Day: December 26, 2021

Three members of the Philippine Army have been arrested following a shooting incident that left six persons wounded in Taguig City on Christmas Day. National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. on Sunday identified the suspects as Capt. Nheiljay Maguddayao Garcia, 31; Probationary 2Lt. Felomino Maguddayao Garcia, 30; and 1Lt. Minalyn Awat Ladyong, 29. Capt. Garcia is with the Training and Doctrine Command in Capas, Tarlac; 2Lt. Garcia is assigned at the Army Headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig; and Ladyong is detailed with the Army…

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Gen. Dionardo Carlos, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, on Sunday said the PNP is ready to assist local government units (LGUs) and concerned government agencies in distributing cash assistance in areas hit by Typhoon Odette. He said the PNP units are awaiting further instructions and coordination with concerned government agencies for smooth implementation of the aid program. “The PNP will always be ready to serve in any way we can. But since there are no specific instructions as of now, we will just wait for any mandate,” Carlos said in…

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At least two suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed and some war materiel were recovered in a clash with military and police troops in a remote village of Barcelona town, Sorsogon province on Christmas Day, a military report said on Sunday. Maj. John Paul Belleza, 9th Infantry Division public affairs chief, said combined elements from the Army and police responded to a call from residents of Barangay San Ramon about the presence of armed men in their village’s outskirts at around 8:30 a.m. The encounter led to a…

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Philippine Air Force Blackhawk helicopters delivered goods for soldiers on Christmas Day as they had to forgo time with their families to perform relief and rehabilitation missions in Typhoon Odette-affected villages in Leyte. Capt. Ryan Layug, the Joint Task Force (JTF) Storm spokesperson who is in Maasin City, said the Armed Forces of the Philippines observes no holidays as public service comes first. “We were surprised. It was like an ordinary day except that we started the day singing Kasadya (Ang Pasko ay Sumapit) to motivate our fellow soldiers,” he…

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A “chef de mission” meeting is set in early January as preparations shift to high gear with under only five months before the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) opening ceremony in Hanoi on May 12 next year, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said on Sunday. The meeting will be held face-to-face — the first to be organized by host Vietnam for the postponed SEA Games that will end May 23, he noted. “Although the SEA Games are just months away, we believe the hosts are doing…

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The year 2021 saw Region 3 (Central Luzon) on the recovery path amid the continuing threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Despite the continuous challenges brought by the health crisis, the regional economy is starting to bounce back following the easing of movement of people, goods, and services. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) noted the gradual improvement in Central Luzon’s labor market situation since the middle of this year due to the effect of the easing of community quarantine restrictions. Divina Hope Vallejo, chief economic development specialist…

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The New People’s Army (NPA) continues to suffer massive losses in the Cordillera as joint military and police troops unearthed an arms cache in Barangay Tabacda, Tubo, Abra two days before Christmas Day. Lt. Col. Sonny Gonzales, commanding officer of the 71st Infantry Battalion, said in a news release Sunday that five rifles — two M16, one Baby Armalite, one M14, and one Springfield — were discovered on Thursday after locals guided soldiers and police forces to the arms cache. All villages in Abra have declared the NPA persona non-grata…

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Amid dwindling food, water, medicine, and other supplies in areas hit by Typhoon Odette, President Rodrigo Duterte reminded concerned agencies and local officials to ensure that evacuees’ medical needs are attended to. Duterte issued the directive during a recent command conference with local officials and military officials at the General Benito Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. The meeting was held Thursday but the video recording was aired on Saturday. “’Yung evacuation centers, ‘yun ang pinakadelikado because they (Evacuation centers are risky because people there can) contaminate each other.…

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The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has mounted initial relief operations and vowed further assistance to communities hit hard by Typhoon Odette. Right after the December 16 and 17 onslaught of the typhoon, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu tasked Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and Local Government Units Concerns Benny Antiporda to lead relief operations in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte. “Rather than prepare for a joyous Christmas, I instructed Undersecretary Antiporda to assess and check the situation there. This is the instruction of the President (Rodrigo Duterte) to…

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The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday posted 283 new recoveries and 433 new coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases that slightly raised the total number of active infections to 9,522. The recovery count is now at 2,777,918, or 97.9 percent of the total 2,838,640. From 10,167 active infections on December 17, the total fell to 9,924 the following day and has not breached the 10,000-mark to date. Of the active cases, 3,574 are mild, 3,339 are moderate, 458 are asymptomatic, 374 are critical, and 1,777 are severe. “Of the 433…

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The Philippine National Police (PNP) alerted all its police regional offices against possible hostilities by local terrorists as the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) marks its 53rd anniversary on Sunday. “The CPP and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), are known to stage armed offensive actions to drumbeat commemoration of significant dates in the underground communist organization,” PNP chief Gen. Dionardo B. Carlos said in a statement. “Historically, there are documented incidents of high-profile tactical engagements against government forces, and hostilities against soft targets launched by the…

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As Christmas fills the air, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go called on Filipinos to strengthen the bayanihan spirit and continue cooperating with the government while expressing compassion for their compatriots. In his Christmas message, Go assured the public that the country will soon recover from the challenges posed by the recent calamity and the pandemic through President Rodrigo Duterte’s leadership and the Filipino people’s continued cooperation. “Mahal kong mga kababayan, napakarami nating pinagdaanan ngayong taon (We have gone through so many challenges this year),” Go said. “Subalit, dahil sa ating patuloy…

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President Rodrigo Duterte said his administration will remain neutral amid the escalating conflict between China and Taiwan. Duterte said he was relieved that there is no tension in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as it allowed the military and police to provide necessary assistance to victims affected by Typhoon Odette. “Mabuti na lang wala pang gulo dito sa (It’s good that there is no trouble yet at the) South China Sea),” he said in a command conference with local officials and military officials in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on Thursday and…

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With its unwavering commitment to support the government response in helping curb the Covid-19 pandemic, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has now administered 807,976 doses in its 26 Bakuna Centers, 17 Bakuna Buses, and Bakuna Teams nationwide as of Dec. 23. “Kahit maraming hamon ngayon ang ating bansa, ang Red Cross ay patuloy na nagpapadala ng mga bakuna sa mga tao, at palagi naming tinitiyak ang kaligtasan at pagiging epektibo ng mga bakuna dahil tulung-tulong tayong upang mapigilan na ang pandemya (Although our country faces many challenges, the Red Cross…

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Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos on Sunday lauded the lawmen for the generally peaceful celebration of Christmas in the country. “I thank our hardworking men and women in the PNP for their dedication to work and the sacrifices that they have to endure just to provide the public with quality service that they deserve,” he said in a statement. Carlos said that it might have been a huge task but the PNP successfully discharged its duty to maintain peace and order especially during Christmas Eve. He said…

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A series of Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) registration recently concluded in some villages in General Santos City. Purok Dr. Acharon and Purok Calatao in Barangay Tambler accepted applicants for the Philippine Identification (PhilID) on December 8 and the Sr. San Roque Chapel in Purok 23, Phase 4, Barangay Mabuhay on December 11. Registration for five years old and above also opened in Barangay Apopong on December 9 to 18. The registrants are now part of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data of 50,014,382 Filipinos who have completed Steps 1 (demographic)…

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