Recently in the City of Parañaque, the local police apprehended five suspects for the theft of copper cables worth more than P200,000, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin. A local security guard caught them in the act and called the police.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…
Police arrested five individuals involved in the theft of underground copper cables in Parañaque City on Sunday, March 22.
Parañaque City Police Chief Col. Nicolas Piñon identified the suspects as John, Roel, George, Bryan, and Adrian. They were apprehended at around 4:50 a.m. along KM 17 West Service Road in Barangay Marcelo Green.
Piñon said the suspects were arrested after a security guard noticed suspicious activity involving a parked vehicle and five men forcibly pulling underground copper cables.
The security guard immediately alerted their zone commander, who coordinated with the Marcelo Green Police Substation, leading to the arrest of the suspects who were caught in the act.
Recovered from the suspects were copper cables worth P201,218.64, cutting tools, and a utility vehicle.
The suspects are currently detained at the police custodial facility and are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 10515, also known as the Anti-Cable Television and Cable Internet Tapping Act of 2013.
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 attempts by undesirable people to steal copper cables?
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 in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, Mayor Ruffy Biazon formally signed a resolution from the City Council which opposes the implementation of the Parañaque Spillway Project as it will negatively affect local residents, 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…
Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon signed a City Council resolution opposing the Parañaque Spillway Project which will displace families in the city.
Muntinlupa Resolution No. 2026-275 reiterates “the City of Muntinlupa’s opposition to the implementation of Paranaque Spillway Project.”
“Pinirmahan ko ang Resolution No. 2026-275 na muling nagpapatibay sa opisyal na pagtutol ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa sa Parañaque Spillway Project. Noon pang unang termino ko, malinaw na ang posisyon natin dito. Tutol tayo dahil sa direktang epekto sa komunidad, lao sa mga lehitimong residenteng madi-displace ng proyekto (I signed Resolution No. 2026-275 which reaffirms the official opposition of the City of Muntinlupa to the Parañaque Spillway Project. Since my first term, our position on this has been clear. We oppose it because of the direct impact on the community, especially on the legitimate residents who will be displaced by the project), said Biazon.
Biazon said in 2022 the city held a public hearing about the project. In 2023, Biazon sent a letter to the Department of Public Works and Highways to express his opposition to the project. A resolution was passed in 2024 about this.
“Maging ang ating mga barangay ay nagpahayag na rin ng pagtutol, gaya ng naging desisyon ng Barangay Buli noong 2021 na humihiling na ilipat ang proyekto sa mas angkop na lugar. Sa pinakahuling resolusyon na primarily authored by Konsehal Jonas Abadilla, binibigyang-diin din na bumubuo ang lungsod ng isang komprehensibong drainage master plan para sa pangmatagalang solusyon sa pagbaha sa Muntinlupa (Even our barangays have expressed their opposition, such as the decision of Barangay Buli in 2021 requesting the relocation of the project to a more suitable location. In the latest resolution primarily authored by Councilor Jonas Abadilla, it is also emphasized that the city is developing a comprehensive drainage master plan for a long-term solution to flooding in Muntinlupa),” the mayor added.
The new resolution stated that the DPWH announced that the project will proceed this year.
In February, Biazon signed a memorandum of agreement with the “University of the Philippines (UP), for the formulation of Drainage Master Plan for the City Of Muntinlupa, aimed to develop its Drainage Master Plan (DMP), which will serve as the basis for the city’s comprehensive flood management strategy.”
“The City of Muntinlupa reiterates its stand that The Project proponents should present concrete alternate solutions that will lessen/mitigate The Project’s impact on the constituents of the City, more particularly the people of Barangay Buli,” according to the resolution.
It added, “The sentiments of the most affected barangay in the City of Muntinlupa was embodied in Kapasiyahang Barangay ng Buli Bilang 018-2021 Serye 2021 or Kapasiyahang Barangay na Naglalayong Ipalipat sa Orihinal na Planong Pagtatayuan nito o sa iba pang Angkop na Lugar ang Proyekto ng Gobyerno na ‘Paranaque Spillway.’”
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 concerned that the Parañaque Spillway Project will displace local residents and worsen flooding in the city? Do you think the DPWH will eventually listen to the City Government and halt the project?
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
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 Resident Evil Bonanza (1996 Original and 2002 Remake) – Thirty years ago this month, the original Resident Evil video game was released on PlayStation and it impacted console gaming by moving towards an adulterated direction with zombie horror and mad science as core elements. The 1996 game led Capcom to making Resident Evil sequels and spin-offs in the years that followed. Then in 2002, an ambitious remake of Resident Evil was released on the Nintendo GameCube and it became the definitive version RE creator Shinji Mikami and his team came up with. To explore Resident Evil in its original version and the remake, watch the videos below.
#2 Living In Las Vegas –For decades, Las Vegas in Nevada has always been known as a major tourist destination with lots of hotels, casinos and other entertainment joints clustered together. There is also the perception that a lively city like it means there are lots of job opportunities and business or investment options to pursue there. What most people do not realize is that Las Vegas is not exactly the ideal city to move into and live in due to many factors that can be challenging and stressful to deal with. To discover why, watch the videos below.
#3 Popcorn In Bed Reacts To Logan’s Run – It has always been argued that science fiction movies released before Star Wars were not too exciting to watch. One of them was Logan’s Run which continues to have a divisive reception among movie buffs both young and old. There are some who liked its concept and execution, while others dismissed it for being corny or even being symbolic about the sexual revolution of the 1960s and 1970s. If you want to discover the film without spending money on it, watch Popcorn in Bed’s reaction video below. Observe how the movie impacts her.
#4 The History Of Atari Arcade Games – I was fortunate enough to have played games in video arcades in the 1980s. In the old days, Atari was a major arcade industry player apart from being big on console gaming. Atari was also responsible in bringing its arcade games to Japan (with Namco as its partner) and also brought some of Namco’s games into American arcades. If you love Atari, arcade games and retro gaming in general, watch the video documentaries below.
#5 Ranting For Vengeance Demolishes Woke Nuts’ Take On Resident Evil’s Chris Redfield – Going back to Resident Evil, it is not surprising that the mob of woke zealots, LGBTQ activists and other Leftists keep on creeping in on existing entertainment franchises to deform them and make it fit their wicked ideology. Recently there were woke nuts online who targeted the Resident Evil icon Chris Redfield and perceive him as gay. Ranting For Vengeance posted a video to demolish the woke mob’s take on Redfield and he explains in detail why the iconic hero has always been straight since the very beginning. Watch the video below and share it with all Resident Evil fans out there.
#6 Forgotten Video Games Based On Movies – Remember back in the old days when there were a lot of video games based on movies released? Back then, there was money to be made on licensing and merchandising. As a gamer and movie buff since youth, there definitely was excitement whenever I learned a game about a film I enjoyed was made available. Of course, there were games that turned out fun and others ended up being disappointing or even very poor in quality. Check out the video below about the forgotten movie-based games.
#7 How Hollywood Killed The Oscars – Avoiding the Academy Awards (AKA Oscars) is absolutely fine. It no longer celebrates the best of filmmaking and it has been overwhelmed by woke activists, Satanic Leftists, modern day Commies and the like. Communist Hollywood (Commiewood) has been using the Academy Awards to amplify its wicked agenda for a long time now. The old glory and the celebration of the best of filmmaking are truly gone. Watch the video below.
#8 National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani And Basij Commander Of Iran Eliminated By Israel – I recently blogged about the eliminations of two high-ranking officials of the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran as the conflict in the Middle East went on. It was Israel which successfully killed Ali Larijani and a Basij commander and it was the most significant achievement since the elimination of the demon Ali Khamenei. Right now, it is not clear who is really leading the remaining wicked regime and Iran’s military has been decimated by America and Israel. Keep in mind that the military operations against Iran is all about bringing down the Islamic terrorist regime and liberating the oppressed Iranians so they can take their country back after 47 years. For insight about what happened, watch the videos below.
#9 The Revival Of A Japanese Sake Brewery – It is always depressing to see your own business get destroyed because of a natural disaster. In Japan, a certain brewery that produced sake got ruined when a huge earthquake struck. Since then, the owner started hard efforts to revive the business. To discover what happened, watch the Nippon TV video below.
With the ongoing war in the Middle East, the hiked prices of fuel and other problems happening already, the World Bank (WB) sees the economy of the Philippines achieving gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 4.6% this year and 5.3% next 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…
Philippine economic growth would likely remain below its potential of at least six percent until the end of the Marcos Jr. administration, according to the latest forecasts by the World Bank.
Documents on the latest $800-million Philippines Growth and Jobs Development Policy Loan (DPL) 1, approved by the Washington-based multilateral lender last week, showed a projected 4.6- percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate for the country in 2026, inching up from the post-pandemic-low of 4.4 percent in 2025. This forecast is below the government’s downgraded five- to six-percent growth target for the year.
For 2027, the World Bank expects the Philippine economy to grow by 5.3 percent, which would also be lower than next year’s downscaled 5.5- to 6.5-percent goal.
By the time President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. steps down and turns over to a new administration in 2028, World Bank projections showed 5.5-percent GDP growth, still below the six- to seven-percent target.
“The growth outlook remains moderate over the near term, with activity expected to remain subdued in 2026 before gradually strengthening… The impact of the government’s anti-corruption efforts and a significantly lower infrastructure budget in 2026 is expected to weigh on public investment,” the World Bank said.
The lender added that a smaller statistical carry-over into 2026 signals weaker initial momentum, with growth projected to average 5.2 percent in 2026 to 2028, driven by recovering private domestic demand amid easing inflation and financing conditions.
“Private consumption is expected to benefit from stable labor income and improved confidence, while private investment gradually strengthens alongside improved credit conditions and a normalization of public capital spending. External demand, particularly for electronics and artificial intelligence (AI)-related exports, is projected to remain supportive, although global trade uncertainty presents downside risks,” the document said.
This World Bank report was prepared in mid-February before it was disclosed last week, which means that the impact of the war in the Middle East was not yet taken into consideration by the lender in its GDP growth forecasts.
At that time, the World Bank projected headline inflation to stay within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) two- to four-percent target range, averaging about 2.8 percent in 2026 to 2028.
Before the domestic price pressures wrought by the Middle East conflict that sent global oil prices soaring, the World Bank believed that the BSP would likely keep a neutral-to-supportive policy stance while balancing the still-negative output gap against risks from exchange-rate volatility and food inflation. A negative output gap refers to the economy expanding below its potential, which, for the Philippines, is estimated at about six percent annually.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the economic growth predictions of the World Bank for the Philippines will turn out to be true in the near future? Do you think there is any hope left for the economy of the Philippines to achieve annual GDP growth of 6%? Do you think more foreign investors will be convinced to invest in the Philippines this year?
Recently in the City of Parañaque, the local police successfully pulled off an entrapment operation that resulted in two suspects arrested and the seizure of illegal drugs worth P102,000, 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…
Operatives of the Parañaque City Police arrested two drug suspects and seized P102,000 worth of shabu in an entrapment early Tuesday morning, March 17.
Parañaque City Police Chief Nicolas Pinon identified the suspects as Melchor, 41, a Joyride rider, and Lance, 24.
They were arrested at around 12:10 a.m. on F. Bernabe Street in Airport Village, Barangay Moonwalk.
Police said members of the Parañaque City Police Station Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) launched a buy-bust operation that led to the arrest of the suspects.
Authorities said that during a body search, Melchor was found in possession of 10 more plastic sachets of suspected shabu and the P500 marked buy-bust money. Meanwhile, Lance yielded about five grams of suspected shabu.
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 convinced that a lot of people in the city have been attracting smugglers or pushers of illegal drugs? Is your local community considered drug-free?
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
Around two thousand tricycle drivers (the first batch) have received their cash relief assistance at the Aguilar Sports Complex recently, according to the social media announcement of the City Government of Las Piñas. Each tricycle driver received P5,000 as relief from the much higher prices of fuel caused by the ongoing war against the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran which itself attacked multiple nations in the Middle East with missiles and drones.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the social media announcement of the City Government. Some parts in boldface…
The distribution of P5,000 cash payout of the AICS program for the first batch of tricycle drivers in Las Piñas City was held at Aguilar Sports Complex.
This is part of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s support to help drivers cope with the continuing rise of oil prices due to tensions in the Middle East.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), and other offices of the city government are working together to ensure a smooth and peaceful distribution of aid to beneficiaries.
On the first day of payout, almost 2,000 drivers from TODA groups ACAPODA, APHDA, ATODA, BFLTSODA, BFRSSCV, BFRV-VG, CCTODA, CEBMTODA and BFATODA were given cash assistance. Payout will continue in the coming days to provide all registered members of TODA.
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? Do you often ride the tricycle when moving around?
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
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.
Welcome back, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, video game enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the late-1990s to examine another issue of the magazine-sized comic book series titled Resident Evil: The Official Comic Book Magazine.
By the time WildStorm Productions released the 3rd issue in 1998, many millions of gamers around the world played Resident Evil 2 on PlayStation. The Resident Evil fanbase expanded dramatically and many of them completed the game’s multiple scenarios. At the same time, Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield became popular characters in gaming.
The 2nd issue I reviewed had a very bad adaptation of Resident Evil 2’s story. What prevented the comic book from ending up as a complete disaster were the two other short stories which were surprisingly entertaining to read. Still, I wonder if Shinji Mikami and the game developers ever saw the abysmal Resident Evil 2 adaptation in the 2nd issue.
With those details laid down, here is a look back at Resident Evil: The Official Comic Book Magazine #3, published by WildStorm/Image Comics in 1998 with short stories written by Ted Adams and Kris Oprisko, and drawn by Ryan Odagawa, Carlos D’Anda and Lee Bermejo.
The cover with art by Jim Lee.
Early stories
Wolf Hunt – At Raccoon City College, a few students talk about someone who got killed at school and her body was all torn up. They aware that the authorities are keeping the story out of the papers to avoid causing a panic. In the evening, of the students got harmed by a ferocious monster. The next day at S.T.A.R.S. headquarters, Albert Wesker, Jill Valentine and Barry Burton discuss the killings that happened at the city college. They were asked by the local police to investigate what happened. Jill takes the assignment of going undercover as a student.
Danger Island – A man and a woman arrive at Isla Bonale in Caribbean for a vacation. The island is so exclusive, they only let ten couples on it at a time. After having a romantic night of dinner and dancing, they decide to go snorkeling and rent a boat. Just as they start snorkeling, a plane crashes on the island.
Dead Air – Following the events of Resident Evil (1996) and Resident Evil 2, Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine and Barry Burton start traveling to Europe with the goal of ending Umbrella’s current progress on a new variation of the T-virus even though they have to go undercover. They have the support of a top-secret international agency which already has someone in place to help them. Meanwhile, Umbrella has a spy watching on the three.
Quality
Imagine being surrounded by the deadly Lickers of Umbrella on an island wearing only swimwear and having no useful pieces of equipment to protect yourself with.
Similar to issue #2, this comic book has three short stories and some extras.
The short story Wolf Hunt, which took place before the events of the original Resident Evil game of 1996, has the odd concept of having werewolves existing within the RE universe. Werewolves are often super natural and such monsters don’t align with the sci-fi and biological aspects of the Resident Evil games. In fairness, the creative team had this interesting concept of having Jill Valentine going undercover as a student in the city college to find answers and solve the problem. I should state that the artwork by Ryan Odagawa is good overall although his take on Jill Valentine is cartoonish. This story is pretty short and lacked a solid conclusion. It’s really a glorified piece of fan fiction that should interest fans of the 1996 game.
Danger Island, the 2nd short story, is easily the gem of this comic book. This is a completely original tale that has brand-new lead characters – the couple Stan and Leslie – and an island as the setting. Without spoiling the plot, this is a suspense story with a moderate pace, some dynamic visuals and a good implementation of elements from the lore of Resident Evil. The creative team behind this tale emphasized that as long as Umbrella and is biological experiments exist, danger and death will creep up on people regardless of location. A notable monster species from Resident Evil 2 is included here and the effects the G-virus has on creatures on the island are cleverly presented complete with nice artwork by Lee Bermejo.
Through the couple, readers will feel the danger, desperation and anxiety as the story went on. How the story ended is a must-see and I am confident it will encourage you to revisit Resident Evil 2.
The final tale Dead Air is a daring attempt by WildStorm’s creators to make a sequel to the first two games. As mentioned above, Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine and Barry Burton are together on a high-risk mission to find and stop Umbrella in Europe. The main setting is inside a commercial flight where a zombie outbreak happens. Without their weapons, Chris, Jill and Barry are compelled to use alternative items and ways to overcome the zombies.
While this tale is packed with action and the violence is uncompromised, something is off with the way Jill Valentine is portrayed. She is more violent with action and even expressed sarcasm. This tale is pretty short as the comic book made it clear that the continuation will happen in the next issue. Considering what was told in Resident Evil: Code Veronica (released in 2000 with Chris and Claire Redfield included), Dead Air is clearly a non-canon Resident Evil tale and it is at best a polished piece of fan fiction by WildStorm.
When it comes to the extras, you will find the Readers Art gallery and The Resident Evil Files (featuring Chris Redfield and his sister Claire). The most notable extra stuff here, however, is another interview with Resident Evil creator/producer Shinji Mikami and you will even see a few pictures of not just him but also Hideki Kamiya (the game director of Resident Evil 2 who went on to produce lots of highly entertaining games through the decades) and members of the team behind the RE games of the time. Enjoy the pages of the interview below.
The members of the development team of Resident Evil games of the time.
Very notable details shared by Shinji Mikami.
Shinji Mikami with Hideki Kamiya. Mikami directed the original Resident Evil game of 1996 while Kamiya directed Resident Evil 2. The two are still prolific makers of video games today.
Shinji Mikami played Space Invaders when he was young.
Conclusion
Remember Jill Valentine’s extra costume in the original game of 1996?
Considering the qualities of the three short stories and the extra stuff, Resident Evil: The Official Comic Book Magazine #3 (1998) is easily a huge improvement over issue #2. The quality and creativity of the short stories are better, the interview with Shinji Mikami was worth reading and the comic book itself is more entertaining. That said, I am convinced to move on to the next Resident Evil comic book.
Overall, Resident Evil: The Official Comic Book Magazine #3 (1998) is recommended.
Recently inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño formally led the opening of a new two-storey Starbucks Coffee shop with drive-thru, according to the official announcement of the authority. The newest branch of the coffee giant was made with an investment of over P36 million.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from official announcement by the SBMA. Some parts in boldface…
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño led the opening of the first two-storey Starbucks Coffee Shop with drive-thru facility here on March 6, 2026.
According to Aliño, the opening of the two-storey Starbucks Coffee Shop indicates Subic Bay Freeport’s status as a popular tourist destination, anticipating a year-round influx of customers.
The Starbucks Coffee Shop invested ₱36.75 Million in a 1,700-square-meter area at the portion of Lot 75-A, Rizal Highway, Central Business District, Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
The inauguration was attended by Engr. and Mrs. Rhammeth Paras, Arch. and Mrs. Adonis Co, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Tang, and Engr. Aries Tanglao, owners of Pandabest Realty and Trading, Inc.
The two-storey Starbucks locations usually offer enhanced, often scenic, spaces with increased seating, frequently housed in restored, architecturally unique, or heritage buildings.
Notable examples include the heritage shophouse in Singapore’s Chinatown, the sprawling Reserve Hiraya in Tagaytay, and a colonial-style bungalow in Rochester.
“Now we have one here, with the building designed to be ‘work and study-friendly,’ providing more intimate, quiet spaces on the upper level compared to the busy ground floor,” Aliño said.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Have you visited other Starbucks branches inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone during your recent visit there? Do you think there is still more room for further coffee shops or cafes inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone? How often do you order coffee by drive-thru?
In a serious attempt to protect its users and restore confidence, digital wallet GCash blocked more than three thousand and two hundred merchants that were linked to illegal online gambling and scamming, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…
Digital wallet giant GCash has blocked more than 3,200 merchants found to be linked to illicit activities, including illegal online gambling platforms, as part of its effort to bolster consumer protection.
In a statement, GCash said it has been coordinating with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) since last year to shut down these merchants’ access to the digital wallet.
By prohibiting their access to the digital wallet, this move prevents illegal operators from misusing the QRPh payment rail, which has been used to lure users to fake GCash payment pages.
Many of these illegal merchants employ deceptive tactics to mislead customers into sending payments to unauthorized accounts. Among the most common schemes is QR masking, where seemingly legitimate QR codes redirect payments to a different account.
Scammers also create fake payment pages that imitate legitimate businesses, as well as pages designed to mimic the official GCash interface to deceive customers and collect unauthorized payments.
GCash said it does not partner with these illegal merchants and operators, noting that they are typically independent entities attempting to route transactions through legitimate digital services.
To enhance consumer protection, GCash deploys proactive monitoring to identify and disable these schemes, which are then reported to authorities and the CICC to support government enforcement efforts.
“Entities attempting to misuse the GCash payment app and QRPh without authorization or are masking QRPh leading to unauthorized transactions are flagged, suspended, and reported to the relevant authorities,” it said.
Currently, GCash has measures in place to detect unauthorized merchant activity before users are scammed, helping maintain service integrity.
Furthermore, it immediately disables links to fraudulent operations and reports suspicious transactions to the CICC and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
“By proactively blocking unauthorized actors and reporting them to our regulators and authorities, we are helping protect Filipinos and maintain trust in the country’s digital financial ecosystem,” Miguel Geronilla, chief information and security officer of GCash.
As another layer of security, GCash said users should never share their mobile personal identification number (MPIN) or one-time password (OTP), as these details are not required.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think GCash has done a huge effort to protect its users and other customers? What do you think the scammers and purged merchants will do now that they have been blocked by GCash?
Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, local police officers successfully arrested a 21-year-old man for committing the illegal sale of firearms, 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…
The Southern Police District (SPD) arrested a 21-year-old man for illegally selling firearms in Muntinlupa on March 15.
The suspect, identified by his aliases Roniel and Yanyan, was arrested along the PNR Site in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa at about 1:30 a.m. during a gun buy-bust operation led by the SPD’s District Special Operations Unit (DSOU).
The operation was launched after authorities received information from an informant about the suspect’s alleged involvement in the illegal sale of firearms in Muntinlupa and nearby areas.
Based on the report, DSOU operatives conducted the coordinated sting operation together with personnel from the District Intelligence Division, Intelligence Section of the District Mobile Force Battalion, and Muntinlupa police.
Seized during the operation were two .38-caliber revolvers, two pieces of .38-caliber live ammunition, a marked P500 bill used in the transaction along with boodle money, and bags used by the suspect to carry the firearms.
The arrested individual, a resident of the barangay, failed to present any legal documents authorizing him to possess or sell firearms.
He was brought to the DSOU office for documentation and to the Pasay City General Hospital for physical and medical examination.
The police will request firearms records verification from the Firearms and Explosives Office to determine whether the suspect is a licensed firearm holder.
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 thankful to the local police for the successful arrest of the suspect?
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
Author Carlo Carrasco 