News Roundup 15 May 2020
May 15, 2020 • 3 min Read
‘Ambo’ downgraded to severe tropical storm as it moves through Luzon | PHILSTAR. COM – “Ambo” (international name: Vongfong) weakened from a typhoon into a severe tropical storm Friday afternoon as it continued to spend more time over land. But threat remains over many parts of Luzon as “Ambo” is still forecast to unleash strong winds and heavy rains. The tropical cyclone—the first to hit the Philippines this year—forced tens of tens of thousands to flee their homes at a time when the country is put under lockdown, complicating the government’s response to the growing threat of the novel coronavirus. At 1 p.m., the severe tropical storm was located in the vicinity of Agdangan town in Quezon with peak winds of 110 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 150 kph. It is heading northwest at 20 kph.
PNP-IAS files criminal raps vs Sinas, 18 others over birthday ‘mañanita’ | INQUIRER.NET – The Philippine National Police – Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) on Friday filed criminal complaints against Metro Manila police chief Major Gen. Debold Sinas and 18 other police officers for failure to follow quarantine protocols during the May 8 “mañanita” for his birthday. “Nineteen (police officers) so far ang na-identify kaya sila muna ang kakasuhan today,” PNP-IAS director Alfegar Triambulo said in a text message when asked about updates on criminal charges to be filed against Sinas. Of the 19, seven are police generals, including Sinas, seven are full-fledged colonels, one police lieutenant colonel, two police majors, and two police corporals.
Labor group calls on govt, businesses to provide transpo for workers | Manila Bulletin – The Associated Labor Unions (ALU) said government and business owners should provide shuttle or transportation to workers when they return to their jobs as areas transition from an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to either a modified ECQ (MECQ) or a general community quarantine (GCQ). Alan Tanjusay, spokesperson of ALU, said workers should be provided with means of transportation as the lockdown has left them penniless. “Workers in industries allowed to [resume operations] starting tomorrow [May 16] should be provided the means of transportation by the government and employers from home to workplaces,”he said in a statement. “Remember these workers have no income and no means of livelihood because they were lockdown for more than two months,” added Tanjusay. “Therefore it must be the obligation of government and business owners to provide shuttle or transportation as workers help in rebuilding our economy,” he said.
FDA warns public vs ‘anti-virus necklace’ | The Manila Times – The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on Friday warned the public against the use of products claiming to be effective in preventing the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Among them is the product called Virus Shut Out, which is a lanyard or a necklace supposedly with sodium hydrochloride or a compound that is used to disinfect water. “Nagresearch po tayo, wala pa po kasing kahit anong FDA counterpart sa buong mundo na nag-approve nitong mga ito at wala po tayong makitang ebidensya na nagsasabing nakaka-prevent po talaga siya ng transmission ng mga virus,” FDA Director General Eric Domingo told radio DZMM. (We researched it and no other country has approved it and we do not have evidence that this prevents virus transmission.) “Nakakatakot po kasi baka ang tao magsuot niyan pagkatapos hindi siya mag maskara, pag naging pabaya po kasi, imbes na makatulong, lalo pa pong nakakasama,” he added. (it is very alarming because if a person wears it, then he will not wear a face mask, it will not help especially if people become careless.)
