Retards in the Government 306

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

  

 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/866930/ex-bukidnon-solon-2-others-found-guilty-of-graft-malversation/story/

The Sandiganbayan on Friday found former Bukidnon lawmaker Candido Pancrudo Jr. and two others guilty of multiple counts of graft, malversation of public funds, and malversation of public funds via falsification of public documents.

The case involved the disbursement of P36.9 million worth of pork barrel funds for  training and livelihood seminars that turned out to be ghost projects.

Aside from Pancrudo, also found guilty by the court were former Technology and Resource Center (TRC) legislative liaison officer Maria Rosalinda Lacsamana and Farmerbusiness Development Corp. (FDC) representative Johanne Edward Labay.

Voting 3-2, the court's Special Second Division ruled that the three are guilty of eight counts of graft, four counts of malversation of public funds, and four counts of malversation of public funds via falsification of public documents.

The three were charged for the release of Pancrudo's P36.9 million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) — the official name of pork barrel — in 2007 to 2008 supposedly to finance training and livelihood seminars, as well as to purchase training kits for Pancrudo's constituents. Both, however, turned out to be ghost projects.

Based on the charges filed by state prosecutors, the P36.9 million PDAF were channeled through the state-run TRC and the National AgriBusiness Corporation (NABCOR) as implementing agencies, with Farmerbusiness Development Corporation (FDC) and Uswag Pilipinas Foundation Incorporated (UPFI) as non-government organization (NGO) partners.

Government prosecutors also alleged that such transactions lacked public bidding in the NGO-selection process, were not liquidated, and were subjected to unusual accommodation in the examination, processing and approval of PDAF releases.

The Sandiganbayan sentenced Pancrudo, Lacsamana and Labay to six to eight years in prison and perpetual disqualification from public office for each of the convictions on eight counts of graft charges. This jail time is on top of the P36.9 million civil liability that the court imposed on Pancrudo, Lacsamana and Labay, payable to the Bureau of Treasury.

A former Solon and several others have been convicted of graft involving PDAF releases. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1756785/2-cebu-city-cops-sacked-for-sleeping-on-the-job

Two police officers  were relieved from their posts after they were caught sleeping inside a patrol car along General Maxilom Avenue here on Thursday.

The two officers, who have ranks of staff sergeant and corporal, will be temporarily assigned to the Cebu City Holding Admin Unit, according to Col. Ireneo Dalogdog, director of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).

Both are also facing a pre-charge investigation conducted by the City Investigation and Detective Management Unit (CIDMU) for a possible administrative case.

“We will give the two of them the chance to explain. The investigation is ongoing and the CIDMU is preparing the appropriate administrative case to be filed against them. We will not tolerate this kind of behavior,” Dalogdog said.

Major Nolan Tagsip, chief of the Abellana Police Station in Cebu City, said the two police officers were on-duty at the time they were seen sleeping.

As mobile patrol personnel, the two policemen were assigned to conduct roving duties at crime-prone areas in the city.

Tagsip said he was shocked to learn that at 6 a.m., a photo of the two policemen went viral on social media.

“We immediately relieved them pending the ongoing investigation. We will let them stay at the city headquarters and then we will file an administrative case against them per Napolcom 2016-002 memorandum for pre-charge investigation,” he said.

Dalogdog said sleeping while on duty is strictly prohibited by the Philippine National Police.

He said violators will be suspended for 30 to 60 days.

Two cops have been relieved for sleeping on the job. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/16/article-403

Police nabbed seven suspected drug pushers, including a an alleged member of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and seized 250 grams of shabu in buy-bust operations in Batangas and Laguna on Saturday, April 15.

The Police Regional Office 4-A identified the suspects as Jerico Magbatoc, Jairoden Musa, an alleged member of the PCG, Jaimela Polo, and Taming Balimbingan, all listed as high-value individuals (HVI); and Sahar Polo, Reynalae Polo, and Jamaludin Polo, all newly identified drug personalities.

Magbatoc was arrested in Barangay San Isidro in Batangas City and yielded 100 grams of suspected shabu with a Dangerous Drug Board (DDB) value of P680,000, marked money, a smartphone, and a car.

Musa, the Polos, and Balimbingan were apprehended at Oliver Compound, Barangay Landayan, San Pedro City, Laguna.

Confiscated from them were 16 medium heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu weighing 150 grams with an estimated street value of P225,000, marked money, and P1,500 suspected profit from the sale of illegal drugs.

A member of the Coast Guard has been arrested on drug charges. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1756963/49-cops-face-raps-for-drug-raid-cover-up-pilferage-try

Forty-nine police officers were found liable for the alleged cover-up of irregularities committed by anti-drug operatives of the Philippine National Police in connection with the seizure of 990 kilograms of crystal meth (“shabu”) worth P6.7 billion and the attempted pilfering of some of the confiscated drugs in October last year.

In a memorandum from the Special Investigation Task Group 990 (SITG 990) dated April 13, the 49 members of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (DEG) were “found to have committed criminal and administrative liabilities.” They were directed to surrender their firearms.

The memo was signed by Police Maj. Gen. Eliseo Cruz, director of the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management, and the head of the SITG 990.

Cruz did not say how the task group arrived at its findings but said that he would elaborate on them at a press conference set for today.

“There we will lay down what the SITG have found out, our recommendations, and other things that we will do,” he said in a phone interview with reporters on Saturday.

The highest-ranked official cited in the memo was the DEG’s former director, Police Brig. Gen. Narciso Domingo. It also named two colonels, three lieutenant colonels, one major and five lieutenants.

The rest were noncommissioned officers: two chief master sergeants; two senior master sergeants; five master sergeants; three staff sergeants; four corporals; and 21 patrolmen and women.

Of the 49 cited in the memo, Domingo and seven other senior officers, and four noncommissioned officers were mentioned earlier by Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos as having been involved in the “massive cover-up attempt” during the drug raid on Oct. 8, 2022.

49 police officers have been implicated in the cover up of the arrest of a fellow officer during a drug raid. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1757459/maguindanao-del-sur-town-councilor-slain-in-daylight-gun-attack

Gunmen shot dead on Monday a town councilor in Maguindanao del Sur while the latter was on his way to the Sangguniang Bayan session.

Daemon Daglok Silongan, 50, a resident and councilor of Datu Salibo town of Maguindanao del Sur, just arrived at the Sangguniang Bayan building to attend the 9 a.m. regular session when unidentified gunmen attacked him around 8:30 a.m. Monday, April 17, said Rex Torino, information officer of Datu Salibo.

Police Major Roldan Kuntong, Datu Salibo municipal police chief, said the town councilor just alighted from his vehicle when the gunman approached him and opened fire.

The suspect fled on a motorbike driven by an accomplice, he said.

Another town councilor has been assassinated. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1757445/pampanga-legal-officer-wounded-in-gun-attack

Two helmet-wearing men fired several shots Monday at the Pampanga provincial legal officer in the parking lot of a hospital in the City of San Fernando.

A police report obtained by the Inquirer identified the victim as lawyer Gerome Tubig.

Police said Tubig arrived around 7:30 a.m. at the parking lot in front of VL Makabali Memorial Hospital along B. Mendoza Road in downtown San Fernando on board his car when two men aboard a black and red Yamaha Aerox motorcycle arrived and fired at his car several times.

The provincial legal officer reportedly suffered bullet wounds in different parts of his body.

The still-unidentified assailants immediately fled toward the MacArthur Highway.

It was not known what gun caliber was used in the attack.

Police said Tubig was immediately taken to a hospital for treatment.

The Pampanga legal officer has been wounded in an attempted assassination. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199521

There will be no special treatment to a patrolman who was arrested in a drug buy-bust in Surigao City, the Police Regional Office in the Caraga Region (PRO-13) assured the public Monday.

Patrolman Elton Jay Alabat Galanida, 28, a member of the anti-drug operation unit of the 1st Surigao del Norte Police Mobile Force Company, was arrested early morning Sunday in a buy-bust in Barangay Cagniog, Surigao City.

 

“Like other drug suspects arrested in our police operations, we would ensure an airtight case against him aside from not giving him a special treatment of any kind,” PRO-13 said in a statement.

 

Galanida’s alleged involvement in illegal drugs does not represent the whole image of the PRO-13, it emphasized.

 

“The PRO-13 remains the home of exemplary cops whose lives echo the true essence of public service,” it said.

 

PRO-13 director, Brig. Gen. Pablo Labra II, said an in-depth investigation into the involvement of Galanida in the illegal drug trade is ongoing , including those who had prior transactions with him.

 

In addition, Labra directed police unit commanders in the region to maintain their squad weekly interactive meetings for the personnel's spiritual growth and to beef up intelligence operations as a monitoring mechanism for their subordinates.

 

In a separate statement Monday, the Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office (SDSPPO) said Galanida's arrest indicates that "no one is above the law" in the continuing anti-illegal drugs campaign in the province.

 

“Patrolman Galaninda shall face the consequences and punishment for the wrongdoing he committed following the law and due process,” SDNPPO said.

A cop has been busted for drugs.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/19/murder-charges-filed-against-retired-soldier-who-killed-ambulance-driver-in-negros-town

A retired soldier surrendered to the police several hours after a shooting incident that resulted in the death of an ambulance driver in Barangay Magticol, Toboso, Negros Occidental on Monday, April 17.

Eduardo said that Paltuob allegedly shot Ronnie Villasis when the latter pacified the suspect and a barangay councilman who were arguing over something during a barangay fiesta.

Villasis suffered four bullet wounds and was declared dead on arrival in a hospital, according to Eduardo. 

Eduardo, however, said that the suspect failed to bring with him the firearm used in the incident.

A retired soldier has been arrested for shooting an ambulance driver. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1758111/senate-detains-cop-who-allegedly-refused-to-make-blotter-report-on-slay-attempt

Senators on Tuesday cited in contempt a police officer who is in hot water for allegedly refusing to write a blotter report on an attempted killing of an aspiring councilor in Bayawan, Negros Oriental.

A certain Wilfred Estiñoso, the father of slain Juwim Estiñoso, said Police Staff Sgt. Renevic Rizaldo purportedly declined to entertain Juwim when he sought assistance after the first attempt on his life a year ago.

“Juwim went to the police station to report that something had happened to him and that he received a death threat. The policeman did not entertain the report and told him it was just a figment of his imagination,” Wilfred said, speaking partly in Filipino, before the Senate public order and dangerous drugs.

Asked who this police officer was, Wilfred did not hold back and alleged it was Rizaldo.

With his voice slightly shaking, Rizaldo – who bared that he was formerly a security personnel for suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. – denied the claim and insisted that he does not remember not entertaining Juwim’s complaint.

Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. first dangled the threat of citing Rizaldo in contempt if he was found dishonest in his testimony while under oath.

Wilfred and Juwim’s wife Marisol Estiñoso, however, were firm in their claim.

Further pressed against the wall, Rizaldo said it was possible he didn’t entertain Juwim’s report since he really cannot recall the incident.

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who is also a former national police chief, made Rizaldo, now teary-eyed, read his police badge to remind him that service, honor, and justice are the pillars of being a law enforcer.

“You violated all those three basic virtues of our organization – the Philippine National Police. You don’t have the right to wear that badge of honor,” he said.

But Dela Rosa said he believes Rizaldo may have learned his lesson.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, however, was seemingly less forgiving as he officially asked the Senate to put Rizaldo under its custody.

“I would like to move that this particular policeman, Staff Sergeant Rizaldo, be cited in contempt,” he said.

Revilla seconded Estrada’s motion, saying Rizaldo “seems like he’s lying.”

With no objections, Dela Rosa, who chairs the panel, approved the motion of Estrada.

A cop who refused to write up a blotter when a politician said there was an assassination attempt against him has been held in contempt by the Senate. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199793

A police officer and 12 others were arrested during separate anti-drug operations in this town, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM) said Thursday.

Asnawi Salik, PDEA-Maguindanao operations officer, said two drug dens were also dismantled during the series of operations Wednesday.

In one of the operations, Salik said PDEA operatives caught Master Sgt. Sarip Mastura of the BARMM police force and seven other suspects during a 5 p.m. buy-bust at a drug den in Barangay Salimbao here.

Salik identified those arrested with Mastura as Kasumi Quindapa, Esmael Macalbas, Sam Sandakan, Michael Compaña, Jamil Macalimbol and Tato Madin.

“One of the suspects managed to elude arrest,” Salik said in a statement, referring to a certain Saheiden Utto who managed to escape after sensing the approaching lawmen.

Seized from them were an undetermined amount of suspected shabu, a Glock pistol with ammunition, and shabu paraphernalia.

A cop has been busted for drugs. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199774

A Maguindanao Electric Cooperative (Magelco) official was killed in an ambush by still unidentified gunmen along the diversion road here at past 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Maj. Reggie Albellera, municipal police station chief, identified the victim as Alhassan Maongco, a manager of Magelco’s institutional services department.

Albellera said the victim was on his car on the way home from a midday prayer at a mosque when waylaid by the gunmen along the diversion road in Barangay Upper Capiton.

Staff Sgt. Jhemin Untong, the municipal police investigator, said the victim’s car hit a tree after the ambush.

 

Maongco is the younger brother of former Magelco former general manager Ashary Maongco.

The victim had just celebrated his 50th birthday on Sunday, April 16.

Albellera said investigation is ongoing.

A Maguindanao Electric Cooperative official has been assassinated. 

Coronavirus Lockdown: In A Good Place, Prep For Possible Surge, and More!

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

Infectious diseases specialist Dr. Rontgene Solante says the Philippines remains at a low risk for COVID-19.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/11/23/ph-remains-in-a-good-place-amid-covid-19-emergency

An infectious diseases expert on Tuesday said the country remains to be in a good position in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic emergency.

Infectious diseases specialist Dr. Rontgene Solante, in an interview with ABS-CBN News, said most indicators point to COVID-19 being of low risk.

“Our cases have really been very low for the past several months since January. The use of ICU more or less, we can deal with this if ever the WHO will lift the public health emergency. Definitely we’re in a good place in terms of how we deal with it, even with the variants of concern like omicron. In our country we have some uptick of cases but not enough to disrupt the lives of Filipinos,” he said.

He also said that despite US President Joe Biden declaring an end to the three-year emergency status of COVID-19 in their country, the Philippines continues to be under an emergency status because of the World Health Organization (WHO) declaration.

“We are under that WHO mandate. That’s why we are still in that emergency. But in terms of the policies, vaccine procurement and funding has already expired since that state of calamity," he said.

The country’s state of calamity expired in December 2022, which has posed delays to the arrival of bivalent vaccines donated by COVAX.

“The DOH should now incorporate COVID-19 as part of the other infectious diseases program. If you include it in the regular program of prevention and control of other infectious diseases like dengue, HIV and TB then the procurement of vaccines can also be facilitated based on giving vaccines only to the most vulnerable and for those who will really benefit," he said.

The Department of Health has since said it is awaiting the passage of the Center for Disease Control bill which would ensure the country’s preparedness in terms of vaccine and medicine procurement in case another pandemic emerges.

But the slight rise in cases have local authorities around the country mulling the return of mandatory face mask rules. Iloilo has mandated face masks for people transacting business at City Hall. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199207

The city government here has again required its employees and clients transacting at the Iloilo City Hall to wear face masks due to the rising cases of the coronavirus disease.

“Face masks will ensure that infection will not increase in closed areas while continuing with the services of the city,” said City Mayor Jerry Treñas in a Viber message to members of the media Tuesday evening.

Trenas and his spouse, Rosalie, were among those infected by the disease last month and the mayor was able to report back to the office on Tuesday.

He added though that the hospitalization rate does not increase since most of the cases were mild.

Dr. Roland Jay Fortuna, City Health Office assistant department head, in a previous announcement, said from January until March this year, Iloilo City has only recorded one case of Covid-19 daily. However, the figure increased to four since the start of April.

“It is thus important to continue the minimum public health standards in our place of work and recreation. The minimum public health standards shall continue to be implemented to prevent and minimize the spread of Covid-19 in the country,” he said.

Minimum public health standards include physical distancing, hand hygiene, cough etiquette, and wearing of masks, regardless of vaccination status.

Manila says they are studying the issue because of the slight uptick in cases.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/04/16/2259188/manila-eyes-mandatory-use-face-masks

The city government of Manila may review its policy on the use of face masks after it observed a surge in COVID-19 casees, Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan said yesterday.

In a statement issued by the city’s public information office, Lacuna-Pangan said while “the reimposition of the mandatory face mask policy is not yet needed at the moment,” she “will continue to observe closely in the next coming days the trend of new COVID-19 cases to determine if mandating the use of face masks indoors and outdoors will be necessary.”

From 36 active cases on April 11, the figure climbed to 57 on April 13. The number of active cases jumped to 71 on Friday, with 15 cases recorded in Tondo 1 alone.

The remaining active cases on Friday came from Ermita with four; Intramuros, two; Malate, seven; Paco, eight; Pandacan, seven; Quiapo, one; Sampaloc, nine; San Andres, five; San Nicolas, three; Sta. Cruz, four; Sta. Mesa, one; and Tondo 2, five.

The districts of Binondo, Port Area, San Miguel and Sta. Ana did not record any COVID-19 case last Friday.

Lacuna-Pangan also called on residents to continue wearing face masks and get vaccinated against COVID-19.

OCTA Research earlier said the seven-day COVID positivity rate in the National Capital Region continued to increase in the first week of April, hitting 6.5 percent from 4.4 percent on April 1.

Metro Manila posted the most number of new COVID cases among all regions in the past two weeks at 1,065.

But the DOH says they will not be recommending mandatory face masks. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199660

The Department of Health (DOH) is not considering the reimplementation of the face mask mandate despite the increase in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases.

In recent weeks, the country’s positivity rate, or the number of people testing positive for Covid-19, increased to 7.6 percent from last week’s 6.9 percent.

The average daily Covid-19 infections also rose to 371 cases per day from last week’s 276.

“This is voluntary. Nothing is being discussed about it at the moment," DOH Officer in Charge Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a media briefing on Tuesday.

Vergeire said the opening of various sectors of the economy could be one of the factors for the increase in cases.

“We encourage everybody, even before, to choose, to know when to wear face masks,” she said.

Citing early guidelines on face mask-wearing, she advised the elderly, people with co-morbidities, and individuals in crowded areas and places with poor ventilation to wear masks for protection.

She also assured that the nation’s health system is "prepared" to accommodate Covid-19 cases needing medical attention.

Despite the slight surge in cases not resulting in hospitalizations the DOH is warning hospitals in Davao to prepare for an onslaught of patients because of the travel during Holy Week. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199240

The Department of Health in Davao Region (DOH-11) urged hospitals Wednesday to prepare for the possible surge of coronavirus disease 2019 (Coid-19) cases in their areas due to the recent Holy Week observance.

“Given the situation, there is a compelling need for hospitals to prepare for the possibility of a surge, especially with the long holiday in observance of the Holy Week, in which family and public gatherings were expected,” DOH-11 said in an advisory.

DOH-11 bared that there has been a notable increase in Covid-19 cases in Davao Region, particularly in this city.

As of April 10, the healthcare utilization rate shows that the regional hospital capacity is at 31.1 percent for non-intensive care unit (ICU) bed use and 40.4 percent for ICU bed use.

The agency reminded health facilities to observe the guidelines for Covid-19 response which mandates that all hospitals allocate at least 20 percent of their current authorized bed capacity for Covid-19 patients.

Of course nothing is going to happen. Nothing ever does. Why exactly are the authorities fear mongering again? How does this help the economy recover? How does this encourage tourism? It doesn't.

The general public will now be able to procure the second booster shot. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/12/23/doh-2nd-covid-booster-to-be-offered-to-general-public

The Philippines will offer the second COVID-19 booster to the general public, the Department of Health announced Wednesday, allowing more Filipinos get additional protection against the virus.

(Based on the updated emergency use authorization of the Food and Drug Administration and the positive recommendation of the Health Technology Assessment Council, we can now use the vaccines we have as second booster for the general population or our health adults.)

Only vulnerable groups such as healthcare workers and the elderly were allowed to receive the fourth jab last year.

But will anyone really take advantage of this offer? There are millions who have not even had the first shot and the majority of those people, 69%, have said they have no desire to be vaccinated.

The Rodeo Festival is coming back to Masbate after a three year absence due to the pandemic. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199197

The province of Masbate is again celebrating its famous Rodeo Festival after three years of hiatus due to the coronavirus disease pandemic.

In an interview on Tuesday, Department of Tourism (DOT)-Bicol regional director Herbie Aguas said he was very happy over the influx of tourists, noting that based on his assessment, the number of tourists witnessing the week-long event could reach 100,000.

Residents and several local and foreign visitors in cowboy attire on Tuesday joined the parade that signaled the opening of the festival, which promotes the province's agricultural products and tourism.

"The opening of the Rodeo is very entertaining. First, there are so many people who joined the opening. After three years, we again have the Rodeo. Everybody is so excited, almost all the Roll-Off, Roll-On (RoRo) and the fast craft vessels are fully booked, even the plane flight going to Masbate. It's a sign that people here in the region and even our neighboring regions are here to observe, witness and enjoy the festival," Aguas said.

Another festival back on the menu. 

Picture of the Week: Cleaning the Ceiling

What is the best way to clean a high ceiling? If you said using a tall scaffolding or a moveable lift you would be wrong. The correct way is to use a medium sized ladder with its feet resting on cardboard so you can easily move it around. 

Who needs hard hats, harnesses, and boots when you got your friends to move you around and catch you if you fall?

These guys can learn a thing or two from the resourceful Filipinos. 

Insurgency: Crush Remaining NPA

The AFP has released their numbers for the first quarter of 2023. These numbers include the neutralization of NPA, Abu Sayyaf, BIFF, and Daulah Islamiyah members. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199075

A total of 137 communist and local terrorist group members have been neutralized by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during focused military operations conducted in various parts of the country from Jan. 1 to March 31 this year.

AFP public affairs office chief Col. Jorry Baclor, in a statement Sunday night, said 82 of the 137 terrorists neutralized are from the New People's Army (NPA).

"Against the communist terrorist groups (CTGs), the AFP neutralized 82 regular members. Of these, 17 were killed in combat operations, 20 were apprehended or captured, and 45 surrendered to government forces," he added.

Baclor said the AFP also captured 210 firearms during encounters with NPA forces and recovered another 109 through surrenders.

Around 87 anti-personnel mines (APMs) were also seized while 51 NPA "encampments" were discovered.

"Of the 22 remaining guerrilla fronts of the CTG, only three remain active, while 19 are considered weakened and nearing dismantling," Baclor said.

Meanwhile, the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group lost 30 of its members as 28 surrendered and two were captured.

Military troops also captured six firearms during encounters and gained 29 through surrenders, Baclor said.

"Meanwhile, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) continue to suffer losses as three members were killed in combat operations while 18 surrendered to government troops. The BIFF also lost 64 firearms and nine APMs," he added.

Also, three members of the terrorist group Daulah Islamiyah were killed due to focused military operations, while one surrendered.

The AFP also recovered one firearm while three APMs were seized.

"These significant tactical victories against the CTG and other local terrorist groups were made possible due to the dedication and commitment of AFP troops with the support of the LGUs (local government units) and other law-enforcement agencies," Baclor said.

In Tacloban City 54 NPA mass supporters surrendered. One of them is a 14 year old boy.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199250

At least 55 staunch allies of the New People’s Army (NPA), including a teener and village officials, have surrendered to the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Eastern Visayas between April 3 to 11, an official said Wednesday.

In a press statement, 49 yielded to authorities during the Holy Week and six of them showed up to policemen on April 11. These NPA supporters belong to the NPA’s underground mass organizations (UGMO).

Most of the UGMO members are residents of the upland villages of Bagacay, Bangon and Osmeña in Palapag town in Northern Samar. Some are residents of Laurel Village in General MacArthur, Eastern Samar and Cal-igan Village in Catarman, Northern Samar.

Among the surrenderers are village officials and health workers. The youngest is 14-year-old and the eldest is 70-year-old.

They yielded to authorities after joint negotiations between the community, police and military forces in Samar provinces.

“Their surrender is a result of the joint negotiations between the community and the police and military forces in the Samar provinces. To put an end to this false propaganda once and for all, we will continue to urge other NPA members to turn themselves into the authorities and lay down their arms,” PNP Eastern Visayas regional director Brig. Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said.

The PNP is currently verifying court records if those who surrendered have standing warrants.

The NPA has established UGMOs to further assist the armed atrocities and other activities of the rebel group.

How exactly a 14 year old was supporting the NPA we are not told. Is he part of the CPP-NPA's shadow government?

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199365

Ten members of the Sangay Partido Local (SLP) of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) from the municipality of Hamtic have surrendered to the  Antique Provincial Police Office (APPO). 

APPO Information Officer Major Adolfo Pagharion said the group consisting of five councilors, two village watchmen, and three farmers from Barangay Cantulan signed their individual manifesto withdrawing their support to the CPP-NPA on April 12, three days after they surrendered to the local police.

The manifesto signing was witnessed by APPO director Col. Alexander Mariano.

“The surrenderees belong to the ‘shadow government’ of the CPP-NPA and are tasked to inform whenever there is a military operation, gather the residents during their meetings, provide food and collect the revolutionary tax,” Pagharion said. 

Pagharion said Barangay Cantulan was infiltrated by the CPP-NPA in 2018.

“The Antique provincial government, during their surrender and withdrawal of support, initially provided them with a sack of rice and hygiene kits,” Pagharion said. 

The surrenderers are also expected to avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The Visayas Command chief has renewd his call for the NPA to lay down thier arms. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199093

Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, Visayas Command (Viscom) chief, has reiterated his call on the remaining New People’s Army rebels to put down their arms while the government offers to provide them with opportunities to live as normal members of society.

“The door of genuine peace remains open for you. Grab the opportunity and take it while you still have the chance. Follow the lead of your former comrades, lay down your arms, return to the folds of the law, and live a peaceful life with your families,” Arevalo said in a statement issued on Monday.

Arevalo said the Communist Party of the Philippines’ armed wing, NPA, is crumbling as they continue to lose its foothold in the Visayas.

The Viscom chief said the remaining communist fighters have only two options, either to stay on the course of their false armed struggle and fall to the long arms of justice, or return to the folds of the law and enjoy a peaceful and progressive life with their loved ones.

While the NPA is still active in the Visayas both the Army and the PNP have downplayed their ability to launch attacks. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199322

The Philippine Army (PA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Eastern Visayas have belied reports circulating online about the planned attacks of the New People's Army.

The PA was referring to a statement circulating on social media these past days, informing the public that the police and the military in Samar Island are on full alert status for possible attacks.

The 8th Infantry Division of the PA immediately branded the statement as “black propaganda orchestrated by enemies of the state to attract support from sympathizers and instill fear in the populace.”

The message, which was shared multiple times, warns the public to avoid entering malls, churches, public markets, and other places of convergence.

“The Army enjoins the general public to refrain from sharing and posting such disinformation that would tend to exacerbate the situation as it causes panic and fear from among the people of Samar and other nearby areas,” the 8th Infantry Division said.

In a separate statement, the PNP regional office here asked the public not to entertain such disinformation and refrain from sharing it with others.

“With this, the whole force of Police Regional Office 8 assures the public that all police personnel are doing their best efforts in maintaining the peace and order in the whole of Eastern Visayas,” the PNP said.

Earlier, the regional task force to end local communist armed conflict said the NPA cannot launch attacks in town centers with their weakening forces in the region.

Of the four NPA guerrilla fronts that operated in Samar Island last year, one was dismantled early in 2023 and the other one has been weakened.

The AFP says another front in Samar has been dismantled and another has been weakened. The end is near for the NPA in Samar according to the AFP.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199419

There are now only two active New People’s Army (NPA) guerilla fronts in Samar Island that the government forces will deal with following the dismantling of one front and weakening of another during the first quarter of 2023, the Philippine Army bared on Friday.

Army's 8th Infantry Division commander, Major Gen. Camilo Ligayo, said the rebel’s Front Committee 2 that operated in the boundary of Samar and Northern Samar provinces was demolished with the capture and surrender of some of their combatants and recovery of several firearms.

The Front Committee 3 which operates near the boundaries of Northern and Eastern Samar provinces has also weakened following the series of operations conducted by government forces, said Ligayo.

The Army official said he was optimistic that the remaining two NPA guerilla fronts in Northern Samar will soon be demolished during the third quarter of the year.

“With the strength of 12 army battalions, including police forces, I am confident that we have optimized the employment of our capabilities to ensure that we win the fight against communist terrorists,” Ligayo said in a statement.

Col. Efren Morados, commander of the Army’s 803rd Infantry Brigade said although Front committees 1 and 15 are still active, they are not in control of any village in Northern Samar.

“They are still present in Northern Samar since the focus in the past was the Leyte and other Samar provinces. Since 2020, we have cleared all villages, cut their support from communities, and now we are on the stage of running after their armed fighters,” Morados said.

In 2020, there were 232 NPA-influenced villages out of 569 villages in Northern Samar province. 

The two remaining fronts are in the upland villages of Catubig, Las Navas, Silvino Lobos, Palapag, Mapanas, and Gamay.

“They are in the hinterland villages. Since there is no support from communities, they survive by harvesting coconut, upland rice, and other crops in the mountains,” Morados said.

Some upland communities in Northern Samar are considered the hotbed of the communist terrorist group due to their thick forest and poor road networks.

The AFP has also vowed to crush the NPA in Surigao and Agusan before the year's end.  

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2023/04/12/army-officer-vows-to-crush-remaining-npa-units-in-h1/

THE 10TH Infantry Division vows to crush the remaining three guerilla fronts under its area of responsibility before the end of June this year. 

Speaking in yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press briefing held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, 10th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Jose Eriel Niembra said the target is attainable since the three guerrilla fronts are already severely weakened.

“We have just given additional area in order to help the 4ID concentrate on their enemy in the area of Surigao and Agusan,” he said.

The GF 14 operates in Agusan and Surigao, while the GF 57 holes out at the boundary of North Cotabato and Bukidnon. In response, the Army assigned the 4th ID to Bukidnon to further cripple the capability of the communist terrorists.

“The 4ID can concentrate on the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) in Northern Bukidnon in the Pantaron Range and Surigao area,” he said.

Moreover, they are currently monitoring three “suspicious” non-government organizations reportedly doing community immersion activities in the indigenous communities in the region.

He said these NGOs have entered the areas of Pantukan in Davao de Oro, Gov. Generoso and Lupon in Davao Oriental, and Talaingod in Davao del Norte. 

Meanwhile, the 1002nd Another sub-regional command (SRC) group is being confronted by the 1002nd Infantry Brigade in Malungon, Sarangani. 

“We have now a new campaign plan pledge, “Pagkakaisa,” considering the insurgency-free status of the region. We opted to choose additional areas of responsibility instead of pulling out units going to other areas,” the commander said.

It remains to be seen how these predictions will play out.  Going historically, they won't come to fruition. 

Filipino Man Wins Best Supporting Actress Award at MMFF

We truly live in special times. All over the world, especially in the West, men are transforming into women and taking over women's spaces in fashion, sports, and film. Now in the Philippines a man has invaded a woman's space by winning the best supporting actress award at the inaugural summer edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival. 

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/494579/kaladkaren-makes-history-as-first-transwoman-to-win-mmff-best-supporting-actress-award

Celebrity impersonator KaladKaren was named best supporting actress at the first-ever Summer Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), making her the first transgender woman to be nominated and to win the acting honor.

KaladKaren, born Jervi Li, was not able to hold her tears back as she accepted the award for her performance in “Here Comes the Groom,” as seen in a clip from the Gabi ng Parangal which she shared on her Instagram page.

“Itong parangal na ito ay hindi lamang recognition ng aking trabaho kundi pati na rin po ng aking pagkatao,” she said during her speech. (This award is not just a recognition of my work but also of my identity.)

“When I entered show business, I never thought na makakakuha po ako ng award kasi (that I would receive an award because) as transgender woman, I thought I will never be enough,” she continued.

KaladKaren dedicated her win to her fellow transgender people, drag artists and members of the LGBTQIA+ community “whose lives and existence are being threatened in the world right now,” reminding them that they are “more than enough.”

She then thanked the Summer MMFF board of jurors, headed by actress Dolly de Leon as chairman, for the recognition which she said is a testament to the “diversity, inclusion and equity in Philippine cinema.” She also credited her co-stars and the production team in the film, as well as its director Chris Martinez for being a huge part of her win.

“Thank you rin po sa mga role models ko sa (to my role models in the) industry—ma’am Karen Davila, if not because of your support I don’t think KaladKaren would fly,” she stated. “And to meme Vice Ganda, thank you for opening so many doors for us so we can enter. You’re one of the reasons why I’m here tonight.”

(To the LGBTQIA+ kids, do not be afraid to be yourselves and to dream because one day, who knows, you would also be the one standing here. And I hope we also remember the message of our film: What’s important is not your appearance or your gender, but your heart and soul.)

He is not the first Filipino man to win a best actress award. That dishonor goes to Iyah Mina who won best actress in 2018. 

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/entertainment/2018/10/21/cinema-one-originals-festival-awards-night-iyah-mina-best-actress.html

So, what is this film about? 

“Here Comes The Groom” is a body-swapping story that features a gay beauty pageant, conservative Christians seeing the error of their ways, and multiple trans characters played by actual trans actors. In it, KaledKaren’s character is being taken care of by Mina’s character—now echoing real life. It makes the win even more significant as a queer win.

https://preen.ph/132864/kaladkaren-dedicates-acting-win-threatened-queer-lives

Ah yes. It's a preachy film about how Christianity is actually wrong. Or it's a preachy movie that to be a real Christian means one has to accept sodomy as normal, natural, and healthy despite it being none of those things. How about a movie where a "transperson" learns the error of his ways after having his weiner lopped off and inverted to form a fake vagina? And don't get me started on the horrors of "transmen" and how they hack off their breasts and use skin from the forearm to construct a monstrous "penis. 

And to think this kind of garbage is happening in the only Christian nation in Asia. I'm not sure the Philippines has ever truly been a Christian nation despite adopting the trappings of Roman Catholicism. But that is an article for another day. 

The God Culture: 100 Lies About The Philippines: #4 Filipinos Circumnavigated Africa

Welcome back to 100 lies The God Culture teaches about the Philippines. Today's lie concerns the claim that ancient Filipinos and Greeks were engaged in trade by circumnavigating Africa. This lie is so outrageous that I should not have to even point out its falsehood yet Timothy Jay Schwab insists that it is true so here we are. 

The lie that ancient Filipinos and Greeks circumnavigated Africa is alluded to but not explicitly detailed on page 136 of Tim's book The Search for King Solomon's Treasure. 

Solomon's Treasure, pg. 136

Even after Solomon, King Jehoshaphat attempted to rebuild and re-establish this trade with Ophir yet the ships were destroyed by Yahuah (1Ki. 22:48). Understand that is very close to the era in which the Northern Kingdom was about to be taken captive into the very land Jonah was preaching repentance and salvation. Therefore, Ophir had to bring goods to Israel instead which we see in Jonah’s story. The ships of Tarshish were certainly trading in Israel again travelling the long way around Africa to the port at Joppa (Jn. 1:1-3) as did the Three Kings after Messiah’s birth in about 6 B.C. or so.

This lie relies on the falsehood that the Philippines is Tarshish. According to Tim because the port on the Red Sea at Ezion-geber was destroyed now the only route to the Philippines was necessarily around Africa. So when Jonah took ship for Tarshish he was really going to the Philippines by circumnavigating Africa. At no point in The Search for King Solomon's Treasure does Timothy attempt to prove that Filipinos and Greeks were circumnavigating Africa. It would not be until two years later in a series of six videos that he attempts to prove this ridiculous claim. 

Out of all these videos only the first two, really only the second, gives any "proof" that Filipinos and Greeks were circumnavigating Africa to engage in trade. Videos 3, 4, and 5 deal with maps and video 6 deals with mythology. According to Tim Jason and the Argonauts as well as Ulysses sailed to the Philippines!

1:01:30 "At the edge of Oceanus Where God like Jason went." So, Jason and the Argonauts is a story that goes geographically at some point as far as the Philippines which means they circumnavigated Africa because they left from Greece and they didn't fly helicopters. Yes, the Greeks knew where it was and they traveled circumnavigating Africa to get there from very ancient times. And what it was indeed. I mean they knew. The Greeks knew where it was and what it was. Jason went to the land of gold in the Philippines where the sun rises and Oceanus ends. Boom! This is clear.

It all fits. It all ties and they had to circumnavigate Africa all these many times, okay? These characters, especially in the Odyssey and The Iliad, they're going there for physically in their ships even Jason and the Argonauts went to the Philippines. That's what it says.

Greek Oceanus World River and Rivers From Eden lead to the Philippines? Solomon's Gold Series 16F

It should not be surprising that not even in videos 1 and 2 does Tim give any concrete proof that Filipinos and Greeks were circumnavigating Africa to engage in trade. He offers zero archeological evidence to back up his claims. In fact in the first video Tim says he does not even need to prove this claim because the Bible says it.

2:52 This first video well set foundations specifically regarding biblical accounts where the Bible says ancients circumnavigated, they sailed around Africa as fact. The Bible is fact you know. If you don't believe that, well, don't call yourself a Bible scholar, uh, you know or a believer of the Bible. And yes it most definitely does no doubt say that. Uh, that will be our foundation.

17:58 Does the Bible come out and say it? You know the Bible doesn't come out and say a lot of things but when you see the beginning of the narrative and the end of the narrative it's obvious what happened.

Did The Ancients Sail Around Africa? Bible Evidence. Solomon's Gold Series 16A

According to Tim the Bible IMPLIES that the circumnavigation of Africa happened because that was the only way to get to Tarshish. But that assumes that the Philippines is Tarshish. It is not but that is a lie for another time. 

32:11 So, here we have history, yes history, that in 800 BC the ships of Tarshish, the Greek ships yes from the Greek colony over in the Philippines, were able to show up in Joppa Israel on the Mediterranean. How about that? There was no Suez Canal yet and the Red Sea port was out of commission. They circumnavigated Africa it was the only option and it's documented right here in 800 BC.

Did The Ancients Sail Around Africa? Bible Evidence. Solomon's Gold Series 16A

Greek colonies in the Philippines?? Tim never mentions them again and never attempts to prove their existence. 

In video 2 we have the strongest historical proofs Tim can offer but they ultimately fail. At no point in this video does Tim offer any concrete tangible proof that Filipinos circumnavigated Africa. He cites Herodotus' story of Phoenicians circumnavigating Africa and says such a trip was possible. But that does not prove that Filipinos were circumnavigating Africa to trade with Greece and Israel for almost 1,000 years as he claims!

52:44 So Mela's talking about a route that the Greeks navigated. Yes, circumnavigating Africa for certain. That's what this is showing. This map documents that the Greeks circumnavigated Africa. Period. Even if you don't agree that those islands are the Philippines, which you really can't disagree with it, but even if you do you still have to conclude that the Greeks circumnavigated Africa. Done. I mean there wasn't even a canal built until 200 BC. Hello!? They were running this route from 800 to 150 BC. So duh. Now imagine that uh the 43 A.D mapping covers that whole era in fact. Now, that's evidence and it's indisputable evidence and again it proves that they circumnavigated Africa indeed successfully they brought back gold from Chryse. 

The 1st Century Mapping Mindset. Greece to Ophir, Philippines? Solomon's Gold Series 16C

What an incredible lie. Neither Mela's map nor any other ancient map shows Southern Africa or the Philippines which means the Greeks did not circumnavigate Africa. 

Surely the whole world would know about this route if it was being plied for so long. I mean who can keep a secret like that for hundreds of years? The fact that Herodotus expresses disbelief that the Phoenicians circumnavigated Africa and totally ignores that Greeks and Filipinos were circumnavigating Africa to trade ought to be enough to alert any student of history that this did not take place. But according to Timothy Jay Schwab the route was super top secret which is why no one knew about it.

29:45 The Greeks knew, uh, they knew how to sail to Chryse Ophir. They knew exactly where it was but why would the Greeks share their location for their land of gold so publicly while they're still going there? Hmm?? Think about that. The answer is easy. They wouldn't broadcast that. Oh, hello world here's where we go to get our gold. Oh, wait a minute you're all going there too? Oh I, I didn't mean for you to go I was just letting you know because I didn't think anybody would follow the route. Duh!

The 1st Century Mapping Mindset. Greece to Ophir, Philippines? Solomon's Gold Series 16C

Again, this is not proof. The reason no one knew about this route is not because it was top secret but because it was not being plied at all as all ancient maps show us NOTHING of Southern Africa or even the Philippines. Filipinos and Greeks were not circumnavigating Africa for 1,000 years to engage in trade. That is a ridiculous lie.