17 Octubre, 2024 Huwebes 

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P350/kilo retail price of ginger hit

By Nidz Godino

“Hoarding is possible, that’s why it is important to check  imported ginger as there is importation…  cold storage facilities should be checked,” Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG)  chairman Rosendo So said Farmers’ group Samahang Industriya  ng Agrikultura (SINAG) asked  Department of Agriculture (DA) to inspect cold storage facilities for possible hoarding of ginger amid  spike in its retail price despite importation.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa said at least 4,248 metric tons (MT) of imported ginger from China have arrived.

“That corresponds to 30 percent of  total volume that we are expecting…most of the ginger came from China but we opened up importation to other countries,” he said.

According to De Mesa, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has allowed  importation as ginger-producing areas like Calabarzon and parts of Sierra Madre were affected by recent typhoons.

De Mesa said  retail price should only be below P100 per kilo.

So stressed despite  current low production in Nueva Ecija, they expect  local production to normalize in November or December.

Based on monitoring of  DA in Metro Manila markets,  retail price of ginger ranged between P220 and P350 per kilo.

SINAG also asked  Supreme Court to issue  temporary restraining order against Executive Order 62,  allowed  lower tariff on imported rice, saying  revenue losses reached P6.2 billion but retail price of  staple remains high.

“Retail price of imported rice did not move…based on  data released by  Philippine Statistics Authority,  difference on  well-milled rice was only 20 centavos, meaning  reduction of tariff did not help,” So said.

EO 62 took effect on July 7.

According to So, at least 1.15 million MT of imported grains have arrived since implementation of EO 62.

“That’s about 23 million cavans of 50 kilos of rice… National Economic and Development Authority should return  original tariff (of 35 percent) in imported rice… we already lost P6.2 billion in tariff collection… up to end of the year, revenue losses will reach P12 billion,” So said.

He noted that prevailing retail price of rice ranged between P50 and P52 per kilo.

“ P43 per kilo of rice can only be found in  Kadiwa centers but  retail price is not going down in  general market,” So said.

He noted that government authorities have vowed  retail price of  grains will go down by as much as P7 per kilo with  implementation of EO 62.

Based on monitoring of  DA in  Metro Manila markets,  retail price of imported regular milled rice is sold as high as P48 per kilo; imported well-milled rice, as high as P55 per kilo; imported premium rice, as high as P60 per kilo and imported special rice, as high as P63 per kilo.

Peasant leaders led by SINAG, Federation of Free Farmers, United Broiler Raisers Association, Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative and Magsasaka party-list have asked  high tribunal to declare  order null and void and unconstitutional.

17 Octubre, 2024 Huwebes 

supports 35th National Statistics Month October, Advancing data and statistics through digital transformation,a  road to empowered nation

supports World Food Day October 16, 2024

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Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose

Online  piracy measures pushed anew

By Nidz Godino

“Wala nang niri-raid kasi lahat nasa online na halos,” Sen. Mark Villar said.measures against online piracy are being urged in the country as most illegal activities concerned with piracy are now being conducted online.

During  budget deliberations of  Optical Media Board (OMB) ,  Villar said  technological means for piracy have evolved over  years, emphasizing  need to crack down against online pirates.

OMB only has jurisdiction against physical piracy and not online content.

Philippines currently does not have  legislative mandate to block sites with pirated content.  Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and internet service providers are only teaming up to put up stopgap measures to block sites with pirated content. 

Two separate bills  Senate Bills 2150 and 2385 are currently filed in Senate to amend  IP code and remove its existing limitations to cover electronic and online content within  definition of pirated goods.

Villar initially said passage of these bills would solve issues of online piracy once they were enacted into law. He also previously chaired  Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship and led  public hearings of the two bills.

In 2022,  Philippines reportedly lost around $700 million due to  piracy of Filipino-made TV shows and movies, as  country has been named as one of the top consumers of pirated content in Asia, according to  YouGov 2022 Piracy Landscape Survey.

IPOPHL Director General Rowel Barba estimates Philippines will have around $1 billion in revenue leakage in 2027 if concerns regarding online piracy continue. 

According to Philippine Statistics Authority, piracy takes away around 7.1% of country’s gross domestic product.

This results in forgone revenue for the country and loss of livelihood, and it even threatens to inflict malware on devices consuming pirated content,  can be gateway for scams.

IPOPHL also said  revising  27-year-old IP code and mandating authorities to disable access to online sites infringing copyrighted materials will be much welcomed, noting that they have been advocating for its amendment and are ready to implement it once passed.

17 Octubre, 2024 Huwebes 

supports 35th National Statistics Month October, Advancing data and statistics through digital transformation,a  road to empowered nation

supports World Food Day October 16, 2024

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Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

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Happy Birthday Loida Tajan-Ocampo, more birthdays to come

Party disowned Quiboloy

By Nidz Godino

Workers’ and Peasants’ Party (WPP) disowned detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy’s certification of acceptance and nomination (CONA).

 Commission on Elections released partial list of aspirants allowed to join May 2025 senatorial race.

In  resolution,  Comelec named 66 aspirants qualified to join  senatorial race and also ordered  motu proprio filing of petitions to declare 177 senatorial aspirants as “nuisance.”

Leaders in  senatorial race survey brothers Erwin Tulfo, who is running under administration ticket, and independent candidate Ben Tulfo as well as former President Marcos’ executive secretary Vic Rodriguez are also on the list.

Comelec approved  senatorial bid of reelectionist Francis Tolentino and Manny Pacquiao, who both left  warring factions of PDP-Laban before joining  Marcos’political party Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP).

Also included on the initial list of senatorial aspirants are administration bets Benjamin Abalos Jr., Abby Binay, Bong Revilla, Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid, Ping Lacson, Camille Villar, Tito Sotto and presidential sister reelectionist Sen. Imee Marcos.

Former senators seeking to return to the Senate among them Gringo Honasan, Bam Aquino, Kiko Pangilinan  are also in the list as well as known allies of former president Rodrigo Duterte reelectionists Bong Go, Ronald dela Rosa, musician Jimmy Bondoc, actor Philip Salvador and television host Willie Revillame.

Other known personalities on the list are former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson, former National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, Raul Lambino, sectoral Representatives Wilbert Lee and Rodante Marcoleta, labor leader Sonny Matula, former Commission on Audit (COA) commissioner Heidi Mendoza, 2022 vice presidential aspirant Willie Ong and retired military general Ariel Querubin.

Former Catanduanes governor Leandro Verceles, who is heading  other faction of PFP, also got  approval of the Comelec to run for  Senate.

Also getting  Comelec’s go signal are progressive senatorial aspirants Teodoro Casiño, Arlene Brosas, Ronald Adonis, France Castro, Leody de Guzman, Liza Maza, Modesto Floranda, Amirah Lidasan and Luke Espiritu.

Comelec approved  candidacies of Wilson Amad Jocelyn Andamo, Ronnel Arambulo, Ernesto Arellano, Roberto Ballon, Bonifacio Bosita, Roy Cabognero, Allen Capuyan, Angelo de Alban, David D’Angelo, Eufemia Doringo, Arnel Escobal, Marc Gamboa, Jesus Hinlo,  Relly Jose, Norman Marquez, Eric Martinez, Richard Mata, Jose Montemayor, Jose Olivar, Danilo Ramos, Nur Ana Sahidulla, Michael Tapado and Mario Valbuena

“Above list is without prejudice to  decision of  division of  en banc to declare as nuisance candidates filed by the law department,”  commission said.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said out of  183 aspirants who submitted their certificate of candidacy, only 66 were so far found to be legitimate and possibly listed on the official ballots.

“In another development, South Korean firm Miru System has maintained that joint venture has more than enough funds to complete  Full Automation System with Transparency Audit/Count project despite the withdrawal of its local partner St. Timothy Construction Corp

17 Octubre, 2024 Huwebes 

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Headlines

‘POGOs go micro, moving underground’

By J.Lo

“They disintegrated into several micro-units, and now they have multiplied,” Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) PAOCC spokesman Winston Casio said despite directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.to wipe out Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) several appear to be continuing their activities as “micro-units” operating underground.

Casio said they have monitored a lot of “legal” POGOs that have shifted to underground operations.

 “We’re practically more than a year now since we started our operations against POGOs… and we’re nowhere near 50 percent of our target,” he stressed.

Marcos earlier ordered closure of all POGOs, including rebranded internet gaming licensees or IGLs, by the end of the year.

According to Casio, all work visas or employment permits issued to foreigners working in POGOs or IGLs expired last Tuesday.

“There should be no one working in  IGL as of today…they should be  winding down, they should be using the 59 days given to them by  Bureau of Immigration to sell whatever properties they have, to buy their tickets to leave the country  basically to settle their affairs,” he said. .

But based on their monitoring, Casio said many POGOs are still operating.

“This goes to show how big the problem is,” he added, citing recent operations conducted by  Philippine National Police (PNP) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

“We are currently doing case buildup..in the next few days, we will continue with our operations… all POGOs should be closed down,” said Casio.

Several foreign financiers are also still in the Philippines, said Casio, citing  recent arrest of POGO kingpin Lin Xunhan, alias Lyu Dong, who was arrested in Biñan City, Laguna last week.

“We are looking at four who are still here in the Philippines,” said Casio.

Authorities have permanently closed down  IGL operation in Biñan City on Tuesday night as part of  government’s continued crackdown on POGOs.

At around 10 in the evening, authorities locked down  New Wave Internet Gaming Licensee and its mother company, New Wave Infotech Limited Philippines Inc., that occupies six floors of Southwoods Tower Number 2 in Barangay San Francisco, Biñan.

Operation  was led by personnel from  Business Permit and Licensing Office of Biñan City, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and PAOCC.

But upon inspection, authorities discovered  computers inside New Wave’s office were already disassembled and hard drives were missing, potentially hindering efforts to uncover evidence of illegal activities.

Casio identified  POGO firm as being linked to Lin Xunhan, who was arrested by authorities and tagged as  “godfather” of POGOs in the country.

According to Casio, New Wave Technologies originated from other POGO firms previously raided by authorities.

“Lin Xunhan is the ‘big boss’ of New Wave,  has ties to other POGOs we’ve already shut down,” Casio said.

Seventeen Chinese nationals were arrested during NBI raid at  suspected POGO hub in Tagaytay City, Cavite on Tuesday.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago declined to disclose details about  operation, occurred at  resort in Barangay Francisco.

Raid  was based on  tip that  Chinese national was being tortured in  POGO hub. Victim  was rescued in the operation.

 Suspects , now under  custody of  NBI cybercrime division, allegedly rented  portion of  resort in December last year.

Meanwhile, police seized computers and other gadgets at  suspected POGO firm in Moalboal, Cebu on Oct. 9 where 38 Chinese nationals were arrested.

Operatives of  Criminal Investigation and Detection Group implemented  search warrant at the hub in Barangay Saavedra at around 5:24 in the morning, CIDG director Maj. Gen. Leo Francisco said in  statement.

 Police  raiding team confiscated 30 computers, 212 cell phones, four laptops, routers, modems, charges, cords, cable wires, landline phones and keyboards. Six vehicles were seized and are undergoing verification.

Local officials of Porac, Pampanga, including Mayor Jaime Capil, are facing  graft complaint before  Department of Justice in connection with  POGO firm Lucky South 99 earlier raided in the municipality allegedly involved in human trafficking, cybercrime and other illegal activities.

PAOCC and PNP-CIDG filed  complaint on Oct. 16 against Capil, Vice Mayor Francis Laurence Tamayo, councilors Rohner Buan, Rafael Canlapan, Adrian Carreon, Regin Clarete, Essel Joy David, Hilario Dimalanta, Michelle Santos, Hilario Dimalanta, Essel Joy David and John Nuevy Venzon as well as business permit and licensing officer Emerald Vital for violation of Section 3 of Republic Act 3019 or  Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

According to San Fernando, Pampanga City Prosecutor Leonardo Santos,  respondents violated Section 3(j) of RA 3019 for granting  business permit to Lucky South 99 from 2021 to 2023 despite defects on its documents and application forms.

Senators Risa Hontiveros and Sherwin Gatchalian expressed alarm at  proliferation of smaller POGO hubs.

Two senators are leading the year-long investigation into  trafficking of persons forced to do scams in compounds fronting as POGOs,  most prominent  is  Bamban, Tarlac hub linked to dismissed mayor and accused Chinese spy Alice Guo.

Meanwhile, as former presidential spokesman Harry Roque continues to evade arrest, PNP is not discounting  possibility that some personalities are coddling him, as there is no record from  Bureau of Immigration that he has left the country.

PNP public information officer Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo has warned Roque’s coddlers to stop protecting the former spokesman of  Duterte administration or face criminal cases.

In another development,  Interagency Council Against Trafficking held its second regional meeting in Southeast Asia, emphasizing  urgent need for collaborative efforts to combat human trafficking across borders. 

TODÀY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Psalm 25:14-15

¹⁴ The Lord confides in those who fear him;
    he makes his covenant known to them.
¹⁵ My eyes are ever on the Lord,
    for only he will release my feet from the snare.

16 Octubre, 2024 Miyerkules 

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183 trimmed to 66 senatorial aspirants for 2025 elections

By J.Lo

Trimmed  down to 66 Commission on Elections names senatorial aspirants for 2025 midterm elections. 

Comelec en banc adopted recommendation of its law department to consider following as its partial / initial list of names of aspirants for senator next year. 

The list is as follows:

1. ABALOS, BENJAMIN JR. DE CASTRO – “PARTIDO FEDERAL NG PILIPINAS”
2. ADONIS, RONALDO MANGAMPO – “MAKABAYANG KOALISYON NG MAMAMAYAN”
3. AMAD, WILSON CARITERO – INDEPENDENT
4. ANDAMO, JOCELYN SANTOS  – “MAKABAYANG KOALISYON NG MAMAMAYAN”
5. AQUINO, PAOLO BENIGNO AGUIRRE – “KATIPUNAN NG NAGKAKAISANG PILIPINO”
6. ARAMBULO, RONNEL GONDRANEOS – “MAKABAYANG KOALISYON NG MAMAMAYAN”
7. ARELLANO, ERNESTO RILLERA – “KAMALAYANG KAYUMANGGI (KATIPUNAN)”
8. BALLON, ROBERTO AMIDO – INDEPENDENT
9. BINAY, MAR-LEN ABIGAIL SOMBILLO – “NATIONALIST PEOPLE’S COALITION”
10. BONDOC, JAMES PATRICK ROMERO – “PDP-LABAN” 
11. BONG REVILLA, RAMON IR. BAUTISTA – “LAKAS-CMD”
12. BOSITA, BONIFACIO LAQUI – INDEPENDENT
13. BROSAS, ARLENE DURAN – “MAKABAYANG KOALISYON NG MAMAMAYAN”
14. CABONEGRO, ROY JERUSALEM – “DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES (DPP)”
15. CAPUYAN, ALLEN ARAT – “PARTIDO PILIPINO SA PAGBABAGO” 
16. CASIÑO, TEODORO ACEVEDO – “MAKABAYANG KOALISYON NG MAMAMAYAN”
17. CASTRO, FRANCISCA LUSTINA – “MAKABAYANG KOALISYON NG MAMAMAYAN”
18. CAYETANO, PILAR SCHRAMM JULIANA – “NACIONALISTA PARTY”
19. DE ALBAN, ANGELO CASTRO – INDEPENDENT
20. D’ANGELO, DAVID DELANO – “BUNYOG PAGKAKAISA PARTY”
21. DE GUZMAN, LEODEGARIO QUITAIN – “PARTIDO LAKAS NG MASA (PLM)”
22. DELA ROSA,RONALD MARAPON – “PDP LABAN”
23. DORINGO, EUFEMIA PET – “MAKABAYANG KOALISYON NG MAMAMAYAN”
24. ESCOBAL,ARNEL BONDILLES – “PARTIDO MAHARLIKA”
25. ESPIRITU, RENECIO IR. SANTOS – “PARTIDO LAKAS NG MASA”
26. FLORANDA, MODESTO TOQUE – “MAKABAYANG KOALISYON NG MAMAMAYAN”
27. GAMBOA, MARC LOUIE SANTOS – INDEPENDENT
28. GO, CHRISTOPHER TESORO LAWRENCE – “PDP-LABAN” 
29. GONZALES, NORBERTO BORJA – “PARTIDO DEMOKRATIKO SOSYALISTA NG PILIPINAS” 
30. HINLO,JESUS JR. VILLANUEVA – “PDP-LABAN” 
31. HONASAN, GREGORIO BALLESTEROS – “REPORM PH-PEOPLE’S PARTY”
32. JOSE, RELLYJR. NUFABLE – “KILUSANG BAGONG LIPUNAN”
33. LACSON,PANFILO MORENA – INDEPENDENT
34. LAMBINO, RAUL LOYOLA – “PDP-LABAN”
35. LAPID, MANUEL MERCADO – “NATIONALIST PEOPLE’S COALITION” 
36. LEE, WILBERT TE – “AKSYON DEMOKRATIKO”
37. LIDASAN, AMIRAH ALI – “MAKABAYANG KOALISYON NG MAMAMAYAN”
38. MARCOLETA, RODANTE DIZON – INDEPENDENT
39. MARCOS, MARIA IMELDA ROMUALDEZ – “NACIONALISTA PARTY”
40. MARQUEZ, NORMAN CORDERO – INDEPENDENT
41. MARTINEZ, ERIC MORALES – INDEPENDENT
42. MATA, RICHARD TESORO – INDEPENDENT
43. MATULA, JOSE SONNY GITO – WORKERS AND PEASANTS PARTY (WPP)
44. MAZA, LIZA LARGOZA – “MAKABAYANG KOALISYON NG MAMAMAYAN”
45. MENDOZA,HEIDI LLOCE – INDEPENDENT
46. MONTEMAYOR, JOSE JR. CABRERA – “PARTIDO PEDERAL NG MAHARLIKA”
47. OLIVAR,JOSE JESSIE DELA CALSADA – INDEPENDENT
48. ONG, WILLIE TAN – “AKSYON DEMOKRATIKO”
49. PACQUIAO, EMMANUEL DAPIDRAN – “PARTIDO FEDERAL NG PILIPINAS”
50. PANGILINAN, FRANCIS PANCRATIUS NEPOMUCENO – “LIBERAL PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES”
51. QUERUBIN, ARIEL PORFIRIO OLIVA – “NACIONALISTA PARTY”
52. QUIBOLOY, APOLLO CARREON – “WPP”
53. RAMOS, DANILO HERNANDEZ – “MAKABAYANG KOALISYON NG MAMAMAYAN”
54. REVILLAME, WILFREDO BUENDIA – INDEPENDENT
55. RODRIGUEZ,VICTOR DAYRIT – INDEPENDENT
56. SAHIDULLA, NUR-ANA INDANAN – INDEPENDENT
57. SALVADOR, PHILLIP REYES – “PDP LABAN”
58. SINGSON, LUIS CRISOLOGO – INDEPENDENT
59. SOTTO, VICENTE III CASTELO – “NATIONALIST PEOPLE’S COALITION”
60. TAPADO, MICHAEL BALAIS – “PARTIDO MAHARLIKA”
61. TOLENTINO, FRANCIS NG – “PARTIDO FEDERAL NG PILIPINAS”
62. TULFO, BIENVENIDOTESHIBA – INDEPENDENT
63. TULFO, ERWINTESHIBA – “LAKAS-CMD”
64. VALBUENA, MARIOJR. SOLIVEN – INDEPENDENT
65. VERCELES, LEANDRO BUENCONSETO – INDEPENDENT
66. VILLAR, CAMILLE AGUILAR – “NACIONALISTA PARTY”

16 Octubre, 2024 Miyerkules 

supports 35th National Statistics Month October, Advancing data and statistics through digital transformation,a  road to empowered nation

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Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

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PNP probes cop’s part in slay of Tanauan Mayor Halili

By J.Lo

“Criminal Investigation and Detection Group will continue to investigate, including  review of all related cold case files and further interviews with relevant parties, in the 2018 killing of former Tanauan City, Batangas mayor Antonio Halili…we are also in the process of retrieving case records and examining new evidence,” Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said  Police organization is currently investigating  possible involvement of  police officer in Halili slay, who was reportedly shot by  sniper during morning flag-raising ceremonies. Probe  comes after retired police colonel and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Royina Garma  mentioned  certain “Major Albotra” as having knowledge of  assassination. However, no first name was provided during the hearing.

PNP subsequently reviewed its records and identified five individuals with  surname Albotra, four of whom had already retired. Fajardo said  Capt. Kenneth Albotra is the only active officer among them.

She stated that Capt. Albotra, who was assigned to Police Regional Office 7 at the time of the incident, has denied any involvement in the murder.

PNP has not placed Albotra under any form of restriction, pending  results of  ongoing probe.

Amid  allegations of  war on drugs reward system in  PNP, Military Ordinariate of the Philippines Bishop Oscar Jaime Florencio tells aspiring police officers may  “good force” be with you.

“To those who are aspiring to be part of  police force, be sure to have that conviction that you are ready to serve the country, serve God, serve our people, our community and also to  best of your values, you have to have that force, not ‘evil force’ but  ‘good force’ that is in you… good intention,  good values that you have embraced”, Florencio said.

16 Octubre, 2024 Miyerkules

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Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Amihan  season set to begin,colder days coming

By J.Lo

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said colder days may be felt as early as next week due to onset of northeast monsoon or amihan.

Cold dry air and cooler temperatures brought by northeasterly wind flow are expected to prevail in next few weeks.

Southwest  monsoon’s official termination was declared by PAGASA on Oct. 7.

State weather forecasters monitored strengthening of high-pressure system over East Asia, influencing weather patterns in the country.

Isolated rains due to easterlies are forecast over Metro Manila, rest of Luzon and Eastern Visayas.

Isabela, Aurora, Quezon and Camarines Norte may see cloudy skies with scattered rains.

16 Octubre, 2024 Miyerkules

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Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

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PM for any hospital discharge problem

Headlines

Ph, US anti-submarine, coastal defense drills

By J.Lo

“Focusing on anti-submarine warfare and joint patrol operations, exercise highlights both nations’ commitment to enhancing interoperability and collective defense capabilities in maritime security,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said it was  show of force and test of interoperability by  militaries of the Philippines,  United States and other major allies,  kicked off their joint maneuvers in different parts of the country both at sea and on land.

In West Philippine Sea,  Philippine Navy and  US Navy conducted anti-submarine and night patrol exercises as part of their Sama-Sama (together) military drills. Japan, Australia, Canada and France will later join  exercise.

 Naval  maneuver took place against  backdrop of  increasing number of Chinese vessels  including warships  in  West Philippine Sea.

Based on monitoring by  Philippine Navy, Chinese vessels in Philippine waters totaled 34 from Oct. 7 to 13, up from 28 the previous week.

In Pili, Camarines Norte and in other parts of  Bicol Region, Filipino and Australian soldiers held war drills as part of  second leg of this year’s Exercise Kasangga 2024.

 Joint  exercise, involving 216 Philippine Army personnel and 50 Australian soldiers, will run until Nov. 8.

 Western Mindanao Command of AFP, meanwhile,  spearhead two-week capability enhancement drill dubbed as Joint, Combined and Inter-Agency Maritime Security Training Exercise.

Trinidad said  launch of  Sama-Sama advanced maritime drills in  West Philippine Sea was  success.

Participating in naval exercise were  Philippine Navy’s guided missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal and US Navy destroyer USS Howard.

Activities , he said, included  Combined Anti-Submarine Exercise (CASEX) involving Torpedo Exercises using  Expandable Mobile Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Target.

He noted  both navies were able to hone their anti-submarine warfare techniques in  realistic and controlled environment.

In addition to CASEX, both navies also conducted Joint and Combined Patrol (Night Steaming in Company), simulating real-world scenarios of patrolling contested waters.

“Drill aimed to enhance coordination between participating units in  nighttime operational setting, improving response capabilities in crisis situations,” he explained.

Trinidad said Philippine and US naval forces also executed Search and Rescue Exercises and Shipboard Casualty Care drills, “further demonstrating their readiness to respond to both traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges.”

Trinidad said ongoing Sea Phase of Sama-Sama 2024 highlighted shared objective of both Philippines and US to address maritime security challenges through cooperation and joint operations.

“These activities not only focused on combat readiness but also on humanitarian assistance and disaster response, integral aspects of modern naval operations,” he stressed.

He emphasized participation later of Royal Canadian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and other allied navies would be another demonstration of commitment of Philippines and its allies to peace and stability in Indo-Pacific region.

Trinidad said Sama-Sama 2024, now on its seventh iteration, “represents continuing evolution of bilateral maritime exercises, fostering stronger relationships among participating forces and enhancing overall regional security capabilities.”

In Camarines Norte, Army spokesman Col. Louie Dema-ala said soldiers of 9th Infantry Division based in Camp Elias Angeles made up Philippine contingent in Exercise Kasangga 2024 with Australian troops.

Dema-ala said combined exercise covers critical areas of military operations such as urban operations, close combat techniques, combat shooting and tactical casualty care.

Soldiers will also undergo training in explosive assault breaching, cybersecurity operations, mortar gunnery with forward observers and Civil-Military Operations exchanges, he said.

Earlier, from May to June, first leg of joint training exercises was held in Gamu, Isabela involving at least 100 Filipino soldiers from 86th Infantry Battalion of 5th Infantry Division and 50 troops from Australian Army.

First  leg of exercises covered reconnaissance, mortar, drone operations, logistics, signal operations, jungle and urban warfare, tactical combat casualty care and breaching operations.

In Zamboanga City, Westmincom chief Lt. Gen. William Gonzalez said JCIMSTX seeks to enhance and synergize maritime security and operation readiness through collaboration among different military security units of AFP, their foreign counterparts and relevant law enforcement agencies within operation area of his command.

Philippine Navy denounced Chinese for their “continued illegal presence in West Philippine Sea” that it said “blatantly disregards 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling and violates our sovereignty and sovereign rights.”

“This also highlights need to continue modernizing defense and security capabilities of AFP.,,we in AFP remain committed to upholding international law and defending integrity of our national territory,” the Navy said in  statement.  

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Psalm 19:14

¹⁴ May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
    be pleasing in your sight,
    Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.