Duterte's Foreign Reason Surges Tourist Visiting Philippines

More foreign tourists have arrived in the Philippines this year, as indicated by the data collected by the country’s Department of Tourism (DOT) for the month of January. DOT Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo on Wednesday disclosed that January arrivals totaled 631,639. This reflects an “impressive growth” of 16.48 percent from the 542,258 sum for the first month of 2016, generating a sum of Php 21.681 billion in receipts. “We have to keep the momentum going now that we are in the implementation phase of the National Tourism Development Plan for 2016-2022, which aims to unleash the potentials of our tourism industry and make it more competitive,” said Teo, referring to the impetus gained in the country’s successful hosting of the Miss Universe pageant last January 30. She also noted a sharp increase of arrivals from China, which posted a 76.46 percent growth from January last year and rose to third biggest market. “We are now seeing the fruits of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s reaching out to China. Doors to more economic opportunities and people-to-people exchanges are opulently wide now more than ever that ties between Manila and Beijing have seen a new day,” Teo added. 

As in previous months, Korea is the biggest visitor market with 154,367 arrivals, followed by United States, 99,435; China, 85,948; Japan, 51,516; and Australia, 27,826. Also posting significant growth in visitor arrivals are Canada, 24,352; Taiwan, 21,926; United Kingdom, 15,747; Singapore, 12,000, and for the first time, India with 11,805. Data also showed an average daily expenditure of Php 3,659 while the average per capita expenditure for the month amounted to Php 38,823 and stayed in the country for an average of 10.61 nights. Korea also remains the top spending market with visitor expenditure of almost Php 6.5 billion. USA comes second with visitor spending of about Php 3.69 billion. Japan is third with P2.12 billion; Australia fourth, Php 1.59 billion, and Canada with Php 1.09 billion.

  ©2017Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

PCOO, PSG hold digital media confab

PCOO, PSG hold digital media confab


Social media will play a bigger role in the future of the nation and there is a clear need for its truthful and quality content.

This was stressed during the Digital Media Forum with the theme, “Advocating Positive Change Through Digital Media” held on Tuesday, March 7 at the Presidential Studio, Kalayaan Hall, Malacañan Palace.

The forum was sponsored by the Office of the President through the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and the Presidential Security Group (PSG).

The  event was organized to underscore the Duterte administration’s continued commitment to transparency in  government.

Former Interior and Local Government Secretary Rafael Alunan III said that parents should be responsible for their children’s use of social media.

“Social media is an important part of socialization that markets goods and services as well as motivate people to become part of a larger community,” Alunan said.

“It offers our kids new ways to access communication and entertainment but let’s put it this way--the long-term effects on our children are still unknown because there are pluses and negatives,” he said.

Alunan said there is a continuing need for “quality content” and asserted that “the opposite of that is garbage in, garbage out, you feed our mind garbage and we turn out garbage.”

Alunan added that a discerning online citizenry is the best defense against the prevalence of “fake news,” adding that the phenomenon was a product of the political climate.

“We have to self regulate and… fake news has to be condemned because it’s not the truth,” he said.

“If we want to be a just society, justice requires truth to back it up,” he added, saying that failing to filter fake news creates social ills.

Meanwhile,Therese “Gang” Badoy Capati, founder of RockEd Philippines, opined that fake news traces its roots to the tendency of humans to tell untruths.

Badoy said the best defense would be to be more discerning about consuming news online and be more responsible in reading all dimensions, including contradictory positions on issues.

For his part, PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar said the thrust to support social media reflects the administration’s commitment to public accountability.

“This administration is all about transparency,” Andanar said.  “Wala po tayong tinatago. As a matter of fact, the second Executive Order that the President signed… was Executive Order No. 2 on Freedom of Information.”

Andanar pointed out that the Duterte administration is crafting guidelines that will allow bloggers to cover Malacañang events along with mainstream media.

Andanar also announced the government’s plans to beef up the state’s media agencies, particularly Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM), People’s Television Network (PTV 4), Philippine News Agency (PNA), Radyo ng Bayan and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

“PNA is supposed to be the premiere newswire of the country. How do we communicate the good news of government out there if we don’t have a credible wire agency? So  we’re fixing that too. Soon PNA will  have its own newscast. Its own TV channel. We are fixing the online presence,” Andanar said.

Palace welcomes approval of 2017 Investment Priorities Plan

Palace welcomes approval of 2017 Investment Priorities Plan


President Rodrigo Duterte approved the 2017 Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) aimed at fostering a sound business environment across the regions.

In a press briefing in Malacañan on Tuesday, March 7, Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the priority investment areas will be in manufacturing, including agri-processing, agriculture, fishery and forestry, strategic services, infrastructure and logistics, including local government unit and public-private partnership, and health care services, including drug rehabilitation.

Mass housing, inclusive business models, environment and climate change, innovation drivers, energy and export businesses are also included.

Abella also announced that the Duterte administration’s Philippine Development Plan ‎2017-2022 is now available in the official website of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

The Philippine Development Plan ‎2017-2022 is anchored on the 10-point socio-economic agenda of the Duterte administration.

“This is also the first step in achieving our long-term vision, dubbed as AmBisyon 2040,” Abella said.

In connection with the celebration of Women’s Day on March 8, Wednesday, Abella said the Palace takes pride in the good news that eight out of the 10 Philippine Military Academy (PMA) topnotchers this year are women.

According to Abella, the nation will look up to their scholars--now newly minted women cadets--as inspiration and role models, who will be expected to perform their public duties to the best of their abilities. "We are proud of their achievements in the Academy and expect the best when they serve our Armed Forces where they would decide, lead, motivate, set example and accomplish the mission to defend the Republic," he said.

On another note, Abella issued a stern warning against those engaging in corruption, noting the President remains committed to fulfilling his campaign pledge of fighting corruption, illegal drugs and criminality.

According to the Palace official, anyone who attempts to bribe any government official “should be scared,” as the law will surely come down full force on them.

Joining Abella at Tuesday's press briefing were Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) chairperson Rhodora Masilang-Bucoy and executive director Emmeline Verzosa.

Verzosa reported that among the worrisome developments today with regard to women are the high maternal mortality ratios and increasing number of teenage pregnancies.

She hailed the government for passing the Reproductive Health Law, as this gives women better access to modern family planning methods so they can plan their pregnancies and space the number of their children.

The increasing number of teenage pregnancies is the result of a high incidence of premarital sex among young adults which studies show rose from 23.2 percent in 2002 to 32 percent in 2013.

Another challenge to the increasing number of teenage pregnancies is the prevalence of violence against women which could run to millions of cases.

“Violence against women and girls happen not only inside their homes but also in schools, workplaces, streets, public transportation systems and media,” Verzosa said.

Names and Faces of Duterte's New Appointed Gov't Officials

Mr. Kenneth Chen Cobonpue
National Economic and Development Authority

Mr. Melzar Pascua Galicia
Office of the President

Mr. Mauricio Gamsao Domogan
National Economic and Development Authority 

Mr. Rogelio B. Luy
Department of Public Works and Highways 

Mr. Marvin Ted Rementilla Macapagal
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority 

Mr. Jose Antonio E. Goitia
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

 Mr. Jay Daniel Rodriguez Santiago
Department of Transportation

Mr. Jose David Lapuz
The Executive Secretary Office of the President 

Ms. Cariza Yamson Seguerra
The Secretary of Socioeconomic and Director-General, National Economic and Development Authority

Mr. Alvin Robles Reyes
Presidential Communications Operations Office 

 Mr. C'zar Mojado Sulaik
Office of the Cabinet Secretary

 Mr. Jorge Salang Estanislao
Subic Metropolitan Authority

Mr. Julius S. Escalona
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority 

Mr. Renato Umali Solidum Jr.
Department of Science and Technology 

Ms. Ma. Laarni Lopez-Cayetano
Naional Economic and Development Authority 

Ms. Patricia Yvette Malabanan Ocampo
Department of Tourism

Mr. Jose Pamintuan De Jesus
Office of the President

National Commission for Culture and the Arts

  Mr. Eleazar G. Diaz
Department of Transportation

Mr. James T Lao
Philippin Red Cross
©2017Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

Nine BI jail guards sacked for 2 Korean fugitives’ escape

Bureau of Immigration

PRESS RELEASE

07 March 2017

Nine BI jail guards sacked

for 2 Korean fugitives’ escape

Nine guards at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) detention center in Bicutan, Taguig City were relieved of their posts following the escape from detention of two Korean fugitives early Monday.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said he also directed the sacked jail guards to explain in 72 hours why no administrative and criminal charges should be filed against them in connection with the escape of the two foreign detainees.

The Koreans were identified as Park Wang Yeol, 38, and Jung Jae Yul, 38, who allegedly escaped by forcibly opening the ceiling and rooftop of their detention cell and scaling the fence surrounding the detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa.

Morente said the incident is now being investigated to determine if any of the guards were involved even as he ordered a massive manhunt for the escapees.

He disclosed that a fact-finding body headed by Atty. Henry Tubban, BI legal officer, was already formed to investigate the jailbreak.

“We also appeal to the public to give us any information on their whereabouts so they can be recaptured and immediately deported to Korea where they are wanted to stand trial for their crimes,” the BI chief added.

"The public may call (02) 465-2400 loc. 213, 226 and (02) 524-37-69 or email us at immigph@gmail.com for any information," Morente further added.

The BI has also sought the help of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in hunting the fugitives.

Aside from assembling several tracker teams to hunt the duo, Morente said he also alerted immigration officers in all the international airports and seaports to apprehend the Koreans if they are spotted attempting to flee the country.

In their report, the jail guards on-duty said they only learned that the detainees had disappeared after another Korean detainee informed them of the escape.

They said they found a blanket and a pillow that the escapees left beside the fence near the main gate of the detention facility.

-END-

  ©2017Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

New Philippine Labor Attache to Kuwait, Atty. Alex Padaen

New Philippine Labor Attache to Kuwait, Atty. Alex Padaen is introduce by the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait to the different leaders of Filipino organizations in the Middle East.

“We are happy that finally we have a new labor attaché in Kuwait who can help us resolve cases of Filipinos in Kuwait, look into the welfare of OFWs and assure their well-being,” Kuwait Times quoted Ambassador Renato Pedro Villa as saying.

Padaen thanked the Filipino leaders for the warm welcome they accorded him, he was assigned previously in Jeddah and Al Khobar,Saudi Arabia.


“I’m very glad to be here and I’m happy with the warm welcome that the Filipino community has given me. I just want us all to be united as one community so we can pursue our common goals of helping our fellow Filipinos in Kuwait,” Padaen was quoted as saying by the Arab Times.

He also thanked Villa for the warm reception and embassy’s support to POLO and its staff.

Also present were Assistant Labor Attache Lily Pearl Guerrero, Vice Consul Charleson Hermosura, Welfare Officer Nestor Burayag, Administrative Officer Girlie Caba as well as other embassy and POLO-OWWA staff. Not new to the Middle East region, Padaen expressed his readiness to extend a helping hand to all OFWs in Kuwait amid the increasing number of distressed OFWs who run daily to the POLO-OWWA shelter to seek refuge from some of the abusive employers.

“During my term, I would push for the signing of the bilateral labour agreement between Kuwait and the Philippines for the protection and welfare of our Filipino workers. We will work closely with our counterpart in the Philippines and here in Kuwait to have both parties sign the agreement,” he reportedly said.

He will also try to reduce the increasing number of wards at the POLO-OWWA shelter, he added..

Currently, there are almost 300 wards at the center who are mostly victims of physical, sexual or verbal abuse, fatigue, lack of food or non-payment of salary. “The zero-ward policy is good, it’s ideal but I believe that’s hard to achieve and unrealistic. Moreover, it’s not a practical target, however, we will try our best to reduce the number of wards into a reasonable number, even just a double digit,” Kuwait Times quoted Padaen as saying.

Amid the ongoing repatriation of distressed OFWs, a number of maltreated OFWs also run to the embassy shelter daily, the report said.

The POLO record shows that for every ward repatriated daily, around five to seven also run to the embassy shelter every day.

  ©2017Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

DOH HONORS PERLAS AS BAYANI NG KALUSUGAN

Press Release:

6 March 2017

DOH is one with all health workers nationwide in mourning the untimely death of Dr Dreyfus Perlas, a true Bayani ng Kalusugan, who embodies the passion, idealism, humility and selfless service for the poor and marginalized communities. He is a rarity now in public health thus this is a great loss for the health sector and the thousands of patients he could have continued to serve.”

Secretary Paulyn Ubial said as the DOH joined the Black Monday protest to call for justice and the improvement of the plight of frontline health workers. At the same time, the Health Secretary denounced all acts of violence against doctors and health workers nationwide calling on local government units to help improve their working conditions and ensure their security and benefits while delivering vital health services in the field especially those working in remote and disadvantaged areas of the country.

  “We ask our local governments to please protect our doctors and health workers! Help them so they can serve you better,” urged Secretary Ubial. Perlas served as Municipal Health Officer (MHO) in the fifth class municipality of Sapad, Lanao del Norte for two years before his death where he worked on the improvement and modernization of the rural health unit (RHU) towards Philhealth accreditation to deliver primary care benefits and maternal and child health services. He was also active in medical missions and response in various health emergencies that affected Mindanao such as Typhoon Pablo in Davao Oriental, the Nunungan Ambush in Lanao del Norte, and the MILF standoff in Zamboanga City. “Dr Perlas could be considered a son of the DOH having been one of the first medical scholars under the Bagong Doktor para sa Bayan program who later joined the Doctors to the Barrio program before opting to stay as MHO for the people of Sapad, Lanao del Norte. So as a parent this is truly devastating. We sympathize with his family and also seek swift justice for this tragedy,” lamented the Health Secretary. The Department of Health through its Regional Health Office has been coordinating with the local authorities in Lanao del Norte in the investigation of the death of Dr Perlas.

The Lanao del Norte Provincial Government under the leadership of Governor Imelda Quibranza –Dimaporo meanwhile has created a Task Force to lead the investigation and also announced a reward money to identify and catch the perpetrators. Secretary Ubial has already directed the Department to revisit and amend the Magna Carta for Public Health Workers to reinforce benefits and security provisions that could ensure the safety and protection of health workers particularly those deployed in hardship posts in GIDA areas and localities identified as high risk for violence.

“In the same vein that we recognize the risks faced by our military through difficulty pay or battle pay and other security measures, we must also protect our health workers. They also risk their lives in the line of duty while saving the lives of others. The service that they give is matchless and invaluable. Let not the life and death of Dr. Perlas be forgotten and put to waste.

We rally together with all health workers to continue the fight for better working conditions,” concluded the Health Secretary. The Black Monday protest has been called by fellow barrio doctors of Perlas under the Doctors to the Barrios Foundation to demand justice and also bring attention to the needs of all frontline health workers facing daily battles of difficult working conditions, denial of legal benefits and other entitlements, harassment and acts of violence in high risk areas. Masses were held across the country last Sunday offering prayers for Perlas and honoring his example as a service-oriented and altruistic physician for the people of Mindanao.

  ©2017Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

Anong Maipapayo Mo Sa Mga First Time Magiging OFW?

Kung ikaw at hihingan ng advise nang first time na magiging OFW, anong maipapayo mo?

Narito ang ilan sa kanilang mga sagot:

Baldapan Jhean: Sa mga baguhan maging wise sa pagpapadala, dapat may ipon ka din sa sarili mo para pag-uwi mo may baon ka. Hindi biro ang mag-abroad.

Natalie Biolango: Be prepared your unlimited patience. Mahalin mo ang trabaho, kung gusto mong maabot ang hangarin mo sa buhay.

Clydemb Bonioa: Huwag ka magtiwala sa mga kapwa mo Filipino. Huwag kakalimutan magdasal.

Madeline Lequit Plata: Maging matataf ka sa paglaban sa homesickness. Unang-una gawing inspirasyon ang pamilya mo ng sa ganoon tumagal o magtagal ka sa trabaho bilang isang OFW.

Annaleza Greva: Huwag bumarkada sa partygoers kasi wala silang maitutulong kundi butasin lamang ang bulsa ninyo. Habang kayo ay nasa abroad mag-ipon.

Elissa Jamora: Hindi madali ang maging OFW. Ibigay mo lahat kay God na sana maging maayos ka at matapos ang inyong kontrata. Samahan mo ng maraming maraming sipag, tiyaga, at pagtitiis. Maging mabuti sa trabaho at kasamahan.

Ree Sah: Learn to say NO sa mga hinihingi ng inyong pamilya. Huwag mangungutang para lang may maibigay para sa kanila. Dapat may sarili kang bank account na hindi dapat galawin, para pag-uwi mo may ipon ka at nang di mawalang saysay ang pagtrabaho mo sa ibang bansa.

Lee Canete: 1. Alamin ang status ng agency sa POEA.

2. Alamin kung may Job Order ang Agency para sa posisyon o trabahong inaplayan. Kung legal ang proseso, ibigay sa inyong pamilya ang lahat ng detalye na dapat nilang malaman, name ng agency, address, contact person at telepono, name ng inyong magiging employer, address sa abroad, at contact info.

3. Kung ang trabahong inaplayan ay bilang kasambahay (DH, Family Driver, Cook) wala ang dapat bayarang Passport, Medical at prosessing fee ang ang dapat mong bayaran.

4. Kung ikaw ay sa Private Company mag-work ang Placement Fee mo ay dapat katumbas lamang ng isang buwang basic salary mo. Pwede mo I-request sa agency na pagawang salary deduction ng kumpanya ang placement fee mo.

5.Pagdating sa trabaho sa ibang bansa, magpakita ng kasipagan at magiging mabati sa mga employers. Kunin agad ang loob nila upang maging magaan ang pakikitungo nila saiyo.

6. Huwag ilagay sa isip ang luho gaya ng mga gadgets. Ilagay sa isip ang mga plano sa buhay para sa sarili o pamilya gaya ng pagbili ng lote o bahay, pampuhunan sa binabalak na negosyo at iba pa na pangmatagalang paglalagyan ng perang iyong pinaghirapan.

7. Huwag basta basta magbibitaw ng pera sa mga kamag-anak para huwag sila magsimulang umasa saiyo. Sa simula pa lang matutung magsabi ng hindi. Liban na lamang kung emergency cases at talagang mahigpit ang pangangailangan sa pera. 70% ng mga nangungutang ng OFW ay hinsi nakakapagbayad.

8. Iwasan ang mga bagay na alam mong bawal sa bansang kinaroroonan mo. Matutung makibagay sa mga kinagisnang kaugalian o tradisyon ng mga employer ninyo.

9. Mag-ipon, Mag-ipon. Ang pagiging OFW ay hindi pangmatagalan. Walang kasiguraduhan kung hanggang saan makakaya ng ating katawan ang pagtatrabaho sa abroad. Mag-ipon habang maaga pa.

10. Kung magkaroon man ng problema sa employer, agad magsabi sa inyong pamilya na magreklamo sa inyog agency. Sabihan nila ang taga agency na kapag walang ginawang aksyon pati ang agency nila ay irereklamo nila sa POEA Ortigas at DOLE.

Rosebenser L. Serraon Para sa akin na dating ofw, ay tungkol sa babae, ay huwag nang mag abroad sa Saudi, Kuwait, dahil yang karamihan na mga arabo ay sadista at manyakis, tapos bugbogin kapa at pagminalas ay mapatay ka pang, huwag na silang paakit sa free placement at processing dahil pagdating mo doon ay kawawa ka lang at di ka pa mabigyan ng sahod. Noon talagang kapit sa patalim ang mga pinoy, pero ngayon si duterte na ang Presidente ay nkaginhawa na sa kahirapan ang mga tao, unti unti nga lang at bigyan natin ng panahon ang ating gobyerno na maayos nila ang lahat. Katulad ng sa ospital at gamot ay nakakalibre na tyo, lumapit ka lang sa lingap ay hindi ka mapahiya, tapos bago ay libre na ang college sa mga universities di ba, at marami pang mga charities dito na hindi natin alam, hopefully bago matapos ang termino ni duterte ay nakaahon na tyo sa kahirapan, syempre kahit papaano ay kailangan din natin mag trabaho locally para meron tyong makain at pamdamit di ba, God bless.

Bâe Shâng Physically & mentally ready kang mag abroad.. Hindi yung nag abroad ka dahil na inggit ka,di madali ang buhaY Ofw.. Ibat ibang lahi ang maka salamuha mo at dapat marunong kang makisama..obey the law of the country kung saan bansa ka man.kung ikaw ay pamilyado sa pinas,panindigan mo Hindi yung pagdating sa ibang bansa magiging single ka bigla.at dapat money management huwag gasto dito gastu doon kung anung uso dapat meron ka,huwag ganyan mag ipon ka dahil di pang habambuhay ang pag aabroad..

Bee Mee First dapat handa 100% ang puso at isip mo na tanggaping mag aabroad ka meaning malayo sa pamilya

2nd,hwag mag expect ng mataas na kahit anong bagay kung saang bansa ka magtratrabaho

3rd dapat alam mo at binasa kung ano ang penermahan mong papelis,research kung ano ang batas na dapat at hindi dapat ng ibang bansa,hindi basta2x mag trust sa ibang tao,maging matatag at pray always

4th,no matter what happen kunin mo ang mga contacts # na maaaring makatulong sayo anytime,like OWWA,embassy etc.

Be yourself,makinig ng mabuti...in touch w/ family and make the best time as you can.

Jocel Jose Una po, pray to have a good employer. Kalimutan muna pamandalian kng ano man un iniwan mo sa pinas for ur own good. Maging masipag sa trabaho at tapat sa employer kc kapag masipag ka at mapagkatiwalaan mamahalin ka ng employer mo. Huwag maghangad ng mga bagay na hindi iyo lalo na d mo kayang bilhin.habaan ang pasensya huwag laging iniisip ang mga taong iniwan mo sa pinas kc malulungkot ka lng.dahilan ng homesick.mag focus sa trabaho at maging matalino sa mga bagay bagay bago mo gawin.

Yam-yam Salvador Ang pag aabroad ay hindi isang simple desisyon.. Kong may pamilya ka hindi lang isang beses ka dapat mag isip subalit pa isipan ng maraming beses... Kailangan mo ng tibay ng dibdib, lakas ng loob at maraming patient kasi lahat ng attitude ng ibang tao ay makakasalamuha... Matutong mapanuri at pag aralan ang lahat... Especially sarili lang ang pagkatiwalaan... Buhay abroad... Good luck! and God bless.

Ferlita Sabas Candela Dapat bou ang pangarap at layunin mo sa isip at puso,lubos ang tiwala sa Dios. 100%; na kaalaman sa batas at mga sangunian ng OFW,if agency totoo b at license sila. background ng employer,sapat na suweldo at dapat alam ang tel. number ng consulate na bansang pupuntahan mo,number ng tulfo brothers at ng POAE,agency, at family mo. Ipaalamo sa amo mo na alam mo ang employer and employee relationship strictly work with regular salary basi sa contract. Maging matapang at matatag,you should know your human right.

Luisito Pascual kung first timer ka saan panig k man ng mundo magpunta pinaka the best siguro na alamin mabuti ang cultura ng bansa na iyong pupuntahan alamin ang mga mahigpit na ipinagbabwal sa bansa na iyong pupuntahan kapag alam mo na ang mga bawal wag mo ng subukan gawin upang makaiwas at malayo sa kapahamakan.

lagi mo alalahanin ang iyong pamilya na laging naghihintay sayong maayos na pagbabalik.

Leciram Onidnab Roma Dapat emotionally stable ka bago ka mag.abroad. Hirap kalabanin ang lungkot na malayo sa pamilya. Tatag at paniniwala sa sarili. Wag basta basta magtitiwala at laging isa.isip na hindi madali ang trabaho na iyong papasukin. Always expect the worst scenario para pag anjan ka na sa sitwasyon na yan madali mo malalagpasan.

  ©2017Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

Presidential Spokesperson Ernie Abella on the discovery of the body of beheaded German national

From Presidential Spokesperson Ernie Abella on the discovery of the body of beheaded German national

The Philippine government is deeply saddened but resolved as ever to respond to the recent discovery of the body of Mr. Jurgen Kantner, a German national, in the interiors of Talibang, Barangay Buanza, Indanan, Sulu.

Mr. Kantner’s remains were discovered yesterday by Marine Battalion Landing Team 3 under the Joint Task Force Sulu, according to a report by Marine Colonel Edgard Arevalo, Chief of AFP Public Affairs Office.

President Duterte has declared time and again that terrorism is the twin scourge of narco-politics, and that this government will leave no stone unturned in squarely addressing the evils of extremism and plain banditry.

We reiterate our sincere sympathies to the family of Mr. Kantner, as well as to the rest of the German people, for this modern-day cruelty. Rest assured these mindless acts will not go unpunished.

  ©2017Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

President Duterte visits slain soldiers' wake at Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City

President Duterte visits soldiers in CDO


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Friday, March 3, attended the wake of soldiers who were killed in action in an encounter with the New People’s Army (NPA) in Misamis Oriental.

He was greeted warmly upon his arrival at the Camp BGen. Edilberto Evangelista Chapel, where the remains of the fallen soldiers lie in state. The fallen soldiers were awarded the Bronze Spearhead Devise Medal. 

The President also extended financial, medical, and educational assistance to the bereaved families.

Cpl. Marzon Morales and Pvt. Oshin Rosala were killed-in-action in clashes with the NPA at Barangay Kaulayanan, Sugbongcogon, Misamis Oriental last February 27 and 28.

The firefight reportedly ensued after the 58th Infantry Battalion responded to local residents' complaints of NPA troops demanding food support in the area.

There were reportedly around 30 armed rebels from Guerilla Front 4B, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee who engaged the soldiers. 

Duterte then went to Camp BGen. Edilberto Station Hospital, where he visited the wounded soldiers, namely: Pfc. Marquin Variacion, Pfc. Vincent Niño Lopez, Pvt. Regie Joy Duyan, and Pvt. Ramon Balibagon, Jr.

Each was personally awarded with the Wounded Personnel Medal. Financial assistance, medical and educational support were also extended to them.

He likewise visited Sgt. Joshua Delawan, Pfc. Jeneses Andam, and Kenneth de Guzman, who are also confined at the Camp BGen. Edilberto Evangelista Station Hospital. ###PND

  ©2017Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards