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- Government creates Covid-19 'bubble' in NCR, 4 provinces
- Coronavirus infections exceed 7,000 for 3 straight days
- Tighter restrictions to take effect March 22
- ASG leader killed, another Indonesian hostage rescued
- 220 Chinese vessels with maritime militia sighted in WPS
- 5 cops dead, 2 others hurt in Camarines Norte ambush
- DOH to public: Stay home during Holy Week
| Government creates Covid-19 'bubble' in NCR, 4 provinces Posted: 21 Mar 2021 02:14 AM PDT PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has approved the creation of a Covid-19 "bubble" in the National Capital Region and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal effective Monday, March 22, 2021, as part of efforts to control transmission of the infectious disease. Only essential travel into and out of the areas mentioned will be allowed from March 22 to April 4, 2021, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced Sunday, March 21, 2021. Authorized persons outside residence include:
The rest - especially minors, elderly citizens and people with immunodeficiency and comorbidities - are urged to stay at home. These are contained in Resolution No. 104 of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, which held an emergency meeting to draw up measures to stop the rapid rise in Covid-19 cases in the NCR and in the four provinces.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Coronavirus infections exceed 7,000 for 3 straight days Posted: 21 Mar 2021 01:48 AM PDT FOR the third consecutive day, new cases of coronavirus infection in the Philippines exceeded 7,000 and the daily positivity rate remained elevated at around 15 percent. In its case bulletin at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 21, 2021, the Department of Health (DOH) reported an additional 7,757 cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), lower than the record high 7,999 cases on March 19 and higher than the 7,103 cases on March 18. These new cases raised the cumulative case count to 663,794. The number of active cases remained high at 73,072, or 11 percent of the total case count, despite the "mass recovery" of 15,288. Total recoveries increased to 577,754, around 87 percent of the total case count. There were 39 additional deaths, which raised the death toll from Covid-19 to 12,968. The case fatality rate further went decreased to 1.95 percent, given the rapid rise in cases and the low number of deaths. Of the 33,110 tested as of 12 noon of March 20, 4,891 individuals or 14.8 percent were found positive for Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. A higher rate is expected for the entire day. The daily positivity rate has exceeded 15 percent since March 19. As of March 20, most of the health facilities nationwide were still in the safe zone in terms of bed occupancy and use of ventilators, according to the DOH tracker. However, there were 104 facilities that have reached critical level with occupancy of more than 85 percent. The DOH tracker also showed that 75 facilities were considered at high risk, with occupancy rates of 70 to less than 85 percent, while 56 were at moderate risk (60 to less than 70 percent). The number of facilities within the safe zone was 966 nationwide as of March 20. In the National Capital Region (NCR), where around half of the new cases originated in recent days, 29 facilities were at a critical level, 22 at high risk, 13 at moderate risk and 87 were still in the safe zone. Intensive care unit (ICU) beds in the entire region were nearly 66 percent occupied while only about 45 percent of the ventilators were in use. Almost 62 percent of the isolation beds and around 46 percent of the ward beds in the NCR (Metro Manila) were occupied. The NCR, which is the second most populous region in the country, has consistently topped the list of total Covid-19 cases and the 14-day running total of new cases. As of March 20, the DOH tracker showed that NCR had 30,346 new cases in the last 14 days, followed by Calabarzon with 8,561, Central Luzon with 4,939, Central Visayas with 4,699 and Cagayan Valley with 1,717. Among the cities and provinces, Quezon City topped the list with 6,059 new cases in the last 14 days, followed by Manila with 4,715, Cavite with 3,048, Bulacan with 2,992 and Pasay City with 2,868. Quezon City is also the most populous city in the country, with a population of more than three million. (Marites Villamor-Ilano / SunStar Philippines)  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Tighter restrictions to take effect March 22 Posted: 21 Mar 2021 01:01 AM PDT A YEAR after Metro Manila and Luzon were first placed on lockdown, new government directives were issued to reduce the operational capacity of government agencies and suspend the operations of some business sectors in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) as well as restrict inbound international travel in a bid to stem the steep increase in cases of coronavirus infection. Beginning Monday, March 22, 2021, all government agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations in Metro Manila and other areas under GCQ will operate at only 30 to 50 percent capacity. Memorandum Circular No. 85, which was issued by the Office of the President on Friday, March 19, 2021, exempts agencies that provide health and emergency frontline services, border control and other critical services. These agencies may require a higher number of employees to physically report to work. Offices under the legislative branch and judiciary as well as local government units in GCQ areas are urged to adopt this latest restriction, which will be in effect until April 4, 2021. This directive came on the heels of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) advisory suspending the operations of leisure and entertainment businesses, and reducing the capacity of business and religious gatherings. Both directives were based on Resolution No. 103 approved on March 18 by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. These are aimed at slowing down transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), especially in Metro Manila, Calabarzon and Central Luzon. Under MC 85, all agencies are directed to observe the allowable operational capacity and implement alternative work arrangements to ensure that delivery of services are not hampered. Offices with Covid-19 cases will be shuttered temporarily upon clearance by the Office of the President. Under the DTI Advisory 21-03, the following are suspended from March 22 to April 4, 2021: driving schools; traditional cinemas, and video and interactive game arcades; libraries, archives, museums and cultural centers; limited social events; and tourist attractions, except those in open air. Essential business gatherings will be limited to 30 percent of the venue's capacity while dine-in services and personal care services will be reduced to 50 percent of the venue's capacity. All cockfighting and cockpit operations remain suspended. Those allowed to operate in areas under modified GCQ (MGCQ) are also suspended until April 4, 2021. Areas under GCQ until March 31, 2021 are Metro Manila or National Capital Region, Baguio City, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Batangas, Tacloban City, Iligan City, Davao City and Lanao del Sur. The rest of the country is under MGCQ. Earlier, the IATF also issued new international travel restrictions from 12:01 a.m. of March 22 until 11:59 p.m. of April 21, 2021. All Filipino citizens are allowed entry into the country, but they will be subject to the 1,500 a day quota on international arrivals. Inbound foreigners are temporarily barred, except the following: Diplomats and members of international organizations and their dependents who hold a 9(c) or 47(a)(2) visa at the time of entry; Foreign nationals involved in medical repatriation; Foreign seafarers under the "Green Lanes" program for crew change; Foreign spouses and children of Filipino citizens with valid visas; and Emergency, humanitarian and other analogous cases approved by the NTF chairperson. Exempted foreigners will also be subject to the arrival quota. The Philippines is seeing another surge in Covid-19 cases, with the daily tally reaching a record high of 7,999 on March 20. (Marites Villamor-Ilano / SunStar Philippines)  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| ASG leader killed, another Indonesian hostage rescued Posted: 20 Mar 2021 11:51 PM PDT AN ABU Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader wounded in an encounter with the military in Tawi-Tawi on Saturday, March 20, 2021, had died while the remaining Indonesian kidnap victim has been rescued. Khairuldin Bin Yai Kii, 15, was rescued at around 6:30 a.m. Sunday, March 21, 2021, on Kalupag Island, Languyan, according to Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) commander. "Currently, the rescued Indo kidnap victim is at the headquarters of the 2nd Marine Brigade for medical procedure and debriefing," Vinluan said. The young hostage was rescued within three days of the rescue of three of his companions. Five Indonesian fishermen were kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf bandits on January 16, 2020 in the waters between Tambisan and Kuala Meruap, Lahad Datu, Sabah. One was killed. Meanwhile, Majan Sahidjuan, also known as Apo Mike, died from blood loss Saturday evening, March 20. Sahidjuan was severely wounded during a gunfight between troops and ASG members in Barangay Kalupag Island, Languyan, Vinluan said. Sahidjuan was abandoned by his two comrades, according to Marine Battalion Landing Team-6 commander Lieutenant Colonel Venjie Pendon. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| 220 Chinese vessels with maritime militia sighted in WPS Posted: 20 Mar 2021 11:00 PM PDT OVER 200 fishing vessels believed to be manned by Chinese maritime militia were sighted in line formation at the Julian Felipe Reef (Whitsun Reef) on March 7, 2021, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said. In a statement late Saturday night, March 20, the NTF-WPS said the Philippine Coast Guard confirmed the presence of "around 220 Chinese fishing vessels, believed to be manned by Chinese maritime militia personnel." The Chinese vessels massed at the reef showed no actual fishing activities and had their full white lights turned on at night despite the clear weather. "The NTF-WPS notes this circumstance as a concern due to the possible overfishing and destruction of the marine environment, as well as risks to safety of navigation," NTF-WPS said. Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., said he will wait for the recommendation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) before filing a diplomatic protest. "Only if the generals tell me," he said in a Twitter post. "In my watch, foreign policy is the fist in the iron glove of the armed forces. I don't care for media. Undependable. And civilian," he added. The Julian Felipe Reef is a large boomerang shaped shallow coral reef at the northeast of Pagkakaisa Banks and Reefs (Union Reefs), located approximately 175 nautical miles west of Bataraza, Palawan. It is within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Continental Shelf (CS), over which the country enjoys the exclusive right to exploit or conserve any resources which encompass both living resources, such as fish, and non-living resources such as oil and natural gas. The NTF-WPS said they will continue to monitor the situation to protect Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights in the country's maritime domain. "In consonance with the Philippine commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), the government shall continue to peacefully and proactively pursue its initiatives on environmental protection, food security and freedom of navigation in the West Philippine Sea as part of its overall national security policy," it added. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| 5 cops dead, 2 others hurt in Camarines Norte ambush Posted: 20 Mar 2021 10:34 PM PDT FIVE policemen were killed and two others were wounded in an ambush allegedly perpetrated by members of the New People's Army (NPA) in Labo, Camarines Norte, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Saturday, March 20, 2021. The fallen policemen have not been identified. PNP officer-in-charge Guillermo Eleazar said a platoon from the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) was sent to secure the site of the Labo-Tagkawayan road project in Labo on Friday, March 19. Eleazar said the contractor had informed local police that the NPA had sent a letter demanding an amount equivalent to 3 to 5 percent of the project cost. Eleazar said the NPA threatened to burn construction equipment if the contractor fails to pay. At 9:45 p.m. on the same day, seven members of the 2PMFC were ambushed in Purok 6 in Barangay Dumagmang, Labo. The police had asked the Armed Forces of the Philippines for reinforcement and help in pursuing the assailants. "Two multi-role police helicopters were re-routed to Bicol from the Visayas to join the pursuit while three military helicopters are awaiting go-signal to launch air-ground operations," Eleazar said. He ordered the Police Regional Office to conduct a thorough investigation to identify those who helped the NPA stage the ambush. He also assured the families of the casualties of assistance. The road project would connect another portion of Quezon province to Camarines Norte to facilitate transport of farm goods and mobility of the local residents. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| DOH to public: Stay home during Holy Week Posted: 20 Mar 2021 04:58 AM PDT AFTER announcing a new record high number of infections in a single day, the Department of Health (DOH) renewed its call to suspend non-essential travel, strictly adhere to the minimum public health standards and stay at home during Holy Week. In a statement Saturday, March 20, 2021, DOH urged the public to observe Holy Week through online masses. "With the continued rise in the number of cases being observed in the country, along with the threat of increased transmission posed by the expected higher mobility over the upcoming Holy Week, the DOH strongly urges the public to stay at home and instead opt for online masses," the agency said. It also called on each citizen to individually ensure minimal risk of contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) by strictly and consistently adhering to the minimum public health standards. "The DOH further calls on everyone to MPHS. The public is called on to wear their masks properly, and to observe other preventive strategies, at all times and in all settings - even at home—in order to help reduce transmission," it said. The DOH also urged all individuals experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 to immediately coordinate with their respective Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs) for appropriate management and referral for testing and isolation. The DOH emphasized that the number one objective right now is to ensure care is not hampered nor delayed for Covid and non-Covid patients. "To do this, we need to ensure that our hospitals do not get overwhelmed, so everyone must act with extreme vigilance and help reduce transmission by consistently adhering to our preventive measures, as well as following our quarantine and isolation protocols," it said. On Saturday afternoon, the DOH confirmed 7,999 new cases of Covid-19, a new record high for the Philippines. These were higher than the 7,103 cases on March 19 and the 2020 peak of 6,958 on August 10, 2020. Earlier Saturday, the DOH also announced additional variant cases that brought the total to 479, of which 223 were B.1.1.7 (UK) cases, 152 were B.1.351 (South Africa) cases and 104 are P.3 cases. The P.3 variant, which contains mutations found in both the B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 cases, was first detected in Cebu in Central Visayas. (SunStar Philippines from PR)  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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