#FIRE CASES in CEBU

[justanother-fanficwriter]

NCIA Agent Part 4/ Trese fanfic!

As the alarm was going on. A bunch of agents went to the main entrance of the facility. The door exploded and Crispin, Basilio, Hank, Maliksi, and, the Wind Girls. The agents are trained to realistically miss-fire and make it seem like they just can't hit the subject. We pretended to retreat but we were actually leading them towards the enclosure we were supposed to trap them In.

"This seems too easy!"

Crispin says as he blows up a bunch of security robots.

"something isn't right!"

Hanks says as he fires his shotgun to one of the agents in armoured uniform.

"Well Hank, you realised that too late!"

I immediately shut the enclosure by pressing a button.

They tried to use their powers and strengths but this facility was engineered to endure supernatural forces.

I went to the mic and started to talk to them to calm down.

"mic check 1,2... Uhh... Ok, so guys, sorry for the harsh approach. I am agent (Y/N)"

I calmly said on the microphone.

"Why are you keeping us in here!"

A tikbalang friand of theirs asked.

"we need your help! To solve this case! This is a classified order from the Malacañang!"

They all looked at each other.

"I will now open the door but promise, you wont attack us or we'll keep you here for an hour!"

I said trying to convince them not to fight me.

"Ok! Fine whatever!"

Crispin said.

After opening the door, I slowly led them to a briefing room. They gasp at the ton of technology inside.

"Sit down"

I said pointing at the chairs.

"Why are you here? Well its because the NCIA needs you for a special operation. It is to stop this worldwide terrorist organisation that is called S.P.L.G or the Supernatural Paranormal Liberation Group. They believe that humans discriminate the Supernatural so they are planning to eliminate human existence."

They all gasp in awe when I turned the hologram on.

"These here, are the latest attacks performed by the group."

I enlarged a few videos.

"They raided and performed a shooting at the Beijing Airport and left the corpse of a Filipino agent to increase tensions between China and the Philippines. They also bombed a train station In Moscow with a bomb made with supernatural materials which is only used by the American government to increase tensions once again. Amd many more. Fortunately they have all been resolved by the governments around the globe or else the third world war would've happened by now. The main concern is that they are now stealing a certain element called "obrian" which can make non-supernatural organisms pass away."

"Woah!!! Thats nothing in our field!! You solve that cause you're the"professionals"!"

Alex got mad at me.

"ok, im sorry for how I implied it, but we really need more supernaturals in this team!"

"there are more Kapre's just there at Luneta! More tikbalangs at BGC and Duwendes at Manila! Why us?!"

"We need skillful ones and, this is my only chance to meet our remaining family!"

My Sister replied.

"famil- what?!"

I sighed to explain.

"i was Family at your mothers side and my mothers work wasnt accepted in the clan of babaylans, so the NCIA recriuted her. She told me to see you once im grown up and one day the world will need you!"

"that was fast... But- but... My parents said nothing!"

"They tried not to mention anything about my mother because they thought technology was against the rules of the supernatural world!"

"Looks like times do change..."

Alex sighs

"ok we will start our worl tomorrow at Cebu!"

"damn! First day we travel?!"

Basilio asked in excitement.

"Uhu! Well be going around the world to catch these Sonovabitches!"

Next day, we started to prepare the agency jet on our way to Cebu.

[onenettvchannel]

OneNETnews INVESTIGATES: Toxic Watchdog Group 'BAN Toxics' urges PNP and local officials including Central Visayas to confiscate Illegal and Dangerous Firecrackers [EXCLUSIVE]

DUMAGUETE, NEGROS ORIENTAL -- As the forthcoming year-end festivities draw near in early 2024, the environmental advocacy and toxic watchdog group "BAN Toxics" issued an urgent call to action thru the Philippine National Police (PNP) and local officials to address the rampant sale of prohibited & hazardous firecrackers. This impassioned plea from BAN Toxics comes in the aftermath of a distressing surge in firecracker-induced injuries, with a staggering recorded tally of 75 cases reported mere days prior to the eagerly anticipated New Year's Eve celebrations.

To put in the perspective point of view... There are 52 new cases from December 22nd to 26th, 2023 covering National Capital Region [NCR] (20), Region III (6), Region XII (5) and other regions or provinces is at 21 firecracker-related injuries (FRIs). The following day on December 27th until the present day, over 23 FRIs have added up.

These distressing incidents, as reported by The Freeman in Cebu City have further exacerbated the mounting apprehension surrounding the perils posed by these illegal firecrackers.

An exclusive partner investigation with BAN Toxics Patroller Team for OneNETnews; who were monitored, documented and purchased various illegal firecrackers including Atomic, Piccolo in various sizes, 10 packs of Special Pla-Pla(s), Whistle Bombs, Bawang, 5-Star and even "Dugong" (Blood) - a triangular firecracker measuring 12 by 8.5 inches, obtained discreetly from an ambulant store on December 26th in Tabora and Marcelino de Santos Street, Divisoria, NCR: "Hinihimok namin ang PNP at LGUs na paigtingin ang on-site monitoring at pagkumpiska ng mga illegal na paputok habang papalapit ang Bisperas ng Bagong Taon. Itong patuloy na pagbebenta ng mga illegal na paputok ay sadyang nakakabahala at nakakatakot kung ito ay napasakamay ng publiko, lalo na ng mga bata. Peligroso ang mga paputok sa kalusugan at maging sa ating kalikasan", Toxics Campaigner of BAN Toxics named Thony Dizon said in Tagalog dialect.

These specific types of illegal firecrackers have consistently been identified as major culprits in firecracker-related injuries in recent years (almost excluding Coronavirus Disease-19 or CoViD-19 nationwide pandemic), further emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

In response to the rampant sale of hazardous firecrackers, BAN Toxics has called upon the PNP and the Local Government Units (LGUs) to intensify on-site monitoring and confiscate illegal firecrackers as New Year's Eve approaches. This urgent action extends to Central Visayas, Negros Oriental and right here in Dumaguete City, where the group urges local officials to enforce existing firecracker ban regulations and enact ordinances banning the use and sale of firecrackers.

Reports from one government state-media Philippine News Agency (PNA) had recently brought attention to a pressing concern regarding firecracker vendors operating across the country without obtaining the necessary permits or certificates. This has raised significant concerns about their ability to effectively handle fire emergencies. The lack of fire extinguishers at these establishments poses a significant risk, especially considering the hazardous nature of the products on what they are selling in the wrong path. Furthermore, the illegal sale of firecrackers online through platforms like Shopee, Lazada and discreet delivery couriers such as J&T Express and LBC adds another layer of complexity to the issue, requiring coordinated efforts to curb these illicit activities.

To avert firecracker-related injuries, especially among children, BAN Toxics emphatically underscores the paramount importance of refraining from squandering resources on toxic, environmentally deleterious firecrackers and fireworks. Instead, the group suggestively promotes the use of alternative noise makers made from recycled materials like "Torotot" or horn-shaped trumpets, for a safer, simpler and healthier New Year's celebration. This proactive approach is in line with the group's initiative to advocate for a New Year's celebration that is free from all of these toxic and wastes. This effort is being carried out in collaboration with schools, local authorities and representatives from the PNP and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

As the year comes to an end, BAN Toxics' urgent plea for action serves as a poignant reminder of its collective responsibility to safeguard public safety and protecting the environment during year-end festive celebrations in the country.

The collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies, local officials and advocacy groups are crucial in addressing the sale of illegal and dangerous firecrackers, even for the illegal online selling are ultimately safeguarding the well-being of communities across the Filipino nation.

PHOTO COURTESY: BAN Toxics Patrollers Team via PR BACKGROUND PROVIDED BY: Tegna

SOURCE: *https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/2023/12/27/2321685/firecracker-related-injuries-climb-52 [Referenced News Article from The Philippine Star] *https://www.onenews.ph/articles/pnp-warns-versus-online-sale-of-firecrackers [Referenced News Article from OneNews PH] *https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1215849 [Referenced News Article #1 via Philippine News Agency] *https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1215996 [Referenced News Article #2f via Philippine News Agency] *https://www.animal-ethics.org/how-fireworks-harm-nonhuman-animals/ [Referenced Editorial Article via Animal Ethics]

-- OneNETnews Team

[cursinmajellan]

Bring Philippine Killer Hero to Court

By Cursin Måjellån

(Second of series)

YOU could be a thousand times less alert on the devil dancing mischievously in a blazing fire than over a neighbour who can`t keep his eyes off your pretty young wife.

She`s everything to lose, worse comes to worst, isn`t she?

Likely, this was how the thriving island tribe and their chief datu, Lapulapu, struggled to lead their lives, day in and day out, since their island-domain had become the apple of Rajah Humabon`s eye. The latter badly wanted it to himself for a long time after occupying Sibu (today`s Cebu).

In context, we are actually looking for the missing chief datu who was unheard of after killing the Chileans' celebrity, Fernào de Magalhães (a.k.a. Ferdinand Magellan), a Spain backed Portuguese conquestador.

Unfortunately, it`s just outrageous that people these days only thought of Lapulapu to make fun of when he`s going crisp on the frying pan.

Naming the fish after him, being the -- first and probably the last -- man who tried to stop foreign invasion is even more egregious and unpatriotic, as such made Filipinos unworthy of freedom.

Either out of sheer ignorance or stupidity swallowing a malicious misnomer intended to kill a persistent aspiration, it means one thing, and one thing only: The suppression of the will to self determination succeeded!

Reduction of historical account into fairy tale, folk lore or sheer legend making the same less credible is -- no different from burning of books and libraries -- a primordial modus operandi of oppressors and colonizers.

What leads us to the missing chief datu is its antidote.

Hence, we feel it`s kind of positive social obligation to dive deep into the ocean of motives (that still find comfort among Filipino traits today) and its subsequent events then and now (as they persist on) that may point a trail back into time.

Anyhow, no way can we feel the terror and fierce emotion the island natives had at every attack against their well being as people -- who knew no other piece of earth their ancestors buried, provided them their human forms and home for their children -- unless we have similar fight on our plates.

In a hop off interlude from the multinational research team touring the Asian region early this year, I managed to pay a window visit to Cagayan de Oro City Hall in the Philippines.

The sight of crowding no-can-do receptionists and civil guards in the mayors office never surprised me (you see all when you see one), but the secretary with more questions than my questionaire`s did!

They can -- in their aggregate behaviours -- make your day nearly akin to that of LAX immigration bureau on your way to the US via Los Angeles, CA.

I could be wrong thó... I must have simply misinterpreted people's actuation. Thus you may as well dismiss the circumstances pissing me off, after all they may be kind people in many ways.

But caveat -- in case I was correct -- an offensive-defense is often self-compromising, politically.

Besides, had there been perhaps another `Mactan battle` imminent thereat, such would have given justice to the taxpayers` money feeding a bystanding army like that.

Dwelling in as such, I was nearly inclined to be more contemptuous than compassionate.

Sad! The same people who are dying for a rewritten history these days are the ones dead to their rotting lives and deeds.

What else is there to be written again other than their own same stinking decay?

Aren`t we repeating the same history, time and again... and again? What!

On the other hand, the taxi's tuned in local radio station -- assailing the planned come back as consultant of the former city mayor while whining over his laid off personnel -- explained nonetheless.

I am afraid, he must have kissed an Indian`s toe back then in the city hall that conferred him an indelible longing to return, or somebody in there, for same reason, may have kept rubbing her heel against her hero`s memento.

Please erase my annexes, I have high respect to the man. I would have omitted them myself hadn't I owed you a line or two along this context, I promised somewhere in the preceding series, as to how Chileans place their hero in high regard, even more personally.

Chilean legends hold that a kiss on the toe of the native (turned glass smooth today and shiny as gold), positioned likely as San Roque`s abscess licking dog at Magellan's foot, can give you an assurance of your return to Punta Arenas; meanwhile, when you rub your heel against the foot of the hero's monument shall bring him back instead.

The parallelism amused me, regardless. I could have thanked the taxi driver more cordially when I dropped off, had I thought about this earlier vis-a-vis the nagging radio commentary lambasting the past leader who rocked the boat.

Politicians, believe me, are far worse jealous than God, while the people whose dependence on them their only fortune are worst.

At any rate, the scenario, pathetic may it seem, shares the humanity of Lapulapu's people whose lives then depended on him and were ready to lay them down for their leader's life and territory.

Take into account the turf wars prevailing in those ages. You can imagine how alert the tribe's bagani (warriors' sector) had been, 24/7 for that matter.

Doubtless, not only twice were invaders pushed back and chased up to their last breaths by these defending island natives, but gazillion times that they earned their notoriety almost everywhere.

This anyhow collected more enemies who gave them, no less, their appropriate moniker, "Mangatang" (meaning to watch on or to barricade) which Spaniards corrupted into ``Mactan.``

In much later perversions by neighbors, however, motivated by same greed and power to subjugate, such defense was turned self compromising as people.

Foes demonized the entire Kendatuan Ho Mangatang as tribe of ``pirates perpetrating ambushes`` in the islet`s surrounding waters.

This was how Humabon sold his cause to the Spaniards. More of his spins and tricks twisting Spaniards' noses to kiss his arsss are on the next series. (36)

‐-------------------------------

Cursin Måjellån is a religious missionary based in the Falkland Islands. For reactions, please send email via cursinmajellan@gmail.com

[salaminingpolitika]

“To fight or to be silent?” The future of journalism in the Philippines

by Travis Jeremy Gabriel

The Philippine media based on the observations done by the RSF, is extremely vibrant, meaning that the media is active compared to its situation back during the period of Martial Law, in which it had reached the point of near total silence apart from the government-sanctioned press which was merely a mouthpiece of the regime. Although the presence of the media had been expanding throughout the country since the downfall of the Marcos regime in February 1986, the independence and safety of our journalists are viewed with uncertainty, and it is a serious cause for concern. Unfortunately, the current government had yet to show efforts in upholding its commitment to promoting the independence of the press and the safety of the journalists. However, the rapid response of government officials in the murder case of Percy Lapid that lead to the arrest of the perpetrators had given a glimmer of hope that the administration will uphold its promise of protecting the media, and that the unfortunate death of Percy Lapid should give President Marcos a convincing reason to create a policy that is lenient towards the press and shall provide expanded space for free expression meaning that there shall be provisions in the law that will protect journalists from the fear of retaliation. This, in turn, should lay the foundation for a legacy of respect for the law and the constitutional rights of every citizens—including critics and dissenters. One might ask, how important is the role of journalist in the Philippine society?

In a published article by Reni M. Valenzuela of Sunstar Cebu, has this to say about the importance of journalism:

“Journalists with a truth-seeking attitude, courage and integrity are doing mankind a great service. Their reports could well enlighten and save societies.”

The people cannot have freedom without learning the truth, and they cannot have democracy without truth, this is, what I think, is the purpose of journalism, they provide the people independent information about one’s life and the nation itself, it is their duty to find facts in the service of accountability and in the service of information so that Filipinos can make the best decision on that situation that they face. Remember, the task of a journalist comes with a heavy burden to carry, it requires hard work to find the truth, they exert their efforts to gather evidence by any means necessary often placing themselves in the line of fire meaning that they risk their lives just to discover the truth and to deliver the information to everyone. At this point, one might be curious to ask, just how serious is the situation here in the country?

Well, according to the article published by the Philippine Star, The Philippines is one of the countries in the world that has constantly ranked among the top 10 worst with the country being in 7th place based on the recent 2021 Global Impunity Index produced by the Committee to Protect Journalists. The basis of the ranking stemmed not just only from the high number of fatalities involving journalists in the country, but also accounted for the failure to resolve the murders. The Philippines is one of the most dangerous countries when it comes to being part of the journalism profession. In fact, according to the tally recorded by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), there are 198 journalists have been killed in the country since 1986, while 21 out of the 198 recorded journalists that had been killed were during the time the Duterte Administration as well. These reports corroborate the international perspective of how they view the Philippines when it comes to handling press freedom. Reporters without borders, noticed the declining state of press freedom in the country as it slumped from 138th place based on the 2016 Press Freedom Index to 147th in the recently published 2022 Press Freedom Index meaning that the Freedom of the Press in the Philippines is on par with war-torn countries such as the State of Palestine (Currently at 146th place), and the Russian Federation (Currently at 148th place).

I think that the main problem that our journalists continue to face, is that the culture of impunity continues to exist up to the present times. Such abhorrent practices allow authoritarian leaders to rule with impunity as they swept their wrongdoings under the rug, while those who were critical in the administration are trampled under the heavy boots of censorship, harassment, and targeted killings. And this practice is indiscriminative meaning that anyone can experience the same ordeal that our journalists had to face, even students that will become future professional journalists had their fair share of experience.

The influence on the public brought by these campus publications is paramount, Kaye, a student journalist said that:

“When these journalists are on a roll to educate people in misinformation and fake news, these micro efforts will be a great contribution in fighting oppression and creating a more-free society where people put value in upholding the truth,”

Campus publications have played a significant role in the Philippines by exposing issues marginalized or ignored by the mainstream press. Student newspapers also have the advantage of not being beholden to corporate interests because they are not owned by any corporate entity with interests that might collide with these publications, unlike news outlets.

Daniel Bastard, RSF Asia-Pacific director, said that the crackdown on campus journalists in the Philippines is "alarming." He even said:

"Even students are now being given a taste of what they will have to bear if they want to become professional journalists,"

During an interview on DW to Melanie Feranil, spokesperson of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) she said that Student publications and organizations had been subjected to “constant online intimidation, article removal, unwanted communication, and even death threats” —she also told DW. These are the same tactics that were used to silence the press and prevent the information from coming out to the public.

Nearly all of the 30 campus publications were then subjected to red-tagging incidents in their social media platform—according to the survey conducted by the CEGP, as well as 200 student publications—as per the news article published on ABS-CBN news, are on the verge of losing their source of funds for their publications because of a law passed in 2016 under the Duterte Administration. Under this law, academic institutions do not have to charge student publication fees in the cost of tuition.

If these instances continue to taunt the studentry from publishing the truth, it is only a matter of time before they change their profession out of fear for their own lives and may not continue with their mission of enlightening the citizens of the truth. Thus, the future of journalism looks bleak. Together with other factors that worsened the attacks against the press, such as the lack of a legal framework that should protect the ability of the press in their line of work in search for the truth, and the level of intolerance in the “hostile media” by the earlier administration. So, even if there is a strong presence of the press in the country, if these problems continue to persist then it will be pointless for the press to function as the truth is suppressed in this country. At this point, it seems that journalism is set on a darker path and if the problems continue to be ignored, then this might become a reality that no one wants to happen.

[quintessentialmisgivings]

FIRE CASES in CEBU CITY (2021)

Fire prevention should always happen even when it’s not March. In a tropical and humid country like the Philippines, a man-made—and sometimes natural—disaster such as fire is always rampant and timely. It doesn’t just destroy properties, but it also ends the lives of many people.

Seeing data based on a research of fire cases from January to September 2021, the most affected by the fire are the residential areas, followed by mercantile and automobiles. Residential area cases aren't even a surprise to me anymore. A lot of urban poor communities in Cebu have houses made of light and wooden materials, and most houses are what we call in Filipino term "dikit-dikit" or houses that are very close to each other and a large number of affected household types are single or two-family dwellings. Most cases were also caused by electrical ignition caused by arcing, overloading and loosed wire connection—all happened by accident, but with one intentionally made, and unresponded. Most causes like children playing with fire, unattended candles, stoves and other home appliances are also rampant. But most fires are already put out upon arrival of alarms, and most affected structures per barangays only have one damaged establishment.

We see and hear news about fire almost often that we sometimes outlook the graveness of this phenomenon. The most important lesson here is to always be careful and ready for anything disastrous happenstance that could happen even in our safest abode. Always remember to turn off appliances, gadgets and corrosive materials before going out of the house and before sleeping time. Take care of our children, and don't allow them to play with fire or any material that might cause a fire. Learn emergency actions and mitigating factors in case you're trapped in an establishment that is on fire. Don't be too lenient. Be aware and educated. Because prevention will always be better than cure.

[southeastasianists]

Jennifer, a domestic worker from thePhilippines, avoided going out too much after Hong Kong recorded its first coronavirus case on January 22 and fears began to grow about the outbreak. But in early February, she decided to attend a mass in Fortress Hill.

Jennifer, who gave only her first name, said she was away from her employers’ home in Sai Kung from 10.30am to about 12.30pm. “When I returned, they asked for my smart card [to enter the flat] and told me to pack my things right away.”

She did not have a place to go. But “luckily I had friends who were off that day too and they helped me”, said the migrant, 46, who is now living in a church-run shelter.

Jennifer is among dozens of foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong who have been fired in recent weeks amid the coronavirus outbreak gripping the city, based on accounts from more than five migrants and advocates.

Reasons cited for their dismissal ranged from arguments over the time they were allowed to spend outside the house on their days off, to employers claiming they had lost their jobs or were leaving the city.

Migrants who have been sacked say they are now struggling to find new jobs in Hong Kong, which has seen two deaths from more than 90 coronavirus cases – including two domestic workers from the Philippines who tested positive for the virus, which causes a disease known as Covid-19 – in February.

After having their contracts terminated, foreign domestic workers are usually allowed to remain in Hong Kong for only 10 days. But since the outbreak, many have sought to extend their visas in order to file labour claims, while some could not return to the Philippines after Manila on February 2 issued a temporary ban on travel from China, including Hong Kong and Macau.

This ban was partially lifted on February 18, but migrants say it has still been challenging to return home, as both Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have cancelled all flights to the city until the end of March, and some workers cannot afford more expensive options.

Jennifer, who first arrived in Hong Kong in 2003, said she had been to several job interviews over the past four weeks but her recent dismissal seemed to be an obstacle in getting hired and she was now waiting to fly home.

“Finding another employer seems more difficult now than before. An agency told me that I should not share the real reason, because it looks like I was being selfish and disobedient. They will judge me right away,” she said.

[toallthoseboys]

to number one

Of Long Nights and Restless Days

Did you know that not everyone can verbalize the thoughts in their heads? Not everyone has their own narrative like those voiceovers you keep hearing when you watch a scene from a movie or a TV series. Imagine having your life, your thoughts, being heard by a studio audience. Just the thought of it makes me shudder. Oh the creepy thoughts in my head… So instead of driving myself slowly insane, I thought it would probably be best to type them up instead and let you – my non existent readers be the judge of my sanity. 

Nights like this in particular are my trigger factor. Having just watched a weird romantic Filipino film about a couple of prostitutes falling in love with each other (Damn, that Sue Ramirez woman can act!), I’m in a sort of sappy mood. Great choice of having Migraine by Moonstar88 be their movie theme song, by the way. It did just enough to push me over the edge. Next thing I knew, I’m firing up my laptop and typing. I still have my 24 hour duty waiting for me tomorrow or around 6 hours from now, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there, shall we?

It’s been a while since I saw a Tagalog movie, shot in, of course, Metro Manila. It wasn’t long ago when I was just there for my PLE review. I cursed that place and vowed never to return — except for conventions or some vacation days. During my stay, I couldn’t help but hope that I would run into someone who’s based in Manila now. Yes, I know. I’m a horrible person for expecting a guy to pop in back into my life when I was/am with someone right now. And that is one of the many reasons why I’m writing. Judge me, go ahead. But don’t you dare deny that at one point in your life, you never thought about how it would’ve worked it with someone else? Please tell me that I’m not the only one here?? In any case, let me vent. 

I had this guy friend back in elementary ( I know!). He was my crush and my entry point as to why I’ve become such an obsessive romantic, and yes, we do exist. He knew I liked him and I knew he liked me. On my birthday, he gave me a pair of blue faux earrings. He had to ask his yaya to give it to me. Looking back, I couldn’t help but smile. HAHA. Young love, am I right? I didn’t know much about him. I remember talking to him about a lot of things but now, I couldn’t remember what they were. All I remember is having these strange yet strong feelings for this boy. I think he was my first relationship, if you count being kilig over texts, a relationship. No proper date or anything. Not that I would have gone through with it though. Strict ang parents, eh. At this point, I’d like to give a shout out to my mom and dad who might be snooping through my files. Hi mom and dad! Also I’m sorry but you’re about to read a whole lot of disobedience coming your way. Love you!

As I was saying, there were no dates. No holding of hands, no peck on the cheek. We did text a lot. Laugh all you want but by then that was a struggle. Unlitexts didn’t become mainstream up until senior year of high school. So you’re basically cashing in on 1 peso PER TEXT. Jusko. Back then THAT was love. Or at least I thought it was. 

I went to high school at a nearby state university because I wanted to stay close to my parents aaaaaand I wanted him to go to the same school right after I graduated. Yes, I’m a cougar. And also, AGAIN, I’m sorry mom and dad! hehe. A couple of months came and went. We still texted each other almost on a daily basis (seriously where did I get all that money for load??) and everything was fine for a while. He was excited to graduate and be in the same school as me. But then, I heard from my sister that he had a thing for his classmate. Damn, boy!  I was then introduced to this new entity called jealousy. I stopped replying to his texts after that. I didn’t even want to hear it. My juvenile heart was hurt and was running to the hills. So when he did go to the same school as I was, it got awkward. 3 years of awkward. No conversations. Just the occasional side glances. I graduated high school and moved to Cebu for college. By then, he’d message me on Facebook whenever it was Christmas and New Year. He never actually missed a single Christmas/ New Year. The last time I saw him was at a reunion at my elementary school. He asked to talk to me. That was the first and last time we spoke since the whole incident. He talked about his new relationship and how happy he was that he found this girl and was in this amazing relationship without hiding anything from the parents. He thanked me for that. It’s been 8 or 9 years since that conversation. I couldn’t really remember much of what we’ve talked about. Since then, he’d still just greet me on Christmas and New Year’s eve. 

I think what I’m saying is that there are people in our lives who still hold some weight. Not enough to weigh you down, not too light to be negligible. They just seem to be just… there. No matter how much time has passed, they’d always be just there. Not because you hope that they could be something more. Yes, you sometimes let your mind wander off and maybe think of what might have been. But then you stop yourself. In the end, you’re still thankful for the impact they made on your life. I might forget the details of our conversations but I can still remember how he made me feel. Because of him, and because of too much anime, I have now become a hopeless romantic. It comes as a blessing and a curse, but I’m thankful nonetheless.

[nicolayskie]

Setting a blaze: Fire Prevention

Only this year, 2021, 84 fires were reported in a nine-month period from January to September. With two months until the end of the year, the number of fires that occurred is highly alarming closing into a hundred. For the month of May, there are 16 recorded accidental fires in the different barangays of Cebu City, the highest one recorded followed by April with 14 and January with 12 fires occurred. Electrical ignition caused by loose and/or pinched wires, overloading, and arcing (i.e. which is the transfer of an electric current that flows from one point to another) had primarily affected residential and non-residential buildings. Other factors include spontaneous combustion of solid materials (e.g. rags, towels, and etc.) and open flame from cooking, unattended lighted candles, and smoking.

Despite the constant reminders, there are still lapses and complacency within communities. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) firmly emphasized the importance of the prevention of fire, especially in residential homes. Hence, in observation to the Fire Prevention Month back in March, the following tips were recommended by the BFP with the theme, “Sa Pag-iwas sa Sunog, Hindi ka Nag-iisa!”

Turn off appliances when not in use.

Do not leave your gadgets charging unattended.

Proper housekeeping is advised to ensure cleanliness and to steer clear of potentially combustible materials.

Have your electrical connections checked by a licensed or authorized electrician(s).

Have a fire extinguisher inside your home in case of fire breakouts and learn how to use it.

Keep your combustibles away from outlets, fuses, and other possible devices that cause fires.

To be informed is to be ready: ready to take action, ready to participate and cooperate. We should be attentive enough to prevent these disasters from happening. We should not only rely on the authorities like firefighters to do all the job but rather it is a collaborative plan of action with the communities.

[dearmariamedia]

ASHES ASHES, LET’S NOT BURN DOWN

The fire was man’s first discovery that increased survival, but it’s also one of the reasons for Man’s destruction. Devastating fires engulfed the city of Cebu, leaving people with properties turned to ash and no homes to return to. In  2020-2021, there were multiple cases of fire outbreaks in different areas of the city because of various causes. In this blog, we will talk about the most common causes of fire and how to prevent them.

There are a lot of causes when it comes to fire outbreaks, and some are as simple as leaving the oven or stove unattended. With that, here are 7 common causes of fires.

Unattended lit Candle- Have you ever tried lighting a candle and then forget about it? If you have then that could have been a potential reason for a fire. The wax that drips from the candle carries the heat and when it comes into contact with combustible material, it can catch fire.

Loosed electrical connection- When a connection becomes loose, it leads to resistance, and that resistance can cause heating. This can lead to arcing which is prone to causing house fires.

Unattended Stove and Oven- As stated above, even leaving the oven and stove unattended can cause kitchen fires. This is because the grease used while cooking can come in contact with the lit stove which results in flames. 

Pole fires- Most pole fires are by accident due to sudden rain which can cause it to short circuit. 

Overheating Vehicles- Cars and motorcycles are prone to catching fire as well when they overheat, these are sometimes caused by cooling system leaks.

Short Circuit- This is another common cause of house fires. A short circuit happens when a wire that is hot comes in contact with a material that is an electrical conductor.

Cigarettes- Who knew that a small cancerous material can cause such great fires. Cigarettes that were not put out properly is a potential cause.

Now that we have established the common causes of fire outbreaks, let us proceed to the counter-measures we can do to prevent them. 

REMEMBER TO PUT OUT THE CANDLES BEFORE LEAVING OR GOING TO BED- This is self-explanatory. Putting out the candles properly is a great start to fire prevention, either you blow them out or use a wick snuffer if you have one. 

CHECK FOR LOOSED ELECTRICAL CONNECTION- This goes for both fires caused by loose connections and short circuits. Inspect your wires and see if there are any of them that are loose and have them fixed.

DO NOT LEAVE THE STOVE OR OVEN UNATTENDED- When cooking, it is important not to leave anything unattended. Paying close attention to everything can help prevent kitchen accidents, specifically fire. You would not want to ruin the family lunch or dinner with either a burned chicken or house, would you?

INSPECTION OF ELECTRICITY POLES- Although this is not just a job for anyone, those in authority keep everything in check by inspecting electricity poles. 

ENGINE INSPECTIONS- To prevent the engine from overheating, it is important to get your car checked to determine whether the cooling system has leaks and for any other issues which can cause fires in vehicles. 

PUT OUT CIGARETTES PROPERLY- Much like candles, it is important to properly put out cigarettes. You can do this by drenching them with water before throwing them away. 

And there you have it. Simple knowledge in fire prevention can help you and other people as well. Prevention is better than cure or in this case, it’s better than to struggle with putting out a fire that can possibly lead to a massive disaster. 

Share this blog to save a life from turning into ash. 

[ioloemphasis]

FIRE: CAUSE & PREVENTION

DON'T WAIT FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TO BE AFFECTED. Fire is beautiful, we use fire to cook our food, maybe light our homes, and even makes a great design feature. But fire is also dangerous; fire can ravage homes, hurt, at worst kill people, and destroy lives. In this post, we will look into what causes fires and how to prevent fires.

5 - OPEN FLAME FROM UNATTENDED LIGHTED CANDLE

5 - SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION OF SOLID MATERIALS

19 - ELECTRICAL IGNITION CAUSED BY ARCING

6 - OPEN FLAME FROM COOKING (LPG / GAS STOVE, FIREWOOD)

11 - ELECTRICAL IGNITION CAUSED BY OVERLOADING

Listed above are some of the leading causes of fire here in Cebu from the Cebu City Government. On top of the list, we have ELECTRICAL IGNITION CAUSED BY ARCING. So what is Arcing? Arcing itself relates to electricity or more specifically, its movement. Ignitions caused by Arcing are electrical in nature and involve wires, loose or damaged specifically. This is prevalent in homes or establishments that haven't updated their wiring in a while and cannot be put out with water as water seems to exasperate the fire. These type of fires are very much preventable by making sure appliances are not plugged in too long, first and foremost. This is the proven and most effective way to prevent these type of fires as is making sure the wires of appliances don't have a damaged wire. Another proven way is by making sure the home or establishment has updated wiring. Updated electrical wiring reduces the risk of these fires especially since spareparts are readily available should anything happen and new preventive measures have been taken into account in the production of these parts or products.

Second on our list is, ELECTRICAL IGNITION CAUSED BY OVERLOADING. This type of fire is very much related to the first type as it involves multiple wires plugged into 1 source, the wires heat up, melt the coating, expose the wires, and causing a spark that could potentially cause a fire. The solution to prevent such a disaster is simple: don't plug multiple appliances into one source and this includes minimal usage of extension cords however, with devices such as a desktop computer which requires multiple cords plugged into a source, acquire an extension cord that can accomodate such power-hungry devices by checking the voltage of these components.

Third is OPEN FLAME FROM COOKING (LPG / GAS STOVE, FIREWOOD). Necessary for cooking, gas stoves or tanks can be very dangerous especially when not used properly and even in a situation where the fire isn't caused by stoves or gas tanks as heat can cause them to explode. To mitigate these problems, always make sure that gas stoves are installed properly by checking the valves. See to it that no gas is running through the hose connecting the gas tank to the stove, making sure the valve or clip is secured in place. As for firewood, it is best to bury them with soil if cooking outdoors on the ground but if indoors, make sure the surface it is used on isn't made of a flammable material such as wood and put it out as soon as you're done using it.

Fourth is SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION OF SOLID MATERIALS. The solid materials here pertain to materials such as wood or cloth, anything dry really. Even a piece of cloth with oil paint stored in a hot cupboard is a fire hazard so avoid storing dry fire hazards in hot places such as in an uninsulated room.

Last, OPEN FLAME FROM UNATTENDED LIGHTED CANDLE. Although this happens in poorer areas, areas where people still rely on gas lamps and candles, these can affect nearby structures. Several cases of fires have occured in the past due to something like a curtain catching fire or a child had access to a box of matches/candles. The solution - don't leave candles unattended or at least keep them far away from other fire hazards like cloth items, wood, or paper. Furthermore, a lot of cases involved a child so it would be best if matches and candles were placed somewhere children have no access to.

Fires, though sometimes hard to put out, are very much preventable especially when you know what causes them. It is important we be vigilant at all times and be sure not to cut corners as these shortcuts could lead to a big waste of an investment or worse, the loss of a life. That life could be that of your loved one, so share to save a life.

[hercontent]

Uh oh, fiiire!

The panic and horrors of fire, paired with fearful and anxious humans. Definitely an unpleasant combination! Even with the advancement of technology and everything around us, when we are greeted with fire, it will seem and feel as if our lives are flashing before our eyes. But don’t fret! There are ways for us to avoid the horrors of fire and save ourselves from the fear and anxiety that come with it. 

As a resident of Cebu City, I’ve seen news and reports on the few fire cases that transpired here. One of the most common causes of fire is electrical ignition caused by a loose connection, arcing, and overloading. Most of these fire cases also happen in residential areas, specifically single and two-family dwelling properties. Thus, one of the plausible and sustainable solutions to this is to make sure that citizens should be mindful of the technological devices they have at home. When devices and gadgets are not in use, citizens should unplug them and make sure to turn them off. I heard we can save extra money on our electricity bill by doing so, that’s plus points! 

One of the ways we can protect ourselves is by investing in fire extinguishers. In the event that the fire has started, we can take it upon ourselves to do the job of “killing” the fire. Furthermore, we can also educate ourselves by staying prepared. Ensure an evacuation plan/route at home. It might also help if you prepare a list of numbers of your local emergency hotlines, for Cebu City residents, you can check out this link: https://www.ilink.ph/emergencycebu. 

On the occasion, God forbid, that we can no longer control or extinguish fire, we should make use of SDR, or STOP, DROP, and ROLL. Stop what you’re doing. Drop to the ground and cover your face. And lastly, roll back and forth until the flames go out. 

I hope I was able to help and inform some of you through this blog. As what they would say, nothing beats preparedness and awareness!

For more information, you can check out this out: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/if-a-fire-starts.html. 

[lecuriousminds]

Red-Tagging: More than what meets the eye

By: Vince Iverson Cedric Delos Reyes and Erin Mei Vicente

A lot of Filipinos complain about how the government handles the health crisis that the country faces today. These complaints were considered as defiances by the government, thus resulting in prevalent cases of first-rate labeling. Another baby, a month old, was held in custody alongside her mother. An elderly couple, both of whom had health problems, was fatally shot for allegedly resisting arrest. A journalist and seven union organizers have been arrested. Police "rescued" Lumad students from a Catholic university dormitory in Cebu City (Rappler, 2021). People even influencers and showbiz personalities are being labeled putting them in danger of arrests, and worst case, murder. Then, came the turn of court officials and judges being labeled as an enemy of the state. All these and a lot more happened in the span of one whole year, diverting our attention to a health crisis solution to the possible protection of these individuals. 

These cases are called red-tagging, according to Inquirer a term that originated from the United States of America, associated with the phrase ‘red scare’ (2021). The first event of red scare came after the 1917 success of Bolshevik and the establishment of the Soviet Union. Americans saw this emerging powerful communist state as a threat to their capitalism. As the Philippines was widely influenced by the United States, the country has adapted to this ‘red scare’ culture. Red-tagging cases become more rampant in its use of social media and endangering lives due to the impunity with which our military and police regard red as authority to fire a weapon (Inquirer, 2021). 

More than this, to make matters much worse than simply tagging individuals as terrorists, communists and relating them to the New People’s Army, the government has passed the Anti-Terror Law. This law gives a free pass to the military to arrest anyone without a warrant and keep them in jail for 24 days even without a filed case (Rappler, 2021). 

A human rights organization secretary-general, Cristina Palabay reiterated that even in the previous administrations, red-tagging has occurred,  but today in the current governance, they regularly use this as a tactic. The Duterte administration took everything a notch higher - worsening the cases and taking a large step towards a much more ominous agenda.  

No one is exempted in these cases of labeling, as a result, a lot of people and organizations have already embraced the fact that they are susceptible to red-tagging (VOA News, 2021). People realized that even the simple opposition against the government would be used as a way to be red-tagged. But red-tagging has more to it than meets the eye, regardless of what medium, red-tagging costs the lives of innocent people.

A lot of people agree that this tactic of the government should be put to a halt. People do not deserve to die on baseless accusations. Combating red-tagging and other dangers to groups remains a hard task, especially in an administration where impunity reigns supreme. 

Peace talks are an option to end this prolonged stalemate. Years of peace discussions yielded enough to establish a solid platform for their revival. Open ND leaders have stated their support for resuming peace talks. There is no need for red labeling if a political settlement is reached and the armed conflict is terminated.

According to several groups, abrogating Executive Order No. 70 is the ultimate solution to end. This order has been used to justify threats and intimidation of persons and organizations striving to enhance the human rights and welfare of various marginalized, disadvantaged, and vulnerable groups in society. This suggestion should be highly considered as it is already time to stand up for the country against the attacks from the state itself. 

Finally, the right people should be put into position. The current administration has abused its power and is continuing to do so. Come the next national election in 2022, Filipinos should be wiser and braver to elect people who are much more deserving of the position, not those who use their power to scare and harm their people. People should be more aware that these cases of red-tagging might be the current administration’s way to win and bag the national positions in 2022. Remember, there’s more to red-tagging than what meets the eye.

[phgq]

Thousands of cops to enforce uniform curfew in NCR

#PHnews: Thousands of cops to enforce uniform curfew in NCR

MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) will deploy thousands of policemen to enforce unified curfew hours from 10 p.m. to 5 p.m. starting Monday in Metro Manila.

PNP officer in charge Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said the deployment of additional cops aims “to address the spike in Covid-19 cases.”

“In consultation with our Chief PNP, Gen. Debold Sinas, I have ordered the deployment of additional policemen to augment the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) in the implementation of uniform curfew hours in Metro Manila from March 15 to March 31, 2021,” Eleazar said.

He said the police augmentation forces will come from the Highway Patrol Group (HPG), the Reactionary Standby Support Force (RSSF) and other units that have been directed before to conduct Red Teaming operations while other personnel will be tapped as the need for more police visibility arises.

A total of 9,634 policemen from the Quezon City Police District, Manila Police District, Eastern Police District, Northern Police District and Southern Police District will also be deployed to assist to enforce the curfew, he said.

Eleazar said the deployment includes the setting up of more than 373 checkpoints in various strategic areas which will be reinforced by beat and mobile car patrollers at the barangay level.

“The mission is plain and simple: All police forces will strictly implement the Uniform Curfew Hours from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and will ensure that people in Metro Manila observe the minimum health safety standard protocol,” he said.

He said the strong police visibility in Metro Manila is anchored on the tried and tested formula which was implemented in Metro Manila in April last year and in Cebu City in June also last year.

Eleazar, also commander of the PNP Administrative Support on Covid-19 Task Force, assured the PNP personnel who will be deployed will be provided with maximum protection against the Covid-19.

Joint Task Force COVID Shield chief Lt. Gen. Cesar Hawthorne Binag said all cops will undergo a pre-deployment briefing to reiterate the existing policies especially from the Inter Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and the rules on regulations on uniform curfew hours from the Metro Manila Council.

“The implementation of curfew hours is not something that is new to us, especially for the NCRPO personnel now under the leadership of Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. We have been doing this even before the Covid-19 pandemic so I expect our personnel to be fully aware and maintain the protocols that we have been observing in the implementation of curfew and at the same time, the minimum health safety standard protocols,” Eleazar said.

Eleazar also reminded PNP personnel to observe maximum tolerance, respect the people’s rights and avoid confrontation with the public.

“We will be closely monitoring your compliance,” he said.

He also urged the public to prevent unnecessary confrontation and spare themselves from arrest by respecting the rules on observance of the minimum health safety standard protocols and the authorities that are enforcing these protocols.

“The keyword here is respect if we know how to respect one another, I assure you of smooth curfew implementation. Let us always bear in mind that your PNP is not the enemy here, our common enemy is the coronavirus and it takes our cooperation to contain the spread of the virus,” he added.

For the information of the public and to avoid confusion in the implementation of the uniform curfew hours, Eleazar said exempted from the implementation of the curfew hours are:

-- Medical practitioners, nurses, ambulance drivers and other workers of medical facilities while on their way to and from work; -- Attendants of other persons dealing with an emergency medical situation; -- Persons who are obtaining emergency medical assistance for themselves or for other persons; -- Drivers of delivery trucks while on their way to deliver essential goods/products; -- Owners, vendors and other persons involved in the transport and delivery of essential goods; -- Private employees such as call center agents while on their way to and from work; -- Construction workers while on their way to and from work; -- Media practitioners while performing their job; -- Persons who are travelling to or from airport prior to or after a flight; -- Drivers of private transportation used as shuttle services while on their way to and from work; -- Members of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), including Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, and other emergency responders; -- security guards; and employees of open fast-foods (take out only). (PNA)

***

References:

* Philippine News Agency. "Thousands of cops to enforce uniform curfew in NCR." Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1133560 (accessed March 15, 2021 at 02:31AM UTC+14).

* Philippine News Agency. "Thousands of cops to enforce uniform curfew in NCR." Archive Today. https://archive.ph/?run=1&url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1133560 (archived).

[onenettvchannel]

DEVELOPING OVERNIGHT: A Fire Incident brokes down the House at the Amigo Subdivision in Dumaguete [#OneNETnewsInvestigates]

DUMAGUETE, NEGROS ORIENTAL -- A single or more houses are burned that night at the Amigo Subdivision here in Brgy. Piapi before or during between the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Frankie Labot a.k.a. Raffy Cabristante (News Editor & Radio DJ of DYYD-FM 106.3mhz Yes! The Best Dumaguete) was reported exclusively to OneNETnews... The local fire on this incident is now under control, as the Dumaguete City Fire Station (DCFS) firefighters will put everything out within under an hour or two. In a Facebook video post of Hulagway ug Kasikas sa Dumaguete (HuKaD), the location is possibly on a left side with a few to several meter backwards next to DIAGCARE IMAP Lying-in Clinic.

We spoke personally with a local male Fire Officer one-on-one at the Dumaguete City Fire Station (DCFS) in Colon Street, even almost on Christmas and New Year holidays by Saturday afternoon (Manila local time) in Cebuano dialect.

According to the unnamed Local Male Fire Officer at the Dumaguete City Fire Station (DCFS), The case of this incident at the Amigo Subdivision isn't involved at the moment. Unnamed Fire Officer says in a roughly translated Cebuano dialect, we have no word if there's a responsible suspect in an uncleared evidence throughout the investigation.

He adds if the responsible suspect is possibly determined for an accident of nature or committing himself an arson attack to a civilian or a victim like a Molotov Cocktail Bomb for example... it may ended up for a processing to custody by the Dumaguete City Police Station (DCPS) at the Jail Cell, under the Presidential Decree #1613: Section 1. If proven guilty by this reponsible suspect, he will be sentenced to 6-12 years in prison as a Prision Mayor.

Some of the Firefighters may secretly go off-duty but, the investigation is currently ongoing throughout this late weekend.

In a meantime, we'll get a new information as soon as the developing story will be later finalized as necessary.

SOURCE: https://www.facebook.com/427020384041436/posts/3547077988702311

HONEST DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed from this Local News report are NOT those from the Manila-Cebu Broadcasting Company. This incident like this will not imitate in any matter. Furthermore, the assumptions of this Local News report will NOT state, intervene or reflect those of our affiliated reporters. The station, management, interwebs and the network. Thanks for reading, stay safe and may the Celestia blesses you. Later!

-- OneNETnews Team

[creativewritersidea12]

Short Story 2

Faded in your memories

 Vaneza Reyes

The ocean breeze embraced her skin, eyes that looked empty stapled on the peaceful place she’s in.

 Sound of waves is like music filling her ears, the sun is just about to rise and most people are still indulging their deep slumber.

 A man with “moreno” skin, messy hair and well-built body watched her from a far. The man slowly made his way to the woman who’s currently lost with the ethereal sight she’s seeing.

 “Why are you still running? Aren’t you tired?” the man uttered as he slowly sat by her side.

 “Why do you keep on chasing? Aren’t you tired?” she fired back

 “You know well that I’ll follow you anywhere Sierra” as he stated that line, silence crept again

 The sun rose, beauty of the morning almost gave her the chills: it’s been a long time since she saw such majestic view.

 “Why won’t you get tired of me Klaus? Leaving me is easy, even my parents abandoned me, the stage doesn’t want me anymore. People look at me with eyes that looks sorry; with one false issue, my modeling career easily fell down; so why? Of all people why me?” teardrops glittered in her eyes, wanting to fall but an immediate wiped of her hand stopped the attempt.

 “I love you Sierra, can’t you understand that? I know that you are running, but I also know that you need someone right now” he said

 Those words made her tears continuously fall, finally the emotions that she has kept for a long time showed.

 He scooched closer to her and held her in his arms “You don’t need to run away from me, I can be your safe haven” he said, assuring her

 They spent their week in a beautiful beach in Cebu, Philippines, spending it like there’s no more coming days in their lives.

 After that week they rode a plane to back to Manila

 “I need to go home for a while” Klaus said as they wait for their baggage “My parents called me, it’s about a project I have awhile back” he continued

 Sierra slowly nodded at his statement “Take care, I hope you’ll come back for me”.

  ~

 They watched her silently as she talked to the wall.

 “Still the same scenario Architect Klaus” the woman started, “She still imagines the same Cebu beach”

 He slowly nodded; he never knew that this lady will end up like this, “Can I talk to her?” he asked

 The woman smiled and led him to a room where there is a table in the middle, this is a secluded room for this kind of special cases. Sierra entered the room from a different door, looking at the wall blankly as if she is staring at someone.

 “Stay calm Sierra” The woman said to the poor lady, the woman took a step back and stayed at a corner of the room so she can at least give the two privacy.

 “Hi Sierra” Klaus smiled at her as if she is looking at her “I hope you are improving; I just came here to tell you that I’m going to have my first child, Freya is already 3 months pregnant” He said smiling at her

 “Hello? Yes, I’m okay Klaus” Sierra said while her hands are near her right ear, making it look like as if she is talking to someone in a phone or something.

 “I hope you already improved more in my next visit” he said, looking at her

 “Well, I guess goodbye for now” he figured that he can’t stay for long since it is already 3pm, visiting time will end soon and he also still needs to go to another destination.

 Klaus stand which caught the attention of the woman in the corner

 “You are already done Klaus?” the woman in a lab coat said, Klaus just nodded at her.

 “Klaus? Klaus is here? Where is he? He probably came back for me from his parents” Sierra suddenly said and looked around quickly as if she is trying to find someone who will vanish at some moment; she laid his eyes on Klaus but her eyes just passed by him, and immediately looked the other way as if there’s another Klaus in the room.

 The woman called two nurses to assist Sierra back in her room, “wait! Don’t touch me I am looking for Klaus!” she shouted before she was finally put back in her room

 Klaus waited for the woman in a lab coat outside the room where he entered, “is she going to be alright Doctor Palma? Can I also have an updated copy of her condition?” he said

 “She’s going to be alright Architect; she just needs to take her medicines to calm down again. You can wait for me here as I get a copy of what you are requesting” she said smiling at him, he slowly nodded at her

 He looked around the place, doctors and nurses passing by; some are in a hurry while some are taking their time. Faint shouting can also be heard from some part of the hospital, but people in that place deals with it like it happens every day and normal for them.

 “Here’s the copy Architect” The doctor said as she handling a paper to the Architect

 “Thank you, a lot Doctor I will get another updated copy on my next visit” he smiled and bid his goodbyes

 He drove his car away from the hospital and headed to another destination smoothly as if he has already done to this for a few times.

 He stopped his car in a place where green, dirty white, black, gray was the most seen color, it was so peaceful; a perfect place to sleep in. Klaus headed in a familiar spot for him and took out the paper that he got from the hospital, he laid the paper for a while beside him in order for him to sweep some dusts using his hands, he also took out a lighter so he can light up the candles on the tombstone of his friend.

 “I’m back Pierre, I’m still visiting her as promise” he started and smiled small “I have an update about her condition, it is almost the same but I know that as long it is an update about her you are really willing to listen” he stopped for some moments to sigh deeply, preparing to tell a story to his deceased best friend

 “She’s still stuck on the day where you left her, and she still remembers my name instead of yours. She still suffers from the same psychotic disorder, specifically delusional disorder. The impact of your sudden accidental death really gave her a serious trauma that it led up to this point” he stopped for a while to breathed some air in “Though I still hope that she will finally remember your name instead of mine, you were that one whose been with her from that time. Symptoms really showed up earlier since she already need to drink her medicines according to her doctor, it was my first time to see her shout like that” he chuckled a little bit to lighten up the mood

 Klaus spent more time beside his friend, breeze clashing with his skin, until he finally decided to prepare in order for him to leave the place.

  “Oh, by the way, her parents finally visited her last week according to Doctor Palma after six months they finally visited her” he said finally smiling wide “I hope you are at peace dude, goodbye for now Architect Pierre; I will visit you soon”.

Dream

 Vaneza Reyes

People are busy minding their own business in the quiet café, while Claire was there simply sipping her coffee. Her mind wonders, making her look like an idiot.

 A few minutes passes by, she’s still deeply thinking about the project she’s handling. The café’s bell on the door suddenly chimed, a sound that people will hear when someone enters the vicinity; the sound easily caught Claire’s attention.

 Claire immediately removed her gaze from the man in a lab coat, shock was really evident in her face, her cheeks was also blushing a lot because she suddenly feels shy.

 After ordering, the man’s eyes roamed the place, searching for a vacant table to sit in; thankfully a table by the windows is vacant, he just put his things down and walked to the counter to get his orders. he returned to his sit and as he’s fixing his things in front of him the woman sitting in front of her weirded him out because it looks like as if she’s hiding from someone, he looked around the place but he didn’t saw anyone who can she possibly hiding from.

 When his eyes returned to the woman, he realized that she’s familiar to him, he looked at her more as he sips his coffee waiting for her to raise her face a little so he can finally confirm that she’s who is he thinking.

 He suddenly stood up and moved to her table when he finally confirmed his thoughts, a smile crept in his face but it also faded immediately since he is trying to contain his feeling to himself.

Claire’s eyes widen when she saw in her peripheral vision that someone from her front was approaching her table, she stayed quiet waiting for a sound to caress her ears.

 “is this sit available?” the voice she heard was from the man who she never imagined to meet again.

 She looked around before answering the question, “Yes that is available, but there’s still a lot of vacant tables around, 3 tables are vacant to be exact” she answered without looking at him. despite her statement, the man still sat in front of her without any hesitation.

 “So, how are you Engineer Palma?” Theo tried starting the conversation

 “I’m fine, how about you?” She answered back, still not looking at him

 “Ain’t gonna call me doctor?” he asked with a smile in his face

 Her eyes widened again, ever since they broke up, she avoided every news or update about him that’s why she’s not even aware that he is finally a doctor.

 “You’re a doctor now? You’ve reached your dreams ha” a chuckle escaped the man’s lips, he slowly nodded with that question

 “Yes, I’m a doctor now; but I haven’t reached my dream yet” he smiled while saying those words “My dream profession is a doctor, but I still have my biggest dream to accomplish” he continued

 She remained silent after hearing those words, tears want to escape her eyes because she already knew what those words mean.

 “I will still try to reach our dream Claire, I still want to build a family with you” he said, when his phone suddenly rang “Is it okay if I answer this here?” he asked

 Claire nodded at her, he proceeded with the call. Claire tried not to eavesdrop with the conversation, but she understood one line from Theo

 “Ha? Why? Okay, I will go there right now” he ended the call “Sorry Claire, this is an emergency; but I will still search for you after this”

 “It’s fine, that’s your job” Claire answered as she smiles, Theo responded with a smile and ran to his car, droving fast because of the emergency he heard

 Claire also leaved the café after a few minutes, she drove her car to her office.

 Before she arrives at her office, she still needs to pass an intersection. the lights are red, a bus was crossing, but the breaks of her car suddenly stopped responding leading to eight deaths including hers.

 ~

 Theo was devastated after hearing the news, making him blame himself for leaving her behind. Looking at the lifeless body of his greatest love really breaks his heart, he still wants to reach their dream, but he couldn’t reach it without her; he wants her alive.

 He formulated a medicine with the sources he has at the hospital and his house, hoping that the medicine can bring her back to life.

 When he finally finished formulating and processing his own medicine at his office in the hospital, he gets a syringe and the peaceful sleeping body of Claire.

 He slowly injected the medicine he made, he waited for a while so the medicine can do its work. After 5 minutes of waiting Claire’s eyes suddenly open, making Theo jump for joy

 Claire sat and stare at the wall

 “I’m so happy you’re alive, I’m so happy the medicine worked” He said while hugging her tight. Claire didn’t respond to his words or even to his hugs, all that he felt was a bite in his left shoulder.

 When Theo withdraws from the hug, he just saw Claire’s face looking dead and still chasing his shoulder, crave was in her eyes. he knew that something went wrong, but he returned to the hugged

 “I’m sorry I still failed, but I love you so much Claire I hope you can forgive me” tears fell from his eyes as he let her bite into him until his mind finally went blank.

[newyorkprelawland-blog]

Anti-Terrorism Act Leads To Civilian Protests In Philippines

By Spencer Brooke Hayes, University at Albany, SUNY Class of 2021

July 29, 2020

This summer, Philippine’s President Duterte signed a new Anti-Terrorism Act which has had great negative feedback from the citizens. This new bill threatens the freedoms of individuals and exponentially increases the powers of the government. The updated definition of terrorism risks those who demonstrate their opposition to government to unlawful incarceration and prosecution.

The spark of this change stemmed from the military’s claim that there has been increased threat of terrorism[1]. It was reported that there have been increased sightings of an “Islamic State group-linked Abu Sayyaf militants in the southern Philippines”1. Another push was rectifying the fact that law enforcement who wrongfully imprisoned suspects ran the risk of being fined1.

Under the Anti-Terrorism Act, ‘terrorism’ has a new, expanded, definition which prevents the subsequent activities, “engaging in acts intended to cause death or serious bodily injury to any person or endangers a person’s life…engaging in acts intended to cause extensive damage or destruction to a government or public facility, public place, or private property…engaging in acts intended to cause extensive interference with damage, or destruction to critical infrastructure…developing, manufacturing, possessing, acquiring, transporting, supplying, or using weapons…releasing dangerous substances or causing fire, floods or explosions when the purpose is to intimidate the general public, create an atmosphere to spread a message of fear, provoke or influence by intimidation the government or any international organization, seriously destabilize or destroy the fundamental political, economic, or social structures in the country, or create a public emergency or seriously undermine public safety”[2].

This replacement to the previous Human Security Act of 2007, instills an Anti-Terrorism Council which gives them divine power over deeming acts as terrorism[3]. This council is made up of members appointed by the executive office and led by the President’s Executive Security2. Within this power resides the National Task Force of End Local Communist Armed Conflict and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency2. The National Intelligence Coordinating Agency was created on July 7, 1949 through the Executive Order 235[4]. Under this position, NICA will run “surveillance, harassment, and suppression campaign against activits”2.

With the new act, law enforcement has the right to detain individuals for periods of time prior to an appearance with a judge, allows law enforcement to act without warrants, and make personal judgements on acts of terror2. Law enforcement will rarely be held accountable for violating suspects’ rights hindering the legal protections for citizens since the enactment2.

Since the enactment, individuals who are activists, whistleblowers, journalist, or in other occupations where freedom of speech is necessary, face great risk of imprisonment. Writings, proclamations, and banners can now be seen as an incriminating offense[5].

On July 11, the President temporarily banned protests and rallies. It was noticed that individuals who were opposing the new bill were arrested while pro-government advocates were allowed to continue[6],[7]. Journalist, Maria Ressa, and Rappler’s staffer, Reynaldo Santos Jr, were arrested for reporting on the Philippines’ drug war5,6. The story released by Ressa alleges that in 2012,famous businessman, Wifredo Keng, was connected to illegal drugs and human trafficking within the country6. Ressa and Santos were found guilty and now face a 6month to 7year prison sentence6. Since the start of this trial, the hashtag, #JunkTerrorBill, has been circulating through social media as citizens are opposing the President’s decision to prevent their freedoms5. Recently Reporters Without Borders released a press freedom index and since President Duterte’s start, the Philippines dropped to 136/1806.

Restricted freedoms were not only expressed through this case. In June, the Cebu City Police along with the SWAT team arrested activists, including minors, associated with a progressive organization[8]. The protestors were near the University of Philippines campus and were “arrested for violating a ban on mass gatherings under the general community quarantine”7.It is important note that under the Soto-Enrile Accord of 1982, “the Philippine National Police and Armed Force of the Philippines are barred from entering any of the UP campuses without prior permission from the administration or unless they are in hot pursuit of a crime suspect”7. With that, the police force threatened the Accord when acting on this protest.

Several high-ranking personnel in advocacy groups have responded to the new Anti-Terrorism Act.

Phil Robertson, Deputy Direct at Human Rights Watch: “The new counterterrorism law could have a horrific impact on basic civil liberties, due process, and the rule of law amid the Philippines’ shrinking democratic space…The Philippine people are about to face an Anti-Terrorism Council that will be prosecutor, judge, jury and jailer”2.

Nicholas Bequelin, Asian-Pacific Regional Director at Amnesty International: “The administration has effectively crafted a new weapon to brand and hound any perceived enemies of the state. In the prevailing climate of impunity, a law so vague on the definition of ‘terrorism’ can only worsen attacks against human rights defenders”1.

On July 16, the government of the Philippines released a letter to United States Representatives assuring that they will protect the civil and political liberties of those in the country along with their human rights[9]. The Supreme Court has had frequent inquiries from attorneys worried that the natural freedoms of citizens will be stripped due to this new legislation8. In response to the critics, the President stated that “law-abiding citizens should not fear as it targets terrorists including communist insurgents”8. The issue with this is that non-terrorist groups who advocate for human rights may be wrongfully considered terrorists.

President Duterte’s attempt to reduce terrorism in the Philippines could have increased negative effects on the freedoms of civilians. This conundrum will most likely continue as advocates against the bill while be targeted by the government. It’s cases like Maria Ressa and protestors outside of the university that support the concerns of citizens, attorneys, and human rights specialists in terms of redacting individuals’ freedoms.

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[1]Gomez, Jim. 2020. “Philippine president signs widely opposed anti-terror law”. The Washington Post. July 3. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/philippine-president-signs-widely-opposed-anti-terror-law/2020/07/03/f0db4cd8-bd28-11ea-97c1-6cf116ffe26c_story.html

[2]Amnesty International. 2020. “Philippines: Dangerous anti-terror law yet another setback for human rights”. Amnesty International. July 3. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/07/philippines-dangerous-antiterror-law-yet-another-setback-for-human-rights/

[3]Human Rights Watch. 2020. “Philippines: New Anti-Terrorism Act Endangers Rights: Special

Council Would Usurp Court Powers”. Human Rights Watch. June 5. https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/06/05/philippines-new-anti-terrorism-act-endangers-rights

[4]GOVPH. “NICA: National Intelligence Coordinating Agency”. Republic of Philippines: Office of the President. http://www.nica.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=4

[5] McCarthy, Julie. 2020. “Philippines Anti-Terror Law Sparks Outrage”. NPR. July 15. https://www.npr.org/2020/07/15/891290926/philippines-anti-terror-law-sparks-outrage

[6]Sobel, Aaron. 2020. “The Philippines’ Antiterror Bill Will Stifle Dissent”. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. June 30. https://carnegieendowment.org/2020/06/30/philippines-antiterror-bill-will-stifle-dissent-pub-82215

[7] Griffiths, James. 2020. “Philippines journalist Maria Ressa found guilty of ‘cyber libel’ in the latest blow to free press”. CNN Business. June 15. https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/14/asia/maria-ressa-philippines-cyber-libel-intl-hnk/index.html

[8] Macasero, Ryan. 2020. “Cops arrest at least 8 activists at anti-terrorism bill protest in Cebu City”. Rappler. June 5. https://rappler.com/nation/arrested-anti-terrorism-bill-protest-cebu-city

[9] Reuters, Wire Service Content. 2020. “Philippines Defends Anti-Terror Law Before US Congress”. US News. July 18. https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2020-07-18/philippines-defends-anti-terror-law-before-us-congress