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DepEd verifying reports of data breach
DepEd Undersecretary and Spokesperson Michael Poa said that they have directed DepEd field offices to “run diagnostics” and “verify if there was indeed a hack.”.....»»
Cabbage ‘price drop’ in Dalaguete, Cebu shocks DA-7
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture in Central Visayas (DA-7) is verifying reports on the alleged drop in the prices of cabbage in Dalaguete, Cebu due to oversupply. Angel Enriquez, regional executive director of DA-7, said that they are now gathering information about the reported drop in the prices of cabbage in coordination.....»»
DFA verifying reports that Hamas hostages include 2 Filipinos
The Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, said it is verifying with the Israeli Embassy in the Philippines reports that the two missing Filipinos in Israel were taken hostage by the Palestinian Sunni-Islamic extremist group Hamas. “We are asking the Israel Embassy [in Manila] to verify,” DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Eduardo de Vega told Daily Tribune in a Viber message. Citing the Israeli government, international multimedia news provider Reuters reported that the two Filipinos who were previously tagged as missing were among the estimated 220 hostages held by Hamas. The two Filipinos went missing after the 7 October surprise attack of Hamas in Israel which left more than 1,400 Israelis dead, including four Filipinos. On Wednesday, the DFA raised the possibility that one of the two Filipino nationals who went missing in Israel might have been taken hostage by the militant group. De Vega previously said that the Philippine government is exerting efforts to locate the missing Filipinos in Israel. According to the DFA, there are almost 30,000 Filipinos who consider Israel their second home. Most of them work in the caregiving, hospitality, engineering and healthcare industries. The agency said there hasn't been a request for repatriation from Filipinos in Israel. The post DFA verifying reports that Hamas hostages include 2 Filipinos appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Israel envoy assures financial aid to 4 Filipino victims
The Israeli government, through its envoy in the Philippines, Ambassador Ilan Fluss—assured the families of four Filipinos who earlier died in the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian Sunni-Islamic terror group Hamas—that they will be receiving enough financial aid from the Israeli government distinguishing them as victims of terrorism. “As long as they are documented and in Israel, then the Israeli government will recognize them as victims of terrorism. For that, they will be receiving financial assistance, their parents, spouses, their children, accordingly,” Fluss told members of the media during the forum “Coming Together: An Afternoon of Unity, Prayer, and Solidarity with Israel” in Makati City on Thursday, organized by the Israel Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines. “We have clear legislation in helping Israelis in this case, as well as Filipinos and other foreign nationals. This will come in financial assistance on a monthly basis, depending on if they need assistance in education, health care, or even a grant for housing, as clearly stated in Israeli law. The aid will be coursed through either the Philippine government or to the families of the victims,” he added. Photos of four Filipino caregivers who perished during the war were displayed during the forum, namely Ilongga OFW Grace Prodigo Cabrera, who chose to be taken away by Hamas to save the 80-year-old Israeli woman under her care; Angelyn Peralta Aguirre, a 33-year-old, who was killed along with her patient in Israel; Loreta Alacre who was shot to death by Hamas while she was on her way back to her employer, and Paul Vincent Castelvi, who was also killed during the onset of the war. Meanwhile, with the report that the two missing Filipinos are now in the hands of Hamas as hostages, Ambassador Fluss said they are leaving the responsibility to the Philippine government to provide updates. “There are formal channels of communication between the two governments. Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquartered in Jerusalem is constantly coordinating with the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, while we are coordinating here with the DFA,” he said. The DFA on Thursday said they are verifying reports that the two missing Filipinos in Israel were taken hostage by Hamas with the Israeli Embassy in the Philippines. According to the report of the Israeli government and international multimedia news provider Reuters, two Filipinos who were previously tagged as missing were among the estimated 220 hostages held by Hamas. Fluss maintained that the Israeli government "is dedicated to dismantling and destroying all the infrastructure made by Hamas forces in Gaza, bringing back the abducted Israeli and foreign nationals held in Gaza," but emphasizing that "they are not planning to occupy Gaza." For the part of the Israel Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, its president Yoray Ofek, stressed that they stand behind Israel and aired utmost support to the Israeli government. The post Israel envoy assures financial aid to 4 Filipino victims appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DFA confirms second Filipino fatality in Hawaii wildfire
Another Filipino was confirmed dead in the catastrophic wildfires in Hawaii, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced Tuesday. According to DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Eduardo de Vega, the second Filipino killed in the wildfires was Rodolfo Rocutan, 76 years old resident of Lahaina, Hawaiii. De Vega said Rocutan was one of the five additional fatalities reported by Maui County officials on the 8 August wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii. “Rocutan renewed his Philippine passport at the Consulate in Honolulu last year,” he said. “The Consulate has reached out to a relative of the late Mr. Rocutan to convey its deepest sympathies and offer the Philippine government’s support and assistance, including cremation and repatriation of remains as requested,” he added. Likewise, the DFA said the Philippine Consulate in Honolulu is currently verifying reports that there are two more Filipino nationals killed in the wildfires. Last week, the agency confirmed the death of Alfredo Galinato, a 79-year-old Filipino victim of wildfires in Maui, the ground zero of the catastrophic wildfires. Citing data from the United States Census 2020, the DFA said there are a total of 388,000 individuals who identified themselves as Filipino in Hawaii, of which 25,000 are still holding Philippine passports. The post DFA confirms second Filipino fatality in Hawaii wildfire appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US firms to dip fingers into MIF
An in-depth study by the Asian Central Journal or ACJ dated 20 July 2023 reveals that the Department of Finance forged a $1-million contract with a US PR firm, Weber Shandwick Philippines or WSP, that was signed in early January 2023, according to WSP sources. The ACJ study asks why the Maharlika Investment Fund or MIF bill was signed at the precise time Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri was in the US. “On 21 June, Senate President Zubiri reportedly signed an ‘enrolled’ copy of the MIF. Jose Manuel Romualdez, the Philippine ambassador to the US, was present for the signing. Ambassador Romualdez has long held the positions of chairman and CEO at WSP.” The ACJ study reports that, “The US was designated as the top campaign market in the PR strategy to draw US investment” and that “the MIF might be used by the US as a means of financial pressure on the (Philippines).” In other words, US funds for the MIF may be used as bait for the US to get major MIF projects in the future. The study says the WSP PR strategy aims (1) “to decrease misconceptions about the MIF, particularly those pertaining to abuse and corruption” (downplaying corruption helps fuel it); (2) “to raise awareness of it as an instrument for economic development” (sanctifying corruption as ‘economic development’); and (3) “MIF management and investment may be subject to US intervention. DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman stated on 19 April that several US corporate organizations and investors are eager to assist us in structuring the MIF.” This dangerous move towards achieving US corporate funds for the MIF will easily increase corruption tenfold, with the participation of US corporations. This was the strategy of US oil firms in Nigeria in partnership with a corrupt government to siphon the oil for the West. The US corporations turned a blind eye to the corruption. The strategy triggered the growth of terrorists in the Muslim-dominated deep north which did benefit from the “development” received by the Christian-dominated south. The ACJ report, citing the MIF, warns, “There looms a grave concern: the specter of corruption.” It cites two cases. “Norway’s sovereign wealth fund lost $174 billion (about P8.7 trillion) in the first half of 2022, while (the Singapore-based) Temasek Holdings, which is primarily regarded as a sovereign wealth fund, has seen a net loss of S$7.3 billion throughout the nearly 50 years since its founding.” If less corrupt-prone affluent nations like Norway and Singapore are unable to contain corruption in sovereign wealth funds, what more a Third World nation like the Philippines, which is noted for rampant unstoppable corruption? In its 2020-2022 survey, the Philippines ranked no. 116 out of 180 nations (the higher the ranking, the more corrupt) in the Corruption Perceptions Index published by Transparency International. Norway ranked No. 4 and Singapore No. 5 as least corrupt. (Source: Wikipedia). The MIF Act provides that a Maharlika Investment Corporation or MIC will be established to manage the MIF fund. The ACJ study is concerned that the MIC board of directors will consist of presidential appointees “based on favor rather than talent… in a nation where nepotism is rife.” (Ambassador Romualdez is the second cousin of Marcos Jr. It’s all in the family.) This will induce a “lack of transparency in regulation and a high risk of financial embezzlement.” The ACJ study argues that “the MIF could be a weapon for politicians to steal from the public coffers,” citing the case of Angola. In 2018, Jose Filomeno dos Santos, ex-sovereign fund chairman and son of ex-President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, was charged with the theft of $1.5 billion. In 2015, the Wall Street Journal reported that Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak transferred about $700 million from the 1Malaysia Development Berhad fund to his personal account. The ACJ study reports that Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised $6.5 billion in five years. In an investigation after the 1MDB scandal broke out, Goldman Sachs admitted stealing $1 billion from 1MDB “to bribe officials in Malaysia and other nations, including (payments) for the extravagant lifestyles of Malaysian officials and purchasing luxury yachts and hotels for them.” Goldman Sachs pocketed $4.6 billion in bribes and kickbacks. Ex-Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in the massive 1MDB heist. It will be easy for creative Filipino politicians to improve on this type of ‘Financial Terrorism’ with the help of equally corrupt Western corporations. They must be drooling in excitement. This evil partnership of government and multinationals is the biggest hindrance to the true development of Third World countries. Even as the MIF heist is yet to happen, the solons are cooking up a more sinister storm, the Overseas Filipino Workers Sovereign Wealth Fund, tapping the biggest dollar earner of the country. This is “stealing” the hard-earned money of our workers. The OFWs may rise in protest. *** eastwindreplyctr@gmail.com The post US firms to dip fingers into MIF appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Benguet solon calls for aid
Benguet Representative Eric Yap appealed to the national government for immediate aid for the victims of Typhoon Egay, which critically hit Benguet and the rest of the northern Philippines. "Unofficial reports of casualties and missing individuals and millions of pesos worth of damaged properties is the one we’re facing right now,” said Yap. “We are still verifying the extent of the damage, but we have unofficial reports from the ground that there are casualties and missing individuals. We are actively coordinating with our local government to record the families affected so we could extend assistance and to document the roads in need of rehabilitation so we could implement necessary measures," he added. The lawmaker also appealed to the government for assistance as the province is already feeling the adverse effects of the typhoon’s onslaught. "We call to our national government for assistance, the Benguet Province is in dire need of help. We need forces for intensified operations for disaster rescue and relief. Many of our significant passageways in the province remain impassable as of the moment, obstructing emergency response and impeding the livelihood of hundreds of families in our province,” said Yap. “It is imperative that we execute extensive measures for preparation, prevention and mitigation before, for quick emergency response during and for recovery and reconstruction after the typhoon or any other disaster," he added. The post Benguet solon calls for aid appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Another Marawi Siege?
Just as the trauma was wearing off, something terrible happened. The ghosts and demons of the 2017 siege that lurked at the back of their minds for the last six years have resurfaced. And it is giving them the creeps. They had not yet rebuilt their flattened homes when black-clad terrorists claiming to be Muslims cooked up another plot to again turn their city into a battleground. The timing and circumstances of the Wednesday, 14 June, firefight between ISIS-affiliated rebels and government militia where the former’s top commander, Abu Zacaria, was killed were eerily similar to the 2017 Siege. The firefight occurred at Barangay Bangon adjacent to the place where the 2017 war started. Both skirmishes came on the heels of a “korods,” or congregation of Islamic devotees, at the “markas,” a huge mosque and assembly building at Barangay Basak Malutlut. And both were sparked by government troops serving a warrant on the rebel commander. Sketchy newsfeeds reported the incident. But Maranaws saw more than what was reported. The rumor that went around, fueled by social media, was that there was a bigger sinister plan to wage war again in the Islamic City. In fact, some reports had it that there were sleeper cells in the remote barangays and even on the outskirts of Mindanao State University who were ready for action. Thanks to the timely action of the military under the command of Brig. Gen. Yegor Barroquillo Jr., commander of 103rd Haribon Brigade, the plan was thwarted, but not before it stirred fear among the residents. The military was prompted to impose a lockdown in the area of incident and adjoining barangays, restricting the movements of the residents. As a safety measure, they herded some schoolchildren to the nearby military camp, which was wrongly interpreted as a hostage-taking. The breathtaking drama was closely monitored by local lawyers and their “blow-by-blow” accounts were posted in the IBP chatroom. On reading the alarming report of a hostage situation, two leaders of the local bar threw caution to the wind and rushed to the military camp to help the civilians who were caught in the middle of the crisis, like the schoolchildren. It unintentionally made them the heroes of the day for daring to rush to the camp even if the dust of battle had yet to settle. They worked for the immediate release of the children, some of them the children of lawyer Farhanna Datudacula and others. Indeed, crisis makes heroes. Take a bow, lawyers Mino Macalandap, president of the MSU Golf and Country Club, and Provincial Attorney Faisal Cali. There was an upside to the incident. It was reported that the residents themselves had tipped off the military about the presence of armed men in their area. They had probably learned their lesson. Months before the 2017 siege, some residents had noticed the movements of rebels in the city. Yet they kept mum partly because of their belief that it was an issue between the rebels and the authorities in which they must not interfere. Some gullible residents believed the rebels who were waxing concern about Muslims being the subject of persecution, discrimination and injustice by the establishment. And they paid dearly for their silence. Had they alerted the authorities, the 2017 Marawi siege could have been averted. They have since come to their senses and resolved to cooperate with the authorities. They sent a clear message that never again will they allow their city to be a killing field with many of them declaring on social media that they themselves would take up arms against any element, Muslim or not, who will attempt to destroy their city. In other words, the 2017 siege awakened their dormant sense of patriotism and nationalism regardless of what the proselytizers of Islam say, who could in fact be snake oil salesmen. But are the authorities listening? Must they be reminded to always be on their toes? amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com The post Another Marawi Siege? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Maute-linked terrorists regrouping? Probe sought
Sen. Ronald dela Rosa vowed to look into reports that the Maute group – behind the five-month siege of Marawi City in 2017 – was getting back together......»»
‘Garbage, baloney,’ Remulla to Teves
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has called on Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. to return to the country and face the charges of murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder filed against him by the National Bureau of Investigation. Remulla on Thursday described Teves’ video rants to reporters as “baloney” and “garbage.” The Justice secretary made the call after Teves dared him to resign if he could not prove his previous pronouncement that Teves had applied for citizenship in Timor-Leste. “I don’t have to prove anything here,” Remulla said. “Teves is the one (who has) to prove that he can face the charges against him.” Remulla reiterated his call for Teves to return to the Philippines and answer the subpoena that has been issued against him. “The public should know that he is being summoned by the authorities to explain his involvement in the crime concerning the deaths of many people,” Remulla said. “It’s better for him to come home and face the music instead of talking too much,” he added. Teves has been accused of being one of the masterminds in the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and nine other persons on 4 March 2023. Teves’ lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, meanwhile, claimed they have “intelligence reports” that some officials of the DoJ had tried to bribe a former aide of the lawmaker. Topacio averred the officials tried to sway Marvin Miranda, one of 11 suspects in the death of Degamo and nine others last 4 March, to pin down Teves as the mastermind. “We are verifying these reports, but rest assured that they come from sources [that] have been reliable in the past,” Topacio said. Ten of the 11 suspects who initially cooperated with authorities recanted their confessions against Teves. With Edjen Oliquino and Jing Villamente With Edjen Oliquino and Jing Villamente The post ‘Garbage, baloney,’ Remulla to Teves appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Teves camp flips bribe claim
A lawyer of Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. yesterday said officials of the Department of Justice had tried to bribe a former aide of the lawmaker into tagging him as a mastermind in the assassination of Governor Roel Degamo. Atty. Ferdinand Topacio told reporters they had “intelligence reports” in support of the claim of the Teves camp that DoJ officials tried to influence Marvin Miranda, one of 11 suspects in the killing of Degamo and nine others, into confessing. Armed men stormed the house of Degamo in Pamplona town, Negros Oriental, on 4 March, firing indiscriminately and hitting even those who were there merely to receive aid from the governor. “We are verifying these reports, but rest assured that they come from sources [that] have been reliable in the past,” Topacio said. Ten of the 11 suspects who initially cooperated with authorities recanted their confessions implicating Teves. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla had claimed that P8 million was offered to each of the suspects to retract their confessions. Remulla said the offer to the suspects was made after Miranda was allowed to speak to a lawyer he earlier denied knowing. All 11 accused, including Miranda, had filed motions to quash the information against them, alleging their arrests were unlawful. The most recent suspects to recant were Winrich Esturis, Eugelio Gonyon Jr., John Louie Gonyon, Joric Labrador, and Benjie Rodriguez. They were represented by lawyer Jord Valenton, who said his clients were tortured into confessing that they had taken part in the assassination of Degamo. The post Teves camp flips bribe claim appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DOH verifying rabies outbreak in Ilocos
The Department of Health is verifying reports that cases of rabies in Ilocos region have increased......»»
PCG checking 2 ‘lost’ buoys
Two buoys placed weeks ago in the West Philippine Sea are supposedly missing, which Chinese news agencies reported was the handiwork of their fishermen deliberately removing the floating markers off the Kalayaan Group of Islands. The Philippine Coast Guard on Saturday said it was probing the purported loss of the buoys that were placed within the Philippines’ 220-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone. “Our 8 buoys are intact. But we are verifying reports that two other buoys that were placed in Balagtas and Julian Felipe Reefs were undetectable. It’s still subject to validation. We cannot confirm this at this time, but what we are sure of is that the 8 other buoys are intact,” PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo told reporters. Balilo said the PCG could not yet deploy personnel to check on the two markers due to the inclement weather. “But once the weather improves, we will deploy our vessel to those mentioned areas. This is the first time that we received such a report. But we have to validate it,” he added. Removal impossible On Friday, Balilo told the Daily Tribune that it would be impossible to remove the buoys as all 10 buoys had been placed inside the Philippine EEZ and were well-guarded by PCG personnel. An 18 May report by Beijing-based Sohu.com said: “Under the protection of Chinese coast guard boats, Chinese fishermen fished out all the buoys deployed by the Philippines, which made the Philippine coast guard feel angry and helpless.” Earlier in May, Task Force Kaligtasan sa Karagatan of the PCG reported that it had achieved another milestone in securing the West Philippine Sea after it successfully installed five navigational buoys in critical areas — Patag Island, Balagtas Reef, Kota Island, Panata Island and Juan Felipe Reef — from 10 to 12 May. The post PCG checking 2 ‘lost’ buoys appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Blaze leaves one dead, 2 missing
An early morning fire on Sunday in Sta. Cruz, Manila left one person dead, two missing and at least 1,200 families homeless. Initial reports from the Bureau of Fire Protection disclosed that the fire broke out at around 2:49 a.m. on Oroquieta Street, a residential area near the Recto Station of the Light Rail Transit Line 2. The fire quickly spread to nearby houses, made mostly of light materials. It reached the fifth alarm at around 3:49 a.m. and was declared under control at 6:43 a.m. The fire destroyed an estimated 400 houses and damaged property worth P1.5 million. One person was killed in the fire and two others are still missing, and the BFP said that authorities are still verifying the identity of the fatality and those who are missing. The injured were identified as Danilo Roque who sustained a minor laceration on his left foot; Neil Royo who suffered multiple second-degree burns on different parts of his body; Raquel Baylos who sustained a wound on her left knee and Welma Norbais who suffered a fracture in her left waist. The fire also affected the operation of the LRT-2. The management of the LRT-2 implemented limited operations from Antipolo station to V. Mapa Station from 5 a.m. to 10:56 a.m. to ensure the safety of the riding public. The elevated connecting bridge which serves as link or transfer of passengers from LRT 2 Recto Station to LRT-1 Doroteo Jose Station is at present not passable. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. With Michael Pingol The post Blaze leaves one dead, 2 missing appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Death toll from Philippine ferry fire rises to 28, over 200 rescued
© Provided by Xinhua Authorities are verifying reports that seven more passengers who jumped into the sea are missingMANILA, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from the fire that broke out on a ferry carrying more than 200 people in.....»»
Death toll from Philippine ferry fire rises to 28, over 200 rescued
© Provided by Xinhua Authorities are verifying reports that seven more passengers who jumped into the sea are missingMANILA, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from the fire that broke out on a ferry carrying more than 200 people in.....»»
OWWA verifying if Pinoy among quake dead
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration is verifying reports that a Filipino worker was among the thousands of people killed in the strong earthquake that rocked Turkey and Syria......»»
Chinese ship near Panatag, DND to verify& mdash;Lorenzana
The government is verifying reports of the alleged presence of a Chinese research ship spotted near Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Thursday......»»
CCPO probers explore possible ‘drug links’ in ex-cop’s killing
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Investigators of the killing of a former policeman and his 19-year-old son are looking into alleged possible drug links as the motive of the fatal shooting attack. Police Colonel Josefino Ligan, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) chief, said they were verifying reports of slain former policeman, Ruben Quita, being allegedly involved […] The post CCPO probers explore possible ‘drug links’ in ex-cop’s killing appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
NBI to verify reports on Parojinog ‘illness’
The National Bureau of Investigation is verifying reports that former Ozamiz councilor Ricardo Parojinog had been sick before he was found dead in his cell on Friday, the Department of Justice said yesterday......»»