The God Culture: 100 Lies About the Philippines: Lie #49: Malacañang Is a Hebrew Word

Welcome back to 100 lies The God Culture Teaches about the Philippines. Today's lie concerns Timothy Jay Schwab's claim Malacañang is a Hebrew word. As we shall see that is just a lie. 

Tim makes this claim in his videos. 

Lost Tribes Series Part 2G: The Landing of the 2nd Exodus In Ophir, Philippines

32:31 Let's look at Malacañang Palace which we just saw in the northern palace but look at the word it does appear to be Hebrew indisputably. The official residence and principal workplace of the President of the Philippines located in the capital city of Manila and also the North marking a landing site of the Lost Tribes. Yep. Let's break it down. "Mal'ak" is a deputy or messenger of Yahuah God, an angel, ambassador, King in Hebrew. So is there any doubt that name has Hebrew roots? Let's keep digging. The next portion Hebrew name means brotherly or fraternal. In the Bible this is the name of a member of the tribe of Manasseh. Wow! We didn't add that to that sentence. That's exactly what the reference from FineJudaica, a Jewish website, says. And "anan", the ending, is "bring" in Hebrew. And even the "ti" in between in the words for the northern palace on the lake of the sacred journey is the prefix. In Hebrew "ti" identifies the subject of the verb as second person masculine singular and the tense of the verb as imperfect. So, check this out. Malacañang ti Amianan, Bring the Messenger of God from Manasseh to protect my people.

35:26 But this palace is the story here. This name is not an accident. Someone knew what they were doing here. Someone spoke Hebrew and hid a message in this name for us. This is impossible from any other logical point of view in our opinion.

Lost Isles of Gold LIVE Series - Part 12: Hebrew in the Philippines?

26:35 Look at Malacañang. This is weird. This is three Hebrew words. But you realize Mal'ak in Hebrew means angel, means king. Wait a minute. The king in the palace? Oh, that makes sense. It's Hebrew. See this makes perfect sense. And then you look at achyan and anan and it actually comes together. Righteous priests to bring my brothers. Wow! Oh, we have a match there to Isaiah 60:9, uh, that, you know, the ships of Tarshish will usher in the return of the Lost tribes. This kind of thing is impossible, just impossible and yet we're finding it throughout.

He also makes this claim in his book The Search for King Solomon's Treasure. 

The Search for King Solomon's Treasure, pg. 206

Malacañang Palace:

Name of the Presidential Palace in the Philippines

Hebrew: mal’ak: מלאך: from an unused root meaning to dispatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher):--ambassador, angel, king, messenger. [242]

Hebrew: achyan: אחין: Hebrew name meaning “brotherly” or “fraternal.” In the bible, this is the name of a member of the tribe of Manasseh. [243]

Hebrew: anan: ענן: Bring. [244]

Our Interpretation: Righteous Priests to Bring My Brothers

This coincidentally fits the prophecy we will cover from Isaiah 60:9 and others where the Lost Tribes of Israel are literally ushered in by the ships of Tarshish which is the Philippines who are also the isles waiting for His law to be restored. Manasseh is not just any tribe but the tribe of Joseph’s oldest son. His other son Ephraim was given the birthright but in Revelation, the two tribes of Joseph’s sons are together as one. Without Manasseh and Ephraim, there can be no re-gathering of the Tribes of Israel as the birthright lies with them. Judah never received this birthright thus has no right to re-establish the land of Israel but they inherited the scepter and Messiah, who is from Judah, has possession of that scepter today and forever and it shall never depart from the throne of David as prophesied. Add to this we already covered the word Lequii referring to inhabitants of Luzon which is the name of the Grandson of Manasseh.

In fact, the Lost Tribes of Israel were also identified by region at least for one migration into an area beyond a river which the Pharisees have lost from their own Bible – the Targum Psuedo-Jonathan in Aramaic. Please note, we do not use this as scripture nor any writing of any Rabbi ever but simply the geographic name of this river where some of the Lost Tribes will be exiled and they offer extremely poor explanations because they are exploring the wrong lands. This is one of the warning verses to Israel if it breaks covenant with Yahuah.

Now, this is all nonsense. As with every other Filipino word Tim has claimed is actually a Hebrew compound word, Malacañang has an established meaning which is well documented. In 1877 Felipe Maria de Govantes documented the meaning of the name in his Compendium of the History of the Philippines. 

Felipe Maria de Govantes, Compendio de la historia de Filipinas, pg. 356

At this time, the Customs House was built behind the church of Santo Domingo, and with the Chinese passport rights, Martinez helped the State to buy the country house called Malacañan for his successors: Malacañan means fisherman's place in Spanish.

While Govantes says Malacañan means fisherman's place in Spanish what he has done in Hispanize the Tagalog. 

The earliest document to address the building's roots was the Compendio de la Historia de Filipinas written in 1877 by Spanish historian Felipe de Govantes, in which he stated that the term Malacañán meant "place of the fisherman". This was again referenced in the 1895 Historia general de Filipinas by José Montero y Vidal and the Historia de Filipinas by Manuel Artigas y Cuerva in 1916. In 1972, Ileana Maramag in her work on Malacañan history supplied the Tagalog word: mamalakáya, which means fisherman. The original denomination for the location is believed to be Mamalakáya-han, with the Tagalog suffix -han meaning "place of", later simplified by the Spanish colonial authorities as Malacañán and adapted according to the Spanish orthography.

https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/2851/history-of-malaca-ang-palace-the-official-residence-and-principal-workplace-of-the-president-of-the-philippines

That's really it. There is no need to look further into the alleged Hebrew Tim cites. The etymology is well established. As for Tim's fake etymology, not only does he misspell Malacañang on one of his slides but combing those three Hebrew words makes it six syllables instead of four. Compare Malacañang to Malak-achyan-anan.

Let's take a look at the word "anan." Tim's source number for that word is 244. In the book The Search For King Solomon's Treasure this is the reference:

The Search For King Solomon's Children, pg. 377

244. “Anan.” Strong’s Concordance #033. BibleHub.com.

But in the Sourcebook the reference is to a different number. 

While the definition on this screenshot is "bring," a look at the current website shows something completely different.

https://biblehub.com/hebrew/6049.htm

anan: To practice soothsaying, to conjure, to observe times

bring, enchanter, observer of times, soothsayer, sorcerer 

A primitive root; to cover; used only as a denominative from anan, to cloud over; figuratively, to act covertly, i.e. Practise magic -- X bring, enchanter, Meonemin, observe(-r of) times, soothsayer, sorcerer. 

The entire definition has been rewritten by Biblehub. It's association with practicing sorcery is made much more clear. While this word can be translated "bring" that is not its primary meaning. In fact, it is only translated as "bring" one time in Genesis 9:14. 

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h6049/kjv/wlc/0-1/

Gen 9:14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:ancient-hebrew an

The proper word for "bring" is either H935, H3947, or H5375.  The real meaning of Tim's fabricated phrase would  would be closer to "Messenger of God, My Brother, the Sorcerer/Cloud."

The word "anan" is Strongs #6095 so why does Tim have it labelled as Strongs's #033 in his sourcebook?

244. “Anan.” Strong’s Concordance #033. BibleHub.com. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/6049.htm

He appears to have gotten that from ancient-hebrew.org. On the bottom of the slide from his video we see these citations. 

Strong's #4397

Strong's #6049

ancient-hebrew.org #033

A search of ancient-hebrew.org yielded no results for #033. Note that this citation also contains the correct reference to "anan" as Strong's #6049. So why keep both numbers? This number also appears on the slide in a newer video published in December 2024. 

Strong's #033 is none of the words Tim alleges compose Malacañang.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h33/kjv/wlc/0-1/

It is Abiezrite. How does Tim get it so wrong? It's just more evidence of Tim's terrible and deeply flawed documentation methodology. 

There is simply no precedent in combining those three words. The combination does not appear in the Bible or in any other Hebrew text. Tim is literally making it all up. Hebrew doesn’t build meaning the same way Tagalog or English does. Words derive from three-letter roots, and sentence structure is governed by strict grammar rules, not arbitrary combinations. Tim's “Mal’ak-Achyan-Anan” construction would never appear in legitimate Hebrew usage.

Misrepresenting the linguistic and cultural heritage of the Philippines to fit a religious narrative not only spreads misinformation, it disrespects Filipino history and language. Claims like Tim's distort public understanding and promote a pseudo-historical ideology that can have social and political consequences. Declaring Malacañang to be a Hebrew compound word is simply one more lie from Timothy Jay Schwab who is The God Culture.

Retards in the Government 465

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

 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2026/04/09/2519660/batangas-cop-chief-relieved-misconduct-harassment

The chief of the Batangas police has been removed from his post after a policewoman filed an administrative complaint against him for alleged misconduct and harassment.

Brig. Gen. Hansel Marantan, Calabarzon police director, ordered the relief of Col. Marlon Rufo after the policewoman filed the complaint before the National Police Commission.

Col. Meliton Salvadora Jr., former chief of the Calabarzon police operation division, was designated as officer-in-charge of the Batangas police.

Marantan said a relief order is administrative in nature and will not preempt or influence the result of investigation.

Rufo, who was transferred to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Service,  said he has yet to receive a copy of the complaint.

He said he is ready to answer any accusation  against him in a proper forum.

Marantan said Salvadora is expected to sustain the momentum of police operations, particularly in maintaining peace and order, strengthening community relations and intensifying law enforcement efforts.

The chief of the Batangas police has been removed from his post after a policewoman filed an administrative complaint against him for alleged misconduct and harassment.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/04/10/ex-lingayen-village-chair-shot-dead

A former chairman of Barangay Tumbar here was gunned down on Wednesday, April 8.

Investigation said the 72-year-old victim was driving his motorcycle at 9:30 a.m. in Barangay Tumbar when the suspect appeared and shot him. The victim was taken to a hospital where he identified his attacker before dying.

The Lingayen police station led by Police Lt. Col. Junmar Gonzales arrested the suspect who was a resident of Barangay Tumbar in a follow-up operation.

Follow-up investigation is under way. The suspect faces a murder case.

A former chairman of Barangay Tumbar here was gunned down on Wednesday, April 8.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/04/10/p91-m-drug-bust-ex-cop-4-others-nabbed-in-paranaque

A former policeman and four alleged high-value drug suspects were arrested in a major anti-drug operation that led to the seizure of more than P91 million worth of suspected shabu and high-powered firearms in Parañaque City on Friday, April 10.

Operatives of the Southern Police District (SPD) Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) identified the suspects as alias Bossing, 35; James, 49, a resigned member of the Philippine National Police (PNP); Jezreel, 29; Hazel, 25; and alias “Ricardo,” 48.

All five were tagged as newly identified high-value individuals (HVIs) and were apprehended during a buy-bust operation conducted in Sun Valley, Parañaque, following days of surveillance and intelligence monitoring.

Authorities said the operation was launched in coordination with other police units to dismantle a suspected drug syndicate operating in the southern Metro Manila.

Confiscated during the sting were approximately 13.389 kilograms of suspected shabu and five containers of liquid crystalline substance, with a combined estimated Standard drug price of P91,045,200.

Police also recovered two .45-caliber pistols, a Bushmaster rifle, communication devices, and P319,950 cash.

Authorities said the presence of high-powered firearms indicates the group’s capability to protect their illegal activities, raising concerns over the potential violence linked to drug trafficking operations.

“This operation sends a clear message that no drug syndicate is beyond our reach. The Southern Police District will relentlessly pursue those involved in the illegal drug trade and ensure they are brought to justice,” said acting SPD director Col. Glenn Oliver Cinco.

The suspects are currently detained at the SPD custodial facility while facing charges for violations of Sections 5 (sale), 13 (possession during parties), and 26 (attempt or conspiracy) of Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as well as Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Authorities are now conducting follow-up operations to identify other members of the syndicate and trace the source of the illegal drugs.

A former policeman and four alleged high-value drug suspects were arrested in a major anti-drug operation.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2211556/kiko-barzaga-surrenders-to-dasmarias-police-over-cyberlibel-case

Cavite 4th District Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga on Monday night turned himself over to the Dasmariñas Component City Police Station over the cyberlibel case against him, according to a police report from the Police Regional Office Calabarzon (PRO 4A).

This came on the same day that the Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 147 issued a warrant for his arrest for eight counts of violating Section 4(c) of Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

Barzaga is facing cyberlibel complaints lodged by businessman Enrique Razon, Antipolo Rep. Ronaldo Puno and Manila Rep. Rolando Valeriano over the Cavite representative’s allegations that members of the National Unity Party were bribed by the magnate to support former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The bail was set at P48,000 for each count, adding up to a total of P384,000. 

He is currently under the custody of the Dasmarinas City police.

Cavite 4th District Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga on Monday night turned himself over to the Dasmariñas Component City Police Station over the cyberlibel case against him.

Coronavirus Lockdown: Pandemic Adulthood, Free Dinner, and More!

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

The pandemic hit Gen Z hard affecting their transition into adulthood. Now an art exhibit is exploring that situation. 

https://pia.gov.ph/news/ncca-gallery-opens-ini-inin-exhibit-exploring-gen-zs-pandemic-adulthood/

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Gallery officially opened “INI-ININ” on April 6, 2026, a compelling exhibition by the Butil Collective that examines the lived realities of Generation Z entering adulthood during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

On view until April 30, the showcase features a diverse collection of paintings, stoneware, sculptures, and didactic materials that capture a generation’s sense of dislocation during years marked by global disruption and uncertainty.

The exhibition centers on the concept of pag-inin, a Filipino term describing a state of transition or being “in-between.” During the opening remarks, Vernon Perez explained that inin represents a state “where one is no longer who they were, yet not quite who they are becoming.” 

This metaphor, traditionally used for rice that is neither fully raw nor fully cooked, serves as a reflection of how young people navigated unfamiliar emotional landscapes when the pandemic suspended their formative years.

“For many Gen Zs, time appeared suspended, only to resume abruptly, leaving them to confront a reality that felt both overwhelming and unresolved,” the collective stated regarding the theme of the exhibit.

Curated by Rya Contreras, the exhibition features works from artists Andree Tiongson, Angelica Jacoba, Asaliah, Chesca Hernandez, Carlos Villaluz, Galan Maigue, Georgina Pomarejos, Jea Gavina, Kalila Camilon, and Sophia Sotolomba. 

Each artist contributes a personal narrative to a layered portrait of introspection and memory, bridging individual stories with broader social realities shaped by years of isolation and screen-mediated interaction.

Contreras acknowledged that the platform provided by the NCCA was vital for these artists, many of whom faced significant creative and personal constraints during the lockdowns. 

“Institutional support has been vital in providing platforms for creative expression during a time when many artists faced significant constraints,” Contreras noted during the opening ceremony, which featured a traditional untying of cloth to signal the start of the show.

“INI-ININ” stands as a collective response to the loss of time and interrupted growth experienced by contemporary youth. By exploring themes of absence and agency, the members of Butil Collective aim to make sense of a period defined by transition. 

The NCCA Gallery, located in Intramuros, invites the public to engage with these reflections on identity and the enduring impact of the pandemic through the end of the month.

Who didn't experience "time appear(ing) suspended, only to resume abruptly, leaving them to confront a reality that felt both overwhelming and unresolved?" Where is our art exhibit?

Not only have emergency health allowances been delayed but pandemic-era economic obligations to jeepney drivers also remain delayed. 

https://www.rappler.com/philippines/public-transport-service-contracting-program-returns-unpaid-pandemic-obligations/

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government tapped public utility vehicles (PUVs) to provide free transportation to commuters under a service contracting program.

Amid rising fuel costs linked to tensions in the Middle East, the government is reviving the program. This time, it comes with a 20% discount, unlike the free transportation service before.

But some operators who participated in the service contracting program during the pandemic said they have yet to be paid by the government.

Mega Manila Consortium Corporation spokesperson Juliet De Jesus said in a radio interview with DZMM that the government under then-president Rodrigo Duterte still owes member-operators at least P32 million for free bus rides along EDSA.

So what caused the delay in payments? 

Department of Transportation Undersecretary Mark Steven Pastor said in a press conference on Friday, April 10, that in the early days of the service contracting program during the pandemic, many vehicles operated without GPS tracking because of the immediate need for public transportation.

This led to discrepancies between data reported by operators and records held by the government.

Pastor, who led the service contracting program during the pandemic, said GPS devices were installed only later on.

He added that payment computations were also more complex at that time, since the program covered fully free rides for commuters.

De Jesus said that funds intended for contracted operators were returned by then–Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Martin Delgra III to the Department of Budget and Management.

The service contracting program was first launched under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, also known as Bayanihan 2, to help public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers affected by the pandemic.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chair Vigor Mendoza III said that the agency is already investigating the issue. Mendoza targets a three- to five-day turnaround for payments to contracted PUV operators. 

In 2021, during the pandemic, some jeepney drivers also reported delays in payment, as well as inadequate payments. 

To make sure that the delays and inconsistencies in recording would be avoided, a government-contracted vehicle is required to install a GPS device. Payments will be processed via online banking or e-wallet transfers.

Under the revived scheme, the government will compensate PUV operators and drivers based on distance traveled, with rates varying depending on the type of vehicle.

And it's all because poor jeepney drivers who likely can't afford GPS did not use GPS which was required to track their movements! That's some red tape right there. 

Another pandemic-era community kitchen has returned. 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/04/12/kainta-yo-cainta-mayor-resumes-town-pantry-to-serve-free-dinner

Amid the rising cost of basic goods, Cainta, Rizal Mayor Kit Nieto resumed the “One Cainta Pantry” feeding program to provide residents with free dinners and help ease the daily expenses of families.

Nieto said the town pantry would go around different areas of the town every Monday to Friday throughout the year, starting at 5 p.m., to serve free dinner to up to 300 residents.

To ensure a clean and spacious area for food preparation, the mayor ordered the reopening of the central kitchen at One Arena, where General Services Office staff will handle daily meal preparation to help reduce costs.

The mayor said the program will be served buffet-style and encouraged residents who will line up to bring their own plates and utensils.

“To help cut costs, residents are advised to bring their own plates and utensils. Meals are served buffet-style to prevent taking more than the allotted portion,” Nieto said.

The mayor added that each municipal department will be assigned a schedule to assist in food serving and distribution, saying this also aims to give government personnel a better understanding of the daily struggles faced by residents.

“This program will run throughout the year. Providing a family with even one dinner already goes a long way in easing their daily expenses,” he stated.

Meanwhile, he said he will not attend all distribution activities, as he aims to preserve the program’s integrity and keep it free from political use.

The program was relaunched last Friday, April 10, at San Buena Compound in Barangay Sto. Domingo, with the next stop set in Gruar.

Originally launched before the COVID-19 pandemic, the program began on January 30, 2019, along Westbank Road in Barangay San Andres.

The twist is that it began just before the pandemic started. 

The Philippines tourism sector is slowly recovering from the pandemic "but structural weaknesses in infrastructure, connectivity, and governance continue to hold the sector back from reaching its full potential." 

https://dailyguardian.com.ph/pids-study-flags-structural-gaps-limiting-phl-tourism/

The Philippines is recovering from the pandemic-era tourism slump, but structural weaknesses in infrastructure, connectivity, and governance continue to hold the sector back from reaching its full potential, according to a study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).

The study, titled “Philippine Tourism Sectoral Review (2000–2025): From Promise to Power — Accelerating the Philippines’ Tourism Transformation toward Sustainability, Competitiveness, and Inclusion,” was presented during a recent PIDS webinar by Senior Research Fellow Dr. John Paolo Rivera.

“Tourism recovery is real… we are not maximizing that growth,” Rivera said in a PIDS press release. “The issue here is not just demand. The issue here is systems.”

Recovery without traction

In 2024, the Philippines ranked seventh among Association of Southeast Asian Nations members in international visitor arrivals, welcoming 5.9 million tourists. That figure placed the country well behind Thailand at 35.5 million, Malaysia at 25 million, and Vietnam at 17.5 million.

The country’s post-pandemic recovery rate of 72.02 percent also trailed behind Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand.

While the Philippines ranked first in ASEAN for tourism’s overall GDP contribution, generating USD 78 billion in 2023 driven largely by its domestic market, it placed only fifth in international visitor expenditures at USD 11.3 billion.

The World Economic Forum’s 2024 Travel & Tourism Development Index ranked the Philippines 69th out of 119 economies globally, pulled down by a low score of 1.55 out of 7 in tourism services and infrastructure.

Rivera pointed to persistent structural gaps: fewer arrivals relative to regional peers, lower spending per visitor, shorter stays, and slower investment flows. He said the country’s underperformance stems not from weak potential but from weak systems.

“We are underperforming not because of weak potential… [but] because of weak systems,” he said.

Revenues have surged to nearly PHP 700 billion in recent years, driven largely by domestic tourism, which has served as the backbone of the sector’s rebound.

Weak links in the chain

Yet inbound tourism, the main source of higher-value spending and foreign exchange, remains constrained by limited airport capacity, high travel costs, weak inter-island connectivity, and investment friction.

Discussant Dr. Maria Cherry Lyn Rodolfo of the Asian Institute of Management said tourism performance is fundamentally a system and network issue, not a branding problem.

“Connectivity policy is actually tourism policy,” she stressed.

In an archipelago of more than 7,600 islands, with nearly all international visitors arriving by air, tourism is experienced as a chain — from international access to domestic transport and local services.

“In a network, the performance is determined by the weakest link,” Rodolfo said.

The study identified specific bottlenecks, including airport capacity constraints and a lack of direct flight routes connecting international markets to destinations beyond major gateways, as well as inadequate inter-island transport that drives up travel costs and inconveniences visitors.

Uneven infrastructure development concentrates tourists into a few highly visited areas, leading to overtourism and environmental pressures in hotspots like Cebu, Bohol, and Boracay while leaving other high-potential regions underdeveloped.

Department of Tourism Region III Director Dr. Richard Daenos emphasized that the challenge also lies in execution.

“We would like to focus on something that is not negotiable, and this is to fix infrastructure first,” he said, noting that without these fundamentals, even strong marketing efforts will have limited impact.

“This cannot be done at the same time, not everything at once,” Daenos added, underscoring the need to sequence reforms strategically.

Niche markets, untapped edges

He cited priority segments where the Philippines has a competitive edge, including island and beach tourism, diving, community-based tourism, and cultural and culinary experiences.

The study highlighted several emerging niche markets that could help diversify offerings and attract higher-spending tourists.

Culinary tourism pilot programs in places like Iloilo, which showcase iconic dishes like La Paz Batchoy and Pancit Molo alongside local seafood, and Bohol’s Loboc River Cruise, which merges dining with music and nature, are helping build global recognition for Filipino cuisine.

Farm tourism hubs like the La Trinidad Strawberry Farm in Benguet and Damires Hills in Iloilo allow tourists to experience rural life through crop picking and eco-recreation, creating climate-smart livelihoods for local farmers.

Adventure tourism leverages the country’s diverse topography through activities like canyoneering at Kawasan Falls in Cebu, spelunking in Sagada, and ATV rides around Mayon Volcano.

Dark tourism sites linked to history and resilience, including Corregidor Island, Camiguin’s Sunken Cemetery, and the Liberty Shrine in Mactan, are also drawing growing global interest.

Medical tourism, meanwhile, leverages affordable, high-quality healthcare facilities and English-speaking professionals to provide coordinated care for international patients.

Fixing the system, not just the pitch

Commission on Higher Education Technical Panel for Tourism and Hospitality Management Member Dr. Maria Christina Aquino reinforced the need for a whole-of-system approach.

“It takes a village to raise tourism,” she said.

Aquino pointed to gaps in workforce development, accreditation systems, infrastructure, and destination planning, as well as the concentration of tourism benefits in a few major hubs.

The study recommended a coordinated, whole-of-government approach involving the Department of Tourism, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Public Works and Highways to modernize airports, upgrade seaport infrastructure, and develop road networks linking tourism areas.

It also called for bridging connectivity gaps through public-private partnerships and integrating regional tourism circuits into the national Public Investment Program and the “Build, Better, More” portfolio.

The study recommended revising the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority charter to expand PPP models and local investment portfolios, and urged Congress to craft a “tourism circuit development and investment act” that provides targeted incentives for multi-LGU tourism clusters and infrastructure corridors.

To address fragmented local governance, the study proposed establishing inter-LGU tourism councils secured through memoranda of agreement, harmonizing local tourism codes with the National Tourism Development Plan 2023–2028, and creating permanent plantilla positions for local tourism officers to ensure institutional continuity.

The NTDP’s nine strategic pillars cover improved tourism experience, enhanced connectivity, workforce development, authentic tourism experiences, digitalization, high-value tourism, enhanced promotions, sustainable and resilient tourism, and greater collaboration across national agencies, LGUs, and global partners.

The study also called for mainstreaming digital innovation, including the development of a tourist lifecycle app, integration of financial technologies, and improved internet access across destinations.

It emphasized institutionalizing the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence, which blends core Filipino values like compassion, empathy, and respect with practical service skills for frontline workers.

Among the regions benefiting most from domestic tourism growth are CALABARZON, Central Visayas, the Bicol Region, Central Luzon, and the Davao Region.

Tourism-specific products, including shopping, accommodation, passenger transport, and food and beverage, account for 70 percent of the country’s Tourism Direct Gross Value Added. Tourism-related products make up the remaining 30 percent.

“Tourism has always been the fastest driver of employment… but only if tourism is treated as a national economic strategy — not just a sector,” Rivera said.

If all the internal infrastructure is weak how was the Philippines able to be such a hot spot destination before the pandemic? Essentially PIDS is saying the tourism sector is recovering slowly because the nation is backwards which is not something quickly and easily fixed. 

Insurgency: Discovered In A Journal

The NPA remains armed and dangerous. The troops are in pursuit of a group fronted by a wanted NPA hitman in Negros Occidental. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1272411

Troops from the Philippine Army's 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) are pursuing remnants of the communist New People's Army (NPA) led by wanted hitman Roger Fabillar, following two clashes in Calatrava, Negros Occidental on Monday.

In a statement, the 79IB said the separate encounters took place between 8:35 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. at Sitio Proper, Barangay Minautok.

"This group is also responsible for the killings of innocent civilians in the villages of Escalante City. Pursuit operations are ongoing," it said.

Soldiers engaged about seven remnants of the dismantled NPA Northern Negros Front, who later withdrew toward different directions, the report said.

For three years now, the 79IB has been offering a PHP1 million cash reward to anyone who could provide information that would result in the arrest of Fabillar, who is facing a string of murder cases in northern Negros.

The bounty was raised by concerned stakeholders and private individuals who wanted to hasten the manhunt against Fabillar and his group.

Fabillar, who goes by the aliases “Arnel Tapang,” “Jhong,” and “Nono,” is believed to be in his 30s.

He was identified as the main suspect behind the series of killings in Calatrava, including village chief Benjamin Javoc of Barangay Lalong, and Renato Estrebillo and Rodel Nobleza of Barangay Marcelo over the past several years.

Fabillar was also linked to the death of councilman Benito Hubahib of Barangay Cambayobo.

For three years cash has been offered for information leading to his arrest and no one has stepped up. Why is that? Is he being protected? Either way Roger Fabillar is a leader which is a position the AFP claims does not exist. 

During a clash that left one AFP solider dead a notebook was found which shed much light on the recent goings-on of the NPA.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/04/05/what-the-military-discovered-in-a-journal-found-after-deadly-npa-clash-in-occidental-mindoro

A handwritten journal recovered after a deadly encounter between government troops and suspected New People’s Army (NPA) fighters in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro last week offered a rare and unfiltered look into the life inside the armed group, the military said.

In a statement late Saturday, April 4, the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) said the notebook, believed to belong to Charlize Cameron “Ka Kaye” Garzon, an alleged rebel captured by the troops, was among items seized by the troops during the March 29 encounter in Sitio Salafay, Barangay Monteclaro.

The encounter killed Captain Dean Buen Oyando and wounded two other soldiers.

“The entries recovered from the encounter site provide a clearer picture of involvement within the organization. The writings describe operational procedures, experiences within the group, and even ideological reflections, which strongly contradict attempts to portray them as just someone merely observing or conducting cultural work,” said 2ID spokesperson Colonel Michael Aquino.

According to the military, the journal contained detailed notes on the NPA’s structure and also outlined internal roles and functions within the group.

The entries described tactics and procedures as well as instructions on how to maneuver during operations and what to do during armed encounters or in case of arrest, it added.

One directive stood out and it was that members were told to deny involvement if captured, the military noted.

Interwoven with the notes were personal accounts of daily life in the mountains. Garzon allegedly wrote about meals and routine activities, and described the first time she supposedly carried a rifle, where she also expressed fear of combat.

Some entries reflected exhaustion, and Garzon also allegedly wrote about missing city comforts. One note mentioned wanting to leave the mountains after long periods without a proper bath.

The journal also documented a March 24 encounter in Sitio Danlog, Barangay Monteclaro, also in San Jose town, where the entry read: “No march or rally can prepare you for trekking in the mountains,” the military detailed.

Further, the military said that the writings appeared to reflect the process of recruiting members of the armed struggle from various sectors, including the youth.

In one passage, Garzon allegedly assessed the weaknesses in their activities: “We need to raise our revolutionary initiative.”

The notebook also contained sketches, including drawings of personal belongings and maps of temporary camps. The maps showed sleeping quarters, kitchen areas, and other sections. They illustrated how units moved and set up makeshift encampments.

Aquino said the materials provide insight into how new members are absorbed into the movement.

“The details contained in the notebook reflect aspects of life and activities within the armed group that are difficult to dispute. These materials speak for themselves,” he stated.

Garzon was captured a few meters from where Oyando fell and she now faces a murder charge in connection with the incident.

Despite the circumstances, troops provided her first aid at the scene and she was later brought in for medical treatment while under government custody.

Aside from the journal, recovered from the encounter site were an M16 rifle, a hand grenade, improvised explosive device (IED) components, and other personal belongings of Garzon.

Meanwhile, the mother of Garzon called out the military for releasing her photos during a recent visit.

In a social media post, Mayi Garzon accused the troops of violating the Data Privacy Act when the 203rd Infantry Brigade and 2ID released her daughter’s photos showing she was being subjected to a psychological examination, reading a Bible, and interacting with the troops.

“On the first page of my logbook, I highlighted Republic Act 10173, also known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012, so I know it very well!!,” a post on her Facebook account read.

The Manila Bulletin reached out to the Garzon matriarch about the journal supposedly owned by her daughter, and will publish her side once available.

Garzon’s family and friends also denied she was a rebel and insisted she was a “cultural worker” and an activist.

Earlier, human rights group Karapatan demanded Garzon’s release from the custody of the military, saying her arrest was “illegal.” But the 2ID said Garzon was a primary suspect in the death of Captain Oyando and wounding of two other troopers.

That is a very interesting find which seems to contradict everything the APF has been saying. Namely the NPA is very active, continues to be able to recruit, and has leadership. The NPA is not a spent force nor have they been defeated.

This same encounter revealed handwritten notes which showed the NPA's plans to integrate foreigners. This is from the diary of Cristina Paison, a Fil-Am. 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/04/08/npa-eyeing-foreign-fighters-says-military

The military disclosed that the New People’s Army (NPA) plans to integrate foreign recruits into their ranks, handwritten notes found during the March 29 encounter in Barangay Monteclaro, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro said.

The Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command said these were recovered by troops from the 2nd Infantry Division. They appeared to be diary-style entries written in fluent English, with timestamps beginning as early as March 11, and documented the daily experiences of a person staying with the communist rebels.

A checklist of items needed for movement in rugged terrain was listed. One entry mentioned a plan after the writer’s stay in the mountains, including “explore alternative routes around Taft.” 

Some passages were reflections about life in the armed movement. One entry said: “In the countryside, you aren’t nearly bossed down ideologically. The forces of imperialism are weaker in a sense. Everyone’s clear-sighted, clear-minded. The objective is right there: To triumph over the enemy.”

The entries were written in conversational English, suggesting the writer may have been accustomed to using the language in daily communication, the military said.

Chantal Anicoche, a Filipino-American who was rescued by troops days after a gun battle on Jan. 1 in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, disclosed that she traveled to Mindoro together with another Filipino-American, Cristina Pasion. 

Anicoche said that they remained together in Mindoro until they were separated after the encounter. 

Pasion was expected to return to the United States on March 14 but did not appear for her departure at the airport.

The Buklod Kapayapaan Federation, a national organization composed of former rebels and peace advocates, identified Pasion as among the individuals involved in the encounter.

Capt. Dean Buen Oyando was killed and two soldiers were wounded in the March 29 gunfight.

An NPA amazon, Charleze Garzon, was found near the body of Oyando. She was taken into government custody. Garzon is facing a murder charge.

It's not clear from these released passages that Paison is anything more than an observer as Chantal Anicoche. It is also not clear how she hooked up with this group. The Army claims she is distressed and has demanded the NPA release her. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1272564

The Philippine Army's 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) on Wednesday called on the New People's Army (NPA) to immediately free Filipino-American citizen Cristina Pasion, who is believed to be with the insurgents in Occidental Mindoro.

2ID public affairs office chief Col. Michael Aquino made the appeal to the rebel group after soldiers recovered handwritten notes believed to be written by Pasion, which show signs of emotional distress.

“The writings, believed to have been authored by her, raise serious concerns about her well-being, and we hope that those currently with her will recognize that no cause should come at the cost of a person’s life and mental health,” he added.

Aquino emphasized that the appeal is based on humanitarian concern.

“If she wishes to leave the armed movement and return home, she should be allowed to do so. Everyone deserves the opportunity to step away from conflict and rebuild their life,” he added.

Aquino also reiterated the 2ID's call for the remaining members of the armed group to abandon the path of violence.

“The 2nd Infantry Division reiterates its call for the few remaining NPA members to lay down their arms and surrender to the fold of the law, where they can rebuild their lives anew with their families,” he added.

He also called on Pasion's family to help encourage her return to the United States and move forward with her life.

Government forces recovered the handwritten notes shortly after the March 29 clash with NPA members in Barangay Monteclaro, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.

The encounter resulted in the death of Army officer Capt. Dean Buen Oyando and the wounding of two other soldiers.

After the incident, Charlize Garzon was found a few meters from the lifeless body of Oyando and was subsequently taken into custody. Garzon is now facing a murder charge and two counts of homicide in connection with the incident.

Among the materials previously recovered from the area were notebooks and other personal writings believed to have been left behind by fleeing members of the armed group during the incident.

"Among the diary-style entries were notes written in fluent English describing personal experiences while staying in the mountains. One of these entries is believed to have been written by Cristina Pasion, based on the conversational tone of the notes and information from individuals who were previously with her," the 2ID said.

In the entry, the writer stated, “I feel like everyone is playing mind games. There is this urge to leave everything behind and start from scratch. Begin with a clean slate. No more complicated bull****.”

Another line in the same set of notes reads, “Everything is time sensitive. Please f****** kill me right now.”

The 2ID expressed concern that the tone of the entries suggests that the author may be experiencing significant emotional strain while staying with the armed group.

Available information also indicates that Pasion, who has been identified as a member of Migrante International, was seen together with Filipino-American Chantal Anicoche before their trip to Mindoro.

Reports further indicate that the two were together during their stay on the island until they were separated during the Jan. 1 incident in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, where government troops clashed with NPA members.

Further information indicates that Pasion was expected to return to the United States on March 14, but failed to appear for her scheduled departure at the airport.

If these girls and others are being recruited through groups in the USA then the Philippines State Department should be working with the US State Department to root them out and dismantle them. 

Despite claiming the NPA is leaderless and unable to recruit the NTF-ELCAC is instructing the public to reject communism and recruitment into the CPP-NPA.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1272019

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Sunday urged Filipinos to reject recruitment calls of the New People's Army (NPA) and shun their continued acts of violence.

NTF-ELCAC executive director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., in a statement, said there is nothing worth celebrating in a movement built on decades of violence and deception, as the insurgent group observes its 57th founding anniversary.

“For 57 years, what has been offered is not liberation, but bloodshed -- violence disguised as ideology and a struggle that has only deepened poverty and suffering,” he added.

The NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), was established on March 29, 1969 by CPP founder Jose Maria Sison and former members of the Hukbalahap (Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon or People's Army Against Japan), led by Bernabe Buscayno.

“There is nothing to celebrate in a movement that thrives on fear and exploits the very people it claims to serve,” he said.

Torres said the legacy of the insurgency is written not in victories, but in lost lives, broken families and communities held hostage by intimidation and false promises.

Torres said there is ongoing "decisive and irreversible shift on the ground" against the NPA remnants as former rebels lay down their arms and reconnect with their families.

“Across the country, from the farthest barangays to our urban centers, Filipinos are choosing peace -- freely, consciously, and in growing numbers,” he added.

Data from the National Amnesty Commission show 16,003 applications, far exceeding the initial projection of 10,000.

Of these, 13,633 were actual combatants and supporters of the armed struggle under the CPP-NPA-National Democratic Front.

Their applications were received before the March 13 deadline. Torres said such developments are not isolated gains but “clear, measurable signs” that the decades-long insurgency is nearing its end.

“This is no longer just a security campaign. This is a whole-of-nation movement anchored on truth, justice, and genuine opportunity,” he added.

However, he urged Filipinos not to be complacent as the threat has evolved, shifting from the battlefield to more insidious forms of recruitment, particularly among the youth.

“For decades, recruitment has not begun with armed struggle, but with manipulation -- through misinformation, emotional coercion and the systematic erosion of critical thinking. These are the hallmarks of terrorist grooming,” he said.

He does not say what these "more insidious forms of recruitment" which makes this warning useless.