From POGOs to scam hubs

EYES WIDE OPEN - Iris Gonzales

The Philippines may have banned offshore gaming, but it doesn’t mean that the people behind it, especially the Chinese, are no longer around.

Perhaps this is one negative result of the ban—an iteration, or rebirth, that was a lot worse.

Aside from scams, another concern that has emerged in the wake of the POGO ban is the so-called Philippine Inland Gaming Operators (PIGOs), which offer online gaming targeting players in the Philippines.

It’s ironic, said property consultant David Leechiu, that while the Philippines banned POGOs—which target overseas players—it allows PIGOs, which have, unfortunately, hooked Filipinos on online gambling.

Seeing/hearing such statement straight from one of the leading opposition stalwarts/figureheads is not just reassuring, since it validates a potentially enormous political assembly they're pushing for in 2028 elections. Something big in the horizon is bound to unfold soon.

I totally agree with what Sen. Pangilinan has mentioned, as I have been somewhat preaching the same words to my peers over and over again since after 2022. Though I do recognize that back then, it's quite tough to believe that the political atmosphere will drastically change as years go by, as it seems like the Dutertes and the Marcoses ad infinitum possess such good heavenly favor/invincibility in every single day we try to survive. But here (the entire country's present-day situation) we are now 🤷🏻‍♂️

Edit: opinions from all sides, including ones from DDS edgelords, are fully welcome here

Education Secretary Sonny Angara has issued comprehensive guidelines for schools amid the threat of the super El Niño, ordering the suspension of all physical and home-based academic activities once ambient temperature hits 42 degrees Celsius, to ensure the safety of learners and teachers.

“We cannot afford to wait until extreme heat hits before we act. Our plan this year is proactive, deliberate and organized,” he said.

FULL STORY

For everyone's awareness, these group of men stopped in the middle of the pedestrian in Shaw blvd while the light was red. They unfolded this banner and a white guy ina bucket hat started knocking on the door of vehicles. He knocked on mine, and my grab driver rolled down his window, and the guy spoke in Filipino asking for money 'kahit magkano lang'. Grab driver gave a few coins probably out of pressure otherwise Jesus wouldn't save him who knows. I wanted to call him out but this wasn't my vehicle and he was not really being disruptive but asking a local driver for money to fund your travels is not right.

I've heard of begpacking before but this was the first time I've encountered it. I believe this is illegal and goes against what's allowed on a tourist visa. The sign was really low effort even with no indication of what group they were affiliated with.

I'm thinking if we did the same thing in their home country we would've been surrounded by the police immediately and maybe deported and visa canceled. The visa that needed a lot of paperwork.

The Philippines may be attracting the wrong kind of tourism.

Parang pansin ko meh low key psyop sa reddit PH in favor sa mga propaganda ni Duts.

1.) Sudden promotion of dds nobodies, doing attention grabbing statements and tapos pag basa mo sa name eh DA WHO naman? Ito pang Clarito Carlos, papansin eh Laos na, wag na pansinin. In fact DDS themselves just ignore people who they don't like.

2.) Post FB reactions na dami daw laughing emojis? Like walang troll farm sa Pinas or galing China? Bat tayo ninibago sa mga ganito?

3.) Pulse Asia survey ang laki ng lamang ni Sara. First things first.... RELIABLE ba si PULSE ASIA? Di ko talaga malimotan noong Presidential Election ni Pnoy, PULSE ASIA put PING LACSON as NUMBER 1 sa survey. From then on wala akong tiwala sa Pulse Asia.

4.) Mahirap daw kausapin mga DDS. Yes and NO! Believe it or not sa Davao meh mga tao na dismayado sa style ni Sara. I have a friend na hardcore, for the first time she was very vocal, as in inip na inip k Sara and another friend who was willing to admit for the first time na budol daw sya ni Sara. Look meh hardcore talaga and it's okey. When u talk about the facts learn to accept that they might not accept the reality, but the more talk about it consistently and learn that they are just listening, sooner or later they will come to the realization that you are speaking about the reality of the situation. Sabi nga Goebels if u keep repeating the same thing over and over it becomes a fact. So why not keep repeating them knowing it is the truth?

5.) Here's another indicator that the DDS camp is losing some supporters. I am a member of an org in Davao, for three years straight we have tried to invite Duts and Sara in to be a guest speaker into to our major events. Sa second year we hit the jackpot kasi biglang yes si Duts, mainly because meh mga connection talaga kami sa kanila and this was MONTHs before duts is sent to The Hague. Pero for two years straight nag no si Sara and walang ka effort effort di binigyan lng kami ng ka liit liit n tarp w/ her picture and a generic statement on her behalf. Pero this year biglang nag yes cya on one of our events. To me this is an indicator na they have felt for the first time that they needed to reach more people than ever.

2 SUSPEK SA PAGPATAY SA ESTUDYANTE SA BATANGAS, NAARESTO NA

Naaresto na ang dalawang construction worker na mga suspek sa pagpatay sa 20-anyos na third year architecture student ng National University-Lipa.

Unang naaresto si alyas Lance na umamin na pinatay ang biktima matapos utusan ng kaniyang kaibigan at katrabaho na si alyas Kevin sa halagang P10,000.

Dalawang taon na umanong nanliligaw si alyas Kevin sa biktima at hindi sinasagot. | via Dennis Datu, ABS-CBN News

2 SUSPEK SA PAGPATAY SA ESTUDYANTE SA BATANGAS, NAARESTO NA

Naaresto na ang dalawang construction worker na mga suspek sa pagpatay sa 20-anyos na third year architecture student ng National University-Lipa.

Unang naaresto si alyas Lance na umamin na pinatay ang biktima matapos utusan ng kaniyang kaibigan at katrabaho na si alyas Kevin sa halagang P10,000.

Dalawang taon na umanong nanliligaw si alyas Kevin sa biktima at hindi sinasagot. | via Dennis Datu, ABS-CBN News

This is a very common scam in the phillipines you match with a “girl” she will ask you to video chat and have fun. Meanwhile she will record the whole thing and extort you for money.

This scam exists on all dating apps and people fall for it especially gullible foreigners.

Luckily I am not stupid and saw it immediately

Am I able to report this to the police? Can anything be done or will they not care? The idiot texted me from two numbers the first one I believe is his real number and the second one is the one he uses for extortion.

Will the police do anything or do they not care ?

If the mods
Will allow it I can share the numbers here

For the longest time that I have known them, I have ignored their political leanings. They're chill and civil naman (surprisingly) kaya siguro we managed to keep in touch, but one day, I just thought of trying to dig deep into their thoughts. I have summarized it below, minus the juicy details, only the conclusions.

1. They are loyal to FPRRD. Their support for Sara and Duterte siblings is there, but mostly due to the belief that they are continuing Digong's "good" works, primarily in Davao.

2. They are really selective with their consumed content, and had actually stopped being updated to recent events. Their minds are almost locked in, so I guess there's no need for them to know more.

3. They think that the reason why Dutertes are not filing cases to Trillanes is because there is no benefit in pursuing a case against someone with no power and wealth.

4. They seem to not grasp how the complex the ICC works, and thus they really believe it is easy for the ICC to be bribed. This part of the conversation was frustrating honestly, not because they don't listen but because they can't grasp certain aspects.

5. They believe that Digong's "stupid God" comment is not to be used as a testament against his leadership, but they conceded that God's workings should not be questioned.

6. They aren't 100% convinced with Sara's capability as a possible president but lowkey thinks there is no better candidate.

To sum up, it is extremely exhausting, and I am convinced that like the Senate, most of the Filipinos are decided on which side they will vote for. I didn't push on other talking points such as the deception of Digong because there is no use trying to convince them or show them facts. If there is one definite weapon the DDS camp has, it's the old man's charm. I ended the discussion by saying that I can concede that FPRRD could have been a great president, but his progenies are nowhere near his capabilities.

US offers up to $5-Billion loan for nuclear development

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines may tap massive financial support from the United States (US), up to $5 billion, for its nuclear energy development, a local official said. 

In a media briefing on Monday, Department of Energy (DOE) undersecretary Giovanni Bacordo said the government has been exploring financing schemes to fund the deployment of nuclear facilities, as it hopes to activate its first kilowatt by 2032. 

In their recent visit to America, he said they had a meeting with the US International Development Finance Corp., where the latter hinted at the possibility of lending out up to $5 billion. 

“As I understood it, it is payable for over 25 years. This offer is for the private power corporations desiring to invest in nuclear energy for power generation,” he told reporters in a message. 

The US Trade and Development Agency earlier extended   $ 2.8 million in technical financial assistance to Manila Electric Co.. This Pangilinan-led power giant has been the frontrunner in building its nuke plans. 

Bacordo also said that the government has been working closely with the Asian Development Bank “to ensure that our project structures of the upper-grade credit enhancements are truly bankable.”

Industry leaders in the US indicated that micro-modular reactors could see early deployment around 2028, while small modular reactors are set for a target of about 2030, according to an energy executive.

“But let me be clear, these timelines require further validation alongside demonstration, licensing, and delivery progress. When it comes to regulation, early preparation is critical,” he said. 

Kakakita ko lang yung post about kay BBM na proud siya na 60% ng nurses sa ibang bansa is Pinoys.

Likely because mahirap kumita dito sa Pilipinas. Hayyst. Noong maliit ako madalas sinasabi samin na mag-aral nang mabuti dahil kami ang pag-asa ng bayan. As a Gen Z, namumulat na ko sa tunay na kalagayan ng Pilipinas. Nakikita ko na bakit pinipiling umalis ng mga tao dito para magtrabaho sa ibang bansa. Anong magagawa naming susunod na henerasyon? Kahit na namumulat kami sa tunay na kalagayan ng bayan, kahit na nakikita namin kung sino ang tunay na mahusay, parang kinukulang talaga. Halos lahat ng ka-henerasyon ko ay iisa lang ang pag-iisip, iisa ang nakikitang problema sa Pilipinas pero hindi talaga kaya ng henerasyon lang namin. Dapat magkaisa tayong mga Pilipino, hindi lang kaming mga young adults na mag-aahon sa Pilipinas.

Sabi ko dati, hindi ako aalis ng Pilipinas, pero as someone na going into workforce na, ang hirap makapasok sa work. Ang hirap makakuha ng ID, ang daming binabayaran pero walang nakukuha. Hindi ko nakikita kung saan napupunta ang mga pera natin. Mahal ko man ang Pilipinas, parang gusto kong magpunta ng ibang bansa para makahinga naman. Hindi lang ng malinis na hangin, ngunit makahinga rin ng maginhawa na walang nakagapos sa leeg.