Insurgency: Could Have Prevented

The Anti-Terror Bill of 2020 still awaits the signature of Duterte and people on both sides of the issue continue to either belittle or promote the bill. In an interview with GMA Senatr Bato brought up the story of Mohammad Kiram Reza as proof that the Anti-Terrorism Bill prevent terrorism. A fuller version of this story was given last year.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/12/16/terrorist-slitting-throat-of-foreigners-in-syria-a-filipino-sen-bato/

In his recent co-sponsorship speech of Senate Bill 1083, the Human Security Act of 2019, Senator Ronald dela Rosa said that they have apprehended Reza as a suspected terrorist when he was still Davao City Police Director in December 2013 

“We have monitored all of his moves. Including that of an occasion when he, together with his wife and son, visited the hotel room of a known Jemaah Al Islamiya member and Malaysian suicide bomber named Mohammed Nor Fikrie. Fikrie was later neutralized by my SWAT team when he was about to detonate himself inside a crowded restaurant in Davao City,’’ he said. 

“However, since the military and police intelligence could not provide us sufficient evidence to prove his terrorist activities before the lapse of the allowable detention period, we were forced to release him. If only we had been allowed then to detain him for at least a week in order to build a solid case against him as a terrorist, he would not have had the opportunity to commit more terror acts,’’ he pointed out. 

Dela Rosa said the country’s existing law against terrorism is “so soft that it is almost tantamount to tolerance.’’ 

“The most advanced weaponry budget can provide is worthless if our law enforcers’ hands are tied because the law restricts them to be more aggressive in their cause against terrorism. It is the terrorists that should fear the law and not our law enforcers who are always under threat of lawsuits for violating rights of suspected terrorists,’’ he added.

So the authorities knew all the man's movements, knew he fraternized with terrorists, and yet were unable to build a case against him? He must have been under surveillance for quite a while so why were they unable to build a case against him? On what basis then does Bato claim they could have built a solid case if they had been allowed to hold him for at least a week?

It's also funny that Dela Rosa laments that the law restricts the AFP and PNP "to be more aggressive in the cause against terrorism." Aggressive is exactly how they should be! Perhaps it's being less aggressive which is why the insurgency has lasted for 50 years.

In this story Bato has unwittingly exposed the incompetence of the military and police intelligence services. Senator Lacson continues this trend of exposing the incompetence of the AFP and PNP while defending the bill.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1297748/anti-terrorism-act-could-have-prevented-marawi-siege-says-lacson

The Marawi siege of 2017 could have been prevented had the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 been in effect at that time, Senator Panfilo Lacson has said. 

During an online forum of the League of Provinces of the Philippines on Thursday, Lacson, who sponsored the controversial bill in the Senate, said the Philippines cannot afford to have another crisis similar to the Marawi battle, a five-month campaign to recapture the bombed out city from Islamic State-linked gunmen. 

Lacson pointed out that the anti-terror bill includes provisions against “inchoate offenses.” 

An inchoate offense is a “preparatory act punishable even if the desired result of such act has not occurred yet, thus making it an independent crime itself.” 

Thus, under Section 6 of the Anti-Terrorism Bill, planning, training, preparing and facilitating the commission of terrorism, which are acts performed towards the accomplishment of terrorism, are penalized. 

“Had this measure been in effect earlier instead of the 2007 Human Security Act (HSA), the Marawi Siege could have been prevented. For one, a new feature under this bill is to make punishable inchoate offenses, something not present under the present Human Security Act of 2007,” Lacson said. 

Lacson also said that while there is Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012, the country still has no mechanism to prevent the financing of terrorist activities. 

“The Anti-Terrorism Bill has a mechanism to trigger a freeze order by the Anti-Money Laundering Council upon the request of the Anti-Terrorism Council,” Lacson said. 

Lacson also said that certain provisions in the Anti-Terrorism Bill will allow authorities to act on intelligence reports on potential terrorist activity. 

“What happened in Marawi was not lack of intelligence; they had enough intelligence but they could not act because the HSA of 2007 is toothless and rendered a dead-letter law” he said. 

“The loss of hundreds of lives and the massive destruction of properties could have been prevented in Marawi City with an Anti-Terrorism Law stronger and more effective than the toothless dead-letter law like the Human Security Act of 2007,” he added.

It's ridiculous how Bato and Lacson both condemn the HSA as being "toothless" and "soft" because when it was passed it was hailed as a strong law which would end terrorism and keep the country safe. Are we really to believe that the Congress knowingly passed a "toothless" and "soft" law? No. The problem is not the law. The problem is the incompetence of those charged with enforcing the law.

It seems Lacson is saying that the HSA does not contain provisions against planning terrorism. That is a lie.

SEC. 4. Conspiracy to Commit Terrorism. — Persons who conspire to commit the crime of terrorism shall suffer the penalty of forty (40) years of imprisonment. 

There is conspiracy when two or more persons come to an agreement concerning the commission of the crime of terrorism as defined in Section 3 hereof and decide to commit the same. 

SEC. 5. Accomplice. — Any person who, not being a principal under Article 17 of the Revised Penal Code or a conspirator as defined in Section 4 hereof, cooperates in the execution of either the crime of terrorism or conspiracy to commit terrorism by previous or simultaneous acts shall suffer the penalty of from seventeen (17) years, four months one day to twenty (20) years of imprisonment. 

SEC. 6. Accessory. — Any person who, having knowledge of the commission of the crime of terrorism or conspiracy to commit terrorism, and without having participated therein, either as principal or accomplice under Articles 17 and 18 of the Revised Penal Code, takes part subsequent to its commission in any of the following manner: (a) by profiting himself or assisting the offender to profit by the effects of the crime; (b) by concealing or destroying the body of the crime, or the effects, or instruments thereof, in order to prevent its discovery; (c) by harboring, concealing, or assisting in the escape of the principal or conspirator of the crime, shall suffer the penalty of ten (10) years and one day to twelve (12) years of imprisonment. 

Notwithstanding the above paragraph, the penalties prescribed for accessories shall not be imposed upon those who are such with respect to their spouses, ascendants, descendants, legitimate, natural, and adopted brothers and sisters, or relatives by affinity within the same degrees, with the single exception of accessories falling within the provisions of subparagraph (a).

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2007/03/06/republic-act-no-9372/

Has Lacson read the HSA of 2007? Conspiring to commit terrorism and knowing about a conspiracy to commit terrorism but concealing it is a crime under the HSA. Planning to commit terrorism without actually committing terrorism is a crime. The HSA provides for that. So how exactly would the new Anti-Terrorism Bill of 2020 change anything? It won't be the end of the world or even the end of freedom in the Philippines if Duterte signs the bill into law but it also won't be the end of terrorism. If the government wants to end the insurgency they need a competent military and police force.

Is he really serious that the AFP and PNP could not act on the intel they had about the planned Marawi siege because of HSA 2007? That is patently ridiculous! The fact is they FAILED to act on the intel they had and despite knowing the threat was imminent the top AFP brass as well as PNP Chief Bato accompanied Duterte on his trip to Russia. Why did they fail to act? That is a question which could be solved in a Senate hearing but the Senate refuses to conduct such an investigation so we will probably never know.

However one activist has responded to Lacson by challenging him to open an investigation of the Marawi siege.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1298618/marawi-siege-a-failure-to-read-signs-not-due-to-absence-of-anti-terror-law-maranao-leaders

Disputing Lacson, Maranao leaders said it was not the absence of an anti-terror law that allowed militants to lay siege on Marawi but the failure by authorities to read signs of the imminent threat. 

“The Marawi siege happened because the government underestimated the capacity of the combined Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups to stage a war none would have expected,” said Bangsamoro parliament member Zia Alonto-Adiong. 

“It’s not (even) about a lack of intelligence (gathering), rather, a failure to appreciate what seemed to be a clear and present danger,” Adiong added. 

Adiong noted that prior to the siege, the militants, mostly belonging to the Maute Group, staged attacks on the towns of Butig and Piagapo in Lanao del Sur. 

“These encounters should have been treated as clear signs that something bad was about to happen,” Adiong said. 

Maranao activist Drieza A. Lininding, chair of the Moro Consensus Group, told the Inquirer that it is “lamentable that Sen. Lacson is justifying the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act based on a wrong accounting of events.” 

He challenged Lacson to initiate a Senate inquiry on the Marawi siege to ferret out the truth about the incident in 2017 that led to the destruction of the city’s commercial district. 

He also urged government to “first lay bare the chronology of events leading up to the Marawi siege” and stop using it to justify the enactment of “a horrific law.” 

In a social media post on Friday, June 26, Lininding wrote a short open letter to Lacson urging for a Senate inquiry on the Marawi siege “so that you and the people will know if an anti-terror law (at that time) would have been helpful.”

Adiong and Lininding are saying exactly what I have been saying for three years now. Lininding's open letter reads as follows:

Dear Senator Lacson, 

Before you use the 2017 Marawi Siege Justice to pass the Anti-Terror Bill, let's have a Senate Inquiry first, how did Siege happen to know that you and the People of the Town if Anti-Terror Law can help? How many months before the Siege happened, there was a Butig siege and actually AFP declared a Winner (Victory) against MG-ISIS but why did Marawi still happen? Despite itself the President has a direct negotiation on their review of his speech in Lumbayanague on November 2016 and President MIsmo first warned the Maute's plan to enter Marawi December 2016, the government knows the plan Their, But before May 23,2017? We ask how many soldiers are there in Marawi and How many policemen are there? Do you know they are going to school? But it seems that there is no preparation? Why? You just used us Houses and Properties and Life until now we are weak? To spark and declare Martial Law, you haven't gotten tired of using our sad sincerity? 

The solution to Terrorism is to prevent the injustices and Abuse of Minority like us Moroes. There are many people who are killing us, including those who are affected by evidence, now the Duterte Admin can count the massacre here in Bangsamoro who are not charged and the Painful Government Enforcers are the culprits, it seems that there is no value in our lives that we are always sacrificing, but there is no anti-anti-anti-anti - terror law, so many victims of samim, what if it is passed? You have a license to do who you think is a Terrorist?

https://www.facebook.com/drieza.lininding.1/posts/1142669099437020

Hopefully the Senate takes up the challenge and holds an inquiry.

One of the most contentious portions of this bill is the provision for wantless arrests which can last for up to 24 days. The government rejects the idea that such arrests are unconstitutional.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/06/24/2023286/lacson-rejects-unconstitutional-tag-warrantless-detention-anti-terrorism-bill

In a webinar hosted by the Management Association of the Philippines, Lacson said that the provision of the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 on detention without judicial charges up to 24 days is actually Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon’s amendment. 

He also said that Section 29 of the anti-terrorism bill had the same wording as Section 18 of the Human Security Act of 2007—the law that the looming anti-terrorism bill will replace—that he pointed out the Supreme Court did not strike down as unconstitutional. 

“The 14-day period is a policy decision of Congress and it is not within the powers or authority of the [Anti-Terrorism Council] to order the detention of an arrested suspected based on valid and lawful warrantless arrest to be detained for 14 days,” Lacson answered when asked at the forum.

It is very interesting that the Supreme Court did not strike down as unconstitutional warrantless arrests provided for in the HSA since a court recently dismissed a case against a man because he was arrested without a warrant.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/06/26/2023607/court-junks-case-vs-teacher-duterte-threat

Paradeza granted the motion to quash filed by Mas, who cited three grounds: the court has no jurisdiction over him because the arrest conducted was unlawful; the facts charged do not constitute an offense; and the court hearing the case is deemed ousted of jurisdiction because of the serious violation of Mas’ constitutional rights. 

“Considering that accused Mas had timely raised objection to the legality of his arrest before arraignment, and with the findings of this court that accused Mas was indeed unlawfully arrested, this court failed to acquire jurisdiction over his person,” Paradeza said. 

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents arrested Mas without a warrant in Sta. Cruz, Zambales and detained him for eight days at the NBI main office in Manila last May 11.

In this case a warrantless arrest was declared unlawful. How does this affect the philosophy behind warrantless arrests as provided for in the new Anti-Terror bill? It's not just wantless arrests per se that are the problem. The problem is a person can be arrested and held without charge for up to 24 days while the authorities build their case. If it has come to the point of arresting a person one would think a solid case has already been built and the government would not need a whole month to build one.

Perhaps one of the strangest defenses of the Anti-Terror Bill comes from the Imam Council of the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1107177

A manifesto by the Islamic community states that through the Anti-Terrorism Bill, peace-loving Muslims will be finally protected and eradicate hate towards the Muslim faith. 

Believing that terrorism and violent extremism are anathema to the Islamic faith, the Imam Council of the Philippines, Inc. (ICPI) and the Culture and Knowledge Forum (CKF), expressed strong support for the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. 

In a manifesto of support issued by Aleem Said Basher, Chairman of the ICPI, and Kim Edres, President of the CKF, they stated that the worst victim of violent extremism and terrorism in the country is no less than the Muslims themselves. 

“We are one with the billions of Muslims around the world who are consciously aware that terrorism and violent extremism are anathema to our Islamic faith, hence our earnest desire and efforts to help eradicate the same,” the statement reads. 

The manifesto states that they firmly believe that the government, particularly the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), "would not weaponize the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 against legitimate dissents, political opposition, let alone innocent civilian”. 

They said that the Anti-Terrorism Bill, on the other hand, would “prevent and counteract the imminent threat of terrorism and violent extremism in our country,” giving the Muslim community a chance to “have a better world to share among our peoples, especially the next generations, regardless of faith, color and other social status”.

Who knew that "the worst victim of violent extremism and terrorism in the country is no less than the Muslims themselves?" I suppose a big reason for that is because Muslims frequently attack their own community. Again there are many claims made about the bill but no specifics given. Just how the bill  will "prevent and counteract the imminent threat of terrorism and violent extremism" is not said. Many factors drive extremism including economic factors and the bill does not address those inequities.

Meanwhile the AFP continues to rack up small victories without the aid of a new law.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1106854

A tip-off from Agusan del Sur villagers led government troops to a depot of bomb-making materials and ammunition belonging to the communist New People’s Army (NPA), a military official said Wednesday. 

The troops recovered the bomb-making materials and ammunition in the hinterland village of Maasin, Esperanza town, Agusan del Sur on Tuesday morning, said 1Lt. Roel T. Maglalang, civil-military operations officer of the Army's 23rd Infantry Battalion. 

“The citizens in the area saw the danger of these bomb-making materials. Farmers going to their farms usually pass very near the depot where explosive materials are deposited,” Maglalang told the Philippine News Agency (PNA). 

He said upon reaching the area, government troops discovered firearms, bombs, ammunition, and subversive documents. 

Among the war materiel recovered were 11 containers of ammonium nitrate, two blasting caps, 205 rounds of M-14 rifle ammunition, five magazines for M14 rifle, a roll of firing wire, NPA garments and shirts, and other pieces of evidence, Maglalang added. 

The 11 containers of ammonium nitrate can produce 60 anti-personnel mines that could be deadly both to soldiers and civilians, he pointed out.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1107264

A cache of firearms and ammunition was discovered by a civilian on Saturday noon at an abandoned house in a remote village in Bulan town in Sorsogon, a top police official in Bicol said. 

Brig. Gen. Anthony Alcañeses, Bicol regional director, said the recovered cache of firearms and ammunition consists of 10 M-16 rifles, 64 boxes each containing 40 pieces of 7.62mm ammunition used for AK-47 rifles, and 21 boxes of M-16 ammo GA556100. 

Alcañeses said a civilian reported to the Bulan police station the discovery of the arms cache hidden at an abandoned house in Sitio Angas, Barangay Otavi at around 10 a.m.

The AFP needs more locals willing to snitch. They also need to fight more.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1297814/4-suspected-daulah-islamiyah-members-killed-in-paranaque-shootout

Four suspected terrorists linked to the ISIS-inspired Daulah Islamiyah group were killed in a shootout with police officers and soldiers in Parañaque City Friday morning. 

A report from Parañaque police chief Col. Robin Sarmiento identified the four suspects as Bensaudi Sali, 37; Merhama Abdul Sawari, 40; Rasmin Hussin; and Jamal Kamiling.  Sarmiento said four suspects were allegedly linked to Daulah Islamiyah. 

Sarmiento also noted that Sali is also a suspected member of the Abu Sayyaf Group. 

Sarmiento said members of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines went to Sali’s house in Barangay Don Bosco to serve the search warrant issued against Sali at 12:26 midnight. The three other suspects were also inside the house. 

The warrant was issued by Parañaque Regional Trial Court Branch 258 for violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. 

The operation resulted in the shootout, police said. 

Seized from the suspects were three blasting caps, wires, suspected explosives, two caliber .45 pistols with magazines and ammunition, two black ISIS flags, two hand grenades, an M16 rifle, and an electric match. 

In a separate report, National Capital Region Police Office chief Major Gen. Debold Sinas said the four suspects were tagged as the financial conduits of Daesh-East Asia because of their connection with Daulah Islamiyah bomb expert Mundi Sawadjaan, who helped plan the Jolo Cathedral bombing in January 2019.

Add those four to the 28 killed since the beginning of the year.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/744490/afp-says-28-abu-sayyaf-members-were-killed-29-surrendered-since-january/story/

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Saturday reiterated its commitment to destroy the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), as it reported 28 ASG members were killed and 29 surrendered since January 1. 

AFP Chief of Staff General Felimon Santos Jr. hailed the military's success, attributing it to "the strong support of the national leadership, interagency cooperation, and the soldiers' high state of morale." 

"The AFP will sustain this momentum against the terror group so that once and for all, peace and development will be genuinely felt by our people,” he said.

With the quarantines easing many AFP soldiers are retiring to the fight against the NPA.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1106737

"Now that the number of areas on ECQ (enhanced community quarantine) that were placed on GCQ (general community quarantine) continues to increase, more and more AFP personnel can now be redeployed to further step up the tempo of focused military operations," Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a statement sent to reporters. 

Arevalo said victories are possible once troop redeployment goes into high gear. 

"If our current deployments have already been reaping success, we are confident that the fresh troops that will be brought back to the front lines will have (a) positive impact (on) our campaign against the CTG (communist terrorist groups) and the LTG (local terrorist groups). The AFP will pursue our operational initiatives against CTG and seize the momentum given the string of successes we had very recently," he added. 

Arevalo’s statement came after military operations conducted on June 16 to 23 resulted in the death of 10 communist terrorists, including a New People's Army (NPA) leader operating in Oriental Mindoro and a member of the so-called "Morong 43". 

"Meanwhile, around 22 CNT (communist New People's Army terrorists) and MB (Militia ng Bayan) surrendered or were captured. At least 26 firearms, an IED (improvised explosive device), four rifle grenades, two electronic devices, and USB flash drives containing important information about the terrorist organization were either seized or captured," he added.

How many other nations had a military response to the COVID-19 pandemic? It's best to get them back in the fight against the NPA and conduct an aggressive campaign against the communists and the Muslims. After all even Duterte says communism is the number one threat to the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1106763

“Actually the number one threat to the country hindi (not) Abu Sayyaf, hindi ‘yung mga terorista (not the terrorists) of no value. Itong (These) high-value targets, ito ‘yung mgakomunista (these are the communists),” Duterte said, adding that it is the reason he has ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines to be on the offensive. 

He lamented how communists attacked government troops securing employees of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) who were distributing cash aid to beneficiaries of the government’s Social Amelioration Program amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. 

“The fight against the NPAs has long been there. It started in the 50s hanggang ngayon nandiyan pa (still there until now). It has undermined the national security of the country, he said referring to the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). 

Duterte expressed fears that if he does not do his duty as President of the country, like what others did during their time, the government “might just bargain away, place in jeopardy the democratic values that the Filipinos have enjoyed for the longest time”. 

“Itong mga (These) forces arrayed against us -- Abu Sayyaf, mga terorista (terrorists) with no ideology, the Communist Party (CPP) with ideology but more pernicious ang effect which could undermine the peace and security of our country not only this administration, but it can transcend to the next generation, giving us no respite,” he added. “Maski kaunting pahinga lang na makinga lang man tayo (Even just ample time to breath).” 

Duterte, who admitted to his anger towards communists, said there was never a time when he was mayor of Davao City that they mistreated an NPA prisoner in Mindanao. 

“We don’t even allow the mosquitoes to bite them. May warning kami sa mga alimatok (leech) na huwag galawin ang mga NPA na bihag kasi baka tayo ang pagbintangan (not to hurt NPA captives because we might get the blame),” he added.

First of all the communist rebellion did not start int he 50's. What he is referring to is the Hukbalahap Rebellion which started in 1942 and was put down in 1954. The current insurgency started in 1968 with the formation of a the Communist Party of the Philippines by Joma Sison.

Second of all it's true that there was never a time when he was mayor of Davao that the NPA was mistreated.  After all Duterte was their best friend giving them millions and telling others to pay the NPA's extortion fees.

http://davaotoday.com/main/politics/new-peoples-army/npa-taxation-a-reality-just-pay-them-says-duterte/

December last year, Duterte drew flak when his pronouncement during a visit at the Communist Party of the Philippines quoted him as saying that he pays revolutionary tax. A youtube video later circulated accusing him of giving P125 million as annual revolutionary taxes. 

He clarified that he attended the CPP anniversary at a Typhoon Pablo-affected area where he gave some amount for the typhoon victims; the funds were sourced out from private donors. He said he merely kidded that the funds were the taxes that he would pay to NPAs, but because there was no barangay captain around to receive the donation, he coursed it through local NPA leaders. 

In Thursday’s trade expo, Duterte said, “I can talk, but I can’t talk them out of their ideology. You have to realize the Communist Party is entering its 45th year here. You have to admit there’s been historical injustice committed on the people.” 

Duterte said the national government should deal with the revolutionary groups by talking peace. 

“Crimes I can deal with it. But with the revolutionary (groups), I give it to the (national) government, but here, I advised government not to make arrests of revolutionaries” he said. 

As to the NPAs asking taxes he said “I cannot put it to a stop. So factor that in your investments. If you pay to the BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue), you prepare also for the NPA.” Some participants giggled and smiled on this remark.

Without enablers like Duterte perhaps the NPA could have been weakened if not defeated in Mindanao? 

Did Manolo Pedrosa Really Read 41 Books During the Quarantine?

Did Manolo Pedrosa, a former contestant on Pinoy Big Brother and now a TV star, really read 41 books during the quarantine? He certainly claims to have done so. The media even did a write up about this feat which he posted on all his social media pages.

 https://www.instagram.com/p/CBFkGAzlnPL/?igshid=wzclc46asy5q

CRAZY! I was able to read 41 books since the start of this quarantine!⠀ 

This quarantine too has been crazy; I know this has been tough on all of us—so I just want to share my journey in a wholesome way—Let's begin.⠀ 

"When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves." -Viktor E. Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning⠀ 

1. Mindset: I didn't want to get bogged down in this quarantine but alas, I can't do anything about it, I'm stuck at home! What I can do is change my perception; create purpose—this is an opportunity to work on myself and my goals—so how did I?⠀ 

2. Systems: A process of organizing your day by instilling desired habits at specific time blocks—this can help make it automatic to do—with the quarantine, we are virtually living in repetitive days; such environment's conducive for systems.⠀ 

3. Contentment: With the restrictions of quarantine—for example, I couldn't go to the gym which is my #1 passion—I accepted that and learned to be creative on how I can still train effectively; I realized you could get away without requiring much—I was even able to build muscle! (Only thing I can't be content with is a lack of a haircut.)⠀ 

4. Solitude: As an introvert, solitude is familiar territory but it is still a challenge especially in the quarantine; self-communication is an underrated skill—You got to master yourself first before anything else; I daresay solitude is meta for personal growth.⠀ 

5. Deep work: Distraction-free bouts of intense focus; being fully committed to the task at hand—to do this, I had my phone off majority of the time which means not much social media. (I know but it has just been bad news.) With enough practice, you can enter the flow state, and then you'll be wondering where all the time went actually enjoying your newfound habits.⠀ 

Okay, there's definitely more to be said here but then the post would go on forever lmao. I'll definitely continue doing these as we transition to our new normal.⠀ 

What have you gained this quarantine? ⠀Stay safe everyone, never stop learning!

Indeed that is rather CRAZY. I sent him a tweet asking for a list of the books he read but he did not respond.

https://twitter.com/FilipinoFollies/status/1270901311031164928

So did he really do it? Did he read 41 books in 2.5 months which is 11 weeks? That would be 3-4 books per week. Is that even possible? More importantly is it likely? Let's do the math.

First because he did not provide a list of books we will have to make some educated guesses about how long it will take to read an average book. In his picture Manolo is holding The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. The particular version he is holding has a page count of 209. Audible.com has several copies of this book and reading times vary from 4 hours 32 minutes to 7 hours and 39 minutes.

https://www.audible.com/author/Marcus-Aurelius/B000AR7YUW?ref=a_search_c3_lAuthor_1_1_1&pf_rd_p=e81b7c27-6880-467a-b5a7-13cef5d729fe&pf_rd_r=7G3W3E3880VR75EJVFJQ

Two other books he claims that he read are “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl and “The E-Myth” by Michael Gerber.

Man's Search for Meaning has a page count of 192 and a reading time of 4 hours and 44 minutes.

https://www.audible.com/search?keywords=“Man’s+Search+for+Meaning”&ref=a_author_Ma_t1_header_search

The next book, "The E-Myth," is not on audible but the updated version is. The reading time for that book, which is 288 pages, is 8 hours and 5 minutes.

https://www.audible.com/search?keywords=“Man’s+Search+for+Meaning”&ref=a_author_Ma_t1_header_search

Without question all 41 books he claims to have read will be of varying lengths. An average book is anywhere from 200-300 pages. That means a reading time of anywhere between 4.5 to 8 hours. If we take the median time we get roughly 6 hours to read a book. That data set is as follows:

4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8

Now let's do the math.

41 books.

6 hours per book.

That is 246 hours or 10 days.

The period of the quarantine was from March 16th to May 31. That is 77 days or 1,848 hours.

Now let's attempt to break down his days. 8 hours each day for sleep is 616 hours. That leaves 1,232 hours.

He says he was able to train and even build muscle during the quarantine. Let's allow 90 minutes for each workout period which includes getting ready, the workout, and a shower. If he works out 6 days a week that is 66 days over a period of 11 weeks. That comes to 99 hours. Now we have 1,133 hours left.

But he also has to eat. I am not aware of his living conditions. Does he live with his parents? Does someone else do all the cooking and cleaning and washing? If yes then eating will hardly take up any time. But if he has to prepare his own meals and clean up afterwards then that must factor in to his eating time. To prepare, eat, and clean up I will allot an hour per meal. That is 3 hours a day or 225 hours. Now we have 908 hours left.

908 hours is plenty of time to have read 41 books in 77 days. In fact if all Manolo did was read for 6 hours a day he could have potentially read 77 books during the quarantine. Manolo claims that he basically turned off his social media accounts during that time and focused on reading. He also says he was in solitude which made the task easier. It must be noted that all these calculation are based on optimal conditions. That means no oversleeping.

So is it possible that Manolo Pedrosa sat down all day and read 41 books in 2.5 months? Yes. Is it likely? What do you think?

Picture of the Week: Don't Dump Garbage Here

Don't dump garbage here?  Yeah right!

You know where this is?  Right near the skywalk across the street from the mall.  What a nice place to dump your garbage.

Retards in the Government 160

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

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2020/06/20/2022199/caloocan-barangay-chair-gunned-down

A barangay chairman in Caloocan City was shot dead by still unidentified masked, motorcycle-riding men early morning Saturday, Mayor Oscar “Oca” Malapitan confirmed in a statement. 

The victim was identified as Barangay 151 Chairman Gally Dilao of the city's first district and Zone 13. 

Based on initial police findings, Dilao had been walking home along Progreso Street around midnight when he was shot and killed by men aboard three motorcycles.

Another LGU shot dead.  This one by three motorcyclists as he was walking alone home at midnight.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1106410

Almost 300 elected local officials are now under probe for alleged anomalies in the distribution of the first tranche of the social amelioration program (SAP), the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said on Friday. 

Brig. Gen. Rhoderick Armamento, CIDG Deputy Director for Administration, said as of Thursday, a total of 283 elected officials, ranging from the mayor down to Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairman, while 445 other individuals including barangay secretaries, treasurers, purok leaders, liaison officers are under investigation. 

Among those being investigated is a municipal mayor in Eastern Visayas who allegedly did not transmit cash aid worth over PHP300,000 to a barangay captain, who is the complainant.

More LGU officials being investigated over SAP anomalies.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/743596/cop-nabbed-over-illegal-cockfighting-in-cebu-city/story/

A policeman allegedly involved in cockfighting was arrested by operatives of the Philippine National Police - Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (PNP - IMEG) in Barangay Lahug in Cebu City on Sunday. 

The police officer was identified as Police Staff Sergeant Charlito Sanchez Tinoy, who is assigned at the Regional Personnel Holding Accounting Section. 

Three civilians, who were not named, were also nabbed for supposedly being involved in other illegal gambling operations amid the community quarantine in Barangay Sudlon.

Another cop nabbed for illegal cockfighting.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2020/06/22/2022744/barangay-captain-2-others-killed-island-basilan

The chairman of an island barangay and two other residents were killed in an attack by unknown gunmen in Tabuan Lasa municipality off Basilan last week, police reported Monday. 

Tabuan Lasa police under Police Lt. Jakaria Muin, acting chief of police, reported the gunmen arrived in a motorized banca last Wednesday afternoon and opened fire on the house of Barangay Tong Umus chairman Muksalin Ibrahim Umbong. 

Police said the armed group escaped in the same motorized banca after the attack. 

The police disclosed that it was the second attempt on Umbong's life. He had also previously been shot at the port of Basilan.

Another LGU assassinated but this time by armed gunmen in a boat. This was also the second attempt on his life.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1295701/maguindanao-town-mayor-unscathed-in-bomb-attack-says-he-was-target

The mayor of a town in violence-wracked Maguindanao province survived a bombing carried out by still unidentified assailants on Monday (June 22). 

South Upi Mayor Reynalbert Insular said his black Mitsubishi pickup truck was damaged by an improvised bomb that exploded past 3 p.m. at the back of the town hall. 

Insular just arrived in South Upi from Cotabato City. His driver was about to park the pickup at the back of the town hall when the bomb went off. 

The driver escaped unhurt. 

Insular said he believed he was the target of the bomb attack, the second since he was elected town mayor in 2016.

The second bombing attempt against the Mayor of South Upi. This time's the charm?

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/320613/coa-flags-delayed-remittance-of-contributions-for-daanbantayan-employees

State auditors have flagged down a supposed “non-prompt and inaccurate” remittance of statutory benefits for employees of the municipality of Daanbantayan for the year 2019. 

In its 2019 audit report, the Commission on Audit (COA) said the town failed to promptly remit its employees premiums for the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), resulting to under remittance of P5,503, P2,034.26, and P3,008.24, respectively. 

The under remittance, according to COA, exposed the municipal government for possible penalties that the three agencies may impose. 

The municipal government, for its part, said it has been remitting timely and accurately the premiums, contributions and loan amortizations of its employees. 

COA says the town is not paying the proper premiums but the town says they are and that the proper adjustments in the books will be made.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1296040/solons-seek-probe-into-das-alleged-overpriced-procurement-of-fertilizer

The Makabayan bloc has filed a resolution seeking an investigation on the alleged overpriced fertilizer procured by the Department of Agriculture (DA). 

House Resolution No. 992 — a copy of which was provided to the media on Tuesday — directs the House committee on agriculture and food, and the committee on good government and public accountability to conduct the probe in aid of legislation. 

Under the resolution, lawmakers said the agriculture department conducted bidding for over 1.8 million bags of urea fertilizers for P1.8 billion or P1,000 per bag. 

The fertilizers are for DA’s Rice Resiliency Program which seeks to increase the country’s rice production from 87 percent to 93 percent by the end of 2020. 

However, the lawmakers said this could be overpriced by at least P271.66 million, citing farmers from Tarlac and Nueva Ecija who said that the prevailing average price of urea is only at around P850 per bag. 

“Farmers said recent purchases of urea fertilizer showed a bag could fetch for P830 in Tarlac, P810 in Pangasinan, and P840 in Nueva Ecija,” the lawmakers said.

Farmers allege the DA sold them overpriced bags of fertilizer. Some House members want to investigate.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1106712

Authorities said they are investigating the identities of the two men who shot dead an irrigation official on Monday afternoon as he arrived home in Barangay Rosary Heights Mother. 

Maj. Rustom Pastolero, city police station 2 chief, said investigators already have vital leads that could identify the attackers of Engr. Nestor Espenilla, 62, the acting division chief of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Maguindanao office. 

“He succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds from .45-caliber pistol,” Pastolero said of the 5 p.m. ambush of Espenilla. 

Espenilla, a widower, just arrived at his home after work when two men riding tandem on a motorbike showed up and opened fire on him at close range. 

Pastolero said responding policemen rushed him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. 

Espenilla survived an ambush on February 27, 2020, also in Cotabato City, according to Pastolero.

Two assassination attempts of which the second was successful. But why would someone from the National Irrigation Administration be ambushed? Was it farmers who did it?

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1296344/lanao-norte-village-chief-charged-with-selling-meth

Police filed charges on Monday (June 22) against a village chief in Lanao del Norte province for allegedly selling shabu, or crystal meth. 

Maj. Rodolfo Dongiapon, police chief of Kapatagan town, said George Paul Go, 41, chief of Lapinig village, was on a list of what police said high-value targets of the northern Mindanao police. 

Go, according to Dongiapon, had been under surveillance for several months.

Another LGU official busted for selling drugs.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1296734/15-qc-cops-axed-for-negligence-after-6-chinese-inmates-escape-from-jail

Fifteen police officers of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) were relieved after six Chinese detainees escaped from a detention facility while under their watch,  the QCPD said Wednesday. 

A statement from QCPD Public Information Office said QCPD chief Brig. Gen. Ronnie Montejo ordered the relief of the policemen assigned at the District’s Mobile Force Battalion for violation of Article 224 of the Revised Penal Code or evasion through negligence. 

The six detainees were later immediately rearrested near a creek in Mapagkumbaba Street corner Fugencio Street in Barangay Krus na Ligas at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

At least they were rearrested. But how exactly did they get out?

https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/06/24/20/charges-readied-vs-police-official-who-skipped-covid-checkpoint-in-borongan

The local government of Borongan is hoping to file charges next week against a police official who bypassed a checkpoint meant to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).  

“Yesterday I was briefed by the legal office ng siyudad. Matatapos na sila sa pag-consolidate ng mga affidavit ng mga witnesses, hoping by next week we can file the cases in court,” said Borongan City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda.  

(I was briefed by the city’s legal office yesterday. They are about to finish consolidating the affidavit of witnesses, hoping by next week we can file the cases in court.)  

Lt. Col. Joel Ana, a resident of the city and assigned at the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) headquarters, was onboard a white van accompanied by 2 police motorcycles when he “bypassed” border control on the night of June 13.  

“It is an insult to our efforts kapag may ganung mga pangyayari lalo na if you are a public official,” said Agda, in an interview on Teleradyo’s Kabayan program.  

(It is an insult to our efforts when things like that happen especially if you are a public official.) 

Cop bypasses checkpoint. Now he will be charged.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/06/25/2023525/lawmakers-want-rename-naia-paliparang-pandaigdig-ng-pilipinas

On Thursday, Reps. Paolo Duterte (Davao 1st District) Lord Allan Velasco (Marinduque) and Eric Yap (ACT-CIS Party-list) filed House Bill No. 7031, renaming the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Pilipinas. 

In a joint statement issued Thursday, the presidential son said: “We need a more representative branding for the international gateway of our country, thus our proposal renaming NAIA to the Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Pilipinas."  

"Aside from it bearing our country's name, it is in our national language. We want it to reflect the legacy of the Filipino people, our everyday heroes. The name bears no color, no political agenda. It only signifies our warmth as Filipinos in welcoming our own kababayans and foreign visitors," he added.  

For his part, Yap said: “We want for the name of our country to be the first thing welcoming the return to our countrymen as well as tourists from abroad when their planes land. We want to make them feel like they are home. There are many personalities who also deserve their name, institution, and so on. But when it comes to our airport, it should reflect the country and the Filipino people."

This is a really dumb idea.  First of all "Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Pilipinas" means Philippine International Airport and there several of those already like in Davao and Cebu. Secondly foreigners will not be able to pronounce it.  Thirdly it will be reduced to initials like NAIA is right now.  So tourists will land in Manila at PPP which will inevitably be shortened to PP because it is always listed as an awful airport.

Coronavirus Lockdown: Digital Cockfighting, Full Cemeteries, and More!

COVID-19 is not going away anytime soon. The number of cases continues to rise and the Palace has even threatened to tighten restrictions once again if the numbers get too high. 

The lockdown forced thousands of workers to stay in Manila. Many of them are still there.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/17/20/over-13000-from-central-southern-ph-still-stranded-in-luzon-official

Over 13,000 remain stranded in Luzon and are still awaiting transportation assistance to return to their home provinces in Visayas and Mindanao, a government official said Wednesday. 

Transportation of the stranded individuals are already being arranged under the government's "Hatid Tulong" program, its head Joseph Encabo said. 

(They are here in Luzon and they want to return to their provinces in Visayas and Mindanao) 

The government last week suspended its "Balik Probinsya" program, President Rodrigo Duterte's push for Metro Manila workers to return to their home provinces, to give way to the homecoming of individuals stranded because of coronavirus lockdowns. 

Some local government officials have expressed worries over the homecoming of stranded individuals due to the threat of COVID-19, as most cases have been reported in Metro Manila and other hotspots in Luzon. 

Encabo, however, assured local government units that those under the "Hatid Tulong" program are subject to rapid antibody testing, and only those with negative results are allowed to go home. 

(Everyone undergoes rapid test...This is so that the receiving LGU can feel assured when they receive constituents.)

These people face two problems.  First is they are stranded of course. Secondly LGU's don't necessarily want them to return because they fear they might bring the virus with them. 

The lockdown has hurt the economy in many ways. OFWs have lost their jobs which some estimate will mean $6 billion less in remittances.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1296425/ph-feared-to-lose-6-b-remittances

The Philippines stands to lose up to $6 billion in remittances this year as the COVID-19 pandemic that walloped the global economy might render about 400,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) jobless, Sen. Joel Villanueva said on Tuesday. 

Villanueva, Senate labor committee chair, said the government should immediately intervene and come up with a comprehensive plan to help nearly 50,000 displaced OFWs who had already been repatriated.

It could be that the OFWs will be helped by the P400B the government hopes to raise to fix the economy.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/06/16/20/philippines-hopes-to-raise-p400b-to-fund-pandemic-recovery

The Philippines plans to raise up to P400 billion in borrowings to help fund its recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, a finance official said Tuesday. 

Financing will be sourced from lenders such as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Finance Assistant Secretary Antonio Lambino said. 

The country can secure low interest loans at longer terms due to its credit rating, he said. The Japan Credit Rating Agency recently upgraded the country's score to A- from BBB+ rating, he said. 

(When it comes to loans, our target is P400 billion, target and pipeline. We are building a fund to finance our economic recovery plan)

They are going to borrow P400 billion! P58 million will be allocated to the tourism sector.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/06/17/2021483/house-eyes-p58-billion-tourism-sector-recovery

The House of Representatives is eyeing a P58-billion fund for recovery of the country’s tourism industry from recession caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. 

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano revealed this yesterday as he urged the Department of Tourism (DOT) to prepare a recovery program while Congress works on providing needed infrastructure. 

“There are challenges, but we can really see opportunities here in the tourism industry if we can put a big sum of money on tourism-related infrastructure,” he explained. 

“There are systems that can be put in place, so that in one year – or one year and a half when COVID is gone, every corner of our country with a tourism industry will be ready to get back on track,” Cayetano stressed.

Interesting that Cayetano thinks the COVID-19 crisis might last a year and a half longer.  How many  more people will die? There won't be any room from them in Mandate City's public cemetery.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/743265/no-more-room-for-covid-19-fatalities-in-mandaue-city-s-public-cemetery/story/

The local government of Mandaue City said its public cemetery is already full and has no more space for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) fatalities, according to Lou-anne Mae Rondina's report on "24 Oras" on Thursday. 

City councilor Nerissa Soon Ruiz, chair of the committee on health, said the Mandaue Municipal Cemetery was already full even before the COVID-19 pandemic began. 

The LGU said the Mandaue Municipal Cemetery will only open room for more cadavers in August, the reason the city council passed a resolution to find a lot to build another public cemetery. 

Based on the resolution, the mayor will be granted authority to negotiate with individuals or companies to buy a lot for the proposed public cemetery. 

Ruiz added that part of the resolution is the council's call for a mortuary freezer which will be used as a morgue in the city hospital. She said the mortuary freezer will be used temporarily for COVID-19 fatalities. 

So far, Mandaue City has recorded a total of 491 cases of COVID-19, including 12 deaths.

If there has only been 12 deaths so far then it does not seem to be much of a problem. But overfilled cemeteries are definitely a problem in the Philippines.

The distribution of the SAP has hit many snags as was expected.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/06/19/2021962/22000-duplicate-sap-beneficiaries-found

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said its ongoing validation of the distribution of the first tranche of P5,000 to P8,000 emergency cash subsidy under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) has uncovered around 22,000 duplicate beneficiaries from the aid programs being undertaken by the different agencies. 

Social Welfare Undersecretary Rene Glen Paje, at a virtual press briefing, said the discovery has prompted the agency to intensify validation of the beneficiaries and liquidation reports submitted by local government units (LGUs) that distributed the first SAP tranche in April.

Are they going to try to get the money back?

During the pandemic cockfighting has been shut down. Or has it?

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1294692/the-proliferation-of-illegal-online-sabong-amid-quarantine

But hey, where have all the rowdy gamblers gone? Not anymore in cockpit arenas. They have gone online. 

Electronic sabong or cockfighting is actually not new but the coronavirus pandemic has simply pushed this centuries-old Filipino pastime to fully embrace the cyberspace. 

Cockpit arenas have been shut down as social distancing is enforced across the country. An INQUIRER.net source bared that cock derby is now being held in private farms. 

Inside these private farms, laptops and cameras are set up for the live streaming of the bloody fight between two gamecocks. These hosts have to continuously monitor the quality of their streaming as well as ensure that the event is recorded live to avoid delayed telecast which could result in bettors knowing which cock to bet on. 

The person who is hosting the live streaming earns by selling the streaming rights to various websites where people can place their bets. Based on the screenshots provided by our source, mirror fee—or the fee to gain rights to stream the video—usually costs from P12,500 to P15,000.

Meanwhile on Facebook, there are “customer service representatives” (CSR), usually using photos of “beautiful women” to lure male clients, our source said. 

These CSR are the ones directly transacting with possible bettors, instructing them of the steps to gain access to watch the sabong games online through the websites who were granted the rights to stream them. 

Bettors are instructed to first create an account to gain access to the websites. Previously, the mere creation of an account would cost a bettor P2,000 to P5,000 but due to tightening competition in the online sabong industry, some operators have waived this fee to gain more bettors.

Cockfighting online. Filipinos sure do love cockfighting.

Many OFW's who have lost their jobs and are stuck in foreign lands have had to resort to scavenging through the garbage for food.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1106524

The Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Riyadh is in talks with the employer of Filipino workers in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) who reportedly resorted to “scavenging” for food from the garbage. 

"Patuloy pong nakikipag-ugnayan ang POLO sa Team Time Company at sa Saudi Ministry of Human Resource and Social Development upang maisakatuparan ang pagpapauwi ng mga nasabing manggagawa (POLO is coordinating with the Team Time Company and the Saudi Ministry of Human Resource and Social Development to bring home our workers)," the Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia said in a statement on June 19. 

The embassy said POLO has also provided food assistance to the displaced workers. 

In a previous tweet, Philippine Ambassador Adnan Alonto noted that the embassy is continuously working with relevant offices to repatriate the nationals as soon as possible. 

"Repatriation is the goal. Well, exit visas need to be granted and more flights (are) needed. That's the truth. We are on it," he said. 

In a video circulating online, several Filipino workers are seen scouring trash for food to survive after being displaced due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. 

Another clip also surfaced online, featuring a different group picking garbage and food after their contract was terminated during the health crisis.

Sad that people have to resort to such measures just to feed themselves. 

More Chinese are in the COVID-19 business.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1106538

Authorities have arrested two Chinese nationals and seized PHP21 million worth of face masks during entrapment operation in Taguig City, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said on Sunday. 

The CIDG identified the Chinese nationals as James Zhu and Charles Lee, both were arrested on Friday night (June 19) at AKH Construction Plant, Lusacan, Barangay Wawa, Taguig City for selling large quantities of KN95 disposable face masks through phone call and text transactions. 

The confiscated face masks have a market value of PHP105 each. However, the arrested Chinese nationals sell it at a cheaper price of PHP45 each.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1294895/cops-nab-foreigner-for-selling-illegal-covid-19-medicine-in-paranaque

Police officers arrested a Chinese man in Parañaque City on Saturday afternoon for allegedly selling unregistered medicine that allegedly treats the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). 

The suspect was identified as Yongchun Cai, 51, a resident of Multinational Village in Barangay Moonwalk in Parañaque. 

Members of Parañaque City Police Station raided the suspect’s house after receiving complaints from residents that foreigners were selling and distributing Chinese medicine for COVID-19 even as there were still no vaccines available yet for the respiratory disease. 

City officials also joined police officers in the operation to verify the report. 

Seized were 64 boxes and 40 plastic bags containing medicines and other health supplies with Chinese characters. Police said the suspect failed to show a valid permit for possession of the medical supplies.

Fake medicine and cheap masks. Probably still more Chinese out there with illegal clinics too.

The number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise. Now the Senate is under lockdown.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1295996/senate-under-semi-lockdown-2-employees-covid-positive

Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Tuesday announced that the Senate is under “semi lockdown” after two employees tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). 

“We are already in semi lockdown. I was just briefed by the Senate Secretary of the request of some employees,” Sotto told reporters in a Viber message. 

Due to hearings and work to be conducted in the offices of the senators, Sotto said they “cannot declare a total lockdown.” 

“Therefore, my suggestion to the Senate Secretary is to inform those who want a lockdown to do so if they prefer, but we cannot declare so for the entire Senate,” Sotto said. 

“Also, the persons exposed to the two employees have already passed their 14 days self-quarantine,” he added. 

I thought they were doing hearings through zoom.

It's not just the Senate which is facing a semi-lockdown and quarantine. The whole nations remain in a state of quarantine and that will not be changing anytime soon.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/23/20/virus-quarantines-in-philippines-to-remain-for-now-says-palace

The Philippines will keep virus quarantines in place "for now" after the country's pandemic task force temporarily removed the "new normal" classification. 

The Southeast Asian nation of 100 million people observes a 4-step quarantine system, before the "new normal" with just the minimum health standards observed. Metro Manila is under the third strictest called GCQ or general community quarantine. 

"Sa ngayon po wala munang new normal. Ibig sabihin lahat ng lugar po sa Pilipinas meron pa rin community quarantine," Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said Tuesday. 

(There will be no new normal for now. This means that all areas in the Philippines will stay under community quarantine)

No new normal for now? But the quarantines ARE the new normal! 

It seems Cebu is now the epicenter of the of the epidemic which is why they are now on a hard lockdown.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1296357/cebu-city-goes-on-hard-lockdown-all-quarantine-passes-cancelled

Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella has cancelled all quarantine passes issued to at least 250,000 city residents starting 10 p.m. on June 23. 

Brig. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro, Central Visayas police chief, was ordered to enforce Labella’s directive to stop the rise in COVID-19 cases in the city, which is now considered as a coronavirus hot spot. 

“We noticed that a lot of people are on the streets even if the city is under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ),” said Ferro in an interview on June 23. 

“So the mayor ordered to cancel all quarantine passes until further notice,” he said.
People, who have to buy food, can do so only inside their villages. 

Exempted from the full lockdown are health care workers, call center agents and bank employees, said Ferro.

Such a lockdown will be hard on everyone which is why the Mayor is applying for calm and more cops and soldiers are being sent to Cebu city to enforce the lockdown.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/743937/cebu-city-mayor-appeals-for-calm-understanding-amid-lockdown/story/

"I am sure many questions arise as to what this means. I ask for your calm and understanding as we work out the details in coordination with the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) and national agencies," Labella said. 

"I know this is a difficult time for everyone. What we can do at this time is stay calm and informed. I urge everyone to work with us so that we can win this war against COVID-19 immediately," he added.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1296530/more-cops-soldiers-health-workers-to-enforce-cebu-city-lockdown-ano

(Cebu City is under ECQ and we will provide more police officers and members of armed forces because we see a need for residents to observe home quarantine in their houses because the number of cases there is already huge with 4,000 active cases and it is already increasing.)

Hopefully they get it under control.