Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) posthumously honored Chris Lorenz Fabian, the 15-year-old scout who died in the Tacloban City school shooting last June, for blocking the perpetrators from entering a classroom.

In a statement on Tuesday, the DILG said Secretary Jonvic Remulla, through Eastern Visayas regional office director Arnel Agabe, conferred the Youth Heroism Award on Fabian through his parents and grandfather in a ceremony.

The department said at least 30 of Fabian’s fellow students were saved by his act.

‘The grief felt by Tacloban City and the nation over the untimely passing of Fabian and the other victims of the school shooting must also strengthen the resolve of [the] government and communities to improve policies and measures that protect children in schools,’ Remulla said in the statement.

‘To help ensure that no other family endures the same heartbreak… the DILG is actively overseeing LGUs in institutionalizing strict campus safety protocols, enhancing police visibility around academic zones, and empowering communities to recognize and intercept threats early,’ he added.

The DILG noted that the award was also issued by its attached agency, the National Youth Commission (NYC).

Fabian and two other students were killed during the Tacloban shooting.

The Tacloban shooting, as well as a similar case in which two students died at Ateneo de Zamboanga University this August, prompted Remulla and the Philippine National Police to amp up security measures around schools and coordination with the Department of Education

Sen. Mark A. Villar is urging his colleagues to ensure the swift passage of Senate Bill No. 1870, or the proposed Travel Tax Abolition Act, which seeks to remove the decades-old travel tax imposed on Filipinos going abroad.

‘Hindi dapat maging dagdag na pasanin ang pag-alis ng bansa, lalo na para sa mga Pilipinong bumibiyahe upang magtrabaho, mag-aral, magpagamot, magnegosyo, o makasama ang kanilang pamilya. Panahon nang alisin ang travel tax at ibalik sa ating mga kababayan ang perang maaari nilang magamit sa mas mahalagang pangangailangan,’ Villar said.

(‘Leaving the country should not be an extra burden, especially for Filipinos traveling to work, study, get medical treatment, do business, or be with their families. It’s time to remove the travel tax and return to our countrymen the money that they can use for more important needs.’)

The travel tax was introduced under Presidential Decree No. 1183 in 1977, when overseas travel was widely viewed as a privilege.

Villar called it an ‘archaic’ policy that no longer reflected present realities. As it is, he pointed out, Filipino travelers pay a full travel tax of ?1,620 for economy-class passage and ?2,700 for first-class passage. A family of four traveling in economy class must therefore spend an additional ?6,480 before leaving the country.

‘Malaking bagay na sa isang pamilya ang ?6,480. Maaari itong ilaan sa pagkain, pamasahe, tirahan, gamot, o iba pang gastusin sa biyahe. Sa gitna ng patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin, nararapat lamang na alisin natin ang mga singil na hindi na angkop sa kasalukuyang panahon,’ Villar added.

(‘The P6,480 is a big deal for a family. It can be set aside for food, fare, rent, medicine, or other expenses during a trip. Amid a continuing rise in the prices of goods, it’s just right for us to remove a charge that is not suited to the present.’)

If Senate Bill No. 1870 becomes law, government agencies and private entities will be prohibited from collecting travel tax, and passengers who have already paid the tax for flights scheduled on or after the law’s effectivity will be entitled to an immediate refund.

The proposal also supports the objectives of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Tourism Agreement, which seeks to facilitate travel and promote stronger connectivity among Asean member states.

Villar allayed concerns about possible disruptions to government programs, noting that the bill has safeguards for the continued funding through the annual General Appropriations Act for projects previously supported by travel tax collections.

At present, the travel tax collection to the following agencies:

50 percent to the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority for tourism development

40 percent to the Commission on Higher Education for tourism-related educational programs

10 percent to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts

‘Patuloy nating susuportahan ang turismo, edukasyon, at kultura, ngunit hindi kailangang manggaling ang pondo sa dagdag na singil sa mga Pilipinong bumibiyahe. Ang mga ito ay pambansang programa na dapat pondohan sa ilalim ng pambansang badyet,’ Villar stressed.

(‘We will continue to support tourism, education, and culture, but the funds need not come from an extra charge to Filipino travelers. These are national programs that should be funded through the national budget.’)

‘Simple ang layunin natin: bawasan ang gastos, paluwagin ang biyahe, at bigyan ng mas malaking kalayaan ang bawat Pilipinong maghanap ng oportunidad saan mang panig ng mundo,’ Villar said.

(‘Our goal is simple: Lessen expenses, make travel easier, and give each Filipino more freedom to look for opportunities in whatever part of the world.’)

The Philippine National Police (PNP) disarmed two of its personnel after they allegedly harassed two female criminology interns at a police station in Cagayan de Oro City, the PNP said on Tuesday.

Authorities said the police officers involved were assigned to Police Station 7 in Barangay Bulua, where the police captain and police corporal allegedly sexually harassed the two victims on Aug. 8.

‘We take these allegations seriously. The PNP will ensure that the investigation is conducted fairly, promptly, and without interference, and that appropriate administrative and criminal charges will be pursued if the allegations are substantiated,’ PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

The Professional Criminologists Association of the Philippines (PCAP) said it would pursue legal action against the officers, potentially resulting in the revocation of their licenses.

Nartatez directed the PNP’s Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) to supervise the proceedings to ensure impartiality and ordered the PRO-10 and Cagayan de Oro City Police Office to expedite the investigation and submit a full report.

‘We will not tolerate any abuse of authority or conduct that violates the dignity and rights of our interns, civilians, or fellow personnel. Those found responsible will be held accountable,’ Nartatez said.

Following their disarmament, the suspects were also held at the Personnel Holding and Accounting Section of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office. – Martina Nieyandra Calica, INQUIRER.net trainee

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) arrested one of its personnel for allegedly being involved in a P500,000 ‘slot-for-sale’ recruitment scam that promised entry into the bureau, the BFP said Tuesday.

The BFP, with the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), arrested the suspect during an entrapment operation after a series of meetings involving money exchanges between the victim and the suspect.

The suspect was caught after an initial meeting with the victim, during which he showed a BFP ID and claimed to have offered slots in other regions for a price, later demanding a P500,000 fee.

The victim initially agreed to give the suspect P300,000 as partial payment. This led to an entrapment operation in which CIDG and BFP operatives caught the suspect on site during the exchange of the remaining money.

The incident stemmed from the victim reporting that the suspect had contacted them through a fake Facebook account.

According to BFP officer-in-charge Fire Chief Superintendent Wilberto Rico Neil Kwan Tiu, the bureau condemns corruption in its ranks and remains dedicated to its strict and fair hiring processes.

‘We will ensure anyone who exploits our aspiring applicants will face the law. … We will hold our personnel accountable for their actions,’ he said.

The BFP reminded applicants that entry to the bureau is strictly based on merit and fitness, not on payment.

The bureau conducts its anti-extortion campaign covering recruitment, promotions and transfers through ‘Oplan Santindig’ to ensure integrity within its ranks and the application process.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) disarmed two of its personnel after they allegedly harassed two female criminology interns at a police station in Cagayan de Oro City, the PNP said on Tuesday.

Authorities said the police officers involved were assigned to Police Station 7 in Barangay Bulua, where the police captain and police corporal allegedly sexually harassed the two victims on Aug. 8.

‘We take these allegations seriously. The PNP will ensure that the investigation is conducted fairly, promptly, and without interference, and that appropriate administrative and criminal charges will be pursued if the allegations are substantiated,’ PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

The Professional Criminologists Association of the Philippines (PCAP) said it would pursue legal action against the officers, potentially resulting in the revocation of their licenses.

Nartatez directed the PNP’s Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) to supervise the proceedings to ensure impartiality and ordered the PRO-10 and Cagayan de Oro City Police Office to expedite the investigation and submit a full report.

‘We will not tolerate any abuse of authority or conduct that violates the dignity and rights of our interns, civilians, or fellow personnel. Those found responsible will be held accountable,’ Nartatez said.

Following their disarmament, the suspects were also held at the Personnel Holding and Accounting Section of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office. – Martina Nieyandra Calica, INQUIRER.net trainee

Coach Tim Cone always considers Kai Sotto a difference-maker or a game-changer whether he sees action for Gilas Pilipinas or not.

That alone makes Sotto feel valued as he makes his comeback for Gilas Pilipinas in the fourth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers against Jordan and Iran.

‘It’s a huge thing for any player to have the coach’s trust,’ Sotto said. ‘I’m thankful to Coach Tim for trusting me a lot and that he’s always grateful that I’m part of the team.’

WE WERE JUMPING FOR JOY WHEN HE DECIDED TO JOIN US

Cone mentioned how the team was ‘jumping for joy’ when the 7-foot-3 agreed to take part in the crucial window, which Gilas needs to probably sweep in order to at least stay within distance of the race for the four World Cup slots in Group E.

Sotto hasn’t played since November 2024, when he put up a big performance that helped Gilas secure a breakthrough win over New Zealand in the Asia Cup Qualifiers.

An ACL injury while playing in the B.League months ago kept him out of subsequent windows and the 2025 Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia, as well as the first three windows of the World Cup qualification.

Initially, it appears Sotto has plans other than Gilas. The past few months have seen Sotto play in a so-called ‘Family League’ from one court after another in his hometown of Las Piñas.

Then there’s also the possibility that Sotto may play in the US NCAA, one of the pathways for his NBA dream.

Cone initially ruled Sotto out before he showed up on the first day of Gilas practice.

‘It just so happened that I’m fully healthy and it’s the offseason and I have nothing else to do,’ Sotto said. ‘And then we got to talk to Coach Tim, the management and team, and then CJ [Perez’s] back and Kuya June Mar [Fajardo’s] probably playing his last window.

‘So it’s just fortunate that all things have aligned that we are able to come together for this opportunity,’ he added.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Tuesday denied claims circulating on social media that it was implementing a ‘one-week duty, two-weeks off’ work arrangement for police officers.

In a statement, the NCRPO said the claim originated from a Facebook post supposedly showing an altered image of newly installed officer in charge Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano.

‘These reports are entirely false and do not reflect any officially implemented policy,’ the regional police said.

‘Existing programs and policies concerning personnel welfare and work arrangements remain fully in place,’ it added.

The NCRPO also assured the public that the proper police deployment and prompt incident response throughout Metro Manila remained in place.

It also reminded the public and its personnel to refer to official NCRPO channels for accurate announcements and reject unverified claims.

Abrahano was appointed NCRPO officer in charge last Sunday, replacing Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 56.

The Philippine National Police-Forensic Group (PNP-FG) said it aims to improve its testing and training capabilities with its newly modernized morgue.

The morgue was inaugurated in a ceremony at Camp Crame on Tuesday, spearheaded by FG director Brig. Gen. Pierre Paul Carpio and Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Marc Innes-Brown.

In an interview with reporters after the ceremony, Carpio said the newly modernized morgue has new freezers, X-ray machines, improved sanitation, a recently refurbished sewage treatment facility, and a negative-pressure room.

Carpio noted that the newly modernized morgue is equipped with high-end closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV), which he said would enhance the PNP-FG’s capabilities.

‘Our doctors are scattered around the country’s islands, so it’s hard to gather them. It’s hard to teach them in a single place,’ he explained.

‘With the high-end CCTV, we’ll have a way where we can conduct Zoom autopsies and teach our doctors, both local and international,’ he added.

The PNP-FG chief further noted that the project was part of a declaration of cooperation between the PNP, the National Police Commission, the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital, and the Australian Embassy through Monash University. –

The House of Representatives Committee on Labor and Employment has sponsored a measure aimed at enhancing workers’ safety against climate-related threats and hazards.

House Bill No. 10559 under Committee Report No. 552 seeks to strengthen the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) framework by integrating climate-adaptive measures.

‘Hindi dapat maging kapalit ng kabuhayan ang kalusugan. Hindi dapat maging kapalit ng trabaho ang buhay. At hindi dapat kailanman mangyari na ang isang manggagawa ay kailangang mamili sa pagitan ng pagkita para sa kanyang pamilya at pagprotekta sa kanyang sarili,’ House Committee on Labor and Employment chairperson Rep. Ramon Jolo Revilla said on Tuesday.

(Health should not be sacrificed for livelihood. Life should not be sacrificed for a job. And a worker should have to choose between earning for their family and protecting themselves.)

He said that unpredictable weather has become a daily occupational risk to workers, particulalry those working outdoors.

‘For construction workers exposed to intense heat and employees who must report for work amid heavy rains and severe weather, climate change is no longer an abstract issue but a danger they confront in earning their livelihood,’ said Revilla.

Revilla added that the measure also seeks to impose stiffer penalties for OSH violations, which resulted in the injury or death of a worker.

He, however, clarified that the move is not intended to criminalize ‘ordinary mistakes’, but to penalize ‘willful or grossly negligent violations that put workers in danger.’

These include identified risks, violations, and deficiencies in training or protective equipment that are disregarded by the company or employer.

‘Hindi sapat na sabihin nating may OSH program ang isang kumpanya. Ang tanong ay-handa ba itong harapin ang mga panganib na kinakaharap ng ating mga manggagawa ngayon? Handa ba ito sa matinding init o bagyo? Handa ba itong protektahan ang manggagawa bago pa mangyari ang aksidente?’ he said.

(It is not enough to simply say that a company has an OSH program. The question is-is it prepared to address the risks our workers face today? Is it prepared for extreme heat or typhoons? Is it prepared to protect workers before an accident occurs?)

‘Hindi natin pinaparusahan ang pagkakamali. Pinapanagot natin ang sadyang pagwawalang-bahala sa kaligtasan,’ he added.

(We don’t punish mistakes. We hold accountable willful disregard for safety.)

The water level at Laguna de Bay declined slightly to 12.39 meters on Tuesday morning (Aug. 25), after reaching its critical high-water mark of 12.50 meters last week, the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) reported in an advisory.

The agency said the 12.39-meter reading was recorded at 10 a.m.

According to the LLDA, the lake reached its critical high-water level of 12.50 meters last week.’Since then, water levels have gradually receded following the cessation of intense rainfall associated with the recent tropical cyclone activity and the enhanced southwest monsoon,’ the agency said.

The LLDA considers 10.50 meters as the lake’s critical low-water level and 12.50 meters as its critical high-water level.

Despite the decline, the agency earlier warned of a continued high risk of algal blooms and possible fish kills in Laguna de Bay.

In its Aug. 21 advisory, the LLDA said prevailing cloudy conditions and the lake’s elevated water level were generally less favorable for immediate algal growth, which typically thrives in warm, sunny and stagnant conditions.

However, the agency warned that changes in weather and water conditions could trigger or intensify algal blooms.

The LLDA explained that warmer water can accelerate algal growth, while intermittent winds and rainfall can stir up nutrient-rich sediments from the lake bottom to the surface, providing additional nutrients that support algal proliferation.

Algal blooms can become harmful when the algae die and decompose, consuming dissolved oxygen in the water. Dissolved oxygen levels below 5 milligrams per liter can already stress fish, while further depletion may lead to fish kills.

‘This sequence of environmental events creates a direct mechanism leading to potential fish mortality,’ the LLDA said.

The agency urged aquaculture operators to closely monitor fish behavior, particularly during early morning hours when dissolved oxygen levels are naturally at their lowest.

Fish swimming near the surface or gasping for air may indicate low dissolved oxygen levels. When such signs are observed, operators are advised to immediately activate mechanical aerators or paddle wheels to improve water circulation and oxygenation.

The LLDA also recommended early harvesting if severe distress persists and the fish have already reached marketable size, to prevent mass mortality or fishkill episodes and minimize financial losses.

The agency also warned the public against buying or consuming fish found floating in Laguna de Bay, as decomposing fish may expose consumers to harmful bacteria.

Laguna de Bay serves as a natural catch basin for watersheds in Laguna and Rizal provinces and parts of Metro Manila. Rising lake levels therefore pose a potential flooding threat to low-lying lakeshore communities.