared objective” of crushing the NPA, admitted that some regions or guerrilla fronts suffered from losses or significant setbacks “due to internal weaknesses and shortcomings.”

The NPA has ben directed to carry out more attacks against government forces. 

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/party-directs-npa-to-carry-out-tactical-offensives-frustrate-us-marcos-regimes-war-of-terror/

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today directed the New People’s Army (NPA) to mount tactical offensives that it is capable of winning as it wages a war of active defense to frustrate the brutal campaign of encirclement and suppression being waged by the US-Marcos regime, and shatter the reign of terror of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the countryside.

The Party’s directive was contained in a statement by the Central Committee issued today on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the New People’s Army.

According to the CPP Central Committee, all regional committees of the Party and NPA commands at levels have welcomed the call for rectification movement issued by the Central Committee last December, to correct past errors in order to strengthen the people’s resistance against worsening oppression under the US-Marcos regime.

In fulfilling the directive of mounting tactical offensives, the NPA takes military and political initiative by way of rectifying past errors and overcome the problem of military passivity which resulted from the intertwined problems of conservatism, complacency and self-constriction.

The CPP said the NPA, along with the people’s militias, must carry out all possible kinds of tactical offensives employing all kinds of weapons in the hands of the guerrilla forces and the people, from rocks, machetes, booby traps, rifles and land mines and all sort of weapons that the people can craft.

Units of the NPA and the people’s militias can lay out an ambush against the enemy’s reconnaissance units, perimeter defense or supply lines, attack his isolated outposts, carry out disarming, sniping, demolition, partisan and arrest operations, impose sanctions, mete out justice on counterrevolutionaries and criminal antisocial elements, and so on.

In mounting these tactical offensives, the NPA must aim to seize the enemy’s rifles and war matériel, destroy its supply and communication lines, immobilize their land, air and sea assets, disrupt its plans or blocking its advance, and drawing away its attention from the main direction and plans of the main forces of the NPA.

The CPP underscored that the NPA favors launching basic tactical offensives that weakens the enemy by annihilating its armed forces piece by piece, and takes away its weapons in order that we can arm more recruits and mount even bigger tactical offensives in the future.

The AFP says they do not have the capability to carry out such attacks but remain vigilant anyway.

It's the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. President Marcos says there is sill much needed to be done to end armed conflict in Mindanao. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1923745/marcos-on-goal-to-end-armed-conflict-in-mindanao-much-needs-to-be-done

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said that while much has been done to advance the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), more work remains to be done.

In a Facebook reel posted Wednesday night, Marcos reiterated that the government is committed to enacting the CAB as it celebrated its 10th anniversary.

The CAB is an agreement between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the national government to end its armed conflict.

“There were certainly many challenges, but we persevered. Today, as your president, I stand before you, committed to fulfilling that promise. We have achieved progress, and much needs to be done,” said Marcos.

“Together, we are already enacting vital legislation, ensuring fair elections in 2025, and empowering the Bangsamoro to chart your own prosperous future,” he noted.

“This is our legacy. Let us build it together,” he added.

Marcos recounted that he was one of the legislators who participated in the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

“A decade ago, the comprehensive agreement on Bangsamoro lit up our hopes for peace. As a legislator, I proudly participated in drafting the Bangsamoro Basic Law, recognizing the importance of inclusivity and respect for diverse cultures,” said Marcos.

In 2015, the then-senator Marcos called the proposed measure dead as Congress ran out of time to pass it during the last year of former president Benigno Aquino III’s term.

The BBL was eventually passed and signed into law during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte.





























Monday, April 1, 2024

Assassinated Businessmen January to March, 2024

This is a list of businessmen who have been assassinated or survived an assassination attempt or who were kidnapped in the first quarter of 2024.


https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/4/businessman-shot-dead-by-15-suspected-npa

A businessman was gunned down inside his house by 15 suspected New People's Army rebels in Barangay Bug-ang, Toboso, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, January 2.

Police identified the victim as Juvinie Sarona, 43, a lumberyard owner.

Police Major Jun Ray Batadlan, Toboso police chief, said that at least 15 unidentified persons stormed the house of the victim while he was having dinner with his uncle.

Five gunmen shot Sarona while his uncle was unharmed.

Batadlan said the 10 other perpetrators served as lookouts. The suspects fled to an unknown direction.

Sarona sustained nine bullet wounds and died on the spot. 

Police recovered 25 fired caliber 5.56mm cartridges for an M16 rifle in the crime scene. 

Batadlan said they are looking into insurgency as possible motive in the incident since the victim had threats last year.

He said the victim was a known supporter of government programs and helped the military and the police in the campaign against communist rebels.



https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/12/2-men-shot-dead-in-drinking-spree

A businessman and an electronics store operator were shot dead by a man during a drinking spree before dawn here on Friday, January 12.

Police identified the victims as businessman Jay R. Burgos Matanguihan, 30, and Mark Johndel Aguila Robles, 22, electronics store operator, both residents of this town.

The victims and their friends were having a drinking spree inside a meat shop when the suspect, Ikong, arrived onboard a motorcycle.

Ikong approached and told the group, “May problema ako, ‘wag kayong sumali” (I have a problem, do not join), then drew a short firearm and fired at the victims.

The suspect fled with the gun towards the direction of Tiaong, Quezon and the victims were taken to a hospital in Lipa City, Batangas where they were declared dead.

Police are conducting a follow-up operation.


https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/15/businessman-wounded-in-leyte-shooting

A businessman was shot and wounded in his house in Barangay Hinabuyan, Villaba, Leyte, on Monday morning, January 15.

Police identified the victim as Marlon Ecoling, 36.

Ecoling was cooking breakfast when the suspect barged in and shot him with a firearm of unknown caliber. 

Police withheld the name of the suspect but he is of legal age and a resident of Tabango, Leyte.

Ecoling was wounded in his left hand but he managed to fight the suspect who afterwards fled towards Tabango, Leyte onboard a motorcycle. 

The victim was brought to the hospital and police are pursuing the suspect.


https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/894246/businessman-shot-dead-in-davao-del-norte-van-driver-dies-in-bataan-highway-accident/story/

A 45-year old businessman was shot dead at a parking lot in Tagum City, Davao del Norte over the weekend.

CCTV footage showed the victim was talking to a man at the parking lot when the alleged gunman approached them from behind and fatally shot the victim on the head several times, according to Saleema Refran’s 24 Oras report on Monday.

The suspect seemed to have rifled through the victim’s pockets before his motorcycle-riding accomplice arrived and helped him escape.

Authorities are still investigating the possible motive of the crime. The unidentified suspects remain at large.


https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/16/indian-bizman-shot-in-sagay-city

An Indian businessman was shot and wounded by two gunmen in Barangay Poblacion 1, Sagay City, Negros Occidental on Friday, January 12.

Police withheld the name of the 44-year-old victim.

Police Lt. Hannah Banquil, deputy chief of the Sagay City Police Station, said the victim was about to arrive home on board a motorcycle when one of the two suspects hiding near is apartment rushed towards and fired at him.

He was wounded in the leg and taken to the Bacolod Queen of Mercy Hospital here.

Police have yet to determine the motive of the incident but the victim was also wounded in a shooting incident in 2022.


https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/16/businessman-killed-in-broad-daylight

A businessman was gunned down in front of a school in Barangay Urbiztondo, this town, on Monday, January 15.

Police identified the victim as Ronnie Rivera of Barangay Butubot, Balaoan, La Union.

Rivera was standing in the parking area of the Lorma High School Campus at about 10:25 a.m. when two men onboard a motorcycle arrived.

One of them drew a gun and shot the victim.

The gunman and his cohort fled and the victim was taken to a nearby hospital where he died due to bullet wounds.

Police are conducting follow-up investigation.


https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/02/10/2332212/businesswoman-robbed-beaten-mall-restroom

Police are hunting down a man who beat up and robbed a businesswoman in a mall in Quezon City on Thursday.

Investigators are working to get leads on the identity of the suspect, who was wearing a long-sleeved shirt, cap, denim jeans and sunglasses.

The suspect attacked a 32-year-old businesswoman at the Il Terrazo mall located at the corner of Tomas Morato Avenue and Sct. Madrinian street in Barangay South Triangle.

Police investigators said the incident occurred at around 12:07 p.m. in the restroom on the third floor of the mall.

Armed with a knife, the suspect grabbed the victim and dragged her into one of the cubicles.

The suspect then took the victims’ two cell phones and fled from the scene on foot.

The injured victim was found by mall-goers lying on the floor. She was treated for her injuries.


https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/12/businessman-shot-dead-in-himamaylan-city

A businessman was gunned down in Barangay IV-Poblacion, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Saturday, February 10.

Police said 46-year-old Nickie Grucen was tending to his store with his wife when an unidentified person appeared and shot him once in the nape.

Police Lt. Col. Anthony Grande, Himamaylan police chief, said the suspect fled on board a motorcycle and the victim was declared dead in a hospital. 

Police recovered from the crime scene a fired bullet of a .45 caliber pistol.

Grande said they already have persons of interest and motive in the killing.


https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/19/chinese-businessman-kidnapped-in-manila

Two unidentified men kidnapped a Chinese businessman in front of his home in Sta. Cruz, Manila Sunday evening, February 18.

Manila Police District said the victim is a resident of Barangay 313, Sta. Cruz.

Police said the incident occurred at around 9:50 p.m. in front of the victim's apartment building.

Based on a closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, the victim was alighting from his motorcycle when two men grabbed him and covered his face.

He was dragged into a brown Toyota Innova with a speed racer sticker on the side panels and a star logo on front hood.

The victim's family sought help from the police.

The case was transferred to the MPD Anti-Kidnapping Group because the abductors were allegedly asking for a ransom.

MPD did not disclose the amount of ransom demanded by the suspects as negotiations between the operatives, the family, and the kidnappers are still ongoing.


https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/2/trader-shot-dead-buddies-hurt-in-drinking-spree

A 56-year-old businessman was shot dead and his two buddies were wounded during a drinking spree in Barangay Buenavista West here on Friday night, March 1.

Police said the fatality, Manolito Laygo, and wounded, Sergio Bosita, 61, and Edwin Aquino, 51, were drinking at the house of a friend, Lester delos Reyes, when the suspect Roy, 53, a neighbor, arrived.

Roy drew a gun and fired at Laygo multiple times. The victim was taken to the Peter Paul Medical Center here where he was declared dead.

Bosita and Aquino were hit by stray bullets and taken to the hospital.

Recovered at the crime scene were two fired bullets, three fired cartridge cases, and a live caliber .45 ammunition.

Police are pursuing the suspect and conducting follow-up investigation.

Roy faces frustrated murder charges.


https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/29/businessman-knifed-dead-by-ex-employee-in-lucena-city

A 66-year-old businessman was stabbed to death by a former employee here on Maundy Thursday.

Police identified the victim as Andres Maaliw Derota.

The victim and the suspect Christian, a former store helper,  accidentally met while walking and a heated argument erupted, during which the suspect took a knife from his pocket and attacked the victim. 

Derota ran away but the suspect caught up with him and Christian stabbed him several times in the body.

The suspect fled and the victim was taken to a hospital in this city where he died.

Police are pursuing the suspect who face appropriate charges.