Coronavirus Lockdown: Nat'l Para Games, Coagulation in Blood, and More!

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

Another event has returned to the Philippines after the pandemic. This time it's the National Para Games. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1237160

After being shelved for five years, the Philippine National Para Games returns with more than 900 participants taking centerstage at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex and PhilSports from Nov. 11 to 14.

Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC) and Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled (PHILSPADA) president Mike Barredo said Tuesday the Games would feature nine sports – archery, athletics, badminton, boccia (precision ball sport), chess, powerlifting, swimming, table tennis, and wheelchair basketball.

“Our objective remains, which is to champion Para sports development and inclusion,” said Barredo, who was joined by PPC secretary general Goody Custodio and head coach Joel Deriada in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Barredo said the Games were last held in Malolos, Bulacan in 2019 before it was shelved due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

However, with the help of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the eighth staging will soon unfold.

Custodio said 72 cities and provinces will be represented in the Games, which will kick off with a classification seminar on Nov. 7 followed by the classification proper for Para athletes from Nov. 8 to 10.

“This is also the biggest opportunity for us to select players for the national Para team,” Custodio said in the weekly forum presented by San Miguel Corp., PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and ArenaPlus, the country’s 24/7 sports app.

“We want to continue to instill the values of sports and discipline, courage, and equality among the participants,” added Barredo, a former PSC commissioner.

“And this is a chance for our Para athletes to go out of their comfort zones and have fun competing. To some, it’s life-changing,” Deriada said.

With all these events the question remains: Why didn't they bring it back sooner? The Olympics have happened. The Ironman competition happened. Why not bring back the paraplegic games sooner?

Tourism is very important. That's why the Philippines has sent a delegation to the World Travel Market. 

https://dailyguardian.com.ph/philippines-showcases-tourism-at-world-travel-market/

The Department of Tourism (DOT) and Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines will lead the largest Philippine delegation since the pandemic to the World Travel Market (WTM) 2024, held Nov. 5-7 at ExCeL, London, aiming to position the Philippines as a premier global destination.

WTM is one of the top global business-to-business events in travel, uniting tourism professionals, government leaders, and international media to highlight innovations in travel and tourism since its founding in 1980.

“We see the World Travel Market London as a critical platform to present the Philippines to a global audience, showcasing the distinctive qualities that set our country apart—from award-winning destinations and vibrant culture to rich gastronomy and world-class hospitality,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said.

Frasco noted that the largest delegation of tour operators, hotels, and resorts since the pandemic positions DOT and TPB Philippines to reinforce partnerships and solidify the Philippines’ standing in global tourism, supporting President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision to make the country a tourism powerhouse in Asia.

Frasco, alongside TPB Chief Operating Officer (COO) Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles, will lead the delegation, joined by representatives from three government agencies and 22 private sector tourism stakeholders.

Participating tour operators include Annset Holidays Inc., Baron Travel Corp., Biyaheko.com Corp., Blue Horizons Travel & Tours, CTPH Travel and Lifestyle Services, Intas Destinations Management Inc., My Trips Travel and Tours, Rajah Tours Philippines, Sharp Travel Services Philippines Inc., Travelite Travel and Tours Co., Uni-Orient Travel Inc., and VIA Philippines Travel Corp.

Representing the hotel and resort sector are Amorita Resort, Atmosphere Resorts & Spa, Club Agutaya Inc., Crimson Resorts & Hotels, Lihim Resorts, El Nido by Araw Hospitality Inc., Misibis Resort & Hotel Management Inc., Ten Knots Development Corp., The Bellevue Resort, The Funny Lion, and The Lind Boracay.

As of Nov. 1, international visitor arrivals to the Philippines totaled 4,879,022, with the United Kingdom ranked as the top European source, marking the Philippines’ ninth-largest source market with 128,660 arrivals from Jan. 1 to Oct. 31.

The recovering UK outbound travel market presents a valuable growth opportunity for the Philippines. Valued at $90.46 billion in 2024, it is projected to grow to $206.43 billion by 2034, according to Future Market Insights.

It's the largest delegation since the pandemic. Surely that will get those tourism numbers up.

There is still a lot of COVID-19 misinformation going around. The DOH is here to set everyone straight. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2002542/covid-19-is-caused-by-sars-cov-2-virus-and-not-by-a-bacterium-doh

COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, not by a bacterium, the Department of Health (DOH) reiterated on Friday.

The department made the statement to warn the public against false stories that a bacterium is the cause of COVID-19.

In an advisory, the DOH said the reports had claimed that it was Singapore that made the discovery.

“[We are warning] the public against circulating false claims indicating that Singapore discovered that COVID-19 does not exist as a virus but [as a] bacterium that has been exposed to radiation and causes human death by coagulation in the blood,” said DOH.

“The Singapore Ministry of Health clarified that this information did not originate from them and referenced similar misleading claims that have appeared in other countries,” it added.

The DOH emphasized that COVID-19 is caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2 and not by a bacterium.

Filipinos were then advised to remain vigilant against misleading COVID-19  information and to seek updates only from legitimate sources and platforms.

Not only is COVID-19 not caused by a bacterium but it does not cause blood coagulation.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/926410/doh-denies-claims-covid-19-causes-death-by-coagulation-in-blood/story/

The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday denied claims that Singapore supposedly discovered that the COVID-19 causes human death by coagulation in the blood.

“The Singapore Ministry of Health clarified that this information did not originate from them and referenced similar misleading claims that have appeared in other countries,” the DOH said in a statement.

Yes. That would be the vaccine which causes blod clots. Or so they say. 

Private schools are just now recovering from the pandemic. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1237432

The Department of Education-Cordillera Administrative Region (DepEd-CAR) said 18 of 33 schools that closed since School Year 2020-21 because of the Covid-19 pandemic have applied for permits to resume operations while 53 that continued applied for recognition.

Ethylyn Taqued, chief of the quality assurance division of the DepEd-CAR, said that to resume operation means having the necessary staff that will implement the school’s program, aside from having facilities that will meet the basic standards set for an education institution.

She said schools that have permits to operate are allowed to simply operate but schools with recognition have privileges such as being qualified to be accredited to implement the governments education subsidy programs upon compliance with requirements. 

“The resumption of the permit means they have reopened. Elevating the permit to recognition means they have coped with the requirement of ownership of the land where they are staying, they have improved their physical facilities and environment, aside from having improved staff who have higher education qualifications,” she said.

Taqued said recognized schools may apply to implement the Education Service Contracting program, where government subsidizes PHP11,000 for the student’s tuition fee; the teacher subsidy of PHP18,000; the junior high school voucher program of PHP17,000; and the senior high voucher program of PHP20,000.

“If the school is qualified to implement these education subsidies, they can invite more students to enroll to them, which will mean more funds added to the schools’ operation,” she said.

The official said these programs are among the state’s recognition of the partnership between the public and private education sectors.

“We need the private schools so that we can decongest the public school. We appreciate private schools that open and improve themselves by obtaining a recognition because it helps the public sector basic education provide for the youth’s education,” she said.

What happened? Public schools have been open for the past three years. 

The God Culture: 100 Lies About the Philippines: Lie #30: The Philippine Flag and National Anthem are Bible Prophecy

Welcome back to 100 lies The God culture teaches about the Philippines. Today's lie concerns the Philippine flag and national anthem. Timothy claims they contain biblical prophecy but as we shall see that is a lie. 

In one of his videos Tim explains the alleged biblical prophecy contained in the Philippine flag and the words of the national anthem. 

Revelation 12: The Land That Protects The Woman. Solomon's Gold Series 13D

28:56 So let's look here at the national flag of the Philippines. Notice the symbol of the Sun. Are there other countries that have such? Certainly there are many in fact but take a look at their national anthem Lupang Hinirang or chosen land, interesting. Land of the morning. Why? Well the Sun rises in the east and has been considered the Far East as far back as history goes really. The Orient is well recorded, even Japan is also known as the Land of the Rising Sun and it sits parallel to the Philippines but it is not a Lost Tribe territory thus it does not fit this. But the Philippines is. 

Now read the next line though. Very odd. "Child of the Sun returning." Wow! The first time we saw that we thought well it must be Sun God symbology yet in lieu of these findings in Revelation 12 perhaps not.

"Never shall invaders trample thy sacred shores." Sacred shores. Funny. 

Understand this anthem is written after the Spanish had invaded in about 1898. They were invaded by the U.S. in the very next year in fact and also Japan in World War 2 so that did not come true then, right? Or did it? Actually if in fact this is a reference referring to Satan attacking as the enemy it would be accurate a minor point but we look at everything that we see here. However, is the Philippines the land of the Sun that's the symbology we're looking for. The answer yes. 

And look at the Greek word used here. The word is Helios which means Sun but also actually means East. Why? Because the Sun rises in the east you see that with Hebrew and Greek words often nothing abnormal about that. But literally one could replace the word East in the passage and it would be accurate. A woman clothed in the east. And we know it's Jacob and Jacobs descendants in the East are in the Philippines.

We looked up all the words in this passage basically in Greek but they are really translated pretty appropriately as things like clothes is pretty much clothed each time it's used or arrayed which is maybe a better word but pretty much the same thing. The anthem continues to mention the nation's radiance, again more sun language, but "thy banner dear to all hearts its Sun and stars." Alright so yes we see star symbology here too but we'll get there. 

"Oh never shall it's shining fields be dimmed by tyrants might." There have been tyrants but they have not lasted in the Philippines, Remember that. 

Again they were attacked but they have gained their independence just after World War two in fact and they remain so and even now we begin to see the prophecy of Messiah in Matthew 12:42 as Sheba, Ophir, Philippines begins to rise against corruption, against the New World Order, the Beast whichever you wish to call it which is also exactly what this land which protects the woman is really doing when you look at the passage. They are taking a stand against the dragon. In our opinion this is far too much to overlook. 

So, "land of the morning child of the Sun returning." Child of Jacob the Sun returning. Hmm. The hundred and forty-four thousand. Hmm.

And more language, "beautiful land of love, oh land of light." Now, there are three lights in Genesis that were placed in the firmament. What are they? The Sun, the Moon, and stars. Hmm. 

"In thine embraced 'tis rapture to lie." Huh. Rapture? The manchild is from the woman Israel and is birthed in heaven and raptured, the actual Greek word used there is harpazo. No every time you see that word mean in Scripture it does not mean that is the rapture doctrine. You first have to prove the rapture doctrine is scriptural and then you can start applying the word in such a way but you can't do it the other way around. This is not the rapture. It cannot be the rapture of the rapture doctrine absolutely not. So, raptured to the throne room of Yahuah think about it. 

"But it is glory ever when thou art wronged for us, thy sons to suffer and die." No doubt could be a military reference there and that's fine but it's a very interesting choice of words especially throughout the entire national anthem. 

We find these kinds of things all over the Philippine history. But the main point here is is the Philippines a land of Jacob? Ye,s Lost Tribes migrated there thus it is the Sun and even uses sun symbology. It just piles on top of all of this to just confirm the Philippines is the land that clothes the woman in the Sun. So does it fit here? We believe it does.

Tim also mentions this alleged prophecy in his book The Search for King Solomon's Treasure.

One of the greatest mysteries in prophecy which has eluded scholars is Revelation 12. Most immediately migrate to astrology and there is no biblical precedence to interpret His prophecy through the paradigm of star patterns named for His adversaries. In fact, we examine every scripture that appears to classify constellations in the English and studying out the Hebrew and Greek, there is not one which even refers to a star cluster which commemorates the Watcher Fallen Angels and their Nephilim offspring. Talk about “doctrines of demons.”

Instead, with this restored geography in mind, we now understand the Philippines to be far more important than once perceived. To ignore this, would be a huge oversight. Understandably, scholars are unaware largely of this thinking thus they will never interpret this prophecy with accuracy in our opinion.

Remember, this is prophecy and we are simply attempting to examine one which no scholar has ever explained with precision. This is a future event as all of Revelation is according to John in his opening. We see dual symbology here in which the woman appears physically in Heaven but these symbols which surround her distinguish a land as well which will protect her and she will flee into it’s wilderness. This land is described asclothing the woman in the sun, the moon at it’s feet, twelve stars in it’s crown, having a wilderness or desert, likely an island or on the coastline in the ocean where a great tsunami could form and it has the great eagle. Do any of these seem familiar? We believe so.

The Philippines is known in it’s National Anthem, “Lupang Hinirang,” as the “Land of the morning” or sun. Some English translations then render “child of the sun returning.” It is well known geographically as the area in which the sun rises in the Far East just as Japan is the “Land of the Rising Sun” in almost parallel longitude to the Philippines. The Philippines would envelope this woman in the warmth of the sun.

pg. 265-266

Whether knowingly or unknowingly Tim is interpreting the Bible through Freemasonic symbology! The flag of the Philippines was designed by Emilio Aguinaldo and is replete with masonic symbols.

The Hong Kong designed flag that Aguinaldo brought with him from his exile on board the US dispatch boat McCullock, and which became the official flag of the first Philippine Republic, consisted of two horizontal stripes, blue on top and red below. It had a white equilateral triangle at the hoist that is smaller than that in our flag today. Within the triangle, at its center, a mythological sun was depicted with eyebrows, eyes, nose and mouth in black, bearing eight rays without any minor ray for each, and three five-pointed stars, one at each angle of the triangle. All these devices were in gold or yellow colour.

Among the more credible assertions relied upon to establish the tie between masonry and the flag are the following:

In October 1899, Ambrocio Flores, Grand Master of the Gran Consejo Regional and at that time a general in the army of Aguinaldo, wrote letters to the Grand Lodges in the United States appealing to them to employ their influence to help the fledgling Philippine Republic. In these letters he compared the Philippine flag to the masonic banner saying, "...this national flag resembles closely our masonic banner starting from its triangular quarter to the prominent central position of its resplendent sun surrounded in its triangular position by three 5-pointed stars. Even in its three coloured background, it is the spitting image of our Venerable Institution’s banner so that when you see it in any part of the world, waving with honor amidst the flags of other nations and acknowledged by these nations, let us hope that with this flag, and through it, our common parent, Freemasonry will likewise be so honored."

In his beautiful Grand Oration pronounced in 1928, historian Teodoro M. Kalaw, Sr., uttered these words: "And the triangle appearing on the Philippine flag, the loftiest symbolism of the struggles of the Filipino people, was put there, according to President Aguinaldo, as an homage to Freemasonry."

https://freemasonry.bcy.ca/symbolism/philippine_flag.html

The original flag designed by Freemason Aguinaldo had a sun with a face on it inside a white triangle and the design was a tribute to the lodge to which he belonged! In fact the entire independence movement was freemasonic in origin and spirit. Even the national anthem came about due to the Freemasons. From The Cabletow, the official magazine of Philippine Freemasonry:

https://grandlodge.ph/sites/default/files/cabletow/Cabletow2005-1.pdf

The untold story of our National Anthem is that the music and the lyrics came into being because of the inspiration and prompting of Freemasons.

Rafael Palma, who became Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines in 1920, wrote how the lyrics of the National Anthem came about, thus:

“During the leisure hours allowed by the daily and especially at night after the day’s work, the members of the staff of La Independencia, seeking to amuse themselves and to be relieved from their physical weariness, used to assemble together and sing or play on musical instruments. Their souls afflicted by the military situation, which was growing worse every day, needed spiritual elation, and they found it in singing war tunes and martial songs which made them forget the bitterness of a sad reality....

“It was in one of those occasions that Jose Palma saw the necessity of writing a poem for the words of the Marcha Nacional Filipina. Although this march was known since the beginning of the revolution and was hummed by everybody, it had not yet then any words accompanying it. To suit its music, he wrote a poem Filipinas, which was published for the first time in the issue of the first anniversary of La Independencia on Sept. 3, 1899. the spirit of his verses glowed with an optimistic faith in the future because (then) it was the general belief that it would be impossible for the American forces to dominate the entire archipelago.”

The music and the lyrics of our National Anthem no doubt came about when our forebears fought for their freedom and independence, but its patriotic message transcends their time. Patriotism is in the heart of the nationalists who love their country.

The involvement of Freemasons in the development of our National Anthem is more than a coincidence. The message is clear: Freemasons love Freedom. and the National Anthem bears the imprint of their devotion.

The fact is the Philippine National Anthem is thoroughly steeped in Freemasonry. It is absolutely not a bible based prophecy.

Unbelievably Tim is basing his interpretation of Revelation 12 on symbols rooted in and originating from Philippine Freemasonry! Is he really this dumb? Yes, he is. Timothy Jay Schwab is interpreting Bible prophecy through the lyrics of the Freemasonic Philippine national anthem which is irrational, insane, and is simply another lie The God Culture teaches about the Philippines. 

Insurgency: New Intel Group

As the year comes to a close the communist rebellion is showing no signs of abating. But neither is the AFP's campaign against the insurgency. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1237168

The Visayas’ top military official on Wednesday vowed to continue efforts to end local communist armed conflict in the central Philippines as the New People’s Army (NPA) in the region has suffered a series of setbacks.

Lt. Gen. Fernando Reyeg, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Visayas Command, said the recent blows suffered by the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the NPA, “is a testament to our resolve to ensure the security and well-being of our people” in the three central regions.

Reyeg reported that five encounters between members of the 803rd Infantry Battalion under the Joint Task Force (JTF) Storm and NPA combatants occurred in Barangay Sulitan, Catubig town in Northern Samar on Tuesday, which led to the death of two rebels.

The first encounter broke out at about 6:57 a.m. as government troops responded to a report from a concerned resident on the presence of rebels conducting extortion activities.

This was followed by four more encounters from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. as the withdrawing NPA combatants engaged the government troops who were blocking the enemy’s route of withdrawal.

The five encounters in Northern Samar happened after soldiers in Aklan killed an NPA member in a clash in the island province’s Barangay Manika of Libacao town on Oct. 31.

Authorities identified the NPA remnant who was killed during the encounter with the 12th Infantry Battalion under JTF Spear as Alvin Panoy, alias Vinmar/Bernie/Jake, reportedly a member of the Regional Sentro de Grabidad (RSDG) and Central Front of Komiteng Rehiyon (KR) – Panay.

Soldiers in Aklan recovered an M16 assault rifle, subversive documents, and personal belongings.

“The threat of the communist terrorist group may be persistent, but our commitment is equally relentless. We will sustain our efforts and continue to press forward until lasting peace and stability in the region are achieved,” Reyeg said in a statement.

He noted the significant development in the AFP’s security efforts that “reflects the strong desire of our people in Eastern Visayas to end the local communist armed conflict in the region.”

The courage and commitment to peace and active collaboration of the people in the Visayas have inspired the troops to remain committed to the shared goal of peace and stability in the central Philippine region, Reyeg added.

Saying "the threat of the communist terrorist group may be persistent" is a different approach for the AFP. In the past they have said the NPA is leaderless and thus toothless being unable to carry out coordinated attacks or recruit. 

But there are leaders left in the NPA. One of them was killed in a clash in Northern Samar. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1237180

Two rebels, including a high-ranking leader of the New People’s Army (NPA), died in a gun battle with soldiers in upland Sulitan village in Catubig, Northern Samar, on Tuesday. 

The Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division identified the fatalities as alias Baste, a platoon and squad leader of front 15, NPA sub-regional committee arctic, and alias Jino, a member of Squad 2 in the regional guerrilla unit of the NPA’s Eastern Visayas regional party committee. 

Government troops also recovered one M16 rifle, four.45-caliber magazines, subversive documents, and personal belongings at the encounter site, according to information sent to reporters by the military on Wednesday. 

Government forces clashed with rebels Tuesday afternoon after they responded to reports from civilians about armed NPA members extorting and intimidating farmers in the area. 

The clash lasted several minutes before the insurgents retreated, leaving behind two of their dead comrades. 

Brig. Gen. Perfecto Peñaredondo, acting commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, is saddened by the deaths of rebels in a senseless struggle. 

“The unnecessary loss of lives due to misguided ideology could have been avoided if they had chosen a peaceful path. We all dream of a peaceful and progressive community, so I urge the remaining rebels to heed the government’s call and become advocates for peace,” Peñaredondo said in a statement. 

Northern Samar is considered the country's last bastion of insurgency. 

Recently, the military dismantled two NPA front committees, prompting its remnants to regroup into a sub-regional guerilla unit. 

Although there are still active fighters in Northern Samar, they are no longer in control of any village in Samar Island, according to the Philippine Army.

Another NPA leader was killed in a clash in Aklan. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/11/3/npa-leader-killed-in-aklan-gunfight

The Philippine Army has identified the communist rebel killed in an encounter with the 12th Infantry Battalion in Libacao town, Aklan province on Oct. 31 as a high-ranking New People’s Army leader.

The fatality was Alvin Panoy, alias Ka Jake or Ka Vinmar, 30, from Iloilo province. 

The 3rd Infantry Division said that Ka Jake was the former finance and logistics officer of Squad II, Igabon Platoon, of the NPA Central Front Committee on Panay Island. 

“The death of alias Ka Jake has disrupted the NPA’s attempt to recover their influence in Aklan, including its financial and logistical support system in both red and white area operations,” 3rd ID commander Major Gen. Marion Sison said. 

Aklan was declared by the Armed Forces of the Philippines as insurgency free in 2011. 

The PA assured that Panoy’s body will be transported to his family in Lemery, Iloilo for  a proper burial.

If the death of this leader "has disrupted the NPA’s attempt to recover their influence in Aklan, including its financial and logistical support system in both red and white area operations" then that means they were on the road to recovering their influence. But how could that be if the NPA has basically been defeated and the AFP was hoping for a total defeat by the end of the year? 

The opposite is true in Kalinaw-Davao del Norte where no NPA activity has been monitored. The AFP is denying reports of recruitment in the area. 

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/1001st-infantry-brigade-commander-denies-reports-of-npa-recruitment-in-aor/

BRIG. GEN. Ronnie Babac, commander of the 1001st Infantry Brigade, dismissed reports of New People’s Army (NPA) recruitment activities within their area of responsibility.

“We haven’t monitored any such activities,” Babac said during the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps briefing on Wednesday. 

“However, we continue our efforts to engage the youth sector through the SEMR, a third-party organization that facilitates community dialogues.”

He added that the “Youth for Peace” in Davao de Oro, supported by Governor Dorothy Gonzaga and various companies, also contributes to the efforts to thwart NPA presence in the province.

Despite the absence of monitored NPA activity within their area, Babac said the brigade remains on moderate alert due to the enemy’s presence in the neighboring areas of the 10th Infantry Division, particularly in Caraga.

Recently, the Kalinaw-SEMR partnered with the 1001st Infantry Brigade, 1003rd Infantry Brigade, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and the provincial local government unit (PLGU) of Davao del Norte, held a two-day assembly for former rebels of Davao del Norte at Samana Beach Resort, Barangay Tagnanan, Mabini, Davao de Oro, from Oct. 25-26, 2024. 

With the theme “Pag Panday sa Bag-ong Dalan sa Kalinaw” (Forging a New Path for Peace), the event brought together 250 former rebels organized as Kalinaw Davao del Norte, reaffirming their commitment to peace and the government’s efforts to maintain an insurgency-free community.

Babac addressed the participants, emphasizing the critical role of Kalinaw-SEMR in fostering peace, healing, and reconciliation in the region. 

His message encouraged collaborative efforts to entice more surrenderees and help them become productive members of society.

Kalinaw-Davao del Norte is dedicated to supporting the government’s peace-building goals, guided by the mission to insulate the province from the influence of Communist Terrorist Groups. 

The assembly served as a platform for dialogue, sharing experiences, and discussing initiatives that further the collective peace and security objectives for Davao del Norte.

While there is no NPA activity in their area the NPA is active in neighboring areas. What is stopping them from regaining a hold in Kalinaw-Davao del Norte?

After all these recent clashes the AFP has seized several caches of firearms. First in Samar. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1237309

Soldiers recovered more firearms after a series of clashes with rebels in Catubig, Northern Samar, the Philippine Army reported on Thursday.

Seized on Nov. 6 were one Blackwater M16 rifle, one Glock 17 9mm pistol, and some subversive documents in upland San Antonio village, Catubig town.

Lt. Col. Richard Villaflor, commander of the Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion, said in a statement that troops found these firearms while pursuing fleeing rebels engaged in a series of gun battles since Nov. 5.

“The firefight in San Antonio village between our troops and nine NPA (New People's Army) members lasted for several minutes before the insurgents withdrew,” Villaflor said.

The nine NPA combatants belong to a bond of rebels who clashed with government forces on Nov. 5 in upland Sulitan village, also in Catubig town, where two rebels, including a high-ranking leader, were killed.

The military identified the fatalities as Glen Acebuche alias Baste, a platoon and squad leader of Front Committee 15, NPA Sub-Regional Committee Arctic, and Jerick Adante alias Gino, a member of Squad 2 under the regional guerrilla unit of the NPA’s Eastern Visayas regional party committee. 

Government troops also recovered one M16 rifle, four .45-caliber magazines, subversive documents, and personal belongings at the encounter site.

The series of gun battles started after soldiers responded to reports from civilians about armed NPA members extorting and intimidating farmers in the area. 

The clash lasted several minutes before the insurgents retreated, leaving behind two of their dead comrades. 

Meanwhile, Catubig town Mayor Solomon Vicencio expressed his sorrow for the deaths and extended his deepest sympathies to the bereaved families.

“The loss of these two individuals is a stark reminder of the dangers and consequences of joining armed groups and the suffering it brings not only to the individuals involved but also to their families and communities,” Vicencio said in a separate statement on Thursday.

Northern Samar is considered the country's last bastion of insurgency. 

Recently, the military dismantled two NPA front committees, prompting its remnants to regroup into a sub-regional guerilla unit. 

Although there are still active fighters in Northern Samar, they are no longer in control of any village in Samar Island, according to the Philippine Army.

Next in Oriental Mindoro. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/11/7/npa-arms-cache-recovered-in-oriental-mindoro

Troops recovered a New People’s Army arms cache following an encounter in Barangay Villa Pag-asa, Bansud, Oriental Mindoro on Tuesday afternoon. 

Brig. Gen. Randolph G. Cabangbang, commander of the Army 203rd Brigade, said soldiers from the 76th Infantry (Victrix) Battalion were conducting a security operation in Sitio Gitgit when they engaged a group of 15 NPA rebels.

The communist rebels fled after a 20-minute gunfight, leaving behind an M16 rifle, M16 rifle upper receiver, three hand grenades, a detonator switch, three magazines for M16 rifle, and 30 bullets. No casualties were recorded among government troopers. 

Cabangbang said the NPA rebels belong to the Ignacio Claveria Magadia Command and Main Regional Guerilla Unit, Sub-Regional Military Area 4D, Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee that operate in the hinterlands of southern Mindoro provinces.

He said troops, backed by the police and the local government unit, are now conducting humanitarian and debriefing among residents in the area.

Major Gen. Cerilo Balaoro Jr., commander of the 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division based in Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal, called on the remaining NPA in Mindoro to return to the fold of the law and avail of the government’s amnesty offer under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). 

Finally in Kalinga. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/regionaltv/news/104926/govt-troops-recover-ammunition-explosives-allegedly-from-cppnpa-in-kalinga/story/

Troops from the 103rd Infantry Battalion (103IB) of the 5th Infantry Division (5ID) of the Philippine Army unearthed a cache of live ammunition, an improvised explosive device (IED), and other items belonging allegedly to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) in a remote area in Balbalan, Kalinga.

The discovery happened during a long-range patrol by Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA) personnel under the 103rd Battalion's "Oplan Ultimatum."

They found the items, including rounds of .45 caliber pistol ammunition, in Sitio Babacong, Barangay Gawaan.

The location reportedly appeared to have served as an old encampment for the WKLG Baggas unit of the communist group’s Ilocos Cordillera Regional Committee in 2022.

Following the recovery, troops searched the area thoroughly to ensure it was secure, and documented all items for proper handling.

Authorities continue to urge remaining members of the CPP-NPA in Cordillera to surrender.

"The management of 103IB under the leadership of 5ID never ceases to call on the remaining elements of CPP-NPA-NDF in Cordillera to lay down their arms and revert to the fold of government to enjoy the real essence of lasting peace and inclusive development," the 5ID said in a statement.

The discovery of this cache happened "during a long-range patrol" rather than after a clash. But there are still remnants who could clash with the AFP. 

Intelligence is an important in the war against the insurgency. At least intelligence is important when the AFP does not ignore it. For some reason the AFP has created a brand new intel group. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/11/6/afp-creates-new-intel-group-but-why

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) created yet another intelligence group as it acknowledges the crucial role of information warfare in its overall campaign strategy to protect the country and the people.

The AFP Intelligence Command (AIC) was activated on August 21 “to enhance the nation’s intelligence capabilities in response to evolving security challenges,” said AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla on Wednesday, Nov. 6.

The newly-activated command is being led by its commander, Lt. Gen. Ferdinand Barandon.

“This renewed establishment addresses the pressing need for a more adaptive and efficient intelligence,” Padilla said.

However, Padilla could not explain how the AIC would function administratively as the AFP already has the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) which conducts intelligence operations under the command of the AFP chief of staff.

The ISAFP's primary function is to provide the military with accurate, relevant, and timely data to help commanders make decisions. 

The AFP also has a counterintelligence command, the AFP Counterintelligence Group (AFP-CIG), which neutralizes espionage efforts by other countries and their agents. The AFP-CIG's mandate is to conduct counterintelligence operations nationwide.

Asked how the AIC will function, Padilla responded: “[I] prefer not to respond in detail at this time.”

She, however, noted that the AFP is “focused on enhancing coordination across all intelligence units to ensure a unified approach to emerging threats.”

Last Monday, Nov. 4, AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. stated that the military will incorporate for the first time an information warfighting exercise in the AFP Joint Exercise (AJEX) DAGIT-PA 2024.

He said this highlights the critical need for strategic communications and information operations in modern defense operations. As the nature of warfare evolves, Brawner stressed the importance of equipping the military not only with the physical readiness but also with robust capabilities in the digital and informational domains.

“We need to provide correct information to the public amid the proliferation of fake news. Sometimes, fake news could turn the tide of the war,” Brawner said. 

“Just look at what’s happening in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea. Other countries have a strong information warfare because they want to give their own narrative to the entire world. We all know it’s the ships of the China Coast Guard and militia that are ramming us but in the news, they are making it appear that we are the ones bumping them. So we have to couter that and we have to rehearse that in times of war,” the military chief added.

Funny how not even the AFP can even explain how this redundant intelligence office will operate. At least they prefer to not explain. 

This Filipino is VERY Resilient

Everyone hears about how resilient Filipinos are. This man embodies that spirit. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/content/925796/viral-kakanin-vendor-braves-kristine-floods-to-feed-family/story/

During tropical cyclone Kristine's heavy downpour in October, a vendor went viral for walking through massive floods and winds while carrying his container of kakanin.

"Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho" discovered that this man, Randy, lives in Calamba, Laguna, and that he decided to brave the storm to earn an income to feed his family.

["All I could think of was my family not having anything to eat. That's why I forced myself to go out into the streets to sell"]

Randy said that he knew a storm was coming that day; he seized the opportunity because sales were strong during storms.

His wife, Jovimee, however, told him to stay at home because of the bad weather, but Randy was persistent.

While selling kakanin during the storm, Randy's metal container began to break, and he himself was nearly swept away by the strong winds.

Randy held onto an iron fence as onlookers shouted, unaware of how far he'd walked through the flood. Unable to walk in slippers, he went barefoot. 

While he was away, Jovimee feared for her husband.

["I didn't receive an update from him the whole day. I was afraid metal sheets might fly around."]

Although Randy was able to sell all his kakanin, the storm got stronger on his way home.

["The storm was really strong! I got scared and had to stop for a moment to hold on to the area near the gutter"]

Randy came across more trouble when he fell into a canal in Barangay Halang, Calamba.

["I didn't know there was an open canal there. I just fell right in!"]

["I was scared I'd get swept underneath. Out of fear, I quickly climbed out and kept walking. All I could think about was getting home, knowing my family was waiting for me. They might have nothing to eat, especially in a storm. I was worried that something might happen to them."]

When he finally got home, Jovimee thanked the Lord that nothing dangerous happened to her husband.

So, Randy, knowing there was a fierce storm coming decided to go out and hawk his kakanin. He says sales are strong during storms. Now, why is that? Why are people buying food from street vendors during storms? Because they can't go out so they wait for some hapless street vendor amble along selling stuff?

Then he falls into a gutter. Presumably he is walking his normal route, BAREFOOT, and did not realize there was an open canal in his path. Did he forget? But he climbed out safe and sound and kept walking home. 

You see, Randy is resilient. 

Randy's perseverance

Randy leaves his home at 5 a.m. daily to sell puto, sapin-sapin, and kutsinta. He then commutes to Los Banos, Laguna, where he sells these kakanin.

Randy's daily earnings vary, with P1,500 being the largest amount. He then sends money to the business owner, and brings home P500 to P600 for his family.

["We use the money for food, electricity, water, and school expenses. It's never enough because there are always unexpected school costs.]

["I don't think about the exhaustion. I just want to put my kids through school. As long as I can work, I'll keep going because I don't want them to end up like me."]

Randy shared that he chose to live in Calamba and work in the south to search for his mother.

Raised in Pangasinan, Randy didn't finish school and started selling binatog with his uncle. Later, his grandmother told him he wasn't a blood relative and that his real mother was from Calamba.

["When the woman left, she didn't give a name. They just gave me away, like bread.]

His father figure, Tatay Andoy, said it was difficult to reveal this to Randy after raising him. "Para sa akin talaga, tunay na anak ko na siya."

["To me, he was like my own child."]

Randy learned no new details about his mother from Tatay Andoy but remains grateful to the family who raised him. At 17, he began supporting himself by selling kakanin in Laguna while continuing his search for his mother.

Not only is Randy selling food to provide for his family but he is also looking for his mother. As if one day she will magically show up even though he has no idea who she is or what she looks like. Poor Randy was raised by a grandmother who was not his grandmother. She was merely an old woman to whom Randy was given to raise. 

But there is hope she might be found because a random lady took a video of Randy trudging barefoot through the storm.  

The viral video

When Randy was on the way home after selling kakanin during Typhoon Kristine, a woman named Shamillae took a video of him. 

She said she recorded it after they were asked to leave a coffee shop due to rising floodwaters. Unaware he was being filmed, Randy kept walking through Barangay Halang.

Jovimee watched the video when a neighbor showed it to her.

["I cried because I didn't realize the extent of what he went through just to be able to come home."]

Following this, several people were able to donate rice for Randy. When he and Shamillae met, she also offered him cash.

The barangay staff and Calamba City's local government provided Randy with sacks of rice, groceries, and other essentials, along with a scholarship for his child.

Randy also hopes the viral video will be a way for him to meet his mother.

["I hope someone can help me find my real parents. I want to meet them because I have a lot of questions about why they did what they did."]

Because of the video much attention was given to Randy's plight. People donated money and the barangay gave him "sacks of rice, groceries, and other essentials, along with a scholarship for his child." 

Well, good for him. His resilience has paid off because it was all caught on video.

But how many more people in this same situation have not been caught on video? How many more Filipinos are out walking around barefoot doing every thing they can to provide for their family? 

Hopefully they stay resilient. Continue on walking that barefoot path selling food or other wares and maybe, just maybe, strangers, or even the barangay who are supposed to offer help to the poor, will lend a helping hand. 

Let's hear it for Randy. Let's hear it for Filipino resiliency.

Retards in the Government 390

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

 

 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/11/3/former-village-chair-shot-dead-in-pangasinan

A former barangay captain was gunned down in Barangay San Miguel here on Sunday morning, Nov. 3.

Police identified the victim as Dexter Doria Jimenez, 58, former barangay chairman of Barangay Gabon here.

Investigation said Doria and his wife, Marites, 61, had just left the area with their friend, Marifel Esperito Hizon, onboard a black Toyota Innova with license plates NOL-331 when a sedan arrived.

The car stopped beside them and two men alighted and shot the victim who died on the spot.

Jimenez’s wife was wounded and taken to a hospital. Hizon was unscathed.

Police are looking at surveillance cameras in the area and conducting follow-up operations.

A former barangay captain has been assassinated.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/11/5/former-village-dad-shot-dead-in-bacolod

A 62-year-old former barangay councilor or kagawad was gunned down in Zone 1, Barangay Handumanan here on Monday, Nov. 4.

The victim was identified as Henry Salbibia of Barangay Blumentritt, Murcia, Negros Occidental, a caretaker of a non-government organization based in this city. 

Police Capt. Sherwin Galupar, head of Police Station 10, said the victim was driving his motorcycle when an unidentified person driving a motorcycle and wearing a helmet and jacket tailed him. 

The gunman overtook the victim and shot him in the head, Galupar said, citing a copy of a closed-circuit television camera footage. 

Recovered from the crime scene was a spent bullet shell. 

Galupar said the victim ran for reelection in the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in Barangay Blumentritt but lost. 

Police said they have a person of interest and are conducting a thorough investigation to establish the motive.

A 62-year-old former barangay councilor or kagawad was assassinated.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/11/06/2397977/paocc-spokesman-axed-slapping-worker

After getting caught in a viral video slapping a Filipino worker during a raid last week at a suspected Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in Bataan, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) spokesman Winston John Casio was relieved from his post on Monday, pending an investigation of the incident.

Gilbert Cruz, PAOCC executive director, sacked Casio as their agency’s mouthpiece and has ordered an investigation of the incident which occurred last Oct. 31 at Central One, a business process outsourcing (BPO) company in Bagac, Bataan, suspected to be a POGO.

Cruz directed Casio to submit a written explanation within 24 hours about his actions against the worker.

The former spokesman issued a public apology yesterday following his removal from office.

In an interview with TeleRadyo Serbisyo, Casio acknowledged that his actions were wrong.

“I was really wrong there, in all honesty and fairness, my temper flared,” he said in Filipino. “What I did was very wrong and I’m willing to face the music.”

In the 40-second video, Casio was seen admonishing a man, while seven other men watched. He then grabbed the man, who works as a janitor for Central One, before slapping him twice on the face.

Another man then touched the victim from the back and appeared to instruct him to stand straight as Casio kept on berating him.

The video ended with Casio slapping the man a third time.

In another circulating video which lasted for 37 seconds, Casio was spotted confronting the man. He then ordered agents to bring the victim to another area. He also shouted at the victim in front of other Central One workers.

Cruz said yesterday Casio got mad after the victim allegedly hurled profanities and even gave a “dirty finger” sign to the government agents who were part of the raiding team.

However, Cruz said Casio should have controlled his emotions.

He said it is possible Casio would be removed from the PAOCC if the outcome of their investigation would show he was at fault.

“He can be charged with a case, he can be removed from being a director in PAOCC,” Cruz told reporters in Filipino in a phone interview.

In an interview over dzBB, Casio said he heard shouts from the cafeteria of Central One after it was announced to the employees that they were being released. He then instructed one of his staff to check what was going on inside.

Casio’s staff returned after a few minutes and told him the employees allegedly shouted profanities, with one even giving a dirty finger sign.

“So, I scolded them. Then, we identified the person who gave the dirty finger,” he said.

Casio brought the person who allegedly gave the dirty finger to the clinic where he gave him two options: either they would file a case of unjust vexation or slap him.

As the victim was surrounded by Casio and seven other men, he opted for the second punishment.

“I said to the person, ‘Pare… mahinang mag-asawang sampal para hindi ka na namin kasuhan’ (Man, I’ll give you a soft ‘husband and wife’ slap so we won’t have to charge a case against you),” Casio said.

In the radio interview, Casio admitted to slapping the victim three times, but that they were “soft” slaps.

However, the video showed the slaps Casio gave were far from “soft.”

For Cruz, Casio should just have filed criminal cases against the victim instead of taking the matter into his own hands.

“There’s nothing in our laws that makes you choose between ‘get charged with a case or get slapped’ or ‘charged with a case or get beaten up,’ ” the executive director said.

The PAOCC is reaching out to the victim to get his side of the incident.

Casio extended his apologies to the Filipino people and PAOCC leadership, including Cruz and Executive Secretary and PAOCC Chairman Lucas Bersamin, expressing remorse for disappointing those who have placed their trust in the commission.

“Due to my action, I have let down the people who trust the Commission,” he said.

Casio clarified that his actions should not be seen as reflective of the agency, which he described as being staffed by “level-headed professionals” dedicated to public service.

He pledged to comply with any administrative measures that the PAOCC may impose, adding that he will continue to serve the Filipino people in some capacity.

After getting caught in a viral video slapping a Filipino worker during a raid last week at a suspected Philippine offshore gaming operator hub in Bataan, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission spokesman Winston John Casio was relieved from his post on Monday, pending an investigation of the incident.