October 6, 2021 – Page 6

October 6, 2021October 7, 2021

Bello awards P15.6-M DOLE aid to Rizal workers

Close to 4,000 informal sector workers in Rizal province received cash-for-work and livelihood assistance amounting to P15.6 million from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Labor Secretary Silvestre ‘Bebot’ Bello III led the awarding of salaries worth P12.9 million to emergency employment beneficiaries and livelihood assistance worth P2.7 million to ambulant vendors in Ynares Event Center, Antipolo City on Monday.

Over 3,000 informal sector workers received their wages worth P4,000 each for their 10-day community work under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.

In his message, the labor chief encouraged the workers to use the Department’s assistance wisely. He also instructed for the allotment of over 1,000 additional TUPAD beneficiaries in Antipolo.

Under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program, meanwhile, 97 ambulant vendors received ‘Negosyo sa Kariton’ (Nego-Karts) to augment their existing livelihood undertakings.

Antipolo City Mayor Andrea Ynares thanked the labor department led by Secretary Bello and the Rizal Public Employment Service Office for the assistance to the local government since the start of the pandemic.

Among those who benefited from the DOLE assistance, she added, are drivers, solo parents, and women workers.

Bello also led the awarding of safety seal certifications to V&F Ice Plant and Cold Storage, Inc.; Biba Cakes and Pastries; and Republic Cement and Building Materials, Inc. to confirm their compliance to government-mandated safety and health protocols against COVID-19.

Ana Teresa Gomez, Human Resource Development Head at V&F Ice Plant and Cold Storage, Inc. in Antipolo said the company applied for the safety seal to protect their workers and customers.

She lauded the convenient application process and shared that the company’s branches in Visayas and Mindanao are also applying for the voluntary certification.

Gomez said some of the safety protocols that they observe are temperature checks, frequent hand washing, social distancing, and the use of disinfectant foot baths and safety measure signages in the company premises.

Source: Department Of Labor and Employment Republic Of Philippines

October 6, 2021October 7, 2021

VIRTUAL RECEPTION HOSTED BY HON. FOREIGN MINISTER FOR MALAYSIA’S HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL (HRC) CANDIDATURE 5 OCTOBER 2021

The Honourable Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia hosted a Virtual Reception for the Diplomatic Corps for Malaysia’s Candidature to the Human Rights Council on 5 October 2021, ahead of elections on 14 October 2021 at the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

During the Virtual Reception, the Hon. Foreign Minister shared Malaysia’s aspirations and priorities for the Human Rights Council. Among others, he emphasized Malaysia priority for a whole-of-society approach in the promotion and protection of human rights, namely for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The Hon. Foreign Minister reiterated Malaysia’s continued implementation of obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD). On the remaining core human rights instruments, he emphasised Malaysia’s initiatives to review the instruments and to promote greater understanding, especially at the grassroots level.

The Hon. Foreign Minister assured Malaysia’s commitment to work closely with all Human Rights Council mechanisms namely, the Special Procedures Mandate Holders (SPMH) as well as the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). He emphasized Malaysia’s intention to foster a spirit of constructive and practical engagement, cooperation, inclusivity, transparency, peaceful coexistence, and mutual respect.

The Hon. Foreign Minister also highlighted youth, vulnerable groups, business and human rights, climate change, cultural rights and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as focus areas for Malaysia’s candidature.

The Virtual Reception also received support from the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM). His Excellency Tan Sri Othman Hashim, Chairman of SUHAKAM, in his remarks, reaffirmed SUHAKAM’s endorsement for the Government’s bid and the pledges. SUHAKAM also offered its cooperation to work with the Government in furthering the protection and promotion of human rights under the 12th Malaysia Plan and other national mechanism.

Malaysia’s candidature is currently endorsed by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Asia Pacific regional grouping (APG) of the Human Rights Council.

Malaysia had been an active member of the Human Rights Council twice before, from 2006- 2009 and 2010-2013. Therefore, Malaysia’s bid to be elected as a member of the Human Rights Council for the term 2022-2024, with the theme “In Unity for Humanity”, reflects the country’s determination to continue to make progress in its efforts to protect and promote human rights, both domestically and internationally. Malaysia will continue engaging constructively as a Council member and actively contribute towards human rights advancement for all.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia

October 6, 2021October 7, 2021

Forty Junta Soldiers Are Killed in Attack on Military Convoy, Militia Group Says

Anti-junta forces in central Myanmar attacked a 50-vehicle military convoy Tuesday, killing more than 40 soldiers and injuring 30 others, members of the attacking militia told RFA.

The Yaw Defense Force (YDF), one of many People’s Defense Force (PDF) militia groups formed to resist the military after it ousted the country’s democratically elected government on Feb. 1, told RFA they used remote-controlled landmines in their attack along the Gangaw-Kalay Highway, which connects Magway with the western Chin state and northern Sagaing region.

“The Gangaw-Kalay Highway is a strategic route, and it would be difficult for the military if this road were cut off… They would have to send food and supplies by air,” a member of the YDF told RFA’s Myanmar Service Wednesday.

“When the rains are gone, they won’t be able to use the waterways because the rivers will be dried up. So they need this road to go up into the mountains of Chin state,” the YDF member said.

RFA was not able to independently verify the exact number of casualties in the attack.

Junta spokesperson Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun confirmed to RFA that a convoy was attacked with landmines near Gangaw township but said that only two vehicles had been damaged and a few soldiers injured.

Nearby residents told RFA that fighting between the military and the YDF and its allies had intensified in recent days.

Sources close to the military last week told RFA that the junta had been sending armored vehicles, artillery, and attack helicopters to its forces in Gagnaw in hopes of gaining a tactical advantage.

Though the Gangaw-Kalay Highway is normally very busy, a resident of Gangaw told RFA on condition of anonymity that fighting had caused traffic there to come to a complete standstill.

“We heard they are conducting a military operation along the Gangaw-Kalay Road… The pressure is on the PDFs because of the large presence of troops in the area, and there are frequent clashes. Travelling in the area is difficult now as cars are not allowed to leave the city,” the Gangaw resident said.

She said that the local flow of goods had been disrupted and commodity prices had skyrocketed. Living conditions had also deteriorated and businesses had been shuttered, she added.

Fighting has also intensified in neighboring Kalay in the Sagaing region.

The Kalay PDF said nine government soldiers died on October 4 when militias attacked a convoy of 10 military vehicles that had stopped near a crossing at the Pan Mon Chaung Bridge to search for mines.

A Kalay resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said junta troops have now set up checkpoints and sentry posts all along Gangaw-Kalay Road, and that more are arriving in large numbers from the Magway region, forcing residents to flee the heavy fighting.

“A lot of military vehicles are coming towards Gangaw. The whole population is holding its breath and waiting, as the junta appears to be set to take total control of the Gangaw-Kalay region,” the Kalay resident said.

“People are all scared and worried about the increasing military presence in our area. The situation is very bad. If they stay here, it will be very difficult for us,” the resident said.

Residents in the Sagaing and Magway regions and Chin State are panicking as the military has shut down internet access in the area and is sending in massive reinforcements. They fear a major operation is looming over the horizon, and local PDF groups are also preparing for impending battles, sources said.

Military spokesman Maj.Gen. Zaw Min Tun confirmed the military was taking full control of the area due to the rising number of military casualties.

October 6, 2021October 7, 2021

MAN ARRESTED FOR MONEY-LAUNDERING OFFENCES LINKED TO AN INTERNET LOVE SCAM

The Police have arrested a 23-year-old man for his suspected involvement in money laundering offences linked to an Internet love scam.

In early January 2020, the Police received a report from a female victim of an Internet love scam. The victim had befriended a person who claimed to be a male doctor residing in the United States online. The said doctor allegedly informed the victim that he would be sending parcels to her as he intended to shift to Singapore. Soon after, the victim received phone calls from unknown individuals who told her that the parcels had been held back in Malaysia and that sums of monies were required for the parcels to be released. As such, the victim made two transfers amounting to S$15,000 to the man’s local bank account.

Through follow-up investigations, officers from the Commercial Affairs Department established the identity of the man and arrested him on 4 October 2021.

The man will be charged in court on 7 October 2021 with two counts of using benefits from criminal conduct under Section 47(3) of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Offences (Confiscation of Benefits) Act, Chapter 65A. The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $500,000, or both.

The Police takes a serious stance against any person who may be involved in scams, and perpetrators will be dealt with in accordance with the law. To avoid being an accomplice to crimes, members of the public should always reject requests by others to use your bank account or mobile lines, as you will be held accountable if these are linked to crimes.

For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Hotline at 1800-722-6688. Anyone with information on such scams may call the Police hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

Source: Singapore Police Force

October 6, 2021October 7, 2021

MAN ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTED HOUSEBREAKING WITHIN SIX HOURS

The Police have arrested a 29-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a case of attempted housebreaking along Serangoon Road.

On 5 October 2021 at about 8.50am, the Police received a report that the glass display case of a shop along Serangoon Road was found to be shattered. No items were reported missing.

Through ground enquiries and with the aid of images from Police cameras, officers from Central Police Division established the identity of the man and arrested him within six hours of the report being made. Items such as a pair of gloves and a hammer were seized as case exhibits.

The man will be charged in court on 7 October 2021 with attempted housebreaking under Section 451, read with Section 511 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224. The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years and a fine.

The Police would like to advise all property owners to adopt the following crime prevention measures:

Secure all doors, roller shutters, windows and other openings with good quality grilles and closed-shackle padlocks when leaving your premises unattended;
Install a burglar alarm, motion sensor light and/or CCTVs, to cover the access points into your premises. Ensure that they are tested periodically and in good working condition;
Refrain from keeping large sums of cash at commercial premises; and
Secure all valuable property under lock and key.

Source: Singapore Police Force

October 6, 2021October 7, 2021

APPEAL FOR NEXT-OF-KIN – MR RAMON SOEGIMIN

The Police are appealing for the next-of-kin of 81-year-old Mr Ramon Soegimin to come forward.

Mr Ramon Soegimin was found to have passed away on 3 December 2020 at about 4.45pm at his place of residence along Lincoln Road.

Anyone with information is requested to call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

Source: Singapore Police Force