geek – Page 78 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Wanted Vietnamese national apprehended at NAIA Terminal 3

April 7, 2025April 1, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently a Vietnamese national who turned out to be a wanted person over kidnap and rape was arrested by immigration officers at Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City have arrested a Vietnamese national wanted in the country for abducting and raping a Chinese woman in 2023.

In a news release Monday, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said Nguyen Hu Mai, 48, was intercepted at the NAIA Terminal 3 while attempting to flee aboard a Cebu Pacific flight to Saigon last March 21.

The foreigner was immediately referred to supervisors for secondary inspection after his name prompted a positive hit in the centralized derogatory database of the bureau.

“Our supervisors were able to establish that the passenger and person appearing in our watchlist are one and the same. He was thus stopped and arrested by our airport personnel,” he added.

Nguyen was immediately turned over to the BI’s border control and intelligence unit (BCIU) and later transferred to the bureau’s detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.

According to BI-BCIU chief Ferdinand Tendenilla, Nguyen has been on the wanted list of the BI since March 10 when he and two Chinese nationals were charged with deportation for being undesirable aliens for being prime suspects in the kidnapping and rape case.

Police investigators alleged that on March 2, 2023, the three foreigners kidnapped a Chinese woman inside her condominium unit in Makati City.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think there could be more personnel of the Bureau of Immigration who are engaged in illegal activities that the national authorities have yet to find? Do you think that the syndicates behind human trafficking are a threat to national security?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Potential sites for future nuclear power plants being assessed by government

April 6, 2025April 2, 2025carlocarrasco

The effort towards a nuclear-powered Philippines moved forward a bit more as the Department of Energy (DOE) confirmed that it has been assessing potential sites for future nuclear power plants, according to a business news report by the Manila Bulletin.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the report of Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

The Department of Energy (DOE) is assessing various sites for future nuclear power plants, including possible locations in the western regions of the Philippines.

In a recent ambush interview, DOE Undersecretary Sharon Garin shared that while these potential sites are still being evaluated against specific criteria, several areas across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao have already been identified as possibilities for nuclear development.

“We have evaluated sites, but that’s still not final; it’s like [the DOE is] practicing [its] criteria,” she told reporters.

“So we assess, for example, [in] Bataan [province, the municipalities of] Morong [and] Mariveles. We’ve also assessed somewhere in Bulacan, [and] in Batangas.”

While these provincial areas already have large populations, Garin is also hopeful about the possibility of building other nuclear-related infrastructures, such as data centers, in the future.

“We’ve also assessed down south. There’s a lot—Masbate, Palawan, we’ve also gone there—some of them qualify because there [are] metrics.”

She also said that Western Visayas could be a viable location for hosting nuclear facilities, along with other regional areas that are less likely to be affected by tsunamis.

“Palawan is really one of the most stable [in terms of geology]. The problem [there] is the grid—it’s not connected.”

According to Garin, the DOE is closely looking at areas that are far from fault lines and volcanoes.

She emphasized, however, that these are not confirmed sites for development, adding that, “I don’t want to announce what the specific areas have passed because it might cause some anxiety among people.”

The Energy Undersecretary assured that the government is making significant progress in its preparations, including conducting surveys, developing frameworks, and forming key partnerships, such as the 123 Agreement with the United States (US). She expressed optimism that once legal and regulatory requirements are finalized, the country will be ready to begin issuing construction licenses by 2026.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the assessment by the government for potential nuclear power sites will be completed soon and pave the way for actual construction?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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High-value target and cohorts arrested in Parañaque City, P340,000 in illegal drugs seized

April 5, 2025April 1, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in Parañaque City, local law enforcers successfully pulled of a buy-bust operation that resulted in the apprehension of several suspects – including one high-value target – and the seizure of P340,000 worth of illegal drugs, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

A woman tagged by the police as a high value individual (HVI) and her five cohorts were arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by members of the Parañaque City Police last March 29.

The Southern Police District (SPD) identified the suspects as alias “Anne,” 43, alias “Maite,” 45; alias “Donna,” 31; alias “Peter,” 28; alias “Darwin,” 47 and alias “Jeffrey,” 33.

The police said members of the Parañaque City Police Station Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) conducted the buy-bust operation at around 5:30 p.m. in Barangay Don Bosco, Parañaque City due to the reported proliferation of illegal drugs in the area.

Authorities seized multiple sachets containing 50 grams of shabu worth P340,000, P500 buy-bust money, two mobile phones containing drug transactions, and other drug paraphernalia.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that there could be more people engaged in illegal drugs doing secretive operations within the city? Do you think a lot of money from illegal drugs made its way into Parañaque’s local economy?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Armed construction worker arrested in Parañaque City for illegal sale of fire arms and possession of illegal drugs

April 4, 2025March 28, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in Parañaque City, an armed construction worker was apprehended by local police officers for the possession of illegal drugs and illegal sale of firearms, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

A construction worker was arrested by members of the District Special Operations Unit (DSOU) of the Southern Police District for his involvement in the illegal sale of firearms and possession of P204,000 worth of shabu on March 26.

The Southern Police District (SPD) identified the suspect as alias “Edmon,” 26. He was arrested at around 5:30 p.m. at a gasoline station in Barangay Baclaran, Parañaque City

The police said members of the SPD-DSOU, in coordination with the Intelligence Section of the District Mobile Force Battalion (DMFB) and the Parañaque City Police, conducted a buy-bust operation for the arrest of the suspect after a tip from an informant about his involvement in the illegal sale of firearms in Parañaque City and nearby areas.

Recovered from Edmon were one .38 caliber revolver loaded with live ammunition, one .22 caliber revolver, two pieces of .38 caliber live ammunition, one blue Vivo mobile phone, one P1,000 bill used as marked money, and a brown paper bag labeled “The Bistro Group” where the firearms were placed.

The police operatives were also able to recover from Edmon 30 grams of shabu worth P204,000.

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Several Chinese nationals arrested by NBI inside Ayala Alabang Village, firearms seized

April 4, 2025April 3, 2025carlocarrasco

With the support of the local community, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested twelve Chinese nationals in three houses inside Ayala Alabang Village in Muntinlupa City, and seized varied firearms, ammunition and equipment, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the report of the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

The National Bureau of Investigation- National Capital Region (NBI-NCR) on Wednesday said it has arrested 12 Chinese nationals in Muntinlupa City for violation of Republic Act No. 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).

In a news release, the NBI said the foreigners were nabbed in an operation conducted Monday evening to Tuesday morning in three residential houses in in Ayala Alabang Village by virtue of search warrants issued by the Regional Trial Court of Muntinlupa City.

The NBI operatives, together with representatives from the barangay, homeowners’ association and village security personnel, searched the premises and seized five pistols, along with magazines and ammunition in the first location; four pistols with magazines and ammunition, two taser guns, three bulletproof vests, tactical knives, and handcuffs on the second; and one pistol with a magazine and ammunition and tactical gear for pistols on the third.

Various identification cards belonging to individuals named Yi Wan, Wang Zenghui, Yichun Liu, Zhou Chenchen, Zhang Yu, Xiu Zhang, Zhang Qi Ja, Wang Zenghui and Wang Weibin were also seized.

The NBI said four vehicles were also impounded for verification after the owners failed to present the necessary documents.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you concerned that there could be more Chinese nationals living here in the Philippines armed with guns and other deadly weapons? How do you think the suspects acquired the firearms and ammunition in the first place? Do you think the arrested Chinese nationals were plotting a violent takeover of the community? Do you think violent crimes involving Chinese nationals in other cities could be connected with the suspects?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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More than 500 residents of Barangay Talon Tres served by Las Piñas City’s Health and Wellness Caravan

April 3, 2025March 26, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, over five hundred residents of Barangay Talon Tres got served with varied health services when the Health and Wellness Caravan was held in their local community, the City Government announced via social media. Vice Mayor April Aguilar attended the activity.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the social media post of the City Government. Some parts in boldface…

The Las Piñas City Health Office continued its commitment to accessible healthcare through another leg of the Health and Wellness Caravan held on Thursday, March 20, at the DFCAM-CLP Covered Court in Talon Tres. The event catered to over 500 residents, offering them a wide range of medical and wellness services free of charge.

Beneficiaries availed of medical consultations, blood pressure monitoring, ECG, cholesterol and blood sugar testing, dental care, mobile birth registration, and assistance with PhilHealth registration and Green Card applications. Nutritional counseling, massages, and free medicines were also made available on site to ensure holistic support for participants.

Vice Mayor April Aguilar led the activity, together with City Councilors Mark Anthony Santos and Henry Medina, who expressed their continued support for the city’s health initiatives. They also spent time with attendees to highlight the importance of maintaining personal well-being through regular check-ups and early medical attention.

City Health Officer Dr. Juliana Gonzalez stressed the ongoing significance of the caravan, noting how it provides direct access to essential healthcare services in barangays.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? How many people in your local community want the Health and Wellness Caravan to be held?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Bureau of Immigration (BI) relieves seven personnel for suspected illegal activities

April 3, 2025March 27, 2025carlocarrasco

Over suspicion of engaging in illegal activities, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) recently relieved seven of its personnel from their posts, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

Seven personnel of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) suspected to be involved in illegal activities have been relieved from their posts.

In a statement Wednesday, Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the move aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to eliminate corruption and strengthen border security.

He said the relieved personnel, assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminals 1 and 3, are under investigation following reports linking them to the illegal departure of trafficking victims repatriated on March 25.

If found to have assisted the victims, these employees would face charges before the Department of Justice.

Based on BI records, the victims arrived in Manila on board a Philippine Airlines flight from Bangkok, Thailand after being rescued by the Philippine government from online scamming syndicates in Myanmar.

While tighter measures are in place, Viado acknowledged the growing challenge of intercepting trafficking victims at airports, as many now come from well-off backgrounds and pose as legitimate tourists.

The BI chief also reported that a total of 1,093 victims of human trafficking were intercepted in 2024. These victims were referred to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for investigation and filing of cases against their recruiters.

Apart from pretending to be regular tourists, he warned that trafficking syndicates continue to exploit backdoor routes in an attempt to bypass stricter immigration controls.

Earlier this month, the BI reported the repatriation of three trafficking victims from Cambodia after being forced to work in a scam hub.

Investigations revealed they had no official record of departure, having been reportedly smuggled out via small boats from Jolo, Sulu, to Sabah, Malaysia.

The victims admitted that their passports were later stamped with fake Philippine departure marks before they traveled to Cambodia through Malaysia and Thailand.

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 67

April 2, 2025March 27, 2025carlocarrasco

Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching. Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following topics and the related videos I found.

#1 The next Xbox will include Steam and PlayStation? – The vibe of the next-generation of console gaming is only intensifying by the day. When it comes to Xbox itself, there is speculation that the next-generation Xbox will not only be a hybrid PC console but also include access to Steam games and even those of PlayStation. I know it sound crazy but if it is clear that Microsoft is doing its own approach on the next-generation Xbox in radically different way compared with PlayStation and Nintendo. If you want to know more details, watch Colteastwood’s video below.

#2 PatmanQC examines NBA Jam – Were you able to play basketball videos in the arcades way back in the 1990s? Back then, NBA Jam was a massive excess attracting so many players and generating lots of income for arcade operators. The game also sold a lot on many game consoles as well. NBA Jam is a 2-on-2 arcade-style basketball game with emphasis on fast-paced scoring without the hindrance of normal basketball rules. To discover more about the history of NBA Jam and who were the people behind its production, watch the video of PatmanQC.

#3 Slope’s Game Room examines the Strike games franchise – Remember back long ago when Electronic Arts (EA) released a series of military themed shooter games on game consoles? I’m referring to the Strike series of games that include Desert Strike, Jungle Strike, Urban Strike, Soviet Strike and Nuclear Strike. Those games were released across two console generations in the 1990s and the series has not been revived until now. To look back at EA’s Strike games, watch the video by Slope’s Game Room.

#4 VKunia reacts to Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice – I recently browsed through the many videos of YouTuber VKunia and took time to watch her reaction video of Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. The film directed by Zack Snyder is significant not in a positive way but because of its very dark approach on storytelling and spectacle involving DC Comics’ icons Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. The way it was presented, not even the combined talents of Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Ben Affleck and others could spare the film from negative reception. I think by today’s standards, this is a superhero film that can only entertain a limited type of people. Still, I find VKunia’s reactions to it a must-watch.

#5 Woke garbage in comic books exposed and explained – As a geek, I really hate it when these modern day Leftists – Communists, socialists, Marxists, liberals, diversity zealots, inclusion zealots, LGBTQ activists and Islamo-Leftists – ruin movies and video games by emphasizing their radical agenda through them. The same has happened in comic books and it is clear that the Leftists working for the publishers made established superhero icons look terrible. These unfortunate developments will remind you that comic books are meant for escapism and not political agenda which comic book legends Jim Shooter and Stan Lee confirmed long ago. Watch and learn from the video of YouTuber Ranting for Vengeance right now.

#6 The free speech solution against DEI poison – In this John Stossel video I recently saw, the topic of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) was discussed and it turns out there is a free speech solution against the woke virus. This is about the ongoing information war between the Satanic Left and the ones who believe in common sense and reality.

#7 Ashleigh Burton reacts to The Breakfast Club – Were you able to watch any movies written or directed by the late John Hughes? A lot of people considered Hughes’ works collectively defined the cinematic American teenagers of the 1980s. One of the more popular works of Hughes was The Breakfast Club and Ashleigh Burton’s reaction video is a must-see.

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More than P1.37 billion in coins deposited through BSP’s machines

April 2, 2025March 25, 2025carlocarrasco

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) revealed online recently that the overall collection of its coin deposit machines (CoDMs) has surpassed P1.37 billion The latest statistics are accurate of as March 17, 2025.

Based on the latest statistics, a total of P1,372,622,853.22 (4.92% higher than the previous count of P1,308,208,203.18)in coins got deposited into BSP machines on 311,858 transactions from customers. In terms of physical quantity, 339,846,868 coins were deposited.

Doing the math on the latest statistics, customers averaged P4,401.4354 per transaction at the machines (compared to the March 15, 2025 average of P4,368.6012 per transaction). As for the grand total Peso amount divided by the number of coins deposited, the average is P4.0389 per coin deposited (previous average was P4.011 per coin deposited)

When it comes to the number of coins involved with each transaction, 339,846,868 coins divided by 311,858 transactions resulted in an average of 1,089.7488 coins per transaction (a slight increase compared to the previous average was 1,089.2659 coins per transaction).

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Whenever you deposited your coins, do you transfer the value to GCash or Maya, or convert the value into shopping vouchers? How many BSP coin deposit machines are located in your city right now?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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IRR of Value-Added Tax (VAT) refund for foreign tourists signed

April 1, 2025March 25, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently the Philippines officially became a VAT-free destination for foreign tourists as the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 12079 (Value-Added Tax Refund for Non-Resident Tourists) has been signed, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. It should be noted that the Republic Act was signed into law last December.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

Government officials signed on Monday the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 12079 or the Value-Added Tax (VAT) Refund for Non-Resident Tourists.

In a statement, the Department of Finance (DOF) said the IRR was signed by Secretary Ralph Recto, Bureau of Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio and Bureau of Internal Revenue Deputy Commissioner Marissa Cabreros.

It was witnessed by Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco and Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Secretary Frederick Go.

RA 12079 aims to boost tourism and encourage more foreign tourists to shop and spend more in the Philippines, thereby bolstering economic growth.

Under the IRR, non-resident tourists or foreign passport holders may apply for a VAT refund for locally purchased goods from accredited stores that are equivalent to at least PHP3,000.

The goods must be physically taken out of the Philippines by the tourist as accompanied baggage within 60 days from the date of purchase.

The VAT refund applies only to retail and tangible goods, such as clothing, apparel, electronics, gadgets, jewelry, accessories, souvenirs, food or non-food consumables, and other goods intended for personal use.

“With a multiplier effect of 1.97, every 100 pesos spent by a tourist generates 197 pesos in economic output. Imagine that. Halos doble ang balik sa ekonomiya (The return to the economy is almost double),” Recto said.

“And more money spent by foreign tourists means more businesses created, more Filipino workers hired, more jobs provided, higher incomes for our people and more revenues for the government to collect. That’s the simple formula for growth,” he added.

Recto cited the importance of effective executive to unlock the law’s full potential.

He said the country must establish a fully functional VAT refund system and a surge in inbound tourism.

“We want more tourists to come — and we want them to stay longer, spend bigger, and transact with convenience,” he said.

Heeding President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call, Recto vowed to ensure that the VAT refund process is simple, accessible and culturally inclusive.

“From our end at the Department of Finance, we aim to deliver a VAT refund system that is world-class, modern, and built on the principles of transparency, efficiency and ease,” he said.

The IRR mandates the DOF to engage the services of reputable and internationally recognized VAT refund operators to provide end-to-end solutions to the government. Such refunds may be made electronically or in cash to enhance the ease of doing business.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Now the IRR of the VAT refund for foreign tourists has officially been signed, do you expect positive impact on Philippine tourism to happen this year? Do you think a lot of tourists overseas have been waiting for the Philippines to establish the VAT refund for foreign tourists?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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