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Bill seeks review of rules on reckless imprudence
The country’s road safety laws must be reviewed to address the liability of drivers in cases of traffic violations and accidents, a lawmaker from Bukidnon said yesterday, citing the high number of vehicular crashes in Metro Manila......»»
TikTok facing ban in America; penalized $384 million in Europe
The US House of Reps has passed a bill to ban TikTok unless it cuts ties to Communist China. Chinese parent ByteDance must sell TikTok to another nationality in six months or be shut down......»»
Manhunt for US shooter presses on, leaving small town in fear
Thousands of anxious small-town Maine residents began a second day under lockdown Friday as police waging a sprawling manhunt struggled to find a US Army reservist accused of killing 18 people in America’s deadliest mass shooting this year. Dozens of law enforcement agents surrounded the family home of the suspect, Robert Card, 40, but by mid-evening agents left the property in Bowdoin, near Lewiston, Maine, to hunt for him elsewhere. A wide area around Lewiston remained locked down Friday, more than 24 hours after Card allegedly went on a rampage in which 13 people were also wounded. People in Lewiston were on edge, buzzing with talk of Card and the massacre. "Uneasy," said resident Jeremy Hiltz, when asked how he felt. "It's a small community . When something like this happens, everybody knows somebody" affected." Authorities erected roadblocks, ordered schools and businesses closed, and told residents to stay indoors. Governor Janet Mills said the suspect was considered armed and dangerous. Card was seen in surveillance footage pointing a semi-automatic rifle as he walked into the Just-in-Time bowling alley on Wednesday. In early evening, law enforcement agents surrounded the Card family home in Bowdoin, bringing in armored vehicles, and sending up drones and a helicopter. State police warned "please come outside" and "we don't want anyone to get hurt" over a loudspeaker near the home, but later said the warnings were routine and not confirmation that Card was inside. One longtime neighbor, Dave Letarte, said news of the shooting "floored me." "I would have never expected that from him," he told AFP of Card. Joseph Walker, a manager at the Schemengees Bar & Grille, was among those killed Wednesday night, his father, Leroy Walker, told NBC News. Walker said his family was "suffering and dying in a nightmare we don't understand." "We were up all night. We didn't know where to go, who to turn to," he said. Terror at bowling alley One survivor told television reporters that he was 15 feet (5 meters) from the gunman when he opened fire at the bowling alley. He thought at first it was a balloon popping. "And as soon as I turned and saw it was not a balloon and he was holding a weapon, I just booked it down the lane and I slid basically into where the pins are and climbed up into the machine and was on top of the machines for about 10 minutes until the cops got there," he said. Card is a member of the US Army Reserve, but had not been deployed in any combat zone. US media reported that he had recently been sent for psychiatric treatment after he said he was hearing voices. Hundreds of police in military style camouflage gear, as well as FBI agents, flooded the search zone in what Lewiston police chief David St. Pierre called "an all-hands-on-deck approach." Republicans oppose new laws This latest shooting is one of the deadliest in the United States since 2017, when a gunman opened fire on a crowded music festival in Las Vegas, killing 60 people. Mass shootings are common in the United States, a country with more privately owned guns than people, and strong political opposition to even minor restrictions on access. The country has recorded at least 565 mass shootings this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, a nongovernmental organization that defines a mass shooting as four or more people wounded or killed. President Joe Biden called Maine's governor to offer federal support, and ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff at the White House and all government buildings. Biden added that the gun violence that plagues the United States "is not normal, and we cannot accept it," urging lawmakers to pass a bill banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. A Maine Democrat who holds a seat in the US House of Representatives, Jared Golden, flipped on this ban, saying that after the shooting in his state his previous opposition to such a restriction, which is supported by most in his party, was a mistake. "I have opposed efforts to ban deadly weapons of war, like the assault rifle used to carry out this crime," Golden said Thursday. "The time has now come for me to take responsibility for this failure," he added. But in a reminder that Congress will not be considering stronger gun ownership laws anytime soon, the newly installed Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, told Fox News that the reason for so many mass shootings in the United States "is the human heart, not guns." The post Manhunt for US shooter presses on, leaving small town in fear appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hunt for ‘armed and dangerous’ US gunman who killed 18
Hundreds of police in the US state of Maine hunted Thursday for a fugitive gunman who killed 18 people at a bowling alley and a bar, as President Joe Biden mourned "yet another senseless and tragic mass shooting." The rampage in the small northeastern city of Lewiston also left 13 people wounded, three critically, in the deadliest shooting this year in America. A wide area around Lewiston was locked down during the tense search as authorities erected roadblocks, ordered schools and businesses closed, and told residents to stay indoors. Governor Janet Mills said the suspect was "considered armed and dangerous, and police advised that Maine people should not approach him under any circumstances." "This attack strikes at the very heart of who we are and the values we hold dear," Mills told a press conference. "This is a dark day for Maine." Police named the suspect as 40-year-old Robert Card -- seen in surveillance footage pointing a semi-automatic rifle as he walked into the Sparetime Recreation bowling alley. Police converged on the home of Card's father in nearby Bowdoin early Thursday evening, closing off roads. One longtime neighbor, Dave Letarte, said news of the shooting "floored me." "I would have never expected that from him," he told AFP of the younger Card. Joseph Walker, a manager at the Schemengees Bar & Grille, was among those killed the night before, his father Leroy Walker told NBC News. Walker said his family was "suffering and dying in a nightmare we don't understand. "We were up all night. We didn't know where to go, who to turn to," he said. Terror at bowling alley News outlets broadcast footage of people fleeing in terror from the Sparetime Recreation bowling alley after the shooting started Wednesday evening. One survivor told television reporters that he was 15 feet (5 meters) from the gunman when he opened fire. He thought at first it was a balloon popping. "And as soon as I turned and saw it was not a balloon and he was holding a weapon, I just booked it down the lane and I slid basically into where the pins are and climbed up into the machine and was on top of the machines for about 10 minutes until the cops got there," he said. Card is a member of the US Army Reserve. US media reported that he had recently been sent for psychiatric treatment after he said he was hearing voices. Hundreds of police in military-style camouflage gear and FBI agents flooded the search zone in what Lewiston police chief David St. Pierre called "an all-hands-on-deck approach." "We continue to work tirelessly in bringing the situation to an end," he told reporters, vowing "to locate and hold the person accountable." Biden called Maine's governor to offer federal support and ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff at the White House and all government buildings. "Once again, our nation is in mourning after yet another senseless and tragic mass shooting," he said. Biden added that the gun violence that plagues the United States "is not normal, and we cannot accept it," urging lawmakers to pass a bill banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Daily mass shootings Police and rescuers reportedly arrived at the Sparetime Recreation bowling alley at about 7:15 p.m. in response to an active shooter, and then received reports of another shooting at the Schemengees Bar & Grille. In surveillance images of Card at the bowling alley, he appeared calm and composed as he moved through the doorway with his rifle raised. Officers located a "vehicle of interest" -- a white sport utility vehicle -- in Lisbon, a town around eight miles (12 kilometers) from Lewiston. The shooting is one of the deadliest in the US since 2017, when a gunman opened fire on a crowded music festival in Las Vegas, killing 60 people. Mass shootings are alarmingly common in the United States, a country with more guns than people, and attempts to clamp down on their spread are always met with stiff resistance. The country has recorded at least 565 mass shootings this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, a nongovernmental organization that defines a mass shooting as four or more people wounded or killed. Efforts to tighten gun controls routinely run up against opposition from Republicans, staunch defenders of the constitutional right to bear arms. The political paralysis endures despite widespread outrage over recurring shootings. The post Hunt for ‘armed and dangerous’ US gunman who killed 18 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go emphasizes importance of tech-voc in community dev’t
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go expressed his strong support and commendation for the 150 scholars currently enrolled in the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) program in Daet, Camarines Norte. The educational venture was initiated in collaboration with the Philippine Academy of Technical Studies, Inc. (PATS). As part of his support, Go provided them with masks, pens, and shirts on Friday, 20 October, at the MT2 Events Place in Daet, Camarines Norte. Select beneficiaries also received shoes, a cell phone, and balls for basketball and volleyball. In a video message, Go underscored the importance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the country. He said TVET aims to bridge the skills gap and ensure that all Filipinos, regardless of their economic background, have the opportunity to gain relevant and in-demand skills that will allow them to secure gainful employment and contribute to the country's overall economic growth. “The skills and knowledge you have acquired here will be your foundation for success in your chosen field,” said Go. “Your dedication, hard work, and determination have truly paid off, and you stand as shining examples of the power of education and skill development. Through your commitment, you have not only enhanced your own capabilities but also contributed to the growth and progress of our nation,” he added. Go also filed Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2115, which aims to institutionalize TVET as well as livelihood programs for rehabilitated drug dependents. The bill aims to provide skills training to enhance the employability of former drug dependents and allow them to rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities. “Rehabilitation alone is not enough. By institutionalizing technical-vocational education and training programs, we empower rehabilitated drug dependents with skills for a better future," he said. Meanwhile, as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go encouraged those with health concerns to seek the services of the Malasakit Center at the Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital in Daet. Institutionalized in 2019 under Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally authored and sponsored, the Malasakit Center serves as a one-stop shop aimed at helping indigent patients minimize their medical expenses to the lowest amount possible by collaborating with various agencies offering medical assistance programs. “Sa mga pasyente, lapitan niyo lang ang Malasakit Center dahil para ‘to sa inyo. Kung may hospital bill kayo, nandiyan ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na tutulong para mabayaran ito,” said Go. Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, has pushed for various projects in Camarines Norte, including the construction of a flood control structure for the Mabulao River in Daet, and a multi-purpose building for the Camarines Norte State College, among others. The post Bong Go emphasizes importance of tech-voc in community dev’t appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Iran women’s activist Narges Mohammadi wins peace Nobel
The Nobel Peace Prize was on Friday awarded to imprisoned rights campaigner Narges Mohammadi, honored for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran. Mohammadi's award comes after a wave of protests that swept Iran after the death in custody a year ago of a young Iranian Kurd, Mahsa Amini, arrested for violating Iran's strict dress rules for women. Mohammadi, a 51-year-old journalist and activist, has spent much of the past two decades in and out of jail for her campaign against the mandatory hijab for women and the death penalty. She is the vice-president of the Defenders of Human Rights Centre founded by Iranian human rights lawyer Shirin Ebadi, herself a Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 2003. Mohammadi was honored "for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all," said Berit Reiss-Andersen, the head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo. "Her brave struggle has come with tremendous personal costs. Altogether, the regime has arrested her 13 times, convicted her five times, and sentenced her to a total of 31 years in prison and 154 lashes," Reiss-Andersen said in the jury's citation. Speaking to reporters after the announcement, she called for Mohammadi's release. "If the Iranian authorities make the right decision, they will release her. So she can be present to receive this honor, which is what we primarily hope for," she said. The recent protests in Iran "accelerated the process of realizing democracy, freedom, and equality in Iran," a process that is now "irreversible", Mohammadi told AFP last month in a letter written from her prison cell. She and three other women held with her at Tehran's Evin prison burned their hijabs to mark the anniversary of Amini's death on 16 September. Iran is ranked 143rd out of 146 countries on the World Economic Forum's gender equality ranking. Iranian authorities cracked down harshly on last year's "Woman, Life, Freedom" uprising. A total of 551 protesters, including 68 children and 49 women, were killed by security forces, according to Iran Human Rights, and thousands of others were arrested. The movement has since continued in other forms. In what would have been unthinkable a year ago, women now go out in public without the headscarf, in particular in Tehran and other big cities, despite the risks. Wearing the hijab is one of the pillars of the Islamic Republic. Authorities have stepped up controls, using surveillance cameras among other things, and have arrested actresses who post pictures of themselves on social media without the hijab. No prospect of freedom In September, Iran's conservative-dominated parliament announced heavier penalties for women who refuse to wear it. "This year's Peace Prize also recognizes the hundreds of thousands of people who in the preceding year have demonstrated against the theocratic regimes policies of discrimination and oppression targeting women," Reiss-Andersen said. Offenders will face heavy prison sentences if the "Hijab and Chastity" bill is approved by Iran's Guardian Council. Incarcerated this time since November 2021, Mohammadi has not seen her children, who live in France with her husband, for eight years. Considered a "prisoner of conscience" by Amnesty International, she told AFP in her letter that she had "almost no prospect of freedom." The prize comes on the 20th anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Ebadi, who was honored "for her efforts for democracy and human rights", especially those of women and children. This year's prize also symbolically coincides with the 75th anniversary of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 2003, Ebadi defied conservative Iranians by refusing to wear the hijab when she received her prize in Oslo. If she remains behind bars, Mohammadi will not be able to make the trip to Oslo to receive her award, consisting of a diploma, a gold medal, and $1 million, at the annual prize ceremony on December 10. The Peace Prize has on several occasions honored jailed activists, including last year when it went to Ales Bialiatski of Belarus, whose prize was accepted by his wife, and Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo in 2010, whose chair remained empty. The post Iran women’s activist Narges Mohammadi wins peace Nobel appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Better services seen after GCash acquires ECPay
Customers can expect better services from financial service provider Gcash after its parent firm Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. or Mynt acquired 77 percent of Globe Telecom Inc.'s stake in Electronic Commerce Payments Inc. or ECPay for P2.31 billion. In a stock report on Monday, Globe disclosed that ECPay’s minority stakeholder, Payment One, Inc., is also a party to the transaction — effectively making it a full acquisition of ECPay by Mynt. The deal is still subject to regulatory approvals but once it is closed, ECPay will have access to GCash's platform which would translate to easier and more seamless services for users. “Mynt’s digital savviness will spill over to ECPay, maximizing its previously untapped potential. GCash, on the other hand, can further differentiate itself from its competition as mobile wallets in various shapes and sizes continue to pop up," Globe’s Chief Finance Officer, Rizza Maniego-Eala said in the report. "With ECPay in Mynt’s capable hands, Globe can better steer its ventures and synergistically grow the entire Globe Group ecosystem,” she added. Meanwhile, for Globe President and CEO Ernest L. Cu, GCash's "aggressive expansion" presents a "perfect environment for strategic synergies with ECPay." "Mynt’s acquisition of ECPay will enable more efficient and effective sharing of each other’s strengths and resources, thus creating a seamless and upgraded experience for their customers," Cu said. Incorporated in 2001, ECPay is one of the leading electronic payment service providers in the country. It was acquired by Globe in 2019 to enhance its distribution network. The ECPay Platform enables merchant partners to process bill payments, electronic prepaid mobile phone top-up loading, electronic pins, e-wallet and cash card reloading, airline ticket payments, online shopping payments, and credit card payments in their various outlets. Aside from boosting payment services, GCash, through its subsidiary Fuse Lending Inc., is also improving its lending services to its end-users. The recently said it expects to disburse hundred million pesos more loans to Filipinos in need — a move that will uphold digital and financial inclusion nationwide. Since 2016, Fuse has disbursed P100 billion in loans and has helped over 3 million Filipinos achieve their dreams. The post Better services seen after GCash acquires ECPay appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BayaniPay expands North American reach
Backed by an additional funding round of $2.1 million, Filipino-owned financial technology firm BayaniPay is expanding its services in North America to better serve more Asian American immigrants. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, BayaniPay CEO Winston Damarillo said the company will leverage the large concentration of Filipinos in Canada to grow its reach. Filipino immigrants in Canada recorded a population of almost one million in 2021, while Filipino immigrants in the United States or US numbered around 2 million, comprising more than 4 percent out of over 45.3 million US immigrants. “We aim to sustain this momentum and explore new territories. Our commitment towards improving and growing our platform is driven by the desire to make the lives of Filipinos easier, wherever they may be found,” Damarillo said. BayaniPay currently serves customers in California, Hawaii, New Jersey, and Alaska by allowing them to remit funds to their loved ones and make direct payments to service providers in the Philippines. Its platform allows customers to have easy access to a digital checking account, a debit card that maximizes their spending power, zero fee remittance fees, and market-leading forex rates. According to Damarillo, the company will utilize its new funding, which brought the total seed round of BayaniPay to $6.6 million to date, for the planned expansion. BayaniPay previously raised $4.5 million in seed funding, allowing it to scale its product features and explore new territories. During the first half of the year, BayaniPay saw its average transaction value surge to over P100 million per month, a huge jump from only P30.64 million in average transactions last year. Damarillo attributed this to the strong demand for cross-border payment solutions, including remittances as well as bill payments. BayaniPay thus targets to reach P1 billion in total transaction value before the end of the year. “We are on track to meet this milestone, as we continue to acquire more customers each month. The demand for BayaniPay continues to grow as more and more Filipinos see the value and benefit of convenience while allowing them to enjoy zero fees and competitive foreign exchange rates,” Damarillo said. Early this year, BayaniPay, in partnership with BDO Remit USA, launched its Buena Mano Rate program of $1 = P60 forex rate for its first-time remitters, which exponentially increased BayaniPay’s customer acquisition. The Buena Mano Rate program is applicable for up to $500 of every first remittance or first remittance in six months. BayaniPay plans to launch its loyalty program for active users this fourth quarter, which would grant them preferential high forex rates as incentives. As of end-June, BayaniPay recorded a 36-percent growth in new users. It is also strengthening its partnerships with other institutions to further expand its portfolio of services. BayaniPay targets to increase its current 10,000 user base to 100,000 in the next two years. The post BayaniPay expands North American reach appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Empowering Filipinos with inclusive next-generation technology
Over the past decade, the telecom industry has disrupted our lives more than the century that preceded them. The advancement in telecom technology has transformed all industries, with economic fundamentals shifting to adapt to the mobility and digitally connected lifestyle. Indeed there is no limit to what can be connected, the size of the connection, or even the services provided in the connected world. There is no limit to what the connected experience demands. "While we embrace the power of technology, we also recognize the significance of making these advancements accessible to all. Inclusivity is the driving force behind our innovation as we strive to empower individuals and communities with our transformative mobile and broadband solutions," said Evelyn Jimenez, DITO Telecommunity chief commercial officer, at the launch of their latest products DITO Mobile Postpaid FLEXPlans and DITO Home UNLI 5G WIFI. She said the rollout aims to empower all Filipinos and telecommunities by giving them access to affordable high-speed 5G connectivity. DITO is also making its presence felt after OpenSignal, an independent mobile analytics company, awarded DITO multiple noteworthy awards in their latest report: Upload Speed Experience, Availability, Excellent Consistent Quality, and Core Consistent Quality. DITO even dislodged Smart Communications from the top spot in the Excellent Consistent Quality category after scoring a record-breaking 58.8 percent versus Smart's 56.7 percent. Moreover, on Core Consistent Quality, DITO soared to a 79.9 percent rating, knocking-off Globe Telecom, from the top spot, only registered 77.7 percent. Incidentally, DITO's Upload Speed has also risen remarkably, with a score of 5.2Mbps. At the same time, the Availability Award they received recognized DITO for providing a robust and reliable network connection in places where people commonly go, allowing users to access DITO's network and stay connected easily. All these accolades in just their 2nd year of operations are a breakthrough achievement for the people's fave new telco, DITO Telecommunity. Postpaid plan for everyone DITO Mobile Postpaid FLEXPlans, the telco provider's newest mobile service, gives every Filipino a chance to upgrade to postpaid. Customers can choose from affordable and flexible SIM-Only Plans (with a locked-in period of 6 months) or Handset Plans (with a locked-in period of 24 months). For as low as P588 a month, Filipino customers can enjoy the benefits of DITO Mobile Postpaid, such as generous data allocation, data rollover, UNLI all-net calls and texts, premium handset offerings, and a bonus Prime Video subscription for 12 months. For Handset Plans, DITO partnered with Samsung for premium yet affordable phones that customers can choose from. Samsung Galaxy A02 is accessible for all plans, Samsung Galaxy A04 is free for FLEXPlan 888, while Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is free for FLEXPlan 1288. Samsung Galaxy S23 is also available with a corresponding cash-out requisite which can be viewed via this link dito.Ph/postpaid/handsets. Other Samsung handsets will also be available soon. DITO Postpaid plan customers are entitled to other FLEXible mobile service features such as Advance Pay, Mobile Number Portability, and Choose Your Number. Advance Pay allows SIM-Only Plan subscribers to make advance payments for their monthly subscription fees with a discount of up to 40 percent. It would also be good to note that customers can easily use Mobile Number Portability to carry over and keep their favorite Prepaid or Postpaid number as they switch to DITO Postpaid. They may also choose their number or purchase a vanity number for their new DITO postpaid plan. Customers using these features must apply for their DITO Mobile Postpaid FLEXPlans via DITO Experience Stores only for proper handling and servicing. To ensure the convenience of customers, DITO assures a fast and straightforward application process for their postpaid plans. Interested customers may apply for a DITO Mobile Postpaid FLEXPlan through the DITO APP, DITO Experience Stores, and Device Retail Partner Stores nationwide (Rulls, MemoExpress, EC Panda). They need to bring the following: Proof of Identification (at least one valid government ID), Proof of Financial Capacity (For example Certificate of Employment, Credit Card Bill Statement, and the like), Proof of Billing that reflects the Customer's Address, and a selfie (for applications made via the DITO APP). "DITO wants all Filipinos to have equal opportunities to reach their digital aspirations. By introducing our DITO Mobile postpaid offerings, we want to break the notion that postpaid plans are too expensive and reserved for a select few. At DITO, we're proud to say that there's a postpaid plan for everyone," affirmed Jasper Evangelista, DITO director for Brand and Marketing. The post Empowering Filipinos with inclusive next-generation technology appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
RCBC’s card use drives P6-B H1 profit
Universal lender Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., or RCBC, recorded a net income of P6.2 billion in the first half, mostly due to increased credit card transactions. Gross income jumped by 10 percent to P23.5 billion in the first half from the same period last year, with income from credit card transactions surging by 48 percent, the bank reported to the Philippine Stock Exchange said. Bill collections grew 54 percent which RCBC attributed to “personalized and data-driven campaigns.” Loans increased by 14 percent as the bank said consumer and corporate lending “sustained their momentum toward an 18 percent growth.” Meanwhile, total deposits increased by 22 percent, reflecting the 17 percent growth in low-cost current and savings accounts. RCBC attributed the higher savings to its growing number of depositors in “retail and small and medium enterprises outside Metro Manila.” Basic banking via app Through its improved mobile app RCBC Pulz, the bank said clients can avail of its basic banking services and investing products in a more convenient process. “RCBC continues to perform better than the industry as we focus on high-growth segments and equip our people with digital and data science tools,” RCBC president Eugene Acevedo said. Total assets expanded by 17 percent to P1.2 trillion, resulting in a better-annualized return on assets ratio of 1.11 percent. Meanwhile, annualized return on equity improved to 11.1 percent. RCBC said it expects capital ratios to improve by over 300 basis points through the completion of the P27-billion capital infusion from Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. The post RCBC’s card use drives P6-B H1 profit appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Last photos of Amazon murder victims Phillips, Pereira found
The last photos of murdered British journalist Dom Phillips and Brazilian Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira, who disappeared a year ago in the Amazon rainforest, have been found on a cell phone recovered in the jungle. The pictures, shown in a documentary about the men's lives and work that premiered Friday, were taken in the hours before Phillips and Pereira were killed on 5 June 2022 -- a crime that triggered international outcry and drew attention to the lawlessness fueling the destruction of the world's biggest rainforest. Investigators say Phillips, 57, and Pereira, 41, were shot by a group of illegal fishermen in what appeared to be retaliation for Pereira's work fighting environmental crimes in the far-flung Javari Valley Indigenous reservation, in northern Brazil. The pictures were recovered by an Indigenous patrol team that Pereira had trained to protect the reservation from illegal gold miners, loggers and poachers. The patrol from Indigenous-rights group UNIVAJA, which played a crucial role in helping the authorities find the men's remains, continued searching for clues in the region in the months after the double murder. The documentary, produced by streaming service Globoplay, shows the search team using a metal detector to sweep the area where the remains were found, which had been covered in water during the rainy season. Working painstakingly in the muck, they managed to dig up Phillips's notebooks and press card, then found Pereira's phone -- potentially a key piece of evidence. The mud-encrusted phone, recovered in October, was given to forensics experts to extract the images and data. The last picture, taken the morning the men were killed, shows Phillips sitting in a small boat on the Itaquai river, one of the brown waterways that snake across the region, speaking with a local resident near shore. There are also videos of one of the three suspects currently on trial in the case, local fisherman Amarildo "Pelado" Costa de Oliveira, crossing paths with Phillips and Pereira as he traveled down the river. Indigenous patrol members said Oliveira had threatened them a day before the killing. Pereira had received repeated death threats for his work. UNIVAJA leaders said they hoped the images would help bring justice to the case. The post Last photos of Amazon murder victims Phillips, Pereira found appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Survey: TM most used mobile brand nationwide
Globe's value brand TM has emerged as the most used mobile brand among Filipinos nationwide, capturing 30 percent of respondents, according to a recent Social Weather Stations survey. The survey was conducted from 26-29 March this year using face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adults nationwide. There were 300 respondents each in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao who were allowed to mention more than one network provider. Results revealed that 48 percent of users in Mindanao favored the brand, 31 percent in Luzon, and 19 percent share of the mobile phone user market in the Visayas. TM also led both urban and rural areas with 27 percent and 36 percent, respectively. "We are delighted to see that TM has become Filipinos' most preferred mobile brand nationwide. It is a testament to our commitment to providing reliable and affordable mobile services to our customers. We want to thank our subscribers for their continued trust and support, and we will continue to innovate and improve our services to meet their evolving needs and exceed their expectations," said Darius Delgado, Head of Globe's Consumer Mobile Business. Meanwhile, Globe was the top choice in the National Capital Region cornering 34 percent of respondents. It was the second most commonly used mobile brand in Luzon, with 30 percent. Additionally, Globe was the second most used in urban areas with 25 percent. About 23 percent of cellphone users in rural areas also preferred the brand. At the time of the survey, an estimated 73 percent of adult Filipinos responded that they owned at least one cell phone. Among cell phone owners, 80 percent said they use one SIM card, 18 percent use two SIM cards, and 1 percent use either three or four SIM cards. Mobile phone ownership peaked at 85 percent in December 2013, from only 2-3 percent from 1995 to 1999. It went on a generally downward trend from March 2014 to December 2021, reaching as low as 57 percent before rising to a 72 percent to 85 percent range from April 2022 to March 2023. Globe and TM continuously work towards providing an enhanced customer experience through a combination of better content, reasonable offers, attractive promos, responsive customer service, and a significantly improved network. Both brands are committed to further deepening their customer relationship by introducing new services responsive to their needs. The post Survey: TM most used mobile brand nationwide appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Alert notices blasted as SIM deadline nears
Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc. has tapped the Emergency Cell Broadcast or ECB system used during disasters to send out urgent reminders to subscribers who have yet to register their SIM cards as the deadline draws nearer. Globe said Monday it utilized the ECB as a component of network management and implemented the emergency blast within “acceptable parameters.” The telco player made assurances that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, which usually uses the ECB system, did not object to its use of the system. Blast warnings The NDRRMC and other relevant government agencies are allowed to use the telco network system to blast warnings during disasters and emergencies under the Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act. “We are at a critical time as the deadline draws near, and we want to ensure that our customers are compliant with the law to avoid SIM deactivation. This way, they will continue to enjoy our call, text, and data services for their day-to-day needs,” said Globe Group president and CEO Ernest Cu. Nationwide subscribers As of 21 April, only 78.6 million of the total 165 million recorded nationwide subscribers have registered their SIM cards. Despite calls to extend the deadline, the Department of Information and Communications Technology maintained that it will stick to the original schedule. DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said only around 100 to 120 million subscribers are expected to register their identities; adding that a big portion of the 165 million recorded users nationwide are “really just SIM cards that were bundled and thrown away.” Under the implementing rules and regulations of the SIM Registration Act, users have until 26 April to register their cards or else their SIMs will be deactivated. The DICT, meanwhile, has the prerogative to extend the SIM Registration process for another 120 days. A deactivated SIM card can potentially affect several aspects of a person’s life. For instance, it will cut their access to online banks, e-commerce, transportation, healthcare, education, and entertainment, among others. The post Alert notices blasted as SIM deadline nears appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Why take over all SIM cards?
A Subscriber Identity Module is, per se, unique to the user. With RA 11934 making SIM registration mandatory, is there foolproof protection left against privacy, identity theft, hackers, and scammers when a “ghost” other than the user gains access to a lot of information and data stored in it? There is neither empirical evidence nor robust studies to validate how mandatory registration lowers crime rates or helps in crime detection. What if those behind surveillance systems render rich businessmen, investors and captains of industry easy prey since a broad range of financial transactions could be tracked or in the case of political activists, red-tagging be made systematically worse? With the explosion of technologies that flattens the world and where knowledge and resources are connecting all over the planet as never before, we should benefit from all it has to offer. In our geopolitical milieu, it has hardly made any headway as a “force for good — for business, the environment and people everywhere” precisely because the bureaucratic norm appears to purposely digress from where globalization is about to take us. The officialdom’s rather “damaged psyche” has made top bureaucrats repressive to the point Congress has even legislated against the open and uninterrupted use of electronic gadgets to keep connected with the world or with every man on earth. The ruling class in our midst wants to “deactivate” our connectedness unto one another unless we have registered our SIMs. Our policymakers should return to the old order some 40 years ago and stick their lives with it as they have proved to be an anachronism of our modernizing times. The SIM card registration issue is short of an invasive approach to police the range and whole breadth of our connectedness where the rest of humankind benefits. Government meddles in all our affairs even as it lacks the agency to run after those using technologies for crime-related activities. Worse, what if an enforcement job is transformed into a profitable cottage industry? Just when the “cost of communication is falling towards zero,” regulatory operatives are reposed with duties too vulnerable to abuse. What the present and past dispensations have done — and they are good at it — is to take us back to the “unflat world.” In so doing, have they not become the new “identity thieves, hackers and scammers” with full access to our financial accounts and over our private and public affairs? It’s like burning the house to get rid of the rat. We must find instructive what Winston Churchill said: “To build may have to be the slow and laborious task of years. To destroy could be the thoughtless act of a single day.” What metrics could have led police or crime-detection officials to equate cell phones with guns? The state requires permits from everyone rather than applies the whip to criminal-specific targets undertaking their unlawful tradecraft with the use of loose SIMs. In no time, the next public signs might read from “No guns allowed” to “No cellphones allowed” in banks, corporate boardrooms and conferences — out of fear of fictional crimes. Our police operatives, policymakers and bureaucrats are way behind tech-wise to even regulate, apply fines and penalties, and exert censorship on global technology. What if our regulatory agents block SMS messages on our cellphones on the unfounded suspicion that some of us are communists, destabilizers, or influential critics as they did in China after the infamous Tiananmen Square massacre on 4 June 1989 when government censors were blocking messages using jamming technology? The absence of legal safeguards to protect against abuse matters. That’s when it creates a chilling effect on people’s rights under pain of systematic suppression. It is therefore the proper subject of judicial oversight given the inherent dangers of a broad-spectrum access to subscriber’s data on all fronts. Absent a comprehensive data protection infrastructure to protect the personal details and data of subscribers — unique to them — this disconcerting policy has to be assailed. The post Why take over all SIM cards? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
2 days to go, Globe says it’s `critical time’ for SIM registration
Ayala-led Globe Telecom, Inc. has tapped the Emergency Cell Broadcast or ECB system used during disasters to send out urgent reminders to subscribers who have yet to register their SIM cards as the deadline draws nearer. Globe said Monday it utilized the ECB as a component of network management and implemented the emergency blast within "acceptable parameters." The telco player, however, assured that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, which usually uses the ECB system, did not object to its use of the system. The NDRRMC and other relevant government agencies are allowed to use the telco network system to blast warnings during disasters and emergencies under the Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act. "We are at a critical time as the deadline draws near, and we want to ensure that our customers are compliant with the law to avoid SIM deactivation. This way, they will continue to enjoy our call, text, and data services for their day-to-day needs," said Globe Group President and CEO Ernest Cu. As of 21 April, only 78.6 million of the total 165 million recorded nationwide subscribers have registered their SIM cards. Despite calls to extend the deadline, the Department of Information and Communications Technology maintained that it will stick to the original schedule. DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said only around 100 to 120 million subscribers are expected to register their identities; adding that a big portion of the 165 million recorded users nationwide are "really just SIM cards that were bundled and thrown away." Under the implementing rules and regulations of the SIM Registration Act, users have until 26 April to register their cards or else their SIMs will be deactivated. The DICT, meanwhile, has the prerogative to extend the SIM Registration process for another 120 days. A deactivated SIM card can potentially affect several aspects of a person’s life. For instance, it will cut their access to online banks, e-commerce, transportation, healthcare, education, and entertainment, among others. The post 2 days to go, Globe says it’s `critical time’ for SIM registration appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
To extend or not
A lot of credit card users have been getting text and personal messages urging them to register their cards in line with Republic Act 11934, otherwise known as the Subscriber Identity Module or SIM Registration Act. RA 11934 mandates the registration of SIM cards used by smartphone owners with their respective telecommunication service providers in a bid to stop the use of such phones in criminal activities like scams. The 180-day period by which SIM cards may be registered started on 27 December 2022 and would end on 26 April, a period which the Department of Information and Communications Technology may extend for 120 days. How about that? A measure intended to stop the use of SIM cards for criminal activities like scams is now being used as a false story precisely to con credit card users into giving away their card information to scammers. The peg of the scammers who have been sending the phishing messages is that since credit cards have chips like smartphone SIMs, then the credit cards, too, must be registered. This, of course, is not true as the SIM card law covers only SIMs issued by telcos for smart communication devices like phones. RA 11934, contrary to the con artists’ pitch, does not apply to credit cards. For those who fell or would fall for the ruse, they’d be registering their credit cards for sure with scammers who would use the info to bill or charge purchases on the cards of their victims illegally. Their cards would surely be maxed by those criminals to the last centavo of their credit limit. Beware! Con artists are always on the prowl and are constantly looking for ways to dupe people, so the public must always be on guard whenever going online or being prompted to provide personal information. This brings us to the issue of whether the government should extend the SIM card registration past its 26 April 2023 deadline as proposed by telecommunication players and by no less than the Department of Trade and Industry. Certainly, there is merit to extending the deadline that the government, specifically the DICT, should consider. The law itself, RA 11934, provides an extension period of 120 days for the registration of SIMs so there should be no problem if the DICT would use the same. As the saying goes, haste makes waste and what’s 120 days more to register SIMs if only to not leave hanging those who could not register their SIMs on account of not having the required documents like nationally recognized identification, or ID, cards? The National ID system’s rollout has proven to be problematic, and this alone should be considered by decision-makers in considering the SIM registration extension. Or maybe, as DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said the other day, that they’d meet today to decide on the extension (it need not be the maximum 120 days) and the possible use of other IDs, like utility bills and voters’ cards, in registering SIMs. For Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, it’s a “major concern” if not all SIM cards are registered and not validated, thereby their owners’ reliance on e-payments and other e-transactions would be thrown in disarray in a world fast-embracing digitalization. The flip side of the coin for the DICT, if it would decide not to extend the deadline, is the assumption that of the 168 million SIMs in circulation, only 100 million are active. Of the active SIMs, Uy said 78 to 79 million had already been registered, or a nearly 80 percent compliance rate with RA 11934. At that rate, it may already be posited that those who are interested in registering their SIMs have already done so and the remaining 20 percent may be people who really have no intention of registering their SIMs for one reason or another. Maybe because those SIMs are being used to scam people? In all this, it should not be forgotten that past the deadline, anyone who wants to register a SIM may do so. It’s not like past the 26 April 2023 deadline, no new SIMS may be registered. Those who missed registering their old SIMs, for whatever reasons, may just acquire new ones. The post To extend or not appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
UBX integrates power digital payments
UnionBank of the Philippines’ UBX is powering the digital payments of retail electricity producer Aboitiz Power Corporation to speed up the way money moves by integrating digital payments to provide customers of the latters’ distribution utilities greater convenience. “UBX and AP share a steadfast commitment to promoting inclusion by providing wider access to services — be it finance or power. Our partnership, which leverages UBX’s open finance technology, brings this goal forward and provides customers the value of greater convenience,” UBX managing director for Open Finance Jaime Garchitorena said. Under the agreement, AboitizPower will integrate BUx, an all-in-one payment solution platform developed by UBX, into its mobile application, MobileAP. The app is available for subscribers of AP distribution utilities such as Visayan Electric Company, Davao Light and Power Company, Cotabato Light and Power Company, and the Subic and Lima EnerZones. Through this integration, customers can pay their electricity bills online, providing greater convenience by removing the long process of heading to service centers to settle their monthly dues. Moreover, MobileAP empowers customers to remotely check their electricity bill for the past 12 months without going to outposts to check their status or waiting for the physical copy via mail. As an all-in-one payment solution, BUx unifies everything about payment collection channels into one platform: from card payments, online banking or bank transfers, and over-the-counter payments to e-wallets. With BUx, businesses can track all their transactions through real-time updates and notifications of credited funds through its best-in-class merchant dashboard. “The future of our economy lies in digital payments. No less, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas made it a mission to have 70 percent of Filipino adults involved in the financial system by transforming 50 percent of the total volume of retail payments into digital. By collaborating with different industry players, we are helping the government achieve that goal,” Garchitorena added. For download for both Apple and iOS devices, users can assess their power consumption and its monetary value through a chart tailored to their profile. They can download a PDF copy of their records with AP and manage multiple accounts in a single app. MobileAP also features additional functions such as multiple DU registration, notifications and advisories, payment and consumption monitoring, payment center and service center look-up, and more to come, such as outage reporting. The post UBX integrates power digital payments appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Eagles-Archers rematch highlights packed Saturday bill
Ateneo and La Salle lock horns once again in a pivotal clash while leaders University of the Philippines and National U attempt to hold fort when they face separate foes in a packed UAAP Season 85 card today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum......»»
EDITORIAL - Accuracy in SIM card registration
People sick of digital scammers and pesky ads on their cell phones will be happy to see an end to these messages, and the perpetrators brought to justice. A new law requiring the registration of all SIM or subscriber identity module cards is meant to deter phishing, smishing, troll attacks and other forms of cyber crimes using cell phones......»»
Marcos to sign mandatory SIM card registration bill into law on Monday
The law will make SIM card registration information like full names and addresses available when ordered by a court or requested in writing by law enforcement agencies......»»