News Briefs: Aug. 6, 2019

AFP dispels fear of possible terror attack in N. Luzon

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines dispelled on Monday fears of possible terror attacks on certain towns and cities in northern Luzon following the leak of a confidential military memorandum.

In a statement, AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo confirmed the existence of an Aug. 2 memorandum for the AFP northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) but clarified that the information was still being verified.

“The memo was intended for our intelligence units in the Nolcom’s area of responsibility,” Arevalo said.

The memorandum had cited churches in three cities and a town in northern Luzon as possible targets of terror attacks and had tasked the Nolcom to verify the “raw” information.

“Our intelligence personnel, in cooperation with other relevant government agencies, are vigorously pursuing leads to validate the veracity of the report, deter its occurrence if found true, secure and protect the people, and contain the threat,” he said. —Jeannette I. Andrade

‘Bikoy’ seeks admission to Witness Protection Program

MANILA, Philippines — The confessed narrator of the controversial “The Real Narcolist” videos on Monday formally asked the Department of Justice to be admitted to the government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP).

Through his lawyer Larry Gadon, Peter Joemel Advincula, alias “Bikoy,” submitted a letter and application form to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra requesting “exclusive protection and protective custody” under the WPP, saying his life and that of his family were at risk.

He said wanted to be under the direct supervision, handling and protection of two Philippine National Police officials, namely Col. Benjamin Silo Jr ., Northern Police District deputy director for operations; and Maj. Ronnie Fabia, head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group provincial field unit in Albay.

Gadon said Advincula had been receiving death threats on his cell phone and email. The videos linked President Duterte, members of his family and close associates to the illegal drug trade. —Jerome Aning

Senate probe of Pogo operations sought

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Joel Villanueva on Monday said he would ask the Senate to conduct an inquiry into the operations of the so-called Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo), which are mostly operated by Chinese in various parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Villanueva, who spearheaded the Senate inquiry into the influx of Chinese tourists into the country last year, also urged the Department of Finance to be more transparent in reporting the revenues generated from Pogo.

He issued the remarks after the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said it had collected only P200 million from Chinese-owned online gaming businesses in July after the government required the payment of personal income taxes from their workers.

“Only five or 6 of these Pogo firms have been paying taxes while there are 15 Pogo operators registered with the BIR,” Villanueva told a news briefing.

He said the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. revealed that it had issued permits to 58 Pogo establishments. —Marlon Ramos

Bishop asks schools to step up antibullying campaign

MANILA, Philippines — The Diocese of Tagbilaran urged schools on Monday to step up their campaigns against bullying to help address the cases of suicide in the province.

In a pastoral letter, Tagbilaran Bishop Alberto Uy said that schools should intensify its efforts against bullying, which is one of the causes of depression among the youth.

He added that guidance centers should be provided with more support so that these could effectively guide the youth.

Uy expressed concern that Bohol had seen six cases of suicide last month.

He noted that apart from educators, parents should also be mindful of what their children were going through.

“I am earnestly asking the parents to discuss among yourselves the current state of our children,” Uy said. —Jovic Yee