Retards in the Government 257

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

  

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/29/barangay-councilor-shot-inside-barangay-hall-in-diplahan/

A barangay councilor was shot by still unidentified gunmen inside the barangay hall of Guinoman in Diplahan municipality, Zamboanga Sibugay on Thursday, April 28.

P.Col. Albert Larubis, Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Police Director, identified the fatality as Cristituto Halop.

A report from the Police Regional Office-9 said Halop was inside the Guinoman barangay hall when two men arrived on board a Bajaj tricycle and shot the victim several times.

The suspects escaped towards Barangay Natan.

The victim was still conscious when he was brought to the Wilfredo Palma Hospital in Diplahan but expired while undergoing treatment.

A barangay councilor was shot dead in the barangay hall.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1589635/p1-m-bounty-set-for-capture-of-digos-village-chiefs-killer

Digos City Mayor Josef Cagas has set a P1 million reward for those who can provide information leading to the arrest of the killer of a village official here on Wednesday.

Cagas said the funds for the bounty comes from the local government.

San Jose village chief Angelito Balasbas, 50, had just arrived home around 5 p.m. on Wednesday when attacked before he could alight from the vehicle.

Neighbors in Purok Jakosalem who heard the gunshots then rushed him to Sunga Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

The window in the driver’s side of the vehicle was shattered while Balasbas suffered several gunshot wounds in different parts of his body.

The mayor of Digos City was assassinated inside his vehicle.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1590194/village-chief-running-for-san-fernando-city-councilor-killed-in-shooting-incident

A barangay captain or village chief, who was also running for councilor in this Pampanga capital in the upcoming May polls, was killed after an unidentified gunman shot him Saturday morning.

Barangay Alasas chief Alvin Mendoza was leaving his home at around 7 a.m. when the shooting incident happened, his sister Arlene Supan said in a phone interview. Mendoza died while being treated at a public hospital at around 8:50 a.m.

Mendoza, 51, was running with the lineup of mayoralty bet Vilma Caluag under the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan banner.

A barangay captain up for reelection was assassinated.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1173437

A police officer was arrested Sunday for allegedly selling an undocumented firearm in Bacolod City.

In a statement Monday, Brig. Gen. Oliver Enmodias, chief of the Philippine National Police-Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (PNP-IMEG), identified the suspect as Staff Sgt. Gerwin Catolico who is assigned at the Bacolod City Police Office.

Catolico was arrested in an entrapment at Barangay Estefania around 10:40 a.m. for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act and the Omnibus Election Code.

Citing Enmodias' report, PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said the suspect was arrested after handing over one .45 caliber pistol in exchange for money received from a poseur buyer.

The suspect is the primary target under Operation Pistola for his involvement in the illegal selling of unlicensed firearms in the province of Negros and nearby areas.

Carlos said that guns are a common instrument in committing crimes.

“That is why we have to step up our preemptive campaign through aggressive operations against those who sell them illegally,” Carlos said in a statement. "I have directed the PNP IMEG to intensify their monitoring efforts and go all out in our campaign to weed out scalawags who continue to tarnish the image of the PNP organization.”

A PNP officer was arrested for trying to sell an undocumented firearm.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1589616/nbi-files-murder-raps-against-pnp-police-officers-involved-in-abra-checkpoint-shootout

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday announced the filing of murder charges against several officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) involved in the shootout between Pilar, Abra Vice Mayor Jaja Josefina Disono’s security team and local officers, leaving one individual dead.

The NBI also said it filed charges for Perjury and Incriminating an Innocent Person against the police officers.

The said gunbattle killed one of Disono’s security aides identified as Sandee Boy Bermudo.

According to the NBI, the charges stemmed from the results of an investigation conducted by the NBI-NCR that revealed that the convoy of Disono was deliberately fired upon by the involved police officers.

“Thus, based on the evidences gathered, the NBI-NCR recommends the filing of Murder charges against the above named subject. In addition to the Murder charges, Perjury and Incriminating an Innocent Person were also filed against PLT. Kis-Ing, PCPL Sabiniano, PAT. Aveño, PCPL Jove, and PAT Alperez,” said the NBI.

The NBI explained that police initially claimed they were conducting a Comelec checkpoint along Berona Street, Pilar, Abra, when the shootout occured, however, CCTV footage gathered by the NBI showed that there was no visible checkpoint along the said area at the time.

PNP also claimed that its police vehicle, with marking “557″ was fired upon by one of the passengers of Disono’s convoy, “but based on the CCTV footage, the Police Mobile bearing the marking “557″ was seen pursuing the target van without a bullet hole and suddenly stopped pursuing the van,” said the NBI.

The NBI has filed murder charges against several cops for a shootout that happed in March.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/03/sandiganbayan-grants-plea-for-lesser-offense-sought-by-davao-del-sur-gov-marc-cagas-iv

The Sandiganbayan has allowed Davao Del Sur Gov. Marc Douglas Chan Cagas IV to plead guilty to a lesser offense on the two graft and two malversation charges on his alleged misuse of P12.95 million in priority development assistance fund (PDAF) when he was a member of Congress.

With the approval, Cagas will be imposed lower penalties than those actually prescribed for graft and malversation.

Cagas’ motion for plea bargaining on his criminal cases had the consent of the prosecution which required that the former legislator would return to the government P12.95 million of his previous PDAF.

He then filed with the anti-graft court a compliance last April 4 and submitted a certified true copy of Official Receipt No. 9700057 dated last April 1 evidencing the payment of P12.95 million.

The governor or Davao Del Sur has been allowed to enter a plea bargain for graft and malversation related to misuse of money from  PDAF.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1927950/cebu/local-news/controversial-cop-barandog-wife-wounded-in-sunday-ambush

A POLICE official who had been accused by former Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña of harassing his supporters in 2019 was wounded in an ambush on Sunday, May 1, 2022.

Police Lt. Col. Chuck Barandog was critically wounded after he was ambushed by two motorcycle-riding men at the corner of Pope John Paul II Ave. and F. Cabahug St., Cebu City past 10 p.m. on Sunday.

Barandog and his wife, former Cebu City Medical Center administrator Yvonne Cania, and a police security escort were on their way home to Barangay Kalunasan aboard a white Toyota Hi-Lux pickup with STL Party-list markings after attending an activity in Mandaue City when the gunmen peppered their vehicle with bullets.

Cania is running in the May 9, 2022 elections as the STL Party-list first nominee.

Lt. Col. Maria Theresa Macatangay, information officer of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said the security escort, whom she declined to name, narrated that they were traversing Pope John Paul II Ave. when Lt. Col. Barandog, the driver of the vehicle, stopped the vehicle on reaching the Ayala-Kasambagan road intersection due to the stop signal.

He said they were about to speed off as the traffic light turned green when the assailants staged the ambush.

The vehicle’s window on the driver’s side bore multiple gunshot holes.

Despite suffering 11 gunshot wounds in different parts of his body, including the arm, hands and stomach, Barandog still managed to crawl towards the back of the car to hide, while Cania immediately got out of the car.

Cania was hit in the left portion of her ribs and thigh and was declared in stable condition.

Barandog and his security escort allegedly were not able to fire back at the gunmen as the ambush happened too quickly.

The escort’s eyes were also hit by shards from the car’s glass window.

The suspects immediately fled and are now being hunted by the police.

A cop and his wife who is running for office were ambushed by unknown men for unknown reasons.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1591916/comelec-asked-to-disqualify-ex-palawan-governor-reyes

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has been asked to bar former Palawan Gov. Mario Joel Reyes from vying for his former post in the May 9 elections since he was already convicted of graft by the Sandiganbayan.

In a 16-page petition for disqualification, Nasir Radjudin Miranda and Mohammad Vinarao Asgali said Reyes had been found guilty by the antigraft court on Aug. 29, 2017, of illegally renewing the permit of a small-scale mining company that had been previously cited for various violations.

The petitioners, both registered voters from Bataraza, Palawan, said that aside from a six-year prison term, Reyes was also meted out a lifetime ban from joining the government for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

They said Reyes’ guilty verdict was upheld by the Supreme Court in September 2019.

This is the same man the DOJ wants rearrested in connection with a murder.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/830583/pnp-chief-carlos-relieves-entire-pilar-abra-police-force/story/

Philippine National Police chief Police General Dionardo Carlos ordered Wednesday the relief of the entire personnel of Pilar, Abra municipal police station upon the recommendation of the Commission on Elections.

“Sa Pilar, Abra, I just texted the regional director Police Brigadier General Ronald Lee that effective immediately we will remove all the Pilar, Abra MPS personnel and immediately be replaced. I will be seeing Ronald Lee this afternoon,” Carlos said during a joint press conference with Comelec Chairman Saidamen Pangarungan.

He said police personnel from the Regional Mobile Force will be deployed to replace the relieved police officers.

"Actually that police station will have about 20-30 personnel, it's easy to replace that and the personnel we will replace knows the area. Normally coming from the Regional Mobile Force or somebody who has been assigned before in the town of Pilar "So that won't be a problem. We can immediately adjust," said Carlos.

Pangarungan made the recommendation after placing Pilar, Abra under Comelec control.

He said he received confidential reports from CAR regional election director Ederlino Tabilas and petition of the local government regarding the supposed bias of the Pilar, Abra police and threats and intimidation received by supporters of certain candidates.

"Because of threats and intimidation by private armed groups to certain candidates in Pilar, Abra. Even the mayor, vice mayor, and councilors were hiding because they feel that they cannot be protected by the local police detachment of Pilar and all these concerns as confirmed to be by the regional election director, I declared Pilar under Comelec control using my emergency power,” Pangarungan said.

“The recommendation is to relieve the entire police force of Pilar and that would include the chief of police. Just change the entire police detachment so that we can have peaceful, orderly, and honest elections,” he added.

Due to candidates believing they cannot be protected by the local police the entire police force of Abra have been relieved.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/05/police-major-who-allegedly-shot-a-company-driver-in-cabanatuan-city-surrenders/

A police major allegedly involved in a shooting incident in Nueva Ecija voluntarily surrendered to Colonel Richmond l. Tadina, provincial director of Pangasinan Provincial Office, inside Camp Antonio U Sison in this province.

Major Antonino B. Cuaresma, nicknamed Abu, was assisted by Lieutenant Colonel Genevieve B. Poblete, chief of police of Binmaley PNP, as he submitted himself to Colonel Tadina on Wednesday on the prodding of fellow policemen.

Cuaresma, a PNP member assigned at Binymaley Pangasinan PPO, allegedly shot Jonathan Fernandez a.k.a. Ramon, 38, a company driver of Joyce Ice Cream in Cabanatuan City and a resident of Barangay Lagare, Cabanatuan City.

The shooting incident happened on April 29 along Cabanatuan-Carmen road, Purok Dau, Brgy. Pamaldan, in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.

The Pangasinan police said that murder and serious illegal detention charges against Maj. Cuaresma were already referred to the Prosecutor’s Office in Cabanatuan City.

A PNP officer has been arrested for shooting and killing a man.

Coronavirus Lockdown: Refuse Vaccines and You Will Surely Die, First Omicron Case Was Fully Vaxxed, and More!

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

Could it be that a spike in COVID-19 cases in South Africa would mean a spike in COVID-19 cases in the Philippines? Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. thinks so.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1588580/galvez-warns-ph-could-see-spike-in-covid-19-cases-just-like-south-africa

Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. has warned the public and national officials that the Philippines could see a rise in COVID-19 cases between the next two weeks to a month, just as South Africa is also seeing a rise in its COVID-19 cases at present.

Galvez told President Rodrigo Duterte during the latter’s Talk to the People briefing aired Wednesday morning that South Africa’s COVID-19 cases fueled by the Omicron variant were on an uptick a few days ago.

He cited a graph showing that when Omicron cases started to rise in South Africa last November 2021, the Philippines saw its own infection rates spike by late December to January — or around a month after South Africa.

Galvez said such trends could be repeated.

“Based on this graph, the new South African variants are making an uptick, and it’s a matter of time that the Philippines will follow, maybe two weeks or a month from now, as predicted by experts,” Galvez told Duterte.

The views that a surge may happen in the country are shared by OCTA Research’s Fr. Nicanor Austriaco and the Department of Health (DOH) itself.

Galvez said that Austriaco believes the next COVID-19 surge may originate from one of the sub-variants of the Omicron variant — the BA.4 or the BA.5, considering that the last surge in January was due to the BA.2 sub-variant.

Duterte urged Filipinos to listen to science and refrain from making judgments based on little knowledge.

So correlation equals causation in some inexplicable way. The new Omicorn variant is now in the Philippines courtesy of a fully vaccinated traveller from Finland.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1588876/doh-phs-first-omicron-subvariant-case-a-fully-vaxxed-asymptomatic-person

The country’s first BA.2.12 Omicron subvariant case was a fully vaccinated woman who did not undergo quarantine upon arrival in the Philippines because she initially did not show symptoms, the Department of Health (DOH) disclosed Wednesday.

The health agency said in a statement that the BA.2.12 Omicron subvariant was detected in a 52-year-old Finnish female who arrived from Finland on April 2.

“The case was not required to undergo routine isolation at a quarantine facility since she was fully vaccinated and arrived asymptomatic,” according to the DOH.

The woman traveled to a university in Quezon City and Baguio to conduct seminars, the DOH also said.

“Nine days after her arrival in the country, she experienced mild symptoms such as headache and sore throat. She then tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 via Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction the next day,” it added.

The DOH further said that the local epidemiology and surveillance unit conducted contact tracing upon detection of the confirmed BA.2.12 Omicron subvariant case. “Nine asymptomatic close contacts were identified. Two of them were tested and found to be negative,” it noted.

The woman has finished her seven-day isolation, has recovered, and was already discharged, according to the DOH, adding that the woman returned to Finland on April 21.

How many more times does it have to be said that vaccines don't prevent infection? This lady is a living testimony. According to the DOH this lady had 44 close contacts while in the Philippines all of whom are being monitored. Because of this lady the government is being urged to once more have all arriving passengers isolate for 7 days upon arrival.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1589685/govt-urged-to-again-isolate-new-arrivals

The government should bring back mandatory quarantine for travelers arriving in the country to ensure proper surveillance, the head of a medical organization said on Thursday.

“Let’s implement the quarantine [measures] so that exposure [among travelers] would be limited,” Dr. Maricar Limpin, president of the Philippine College of Physicians, said in a radio interview.

She said the Finnish visitor recently confirmed as the first case of Omicron sublineage BA.2.12 in the country showed symptoms on the ninth day, within the 10-day incubation period when the virus in a person is most contagious.

Fully vaccinated foreign tourists and travelers from visa-free countries were allowed to enter the country without having to undergo quarantine starting Feb. 10 this year.

The travelers, however, are still required to present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours or a negative antigen test done within 24 hours from departure from their country of origin.

Before the restrictions were eased, arriving foreign travelers had to undergo facility-based quarantine and retake a swab test on the fifth day. And even with a negative result, they must still undergo home quarantine for 14 days from the date of arrival.

Yeah, let's bring back mandatory quarantines for all arriving passengers. That won't negatively effect the tourism sector which is slowly reviving. 

After scaring the public about a surge in cases the DOH says they don't forsee any lockdowns after the election which is being painted as a possible super spreader event.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/04/30/2177846/doh-not-expecting-lockdown-after-may-9-elections

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III said on Saturday that they do not foresee a lockdown after the national and local elections on May 9. 

("No. Right now, there is no indication that we will have a lockdown. If ever we have a lockdown, it will be granular— which will cover streets or buildings.)

He explained they do not expect a widespread lockdown after the elections, citing that many Filipinos were already vaccinated against COVID-19 and are receiving booster doses which strengthen their immunity against the virus. 

DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje echoed Duque's statements during a Laging Handa briefing, saying that granular lockdowns may be placed if there will be a surge after the elections.

(The increase in COVID-19 cases is not significant, although we should not be putting our guards down. We continue to monitor the cases.")

If they don't expect a lockdown then that means they don't expect a surge. 

Duterte is urging everyone get a booster shot before the election.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1591458/duterte-urges-public-to-get-covid-19-booster-shots-ahead-of-may-9-polls

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday urged the public to get their COVID-19 booster shots ahead of the elections on May 9.

This is to protect them when they cast their vote, saying crowding and congregating is expected during election time.

“‘Yung booster shots ninyo, it’s still available and anybody can have it because it’s election time. There will be crowding again and congregating so it’s good to have your booster before you go out to the crowd,” he said in his taped public address.

Duterte also urged the public not to be complacent against COVID-19 to avoid another surge of infections.

“Complacency is really the enemy of preventing again and allowing the COVID-19 to come back. Sabagay, this would not be as serios as before, kasi bakunado tayo,” he said.

Remember, refusal to be vaccinated means death.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1591583/fwd-duterte-reiterates-refuse-vaccines-you-will-surely-die

President Rodrigo Duterte reiterated that an individual who will refuse to get vaccinated against COVID-19 will die due to the infection.

During his taped address to the nation aired Tuesday, Duterte said that those who are hesitant for an anti-COVID shot may find their names on the Civil Registrar and be labeled dead.

(If you don’t want to get vaccinated and you still want to mix with humanity, especially during elections or rallies wherein it is crowded, if you do not want until now, it’s okay. But your name will be in the Civil Registrar and with Secretary Año.)

(You know why? Those of you who are unvaccinated, you will all surely die… What I’m saying is that your name will be on the Civil Registrar and Secretary Duque, it’s because the Civil Registrar lists three things: when you were born, when you were married, and when you die.)

Vaccinated or not death is inevitable for everyone.

10 People in Rizal Denied the Right to Vote Because the Local COMELEC Lacks Internet Access

Ten people in Rizal have been denied the right to vote because the local COMELEC does not have internet access.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/01/comelec-cites-lack-of-internet-as-one-reason-for-failure-to-reactivate-10-rizal-voters/

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Sunday, May 1, confirmed that the 10 individuals from Rizal who applied for reactivation for the upcoming polls will not be able to vote due to local Comelec’s “lack of internet connection” among other reasons.

The aforementioned applications, according to documents, were “timely filed.”

Under Comelec’s Memorandum 220606, the other reasons for the failure to reactivate the said applications were the “failure of the applicant to submit all the documentary requirements; and failure of the applicant to appear on the scheduled online verification, either through a video call in Facebook messenger or Viber application.”

With this, the poll body ordered election officers of the Province of Rizal to inform all the said applicants to apply for reactivation when the registration of voters starts anew after Election Day, May 9.

“(There is only 10 of them. Their reactivation process was not competed),” poll Commissioner George Erwin M. Garcia told reporters.

Garcia noted that, under Comelec Resolution No. 10715, the Offices of the Elections Officer (OEOs) must have internet connection.

The poll commissioner said most OEOs are not working under ideal situation.

“Kaya po may (That’s why there is a) pending bill strengthening the field offices,” he said.

“(Usually when the office looks bad, it has no internet connection. Although Comelec provides, some of them get their internet connection cut off for whatever reason or sometimes there’s just no internet in the are),” Garcia added.

Ten men in Rizal appealed to the COMELC to be reactivated for the upcoming polls. Their applications were filed timely but denied because they did not have all the documents. But even if they had submitted all the correct documents they would not have been able to complete a video call through Facebook or Viber because the local COMELEC office does not have internet connection.

How ridiculous is that? Here is what COMELEC Resolution 10715 has to say: 

https://comelec.gov.ph/php-tpls-attachments/VoterRegistration/Resolutions/com_res_10715.pdf

SEC. 7. Videoconferencing Platform. - OEOs capable of conducting online verification of the identity of the applicants as referred to in Section 2 hereof shall utilize a suitable, accessible and commonly used videoconferencing platform such as Zoom, MS Teams, Viber, Messenger, and others with similar video functionalities.  

OEOs shall be provided with additional funds for the said logistical requirements which shall be included in their respective regularly released registration/mobilization allowance during the conduct of the system of continuing registration of voters. 

This resolution is dated August 11, 2021 and one might make the excuse that that's not enough time to allot funds to fully implement the requirements but every COMELEC should already be connected to the internet. There is no reason for them not to be connected. The internet is a very important tool all COMELEC offices need. 

"Although Comelec provides, some of them get their internet connection cut off for whatever reason"

How does that happen? Are they not paying their bills? Funny how they brush it off because "there is only 10 of them." Those ten have the same rights as everyone else. But thanks to the lack of internet access at the local COMELEC office their right to vote has been denied.

Insurgency: Pledge Allegiance to Gov't

Fighting the communist insurgency for 53 years is hard work. Sometimes it is also deadly work. But ultimately it is heroic work. That is why the AFP handed out 54 medals this week to honor the unceasing fight against the NPA.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172961

Some 54 soldiers of the Philippine Army and a paramilitary trooper have been awarded medals for their participation in a series of successful encounters with Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) rebels in central and southern Negros earlier this month.

In separate rites on Monday, Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of 3rd Infantry Division, bestowed Military Merit Medals on 33 recipients from the 15th Infantry Battalion (15IB), comprising two officers, 31 enlisted personnel, and a Cafgu Active Auxiliary member, based in Cauayan town, as well as on 20 soldiers of 62IB, including two officers and 18 enlisted personnel, at the unit's headquarters in Isabela town.

“May this award serve as inspiration and motivation to do your best as a soldier and to serve and secure the peace-loving people not only in Negros Island, but also in other areas of Western and Central Visayas,” Arevalo said.

The Army official recognized the strategies employed by the troops in locating and hitting the enemies as he told the soldiers to remember they were once involved in an encounter that led to victory and their efforts were recognized.

It's great that the AFP is patting themselves on the back. I mean hoo-ray for our side, right? There is still much work to be done but the top brass is confident that it will be done.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1173273

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Gen. Andres Centino expressed confidence the military can effectively reduce the numbers of armed insurgents and weaken their firepower through intensified focused military operations.

Centino cited the successive accomplishments of government forces against the New People’s Army (NPA) particularly in Samar, Negros, and Mindanao.

Meanwhile, six personnel from the Philippine Air Force (PAF)'s 505th Search-and-Rescue Group, who rescued 96 civilians from a burning residential building in Mandaluyong City on September 2, 2021 were recognized in a pin-and-award ceremony last April 27.

The awarding took place during the 4th Asian Defense & Security (ADAS) and Crisis Management Exhibition and Conference at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

The awardees were Maj. Cliford Mardicas, 1st Lt. Jezreel Panelo, Technical Sgt. Ruel Bilan, Technical Sgt. Arnold Marges, Staff Sgt. Dunhill Guanzon, and Staff Sgt. Joey Lopez.

Defense Undersecretary Cardozo M. Luna, who read the message of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, said: "I am certain that there was no expectation on your part when you did your duty with gallantry on September 2, 2021 because that is what you always do in the search-and-rescue group. You are truly deserving of your awards for having saved not only 96 lives but 96 families who could have lost their loved ones if not for your prompt and efficient rescue operation."

The ceremony was initiated by Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky, the company that manufactured the S-76A helicopter used by the rescuers to evacuate civilians from the Metro Tower Building in Mandaluyong City.

How many NPA are estimated to be left? I have not encountered that number so far this year. What's interesting here is that weapons manufacturers Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky are behind this ceremony for awarding the men who rescued civilians from a burning building last September. That makes the entire ceremony a commercial for their product! Sure the men are heroes but it wasn't the AFP that decided to give them medals. It was two corporation essential to the military-industrial complex!

The AFP claims that Davao de Oro is almost clear of insurgents.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172826

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff, Gen. Andres Centino, lauded on Sunday the 48th Infantry Battalion in Davao de Oro for their efforts in defeating communist terrorist groups (CTGs) operating in the province.

“I am pleased to note that we are successfully clearing your area from the insurgents. I express my commendation to you for being able to contribute to the mission of the AFP to ensure that we have secured communities all over the country,” Centino said in a statement.

He visited for the first time the headquarters of the 48th Infantry Battalion in Pantukan, Davao de Oro on April 23.

The height of the insurgency in the unit's area of operations has been declining due to the military's persistent and focused operations.

Centino urged the troops to maintain the momentum against the communist terrorist groups.

“We shall continue to go after the remnants of the communist terrorist groups and make them totally leave this place and give up the fight against the government,” he said.

No doubt some of this clearing is due to surrenders. The AFP is very certain that the end is nigh for the NPA. They say the NPA is facing a lot of hardship due to mass surrendering.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172940

The hardship being experienced by members of the New People's Army (NPA) inside the organization is one of the reasons why more are surrendering to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

"The hardships inside the NPA organization are now taking their toll on its members, leading them to return to the folds of the law. The AFP welcomes them and is willing to offer them assistance in line with our government local integration programs,” AFP chief Gen. Andres Centino said in a statement Monday night.

He made this comment after meeting his long-time enemy, Maximo Catarata alias Datu Makatindog, the former highest-ranking leader of the weakened Guerrilla Front 3 of the NPA during his visit to the 10th Infantry Division headquarters in Camp General Manuel T. Yan Sr. Tuboran, Mawab, Davao de Oro last April 23.

Catarata surrendered along with his M16 rifle to government forces at the 60th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Asuncion, Davao del Norte on March 31.

The former NPA leader decided to return to the folds of the government due to the hardship he experienced inside the armed group and recent serious debacles that resulted in the mass surrender of most of his subordinates.

He was previously hunted for multiple cases of attempted murder, child labor and rebellion.

Prior to his surrender, three other members of the NPA’s Guerrilla Front 3 surrendered to the 60th Infantry Battalion on March 29.

They were Emy Ansag Camilo, logistics officer; and GF3 elements Nilo Oyda Moluhinday and Reyan Bagubay Moluhinday. His voluntary surrender was made possible through the relentless intelligence efforts of the 10th Infantry Division and 60th Infantry Battalion.

“Catarata is a living proof of the government’s sincerity in giving former rebels a chance to live a normal and peaceful life not only by ensuring the safety of their families but also by empowering them to become productive citizens of our country,” Centino said.

It sounds like Catarata who was wanted for "for multiple cases of attempted murder, child labor and rebellion" will not be facing any charges. If so that it is a grave injustice to the people who are his victims. This why the surrender program is unjust. You can't be a rebel and kill or attempt to kill people and then surrender and get on with your life with help from the government which means with help from the people's taxes.

So, what does one do after they surrender. Pledge allegiance to the government of course.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1173365

Fifty-five former members of the communist terrorist groups (CTGs) have withdrawn their support for the communist movement and pledged their allegiance to the national government.

The withdrawal of support was made after the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) Region 3 Situational Awareness and Knowledge Management (SAKM) conducted a local peace and community consultation in Barangay Marikit, Casiguran town, this province on Friday.

During the event, the CTGs, composed of 30 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and 25 former members of the Militia ng Bayan, burned the communist flag as proof of their sincerity to the government.

Maria Luisa F. De Guzman, regional director of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), thanked the former rebels as well as the residents condemning the CTGs and helping them to attain inclusive peace and development in Aurora.

“This is a result of our community consultation in promoting peace and stability in the province. This is part of our campaign against insurgency, together with the help of the Army’s 91st Infantry 'Sinagtala' Battalion, Aurora Police Provincial Office, and other concerned agencies. I thank all of you for helping the government in its fight against terrorism,” she said.

De Guzman urged the participants to form an organization to easily get assistance from the government.

“We will help you and address your needs. We urged you to organize and mobilize. Rest assured that the government will do its part to bring financial assistance and livelihood so that no one will come back with the CTGs,” she added.

Flag burning is  less a show of someone's sincere support for the government than it is a display of pure propaganda put on show by the government. Maria Luisa F. De Guzman sure sounds like she wants these former rebels to be lavished with financial and livelihood aid all footed by the taxpayer. 

What is the next logical step after pledging allegiance to the government? And note it is pledging allegiance to the government not to the country which is kind of odd seeing as the Duterte administration is about to bow out.  Maybe it's writing a book about the myth of communism.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1173210

A group of former New People's Army (NPA) rebels launched a book Thursday that seeks to expose the inner workings of the rebel group and its front organizations.

The authors said the book, “Unmasking: The Myth of Communism in the Philippines,” is their way of redeeming themselves for their involvement with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), whose ideology espouses the violent overthrow of the government.

Launched at the Sunny Point Hotel here, the book is a compendium of firsthand accounts and analysis of their experience as former cadres of the rebel organization. The book is free.

“(Making) this book is our way of redeeming ourselves for all the things and for all the people that we let suffer as a result of our participation in the so-called people's war” she said.

Saguino said the psychological debriefing she received from authorities guided her and her colleagues to heal and better themselves to rejoin society.

“Our exposé is not based on vengeance or anger towards our former comrades nor of our former organization, but borne of our love to who we are once, the Filipino youth, where we all started," she explained.

The authors said the book tells the story of the CPP and the robust network base that they have built over the decades.

According to the authors, the book extensively describes the CPP-NPA as an organization and the way it infiltrates the various layers of society to achieve its ends.

Wow. This book is going to expose the inner workings of the CPP and its from organizations and its free. Where can I get a copy? If it's free there should be a PDF everyone can access. Sadly there is no information about how to obtain a copy. That is kind of odd since the authors claim it is an act of redemption. If I find a copy I will certainly review it. 

Perhaps the next logical step is joining with your former enemy, the AFP.

https://www.kalinawnews.com/former-npa-leader-turns-10id-soldier/

“My passion and skills are exploited by the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) and that is why I became a member of the New People’s Army. Now that I am a soldier, I can use my skills and knowledge to serve our country,” said Daniel Castillo, a former NPA leader after the Closing Ceremony of the Candidate Soldier Course held in Mawab, Davao De Oro on April 28, 2022.

Daniel Castillo alias Steven is a former Political Instructor of the Guerilla Front 55 of the CTG who surrendered to 10ID in November 2020. He is one of the 34 former rebels or otherwise known as “friends rescued” out of the 286 strong candidate soldiers who finished the six (6) month-long training at the 10th Division Training School.

Castillo admitted that transitioning from an NPA rebel into a surrenderor and subsequently into a candidate soldier is tough. “It is a regimented life, we have to wake up very early, we have to do drills, to exercise. We were taught different skills and techniques in order to survive a soldier’s life to prepare us sa future isip mga sundalo ng 10ID. For me the hardest part syempre is the adjustment from being a civilian to being a soldier, tapos syempre yung pakikisama ko rin sa mga kasama ko because of my background,” Castillo 

This guy was an NPA leader and he says it's hard adjusting to a soldier's life? Is the NPA not full of "soldiers" who do drills and exercises? Is this just more propaganda to disparage the NPA? The insurgency has been ongoing for 53 years. That would not have happened unless there was a tremendous amount of discipline on the part of the NPA. Propaganda or not going from the NPA to the AFP sure makes for a strange "circle of life." Now this man, if he is indeed ex-NPA, will be facing his former comrades on the battlefield.

Every Hollywood Film Playing in Philippine Theaters is Chinese Propaganda

Oh look, it's another movie banned from Philippine theaters because of a blink-and-you-miss-it two second blip showing China's nine dash line on a map.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/829853/philippines-pulls-out-uncharted-in-cinemas-for-showing-china-s-nine-dash-line-map/story/

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has pulled out action-adventure film "Uncharted" from Philippine cinemas due to a scene that showed China's nine-dash line map encroaching on Philippine waters.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the scene from the movie containing an image of China's map of the South China Sea is "contrary to national interest" prompting it to request the MTRCB to review and prohibit it from being shown in local theaters.

"Uncharted" is topbilled by actors Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg.

"In its response to the DFA, MTRCB stated that it had ordered Columbia Pictures Industries Inc. to cease and desist from exhibiting the said motion picture, unless and until they are able to remove the objectionable scenes," the DFA said.

"MTRCB further reported that Columbia has since complied with its order and has pulled out the movie from the cinemas."

"Contrary to national interest?" What a joke. This film is so far from being contrary to the national interest that it's basically tourism propaganda. The second half of this film takes place in the Philippines and shows beautiful scenery like Palawan. Of course it's all digital Hollywood magic because no principal photography was shot in the Philippines due to COVID.

I would've loved to have come and shoot in the Philippines. Unfortunately, we've been dealing with this global pandemic, so traveling was a little tricky. We sent a small crew out there to film your beautiful coastline instead, so that we can recreate it in our digital world.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/showbiz/showbizabroad/822333/tom-holland-mark-wahlberg-and-director-ruben-fleischer-on-uncharted-their-latest-action-movie/story/

I cannot think of a single major Hollywood film with stars as big as Tom Holland and Mark Whalberg where the Philippines plays a major role. 

The map with the nine dash line isn't shown until the movie is more than halfway over at the 1:10:16 mark during an Indiana Jones inspired travel sequence.

Unless you know what the nine dash line is you would never know what this map is showing. This movie was released in Philippine cinemas on February 23rd and it's only now getting pulled. That means no censor caught this when they initially reviewed it. The last time a show was censored when the nine dash line appeared on screen was the Netflix show Pine Gap and it was essential to the plot. It was necessary to be there because in the story CIA agents are monitoring China's movements. Before that the film Abominable showed the nine dash line and it was pulled from cinemas. I did not see that film but judging from the scene and the plot it would appear to not be necessary to the story.

It's rather obvious that Uncharted and Abominable added the nine dash line to please Chinese censors. It's not a geographical feature but serves to delineate China's perceived territory. Unless one is sailing in the area or monitoring it like in Pine Gap it's inclusion on a map is superfluous. 

Here are two more images from Uncharted.

Someone took a lot of time to produce this prop which is supposed to be the journal of Juan Sebastian Elcano, the man who took over after Magellan was killed by Lapu Lapu. If Spiderman's hand was not in the way we would be looking a drawing of the Battle of Mactan. 

What this really boils down to is not offense at the nine dash line but the DFA wanting to appear they are taking a stand against China. What a farce! For the past six years China has been getting more and more aggressive as the Duterte administration has done nothing but issue diplomatic complaints and allowing China to do as it pleases. Never forget that Duterte called The Hague ruling a piece of paper he could throw away. 

Perhaps DFA Secretary Teddy Boy Locsin is unaware but China is the world's biggest film market, surpassing Hollywood in terms of box office results.  Not only that but China also invests in Hollywood productions. That means every film coming out of Hollywood has to be friendly to China. Case in point the movie Moonfall which had major Chinese financial backing and paints China as a friendly ally willing to help the USA which is far from the truth.

The truth is every single Hollywood film playing in Philippine theaters is in some small way Chinese propaganda. Will the DFA be requesting Hollywood to stop plying its wares in the Philippines? Not likely.