Retards in the Government 450

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

 

 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2159210/cop-nabbed-after-firing-at-minors-over-firecracker-noise-in-paraaque

A rookie cop fired shots in front of three minors over their firecracker noise in Parañaque City on Wednesday night, according to authorities.

According to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), the incident, which caused “fear, shock, and emotional distress” to the minors aged 10, 12, and 15 years old, occurred along Culdesac Road in Sun Valley village.

“The incident stemmed from the minors’ noise and use of firecrackers,” the NCRPO said in a statement.

The suspect, whom the NCRPO did not identify, allegedly confronted the children, drew his 9mm pistol issued by Philippine National Police (PNP), and fired shots indiscriminately in front of them.

The 28-year old patrolman was arrested in the early hours of Thursday, Christmas Day.

Seized from the suspect were one PNP-issued firearm with one magazine loaded with three bullets; one empty cartridge case of a 9mm firearm; and a PNP identification card.

The suspect is currently under police custody and will face criminal complaints, while parallel administrative proceedings are set to be initiated in accordance with existing PNP rules and regulations.

The cop is facing a complaint of grave threats in relation to Republic Act No. 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act) and violation of RA No. 11926 (Indiscriminate Discharge of Firearms). 

A rookie cop has been arrested for firing shots in front of three minors over their firecracker noise.

https://mb.com.ph/2025/12/25/ex-village-chair-shot-dead-on-christmas-day-in-ilocos-sur

A former barangay captain was gunned down by his younger brother, the incumbent village head, in Barangay Sagneb, this town, on Christmas Day, Dec. 25. 

Police Capt. Donaldson Palaganan, acting chief of the Bantay Municipal Police Station, said the victim Ben, 46, was shot at around 9:20 a.m. near the residence of the suspect Lito, 39. 

Palaganan said Ben was riding a modified tricycle with a companion when they stopped near the suspect’s house. 

The victim alighted from the tricycle and the suspect who was reportedly preparing food for a Christmas gathering suddenly approached him armed with a .45 caliber pistol. 

A heated argument erupted and suspect fired at the victim until he ran out of bullets. The suspect was later pacified by their sister. The victim's companion sought help from his father. 

The victim was taken to a hospital where he was declared dead. The suspect surrendered and turned over the gun to the police. 

Palaganan said they are looking at old grudge as possible motive for the killing.

A former barangay captain was gunned down by his younger brother, the incumbent village head, in Barangay Sagneb, this town, on Christmas Day, Dec. 25. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/12/27/8-cops-in-trouble-for-alleged-robbery-during-pasig-city-anti-illegal-drugs-operation

Police Maj. Gen. Anthony A. Aberin, director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), has placed under restrictive custody eight anti-narcotics policemen for alleged involvement in robbery during the conduct of an operation in Pasig City.

Aberin said all the cops involved are from the District Drug Enforcement Unit of the Eastern Police District and were already disarmed after they were named in the complaint for robbery

“This is part of our commitment to discipline and accountability within the organization. The NCRPO maintains a firm policy against any form of abuse of authority, misconduct, or deviation from police operational procedures,” said Aberin as he also ordered for a thorough investigation into the incident that happened at 2 p.m. on Dec. 26 in Barangay Palatiw.

Based on the report, the eight policemen entered a residential house in search of a suspected drug personality.

The occupants of the house later claimed that the policemen took some personal belongings which prompted them to seek assistance from the Pasig City Police Station.

During verification, Aberin said there were no official documents presented to support the conduct of a legitimate anti-illegal drugs operation in the area.

He said all those involved in the operation were immediately placed under police custody at the Pasig City Police Station and are set to undergo inquest proceedings today.

“The authority vested in every police officer carries with it a higher level of responsibility. At the NCRPO, we will not tolerate abuse of authority and instead, we will hold all those responsible accountable for violation of our procedures and of the law,” said Aberin. 

Eight cops have been arrested for robbery during an anti-drug operation.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2160867/doj-payroll-officer-faces-theft-graft-raps-for-diverting-funds

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday vowed to tighten its internal measures after one of its payroll officers was arrested for allegedly diverting millions of pesos in public funds to new bank accounts he had opened.

DOJ spokesperson Raphael Niccolo Martinez said the justice department “takes very seriously” the arrest of one of its employees. He added that the DOJ would extend its full cooperation to the National Bureau of Investigation and other authorities in pursuing the case.

“The DOJ remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the protection of public resources, and will continue to strengthen internal controls to ensure that a similar situation does not occur in the future,” Martinez said in a statement. 

He did not identify the employee involved, although NBI spokesperson Palmer Mallari earlier said in an ABS-CBN interview that the DOJ staff member was an administrative officer assigned to handle the payroll of regional prosecutors.

The suspect allegedly reinstated the payroll accounts of resigned and retired regional prosecutors and transferred the benefits credited to those accounts to new bank accounts he had opened.

The DOJ employee is facing charges of malversation of public funds, qualified theft, violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Access Devices Regulation Act, computer-related fraud and forgery, and the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act.

A Department of Justice payroll officer was arrested for allegedly diverting millions of pesos in public funds to new bank accounts he had opened.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1265933

The former chief of the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group's (PNP-HPG) Investigation Management Division is facing criminal and administrative complaints for allegedly assaulting a rookie officer over a parking dispute.

In a press briefing held at Camp Crame, PNP-HPG director Brig. Gen. Hansel Marantan said they have filed physical injury and grave threat charges against Col. Helson Walin before the Quezon City Prosecutors' Office.

Walin is also facing an administrative case before the PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS).

Marantan said the development would put an end to allegations that he was favoring Walin, his classmate at the PNP Academy.

"So that's good because there were insinuations. I can't dismiss that, so that's okay. The ball is no longer with the HPG anymore," he added.

Reports said Walin allegedly kicked, pointed a firearm, and hit the head and upper lip of the patrolman with the end of a firearm. The incident was caught on video, which eventually circulated online.

The injuries sustained by the rookie officer, who is assigned to the Intelligence Branch of the Regional Highway Patrol Unit-National Capital Region, were confirmed through a medico-legal examination.

The victim said the incident happened on Dec. 16 while he was walking inside the camp after attending to a vehicle with a tire lock. He claimed that the officer suddenly got out of his vehicle, loaded his firearm, pointed it at him and kicked him.

The victim said the encounter lasted nearly 30 minutes and involved verbal threats, punches and kicks. He also denied blocking the officer’s path and said they had no prior personal interaction.

The former chief of the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group's Investigation Management Division is facing criminal and administrative complaints for allegedly assaulting a rookie officer over a parking dispute.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2161541/2-soldiers-7-others-arrested-for-alleged-links-to-illegal-mining

Two Army intelligence operatives were arrested for escorting two pick-up trucks carrying 60 sacks of gold ore worth P300,000 in Opol town, Misamis Oriental, last Monday.

Captain Jhorlind Rico Apal, commander of the police Regional Mobile Force Battalion, said they intercepted the vehicles—a JMC Grand Avenue (plate ZAB 8446) and a Toyota Hilux (plate MGH 811)—at a checkpoint in Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Limonda, Opol.

“Both pick-ups were loaded with alleged minerals transported from Barangay Limonda, a known site for illegal mining activities,” Apal said.

He identified the soldiers as Staff Sgt. Norman Quilatan, 47, of Tagum City, and Staff Sgt. Ernesto Warain Jr., 46. Both are members of the Army’s Military Intelligence Battalion of the 10th Infantry Division.

Authorities also seized two Glock 17 pistols with magazines from the soldiers, standard-issue firearms for members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Apal added that seven companions, including the pick-up drivers, were also arrested.

Mines and Geosciences Bureau regional director Rodante Felina said they are investigating reports that rampant gold mining operations in the area are being protected by local politicians in Misamis Oriental.

The two soldiers and their companions were detained at the Opol town jail after cases were filed against them for violating the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

Two Army intelligence operatives were arrested for escorting two pick-up trucks carrying 60 sacks of gold ore worth P300,000 in Opol town, Misamis Oriental, last Monday.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2026/01/01/2498083/ex-ecija-mayor-nabbed-drugs

A former municipal mayor in Nueva Ecija was arrested in a sting in Talavera town yesterday morning.

Marvin Parinas, former mayor of Sto. Domingo town, was arrested in Barangay Calipahan, according to Col. Heryl Bruno, Nueva Ecija police director.

Parinas was arrested after he allegedly sold an undetermined amount of shabu to police officers who posed as buyers of illegal drugs.

Probers said the arresting team reportedly seized shabu with an estimated street value of P476,000 and the marked money from Parinas.

Charges for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against Parinas, according to Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones, Central Luzon police director.

A former municipal mayor in Nueva Ecija was arrested in a sting in Talavera town yesterday morning.

Coronavirus Lockdown: Soil Engineering, Food Service Sales, and More!

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

Tourism levels are still short of the 2019 recorded levels prior to the pandemic but the DOT aims to fix that by luring more Chinese tourists next year through the introduction of the e-visa. 

https://ibctv13.com/dot-logs-5-6m-tourists-expects-return-of-chinese-market-in-2026/

The Philippines has recorded 5.6 million in foreign visitor arrivals as of Dec. 20, nearly equal to the inbound figures it logged in 2024.

The number remains short of the 2019 recorded levels prior to the pandemic, but the Department of Tourism (DOT) on Tuesday expressed optimism for 2026 as the country anticipates an increase in the Chinese market with the recently resumed e-Visa for China.

Data showed that China ranked sixth in tourist arrivals with 262,144, behind South Korea, the United States, Japan, Australia, and Canada – a performance, the DOT said, was “largely influenced by visa disruptions, security perceptions, and limited air connectivity.”

Tourism Attaché to China Ireneo Reyes said the reintroduction of the Philippine e-Visa in November marks a critical step toward restoring confidence and easing travel for Chinese tourists, with stronger gains expected in early 2026.

“The e-Visa resumption is a critical step forward and a clear signal that the Philippines is open, ready, and eager to welcome our Chinese friends,” he said.

“While the timing meant that its full benefits could not be felt within the peak booking periods of 2025, we expect a more visible impact beginning the first quarter of 2026.”

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco earlier attributed to the suspension of e-Visa and weak Korean won the decrease in Chinese and Korean arrivals –the country’s top markets prior to the pandemic.

The DOT added that recovery was “constrained by reduced flight capacity, with China-Philippines routes operating at only about 45 percent of pre-pandemic levels,” but engagements with airlines and aviation stakeholders are ongoing “to gradually restore routes and seat capacity.”

“The Department is working closely with aviation and tourism stakeholders to gradually rebuild connectivity and confidence,” it said.

“With China being one of the world’s largest outbound travel markets, improving air connectivity presents a major opportunity.”

Despite budget constraints and market-specific challenges, the agency said Philippine tourism remains resilient, generating PHP3.86 trillion in receipts in 2024 and supporting 6.75 million of tourism-related job for Filipinos.

“The DOT remains optimistic that improved access, safety measures, and connectivity will drive a stronger rebound of the Chinese market and help lift overall arrival figures moving forward,” it said.

While the e-Visa will make it easier to enter the Philippines that doesn't change the fact it's still the Philippines with all that entails!

The learning crisis sparked by the pandemic is far from over say some experts. 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/amp/story/cebu/tell-it-to-sunstar-learning-crisis-in-philippine-schools-is-far-from-over

The release of the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) 2024 results offers a sobering reminder that the region’s learning crisis is far from over. While there are modest signs of improvement in mathematics across Southeast Asia, progress in reading has largely stalled. For the Philippines, the findings point to persistent weaknesses -- and widening inequalities -- that demand urgent, targeted action.

Education is a fundamental right and a cornerstone of national development. Foundational skills in reading and mathematics shape not only children’s success in school, but also their future participation in the economy and society. When these skills are not firmly established in the early grades, learning gaps tend to compound, limiting opportunities well beyond the classroom.

SEA-PLM assesses reading, writing and mathematical literacy among Grade 5 students across six Southeast Asian countries. In 2024, a key technical change was introduced: the benchmark for minimum proficiency was recalibrated from Band 6 to Band 5. Students reaching Band 5 and above are now considered to meet the internationally agreed Sustainable Development Goal indicator for learning outcomes at the end of primary education (SDG 4.1.1b).

Even under this revised benchmark, the results for the Philippines remain deeply concerning.

Across participating countries, 53 percent of Grade 5 students meet the minimum proficiency level in reading. In the Philippines, only 27 percent do so -- an improvement from 22 percent in 2019, but still leaving nearly three out of four children below the expected level. While the share of higher-performing students has increased slightly, the proportion of learners in the lowest bands has barely changed, suggesting that learning opportunities are becoming more unequal rather than more inclusive.

The picture is similar in mathematics. Regionally, 66 percent of students meet the minimum proficiency standard. In the Philippines, only 46 percent do -- up from 35 percent in 2019, yet still below the majority threshold. Alarmingly, the proportion of students in the very lowest proficiency band has remained unchanged since 2019, indicating that the most vulnerable learners are not benefiting from overall gains.

Perhaps the most troubling message of SEA-PLM 2024 lies beneath the averages. Learning gaps remain stark and persistent. Students from low-income households, rural communities and disaster-prone areas continue to lag far behind their more advantaged peers. The pandemic did not create these inequalities, but it clearly magnified existing structural weaknesses -- unequal access to learning resources, uneven teacher deployment, and disparities in school leadership and support.

For the Philippines, a country regularly affected by typhoons, floods and other climate-related shocks, learning recovery cannot be treated as a uniform national process. Equity-focused interventions will be essential if recovery efforts are to reach those children who have lost the most.

While the SEA-PLM 2024 report provides a valuable descriptive overview of learning outcomes, it also highlights a critical gap: we still know too little about why some schools and students perform better than others. Which school-level factors matter most? How much do teacher qualifications, instructional practices, language of instruction, or parental engagement contribute to learning success?

Answering these questions requires deeper, more sophisticated analysis of the rich SEA-PLM data -- going beyond national averages and headline indicators. Without this, education reforms risk remaining well-intentioned but blunt, unable to address the root causes of underperformance.

As Southeast Asian countries work to rebuild more resilient and equitable education systems, measurement alone is not enough. What matters now is how seriously governments, researchers and development partners engage with the data -- and how boldly they translate evidence into targeted action. For the Philippines, the opportunity remains open. The data is there. The question is whether it will be used to its full potential.

There was a learning crisis before the pandemic so its no big secret that students continue to underperform. 

During the pandemic one resourceful Filipino decided to develop his cacao farm and increase its yield. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2159960/soil-engineering-allows-agriculture-to-flourish-in-agusan-del-sur

Young farmer-entrepreneur Japhet Gupit Tabale, owner of Cacao Prince products, is proving that agriculture and technology can thrive together as he uses artificial intelligence (AI) to market and expand his cacao business across the country.

A graduate of business administration and computer science, the Bayugan City native integrated e-commerce and AI into their family’s third-generation cacao enterprise that was started in the 1970s by his grandmother.

The 2.5-hectare farm in the mountain village of Magkiangkang now focuses on hybrid cacao varieties that produce bigger beans, hence a higher yield, and have stronger resistance to pests.

The COVID-19 pandemic pushed Tabale to employ technology aggressively to reach target customers among cafés, “sikwate” (native chocolate) shops and individuals who are fond of chocolates, as businesses struggled with the lockdowns.

Before the pandemic, Tabale was selling around 30 kilos of “tablea” every month. Today, demand has climbed to 300 kilos monthly and, by next year, could reach 500 kilos. Hence, he is seeking to expand his supply of cacao beans by setting up a buying center in Bayugan, offering farmers a stable business relationship and fair pricing.

Tabale’s innovative business approach earned him the National Young Farmers Challenge Upscale Award in 2023, securing nearly P1 million to further develop his farm. He is also one of the Rural Agro-Enterprise and Productivity Innovation Development Youth Champions of the Department of Trade and Industry in Agusan del Sur.

To help expand his production, Tabale joined the Upland Sustainable Agri-Forestry Development (USAD) program of the provincial government, availing of aid to develop an additional hectare of cacao.

Agusan del Sur Gov. Santiago Cane Jr. always cites the role of young innovators like Tabale in strengthening the province’s agriculture for which it has vast potential, given a land area of close to a million hectares.

“To keep up with the demands of the times, we need to tailor-fit our agricultural system to the latest technologies and innovations,” Cane points out.

He emphasizes the need for generational transition as the bulk of farmers in the province are already way past 50 years old.

Here, leaders in the province hinge their hopes on the youth, confident that with the right motivation, they will take up the challenge of reimagining farming to achieve, among others, food security amid disruptions wrought by climate change.

“We must groom a new breed of farmers who understand both the science of agriculture and the urgency of climate adaptation,” says Rep. Adolph Edward Plaza, who has been pushing for innovation-driven farming. “The future of agriculture depends on the youth who will sustain and lead it forward,” he adds.

Now he's on the forefront of Philippine agricultural innovation. 

The following headline must be a typo. They must mean 2026 rather than 2025. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/12/31/philippine-food-service-sales-set-to-return-to-pre-pandemic-levels-in-2025

The Philippines’ food service industry is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels beginning this year, with sales on an upswing as restaurants expand to take advantage of consumers dining out more frequently, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

In a Dec. 30 report, the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) in Manila estimates that the country’s food service sales this year would grow by eight percent to $14 billion from around $13 billion last year.

If this forecast is realized, it would mean that the food service industry is back to the $14 billion in sales recorded in 2019, or the year before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The USDA expects growth to continue into next year, with sales forecast to increase by 10 percent to around $15.4 billion. 

“This sales growth in 2025 and 2026 is driven by the expansion of quick-service restaurant (QSR) chains and international restaurant concepts, which are increasing their market presence by opening new outlets,” the report read. 

“As consumers increasingly seek convenince and prioritize experiential dining, the hotel, restaurant, and institutional sectors are thriving, even in the face of inflationary pressures,” it added. 

Despite the Philippine economy being projected to grow at a slower pace amid domestic and external headwinds, the USDA said consumer spending on food remains robust, supported by a higher employment rate and a growing middle class. 

The foreign agency said this results in “increased frequency and spending on food options at food service establishments.” 

A booming tourism sector, the popularity of online deliveries, and even the recent debut of Michelin Guide are all expected to drive sales next year. 

The USDA said the majority of consumers eat at limited-service restaurants (LSRs), which represent more than half of food service sales, or 61 percent of the total. 

LSRs, which include fast-food establishments, are projected to post a 10-percent growth in sales next year to $9.52 billion from this year’s $8.64 billion. 

“Market trends include ongoing expansion into untapped areas, the rise of value-for-money menu options, and digital marketing innovations, while major players such as Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) and McDonald’s continue to drive the sector’s rapid development,” the report read. 

Full-service restaurants (FSRs), which account for 15 percent of industry sales, are expected to hit $2.18 billion next year, up three percent from $2.11 billion this year. 

The foreign agency said the arrival of new international players, the development of innovative restaurant concepts, and increasing consumer demand for unique dining experiences are among the growth drivers for this segment. 

Meanwhile, street stalls and kiosks are seen growing five percent to $1.97 billion next year from $1.88 billion as demand for quick and affordable food and beverage options remains strong. 

Street stalls and kiosks, which include the likes of Angel’s Burger Group, Potato Corner, and Fruitas Holdings Inc., account for 13 percent of food service sales. 

Cafes and bars make up the remaining 11 percent of industry sales, with growth next year pegged at $1.74 billion from this year’s $1.63 billion. 

“This segment is driven by rising consumer mobility, the popularity of specialty coffee and tea shops, and the growing influence of Millennials and Gen Z, who are fueling demand for innovative beverages and café experiences,” the USDA said.

Or perhaps they haven't finished counting all the receipts yet. 

Hi, My Name is...66

There are a lot of weird ways to die. There are also a lot of stupid reasons to die. Some people get angry over the pettiest things. Some people get into the stupidest accidents. Say hello to each of these unique people. 

Hi, my name is Noli. I was on my home on my motorbike when all of a sudden a carabao appeared in front of me! I rammed right into him. Sadly for me I was not wearing a helmet. I died on the scene. The owner of the carabao is being looked for. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/11/18/rider-killed-after-motorcycle-rams-carabao

A 27-year-old man died after his motorcycle rammed a carabao in Barangay Tangub here on Monday, Nov. 17. 

Police identified the victim as Noli, a resident of Barangay Pahanocoy here. 

Investigation said Noli was on his way home when the animal suddenly crossed the street. 

The victim crashed into the animal and sustained multiple injuries. He was not wearing a helmet, police said. 

Police are locating the owner of the carabao.

Hi, my name is SuSajid Alap-ap Hajula.  My neighbor, Remil Akil Jangas, and I were having a coffee outside my house with a friend. What goes better with coffee than a smoke? So I asked our friend  to buy me a cigarette. He refused.  So I asked Jangas to buy them.  He refused. So, of course I shot him dead. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/11/11/man-shot-dead-for-refusing-to-buy-cigarettes-for-neighbor

A man was shot dead before dawn on Tuesday, Nov. 11, here for allegedly refusing to fulfill a request of a neighbor to buy cigarettes. 

Victim Remil Akil Jangas, 25, was allegedly shot dead by SuSajid Alap-ap Hajula, 40. 

Initial investigation showed that Jangas and a companion, Chulo Amilasan Julbari, were having coffee outside the house of Hajula when Hajula asked Julbari to purchase cigarettes for him. 

Julbari refused as stores were closed at the time. Hajula made the same request to Jangas who also refused for the same reason. 

Hajula got angry and punched and shot Jangas. He ordered Julbari not to call the police. 

The suspect fled and was taken to a hospital where he was declared dead. 

No empty shells were recovered at the crime scene. 

Police are conducting follow-up investigation.

Hi, my name is Arnold Navares. I asked my wife, Mercedita, for some money to buy shabu. She did not decline. Instead she said she had no money. But that really got me angry. I trashed the house. Then I picked up a metal pipe and beat her to death. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/10/11/man-mauls-wife-for-failure-to-give-money-to-buy-shabu

A woman was beaten up by her husband after she refused to give him money to buy shabu.

The incident happened at the couple’s house in Barangay Poblacion Pardo here around 10 a.m on Friday morning, Oct. 10.

The suspect, Arnold Navares, 48, was arrested after the incident.

Police said the man arrived home and asked his 50-year-old wife, Mercedita, that he needs money to buy shabu.

She told Arnold that she does not have money.

Arnold was irked and trashed their house.

He took a metal pipe and struck his wife, knocking her unconscious.

The victim regained consciousness and with the help of neighbors, reported the incident to the police that led to her husband’s arrest.

The suspect sought forgiveness at the Inayawan Police Station and promised that the incident would never happen again.

Police said charges for violating the Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004 will be filed against the suspect.

Hi, my name is Vigil Cuevas. I was digging out a hole into which I could shove a huge boulder so we could have level ground to extend the house. My husband left to get coffee and sugar so it was me all alone in the hole digging at the base of the boulder. My mother-in-law said I should stop digging because the boulder was already loose but I ignored her and kept digging.  All of a sudden the boulder came loose and fell on top of me killing me instantly as my children looked on helplessly. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/537885/boulder-falls-crushes-kills-woman-inside-hole-she-dug-in-negros-oriental

A 34-year-old woman was crushed by an estimated 1 ton boulder that fell on her as she was trying to find a way to let it fall on a hole so that she could have a level ground to extend her family’s house in Sitio Camogao, Barangay Tambulan, Tayasan town in Negros Oriental.

The plan of the victim’s famly was to push the boulder into a hole that she and her family had dug so that they could have more level space for the extension of their house’s terrace.

When the boulder would be inside the hole, they would then fill it with soil thereby, having a level ground that they could use.

After finishing digging the hole in front of the boulder, they would then dig the soil at the base of the boulder so that it would loosen and they could push it into the hole.

But then on that fateful day of November 4, the victim identified by the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, in a report, as Vigil Cuevas, was left alone in the hole and digging at the base of the boulder since her husband Bengie Cuevas went to buy sugar and coffee.

This was according to Barangay Councilor Edwin Callet of Tambulan, in an interview on November 4 with Lawyer Ruphil Bañoc in his program Straight to the Point at dyHP, that the boulder was estimated to be at least a ton in weight.

Callet also said that earlier the mother-in-law of Vigil told her to stop digging because the boulder was already loosened.

(Her mother-in-law told her to stop digging already, but she told her that she will just finish this.)

So she went into the hole and continued digging near the base of the boulder. 

Callet said that she was the only one there in the hole and her four children, whose ages are seven years old, five years old, three-years-old and her 11-month-old child were staying in an area where they could see their mother in the hole.

Then the boulder suddenly fell into the hole falling on Vigil, hitting her from behind and crushing her.

The seven-year-old child rushed to get help but then it was already too late.

Callet said that it took a lot of people using ropes and wood as lever to to lift the boulder and remove the body of the victim.

According to Police Executive Master Sergeant Charliven Gantalao, spokesman and deputy chief of the Tayasan Police Station, that the victim must have miscalculated in digging inside the hole.

(She miscalculated. Because [with the hole there] she would have dug at the side of the base of the boulder and then the hole at the side of the boulder would be enough. They would just use a piece of wood as a lever to push the boulder into the big hole.

Barangay Councilor Callet said that the body of the victim was still at the funeral parlor [as of evening of November 4] and the wake of the victim would be held at house of husband’s father in Barangay Tambulan.

Hi, my name is Caryl Ann Mistola. I was standing outside the entrance of a church waiting for a friend who had gone inside to light a candle.  All of a sudden a huge piece of concrete decorative sculpture fell from the bell tower and onto my head. The forced knocked me down but thankfully I survived. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/6/14/college-student-hurt-by-falling-concrete-church-decorative-sculpture

A 20-year-old college student was injured after she was hit by a falling concrete decorative sculpture from the bell tower at Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church in Barangay South, Ormoc City, on Thursday, June 13.

Police identified the victim as Caryl Ann Mistola, a student at the Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) and a resident of Purok 1, Barangay Naungan, Ormoc.

Initial investigation conducted disclosed that the victim was standing at the entrance waiting for her friend who was lighting a candle inside when a concrete decorative sculpture accidentally detached from the bell tower and fell from the ceiling of the hall entrance.

The falling debris from the ceiling and the concrete decorative reportedly hit the head of the victim.

Mistola sustained injuries on her head and was taken to a local hospital.

The church assured that they will shoulder the medical expenses of the victim who needs surgery.

Hi, my name has not been reported but I am a 20-year-old man. The garbage truck came by and I tried to toss in my trash but the garbage men said to put my sack on the ground and back up.  Well, I put the sack on the ground and waited for my empty sack. One of the guys tossed the trash into the truck and accidentally struck the tailgate support bar, causing it to fall and hit the me on the head. I died instantly.

https://mb.com.ph/2025/09/25/man-throwing-trash-dies-after-being-hit-by-garbage-truck

A 20-year-old man died after being accidentally hit on the head by a garbage truck's support bar while throwing trash in Tanay, Rizal, on Tuesday morning, Sept. 23.

According to the Tanay Municipal Police Station (Tanay MPS), the victim, identified as Jeffsy, went to the oval of Southville 10 in Barangay Plaza Aldea at around 9:37 a.m. to dispose of his garbage while the garbage truck was parked there for collection.

Upon arrival, the four garbage collectors instructed him to place the sacks on the ground and not to approach the truck for safety purposes.

At that moment, the victim waited for his empty sack while standing behind the garbage truck, seemingly unaware of the potential risk.

When one of the collectors threw garbage into the truck, it reportedly struck the tailgate support bar, causing it to fall and hit the victim on the head. This resulted in the victim's immediate death.

Authorities said the four garbage collectors are now in police custody and are facing investigation for negligence resulting in homicide.

Hi, my name is Novo Tadulma. I was out on a drinking spree with my friends Mario Mansigin and Gaspar Felipe. I asked them for more money to buy another bottle but they refused. So I stabbed them both to death. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/06/24/2-vendors-stabbed-dead-over-refusal-to-share-money-to-buy-liquor

A drinking session in Pili town in Camarines Sur province turned deadly when a vendor allegedly stabbed fellow vendors to death over their refusal to share money to buy liquor on Monday night, June 21.

Police Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib, Police Regional Office-5 spokesperson, identified the victims as Mario Mansigin and Gaspar Felipe.

Initial investigation said the victims and suspect, Novo Tadulma, were having a drinking session when Tadulma asked the victims for money to buy another bottle of liquor.

The victims got angry and a heated argument erupted. The suspect got a knife and stabbed the victims.

The victims were taken to a hospital where they were declared dead.

Tadulma was arrested by responding policemen and now under the custody of the Pili Municipal Police Station (MPS).

Hi, my name is Mar. My neighbor Mel built a fence on his land which I didn't like at all. One day I wandered over there a bit drunk and got into an argument about it with him. In the heat of the argument I stabbed him in the gut with my bolo. He died instantly. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/4/7/man-stabbed-dead-during-argument-over-fence

A 43-year-old jobless man was allegedly stabbed to death by his neighbor over a fence in Sitio Kanto Bulaklak, Barangay San Jose, this town, on Sunday afternoon, April 6.

Police identified the victim as Mel.

Investigation said the suspect, Mar, 57, and a carpenter, confronted the victim drunk regarding the fence of their land.

A heated argument erupted and Mar stabbed Mel with a bolo in the abdomen.

The victim was taken to a clinic in Tiaong, Quezon where he was declared dead.

The suspect who faces a homicide case fled after the incident and the subject of a manhunt operation.

Hi, my name is Arman. Someone had been dumping trash in our neighborhood. Suspecting my relative Edgar I confronted him. We got into a fistfight but then I pulled out my gun and shot him.  Edgar tried to run away but I kept shooting him until he was dead. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/4/7/man-killed-by-relative-over-garbage-dispute

A 24-year-old man was shot and killed by his relative over garbage dumped in a right-of-way in Purok Narra, Barangay Lopez Jaena, Murcia, Negros Occidental on Sunday, April 6.

Police Capt. Honey Labaro, deputy chief of the Murcia Municipal Police Station, said the victim Edgar was returning home with his family when the 47-year-old suspect Arman confronted him about trash dumped in the area.

A fistfight ensued where Arman drew a gun and shot Edgar. Edgar was wounded and tried to flee but Arman continued to shoot the victim until he collapsed and died from multiple bullet wounds.

The suspect fled but he was apprehended by police near a school building. Recovered from him was a .45 caliber pistol.

During the chase, a commotion broke out between the two families where three people were injured, including the victim’s brother, who sustained head injuries and was hospitalized.

Police recovered a knife, a bolo, a magazine with ammunition, and spent shells from the crime scene.

A follow-up investigation is ongoing.

Hi, my name is Julito Bacus Gerada Jr. I am a mason. I was working on the 8th floor of a building when an iron pipe fell from the 22nd floor and onto my head. I died instantly. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/641473/falling-pipe-kills-26-year-old-mason-in-cebu-city

A 26-year-old construction worker died Tuesday, June 10, after he was struck on the head by a falling galvanized iron (GI) pipe while working at a high-rise building project in Barangay Zapatera here, authorities said.

The victim, identified as Julito Bacus Gerada Jr., a mason from Barangay Biga, Toledo City, was working on a gondola at the eighth floor of an ongoing mixed-use project when the tragedy occurred around 11 a.m., according to initial reports from the police.

Gerada sustained severe head injuries. He was immediately rushed to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

The GI pipe reportedly fell from the 22nd floor of the building before hitting him.

Marvin Gentapa, the project’s safety officer, reported the incident to the police around 5:30 p.m. the same day.

Authorities are conducting further investigations to determine whether proper safety protocols were observed at the site and whether there was negligence involved.

Tuesday’s accident adds to the list of workplace-related deaths in Central Visayas, where construction sites have consistently ranked among the most hazardous workplaces.

In an earlier report, the Department of Labor and Employment in Region 7 (DOLE-7) said the construction industry accounts for the highest number of workplace accidents in Central Visayas, many involving falls, falling objects, electrocution, and collapsed scaffolding.

Regulators have also urged construction firms to adhere more strictly to occupational health and safety guidelines, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), regular safety audits, and worker training programs.

In the meantime, authorities have yet to announce if charges will be filed or if the construction project will be temporarily halted pending investigation.

As of Tuesday evening, the body of the victim remains at VSMMC, while his family has been notified of the tragedy.

Insurgency: Spearhead On Track To Eliminate CTGs

Another town has ben declared insurgency-free. This time in southern Bukidnon.  

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2157156/bukidnon-town-declared-insurgency-free

After decades of being beset by the communist insurgency, this town in southern Bukidnon was declared insurgency-free on Friday, joining nine other localities in the province with the same status.

The declaration was made during a ceremony at the municipal grounds led by Mayor Pablo Lorenzo III, with officials from the Army’s 1003rd Brigade, the Bukidnon Police Provincial Office, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Lorenzo said the declaration was anchored on a resolution passed by the municipal peace and order council.

He recalled the decades-long toll of the insurgency in the town, which reached its height in the 1990s. 

The mayor said that the declaration was not intended to erase history, but to honor the sacrifices of residents and security forces, and to secure a peaceful future for the next generation.

A Manobo-Matigsalug tribal leader shared that his father, a former communist rebel who surrendered in 2019, helped establish the vigilante group Alsa Masa that opposed NPA activities.

He thanked the authorities for their support and urged fellow indigenous peoples to prioritize educating their children for a better future.

Brig. Gen. Christopher M. Diaz, commander of the Army’s 1003rd Brigade, said peace in Quezon was once only an aspiration during his early years of service in Mindanao. 

He noted that the current stability was the result of years of sacrifice by soldiers and police, stressing that peace is a shared responsibility and that development should now be prioritized.

Diaz credited the support of the local government as crucial to the achievement and assured residents of the Army’s continued vigilance.

Col. Oliver S. Navales, Bukidnon police director,  described the declaration as a collective victory rooted in unity and cooperation. 

He said being insurgency-free goes beyond the absence of armed conflict, reflecting trust and collaboration between communities and government. 

Navales added that sustained peace would open opportunities for education, investment, and economic growth, and thanked former rebels who chose to surrender and support lasting peace.

The ceremony also featured the signing of a persona non grata declaration against the communist movement and the release of white doves, symbolizing a milestone in the town’s history.

Quezon now joins the other insurgency-free areas in Bukidnon, namely, the towns of San Fernando, Kadingilan, Damulog, Dangcagan, Kibawe, Don Carlos, Maramag, Kitaotao, and Valencia City.

Col. Oliver S. Navales, Bukidnon police director says that this declaration will open opportunites for development in many areas. That includes the NTF-ELCAC's barangay development program which they claim is not a reward for insurgency cleared areas. 

The Philippine Army's 3rd Infantry Division which covers the Western Visayas, Negros Island Region and the Central Visayas claims they are on track to eliminate the NPA by the end of the year. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1265820

The Philippine Army's 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), also known as the Spearhead Division, is on track in its campaign to eliminate the local communist terrorist group (CTG) by the end of this year.

Accomplishments

Capt. Jessie Jun Ebalan, chief of the 3rd Division Public Affairs Office, said they have significant accomplishments when it comes to guerrilla units and reduction in manpower and firearms.

"We are on track; I could say that the 3rd Infantry Division is on track. We are winning our campaign in Western Visayas, Negros Island Region and Central Visayas. There is a significant decrease in the firepower and manpower of the NPA (New People's Army)," he said.

In June this year, through the National Joint Peace Security Coordinating Council, the vertical unit of Kilusang Rehiyon (KR) Panay, which is the Regional Sentro De Gravidad (RSDG) Madi-as, was declared as dismantled.

"A vertical unit is the regional striking force of KR-Panay. This is a big accomplishment since we have declared this as dismantled as of June 18 this year," he said.

This accomplishment won for the 3ID and its 301st Infantry Brigade the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) Campaign Streamer Award, awarded during the 90th founding celebration at Camp Aguinaldo by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Other guerrilla fronts have been declared dismantled in previous years.

This year, they also neutralized 15 CTG members in Panay, to include the four who died in an encounter, one apprehended and the 10 who surrendered.

In Negros Island Region (NIR), there were 14 fatalities and 23 who surrendered.

Further, 82 firearms were seized, captured and surrendered. Of these, 47 were from Panay and 35 from the NIR.

Aid for rebels

Ebalan added that 17 former rebels received assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP).

Under ECLIP, a rebel upon surrender receives PHP65,000 in assistance; PHP15,000 for immediate assistance and PHP50,000 livelihood aid.

There is a separate firearms remuneration, depending on the number and the serviceability.

Meanwhile, the 3ID also extended support to the Philippine National Police in serving the warrant against Roberto Caballes, the second deputy secretary of KR-Panay, resulting in his death.

An encounter in Negros Occidental led to the neutralization of four CTG members.

They also apprehended Gaspar Matullano, former KR-Panay secretary with a PHP2.5 million bounty and multiple standing warrants of arrest in Iloilo City.

The surrender of a wounded CTG member in an encounter in Tapaz, Capiz, to the 301st Infantry Brigade was also among their latest accomplishments.

The 3ID has jurisdiction over Western Visayas, Negros Island Region and Central Visayas.

"Hopefully, the division can reach the target that has been set by higher headquarters," he said.

It is interesting that while they cite accomplishments they don't cite any real numbers. How many rebels are left in the region? 

December 26th is the 57th anniversary of the founding of the CPP. The NTF-ELCAC says there is nothing to celebrate. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1265854

The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) is hard pressed to find "existential relevance" as it has failed to deliver on its promises to its followers, the government's anti-insurgency task force said Friday.

“The honest answer is clear. Fifty-seven years on, what remains of the CPP’s social experiment is not a mass movement, but a sunken organization that vainly clings to an outdated ideology, sustained by deception, coercion, and the continued sacrifice of lives that no longer believe in its cause,” NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. said in a statement, as the CPP-NPA marked its 57th anniversary.

Torre said the CPP anniversary is not an occasion for celebration but a moment of sober reflection for its members.

“After more than half a century of armed struggle, even as it currently claims to rectify and recover, the CPP is plagued with a question of existential relevance. Has this ‘revolution’ truly delivered to the people it claims to serve?” Torres asked.

“The CPP would have the country believe that this is because of fear or coercion. It is desperate to hide the fact that these communities are already seeing tangible improvements in the people’s lives. They see roads being built, livelihoods restored, and basic services that finally reach areas long neglected,” he added.

Peace and development, not armed violence, have proven to be the real instruments of change, Torres said.

“Militarily and politically, the NPA is now fragmented and depleted. Its remaining units are isolated, undersupplied, and increasingly reduced to acts of extortion, intimidation, and punitive violence against civilians,” he said.

Torres noted that the “loud rhetoric of resurgence through rectification and recovery” being claimed by the insurgents cannot hide the fact that the NPA has ceased to become an organized armed group but has turned into a band of isolated bandits in survival mode.

“Unable to rebuild support in the countryside through the NPA, the CPP has turned its political focus toward one remaining lifeline: Its urban-based operations. Universities, urban poor communities and other vulnerable groups have become prime targets for ideological grooming,” he added.

Under this method, Torres claimed that the youth are bombarded with romantic narratives of struggle, even as CPP organizers deliberately hide from would-be recruits grim realities of hunger, fear, disillusion and death in the mountains.

“Even in tragic deaths, the family’s mourning is weaponized and monetized, while recruitment quietly continues. This is not genuine activism. This is pure exploitation,” he added.

Alongside these, Torres said the CPP is merely relying on its legal democratic organizations, the wolves in sheeps’ clothing, to maintain relevance, weaponize narratives, and squeeze out financing opportunities to sustain its operations.

“The Filipino people have seen and embraced the government’s evolving but steady approach to ending local communist armed conflict that is no longer driven by force alone. Through a whole-of-nation framework and flagship initiatives like the Barangay Development Program, we continue to focus on governance reforms, social services, infrastructure, reintegration, and amnesty for those who genuinely choose peace,” Torres noted.

He added that the National Action for Unity, Peace and Development continues these initiatives now and beyond.

Torres said these efforts will continue to evolve and these will deliver real results that decades of armed struggle never did.

“After 57 years of bloodshed, displacement and broken promises, how many more lives must be spent to keep the CPP’s failed ideology alive? How many more young Filipinos must be persuaded to die for a revolution that no longer has a future?” he said.

Torres urged all remaining NPA fighters to surrender while the door to peace remained open.

He said this is a very viable option as a lot of former NPA rebels already chose the path that allowed them to reunite with their families and communities.

While noting that reintegration is not perfect, Torres said it is far more humane and fruitful than a life spent in constant flight and fear.

“The task force extends the same call to the remaining cadres and organizers of the CPP’s white area and urban operations. The path of violence must be abandoned and we must, together, pursue non-violent and democratic means to address our nation’s problems,” he said.

Torres said the ideology of armed violence has become impractical, socially costly, and exacted a toll that the Filipino people can no longer afford.

“Join the growing number of peace advocates who continue to work for change constructively, lawfully, and with respect for life,” the NTF-ELCAC official urged the remaining communist rebels.

There are two take aways here. The first is that the CPP is still very much active in its legal fronts and through humanitarian groups according to the NTF-ELCAC. The second is that communities are now seeing "roads being built, livelihoods restored, and basic services that finally reach areas long neglected." And why is that? Because areas declared insurgency-free have been rewarded with basic government services through the Barangay Development Program. 

The NPA has declared a holiday truce but the AFP has decided to ignore it. Just before the unilateral truce was set to begin 2 soldiers were killed by NPA landmines. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2157409/npa-landmines-reportedly-kill-2-soldiers-ahead-of-unilateral-truce

Explosive devices installed by the New People’s Army (NPA) killed two soldiers in Camarines Sur days ahead of the ceasefire declaration of the Maoist rebels.

This incident occurred at Balatan town’s Cabungan village on Friday, Dec. 19, according to Maj. Frank Roldan, spokesperson of the AFP 9th Infantry Division.

“Armed rebels treacherously bombed the troops of the 9th Infantry Battalion using anti-personnel mines,” Roldan said in a statement on Saturday.

No further details were disclosed, and the soldiers remain unidentified.

Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete condemned the incident.

“We will not stop until we achieve justice and restore the peace they died to protect,” Nafarrete said in a statement.

Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) spokesperson Marco Valbuena said the local NPA command in the area confirmed that the incident took place.

“Troops of the 9th IB were conducting offensive combat operations, and were prepared to mount an attack against the NPA fighters in the area,” Valbuena said in a statement on Sunday. “The NPA unit was alerted of the plans of the 9th IB and promptly carried out active defense operations.”

Valbuena noted that NPA members withdrew from the site immediately.

After the incident, acting Philippine National Police chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Sunday ordered police commanders in Camarines Sur to intensify security and augment soldiers in the conduct of operations against the NPA.

Nartatez also said police are now on alert as they conduct investigation and prepare appropriate charges against those involved.

“I have directed hot pursuit operations against the rebels behind this landmine blast,” Nartatez said in a statement.

The December 19 incident occurred days before the first leg of CPP’s four-day unilateral ceasefire starting Dec. 25, prompting some 780 NPA fighters to suspend offensives. 

Aside from commemorating the holidays, the CPP said this year’s ceasefire is also to mark its 57th anniversary on December 26, 1968.

CPP’s armed wing, NPA, was later established on March 29, 1969, waging the world’s longest Maoist insurgency to date.

In the same province 2 NPA leaders were killed in a clash with the AFP.

https://mb.com.ph/2025/12/24/3-npa-leaders-2-members-killed-in-camarines-sur-clash

Three leaders and two members of the New People's Army (NPA) were killed in a clash with government troops in Camarines Sur province on Tuesday. 

Major Frank Roldan, 9th Infantry Division spokesperson, said troops from the 83rd Infantry Battalion and the Philippine National Police encountered the group in a mountainous area in Barangay Burabod, Lagonoy. 

Roldan said the casualties were Bal, head of the Regional Urban Committee of the Bicol Regional Party Committee; Paeng, head of Platoon 1, Komiteng Larangang Guerilla Sub-Regional Committee; and Ter or Dado, head of KLG2, SRC2, and their members Cris and Pepe. 

Recovered from the encounter site were an M16 rifle, a caliber .45 pistol, three anti-personnel mines, a laptop, and personal belongings. 

The gun battle followed intensified pursuit operations by troops after the discovery of four M16 rifles in Barangay Pinamihagan, Lagonoy on Dec. 20. 

Roldan said the communist rebels are attempting to return to areas they previously controlled to garner support but some residents reported them to authorities. 

Major Gen. Aldwine Almase, 9th ID commander, thanked the community for its cooperation in maintaining peace and security. Almase urged remaining NPA members to surrender.

That's two more leaders from the leaderless NPA who have been killed. 

The Army is calling on all remaining rebels in Northern Samar to surrender after a recent deadly clash. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1265764

The Philippine Army on Wednesday urged remaining New People’s Army rebels in Northern Samar to surrender following a clash that killed two insurgents last week.

Brig. Gen. Carmelito Pangatungan, commander of the 803rd Infantry Brigade, conveyed his sympathies to the families of the two rebels killed in upland Bulao village, Las Navas town, on Dec. 19.

“The tragic incident serves as a solemn reminder of the human cost of armed conflict, while we express hope that peace, dialogue, and reconciliation may ultimately prevail,” Pangatungan said in a statement.

“We urge the remaining communist terrorist group remnants, particularly the sub-regional committee Arctic, to lay down their arms and take the path of peace and reintegration while the opportunity remains,” he added.

The two fighters died in a firefight after attacking patrolling soldiers from the 20th Infantry Battalion. Troops recovered three M16 rifles.

The military heightened operations after residents reported armed men threatening farmers and extorting supplies in the area. 

They probably won't but maybe they will once they see the basic government programs set for 2026.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1265642

More projects designed to end insurgency will be implemented in Northern Samar province in 2026 under the Support to the Barangay Development Program (SBDP).

Citing reports from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Northern Samar provincial government on Monday said the SBDP has expanded with new recipient communities in 2026 and those part of the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) for the year 2025-2026.

Listed as new SBDP beneficiaries are Barangays Macagtas, Washington, Somoge and Libjo in Catarman town; Barangays Del Pilar and Quezon in Las Navas; Barangay Alejandro in Allen; Barangay Sumuroy in Bobon; Barangays Magtuas and Sulitan in Catubig; Barangays Sibunot and Yabyaban in Laoang; Barangay Bayho of Lope de Vega; Barangays Mirador and Talolora in Mondragon; and Barangays Guindauhan and Kailingan in Rosario town.

"DILG's programs and projects stand as powerful testaments of both the provincial and national government's continuing commitment to uplifting the current conditions of the province, particularly for the communities in need," the Northern Samar provincial government said in a statement.

In 2024, 161 projects were completed under the SBDP in the province, while for the year 2025, two projects were completed, two new projects in Gamay and Mapanas are ongoing, and three projects are still under procurement, according to the DILG Northern Samar field office.

SBDP-funded projects include rural roads, health stations, water systems and schools for conflict-cleared and far-flung communities, addressing the needs of the identified communities to alleviate poverty, sustain peace, and foster development.

The SBDP, a flagship initiative of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, seeks to close development gaps in remote and vulnerable areas by delivering essential infrastructure, improving access to basic services, and addressing the root causes of insurgency.

"Delivering essential infrastructure, improving access to basic services, and addressing the root causes of insurgency." Again, that is basic government services as a counter-insurgency program.