chief Bantag never a part of police ranks, PNP says

By Charles Dantes

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday clarified that former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag has not been part of the PNP. The PNP said that Bantag used to be the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology officer before he was appointed as the head of the BuCor.

“This is to set right some news articles that came out recently,” the PNP said.

“We want to emphasize that irrespective of one’s rank, stature, or source of commissionship of any officer; the police force will arrest any individual who has violated the law,” it added.

On Tuesday, Department of Justice (DOJ) Spokesperson Mico Clavano claimed that Bantag’s connection with the national police made his arrest and investigation difficult.

Clavano on Wednesday apologized for his statement and backpedaled on his previous statement saying Bantag’s police ties were because he graduated from the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA).

“I would like to correct my error and clarify that Mr. Bantag did not serve in the Philippine National Police, but rather graduated from the Philippine National Police Academy. I regret any confusion this may have caused and hope this clarification clears up any misunderstandings,” he said.

Graduates of the PNPA can choose to work with the PNP, BJMP, and the Bureau of Fire Protection after their graduation.

The PNP further said its Crime Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) tracker team has been working with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to locate Bantag and is deputy, Ricardo Zulueta.

By Rey E. Requejo

A US government official has reassured the Philippines of its commitments while Washington is managing the growing competition between the US and China, which is “critically important” not only for both countries but also for their allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific. US State Department’s Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink made the statement following the visit of US State Secretary Antony Blinken to Beijing, where he met high-level officials, including President Xi Jinping, to reduce tensions between the two superpowers.

Kritenbrink stressed that there is a good reason why friendly relations between the US and China must be maintained.

The Philippines, which has an ongoing territorial dispute with China over maritime territories in the South China Sea, has the military backing of the US.

“We believe that it is critically important, including in the regional context, that the United States and China work hard to responsibly manage the growing competition between us,” Kritenbrink said, in an online media briefing Tuesday night.

“We have made clear that we will stand up to and we will counter a range of concerns that we have with Chinese activities, including in the South China Sea and including those directed at some of our key partners and allies, such as the Philippines,” he added.

The US official cited the importance of shared security and prosperity of the region.

“Like Mayon Volcano, workers are restive over the high prices and low wages. The NCR wage board should grant the demand for a wage hike if it wants to calm the seething social volcano,” according to Judy Miranda, secretary general of Partido Manggagawa (PM).

“As of January 2023, workers have lost P88 in the value of the P570 minimum wage due to inflation. Thus, P100 is necessary to recover the purchasing power of workers’ wages,” the labor groups said.

The labor groups claimed that the NCR wage board and the Department of Labor and Employment has dragged its feet on the wage hike demand for half a year already.

“Workers are suffering from starvation wages. Instead of a living wage, workers are paid a ‘libing’ wage,” Miranda insisted.

Similar petitions for a P100 salary increase have been filed in Region 4-A, Region 6, and Region 7. There are also pending bills for a P150 legislated across-the-board wage hike in both houses of Congress.

The labor groups also belied the claims of employers that a wage hike will lead to higher inflation and more unemployment.

ASSURANCE FOR AMCHAM. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez assures members of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) that Congress is committed to engaging with international stakeholders, including the American business community, to promote trade and investment, share best practices, and foster mutually beneficial collaborations. Romualdez was AmCham’s guest of honor and speaker during AmCham’s General Membership Luncheon Meeting on Wednesday. Ver Noveno

Phivolcs records dome-collapse events at Mayon Volcano lasting 3 minutes

By Rio N. Araja

THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Wednesday recorded seven dome-collapse pyroclastic density current (PDC) events that lasted three minutes at Mayon Volcano in Albay.

Yesterday’s record was higher compared to the two PDC events on Tuesday.

“Alert Level 3 is maintained over Mayon Volcano, which means that it is currently in a relatively high level of unrest as magma is at the crater and hazardous eruption within weeks or even days is possible,” Phivolcs’ bulletin read.

At least 299 rockfall events and two volcanic earthquakes were also recorded in the area in the past 24 hours. A very slow effusion of lava from the summit crater of Mayon Volcano continued to feed lava flows and collapse debris on the Mi-isi (south) and Bonga (south gullies).

The lava flows advanced to maximum lengths of 2,500 meters along Mi-isi gully and 1,800 meters along Bonga gully from the summit crater, while collapse debris deposited to 3,300 meters from the crater.

Steam-laden plumes reaching up to 800 meters were also observed over the volcano drifting to the general west direction.

Ako-Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co meanwhile ordered the implementation of a sustainable water supply system in every evacuation center across the region.

“Recognizing the crucial role water plays in safeguarding the health and safety of evacuees, we understand the urgency of addressing the lack of clean and accessible water during times of crisis. By establishing reliable water supply systems in evacuation centers, this initiative aims to alleviate the challenges faced by displaced individuals and enhance their overall living conditions during uncertain times,” Co, chair of the House committee on appropriations, said

Duterte to telcos: Give refund for poor service

REP. Paolo Duterte of Davao City filed a bill in the House of Representatives requiring public telecommunications companies to automatically give refunds to customers who experience intermittent or continuous service disruptions of 24 hours or more in a month.

House Bill 8480 will ensure that subscribers pay only for the service they get and push telecom firms to provide fast, reliable, and uninterrupted internet connection.

Duterte’s co-authors to HB 8480 were Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, ACT-CIS Partylist Reps. Jocelyn Tulfo and Edvic Yap, and Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo.

“While the telecommunications industry has continued to flourish in the country, internet connection and reliability of service remains a persistent problem, along with exorbitant costs paid by consumers for internet service,” Duterte said.

In HB 8480’s explanatory note, the bill’s authors pointed out that the Philippines has among the most expensive fixed broadband services in Asia, resulting in its low ranking in the 2022 Digital Quality of Life Index (DQLI) independently conducted by the cybersecurity firm Surfshark. Maricel V. Cruz

PAO chief receives ‘Bravo Filipino’ award

PUBLIC Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida Rueda-Acosta has been recently honored with a Bravo Filipino Award of Pusong Bayani as a special citation for her.

The Bravo Filipino Publishing conferred the recognition to Rueda-Acosta for being “a public servant with a hero’s heart that beats for the PAO, the people, especially the poor.

The awards program recognizes female trailblazers who have achieved success in their careers and personal advocacies.

The distinctions are given to Filipinas championing social change and economic progress in the country and work to uplift the lives of Filipinos. Because of her world-class achievement in public service and legal jurisprudence, Rueda-Acosta has received at least 21 awards in 2022.

The PAO chief received the Gawad Filipino 2022 Hero Award and the Gawad Dangal Filipino Award as an outstanding public servant. Rio N. Araja

Cagayan lawmaker urges Senate to OK mandatory ROTC

CAGAYAN de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez on Wednesday urged the Senate to approve a bill passed by the House of Representatives calling for a mandatory citizen service training for college students, with an optional ROTC or reserve officer training course.

He made the appeal in reaction to a reported survey by the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) showing that 53 percent of senior high school student-respondents opposed the proposed revival of a school-based military training.

Rodriguez said the proposal of the House contained in Bill No. 6687 is for the establishment of a “national citizens service training program (NCSTP)” that includes community service-oriented activities like relief and rescue, and mobilization for disasters and calamities.

“It is not focused on military enlistment preparation. That is just part of what we envision would be a holistic citizen service training, which would encourage the participation of our youth in civic and public affairs,” he said. House Bill 6687 is a consolidation of several related measures, including Rodriguez’s HB 6078. It is principally authored by Speaker Martin Romualdez. Maricel V. Cruz