deepening ties with PH

Outgoing SoKor envoy cites deepening ties with PH

OUTGOING SOUTH KOREAN AMBASSADOR TO THE PHILIPPINES HAN DONG-MAN

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Outgoing South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Han Dong-man on Monday cited the deepening and expanding ties between South Korea and the Philippines in all aspects, including economics and mutual security the past three years.

“I am going back to Seoul with a heavy heart but with very pleasant memories not only of this country and its people but also of the relationships that were forged here,” Han said in his farewell letter.

Han is scheduled to return to South Korea on Wednesday after serving almost three years as Seoul's envoy to Manila.

Han said he will treasure the "friendship that has enriched cooperation and exchanges between our two nations”.

“I have seen Philippine-Korea relations deepening and expanding in various ways ranging from the economic, and political spheres, to mutual security and cultural exchange, among other things. I am optimistic that as our countries further elevate bilateral relations to a new level, together we will emerge stronger when this pandemic is finally over. I cannot believe how quickly time has passed. Words are not enough to express my deepest gratitude for the warm Filipino hospitality, friendship, and support that you have given to me in the period of almost three years that I have been in this wonderful country,” Han said.

The strong ties between Seoul and Manila date back to 1950 when the Philippines became the first Asian country to send 7,420-strong combat troops during the Korean War which ended in 1953.

At that time, the Philippines was still struggling from the ruins of World War II and was also fighting an insurgency, but the Philippines did not hesitate to send combat forces to Korea which was in dire need of help when it was invaded by communist Chinese and North Korean forces.

Two members of the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK), who are still alive today are former President Fidel V. Ramos, 92, and retired Maj. Max Young, 98. (MNS)

Reds’ activities this holiday season monitored — AFP chief

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The activities of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army (CPP-NPA) this holiday season is monitored by military intelligence units, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, Gen. Gilbert Gapay, said Tuesday. "Our intelligence community is closely monitoring their actions. They have planned really to conduct atrocities in different parts of the country, particularly (against our) vulnerable, remote communities," Gapay said in an online briefing Tuesday.

They plan to conduct extortion and recruitment, he said, noting the threat to security forces, especially those deployed to remote detachments.

“Talagang pinagpaplanuhan nila 'yan (They are really making plans.) They are just waiting (for an) opportune time to (launch their attack),” Gapay added.

He said due to the dwindling ranks of the NPA, it is unlikely that the communist-terrorists would be able to hold a "plenum" or large meeting during the CPP’s founding anniversary on December 26.

In previous years, the CPP-NPA has always been vocal on its websites about holding a plenum and its agenda, Gapay said.

He, however, assured that troops would be guarding communities to ensure Filipinos have a meaningful and peaceful Christmas celebration.

Earlier, the CPP urged all NPA units to conduct secret meetings to mark its 52nd founding on December 26.

The communist-terrorists also said they would continue with their harassments during the holiday season since the AFP did not declare a ceasefire this year.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (MNS)

Maligayang Pasko!

Pasko is the most festive time of the year. And this year, whether we celebrate together or apart, let our traditions brighten the season and lend strength to families and friends near and far. With our spirits together, we can welcome the new year with joy and love.

A safe and Maligayang Pasko to you and your family from AARP!

Celebrate with us at aarp.org/aapi

OFWs in Qatar to get free Covid-19 vaccines: labor office

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Filipino workers are among those included in the inoculation of free coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines in Qatar, a Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) official in the host country reported on Monday.

“The general population of Qatar, including migrant workers, will be given free vaccines,” Labor Attaché David Des Dicang said in a virtual forum.

Dicang said Qatar Prime Minister and concurrent Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani directed the health sector to provide the vaccine to everyone based on the country’s health standards.

The vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech will be first administered to elderly people, those with chronic diseases, and frontline health workers.

The people of Qatar will get the vaccines starting in January 2021.

Dicang added that the Covid-19 vaccination is not required as the public would be given the option not to receive the vaccine once the government starts to administer it.

There are 240,000 OFWs in Qatar, more than 90,000 of whom are household service workers (HSWs).

Aside from HSWS, Filipino engineers, nurses, accountants, architects, teachers, laborers, service workers, and ground stewards work in the country.

Meanwhile, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III lauded the effort of the Qatar government in fighting Covid-19.

“This is an important step on the road to containing the pandemic and returning (the) life of our overseas Filipino workers in Qatar, to normal,” Bello said in a statement. (MNS) DTI warns: Robredo urges Dishonest online Filipinos to draw buyers may face strength from one imprisonmentanother as MANILA (Mabuhay) — Buyers found lia-pandemic persists ble for deceiving online sellers may face imprisonment, the Department of Trade MANILA (Mabuhay) — Vice President Leni Roand Industry (DTI) warned Wednesday, as bredo on Christmas Eve urged Filipinos to draw consumers turned to Internet shopping due strength from one another as the COVID-19 panto the COVID-19 pandemic.demic persisted.

Speaking at the Laging Handa briefing, Robredo urged the public to connect with their DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo urged loved ones and reminisce the times they experienced online sellers to document calls and text joy and diffi culties this year. messages from bogus buyers. "Humugot ng lakas mula sa isa’t isa. Binago man “I-save ninyo rin kasi this is estafa under ng pandemya ang paraan natin ng pagdiriwang, the Revised Penal Code, so it’s punishable hindi maaaring mabawasan ang kabuluhan ng araw by imprisonment,” she said. na ito, dahil walang pandemya o sakunang kayang Castelo said the Philippine National Police umampat sa pagdaloy ng pag-ibig ng Maykapal," she (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investi-said in her message. gation (NBI) are ready to accept complaints "Walang dilim na kayang magligaw sa atin, dahil that will be forwarded to the Department of tayo mismo ang liwanag ng bawat isa. Tuloy ang Justice (DOJ), which will evaluate whether bayanihan. Tuloy ang pag-asa. Tuloy ang pag-ibig. to file charges in court. Muli, maligayang Pasko sa lahat ng Pilipino, saan “Kailangan lang tulungan rin tayo ng mang sulok ng mundo." complainant kung siya iyong seller or iyong food delivery platform na makapag-comFilipinos can rely on each other as they follow plain siya, mag-execute ng affidavit at God's example in treating one another with respect makapag-complain. Tutulungan natin sila and dignity, Robredo said. sa PNP or sa NBI,” she said.

“Kaya babala rin doon sa mga buyers na The Vice President cited instances of Filipinos nanloloko o iyong mga wala naman talagang volunteering and donating during response and planong bumili pero gusto ang makaagrabrelief operations as a series of typhoons lashed the yado ng tao, kulong po ang penalty diyan country this year, supporting health care workers, kaya huwag na nilang ituloy or tigilan na and following health protocols. nila iyong mga ganiyang gawain nila.” "Ito nga mismo ang ipinagdiriwang natin ngayong Last month, the House of Representatives araw: Ang katotohanan na sa ngalan ng pag-ibig, approved on final reading the bill that seeks pinili ng Panginoong makipamuhay sa atin. Pinili to regulate transactions in the e-commerce niyang makiisa sa buong lalim ng karanasan ng industry in the country. sangkatauhan. Pinili niyang magkatawang-tao at House Bill 7805 reportedly makes it ilmagpakatao; na makipagkapwa at maging kapwa," legal to cancel orders for food and/or groshe said. cery items if the items have already been A record-low proportion of Filipinos at 50 percent paid, are already in the possession of the expect their Christmas this year to be joyous, acride-hailing service partner or in transit to cording to a recent Social Weather Stations survey. the consumer. (MNS) (MNS)