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

20 Oktubre 2023, Biyernes

supports evangelical Pastors’ Month

underboard nurses, be health care associates, inquire to DOH

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

10 days to BSKE

Klinpix Janitorial and Pest Control Services is hiring riders with units of college or equivalent in non-formal training, pretty account executives (college graduates), drivers, graphic artist  09916444376

HEADLINES

Caregiver, 4^th  Filipino fatality in Israel

By Nidz Godino

“I regret to inform the nation  we have received confirmation from  Israeli government of another Filipino casualty in Israel,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said on X another Filipino caregiver, fourth  has been confirmed to be among  fatalities in attacks in Israel by Hamas militants on Oct. 7,2023.

He said  identity of  deceased has been withheld as requested by her family.

“Out of respect for  wishes of  family, we shall be withholding details on identity of victim…but we have assured  family of  government’s full support and assistance,” Manalo said.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said  fourth fatality,  female caregiver in southern Israel, had initially been listed as one of  three missing Filipinos.

Remains  of  four Filipino casualties would be flown to  Philippines, but no exact date has been given.

De Vega also said Filipinos in southern Lebanon are encouraged to evacuate because of possible retaliation by Israel against Lebanon-based Hezbollah.

“In southern Lebanon, embassy already informed  Filipinos there to evacuate, because of possible retaliation, because of attacks of Hezbollah,” De Vega said in  virtual press briefing.

DFA, he said, is awaiting instructions from  Philippine embassy in Beirut regarding possible evacuation.

“Due to  persistent tension in Lebanon’s southern border, posing  significant threat to  safety and security of civilian residents,  Philippine Embassy urges all Filipino nationals close to  border to evacuate preemptively to ensure their well-being and security,”  embassy said in its advisory.

In  another advisory,  embassy reminded Filipinos to “take caution and avoid public places, social gatherings, and unnecessary travels around Lebanon, especially to South” due to  ongoing mass protests across Lebanon and persistent tension in  southern border, which pose “significant threat to  safety and security of civilians.”

Since violence escalated between Israel and occupied Palestinian territory on Oct. 7, there have also been reports of clashes on border between Israel and south Lebanon, resulting in casualties among civilians.

Israeli military  intercepted five of nine rockets fired from Lebanon.

Israel has no interest in waging war on its northern front if  Lebanese group Hezbollah restrains itself.

Philippine embassy in Jordan advised  Filipino community in the area to restrict non-essential movements and avoid public places, particularly where demonstrations are taking place.

Alert Level 2 is issued when there are real threats to life, security and property of Filipinos arising from internal disturbance, instability, or external threat to  host country.

“Embassy reminds all Filipinos to exercise caution at all times, and to delay non-essential road travel…  safety and security of every Filipino overseas remain  priority of Philippine government… Philippine Embassy is continuously monitoring  situation,” embassy said.

Filipinos needing urgent assistance may contact  embassy.

According to records of Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority, there are about 30,000 Filipinos in Israel.

Death  toll from Hamas attacks and Israel’s retaliation has exceeded 4,150.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Psalm 51:12

¹² Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Victim suffered 60 blows – QCPD

By J.Lo

“More or less  victim received 60 paddle hits and  initiation rites lasted more or less two hours,” Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said in    fourth year student of  Philippine College of Criminology (PCCR) died from at least 60 blows to the body during initiation rites by suspected members of  Tau Gamma Phi fraternity.

Probers obtained  pieces of information surrounding  death of 25-year-old Ahldryn Lery Bravante from two of  four suspects who are in police custody.

He did not identify who among  four suspects executed extrajudicial confessions in an attempt to become witnesses to the case.

Suspects  claimed they threw  wooden paddle used during  hazing rites into  river. Maranan said probers are still verifying claim.

Suspects Lexer Angelo Manarpies, Mark Leo Andales, Justine Artates and Kyle Michael de Castro are set to undergo inquest proceedings for violation of Republic Act 11053 or  anti-hazing law.

Maranan personally visited  PCCR’s campus in Manila wherein he received assurance from school officials of their full cooperation in  police probe of Bravante’s killing.

Based on information gathered from closed-circuit television footages, Maranan said around 20 people were involved in Bravante’s hazing, who arrived at the scene on motorcycles.

Apart from  four in police custody, six other suspects have been identified by police investigators, all of whom are students from  same campus.

Bravante was only neophyte who was subjected to hazing rites in an abandoned building in Barangay Sto. Domingo, Maj. Don Don Llapitan, who heads  QCPD’s criminal investigation and detection unit, said in  same press briefing.

Llapitan said  student was still alive after  hazing rites but collapsed after several hours.

This prompted fraternity members to bring Bravante to  hospital in Manila, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Police also have in custody  security guard of  abandoned building, who claimed he was unaware  initiation rites were happening in  compound.

School officials should take more proactive actions against hazing, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said.

He noted anti-hazing law imposes life imprisonment and  fine of P3 million upon those who actually planned or participated in hazing  resulted in death, rape, sodomy or mutilation.

Gatchalian said under  anti-hazing law, schools are mandated not only to protect their students but also to launch information campaigns at start of every semester or trimester to students and parents or guardians on consequences of hazing.

Senator  is  co-author and co-sponsor of  anti-hazing law. 

China squatter in WPS  

By J.Lo

“Illegal occupation is on their end…if  Philippines occupied Hainan Island, that would be an illegal occupation… but they’re  ones within our 200-mile EEZ…they’re  squatters…they’re illegal occupants here,” Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro accused China during  Kapihan sa Manila Bay news forum of being  “squatter” in  West Philippine Sea, citing Chinese presence within  Philippines’ 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Teodoro was responding to accusations made by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning earlier  Philippines illegally occupied Pag-asa Island.

 “I don’t want to laugh at  accusation because it would be disrespectful..maybe we should ask what they meant…they might say they have indisputable sovereignty over  South China Sea…but how many would believe that?” Teodoro said.

Pag-asa Island is 174 miles west of Palawan and is home to  small Filipino civilian community.

It is among  islands and reefs within  South China Sea  China claims to be part of its territory despite  2016 arbitration case  Philippines won before  Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.

Chinese government has been defending how its naval forces have been hounding  island, with Chinese ships harassing Philippine vessels on multiple occasions.

Teodoro could no longer say recent attempt of  Chinese ship to cut off  Philippine navy vessel near Pag-asa Island “ isolated incident.”

“On my end, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s instructions are whatever happens… we will never stop with our operations in  West Philippine Sea, they could apply for  visa. ..Bureau of Immigration would surely give them one… I’m clueless as to why they won’t apply,” he said.

Aside from its recent acquisition of 40 patrol boats, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will be procuring two 19-seater airplanes to intensify maritime domain awareness over  West Philippine Sea and in search and rescue (SAR) missions.

“These two new airplanes would also complement our water patrol operations in WPS,” PCG spokesman Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said.

PCG had already approved  procurement of  two airplanes, and soon will undergo  bidding to determine from which supplier or company they would buy their new air assets.

It is allocating P1.6 billion for  acquisition of  planes.

They are expediting  procurement process and intend to award  contract before  end of the year. “Hopefully,  two planes would be delivered in two years,” Balilo said.

PCG currently only has two airplanes,  Islander and  Cessna.

Meanwhile, Coast Guard official also said  of  40 units of 15-meter patrol presently being constructed at  shipyard in Cebu, three have so far been completed and delivered to  PCG.

“Construction of these patrol boats would be quick…maybe by  third quarter of next year all 40 boats would already be complete,” he said.

Balilo said  boats will be deployed to their sub-stations, including those in  WPS area, to boost their capability in law enforcement activities and SAR activities. “These boats move fast and could easily be maneuvered.”

Currently, their sub-stations in  WPS only have 5-meter aluminum boats at their disposal.

“Some of these new boats would be assigned to augment capabilities of our stations in  West Philippine Sea such as Pag-asa Island, Lawak Island, Likas Island and Panatag Shoal and in areas where we have installed navigational buoys,” he said.

PCG had so far placed total of 10 navigational buoys, one each at Likas Island, Lawak Island, Parola Island, Patag Island, Balagtas Reef, Kota Island, Panata Island and Juan Felipe Reef and two near Pag-asa Island.

Sharp  increase in operational behavior of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in  East and South China Seas represents  significant concern,  United States defense official said.

“PLA’s coercive and risky behavior, like  kind  department is highlighting today, seeks to intimidate and coerce members of  international community into giving up their rights under international law,” said Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely Ratner.

Since 2021, he said there were more than 180 incidents involving PLA fighter jets engaging in such behavior, “more in the past two years than in  decade before that.”

Witness  in De Lima’s last drug case secured

By J.Lo

Former police major Rodolfo Magleo was moved to minimum security compound in  New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City  from  Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro, Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has secured prosecution witness  recanted his testimony in  last drug case against detained former senator Leila de Lima.

Muntinlupa court approved  Magleo’s request to be transferred to  NBP due to perceived threats to his life.

Last Oct. 16,2023, Magleo was scheduled to testify against De Lima about  illegal drug trade in  NBP.

However, before  trial began, Magleo and another witness, former police sergeant Nonilo Arile, handed De Lima  letter stating they were withdrawing their testimony against  former senator.

Prosecution  decided not to present Magleo as  witness after his recantation.

Court  has also ordered Arile to be transferred to  NBP.

Magleo and Arile were among 10 NBP detainees who testified against De Lima who were transferred to Sablayan in late July.

Magleo was convicted of kidnapping while Arile is serving time for kidnapping and murder.

Nueva Vizcaya under ASF state of calamity

By Ruben Damasco

“Provincial government remains committed to protecting  livelihood of hog raisers and ensuring  safety and stability of  agricultural sector,” Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Jose Gambito said  state of calamity has been declared in  province due to  outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in nine towns.

Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved  resolution of Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council led by  Gambito,  recommended  declaration.

Gambito said provincial government can now utilize its calamity fund to assist farmers whose hogs were affected by  swine disease.

Nueva Vizcaya provincial veterinary office said ASF cases were recorded in 42 barangays in Quezon, Bambang, Dupax del Norte, Bayombong, Bagabag, Kayapa, Kasibu, Diadi and Solano towns.

Provincial veterinarian Christopher Seraspi said 1,290 pigs in 133 farms were found positive for ASF.

At least 1,010 pigs were culled while 280 deaths were reported. Undetermined  number of hogs have not been tested.

Seraspi said losses incurred by  hog industry in the province due to ASF were estimated at P20 million.

Gambito recommended  affected hog raisers receive P5,000 per head of culled hog.

In Isabela,  provincial veterinary office said new ASF cases were recorded in Angadanan, Aurora, Alicia, Echague, Luna, Mallig, Quirino, San Isidro, Gamu, Ramon, Roxas, Burgos and Cabagan.

 Setting  up of checkpoints in each town has been ordered to monitor  entry and exit of hogs and pork products.

New ASF cases were also detected in several barangays in Cagayan.

Hog deaths were recorded in Barangay Malalinta in Tuao town,  Barangay Nangalisan in Solana and Barangay Roma in Enrile.

Members of  surveillance team of  Cagayan provincial veterinary office were dispatched to assist implementing biosecurity and control measures to prevent  spread of swine diseases.        

Komedya o Komida

Ni Derek Jorge

Komedya sa Israel

DAMUHONG mga singkit, ang lakas nang loob mangbully e iskwater lang naman sa timog dagat tsina. Shout out muna kay Ptr  Ranilo Peras, partner ko sa pagtuturo sa mga benepisyaryo ng 4ps dyan sa Caloocan City. Nanggagalaiti ho si Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro sa pagsisiga-sigaan ng mga Tsino sa south china sea. Kaunting lamig sec, di na tayo bata, stroke at atake sa puso ang katapat ng galit, sige ka. Welcome home kasambahay mula Israel. Hindi na raw babalik ang mga ito sa Hamas. Kung gusto nyo palang subukan ang x platform, $1 isang taon, pwede na, yung datihan na, libre pa rin. Hindi naman seguro napikon si presidente sa pagsuspinde sa mahrlika fund. Pagbati sa Quezon City, lusot sa COA development fund review. Hindi rin seguro pikon ang military, kinasuhan ang 2 aktibista e.  Kawawa   naman itong si Ahldryn Lery Bravante, walang kakwenta-kwentang kamatayan, dyaskeng fraternity yan oo berdugo. Itinago na saksi sa kahuli-hulihang kaso ni Leila Delima. 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.

Musk’s X now charging new users in Ph, New Zealand

By J.Lo

“This will evaluate  potentially powerful measure to help us combat bots and spammers on X, while balancing platform accessibility with  small fee amount,”  social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, announced on Oct. 17,2023 it has begun charging new users in the Philippines and New Zealand to use basic features under its “Not a Bot” subscription method.

New users who sign up on web version of X will now be required to pay  annual fee of P42.51 if they want to post content or interact with other users.

Elon Musk-owned platform “Not a Bot” subscription method should “bolster” existing efforts to reduce spam and “manipulation of our platform and bot activity.”

Subscription  plan is so far limited to new users created using  web browser, while those created using  X mobile application are still not required to pay  annual fee.

Those who pay  annual fee will be able to perform certain actions on web version of  platform, including posting content and liking, replying, reposting, quoting and bookmarking posts.

Those who decline to pay  nominal fee will only have access to  “read only” version of  platform, limiting them to reading posts, watching videos and following accounts, company said.

According to X, new accounts created using its web version in  Philippines and New Zealand will first be required to verify their phone number. They will then be asked to select  subscription plan among $1 Annual Fee, X Premium or Verified Organizations.

Existing users in these countries are not affected.

X did not explain its choice of pilot countries, although several studies have looked into  issue of disinformation and  use of bots to manipulate online conversations in the Philippines.

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

19 Oktubre 2023, Huwebes

supports evangelical Pastors’ Month

underboard nurses, be health care associates, inquire to DOH

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

11 days to BSKE

Klinpix Janitorial and Pest Control Services is hiring riders with units of college or equivalent in non-formal training, pretty account executives (college graduates), drivers, graphic artist  09916444376

HEADLINES

OFWs from war-torn Israel backed home

By Nidz Godino

“At around 7 in the evening,  Oct. 7,2023, while I was sleeping in the house of my alaga ward,  90-year-old Israeli woman, I heard  bomb explode and then another one, so I ran toward  room of my alaga and brought her to  bomb shelter and we stayed there for so many hours until Israeli Defense Forces ,IDF arrived and brought us to  safer place,” Caregiver Mylene Rivera, 47, from Pampanga narrated scariest moment of her life.

Sixteen overseas Filipino workers, mostly caregivers, and  infant arrived from war-torn Israel.

OFWs flew from Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel-Aviv, Israel to United Arab Emirates, and then to Manila on Etihad Airways Flight EY464,  landed at  Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 at 3:20 in the afternoon.

Shirley  dela Cruz, 39, from Nueva Ecija, recounted seeing  “like fireworks in the sky” in the evening of Oct. 7 while she and her employer were driving away from Nir, Israel to  house of the latter’s son.

“Situation then was really scary; there were many Hamas militants who just stabbed people in middle of the road,” Dela Cruz said.

She stressedt she would never return to Israel because of what happened to them.

“Ayoko na,”  OFW said.

She added most  Filipino caregivers suffered “panic attacks.”

16 of 17 OFWs were met at  NAIA by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac, Sen. Ruffy Tulfo, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) deputy director General John Bertiz III, OFW party-list Rep. Marissa Magsino and Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco.

Cacdac said only 16 OFWs were able to come home because one was sick and not physically fit to board  flight.

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) earlier said 18 Filipinos from Israel would receive financial assistance for work disrupted by  war between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza.

OWWA administrator Arnell Ignacio earlier said most  Filipinos who arrived in the country were actually scheduled to come home and not because of  conflict.

“So far, we have brought home 28 Filipinos up to Oct. 14. These people returned home, not because of  conflict. ..many of them are scheduled to come home early,” Ignacio said.

He added Philippine government has been helping in bringing Filipinos back home from Israel since Oct. 10.

OWWA, in collaboration with DMW, will give assistance to OFWs whose livelihoods were disrupted by  ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

Agency  will lend P50,000 assistance, while DMW will provide counterpart funding, also worth P50,000.

Ignacio said  assistance is higher than usual because of  pay  OFWs in Israel usually get.

TESDA also gave  OFWs P5,000 cash and certificate to avail of  scholarship program.

Evacuation  of Filipinos from Gaza is now mandatory, after  DFA  raised Alert Level 4 over  area amid ongoing air strikes and  deepening crisis.

“What we mean by ‘mandatory’ is that we are not coming to you and pulling you out, but we are telling you to evacuate, it is up to you what happens to you, because Israel will be attacking Gaza,” De Vega said in  interview.

Philippine government will not be able to help Filipinos if  situation worsens, according to  DFA official. “We’re ready, but no one can enter or exit Gaza,” he said.

Philippine government has already accounted for 131 Filipinos in Gaza, at least 78 of whom are now situated near  Rafah border crossing near Egypt.

“All the rest have left northern Gaza or Gaza City,  expected to be  main site for hostilities,  Philippine government continues to work on repatriation of our nationals and will provide updates on developments,” DFA said.

Militant  Hamas’ surprise incursion has prompted intense aerial bombardment by Israel,  complete siege of  Gaza Strip and  order to evacuate northern part of  enclave within 24 hours, began last Thursday evening, local time.

Israeli forces hammered Gaza, resulting in more than 2,000 dead, and prepared for  ground invasion after  attack by Hamas that triggered  bloodiest war in the country’s territory in decades.

Israel said more than 1,300 citizens and foreigners had been brutally massacred by Hamas, and that roughly 2,500 terrorists have entered the country.

Following these developments,  special team composed of personnel from various government agencies has been deployed at  NAIA to assist OFWs returning home from war-torn Israel.

DMW  has joined forces with various government agencies in providing assistance to returning OFWs.

“Government agencies will provide immediate assistance and other forms of support, including psycho-social counseling, stress debriefing, medical referral and temporary accommodation to  OFWs while awaiting transit to their respective provinces,”  agency said.

Labor Attaché Rodolfo Gabasan of  Migrant Workers Office in Tel-Aviv, Vice Consul Patricia Narajos and welfare officer Dina Ponciano escorted  group of 17 OFWs at Ben Gurion International Airport, where they boarded their return flight to  Philippines.

Meanwhile, Philippine embassy in Beirut has urged Filipinos close to Lebanon’s southern border to evacuate preemptively amid persistent tension in the area.

“Due to persistent tension in Lebanon’s southern border, posing significant threat to  safety and security of civilian residents,  Philippine embassy urges all Filipino nationals close to  border to evacuate preemptively to ensure their well-being and security,”  embassy said in its advisory.

Since violence escalated between Israel and  occupied Palestinian territory on Oct. 7, there have also been reports of clashes in border between Israel and south Lebanon, resulting in casualties among civilians.

Israeli military  intercepted five of nine rockets fired from Lebanon.

Israel  has no interest in waging war on its northern front if  Lebanese group Hezbollah restrains itself.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has prepared military aircraft for  repatriation of Filipinos caught in  conflict in Israel should  Philippine government raise Alert Level 4 over the country.

“If Department of Foreign Affairs recommend, and the President  direct us to fly our assets to where they should be,  airport of embarkation, then we will do it for the sake of our nation,” AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar told media.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Psalm 37:4

⁴ Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.