As far as Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos is concerned, firecrackers should be banned nationwide through the many local government units (LGUs), according to a GMA Network news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA Network news report. Some parts in boldface…
Fire crackers should be banned in all local government units in the country, according to Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos on Monday.
In an ambush interview, Abalos said some local government units have already imposed a total ban on firecrackers and just designated an area for fireworks display.
“Marami naman tayong mga lungsod at mga munisipyo na mayroong ganito. Sana lahatin na natin. Kaya ako ay nananawagan sana naman magkaroon na tayo ng ganitong ordinansa,” Abalos said.
(There are many cities and municipalities that passed an ordinance on banning firecrackers, I hope all cities and municipalities will do the same. That is why I am calling for them to pass an ordinance already.)
“Anyway, kaya naman i-celebrate ang Bagong Taon nang maayos. Magkaroon ng fireworks display na lamang sa mga munisipyo sa isang lugar at maiwasan natin iyong ganitong disgrasya,” he added.
(Anyway, we can celebrate the New Year orderly. We should have a fireworks display in the municipalities in one area and avoid accidents.)
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you favor a total ban on firecrackers? Do you consider the purchase of firecrackers a waste of money? Is your local government willing to implement a ban on firecrackers?
If you have been traveling along the Metro Manila Skyway, did you notice gang-related activities along the way? I had to ask that question because it turns out a certain gang composed of people who wore hoodies and bonnets and wielded axes had committed acts of robbery along the Skyway more than once and reportedly robbed P134 million from motorists. Very recently, two alleged members of the gang were arrested by the police, according to a GMA Network news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…
Police arrested two suspects from a group of ax-wielding men preying on motorists in the Skyway who have stolen over P134 million from their victims.
According to a report by John Consulta on “24 Oras” on Tuesday, two suspects have been arrested in separate police operations.
Last August 22, dashcam footage showed the suspects robbing a car along the Skyway ramp at 5:30 p.m. in broad daylight. Armed with axes and wearing bonnets and hoodies, the men used their vehicle to block another car and robbed its occupants of P10 million. On March 12, another video showed a car suddenly stop in front of the victim’s car while another vehicle blocked it from behind. Four armed men emerged and stole a bag containing P7 million from the Korean victim.
“Dito sa Entertainment City (sa Paranaque City) nanggagaling, aabangan nila, pagpasok ng Skyway mismo, iipitin nila yung sasakyan. Passenger side na salamin pinalakol nila then nabuksan nila yung pinto, nakuha nila yung pera,” said Police Colonel Mendez, NCRPO Regional Intelligence Division Chief.
Police traced one of the suspects behind the attack in Malate, Manila. During the operation on Tuesday, suspect Anjo Sardoma tried to escape by jumping from the third floor of a building.
Police seized a revolver and a hand grenade from Sardoma,.who was identified as the driver of a sports utility vehicle (SUV) outside a casino hotel where one of the victims came from. The SUV was one of the vehicles involved in a robbery on the Skyway.
Armed with a search warrant, a team from Police Regional Office-4-A arrested another suspect, Joland Cabotaje, in Cavite. A gun was confiscated from Cabotaje.
The NCRPO said Cabotaje and Sardoma are cousins who are said to be members of the “Skyway Robbery Holdup Group” that has staged eight robberies that yielded P134 million in loot.
Mendez said their intelligence efforts managed to identify the group whose vehicle license plates matched those on the CCTV of the cars that were used in the previous robberies.
Both men denied the accusations against them.
For more insight, posted below is the related GMA Network news video…
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? Do you think the police will be able to find and arrest the other members of the Skyway Robbery Holdup Group who are still at large? Do you think it is time for more police patrol operations to happen along the Skyway so that robberies could be prevented? Are you concerned that the Skyway Robbery Holdup Group could harm more motorists and rob them of their valuables? Do you know anyone who got robbed by the Skyway Robbery Holdup Group? How do you think the gang knew that their victims carried lots of money or valuables with them?
Be aware that giving alms to beggars here in the Philippines has consequences as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) officially advised the public to refrain from giving cash or something in kind to them, according to a GMA Network news report. Be also aware that there is an existing national law (a Presidential Decree) related to the giving of alms to beggars.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA Network news report. Some parts in boldface…
While Christmas is a season of giving, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) urged the public to resist the impulse to give alms, in cash or in kind, to street dwellers, according to a “24 Oras” report by Maki Pulido.
“We discourage them po sa alms giving, sa paglilimos kasi encourage lang natin ating mga kababayan na manatili sa kalsada,” DSWD Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez said.
(We discourage alms giving as this would encourage some people to remain in the streets.)
Presidential Decree 1563 under former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., penalizes persons caught giving alms with fines and jail time of up to four years.
DSWD said it has programs for street dwellers such as Oplan Abot, which provides temporary shelter, educational plan or enrolment to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.
“Hindi po kayo basta hinihila, nilalagay sa sasakyan, ilalagay sa facility. Hindi po. Dayalogo po ang nangyayari hanggang kayo ay kusa sumama sa amin at mabigyan kayo ng interventions,” Lopez said.
(We don’t just pull the street dwellers, place them in a car, and bring them to a facility. We don’t do that. Dialogue is what happens until they willingly come with us, and we provide them with interventions.)
If you take a closer look at President Decree #1563, Section 4 specifically states as follows: Any infants or child 8 years old and below who is found begging or is being utilized by a mendicant for purposes of begging shall be apprehended as a neglected child under Article 141 of PD 603 and shall be committed to the custody and care of the Department of Social Services and Development or to any duly licensed child placement agency or individual.
Any minor over 9 years of age under 15 found begging or is being utilized for purposes of begging and who acted without discernment shall be apprehended as a neglected child under Article 141 of Presidential Decree No. 603 and shall be committed to the custody and care of the Department of Social Services and Development or to any duly licensed placement agency or individual.
Any minor over 9 years of age and under 15 who is found begging or is being utilized for the purpose of begging and who acted with discernment shall be proceeded against in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 3, Title VIII of Presidential Decree No. 603.
Any person not otherwise covered in the preceding paragraph of this Section who is found begging and who is physically or mentally incapable of gainful occupation shall be provided the integrated package of services by the Department of Social Services and Development, the Welfare units of local governments and other cooperating agencies.
When it comes to criminal liability, Section 5 states as follows: A mendicant as defined in Paragraph (a) Section 3 hereof, shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine not exceeding P500.00 or by imprisonment for a period not exceeding 2 years or both at the discretion of the court.
A habitual mendicant shall be punished by a fine not exceeding P1,000.00 or by imprisonment for a period not exceeding 4 years or both at the discretion of the court.
Parents of exploited infants or minors under Section 4 of this Decree shall be proceeded against in accordance with Articles 59 and 60 of Presidential Decree No. 603, unless they are themselves mendicants.
Any person who abets mendicancy by giving alms directly to mendicants, exploited infants and minors on public roads, sidewalks, parks and bridges shall be punished by a fine nor exceeding P20.00.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you often feel like giving alms to beggars whenever you see them on the streets or in other public places? How many people in your local community are aware of the existence of Presidential Decree #1563? Does your local government implement an ordinance prohibiting the giving of alms to beggars?
Recently in the City of Parañaque, elements of the Southern Police District and Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) raided an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) establishment resulting in the arrests of suspects and the discovery of what could be a prostitution den, according to a GMA Network news report. The raid was done due to the POGO’s lack of a license to operate.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA Network news report. Some parts in boldface…
An alleged prostitution den was discovered during a raid in an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) establishment in Parañaque City on Wednesday, authorities said.
The Southern Police District and Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) raided the POGO hub due to lack of license to operate, Nico Waje reported on Unang Balita.
“While doing the inspection, nakita nga namin iyong prostitution den (we saw the prostitution den),” PAOCC executive director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz said.
“Kung mapapansin niyo, mayroon mga babae na nandoon and they have rooms na ginagamit nila sa prostitution (If you notice, there were women there and they have rooms that were being used for prostitution),” he added.
The women, who are all Filipinos, said they are offering only massage services.
In the parking lot on the seventh floor of the building, private rooms and spa rooms were discovered aside from computers and gaming consoles.
The operation on other floors has a license but the workers, most of them Chinese, failed to present proper documents like passports, according to the PAOCC.
Cruz said the workers said their bosses were holding their passports.
With a total of 2,000 workers, the POGO hub declared only 900 of them to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
Two Chinese nationals who manage the POGO hub were arrested, according to Unang Balita.
In a statement, the SPD said at least 16 employees alleged to be victims of human trafficking were rescued in the operation.
The PAOCC is looking into the possible closure of the establishment due to violations of human trafficking, labor, and immigration laws.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Immigration is set to visit the area for the profiling of the POGO workers.
Posted below is the related YouTube news video…
Let me end this piece 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 illegal activities, exploitation and abuses linked with the POGOs within your city? If there is a POGO within your local community, did you notice anything suspicious?
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 engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
The economy of the Philippines grew almost 6% in the 3rd quarter (July-September 2023) which is a huge improvement over the 2nd quarter growth of 4.3%, according to a GMA Network news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA Network news report. Some parts in boldface…
The Philippine economy regained its footing in the third quarter of 2023, following a slowdown seen in the previous quarter, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Thursday.
The economy, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP) or the total value of goods and services produced in a period, grew by 5.9% during the July to September 2023 period, PSA chief and National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa said at a press conference.
This is faster than the 4.3% growth rate seen in the second quarter of the year —its slowest pace in nine quarters since the country entered the positive territory in the middle of 2021 following a pandemic-induced recession.
“We are pleased to announce that the Philippine economy continues to grow despite several major headwinds that we have experienced and continue to experience,” National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said.
“This performance makes our economy the fastest among the major emerging economies in Asia that have released their third-quarter 2023 GDP growth: Vietnam at 5.3%, Indonesia and China at 4.9%, and Malaysia at 3.3%,” the NEDA chief said.
The third quarter economic performance brought the year-to-date or the January to September 2023 GDP growth rate to 5.5%.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? Do you think there is still a chance for the Philippine economy to accelerate in the 4th quarter and achieve a full-year economic growth of at least 6%?
Even though it looks like that economic growth for the Philippines this year will end up short of 7%, the economic managers of the Marcos administration expect revenue collections to exceed the target for 2023, according to a GMA Network news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA Network news report. Some parts in boldface…
The economic managers of the Marcos administration are expecting the government revenue collections this year to exceed target amid measures to improve tax administration and collection efficiency.
In a statement following a special coordination committee meeting on Friday, the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) said the “emerging total revenue collection for 2023 is estimated to be P3.84 trillion to P3.90 trillion.”
The projected revenue collection for the entire year is above the P3.73-trillion target set earlier by the DBCC.
In April, the economic managers set the revenue goal at P3.73 trillion this year, P4.184 trillion in 2024, P4.692 trillion in 2025, P5.255 trillion in 2026, P5.895 trillion in 2027, and P6.621 trillion in 2028.
The DBCC, chaired by the Budget chief, is composed of the secretaries of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Finance (DOF), as well as the governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
The DBCC, likewise, is expecting tax revenues to clock in at P3.50 trillion to P3.55 trillion, surpassing the target by about 15%.
The above-target revenue project resulted from the higher actual collections in the first nine months of 2023, which reached P2.84 trillion, up 6.8% year-on-year and exceeding the target for the period by 3%.
This, as both tax and non-tax revenues registered positive growth at 6.4% and 10.5%, respectively, “owing to the higher collections from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and non-tax revenues of P152.57 billion.”
The DBCC said the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the BOC are implementing several reforms to strengthen tax administration and enhance revenue collection, which include digitalization programs intended to eliminate corruption, increase transparency, and improve the ease of paying taxes.
Tax reform measures – Moreover, the economic managers said they will work closely with Congress for the passage of the previous administration’s remaining tax reforms on passive income and financial intermediaries taxation and real property valuation and assessment, as well as new tax measures.
“These include the excise tax on single-use plastics (SUPs), rationalization of the mining fiscal regime, motor-vehicle road users’ tax, excise tax on sweetened beverages and junk foods, tax on pre-mixed alcohol, value-added tax (VAT) on digital service providers, carbon taxation, capital market development bill, and the military and uniformed personnel (MUP) pension reform bill,” the DBCC said.
Meanwhile, the national government’s disbursement accelerated significantly from 93.4% of the program as of June 2023 to 98.9% as of September.
“This was mainly driven by the robust disbursement in the third quarter, reaching P3.82 trillion as of the end of September,” the economic managers said.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think that government collections will exceed the 2023 revenue target?
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is hoping for a longer period for voting in the next Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), according to a GMA Network news report. The BSKE this year happened this past Monday with a voting period of 7AM to 3PM although a few cities had early voting hours of 5AM to 7AM for senior citizens, pregnant women and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA Network news article. Some parts in boldface…
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia on Monday said that he is hoping that the next Barangay and Sangguninang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) will have longer voting hours.
This, as Garcia said he expects long queues in voting precincts today, which will only be open until 3 p.m.
“Sana nga po dumating ang pagkakataon na mabago ang ating batas na sa halip na alas tres lamang ang pagboto sa BSKE ay sana kahit gawing mga alas singko man lang ito para po makapagsilbi sa mas maraming botante,” Garcia told reporters in an ambush interview after he cast his vote at Banaba Cerca Integrated School in Cavite.
(We look forward to the time when we can amend the law to extend the voting hours for BSKE until 5 p.m. so we can accommodate more voters.)
Aside from longer voting hours, Garcia is also hoping for a new law that will allow the poll body to provide seamless voting for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and heavily pregnant women.
“‘Yun ang kadahilanan kung bakit pinu-push ng Comelec ang Early Voting Law dahil… makaka-register kayo nang mas maaga. Pag naka-register nang mas maaga, alam namin kung saan kayo boboto o kung kayo ba ay boboto nang isang linggo bago ang eleksyon,” explained Garcia.
(That is the reason why Comelec is pushing for an Early Voting Law. This will enable vulnerable sectors to register early and if possible, vote a week earlier.)
The Comelec chief then apologized to the vulnerable sectors who experienced inconvenience due to the required signing of a waiver form.
“Pasensya na po kayo. ‘Yun po ‘yung mga isa sa mga tinitingnan natin sa pilot testing natin, [kung] ano ang mga adjustment na gagawin natin,” he said.
(We ask for your patience. This is one of the things that we want to assess during our pilot test to determine the things that need adjustments.)
“First time po natin itong ginawa…pero wag po kayo mag-alala. Sa susunod na gagawin natin nationwide ‘yan, mawawala ang ganyang klase ng mga papeles o dokumento,” he added.
(This is the first time that we did this. The next time we hold this nationwide, we will no longer require those documents.)
Vulnerable sectors in Muntinlupa City and Naga City, Camarines Sur were allowed to vote early on Monday as they were allowed to cast their votes at 5 a.m.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you were able to vote in the BSKE this past Monday, are you convinced that a longer period of voting is needed? Do you prefer more early voting periods for vulnerable voters or special lanes to be made to accommodate them? Do you think an extended voting period will be effective in accommodating more voters in the BSKE?
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 engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Noel Bazaar has an established history as a long-running and popular holiday bazaar and also “features the best of entrepreneurs carrying the latest crafts and merchandise from clothing, Christmas and home decors, fashion accessories, novelty and gift items to food and drinks.”
To put things in perspective, posted below are selected excerpts from the GMA Network article. Some parts in boldface…
Sprinkling the holiday season with an extensive selection of unique gifts, mouthwatering treats, captivating entertainment, and opportunities for charitable giving, Noel Bazaar 2023 boasts of a 48-day run on the following dates and venues: November 10 to December 17 at Okada Manila; November 24 to 30 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, and December 8 to 10 at the Filinvest Tent Alabang.
Shop ‘Til You Drop – From handcrafted jewelry to bespoke fashion, home décor, accessories, and more, shoppers can find the perfect gifts for their loved ones while supporting hundreds of local artisans and entrepreneurs who are joining the bazaar. A sweet and delectable shopping experience await all visitors of the metro’s ultimate Christmas shopping destination!
Endless Holiday Festivities – Immerse yourself in a festive atmosphere of Christmas cheer when you visit Noel Bazaar across all its selected venues this year! Delight in Okada Manila’s simultaneous Home of Wonder, featuring their Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Christmas Light Show, Christmas Village, and the Fountain Show. Indulge in seven days of merriment at the World Trade Center featuring magical performances, children’s fashion shows, sweet serenades, delightful workshops and demos, and imported selections from the International Pavilion. Savour what the south has to offer when Noel Bazaar swings by the Filinvest Tent Alabang, bringing an assortment of Christmas gifts and goodies as well as an outdoor food market with live music every evening! With an exciting line-up of activities and surprises at each location, you definitely don’t want to miss Noel Bazaar’s 5-week long comeback this 2023!
Again, for the newcomers reading this, Filinvest Tent not only hosted last year’s edition of the Noel Bazaar, it was also the same venue used for New Life Conference 2023.
The Filinvest Tent.
For those who will be attending Noel Bazaar 2023 at Filinvest Tent, be aware that there are lots of stores, food/beverage vendors and restaurants that are within walking distance. Commercenter Mall is a short walk away from the Filinvest Tent and inside are restaurants such as Akrotiri, Sigekiya Ramen and The Black Pig to name a few. Even closer to the Filinvest Tent are branches of McDonald’s and Jollibee, as well as the area of South Supermarket which has some restaurants, local business joints and a paid parking area on the ground floor. While Filinvest Tent itself has a paid parking area, its parking slots are limited. You could park your cars at the paid parking areas of the nearby joints.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Are you excited about the return of Noel Bazaar in Alabang? If you shopped at a Noel Bazaar before, was your experience within Alabang? Do you think the Filinvest Tent is still a suitable venue for Christmas season shopping?
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 engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Welcome back readers, fellow people of faith and supporters of Israel. Last time around, I magnified a GMA Network news report about Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss confirming that Filipinos present in Israel are being taken care of as the Jewish State’s war with Palestinian terrorist group Hamas goes on. The latest news that Filipinos should pay attention to is the Israeli government’s confirmation of extending support to the families if the four Filipinos (identified as Grace Prodigo Cabrera, Loreta Alacre, Angeline Aguirre, and Paul Vincent Castelvi) who lost their lives when Hamas launched its attacks on Israel, according to a GMA Network news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…
The Israeli government will extend long-term support to the families of the four Filipinos who were killed during the attack of militant group Hamas in Israel.
According to Sandra Aguinaldo’s report on Unang Balita on Friday, this was the information received by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) from the Israel Embassy in the Philippines.
“Sila ay treated like an Israeli citizen, so kung ano ‘yung benepisyo na nakukuha ng isang Israeli citizen, gan’un din ang ibibigay sa kanila,” said OWWA administrator Arnell Ignacio.
(They are treated like Israeli citizens, so their benefits are the same as those of an Israeli citizen.)
Aside from assistance in burial and mourning expenses, the families of the four Filipinos will also receive monthly support and yearly cash benefits.
The Israeli Embassy has earlier said it would extend assistance not only to the families of the Filipinos killed in the violence but also to who were injured.
Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss confirmed that Israel will extend assistance to foreign victims of the ongoing violence, including Filipinos.
“We recognize them as victims of terrorism and for that then they will be receiving assistance, either the parents, spouses or children accordingly,” Fluss said in the Unang Balita report.
“Financial assistance, their monthly income. If they need assistance in education, in healthcare, housing… as long as they are in Israel and documented,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ignacio said 58 Filipinos from Israel are set to arrive in the country on Monday, October 30.
In relation to the above news, we Filipinos should thank the Jewish State for the assistance and other forms of support for Filipinos there in Israel who got affected by the continuing attacks by the terrorists. We should also thank the Lord God for the thriving Israel-Philippines ties which for me are truly essential and more Filipinos should value the said ties. Having been to Israel myself (click here, here, here, here, here and here), I witnessed the Holy Bible coming to life at the Holy Land sites our pilgrimage tour group visited and I developed love and support for the Jewish people in accordance to God’s Word. As my faith in the Lord is unbreakable and uncompromising, I will always stand united with Israel.
As Israel and the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) keep on fighting the terrorists not only in Gaza but also in other parts of the country (across borders with nations that somehow accommodated the terrorists), we who believe in the Lord should keep on praying to Him to ensure Israel’s victory, to support the Jewish people, to support the families of the Filipino victims as well as others who became victims of terrorism. Pray also for the innocent and dissenting Palestinians who did not want to be part of the evil activities of Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.
Be aware that the United Nations (UN), Hamas, Iran, the Democrats, the Palestinian Authority (PA), the woke, Black Lives Matter, the socialists/Communists/Marxists/liberals, the anti-Semitic mob, the climate change extremists, the LGBT mob, the diversity zealots and their inclusion counterparts are all doing the dirty works of Satan. Those are the worldly forces who do not even realize that they have been consumed by evil and they have members who decided to become evil. Along the way, the evil legacies (anti-Israel) of Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton and murder Yasser Arafat are still being felt.
That being said, supporting Israel and the Jewish people with God watching us is the right, the moral and holy thing to do. We need to keep on praying to Him for Israel and if God commands you to do something in serving him, do it without hesitation. Ask the Lord how you can support the Jewish State and help contribute to Israel’s next victories while putting out the fire of hatred around the world. For insight about Israel’s place under the Lord and why victory with Him (crushing evil) is inevitable, refer to the holy scriptures below…
Now [in Haran] the Lord said to Abram, Go for yourself [for your own advantage] away from your country, from your relatives and your father’s house, to the land that I will show you.
And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you [with abundant increase of favors] and make your name famous and distinguished, and you will be a blessing [dispensing good to others].
And I will bless those who bless you [who confer prosperity or happiness upon you] and [a]curse him who curses or uses insolent language toward you; in you will all the families and kindred of the earth be blessed [and by you they will bless themselves].
Genesis 12:1-3 (AMPC)
After these events, God tested and proved Abraham and said to him, Abraham! And he said, Here I am.
[God] said, Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah; and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains of which I will tell you.
So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and his son Isaac; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and then began the trip to the place of which God had told him.
On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.
And Abraham said to his servants, Settle down and stay here with the donkey, and I and the young man will go yonder and worship and come again to you.
Then Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on [the shoulders of] Isaac his son, and he took the fire (the firepot) in his own hand, and a knife; and the two of them went on together.
And Isaac said to Abraham, My father! And he said, Here I am, my son. [Isaac] said, See, here are the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt sacrifice?
Abraham said, My son, God Himself will provide a lamb for the burnt offering. So the two went on together.
When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there; then he laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar on the wood.
And Abraham stretched forth his hand and took hold of the knife to slay his son.
But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, Abraham, Abraham! He answered, Here I am.
And He said, Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear and revere God, since you have not held back from Me or begrudged giving Me your son, your only son.
Then Abraham looked up and glanced around, and behold, behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up for a burnt offering and an ascending sacrifice instead of his son!
So Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide. And it is said to this day, On the mount of the Lord it will be provided.
The Angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time
And said, I have sworn by Myself, says the Lord, that since you have done this and have not withheld [from Me] or begrudged [giving Me] your son, your only son,
In blessing I will bless you and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore. And your Seed (Heir) will possess the gate of His enemies,
And in your Seed [Christ] shall all the nations of the earth be blessed and [by Him] bless themselves, because you have heard and obeyed My voice.
Genesis 22:1-18 (AMPC)
Again God said to him, Your name is Jacob [supplanter]; you shall not be called Jacob any longer, but Israel shall be your name. So He called him Israel [contender with God].
And God said to him, I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall come from you and kings shall be born of your stock;
The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and to your descendants after you I will give the land.
Genesis 35:10-12 (AMPC)
Thus says the Lord: For three transgressions of Gaza [a city in Philistia] and for four [for multiplied delinquencies], I will not reverse the punishment of it or revoke My word concerning it, because [as slave traders] they carried away captive the whole [Jewish] population [of defenseless Judean border villages, of which none was spared, none left behind] and delivered them up to Edom [for the slave trade].
So I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza which shall devour its strongholds.
And I will cut off the inhabitants from Ashdod and him who holds the scepter from Ashkelon, and I will turn My hand against Ekron; and the rest of the Philistines [in Gath and the towns dependent on these four Philistine cities] shall perish, says the Lord God.
Amos 1:6-8 (AMPC)
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God’s] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord.
Romans 12:19 (AMPC)
O my God, make them like whirling dust, like stubble or chaff before the wind!
As fire consumes the forest, and as the flame sets the mountains ablaze,
So pursue and afflict them with Your tempest and terrify them with Your tornado or hurricane.
Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek, inquire for, and insistently require Your name, O Lord.
Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever; yes, let them be put to shame and perish,
That they may know that You, Whose name alone is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.
Psalm 83:13-18 (AMPC)
If you truly believe in Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Heavenly Father wholeheartedly and you continue to be faithful, you should be aware that Christians are meant to stand united with Israel and love the Jewish people no matter what. You can do your part supporting Israel by donating to Christians United for Israel (CUFI). Do not forget to read the Holy Bible, then pray in tongues to the Lord in the privacy of your room with the door shut. The Lord is faithful and He is capable of winning battles and wars that are too great for us to deal with. Have unwavering faith in Him knowing that victory is His that we can be part of.
As some of you are already aware, I fully stand with Israel which is directly connected with my uncompromising faith in the Lord. The October 7, 2023 attack on Israel committed by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas is the main cause of the state of war. No matter what the terrorists and their Leftist siblings do, nothing will stop me from supporting the Jewish state as its military campaign against Hamas continues. The Palestinian terrorists are guilty of infiltration, torture, kidnapping, murdering and damages of property in Israel.
Unsurprisingly, there were also people of different nationalities in Israel who got negatively affected by Hamas. There were already a few of my fellow Filipinos there who lost their lives and the Philippine embassy has been working hard to ensure the safety of other Filipinos present.
Here is a bit of good news – Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss confirmed that Filipinos present in Israel are being taken care of, according to a GMA Network news report (which referred to an ANC interview).
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…
Amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas militants, Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss said Monday that Filipinos in Israel are being taken care of like family members of its citizens.
Fluss said that most of the 30,000 Filipinos in Israel “feel that they are safe” and that they wanted to stay in the Middle East country despite the fatal attacks by Hamas in Israel and vice versa.
“The Filipinos in Israel are part of us. They live with our own people… They are part of our families, they are staying in our homes. When we have to go into a sheltered room or into a bomb shelter or safety room, they come with us,” the ambassador said in an ANC interview.
“You are now joining the Israeli family which is a big family, unfortunately, of the victims of terror. And we are taking care of you as one of our big family in all different kinds of ways,” he added.
Four Filipinos were confirmed dead due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The latest casualty was an Ilongga caregiver who was one of the three Filipinos earlier reported missing.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the Philippines stands with Israel following the deadly attacks by Hamas.
To my fellow Filipinos reading this, I encourage you to accept the truth that Israel is the land God designated specifically for the Jewish people (read Genesis 35:10-12) and His command must be without hestitation. If you want to be blessed further by the Lord, do so by loving and blessing the Jewish people (Genesis 12:1-3). I did my part when I was in Israel. Also, let me remind you all that the ties between the Jews and Christians are truly biblical!
In relation to the news report about the state of Filipinos in Israel, we here in the Philippines should thank and bless the Israelis in return for taking care of them as the war goes on.
We live in a very divided world. Around the world, Leftist forces have been supporting evil forces like the current regime of Iran which is known for supplying and arming the Palestinian terrorists and other terrorist groups around the Middle East. Leftist forces have been supporting the Palestinian Authority and other enemies of Israel. The Leftists and terrorists always go together and their anti-Semitism is clearly obvious. Hamas is purely evil and they are being protected by not only their fellow terrorists but also by mainstream news media outlets who are linked with Leftist forces and people who hate Israel and the Jewish people. At the same time, the Palestinian Authority and other pro-Palestine groups will do anything to mislead people and undermine Israel’s war campaigns against the terrorist group Hamas.
With all that said, it is a must we pray to the Lord God in support of Israel and believe that He will guide the Israeli forces to another victory which means finishing off Hamas. Read Joshua 11:1-20 in the Holy Bible for relevance and truth.
Author Carlo Carrasco 