Coronavrius Lockdown: We're Back, PH is Stoping Further Deaths, and More!

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

COVID is no longer a leading cause of death in the Philippines. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1721032/covid-19-as-11th-top-cause-of-death-shows-ph-is-stopping-further-deaths-doh

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday expressed optimism on its outlook for COVID-19 deaths, following its 11th place ranking in the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) list of leading causes of deaths.

(This is good news for us because in the past years, especially in 2021, we have seen that the number of COVID-19 deaths has become the third cause of death in our country, which means that when it goes to the top 10 leading causes of death, many people die because of that disease.)

(But now, we have seen that COVID deaths have decreased; it is now at 11th, which signifies that only a few people have died from COVID-19 in our country, and we can prevent further deaths.)

Vergeire referred to the PSA’s latest data on the 20 leading causes of death as of Oct. 31, 2022, where COVID-19 placed 11th.

The PSA recorded 13,883 deaths due to COVID-19, or 3.3 percent of the total registered deaths from January to September 2022. Of this, COVID-19 with the virus identified placed 11th with 9,749 cases, while deaths due to COVID-19 with the virus not identified accounted for 4,134 fatalities and placed 19th.

It can be recalled that COVID-19 was consistently in the top 10 leading causes, especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, it should also be noted that COVID-19 placed 11th the month before PSA’s latest data, or as of September 30, 2022 — reflecting January to August 2022.

COVID alone was NEVER a major cause of death. However COVID did exacerbate the condition of those already ill. That has been proven across the board by the American CDC as far back as 2021. 

Cebu Pacific claims they are back as business soars to prepandemic levels. 

https://business.inquirer.net/383803/were-back-says-cebu-pacific-as-prepandemic-flight-levels-near

The financial losses arising from the canceled and delayed flights due to the air traffic navigation glitch on Jan. 1 will not derail the recovery plans of Cebu Pacific, which eyes to return to profitability as early as first quarter of this year.

The budget carrier, which is nearing full restoration of flight capacity, is also allocating P42 billion in capital expenditures this year for mostly aircraft-related spending.

Cebu Pacific president Xander Lao, on the sidelines of an event on Wednesday in Makati City, told reporters that the New Year’s Day incident only had minimal impact financially for the company, which operated 16 recovery flights following the shutdown of the communications, navigation and surveillance/air traffic management system. He did not disclose specific figures.

“It’s just one day. Obviously, it’s not a great experience for those that were impacted [but] those that were travelling Jan. 2 onwards, [operations were already normalized],” he explained.

Despite the initial setback, Lao said the Gokongwei-led airline is targeting to turn in profits by first quarter, which would be the first time since 2020 when flights were grounded at the height of the pandemic.

“We are hoping for a full-year net income. First quarter traditionally for the airlines has been strong [usually], in particular, January,” he added.

In January to September of last year, Cebu Pacific operator reported its net losses were narrowed to P12.05 billion from nearly P22 billion in the same period in 2021 with the further return of mobility.

Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and customer experience, said the budget carrier was set to fully restore its 34 domestic and 25 international routes by March.

It currently accommodates about 350 flights per day on average, which is nearing the 380 to 420 daily flights prior to the pandemic. Last year, it flew nearly 15 million passengers, a marked growth from just 3.3 million passengers in 2021.

“We are back,” Iyog said.

She was optimistic that international routes will drive the recovery this year, noting the easing travel requirements to several countries including Bangkok, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Macau and China.

Now that the burdensome requirements of presenting a negative test before boarding has been lifted people are more eager to fly. Perhaps they are going to some of the many festivals which are returning after two years. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1720671/lanao-del-norte-town-coconut-fest-after-2-year-absence

After a two-year absence due to the pandemic, this tiny town whose people are mainly dependent on coconuts for livelihood burst into merrymaking on Monday for the ‘Hudyaka sa Lubi’ Festival that celebrates the crop.

The festival coincides with the 63rd founding anniversary of the municipality.

The main highlight was the street dancing showdown participated in by contingents from the town’s eight villages, competing for the P70,000 prize for the festival grand champion, which went to Barangay Samburon.

Across the nation festivals are returning. 

The DOH is still hoping against hope that Marcos will extend the state of calamity but that is seeming more and more unlikely. 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1951740/manila/local-news/doh-still-no-decision-yet-from-malacanang-on-state-of-calamity-extension

DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH) officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, that there is still no word yet from the Malacañang in relation to their proposal to place the country again under the state of calamity due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

“No categorical and no official response to this request for the extension of the state of calamity. But indirectly, the President has already verbalized in one of his media outings that he is very hesitant to extend the state of calamity,” Vergeire said in a press conference.

The DOH earlier said it recommended to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. the extension of a state calamity, which ended on December 31, 2022.

Vergeire said following their proposal, they had a meeting with several officials from the Office of the President where they discussed the implications and options that the government can take if and when the state of calamity will not be extended.

Marcos in an earlier statement said he is not inclined in prolonging the state of calamity since the country is "no longer in a state of calamity" and that it "is the wrong mindset to be approaching the New Year with."

He said the government is finding other ways to continue to provide the benefits to medical health workers, which he said is the “main issue without the state of calamity.”

But why would Marcos extend the state of emergency when COVID is no longer a public health emergency according to one DOH advisor. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1722730/covid-19-no-longer-public-health-emergency-says-doh-adviser

COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency although it remains a global concern, going by the assessment of Dr. Rontgene Solante, an infectious disease expert and adviser to the Department of Health (DOH).

Solante, chair of San Lazaro Hospital’s adult infectious diseases and tropical medicine unit and a member of the DOH vaccine expert panel, said he believed that the world was no longer in an emergency situation because there were several tools, mainly vaccines, to combat COVID-19.

“We have all these interventions now compared to three years ago. We have a lot of these antiviral agents that can really prevent severe infections,” he said in a television interview.

He added that there was no reason for the World Health Organization(WHO) to maintain the state of public health emergency of international concern declared three years ago due to the pandemic.

The WHO emergency committee on COVID-19 convened on Jan. 27 to discuss whether it should lift the state of international public health emergency although it has yet to announce its decision.

Solante nevertheless maintained that COVID-19 should remain a concern especially for the elderly and those with existing medical conditions and compromised immune systems.

“The vulnerable population will always be the target of higher risk of severe cases. That’s where we should focus, on protecting the elderly and those who have comorbidities and the immunocompromised,” he said.

Should the state of public health emergency be lifted, he urged Filipinos, especially the vulnerable population, to continue observing minimum health protocols, including wearing face masks in public, for protection against the coronavirus.

But the DOH says the country is sill in emergency phase. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1723758/doh-ph-still-in-covid-19-emergency-phase

The Philippines is still not out of the emergency phase of the COVID-19 pandemic despite the “manageable” situation of cases and hospitalizations being kept to a minimum despite the many in-person gatherings over the holidays.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, Maria Rosario Vergeire, officer in charge of the Department of Health (DOH), said that recent case trends, which have been either plateauing or declining, could not be considered “no longer [in] an emergency [status].”

“We know the virus crosses borders and we are not really certain at this point if new variants in other countries will not enter the country,” she added.

But she clarified that there was no need for tighter policies just like in the first two years of the pandemic when the government had to resort to lockdowns to prevent COVID-19 from spreading.

“We will be guided by the WHO [World Health Organization], but here, we can see that our cases are already manageable and our citizens have adopted the good behavior of wearing masks,” Vergeire said.

Her statement was consistent with the WHO emergency committee’s recent decision to maintain the global health emergency status of COVID-19 amid a sharp rise in deaths worldwide in recent weeks as well as the continued threat of emerging variants.

In the Philippines, the latest data from the DOH on Jan. 29 showed that COVID-19 cases in Visayas and Mindanao remained “on a plateau,” and “on a low downward trend” in the rest of the country.

Severe and critical as well as intensive care unit admissions were also plateauing after experiencing a slight increase in recent weeks.

Cases have plateaued and are on a downward trend and yet the DOH says there is still an emergency. 

The vaccination rate among senior citizens in Caraga is over 100% which points to the success to the program. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193632

At least 12 local government units (LGUs) in Caraga Region have already obtained over 100 percent vaccination rate among their senior citizen population (A2) as of Jan. 21 this year, records from the regional Department of Health (DOH-13) showed.

Data obtained by the Philippine News Agency on Thursday (Jan. 26) indicated that 12 other LGUs also attained over 90 percent vaccination rate among the A2 target population in their localities during the period.

Among the LGUs with more than 100 percent vaccination rate in the A2 the population includes Butuan City with 135.2 percent.

Five towns in Surigao del Sur earned more than 100 percent vaccination rate including Carmen with 124.3 percent, followed by Madrid (117.04 percent), Tago (110.69 percent), Bayabas (107.77 percent), and Cantilan (101.93 percent).

Three towns in Agusan del Sur also got over 100 percent vaccination among their senior citizens, including Prosperidad at 106.1 percent, Trento at 105.7 percent, and Loreto at 100.7 percent.

In Agusan del Norte, the town of Nasipit achieved a 113.2 percent vaccination rate among the A2 population and Carmen with 105.9 percent while in Surigao del Norte, only the municipality of Taganaan obtained a 101.7 percent vaccination rate among senior residents.

“As of Jan. 21, a total of 185,231 A2 population in the Caraga Region are already fully vaccinated, representing 89.42 percent of the total target," DOH-13 said.

And at least one province is now COVID-19 free. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1722827/aurora-province-now-covid-19-free

Aurora province has obtained COVID-19-free status following the recovery of all infected patients, the provincial emergency operations center announced Sunday, Jan. 29.

In its latest update, the Aurora government said the coastal province had zero active cases since Jan. 26.

It said it recorded only six cases of COVID-19 this month—one on Jan. 5, two on Jan. 10, one on Jan. 13, and two on Jan. 16.

The provincial government said all the patients had recovered from the viral disease.

Aurora is the first province in Central Luzon to become free of COVID–19 this year.

So where is the emergency?

Politicians keep telling us the economy is back on track so why is the nation get a $600 million loan from the World Bank to help recover from the pandemic?

https://www.philstar.com/business/2023/01/31/2241552/world-bank-lend-philippines-600m-pandemic-recovery-climate-financing

The World Bank awarded a fresh loan program to the Philippines to support the domestic economy's recovery from the pandemic and improve the resilience of the financial sector.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Washington-based lender granted the country a $600-million loan. Aside from supporting the Philippine economy's recovery from the pandemic, this new loan financing is aimed at supporting three policy reform areas: the stability of the financial sector, improving financial inclusion for Filipinos and businesses, and climate and disaster risk finance. 

"Policy actions that strengthen the stability of the financial sector – including banks and insurance companies – will help Filipino families, businesses, and investors withstand financial shocks and enhance their resilience by ensuring that problems in these financial institutions are detected at an early stage without severe disruptions to the economy,” said Ndiamé Diop, World Bank country director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand.

The Philippine economy took a hit at the onset of the pandemic. The economy sank to lows unseen since World War II as the Duterte administration imposed mobility restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus.

They will be paying that back for a long time to come. 

Picture of the Week: Basketball Hoop On the Side of the Road

This is a basketball hoop on the side of the road. I think it was erected by the sugarcane workers. who were cutting the cane in the field across the street. Who else could it be?  It's not secure in the ground and can be moved.

It's more than a little strange looking but everyone needs their recreation. 

Insurgency: Air-Tight Cases vs. NPAs

The newly installed Nolcom Chief has vowed to end the insurgency in northern and central Luzon. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1721195/new-nolcom-chief-vows-to-end-insurgency-in-northern-central-luzon

Major Gen. Fernyl Buca on Wednesday (Jan. 25) assumed his post as chief of the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines based in Camp Aquino in Tarlac City.

AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Andres Centino installed Buca, who replaced Lt. Gen. Ernesto Torres Jr. upon the latter’s mandatory retirement at age 56.

Buca was a former AFP deputy chief of staff for logistics and Philippine Air Force inspector general, according to a Nolcom statement.

In a program following the change of command, Buca vowed to “vigorously sustain the momentum set [by Torres] to decimate the remaining communist terrorists and ensure the peace, security, and development in the north and central Luzon.”

Of course every single newly installed General makes the same vow. It's a tired old song. Not only that but the AFP has already declared a strategic victory against the CPP-NPA and for the past few months they have been repeating the mantra that the CPP-NPA is leaderless. Would that not effectively mean they have been  defeated? 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193541

The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Visayas Command (Viscom) on Wednesday said the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) is now suffering a leadership vacuum after losing several key personalities in a series of encounters with government troops.

Major General Benedict Arevalo, Viscom chief, said the communist terrorist groups in the Visayas are losing their hold as their armed capability has “drastically degraded” apart from also losing their leaders.

“These are apart from the increasing number of former CTG supporters and sympathizers in the region who withdrew their support from the terrorist group,” Arevalo said.

The Viscom chief expressed hope the group would totally weaken should more CPP-NPA officials, especially those from Eastern Visayas, fall to the government.

It's not only the Eastern Visayas where a leadership vacuum has been proclaimed. It is the entire movement nationwide.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193295

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it continues to beef up the anti-insurgency campaign as New People's Army (NPA) ranks continue to crumble following the death of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria "Joma" Sison.

“As of now, based on the information we have gathered, there was a bit of a breakdown of communication among the CPP-NPA members because they could not yet figure out who would replace the position vacated by Siso)," PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said in a press briefing at Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Sison died on Dec. 16, 2022 while in exile in The Netherlands where he had been staying for decades. He was 83.

Ranking communist leaders, couple Benito and William Tiamzon, who are purportedly next in line, were reported to have been killed in a clash with soldiers in Catbalogan City.

“Tiamzon will be taking over but Tiamzon is missing so as of now it is not clear who the leadership will be and the PNP and the AFP are taking advantage of the situation because we wanted more and more people to gradually return to our government on the call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that is the unity. So this is an opportunity for the government to take advantage in the ongoing struggle who will take over the seat of power of the CPP-NPA if any,” Azurin said.

Defense and security experts said Sison’s death was a severe blow to the CPP-NPA since there are no other leaders who have his charisma.

The national government, through the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, has been pursuing localized peace talks with the communist rebels.

The move reportedly led to the surrender of hundreds of CPP-NPA fighters and supporters in the past few years.

The AFP earlier said out of the 89 guerrilla fronts recorded in 2016, only 24 or 23 are left with only five remaining active or capable of conducting any actions.

If the CPP-NPA is leaderless, irrelevant, and strategically defeated (all claims made by the AFP) then who is directing the recruitment efforts?

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193582

The 91st Infantry Battalion (91IB) of the Philippine Army on Wednesday urged the youth not to be swayed by the false ideologies of the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army–National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

Lt. Col. Julito Recto Jr., commander of the 91IB, made the call as he noted of the recruitment by the communist terrorist organization among the youth since they are easy targets.

Recto said the communist terrorist organization is taking advantage of the youth’s vulnerability in coaxing them to join their organization.

“The youth are very vulnerable to false ideologies. Their innocence was being utilized by the armed group in the guise of development and reform yet the real agenda is to destroy the image of the government,” Recto said in an interview.

To counter the rebels’ recruitment efforts, Recto said they are continuously conducting school awareness campaigns against the communist terrorist group.

Who is directing the engagements with the AFP? Who is directing what the NPA does from day to day? Why have they not all surrendered if they are leaderless? 

The AFP claims that there have been so many surrendering NPAs that they have not had to use many bullets. Also they claim that they have better bullet control. That means less ammo has been used and more is sitting on the shelf waiting to expire. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193294

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Monday said they are looking at the possibility of extending the shelf life or recycling ammunition of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) nearing its expiration date or wastage.

In an ambush interview with reporters at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, he said they have an authorized wastage level when it comes to ammunition stocks.

He added that this is due to the running down of shelf life which means that ammunition at this point can no longer be safely used.

Galvez attributed the slowdown of the military in its usage of ammunition to its adoption of non-lethal strategies in dealing with communist insurgents and other threats.

One of these successful non-lethal methods is the use of the civil-military operations which have become very effective in neutralizing these threats, he added.

Another factor is that military personnel have also grown more skillful and diligent in the use of ammunition issued to them.

"We saw that our ammunition consumption when down because our people have gotten more expert and diligent in the use of ammo," Galvez said.

He also attributed the low usage of ammunition to the fact that the peace process is working and the AFP is able to sustain it.

He was also pleased to note that no major confrontation or conflict have taken place in Mindanao so far and in other areas.

"And it's a good indication that really we are winning the war against our communist insurgency and we are now seeing peace inclined organizations are really now going with us and also joining us in the government," Galvez said.

He said with the shelf life of the ammunition nearing, the first option is always to destroy it to avoid harming anyone.

However, he said they are looking at the possibility of recycling these as training ammunition or extending their shelf life like what was done with the Covid-19 vaccines during his time as vaccine czar of the Duterte administration.

"Because of Covid-19, we saw that how very thin in the ground our resources and we would like to encourage our Defense Department together with the AFP on how to really optimize our resources, both our logistics and financial, that's my guidance," he added.

Remember in 2018 when they were running out of ammo and had nothing in reserve for emergencies? How the times have changed!

Speaking of ammo, the AFP says the discovery of a weapons cache in Samar has weakened the insurgency. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193327

The Philippine Army said the recent discovery of several high-powered firearms in Paranas town, Samar province will further weaken insurgency in the province.

Major Gen. Camilo Ligayo, commander of the 8th Infantry Division (8ID), said Monday that former rebels have been instrumental in locating the firearms in Samar buried by rebels since they cannot carry them after the surrender of several combatants.

“The NPA Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC) is on the brink of collapse with the gradual surrender of their leaders and key personalities revealing the location of these hidden firearms,” Ligayo said in a statement.

The official made the statement after the military found buried firearms in upland Santo Niño village in Paranas on Jan. 18. Seized were two M653 rifles, an M4 Rifle, an M16 Rifle, four long magazines, and a short magazine.

“The intensified campaign of the regional task force on ending local communist armed conflict and with the aid of former rebels, it is only a matter of time before we declare them dismantled and the rest of Eastern Visayas free from insurgency,” Ligayo added.

The official urged the owners of these recovered firearms to surrender and avail of the benefits being offered by the government to rebel returnees, including the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

Government forces found the hidden firearms a day after the surrender of 13 members of the New People’s Army, including their leaders in Samar province.

The surrenderers belong to the NPA EVRPC sub-regional committee Bugsok Platoon during a press briefing at the 8th Infantry Division headquarters in this city.

The rebels handed over 10 M16 rifles, two .45-caliber handguns, and one Glock 17 pistol. They also revealed the location of banned anti-personnel mines, medical paraphernalia, and several ammunitions.

The discovery of four rifles will further weaken the insurgency? Not more than the surrender of leaders and the turning over of 10 rifles as well as revealing the location of anti-personnel mines. 

The fight against the NPA also includes the courts and one Army official wants air tight cases against them.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193587

A Philippine Army brigade commander in Negros Oriental on Wednesday called for the strengthening of the provincial anti-insurgency task force’s legal fight against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

Brig. Gen. Leonardo Peña, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade based in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, made the call after some captured CPP-NPA members were released following the dismissal of their cases due to technicalities.

“Due to lack of legal advice and support, what happens is that the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel are the ones carrying the problems in the legal fight. There should be a whole-of-government approach by empowering our legal cooperation cluster,” Peña said in mixed English and Filipino.

The legal cooperation is one of 12 clusters of the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC), chaired by Governor Roel Degamo at the provincial level.

The cluster head is the Provincial Prosecutor's Office.

“One of the problems that we have encountered in the ELCAC is that when a CPP-NPA member is arrested, we do not have a strong legal cluster to depend on,” he said.

In a reorganization meeting on Tuesday, the Army commander sought the unwavering support and cooperation of the task force members to sustain the fight against the CPP-NPA.

If this is not achieved, there is always the risk of the rebel fronts regaining their strongholds and getting back their mass base support, he added.

In response, Degamo said he would source funds for lawyers who will assist the TF-ELCAC to ensure air-tight cases against CPP-NPA personalities and to cover legal fees.

Is the AFP really worried about rebel fronts regaining strongholds? I thought they were leaderless, irrelevant, and strategically defeated? Will the AFP ever be able to settle on a single narrative? 

Hi, my name is...32

It's a new year and a new batch of misfits to meet.  Say hello to these Filipinos and foreigners who have been caught behaving badly. 

Hi, my name is Richie Elleso Dumaloan. My dad is very sick and his medical bills are very high. As a way to earn some money to pay those bills I entered a "laklak" challenge. That is where you drink a whole bottle of liquor in one go. I opened the bottle tipped back my head and chugged the entire contents in just a few seconds. I then shouted,"This is for my father." But afterwards when I tried walking I fell down and was rushed to the hospital where I died the next day. At least my friend who sponsored the challenge will pay for my funeral. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1676665/man-dies-trying-to-win-p20000-in-laklak-challenge-for-dads-meds 

A 29 year old man from Misamis Oriental has died trying to win P20,000 in a “laklak” challenge, a drinking game where a person is challenged to drink an entire bottle of liquor in a few seconds.

According to police reports, the man, Richie Elleso Dumaloan, was drinking with five companions in Melvic Beach Resort in Barangay Looc, Villanueva, Misamis Oriental last Sunday.

Dumaloan and his companions all agreed to do the “laklak” challenge with a cash prize of P20,000, sponsored by Dumaloan’s friend Winefredo Dayle, the police report said.

Dumaloan drank one entire bottle of alcohol after which he shouted “Para ni kang Papa!”

(This is for my father).

When he tried walking after the dare, Dumaloan fell down, and was then rushed to the Rever hospital, but then referred to the Northern Mindanao Medical Center, where he died the following day.

According to a Facebook post from Dumaloan’s cousin, Jihnny Ellose Demata, he had accepted the challenge to help with his father’s medical checkup expenses.

Demata expressed her grief in her post, saying that Dumaloan was supposed to get married in December. He also left behind three children.

Mary Jane Fernandez, Dumaloan’s live-in partner, says that his family have an initial agreement with Dyle that he will cover the burial and hospital expenses, stated the police report.

Hi, my name is Wilfredo Torres Mendoza. One of my officemates noticed something peculiar in the washroom one day and upon further inspection she discovered a camera attached to a power bank. Upon reflection she remembered that I had spent a long time in the comfort room before she had entered. A light Bub went off in her head and realized it was I who placed the camera. She filed a complaint and my officemates collared me until the cops came to take me away. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1713331/man-arrested-by-officemates-for-allegedly-installing-spycam-in-washroom

A 49-year-old man has been seized by his officemates in Mandaluyong City for allegedly installing a camera in the office comfort room.

The Philippine National Police’s Anti-Cyber Crime Group (PNP-ACG) said Friday that the arrest of suspect Wilfredo Torres Mendoza came after a female employee reported noticing something unusual in their lavatory.

“She saw an adhesive green tape above at the hidden parts of the sink, and when upon checking on it, she discovered a camera wrapped in foil connected with a power bank,” the PNP-ACG said in a report.

The complainant claimed that before she entered the comfort room, she saw Mendoza spend a long time inside, according to the PNP-ACG.

Mendoza was collared by his officemates on Thursday, January 5, and later turned over to the Eastern Police District anti-cybercrime team (EDACT).

“Acting upon the report, the team immediately responded, however, upon arrival of the said place, the suspect was already arrested by their officemates,” the PNP-ACG said.

The police said the office workers took matters into their own hands after Mendoza allegedly tried to escape. The police also said Mendoza was found in possession of a cellphone, a power bank, and a CCTV.

Hi, our names are Fabian Bia and Sherwin Mediavilla. We were out gathering vegetables one afternoon and we did not notice the hot dangling wire which was concealed by weeds. We both touched it and were immediately dead from electrocution.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/22/man-nephew-electrocuted-in-quezon/

A 75-year-old man and his nephew died after they were electrocuted while gathering vegetables here on Wednesday, Sept. 21.

Capt. Joseph Ian Java, chief of police here, said the bodies of Fabian Bia and Sherwin Mediavilla were found in a forested area in Barangay Sta. Rosa by their relative Reymark Mediavilla.

Reymark told police that he followed to the victims to the area after they failed to return home at 5:30 p.m. Police said he found the two near a hanging live wire.

Police said that the victims did not notice the dangling wire covered by weeds and were electrocuted.

Java said remains of the victims were taken to a funeral parlor here.

Hi, my name is Wilfredo Saludadez. I was out having a drinking spree with my friends one of whom was Honorato Barros. He left a little early but unbeknownst to me he was hiding in the dark waiting for me. When I finally left to go home he followed me and then shot me six times, killing me.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1674217/farmer-gunned-down-by-drinking-buddy-in-quezon-province

A drinking session in Calauag town in Quezon province turned bloody on Sunday after a man was shot dead by his buddy.

The Quezon police report identified the victim as Wilfredo Saludadez, 52, and the suspect as Honorato Barros, 56.

Investigators said Saludadez, Barros, and some friends went on a drinking spree in Barangay Talingting until around 8 p.m.

Police said Barros immediately left but hid in the dark.

Armed with a .45-caliber pistol, Barros repeatedly shot Saludadez, who was on his way home, police said.

The suspect fled and left his target, who died on the spot due to six bullet wounds.

Hi, my name is Dean Edward Cheves. While I was assigned at the US embassy between 2017 and 2021 I engaged with some minors online. I got one 16 year old to send me nudes and another Ih ad sex twice with another 16 year old. I even used my government issued phone to film us. That was a very bright idea, no? Now I will be spending up to 30 years in prison . 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1187027

A former United States Department of State employee has pleaded guilty to engaging in illicit sexual relations with a minor while assigned at the US Embassy here for four years.

Dean Edward Cheves, 63, admitted his guilt to the charges, according to a statement quoting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Polite Jr. of the US Justice Department’s Criminal Division and lawyer Jessica Aber of the Eastern District of Virginia.

"Cheves is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 20, 2023 and faces a maximum penalty of up to 30 years in prison on each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the US sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors," the press statement read.

Cheves was serving at the US Embassy in Manila from 2017 to 2021 when he interacted with minors online.

From December 2020 to March 2021, Cheves communicated online with a then 15 or 16-year-old Filipino, whom he paid to send him explicit images.

In February 2021, Cheves also had sex on two occasions with a another 16-year-old and used his government-issued mobile phone to film at least one of the illicit acts.

The child sex abuse video materials were found on devices seized from Cheves’ residence in the Philippines.

"Cheves knew the ages of both minors at the time he engaged in the conduct," the statement added. 

Hi, my name is Abdulkadir Matuwa. I was just a simple farmer with a small family until a group of armed men shot up my house. They killed me, my wife, and my 5 year old daughter.  Thankfully my 9 month old baby was unharmed. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1639648/three-killed-as-family-massacred-in-maguindanao-town

Three persons, including a 5-year-old child, were killed as a family was massacred past midnight on Tuesday in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Major Maximiano Gerodias, Mamasapano police chief, said an undetermined number of armed men strafed the house of Abdulkadir Matuwa, 53, a farmer in Sitio Pamalian, Barangay Mangungkaling of Mamasapano town.

The strafing left Abdulkadir, his wife Zahera, 32, and their 5-year-old daughter Nhala, dead, while a 9-month-old baby was unharmed.

“The baby was in a hammock and was asleep when the carnage happened,” Gerodias said in an interview with a local radio station.

The baby is now with the victims’ relatives, Gerodias added.

Police recovered an undetermined number of empty shells for an Armalite rifle while a probe is ongoing to establish the motive of the attack and the likely suspects.

Hi, my name is Darrah Mae Gray. I am a senior and high school and in desperate need of money. What better way than to pimp out some of my classmates to foreigners on Facebook? They would meet up at a beach resort near by and transact business. I used two dummy Facebook accounts to send out pictures of 12 of my classmates. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/848866/18-year-old-senior-high-school-student-caught-pimping-classmates-to-tourists/story/

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation in Southern Tagalog arrested an 18-year-old senior high school student who allegedly pimped her classmates to foreigners online.

According to John Consulta's report on "24 Oras," the suspect used two dummy Facebook accounts to send her classmates' photos to prospective clients.

"Their target here, the client, is foreigners. So, that's why the venue, they already have a resort venue nearby, which is used to vacation or go swimming there. Aside from the beach, there is also sexual exploitation," NBI CALABARZON regional director Glen Ricarte said.

The suspect was identified as Darrah Mae Gray.

"I need money because I'm studying. Because I'm already a senior in high school, I'm the only one teaching myself," she said.

Gray will be a complaint for violating the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

"Aside from COVID-19, sexually transmitted diseases are also possible. Another scary thing about that is the possibility that these students might get pregnant, and their studies will stop," NBI spokesperson Atty. Gisele Garcia-Dumlao said.

Twelve women, including a minor, were rescued and are now under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Hi, our names are Krokaa Karstein Gunnar and Fu Qihao. I am from Norway while Mr. Qihao is from China. I am a high-profile charge with multiple sex crimes back in my home country. I thought I could hide from the authorities far away in the Philippines but Interpol put out an ABP for my arrest and I was finally caught. Mr. Qihao was running a pyramid scheme in Shanghai and he too thought he could hide out in the Philippines. We will both be labelled undesirable aliens and forbidden from returning to the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1185225

Two foreigners wanted in their countries were arrested by government agents in recent separate operations in Metro Manila and Central Luzon, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported on Tuesday.

In a statement, Commissioner Norman Tansingco said a Norwegian man accused of sexually molesting minors in his country and a Chinese man wanted for running a pyramid investment scam were apprehended by operatives from the bureau’s fugitive search unit (FSU) in Angeles City, Pampanga, and Malate, Manila respectively.

Karstein Kvernik a.k.a Krokaa Karstein Gunnar, 50, was arrested in his house at Sameerah Subdivision in Angeles City on Sept. 24.

Tansingco described Kvenvik as a high-profile fugitive who is charged with multiple sex-related crimes in Norway.

Information obtained from the International Criminal Police Organization's (Interpol) national central bureau in Manila revealed that Kvenvik has outstanding warrants of arrest issued by the Salten and Lotofen District Court in Norway on June 20.

He was reportedly charged with aggravated sexual assault and engaging in sexual activity with a child under 14 years old, in violation of Norwegian laws.

Meanwhile, the Chinese fugitive was identified as Fu Qihao, 44, who was arrested on Sept. 23.

An arrest warrant was issued by Shanghai's Public Security Bureau against Fu for allegedly running an investment pyramid scam that victimized many of his compatriots.

Tansingco said both will be deported for being undesirable and undocumented aliens as their passports were already revoked by their respective governments.

They are detained at the BI warden facility at Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City pending deportation.

Hi, my name is Kurt Lancanan. I was out with my teacher having a drinking spree. We were having a grand old time but eventually it got ugly and we started arguing. That's when I pulled out a knife and stabbed my teacher right in the chest, killing him. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/467279/student-stabs-teacher-dead-in-samar-town

A 32-year-old senior high school teacher died after he was stabbed by a 19-year-old student in Basey town, Samar on Monday, October 3, 2022.

George Lauron, a Science teacher at the Basey National High School, succumbed to a stab wound on his chest, according to Police Executive Master Sergeant Gerry Vargas.

The suspect, Kurt Lancanan, immediately surrendered to the police.

Based on the investigation, Lauron, Lancanan, and other companions had a drinking spree at the boarding house of the victim at about 2 a.m.

“But in the course of their drinking spree, the two had a heated argument, which prompted the suspect to stab the victim in his chest using a knife,” Vargas said.

Lancanan voluntarily surrendered to the police 30 minutes after the crime.

The suspect was detained at the police station pending the filing of a murder case against him at the prosecutor’s office here in Basey.

Hi, my name is Joseph Albert Fuchs, III. I was was a special agent for the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General. While visiting the Philippines I met and befriended a 14 year old girl. We kept in touch over Facebook and I returned shortly later to take her to a hotel. Over the course of a year I sent her $1,000. Eventually the authorities found out and now I have been sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison. 

https://usa.inquirer.net/119977/ex-federal-agent-gets-126-months-in-jail-for-sex-with-minor-in-ph

A former federal agent from Cahokia, Illinois was sentenced to 126 months for enticing and having sex with a minor in the Philippines.

According trial and sentencing documents, Joseph Albert Fuchs, III, a 55-year-old American citizen, met a 14-year-old girl while visiting the Philippines.

Fuchs engaged in sexual conversations with the minor using Facebook and discussed ways to evade detection of her age when he would return to the Philippines to engage in sexual acts with her at a hotel.

Fuchs returned to the Philippines in March 2019 and engaged in sexual acts with the 14-year-old minor. During this time, Fuchs was a special agent for the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General.

The postal service provided full cooperation into the investigation, and it was later revealed that Fuchs sent nearly $1,000 to the minor over a year-long period.

“Knowing the consequences in the U.S., Joseph Fuchs, III traveled thousands of miles to take advantage of a young, impressionable foreign girl, enticed her with financial payments and tried to conceal his involvement with her,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe in a press statement. “Federal agents must be held to a higher ethical standard, and this sentence reflects the severity of the committed crimes.”

Fuchs is required to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for release. He will be on supervised release for 7 years after he is released from the Bureau of Prisons and will be required to register as a sex offender. Additionally, Fuchs was ordered to pay a total of $18,000 in fines.