News Roundup 09 October 2023
Oct 09, 2023 • 4 min Read
DMW says Filipino wounded in Israel-Gaza war | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers said Monday that at least one Filipino was injured in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel that a Filipino was shot while being rescued.
“He got shot in the arm, grazed by a bullet. But he’s not in a life-threatening situation. He’s in a hospital,” Eight Filipinos were rescued by the Israel Defense Forces Sunday.
Eight Filipinos were rescued by the Israel Defense Forces Sunday.
Cacdac said that the government is assisting 25 overseas Filipino workers and their families to move to safer locations since the war erupted in Israel when Hamas launched a large-scale attack Saturday.
According to the DMW official, five Filipinos remained unaccounted for.
“They may have transferred or decided to move to places where their fellow Filipinos might be or where they feel they would be safer,” Cacdac said.
“We are not necessarily thinking that they’re in harm’s way, but rather it’s just a matter or an effort to find them,” he added.
Full Story at: DMW says Filipino wounded in Israel-Gaza war | Philstar.com
Marcos suspends LTFRB chief Guadiz over alleged corruption | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. suspended LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III after reports of alleged corruption.
He ordered Guadiz’s suspension on Monday, according to a statement released by the Presidential Communications Office.
“The president does not tolerate any misconduct in his administration and has instructed the immediate investigation of this matter. He strongly condemns dishonesty and duplicity in public service,” the statement read.
Earlier, Jeffrey Tumbado, a former executive assistant of Guadiz, “exposed” the alleged corruption by the agency in a press conference held by transport group MANIBELA.
In protest against the alleged corruption, MANIBELA chair Mar Valbuena announced a nationwide transport strike starting on Monday, October 16.
Full Story at: Marcos suspends LTFRB chief Guadiz over alleged corruption | Philstar.com
Belmonte urges QCPD to reinstate cop who dragged VP Sara in traffic mess | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — To rectify an “injustice” committed against someone who was only doing his job, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Monday urged the local police to reinstate a relieved policeman who claimed the convoy of Vice President Sara Duterte’s convoy was passing when enforcers stopped the flow of traffic on Commonwealth Avenue.
Duterte earlier claimed she was in Mindanao, denying she caused the traffic along the busy road.
Belmonte made the call to Quezon City Police District following her clarification with Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) acting chairman Romando Artes, who said that it is only normal to give courtesy for VIPs — like vice president — in public roads.
Belmonte stressed that she did not react at first when Executive Master Sergeant Verdo Pantollano was relieved by the QCPD, since she was under the impression the police officer had committed a wrongdoing by stopping traffic.
However, the mayor said she decided to speak up when Artes made the clarification.
Full Story at: Belmonte urges QCPD to reinstate cop who dragged VP Sara (inquirer.net)
How Israel was duped as Hamas planned devastating assault | INQUIRER.NET – A careful campaign of deception ensured Israel was caught off guard when the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched its devastating attack, enabling a force using bulldozers, hang gliders and motorbikes to take on the Middle East’s most powerful army.
Saturday’s assault, the worst breach in Israel’s defenses since Arab armies waged war in 1973, followed two years of subterfuge by Hamas that involved keeping its military plans under wraps and convincing Israel it did not want a fight.
While Israel was led to believe it was containing a war-weary Hamas by providing economic incentives to Gazan workers, the group’s fighters were being trained and drilled, often in plain sight, a source close to Hamas said.
This source provided many of the details for the account of the attack and its buildup that has been pieced together by Reuters. Three sources within Israel’s security establishment, who like others asked not to be identified, also contributed to this account.
“Hamas gave Israel the impression that it was not ready for a fight,” said the source close to Hamas, describing plans for the most startling assault since the Yom Kippur War 50 years ago when Egypt and Syria surprised Israel and made it fight for its survival.
“Hamas used an unprecedented intelligence tactic to mislead Israel over the last months, by giving a public impression that it was not willing to go into a fight or confrontation with Israel while preparing for this massive operation,” the source said.
Israel concedes it was caught off guard by an attack timed to coincide with the Jewish Sabbath and a religious holiday. Hamas fighters stormed into Israeli towns, killing 700 Israelis and abducting dozens. Israel has killed more than 400 Palestinians in its retaliation on Gaza since then.
“This is our 9/11,” said Major Nir Dinar, spokesperson for the Israeli Defence Forces. “They got us.”
Full Story at: How Israel was duped as Hamas planned devastating assault | Inquirer News
