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Scam Calls In The Philippines Jumped 78.44% In 3rd Quarter Of 2025

November 1, 2025October 23, 2025carlocarrasco

If you are in the Philippines, did you receive any suspicious calls on the telephone or on your mobile phone lately? Based on the data of an anti-scam app developer, scam calls in the country surged by more than 78% in the 3^rd quarter of this year, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

A 78.44 percent rise in scam calls was recorded in the Philippines in the third quarter of 2025, data from the latest Whoscall Scam Report of global anti-scam app developer Gogolook showed.

During the period, Whoscall said it logged a total of 62,390 scam calls, a sharp increase from 34,964 in the previous quarter.

Despite the spike, it noted that the figure remains 62.24 percent lower year-on-year than the 165,236 scam calls recorded in the same period in 2024.

Whoscall stated that it recorded 37,609 SMS scams, down by 42.17 percent from 65,035 in the previous quarter and a 97.71 percent year-on-year drop from 1,645,470 in 2024.

Gogolook Philippines Country Head and General Manager Mel Migriño said the trend indicates a behavioral shift among mobile users.

“Since the first quarter Scam Report of 2025, we have seen that Filipinos have become more cautious about clicking links from unknown numbers in SMS swindles. This shows that scammers are now shifting their tactics to calls and social media,” she said.

She explained that the rise in call scams is largely driven by fraudsters exploiting the telemarketing systems of financial institutions.

“They are taking advantage of legitimate promotional calls like credit card limit upgrades, making their scams sound more believable to unsuspecting consumers,” she noted.

Per Migriño, the continued decline in text-based scams can be credited to the “whole-of-society approach” involving law enforcement raids of major scam hubs nationwide and joint awareness campaigns.

Authorities urged the public to remain vigilant and report scam incidents through official channels.

Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) acting executive director Usec. Renato “Aboy” Paraiso said public reports are crucial in combating online fraud.

“We continue to urge the public to report scam incidents, as these serve as leads for further investigation and as the foundation for various initiatives that raise public awareness against online scams,” he said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? What do you think is causing the surge of scam calls over the previous quarter?

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

Better than Streaming: I Now Have For Your Eyes Only On Blu-ray

October 31, 2025October 31, 2025carlocarrasco

Welcome back fellow geeks, Blu-ray collectors and movie buffs!

When it comes to the seven James Bond movies that the late Roger Moore starred in, 1981’s For Your Eyes Only is my favorite. To put things short, the said Agent 007 adventure film was more grounded with reality, revived certain espionage elements used in the Sean Connery Bond films of the early 1960s, focused more on the Cold War, delivered solidly with thrills, and was ultimately more character-driven with its storytelling.

*The movie poster of Fot Your Eyes Only. (photo source – IMDB.com)*

I should also state that For Your Eyes Only has a very solid cast with Carole Bouquet and Lynn-Holly Johnson as the Bond girls, the late Israeli actor Topol as Columbo, Julian Glover as Kristatos, and the late Cassandra Harris (first wife of James Bond star Pierce Brosnan) as Lisl.

In my experience, I never saw For Your Eyes Only in the cinemas. My first time viewing it was on a rented home video tape (Betamax). In the 1990s, by chance I replayed the movie on cable TV. I bought a DVD copy of the movie in 2009.

Very recently, I had my first-ever high-definition (HD) viewing of For Your Eyes Only on Blu-ray which is my latest purchase this year. I bought it for a little over $8 (delivery fee excluded) on Amazon.

*My Blu-ray copy of For Your Eyes Only. I bought it for a little over $8.*

*The rear of my Blu-ray copy of For Your Eyes Only.*

As of this writing, I replayed For Your Eyes Only in HD twice with my Blu-ray copy and I can say that I enjoyed the Moore-led Bond movie yet again. While the film is not exactly spectacular with regards to visuals as it was recorded, it looks better than ever in HD. Apart from the higher resolution, the movie is clearer and there are more tiny visual details spotted as I watched on Blu-ray. It was nice to see on HD the film’s key moments, character development scenes and, of course, the many action scenes and stunts performed.

With regards to the extra stuff, this Blu-ray contains the exact same content made available on For Your Eyes Only DVD that I bought 16 years ago. The on-screen options as well as the visual presentation were also the same.

I am really delighted with For Your Eyes Only on Blu-ray disc format and my recent purchase resulted in a tremendous value in return. I am glad to have this classic James Bond movie in my collection as the film itself is great and it is my favorite among the seven Agent 007 movies Roger Moore starred in.

*The Blu-ray disc of the 1981 James Bond movie.*

If you are a long-time James Bond or if you are a newcomer who wants to the see the very best of Roger Moore James Bond movies in HD, the Blu-ray disc is still available for ordering online and you only need to click here.

For me, the next step to enjoy For Your Eyes Only would be on 4K Blu-ray (standalone release). In conclusion, I posted below the official song of the movie by Sheena Easton.

If you wish to join a group of movie enthusiasts and talk about cinema, cinematic trends, Blu-ray releases and more relevant stuff, visit the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576

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President Marcos Congratulates Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi

October 30, 2025October 28, 2025carlocarrasco

Shortly after Sanae Takaichi took office as Prime Minister of Japan, Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., recently congratulated her, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

President Marcos has extended his congratulations to Japan’s newly-elected Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, the first woman to assume the post.

“Congratulations to Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae on her historic election as Japan’s first female Prime Minister,” Marcos said in a statement on Wednesday, Oct. 22.

“Her assumption demonstrates Japan’s firm democratic advocacy, and reflects the country’s commitment to progress and representation,” the President added.

Marcos expressed his eagerness to work with Prime Minister Takaichi in strengthening the Philippines’ and Japan’s bilateral cooperation, especially as both countries prepare to mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026.

“I look forward to working with her in commemorating the 70th Anniversary of Philippine-Japan diplomatic ties in 2026, and in deepening the Philippine-Japan Strengthened Strategic Partnership for the peace and prosperity of our peoples,” the President said.

Most recently, the Prime Minister met with President Marcos formally in Malaysia. For details, click here.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think bilateral ties between Japan and the Philippines will grow stronger now that President Marcos and Prime Minister Takaichi have officially met? Do you think Filipinos who intend to migrate to Japan have doubts about Prime Minister Takaichi knowing that she will be tough on illegal immigration?

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

Nomura Sees 2025 Philippine Economic Growth Slowing Down To 4.7%

October 30, 2025October 29, 2025carlocarrasco

In its latest economic report, Nomura Global Markets Research sees the economic growth of the Philippines slowing down to 4.7% this and they pointed to an expected decline in government spending, according to a news report by BusinessWorld.

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

PHILIPPINE ECONOMIC GROWTH may slow to 4.7% this year, as government spending is expected to further decline amid the corruption investigation in infrastructure projects, Nomura Global Markets Research said.

In a report dated Oct. 27, Nomura Chief ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Economist Euben Paracuelles and Macroeconomic Research Analyst Yiru Chen said the gross domestic product (GDP) forecast was slashed to 4.7% this year from 5.3% previously as downside risks increased due to the corruption scandal involving flood control projects.

“This pencils in GDP growth slowing to just 4% in the second half from 5.4% in the first half and is based on the assumption that the decline in government expenditures in September will worsen in the next 3-4 months,” they said.

Nomura’s latest forecast is below the government’s 5.5-6.5% GDP growth target for the year and is slower than the 5.7% growth in 2024.

“Taking into account the sharp drop in fiscal spending in September, we think the ‘bad scenario’ on the growth impact of the ongoing corruption scandal is materializing,” they said.

Third-quarter GDP data will be released on Nov. 7.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. had flagged anomalous flood control projects during his State of the Nation Address in late July. This sparked several investigations into alleged corruption involving lawmakers, government officials, and private contractors.

Latest Treasury data showed government expenditures declined by 7.53% in September, worsening from the 0.7% drop in August, mainly due to lower spending by the Department of Public Works and Highways. Nomura also noted that government spending declined by 2.8% in the third quarter, a reversal of 1.6% growth in the second quarter.

“Excluding interest payments and debt servicing, expenditure growth slumped even more to -10.2% y-o-y (year on year) in September from -3.5% in August, the weakest since 2020. This suggests a relatively rapid deterioration in the pace of budget disbursements after President Marcos brought to light the corruption scandal of flood control projects,” they said.

Nomura also noted that the reallocation of funds to other types of capital expenditures such as school buildings has been “challenging” to implement.

“In addition, we incorporate some spillovers into other components of domestic demand, which were also evident in these previous episodes, including household consumption spending. Our forecast continues to take into account the impact of the US tariffs, which, as we have argued before, pose significant headwinds for goods exports,” they said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the GDP growth of the Philippines will end up below 5% for 2025 as a whole? Are you convinced that investigations and embarrassing details from flood control projects are turning away foreign investors already?

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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Muntinlupa City Receives Gawad Kalasag Award For 3rd Straight Year

October 29, 2025October 20, 2025carlocarrasco

For the 3^rd year in a row, the City Government of Muntinlupa received another Gawad Kalasag award for compliance in relation to disaster preparedness, according to a Daily Tribune news report.

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

The City Government of Muntinlupa has been recognized for the third consecutive year as a Gawad Kalasag Beyond Compliant Awardee for its excellence in disaster preparedness.

On 17 October, Mayor Ruffy Biazon announced that the city received the distinction from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) for the years 2022, 2023, and 2024, following an evaluation of its disaster risk reduction and management programs.

Biazon said Muntinlupa surpassed the standards set under Republic Act 10121, or the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Law.

He added that the city government continues to strengthen its capacity to respond to disasters through equipment acquisition, stockpiling of relief goods, and investment in the training of emergency responders and personnel.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you delighted with the newest award the City Government received? Are you convinced Muntinlupa City is fully prepared for disasters?

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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Leechiu Property Consultants See Bright Future Ahead For Philippine Tourism Due To Key Factors

October 28, 2025October 19, 2025carlocarrasco

There is no denying the fact that the Philippines is having trouble attracting foreign tourists this year but for Leechiu Property Consultants there is still a bright future ahead for the nation’s tourism industry due to growth in domestic tourism and a few other factors, 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…

Although Asian tourist arrivals decline, the Philippine tourism industry is still perceived to be entering “a new era of opportunity” because of the growth in domestic tourism, improved flight connectivity, and the 99-year lease reform.

Leechiu Property Consultants said in its third-quarter media briefing that, as investors refocus on long-duration assets, the country’s hospitality and leisure industries are expected to see renewed capital flows and expanded capacity through 2026.

“With the anticipated growth in domestic and long-haul tourism, along with increased hospitality FDIs (foreign direct investments) driven by the newly-approved 99-year lease to foreign investors, the tourism sector is poised to strengthen its position as a key investment area and a vital pillar of the Philippine economy,” said LPC Director of Hotels, Tourism, and Leisure Alfred Lay.

He said the sector continued its steady recovery in the third quarter of 2025, but “while there are signs of resilience, no significant shifts have yet created real momentum in foreign arrivals. Without a major catalyst, arrivals are unlikely to surpass 2024 levels.”

Traditional leaders, such as South Korea and China, show steep declines, while the USA, Japan, and Australia are emerging as stronger contributors, reflecting changing travel patterns and opportunities to diversify source markets.

While international arrivals remain below pre-pandemic peaks, Lay said “domestic travel is surging toward historic highs, establishing a solid foundation for long-term tourism growth and investment confidence.”

Domestic tourists are projected to reach 58.7 million in 2025, rising further to 62.2 million in 2026, a trajectory supported by the country’s forecast gross domestic product growth by 7.63 percent and 5.8 percent in 2025 and 2026, respectively.

Over the past two decades, domestic tourism spending has outpaced GDP, underscoring the sector’s resilience and capacity to drive nationwide economic activity.

Meanwhile, rising travel demand has spurred a wave of hotel developments nationwide, with a total of 5,210 new keys to be added in 2025—over 4,300 of which are expected to open in the fourth quarter.

A majority of these projects are led by domestic operators, reflecting local developers’ agility in capturing demand across destinations such as Metro Manila, Cebu, Boracay, Davao, and Palawan.

Lay said the newly approved 99-year lease law has created a strong foundation for long-term tourism investment as it provides global investors with the security to pursue large-scale resort and mixed-use developments.

Over time, the law is expected to stimulate foreign direct investment in tourism and hospitality, similar to the trends observed in the Maldives, where long-term leases have transformed the sector into a global investment hotspot.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think domestic tourism, improved flight connectivity and the 99-year lease reform will boost Philippine tourism in the short-term? Do you think domestic tourism will keep on growing to life up the nation’s tourism industry as a whole?

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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NCRPO Apprehends Two Suspects And Seizes Illegal Drugs Worth Over P1 Million In Parañaque City

October 28, 2025October 19, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the city of Parañaque, two suspects were apprehended and over P1 million worth of illegal drugs were seized by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) which pulled off a successful buy-bust operation, according to a news report by the Daily Tribune.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Daily Tribune report. Some parts in boldface…

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) arrested two drug suspects tagged as newly identified high-value individuals in a drug buy-bust operation in Barangay San (Dionisio), Parañaque City on Friday night.

Arrested during the operation were identified only by the alias Gie, 37; and alias Jefrey, 27–both residents of Parañaque City. The two suspects were identified as newly listed high-value individuals.

The operation resulted in the seizure of approximately 150 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated standard drug price value of P1,020,000.

The two suspects were apprehended around 9 p.m. in front of McDonald’s along Quirino Avenue, Barangay San Dionisio, Parañaque City.

Seized from alias Gie were approximately 100 grams of suspected shabu, one white long envelope, one LG keypad cellular phone, and buy-bust money. Meanwhile, 50 grams of suspected shabu were seized from alias Jefrey.

The total estimated weight of the seized illegal drugs amounted to 150 grams, with an approximate street value of P1,020,000.

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 thankful to the NCRPO for apprehending the suspects and seizing the illegal drugs? What do you think makes Parañaque an ideal place for illegal drug handlers to do business?

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 107

October 27, 2025October 20, 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 videos I found.

#1 Lost Odyssey Revisited – Back in 2008, I played Lost Odyssey on my Xbox 360 console and it was my most anticipated game of the time as I enjoyed playing Final Fantasy role-playing games (RPGs) on different consoles several years prior. In my experience, Lost Odyssey truly is a Final Fantasy game without the name and it remains an Xbox 360-exclusive game that happens to be compatible with Xbox One, Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X consoles (still available digitally online). For the newcomers reading this, Final Fantasy creator and former Square Enix producer Hironobu Sakaguchi co-wrote the story of Lost Odyssey and his own independent studio Mistwalker laid the foundation and the other studio Feelplus did the coding of the game. Not only that, famous game musician Nobuo Uematsu composed and scored the music of the Xbox RPG. To find out how the game was conceptualized, how its production happened and why it became an Xbox-exclusive game, watch the selected retrospective videos below.

#2 No Kings Protest Fails – In America, the Satanic Leftists, the woke extremists, the climate change zealots and other pawns of the Democrats organized the No Kings protests which eventually failed. The Leftists hatred for US President Donald Trump is so intense, they became out of touch with reality and they end up hating America. Lastly, many on the Left cannot tell the difference between a president and a king. The Democrats meanwhile are still obsessed with embracing immorality, destroying the traditional American family, empowering Islamic terrorists and support illegal immigrants. Watch and learn from the videos below.

#3 Delicious Meals With Big Portions In Japan – If you plan to do food trips while touring Japan, what exactly will you be looking for among the many food joins there? If you crave delicious food with big servings, there are indeed places to visit, and you can find what they offer and where could visit them by watching the Nippon TV video below. A friendly reminder for all who intend to visit Japan as foreign tourists…always behave yourselves by following local rules and being respectful to the Japanese.

#4 VKunia Reacts To Scary Movie – In 2000, Scary Movie was released in cinemas in America on July which was during the summer blockbuster season. The horror comedy parody film succeeded beyond expectations making almost $280 million worldwide on a budget of less than $20 million. Here in the Philippines, Scary Movie opened on November 1 of 2000 and I saw it that day inside the local cinema which was almost full. I noticed a lot of local moviegoers enjoyed its crude comedy under direction of Keenen Ivory Wayans and the performance of Anna Faris. Recently, VKunia posted her reaction video of Scary Movie and her reactions are similar to how the moviegoers around me reacted on November 1, 2000. Watch her video below.

#5 WarGames Revisited – Back in the 1980s, the Cold War was still hot in people’s minds and information technology (IT) itself was gradually becoming important in America. The 1983 movie WarGames featured a tale about war simulation, hacking, artificial intelligence (AI), the use of super computers for military operations and more. Back then, US President Ronald Reagan saw the film and this led to discussions with members of Congress, advisers and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. A review of full nation security was eventually ordered by Reagan. In today’s age, artificial intelligence is very common and it is causing varied disturbances worldwide which makes WarGames still relevant. To see how the movie impacts YouTubers, watch the selected reaction videos below.

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Jeepney Driver Arrested In Parañaque City For Illegal Trading of Firearms

October 27, 2025October 18, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the city of Parañaque, a jeepney driver was apprehended by local police officers for the illegal trading of firearms, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The arrest was the result of a successful buy-bust operation organized by the police.

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

The Southern Police District (SPD) arrested a jeepney driver suspected of being a firearm dealer during a buy-bust operation in Parañaque City on Friday, Oct. 17.

The suspect, identified as Jhastian, 28, was apprehended at around 1:30 a.m. on Dr. A Santos Avenue (Sucat Road), Barangay San Antonio, Parañaque City.

The SPD said members of the District Special Operations Unit (DSOU) immediately planned an entrapment operation after an informant reported the illegal sale of firearms by a certain “Puyo” and his cohorts operating in Parañaque and nearby areas.

The DSOU, together with members of the District Intelligence Division (DID), District Mobile Force Battalion (DMFB), coordinated with the Parañaque City Police for the arrest of the suspects.

Confiscated from Jhastian were one .45-caliber pistol, one .38-caliber revolver, two magazines of .45-caliber pistol, eight rounds of ammunition for both firearms, a small navy-blue backpack, and one black NOKIA keypad cellphone.

Police said further investigation and coordination are underway to determine the suspect’s possible involvement in other cases of illegal firearms trading across Metro Manila.

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 the illegal trade of firearms could be rampant in the city?

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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DEPDev Secretary Says Philippines Likely To Hit Low-End Of 2025 GDP Growth Target

October 26, 2025October 17, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently the Secretary of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) expressed confidence that the economy of the Philippines will hit the low-end target of GDP growth for 2025, according to a BusinessWorld news report.

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

Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said he is confident Philippine economic growth will hit the lower end of the target this year, despite a slowdown in the third quarter.

“The growth that we are expecting for 2025 is now 5.5 to 6.5% The low-end of the range is still very much achievable,” he told reporters on the sidelines of an event on Oct. 16.

Economic managers will meet next week to assess whether revisions to this year’s growth outlook are needed, he added.

Budget Secretary and Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) Chairperson Amenah F. Pangandaman on Wednesday told BusinessWorld that the gross domestic product (GDP) target for 2025 “remains attainable.”

Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto earlier said flagged a slowdown in the third quarter and possibly until early 2026 as corruption probes curb public spending.

Aside from slower public spending, Mr. Balisacan said weather disruptions may have dampened economic activity in the July-September period.

“There may be a bit of a slowdown (in third quarter) because of these supply shocks that we have seen. There are so many typhoons that we have seen during the quarter, many days of work suspension. So economic activity is really affected,” he said.

Asked whether third quarter growth could fall below the 5.5% annual GDP growth in the second quarter, Mr. Balisacan said: “Hopefully not.”

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Would you be satisfied to see the economy of the Philippines grow by 5.5% this year? Do you think there will still be a lot of challenges and problems in the 4^th quarter that could somehow bring economic growth below 5.5% for the entire year?

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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