Retards in the Government 346

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

 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1216465

The Department of the Interior and Local Government - Central Visayas (DILG-7) suspended a city councilor of this Negros Oriental capital for nine months allegedly over a graft complaint involving a construction project at Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) - Bais City campus.

DILG-7 legal officer Michael Bandal and Director Farah Diba Gentuya served the suspension order Friday on Councilor Joe Kenneth Arbas.

Bandal said Arbas received the order while confined at a local hospital.

The suspension without pay will take effect immediately, Bandal said.

He added that they are not privy to the facts of the case against Arbas, except that they have been directed by the Office of the Ombudsman to serve the suspension order upon receipt of a copy of the graft complaint filed by one Michael Daniel.

Arbas countered the complaint was not related to his job as a councilor, but involved a construction project at the NORSU - Bais City campus which he is a part.

The case, he added, was the same case filed before the Bais City prosecutor’s office which had already been dismissed. 

The suspension as cited in the Ombudsman ruling is “conduct prejudicial to the public interest”, Bandal said.

A councilor has been suspended over a graft complaint. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1884849/maguindanao-del-sur-governor-suspends-town-mayor

Maguindanao del Sur Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu has ordered the 60-day preventive suspension of Datu Salibo Mayor Solaiman Sandigan after an administrative case had been filed against him.

The suspension took effect on Dec. 28 as contained in Administrative Order No. 23-001 series of 2023, according to provincial administrator Cyrus Torreña.

He said Mangudadatu issued the suspension order while the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is hearing the administrative case against Sandigan who allegedly appointed a new member of the Sangguniang Bayan after a regular member was killed in an attack last year.

The 64-year-old mayor was arrested last October after he was linked to the murder of Datu Salibo councilor Demson Silongan last April. But Sandigan was granted temporary liberty by the Cotabato City regional trial court.

Under the Local Government Code, the power to appoint a new member of the municipal council to fill a vacant seat rests with the provincial governor.

A local mayor has been suspended after an administrative case was filed against him. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/01/07/2324019/taguig-road-rage-bi-officer-attacks-cabbie

A Bureau of Immigration (BI) officer was arrested on Friday for reportedly punching a taxi driver in a road rage incident in Taguig.

Abumelhaq Linog, 41, was caught on closed-circuit television footage attacking taxi driver Celso delos Santos, 53, in front of a mall in Bonifacio Global City at around 5 p.m.

According to the Southern Police District (SPD), Linog and Delos Santos were driving along McKinley Parkway when the taxi driver allegedly cut into the lane of Delos Santos, who was driving a sport utility vehicle.

Linog had to quickly step on the brakes, causing his wife – who was in the front passenger seat – to nearly hit the dashboard, the SPD reported.

The BI officer got out of his vehicle and confronted Delos Santos.

Mall guards had tried to intervene, but Linog threw a container of juice at Delos Santos’ face, while Linog’s wife threw a bottle of water at the taxi driver, ABS-CBN reported.

Delos Santos said in Filipino that the suspect “must have thought I would attack his wife, so he punched me.”

The taxi driver claimed that Linog tried to force him to settle the case, but he still plans to file charges, according to ABS-CBN.

“We work for a living. They think they are rich. They have money, but not that much,” Delos Santos said in Filipino.

Linog faces charges of physical injury.

A BI officer has been caught on camera punching a taxi driver in a fit of road rage.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/01/06/2323897/cop-cohort-yields-p4-m-worth-shabu-cotabato-city-sting

Anti-narcotics agents confiscated P4 million worth of shabu from a policeman and an accomplice, entrapped along a busy thoroughfare here on Friday night.

Staff Sgt. Mujeeb Bitayo Sepi and his companion, Farida Alim Alfonso, both yielded peacefully when they sensed that they had sold P4 million worth of shabu to non-uniformed agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and police personnel in a tradeoff along Quezon Avenue here.

In separate initial reports on Saturday, Gil Cesario Castro, director of PDEA-BARMM, and Bangsamoro police director Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza said that they are both thankful to tipsters who reported the duo’s drug trafficking activities, enabling personnel of the agency and policemen to plot the sting that led to their arrest.

Sepi, who belongs to the municipal police force in nearby Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte, and Alfonso are now locked in the detention facility of PDEA-BARMM here.

Castro said they are to be prosecuted for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 using the shabu seized from them as evidence.

A cop and his companion have been busted for selling drugs. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1216555

A former village councilman in Talisay City’s coastal village was arrested during a buy-bust operation after yielding PHP1.3 million worth of suspected shabu Sunday night.

Romeo Santillan, 44, a former councilman of Tangke, Talisay City, was arrested in neighboring village of San Roque, while transacting with a police officer who posed as a buyer, said Lt. Francis Russue, Cebu Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) officer.

Santillan yielded 200 grams of suspected shabu and drug paraphernalia.

“His name emerged based on information we gathered. We placed the suspect under surveillance and we confirmed his illegal drug operation,” Russue told reporters here on Monday. 

A former councilor has been busted for drugs. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/01/09/2324404/ex-afp-member-faces-raps-socmed-report

A retired military man is facing cybercrime charges for using an image of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. in his vlog about an alleged ouster plot against President Marcos that went viral.

PNP public information office chief Col. Jean Fajardo said at a press briefing yesterday in Camp Crame that Acorda had already filed a complaint with the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office against vlogger Johnny Lacsamana Macanas Sr. for dissemination of false information using a photo of the PNP chief in a viral vlog regarding an alleged destabilization plot by disgruntled military officers and personnel.

Fajardo said the vlogger is a retired AFP member, but it was not immediately clear what his rank in the military was.

“We expect that the prosecutor’s office will send summons to the accused to give him time to respond to the complaint,” Fajardo said in Filipino.

She said the complaint against Macanas is for violation of Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act 10591, in connection with Section 6 of the Cybercrime Law. She said an investigation is still ongoing to determine other possible case against Macanas.

“Misusing social media to spread false information for personal or political gain is unacceptable,” Fajardo said in Filipino.

A retired AFP soldier is facing cybercrime charges for spreading disinformation on his vlog. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1886191/ex-cop-nabbed-in-drug-buy-bust-operation-in-cauayan-city

A 34-year-old dismissed police officer was arrested early Tuesday after allegedly selling “shabu” (crystal meth) to an undercover agent in this city, authorities said.

The suspect was identified as Rodolfo Duazo Jr., who went absent without official leave and was dismissed from service in 2020, according to Police Lieutenant Colonel Ernesto Nebalasca Jr., Cauayan City police chief.

Seized from Duazo were a pack of alleged shabu worth P10,000, a 22-caliber handgun, and assorted drug paraphernalia.

Duazo has been under police surveillance since late last year.

He is facing charges of violating Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).

A cop dismissed for going AWOL has been busted for drugs. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1216560

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has started a probe into one of its junior officers for alleged reckless driving in a viral video at the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) during the first week of January.

In a statement on Monday, PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, ordered the investigation after the Coast Guard Intelligence Force received a letter from the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

The letter identified PCG Ensign Alain Anthony Agpalo as the rider of a Suzuki motorcycle that illegally entered SLEX and refused to stop when flagged down by enforcers.

“We assure the public that we will cooperate with the LTO investigation. We will also conduct a parallel investigation and sanction CG Ensign Agpalo based on the evidence,” Gavan said.

The LTO summoned Agpalo and was ordered to appear before their office on Monday and submit a written explanation as to why he should not be administratively charged for disregarding traffic signs and reckless driving, and why his driver’s license should not be suspended or revoked.

“Here in the Philippine Coast Guard, we do not tolerate officers or personnel violating existing laws and regulations implemented by other agencies. They must face the consequences of their actions,” he said.

Ensign-ranked PCG officers are considered junior officers who have served for one to five years.

Agpalo completed his Coast Guard training in October 2019, after which he formally took oath as an official member of the PCG.

In a deleted video posted by Agpalo himself on the X Vlogs Facebook page, he entered SLEX despite knowing that his Suzuki Raider 150cc motorcycle was prohibited from the tollway due to the minimum 400cc displacement requirement for motorcycles.

He was also seen driving over 140 kilometers per hour (kph) despite the 100 kph speed limit at SLEX. 

A PCG officer is being probed for reckless driving. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1216629

An education official escaped a murder attempt, but his wife was slightly injured when gunmen opened fire on his parked vehicle at 4:45 p.m. in Barangay Kalawag 2 here Monday.

Lt. Col. Richelu Alucilja, town police chief, said Eric Balancio, 51, education program supervisor of the Sultan Kudarat schools division office, had just alighted from his car (MAQ 3509) and entered the cooperative office when the motorcycle-riding attackers arrived and opened fire.

His wife, Norilyn, 51, who was inside the car, sustained minor injuries from glass debris.

Alucilja said the attackers immediately fled.

Police are determining if the attack was work-related or a case of personal grudge.

A DepEd official has survived an assassination attempt. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/08/24/ombudsman-oks-graft-charges-vs-ex-comelec-commissioner-guanzon

The Office of the Ombudsman has found probable cause to indict former Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Commissioner Ma. Rowena Amelia Guanzon for two counts of violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

 

The Ombudsman Resolution, a copy of which ABS-CBN obtained from Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, who is one of the complainants, alleged that Guanzon prematurely disclosed confidential information during two interviews.

 

Guanzon was the Presiding Commissioner of COMELEC’s First Division that handled the disqualification cases against then Presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

On January 27, 2022 she granted an interview with GMA News’ Sandra Aguinaldo where she said she had voted to disqualify Marcos Jr. from the elections.

 

On January 28, 2022 she told Rappler’s Paterno Esmaquel II the name of the ponente in charge of writing the Resolution, and discussed her separate opinion.

 

COMELEC Commissioner Aimee Ferolino was the ponente.

 

“Respondent’s contention that the information disclosed by her is not considered a confidential information fails to convince,” the Ombudsman Resolution read.

 

Based on COMELEC Resolution No. 10685 entitled “In the Matter of People’s Freedom of Information (FOI) Manual,” the Ombudsman said “all information acquired by respondent in the exercise of her quasi-judicial powers are considered confidential information.” 

The Resolution also cited the Supreme Court’s prohibition on the disclosure of a ponente’s identity and internal deliberations, which supposedly applies to other branches of government such as COMELEC.

“With respondent’s improper disclosure of confidential information, this Office finds probable cause to indict her for violation of Section 3 (k) of Republic Act No. 3019,” the Resolution further stated.

The former COMELEC commissioner has been indicted for graft for disclosing confidential information. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1886064/fwd-bbm-on-cops-with-drug-charges

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said that his administration has charged 177 police officers in Metro Manila with drug-related offenses in 2023.

These charges include the planting of evidence and the use of excessive force, said Marcos in a video message on Facebook.

“Alam naman natin na kung minsan, nadadala ang ating mga opisyal at syempre hindi natin maaaring pabayaan yan. Kaya ang nangyari ay 177 police officers have been charged with drug-related offenses, including the planting of evidence, unlawful arrests, and excessive violence, dito palang sa NCR (National Capital Region),” said Marcos.

(We know that sometimes, officials get carried away, and of course, we cannot tolerate that. That is why 177 police officers have drug-related offenses, including the planting of evidence, unlawful arrests, and excessive violence, just here in the NCR.)

Marcos said that the fight against illegal drugs will not slow down.

177 cops in the NCR alone have been charged with drug offenses in 2023. 

Coronavirus Lockdown: OFW Deployment, Maison et Objet, and More!

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

Contrary to all the dire warnings given over the holidays COVID-19 transmission was low. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1883851/covid-19-transmission-was-low-during-holidays-says-doh

COVID-19 transmission among Filipinos was low during the holidays, the Department of Health (DOH) reported Thursday.

The DOH said that from November to December 2023, coronavirus patients occupied only an average of 12 percent of intensive care unit (ICU) beds in hospitals. Peak occupancy of ICU beds was at 16 percent during that period, it also noted.

The DOH likewise said the occupancy rate for non-ICU beds for COVID-19 cases was also low because it averaged 17 percent and reached a maximum of 19 percent from November to December 2023.

“Our data shows the continuous low transmission and mild presentation of COVID-19 locally,” it said in a statement.

“Our data also shows a consistently low percentage of severe and critical cases among hospital admissions, currently at 11 percent,” it added.

The low transmission of COVID-19 during the holidays can be attributed to “Filipinos choosing healthy behaviors and heeding the call for multiple layers of protection,” according to the agency.

“We also have high vaccination coverage. Critical cases are minimized, because eight out of every 10 eligible senior citizens are protected by a primary series,” it continued.

The health department has repeatedly urged the public to use face masks when attending gatherings and hold celebrations outdoors or in well-ventilated areas.

It again reminded Filipinos to “not be complacent about COVID-19,” encouraging them to also stay at home when feeling ill and to wear a mask if showing symptoms, if healthy but vulnerable (senior citizen or immunocompromised), or if frequently spending time with a vulnerable person.

“These same measures work against many other influenza-like and respiratory illnesses,” the DOH said.

Of course the DOH says it was those dire warnings, heeded by Filipinos to wear mulitple layers of protection, that resulted in low transmission. 

The DOH has repeatedly warned about a surge of COVID-19 but when one alert circulated they debukned it as false information. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1883892/doh-shoots-down-covid-19-wave-alert-its-false-information

The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday warned the public against “fake” messages claiming that a fresh COVID-19 wave sweeping across Metro Manila.

The supposed alert was attributed to a doctor of a famous hospital in the capital region, but the DOH clarified in an advisory that:

“There is no credible evidence or official announcement from health authorities supporting the assertion of a surge in COVID-19 cases at the mentioned hospital.”

The DOH reminded the public to rely only on information from its official pages and platforms or other reputable sources.

“Misinformation can contribute to unnecessary panic and fear,” it continued.

The DOH said it would press charges against individuals propagating similar false messages.

Perhaps in this case there was no surge at a particular hospital but the DOH does continue to warn against a surge happening. 

Authorites reminded traslacion devotees to wear face masks to prevent a surge. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1884192/devotees-urged-keep-face-mask-on-at-traslacion

Authorities urged devotees to wear face masks and observe physical distancing while participating in activities marking the Feast of the Black Nazarene in the City of Manila on Jan. 9, especially during the “traslacion,” or the grand procession, to prevent a surge in COVID-19 cases. At a news briefing at Quiapo Church on Thursday, organizers said that minimum health protocols would be enforced during Masses and at Quirino Grandstand where the venerated image of the Black Nazarene would be put on display starting on Jan. 6.

“We request those who will attend Mass (inside Quiapo Church) to wear masks. In Manila, (COVID-19) positive cases are not that high but to avoid any surge, we hope the public will cooperate,” Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna said.

But Quiapo Church parish priest Fr. Rufino Sescon Jr. clarified that they would not limit the number of church-goers. “We know that COVID-19 is already endemic. We are just taking care to avoid a surge,” he said.

The Department of Health (DOH) also issued a similar reminder as it “strongly” urged the public to wear face masks and ensure good airflow during the procession.

Earlier, it announced that it would place hospitals on code white alert starting Jan. 6, in which medical personnel would be on “on-call status for immediate mobilization” to ensure their readiness to respond to possible emergencies.

The DOH urged devotees to refrain from touching and kissing religious images to avoid the transmission of communicable diseases.

“Our data shows the continuous low transmission and mild presentation of COVID-19 locally,” it said in a statement. It also reported a “consistently low percentage of severe and critical cases (of COVID-19) among hospital admissions, currently at 11 percent.”

DOH data shows a continually low transmission of COVID-19 but that will not stop them from making grave pronouncements about the consequences of not wearing a face mask. 

Sagada tourism has finally recovered from pandemic losses. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1216459

Improved public transportation, facilities and food choices contributed to rising tourism arrivals in Sagada, Mountain Province

From Jan. 1 to Nov. 30, 2023, tourists in Sagada reached 108,059 -- a jump from 48,761 the entire 2022.

The December data is still being collated.

In 2019, or prior to the pandemic, Sagada’s tourist arrivals reached 144,000.

"We are positive Sagada is drawing people back,” Gloria Pilamon-Langbayan, Sagada Tourism Officer, said in a phone interview on Friday. 

She said tourism stakeholders are constantly enhancing their offerings to ensure visitors’ convenience.

She said tricycles, which they call “tuk-tuk,” serve as public transportation to encourage tourists to leave their vehicles at the hotels and other accommodation places to lessen traffic congestion.

Some roads have also been designated as parking areas to avoid clogging the town’s two-lane roads.

"Even the hotel facilities and the food they serve have been improved for health and safety, aside from keeping up with the standards," Langbayan said.

"Thousands came here to celebrate the holidays and based on what we felt and saw, here, even without the statistics on hand, we know we have a lot of tourists,” she added.

Sagada's chilly weather and scenic landscapes attract local and foreign tourists alike.

Across the nation tourism continues to revive to pre-pandemic levels. 

OFW deployments have returned to pre-pandemic levels but one group says that shows a lack of quality local jobs. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/01/06/2323900/return-ofw-deployment-pre-covid-level-shows-lack-quality-local-jobs

While the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) might be back to pre-pandemic levels according to the government, progressive group Migrante said that the data is not something to be proud of.

The group had this to say after Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) officer-in-charge Hands Leo Cacdac revealed last Thursday that around 2.5 million overseas employment certificates (OECs) and passes were issued to OFWs in 2023.

"It is yet another proof that after four years since COVID-19 hit the world, the Philippines continues to fail in creating decent jobs at home," said Migrante in a statement on Saturday.

 

"It shows that the country under the Bongbong Marcos regime is still not developing its manufacturing and agriculture sectors and is therefore unable to provide employment to Filipinos."

OECs are required for all departing OFWs. They also serve as an exit clearance and as an exemption from the payment of travel tax and airport terminal fee.

Latest government estimates around 1.96 million OFWs all around the world, an increase of 7.6% in the same period of 2021. 

It could be remembered that strict travel restrictions were earlier implemented by the government alongside lockdowns to prevent the transmission of the deadly COVID-19 virus.

"The 2.5 million overseas employment certificate (OEC) and passes issued by the government in 2023 translates to more than 6,800 Filipinos leaving the country each day," Migrante said.

"These figures only mean that the number of Filipinos who are forced to leave their families in the Philippines in order to find employment abroad continues to increase," it added.

Minimum wages in Metro Manila are currently pegged at P573 too P610 a day, the highest in the country. This is far from the "family living wage" of P1,188/day to support a family with five members. 

While technically free, some OFWs complain that OECs are uncluded in the documentation fees that they must pay at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

Reportedly, DMW's online applications for OECs are malfunctioning, purportedly compelling OFWs to visit Philippine embassies/consulates, leading to potential opportunities for various scams.

It certainly is amazing how the government applauds the nation's brain drain. 

The Philippines is returing to France four years after the pandemic. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1216380

The Philippine pavilion will return physically to the Maison et Objet in France this year after the pandemic.

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is bringing 15 Filipino brands, artisans, and artists to Paris for the prestigious French trade exhibition from Jan. 18 to 22 under the DESIGNPhilippines' pavilion "ARTIPELAGO."

“We look forward to returning to Maison et Objet with a physical country pavilion that exemplifies the dynamic and vibrant local design scene that has emerged from our unique geography, history, and cultural influences," CITEM Executive Director Edward Fereira said.

With more than 6,000 visitors from 147 countries, the ARTIPELAGO pavilion will showcase the Philippines' premium design and the lifestyle products of the participating local industry players.

"In Maison et Objet 2019, we generated USD1,775,273 actual sales," Fereira said.

This year's Philippine participants in the French trade fair are JB Woodcraft, Finali Furniture, South Sea Veneer, A. Garcia, Weavemanila, Jireh Forge, Venzon Lighting & Objects, Indigenous, Zarate Manila, Mejore, Aerostone, Nature’s Legacy, Tadeco, and Vito Selma.

"We aim to demonstrate through this participation that Philippine-made products can compete globally in terms of creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation,” Fereira added.

Well, Philippine-made products are returniung to a French trade exhibition. 

Residential Areas in the Philippines Are Not Covered By The Fire Code

The BFP has released fire statistics for 2023. Fire incidents, which are mostly residential, are up by 20.7% in 2023. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1879861/bfp-on-recording-15679-fires-in-2023

A total of 15,679 fire cases have been recorded in the country from January 1 to December 26, 2023, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said on Tuesday.

According to BFP spokesperson Fire Supt. Annalee Atienza, the latest figure is 20.7% higher than the previous year’s total of 12,000.

“The majority of these fire incidents are residential, as this is the problem we observe because residential areas are not covered by the fire code where an annual fire safety inspection is conducted,” said Atienza.

Atienza said the three primary recorded causes of fires are electrical ignition resulting from arching, electrical ignition caused by a loose connection, and fires caused by smoking or a lit cigarette.

With the New Year revelry nearing, Atienza also said that the BFP is currently on “Code Red.”

“In the Code Red status, all of us [in the BFP] need to respond in case our services are required,” said Atienza. “No one is allowed to take leave during this time because the full force of the entire BFP is needed.”

Atienza also said that the BFP has begun spreading fire prevention awareness through roving units and firetruck visibility programs, as well as consistently conducting inspections on manufacturers and sellers of firecrackers.

The BFP has been in “code red” since December 23 and will continue until January 1.

BFP spokesman Atienza notes that the majority of these incidents are residential. Residential fires in the Philippines are often very devastating because houses are compacted together and constructed of light materials. When one goes up the whole neighborhood is wiped out. 

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/regional/2023/12/12/lapu-lapu-cebu-fire-destruction.html

Around 600 houses were totally destroyed in a huge fire that hit a congested neighborhood in Barangay Pusok in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on Tuesday afternoon.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan estimated around 20,000 individuals were affected and rendered homeless because of the blaze that began past 1 p.m.

There are no reports of injuries, but most of the residents were not able to save their belongings.

The mayor said it could be the biggest fire ever recorded in Lapu-Lapu City.

Most of the houses in the neighborhood were made of light materials. Some of the houses were on stilts near the shores of the Mactan Channel.

But he also says that residential areas are not covered by the fire code. 

“The majority of these fire incidents are residential, as this is the problem we observe because residential areas are not covered by the fire code where an annual fire safety inspection is conducted,” said Atienza.

It is not clear if this means residential areas are not covered by the fire code in toto or only as it pertains to annual fire safety inspections. 

Whatever the case may be it is a fact that fires in residential areas area on the rise. Why not pass a law that all residential areas must be inspected? The BFP acknowledges that fires in residential areas are on the rise. So why not inspect them? The fact that poor people are allowed to build large incindienary blocks with no oversight is not good.

But the fact is nobody cares. No media is calling this out and no so-called opposition Senators are asking for an investigation as to why fires continue to occur at an alarming rate leaving many homeless. As long as houses made from light, flammable materials without any sort of inspection or expectance to heed to the fire code disasters like whole blocks going up in flames will continue to happen.  

Insurgency: Be Wary of Reds' Insincerity

Being that it is a new year it is only right to look back and give a summation of 2023's fight against the insurgency and look forward to the goals for 2024. First a look back at the gains of 2023. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1216160

In 2023, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was most proud of the eight New People's Army guerilla fronts it dismantled, aside from weakening 14 others.

The achievements reaffirmed the military's commitment to national security and regional peace.

"As of December, there are no more active CTG guerilla fronts," AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a news release Sunday.

Continued focused military operations by the AFP also resulted in the neutralization of 67 high-value communist targets and 1,399 members of communist and local terrorist groups.

Among the top leaders neutralized were Dionisio Macabalo (alias Muling/Kardo), secretary of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee; and Farahudin Pumbaya Pangalian (alias Abu Zacharia), amir of Daulah Islamiyah-Philippines and overall amir of Islamic State-East Asia, Trinidad said.

Additionally, the AFP seized 1,751 firearms through capture, confiscation, recovery, or surrender, reducing the capability of terrorist groups to carry out violent attacks against government security forces and local communities.

"At the beginning of a new year, new challenges and opportunities arise, demanding the collective efforts and expertise of the AFP. However, I am confident that we will rise to the occasion and overcome whatever obstacles come our way. Therefore, let us embrace the coming year with a reinforced commitment to our mission and shared values," AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said in a separate statement.

The AFP also took on non-traditional roles, such as supporting humanitarian and disaster response operations within and outside the country.

Because the AFP has claimed there are no more active fronts they have declared a strategic victory. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1883388/nsc-npa-now-weakened-strategically-defeated

The New People’s Army (NPA) is “at its weakest in its 55-year-history” and has been “strategically defeated” after the security forces of the country announced that the rebel group no longer has active guerrilla fronts nationwide, National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said on Wednesday.

“With its active guerrilla fronts now weakened, the NPA has been strategically defeated,” Malaya revealed in a press conference on the report of National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) executive director Usec. Ernesto Torres Jr. stated that the country only has 14 weakened guerrilla units left for dismantling.

“In fact, the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) admitted itself last month in its announcement of the rectification movement that there have been ‘substantial losses suffered by the NPA in the revolutionary movement as a result of internal errors,'” he added.

However, Malaya disclosed that they are “extremely disappointed and perplexed” with the CPP Central Committee’s anniversary statement released on December 26 last year, calling out its cadres and committees to carry out a third rectification movement to advance its revolutionary armed struggle further.

“Instead, the CPP/NPA/NDF (New People’s Army/National Democratic Front) has reaffirmed its undying allegiance to Joma Sison’s Marxism-Leninism-Maoism application to Philippine conditions and called on the NPA ‘to stir up and spread flames of people’s war,'” he lamented.

Although NSC and NTF-Elcac “remain optimistic” with the recent declaration, Malaya said they could not disregard CPP’s anniversary statement.

“While we support the exploratory talks, its success will entirely depend on the sincerity, truthfulness, and commitment of CPP/NPA/NDF towards achieving a peace settlement and ending armed hostilities,” he said.

The AFP already declared a strategic victory back in October 2022. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1184813

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Wednesday it has attained strategic victory over the threats posed by the communist movement and other local terrorist groups (LTGs) operating in the country.

Department of National Defense (DND) officer-in-charge Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. made this statement after the AFP reported more than 75 percent of the communist fronts in the country have been dismantled nationwide.

"Out of 89 in July 2016, there are only five active guerilla fronts remaining,” he said in a statement.

Funny that this victory was declared when there were still five active fronts. Why has the criteria for a strategic victory changed? 

Despite being weakened the CPP has declared they are not backing down. On the 55th founding anniversary of the CPP they called for a 3rd Rectification Movement. 

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/rectify-errors-and-strengthen-the-party-unite-and-lead-the-broad-masses-of-the-filipino-people-in-fighting-the-us-marcos-regime-advance-the-peoples-democratic-revolution/

The aim of the rectification movement is to further strengthen the Party by raising the theoretical knowledge and revolutionary practice of Party cadres; strengthening their grasp of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism in order to critically sum-up past experiences and draw lessons and further enrich the theory of people’s war in the Philippines; repudiating subjectivism and erroneous policies and practices; engaging in self-criticism to raise the determination of Party cadres and revolutionaries to fight and make sacrifices for the revolutionary cause.

There is widespread complacency in the study and application of revolutionary theory to serve as guide to practice, and timidity as well in drawing theory from practice. Without firmly grasping Marxist-Leninist-Maoist theory to guide our practice, and without drawing theory from practice, revolutionary practice will not advance to a higher stage, and will start to stagnate or revert to previous levels. The latter situation is made worse by pettybourgeois contentment with previous knowledge, methods, practices and plans, or laziness to study and sum-up practice. This leads to failure to develop theory and to adopt new methods and plans that correspond with changed conditions, and to an overall failure to raise practice to a higher level.

The rectification movement is mainly a movement to study and reaffirm our adherence to Marxism-Leninism-Maoism and to the basic principles, line, constitution and program of the Party, in order to sum-up past experiences and to carry out criticism and self-criticism. The principal aim is to raise our understanding and strengthen our grasp of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism and the principles and line of the Party by relating these with our revolutionary practice over the past several years and self-critically evaluating our work and our cadres, to qualitatively raise and sharpen our militant style of work.

The rectification movement will have the following components:

a) A study campaign to thoroughly study and review the basic principles of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism using the Primer on Marxism-Leninism-Maoism by Ka Joma and review of classic writings of great communist leaders through collective discussions and individual reading.

b) A study campaign to thoroughly review the Party’s Constitution and the Program for a People’s Democratic Revolution.

c) A study campaign to review the documents of the First and Second Great Rectification Movement, Our Urgent Tasks and Specific Characteristics of Our People’s War, and documents of the Party’s history.

d) A campaign to sum-up experiences and review previous summings-up to identify the Right and “Left” opportunist tendencies and errors which have caused grave damage to the Party and armed revolutionary movement. These summings-up will be in written form and submitted to the Central Committee. Select articles will be published in Ang Rebolusyon, the Party’s theoretical journal.

e. A social investigation and class analysis (SICA) campaign at all levels to deepen our grasp of the concrete conditions of the masses under the worsening crisis of the semicolonial and semifeudal system, with the aim of improving our plans and methods of arousing, organizing and mobilizing the masses.

f) A campaign of criticism and self-criticism must be carried out at all levels to unite the Party, all revolutionary forces and the masses.

g) A campaign to evaluate the performances of all Party cadres to identify strengths and weaknesses, and form resolutions to further strengthen their proletarian discipline, revolutionary standpoint and commitment.

h) A continuing campaign to ensure full implementation of the Three Level Party Course to ensure that backlogs are eliminated.

To help push forward the rectification study movement, all references should be made available in print or digital form, including classic Marxist-Leninist-Maoist writings, all basic documents of the Party, books and key articles by Ka Joma, and others. Popularization should be ensured through translations and other means.

The rectification movement will be an ideological crucible. In the next year or two, it should be carried out thoroughly and completed at all levels from the Central Committee of the Party to all Party branches. We are confident that the vast majority of the Party’s membership will welcome the rectification movement and are ready to boldly advance, like the big strides of the revolutionary movement after the First and Second rectifaction movements.

It seems as if the party wants everyone to hit the books and brush up on Marxist-Leninist-Maoist doctrines. The CPP claims the weaknesses they have are ideological, organizational, and political. There is nothing in the statement about abandoning the armed struggle or about peace talks. But the NDF sees peace talks as a part of the legal struggle to advance the armed struggle. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1216324

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) is urging all Filipinos to closely scrutinize the motives of the communist insurgents and consider the group's history of insincerity since 1987.

The task force's announcement came after the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) demanded for the resumption of peace talks, even as it launched a “3rd Rectification Movement” calling for the NPA to intensify the “protracted people’s war” against the government during its 55th anniversary on Dec. 26.

“The history of failed negotiations, the continuing perpetration of violence, and inconsistent statements all contribute to a narrative that challenges the authenticity of the CPP-NPA-NDF’s commitment to a peaceful resolution. It is essential that we approach future discussions with a discerning eye,” National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said in a statement Wednesday night.

The NSC official also urged the public to be wary of the insurgents' motives, by quoting NDF negotiator Luis Jalandoni’s own words that “peace talks are another form of legal struggle which is possible to be used by the revolutionary forces in order to advance the revolutionary armed struggle and the revolutionary mass movement.”

Malaya also emphasized that part of the Nov. 23, 2023 Oslo joint communique agreement was for the CPP-NPA-NDF to abandon the armed struggle, transform into a political movement and become a government partner for peace and development.

If the NTF-ELCAC knows the CPP is insincere then why are they supporting anything other than total annihilation of the insurgency? Why support peace talks? In September, 2023 National Security Adviser Año admitted they will never be able to eliminate the insurgency. 

Año admitted insurgency cannot be totally eliminated, but he believes the issue may be brought down to a negligible point.

“While we may not be able to attain this zero insurgents, but at least reduced to an irrelevant number that will not cause concern for peace and order,” he said.

“They will become isolated and just become bandits, because of lost ideology and non-support from the people,” he projected.

https://philippinefails.blogspot.com/2023/09/insurgency-communist-insurgency-to-end.html

If the CPP is deceptive when it comes to peace talks it seems the government is just as deceptive when it comes to ending the insurgency. 

Now let's look ahead to the goals for 2024.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/12/31/dnd-eyes-stable-secure-solid-philippines-in-2024

The Department of National Defense (DND) called on the public to support the security sector to help make the Philippines "stable, secure, and solid" in 2024.

DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. made the appeal in his New Year's Day message.

"The Department of National Defense joins our people in welcoming the New Year. We thank our President, our stakeholders, and our people for the trust and confidence in our institution," Teodoro said.

"We call upon the same outpouring of support in the coming year so that we can help build a stable, secure, and solid Philippines," he added.

Is the Philippines really not "stable, secure, and solid?" What does he mean by those words? It is a very broad statement that offers no glimpse of what lies ahead for the year. Surely at some point the insurgency will be declared to be over by year's end. But that statement comes every single year. 

A more immediate goal is to remove the Philippine from the global money laundering gray list. 

https://business.inquirer.net/439302/philippines-hopeful-of-exiting-global-money-laundering-grey-list

The Philippines is hopeful of being taken off the money laundering ‘grey list’ of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) of this year, the country’s Anti-Money Laundering Council said on Tuesday.

The FATF, an intergovernmental organization combating money laundering and terrorism financing, added the Philippines to the list in June 2021 for several reasons, including risk of money laundering from casino junkets and lack of prosecution for terrorism funding cases.

The Philippines has yet to address several issues flagged by the FATF, executive director of the Anti-Money Laundering Council, Matthew David, told a presidential palace press conference.

“The most challenging action item is terrorism financing prosecution. We need to file more terrorism financing cases,” he said.

The anti-terrorism law has been in effect since 2020 and the AMLC says they are having trouble filing terrorism financing cases. He does not say why. It is highly doubtful there will be a flurry of such cases in the near future. Maybe they should be targeting casinos first.