Beware of Glue Ladies

By J.Lo

“As this happens, the perpetrator who aptly acts as if she is the next in line will offer help in retrieving the card,” Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA) chief Col. Marlou Roy Alzate said criminal gang composed mostly of women is preying on senior citizens making cash withdrawals from automated teller machines.

The modus operandi of the group SOSIA of the Philippine National Police, involves inserting a thin ruler – with glue on it – usually made of plastic, fiber glass or steel in the cash dispenser to trap the cash coming out of the machine. A victim, after failing to get cash from the ATM machine, would leave thinking there was just a technical glitch.

After the victim has left, a member of the gang – called Glue Ladies by the police –would pull out the ruler, with cash already sticking on it.

Alzate said another tack is to put glue on the command keypads to prevent a client from completing a transaction. They would also put adhesive in the card slot to capture the ATM card.

The strategy aims to leave the victim confused as whether to cancel or carry on with the transaction.

The suspect will then convince the victim to punch her personal identification number and memorize the PIN. After the client’s several attempts fail, the perpetrator would then ask the victim to seek assistance from a bank employee or security guard.

“When the client leaves, the perpetrator will quickly retrieve the card and run away with it. She then withdraws all the money in another ATM machine,” he said.

The scammers also masquerade as employees of banks offering to assist depositors.

 The suspects would volunteer to deposit the money of unsuspecting victims, particularly senior citizens, with the bank teller.

“When the victim becomes busy doing the necessary filling up of the deposit forms or slips, the perpetrator will take the money or switch it with a similar-looking envelope and leave the bank immediately,” Alzate said.

Alzate ordered private security service providers, security guards and their units to conduct an information drive to prevent people from becoming victims of the syndicate.

Viral in social media, roaming rat spotted at NAIA Terminal 3

By J.Lo

“Hello NAIA, una surot, ngayon naman may daga sa international departure? Yung totoo?!?!” X user wrote. First there were bedbugs. Then came a rat.

Days after passengers complained of bedbug-infested rattan and metal chairs at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2, another video of a large rat running around the international departure area of NAIA Terminal 3 early yesterday has gone viral.

In a three-minute video clip
uploaded by user Kerb (@Curve251) on X, a huge rat can be seen scampering around lighting fixtures in the ceiling of the international departure area in NAIA Terminal 3.

According to the uploader, the video was taken at around 1 a.m. on March 1.

Last Thursday, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) removed the bedbug-infested rattan chairs at the lobby of NAIA 2, after two passengers complained on Facebook that they were bitten by bedbugs.

MIAA general manager Eric Ines issued a directive to conduct comprehensive facility inspections and enhanced sanitation measures following the reported bedbug infestation.

Ines is meeting this Monday with all pest control service providers at the NAIA together with housekeeping, to review cleaning and disinfection processes, according to MIAA head executive assistant Chris Bendijo.

If negligence is established and service cannot be improved, “definitely” service contracts would be canceled, Bendijo told media.

The rattan chairs have been permanently removed, Bendijo told media. He said the pest control provider noted that the bed[1]bugs appeared unusually large, unlike local ones.

Meanwhile, Sen. Grace Poe said “there is an increasing infestation problem. That’s an issue in other countries as well. In France, train stations and some hotel rooms are affected.”

“Cleaning and disinfecting should be a standard operating procedure, not just during virus outbreak or infestation,” said Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public services.

As San Miguel Corp. and its partners are set to take over NAIA, tycoon Ramon Ang expressed excitement to tackle the problems that have been besetting the gateway all these years.

Ang has been looking at the problems besetting the airport including leaks in buildings – if any – and other inconveniences that affect passengers.

Asked to comment about the presence of bedbugs  in NAIA, Ang replied in jest: was media referring to any of his competitors. Turning serious, Ang assured stakeholders that the bedbug problem would be addressed.

“We will change all the seats immediately this September with brand new stainless seats,” Ang said.

On the bigger problem of airport congestion, Ang plans to do a realignment of sorts in the runway by relocating Terminal 4 to give way to a longer runway, he said.

Details of this are being threshed out.

There’s no lack of surprises at NAIA, the country’s main gateway and passengers can only sigh in frustration or in resignation.

Some seats at Terminal 2 have been infested with bugs or surot. Making their way through social media are videos of pests the size of marbles crawling out of the holes of the stainless steel seats.

Passengers bitten by the bugs showed parts of their arms and legs riddled with giant patches of swollen red welts of all shapes and sizes. As if this isn’t bad enough, another video on social media was uploaded yesterday showing a huge rat crawling around the ceiling of Terminal 3.

All these surprising experiences that NAIA has given its passengers through the years have put the gateway in a class of its own.

Remember that there was a time when passengers found their luggage randomly planted with bullets – tanim-bala, it was called.

Last year, a Jan. 1 power outage – although caused by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines’ system and not by the MIAA and which led to the closure of the whole Philippine airspace – affected airport passengers and disrupted whatever was left of the holidays.

Not too long ago, there was also an airport security staff caught on CCTV supposedly eating bank notes, after a passenger complained of losing $300 after passing through airport screening. 

Pinoys culprits for abandoning corpses arrested anew for murder

By Nidz Godino

Japanese police authorities are looking into two Filipinos earlier charged for allegedly abandoning the dead bodies of a Japanese couple in Tokyo in January have again been arrested, this time on murder charges. 

Kyodo News reported fresh warrants were served on Bryan Jefferson Lising dela Cruz, 34, and Hazel Ann Baguisa Morales, 30.

They are now being tagged as perpetrators in the killing of Norihiro Takahashi, 55, and his wife Kimie, 52, who were found dead with stab wounds at their residence.

Kyodo News said the Japan police carried out the arrests of Dela Cruz and Morales, who likely knew each other from when they were still in the Philippines, and that Morales is a former girlfriend of the couple’s son.

Police said the suspects have denied involvement in the deaths, but are now suspected of breaking into the Japanese couple’s home in Tokyo’s Adachi Ward and stabbing them to death on Jan. 16. 

According to Kyodo, citing investigative sources, Morales is a resident of Adachi Ward and is believed to have owed money to her former boyfriend, and she had a disagreement with the couple over her relationship with their son.

On the other hand, Dela Cruz, a resident of Tsuchiura in Ibaraki Prefecture, reportedly went to Japan as a technical trainee in July last year.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Migrant Workers have yet to confirm and comment on the reported arrests.

‘Govt maintained West Philippine Sea claims’

By Nidz Godino

“We have to show to the world that we are not relinquishing our claim. For us to be silent, for instance, other countries that are supportive of us will also lose interest if we ourselves cannot show any interest,” House Deputy Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II, chairman of the House special committee on West Philippine Sea concerns, said Marcos administration is on the right track in its consistent lodging of official protests against China’s incursions and harassment in the West Philippine Sea, as the protests prove to the world the country’s determination to defend its sovereignty.

He said the Philippines would never relent in protesting China’s brazen violation of international law.

The Mandaluyong lawmaker also said China continues to engage in provocative acts in Philippine waters, unmindful of condemnation from the international community.

“Some might view that nothing happens with our diplomatic protest because, in fact, by this time, no action has been taken on any of the diplomatic protests that we filed,” he maintained.

Davao Oriental Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario said that one of the things discussed in Gonzales’ committee is for the Philippines to maintain “sustainable presence” in the WPS.

“When you look at it, it’s always a show of size and strength. But given our archipelagic feature here, what is needed: numbers, agility and adaptability to the changing scenarios there,” Almario added.

Ph, Aus must maximize strategic partnership – President Marcos

By Nidz Godino

“Australia remains, and will continue to be, one of our closest friends. In the spirit of bayanihan and mateship, we shall forge ahead in fully maximizing the potentials and the gains from this Strategic Partnership between our two forward-looking, law-abiding maritime states,” President Ferdinand  Marcos Jr.said

 Philippines and Australia must fully maximize the potential of their strategic partnership.

FMJ said after arriving from his two-day visit to Canberra describe the two nations as “forward-looking” and “law-abiding maritime states.”

Marcos delivered an address before the Australian parliament underscored the importance of cooperation among nations in the face of threats to the rule of law, peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

The President’s plane landed in Manila at 8:30 p.m., according to Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil.

In a video message posted on the Facebook page of PCO, Marcos cited an “increased tempo” in bilateral engagements between the two countries in various areas of cooperation, including defense and security, since they elevated their bilateral relations from comprehensive to strategic partnership in September last year.

 “I conveyed to Australian legislators the important role of both our countries as proponents of the rules-based international order and its significance amidst the present complexities in global geopolitics,” Marcos said.

“As democratic maritime nations, access to the global commons such as the oceans and the seas must be ensured and safeguarded,” he said.

Marcos made a state visit to the Australian capital from Feb. 28 to 29 upon the invitation of Governor-General David Hurley.

In his speech before Australian legislators on Thursday, Marcos vowed to resist any effort by foreign aggressors to seize even an inch of Philippine territory.

Before flying to Canberra on Wednesday, Marcos described the presence of Chinese navy vessels in the West Philippine Sea as “worrisome” but maintained the country would not be deterred in defending its maritime territory and protecting its fishermen.

While in Canberra, Marcos also had a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, where they discussed areas of cooperation the two countries can undertake, particularly on trade, investment and security.

The two leaders met in Manila in September last year.

The Philippines and Australia signed three agreements covering issues of maritime domain, cyber and critical technology, and effective implementation of the respective competition laws and policies of the two countries during Marcos’ visit.

The President is set to return to Australia tomorrow, this time in Melbourne, where he will attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Australia Special Summit on March 4 to 6.

At a recent Palace briefing, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for ASEAN affairs Daniel Espiritu said Marcos is expected to thank Australia for its support for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea ratified in 1982 and the 2016 arbitral award for the Philippines over its maritime dispute against China.

He said Marcos is also expected to highlight ASEAN-Australia cooperation on maritime issues, climate and clean energy track, people-to-people exchange and economic cooperation during the leaders’ plenary.  

The President will also attend “working level events” organized by Australia such as the maritime cooperation track where Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo is expected to deliver keynote remarks together with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Espiritu said. 

Son of god hides

By J.Lo

“Thousands of red and black ants, ready to defend me against the conquerors, whether Americans or my countrymen,”

 Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy remains in hiding, but has provided a clue to his whereabouts through a riddle aired over his Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).

His riddle, in Filipino and Visayan describing himself as “a dignified Pilipino who was born at the foot of the tallest, Mt. Apo,” he said he is “hidden, not far from here. My fort is made of rock…”

Quiboloy offered a reward of P1,000 to anyone who can solve the riddle.

Quiboloy is being subpoenaed by the Senate to appear before the committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality’s March 5 hearing to shed light on his alleged human trafficking and sex abuse charges in the United States.

The House of Representatives has also issued a subpoena for him to attend the March 12 hearing on the alleged violations of SMNI, which he owns.

Quiboloy, self-styled appointed son of God, earlier said that he is in hiding for fear of his life because the United States is in collusion with President Marcos and First Lady Liza Marcos to assassinate him.

Aside from his statement on his whereabouts, he did not address the issue of his Senate subpoena.

Quiboloy is facing arrest if he continues to ignore these subpoenas. 

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Job 23:10-11

¹⁰ But he knows the way that I take;
    when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
¹¹ My feet have closely followed his steps;
    I have kept to his way without turning aside.

Sale of cheap rice, defended

By J.Lo

“The NFA Council allows the NFA management to dispose of aging stocks up to 10 percent lower than the mandated price and the damaged stocks,”

National Food Authority defended the sale of rice to some traders, saying the NFA is allowed to dispose of aging stocks amid the alleged anomalous sale of rice to traders.

 “The current NFA management was able to responsibly dispose of its rice stocks to government accounts by stretching to maximum shelf-life, minimizing the sale of residual volume to other accounts by implementing stricter guidelines and safeguards,” the NFA added.

The NFA said the agency is mandated to keep and dispose of 99.9 percent stocks in good and consumable condition.

“The rice we are selling are all sold at the mandated selling price P25 per kilo, although aging stocks need to be remilled before they could be released to the consumers,” it said.

“Freshly milled stocks within three months after selling are reserved for calamity relief and leftovers of more than three months after milling shall be disposed for inventory management purposes as per NFA guidelines before the stocks become unfit for human consumption,” it added.

Farmers’ group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) however said that a mafia still operates inside the NFA.

“Controversy erupted, obviously, there is still a mafia inside. The Department of Agriculture (DA) should determine if this is new or still the old one,” SINAG executive director Jayson Cainglet told media.

“If this is true, this means that officials were using the agency to earn money. It does not even reflect on the retail prices. Somebody is benefiting from this, meaning, the reported mafia inside the NFA is still existing so there is a need to finally unmask these individuals,” Cainglet added.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has ordered an investigation over the anomalies in the sale of cheap rice by the NFA.

Agriculture spokesman Arnel de Mesa said the allegations on the corruption of certain officials at the NFA came from inside and outside the agency.

“The Secretary wants the truth to come out as it is possible that it was purely internal squabbles and not related to sale of NFA rice. All of these are being considered in the investigation,” De Mesa added.

He gave assurance that Laurel will not tolerate corruption within the DA, and that officials of NFA continue to perform their functions while the investigation is ongoing.

“There is no case yet,” De Mesa said.

Cainglet expressed confidence that Laurel will not tolerate the alleged anomalies at the NFA.

For her part, rice watchdog group Bantay Bigas spokesperson Cathy Estavillo backed the investigation being conducted by the DA.

Estavillo added that under Republic Act 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), the NFA’s only mandate is to buy palay for buffer stocking for calamities and emergencies.

“It is not allowed to sell rice,” Estavillo said.

Federation of Free Farmers national manager Raul Montemayor said that as a general rule, NFA is supposed to dispose of its buffer stock only during calamities and emergencies.

“However, the implementation rules and regulations of the RTL also allowed such disposal in cases when the stored stocks are about to deteriorate so that they can be replaced with newer stocks. How these deteriorating stocks are disposed of is the issue here. When can the stocks be considered deteriorating?” Montemayor said.

“Are these stocks to be bidded out or negotiated with interested buyers? It is possible that the stocks mentioned in the complaint were actually deteriorating already. But I do not know if selling the stocks through negotiated bids instead of auction was the correct way to dispose of them,” he said.

Montemayor added that he received reports that during past administrations of the NFA, large volumes of newly bought stocks were sold at low prices to favored traders and clients.

Iskup news-on-line daily

1 Marso 2024, Biyernes

Iskup joins Christian world in observance of Lenten season

Watch out for Phase 2 Marked Men For Christ seminar this March

More jobs to keep Pinoys home

By Nidz Godino

“Economic liberalization will mean more foreign investments, and OFWs will come home…foreign investors are welcome in other countries…in the Philippines, they are not welcome,” former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Rodrigo told lawmakers  economy stimulated by foreign investments could lead to  generation of more local jobs so that Filipinos will no longer seek work abroad.

Rodrigo said during deliberations of Resolution of Both Houses No. 7 by  House of Representatives’ committee of the whole “ lack of foreign direct investments creates joblessness and other pressing social issues… lifting of these restrictions will bring jobs to the Philippines,” he said, calling on congressmen to remove  protectionist policies in  1987 Constitution.

“Effect of reducing foreign equity restrictions is strongest, denoting its relatively greater importance as  statutory barrier for investors,” Rodrigo said, quoting  Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which has ranked  Philippines as among  most restrictive economies.

“That’s  reality, even  Joint Foreign Chambers  want these restrictive economic provisions in the Constitution out… restrictions are very discouraging for their countries…restrictions have to go, electricity, transmission side… we should have more advanced technology, more efficient distribution… root cause why electricity is expensive…delete all anti-foreign restriction caused by these,” he stressed.

Rodrigo, not his real name, one of the resource persons invited by  House committee of the whole, represented  Constitutional Reform and Rectification for Economic Competitiveness and Transformation Movement.

RBH7  House is deliberating on for economic Charter change may spur  infusion of massive foreign capital, generating jobs so that Filipinos will no longer leave for greener pastures abroad, according to Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo.

For his part, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda underscored  importance of updating several provisions in  1987 Constitution  stalled economic growth.

“For the President to come out in support of Charter change despite his usual reservation on such matters like  1986 revolt, clearly shows  he sees this as urgent and of highest national interest… first time  he has deviated from that position,” he said.

Salceda also said that while Congress has amended certain laws,  changes were insufficient to attract foreign investors because of restrictions in the Constitution.

“I have repeatedly emphasized  if foreigners cannot own or have  more secure tenure over land, they will be less willing to invest heavily on capital-intensive sectors,” he said.

Simultaneous  holding of  plebiscite for Charter change and  midterm elections could lead to longer queues and  disenfranchisement of voters,  Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) warned.

“Should  plebiscite and  midterm elections be held simultaneously, we should be mindful to ensure  voting process and experience is as facile and as streamlined as possible since any additions, changes to  system could result in longer voting time, longer lines and possible disenfranchisement,” PPCRV national media and voters education director Ana de Villa-Singson said.

She also suggested study be conducted to determine  length of time required by  voter in casting  ballot, especially since  Commission on Elections (Comelec) would be introducing new vote counting machines in the coming May 2025 polls.

Earlier, Comelec announced it awarded  P17.8-billion contract to procure 110,000 vote counting machines to  joint venture of Korean firm Miru Systems Co. Ltd. Its partners for  poll automation project are the Integrated Computer Systems, St. Timothy Construction Corp. and Centerpoint Solutions Technologies Inc.

To have  plebiscite separate from  elections would also only entail additional cost to  government. It was earlier reported that holding  referendum before  May 2025 elections would require  government to spend between P12 billion to P14 billion.

“Plebiscite is akin to an election…and while it is  best way to determine  voter’s will, separate activities could be costly and difficult to operationalize,” she added.

As to proposal to include  “rider question” in 2025 election ballots asking  public if they are in favor of easing foreign investment limits on public utilities, higher education and advertising, Singson said that there should be an information dissemination campaign to help voters understand  effects of changing the Constitution. 

Iskup news-on-line daily

1 Marso 2024, Biyernes

Iskup joins Christian world in observance of Lenten season

Watch out for Phase 2 Marked Men For Christ seminar this March

Komedya o Komida

Ni Derek Jorge

Komedyanteng Puertollano

HINDI marahil inakala ni Derek Puertollano , assistant solicitor general na masisibak sa Malacañang, manyakin ba naman dalawa nyang “legal interns.” Kinasuhan si Puertollano ng administratibong “sexual harassment”. Hindi na marahil matiis ng mga biktima ang panghihipo ng kanilang boss. Biruin ba naman ng kabastusan at pasukin sa banyo habang naliligo.

Kayo naman mga ineng, wala naman daw malisya, pinalaki nyo lang ang isyu. Pero may kasaysayan pala naman itong pasaway e, 2016, Puertollano, minolestiya ang 13 anyos na binatilyo. Nagbunga ang ka-el-lan ni tatang. Kayong mga nagsasamantala kina nene at totoy, may araw din kayo, malapit-lapit na. Patuloy  kasambahay ang komedya ni Puloy, ipinagkakanulo daw siya ng gobyerno sa dayuhan. Shout out muna sa Values Bocaue Advocates, Wilfredo Jimenez Jr., Alex Driodoco, Gemma Daseco, Delfin Lawa at Alex Castro. “I have been given to foreigners…if this is true, own up to it… if I’m wrong, correct me…my life is now in danger,” pag-iwas Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal sa mga kasong kriminal na kinakaharap ngayon ni Apollo Quibuloy, ang hirang na anak ng “dios”. Sa kanyang mahigit kalahating oras na “audio recording” sa  Facebook, naghihimutok si Puloy sa anya’y sabwatan ng kano at President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na “rendition” sa halip na extradition ,pagtatangka raw sa buhay nya at ng kanyang mga myembro. Parang napanood ko na ito Kiwal. Minamanmanan daw sabi ni Puloy ang 11 nyang himpilan para dukutin sila. Iyon daw ay dahil sa pagiging malapit nila ng dating president at anak nito. May patong daw , tataniman daw ng bomba, baril at bawal na gamut ang kanyang kuta . Patuloy ang pambibitin ni Puloy sa patawag ng kongreso hinggil sa kanyang mga kaso. Kasambahay , dahan-dahan ang pagpapel sa “medya sosyal”, baka ma-acosta kayo. Sinisingil ng Korte Suprema si PAO chief Persida Acosta ng P180,000 dahil sa maling posting sa facebook. Nilabag dawn i Percy ang Sections 2 at 14, Canon II Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA), pagpipiutagan sa hukuman. Kung mayroon nga raw protesta sa anumang inisyu ng korte, ideretso na sa kinauukulang porum. Lumalabas nga naman kasing malisyoso kapag itsinismis sa FB. Kung yung hindi lamang abogado, hepe pa ng pao, natrisyon ang simpleng mamamayan pa kaya. Kaya Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal, dahan-dahan sa fb, x, at iba pa. Komedyante rin talaga itong  “hirang na anak ng dios” Apollo Quiboloy, may banta raw sa kanyang buhay. Shout out muna sa mga may “hang over” pang bagong Marked Men for Christ”. Nagsipagtapos ng phase 1 seminar sa Asia Pacific Theological Seminary, Baguio City. Itakda na agad-agad ang phase 2 Bishops Dante Agustin, Oliver Mutuc, Daniel Osorio. Hinihintay kasambahay ni  Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla ang hirit ekstradisyon ni Uncle Sam laban kay Puloy. Mayroon kasing usapang ekstradisyon kapwa ang Pinas at Tate na ibibiyahe sa mga ito ang kanikanilang tugis-kriminal. Puloy, kung gusto ni kano na itumba ka, matagal n asana. Wala hong  Bureau of Immigration Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO),lalo na hold departure order si Puloy. Si puloy ay nahaharap sa mga kasong panggagahasa at cyberlibel sa Pinas. May seminar din tayo ng One Hope sa Sabado, magkita-kita tayo. Get well soon Maria Luisa Soriano ng Bagong Bansang Maharlika. Jonathan Fernandez, nagkakalimutan na yata a..