Coronavirus Lockdown: Jollibee Celebrates, Migrants Face Tough Homecoming, and More!

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

Celebrities are still contracting COVID-19 and posting about their convalescence online. 

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/539466/shaina-magdayao-reflects-on-rest-pause-she-needed-after-bout-with-covid-19

Despite spending over a week in isolation due to COVID-19, Shaina Magdayao said she’s grateful to have had the pause she “didn’t ask for but apparently needed.”

The actress, who appears to have contracted the virus in early January, reflected on the kind of peace attained through spending time with one’s self via her Instagram page on Tuesday, Jan. 30.

“Trust YOUR process. With isolation, everything you feel will sort itself out,” she said, quoting American author R.M Drake.

“Beautiful words I kept on reading and reminding my frustrated sick self during more than a week of isolation and testing positive,” she stated.

Magdayao also documented how she spent her days in “solitude” by reading books and exercising in an open area in her home.

“Nevertheless, thank you, COVID, for the rest (lots of TV time, too) and pause I did not ask for but apparently needed,” she concluded.

Other celebrities who recently contracted the virus were Jennylyn Mercado, Dennis Trillo and Lea Salonga, among others.

It's like it's 2020 all over again! The real story is that vaccines do not prevent infection.

"Stakeholders" cannot stop talking about tourism. Philippine tourism is alive again in case you missed it.  

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/02/03/2330558/philippines-tourism-alive-again

With more Filipinos able to afford traveling around the country and even overseas, a travel executive declared that the Philippines’ tourism industry is alive again amid continuous easing of pandemic restrictions.

Travelers look for tourism offerings that cater to families and even bigger groups, including those in the corporate sector sponsored by their companies, Aileen Clemente, president of Rajah Travel Corp. said.

“They prefer guided tours. They are not as concerned about their security as before. But it’s more of they want a family-like tour which is more intimate, more experiential… they still prefer those with exclusivity,” she told The STAR.

Asked if the tourism industry is revived, Clemente replied, “Yes, the tourism industry is alive.”

Fitch Solutions’ research firm BMI projected that this year, the Philippines will “fully recover” its tourist arrival levels before the pandemic plagued the world and shut down travel in 2020.

“In 2024 we project the Philippines’ tourist arrivals will grow to 8.21 million,” BMI said in a statement on Jan. 31.

The Philippines welcomed over 8.26 million foreign tourists in 2019, according to the Department of Tourism.

The growth in tourist arrivals in the Philippines – perceived to be at 64 percent– would “primarily be driven by increasing arrivals from key source markets, such as South Korea, China, the US, Japan and Australia,” BMI noted.

This same story is published practically every week these days. 

All those tourists are going to require air traffic controllers to guide them safely on and off the tarmac. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/02/04/2330803/wanted-300-air-traffic-controllers

The Philippines is in need of nearly 300 air traffic controllers to handle the growing volume of flights to and from its airports.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said it is looking for at least 288 more personnel to man air traffic control towers, as the country is running short on manpower with the demand for air travel returning to pre-pandemic levels.

Transportation Undersecretary Roberto Lim said the Philippines is starting to feel the shortage of aviation staff, a problem that is also affecting airlines and airports across the globe. Currently, CAAP employs a total of 776 air traffic controllers.

Lim noted that hiring should be done right away, as it takes about a year for a new recruit to finish training and get the required certification.

In the coming Singapore Airshow from Feb. 20 to 25, the Philippine delegation, composed of government officials and private shareholders, will look for investors who may be interested in setting up aviation schools in the country.

“We would welcome investors from any part of the aviation industry to look at the Philippines, to invest in education, to invest in airports, to invest in logistics,” Lim said.

He said the shortage in air traffic controllers has to be addressed immediately, as the situation is putting greater pressure on current employees to work longer hours.

Eventually, this could become a problem for the government, especially as air traffic is expected to increase over time as carriers plan to scale up flight frequencies to meet the demand.

Were air traffic controllers let go during the pandemic? If so they could be brought back. Interesting that the Transportation Undersecretary is looking for foreign investors to fix this problem. 

2.24 million Filipino migrants were flown back home during the pandemic. It turns out they should have stayed where they were. 

https://interaksyon.philstar.com/politics-issues/2024/02/05/269757/flown-back-and-forgotten-filipino-migrants-face-tough-homecoming/

The Philippines is among the world’s top sources of migrant labor and Filipino workers overseas sent back an estimated $40 billion in remittances to their families last year, accounting for about 10% of gross domestic product (GDP).

The government covers emergency repatriation costs for workers caught up in wars, political crises or exploitation abroad.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, 2.24 million Filipinos were flown home free of charge, and dozens of Filipino women and their children have recently been repatriated temporarily from Gaza and Israel due to the war between Israel and Hamas.

But with the number of Filipinos who received overseas employment certificates at a record high of about 2.5 million in 2023, migrant rights advocates are sounding the alarm about the problems faced by many returnees on arriving home – from unemployment to homelessness.

“The latest government figures mean we are sending 6,800 Filipinos per day (abroad). More and more Filipinos can be at risk, especially in conflict areas, if we fail to properly monitor all of them,” said Arman Hernando, chairperson of migrant rights group Migrante Philippines.

“Are we deploying more Filipinos than we can protect?” he asked.

Some say more must be done to support them by the country’s Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), a government agency established two years ago to facilitate overseas employment and reintegration services for returning Filipinos.

Reintegration is “the weakest link” in the country’s migration policies, according to a 2023 study by a group of university researchers on economic migrants.

Filipinos repatriated from Syria and recent returnees from Gaza said the government had paid for their flights and provided an emergency cash assistance of between 10,000 and 50,000 Philippine pesos ($178-$889).

Some of them were encouraged to use the money to start a small business.

But after spending sometimes years abroad, many migrant workers lack the social network required to launch a successful enterprise, said Hernando.

Few migrant workers have a background in self-employment, according to a survey published by the U.N. migration agency in 2022. It showed finding a way to make a living was rated as the biggest challenge by more than 80% of Filipino returnees.

Despite the risks, some of the returnees from Syria travelled abroad for work again after losing hope of finding work at home – especially during the pandemic when unemployment rose to 10.3%, Alcala said.

Migrating to work overseas is always a gamble, said Hernando, but the lack of sufficient support at home pushes some to take the risk.

“Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose,” he said. “(But) many of them leave again despite suffering abuses abroad because there’s no real reintegration here.”

What a travesty that there is no social safety net to reacclimatize these people back to life in the Philippines. And to think the DFA calls the OFW program the Philippines' soft power!

Jollibee has won an award for their 2022 Christmas advertising campaign which was designed to uplift the nation after two years of dreary economic lockdowns. 

https://malaya.com.ph/news_living/jollibee-celebrates-prestigious-anvil-awards-victories/

Jollibee, the Philippines’ largest and most beloved fast-food chain, is thrilled to announce its triumphant wins at the prestigious Anvil Awards.

Presented annually by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), the ANVIL is the symbol of Excellence in Public Relations. It is awarded to outstanding public relations programs, tools and now, practitioners after careful screening by select PR professionals and judging by a distinguished multi-sectoral jury.

The brand shined brightly with its accolades in several categories, including a Grand Anvil Nomination, underscoring its commitment to innovative and impactful campaigns.

Dorothy Dee Ching, Jollibee’s Head of Marketing, expressed her delight and gratitude for the wins, “These awards are a testament to our Marketing team’s creativity and commitment to excellence, and the collaborative efforts with our partner agencies Ripple8 and Stratworks, which produced these amazing campaigns. After a 3-year hiatus from joining industry awards, we’re glad and thankful to be recognized once again for bringing joy and meaningful experiences to our customers through these campaigns.”

Jollibee’s award-winning campaigns, such as “Sarap ng Pasko” and the Christmas Drive-Thru Experience, were centered around the joy of Filipino Christmas traditions and the spirit of giving.

Launched for the 2022 holidays, Jollibee’s “Sarap ng Pasko” campaign aimed to rekindle the joy of a Filipino Christmas following two years of pandemic-subdued celebrations. The integrated marketing communications plan was kicked off by a holiday-themed video commercial featuring the megabrand’s all-time favorites Chickenjoy, Jolly Spaghetti, and Burger Steak and exciting new products.

A special feature of the campaign entailed transforming one store’s Drive-Thru into a magical spectacle via Christmas lights and décor, adding to the festive experience. Finally, a special delivery promo also allowed customers to share in the holiday gift-giving spirit by donating group meals to underprivileged families. The campaign performed well, helping Jollibee reach top of mind awareness and delivered growth sales targets to cap the year on a high note.

Good for them.

Another enterprise designed to help the Filipino community during the pandemic, farmers especially, is still assisting them.

https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3250810/how-philippine-social-enterprise-brought-help-and-hope-farmers-when-they-needed-it-most

In 2020, Ace and Andie Estrada were walking through a public market in the Philippine city of Baguio when they saw farmers giving away vegetables in perfectly good condition. A torn piece of cardboard, turned into a makeshift sign, read: “Free tomatoes, bring your plastic bag.” 

The pandemic was a dire time for many Filipino farmers, already struggling with the challenges of inflation and market disruption. Covid-19 restrictions meant fewer people visited Baguio, a mountainous town in Benguet province, including traders from Manila who would normally buy produce harvested from neighbouring towns to sell back in the capital.

Without that demand, many farmers were forced to give their crops away or leave them rotting in their backyards.

“In Baguio and Benguet now, you can drive a pickup truck to the public markets and load up on free produce. As much as you want or as much as your conscience would allow you to take … We should all be smiling, but everyone is not. This situation speaks so much about the total disruption that’s happened to the supply chain,” Ace Estrada wrote in a Facebook post that became shared some 6,000 times. 

Encouraged by the response, the Estradas, who are tech education and e-commerce entrepreneurs, saw a way to link farmers directly to consumers by cutting out the middlemen who would usually price down the rates they offered farmers.

They gathered the farmers’ produce and managed to sell three tons. Within a month, they rescued 20 tons of vegetables from distressed farmers in Benguet. What went unsold was donated to various community pantries around Metro Manila to help families affected by the pandemic.

The Estradas named their online community Rural Rising. They began conducting regular rescue buys from small-scale farmers at above-market gate prices and selling them to members of their online community at affordable rates, eliminating the middlemen that often caused retail prices to spike.

Ace Estrada told This Week in Asia that even after the pandemic faded, lowball pricing continued to be a problem for farmers. For example, middlemen would sometimes buy native shallots from farmers at 8 pesos (14 US cents) a kilogram and then sell them in Metro Manila for 60 to 120 pesos.

“We realised that we have the ability to help not only distressed farmers but also consumers who are paying 10 times more the farm gate prices for their produce because the prices were jacked up by many layers of middlemen,” Estrada said.

Pandemic or not Filipino farmers cannot seem to win. At least not on their own.

Daily COVID-19 cases have dropped by 26%.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/1/ph-logs-26-decrease-in-daily-covid-19-cases-doh

The Department of Health (DOH) said on Thursday, Feb. 1, that 1,580 new Covid-19 infections were recorded from Jan. 23 to 29.

It noted that these cases showed a 26 percent decrease with an average daily count of 225 cases compared to the previous week from Jan. 16 to 22.

Based on the latest data, 30 of the newly reported cases have been classified as "severe” or “critical.”

Meanwhile, the DOH recorded 13 additional Covid-19-related deaths that occurred between Jan. 16 and Jan. 29.

It was also stated that as of Jan. 28, hospitals across the Philippines had admitted a total of 194 severe and critical Covid-19 patients for treatment.

Of the 1,166 ICU beds designated for Covid-19 patients, 181 of them, or 15.5 percent, are currently occupied.

DOH also noted that 1,458 out of 10,306 non-ICU Covid-19 beds, constituting 14.1 percent, are also in use.

Related to this, it reminded the public that practicing different layers of protection can limit transmission among vulnerable groups and in enclosed, overcrowded areas.

Frequent handwashing, using masks, social distancing, and providing adequate ventilation in closed settings altogether remain effective prevention measures.

But be sure to do all the stuff that doesn't actually prevent infection. 

OFW's Drive the Philippines' Foreign Policy as Soft Power

The OFW program is undoubtedly a brain drain program which robs the Philippines of its best and brightest. No rational nation would encourage its workers to leave the nation. But not is all as it seems as the DFA recently made clear.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1217840

Diaspora, or the spreading of Filipinos across the globe along with the Filipino culture, is the country's “soft power”, an official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.

In diplomacy, soft power is the ability of a nation to influence other nations through attraction and persuasion instead of force or intimidation.

"We send our people or they themselves go without government intervention or support. We deploy our workers, beginning 1973 in the oil crisis, caused by the conflict between Israel and their cousin, the Arabs but not just as workers," DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega said during his speech at a multi-stakeholder symposium.

He said these Filipinos sent abroad are instruments of the country's foreign policy.

"Oftentimes, especially after Republic Act 8042, our diaspora drives our foreign policy," he added.

According to DFA's latest report to Congress, there are 10,854,592 Filipinos abroad. The Americas host 49.04 percent of the tally; the Asia-Pacific, 22.83 percent; the Middle East, 21.88 percent; Europe 6.03 percent and Africa, 1 percent.

Filipinos experience disasters, calamities, famine, war and pandemic happening in their host countries.

While the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) ensure the welfare of Filipinos abroad, the DFA sees their potential to be leaders -- their capability to be rescuers instead of being only rescuees.

"In such manner, our diaspora becomes not only a group of Filipinos who seek employment abroad, but more than that: they are a great gift of the Filipino nation to all peoples on earth, and our contribution to world peace and harmony," he added.

To establish a framework of the RA 9148 implementation abroad, de Vega said the DFA could work with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, the DMW, Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of National Defense, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency.

That is an absolutely incredible admission. It should not be forgotten that Philippine citizenship is by blood or "jus sanguis." That means the children of OFWs born abroad are Filipino citizens and are "are instruments of the country's foreign policy."  It's a ridiculous policy as anyone related to a Filipino citizen can become a Filipino citizen despite never having set foot in the Philippines. 

So, how exactly does this soft power manifest? RA 8042 says:

SEC. 2. Declaration Of Policies—

(a) In the pursuit of an independent foreign policy and while considering national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest and the right to self-determination paramount in its relations with other states, the State shall, at all times, uphold the dignity of its citizens whether in country or overseas, in general, and Filipino migrant workers, in particular.

(c) While recognizing the significant contribution of Filipino migrant workers to the national economy through their foreign exchange remittances, the State does not promote overseas employment as a means to sustain economic growth and achieve national development. The existence of the overseas employment program rests solely on the assurance that the dignity and fundamental human rights and freedoms of the Filipino citizens shall not, at any time, be compromised or violated. The State, therefore, shall continuously create local employment opportunities and promote the equitable distribution of wealth and the benefits of development.

These words are very clear that "the State does not promote overseas employment as a means to sustain economic growth and achieve national development. That cannot be any clearer yet what do we see in reality but OFWs sustaining economic growth!? Nay, as a PILLAR of economic growth!

https://www.philstar.com/business/2023/11/25/2313962/

Remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will continue to fuel consumption and boost the Philippines’ economic resilience, according to British banking giant HSBC.

Aris Dacanay, economist for ASEAN at HSBC, said OFWs are among the Philippines’ strongest “exports,” providing services and manpower to the rest of the world.

“In return, OFWs earn incomes that are usually better than what they could get back home, and a substantial portion of these incomes is remitted to their households to cover their daily expenses,” he said.

Dacanay said OFW remittances remain a pillar of Philippine economic growth.

“This cycle has strengthened the country’s current account, supported the peso, and fueled consumption to the point where consumption became the economy’s pillar for growth,” he said.

According to Dacanay, remittances have represented around 20 percent of the economy’s current account receipts and around nine percent of gross domestic product (GDP) since 2006.

Latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed personal remittances grew by 2.8 percent to $27.24 billion from January to September versus last year’s $23.82 billion.

Of the total, cash remittances coursed through banks rose by 2.8 percent to $24.49 billion from $23.82 billion.

Remittances are the LIFEBLOOD of the consumption-dependent Philippine economy. 

Remittances are considered the lifeblood of the consumption-dependent Philippine economy. Money sent home by overseas Filipinos augment their families’ income here. 

https://www.philstar.com/business/2022/11/15/2223976/remittances-sustain-growth-expats-help-ease-inflations-sting

Now, those are not official government pronouncements but if the rest of the world can see what is so obvious you can bet your bottom dollar or peso the Philippine government knows the score. The government is not seeking to retain workers by raising wages and working conditions. They are elated that more OFWs are leaving the country post-pandemic. In fact, they encourage it by partnering with other countries to ship off healthcare workers among others. 

This is not merely a private working relationship between employer and employee. The government is deeply involved in promoting overseas jobs. 

The rest of the RA 8042 is mostly about protecting workers. 

SEC. 4. Deployment of Migrant Workers – The State shall deploy overseas Filipino workers only in countries where the rights of Filipino migrant workers are protected.

SEC. 5. TERMINATION ORBANONDEPLOYMENT – Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4 hereof, the government, in pursuit of the national interest or when public welfare so requires, may, at any time, terminate or impose a ban on the deployment of migrant workers.

SEC. 23. ROLE OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. – The following government agencies shall perform the following to promote the welfare and protect the rights of migrant workers and, as far as applicable, all overseas Filipinos:

(a) Department of Foreign Affairs. – The Department, through its home office or foreign posts, shall take priority action its home office or foreign posts, shall take priority action or make representation with the foreign authority concerned to protect the rights of migrant workers and other overseas Filipinos and extend immediate assistance including the repatriation of distressed or beleaguered migrant workers and other overseas Filipinos;

That whole section is outrageous. Filipinos are regularly deployed to countries where they are raped and murdered by their employees. This happens with alarming frequency in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Employment bans on those countries should be permanent but they never are. It is only when a particular case is amplified and causes outrage that the DFA does anything and only for a month or two when the commotion dies down. If they really cared about protecting migrant workers no Filipino would be allowed into countries where they are routinely killed. 

This final section contradicts Section 2 Paragraph c which says "the State does not promote overseas employment as a means to...achieve national development."

SEC. 31. INCENTIVES TO PROFESSIONALS AND OTHER HIGHLY-SKILLED FILIPINOS ABROAD. – Pursuant to the objective of encouraging professionals and other highly-skilled Filipinos abroad especially in the field of science and technology to participate in, and contribute to national development, the government shall provide proper and adequate incentives and programs so as to secure their services in priority development areas of the public and private sectors.

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1995/06/07/republic-act-no-8042-2/

This section says that the government does encourage highly-skilled OFWs to "contribute to national development" by providing them with proper incentives to "secure their services!" That means the government is encouraging workers to go abroad, hone their skills, and return to the Philippines to participate in national development!

I mentioned that people not born in the Philippines but born to Philippine citizens have Philippine citizenship by right of blood. That is VERY important. This is where the real soft power of the Philippines could come into play. Here is a recent example. 

https://usa.inquirer.net/144013/3-fil-am-legal-luminaries-named-superior-court-judges-in-southern-california

California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the appointment of 16 Superior Court judges, including three Filipino Americans in Southern California.

Appointed as Superior Court judges in Los Angeles County were Cristina Legaspi, a principal deputy county counsel for the Office of the Los Angeles County Counsel, and Lowrie Mendoza, assistant head deputy district attorney at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Bryan Clavecilla, a commissioner at the Orange County Superior Court, was named Superior Court judge in the County.

Mendoza has been assistant head deputy district attorney at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office since 2023 and has served in several roles there since 2005.

She was a law clerk at the Law Offices of Enrico Mendoza from 2004 to 2005 and at Yuhl, Rhames, Yuhl & Atkinson in 2003.

Mendoza earned a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School Los Angeles. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Terry A. Green.

Legaspi has served as senior deputy county counsel in the Los Angeles County Counsel’s Office since 1999 and an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California, Gould School of Law since 2022.

She was an associate at Weissman and Associates from 1998 to 1999 and at Ivie, McNeil and Wyatt in 1998.

Legaspi earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of West Los Angeles School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Monica Bachner.

Clavecilla has served as a commissioner at the Orange County Superior Court and a senior deputy district attorney and assistant head of court at the Orange County District Attorney’s Office Central Justice Center.

Clavecilla earned a Juris Doctor degree from Chapman Law School. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Linda Marks.

Legaspi, Mendoza and Clavecilla have been active as leaders in the Fil-Am community.

Legaspi has served on the Board of Directors of the Philippine American Bar Association (PABA) and the UCLA Pilipino Pipeline Project.

Mendoza is PABA Foundation  director and Clavecilla is a PABA lifetime member.

Founded more than 40 years ago, PABA is the largest local association of Filipino American lawyers in the United States.

Late last year, Gov. Newsom also appointed accomplished Fil-Am lawyer Christine Gonong as a judge in the LA County Superior Court.

As children of Filipino immigrants these people are all Philippine citizens. This is how Philippine soft power is really working through OFWs. They migrate for economic reasons, raise children who are born citizens of the host country and yet retain their Filipino identity and citizenship, and work their way into the higher echelons of power in a foreign land. 

And the Philippine government wants it this way. Rather than build up the Philippines as an industrial and technological powerhouse with livable wages and safe working conditions the fat cats in charge would rather plunder the national coffers, drive away the best and brightest so they can send back dollars and euros to prop up the economy, and let the masses eat cake pretending they are so happy and resilient. But the DFA did not need to tell us this is what they are doing. It is rather obvious to anyone who cares to look. 

Insurgency: U.S. Deploys Counter-Terrorism Operators

The AFP claim the perpetrators of the December, 2023 MSU bombing have been killed in a firefight. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1217761

The Philippine Army (PA) reported Saturday the death of nine members of the Dawlah Islamiya (DI) terrorist group after a series of encounters in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur in the past two days.

In a statement, PA spokesperson Lt. Col. Louie Dema-ala said the nine belonged to the group involved in the Mindanao State University - Marawi bombing on Dec. 3, 2023. Four were killed during the explosion at the gymnasium while a Catholic Mass was ongoing.

"The Army troops were able to neutralize nine local terrorist members and recovered eight high-powered firearms,” Dema-ala said.

The clashes between the heavily armed DI terrorists and troops from the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion took place in Barangay Taporug on Thursday and Friday, triggered by internal security operations.

Four soldiers were hurt in the encounters and were transported to the Amai Pakpak Medical Center, also in Marawi.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the four soldiers who sustained injuries during the said operation," Dema-ala said.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. lauded the Army troops for their successful operation, citing their “precision and unwavering dedication” that delivered justice for MSU victims, including the more than 50 who were wounded.

"This operation sets a clear precedent: The AFP will not tolerate those who endanger the lives and well-being of our people. The remaining few will face our full force and unshakeable resolve in bringing every single responsible individual to account," Brawner said in a statement.

He also called on those considering violence to rethink their choices as AFP remains an "indomitable force" in ensuring the safety of Filipinos.

It is not clear what exactly makes this particular operation precedent setting as the AFP has been going after terrorists for the past 50 years. The AFP says they are on heightened alert in case the Muslims launch a retaliatory attack. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/28/troops-on-heightened-alert-vs-retaliatory-attack-by-islamist-militants

Government forces in Mindanao were alerted by the military leadership for possible retaliatory attack by Dawlah Islamiyah (DI) - Maute Group (MG) following the death of nine alleged Islamist militants during a series of counter-terrorism operations in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur last week.

Maj. Gen. Gabriel Viray III, commander of the Philippine Army's 1st Infantry Division (1ID), said troops were directed to be vigilant against potential ambuscades, bombings, and liquidation as the DI-MG is expected to get even with the military unit that killed nine of its fighters, including three who were implicated in a deadly bomb attack at the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City last month.

"As of the moment, they [DI-MG] are in disarray and on the run. But we cannot discount the possibility of retaliatory attacks against our troops through liquidation and other terror actions. But as to  bombings, it is very remote as of the moment," Viray said on Sunday, Jan. 28.

"We already alerted our troops plus pursuit operations are on going. We're currently on a heightened alert," he added.

Viray said security in Piagapo, Marawi City, and other nearby areas was tightened while the troops are tracking the escaped militants.

"It's just part of SOP [standard operating procedure]. It's better to be careful, right?" he noted.

Viray said the DI-MG under Mas'od's command has around 20 more remaining members, including two to four fighters who may have been involved in the MSU bomb attack

With these men on the loose and the AFP tightening security is it any wonder that Canada has issued a travel warning for Mindanao to its citizens? Needless to say the AFP is not happy about this warning. 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/10th-id-bashes-canadian-govt-for-travel-advisory-vs-mindanao

THE 10th Infantry "Agila" Division (10ID) of the Philippine Army (PA) slammed the Canadian government for their surprise travel advisory against all parts of Mindanao, which affects their area of responsibility.

Expressing his sentiments, 10th ID spokesperson Major Mark Anthony Tito clarified that the four regions governed by their military agency are peaceful, which means there is the absence of threats from terrorism and violent forces contrary to what was announced by the Canadian embassy on their travel advisory dated January 10, 2024.

The division has operational responsibility in 12 provinces, seven cities, and 72 municipalities of the Davao Region, parts of Sarangani and South Cotabato, Second District of Cotabato and Columbio, Sultan Kudarat, Trento, Agusan del Sur, and Linging, Surigao del Sur.

"We do not know what is the basis behind that travel advisory. They do not know what is happening on the ground. We in the army, we can assure that the whole region is peaceful. It  doesn't jive or that is not what is happening in our area of ​​responsibility,"  the official said during the Davao Region’s 2023 Socioeconomic Performance and 2024 Development Council press conference on Tuesday morning, January 30.

Tito cited the situation of the whole Davao Region during 2023 and that according to him, no threats and major violence were recorded in the timeline.

"Just imagine, for the whole 2023, we do not have recorded any incidents in terms of terrorism and insurgency" he added.

The 10th ID is claims that the warning is based on wrong information because "the whole region is peaceful." That may be the case for the Davao Region but it is not only that region which is included in the warning. 

Based on the travel advisory, the Canadian embassy warned its citizens to avoid visiting Mindanao provinces following the ongoing presence of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, high rates of violence, and encounters between the rebel forces and government security authorities.

In the advisory, Canada cited Northern Mindanao particularly in Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao Del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental as places to possibly avoid any travel.

In Soccsksargen, citizens are told to exercise high caution in Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat.

On the other hand, it also advised its citizens to avoid non-essential travels in Eastern Mindanao especially in Caraga and Davao Region except for Davao City.

However, despite the exclusion of Davao City, Tito emphasized that the area will still experience the impact of the advisory as it is a part of the Davao Region.

If Mindanao is so peaceful and this warning does not reflect the situation on the ground then why is the AFP being reinforced by American counter-terrorism operators? 

https://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2024/01/us-deploys-counter-terrorism-operators.html

The Pentagon has deployed U.S. Marines in the southern Philippines to train and assist Filipino soldiers in counter terrorism.

The American soldiers replaced another batch from the Special Operations Task Force 511.2 (SOTF 5112) under the U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force (JSOTF) based in the Western Mindanao Command here. 

The Western Mindanao Command confirmed the arrival of the U.S. Marines but it did not say how many have arrived. 

Brig. Gen. Aldrin Annani, the Deputy Commander of Western Mindanao Command, lauded the departing U.S. troops led by Maj. Jeffry Schuele and awarded his group the Military Civic Action Medal and plaques for their valuable contributions.

Shuele's group was deployed here in July 15, 2023 and would return to their unit on January 31 after six months tour in southern Philippines.

Schuele expressed his gratitude to his Filipino counterpart for making their six-month mission a success. He also encouraged the Western Mindanao Command to give the same support to the new group of U.S. Marines.

Annani welcomed the new batch of American soldiers who will be part of the SOTF 511.2 in the next six months.

He lauded the SOTF 511.2 for supporting the endeavors of the Western Mindanao Command. 

The actions of the AFP, from battling NPA and Islamists terrorists to employing the assistance of the American military, belies their claims that Mindanao is peaceful. 

The anger from the security sector is that the warning will put a damper on tourism to Mindanao but seeing as that island is only recently being touted as a tourist destination it shouldn't hurt much if at all. Other areas once home to major security threats are also looking to become tourist destinations. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1896096/with-rebels-gone-samar-town-aims-to-develop-tourism-sites

The municipal government of Matuguinao in Samar province is now seeking funding to develop its cold spring and pristine cave as an ecotourism site in a bid to transform the image of the town that used to be a haven of communist rebels into a safe and relaxing place for visitors.

Matuguinao Mayor Aran Boller said he asked P45 million in financial support from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza), an attached agency of the Department of Tourism tasked to construct tourism-related infrastructures.

The amount, he said, would be used to develop the Salpan Cave and cold spring in Barangay Barruz, located about 3 kilometers from the town proper.

“We want to develop the Salpan Cave and cold spring and make it a tourist destination so we can generate income for our municipality and at the same time help provide livelihood for our people,” Boller said.

As part of the development plan, the town mayor said they intended to construct a path bridge, pathway, storage area and grouted riprap leading the cave area; and install solar lights and other amenities in the area.

“I want Matuguinao to be known, not as a terrorism-infested area, but as a tourist destination,” he said.

In previous years, the town was known to be among the lairs of the New People’s Army (NPA), with all of its 20 barangays under the influence and control of the rebels.

At present, all villages are free from the influence of the NPA, although four villages are under monitoring due to attempts of the rebels to regain control over these areas, the mayor said.

“Now, I am happy that our people have realized the evils of the NPA and are very cooperative with the local government,” Boller said.

The town is "free from the influence of the NPA" but four barangays "are under monitoring due to attempts of the rebels to regain control over these areas." That means the NPA is not totally gone from this town. 

Elsewhere in Samar it appears criminal groups are receiving support from the NPA.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/895975/3-cops-killed-4-hurt-in-samar-clash-with-armed-men/story/

Three policemen were killed in Sta. Margarita, Samar, on Tuesday morning when the serving of arrest warrants led to an encounter with armed men.

According to the police, members of the Samar Provincial Mobile Force and Regional Mobile Force went to Barangay Mahayag to serve arrest warrants to members of Ampoan Criminal Gang.

Aside from the three fatalities, four policemen were also wounded in the encounter. 

In a press briefing on Wednesday, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo identified the subjects of the arrest warrants as Jojo Altarejos, Edito Ampoan, and one  Macurol. The three were able to elude the policemen, she said.

"When your troop [of the police] was there, they were shot," Fajardo said, adding seven suspects were arrested in the operation.

The group, according to the police, is involved in gun-for-hire activities and responsible for the killing of  several barangay officials and businessmen in the area.

"It is not only operating in Santa Margarita, even extending to Calbayog City, Gandara and the whole province of Samar. It is so notorious that a large force came to the area," Fajardo said of the group.

The PNP official also said the group may be receiving support from New People's Army (NPA) rebels.

Fajardo said hot pursuit operations are ongoing against the members of the group, who are believed to be hiding in adjacent villages.

"Possibly they have escaped from the area, so we are now checking the nearby barangays and establishing checkpoints and border control," she said.

Fajardo said policemen are receiving help from the military in pursuing the suspects. She said they are also verifying reports that some of the suspects were wounded in the gun battle.

Despite the violence, Fajardo said the regional police director did not recommend raising the alert level in the area.

There is an armed criminal group operating in the whole province of Samar which is possibly receiving support from the NPA. They likely escape from the area and yet the regional police director does "not recommend raising the alert level in the area."

How is that keeping people safe? It will only serve to keep them complacent. But there is the tourism money to think of!

Residential Fires January, 2024

The Bureau of Fire Protection says residential fires were up 20.7% in 2023. These fires are always very destructive, immolating whole neighborhoods and displacing hundreds of familes and thousands of people with a single spark. The BFP also says residential areas are not covered by the fire code which means no one is inspecting those areas to prevent these devestaing fires.

Therefore I have decided to document these fires monthly as reported in the news. Hopefully we can see some patterns and gain a greater understanding of this preventable problem. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/11/1-hurt-300-residents-displaced-in-pandacan-fire

A 19-year-old boy was injured while 360 families or 1,118 individuals were rendered homeless by a fire that gutted at least 240 houses on Dapo Street, Pandacan, Manila on Thursday morning, Jan. 11.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) identified the victim as Prince Adrian Cayago, who sustained a laceration on top of his head.

He was rushed to Ospital ng Maynila by the emergency team of Manila Fire District (MFD) and is currently under observation.

The BFP said the fire was raised to the first alarm at 5:57 a.m. and to the second alarm at 5:59 a.m.

It escalated to the third alarm at 6:49 a.m. and to the fourth alarm at 6:57 a.m.

Firefighters declared the blaze under control at 8:01 a.m.

It was extinguished at 8:26 a.m.

Based on the initial investigation, the fire started on the second floor of a two-story house owned by Fernando "Boyet" Melgar.

The BFP said three barangays were affected by the fire. They were barangays 849, 850, 852.

It said 53 displaced families or 160 individuals were residing in Barangay 849, while 279 families or 874 individuals were in Barangay 850, and 28 families or 84 individuals in Barangay 852.

According to arson investigators, the residential blocks had adjacent houses made of light materials.

They said 80 of the 240 affected structures were fully gutted.

Around P2.6 million worth of property was damaged.

Firefighters said they had difficulty entering the area as the pathway leading to the burning houses was littered with debris.

Several cables were also scattered in the area after the electric poles caught fire.

They said that they also encountered problems with the water supply.

The affected families called on the Manila local government to help them recover and start anew as all of their properties were damaged.

Meanwhile, personnel of the Manila Department of Social Welfare arrived at the scene and started distributing hot meals to the fire victims.

Financial assistance from the city government will also be provided once the enlisting and verification process is finished, said the Manila Public Information Office.

The first fire of the year is quite stereotypical of all that will follow. The houses are all made of light, flammable materials, the walkways are narrow and blocked with debris, and in this case the responding firemen encountered problem with the water supply. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/17/50-families-affected-by-fire-in-alabang

A fire hit a residential area in Barangay Alabang, Muntinlupa Wednesday night, Jan. 17, affecting about 50 families. 

In a report by the Muntinlupa City Fire Station, the fire started at 7B Ilaya Street in Alabang at about 7:03 p.m. 

Firefighters raised the first alarm at 7:10 p.m. followed by a second alarm at 7:25 p.m. 

Investigators estimated that the fire caused damage amounting to P280,000. It affected 50 families or about 200 individuals. 

Firefighters put the blaze under control at 8:47 p.m. before it was put out at 9:33 p.m. The origin and cause of the fire are under investigation. 

A total of 28 firetrucks and five ambulances responded to the incident.

According to Mayor Ruffy Biazon said he ordered the Muntinlupa Social Services Department (SSD) to prepare food assistance for the fire victims. 

Together with officials of Barangay Alabang, the city government has designated the Alabang Elementary School as evacuation center. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/17/article-1734

A total of 11 families or 46 individuals lost their homes in a fire that broke out in a residential area in Barangay Medicion II-B in Imus City on Wednesday, Jan. 17.

The blaze was reported at 2:40 p.m., Imus City Fire Station (FS) told the Manila Bulletin.

The fire was declared under control at 2:48 and was put out at 3:00 p.m.

Authorities have estimated the damage caused by the blaze at P175,000. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, meanwhile, said affected families are temporarily seeking shelter at Medicion II-B Barangay Hall.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1891142/16-families-left-homeless-after-fire-in-zamboanga-del-sur-town

Sixteen families were left homeless as 11 houses were hit by fire around 3 p.m. on Wednesday in Tawagan Norte village, Labangan town in Zamboanga del Sur.

Tawagan Norte village chief Raul Rivera said that prior to the fire, the community experienced brownout.

“When the electricity was back, a wire sparked which they said was the cause of the fire,” Rivera said, citing the account of residents.

Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Marvin Julius Pagaduan confirmed that the fire was due to faulty electrical wiring.

Labangan Mayor Eduardo Relacion immediately distributed initial assistance of P10,000 per household, packed meals, rice, and potable water.

Rivera said he had also asked for additional assistance to the affected families from the Zamboanga del Sur provincial government.

Brownouts are a frequent nusiance in the Philippines. In this case after a brownout when the power was turend back on a wire sparked due to the surge of electircity. The two causes here are the faulty wiring and the brownout. Faulty wiring is a problem seen all throughout the Philippines with its leaning electric poles, dangling wires, frayed wires, and wires held together with tape rather than being properly capped. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/24/family-of-5-killed-in-albay-fire

A family of five were killed in a fire that destroyed their house in Barangay Kilicao, Daraga, Albay, on Tuesday night, January 23.

Police Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib, Police Regional Office-5 spokesperson, identified the victims as Moncris, 35, his live-in partner, Rosalie, 35, and their three minor children.

Arson investigators said the victims were trapped and failed to get out of their house built of light materials.

Moncris was jobless and Rosalie was a laundrywoman.

Arson probers have yet to determine the cause of the fire and damage to property.

Remains of the victims were taken to a funeral parlor in Daraga for proper disposition.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1894790/4-dead-1-hurt-in-lucena-city-fire

Four people died in a fire early Friday that gutted at least 15 houses in a residential area in this city, police said.

In a spot report, Lucena City police identified the fatalities as Lolit Lubiano, 72; Juanito, Hernando, 65; Jay Mark Hernando, 18; and Mark Rainiel Hernando, 8.

Corporal Angel Micco Cabangon, the case investigator, did not provide details on the family relationship between the Hernandos except that they were all living together in one of the burned houses.

Another victim identified as Margarita Punzalan, suffered a second-degree burn and was rushed to the nearby hospital for treatment.

The blaze broke out at 3:45 a.m. in a residential area in Barangay 1 and was put out at 6:26 a.m.

Firemen were still conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.

Mayor Mark Alcala and his father, Vice Mayor Roderick Alcala, immediately went to the area and met with the victims.

The local officials vowed to provide assistance to the victims.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/553592/8-fires-in-one-day-3-injured-including-firefighter

Firefighters here responded to a total of eight fires on Sunday, January 28, that injured three people and gobbled up around P2.2 million in properties.

Of the eight fires that occurred last Sunday, three of these involved residential areas. The rest were rubbish or grass fires, the Cebu City Fire Office reported.

The first fire happened close to 6 a.m., along Cabajar Street in Brgy. Guadalupe, and burned down seven structures.

The flames, according to initial findings from fire investigators, originated from the house of a certain Maria Socorro Piloto.

At least 40 individuals were affected, and damage was pegged at P854,000.

Roughly three hours later, firefighters rushed to Lower Torre in Brgy. Inayawan to respond to another fire alarm, also involving residential buildings.

There, the flames, which started from the house belonging to Arcebio Beral, gutted a total of three structures, with properties worth P500,000 turned to ashes.

But just an hour after the fire in Brgy. Inayawan occurred, firefighters went to Brgy. Bacayan where another fire broke out.

The fire in Brgy. Bacayan, a mountain barangay in Cebu City’s northern district, razed six houses and damaged six more.

Three individuals, including a fire officer, also got injured during Sunday’s fire.

Fire Officer 1 Dave Arellano suffered first degree burns on his right hand while trying to douse the flames.

Two minors, ages 13 and 14 years old, also sustained burn wounds on their arms, legs and shoulders.

Senior Fire Officer 1 Emerson Arceo said the fire that hit Brgy. Bacayan started from the house of spouses Benjamin and Verlena Codeniera.

Investigations continue for all three fires as of this writing. 

That is nine significant residential fires in January reported by the media. Cebu had three fires in one day!