PDEA debunks watchlist docs on FMJ

By Nidz Godino

“PDEA ran  check through its Plans and Operations Reports Management Information System or PORMIS and found  no such operation was logged on that date,” Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said in  statement documents purportedly showing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.was on watch list of PDEA are fake.

According to PDEA, documents  both dated March 11, 2012  circulating on social media platforms are bogus.

One document is  pre-operation report, listed Marcos and some unidentified male and female cohorts as targets of  drug sting. The other is an authority to operate for  drug target in Makati.

PDEA said  critical feature of PORMIS is that one could not insert or tamper with recorded operations, adding all pre-operation documents are serialized in  database.

“This ensures system’s integrity and negates any doubt on data  system contains,”  PDEA said.

Documents were posted by vlogger Maharlika on her Boldyakan Facebook page on Monday night, which generated 2,400 reactions and 629 comments.

Post was shared 1,100 times as of yesterday afternoon.

Maharlika used to be Marcos supporter, but has since been critical of the President.

She remains supportive of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

In an age where artificial intelligence can generate realistic fake videos, spurious documents and “fantastic” claims at having insider information, PDEA cautioned public to be more careful about social media posts propagating what it described as fake news.

No new war on drugs, shortened flag ceremony-PNP

By J.Lo

“There is no need for  drug war…that is part of our job  to stamp out drugs…hindi lang po ako ang chief PNP na nagsabi niyan,” newly installed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil sees no need to declare  war on drugs for the country to achieve drug-free status.

Speaking at his first press conference as country’s top cop, Marbil said term drug war is not necessary as eradicating illegal drugs is part of  functions of law enforcers.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte had declared  all-out war on drugs, became  flagship program of his administration.

Duterte’s bloody campaign against drugs resulted in  deaths of over 6,000 suspects during alleged shootouts with police.

For Marbil, he prefers not to use  term drug war in  anti-narcotics campaign to achieve drug-free communities.

“I don’t want to say there is  drug war…parang giyera na naman kami. ..this is  requirement, ito yung dapat ma-solve mo…we go for 100 percent drug less community, I need accountability and transparency on the part of  policemen,” he said.

Asked how he would approach the drug problem in his tenure, Marbil said police officers must always follow  rule of law.

Addressing illegal drugs should be based on parameters covering every region in the country, Marbil said, stressing  gone are  days when police regional offices are required to meet general targets such as numbers of drug suspects that should be arrested for  certain period.

Marbil said  situation in one region should not be compared with other areas.

“This is not  contest of who gets  most number of arrests…sige magparamihan tayo ng huli, but you don’t solve the problem, right?” he said.

Meanwhile, Davao police director Brig. Gen. Alden Delvo has ordered police commanders in Davao City to submit evidence that would show  armed encounters, led to  death of drug suspects in less than a week, are legitimate.

Eight police officers were relieved from their posts in connection with  drug-related deaths after Mayor Sebastian Duterte declared  war on drugs in Davao City.

“Very unusual if every operation nanlaban ‘yung suspect, but it is not impossible…that is why we are investigating it,” Delvo said.

Marbil barred police officers on beat patrol from using their cell phones while on duty.

He made  statement when asked about  crime prevention strategies he will implement under his leadership.

“This is my first and last warning…no cell phone during duty…if you are caught using your cell phone, there will be no forgiveness… I am very strict on that,” he said.

Marbil held  command conference and laid out his programs for  PNP.

He said police personnel, especially those on beat patrol, should not have distractions.

Marbil clarified that police are allowed to use their cell phones as part of their official functions, including using  gadgets to communicate with other police officers.

“Situation is different if police officers are using mobile phones to check their Facebook and watching videos,” he said.

Instead of cell phones, Marbil said police can use their handheld radios in communicating with their colleagues.

Marbil also wants flag-raising rites held every Monday shortened, noting that police officers should be at their work stations by 8 in the morning to address needs of  people.

He is also not inclined to implement  revamp in  early stages of his term, stressing will not benefit  PNP to transfer police officials to other key positions.

Saying that artificial intelligence (AI) is  future against crimes,  PNP has embarked on  five-year development plan in using new technologies in crime prevention and solution.

Marbil said using AI tools is among  programs he intends to implement in  PNP.

“Instead of buying old school equipment, we will be investing more on AI technology,” he said.

He said  initiative is necessary as he noted that AI can be used in crime prevention and crime solution.

“It’s quite expensive, but AI will be useful in the long run,” he said.

Marbil plans to strengthen  capabilities of  police Anti-Cybercrime Group to make  unit more effective in running after cybercriminals.

Due to extreme heat, more areas suspend onsite classes

By Creselda Canda-Lopez

Department of Education (DepEd) said all classroom instructions had been defaulted to alternative delivery mode (ADM) in Quezon City, Caloocan City and Navotas City in Metro Manila; General Santos City; Polangui, Albay; Polomolok, South Cotabato; Maasim, Sarangani and  province of Sultan Kudarat.

More areas across the country have suspended onsite classes due to unbearable classroom conditions brought about by extreme heat, according to DepEd.

In Pangasinan, municipalities of Mangaldan, Sta. Barbara, Mapandan, Calasiao and San Manuel have suspended onsite classes.

In Central Luzon, Malolos City and Calumpit in Bulacan began implementing ADM, while Angeles City in Pampanga will implement it starting today.

Areas that will implement ADM in  Visayas include Pasay City, San Carlos City, Sipalay City and province of Biliran.

In Mindanao, onsite classes have been suspended in Cotabato: Carmen Central District, President Roxas North and Kabacan District; and elementary schools in Koronadal City, South Cotabato: Sto. Niño, Marbel 3, Esimos Cataluna, Marbel 5, Manuel Dondiego, Mangga, Marbel 4 and Carpenter Hill.

Areas that have been in ADM since Monday are  cities of Dagupan, Iloilo, Kabankalan, Silay, Himamaylan, Bago, Bacolod and the municipalities of Banga and Tantangan in South Cotabato.

Onsite classes also remain suspended in the province of Negros Occidental, Maasin Central School, Pagadian City Pilot School and Buenavista Integrated School in Zamboanga City.

Public schools in Caloocan, Malabon and Navotas also adjusted class schedules in response to high heat index.

Caloocan announced classes shifted to blended learning in all levels for public schools for afternoon classes.

Grade 6 pupils, however, remained in school as they were taking  National Achievement Test (NAT).

In Malabon,  city’s schools division office (SDO) released guidelines for canceling classes during extreme heat conditions to ensure student safety.

SDO said  when  heat index reaches 42 degrees Celsius or higher, onsite classes will be automatically suspended, with teachers shifting to ADM.

Blended learning will be initiated at  heat index of 41 degrees Celsius, with students grouped based on their learning levels.

In Navotas, all public schools will implement adjusted class schedules on days with  heat index of 40 degrees Celsius and higher, according to the local government.

Morning sessions will be from 6 to 10 in the morning, while afternoon sessions for elementary and high school will be from 2 in the afternoon to 6 in the evening and 7 in the evening, respectively.

Local government said  students would be off-campus from 10 in the morning to 2 in the afternoon,  peak period for high heat indices, with  remaining hours allocated for asynchronous activities.

Private schools in Navotas with air-conditioned classrooms have been told that they have discretion over their schedules.

Mayor Christian Natividad of Malolos City in Bulacan has suspended onsite classes from kindergarten to grade 12 in all of its public schools yesterday and today.

In an advisory, Natividad said suspension of classes was in consideration of  safety and well-being of  learners and faculty affected by  intense heat in the city on those dates.

Modular or online distance learning should be closely monitored and supervised by  school head and supervisors.

Private schools are given  discretion to decide to shift to distance learning, depending on condition of  learners, faculty and school facilities. Administration of Grade 6 NAT today, however, will proceed as scheduled.

In Dagupan City, Pangasinan, Mayor Belen Fernandez, informed about concern of teachers and students on rising heat index, has given school principals go-signal to decide on cancellation of classes based on weather condition.

Dagupan recorded  heat index of 43 degrees Celsius last Monday.

Judge Jose de Venecia Sr. Technical-Vocational Secondary School principal Renato Santillan have suspended face-to-face classes because students could not bear  hot weather as they are only using electric fans in classrooms crowded with 40 to 45 students.

Santillan and other school principals have agreed to revert temporarily to modular distance learning.

At least five more local government units in the province suspended onsite classes from pre-school to senior high school (SHS) both in public and private schools due to forecast high heat index: Mangaldan, Calasiao, Sta. Barbara, Mapandan and San Manuel.

Mangaldan Mayor Bona Fe Parayno issued Executive Order No. 2024-017, series of 2024 suspending onsite classes from pre-school to SHS in the town starting yesterday until the same is lifted.

Order said  based on  heat index chart, 43 degrees Celsius falls under  “danger” category, where heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely, and heat stroke is probable with continued exposure.

Suspension of classes was made after  consultation with  municipal disaster risk reduction and management council to protect and safeguard  health of learners.

Order “highly encouraged” online classes.

Calasiao Mayor Kevin Roy Macanlalay, Sta. Barbara Mayor Carlito Zaplan and Mapandan Mayor Karl Christian Vega also signed EOs suspending classes.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama stressed not his call to suspend classes in the city, but rather  schools,’ following  resolution filed by Councilor Rey Gealon urging  mayor’s office to do so due to  rising heat index.

“Mayors should not just be  ones suspending classes,” Rama told reporters in  phone interview, after Gealon sent  copy of his resolution requesting  mayor’s office to suspend class in all levels, should it be necessary and should  dangerous heat index persist.

Gealon’s resolution has also been motivated by  warning given to  public that  heat index in Cebu in  coming months may reach up to 51 degrees Celsius.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration – Visayas weather specialist Jhomer Eclarino declared  heat index of 51 degrees Celsius is categorized as “dangerous.”

Rama emphasized as much as he wanted to be “sensitive” with  students, he would leave  decision-making to educational institutions.

Extreme heat index has also forced many public and private schools in Zamboanga City to shift to modular learning,  measure adopted during COVID-19 pandemic, to protect learners from exhaustion and avert  interruption of classes.

City schools division has instructed public schools, particularly those extremely affected, to romp up flexible learning instructional program such as shifting from face-to-face to modular type of learning.

DepEd regional heads and superintendents are authorized to adjust class schedules so that students and teachers can avoid hours when  heat is intense, according to an education official.

Gentleman’s agreement not binding

By J.Lo

“There’s no need to dredge up this ‘gentleman’s agreement’ just to keep  Ayungin Shoal…remember  BRP Sierra Madre is there, we are in occupation of Ayungin Shoal and we will not do anything to jeopardize that,” National Security Council (NSC) assistant director general Jonathan Malaya said at  public briefing Philippines will not do anything to jeopardize its occupation of Ayungin Shoal underscoring that former president Rodrigo Duterte’s “gentleman’s agreement” with China is not legally binding.

He emphasized agreement only applies to  previous administration.

“Since this was not signed, there’s no legally binding document,  Marcos administration is not bound by it,” he said.

Malaya, spokesman for National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.had made it very clear that Philippines would not be deterred by China’s threats and that it would continue to defend its maritime rights and entitlements in West Philippine Sea and in other parts of archipelago.

Marcos said “deliberate” countermeasures would be taken in response to dangerous attacks by  China Coast Guard and  Chinese Maritime Militia on Filipino vessels in  West Philippine Sea.

The President is in constant talks with allies to help secure Philippine sovereignty.

Malacañang issued Executive Order 57 on March 25 reorganizing  old National Coast Watch Council into  National Maritime Council tasked with ensuring  unified, coordinated and effective governance framework for  country’s maritime security and domain awareness, among other powers.

“Now  entire country is covered, unlike before when our focus was on West Philippine Sea,” Malaya said.

He noted that  Philippines’ proportionate, deliberate and reasonable response or countermeasures to China’s aggressive actions in  West Philippine Sea are not purely military.

“The measures cover multi-dimensions,” Malaya said, assuaging fears raised by some quarters… government, he emphasized, is committed to exhausting diplomatic measures… proportionate, deliberate and reasonable response the President was talking about covered not only aspect of strengthening our military or our defense capabilities together with other allies, partners and friends but it also talks about exhausting diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue,” he said.

Meanwhile, former presidential spokesman Harry Roque said  Philippines might end up losing Ayungin Shoal by force if  Marcos administration continues to pursue  present direction of its relationship with Beijing.

He said  while Marcos is not bound by  agreement between Duterte and China, the President should choose wisely his foreign policy direction.

“So it’s an issue now of wisdom, it’s an issue now of foreign policy that only PBBM ,President Bongbong Marcos can formulate and we will see how PBBM will be remembered in the history of the Philippines,” Roque told media.

Only 1 % of Ph firms ready for cyberthreats

By Nidz Godino

“In fact, 36 percent of companies said they had more than 10 roles related to cybersecurity which are unfilled in their organization at the time of  survey,” Cisco’s Cybersecurity Readiness Index for 2024 said software giant Cisco has found  almost every company in the Philippines is not ready to fend off new forms of cyber attacks.

According to Cisco’s Cybersecurity Readiness Index for 2024, only one percent of organizations in the Philippines are equipped to respond to modern cybersecurity risks.

Cisco said 64 percent of companies fall into  beginner level of readiness, meaning most of the firms in the country are in the process of building up their digital defenses.

Despite this, Cisco said  Philippines is no lonely island in terms of lagging in  readiness index.

Globally, just three percent of organizations are at  mature level of readiness, indicating  need for companies to reinforce their online security.

More than two-thirds of companies anticipate  cybersecurity incident to disrupt their operations within  next 12 to 24 months.

Further, three in every five firms said they were attacked in the past 12 months, costing some of them as much as $300,000 in losses.

Further, there is  growing concern over  management of devices within  workplace, as 85 percent said their employees access their company accounts from unsecured locations.

Worse, organizations are suffering from  shortage in cybersecurity talents who can address these emerging risks.

In response, at least two in three companies will upgrade their security solutions within  next 12 to 24 months.

Moreover, almost all organizations plan to increase their cybersecurity budgets for the year to acquire  necessary services and talents to combat cyberthreats.

Cisco Philippines managing director Zaza Soriano-Nicart said companies in the country have to procure  cybersecurity platform that can protect them from digital risks. Or else, Nicart warned, they may fall victim to online attacks that could compromise their data.

“Threat landscape today is more complicated than ever and organizations globally, including those in the Philippines, continue to lag in their cyber resilience,” Nicart said.

Index covered insights of about 8,000 executives from across 30 markets globally and was conducted by  third party assessor commissioned by Cisco.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Ephesians 1:7

⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

‘bitbit,’  new human trafficking scheme

By J.Lo

“She was held captive…disturbingly, she was subjected to appalling conditions, including being denied food if she failed to satisfy  demands of her captors…she was even forced to undergo  abortion when they discovered she was with child,” Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco warned public  about “bitbit” human trafficking scheme, wherein Filipino women are persuaded to work in  flesh trade abroad.

In bitbit scheme, “ frequent traveler would attempt to transport  female victim who will be deceived into working as  sex worker abroad,” Tansingco said.

On March 22,  male trafficker and his victim were intercepted at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

They posed as cohabiting partners and attempted to depart for Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.

Male suspect recently traveled to Malaysia with another Filipino woman who he also claimed was his partner, based on records. Woman has not returned to the Philippines.

Authorities turned over  latest victim to  Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking.

Suspect could face charges for violating  Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022.

Tansingco recalled  2023 case when  victim illegally boarded  sailboat in Palawan going to Malaysia.

Victim reached  hotel in Sibu, Malaysia that housed sex workers.

July 17 as National CPR Day

By Nidz Godino

“There is  need to instill and continuously promote health consciousness among Filipinos by equipping them with  necessary information, knowledge, behavior and skills to respond to health emergencies, including bringing CPR in every home as an emergency procedure,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.has declared July 17 of every year as National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Day, citing  need to create awareness of  importance of knowing how to respond to health emergencies.

Proclamation 511 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin by authority of Marcos last March 27 directed  health department to lead  planning, preparing, coordinating, organizing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating of programs for the annual observance.

Marcos noted that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is  lifesaving technique useful in many emergencies, including heart attack or near drowning.

The President instructed all state agencies and instrumentalities to actively participate in the observance while non-government organizations and the private sectors were encouraged to do the same.

The National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Day will be observed on the same day Republic Act No. 10871 or the Basic Life Support Training in Schools Act became a law.

Also known as the Samboy Lim Law, the Basic Life Support Training in Schools Act lapsed into law on July 17, 2016. It states that all public and private basic education schools nationwide have the duty to provide their students with basic life support training through the use of psychomotor training in an age-appropriate manner.

Measure was given  nickname Samboy Lim Law in honor of former PBA player Avelino “Samboy” Lim, who collapsed while stretching during  exhibition game in Pasig in 2014.

Maritime security council ‘redundant, insignificant’

By J.Lo

“Government agencies belonging to  newly-created National Maritime Council are already constitutionally mandated to uphold and protect our national territory and natural resources,” group of small-scale fisherfolk Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) national chairperson Fernando Hicap said government’s countermeasures against China’s aggression in  West Philippine Sea, including  reorganization of  maritime council, is “redundant and insignificant” to their needs.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered  government to strengthen  country’s maritime security following  recent escalation of aggressive actions by  China Coast Guard (CCG) against Philippine vessels.

Executive Order 57, signed last week, renamed and reorganized  National Coast Watch Council (NCWC) into  National Maritime Council (NMC). Council will act as  central body in charge of formulating policies and strategies to ensure  coordinated and effective framework for  nation’s maritime security. 

Council will be chaired by the Executive Secretary. Its members include representatives from  Department of National Defense, National Security Council, Department of Foreign Affairs, Office of the Solicitor General and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, among others.

PAMALAKAYA said creation of maritime council is an “added bureaucracy.”

 “Why  need to consolidate these agencies into  council with  sole purpose of maritime security, and despite  existing task force with  very same functions?” he asked.

National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) will be attached to  NMC, and will be responsible for synchronizing and operationalizing  capabilities to different government agencies to achieve  “unified action” in  WPS. 

“Walang kabuluhan para sa mga mangingisdang patuloy na bumabagsak ang kita at nawalan ng kabuhayan ang hakbangin ng administrasyong Marcos Jr., hangga’t hindi tuwirang napapaalis ang mga barkong pangisda at pandigma ng China at iba pang dayong bansa sa ating karagatan,” Hicap said. 

PAMALAKAYA said any efforts to reclaim control of  Philippines’ territorial waters should be “peaceful and diplomatic” in accordance with  2016 arbitral award.

Marcos’ order followed  series of maritime confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels near Ayungin Shoal. During  latest incident,  CCG blocked and used water cannons to disrupt another resupply mission to troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre.

The president earlier said Philippines will implement countermeasures against “illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous attacks” by  CCG and  Chinese maritime militia. 

Euromoney: Metrobank, Best Bank for Ultra High-Net-Worth Filipinos

By Nidz Godino

“We take this recognition as both  affirmation of our efforts and  challenge to continue elevating  services we provide…trust is paramount to us, and being recognized as  preferred bank for affluent families in the Philippines underscores Metrobank’s dedication to keeping our valued clients in good hands,” Metrobank’s Private Wealth Division head Lizette Perez said

Metrobank remains  preferred bank for affluent Filipinos as it receives  Best Bank for Ultra High-Net-Worth (UHNW) award at  Euromoney Global Private Banking Awards 2024.

Latest recognition keeps Metrobank’s streak of winning major awards intact.  Bank was named Best Bank for  Ultra High-Net-Worth and Best Domestic Private Bank by Asiamoney in 2023.

Banker recognized Metrobank as  Philippines’ Bank of the Year for 2022 and 2023. Moreover, it was hailed as  Strongest Bank in the Philippines by  Asian Banker for 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Euromoney acknowledged Metrobank’s leadership in  UHNW segment in 2023, noting  impressive quality of services provided by the bank and its highly capable team.

“ Bank has one of the industry’s most knowledgeable and experienced group of relationship managers…in addition, UHNW clients have access to entire product suite that Group offers across its Treasury Group and Trust, Branch, and Consumer Banking Business,” Euromoney stated.

Metrobank’s Relationship Managers provide  holistic service to cater to  UNHW clients’ needs such as:

• Providing expert advice on wealth management and estate planning
   
• Serving as  trusted financial adviser
   
• Conducting financial education programs for UHNW families’ heirs and next generation of leaders
   
• Giving access to  entire product suite of  Metrobank Group
   
• Performing services beyond private banking, including linking clients to various touchpoints for insurance, transportation real estate and healthcare

The international publication also cited Bank’s partnership with CreditSights, gives UNHW clients access to  firm’s insights and advice through  Bank’s Wealth Insights portal.

Wealth Insights provides investors with timely advice through curated market-changing news, up-to-date commentary and calls on the local and global financial markets, simplified explainers on key economic and financial concepts, and easy-to-understand actionable ideas across different asset classes.

It also serves as  gateway to Wealth Manager,  tool  enables clients to actively manage their portfolio anytime, anywhere. 

Metrobank Private Wealth has steadily cemented its position within  Ultra High-Net-Worth segment with its exceptional brand of service in helping clients preserve their wealth and build lasting legacies.