Insurgency: Rebels Sieze Guns, Ammunition From Ambush

The AFP claims the CPP-NPA is weak and on the verge of folding but that seems to not the case. At least not according to the NPA's own propaganda. 

https://visayandailystar.com/rebels-seize-guns-ammunition-from-ambush/

The Roselyn Jean Pelle Command of the New People’s Army issued a statement that it recovered four high-powered firearms and ammunition, and other war materials and personal belongings from policemen they ambushed on August 9 in Brgy. Minapasuk, Calatrava, Negros Occidental.

In a statement, rebel spokesperson Ka Cecil Estrella said that the RJPC-NPA Northern Guerilla Front congratulated its Red fighters for staging the successful ambush that led to the death of policeman and injuries to two others.

Estrella said they were able to recover four high powered firearms, including a Galil Ace 22 N Caliber 5.56 (Serial Number x45 IWI), two Colt M-16 rifles, with another Colt M-16 rifle damaged by the command-detonated mine explosion.

An ammunition vest, 16 magazines of 5.56 mm loaded with ammunition, assorted mobile phones, identification cards and materials with intelligence value were also seized by the Red fighters at the ambush site, the statement added.

Prior to the ambush, two civilians accused as military informants were killed by rebels in the same barangay.

The RJPC-NPA claimed responsibility for the killing of Eliseo Mahilum and his uncle, Felix Resotay Sr. in Sitio Batyogon, Brgy. Minapasuk, Calatrava.

After ambushing and killing PNP officers the NPA also took their weapons. Now they are boasting about it. The CPP-NPA has also issued a threat to avenge the death of the Tiamzons.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/vow-to-attain-justice-for-the-tiamzons-and-all-victims-of-state-terrorism/

One year ago today, Benito Tiamzon (Ka Laan), Wilma Austria (Ka Bagong-tao), together with eight other revolutionaries, were arrested by troops belonging to the 8th Infantry Division, on their way to the coasts of Catbalogan town, Samar. While in the custody of their fascist captors, they were subjected to severe torture before they were subsequently killed. Their lifeless bodies were loaded on a boat and brought to sea where reportedly being exploded.

The torture and murder of the Tiamzons, and their companions Ka Divino, Ka Yen, Ka Jaja, Ka Matt, Ka Ash, Ka Delfin, Ka Lupe, Ka Butig, are dastardly fascist-terrorist crimes of the Marcos regime, perpetrated under the direction of their US military advisers.

The revolutionary forces reiterate their vow to attain justice for the Tiamzons and all other victims of state terrorism.

The Tiamzons long served as among the key leaders of the Party who selflessly dedicated their lives to the Filipino people’s struggle for national and social liberation and the socialist aspirations of the proletariat.

They served as consultants of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in peace negotiations on the belief that a just and lasting peace can only be attained by addressing the deep social, economic and political roots of the armed conflict.

Marcos and his fascist ilk are grossly mistaken to think that by murdering the Tiamzons, they could kill the Filipino people’s revolutionary cause. On the contrary, the martyrdom of the Tiamzons will forever be remembered and inspire the younger generation of workers, peasants and all democratic classes to carry forward the Filipino people’s national democratic struggle.

The CPP-NPA says the Tiamzons were tortured and killed by the AFP. Then their corpses were loaded onto a boat which was exploded. That is not the story the AFP tells. The AFP was not even sure the Tiamzons were on that boat. But it is not my place to ferret out which story is true. The fact is they are dead. If Duterte had never released them from prison they would still be alive. 

While the NPA is still bent on their cause, so is the AFP. This week they killed a top NPA official in an encounter in Bukidnon.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/8/25/top-npa-leader-in-mindanao-killed-in-bukidnon-clash-1

A top leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Mindanao was killed in a encounter with the 8th Infantry (Dependable) Battalion (8th IB) in Sitio Lagaslasan, Barangay Kulaman, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, on Wednesday, August 23.

The fatality was identified as “Kumander Mojen” or “Gamot,” commanding officer of the Headquarters Force NEO, Regional Operations Command (ROC), Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC). 

The 8th IB led by Lt. Col. Anthony A. Bacus launched an operation after receiving information from residents of Barangay Kulaman on the presence of the NPA in Sitio Lagaslasan.

“A 10-minute firefight led to the unfortunate demise of one NPA and the seizure of two M16 rifles, two M653 Carbine rifles, two M203 grenade launchers, anti-personnel mines, various NPA terrorist materials, medical paraphernalia, and assorted personal belongings,” Bacus said.

Mojen was identified by Jimboy Tingkayan, alias “Jovan,” his half-brother and an NPA who recently surrendered to the 8th IB. 

Mojen’s group was once considered as the stronghold of the so-called Regional Sentro de Gravidad (RSDG) of NCMRC, said the 8th IB commander.

“It is unfortunate that the CTG continues to sacrifice the lives of their members to pursue their criminal agenda,” he said. 

It's interesting that the AFP calls the killing of the leader of an NPA stronghold unfortunate. Why is the demise of an NPA leader unfortunate? Equally interesting is the AFP calling the CPP-NPA's cause a "criminal agenda." Duterte admired the NPA for their "principles" which is why one of his first acts as President was to release the Tiamzons. It is also why he had such a great relationship with them while Mayor of Davao. 

The AFP also returned a wounded NPA to his family. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/8/25/military-rescues-wounded-npa-leader-left-behind-by-comrades-in-masbate

The Army rescued a wounded leader of the New People's Army (NPA) two days after an encounter in Sitio Madarag, Barangay Jagnaan, San Jacinto, Masbate in which another NPA leader tagged in the killing of a FEU football player was killed.

Major Frank Roldan, spokesperson of the 9th Infantry Division (ID), said Ramon Bartolata, alias "Jamon," commanding officer of Platoon 3, Komiteng Larangang Gerilya North, Sub-regional Committee 4, Bicol Regional Party Committee, was found by troops of the 96th Infantry Battalion (IB) near the encounter site.

He said that Bartolata was unable to walk due to multiple bullet wounds and infection sustained in the encounter.

Roldan said Bartolata hid near the encounter site hoping to be rescued by his comrades. But instead of his comrades, Bartolata was rescued by the military. 

From Masbate, Bartolata was taken by the 96th IB to Albay province for proper medical attention.

The leadership of the 9th ID assured assistance to the wounded NPA while Major Gen. Adonis Bajao, 9th ID chief, cited operating troops for their efforts to end insurgency in their area of responsibility and giving importance to human rights.

The AFP is showing they are sincere about extending mercy to these rebels. 

House Speaker Romalduez says LGUs in the Eastern Visayas need to step up and curb the insurgency.  

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1819714/romualdez-to-eastern-visayas-leaders-curb-illegal-drugs-and-insurgency

House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday called on members of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC-8) of Eastern Visayas to create a peaceful region through collaborative decision-making.

Romualdez made the pronouncement during the third quarterly meeting of the council.

He said the group must work together to address various problems in the area.

These perils include the proliferation of illegal drugs and insurgency.

He said these issues “not only impact Region 8 but reverberate throughout [the] nation.”

“The aspirations of our families, the dreams of our youth, and the well-being of our communities hinge upon our decisions,” said Romualdez.

He explained RPOC-8 meetings serve as an “embodiment” of collective decision-making and a commitment to the allocation of resources where the funds are most needed.

“Our objective remains clear – a safer, more prosperous, and united Region 8,” the House leader said.

The group serves as a platform for partnerships among local government units and law enforcement agencies in Eastern Visayas.

That is actually the AFP's job but whatever. 

In his SONA Marcos said he favored amnesty but he has yet to proclaim it yet. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1819785/govt-amnesty-body-waits-for-marcos-proclamation-to-fulfill-its-mandate

The National Amnesty Commission (NAC) said it was preparing for the crafting of application protocols and other rules while awaiting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s issuance of an amnesty proclamation for rebels that he promised during his State of the Nation Address (Sona) in July.

Speaking at the Laging Handa public briefing on Monday, NAC Executive Director Maria Victoria Cardona said there was no confirmation yet on when the amnesty proclamation would be issued.

“We are hopeful with the pronouncement of our president during the Sona that he will issue a proclamation to grant amnesty to former rebels so we are hopeful he would issue it soon so that the commission can already fulfill its main mandate, that is, to receive and process applications,” Cardona said.

In his Sona, Marcos said his administration was dedicated to implementing reintegration programs for former combatants, which include capacity building and social protection. The President’s offer was backed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

In the meantime, the NAC has been establishing local amnesty boards and is preparing the implementing regulations and rules of procedure for the application, processing, and grant of amnesty. These will be finalized and adopted as soon as Marcos issues the proclamation, she added.

Cardona said the NAC was also in touch with other member agencies such as the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity and the Department of Justice.

She said she was “hopeful” that the amnesty proclamation would cover members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP).

Under the 1987 Constitution, the president shall have the power to grant amnesty with the concurrence of a majority of all members of Congress.

Even without this proclamation the NTF-ELCAC program is a de facto amnesty. What else do you call giving free money and housing to surrendering terrorists? 

The PNP Do not Enforce the Law Against Open Burning Equally

The Philippines is a lawless nation. Sure there are laws in the Philippines but they are followed and enforced at will. Case in point is RA 9003 which prohibits the burning of open waste. The PNP is using this law to prosecute the burning of an effigy during the 2023 SONA protests.  

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1820884/qcpd-goes-after-artist-behind-marcos-effigy-burned-at-sona

Looks like the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) is going hard on “polluters” — or at least the politically active kind.

The resident artist of the militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) received a subpoena on Wednesday asking him to appear before the Office of the City Prosecutor to answer a complaint from the QCPD that accused him of causing air pollution.

It was in connection with an effigy created by Max Santiago and set on fire during a Bayan protest action in Quezon City that was directed against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) on July 24.

Santiago was the artist behind the papier mache artwork titled “Doble Kara (Two-faced),” which depicted a giant gold coin with a dual image of the president — a visual swipe at the Marcos ill-gotten wealth cases.

The QCPD complaint, initiated by Staff Sgt. Mario Sembrano and Cpl. Paolo Navarro of the Anonas Police Station, alleged that the burning of the effigy during the Bayan rally “lasted for several minutes and greatly contributed to air pollution which grossly negates the government program in ensuring the protection of public health and the environment.”

The officers’ three-page joint affidavit asked that Santiago and three “John Does’’ be penalized for violating the Clean Air Act (Republic Act No. 8749) and Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003).

It further accused Santiago and the unnamed Bayan activists of committing “a deliberate disrespect to the president and to the country” and explained that the QCPD was taking legal action “for them to not be imitated by other demonstrators and other citizens.”

This phrase is key:

“A deliberate disrespect to the president and to the country." 

But wait, what?  These kinds of protests, burning effigies of politicians have been going on for years. Why should a Marcos change anything?

Lawyers have jumped into the fray telling the PNP to cool it and study the intent of the law. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1821160/effigies-as-pollutants-police-told-to-study-law-they-used-to-sue-activists

Effigies have been regular fixtures in protest rallies, including those that activists hold when the highest official of the land, the President, delivers the State of the Nation Address (Sona).

According to Raymond Palatino, secretary general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), using effigies during demonstrations is constitutionally protected and part of the right to dissent.

Dr. Maria Ela Atienza, professor of political science at the University of the Philippines Diliman, said the burning of effigies has long been part of protests all over the world, and that in the Philippines, “there is freedom to protest based on our laws.”

“Government officials can be criticized and held accountable,” she told INQUIRER.net.

Looking back, former presidents, like Gloria Magacapagal-Arroyo, Benigno Aquino III, and Rodrigo Duterte, had seen how effigies bearing their likeness were set on fire by protesters criticizing government neglect, especially of the poor.

But this year, the burning of the “Doble Kara” effigy of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was met by a complaint, with the police saying that it was in violation of two environmental laws.

Palatino, however, said the law is being “misused.”

“Authorities are misusing the law to criminalize freedom of expression. We will challenge this harassment suit since it could set a dangerous precedent,” he said on Wednesday (Aug. 23).

As alleged by the complainants, the burning of the effigy last July 24 was in violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, and RA No. 8749, or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999.

RA No. 9003 prohibits the open space burning of solid waste “defined as all discarded household, commercial waste, non-hazardous institutional and industrial waste, street sweepings, construction debris, agricultural waste, and other non-hazardous/non-toxic waste.”

But Terry Ridon, a public policy lawyer, said what the law prohibits is the “open burning of solid waste,” and that in any circumstance, “works of art such as effigies cannot be considered solid waste.”

Palatino said “we will challenge this harassment suit since it could set a dangerous precedent,” stressing that “we will not allow the police to dictate what forms of expression can be done in exercising our right to dissent.”

"A dangerous precedent" to "our right to dissent?" Who cares? Dissent never changes anything.

What's most important to note here is that the PNP wants to prosecute the burning of this effigy while people across the nation burn their garbage with impunity. That means this particular protection of the law is 100% politically motivated. 

The fact is the Philippines stinks. Air pollution is a way of life here even way out in the provinces. There is always a tendril of smoke ready to make its way to your nostril from some hidden burn pile. From charcoal pits to burn pits the air in the Philippines is choking and hardly fresh. If only the PNP did their job and enforced the law uniformly this nation might smell a lot fresher. 

Retards in the Government 324

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

 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1818060/government-employee-nabbed-in-pagadian-city-drug-ops

Authorities arrested a local government employee in a drug buy-bust operation Tuesday afternoon inside a travelers’ inn at San Pedro District here.

Police Capt. Dominic Dalena of the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit-IX identified the alleged drug peddler as Wahab Acob aka Benzar, an employee of the City Engineer’s Office and a resident of Muricay village.

Dalena said they have been monitoring Acob before they conducted the operation along with the city police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Recovered during the operation were one medium-sized transparent heat- sealed plastic sachet containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu with estimated market value of P20,000, the buy- bust money and other personal items.

The confiscated drug items were brought to the Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Forensic Unit for examination while the suspect was temporarily detained at the lock-up cell of the city police station. 

A local government employee has been busted for drugs.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1208140

Nine officials at the Philippine Ports Authority’s (PPA) Port Management Office Bohol ((PMO Bohol) have been sacked after they were caught having a party and drinking alcohol inside the port’s multi-purpose hall on Wednesday.

In a statement on Friday, the PPA said an investigation of the office’s surveillance video revealed PMO Bohol employees, officials, members of the port police, and a guest band joining the party led by Acting Port Manager Lord Tyrone Agaton.

Those sacked include Agaton, PMO Bohol Port Services Division Manager Julius Jumangit, lawyer Sherlito Columnas Jr. from the legal department, Safety Officer Romeo Cabading II, and port police officers Edcel Epan, Victor Cagulada, Mary Maricka Aguirre, Meljann Oronan, and Emily Ross Tubio.

PPA General Manager Jay Santiago said the individuals failed to show respect to office facilities and abused their power as government officials.

“There is no place in the government for officials who hold drinking sessions at the office, whether for birthdays or any other occasions,” Santiago said.

He emphasized the PPA’s resolve in ensuring proper monitoring of the 130 PPA ports nationwide.

“This proves that we are committed to our responsibility of putting our ports and its personnel in order” he said.

9 Bohol Port officials have been fired for holding a party in the office. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1818447/village-official-nabbed-in-anti-drug-ops-in-zamboanga-del-sur-town

A 55-year-old village official in Salauagan of Dimataling town in Zamboanga del Sur was nabbed by authorities in a buy-bust operation on Friday afternoon.

Police Capt. Dominic Dalena of the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit-IX identified the village official as Abdul Mama Musa aka “Dol.”

Dalena revealed that Musa was listed as a “high-value individual” on the agency’s top priority targets for illegal drugs at the regional level.

The operatives recovered 13 small sachets of a substance suspected to be crystal meth with an estimated P15,000 market value, buy-bust money, and other personal items.

The suspect is temporarily detained at the Dimataling municipal police station’s lock-up cell while charges for violation of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are being prepared against him.

A village official has been busted for drugs. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1208203

The Supreme Court has ordered the forfeiture of the retirement and other benefits of a court worker and perpetually disqualified her from reemployment in government after her conviction in criminal cases for issuing bad checks.

The SC said former Makati Metropolitan Trial Court clerk  Edith Haboc, having been already convicted of a crime of moral turpitude, would have been dismissed from service had she not been earlier dropped from the rolls.

"We reiterate that court employees, from the presiding judge to the lowliest clerk, being public servants in an office dispensing justice, should always act with a high degree of professionalism and responsibility. Their conduct must not only be characterized by propriety and decorum, but must also be in accordance with the law and court regulations," read the Aug. 14 decision shared online over the weekend.

A Supreme Court employee has had her retirement benefits forfeited and has been preptually disqualified from office for bouncing checks. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/08/21/2290298/motorcycle-riding-cop-dead-lanao-del-norte-road-mishap

A motorcycle-riding policeman died instantly after hitting a dump truck parked along an unlit stretch of a highway in an interior barangay in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte before dawn Sunday.

Col. Sandy S. Vales, Lanao del Norte provincial police director, said Monday that the fatality, Patrolman Jhon Ryan Guardaquivil Baylan, belonged to the 1005th Mobile Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion under the Police Regional Office-10.

In an initial statement dispatched late Sunday the Kapatagan Municipal Police Station said Baylan was riding his motorcycle without a crash helmet when he rammed a dump truck parked ahead in a portion of the highway in Purok 2 in Barangay Taguitic at past 2 a.m. Sunday.

A cop who was not wearing a motorcycle helmet died in a motorcycle crash. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/523353/barangay-councilor-caught-with-p20400-worth-of-shabu-in-bohol

A barangay councilor, who is a former drug surrenderer, in Barangay Alegria Norte, Bohol landed in jail after getting caught with P20,400 worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation on Tuesday evening, August 22, 2023.

The alleged suspect was identified by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA-7) in a press release, as 45-year-old Jonardo Gamil Apduhan Sr., a resident of Barangay Alegria Sur.

The suspect is an incumbent barangay councilor of said village.

The buy-bust was a joint operation by personnel from PDEA Bohol Provincial Office, Philippine National Police (PNP) Bohol Maritime Police Station (MARPSTA), Naval Forces Central (NAVFORCEN), and the Loay Municipal Police Station.

The operatives conducted the anti-illegal drugs operation along the road in Purok 3, Barangay Alegria Sur at around 7:26 p.m. and apprehended the suspect who is the subject of the operation. 

According to PDEA-7, the buy-bust operation was the result of a one-month case buildup.

Leia Alcantara, spokesperson of PDEA-7, told CDN Digital in a phone interview, that the alleged suspect was a drug user who surrendered to police in 2016.

She added that Apduhan completed the Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program (CBDRP) in 2021.

However, she also said that Apduhan allegedly started selling illegal drugs this year based on their monitoring. The alleged suspect disposes of around 10 grams of illegal drugs per week, she added.

Apduhan has already submitted his certificate of candidacy to run for barangay captain in the upcoming elections, according to Alcantara.

The operatives seized a total of six packs of suspected shabu weighing around three grams from the suspect.

The confiscated suspected shabu had a Standard Drug Price (SDP) of P20,400.

Also confiscated were buy-bust money, one mobile phone, and a motorcycle during the buy-bust operation.

The pieces of drug evidence have been submitted for chemical analysis.

The authorities will conduct a follow-up investigation to determine the alleged suspect’s supplier of shabu and illegal drugs, said Alcantara.

She also said that the suspect is now detained at the Loay Municipal Police Station and that he will be facing charges of possession and selling of illegal drugs.

Alcantara added that as part of their protocol, they will also be filing an administrative case against Apduhan for his disqualification from running for any position in the government in the future.

A barangay councilor has been busted for selling drugs. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1208397

The Police Regional Office-5 (Bicol) has started to dig deeper into the killings of a barangay official and her husband in Libon, Albay on Tuesday night.

Relly Saraba Mata, councilor of Barangay Nogpo in the said municipality, and her husband Alfredo Bazar Mata were gunned down while onboard a motorcycle on their way home after attending a wake in Bariw village of the same town.

In a message to reporters, Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib, PRO-5 spokesperson, said, "The victims sustained multiple gunshots in the different parts of their body, resulting in their untimely demise."

She said Bicol regional director Brig. Gen. Westrimundo Obinque has issued directives to all concerned units to conduct a comprehensive investigation on the shooting incident.

Calubaquib said assigned investigators have been deployed to the scene of the crime to gather the necessary information that will help identify the perpetrators and determine the motive behind the crime.

She also said PRO-5 condoled with the families of the victims as they denounced the killings.

"The organization is committed to extending necessary assistance to the bereaved family and ensuring that justice will be served," she added.

A barangay councilor and her husband have both been assassinated. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/879920/ombudsman-orders-filing-of-graft-raps-vs-lao-ex-dbm-officials-pharmally-execs/story

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the filing of three counts of graft charges against former Budget undersecretary Christopher Lao, two other former Budget executives, and Pharmally officials in connection with the government’s purchase of P4 billion worth of RT-PCR test kits.

“There is no doubt that without the individual acts of the aforementioned respondents, the procurement of the test kits would not have materialized. Respondents concerted and conspirational acts enabled the award of the multi-billion worth of contract to Pharmally, notwithstanding the existence of other corporations that are financially and technically capable to supply and deliver test kits at lower prices,” the Ombudsman said in its 37-page resolution.

Aside from Lao, also ordered indicted for three counts of graft were former DBM procurement director Warren Liong, DBM procurement management officer Paul Jasper de Guzman, and Pharmally officials Twinkle Dargani, Linconn Ong, Justine Garado, and Huang Tzu Yen.

The Ombudsman said Pharmally got the huge P4 billion government contract even if its paid up capital is only P625,000.

“Said award to Pharmally was a complete disregard of the provision that the procuring entity should directly negotiate or procure from a legally, technically and financially capable supplier, distributor, manufacturer, contractor or consultant as embodies in the Government Procurement Policy Board and the Procurement law,” it added.

Likewise, the Ombudsman said that public officials accused in this case allowed the further delay of delivery of test kits, even though they alleged of its urgent need to ramp up the testing capacity due to the spread of COVID-19 throughout the country.

“Allowing the several delays of delivery provided Pharmally an excuse and additional period to comply with its obligation. This act is clear evidence of public respondents’ manifest partiality toward said company,” it further said.

Finally, the anti-graft body said the public respondents favored Pharmally over One Top Medical Systems Resources which offered the same prices as the former and Biosite Medical Instruments, Inc., one of the suppliers included in the suppliers directory of the government.

“They apparently acted with manifest partiality and in bad faith for unlawfully and willingly awarding the contracts to a newly incorporated corporation and without any business experience with the government,” it said.

In response to the Ombudsman’s decision, the camp of Pharmally officials maintained that they are not liable for graft or any form of corruption.

Several officials have been charged with graft over the procurement of RT-PCR test kits. 

Coronavirus Lockdown: Tourism Resurgence, Shipping Industry, and More!

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

Tourism continues to make a resurgence in aftermath of the pandemic. 

https://www.traveldailynews.asia/organizations/philippines-tourisms-resurgence-elevates-economic-development-rankings-under-marcos-administration/

Discover how the Philippines’ Department of Tourism, led by Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, attributes tourism’s impressive ascent to a top economic driver to the visionary policies of the Marcos Administration. Learn how strategic measures, from easing pandemic restrictions to fostering partnerships, have revitalized the industry, resulting in remarkable growth and contributions to the country’s progress.

Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco says the ascendance of tourism as among the top drivers of economic development, ranking second for the first 6 months of 2023 is a result of the Marcos Administration’s prioritization of the industry, noting its vital contribution to the country’s progress. 

Government economic data reveals that from January to June 2023, the rebound of tourism in growth areas emerged as the second driver of economic development in the country. 

The number one driver of growth is the registered high employment rate since the start of the year, followed by the resurgence of tourism, increase in investment registration activities, and students coming back to school. 

Speaking before some 300 members of the PHILTOA’s 4th General Membership Meeting held at the Crimson Hotel in Alabang, Muntinlupa on Thursday (10 Aug), Secretary Frasco reiterated the pro-tourism policies implemented by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. provided the impetus needed to reinvigorate the industry badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.   

“Philippine tourism is back and it’s back with a vengeance. The robust growth and recovery of Philippine tourism is consistent with what we have seen since the start of the Marcos administration,” said Secretary Frasco in her extemporaneous keynote address. 

“The effort of our President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos, Jr. at the very beginning, was to send the unequivocal message that tourism is a priority. And therefore, he mobilized the entire national government to come together to assist the Department of Tourism to open up the Philippines once again to travel,” the tourism chief added. 

Frasco cited the efforts of the government to ease pandemic restrictions such as the lifting of the mandatory mask mandate, the use of the One Health Pass, the approval of e-visa for select tourism source markets, the reintroduction of the Philippines’ cultural and natural assets, the directive to provide tax refund to foreign visitors which is now in the process of legislation, and recently, the Presidential Proclamation 297 that lifted the state of public health emergency throughout the Philippines, among others, which according to Frasco, greatly helped in mobilizing our tourists to come into and go around the country. 

In Baguio faster recovery in the tourism industry is seen as hotel occupancy rates are up. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1207863

The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio (HRAB) on Tuesday said the hotel industry here is now expected to recover from the effects of the pandemic at a much faster rate thanks to the continuous spike in hotel occupancy.

Andrew Pinero, spokesperson of the HRAB and client relations manager of the only five-star resort in the city, the Baguio Country Club, said accommodation establishments are experiencing high occupancy rates as the city becomes an attractive destination for "revenge tourists" due to its accessibility and cooler climate.

"We are on the road to recovery but now shorter. If we projected at least five years before we can fully recover, now we can say at least three years," said Pinero in an interview.

He said they noticed a 15- to 20-percent increase in the average monthly tourist arrivals based on hotel bookings.

Currently, the average monthly hotel occupancy in the city is 80 percent, even higher than the 60 to 65 percent before the pandemic, he said.

"We are seeing a high tourist arrival rate, especially on weekends which we hope will continue to allow us to recover in full," he said.

During the quarantine period in 2020, the tourism industry posted an estimated PHP1.46 billion in losses. The amount is based on the 540,373 local tourist arrivals from February to May 2019, computed on a daily expenditure of PHP2,700 per person per day.

Pinero added that when the city started a slow but safe opening to tourists, the arrivals started to show an uptrend that continues to this day.

"If this showing will continue, the projection of five years will be cut short," he said.

He said no accomodation establishment has yet reported any recent losses or having a hard time with their businesses. Even transient houses are also experiencing an increase in bookings, he added.

The Niyogyugan Festival is back after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1208167

The Niyogyugan Festival, Quezon province’s annual event to celebrate its coconut farmers, resumed after a three-year halt, bringing in an average of 20,000 tourists daily.

The 11-day long festival that ended Saturday is part of the province’s commemoration of the birth anniversary of President Manuel L. Quezon.

It was the first to be held since its last staging in 2019, after which the Covid-19 pandemic canceled all events.

Data from the Quezon provincial government showed that between 18,000 and 24,000 tourists participated in the daily activities.

So, overall tourism is on the uptick throughout the Philippines. 

The DOH's budget for 2024 has been slashed by 10 billion pesos. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1819337/recto-flags-p10-billion-slash-in-2024-budget-for-doh

The allotment next year for the Department of Health (DOH), an agency that used to be front and center in the government’s budgeting due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been slashed by some P10 billion, House Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto said on Sunday.

The Batangas representative noted that, under the proposed National Expenditure Program (NEP) of P5.768 trillion for 2024, the government has set aside only P199 billion for DOH, compared with its approved allocation of P209 billion this year.

Among the biggest casualties of the lower budget for the DOH, according to Recto, were the country’s four major specialty health facilities — the Lung Center of the Philippines, Kidney Center of the Philippines, Heart Center of the Philippines, and Philippine Children’s Medical Center.

The recommended funding for the four health institutions which poor Filipinos heavily depend on dropped by a total of P818 million, the veteran lawmaker lamented.

Even the proposed allocation for the Medical Assistance for Indigents Fund was slashed by more than P10 billion, leaving it to just P22.2 billion compared with the present allotment of P32.6 billion, Recto said.

He noted that the budget for social services had been taken over by spending for the “big payroll and overhead [expenses] in maintaining a large bureaucracy [and] the rising debt service.”

But he also said that “Congress and the Executive [branch], in the spirit of cooperation, will find ways on how to increase the health budget,” as they had done in the past.

“If the budget were a sculpture, then revenues are the clay from which it is made from. You cannot make a big sculpture if you don’t have enough materials,” he said in a statement on Sunday.

“Budget-wise,” Recto said, “the DOH is still reeling from the effects of long COVID-19 as shown by the proposed P20-billion allocation for ‘Public Health Emergency Benefits’ for health workers.”

The DOH still as 20 billion pesos allocated for health workers due to the pandemic. 

The shipping industry is still struggling post-pandemic.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/08/21/news/national/challenges-hound-shipping-industry/1906322

THE shipping industry faces unprecedented challenges, including the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, high fuel costs and global economic slowdown, the head of a shippers organization said.

Interviewed at SMNI's "Business and Politics" program, Patrick Ronas, president of the Association of International Shipping Lines, said that during the pandemic, there was a sudden drop in demand for goods, disruptions in supply chains and closures of businesses that affected shipping volumes and operations.

"All of us were affected by the pandemic, which has caused a significant volume drop in shipping. Everything was closed down, but we were one of those essential people like terminal operators, truckers and those in the logistic sector who remain on the ground, ensuring that cargoes or containers will be delivered," Ronas told the program host, The Manila Times CEO Dante "Klink" Ang 2nd.

He said the shipping industry had hoped that cargo volume would rebound to pre-pandemic levels.

In mid-September 2022, the industry hit its 2019 volume. And in the first half of 2023, imports were up by 1.15 percent, which Ronas sees as a good sign.

But they too are gradually recovering.

COVID-9 cases continue to drop across the nation.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/8/23/muntinlupa-tallies-1-active-covid-19-case-in-a-week

The Muntinlupa City government recorded only one active Covid-19 case in one week as the country also registered a decrease in the weekly tally of new cases. 

Data from the Muntinlupa City Health Office (CHO) showed that from Aug. 15 to 21, one active Covid-19 case was recorded, down from two cases tallied from Aug. 8 to 14. 

The lone case is registered in Barangay Alabang while the rest of the eight Muntinlupa barangays have zero active cases. 

From Aug 15 to 21, only one new Covid-19 was recorded, rising from 47,310 to 47,311. Recoveries totaled two in the past week from 46,644 to 46,646 and there were zero deaths in the past week. 

The Department of Health (DOH) reported that nationwide, a total of 789 new Covid-19 cases were recorded from Aug. 14 to 20 or a daily average of 113 cases. The total is 15 percent lower compared to the tally from Aug. 7 to 13. 

There are 11 severe and critical cases nationwide and 10 deaths recorded from Aug. 7 to 20. 

15% lower. And how much lower next week? 

The God Culture: Blaspheming the Holy Spirit

Timothy Jay Schwab of The God Culture has been a busy man of late. He has begun once more holding conferences around the nation to delude Filipinos into thinking they are Israelites and that the Philippines is actually Ophir, Tarshish, and Sheba. He has also published a new book in two volumes about the Apocrypha. But before all that he began a new series called "Restoring Creation."

Restoring Creation Series

This series purports to be restoring the truth about the creation narrative in Genesis 1 and 2. However, far from restoring knowledge Tim is actually vomiting forth enormous falsehoods. In this article will detail Tim's blasphemous statements against the Holy Ghost. 

The fact is Tim believes the Holy Spirit is not God but a creation and had no role in creation as a creator. This is utter anti-trinitarian blasphemy. I will not be explaining the Trinity or divinity of the Holy Spirit here. This will be a catalogue of Timothy Jay Schwab's blasphemous statements against the Holy Spirit in this series. Remember what Jesus said about such blasphemy:

Matthew 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

Timothy Jay Schwab of The God Culture is past the point of redemption and if you follow him so are you.  

Restoring Creation: Part 2: Continued... Did Moses Write the First Chapters of Genesis?

35:40 Elohim is the Father and the Son it's plural and it's used because the Father and the Son created.

36:22 Moses wrote Genesis and he wrote Elohim in the beginning because the Elohim he refers to is two, the Father and the Son. 

Restoring Creation: Part 3: What Is the Origin of Genesis? Not Sumer or the Occult!

1:27:47 Yahusha said Moses wrote of me. Hello? He did so in Genesis and Jubilees first and actually if we went back even further uh, when it says "In the beginning Elohim said", right, Elohim created the heavens and the earth, well, that word Elohim is there, not God, by the way. It's Elohim in Hebrew and it's plural. It's two. It's the Father and the Son. Some throw in the Holy Spirit uh, we can't find any Scriptures where the Holy Spirit is a creator, but whatever. 

Restoring Creation: Part 4: Before Creation? What and When Was "In The Beginning?"

2:13 The Holy Spirit as well was there but we just don't have a defined role for Him at that time. Uh, He's not called Elohim. He's not known to be a creator

13:23 Elohim is plural which means it's more than one. So, there's at least two Elohim at creation in the beginning. But see the angels weren't created yet so this is the Father and the Son specifically. Some try to fit the Holy Spirit into that formula and actually we don't have a problem with that, uh, we just never see that in Scripture He's never equated as Elohim in Scripture, uh, so why would we add something that's just plain not there. We're not gonna do that to placate Church doctrine of men. We don't.

33:19 That's a power reserved for Elohim from the beginning which is plural, it is two. 

36:52 When Genesis says in the beginning Elohim, at least two, created the heaven and the earth it means the Father and the Son, John 1 says so. Again, this isn't the only place go to Jubilees and actually Paul also affirms this as well we've covered in other videos. There is no debating that. Again, there are no others even there that would classify as Elohim other than the Holy Spirit who, by the way, is not classified as such. Uh, if that's somehow an oversight in Scripture fine. Uh, He is absolutely a wonderful, beautiful part of this whole formula no doubt. But we don't know what his role was at creation. There's just nothing there for Him. It just says he upon the waters or the face of the deep. That doesn't really tell us anything. Maybe He did something and we're just not seeing it but we're just not seeing it. It's just not there and we're not gonna stretch something that's just not there. 

40:02 Again the world was made by Yahusha with Yahuah, Elohim, plural, defined right here again. That's why it's plural. It is a class of only two at that time. So there's not a lot of research that needs to be done to figure out who it was.   

Restoring Creation: Part 5: Before Creation? The Occult Narrative Scholars Are Following In Error

23:30 There's nothing except for the Father and the Son perhaps the Holy Spirit though there is no Scripture that says He had no beginning such as Melchizedek, Messiah, or the Father. 

26:08 No angels created any of that. No. It didn't happen. It was the Father and the Son. Yes the Holy Spirit was there, too, there's no doubting that. We've never said otherwise. But He's not assigned a role as a Creator nor as Elohim in Scripture. It's just not there. 

Restoring Creation: Part 9: Is Darkness Evil? Or Good?

5:24 Again we already proved there is no time period known as before creation. It's just not there. It's fiction. It is occult fiction we proved. And all that was there previously that we know of is the Father and the Son and perhaps the Holy Spirit. We don't know. Scripture doesn't say. It never identifies Him as having no beginning like as the Father and the Son which it does very clearly.   

6:18 No Scripture identifies the Holy Spirit though in that vein. It just doesn't. I mean do we follow scripture or do we, do we, like to propagate the doctrines of men and beat people up as anti-trinitarians or whatever stupid word they can come up with? What dumb, you know, illiterate ignorance when the word Trinity doesn't even exist in the Bible so who cares about it. When you see the word, the, the word that is you, you do understand that, right? Yeah I'm pretty sure our viewers do. When you see the word Eternal that does not mean they don't have a beginning understand that as well our Spirits are Eternal right but most certainly have beginning. We were created right? Uh, angels are Eternal but they have a creation point. We're actually going to cover that very clearly on the first day. Uh, it's just not there, uh, you know so trying to take, again, a word, uh, out of its own definition, I mean Eternal doesn't mean they've lived forever it means they will live forever. Um, it does not mean they don't have a beginning. So they see that word Eternal, uh, used in terms of the The Ruach and then they assume oh well that means the Holy Spirit is also from, you know, from before, uh, creation. Right? It actually, no, no it doesn't mean that and it doesn't say that. 

Restoring Creation: Part 10: Did Creation Begin In Gen. 1:2? Powerful Revelation!

9:56 So, what elements of creation are present in Genesis? Well, Elohim of course, the Father and the Son really. 

10:51 And the Holy Spirit was present and you will notice He is always on the surface of the earth throughout Scripture. Notice that. A lot of times they say oh well the Holy Spirit in Heaven. Woah, woah, wait, wait. The Holy Spirit's not in heaven. That's not Bible. The Holy Spirit generally is on earth. Now we got no role for him at creation, uh, no Scripture calling Him Elohim, it's just not there. Uh, but we'll get there soon too. We are gonna address one, uh, that could be used to try to bolster such although we actually haven't seen anybody figure that out but we figured it out and already we'll show you how that would not be an accurate reading.   

Restoring Creation: Part 12: Who Is Elohim? Gen. 1:1 Understood. First Day.

1:39 Well, who then are the Elohim of Genesis 1:1 before the angels were even created? Yes they are called Elohim as well because Elohim is a general term for  heavenly being. However, there are no other heavenly beings there is two here actually. There's another being on earth, uh, and there you go, that's it, at creation in the very beginning.  

18:59 But who is Elohim? Well, the word is plural at least two in the Hebrew, the "im" on the end makes it plural. Plural means not one but two. 

37:37 So, in the beginning Elohim created the heavens and the earth. That Elohim is two. The Father and the Son. Again, the Holy Spirit's there but there's no Scripture that ever attributes the Holy Spirit as a creator. It's just not there. You can try to add it. You can try to say, you know, it's equated in some context somewhere. That's fine go ahead and do that but we don't. We just don't placate those kinds of thinkings. We, we go with what the Bible says. So, that's not His role it just isn't in scripture. If it was His role then show us the Scripture. Well you won't because it's not there.  

39:05 But here basically the word Elohim is a generic term for heavenly being. But again, the only beings in heaven at the tome of Genesis 1:1 are the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is hovering on the waters. He's on earth which is where he is throughout Scripture. His role is on earth.  

51:53 So, Yahusha, the Son, is part of Elohim which is plural for two at creation, the Father and the Son. That is the only who qualify as creators. In the beginning Elohim created, right? Again we'll cover this more but the Holy Spirit is not known as Elohim nor a Creator. It's just not there. He is incredibly important and physically present at creation indeed not in heaven but on Earth where he is found throughout scripture in the Old and New Testaments alike but still that doesn't make him what the Bible never calls Him. He is not the Elohim of Creation in the sense of creating. He just doesn't do that that the text says at all. In the beginning Elohim created does not include Him as such though He is present indeed. We aren't going to force something this important because of, well, illiterate ridicule using an anti-trinitarian label or whatever. Who cares? Which also is a word that, well, never exists in scripture. Oh how about that? Talk about the dumbest of false paradigms. Such inept fools don't even realize the words they use aren't even in the Bible yet they beat people over the head for not using their unbiblical words and doctrines for that matter. Now that's pretty dumb. Wow.

Restoring Creation: Part 13: Where Did the Water and Deep Come From? Gen. 1:2 Understood in Job 26

6:10 And the Spirit of Elohim moved upon the face of the waters. That's the Holy Spirit no doubt. This is definitely Him, His first mention, He was there. He just wasn't a creator according to Scripture. It doesn't attribute that role which is ok, He doesn't have to be. Not sure why they claim that He does. That's ridiculous.  

13:08 There's no mention in Jubilees of the Holy Spirit specifically. Uh, Moses doesn't separate him out there, uh, and that may be telling, uh, but we're, we're not sure on that though we'll keep researching. Uh, he mentions all the spirits that serve before Him, uh, which are indisputably angels. Uh, whether the Holy Spirit is included in that we don't know. Uh, that's a topic for another series requiring a lot of research we're not going to touch yet but we will eventually. We'd like to get to that, anyway. We know He was there though and that the Angels weren't yet, uh, at that point on Genesis 1:2. Uh, so if if He was created per se He would have been created before, uh, the Angels not at the same time and certainly not lumped in with them. So, not sure that, that that's the case and He very well may be. Uh, yes he's the Eternal Holy Spirit but Eternal, uh, the angels are Eternal, man is eternal so that doesn't mean that He existed prior to being created if he was a creation like other Spirits. There's just no mention of Him as existing prior and the word Eternal does not denote no beginning, again. So, there's no scripture that really says, okay, and that may actually tell us much.

Restoring Creation: Part 14: Who Is The Light of Creation? Light and Darkness.

14:47 Basically this is a creation miracle from the Light of the World who created all things He and the Father together demonstrating such now. 

18:45 I mean how can we read all these things that Yahusha was in the beginning and created and all things were created by Him as well as the Father, uh, nothing was created without Him, and not realize that He's injected into all of this? Of course He is. Has to be because Elohim is the Father and the Son. 

20:01 For the glory of Elohim did lighten it. Wow! Ok so you have the Father or the Father and Son, Elohim's plural, right, and that would be the proper Hebrew there even though this is written in Greek. And the Lamb, who is the Lamb? We all know that's Yahusha. And the Lamb is the light thereof. Specifically out of Elohim, the Father and the Son, the light comes from Yahusha.

24:17 Yahuah says, Elohim, really the Father and the Son. 

29:48 An era the Bible, by the way, never mentions before creation we've made that clear, uh, except for Yahuah and Yahusha existed, uh, and we're not given a narrative prior to these first six days of creation because we don't need one.  

Restoring Creation: Part 17: What Is The Firmament? Second Day

13:09 Genesis 1:6 and Elohim the Father and the Son together

23:49 On the first day Yahuah and Yahusha, Elohim, created seven great works.

Restoring Creation: Part 19: The Flood: Eyewitnesses of the Firmament Second Day

2:54 There is no such thing as concept of before creation other than the fact that Yahuah and Yahusha existed prior. That's it. That's all we find in Scripture. Not even the Holy Spirit for that matter. We don't find that. Doesn't mean that He wasn't we just don't know because it doesn't say. 

17:49 It's amazing what Yahuah and Yahusha did in the first days of time. 

Restoring Creation: Part 28: Sun, Moon, & Stars. Fourth Day

51:15 The heavens declare the glory of Elohim. Indeed they are the creators and they created the heavens therefore that's how that works. The Father and the Son and yes the Holy Spirit was there present hovering over the face of the great deep, over the earth basically. Uh, we just aren't given a role for Him in creation itself. Doesn't say that He was a creator. Just doesn't.

For the moment Timothy Jay Schwab has paused his creation series so this list is incomplete. But it is more than enough to convict The God Culture of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. He may not think he is blaspheming the Holy Ghost but what else do you call denying God's Spirit divinity, eternity, and being a creator? The Bible tells us that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption. 

Are we sealed with a creature? The idea is preposterous. 

Paul says we are to pray at all times in the Spirit. 

Jude says we are to pray in the Holy Ghost!

Are we to pray to a creature? Of course not!

All the functions of the Holy Spirit as laid out in the Scriptures are that of God and not a creature. To deny His divinity and suggest He is a creation is to commit blasphemy. Timothy Jay Schwab of the God Culture is a blasphemer.