Wednesday, March 30, 2022

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/

Duterte to join PDP-Laban campaign rally in Cebu

Posted: 30 Mar 2022 12:21 AM PDT

ACTING presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar said on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, that President Rodrigo Duterte will join the campaign rally of PDP-Laban candidates in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu on Thursday, March 31.Andanar said Duterte will first attend the activity of the regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in Cebu province.He said they have no information yet on the possible endorsement of national candidates by Duterte."Clearly, he's no lame duck president. His endorsement is not a kiss of death for any presidentiable," Andanar said in a press briefing.In a separate press conference, PDP-Laban secretary-general and Cabinet Secretary Melvin Matibag said Duterte is planning to appear in more or less 24 activities to endorse PDP-Laban's bets.The PDP-Laban faction led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi earlier endorsed presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and his running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Duterte's daughter.Andanar earlier said the PDP's endorsement of Marcos does not necessarily mean that the party members are on the same page as Duterte. (SunStar Philippines)

Agencies assure assistance to families affected by Taal’s unrest

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 11:59 PM PDT

VARIOUS government agencies have assured the provision of assistance to families affected by the unrest of Taal Volcano.In his report during President Rodrigo Duterte's Talk to the People Address on Tuesday evening, March 29, 2022, Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said they have prepositioned P7 million to aid around 1,561 affected farmers and fisherfolk.He said the funds will be used to procure inbred seeds, glutinous corn, vegetable seeds, and tilapia fingerlings, which will be distributed to the farmers and fisherfolk if the need arises."Kung sakali po na magkakaroon po ng destructive volcanic eruption, nakahanda po ang Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka ng mahigit sa P200 million out of the quick response fund po natin ngayong taon, Calendar Year 2022, para po magbigay po ng additional na mga ayuda sa atin pong apektadong magsasaka at mangingisda," said De Mesa.He said that for now, they are yet to receive any report on the damage incurred by the agriculture and fisheries sector following the activities of the Taal Volcano.For his part, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III said they will offer 10-day jobs to the affected individuals."So dahil dito, Mr. President, ang (the) immediate response ng (of) DOLE ay 'yung bibigyan sila ng trabaho (is to give them jobs) for 10 days and then give them a salary based on a minimum wage on that region," Bello reported to Duterte."Ang (The) minimum wage sa (in) Region IV is P400 a day, so they will work for 10 days, we will give them P4,000 for 10 days work. Iyon po ang aming maibibigay agad (That is what we can immediately give)," he added.Bello said he also instructed their finance officer to preposition around P50 million to P100 million in case further assistance is necessary.In its update, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said around 5,000 individuals or 1,000 families were displaced following the volcano's unrest.Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año s aid the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) have deployed close to 600 emergency vehicles to assist in the relief operations.Año said 527 fire trucks, 22 rescue trucks, 23 ambulances, and seven watercraft have been prepared while emergency medical service personnel and search-and-rescue retrieval teams are on standby for contingencies."The PNP also deployed its own search-and-rescue retrieval teams consisting of 2,716 personnel. This is aside from the reactionary standby support force which is around 553 personnel," he added.Since the start of the volcano's unrest on March 26, members of the Regional Reactionary Standby Support Force (RSSF) of the Police Regional 4A (Calabarzon) have been on standby to augment rescue and relief operations, particularly in the towns of Agoncillo, Laurel, Balete, Talisay and Cuenca in Batangas.Police officers have also been deployed in evacuation centers to ensure peace and order and to make sure health protocols are observed.The concerned local government units earlier said the food and non-food items will be distributed to the affected families.The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also provided relief items.The Department of Education (DepEd) has suspended classes in 19 schools within the high-risk zones to ensure the safety of the teachers and students.DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said some schools were being used as evacuation centers.The Department of Trade and Industry said there should be no price increase among the basic commodities in the affected areas.Over the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said it has recorded four volcanic tremors that lasted around two to five minutes at the Taal Volcano. (SunStar Philippines)

Security aide of Abra town vice mayor killed in ‘shootout’

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 11:24 PM PDT

ONE was killed following a gunfight between policemen and the group of Pilar, Abra Vice Mayor Jaja Josefina Disono on Tuesday morning, March 29, 2022.In a press conference on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo identified the fatality as Sandee Boy Bermudo, one of Disono's security aides who figured in the gunfight.Fajardo said based on police's initial report, the vehicle carrying Disono and company refused to stop at a checkpoint around 10:30 a.m., resulting in a chase.She said the checkpoint was established after the police received intelligence information on the existence of an armed group in the area.Fajardo said the vehicle, when it sped off, hit two cops and the men onboard started firing at the police."Nung papalayo sila dahil may naka standby na mobile doon, hinabol sila. So nung hinahabol sila, pinaputukan din 'yung mobile natin kaya nga may tama yung windshield at nagkaroon ng car chase at humantong tayo, pumasok itong van sa isang compound na pag-aari ng pamilya ni Vice Mayor Disono," said Fajardo.(When they sped off, the standby mobile personnel chased them. During the chase, they fired at the mobile personnel, hitting our car's windshield, and then the van entered a compound owned by the family of Vice Mayor Disono.)Fajardo said investigators were given access to the deceased person only Tuesday night, March 29, for the conduct of autopsy investigation and paraffin test.She said a 9mm firearm, registered under Disono, was also recovered from the vehicle.Fajardo urged the politician to surrender those who are onboard the vehicle for investigation.She said investigators are still identifying the possible charges against Disono, noting that amid the gun ban due to the prevailing campaign and election season, she has not availed herself of any exemption in order for her to carry her firearm outside residence.Fajardo said they are verifying the incident whether it can be considered election-related violence."Sa historical data, medyo mainit talaga dito sa Abra area, particularly kapag may local election tayo. So that being the case 'yung Pilar, Abra po ay nasa election areas of concern because they [had] election-related incidents in the previous elections," she said.(Based on historical data, the election season in Abra area is really intense, the reason Pilar, Abra has been considered an election area of concern because they had election-related incidents in the previous elections.)Disono denied, however, the police claims, saying the incident was an ambush.She said they are ready to face any investigation regarding the incident. (SunStar Philippines)

Palace: Duterte urged BIR to collect unpaid taxes

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 11:12 PM PDT

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has urged the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to collect unpaid taxes from whoever is indebted to the government, acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar said on Wednesday, March 30, 2022."The President only reminded the BIR to act on its mandate and that is to collect taxes," he said."Hindi lang sa kung sinong pulitiko o personalidad, dapat sa lahat ng hindi nagbabayad dapat habulin ng BIR dahil kailangan ng karagdagang pondo ng ating national government," he added.(Not just from any politician or personality, but from anybody not paying taxes. The BIR should run after them because the national government needs additional funds.)Andanar made the statement when asked to interpret the pronouncement of Duterte that it should be the BIR which should be asked over the uncollected estate tax.The reported unpaid P203-billion tax liabilities of the infamous Marcos family are among the issues being thrown against presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.The BIR earlier confirmed that it issued a letter to the Marcoses in December 2021, demanding for the payment of their tax liabilities.Marcos, in response, said there is "a lot of fake news involved" in the issues regarding their ill-gotten wealth and this should instead be left to the discretion of the court.Marcos himself has been convicted by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court in 1995 over his "multiple failures" to file his income tax returns from 1982 to 1985 while he was serving as governor and vice governor of Ilocos Norte. (SunStar Philippines)

Duterte: Money primary reason for not stopping e-sabong

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 11:06 PM PDT

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday, March 29, 2022, that his primary reason for not ordering the stoppage of electronic cockfight betting (e-sabong) operations is money."Ako baka nagdududa kayo bakit hindi ko hininto. Hindi ko ho hininto kasi kailangan ng pera sa e-sabong ng gobyerno," he said during his Talk to the People Address.(You might have questioned why I am not stopping the e-sabong operations. It's because the government needs money.)"I'll make it public now: it's P640 million a month. And in a year's time, it's billion plus. Saan tayo maghanap ng pera ng ganoon na kadali na siguro? (Where can we get that much money?)" he added.Earlier, the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs issued a resolution urging Duterte to order the suspension of e-sabong operations until the cases of 34 missing cockfight betting enthusiasts (sabungeros) are resolved.Instead of heeding the lawmakers' call, the Malacañang ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct an in-depth investigation on the matter and submit to them and the Department of Health (DOH) their investigation report within 30 days.Lawmakers earlier expressed disappointment over Duterte's decision.Senate President Vicente Sotto III blamed Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) chairperson Andrea Domingo, who expressed apprehension in the suspension of e-sabong operations, noting that it may incur billions worth of lost revenue for the government, ahead of Duterte's decision.The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has filed charges against eight individuals over the disappearance of six sabungeros who were last seen at the Manila Arena on January 13.The CIDG is also preparing the filing of criminal charges against five policemen tagged in the abduction of an e-sabong master agent in Laguna in August 2021. (SunStar Philippines)

Duterte urges Filipinos not to vote Makabayan party-list groups

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 10:59 PM PDT

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte urged the Filipino people on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, not to vote for the Makabayan party-list groups, tagging them as "legal fronts" of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).In his Talk to the People Address, Duterte identified the party-lists as Kabag, to be easily remembered by the public. Kabag stands for Kabataan, Anakpawis, Bayan Muna, Alyansa of Concerned Teachers (ACT) and Gabriela."It must be because that you are a Filipino and you do not want trouble for this country, kindly open your eyes and ears. Kung anong sinasabi ko, iyon ang talagang katotohanan para sa gobyerno. Makita naman ninyo sa... Look at the way they talk, they behave, and they deport. Talagang mga suplado na basta na lang nakikita nila iyong mali sa gobyerno kung mayroon," he said."Iyan ang totoo. Huwag ninyong iboto 'yan kay kung iboto ninyo 'yang party-list, ang bala magkano 'yung isang bala ngayon? One bullet 'yang, isang putok, is 30 pesos... Maghinto na kayo dyan kung ibigay natin sa barangay lahat nagsasayang kayo ng buhay, nagsasayang kayo ng pera," he added.Aside from benefiting from the extortion activities of their armed wing, the New People's Army, the leaders of these party-lists are also being paid by the government through their salaries, he said.Duterte slammed the country's party-list system, noting it is being used by some people or groups in order to gain influence, power and connection.He said he would continue to criticize it, despite being "good friends with some of them" until his last day in office."Ito ay ginagamit ng mga mayaman, lahat ng mga may negosyante, either binili nila 'yung party-list or nag-create sila because they can do it with the money and that has become a problem na sa, fractured na tayo, it's a fractured constitution," he said."Kayong mga NPA na nasa gubat ngayon na gutom na walang kain at may sakit, ang inyong mga liderato bilyon ang nakukuha niyan. Nakita mo 'yung mga anak nila Congressman Zarate? One of the critics kuno in government pero who was lawyering for a big corporation na nag-collapse. He was the mouthpiece actually. Huwag mo sabihin walang bayad 'yan. Milyon ang kontrata diyan, you want an endorsement from the left, 'yang pagkampanya sa bukid," he added.In a television interview on Wednesday, March 30, Bayan Muna party-list representative Carlos Isagani Zarate condemned Duterte's statement, saying it is an election strategy against the opposition, especially that they already expressed support to the candidacy of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis Pangilinan."This is really clearly a partisan, political ploy coming ex cathedra from Malacañang itself. Despite the so-called neutral stand of Duterte of not endorsing yet a candidate, it's very clear his candidate is the son of the former dictator, the Marcos Jr., and they want to destroy this early the opposition," he said."The broad opposition that is now coming together to oppose the continuation of the Duterte governance, as well as the coming of Marcos' dictator style of governance," he added.Gabriela party-list Representative Arlene Brosas said Duterte's "recycled red-tagging" is a sign of "desperation" to bring down the Makabayan bloc given the remaining few weeks before the May 9 elections.Brosas said they consider it as harassment and an attempt to silence their supporters but they will not allow it to prevail. (SunStar Philippines)

DepEd forms recovery plan to address learning gaps amid pandemic

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 12:32 AM PDT

THE Department of Education (Deped) said Tuesday, March 29, it is creating a learning recovery plan to address learning gaps brought about by the shift to distance or other learning modalities amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said the plan includes interventions in order to help students catch up and accelerate their learning, as more schools are opening their doors for in-person classes following the easing of quarantine protocols due to the decrease in Covid-19 cases.Alma Toria, DepEd undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction, said the interventions include extending the school calendar, expanding the learning time, establishing learning support centers in schools and community-based learning spaces, conduct of summer learning remediation and intervention programs, and the hiring of additional learning support aides.The DepEd is also looking into strengthening interventions for the student's reading skills, conduct of house-to-house visitation and follow-up, creation of study group system, establishment of home- and community-based literacy, engagement of parents or guardian teacher-volunteers, and the creation of necessary assessment tasks and resources.It said the agency is also studying the conduct of physical and online learning action cell session, adaptive teaching strategies and classroom assessments, as well as the shift from a traditional way of teaching to tailored acceleration for the professional developments of the educators."Kasama rin po sa framework natin para sa safe na pagbabalik ng ating mga mag-aaral sa paaralan ay yung probisyon sa health, safety, at wellness," said Torio."Under this concept, we would like to address the socio-emotional and behavioral recovery of learners. We will strengthen the Oplan Kalusugan and focus on child protection/child online protection, and establishment of helplines/health lines," she added.Torio said the first phase of the recovery plan will be implemented starting in the summer of 2022 following a consultation to ensure that it is aligned with the needs of the students and teachers.The National Government has allowed the gradual resumption of face-to-face classes since November 2021.As of March 22, around 10,196 schools nationwide have been conducting limited in-person classes with the guidance of the DepEd together with the Department of Health to prevent the spread of Covid-19. (SunStar Philippines)

DOH: Covid-19 cases may drop to 70 per day

Posted: 29 Mar 2022 12:11 AM PDT

THE country's average daily coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases may drop to at least 70 per day by the end of April if the vaccination rate, including the administration of booster shots, will continue to increase and the adherence to the minimum public health standards (MPHS) will be maintained, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.Vergeire said based on the experts' projection, if the compliance to the MPHS will decrease to 20 percent, there may be around 670 cases per day by the end of April."Ang mga projections po ay base sa mga assumptions. Anything can still happen," Vergeire said in a press briefing.The MPHS includes the mandatory wearing of face masks, observance of physical distancing and frequent hand washing or disinfection.From March 21 to 27, the country's average daily Covid-19 cases were at 389.The top five regions contributing to the total new Covid-19 cases over the past week are the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Central Visayas and Western Visayas.The DOH has recorded a total of 752 new Covid-related deaths.Vergeire said the national positivity rate is currently at 2.1 percent and the country remains under the minimal risk classification for Covid-19.Dr. Edsel Salvana of the Department of Health (DOH)-Technical Advisory Group reminded the public of the importance of wearing face mask in preventing another Covid-19 surge in the country."'Yung ibang mga country, nakita naman natin nung nagtanggal sila ng face mask (rule), sumipa ang kanilang mga (Covid-19) cases," he said.He said the entry of another Covid-19 variant can also be a risk factor and may cause a spike in cases.Dr. Anna Ong-Lim of the DOH Technical Advisory Group also warned over the possibility of another surge due to gatherings amid the campaign period.She urged the participants of these activities to get vaccinated and strictly observe MPHS to prevent the spread of Covid-19."Pag meron na kayong nararamdaman or masama ang pakiramdam n'yo, wag na kayong pumunta (sa gatherings) para hindi naman kayo makaapekto sa ibang tao," said Ong-Lim.The officials reiterated the call of the National Government for the public to get vaccination against Covid-19, especially the booster shots for senior citizens and individuals with comorbidities, noting that the efficacy of the vaccine against severe or critical illness, even deaths, wanes over time.Vergeire said as of March 28, 65.7 million individuals in the country or 73.02 percent of the target population are fully vaccinated, while around 11.8 million received booster doses.Of the fully vaccinated, 6.5 million were senior citizens or 75.56 percent of the target A2 population.She said 77.87 percent of the target adolescent population and 5.82 percent of the target children population are already fully vaccinated. (SunStar Philippines)

PAF gets new C-295 medium lift aircraft

Posted: 28 Mar 2022 10:24 PM PDT

THE Philippine Air Force (PAF) received one brand-new C-295 medium lift aircraft on Monday, March 28, 2022.PAF said the aircraft was among the three C-295 units acquired from Airbus Defense and Space from Spain under the Medium Lift Aircraft Acquisition Project pursuant to the Government Procurement Reform Act.It said it will be utilized to transport troops and equipment in various parts of the country.PAF spokesperson Colonel Maynard Mariano said the unit will undergo technical inspection before formal acceptance and blessing.He said the two other units will also arrive this year.At present, the country has a total of four operational C-295 aircraft."Definitely, makakatulong talaga ito at this aircraft is really designed for mga short-field takeoff and landing and this can be used katulad ng pagpunta natin ng mga Batanes, papunta natin ng Pagasa Island, punta natin ng Jolo area, so on small fields, isolated areas, pwedeng gamitin talaga itong aircraft na to and in fact, we've been relying on the C295 natin existing before during the pandemic and during po sa lahat ng mga relief efforts natin nitong nagdaang Typhoon Odette," said Mariano."It will be easing a lot of burden on the other transport platforms natin," he added. (SunStar Philippines)

DA working closely with Customs to stop carrots smuggling

Posted: 28 Mar 2022 10:16 PM PDT

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is working closely with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in a bid to stop the smuggling of vegetables, particularly carrots, which badly impacts local farmers.DA Assistant Secretary Noel Reyes said they are strengthening their anti-smuggling operations especially in piers and ports, noting that the agency is not issuing any importation permits for carrots."Hindi po tayo nagbibigay ng import permit ng carrots. Ibig sabihin niyan, puslit 'yan. Nakikiusap tayo sa mga traders na nakakasakit 'yan sa ating mga magsasaka," he said in a television interview on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.In a Senate hearing on Monday, March 28, League of Associations at the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading public relations officer Agot Balanoy said Benguet farmers are losing around P2.5 million per day due to illegal vegetable importation.She said some farmers have to just throw away their root crops, especially carrots, because no one is buying as business establishments opt to avail themselves of the imported ones because they have longer shelf life."The farmers are running out of capitalization and with this smuggling, we're actually, the farmers, are actually throwing away, basically throwing away one fourth to one half of their harvest, because it is not being bought, especially the medium-sized carrots. They are not being bought. They are being given for reliefs only," Balanoy said."Our problem is the cost of production per kilo of carrots, for example is P25 per kilogram. So if a farmer would throw away at least five tons of his harvest, that would be too much for them to take," she added.Reyes urged the affected farmers to contact their marketing division to help them sell their carrots in urban areas.Balanoy said they are hoping that the government will not take the matter sitting down, noting that they even provided the DA information about the person involved in the smuggling."They can just go to the different cold storages. They can just go the different markets and they will know. In fact, we have given them information about a certain person. We have given the name, the address, and then the system of distribution for them to act on it but up to now, they did not act on it," she said. (SunStar Philippines)

Nacionalista Party endorses Marcos-Duterte UniTeam

Posted: 28 Mar 2022 10:09 PM PDT

THE Nacionalista Party announced on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, its support to the candidacy of presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and his running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio."We believe that Bongbong and Inday Sara's message of unity is crucial in binding our country together and inspiring our people as we rebuild not only from the pandemic but also from the political chasm that divides us," Nacionalista Party president and chairman Manuel Villar said in a statement."They both have the platforms of government, qualifications and track record to lead our country towards unity and prosperity," he added.Villar's son, Mark, the former secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways, is included in the senatorial slate of the tandem.The National Unity Party (NUP) and the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) faction led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi also endorsed earlier the candidacies of Marcos and Duterte-Carpio. (SunStar Philippines)

US, Filipino forces start war drills in region facing Taiwan

Posted: 28 Mar 2022 12:22 AM PDT

THOUSANDS of American and Filipino forces began on Monday, March 28, one of their largest combat exercises in years that will include live-fire maneuvers, aircraft assaults, urban warfare and beach landings in a showcase of US firepower in the northern Philippines near the sea border with Taiwan.The annual exercises, called Balikatan — Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder — will run up to April 8 with nearly 9,000 troops, navy, marines, air force and army troops, including 5,100 American military personnel, to strengthen the longtime treaty allies' "capabilities and readiness for real-world challenges," US and Philippine military officials said.China will likely frown on the war drills given their relative proximity to Taiwan, which it claims as Chinese territory, but organizers said the exercises do not envision any particular country as a target."The US military and Armed Forces of the Philippines will train together to expand and advance shared tactics, techniques, and procedures that strengthen our response capabilities and readiness for real-world challenges," said Major General Jay Bargeron, the US 3rd Marine division's commanding general. "Our alliance remains a key source of strength and stability in the Indo-Pacific region."First staged in 1991, the Balikatan exercises are anchored on the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, which commits the United States and the Philippines to come to the aid of the other in case of an attack. The allies aim to be strong and seamlessly braced for any security contingency as deterrence against war."It's for mutual defense, never for offense," Philippine military spokesman Colonel Ramon Zagala said.The treaty alliance "declares formally our sense of unity and determination to mutually defend against external armed attack, so that no potential aggressor could be under the impression that either of them stands alone," Zagala told The Associated Press.But the governor of northern Cagayan province, where amphibious landings with limited live-fire maneuvers were scheduled to be held in the coastal town of Claveria this week, has opposed any joint exercise utilizing gunfire, fearing it could antagonize China."The military consulted and asked me, but I said I cannot allow any live-fire exercise. Any exercise is OK, but live-fire," Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba told The AP by telephone. "We have to engage China, but not in a war, because I know Taiwan is a powder keg."China, along with the US and Taiwan, have expressed interest in investing in Cagayan, which has an underdeveloped agriculture and related industries, Mamba said, adding "I'm not pro-China, I'm pro-Cagayan."A Philippine military official said the beach landing exercises would proceed in Claveria without any live-fire training, which will be held instead at Crow Valley, an aircraft gunnery range in Tarlac province further south of Cagayan.The combat exercises in the northern Philippines are being held amid heightened tensions between Taiwan and China. But Zagala said most of the military maneuvers have been planned a year ago and did not consider the recurring tensions in the Taiwan Strait.In what it calls a warning to Taiwan independence supporters and their foreign allies, China has been staging threatening exercises and flying military planes near the island's airspace, including on February 24, when Russia began its invasion of Ukraine.Chinese officials led by President Xi Jinping say they are committed to using peaceful means to bring Taiwan, which they claim as Chinese territory, under Beijing's control. The US has consistently expressed its support for ensuring that Taiwan can defend itself, and Chinese military action against the island in the short- to medium-term is generally considered a remote possibility.Major Kurt Stahl of the third US Marine division said that while most combat exercises and humanitarian projects would take place in the country's north, some maneuvers will be staged on the western island province of Palawan, along with an air defense exercise featuring US and Philippine fighter aircraft around the western side of Luzon.That region faces the disputed South China Sea, where China's increasingly assertive actions, including the building of missile-protected island bases to reinforce its vast territorial claims, have sparked protests alarm from rival claimants like the Philippines and Vietnam, along with condemnation from the US and its Western and Asian allies.The opening ceremony Monday, March 28, was attended by Defense Undersecretary Cardozo Luna; AFP Chief of Staff, General Andres Centino; Major General Charlton Sean Gaerlan, Philippine Exercise Director and Commander of AFP Education, Training and Doctrines Command; Major General Jay Bargeron, US Exercise director; and US Embassy Chargé d'Affaires, Heather Variava."Undoubtedly, these activities will positively impact our force readiness and strengthen our robust alliance," Gaerlan said.Luna said the activity also affirm the cooperation of the US and the Philippines in espousing peace, security and cooperation in the region.Variava said these will boost the ties and relationship between the two ally countries as the world faces new and continuing challenges.Centino urged the participants of this year's Balikatan Exercise to make the most of the opportunities."I urge all the Filipino and American soldiers who are taking part in this year's Balikatan Exercise to embody professionalism, excellence and camaraderie as we maximize the opportunities offered to us in this event. I am confident that both of our Armed Forces shall reap immense benefits from this exercise as we continue to pursue our shared goals of regional peace, security and stability," he said. (AP/Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/SunStar Philippines)

Coast guard: Chinese maneuvers endangered ships

Posted: 28 Mar 2022 12:02 AM PDT

CHINESE coast guard ships maneuvered dangerously close to Philippine coast guard ships at least four times near a disputed shoal over the past year, in moves that increased the risk of collision and violated international safety regulations, the Philippine government said Sunday, March 27, 2022.It was not immediately clear if the Philippines has formally protested the aggressive actions by the Chinese ships, but Manila's coast guard said the incidents would not deter it from deploying patrol vessels at Scarborough Shoal and in other areas within the country's internationally recognized exclusive economic zone.China seized Scarborough Shoal, a rich fishing area about 200 kilometers (120 miles) off the northwestern coast of the Philippines and 600 kilometers (370 miles) southeast of China, after a tense naval standoff in 2012. Chinese coast guards ships then surrounded the shoal and restricted Filipino fishermen's access.The US has accused China of bullying smaller South China Sea claimants like the Philippines and has deployed Navy ships and aircraft to promote freedom of navigation and overflight in the region. China, which claims the South China Sea virtually in totality, has warned Washington to stay away and accused it of meddling in what it says is a purely Asian dispute.The incidents were reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila and an inter-agency body on the South China Sea "to address this issue through rules-based and peaceful approaches," Philippine coast guard chief Adm. Artemio Abu said in a statement.Earlier this month, a Chinese coast guard ship maneuvered just 21 yards (63 feet) from a Philippine patrol vessel and restricted its maneuvering space in the vicinity of Scarborough Shoal, the Philippine coast guard said, adding that the Chinese action was "a clear violation" of a 1972 international safety regulation that aims to prevent sea collisions.In June 2021, two Chinese coast guard ships on two successive days moved dangerously close to two Philippine coast guard ships, which were participating in a maritime exercise off Scarborough Shoal. A month before, a Chinese coast guard ship moved close to a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries vessel manned by coast guard personnel also near the shoal, according to the coast guard.There was no immediate comment from the Chinese Embassy in Manila.China's seizure of Scarborough Shoal prompted the Philippines to bring the disputes to international arbitration. In 2016, a UN-backed tribunal invalidated most of China's claims and said it has violated the rights of Filipinos to fish at the shoal.China dismissed the ruling as a sham and continues to defy it but allowed Filipino fishermen to return to the shoal under Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who nurtured closer ties with Beijing after taking office in 2016. Despite cozier relations, however, sporadic territorial spats have persisted.Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei also lay claims to the busy waterway through which an estimated $5 trillion in global trade passes each year."We are fully aware of dangerous situations at sea, but these will not stop our deployment of assets and personnel" to serve Filipino fishermen, Abu said. "As long as they feel safe seeing us during their fishing operations, we know that we are doing our job well." (AP)

PDEA: Marijuana now the drug of choice among users

Posted: 27 Mar 2022 11:52 PM PDT

MARIJUANA is now the most abused illegal drug by users in the Philippines, dislodging shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) both on the demand and the supply side, said the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Sunday, March 27, 2022."Marijuana is now the dominant drug in the country as shown by the massive volume seizures in 2021 and the survey result of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) in 2019," said PDEA Director General Undersecretary Wilkins Villanueva in a statement.PDEA said the illegal hemp got the lion's share by registering 83 percent of the reported total bulk weight of drug seizures in 2021, and coming as a distant second is shabu at 17 percent.The DDB survey also showed that marijuana is the most commonly abused dangerous drug (57 percent), followed by shabu (35 percent).In 2021, more than 11 tons of marijuana were confiscated, and PDEA said this has been one of the highest consolidated volumes of marijuana seizure ever recorded."This may indicate two things: interception and enforcement efforts are efficient; and cannabis cultivators and distributors are ramping up their drug trafficking activities to meet surging demand," Villanueva said.The agency said one of the attributing factors that made marijuana the most abused illegal drug is the persistent demand for the use of the controlled plant even amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.It said majority of the marijuana users belonging to the younger generation do not perceive the drug as harmful but rather beneficial, placing them at greater risk associated with its chronic use."There is a growing acceptance in the marijuana drug business, and it is prudent to come up with an assessment that the supply is abundant because its demand in the market is high. When the supply is higher, the chances of detection are also higher as manifested by the high-volume marijuana confiscation by authorities," Villanueva said.Marijuana plant thrives in high altitude and mountainous areas of the country. It remains to be the only illegal drug locally produced for domestic consumption. Majority of the marijuana plantation sites eradicated were found in the tri-boundaries of Ilocos Sur, La Union and Benguet.PDEA said the ease of cultivating marijuana is critical for this drug to thrive in the illegal drug trade, because unlike shabu, marijuana does not require precursors, huge labor and technical expertise."Instead, cultivators need seeds and plantation sites. Marijuana growers can leave their fields only to return during harvest time," PDEA said in a statement.The agency also said that some reports indicated that local marijuana cultivators are exporting premium-grade marijuana to other neighboring countries to boost sales and expand new markets."The lack of alternative means of earning a living remains one of the chief reasons why local farmers opted to cultivate marijuana. They receive much more income compared to growing other legal crops," PDEA said.It also noted that the increase in seizures and arrests of drug personalities related to marijuana has increased coincidentally with the easing of enforcement and regulation on the marijuana production, distribution and use by other countries, particularly in US and Europe.In the Philippines, the situation abroad influences local growers to ramp up their marijuana production, PDEA said."The domestic supply of synthetic drugs like shabu and ecstasy are sourced abroad, and this implies the effectiveness of the government's supply-reduction measures. Only marijuana cultivation remains to flourish considering the very high incentive that cultivators get and the difficulty in fully detecting the plantation sites," it added."There is no ground for complacency. Although shabu is no longer the preferred drug of use, it is still considered a top drug of concern due to its more damaging effect on the minds and lives of its users, and is more profitable to drug players," Villanueva said.The PDEA chief urged the government and the public to exert more effort in pushing for advocacy-centered strategies down to the grassroots level "to dispel the misconception that the plant is harmless, especially among the younger generation." (LMY/PR)

PDEA: Incidence of ecstasy smuggling increasing rapidly

Posted: 27 Mar 2022 11:35 PM PDT

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) noted a rapid increase in the smuggling incidence of Methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), popularly known as ecstasy, in the country."Smuggling of ecstasy is expanding in the last three years. It grew from 13,000 tablets in 2019 to more than 74,000 tablets in 2021 -- a significant 460 percent increase," said PDEA Director General Undersecretary Wilkins Villanueva.He said the factors that contributed to the smuggling of the party drug were demands for its use due to psychological and mental health effects the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic has brought to some people, and the increasing popularity of the internet as a convenient way of obtaining drugs.He said these were confirmed by the seizures of the PDEA, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and other law enforcement agencies protecting the international airports, seaports and postal offices.Based on recent interdiction operations, the supply of ecstasy comes from European countries such as Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. Ecstasy smugglers use the country's mail and parcel system to bring in the drug."They employ drug couriers to transport drugs to the intended buyers, or distribute the drugs through social media using secured accounts, a proven and efficient method to avoid detection," Villanueva said.On October 2021, 100 pieces of ecstasy tablets worth P6.5 million from Germany were seized. The shipment was concealed in a parcel covered with tarpaulin sheets, two improvised pouches containing a total of 3,865 pieces of hexagon and skull tablets at the Philippine Postal Corporation Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay City.In the same month, authorities intercepted 100 pieces of ecstasy tablets at the Manila Central Post Office in Liwasang Bonifacio, Intramuros, Manila.In November 2021, joint elements of PDEA-Clark Interdiction Task Force and BOC conducted a controlled delivery operation in Barangay Tatalon, Quezon City that resulted in the seizure of 9,948 pieces of ecstasy tablets, with an estimated street value of P17 million.In January 2022, a shipment from Zaandam, Netherlands containing six plastic pouches of 3,054 pieces of blue and pink ecstasy tablets were intercepted at the Port of Clark, Pampanga.Ecstasy is the go-to illegal drug among young people during rave parties, recreational activities and night-clubbing. Most ecstasy users are not aware of the dosage that a pill or tablet contains. Medical studies show that taking the party drug can potentially lead to serious health problems or may cause sudden death due to drug overdose.PDEA Airport Drug Interdiction Task Group, in collaboration with the BOC, Philippine Postal Corporation and other law enforcement agencies, continue to boost border security coordination and international cooperation to quash Ecstasy smuggling in the country, said PDEA. (PR)

Comelec to bets: Monitor rivals, report violations

Posted: 27 Mar 2022 11:19 PM PDT

COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) commissioner George Garcia urged candidates on Monday, March 28, 2022, to be vigilant against unlawful campaign activities of their rivals and immediately report to them such incidents for investigation."Sa magkakalaban, maganda po magmonitoran kayo. Kayo mismo titingin, papansin sa mga kalaban nyo sa posisyon at isumbong n'yo sa amin at yan po ay aaksyunan namin," Garcia said in a Laging Handa public briefing.(To rivals, it is better that you monitor yourselves. You monitor unlawful campaign activities of your rivals and report them to us for appropriate actions.)He reminded the candidates to police their staff to follow election rules and make them aware of the do's and don't's amid the campaign period.Garcia also urged the public to report any unlawful election-related activities in their areas."Tayo pong mga mamamayan, nakita n'yo ang mga kandidato n'yo na hindi sumusunod sa batas, isipin n'yo kumakandidato pa lang hindi na sumusunod sa batas, sa patakaran ng Comelec. Pag nanalo yan, maaaring 'yung iba jan sila pang gagawa ng batas, sila magpapatupad ng batas. Paano ninyo aasahan na magpapatupad ng batas 'yung mga violator?" he said.(We the public should think that those not following the rules are not yet elected. How can they implement rules when they themselves are not following the rules?)Garcia said the Comelec will constitute the multi-agency task force against vote buying on Wednesday, March 30, which will look into reports of illegal distribution of cash in exchange of getting a person's vote.He said the task force will be composed of representatives from the Department of Justice, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Information Agency, Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines.Garcia said the task force may act on any vote buying reports even without formal complaint.He said the task force will also monitor the cyberspace, especially social media platforms, where some candidates blatantly conduct activities in violation of the election rules, such as the conduct of raffles and other activities to please their constituents.Garcia said they are also aware that digital money transfer platforms are now being used for vote buying.Meanwhile, Garcia said the opening of the campaign period for local candidates has been generally peaceful, noting that there has been maintenance of minimum public health standards set by the National Government amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic."If may violation man, hindi ganoon kasakit sa ulo," he said.He reminded candidates, both local and national, that while securing campaign committee permits before the Comelec is no longer necessary, they still have to get permits from the local government units for their campaign activities. (SunStar Philippines)

DILG commends PNP, PDEA for biggest drug haul in 2-week period

Posted: 27 Mar 2022 11:04 PM PDT

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) lauded the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday, March 28, 2022, for the biggest drug haul worth P13.2 billion in the history of the government's anti-illegal drugs campaign.DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said the PDEA and PPNP gained significant strides when they confiscated a total of 1,775.2 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) and 421.5 kilos of marijuana from March 6 to 19.The major operations were conducted in Karuhatan, Valenzuela on March 8, which yielded 160 kilos of shabu worth P1.08 billion, and in Infanta, Quezon on March 16, where 1,600 kilos of illegal drugs worth P12 billion were seized.A total of 12 individuals, including a Chinese national, were arrested during the operations."Dahil sa mabilis na aksyon at pagpupursigi ng PNP at PDEA, maraming kabataan, pamilya at kinabukasan ang naisalba mula sa perwisyo at salot na dulot ng iligal na droga (The swift action and determination of PNP and PDEA saved a lot of teenagers and families from illegal drugs). I urge our drug enforcement agencies to further intensify their operations and target big drug syndicates so we can protect and save our people and our country from the ill effects of illegal drugs," said Año.From July 2016 to January 31, 2022, authorities conducted a total of 226,662 anti-illegal drugs operations that resulted in the arrest of 327,039 drug suspects and killing of 6,229 others.A total of 14,389 high-value targets, including elected officials, uniformed personnel and government employees, were arrested during the said period.PDEA said a total of nearly 10,000 kilograms of shabu worth around P63.22 billion were seized during the operations.It said that 24,303 out of the 42,045 total villages in the country are now considered drug-cleared, while 6,616 others were not affected by the problem, or considered drug-free.Both the PDEA and the PNP earlier said they will do their best to fulfill the promise of President Rodrigo Duterte to the Filipino people to finish the drug problem in the country before his term ends in June 2022. (SunStar Philippines)

Duterte wishes for clean, fair, honest May 2022 elections

Posted: 27 Mar 2022 10:49 PM PDT

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is wishing for a clean, fair and honest election in May 2022, as he celebrates his 77th birthday Monday, March 28, 2022, the Malacañang said.The Malacañang said Duterte will celebrate his birthday "simple and quiet" in Davao City, "in line with his family's tradition."His birthday wish for this year is to have a clean, fair, and honest election in May 2022, as he has time and again underscored the importance of a peaceful transfer of power as part of his enduring legacy," it said in a statement on Sunday, March 27.The Malacañang also expressed sincere gratitude to Duterte for his strong and decisive leadership and genuine compassion for the Filipino people.It said Duterte inspired government officials that resulted in "positive and meaningful change" to the lives of many."Our prayer for the Almighty is to continue giving the President good physical and mental health in the years to come so he may carry on serving the interest of and bringing betterment to the lives of Filipinos," the Malacañang said. (SunStar Philippines)

Taal volcano unrest displaces over 5,600 people

Posted: 27 Mar 2022 10:42 PM PDT

OVER 5,600 individuals from high-risk villages were displaced due to the unrest of Taal Volcano, the Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said on Monday, March 28, 2022.In a television interview, Batangas PDRRMO chief Lito Castro said the 1,541 displaced families, or a total of 5,693 individuals, were from the villages of Agoncillo and Laurel, which are within the seven-kilometer danger zone of the Taal Volcano.They are currently staying in various evacuation centers in the province.Castro said only two families were allowed per room to ensure the maintenance of minimum public health protocols."Karaniwan po pangangailangan natin pagkain at tubig 'yung ating mga hygiene kits at 'yung mga non-food items po pero simula pa po nung Sabado, meron na pong iba't-ibang grupo na nagpapahayag na ng tulong nagpapadala ng mga pangangailangan nila," he said.(We usually need food, water and hygiene kits, but since Saturday, some groups have already pledged to provide the families' needs.)"Ang amin lang pong binibilin ay meron po kasing limitation ang Comelec (Commission on Elections) because of election ba, so hindi po pupwede ang mga kandidato na magbigay directly or indirectly, even their relatives or accomplices, bawal po yun, so i-cocoordinate po ito sa Red Cross," Castro added.(The Comelec has put some limitations to who can donate. Candidates cannot give directly or indirectly, even their relatives and accomplices, that's illegal, so all donations have to be coordinated with the Red Cross.)In a situational report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said some families in the villages of San Lusi, Taal, Calaca, and Calatagan have also been affected.The Malacañang said it is closely monitoring the situation in the affected areas, ensuring the readiness of the Quick Response Teams and the standby stockpile of food and non-food items to augment local supplies when needed through the Department of Social Welfare and Development."We urge all residents of affected barangays and communities to remain alert and vigilant, get news updates from trusted sources and authorities, and cooperate with concerned agencies while the volcano situation is being monitored for any developments," it said in a statement.On Saturday, March 26, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised the status of Taal Volcano to Alert Level 3 due to a phreatomagmatic eruption of the main crater.In its bulletin on Monday, March 28, the bureau said that in the past 24 hours, the Taal Volcano Network did not detect any volcanic earthquakes.Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum said the Alert Level 3 will remain even if no activities were recorded in 24 hours."Nananatiling nasa Alert Level 3 ito. Bawal pumunta sa volcano island at 'yung mga ilang barangays ng Agoncillo at Laurel na inirekomenda natin for evacuation, ay ganun pa rin ang ating abiso," he said in a television interview.(Alert Level 3 remains. Going into the volcano island is not allowed and we still recommend evacuation in some barangays like Agoncillo and Laurel.)Solidum also advised residents living near the Taal Volcano to wear N95 masks so as not to acquire illnesses that may be brought about by the inhalation of ashfall."Kung wala talaga, mas maganda na rin mag-stay indoors. Saraduhan ang mga bintana at pintuan para hindi pasukin ang bahay ng gas," he said.(If there's no N95, stay indoors. Close the windows and doors to prevent gas from entering your house.)The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it has deployed additional policemen in the affected areas, especially to prevent individuals from entering the danger zones.The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) District Southern Tagalog was also placed on heightened alert due to the volcano's activities.PCG commandant Admiral Artemio Abu has ordered the dispatch of a Deployable Response Group (DRG) to oversee the situation.He also ordered patrolling at the PCG sub-stations in Talisay and San Nicolas to implement forced evacuation among the fishermen and fish cage workers in the waters surrounding the Taal Volcano.The PCG will also assist in the conduct of evacuation of the affected residents. (SunStar Philippines)
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