As many nations around the world are struggling with the continued large presence of foreigners trying to cross their borders seeking asylum and access to taxpayer-funded resources, four Indian nationals and one Malaysian national were recently apprehended by local authorities for their illegal entry into the Philippines, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…
Government forces on Thursday arrested five foreigners who illegally entered the country in Zamboanga City.
In a statement, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said four Indian nationals and a Malaysian were apprehended in an operation carried out by the PCG District Southwestern Mindanao (CGDSWM), PNP (Philippine National Police) – Maritime Group (MG), and the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
The arrested individuals, it said, entered the country from Malaysia to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi using a speed boat.
“Afterwards, they transferred to a commercial passenger-cargo vessel, M/V TRISHA KERSTIN 2, en route to Zamboanga City,” it said.
According to the BI’s Intelligence Unit, the four Indian nationals were included in the “watchlist of blacklisted nationals” in 2004, 2016, and 2024.
The arrested individuals will be charged with violation of Commonwealth Act No. 613 or the Philippine Immigration Act, specifically Section 37 E.
“The CGDSWM remains steadfast in upholding the law, as well as maintaining safety and security in service to the Filipino nation,” it said.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think there could be more foreigners who entered the Philippines illegally? Do you think the day will come when foreigners from the Middle East and African region will flock to the Philippines seeking asylum and taxpayer-funded resources?
Recently in the city of Parañaque, the newly opened Grand Westside Hotel located in Entertainment City was inaugurated with the presence of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., who expressed confidence about its tourism and economic prospects, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday said the newly opened Grand Westside Hotel in Paranaque City, tagged the biggest hotel development in the country yet, would be a major economic and tourism boost.
During the inauguration of Megaworld’s Grand Westside Hotel, Marcos said the 19-story establishment with over 1,500 rooms would not only strengthen the government’s tourism campaign but would also generate more jobs and business opportunities for Filipinos.
Marcos said the hotel’s addition to Philippine tourism is particularly noteworthy in light of the sector’s “remarkable” growth, which contributed 8.6 percent to the country’s gross domestic product in 2023.
“Thanks to this hotel, we can do more. Not only can we accommodate the resurging number of local and international tourists coming to this side of Metro Manila, but we can also expect our Entertainment City to become better known and even more distinguished, elevating its status to more potential visitors in the coming years,” the President said in his speech.
Marcos disclosed that other developments from the real property giant are underway, including the 1,500-seater Grand Opera House also in Paranaque, more theaters and a gaming complex, among other things.
“With all these, we foresee not only the entry of more tourists but also the generation of more jobs, of new businesses and greater opportunity. In fact, [while] many have benefitted from the actual construction of these [properties], around 20,000 direct and indirect jobs will still be created throughout the operation of this hotel in the years to come,” he said.
The President said he is looking forward to Megaworld’s triumphs that will “undoubtedly contribute to the new Philippines, ang Bagong Pilipinas.”
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 delighted with the Grand Westside Hotel operating in the city?
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
Two police officers were officially recognized by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) for their swift response that resulted in the neutralization of an armed robber, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. The said cops were wounded during the encounter.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) recognized two police officers for their swift response that led to the neutralization of an armed robber in Las Piñas City.
In a news release on Friday, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil awarded on Thursday the Medal of Valor, Medal of Merit, and the PNP Wounded Medal to Master Sergeants Avelino Lopez and Bong Panton for their gallantry in the face of grave danger.
The two police officers, both assigned to the Tactical Motorcycle Riding Unit (TMRU) of the Las Piñas City Police Station, responded to a robbery incident inside the Olivarez Guevarra Subdivision in the city’s Barangay Manuyo Dos past noon on Thursday.
Investigation showed the suspect climbed the wall of a compound inside the subdivision. He then encountered the victim inside the latter’s house and physically assaulted him, resulting in an altercation.
The suspect managed to seize the victim’s 9-mm Parabellum pistol and fled the scene on foot.
The victim sought assistance from the TMRU personnel patrolling the area. The two police officers tracked the suspect, who attempted to escape by firing at them.
The unidentified suspect was killed in the ensuing gunfight by the responding officers.
During the encounter, Lopez and Panton sustained gunshot wounds in the leg. They were immediately transported to the Las Piñas Doctors Hospital for medical treatment and are in stable condition.
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? Are you thankful to the two wounded cops who neutralized the armed robber?
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
Recently the Metro Manila Council (MMC) approved a resolution emphasizing the regulation of utility lines and urging local governments units (LGUs) in the National Capital Region (NCR) to remove the dangling wires in all streets, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…
The Metro Manila Council (MMC) on Tuesday approved in principle a resolution calling for the regulation and monitoring of utility lines as well as the removal of dangling and “spaghetti” cables in all streets in the National Capital Region (NCR).
During the MMC meeting at the MMDA head office in Pasig City, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) acting chair Romando Artes said MMDA Resolution 24-16 Series of 2024 urges local government units (LGUs) in NCR to pass an ordinance for the control and maintenance of these utility lines.
“Noong isang araw ay may bumagsak na poste dahil sa salasalabat na wire at nagdulot ng mabigat na trapiko. Walang nakadaan dahil nakaharang sa daan. Kailangan nang maiwasan ang ganito para hindi na umabot sa pagkawala ng buhay (The other day, a utility post fell down due to these spaghetti wires that caused heavy traffic. Nobody was able to pass. We need to avoid such occurrences and not wait for it to take a life),” Artes said.
During the meeting, executives from power distributor Manila Electric Company (Meralco) said these wires cannot easily be removed due to the difficulty of identifying which wires are non-operational.
“Temporary disruption of services which results in complaints from affected residents are also among their challenges,” he said.
To alleviate these issues, Artes said an information drive will be launched to warn residents of any service disruptions that may happen before the removal of these unnecessary wires.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you agree with the approved resolution of the MMC? Are there lots of dangling wires in your local community right now? Does your local government have existing laws that regulate utility lines?
As some of you are already aware, I fully stand with Israel which is very connected with my uncompromising faith in the Lord. I keep on praying to Him for Israel to overwhelm its enemies, rescue the hostages and recover from the effects of the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks committed by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas. I can assure all of you that nobody from the evil Islamo-Leftist mob, nobody from the pro-Palestine zealots and nobody from any evil society would stop me from supporting and loving Israel.
Now, on with the news…
Recently, the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel announced that officials approved a quota of over ninety thousand foreign workers to come into Israel to fill vacant jobs in the industry, agriculture, hotels and restaurant sectors, 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…
Seeking to address a labor shortage, Israeli officials approved a quota of 92,000 foreign workers to fill jobs in agriculture, industry, hotels and restaurants, the Prime Minister’s Office announced on Tuesday.
This marks the first time Israel has authorized foreign workers for the restaurant industry.
Seventy percent of the quota is specifically set aside for agricultural laborers. Israeli agriculture is facing staggering losses in production and manpower.
Before Oct. 7, Israel had 29,900 foreigners, mostly Thais, working in farms, orchards, greenhouses and packing plants.
Israeli workers who might have filled the gaps have been called up for military reserve duty while Palestinian laborers are currently banned as security risks.
Many growing areas are within two kilometers of the Lebanese border where farmers have not been able to freely access fields and orchards.
“Despite the challenges of the war, the packing house works around the clock, with the aim of providing fresh Israeli produce continuously, while dealing with the directives of the Home Front Command,” said Asaf Keret, CEO of Beresheet, a fruit-packing business jointly run by several kibbutzim in the Upper Galilee and Golan Heights.
Keret was addressing a delegation of fruit growers and agricultural officials touring Beresheet’s orchards.
He called on the government to boost agriculture with further measures, such as grants for planting, raising lang quotas, and other incentives.
“The fruit growers are at the height of the picking season and are faced with picking under the fire of Hezbollah, and we are prepared to market the produce of the farmers of the Galilee and the Golan to the marketing chains and wholesale companies. Thanks to our dedicated farmers and workers, I am sure that we will be able to supply the produce to the residents of the State of Israel,” Keret said.
The remaining foreign workers will fill gaps in industry, and hotels, with 2,000 to work for the first time in restaurants.
Israel is making moves to revive its economy which was affected by the October 7 terrorist attacks. There are gaps that need to be filled up and we will find out soon enough how many foreign workers will turn out to enter and work in Israel legally.
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 followed without hesitation. 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!
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, Hezbollah and other terrorist groups around the Middle East. 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. Beware of the evil union of the Islamo-Left which is wicked deep within.
With all that said, I encourage you all to 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, crushing Hezbollah and forcing Iran and its terror proxies to give up. Read Joshua 11:1-20 in the Holy Bible for relevance and truth. Pray to the Lord to support Israel, its government officials, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and other stakeholders.
Recently in province of Cebu, a sting operation conducted by law enforcers resulted in the arrest of an electric bike (e-bike) driver and the seizure of illegal substances worth over P2 million, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. It should be noted that the suspect was previously monitored by the local authorities.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…
Regional anti-narcotics police arrested an electronic (e)-bike driver and seized a total of PHP2.04 million worth of suspected shabu in a sting operation Monday evening.
The police identified the suspect as alias Demot, a 33-year-old resident of Spolarium Street in Barangay Duljo-Fatima, whose work is driving an e-bike for a fee.
The suspect yielded the packs containing what is believed to be shabu, weighing 300 grams with an estimated street value of PHP2,040,000.
“The police is now investigating to determine the source of illegal drugs of the suspect,” a statement from the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 7 (Central Visayas) said Tuesday.
According to the police, the suspect was placed under close monitoring a week before his arrest after they received a report that he could dispose of 500 grams of illegal drugs per week.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the police will be able to determine the source of illegal drugs they seized from the arrested e-bike driver? Are you concerned that there could be more e-bike drivers around you who could be secretly working with drug pushers and crime syndicates?
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…
The Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) has expelled Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, adding to the woes of the controversial local chief executive.
Guo is currently serving an Ombudsman-ordered six-month suspension, which started May 31, and faces human trafficking charges filed by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).
In a letter signed by NPC chair Vicente Sotto III on June 22 and addressed to Tarlac Governor Susan Yap who petitioned the removal, Guo is ordered removed from the roster of members.
Party secretary general Secretary Mark Llandro Mendoza, Presidential Adviser on Legislative Affairs and head of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, will implement the order and inform Guo of her removal from NPC.
“The NPC will not tolerate any unlawful acts or any appearance of impropriety by its members that will undermine the principle of our party,” read the NPC letter, released to the media on Sunday.
On Friday, the PAOCC and PNP-CIDG filed a qualified human trafficking complaint against Guo, former Technology and Livelihood Resource Center deputy director general Dennis Cunanan, 12 officers and incorporators of three companies, and Guo’s alleged business partners Huang Zhiyang, Zhang Ruijin and Baoying Li before the Department of Justice.
The case against Guo and the others stemmed from the raid at the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator hub Zun Yuan Technology Inc. in Bamban in March.
Huang is a fugitive in China, while Zhang and Baoying are allegedly involved in a major money laundering case in Singapore.
An Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order against Guo and the other respondents may be out next week.
Previously, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said it would look into Guo and the names and entities connected with her.
“Due process will be followed. If the income declared with the BIR does not match the value of the properties amassed during the same taxable years, criminal cases for tax evasion will be filed. The same charges can be filed against conspirators and the corporate officers of the companies used to amass such wealth,” BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said.
Guo, Municipal Business Permits and Licensing Office’s Edwin Ocampo and municipal legal office Adenn Sigua are suspended due to “strong evidence showing their guilt” on the charges of grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and gross neglect of duty.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the NPC did the right move by expelling mayor Guo? Do you think this development will spark a wave of member integrity checking by all existing political parties here in the Philippines?
Recently in the city of Parañaque, a cop was arrested by elements of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) operatives as a result of a drug buy-bust operation in Barangay BF Homes, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) operatives on Sunday arrested a cop in a drug buy-bust operation in Parañaque City.
NCRPO Director Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. identified the suspect as Cpl. Neil Bagunu, 31, presently assigned at the National Police Training Institute (NPTI).
He was arrested in Purok-2 Formost Street in Barangay BF Homes, Parañaque City after receiving the marked and boodle money from a poseur buyer as payment for shabu at around 2:30 a.m. Sunday.
Nartatez said the operatives seized drug paraphernalia worth PHP136,000 and a .45- caliber pistol.
The cop, he said, was brought to the Paranaque Police Station to face criminal and administrative charges.
He said over 500 policemen in Metro Manila have been dismissed from the service as part of the NCRPO’s internal cleansing since July last year.
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 police officers secretly engaging in illegal activities in your local community?
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
With the 2025 national and local elections happening less than a year from now, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announced that the contracted provider Miru Systems is ready to deliver more than one hundred thousand automated counting machines (ACM) for the said polls, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…
Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman George Garcia on Wednesday said the Miru Systems is ready to deliver the 110,000 automated counting machines (ACMs) for the 2025 mid-term elections.
Garcia made the remark after he and other Comelec officials visited on Monday the facilities of Miru, a South Korean firm contracted to provide the automated technology for next year’s polls.
“Kuntento at satisfied ang Comelec sa nakikita namin so far. Hindi po tayo nagkamali nung nabigay natin ang award kay Miru (The Comelec is satisfied with what we see so far. We did not make a mistake when we gave the award to Miru),” Garcia said in a statement.
Last Feb. 22, the Comelec awarded the full automation system with transparency audit/count (FASTrAC) project to the joint venture of Miru Systems Co. Ltd., Integrated Computer Systems, St. Timothy Construction Corporation, and Centerpoint Solutions Technologies, Inc. (MIRU-ICS-STCC-CPSTI).
Garcia thanked the South Korean company for showing the Comelec team how the manufacturing will be done. Miru Systems was the lone bidder for the lease of FASTrAC project worth PHP17.9 billion.
“Napatunayan natin na ang Miru talaga ay isang manufacturing company ng mga automated counting machines dahil nakita natin lahat ng mga makina na ginawa nila at ginamit para sa ibang bansa (We have proven that Miru is actually a manufacturing company of automated counting machines because we have seen all the machines they made and use for other countries),” he said.
“Nakita din namin na handang-handa sila na talagang ideliver sa atin yung 110,000 machines na kakailanganin natin sapagkat on-time at yung timeline nila ay sadyang sinusunod. Nakita din natin kung gaano kagaling ang kanilang mga technicians at engineers habang ginagawa nila ang makina (We also saw that they are ready to actually deliver to us the 110,000 machines that we will need because they are on-time and their timeline is being followed. We also saw how good their technicians and engineers are while they are building the machine),” he added.
Miru officials headed by chief executive officer Jin-Bok Chung and vice president for Overseas Sales Ken Cho welcomed the Comelec officials and other stakeholders.
“We are honored to welcome Comelec Chair George Garcia, Commissioners Nelson Celis and Aimee Ferolino, and all other important stakeholders from the Philippines to oversee these early stages of production,” Cho said.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to show the status of the ongoing customization of the machines according to the needs of the Filipino people to all stakeholders, including the Philippine Computer Society, KBP (Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas), and other media friends,” he added.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think Miru Systems will be able to deliver all the ACMs needed for the 2025 national and local elections?
Recently the Bureau of Immigration (BI) intercepted and arrested two Chinese fugitives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) preventing them from leaving the country, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. The apprehensions happened in two separate occasions.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…
Immigration authorities have prevented two Chinese fugitives from fleeing the country at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City.
In a news release Thursday, Commissioner Norman Tansingco said Jun Zhang, 36; and Tianyi Zhang, 28, were intercepted and arrested on separate occasions on June 1 after they tried to depart the country for Bangkok, Thailand and Xiamen, China, respectively.
Jun, who was arrested while attempting to board a flight to Bangkok, presented himself as a Myanmar national with the name Lu Kyin Yang at the immigration counter.
“We received advanced information from the Chinese government that he is a fugitive in China and that he would be using that Myanmar passport to evade detection,” Tansingco said.
Jun reportedly arrived in the country in April, before Chinese authorities filed the information on his crimes with the BI.
Meanwhile, Tianyi was found to have a deportation order by the BI for being an undocumented and undesirable alien, after she was caught working for an establishment involved in prostitution and labor exploitation.
Tianyi and two other Chinese suspects also face a case before the Makati City regional trial court for the crime.
A hold departure order has been issued against them by the court to prevent them from leaving while their cases are still under trial.
“They are now detained at our detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City where they will remain until they are deported,” Tansingco said.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you concerned that there could be more Chinese fugitives hiding in your local community right now?
Author Carlo Carrasco 