GAB chief bucks escalation of NCR alert system to Level 2
MANILA - Games and Amusements Board (GAB) chairman Baham Mitra said he does not prefer putting Metro Manila back under Alert Level 2 despite an uptick in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in the province.Mitra, the former Palawan governor, said bringing back some stringent Covid-19 measures in Metro Manila could drastically stop the momentum of seeing pro.....»»
PSA-7: Report to us if PhilSys ID not accepted
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Statistics Authority in Central Visayas (PSA-7) urged Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) ID holders to report to the agency if some entities do not accept their IDs. PSA-7 chief administrative officer of Edwina Carriaga told CDN Digital in a phone interview that the agency is urging PhilSys ID (National ID).....»»
Mysterious Illness Killing Dogs in Lower 48: The Daily Guardian Reports Alaskas Chief Veterinarians Notice
Title: Mysterious Respiratory Illness Affecting Dogs in U.S. States, Alaska on High Alert The Daily Guardian- A mysterious respiratory illness, similar to kennel cough, has.....»»
BI says ready for Undas travel influx
The Bureau of Immigration said it will have sufficient manpower at airports to handle the increase in travelers during the All Souls' Day and All Saints' Day break. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that BI personnel deployed in all major international airports remain sufficient to cater to the needs of the travelling public. As previously practiced, officers are disallowed from going on vacation leaves during the peak season. Apart from the new immigration officers, augmentation teams have been assigned and mobile counters are ready for deployment as needed, said the BI chief. The BI is forecasting 4 million arrivals for the entire 2023 fourth quarter. From October to December, the BI also anticipates 3.8 million departures -- numbers that are close to pre-pandemic figures. “We have implemented numerous changes in our systems to cater to the resumption of international travel after the pandemic,” said Tangsingco. Prior to the pandemic, passenger volume at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport increased by an average of 6 to 10 percent. Tansingco reminded the public to arrive at the airports at least three hours prior to their flight and proceed directly to the immigration area for clearance after check-in. All BI officers in all airports are likewise placed on heightened alert. “I have ordered all terminal heads to conduct close monitoring of our operations in the coming weeks to ensure smooth processing,” said Tansingco. The post BI says ready for Undas travel influx appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
QC school bomb threat a hoax — QCPD chief
Anti-cybercrime operatives of the Quezon City Police District are now digging deep into the identities of those who threatened to bomb the San Francisco National High School early Monday morning. QCPD Director P/Brig. Gen. Red Maranan said that those who would be found liable for making the threat would surely go to jail because Presidential Decree No. 1727 penalizes "malicious dissemination of false information or the willful making of any threat concerning bombs, explosives or any similar device or means of destruction." Maranan told the Daily Tribune that this came after a teacher noticed a Facebook account, posted a bomb threat at 6:23 a.m., prompting school officials to alert the police. Another person sought the assistance of the QCPD and requested an explosive ordnance disposal team to conduct the operation. Maranan immediately dispatched the concerned units. Morning classes in the said school were suspended for the day following the threat. Maranan added that the threat turned out to be a hoax after their bomb squad cleared the school premises of explosive materials 'Kinakasuhan talaga natin yum mga ganyan at ikinukulong," Maranan said, as he vowed that the anti-cybercrime group will have the identities of the perpetrator in due time. The post QC school bomb threat a hoax — QCPD chief appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phivolcs: Slim chance for Mayon to exhibit explosive eruption
There’s a slim chance that Mayon Volcano will exhibit an explosive eruption despite being categorized in “relatively high unrest” status, the chief of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Friday. “The parameters we are observing now are not too elevated, compared to the parameters observed in July and August," Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said in an interview over the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing. However, Bacolcol said Mayon still exhibiting an effusive eruption, with the lava flows have maintained their advances to approximately 3.4 kilometers in Bonga (southeastern), 2.8 kilometers in Mi-isi (south), and 1.1 kilometers in Basud (eastern) gullies. The Phivolcs expect this Mayon’s effusive eruption to continue for several weeks or more, he added. Alert Level 3 has been maintained in the Albay province’s Mayon since June, which means that a relatively high level of unrest and hazardous eruption within weeks or even days are possible. Bacolcol said they are monitoring two factors to consider before lowering the volcano to Alert Level 2; when the flow of lava and occurrence of pyroclastic density current would stop. As of Friday, Phivolcs logged 18 volcanic earthquakes, 95 rockfall events, and 3 PDC events. Meanwhile, Bacolcol said volcanic smog or vog is also unlikely in Mayon, because of the low volume of sulfur dioxide emission. Mayon emitted an average of 761 tonnes of volcanic SO2 per day on 28 September. "This is not as huge compared to the S02 emission in Taal in the Batangas province. Mayon's S02 emission could be dispersed easily," he said. He added that continuous rainfall may result in lahars and sediment-laden streamflows in channels where PDC deposits were emplaced. Entering the Mayon's 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone remains prohibited due to the danger of PDCs, lava flows, rockfalls, and other volcanic hazards. Increased vigilance against PDCs, lahars, and sediment-laden streamflows along channels draining the edifice is also advised. The post Phivolcs: Slim chance for Mayon to exhibit explosive eruption appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
On WPS conflict, ‘Trillanes cut deals’
Amid the guessing game started by China on who the unnamed President was who promised to remove the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile has pointed to a former senator as the culprit. “I haven’t heard from previous presidents that they promised to remove the Sierra Madre, but what I know is that the late President Benigno Aquino III did some backchanneling, and his backdoor agent was former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV,” Enrile said. He added: “Trillanes bypassed then Ambassador Sonia Brady in negotiating with China, and his only credential was he rode in a Philippine Navy boat when he was in the military service.” “The subject of the backchanneling was the Scarborough Shoal standoff, but Trillanes was deceived by the Chinese. The Philippine vessels withdrew from the area of the deadlock, but China stayed put,” he recalled. 2012 Senate skirmish Then-senator Enrile and Trillanes had a confrontation in September 2012 over the government’s covert negotiations with China that Aquino had assigned to Trillanes. In a face-off on the Senate floor, Enrile produced the so-called Brady notes, a report on the discussions between the ambassador and Trillanes on the backchanneling mission. During his several engagements with Chinese officials, Enrile quoted the Brady notes as saying that Trillanes indicated that Filipinos needed more interest in the conflicting claims in the region. Enrile said the Brady notes stated that Aquino was not made fully aware of the details of Trillanes’s actions, and there was a point when the President did not know the talks were suspended for two weeks and that Trillanes was acting on his own. “And for whom? Whose interest was he serving?” Enrile asked. While admitting that it was the prerogative of Aquino as Commander-in-Chief to resort to backchannel talks, designating Trillanes was a huge mistake, he said. “Trillanes should have been discreet, and he should have brought along an embassy representative to record the event. Trillanes thought he was James Bond. That should not have been allowed,” Enrile said. “A person entrusted by the President with a mission must first exercise discretion. When you go to a country to deal with a foreign power, you must notify the embassy,” he said. “Trillanes should have notified the embassy to alert them that he was there on a mission, and he should have brought along at least one responsible official,” he added. He continued: “Everybody should have known that international law already provided the way to settle the dispute, which was the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, but which China did not respect.” “China based its claims not on international law but on its might. We should have a counter-balancing force,” according to Enrile. “We should not rely solely on the assistance of other nations; we should keep building up our military assets.” “We should also be prepared, and one way to do that is to require all young Filipinos to undergo training to defend the country.” “Only Filipinos can fight for their country; nobody else can do the fighting for you,” Enrile stressed. False narrative Meanwhile, China was accused of using deception in its sea maneuvers when it tried to block a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal on 7 September. Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson, Col. Medel Aguilar, at the weekly Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, said the Philippine Navy offered to help a Chinese rubber boat in distress near Ayungin Shoal. “Our troops offered assistance, but the Chinese refused and another boat came to their rescue,” Aguilar said. He said one of the Chinese rigid hull inflatable boats had gotten entangled in a fishing line while it was tailing the Philippine vessels heading to Ayungin to resupply the troops there. Aguilar said that while the Chinese boat’s refusal to accept aid from Philippine forces was expected, what surprised the troops was Beijing’s radio call where they blamed the Filipinos for the incident. “They had the guts to challenge our radio message. ‘Philippine Coast Guard, because of your maneuvers, the Chinese Coast Guard vessel came into problem,’” he quoted the Chinese as saying. Aguilar said this was another narrative the Chinese would tell their people. “After this incident, they will come up with their narrative to tell their people about what happened,” Aguilar said. “We don’t want the truth to be drowned out by what really happened,” he added. Misplaced bullying Aguilar described the China Coast Guard’s behavior as “misplaced bullying” amid its continued aggression in Philippine territorial waters. “The CCG is a misplaced bully in the WPS,” Aguilar said. Meanwhile, Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson, said several CCG ships and maritime militia vessels tried to block the Philippine vessels and stop the resupply mission. “It is very important for the government, for us, to be more transparent about what is happening in the West Philippine Sea,” he said. “We face the media; we give them the true story. The media will play a very important role in curtailing this fake news that spreads every time the Chinese release their narratives.” He said China has been pushing the narrative that the Philippines is acting on behalf of the United States. Ayungin Shoal, which is part of the Kalayaan island group, is an integral part of the Philippines and is well within its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, over which the country has sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction. The BRP Sierra Madre has been grounded on Ayungin Shoal since 1999, where it stands as a symbol of Philippine sovereignty and on which a dozen Filipino Marines and sailors are holding the fort. The post On WPS conflict, ‘Trillanes cut deals’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hong Kong flooded by heaviest rainfall in 140 years
Hong Kong was flooded by the heaviest rainfall in nearly 140 years on Friday, leaving the city's streets and some subway stations under water and forcing its schools to close. Just across the border, authorities in China's tech hub Shenzhen recorded the heaviest rains since records began in 1952. Climate change has increased the intensity of tropical storms, experts say, with more rain and stronger gusts leading to flash floods and coastal damage. The heavy rains in Hong Kong started on Thursday and in the hour leading up to midnight, the city's weather observatory recorded hourly rainfall of 158.1 millimeters at its headquarters, the highest since records began in 1884. On Friday afternoon, the Hospital Authority said at least 110 people were hospitalized due to injuries, with four in serious condition. A man was found unconscious off the shore of western Hong Kong Island and declared dead at the hospital, though authorities were still investigating if the death was flood-related. The city's highest rainstorm warning level, "black", was hoisted for a record-breaking 16 hours before being lowered at 3:40 pm Friday, with rainfall mostly easing by late afternoon. "It's absolutely shocking," said Jacky, 52, who lives in the Wong Tai Sin district with his elderly parents. "I don't remember floods ever being this bad in our district." "The bottom floor of the mall is completely flooded, the water level is higher than the storefronts... it's turned our day into chaos," he added. Authorities issued flash flood warnings, with emergency services conducting rescue operations in parts of the territory. "Residents living in close proximity to rivers should stay alert to weather conditions and should consider evacuation" if their homes are flooded, the observatory said. It also warned of potential landslips, telling motorists to "keep away from steep slopes or retaining walls". Hong Kong's stock exchange cancelled all trading sessions on Friday. 'Once in a century' Hong Kong Chief Secretary Eric Chan described the deluge as "a once-in-a-century heavy rainstorm", adding that extreme conditions would continue until midnight local time (1600 GMT). "It's like putting four bathtubs of water into one bathtub... it will spill," Chan said at a press conference, when asked if the government had done enough to prevent flooding. The Hong Kong Observatory said it recorded more than 600 millimeters of rainfall at its headquarters over 24 hours -- roughly a quarter of the city's annual average. Earlier in the day, taxis struggled through flooded roads as commuters attempted to make their way to work, with some cars stranded in the deluge. "It felt like the whole neighborhood was isolated by the floodwater. One of the underground car parks is totally under water," Olivia Lam, who lives on the eastern side of Hong Kong Island, told AFP. "The water was almost waist-deep outside my building, and that's not the worst (case) in the neighborhood." An AFP reporter saw boulders and mud from a landslide block off a two-lane road in the Shau Kei Wan district, with mud also spilling over into a nearby basketball court. Residents of a public housing block just 30 meters from the landslide lined up with buckets to collect fresh water after the building's supply was disrupted. Roads were also flooded on the island of Lantau, where rivers swelled over their banks. Southern China was hit the previous weekend by two typhoons in quick succession -- Saola and Haikui -- though Hong Kong avoided a feared direct hit. Tens of millions of people in the densely populated coastal areas of southern China had sheltered indoors ahead of those storms. Hong Kong's weather observatory said the latest torrential rain was brought by the "trough of low pressure associated with (the) remnant of Haikui". Authorities suspended schools and cargo clearance services on the city's border with Shenzhen were paused. The border disruption came hours after Hong Kong authorities announced that Shenzhen was preparing to discharge water from its reservoir, which they said could lead to flooding in northern parts of the city. Hong Kong's subway operator said there was a service disruption on one of its lines after a station in the Wong Tai Sin district was flooded. A handful of other stations were also affected by the rain. Footage posted on social media showed a subway train not stopping at Wong Tai Sin station, which had floodwater on its platform. The flooding could cost Hong Kong at least $100 million, according to a Bloomberg Intelligence estimate, compared to $470 million in damage when the city was hit by typhoon Mangkhut in 2018. The post Hong Kong flooded by heaviest rainfall in 140 years appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
QC orders localized class suspension
The Quezon City government early morning Monday left the discretion of suspending classes due to continuous rain to barangay and school officials , Angelbert Apostol, the city information chief, announced. Those who immediately ordered the suspension of classes are Barangay Holy Spirit for its (Public Pre-school to Senior High School — Morning and Afternoon Class); Barangay Bagong Silangan (Public Pre-school to Senior High School) and Barangay Payatas (Public Pre-school to Senior High School). Apostol said the discretion is allowed through Memorandum Circular No. 10-A series of 2022 under the Department of Education Order 037 series of 2022. Suspension of classes in private schools, on the other hand, is left to the discretion of school officials. Apostol added that decision to suspend classes is left to the barangay for having their own “pre-disaster risk assessment” in consultation with school officials. Over a year ago exactly on 22 August 2022, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte issued a Memorandum Circular No. 10 instructing the local School Division Office and Public and Private Education Institutions to adhere to Localized Suspension of Classes due to typhoons, floodings and other weather disturbances and calamities. The circular noted an “automatic suspension classes” based on Department of Education 014 Series of 202, that dictated “classes shall automatically be suspended in case the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has declared the following typhoon signal: Signal Number 1 — all public and private pre-school kindergarten classes; Signal Number 2 or higher — public and private pre-school kindergarten elementary and secondary classes. College and university level classes are suspended if the typhoon signal is raised to Number 3, pursuant to Commission on Higher Education Memorandum Order No. 15 Series of 2019 ordering an automatic suspension of classes on Higher Education Institutions when Signal Number 3 is raised by PAGASA. It also carries an order that suspension of work in public schools “shall be in accordance with DepEd Order No. 14 Series of 2021 and CHEd Memorandum Order No.15 Series of 2012 for HEIs.” Meanwhile, the cities of Parañaque and Pasay yesterday suspended classes in all levels in public and private schools due to inclement weather. Parañaque City Mayor Eric Olivarez ordered the suspension in all levels both in public and private schools upon the recommendation of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. The mayor said the recommendation of suspension of classes by the DRRMO was due to the continuous southwest monsoon rains enhanced by typhoon “Hanna.” Residents were told, especially those living in low-lying areas, to immediately call the city government in case of emergencies through its hotline numbers. (For landline: 8820-PQUE (7783), for Smart : 0961-096-6341 and for Globe users at 0956-394-0176.) All residents were advised by the mayor to just stay home for their safety. Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano also suspended online and face-to-face classes in all levels both in public and private schools. The mayor advised residents living in flood-prone areas to be alert and vigilant as rains continue to pour. The post QC orders localized class suspension appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Store thefts stoke shopping fear
A sharp rise in store thefts and threats of harm from thieves across the United States in the last few months have raised fears among shoppers. Some shops have begun locking up basic items like toothpaste, deodorant and tissues behind transparent doors. “It has to stop and the only way to get things done is if people start getting involved,” Ann McGee, a New Yorker from the borough of Queens, said. “It’s time to rally — I want to start a class action.” McGee is behind a recent petition denouncing the insecurity caused by rising retail theft — sometimes by thieves operating in groups and threatening anyone near them with violence — in her neighborhood. The drugstore chain CVS was targeted in June by McGee’s petition, which she also sent to her local councilman, Democrat Robert Holden. Holden reached out to CVS chief executive Karen Lynch to denounce what he called “rampant retail theft” in four of its stores and the lack of action by the company to alert the police. “Failing to report retail theft constitutes a dereliction of duty and poses serious consequences,” Holden wrote in a letter to Lynch. “It inadvertently incentivizes criminals to continue their unlawful activities while putting CVS staff and consumers in unnecessary danger,” he added. Holden’s office told Agence France-Presse that he received a response from CVS’s head of security, who pledged that all incidents would be reported to the police from now on. But on the ground “nothing has changed,” when it comes to security, according to McGee. “Everything is all locked up, it’s horrible. I feel like a criminal. I don’t like shopping like this,” the mother of four added. “The other day, I went to CVS to buy some air freshener to put in my car. Everything was locked up,” she continued. “I didn’t buy it, I didn’t want to wait for an attendant just for that.” In response to the recent rise in crime, McGee now shops in upstate New York where “it’s very, very secure and very safe.” WITH AFP The post Store thefts stoke shopping fear appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DSWD on high alert status amid ‘Goring’
The Department of Social Welfare and Development on Sunday said its Field Office-2 (Cagayan Valley) continued to be on high alert status as Typhoon "Goring" intensified into a super typhoon, bringing heavy rains over the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the latest report from Cagayan Valley Regional Director Lucia Alan indicated that 367 families or 1,219 individuals from 24 barangays in the two provinces were affected by ST Goring. “Of this number, 138 families or 468 individuals were displaced. There are also 26 open evacuation centers sheltering affected families in the whole Cagayan Valley Region,” Alan told the DSWD chief. Alan said the evacuees were mostly individuals residing in coastal areas. “We continue to be vigilant and on high alert status to extend assistance to the LGUs, “ Alan reported to Secretary Gatchalian. As of Saturday (26 August), more than 70,000 family food packs (FFPs) have been made available by the Cagayan Valley Field Office with over 40,000 already prepositioned to the LGUs, especially in coastal towns. As the typhoon continues to batter the region, Alan said the field office (FO) has not received reports of casualties, damaged houses, or stranded individuals, as of press time. The DSWD FO-2 has earlier prepositioned a total of 9,778 FFPs in the island province of Batanes broken down as follows: Basco (1,306 FFPs); Itbayat (1,322); Ivana (1,100); Mahatao (1,094); Sabtang (1,203); and Uyugan (1,167) for a total of 7,700 FFPs. An additional 2,078 food packs were also sent to the Batanes provincial capitol. Alan on Friday (25 August) reported to the Disaster Response and Management Group (DRMG) that FO-2 has also prepositioned FFPs to Isabela province coastal municipalities of Divilacan with 1,000 boxes of FFPs; Maconacon with 154; and Palanan with 500. “For Calayan Island, we have prepositioned 2,900 FFPs while 150 FFPs were sent to Barangay Fuga of Aparri, Cagayan. An additional 1,246 food packs were also sent (by) boat to Isabela province,” Alan reported. Gatchalian on Thursday (24 August) ordered concerned DSWD regional directors to beef up their stockpile of food packs in anticipation of TS Goring. The post DSWD on high alert status amid ‘Goring’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cagayan braces for ‘Goring’
BAGUIO CITY — The Cagayan Valley Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Friday disclosed that the province is on red alert status amid the possible threat of typhoon “Goring.” The CVRDRRMC — through the Memorandum Order 86 series of 2023 — is solidifying preparations in anticipation of the effects of the new weather disturbance. Local DRRM offices were also directed to conduct heightened monitoring in their respective Areas of Responsibility and strictly implement the “no sailing, fishing and swimming” policy in their AORs. All Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils were directed to submit reposts of their preparedness measures and incident monitoring while those who are in the areas not directly affected or are not affected at all are also advised to organize Humanitarian Assistance at Disaster Response Teams ready to extend assistance to the people. Local chief executives in the region were also told to perform their mandate in times of calamities. LDRRMOs are also to conduct Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment or PDRA. State weather bureau PAGASA, meantime, said that Goring continues to intensify as it moves southwestward of the country while another cyclone has been monitored near the Philippine area of responsibility. In its latest weather bulletin, PAGASA said that “Goring” will affect Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and mainland Cagayan, Isabela and the northern portion of Aurora, and Ilocos provinces until Monday noon with forecast rainfall are generally higher in elevated or mountainous areas. It also warned that flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in localities that experienced considerable amounts of rainfall for the past several days. Meanwhile, the weather bureau said the Southwest Monsoon or habagat will be enhanced by “Goring” and bring occasional rains over the western portions of Central Luzon and Southern Luzon beginning tomorrow and over the western portion of Visayas beginning on Sunday. The post Cagayan braces for ‘Goring’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hawaii fire death toll nears 100, and anger grows
The death toll in Hawaii from the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century ticked towards 100 Sunday, fueling criticism that government inaction contributed to the heavy loss of life. At least 96 people were confirmed to have died as of Sunday night, but officials warned the figure was likely to rise as recovery crews with cadaver dogs work their way through hundreds of homes and burned-out vehicles in Lahaina. The historic coastal town on the island of Maui was almost destroyed by the fast-moving inferno early Wednesday morning, with survivors saying there had been no warnings. When asked Sunday why none of the island's sirens had been activated, Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono said she would wait for the results of an investigation announced by the state's attorney general. "I'm not going to make any excuses for this tragedy," Hirono, a Democrat, told CNN's "State of the Union." "We are really focused, as far as I'm concerned, on the need for rescue, and, sadly, the location of more bodies." More than 2,200 buildings were damaged or destroyed as the fire tore through Lahaina, according to official estimates, wreaking $5.5 billion in damage and leaving thousands homeless. "The remains we're finding are from a fire that melted metal," said Maui Police Chief John Pelletier. "When we pick up the remains... they fall apart." That was making identification difficult, he added, appealing for those with missing relatives to give DNA samples that might speed up the process. Pelletier said cadaver dogs still had a vast area to search in the hunt for what could still be hundreds of people who are unaccounted for. "We're going as fast as we can. But just so you know, three percent -- that's what's been searched with the dogs," he said. Questions over alert system The wildfire is the deadliest in the United States since 1918, when 453 people died in Minnesota and Wisconsin, according to nonprofit research group the National Fire Protection Association. The death toll surpassed 2018's Camp Fire in California, which virtually wiped the small town of Paradise off the map and killed 86 people. Questions are being asked about how prepared authorities were for the catastrophe, despite the islands' exposure to natural hazards such as tsunamis, earthquakes and violent storms. In its emergency management plan last year, the State of Hawaii described the risk wildfires posed to people as being "low." Yet the layers of warning that are intended to buffer a citizenry if disaster strikes appear not to have operated. Maui suffered numerous power outages during the crisis, preventing many residents from receiving emergency alerts on their cell phones. No emergency sirens sounded and many Lahaina residents spoke of learning about the blaze from neighbors running down the street or seeing it for themselves. "The mountain behind us caught on fire and nobody told us jack," resident Vilma Reed, 63, told AFP. "You know when we found that there was a fire? When it was across the street from us." Reed, whose house was destroyed by the blaze, said she was dependent on handouts and the kindness of strangers, and was sleeping in a car with her daughter, grandson and two cats. The New York Times reported Sunday that firefighters sent to tackle the flames found some hydrants had run dry. "There was just no water in the hydrants," the paper quoted firefighter Keahi Ho as saying. Roadblocks The congregation of Grace Baptist Church, which was leveled in the blaze, gathered Sunday in a coffee shop in Kahului for two hours of solace. Pastor Arza Brown led the service in his sandals, the only shoes that survived the blaze that destroyed his house. But the trappings of ministry were far from his mind as he comforted fellow evacuees. "That's one thing about getting together today -- just to be with each other and encourage each other," he said. For some survivors, the difficult days after the tragedy were being worsened by what they see as official intransigence, with roadblocks preventing them from getting back to their homes. Maui police said the public would not be allowed into Lahaina while safety assessments and searches were ongoing -- even some of those who could prove they lived there. Maui's fires follow other extreme weather events in North America this summer, with record-breaking wildfires still burning across Canada and a major heat wave baking the US southwest. Europe and parts of Asia have also endured soaring temperatures, with major fires and floods wreaking havoc. Scientists say human-caused global warming is exacerbating natural hazards, making them both more likely and more deadly. The post Hawaii fire death toll nears 100, and anger grows appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hawaii fire death toll nears 100, anger grows
The death toll in Hawaii from the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century was expected to cross the 100-mark Sunday, fueling criticism that an inadequate official response contributed to the heavy loss of life. Officials updated the toll to 93 late Saturday but warned the figure was likely to rise as recovery crews with cadaver dogs continued the grim task of searching burned-out homes and vehicles in the epicenter of Lahaina. The historic coastal town on the island of Maui was almost completely destroyed by the fast-moving inferno early Wednesday morning, with survivors saying there had been no warnings. When asked Sunday why none of the island's sirens had been activated, Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono said she would wait for the results of an investigation announced by the state's attorney general. "I'm not going to make any excuses for this tragedy," Hirono, a Democrat, told CNN's "State of the Union." "We are really focused, as far as I'm concerned, on the need for rescue, and, sadly, the location of more bodies." More than 2,200 structures were damaged or destroyed as the fire tore through Lahaina, according to official estimates, wreaking $5.5 billion in damage and leaving thousands homeless. "The remains we're finding are from a fire that melted metal," said Maui Police Chief John Pelletier. "When we pick up the remains... they fall apart." Among the ruins in Lahaina, a town of more than 12,000 and the former home of the Hawaiian royal family, an iconic, 150-year-old banyan tree remained standing but severely burned, AFP journalists saw. President Joe Biden said on Sunday he was "looking at" the possibility of visiting the island. Questions over alert system The wildfire is the deadliest in the United States since 1918, when 453 people died in Minnesota and Wisconsin, according to the non-profit research group the National Fire Protection Association. The death toll surpassed 2018's Camp Fire in California, which virtually wiped the small town of Paradise off the map and killed 86 people. Maui suffered numerous power outages during the crisis, preventing many residents from receiving emergency alerts on their cell phones. No emergency sirens were sounded, and many Lahaina residents have spoken of learning about the blaze because of neighbors running down the street. "The mountain behind us caught on fire and nobody told us jack," resident Vilma Reed, 63, told AFP. "You know when we found that there was a fire? When it was across the street from us." Reed, whose house was destroyed by the blaze, said she was depending on handouts and the kindness of strangers while sleeping in a car with her daughter, grandson, and two cats. In its emergency management plan last year, the State of Hawaii described the risk wildfires posed to people as being "low". Some residents who fled the flames have also expressed anger at a roadblock put up preventing them from returning to their homes. Maui police said members of the public would not be allowed into Lahaina while safety assessments and searches were ongoing -- even some of those who could prove they lived there. Some residents waited for hours hoping to be allowed in to comb through the ashes or look for missing pets or loved ones. When asked about growing anger at the response, Hirono told CNN she understood the frustration because "we are in a period of shock and loss." Maui's fires follow other extreme weather events in North America this summer, with record-breaking wildfires still burning across Canada and a major heat wave baking the US southwest. Europe and parts of Asia have also endured soaring temperatures, with major fires and floods wreaking havoc. Scientists say human-caused global warming is exacerbating natural hazards, making them both more likely and more deadly. The post Hawaii fire death toll nears 100, anger grows appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
To catch a thief
Artificial Intelligence is now being tapped for crime prevention. Inspired by the 2002 Tom Cruise movie, “Minority Report,” about a futuristic police crime-busting technology, Japan is pilot testing a network of AI-enhanced security cameras that can detect suspicious behavior to preempt criminal activities like shoplifting and trespassing. The National Police Agency’s predictive policing cameras can also detect weapons and alert law enforcers to observe the behavior patterns of suspicious individuals in a crowd, such as fidgeting, restlessness and rapid eye movement, Daily Mail reported. The observations are inputted by the cameras’ software for better crime detection and deterrence. The result of the pilot test will be the basis for the adoption of the technology by the Japanese police. Meanwhile, business establishments can still rely on good old alarm systems for protection against crime. That’s how the VacationLand Federal Credit Union bank in Huron, Ohio, USA alerted police to a break-in on 29 July. Utility equipment — a recycling bin — also came in handy to literally catch the suspected burglar. Footage from police body cams showed Tristan J. Heidl, 27, of Huron, falling into the waiting arms of two responding officers when he exited the bank empty-handed. According to Huron Police Chief Terry Graham, the officers watched as a bag of tools was dropped through a trap door above the credit union’s drive-thru lane followed by the dangling legs of the suspect who fell into a recycling bin below the hatch, NBC News reported. Cops were waiting for the burglar, who failed to crack the bank’s safes, beside the bin. The suspect had no choice but to surrender. Heidl was charged with breaking and entering, possession of criminal tools, and safecracking, Graham said, according to NBC News. WJG @tribunephl_wjg The post To catch a thief appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Angeles residents evacuated amid ‘Egay’
Angeles City, Pampanga — The local government here on Tuesday ordered the preemptive evacuation of residents living near riverbanks and creeks as part of its preparations for the coming super typhoon “Egay.” Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. said that he instructed Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer chief Rudy Simeon and City Engineer Donato Dizon to lead the evacuation, stressing that it is better to be alert and prepared before any disaster happens. He also assured that in the event of an emergency, the city government — through the ACDRRMO and CEO — is ready to respond to any rescue, evacuation and clearing operations. According to Simeon, the ACDRRMO is closely monitoring the major river channels in Angeles City, the Abacan River and Sapang Balen Creek and as of the moment, no incident of overflowing and soil erosion on both sides of the riverbanks and creeks were reported. Waterflows in Sapang Balen creek and Abacan River, on the other hand, are still under normal condition. The ACDRRMO is in continuous coordination with the 33 Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils for any alerts in case of typhoon “Egay’s” onslaught. Meanwhile, Dizon said that his roving teams are ready to clear roads from any obstructions. Lazatin, meantime, wants to ensure everyone’s safety in the event of emergencies like strong winds toppling down certain obstructions. In other developments, at least 480 passengers are stranded in two ports of Western Visayas following the cancellation of trips due to super typhoon “Egay” and the southwest monsoon on Tuesday. Data from the Coast Guard District Western Visayas showed that 165 passengers bound for Tabuelan, Cebu were stranded at the Barcelona port in Escalante, Negros Occidental while 315 others bound for Mindoro, Romblon, and Batangas were stuck at the Caticlan Jetty port in Malay, Aklan. Canceled trips included those from ports of Estancia, Iloilo going to Sicogon/Gigantes Island; Concepcion to Tambaliza, Igbon, and Malangabang; Bancal in Carles to Gigantes Island, all in Iloilo and Ajuy port going to EB Magalona in Negros Occidental. Trips from the port of San Carlos City in Negros Occidental going to Toledo, Cebu were also suspended. The Montenegro Shipping Lines canceled its trips from Lapuz wharf going to Guimaras. Trips from Iloilo City to Bacolod City via Ocean Jet and Weesam Express were canceled except for the latter’s 11:30 a.m. schedule. The post Angeles residents evacuated amid ‘Egay’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Catapang warns: reform or face consequences
Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang, Jr. made a stern warning after another BuCor personnel was caught yesterday while trying to smuggle eight packs of cigarettes to the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City. Caught red-handed was CO1 Jerome San Gabriel assigned at the NBP hospital supply. He was caught by an alert BuCor guard assigned at the inner gate control of the NBP upon checking the belongings of San Gabriel which yielded the contraband hidden in a rice plastic bag. San Gabriel was turned over to the commander of the guard at the maximum unit for further investigation and disposition. Earlier, two BuCor personnel were also caught while trying to sneak in some contraband which were placed inside their underwear and pouch bag for cosmetics. “I am giving everybody here a chance to do the right thing and what is mandated of us to do. It is either they change their bad habits and join me in my call to reform the bureau or be caught and face the consequence of their actions,” Catapang said. The BuCor will be relentless in its drive to rid the bureau of undesirable employees, Catapang added. Meanwhile, another person deprived of liberty (PDL) turned over to authorities’ contraband being peddled inside the detention cell. Based on the initial investigation submitted by BuCor Officers 1 Jonathan Tolentino and Andrew John G. Valleser, it was disclosed that around 12:30 p.m. yesterday, PDL Rodeo Ramos went to the Office of Director General - Extension located inside the maximum security compound and personally surrendered a suspected illegal liquidized marijuana e-cigarette (vape type) to Cezar Oracion, chief of Intelligence and Investigation Section. Ramos said when he learned that suspected illegal drugs are being peddled within his area of responsibility, he bought one piece from a PDL seller who has yet to be identified. He tasted the said product and found out that it has the same taste as marijuana prompting him to report the matter to Christian Chavez, BuCor ODG - Technical System Specialist. Ramos surrendered the contraband for documentation and further investigation. The contraband will be turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. The post Catapang warns: reform or face consequences appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Preps advised vs. possible mudflow near erupting Mayon amid rains
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has advised Albay residents to take precautionary measures as there’s a threat of mudflow or lahar amid the continuous monsoon rains enhanced by tropical storm Dodong. In a radio interview, Phivolcs chief, Teresito Bacolcol, warned residents nearby the quietly erupting Mayon Volcano to prepare against the hazards brought by possible deadly mudflows. Bacolcol recalled Mayon mudflows killed around 1,300 people during the onslaught of Typhoon Reming in 2016. According to Phivolcs, the lahar, an Indonesian term, is a mixture of volcanic sediment, debris, and water that flow down a volcano's slopes through rivers and channels and are sometimes called volcanic mudflows or debris flows. Bacolcol said evacuation plans for residents living near rivers must be readied should a mudflow event happens. He explained that lahar contains hardened volcanic materials such as superhot lava and ash which could reach waterways and river channels near the volcano when heavy rains continue to pour. "Kung nasa dalisdis lamang po sila ng bulkan na nasa taas, hindi po ito makaka-damage. Pero kung tuloy-tuloy ang pag-ulan puwede silang bumagsak katulad nung nangyari noong 2006 (If lahars are only on the slope of the volcano that is high up, it won't cause any damage. But if it rains pour continuously, these can fall like what happened in 2006),” Bacolcol warned. But, he added, the mudflow is already a “recurring” event “so more or less people are quite aware of the situation.” In a separate public briefing, Phivolcs resident volcanologist Dr. Paul Alanis also warned the Albay residents against the possible scenario as inclement weather continues. This as lahars is mainly generated by torrential rainfall on unconsolidated deposits from a past eruption. "Since we are experiencing a low-pressure area affecting the province of Albay, we are reminding the public who are residing in the rivers nearby the Mayon Volcano to prepare and be alert because we may experience lahars,” Alanis said. As of Saturday, the Mayon Volcano continues a very slow lava effusion with the lava flows running from the summit crater to 2,800 meters along the Mi-isi gully, and 1,400 meters along the Bonga gully. Restive Mayon also exhibited 362 rockfall events and 39 volcanic earthquakes and dome-collapsed generated 5 pyroclastic density currents while the steam-laden plumes became obscured. The volcano emitted sulfur dioxide at an average of 2,132 tons daily since 02 July. Phivolcs said Mayon Volcano is maintained at Alert Level 3 due to the presence of magma at the crater, with the possibility of a “hazardous eruption within weeks or even days.” The six-kilometer permanent danger zone remained off-limits for the public due to the risk of PDCs, lava flows, rockfalls, and other volcanic hazards. The post Preps advised vs. possible mudflow near erupting Mayon amid rains appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Red fronts crushed by year’s end — BBM
Northern Samar, once a hotbed of the communist insurgency, will be declared insurgency-free by the end of 2023, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has boldly predicted. Thereafter, other rebel lairs throughout the country will be dismantled, he added. “I just received a briefing on the success rate of dismantling the fronts and that they are weakened. And I was also given a very encouraging deadline that we could say that we will have dismantled all of the CTG (communist terrorist group) fronts by the end of the year and that is the result of your good work,” the Chief Executive said. Marcos aired his optimism during a visit to Camp Sumoroy in Catarman, Northern Samar where he lauded the Army’s 803rd Infantry Brigade for their efforts in maintaining peace and order in the province, leading to “successful” counterinsurgency operations. “From the progress made in Northern Samar, we are looking forward to declaring the province clear of CTGs by the end of the year,” he said. Marcos said he could not wait to visit Northern Samar again to declare it insurgency-free. “I am very, very impatient already to come back here and to be with you when we declare your area of operation clear of any CTG formations, any CTG groups. And that will be a big, big blow to the enemy forces because they have always felt that Northern Samar is a place that they feel safe in,” he added. The 803rd IB has been instrumental in weakening the insurgents in the region, with the surrender of more than 6,200 of their sympathizers and personalities, and the dismantling of two guerrilla fronts in Northern Samar. Don’t let your guard down Despite the brigade’s accomplishments, Marcos reminded the soldiers to stay alert and observe vigilance over possible security threats. “You are still now in Northern Samar, on the front line. So, do not let your guard down. Continue to do what you have been doing because, as I said, it has been successful, it has been effective and we can see that from the weakening of the enemy forces,” he said. The President also urged the brigade to step up its counterinsurgency efforts and convince the rebels to return to the fold of the law. Marcos reassured rebels who wish to reintegrate into society they would have the government’s full support and assistance. “So, that is the plan. This is how we are going to move forward but this is all founded on, it is all based on the continuing good work that you put in every day,” he said. The President also urged the troops to continue their close coordination with the local communities to ensure the success of the government’s anti-insurgency campaign. “We have seen… the increase in the firearms that have been neutralized and also the personalities that have been neutralized. Let us continue that trend,” he said. He also renewed his vow to provide the troops with all the resources and training they need as part of the administration’s efforts to modernize the AFP. The post Red fronts crushed by year’s end — BBM appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PRO-4B stations full alert for SoNA
The Police Regional Office in Mimaropa region disclosed that it has placed all its stations in the region on full alert as part of its efforts to secure President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address on 24 July. PRO-4B chief Brig. Gen. Joel Doria said that the region — comprised of the provinces of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan — will implement maximum preparedness and intensification of anti-crime operations of all police units in preparation for the second SoNA of the President. He added that PNP personnel will be on full alert, ready to be deployed in the different areas as the need arises to undertake Civil Disturbance Management operations. “The public can assure of the readiness of all police units in the region, together with the different line agencies, in securing the community from lawless elements that may cause harm and threat to peace and order,” Doria said. The PRO-4B chief also directed the lower units to work closely with its Armed Forces of the Philippines counterparts, force multipliers, stakeholders and local government units in maintaining peace and order during the SoNA. “I already directed all field commanders and unit leaders in the region to intensify proactive security measures to ensure vigilance and readiness in their respective AORs during the President’s second SoNA,” Doria said. The PNP earlier said more than 22,000 policemen and augmentation forces will be tapped to secure the President’s SoNA, around 5,000 would be deployed near the Batasang Pambansa. While it has yet to receive any report of security threats, authorities said they will assess all information it has been receiving about the event. PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said some 5,000 to 6,000 police officers would be deployed in the vicinity of the House of Representatives where the President would deliver the annual address. She said the police force would also implement the “Manila Shield” where other places of convergence would also be secured. “Our regular beat and patrol operations will not be compromised because we are looking at some areas, particularly our crime prone areas, they would not be left unguarded as long as we have focused police personnel around and outside of the Batasang Pambansa,” Fajardo said. The post PRO-4B stations full alert for SoNA appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Universities told: Review security plan
The Commission on Higher Education on Thursday has urged all universities and colleges to review their safety and security plan after a recent sexual assault incident at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. CHEd chairperson Prospero de Vera said that the plan should consider the actual safety and security situation in campuses, statistics on crimes, and where these happened. “Where are the poorly lit areas? Which routes should students and the faculty take so that they could stay safe, and what is the response when something happens?,” said De Vera in a briefing. He also stressed that top universities abroad have mechanisms to respond to urgent matters concerning their students and personnel and their safety plans are printed and included in the students’ orientation. “You will read that, explain the communication plan, there are numbers you can call for remote areas. If you feel that you are not safe, you can call school authorities and they will pick you up,” said De Vera. “Our universities seem to be not taking the safety of their students seriously. It’s time that we take that seriously and review our guidelines.” He also encouraged higher education institutions to invest in technology and CCTV cameras in poorly lit areas, and create a mechanism to inform students where to go. Safety and security plans must also go beyond responding to natural calamities, De Vera said. “I hope this is a wake-up call for our school authorities to treat the safety of their students and employees more seriously,” said the CHED chief. Over the weekend, a female student was sexually assaulted inside the UP Diliman campus, prompting the university to go on heightened alert. The post Universities told: Review security plan appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»