News Briefs: February 15, 2019

DOH to set up vaccination sites in fast-food chains, malls

The Department of Health (DOH) will tap fast-food chains and shopping malls as alternative vaccination sites in its campaign to give measles shots to as many children as possible. “This activity is in support of our national government’s call for a massive immunization of children to further prevent the increasing number of measles [cases] in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon),” said Eduardo Janairo, health regional director. Janairo said the DOH Calabarzon might also set up vaccination sites in churches. “We requested our religious leaders to read a letter to the parents [during Masses and worships] to have their children vaccinated,” he said. The establishment of alternative immunization sites, he said, will complement the DOH’s house-to-house vaccination program and the extension of vaccination activities after 5 p.m. on weekdays and during weekends.—TINA G. SANTOS

Youth group steps up campaign with ‘hugot’ lines

A youth party-list group took to the streets on Thursday to amplify—using “hugot” lines—its campaign against issues confronting the youth sector. Kabataan supporters toured schools around Metro Manila, giving speeches about how the youth had become “sawi” (heartbroken) over the government’s “failed promises.” “On this day, the youth is heartbroken [because] the government  [is] ‘manloloko’ (fraudster) for the many promises that have not been fulfilled and a ‘two-timer’ for selling its sovereignty to the United States and China,” said Kabataan president Angelica Reyes. The government has been “paasa” (giving false hope), she said, as free education remains a myth and “manhid” (numb) for being callous over the plight of the youth. Students of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, University of Santo Tomas, Polytechnic University of the Philippines and other schools displayed “broken heart” placards symbolizing their disappointment over the attacks on the media and the people. —MELVIN GASCON

Immigration readies deportation of Swedish fugitive

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is set to deport a Swede wanted in his country for a string of large-scale fraud and swindling cases. Kenneth Tobias Christoffer Moberg, 28, who was arrested by immigration and police intelligence agents at his home in Iloilo province, was detained at the immigration cell at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said Moberg would be banned from reentering the country. Moberg’s arrest was requested by the Bangkok-based Nordic Police and Customs Cooperation, which informed the BI that the fugitive was the subject of a red notice from Interpol. —TINA G. SANTOS