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28 Oktubre 2023, Sabado

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Pilipinas, may pinakamahabang pasko sa daigdig, Maligayang Pasko!!!

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HEADLINES

FMJ to AFP: Defend archipelago

By Nidz Godino

“We must be ready….our Armed Forces must be capable of securing and defending  archipelago from emerging threats,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said at oath-taking of newly promoted generals and flag officers of  Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), led by chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., at Ceremonial Hall of Malacañang.ordered  military to be always ready to defend  country against “emerging threats,” saying there is no room for complacency even in face of “encouraging developments” in  local security situation.

He emphasized need for  AFP to be more agile, flexible and responsive to better address emerging issues confronting the nation.

“You must not only anticipate but you must also be ready to adapt and respond to emerging national security and defense realities that exist in our country and in our region, while it is noteworthy that we see positive and encouraging developments in terms of our internal security situation, there remains much to be done, we must maintain our vigilance and guard against those actors whatever nature or form they may take  who would threaten and jeopardize  peace we have striven and fought for all these many years,” he said.

Among those present during  oath-taking were Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.

FMJ also urged  AFP to ensure  communities once beset by conflict continue to benefit from  gains of peace and  government’s numerous development interventions.

“For  progress of our nation and welfare of our people are underpinned by  peace and  stability,  security of our communities,” he said.

FMJ also called on military to further enhance joint planning and operations to ensure interoperability across all units and platforms as well as to sustain and foster greater collaboration with other government agencies and civil society groups in coming up with innovative, effective, efficient solutions to  challenges that stand in  way of achieving peace and unity.

At  media forum earlier, National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) director Jose Descallar said  government is winning  war against  insurgents and it sees  strategic victory soon.

NTF-ELCAC official said  task force was confronting 89 guerrilla fronts when it was established in 2018. Today, there are only 20 guerrilla fronts in existence, it said.

FMJ earlier issued Memorandum Circular 37, ordering concerned government agencies, government-owned or controlled corporations and local government units to hasten  implementation of strategies to combat money laundering and terrorism financing in the country.

Paris-based Financial Action Task Force’s International Co-operation Review Group has retained  Philippines on its gray list this year due to country’s failure to adequately address money laundering as well as terrorist financing.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

1 Peter 1:24-25

²⁴ For,

“All people are like grass,
    and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
²⁵     but the word of the Lord endures forever.”^[a]

And this is the word that was preached to you.

Footnotes

1. 1 Peter 1:25 Isaiah 40:6-8 (see Septuagint)

Komedya o Komida

Ni Derek Jorge

Komidang  Umento-benepisyo SSS

 “IYAK” na lamang daw ang poproblemahin ng mga naulila ng yumaong myembro ng Social Security System sa umentong hanggang 60k na benepisyo sa punerarya at libingan. Shout out muna kay Pastor Reimbert Yap at Bishop Oliver Mutuc. Pero kasambahay ito ay para lamang sa may 36 hulog o kontribusyon sa SSS, kung nakahulog lang ng 5, 12k pa rin. Kabilang sa sakop ng benepisyo ang serbisyo sa embalsamo, libing, paglilipat at permit ng labi, funeral service, cremation, kabaong, nitso,  columbariums , memorial at funeral insurance plan. Gastos sa libing na may resibo ay babayaran din. Maybahay o butihing ginoo ng pumanaw na myembro ang pangunahing makatatanggap ng benepisyo. Kasambahay na Bulakenyo, kasabay ng halalang BSKE sa Lunes ang plebisito sa hangaring ihiwalay sa lalawigan ang lungsod ng San Jose Del Monte, wala naman tayong pakinabang kung magaganap ito, wala rin tayong pakinabang kung mananatili pero sa ating mga kababayang taga-roon lalo lang silang magdarahop kung mahihiwalay sila sa laki ng buwis na babayaran, nasa atin ang pakikisimpatiya. Mahabang bakasyon ang hinaharap sa pagtatapos ng linggong ito nguni’t mapipilitan ang maraming mag-leave sa petsa 31 dahil hindi deklaradong pista-opisyal hanggang ngayon. Pagbati sa mga kapwa ko manggagawa, mga pastor, pagkilala sa ating paglilingkod sa petsa 29. Pastor Saturnino Abraham, agarin mo naman ang dokumento ng lupa para sa pabahay ng mga Badjao sa Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat.   Jonathan Fernandez, muzta na, nagkakalimutan na tayo a. Problem aba, pag-usapan natin, ndgodino@yahoo.com.

US solons hit China over WPS collision

By Nidz Godino

“We unequivocally support  Philippines and condemn  unlawful actions by  Chinese Coast Guard in South China Sea,” four American lawmakers condemned  China Coast Guard (CCG) and maritime militia’s act of “intentionally hitting” Philippine ships in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.

In  statement, US House of Representatives foreign affairs committee chairman Michael McCaul, ranking committee member New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, subcommittee on  Indo-Pacific chair California Rep. Young Kim and California Rep. Ami Bera support  Philippines and  joint patrols between  US,  Philippines and other countries in  South China Sea.

 “ Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels intentionally hit Philippine Coast Guard ships over weekend and continue to violate international law, endanger Filipino crew members and obstruct Philippine vessels’ access in their own exclusive economic zone (EEZ),” they stressed.

Incident  is part of  larger pattern of  People’s Liberation Army Navy,  maritime militia and  CCG’s aggressive and provocative behavior in  South China Sea, where China actively intrudes in other states’ EEZs, according to lawmakers.

“We condemn Beijing’s maritime intimidation and welcome Biden administration’s announcement to increase joint patrols with Philippines and other partners in South China Sea and its reaffirmation to uphold its commitment under  US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT),” they said.

Arbitral tribunal constituted under  1982 United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea rejected China’s expansive claims in South China Sea, including areas determined by  tribunal to be part of  Philippines’ EEZ and continental shelf and resources.

US reiterated its support for  Philippines following China’s dangerous and unlawful actions in Ayungin Shoal as US renewed its warning it would defend its treaty ally in case of  armed attack in  disputed waters.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke over  phone with Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Año and emphasized  ironclad US alliance commitments to  Philippines under  US-Philippines MDT,  extends to armed attacks on Philippine public vessels, aircraft and armed forces  including those of its Coast Guard in Pacific, including  South China Sea.

Washington slammed China’s “dangerous, unlawful and provocative” actions in Ayungin Shoal, jeopardizing Filipino crew members’ safety, to enforce its expansive and unlawful maritime claims.

US State Department said China’s conduct jeopardized Filipino crew members’ safety and impeded critically needed supplies from reaching service members stationed at  BRP Sierra Madre.

US State Department added  obstructing supply lines to this longstanding outpost and interfering with lawful Philippine maritime operations undermine regional stability.

Meanwhile,  Department of National Defense (DND) is calling on Filipinos to rally behind  Philippines as it pushes back against Chinese aggression in  West Philippine Sea following reports of local influencers echoing pro-China disinformation campaigns.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. said  government is not alarmed by China’s information operators spreading disinformation on South China Sea dispute,  DND and other agencies have taken steps to counter these “false narratives.”

Earlier this week,  Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism reported  group of Filipino influencers has been replicating Chinese sentiments over  disputed waters, triggering suspicions of  strong presence of Chinese information operations within  Philippines.

“We’ve presumed there are Chinese information operations in the Philippines…they operate everywhere in the world, but we started really being alarmed when we saw  there were Filipinos parroting  Chinese narrative,” National Security Council (NSC) assistant director general Jonathan Malaya told  Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ).

While there has been no reported traction for these influencers, Malaya said  mere existence of Filipinos talking against their own country’s interests has earned  ire of security officials.

“We’re not alarmed…this is expected of China…disinformation and information operations are in  playbook of China, and so we are countering  narratives by information operations such as this, such as me explaining to our countrymen why they shouldn’t believe China’s narrative,” Teodoro told media.

NSC said these influencers have been posting videos allegedly supplied by Chinese on Sunday’s collision between Chinese and Filipino boats despite footage provided by  embedded press.

In August, some Filipinos were also monitored to have been defending China following  water cannon incident in Ayungin Shoal.

Teodoro scored Chinese information operators for reducing  Philippines’ pushbacks against China’s encroachment of Philippine waters as  matter of serving as puppets or dogs of  US.

“This is an insult to Filipinos, and it assumes t we have no ability to think for ourselves and stand up for our rights, and I think this is really looking down on us, and that really disgusts me, so I am calling on our countrymen to stand up against China’s insults” he said.

Last month,  US State Department published  report detailing how China is spending billions of dollars globally to spread disinformation and threatening to cause  “sharp contraction” in freedom of speech worldwide.

Report, released by  US State Department’s Global Engagement Center, said Beijing spends billions of dollars annually on “foreign information manipulation” through propaganda, disinformation and censorship while promoting positive news about China and its ruling Communist Party.

Report  also accused China of exploiting  social media site WeChat to disseminate disinformation targeting “Chinese-language speakers residing in democracies” and Chinese technology giant ByteDance, TikTok’s owner, seeking to “block potential critics of Beijing from using its platforms.”

While  government has yet to deal with Filipino influencers echoing pro-Beijing sentiments, Malaya warned public against these content creators.

He added  government has been monitoring these influencers.

iskup news-on-line daily is creation of Godino’s Advertising Agency, Trece Martires City, Cavite 

26 Oktubre 2023, Huwebes

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HEADLINES

Ph recognizes Israel’s right to self-defense, 3 Fils left in Gaza

By Nidz Godino

FOREIGN AFFAIRS SECRETARY EDUARDO DE VEGA

“We are not saying we no longer recognize or condemn  brutal attacks on citizens,” Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said in  press briefing  Philippines has reiterated recognizes Israel’s right to defend itself.

Four Filipinos were killed while two remain unnaccounted for after Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7,2023.

Philippines condemned killings and all other acts of terrorism and violence as  result of  attack.

Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad fired thousands of indiscriminate rockets, prompting intensive retaliation by  Israeli Defense Forces and complete siege of  Gaza Strip.

International  community condemned  attacks by Hamas on Israeli towns.

Israel  has  full right to respond and protect itself.

DFA thanked Israel for offering to help repatriate Filipinos trapped in Gaza.

DFA said there are still three Filipinos in Gaza including  nun who opted to stay on her own volition.

“Philippine Embassy confirmed that there are still three Filipinos in Gaza…one is  nun…we respect her decision to remain…next is  father and child who returned to  hospital,” De Vega said.

He said  arrangement for  safe passage of foreign nationals including 136 Filipinos across Rafah border was ongoing.

“We hope there will be  decision to allow them to cross…it’s  positive step  humanitarian aid is getting in,” he added.

Embassy  has submitted to Egyptian foreign ministry  names of Filipinos and their Palestinian spouses, who will accompany their wives to Egypt for repatriation in the Philippines.

“We are not going to be actively initiating Palestinian spouses of Filipino nationals be allowed to leave…these are spouses and  intention is for them to go to  Philippines to accompany their wives, but as Palestinian nationals it is  Palestinian authorities who should work for their evacuation outside Gaza,” De Vega said.

Applications for Philippine visa will be processed once  Palestinian spouses will be allowed to cross  border.

“We’re not asking  government of Egypt to allow  Palestinians, but we gave  names of spouses who said they will accompany their Filipino wives… I hope they’ll be allowed to cross,” De Vega said.

He said  Palestinians should shoulder their own airfare.

“We’re not going to pay for their tickets…this is the same formula in  repatriation from Sudan…we’re not sending repatriation flights…we’ll use commercial flights,” he said.

Evacuation  of Filipinos in Gaza is mandatory after  DFA placed Gaza under Alert Level 4 amid ongoing airstrikes and  deepening crisis.

Media reports citing Gaza Ministry of Health indicate  number of people killed in Gaza since Oct. 7 has climbed to 5,087, amid intensified Israeli airstrikes in response to Hamas attacks.

According to Israeli official sources quoted by  United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, some 1,400 people have been killed in Israel, vast majority in Hamas attacks which triggered  latest conflict.

Meanwhile, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara DuterteCarpio has personally expressed to Israel Ambassador Ilan Fluss her condolences for  Israeli families whose loved ones perished in  attacks.

Duterte received Fluss in her office in Mandaluyong , where she thanked him for the Israel government’s assistance to  families of Filipinos who died in war.

Cubao Roman Catholic Bishop Honesto Ongtioco urged Catholics to pray and offer sacrifices to obtain peace in Israel.

Ongtioco invited Catholics to join activities intended to promote peace between Israel and Hamas.

Philippine Red Cross chairman Richard Gordon urged concerned government to allow Filipinos and their families to leave Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Israel.

Gordon said civilians from other countries should be also given  same treatment. 

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

2 Timothy 3:16-17

¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God^[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Footnotes

1. 2 Timothy 3:17 Or that you, a man of God,

Entrepreneurship  to HS curriculum

By Creselda Canda-Lopez

“Our idea is if we open up this avenue to young people, there would be  way for them to find  alternative path to success,” Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion met  Vice President and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio to explore how young people can learn to become entrepreneurs while still in school.

Concepcion,  led  meeting and talked about giving students more options for success, especially for those who may not complete  usual 13-year curriculum or go on to higher education. He said teaching entrepreneurship could be  game-changer.

 “Not all families have  resources to support children through completion of  entire curriculum…we could help these young people find their path, focus on it, and maybe one day  students can turn it into  business,” he said, adding  many successful entrepreneurs who succeeded even without  benefit of higher education.” .

During  meeting, they discussed  different ways to teach entrepreneurship in schools. Ideas included bringing in successful business people to mentor students and partnering with companies in agriculture, which according to Concepcion, could help students learn practical business skills.

Go Negosyo is known for its work in mentoring and supporting entrepreneurs. They have used various methods to help different groups, such as women, young people and overseas Filipino workers. They also adapted to pandemic by moving their programs online, allowing them to reach even more people.

Duterte suggested  Go Negosyo could help improve agriculture and fisheries programs in schools. She also mentioned using school lands for teaching gardening and farming skills to students.

DepEd chief proposed including entrepreneurship as part of after-school activities and starting this before  new curriculum begins. They also discussed training teachers to become entrepreneurship mentors.

Concepcion said right time to teach high school students about entrepreneurship. With  help of social media and technology, more students can become entrepreneurs.

5 new cruise terminals to be built

By J.Lo

“On part of PPA, we have started building terminals dedicated for cruise operations only, and we are making sure  existing ports can accommodate  gigantic cruise ships that will come in,” Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) general manager Jay Santiago said PPA will add five new cruise terminals across  archipelago in  bid to keep  country’s title as  Best Cruise Destination in Asia.

PPA is developing cruise terminals in Boracay, Coron, Camiguin, Siargao and Puerto Galera, all of which are considered tourist hotbeds of  Philippines.

At present,  country can welcome cruise boats in just five ports, mostly in Luzon. These ports are Currimao in Ilocos Norte, Salomague in Ilocos Sur, Manila, El Nido and Tagbilaran.

Between October and December, Santiago estimates more than 40,000 tourists will visit  Philippines via cruise ship by industry giants such as AIDA Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises and Windstar Cruises.

On Oct. 16, World Cruise Awards named  Philippines as  Best Cruise Destination in Asia for 2023, besting India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

As of September, PPA has facilitated  entry of 46,657 passengers from cruise vessels since cruise tours returned to country in February.

Agency  is currently spending P620 million to deliver  first of its kind at Port of Jubang in Siargao.

Prior to the pandemic in 2019, Philippines took in 213,765 passengers from cruise ships, majority of which called at Port of Manila.

Probe recent arrest of Eternal Garden workers

By J.Lo

“We filed administrative complaint to formally ask DOJ to look into possible irregularities conducted during illegal arrest, inquest proceedings last October 13,” Alex Oco, lawyer of  two Eternal Gardens Memorial Park employees told reporters in  ambush interview  two employees detained after  alleged stolen grave marker  asked  Department of Justice (DOJ) to look into  proceedings and  arrest. 

This comes after  workers were arrested without  warrant by Batangas City police on October 13,2023. 

Furthermore, lawyers raised concerns regarding legitimacy of  warrantless arrest and  acquisition of evidence.

Questioning  of  two employees during  inquest proceedings was also conducted, despite having no presence of  lawyer, according to them. 

“So anything, any statement, assuming there is, it was given under duress, under threat, so it’s not voluntary…so  alleged evidence should not be accepted,” Oco said in ambush interview. 

“In fact,  blatant show of power and influence were witnessed by  respondents themselves when  complainant summoned  police authorities to place respondents under investigation even in  absence of any lawyer and thereafter to implement  warrantless arrest and detain respondents,” petition also read. 

They also filed  motion to transfer  venue of  preliminary investigation from Batangas City to Manila since  complainant is  prosecutor of  Batangas City prosecutors office according to  petition.

“Ordinarily, motion to inhibit would suffice to address  fear of  party for  bias  investigating fiscal has against  party… should be emphasized complainant is  sitting member of  Office of the City Prosecutor (OCP) of Batangas and  Deputy Prosecutor is  Investigating Fiscal… would not be far-fetched if  two have influence or at  very least could have gathered sympathy coming from other members of  OCP,”  petition read.

“Although we do not question  competence of other members of  OCP Batangas to resolve this case, our legal counsels who are also providing legal assistance to our employees would not want to risk  liberty of our employees,” Eternal Gardens said in  seperate statement.

Based on  complaint against  employees,  marker was worth P20,000. 

Two employees were released after Eternal Gardens posted bail three days after arrest.

Complainant  accused  employee of allegedly stealing and “grinding”  grave marker which one of the employees admitted doing, according to  document sent to  reporters. 

Document  likewise said  employee who allegedly “moved”  grave marker pointed to the other employee who is  part of  memorial park’s management. 

Meanwhile, Oco said  Eternal Gardens is still probing “missing” marble marker.

Charges vs Tau Gamma members over hazing death of criminology student filed

By Nidz Godino

“Surrender now to help  family of  victim achieve justice for their son,” Quezon City Police District (QCPD)  director BGen. Redrico Maranan said in statement  charges against members of Tau Gamma Phi fraternity suspected to have participated in  fatal hazing rites of a graduating criminology student.

In  statement QCPD said  five suspects currently detained have been charged with violating  Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 and have been brought before  Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.

Two of the suspects, Justin Artates and Kyle Michael De Castro, have issued an extrajudicial confession disclosing  names and addresses of other Tau Gamma Phi members related to  death of criminology student Ahldryn Lery Chua Bravante. Three others surrendered to authorities.

Based on  police’s investigation,  25-year-old student suffered at least 60 blows to his body during fraternity’s initiation rites,  he experienced difficulty breathing and was taken to  hospital. He was reportedly pronounced dead on arrival. 

Maranan, has issued  warning against  11 individuals they have named to surrender before authorities or face arrest.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, co-author and co-sponsor of  Anti-Hazing Law, has called on school officials to act more decisively to prevent hazing deaths. 

Gatchalian pointed out  Anti-Hazing Law of 2018, which was enacted after  death of University of Santo Tomas law freshman Horacio Castillo III from  hazing rites of fraternity Aegis Juris, requires schools to raise awareness among parents about  consequences of joining fraternities.

Similarly, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri has lamented occurrence of another hazing death months after Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig was similarly killed during Tau Gamma Phi fraternity’s initiation rite.

“Senseless death of another young student due to barbaric fraternity tradition is not only enraging but frustrating as well as it happened despite our efforts to put more teeth to  law against fraternity hazing,” Zubiri said.