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(Journal Online) CAMP SIONGCO, Awang, DOS, Maguindanao – A high-ranking leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) and two (2) other communist rebels were killed in a series of encounters at Brgy Baluan, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat on July 30, 2022.

Colonel Michael Santos, Commander of the 603rd Infantry (Persuader) Brigade, said the four successive armed encounters resulted in the killing of Ian Dela Rama alias Cris, a commanding officer of the regional operations command of the Far South Mindanao Region. He was also a former secretary of Front 4A, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee from May 2018 to May 2019. Rama has an existing warrant of arrest with criminal case # 23022 for arson, filed at Branch 3 in Butuan City.

“Also neutralized in the gun fights were Valerio Lacumbo with aliases as Bitoy, Bobit, and Delfin with an existing warrant of arrest with criminal case # 568-2007 for robbery with violence against or intimidation of a person filed in a local court at Kidapawan City and Wilmer Dela Cruz alias Dodong/Grab, a member of Dabu-Dabu Platoon of the South Regional Command of Daguma, Far South Mindanao Region,” Col. Santos said.

Government troops were able to recover two (2) M16A1 Rifles, one (1) Garand Rifle, two (2) Caliber 45 Pistols, one (1) Hand Grenade, one (1) long and one (1) short magazine for the M16, three (3) magazines for the Caliber 45 pistol, ammunition, eleven (11) assorted keypad cell phones, five (5) pieces of flash drives, cash amounting to three thousand and thirty pesos (P3,030.00), assorted sim cards, assorted medicines, two (2) bandoliers, power bank, and other war materials… Read More

(GMA News) Almost P1.3 billion would be needed for the repair and construction of over 9,000 schools affected by Wednesday’s magnitude 7 earthquake in northern Luzon, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).

The DepEd on Friday said 9,539 schools have been affected by the strong tremors while 226 were damaged. Of which, 132 were from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), 49 were from Ilocos Region, 25 from Cagayan Valley Region, 18 from Central Luzon Region, one in Metro Manila, and one in CALABARZON.

At least 442 classrooms were totally damaged while 636 need major repair work.

“Accordingly, an estimated Php 1.298 billion is needed for the repair and reconstruction of totally and partially major damaged classrooms,” DepEd said in a statement.

The personnel in majority of the affected schools have already resumed work on Thursday, July 28 after operations were suspended in light of the incident, the agency added… Read More

(CNN Philippines) Metro Manila — The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday confirmed that the country has recorded its first case of monkeypox.

In a Palace briefing, Health Undersecretary Beverly Ho said the patient is a 31-year-old Filipino who arrived from abroad on July 19. The patient had prior travel to countries with documented monkeypox cases.

Ho, who is also the DOH alternate spokesperson, said the person tested positive for the disease after undergoing RT-PCR test. She added that the patient is undergoing strict isolation and monitoring at home.

The department did not disclose the gender, travel history, and residence of the confirmed monkeypox case.

The DOH added it has identified 10 close contacts, including three from the same household. But Ho said the close contacts are not exhibiting any symptoms and are being monitored.

Monkeypox was earlier declared by the World Health Organization as a public health emergency of international concern.

Monkeypox is a less severe cousin of smallpox that originated from animals and can be transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected individual such as through body fluids, sores or contaminated items, health authorities said.

The WHO earlier noted that most of the monkeypox cases are among men who had sex with other men. However, monkeypox is not considered a sexually transmitted disease… Read More

(Manila Bulletin) The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) expressed its support for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s plan to strengthen the country’s healthcare system by building specialty hospitals across the Philippines as well as “prioritizing the welfare” of medical frontliners.

Marcos disclosed this plan in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) held on Monday, July 25.

“CHED is facilitating the production of the critical manpower for the President’s plan to build specialty hospitals all over the country. Through the Doktor Para sa Bayan Law, we have authorized the opening of new medical programs in seven universities and recently lifted the 11-year-old moratorium on the offering of new nursing programs in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs),” said CHED in a press statement on Wednesday, July 27.

Through these newly-implemented medical and nursing programs, the Commission highlighted that the country will now be able to produce additional nurses and doctors who may man the additional hospitals that the country is planning to build.

To further encourage aspiring medical professionals, CHED highlighted that there are now 15 public institutions with free medical education in the Philippines… Read More

(Interaksyon) The Philippines has scrapped a deal to buy 16 Russian military transport helicopters because of fears of U.S. sanctions, the Associated Press reported on Wednesday, citing Philippine officials.

A former Philippine defense secretary, Delfin Lorenzana, said late on Tuesday the 12.7 billion peso ($227 million) deal to acquire the Mi-17 helicopters had been canceled. The decision to buy the helicopters was approved last month by former President Rodrigo Duterte, before their terms in office ended on June 30, the news agency reported.

“We could face sanctions,” the news agency quoted Lorenzana as saying in an interview.

Philippine government officials were not immediately available for comment.

U.S. security officials were aware of the decision and could offer similar heavy-lift helicopters for the Philippine military, Lorenzana said… Read More

(Fox News) A 7-magnitude earthquake in the northern region of the Philippines early Wednesday morning has left at least four people dead and dozens more injured.

The earthquake created small landslides and damaged buildings. The quake was centered in the mountainous area of the Abra province, according to the head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Renato Solidum.

At least 25 people were reportedly injured in Abra. Several structures suffered cracked walls, including some buildings that collapsed in Abra.

“The ground shook like I was on a swing and the lights suddenly went out. We rushed out of the office, and I heard screams and some of my companions were in tears,” Michael Brillantes, a safety officer of the Abra town of Lagangilang, said… Read More

(Manila Bulletin) Claudia Barretto, daughter of Dennis Padilla and Marjorie Barretto, is celebrating her 23rd birthday today, July 26.

Eager to commemorate the moment is Dennis who actually took to social media to greet her daughter the evening prior.

He did so twice.

First he posted a photo of a young Claudia.

He wrote, “Dearest Claui… Happy birthday anak… Miss you… God bless you more!!”

A few moments later, he posted a photo of them together.

He wrote, “Happiiii bday anak… God bless you more claui…. Love you.”

It isn’t known if Claudia saw both.

Whatever the case may be, she didn’t issue a reaction.

This, even with some fans tagging her.

Marjorie had a different experience posting an appreciation message for her on social media.

She wrote, “Beauty, intelligence, wit, humor, hardworker, determined, strives for perfection, organized, full of grace and strength. That is Claudia to me and her siblings. You have been living your life to the fullest and you deserve it, Clau because you have proven to be independent and very responsible. What an epic year it has been for you. Happy Happy 23rd Birthday my love. I’m proud and blessed to be your Mom. You don’t need me much anymore but you know how I am just behind you praying and rooting for you!”… Read More

(PRNewswire) Tonik announced today that Tomasz Borowski is joining the leadership team as Group Chief Operations Officer (COO). Most recently the Co-Founder and CEO of Asian fintech credit management leader FLOW, Tomasz was instrumental in overseeing FLOW’s rollout across three markets in Southeast Asia, as well as its achievement of profitability prior to Series B, the first such feat by any fintech in the region. With operations in Vietnam, Indonesia, and India, FLOW has redefined debt collection in Southeast Asia by using AI technologies, ethical practices, and data-driven insights.

Tomasz brings to Tonik ca. 20 years of experience in consumer finance, primarily focused on building efficient operations. Prior to coming to Asia to build FLOW, Borowski gained extensive experience in Consumer Finance across Emerging Europe, at market-leading institutions such as GE Capital, Raifessen Bank, and Platinum Bank. His knowledge of world-class standards and technologies in achieving high levels of efficiency in consumer finance will help Tonik bring its operational excellence to a new level.

“Tomasz is a seasoned global leader in consumer banking and fintech industry, especially in scaling up new businesses in emerging markets. Having worked with him previously in different ventures, over the years, I am convinced that his arrival comes at the perfect time as we gear up for increasing our operational efficiency in the latter half of 2022,” says Tonik Founder and CEO Greg Krasnov… Read More