Insurgency: It's All About Peace

A few weeks ago a group pf alleged rebels were acquitted by the court. The NTF-ELCAC called it lawfare, claiming the Reds were gaming the system to get away with their crimes. In reality the case was weak and the government could not prove its case. The same thing has happened once again.  

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/658711/court-acquits-mabinay-6

A trial court in Dumaguete City has junked the criminal charges against Mabinay 6, the group of young adults tagged as communist rebels and arrested by the military in Mabinay town, Negros Oriental in 2018.

Branch 42 of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental acquitted the group of all five criminal charges filed against them.

Mabinay 6 is composed of Myles Albasin, Carlo Ybañez, Ajomar Indico, Randel Hermino, Joel Baylosis, and Bernard Guillen. 

Among the charges filed against them were illegal possession of firearms. Since their arrest, they spent roughly seven years in jail. 

Collectively referred to as the Mabinay 6, in 2018, they were arrested in what the 62nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army described as a shootout in the hinterland of Mabinay town on March 3, a claim that was belied by their family and friends. 

Albasin was a journalist and an activist at the time of her arrest.

These people were unjustly jailed for seven years. In a just world the trial would have been much speedier but this is not a just world, it's the Philippines. Leila de Lima as jailed for the same amount of time on bogus charges. 

The Army says they respect the decision of the court and vow to "improve when it comes to legalities during combat operations."

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1259372

The Philippine Army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade in Negros Oriental respects the court’s decision to set free six youth activists who were incarcerated for seven years for alleged illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

“We always abide by the rule of law and we respect the decision of the court in the case of the Mabinay 6,” Brig. Gen. Jason Jumawan, 302nd brigade commander, said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday.

Those freed were identified by the military as members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA).

They were arrested in 2018 during an encounter with troops of the 62nd Infantry Battalion in Mabinay town.

Government troops recovered during the encounter high-powered firearms and explosives, purportedly from the six, who denied the allegations against them.

Judge Marie Rose Inocando of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 42, ruled that the prosecutors failed to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt and that the police handled the evidence poorly.

Jumawan said the acquittal provided a valuable lesson for both the military and the police in improving their legal procedures.

“We take this as a sign that we should improve when it comes to legalities during combat operations,” he said.

The brigade commander hopes that young individuals learn a lesson from the Mabinay 6 experience, saying that seven years spent in jail meant several lost opportunities.

How many times is this going to happen? How many times will potential criminals be exonerated because the authorities "handled the evidence poorly?" This is a problem throughout the law enforcement community. 

Another key leader of the leaderless NPA has surrendered to the AFP. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1259403

A key leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered in Lope de Vega, Northern Samar, due to relentless focused military operations in the area, the Philippine Army's 8th Infantry Division (ID) said on Wednesday.

The military did not identify the rebel leader, but described him as the vice leader of Squad 3, Regional Security Force of the NPA’s Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).

After his surrender on Tuesday, the NPA leader revealed to authorities the location of a buried arms cache in the upland San Isidro village in Matuguinao, Samar, containing one M16 rifle, a .45 caliber pistol, and two magazines for the .45 caliber pistol, the 8th ID said in a statement.

Maj. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, 8th ID commander, lauded the rebel leader's decision to surrender and his cooperation in recovering the hidden firearms cache.

“This proves that our comprehensive and decisive military approaches and strengthened local government partnerships have effectively weakened the EVRPC’s operational capabilities,” he said.

Orio reiterated his call on those still embracing the armed struggle to return to the folds of the law and be with their families.

He added that the Enhanced Local Integration Program and other interventions from the government can rebuild the rebels' lives and help contribute to lasting peace and development in Northern Samar.

Funny how NPA leaders keep falling despite the AFP claiming they are leaderless. No doubt this man will be able to avail of E-CLIP benefits. He will also likely be able to apply for amnesty. 

Recently the National Amnesty Commission's budget of 217 million pesos was defended in Congress. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/09/25/its-all-about-peace-brian-poe-defends-national-amnesty-commissions-p217-m-budget

FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Brian Poe highlighted the importance of prioritizing peace as he successfully defended the proposed ₱217-million budget of the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) for 2026.

Interpellating Poe as the budget sponsor of the NAC were on Thursday night, Sept. 25 in the plenary debates on the proposed 2026 national budget were House minority bloc members Dinagat Islands lone district Rep. Kaka Bag-ao and Gabriela Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago.

“Before we consider other options, the first option we should always consider is peace," Poe, a vice chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, said during Bag-ao's interpellation of NAC.

"And we should always invest in that. And the fact that our colleague was able to bring up areas of the NAC that could possibly need additional funding is good. So that we know where we can add funding to incentivize the return of our Kababayans to a more peaceful path," he said.

"And I believe that this budget is a good budget and I hope that our colleagues here in the House can continue to support it," reckoned Poe, a neophyte solon in the 20th Congress.

The NAC's main task is to manage applications for amnesty--a process designed to end conflicts and reintegrate former rebels into society. Poe confirmed that the NAC is targeting 50,000 applicants for amnesty in 2026—well beyond its current funding.

“We’re looking at 50,000 applicants and it’s P20,000 per applicant. So, we’re looking at an additional P100,000,000,” he explained.

Bagao responded "I cannot overemphasize the importance of the National Amnesty Commission. This should be the exclamation point for the peace process as we consider granting amnesty through Balik-loob program."

"That's why I would like to manifest with the speaker that I support the request for additional P100,000,000 budget for the National Amnesty Commission. And that I also support the activity so that we can fully give a good ending to the peace process," she said.

The budget sponsor expressed his full support for expanding NAC’s resources.

Poe also responded to the Makabayan bloc's Elago, who raised very specific concerns about irregularities in field operations.

“The case that our colleague mentioned is highly irregular. It needs to be, as I’ve been told, it needs to be voluntary," he said.

Lastly, on Elago's question of where complaints should be filed in cases of forced surrender, Poe explained:

“First of all, because the mentioned identity was as a DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) representative, maybe the first complaint is to the DSWD. Second, based on the NAC, they said they can only receive applications for amnesty…It would be CHR (Commission on Human Rights) if ever that would be involved in this particular situation.”

The plenary discussion on the NAC budget was terminated or concluded shortly after. However, the debates on the other agency allocations under the P6.793-trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB) for 2026 is still ongoing as of this posting.

So, the NAC is targeting 50,000 people in 2026 alone which is beyond their funding. This all hinges on ex-rebels actually applying.  As of now that figure is incredibly high compared real world achievements. The National Amnesty Commission says 2,772 reformer rebels have applied for amnesty. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/05/24/nac-processes-2772-amnesty-applications-from-ex-rebels

A total of 2,772 former rebels from different parts of the country have filed amnesty applications with the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) through the local amnesty boards (LABs), government data showed Friday, May 23.

And they want to target 50,000 people in next year alone?  Where are these ex-rebels? 

In Maguindano Sur 18 rebels surrendered.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1259503

Eighteen former Moro extremists voluntarily surrendered to the military in Maguindanao del Sur on Wednesday afternoon, declaring they were tired of hiding from military offensives, the Army reported Thursday.

Lt. Col. Christian V. Cabading, commander of the Army’s 92nd Infantry Battalion (92IB), presented the surrenderers and their firearms to visiting Maj. Gen. Ramon P. Zagala, commander of the 2nd Infantry Division based at Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal.

The surrenderers were formerly associated with the Dawlah Islamiyah (DI) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), all operating in Maguindanao del Sur, specifically in the adjoining towns of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Shariff Aguak, and Mamasapano.

“Their decision to lay down arms and return to the folds of the law reflects courage, reconciliation, and the hope of starting anew with their families and communities,” Cabading said in a statement.

Aside from the 18 firearms turned over by the surrenderers, 24 other loose firearms were surrendered through the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) program.

The surrendered weapons include rocket-propelled grenades, sniper rifles, grenade launchers, shotguns, pistols, and revolvers.

“Each firearm handed over reduces the instruments of violence and brings us closer to a safer community,” Cabading said.

During Wednesday’s surrender rites, Zagala stressed the importance of education in building lasting peace in communities.

“We erase ignorance and prejudice with education,” he said, addressing the former combatants.

He underscored that by spreading knowledge, communities can break free from the cycle of violence and misunderstanding that extremist groups exploit.

He urged the former extremists to ensure that their children availed of the government’s free education program, their ticket to personal development.

Zagala lauded the surrenderers for choosing peace over violence, commending their bravery to embrace a new beginning for themselves and their families.

Zagala also commended the 92IB for exceeding mission expectations, especially through peace-building efforts that foster trust among the people.

In Zamboanga 10 ASG supporters surrendered.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2115185/10-asg-supporters-surrender-turn-over-firearms-in-zamboanga-city

Ten supporters of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) from Sulu province surrendered to the authorities on Tuesday in Zamboanga City.

Maj. Shellamie Chang, information officer of the Police Regional Office in Region 9, said the 10 individuals, all men, aged between 28 and 69, were presented to Brig. General Eleazar Matta, regional director of PRO-9 by the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB-9) and the Sulu Police Provincial Office.

Chang said the surrenderers, residents of Maimbung, Tapul, Indanan, and Jolo, turned over a cache of 32 assorted firearms, like high-powered rifles, grenade launchers, and improvised weapons such as M14, M16A1, and M1 Garand rifles, homemade submachine guns, Thompson firearms, M79 and M203 grenade launchers, AK-47, FN FAL G1, and other modified weapons.

Chang said the surrenders had long been inactive from the ASG in their area, though it was just recently that they decided to turn over the weapons to the authorities.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development and the police committed on Thursday to provide financial assistance to the 10 surrenderees as part of the government’s reintegration and rehabilitation initiatives, while still coordinating with other government agencies like the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU).

All of those men are likely eligible for amnesty. But where will those 50,000 ex-rebels come from? 

Hi, My Name Is...63

Falling from a great height can be deadly. Falling from a small height can be deadly.  Falling, period, can be deadly. But falls can also be survived. Say hello to some people who fell and lived or died. 

Hi, my name is being withheld. After attending an inquest proceeding on the third floor of Manila City Hall the police were escorting me back to their station. All of a sudden I broke free of my escorts and jumped out of a third story window. I survived and will be facing more charges including one for causing alarm and scandal. My two escorts have been relieved of their posts and are facing an investigation.  

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1800771/construction-worker-survives-after-falling-off-third-floor-of-manila-city-hall

A man caught on video jumping off the third floor of the Manila City Hall has survived, authorities said Wednesday.

According to police, the construction worker just went through an inquest proceeding at the Manila City Hall’s justice building on Wednesday morning when he leaped from a window.

The 33-year-old man ended up with injuries and is currently being treated at the Philippine General Hospital

Police said the construction worker is facing complaints of violating Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act and Article 155 (alarm and scandals) and Article 285 (other light threats) of the Revised Penal Code, and for physical injury.

Manila City spokesperson Princess Abante said in a statement that after emerging from an inquest proceeding, the man suddenly “jumped from a window on the 3rd floor of the Manila City Hall as he was being escorted back to the Police Station where he is detained,” citing a report of the Manila Police District (MPD) Special Mayor Reaction Team (SMART)

Authorities rushed to the man after he fell on the city hall grounds.

MPD’s Public Information Office head Major Philipp Ines said the construction worker is alive and still under medical treatment as of this posting. He also said that the two police officers who accompanied the man during the inquest have been relieved from their posts and may face administrative complaints.

“Investigation is ongoing and if there are lapses seen on their part, administrative charges could be filed against them,” Ines told reporters.

Hi, my name is Erwin Omblero. I needed to ride a bus home so I waited outside of the Cebu City bus terminal to catch one. As the bus was moving I grabbed onto the door with one hand while holding on to something else with the other. The only problem was the door was shut. The driver failed to open the door because he was outside of the terminal where it is forbidden to pick up passengers. Ultimately I fell backwards onto the road where I was run over by the bus. My family wants to press charges against the driver even though this was all my fault for trying to catch a moving bus with closed doors outside of the terminal. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/534448/cebu-bus-terminal-accident-man-dies-after-falling-off-bus

A man who is said to be working with the Department of Education (DepEd) died in an accident right in front of the Cebu South Bus Terminal in Barangay Sambag 1, Cebu City on Tuesday evening, October 17, 2023.

The victim, 57-year-old Erwin Omblero, a resident of Barangay Mantalongon in Barili, Cebu, was killed after he fell off the bus he was riding and was run over by the same bus. 

The victim reportedly works as a non-teaching personnel of the Department of Education (DepEd).

The accident that claimed the life of Omblero took place in front of the South Bus Terminal at around 6:00 p.m. as the victim was trying to catch a ride home while the bus was moving.

Allan Geraldizo, a bus dispatcher who witnessed the accident, said in an interview with CDN Digital that he saw the victim trying to get through the closed doors of the bus while it was moving outside the terminal.

(He met the bus, then held on to it. He was able to hold on to the bus with one hand while the other was holding on to something else. If the door was open, he would have been able to get in. But it was closed, that’s why he got dragged.)

Geraldizo added that he witnessed how the victim fell to the ground and got run over by the bus. 

He added that after falling, the victim lay on the ground and was barely moving. He was also having a difficult time breathing, Geraldizo said.

Police Captain Mark Don Alfred Leanza, chief of Abellana Police Station, told reporters that the accident outside the bus terminal happened because the victim’s hand that was holding on to the bus slipped. 

(The victim was able to get into the bus. The victim was advanced in age. He might not have been able to hold on to the bus well. He fell near the door and then went under the bus.)

Leanza said the bus driver may have not noticed that a passenger fell so he continued to drive.

According to Leanza, the responding officers brought the victim to the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) for immediate medical treatment. 

The victim, however, was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Leanza said that beat patrollers immediately apprehended the driver of the bus and brought him to the station.

The driver is detained at the Abellana Police Station pending for the filing of appropriate charges against him. 

The victim‘s family is determined to file charges of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide against the bus driver, stated Leanza.

In an interview with local radio station, dyHP, the driver, Felomino (not his real name) apologized to the relatives of the victim, saying what happened was just an accident.

Felomino said that they decided not to open the door of the bus for fears that law enforcers will flag them down, and that their employer might suspend them if they are caught picking up passengers outside the terminal.

Leanza reminded the public, especially commuters, to exercise caution when rushing to ride public transportation. 

“This kind of incidents, like I said, usually, can be avoided if we are very careful and if we do not ride buses when they are already moving. You have to be seated properly,” he said.

He also advised bus drivers to ensure that their passengers are seated before proceeding to their destination. 

Hi, my name is Rodolfo Castillo Baril. I am a simple and poor man who likes to drink and make charcoal. The only problem is this time I did both at the same time. Or I did one after the other. Either way I was drunk as I was making charcoal when I fell into the oven and burned to death. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/535903/drunk-man-dies-after-falling-into-underground-charcoal-oven-in-san-remigio

A drunk man died after he accidentally fell into an underground charcoal oven in Barangay Kayam, San Remigio, Cebu early Thursday morning, October 26, 2023.

The incident allegedly took place at around 8:00 a.m. on Thursday.

The victim was identified as 68-year-old Rodolfo Castillo Baril, a charcoal maker and a resident of the barangay.

According to the police report, personnel of the San Remigio Police Station responded to a dead person alarm at around 10:45 a.m.

Police Major Windell Abellana, chief of San Remigio Municipal Station, told CDN Digital in a phone interview that witnesses claimed to have seen Baril fall inside the oven while trying to make charcoal.

He added that some of the victim’s neighbors tried to rescue Baril but failed due to the flames.

The residents asked for help from the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) who then reported the incident to the police.

Abellana said that the responding police officers arrived at the scene and the drunk man was then extracted from the pit almost three hours after he fell in. 

The victim suffered burns mainly on the lower part of his body, stated Abellana.

Abellana also said that the initial investigation revealed that the victim was allegedly under the influence of alcohol when the incident happened. He added that the drunk man fell down on his own possibly due to his intoxication. 

The victim’s cadaver has been claimed by his family, stated the report.

According to Abellana, they recommended to the family to have the victim’s body subjected to an autopsy but they refused because they believed that Baril’s death was purely an accident.

Charcoal making is one of the means of livelihood for people living in the far-flung towns of Cebu Province.

San Remigio is a 3rd class municipality estimated to be 109 kilometers north of Cebu City. 

Hi, my name is being withheld but I am a Korean national. I was out getting drunk when I decided to wander home. My neighbors saw me zig zagging like a drunken fool. I made it to my second floor apartment. I was out on the balcony when I fell from the railing.  

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/553390/korean-national-dies-after-falling-from-mactan-building

A Korean national died after he reportedly fell from the second floor of a building in Mactan Newtown, in Barangay Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City.

The incident was reported to the police at 1:10 a.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2024.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Christian Torres, spokesperson of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LCPO), said the victim may have been intoxicated based on witnesses’ accounts.

Cebu Daily News Digital is withholding the identity of the victim as authorities are still in the process of informing his family.

Based on the initial investigation, witnesses told the police that they noticed the victim was drunk while he was walking on his way home.

Upon arriving at the said place, the victim went to the second floor of the building.

“Ni tikang cya sa railings sa 2nd floor nag wandag-wandag pa siya didto before siya nahulog,” Torres said, quoting witnesses.

A short time later, the security personnel got alarmed when they heard a loud sound on the ground level and found the victim sprawled on the pavement. 

Emergency responders rushed the Korean national to the ARC Hospital in Barangay Agus, but a few hours later he was declared dead by the attending physician.

The police were still investigating the incident.

Hi, my name is being withheld but I am a one-year old boy. One morning I wandered away from the house. When it was time to eat breakfast my parents told my 12-year old brother to look for me. Unbeknownst to them he did not. So, they proceeded to eat breakfast thinking I was at a neighbors house. Later they checked with the neighbor and that is when they learned I was missing. They found my dead body floating at the bottom of an uncovered well. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/6/23/tot-falls-to-death-into-well-in-himamaylan-city

A one-year-old boy died after falling into a well in Barangay Cabadiangan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Friday, June 21.

Police Lt. Col. Anthony Grande, Himamaylan police chief, said the victim was found unconscious inside the well, about an hour after the family searched for him.

Grande said the victim’s parents told their 12-year-old son to look for his younger brother as they were about to eat breakfast. However, he did not heed his parent’s order.

The family proceeded with breakfast and assumed that the victim was just in their neighbor’s house.

His family learned that he was missing when they checked their neighbor.

The victim was taken to a hospital where he was declared dead.

Grande said the well was six meters away from the victim’s house and was uncovered and five- to six-feet deep.

The well was almost full of water because of rain the past days, he added.

Hi, my name is being withheld but I am a two-year old. I was playing in the yard with other children unbeknownst to my grandmother who placed a pot of boiling water outside next to the house. All of a sudden she heard me crying because I had accidentally fallen into the pot. She lifted me out and rushed me to the hospital but to no avail. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/924435/2-year-old-toddler-dies-after-falling-in-pot-of-boiling-water/story/

A two-year-old toddler in San Fabian, Pangasinan died after accidentally falling into a pot of boiling water.

According to the report of GMA Regional TV’s CJ Torida in Saksi on Monday, the victim’s grandmother recalled that she was boiling water outside their house last Thursday.

“I placed the pot beside our house…I didn’t know that the kids were also playing outside. We suddenly heard someone crying and thought the kids were just quarreling. But it soon sounded like a cry for help,” said Vivian Navarro in Filipino.

“When we checked what happened, we saw my grandson inside the pot and we immediately lifted him from it,” she recounted.

The young victim was immediately rushed to the Region 1 Medical Center in Dagupan City. Unfortunately, he died the following day.

When scalded by boiling water, the Department of Health advises to apply cold compress on the affected area; cover the burn with bandages; take a pain reliever; and seek consultation from a medical professional.

The God Culture: There Is Only One Sacrament

Timothy Jay Schwab who is The God Culture is a regular guest on Zen Garcia's channel and on Lisa George's channel. Most of his talks with Zen and Lisa retread the same old material but once in a while Tim says the darndest things. On the April 10th, 2025 show with Zen Tim says there is only one sacrament. 

Unlocking hidden Truths with Tim Schwab, Zen Garcia, and Lisa George

44:13 Tim: They've also added, you know, they have four different kinds of wine where, well, the wine in the Bible is Communion. It's what we call Communion. The Passover event is when Yahusha offered the first Communion. 

Zen: Right. 

Tim: So, that is the wine. And there's only one. There's not four. The Catholic Church has seven sacraments for instance. Well where'd the other six come from because there's only one in the Bible? And it's Pharisee leaven. It, it's how they embellish you know and they expand with leaven. And so anytime we see a narrative like that we we choose to go and defend the Bible, uh, over whatever narrative is being told.

That is quite revealing. 

First of all if Tim does not know why the Catholic Church has seven sacraments it just goes to show what a theologically ignorant person he really is. How can he even speak against their sacramental system if he doesn't understand it? He does all this research about the Philippines and the lost tribes claiming to be restoring lost truths and he has no idea why the Catholic Church has seven sacraments? Maybe he should ask his team.

What does Tim think a sacrament is? He does not say nor has he ever talked about the sacraments before as far as I am aware. Does he know the word sacrament does not appear in the Bible? Tim denies the Trinity, calling it a "doctrine of men," by saying it "is a word that never appears in scripture once."

1:01:48 Then espousing some doctrine of men like Trinity which is a word that never even appears in scripture once. That's why you don't see any videos from us on that. We could care less about the doctrines of men. 

Sabbath Series: Part 3C. Did Messiah Break the Sabbath?

So, why would he believe there are sacraments?

Second of all Tim says there is only one sacrament in the Bible. Presumably that would be Communion because that is what he is talking about. Did he forget about Baptism?  Of course not. How could he? Baptism, along with Communion, is a very important rite in the New Testament and is commanded by Jesus Christ in the Great Commission. 

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

In fact Paul equates Baptism with circumcision.

Colossians 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 

12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead

Circumcision was the entrance into the Old Covenant whereas Baptism is the entrance into the New Covenant. Tim does not seem to understand that distinction. In Rest: The Case For Sabbath he writes the following. 

Understand circumcision is not genital mutilation as some would mischaracterize. It is a First Fruit Offering of the flesh of a male child. We even find medically, it is beneficial to most. What we don’t find even in the Law of Moses is that circumcision is salvation. It is not. It really is much like baptism in the same sense as it is something one does with their sons at a very early age of 8 days old. Thus the Apostolic leadership had a tough decision to make especially forcing Gentile men to now be circumcised. Ouch! 

They render a very wise decision and Paul abides by it. He is not in the leadership at that time though he was praised by them in this meeting. They send Paul and Barnabas out with this message. Anyone claiming Paul then went against the Apostles in his teaching of circumcision is illiterate of scripture because the message he shared is exactly what they decided. Essentially, the Pharisee emphasis on circumcision was wrong in the first place as it is not salvation and the leadership chose to tell the Gentile men to focus on other issues which just so happen to reinforce the Law of Moses which James taught then and Paul also taught. Again, the Pharisees do not understand the Law of Moses. When they say to keep it, they refer to the legalistic application in which they have expanded. The Apostles did not agree with that but what they never do is say not to keep the Law of Moses. It doesn’t happen and this passage is certainly not saying so as James then, reinforces the Law of Moses. 

p. 157

Tim says circumcision is a first fruit offering of the male child, which is not supported by any verse of Scripture, and then says it "is much like baptism in the same sense as it is something one does with their sons at a very early age of 8 days old." That would seem to mean Tim thinks Baptism is a first fruit offering of newborn infant boys, which doesn't make any sense. 

At this point exploring the issue much further is going to be fruitless because Tim has not given a lot of information to work with. As far as I am aware he has never spoken about baptism. The fact is Tim says there is only one sacrament though he does not define what a sacrament is. From the context, it is clear he does not consider baptism to be a sacrament but something else entirely. Moreover since the word sacrament does not appear in the Bible it's a wonder he believes there is even one sacrament. Logical consistency is not his forte.

The God Culture: Feast of First Fruits Fact Sheet

Timothy Jay Schwab who is The God Culture has produced another fact sheet which undermines his teaching about keeping the law including the feasts. This fact sheet is about the Feast of First Fruits. 

https://thegodculture.org/feast-of-first-fruits-fact-sheet/

There are a few things to look at. 

The first section is titled Purpose of the First Fruits Offering. Under this heading Tim writes:

• It represents Messiah Yahusha as the First Fruits of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20). Indeed others resurrected for a temporary time but only He is the First Fruits among men.

Wow. Tim gets it right. The Feast of First Fruits looks forward to Christ. He has fulfilled this feast by being the first fruits of the resurrection. 

1 Corinthians 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

Once again, just like Passover, the feast has been fulfilled in and by Jesus Christ. Therefore there is no more feast to celebrate. 

The second section is titled Spiritual Meaning in Messiah. Tim writes:

Yahusha rose as the First Fruits of those who sleep (1 Corinthians 15:20-23).

His resurrection fulfills this Feast closely associated, though not on the exact date (Abib 26), in line with the accurate calendar. Fullfill never means “passed away.” As He entrenched Himself in these Feasts, He would have to pass away for the Feast to do so.

Tim gets it right again. The resurrection of Jesus Christ fulfills the Feast of First Fruits. It's not really so amazing he gets this right because this is basic New Testament teaching. Christ fulfilled the law. It truly is hard for Tim to kick against the pricks. 

But of course Tim goes off the rails and says fulfill does not mean pass away and in order for the feast to pass away Christ would also have to pass away. He has thereby denied the consequences of what it means for the resurrection of Jesus Christ being the fulfillment of the feast of first fruits. 

Fulfill, in Greek pleroo, means to complete, to accomplish, to expire, to end, to finish. 

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4137/kjv/tr/0-1/

πληρόω plēróō, play-ro'-o; from G4134; to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.:—accomplish, after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply

Jesus Christ has completed and finished the law bringing it to an end. He is the end, in Greek telos, of the law. 

Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5056/kjv/tr/0-1/

τέλος télos, tel'-os; from a primary τέλλω téllō (to set out for a definite point or goal); properly, the point aimed at as a limit, i.e. (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination (literally, figuratively or indefinitely), result (immediate, ultimate or prophetic), purpose); specially, an impost or levy (as paid):—+ continual, custom, end(-ing), finally, uttermost.

End here is translated from the Greek word telos which means the goal. The law points to one goal and that is Christ. The law remains and stands condemning us showing our need for Christ which is how it operates as a schoolmaster to lead us to Christ (Galatians.) Christ brought an end to all the sacrifices of the Mosaic Law (Hebrews.) There is no more Mosaic Law for us to follow because Christ has brought it to a full end and completion. Our righteousness comes not from following the Mosaic Law but through faith in Christ alone. And that faith is a gift from God not something of our own devising. One does not simply choose to believe the Gospel. One believes the Gospel because they are chosen.

Here is what John Calvin says about those who bind people to man made laws or who wish to continue keeping the Mosaic law and encourage others to do so despite Christ having fulfilled it and which applies to Tim and all the Hebrew Roots type people. They

are a heap of Ishmaelites and filthy bastards which fight against God and all his true and right begotten children.

John Calvin, Sermons on Galatians, Sermon 30, pg 634 Old Paths Publications

Blunt words indeed which capture the seriousness of the issue at hand. Insisting on observing the Mosaic law after Christ is not a small error, it is to oppose the very Gospel. To drag believers back under the grievous yoke of bondage which is the Mosaic Law after the coming of Christ is to side with the bondwoman and her son, cast out from the inheritance. It is spiritual illegitimacy parading as restoration. The heirs of grace have no fellowship with those who reject the sufficiency of Christ and bind others to shadows that have passed away.

The next thing to look at are Tim's instructions for keeping the Feast of First Fruits.

Ways to Celebrate 

·       Read Scriptures (Leviticus 23, Deut. 26, 1 Cor. 15) 

·       Offer thanks in prayer for YHWH’s provision. 

·       Share the first of your harvest/increase with others or give to those in need. 

·       Reflect on Messiah's resurrection and what it means for your life. 

·       In tradition, the Priest would waive a sheaf of barley or wheat, and wine as a drink offering in the air, though you may have difficulty waiving a jackfruit (don’t try this at home). Offer in the air with prayer and thanksgiving. The wine would then, be poured over the alter, and not to drink. You can create an altar of your own and you can do this without an altar. 

Oh hahahaha!! Traditionally the priest waves a sheaf of barley through the air but in the Philippines they have jackfruits. Don't try waving a jackfruit through the air at home!! Hahahahaha! 

How can this man, who is so serious about the need to keep the law as a source of righteousness, continually mock the law? The waving of a sheaf by a priest is NOT OPTIONAL!

Lev 23: 9 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Lev 23:10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:

Lev 23:11 And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.

Lev 23:12 And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the LORD.

Lev 23:13 And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the LORD for a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin.

Lev 23:14 And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your God: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

If you aren't doing ALL OF THAT, then you aren't keeping the Feast of Firstfruits. It's not a joke to laugh at. The law is very clear on how to keep this feast and it's not the way Tim is saying. Without a priest, a sheaf offering, and a burnt offering there is no keeping this feast. 

Now for Tim's closing thought.

Closing Thought The Feast of First Fruits is not about agriculture alone; it's about recognizing YHWH as the source of all blessing and Messiah as the first to rise, guaranteeing our hope. Celebrate this day in sincerity, not tradition. Fixed by YHWH’s calendar. Affirmed by Scripture. Fulfilled in Yahusha. Continued in celebration forever, as always commanded.

Tim says don't celebrate the Feast of First Fruits according to tradition. What!? If you are not celebrating First Fruits according to tradition, i.e. the Mosaic Law, then your celebration is worthless. God gave a very strict and exact law for celebrating the feasts. Following Tim's invented instructions makes a mockery of the divine legislation. Of course any celebration is worthless because Jesus Christ fulfilled the feast. There is no need to celebrate the Feast of First Fruits.

The only true thing Tim says in this whole fact sheet is that the feast is fulfilled in Messiah. And because that is so we do not celebrate it anymore. Instead we worship Jesus Christ who completed and brought to an end the law including the Feast of First Fruits by being the first fruits of the resurrection of the dead.