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 If you don't know what Only Fans is then you won't understand this picture. 

Are there many Filipina Only Fans "creators?" Is this a joke? Either way it is an interesting picture of the week. 

Insurgency: NDFP 52nd Founding Anniversary

April 24th, 2025 was the 52nd founding anniversary of the National Democratic Front. The PNP was on alert for any attacks.

https://manilastandard.net/news/national/314582766/pnp-on-alert-for-cpp-npa-52nd-founding-anniversary.html

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is on alert nationwide for the 52nd anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) on Thursday.

According to the PNP, they will not allow the holdout rebels to sow chaos and fear in the community and dislodge preparations for the upcoming May 2025 polls.

The government reportedly helped many former rebels by providing them with livelihoods and plots of land so that they can start a new life.

Currently, according to the PNP, the rebel forces nationwide have been decimated and the remaining ones will be dismantled by the end of 2025.

The PNP warned that severe punishment may be imposed to anyone caught supporting the terrorist group.

No attacks occurred. Note that the PNP says the remaining rebel forces will be dismantled by the end of 2025. We shall see. 

The NDFP released several statements regarding this anniversary. The first one says the NDFP has grown stronger "in the face of relentless fascist attacks."

https://ndfp.info/revolutionary-salute-to-the-national-democratic-front-of-the-philippines-on-its-52nd-founding-anniversary/

To the Comrades of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines,

On the occasion of the 52nd founding anniversary of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), we extend our most militant and heartfelt revolutionary salutations. This anniversary is not merely a date to be marked on the calendar of the Philippine revolution, it is a reminder to all revolutionary and progressive forces across the globe of the resilience, creativity, and undying commitment of the Filipino masses and their revolutionary vanguard to the cause of national liberation, people’s democracy, and socialism.

In the face of relentless fascist attacks by the reactionary US-Marcos-Duterte regime, the NDFP has persisted and grown stronger, guiding the masses through the storms of counterrevolution and showing the world how Marxism-Leninism-Maoism is not merely a theory, but a weapon, sharp and alive in the hands of the oppressed. Despite state terror, fake surrenders, red-tagging, and the brutal killings of revolutionaries, the NDFP remains rooted in the people’s struggle and continues to deepen its ties to the masses.

Comrades, the world is once again pregnant with contradictions. The old-world order is crumbling under the weight of its own crisis. Imperialist blocs led by the US, China, Russia the EU, and their regional lackeys are waging war for markets, resources, and strategic control, dragging humanity closer to inter-imperialist conflict and barbarism. The broad masses of workers, peasants, and oppressed nations are being crushed under the intensifying burdens of exploitation, inflation, state repression, and climate collapse.

In this context, the Philippine revolution stands as a burning torch in the darkness, school of revolution for the oppressed masses of the world. The persistence of protracted people’s war in the Philippines is not only a national struggle, but an international contribution to the world proletarian revolution. We draw inspiration from your experience, your sacrifices, and your clarity in navigating the complex contradictions of the present era.

They also portray the Philippine revolution as a "revolution for the oppressed masses of the world." Does anyone else think that? Are there revolutionaries around the world looking to the Philippines "as a burning torch in the darkness?"

The Secretary General of the NDFP also released a statement. He says "the NDFP must establish, expand, and strengthen the revolutionary mass organizations both in the cities and in the countryside." Then he lays out a 12-point program. 

https://ndfp.info/establish-expand-and-strengthen-the-revolutionary-mass-organizations-to-advance-the-national-democratic-revolution/

Elias Dipasupil, Secretary General, National Democratic Front of the Philippines

Today, we raise the red flags of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines and its 18 allied organizations in celebration of its 52^ndanniversary. The NDFP salutes all the heroes and martyrs whose lives were offered to plant the seeds of a new people’s democratic republic by waging the national democratic revolution led by the Communist Party of the Philippines and its army, the New People’s Army.

This is also an occasion to recognize the steady gains of the rectification movement since it was launched in 2023 to further advance the national democratic revolution amid the US-Marcos Jr regime’s brutal enemy attacks and treachery and chicanery. But no amount of fascist attacks and deceit (such as the endless offer of amnesty) against the revolutionary movement can deter the resolve of the revolutionaries and the Red fighters to rectify weaknesses and errors and carry forward the revolution to victory and end the sufferings of the Filipino people.

The NDFP as a united front organization is for revolutionary armed struggle. While recognizing the importance of other forms of struggle, the NDFP upholds the primacy of armed struggle to dismantle the rotten semicolonial and semifeudal system while gradually and steadily creating the new system through the development of the revolutionary organs of power in the countryside. We build a future that is bright as we destroy the decayed and corrupt system.

Since it was established 52 years ago, the NDFP allied organizations did not only provide political, material, and technical support to the New People’s Army but have deployed Red fighters, some even became commanders. The NPA is the mass organization that carries out the armed struggle. It also implements agrarian revolution and mass base building towards establishing organs of political power, the seed of the people’s democratic republic. While still in struggle, these organs of political power already flesh out and execute, in various levels, components of the NDFP 12-point program such as the minimum program for land reform, education and health services, environmental protection, justice system, among others.

These organs of political power are represented by the NDFP in establishing proto-diplomatic relations with states and other international agencies and in peace negotiations with the reactionary government of the Republic of the Philippines.

It is from this perspective that the NDFP must establish, expand, and strengthen the revolutionary mass organizations both in the cities and in the countryside. With the current global and national crisis, the mass organizations are indespensable in the Filipino people’s fight against oppression and exploitation and in building a society they so deserve, one that serves their interests.

When the CPP launched the rectification movement, it identified the weakness in the united front work as characterized by the neglect of building the underground revolutionary movement that resulted from the errors of legalism and reformism. It also noted that since the launch of the rectification movement in 2023, there are now steady actions to correct this weakness by rebuilding the underground revolutionary organizations allied with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines—among the youth, workers, peasants, women, teachers, health workers, and others.

But the current crisis calls for more. Thus, this year’s celebration is also a challenge to the NDFP and its allied organizations to strive more diligently to correct these errors and weaknesses. Keeping in mind that the NDFP and its allied organizations is a united front for armed struggle, let us undertake the following tasks more vigorously:

• Promote and support the revolutionary armed struggle in the countryside.
• Launch and sustain the Cherish the People’s Army campaign, including the enlistment campaign for Red fighters for the New People’s Army.
• Arouse, organize, and recruit the advanced section of the masses to build and rebuild the underground movement and the revolutionary mass organizations.
• Popularize the NDFP 12-point program.

1. Unite the people for the overthrow of the semicolonial and semifeudal system through a people’s war and for the completion of the national democratic revolution.

2. Establish a People’s Democratic Republic and a democratic coalition government.

3. Build the people‘s army and a people’s defense system.

4. Uphold and promote the people’s democratic rights.

5. Terminate all unequal relations with the United States and other foreign entities.

6. Implement genuine agrarian reform, promote agricultural cooperation, raise rural production and employment through modernization of agriculture and rural industrialization and ensure agricultural sustainability.

7. Break the US–big comprador–landlord dominance over the economy, carry out national industrialization and build an independent and self-reliant economy.

8. Adopt a comprehensive and progressive social policy.

9. Promote a national and progressive people’s culture.

10. Uphold the rights of the Bangsa Moro and the Cordillera peoples and other indigenous peoples to self-determination and democracy.

11. Advance the revolutionary emancipation of women in all spheres.

12. Adopt an active, independent and peaceful foreign policy.

The Filipino people deserves nothing but freedom from oppression and exploitation. They deserve a just, humane and progressive society and a government that truly serves their dreams and aspirations. And the only means to achieve this is to advance the national democratic revolution to victory.

The AFP, PNP, and NTF-ELCAC would certainly dismiss that statement as empty bombast. They claim the CPP-NPA has been strategically defeated and will soon be no more. That does not mean the AFP has let its guard down. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1248757

The 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) of the Philippine Army is focusing its attention on two areas in Negros Oriental that are categorized as “red election hotspots”.

Lt. Col. Evelio Ilanga, 62IB commanding officer, told the Philippine News Agency on Friday that Guihulngan City and La Libertad town are tagged under the highest category of watchlist areas of concern due to the presence of the New People’s Army (NPA).

“We are not letting our guard down even if the NPA is no longer a serious threat as we are dealing with remnants of the dismantled Central Negros 1 guerilla front, whose also operates in some parts of Negros Occidental,” Ilanga said.

“Alongside the Philippine National Police, we are continuing security operations to ensure that the conduct of the elections in these areas will proceed smoothly.”

A shooting incident involving an elected official in Guihulngan City and the burning of heavy equipment in La Libertad, followed by an encounter, allegedly perpetrated by the NPA, were cited earlier as the reasons for placing these areas under the red category.

Ilanga, however, said there have been no reports of atrocities related to the elections in which the NPA is involved.

Additionally, authorities have not received complaints or reports of alleged permit-to-campaign fees being collected by the insurgents from poll bets as they did in the past.

Ilanga assured that government forces are ready for any eventuality. He said their troops will serve during the elections and at the same time undertake counter-insurgency operations.

Negros Oriental also has one area listed under the "orange" category and 22 others under the "yellow" category of election “hotspots”.

Code yellow means an area has history of political unrest; orange indicates the presence of armed groups; while red is for those deemed as critical areas.

Despite claiming "the NPA is no longer a serious threat" the AFP is still battling NPA recruitment. Two former rebels who joined when they were minors are assisting them.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1248376

Recruited as minors, former rebels Ferning Canhatan and Guillera Gozon are now actively participating in the Philippine Army’s effort to save the youth from the deception of the New People’s Army (NPA).

At 16, Canhatan, also known as alias Dods, was recruited as a warrior of the NPA in Agusan del Sur and later assigned to the southern part of Leyte province as a vice squad leader. He was a member of the NPA for 12 years.

“We faced a lot of difficulties in the mountain, such as starvation, fatigue, and longing for family. Now, I am helping the military to inform the youth not to join the rebellion,” said Canhatan, who is now 29, in an interview Monday at the 14th Infantry Battalion headquarters.

Gozon, also known as alias Eva, 22, Canhatan’s common-law wife, was just 13 when convinced by her rebel parents in 2017 to join the armed struggle in Hindang, Leyte. She was part of the armed rebellion for seven years.

“When I was there, there were two minors recruited by the NPA. We’re both girls. I was so innocent, and I was not even aware that we were in the mountain to fight government forces,” Gozon said.

The lack of support from residents in previously influenced communities caused hunger and fatigue, prompting the couple to escape from lairs set up by the island committee —Levox of the NPA’s Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee based in Leyte Island.

In the southern part of Leyte province, 30 of them have already surrendered, which caused a leadership vacuum, according to Gozon.

“Now that we are on the side of the government, we don’t want to see anyone, especially minors, join the NPA,” she added.

After surrendering, Bugoy and Maymay received PHP30,000 each under the enhanced comprehensive livelihood integration program. They also received groceries from the local government unit of Mahaplag, Leyte, in December 2024.

Lt. Col. Edgar Gabia, commander of the Army’s 14th Infantry Battalion, said the surrender of these rebels is proof that peaceful solutions are possible through cooperation and government support.

"The former rebels also help in our campaign. They volunteer to go to communities to give testimony and encourage other rebels to surrender," he said.

Gabia said the Philippine Army is counting on the participation of former rebels for the surrender of the remaining active NPA members hiding in the mountains of Leyte and Southern Leyte provinces.

He also urged the NPA remnants to surrender and not wait to be killed during clashes.

But the AFP has claimed the NPA is leaderless and unable to recruit. No word on how these former rebels will prevent recruitment into the NPA.

5 rebels and 13 supporters surrendered during Holy Week. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1248477

Five communist rebels surrendered to the government while 13 supporters severed their ties with the underground movement in Central Luzon during the Holy Week, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 3 (Central Luzon) said on Tuesday.

"The peaceful surrender of CTG (communist terrorist group) members and the withdrawal of support (of) their sympathizers are clear indicators that our localized peace engagements are gaining traction," PRO-3 Director Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said in a statement.

The PRO-3 said the "wave of defections" occurred in Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Bataan, and Olongapo City from April 13 to 20, prompted by "intensified security operations and community-based peace engagements."

"We are opening doors for those who have been deceived by violent ideologies to return to society and rebuild their lives," Fajardo said.

During the same period, law enforcement units in the region also recovered and confiscated a cache of weapons, including eight firearms and two explosive devices.

These developments significantly hamper the operational capabilities of the remnants of the communist group in the region, the PRO-3 said, reiterating its commitment to sustained law enforcement, meaningful dialogues, and inclusive peace-building efforts.

They call it a wave but 18 isn't much espeically if there aren't many rebels left to being with. 

A rebel who burned a church in 2020 was recently caught. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/4/24/cidg-nabs-rebel-tagged-in-burning-a-church-in-iligan-city-200-more-arrested-during-holy-week

Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested a communist rebel tagged in the burning of a church Iligan City in 2020 during a follow-up operation in Talakag town of Bukidnon.

CIDG director Maj. Gen, Nicolas Torre III said alias Christopher was collared after his men monitored his presence in Barangay Tikalaan in Talakag town on April 20.

The arrested suspect, according to Torre, is facing violation of Republic Act 9851 (The Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity) for alleged burning of church and houses in 2020. 

The arrested suspect is a member of the Hospital Squad under Sub Regional Committee 5, Northern Central Mindanao Regional Committee (SRC-5, NCMRC). He is listed as number 5 most wanted person in Northern Mindanao.

Torre said the arrested suspect was among the fleeing communist rebels who burned the Lord Assembly Church on May 28, 2020 in an attempt to divert the attention of the pursuing soldiers.

The arrested communist rebel was among the more than 200 wanted persons who were arrested in the week-long operation across the country during the Holy Week. 

If he had surrendered would he have been able to avail of E-CLIP benefits?

Hi, My Name Is...58

Foreigners are very important to the Philippine economy. Tourists bring in millions if not billions in revenue. Most foreign tourists have a good time and then go home. Some foreign tourists have a bad time and go home. Others never go home. 

Hi, my name is Vitaly Zdorovetskiy. I am a very popular live streamer who travels around making a nuisance of himself. In Miami I punched a woman in the face one time. We settled out of court though. I also donated 20 thousand dollars to charity and that makes a nice guy. So what if I had a little fun messing with Filipinos in BGC? It was all in fun and plus I donated money to charity before so that makes it all right. Now I am facing up to two decades in prison. 

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/271431/russian-vlogger-faces-deportation-after-harassing-filipinos-in-bgc

A Russian vlogger who drew the public’s ire for harassing Filipinos in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig is now under the custody of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) pending his deportation.

Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, 33, was arrested and is now under custody in the BI detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa following his controversial livestream, which went viral on April 1.

In the livestream, Zdorovetskiy was seen grabbing a security guard’s hat, attempting to seize the gun of another security guard, and threatening to rob a woman.

“Harassment and disruptive behavior have no place in our society, and we will take swift action against offenders,” said BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado in a statement on Thursday.

“Our laws exist to protect the welfare of Filipinos. Let this serve as a reminder that while we welcome visitors, those who fail to respect our people and our laws will face the consequences,” he warned.

Zdorovetskiy, sporting a smile in his mugshot, is now an “undesirable foreign national” in the country.

He has over 10 million subscribers on YouTube, where he uploads mostly prank videos.

“The Philippines welcomes visitors from all over the world, but those who abuse our hospitality and violate our laws will be held accountable,” Viado said.

Hi, my name is Heinz Henry Andreas Berglund and I am Swedish. I have only been in the Filipinas for a few weeks, since March 18th, 2025. I was facing prosecution for very serious crimes back in my homeland so I thought why not fly a few thousand miles away to paradise where I will never be found? Ah but they found me! 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1247424

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested a Swedish national wanted in his home country for two counts of child rape.

In a press briefing on Thursday, the NBI presented Heinz Henry Andreas Berglund who was arrested in Angeles City, Pampanga on Wednesday.

Operatives of the NBI -- Violence Against Women and Children Division (NBI-VAWCD) and the Bureau of Immigration – Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU) conducted the operation against Berglund based on information received from the Swedish Police Authority through the Homeland Security Investigations.

The fugitive is facing offenses of Rape of a Child, Preparation to Rape of a Child (Chapter 6, Section 4), Gross Sexual Assault of a Child (Chapter 6, Section 6) and Child Pornography Offense (Chapter 16, Section 10a), under the Swedish Criminal Code.

Berglund, who was also previously suspected of raping a 10-year-old child in Sweden in 2021 and has previous convictions for serious financial fraud in 2009 and 2003, arrived in the Philippines on March 18.

Hi, my name is Henry Watkins. No only have I overstayed my visa in the Philippines but on February 26th a court in Iowa issued a warrant for my arrest for drug trafficking. They say I have ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. I am also an enforcer for the Devil's Disciples motorcycle gang in Chicago. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/3/23/american-fugitive-arrested-in-albay-bi

An American fugitive who is believed to have ties with the Sinaloa drug cartel and wanted in the United States (US) for alleged drug trafficking has been arrested in Albay by the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

American Henry Watkins, 51, was arrested in Polangui, Albay by operates of the BI's Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU), the BI said in a statement.

Published reports stated that the Sinaloa drug cartel "is one of the most powerful and violent drug trafficking organizations in the world.".

“We cannot allow the Philippines to be used as a sanctuary for foreigners involved in illegal drugs,” declared BI Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado. 

"Watkins will be deported for overstaying and for being an undesirable alien,” Viado said. 

The BI said the arrest of Watkins was done in coordination with the US government which sought the arrest of the fugitive.

“Authorities confirmed that Watkins is on the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) wanted list due to his alleged ties to the notorious Sinaloa drug cartel in Central America,” it said.   

“A District Court in Northern Iowa issued a warrant for Watkin's arrest on February 26, charging him with large-scale drug trafficking and the distribution of methamphetamine and heroin,” it added.

It noted that “Watkins is also known for using violence to collect drug proceeds and allegedly serves as an enforcer for the ‘Devil’s Disciples’ motorcycle gang in Chicago, Illinois.”  

Watkins is now detained at the BI's facility in Taguig City pending his deportation. 

Hi, my name is Manuel Masalva. I am an actor who starred in Narcos: Mexico. Between acting jobs I decided to take a holiday in the Philippines. Afterwards I flew to Dubai where I immediately became sick and was placed in a medically induced coma. The reason is I contracted a bacterial infection while in the Philippines. The Secretary of Health has been extremely helpful by telling everyone not to panic because its treatable by antibiotics. 

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/604676/narcos-mexico-star-manuel-masalvas-bacterial-infection-not-a-cause-of-panic-doh

The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday said reports of ‘Narcos: Mexico’ actor Manuel Masalva‘s hospitalization in Dubai due to an “aggressive bacterial infection” after a trip to the Philippines should not cause public panic.

According to DOH Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, the agency first wondered what kind of bacteria the actor contacted as not all bacteria are “aggressive” and can cause illness.

(We are not discounting the fact that the celebrity contracted a disease, and according to his publicist, he got it from the Philippines. But I hope they say what particular bacteria that is and where he got it so we can act on it.)

Masalva is in a medically induced coma due to “aggressive bacterial infection.” According to the statement of his manager Jaime Espinosa to the LA Times, he is currently in a critical but stable condition while under treatment at a hospital in Dubai.

The Mexican actor visited the Philippines before he flew and arrived in Dubai last March 18. Two days later, he suffered severe abdominal pain that resulted in his hospitalization. His friend, fellow actor Mario Moran, however, said Masalva is now in a stable condition but still in coma.

Meanwhile, Domingo also said that DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa directed the agency to contact the International Health Regulations (IHR) system of Dubai and Mexico. Domingo said that the IHR system identifies and notifies if there is an outbreak in a certain area, and the countries are mandated to inform one another of their assessment.

(It is up to the countries and of course to the patient on what it is, because sometimes, if a disease is not notifiable, it is not disclosed.)

(In simple words, what I am saying is for the public to not panic because if you read the news reports, they say that the antibiotics can treat what they found.)

According to his camp, Masalva’s doctor identified the type of bacteria and administered the appropriate antibiotic he needed. The manager also shared that “his respirator was lowered to 80%, which means that his lungs are reacting.”

Domingo further said the DOH also reached out to networks and health units of the actor’s tourist destination for their reports on the incident.

(I would like to assure everyone that we did not get a report of a similar case so far. And in fact, if there is a case, let’s say he swam when he had wounds, or he could get food poisoning from a restaurant.)

Hi, my name is Austine Chris Igbokwe. I was out at the bar when I went out to meet someone. I crossed the street and BANG!!!  Someone shot me. The suspects fled and I don't know why it happened. 

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/269491/nigerian-national-survives-shooting-in-cavite

A 39-year-old Nigerian national was wounded after he was shot by a still-unidentified gunman before midnight on Saturday, March 22, in Imus City in Cavite province.

The Region 4A police identified the victim in a report Sunday as Austine Chris Igbokwe, a resident of a subdivision in the locality.

Investigators said Igbokwe was crossing the street in Barangay Poblacion 4B at 11:35 p.m. to meet someone outside a bar when the gunman on board a black Toyota Altis sedan appeared and fired a single shot hitting the victim in his right thigh.

The suspects identified as “Hugo” and “Austin” fled after the shooting.

Rescuers rushed the victim to a hospital for treatment and now in stable condition.

The police launched a manhunt operation to arrest the suspects.

The report did not mention the possible motive behind the shooting incident.

Hi, my name is Michaela Mickova. I travelled to Boracay to attend the wedding of a friend. After the wedding I went out with a guy I met. Two days later I was found having been raped and murdered. But don't worry because the PNP says this is an isolated incident. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/3/13/slovakian-tourist-found-dead-in-boracay

A female Slovakian tourist was found dead at world-famous Boracay Island on March 12.

The Police Regional Office-6 has ordered a deeper probe on the death of Michaela Mickova.

“We will leave no stone unturned until the perpetrators of the heinous crime against Michaela Mickova have been brought to justice,” said Police Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, PRO-6 director, in a statement on Thursday, March 13.

The 23-year-old Mickova was found dead two days after she was initially declared missing on March 10.

Her half-naked body was discovered in an abandoned chapel in Sitio Pinaungon, Barangay Balabag.

Initial investigation said the victim was stabbed in the stomach.

“We ask the community to extend full cooperation to our investigators and to say a prayer for Michaela Mickova and her family,” said Wanky, who inspected the crime scene.

“It is our foremost priority and goal to deliver justice to the family and loved ones of Michaela Mickova – a beloved daughter, a friend to many, and a young woman who has a passion for life,” added Wanky.

The Slovakian arrived in Boracay last March 1 and attended the wedding of her Filipina friend.

Hi, my name is being withheld but I am a Swiss national who went diving in Mindoro. The diving was good but afterwards I started experiencing shortness of breath. The Coast Guard was called and I was immediately evacuated to a hospital for further evaluation.  

https://mb.com.ph/2025/3/24/swiss-diver-rescued-in-mindoro

A female Swiss diver who experienced breathing difficulties after engaging in a series of diving activities was rescued off Occidental Mindoro, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported on Monday, March 24.

The PCG said the 30-year-old diver from Switzerland had just finished diving and was onboard the motorboat Gabriela Dive Safari in the vicinity waters off Sablayan town last March 22 when she complained of shortness of breath.

Personnel of the Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Sablayan received a phone call about the situation and immediately deployed a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) to evacuate the patient.

The patient was turned over to the Sablayan municipal disaster risk reduction and management office (MDRRMO) for an assessment.

She was subsequently brought to the District Hospital of Sablayan for further medical treatment.

Hi, my name is Evan Ronald Berlin. I arrived in the Philippines in March 2023 and my visa expired in July 2023 which means I have been here illegally for years. Nobody cared much until March 9th, 2025 when I beat up someone inside a bar. He sustained physical injuries and lost consciousness. He claimed I sexually assaulted his wife. It turns out I also had a warrant issued against me in September 2024 by Makati City for causing physical injury to someone. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/3/21/bi-arrests-american-who-mauled-a-man-inside-a-makati-city-hotel

An American who mauled a man inside a Makati City hotel has been arrested and now faces deportation, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Friday, March 21.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the American as Evan Ronald Berlin, 31, who was arrested by operatives of the bureau's Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU) at his residence in Poblacion, Makati City last March 14.

“Foreigners who violate our immigration laws and harm people do not deserve the privilege to stay in our country,” Viado warned.

“Berlin will undergo deportation proceedings for overstaying and undesirability,” he said.

He noted that during Berlin’s arrest it was discovered that the American arrived in the country on March 5, 2023 but his application for extension already expired on July 2023.

The BI disclosed that the American was arrested on the mission order issued by Viado who acted on a deportation complaint against Berlin.

“The case stemmed from allegations that Berlin beat the complainant inside a bar last March 9 which caused him to sustain physical injuries and lost consciousness,” it said.

“Berlin reportedly mauled the complainant after the latter confronted the American for sexually assaulting his wife,” it added.

Apart from this incident, the BI discovered “a warrant for Berlin’s arrest was issued by the Makati City metropolitan trial court on Sept. 13 last year due to a case for physical injury and violation of the Safe Space Act that was filed against him.”

The American is currently detained at the BI detention facility in Taguig City.

Hi, our names are Wolfgang Schlenker, Aldwin Fink, Anton Chernov, Terry, Alexander Radvanyl, and Torsten Martin Groschupp. We went out for a hike on Mt. Talinis one day when we got lost. After not hearing from us for hours authorities were called in and a search was made. Two of us, Alexander Radvanyl and Torsten Martin Groschupp, made it down the mountain and were rescued first. When the searchers caught up with the rest of us we were surprised that the two others were not with us. For three days we survived on whatever we could find. Thankfully we were given warm food and blankets by our rescuers. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1246605

The four foreign hikers who got lost while hiking were rescued on Saturday morning in the mountainous village of Silab, Amlan, Negros Oriental.

The rescued hikers were identified as Germans Wolfgang Schlenker, 67, and Aldwin Fink, 60; Russian Anton Chernov, 38; and a Canadian national identified only as Terry, all residing in Valencia town.

They were separated from their two companions on their way to Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park on Wednesday. The two were rescued Friday.

Lt. Col. Michael Aquino, commanding officer of the 11th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, told the Philippine News Agency that he dispatched two teams at daybreak to search for the four.

“The troops, accompanied by some civilian rescue volunteers, followed a creek until they came across the missing hikers at an area about one kilometer away from the hydropower plant in Barangay Silab around 9:45 in the morning,” Aquino said.

Three were ambulatory, while Chernov had to be carried on a stretcher as he showed signs of hypothermia and complained of knee pain.

The group was taken to a nearby hut, where they were given warm drinks, food and blankets.

Aquino said the foreigners survived for three days with whatever edible food they could find along the way.

Rescue vehicles and ambulances from the Amlan Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office transported the hikers down the mountain around 11 a.m., and then brought to the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital in Dumaguete City.

When interviewed, the foreigners said they were “shocked” to discover that their two other companions, Alexander Radvanyl, a 60-year-old British national, and Torsten Martin Groschupp, a 58-year-old German, were no longer with them.

Radvanyl and Groschupp were rescued on Friday afternoon somewhere in the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes vicinity where two residents found them.

Aquino said locating the hikers was challenging due to the vast expanse of the Mt. Talinis mountain range, which spans multiple towns.

Using GPS (global positioning system), Army troops were able to estimate the probable location of the four, based on information and photos provided by Radvanyl and Groschupp.

With no mobile or internet signal in the area, rescuers relied on hand-held radios for communication.

Hi, my name is Kim. At least that's my surname. I was standing outside a bank when a motorcycle rode up. The back rider attempted to snatch my bag but I resisted. So they shot me. I am not the first Korean to have been shot during a robbery in Angeles City. The last time this happened was in February 2014. 

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/273435/korean-tourist-shot-dead-during-robbery-in-angeles-city

A Korean national was shot and killed in broad daylight during a robbery along the bustling Korean Town area in Barangay Anunas on Sunday afternoon, April 20.

Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. released a statement Monday, condemning the incident and directing local authorities to resolve the case within 72 hours.

He instructed acting city police director Col. Joselito Villarosa Jr. to “exhaust all means necessary to swiftly identify and apprehend the suspect.”

Lazatin noted that the safety of both residents and local and foreign tourists remains a top priority for the city government.

According to initial police reports, the incident occurred at 1:50 p.m. along Fil-Am Friendship Highway, in front of a bank situated within the Korean Town area.

The victim, identified only by his surname Kim, was standing outside the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Friendship branch when two suspects on a Yamaha Nmax motorcycle approached.

The back rider reportedly attempted to snatch the victim’s bag. When Kim resisted, the assailant shot him in the torso before fleeing the scene with his accomplice. Kim was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Witnesses described the suspects as wearing jackets, pants, helmets, and reflectorized vests. Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from the area as part of their ongoing pursuit.

Kim, reportedly of legal age, had been staying at the nearby Prism Hotel at the time of the incident.

The Angeles City government noted that this was the first recorded fatal robbery incident involving a Korean national in recent memory.

However, a similar case occurred on Feb. 18, 2014, when another Korean tourist was gunned down by motorcycle-riding suspects in the same village.

That victim, accompanied by three others, was also en route to the Prism Hotel when she was shot multiple times.

Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as efforts intensify to bring the perpetrators to justice.

No Kidding! Part 3: PNP Integrity Education

Corruption is a perennial problem within the ranks of the PNP. Now the National Police Commission  and the Philippine National Police – Internal Affairs Service say the solution is tightening the police force’s recruitment processes and enhancing “integrity education.”

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2055222/recruitment-revamp-integrity-education-eyed-to-address-erring-cops

Tightening the police force’s recruitment processes and enhancing “integrity education” are being eyed in the wake of a number of police officers getting involved or tagged in illegal activities.

This was the response of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) and the Philippine National Police – Internal Affairs Service (PNP IAS) to a recent series of alleged violations by several Quezon City Police District (QCPD) officers.

“Baka kailangan pa mas stringent… [M]ahigpit na ang recruitment processes ng PNP. Pero given this spate of incidents na hindi naman natin pwedeng sabihing isolated, baka kailangan pa natin mas silipin pa,” Napolcom Vice Chairperson Rafael Calinisan said in an interview on Wednesday over dzBB.

(Maybe we need to be more stringent.  The recruitment processes of the PNP are already strict. But given this spate of incidents that we cannot call isolated, maybe we need to look into it even more.)

“Pansinin natin na medyo mga low-ranking ang mga nai-involve. Kakapasok pa lang nila sa serbisyo. Baka hindi nila gaanong naiintindihan yung gaano kalaki yung responsibilidad ng pagsuot ng ganyang uniporme,” Calinisan added.

(Notice that those involved are usually low-ranking officers. They’ve just entered the service. They might not yet understand just how big the responsibility is of wearing that uniform.)

One case involved a police officer breaking into three homes, threatening residents, and harming a grandmother and a minor in Barangay Damayan, Quezon City.

The officer, a staff sergeant, allegedly under the influence of liquor was supposedly searching for an individual who had spread rumors about him being involved in the illegal drugs trade.

Another case involved the QCPD investigation chief, a desk officer and a jail officer who allegedly escorted a female detainee to a hotel to meet her family.

Further, ten Quezon City police officers are under investigation for allegedly failing to declare a bag of suspected marijuana recovered during an operation and charging the individuals they apprehended only with illegal gambling instead of drug-related offenses.

“[K]ailangan talaga na paigtingin yung tinatawag namin na integrity education sapagkat maaaring minsan nakakalimutan yung kanilang tungkulin,” PNP – IAS Inspector General Brigido Dulay said in a press conference at Camp Crame also on Wednesday.

(We need to uphold what we call integrity education because it may be that sometimes their duties are forgotten.)

“[T]ama naman na dapat magkaroon ng edukasyon. Sa recruitment kasi, basic skills lang tinuturo. Pero yung integridad, professionalism? Yan naman ay hindi mo maaaring ituro lang sa classroom. Yan ay isinasaloob. Kapag isinasaloob mo, ibang proseso kailangan mo,” he added.

(It’s right that there needs to be education. Recruitment only teaches basic skills. But integrity, professionalism? Those cannot be taught in a classroom. That’s internalized. And when you internalize, you need a different process.)

Dulay said the PNP – IAS will launch an “integrity caravan” in the coming months in hopes of re-instilling the value into police officers.

Dulay also said that the number of erring police officers was not representative of the 225,000-strong national police force.

“Yung datos namin sa Internal Affairs Service, yung mga pulis natin na nasasangkot sa ganitong pangyayari, ito naman ay mga isang porsyento ng buong pwersa ng kapulisan,” he said.

(Our data at the Internal Affairs Service shows that police officers who are involved illegal activities make up only 1 percent of the whole police force.)

“Hindi ito justification para gawin ng mga pulis natin, pero para sa 99 porsyento ng mga kasama ko sa PNP na walang problema. Marami diyan, hindi naman sa operations. Nagtatrabaho nang matino, nagtatrabaho nang maayos,” he added.

(This isn’t justification for what the police did, but this is for the 99 percent of my comrades in the PNP who have no problems. Many of them are in operations. They’re just doing their jobs right.)

Dulay pointed out that there were 674 complaints lodged against police officers for alleged violations as of April 22, 2025.

He also reported that 1,897 cases were filed against police officers in 2023 and 2,073 cases in 2024.

Oh wow! The PNP needs to stringently assess recruits and educate current officers about integrity? No kidding!

But the thing is the PNP itself is a corrupt organization. Power corrupts. When an officer takes that oath and dons that uniform he is imbued with power. Let's go back 300 years to 1721 and read the words of Gaspar de San Augustin. 

43. They act tyrannically one toward another. Consequently, the Indian who has some power from the Spaniard is insolent and intolerable among, them —so much so that, in the midst of their ingratitude, some of them recognize it, although very few of them. 

 http://www.philippinehistory.net/views/1720sanagustin.htm

The PNP will never eliminate corruption from its ranks because corruption is endemic to the organization. It come with the territory. That does not mean they shouldn't rigorously assess all new recruits or teach current officers about integrity. They should. I thank the PNP for stating something so obvious.