MANILA, Philippines – A doctors' group on Thursday, August 1, renewed its call for the Department of Health (DOH) to lift its ban on the Dengvaxia vaccine to help stem dengue outbreaks in some regions of the country. 

Doctors for Truth and Public Welfare (DTPW) made the call as the DOH  declared a national dengue alert amid the rising dengue cases in the country.

“DTPW believes that Secretary [Francisco Duque III’s] recent declaration of a national dengue alert shows that the  Philippines  falls  under  the  ‘high-risk  populations’  that  the  World Health Organization recommends  the anti-dengue vaccine to,” the group said. (READ: A year after Dengvaxia: Immunization drops, measles outbreaks soar) 

Dr Minguita Padilla, DTPW co-convenor, noted that the Philippines "has the highest incidence and death rate from dengue this part of the world, yet it is the only country in the world that has banned it."

"The vaccine need not be included in the Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI) of government so that government need not spend for it, but at least make it available to physicians to offer for the millions of patients who can benefit from it," Padilla said.

"We further ask that our government leaders listen to the scientific evidence provided so that we can move forward for the sake of public welfare," she added.

DTPW, which earlier urged the DOH to keep the vaccine in the market in November 2018, is composed of physicians, scientists, members of the academe, former health secretaries, and past and present heads of professional medical associations and non-governmental organizations. It is led by former health secretary Esperanza Cabral. 

Dengvaxia was permanently banned in the country in February as Sanofi Pasteur, its manufacturer, was found by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to have shown "complete disregard of government rules and regulations."

On Wednesday, July 31, former health secretary now Iloilo 1st District Representative Janette Garin renewed her call to bring back the controversial dengue vaccine amid the spike in dengue cases, saying this would not have happened if the anti-dengue vaccination program was continued.

Malacañang said the same day that it would consider the proposal "if experts can vouch for the vaccine."

A total of 106,630 dengue cases had been reported from January 1 to June 29, 2019 – 85% more than the 57,564 cases reported from the same period in 2018. 

The FDA suspended thevaccine’s certificate of product registration in December 2017– a month after Duque suspended the dengue immunization program, which by then had covered 837,000 Filipino gradeschoolers. (TIMELINE: Dengue immunization program for public school students) 

The Public Attorney's Office had filed complaints before the Department of Justice linking the use of the vaccine to over 30 deaths. But the DOH and several vaccine experts have since insisted that there were no proven links between Dengvaxia and the reported deaths. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Manila Mayor Isko Moreno  has ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to clear the so-called "most drug-affected area" in the capital—Baseco Compound.

He gave the directive on Thursday, August 1, as he convened the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council for the first time since taking over Manila City Hall.

Formally known as the compound of the Bataan Shipyard and Engineering Corp, Baseco Compound is located in the fringe of Manila’s port area.

The compound is known to be a haven for criminals and a center of black market dealings.

Moreno himself heard reports of “a lot of individuals carrying firearms” in the area,

The firebrand mayor of Manila said that law enforcement agencies must have known the sorry state of the compound for years, so they should already be equipped to rid it of criminality.

“It’s been so many years, and yet it is still unresolved, so all they have to do is to go back to their data and possible apprehension of interested individuals because this is just a review,” Moreno said.

Moreno then said that barangay officials of the compound would face the risk of suspension since he has raised the issue with Interior Undersecretary Martin Diño, who joined the CADAC meeting.

“It will be a continuing operation up until that place is cleared of illegal drugs, because if we can do it in Baseco, we can do it anywhere in the City of Manila,” Moreno said in a mix of English and Filipino. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Panfilo Lacson said on Thursday, August 1, that official action on his exposés on alleged corruption in government will test President Rodrigo Duterte's resolve to fight corruption.

Lacson made the statement at the weekly Senate media forum, where he said he took Duterte's renewed call to fight corruption in government as "encouragement" to expose more irregularities committed by public officials. The President made the call in his 4th State of the Nation Address. 

"All the more I was encouraged at sa akin parang challenge 'yan na, O sige, mag-expose kayo, tulungan ninyo ako.... But at the back of my mind, iniisip ko test din 'yan. Sige sinabi mo ganito, ite-test ko rin kung anong gagawin mo," Lacson said.

(All the more I was encouraged and for me, that's a challenge like, Okay you expose [corruption] and help me.... But at the back of my mind, I think that it's also test. You said this, so I will also test what you would do about it.)

"At least I can make my own judgment if it's lip service or a serious call to arms to the members of the Congress to do something, to expose, investigate, and help the President weed out corruption in government," the senator added.

Lacson is known to expose graft and corruption in his privilege speeches. On Monday, July 29, he delivered a privilege speech on the alleged business dealings of the family of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III with his own department, as well as reported irregularities at the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

Lacson said on Thursday that so far, no one from Malacañang had reached out to him regarding the documents he presented against Duque during his privilege speech.

"Kung nanghihingi na sila sa akin ng dokumento, willingly I'll provide them the documents. 'Yan ang hinihintay ko, 'Baka puwedeng mag-request naman kami ng dokumentong inilabas niyo, Senador.' Matulin pa sa alas-kwatro papadala ko roon," Lacson said.

(If they ask for the documents, I will willingly provide them the documents. That's what I'm waiting for. 'Can we request for the documents that you showed, Senator?' I will send them right away.)

Duterte has repeatedly said that even "one whiff of corruption" would be enough for him to fire or sanction an official, but he has also been known to reappoint or even promote officials alleged to be corrupt.

Lacson himself had pointed this out in his privilege speech in May, when he said that Customs remained "one hell of a mess" because of corruption. In that speech, he lamented that Duterte even promoted sacked ManiIa International Container Port district collector Vener Baquiran as Customs deputy commissioner.

Baquiran was among the officials in a list of alleged corrupt Customs officials that Lacson bared in a privilege speech in 2017.  (READ: FULL TEXT: 'Kita kita sa Customs')

Anothe "recycled" official in Lacson's list is former Customs chief Nicanor Faeldon who was moved to the Bureau of Corrections in October 2018. (LIST: No to corruption? Duterte's controversial reappointees) – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Former foreign secretary Albert del Rosario said the Philippines must urge the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to back the 2016 Hague ruling that asserted the country's rights in the West Philippine Sea.

Del Rosario made the statement on Thursday, August 1, following recent incidents of Chinese vessels and warships found in Philippine waters.

Del Rosario warned the Philippines should adopt a "multilateral approach" to asserting its rights in the marine area "before we get shoved around any further leading us to irreversible consequences."

Del Rosario gave a twofold suggestion to do so, namely:

• Seek the support of the UN General Assembly in compelling Beijing to abide by the arbitral tribunal ruling (READ: 3 years later, 87% of Filipinos want gov't to assert Hague ruling)
• Bring up China's threat of force at the UN and at other multilateral fora

"For a full three years, we had endeavored to deal with Beijing on a bilateral basis resulting in our being bullied, harassed and intimidated. We are obviously no match for this Goliath who intends to have us for breakfast, lunch, and dinner," Del Rosario said. (READ: Ex-PH officials bring China's Xi to Int'l Criminal Court)

The Philippines, through Foreign Secretary Teodoro "Teddyboy" Locsin Jr, had earlier filed a diplomatic protest against China over the presence of Chinese fishing vessels stationed near Pag-asa Island in February and July 2019.

This was after National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr said about 113 Chinese vessels were recorded as having swarmed Pag-asa Island at a single point in time.

In February 2019, reports showed China deployed its maritime militia to the vicinity of Pag-asa Island (Thitu Island) in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) since at least July 2018, after the Philippines began constructing on the island.

Aside from this, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana had also confirmed that several Chinese warships recently sailed through the Sibutu Strait in Tawi-Tawi 4 times since February without informing Philippine authorities.

Lorenza had told China to remind its vessels to always keep its automatic identification system (AIS) on when crossing Philippine waters.

Del Rosario's statement comes after Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio – a leading expert and staunch advocate of the West Philippine Sea – said the Philippines must take the lead in declaring a global policy requiring foreign ships to keep their trackers on when passing through Philippine waters.

Although Sibutu Strait is an international waterway where foreign ships have the “right of innocent passage," Carpio said passages must always be made known to the country.

Philippines-China relations have seen a turnaround under the Duterte administration, which has fostered friendlier ties with China by downplaying a decades-long sea dispute in exchange for loans and grants from Beijing. (READ: Philippines loses to China 3 years after Hague ruling)  – Rappler.com

DETROIT, USA – Democratic frontrunner Joe Biden went on the offensive on Wednesday, July 31, against his main 2020 opponents, but was rapidly assailed on the debate stage over key issues like health care, race, immigration and criminal justice.

Tensions rose rapidly between the former vice president and Senator Kamala Harris, the most prominent African American in the field, as the two reprised their clash from a month earlier at the debut debate.

But while Biden aimed aggressive attacks at Harris and her health care plan, other rivals in the second night of the two-night, 20-candidate debate sought to undercut him on a host of issues.

Biden is leading polls for the nod to take on President Donald Trump in 2020, and nearly all of the other 9 Democrats onstage attacked him at some point.

He found himself in a series of sharp exchanges on the central campaign issue of health care along with his stance on climate change and his past legislative record, in particular his failure to take decisive action against illegal immigration.

When Biden jousted with Harris about her "double talk" on her own modified Medicare for All plan, which he noted would take 10 years to kick in, Harris shot back: "You're simply inaccurate in what you're describing."

She said Biden's proposal for government-backed health insurance for those who want it "leaves out almost 10 million Americans" from coverage.

Biden's advisors had urged him to be more aggressive after his lackluster first debate performance, but the 76-year-old struck a curious opening note on Wednesday.

As the debate began, Biden greeted Harris, a 54-year-old former California attorney general, by shaking her hand and saying, "Go easy on me, kid."

She did not. Harris renewed the criticism that gave her a viral moment in the first debate by accusing Biden of making light of his work with segregationists in the Senate in the 1970s.

"The vice president has still failed to acknowledge that it was wrong to take the position that he took at that time," Harris said.

Rare unity

The squabbling came after deep fault lines between the party's centrist and progressive wings were exposed on the first debate night, which featured leading liberals Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.

In one of the few moments of broad unity onstage Wednesday, several candidates joined Biden in condemning Trump.

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard said the president "is not behaving like a patriot," while Julian Castro, the only Latino in the field, branded Trump an outright "racist."

But much of the night was consumed with clashes between candidates, and progressives were quick to highlight the ideological divide with moderates on multiple fronts.

"Middle ground approaches are not enough," said Washington Governor Jay Inslee, who has released a trillion-dollar plan to tackle climate change. "We must confront the fossil fuel industry."

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, in the race's left lane, laid down the gauntlet by saying he was fully prepared to "restructure" the US economy and society.

"We will tax the hell out of the wealthy," he boomed.

Low-polling candidates like de Blasio, Inslee, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and entrepreneur Andrew Yang were desperate for standout moments to boost their exposure and justify staying in the race. Few were evident.

The stakes are high, as tougher entry requirements for the next debate in September are expected to winnow down the field of 20 candidates by as much as half.

'Phony rhetoric'

Cory Booker took a stab at a breakout by entering into a searing exchange with Biden over his criminal justice record.

"There are people right now in prison for life for drug offenses, because you stood up and used that tough-on-crime phony rhetoric that got a lot of people elected, but destroyed communities like mine," said Booker, who is black.

Biden countered by arguing that Newark's police department was troubled when Booker was mayor there and advocated a stop-and-frisk policy targeting blacks.

Biden also faced backlash for his positions on gender equity and abortion rights, and for his 2002 vote in favor of going to war in Iraq after 9/11.

"I did make a bad judgment," Biden admitted, referring to his trusting of President George W. Bush's justification for the invasion.

Castro attacked Biden for standing with Obama's ramped-up deportation policy while vice president, and for refusing to support Castro's controversial proposal to decriminalize unauthorized border crossings as a candidate.

Biden has often linked himself closely to Obama, in part to attract support from the black community.

But when Biden refused to say whether he would stand by the beloved Democratic president or align with today's left-leaning party, Booker twisted the knife.

"You invoke President Obama more than anybody in this campaign," Booker said. "You can't do it when it's convenient and then dodge it when it's not." – Rappler.com

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said Thursday, August 1, a US decision to impose sanctions on Mohammad Javad Zarif shows they are "afraid" of his top diplomat, as tensions heightened between the archenemies.

The US Treasury said the sanctions would freeze any of Zarif’s assets in the United States or controlled by US entities, as well as squeeze his ability to function as a globe-trotting diplomat.

"They are afraid of our foreign minister's interviews," Rouhani said in a televised speech, referring to a recent round of interviews Zarif gave to foreign media in New York.

"It is completely clear that the foundations of the White House have been shaken by the words and logic of an informed, devoted and diplomatic individual.

"They are doing childish things now. Maybe there's no better way to describe (the sanctions) but childish," Rouhani said on a visit to the northwestern city of Tabriz.

"Our enemies are so helpless that they have lost the ability to act and think wisely."

The designation of Zarif under the same sanctions earlier applied to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is the latest in a string of moves by the United States against the Islamic republic.

"Zarif implements the reckless agenda of Iran's supreme leader, and is the regime's primary spokesperson around the world," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement.

"The United States is sending a clear message to the Iranian regime that its recent behavior is completely unacceptable."

The arch-foes have been locked in a battle of nerves since President Donald Trump withdrew the US from a landmark 2015 deal aimed at limiting Iran's nuclear program and began reimposing sanctions.

The situation has worsened since the Trump administration stepped up a campaign of "maximum pressure" against Iran this year, with drones downed and tankers mysteriously attacked in Gulf waters.

'Iran's primary spokesperson'

But in a mixed message to Tehran, Washington on Wednesday, July 31, extended waivers for 3 Iranian civil nuclear projects, to avoid upsetting the other signatories to the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement – China, Russia, Germany, France and Britain.

"This is a short 90-day extension," said White House national security adviser John Bolton, a champion of the hawkish policy towards Iran.

"We are watching those nuclear activities very, closely, they remain under daily scrutiny," he told Fox Business.

Zarif has been at the heart of complex talks with foreign capitals over Iran's nuclear power industry, which Tehran says is peaceful, but Washington and regional allies including Israel insist is cover for a secret weapons program.

But a senior Trump administration official said Zarif's diplomatic image – bolstered by his fluent English, self-effacing humor and background as a US-educated academic – was false.

"The key issue is that he has had this veneer...of being the sincere and reasonable interlocutor for the regime. Our point today is that he is no such thing," the official said on condition of anonymity.

"Today President Trump decided enough was enough," the official said, accusing Zarif of functioning as "propaganda minister, not foreign minister."

Zarif shot back, tweeting that the United States was trying to silence Iran on the international stage.

"The US' reason for designating me is that I am Iran's 'primary spokesperson around the world' Is the truth really that painful?" he wrote.

"We know that calling for dialog & peace is an existential threat to #B_Team," he added, referring to Bolton, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others pushing a hard line on Iran.

Officials in Iran rallied around the foreign minister on Thursday.

"America is not only afraid of Iran's missiles but also of Iran talking," Abbas Ali Kadkhodayi, spokesman for Iran's law-vetting Guardian Council, said on Twitter.

"Sanctioning @JZarif means America's claim of freedom of speech is false. Sanctioning Zarif means the fall of the Statue of Liberty." – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle called on priests, religious men and women, and churchgoers in the Archdiocese of Manila to "pray for the nation" as several bishops and priest suffered from "false accusations" hurled against them.

Archdiocese of Manila Chancellor Father Reginald Malicdem announced Tagle's request in a circular on Thursday, August 1. Malcidem said the "Prayer for the Nation" was to be prayed at all Sunday Masses starting on Sunday, August 4.

"Our dear Archbishop, Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, is asking all of us, priests, religious men and women, and lay faithful in the Archdiocese of Manila, to offer our Masses and prayer for all our bishops and priests, especially those who suffer because of persecutions and false accusations," Malcidem said.

The "Prayer for the Nation" will take the place of the Prayer of the Faithful of the Mass and will be prayed standing.

The Archdiocese of Manila covers cities of Manila, Makati, Pasay, San Juan, and Mandaluyong in the Philippines' National Capital Region.

Tagle also urged Catholics to "be aware and discerning of the many disturbing issues in our society today" as he invited them to "respond in faith and hope through our common prayer."

Tagle's request comes after 4 Catholic bishops were accused of sedition in the complaint filed by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation Group (CIDG) against 35 individuals led by Vice President Leni Robredo.

The bishops named in the complaint are Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, Bishop Teodoro Bacani Jr, and Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco.

The charges stemmed from the viral Ang Totoong Narcolist videos that tagged President Rodrigo Duterte and his family in the drug trade. The man who admitted to be "Bikoy" in the videos – Peter Joemel Advincula – earlier surfaced to support the allegations, but later did a complete turnaround by not only recanting the allegations, but also accusing those in the CIDG complaint as behind the videos.

President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles earlier hit the allegations, saying they were “beyond belief.”

The "Prayer for the Nation," Malcidem said, would serve as the "best expression of our solidarity and fraternal support" for the bishops and priests.

Below is the full "Prayer for the Nation":

PRAYER FOR THE NATION

Almighty and merciful God
you have brought us together in the name of your Son Jesus.
We beg for your mercy and grace in our time of need.
Open our eyes to see the evil that we have done.
Forgive us for failing to do what is good and just.
Touch our hearts and bring us back to You.

We pray for an end to the violence perpetrated by harsh words, malicious propaganda,
deadly weapons, or cold indifference.
May our homes, our nation, and our world
become havens of Your peace.

Grant us the grace to see every human being as a child of God,
regardless of race, language, or culture,
even drug addicts, criminals, and hardened sinners.

Give us the strength to teach our children and youth
how to resolve differences non-violently and respectfully.
May elders become models of decent and honorable behavior.

We entrust to your mercy those who hate the Church
and spread prejudice against our Catholic faith.
Illumine their minds with the light of your truth.
Touch their hearts with your love.

Inspire those in public office
to uphold, preserve, promote, and defend
the dignity of every human being
and acknowledge you, our God, as the Source and Lord of all life.

Touch the hearts of those who oppress others
and those who take the law in their own hands.
Touch the consciences of the perpetrators of heinous crimes,
violence, senseless, and indiscrimate killings.
Move them to abandon their pride and their instruments of destruction.

We also remember the police and first responders
who risk their lives daily to ensure our safety.
May they also be instruments of fair and just law enforcement
that guarantees the dignity of persons
and promotes truth, peace, and wellbeing in society.

We lift up to you our bishops, priests, consecrated persons, and lay faithful
who suffer from misunderstanding, false accusations, and persecution
on account of their faith and their promotion of justice.
Grant them holy joy
that will see them through the dark nights of suffering.

Welcome to your eternal feast in heaven
the people who died in senseless brutal organized killings,
including priests who have lost their lives
in the pursuit of truth and justice.

With St. Paul, we say:
“We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained;
perplexed, but not driven to despair;
persecuted, but not abandoned;
struck down, but not destroyed;
always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus,
so that the life of Jesus
may also be manifested in our body.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).

Since you, O God, are with us,
nothing that has happened,
nothing still to come,
can rob us of our hope in Christ.
In your enduring love we trust.

You alone can heal our broken hearts.
You alone can wipe away the tears that well up inside us.
You alone can give us peace.
You alone can strengthen us to persevere.
Assure those who are discouraged that with you nothing is impossible.
Filled and invigorated by the Holy Spirit,
may our love for one another be deepened.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Mary, Mother of Hope, pray for us.
St. Michael the Archangel, pray for us.
St. John Marie Vianney, pray for us.
San Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us.
San Pedro Calungsod, pray for us.
Blessed José María de Manila, pray for us.
Blessed Justo Takayama Ukon, pray for us.

***

PANALANGIN PARA SA BAYAN

Ama naming makapangyarihan at mapagmahal,
tinipon mo kami sa ngalan ng iyong Anak na si Hesus.
Padaluyin mo sa amin ang iyong awa at biyaya sa panahon ng aming pangangailangan.
Imulat mo ang aming mga mata sa kasamaang aming nagawa.
Patawarin mo kami sa mga pagkukulang naming maging mabuti at makatarungan.
Himukin mo ang aming mga puso at akayin mo kami pabalik sa iyo.

Dumudulog kami na mawakasan na ang karahasan dulot ng masasakit na salita, mapanirang paratang, nakamamatay na sandata, o pagbubulag-bulagan.
Nawa’y maging kanlungan ng iyong kapayapaan
ang aming mga tahanan, ang aming bayan, at ang buong mundo.

Biyayaan mo kami upang makita namin sa bawat tao ang isang anak ng Diyos
anuman ang kulay, wika, o kultura
kahit na ang mga drug addict, kriminal, at makasalanan.

Pagkalooban mo kami ng lakas na hubugin ang aming mga anak at kabataan
na harapin ang mga pagkakaiba at alitan
sa mapayapa at magalang na pamamaraan.
Nawa’y maging huwaran ang mga nakatatanda
ng marangal at matuwid na pamumuhay.

Ipinagkakatiwala namin sa iyong awa ang mga may galit sa Simbahan
at tumutuligsa sa pananampalatayang Katoliko.
Tanglawan mo ang kanilang mga isipan ng liwanag ng iyong katotohanan.
Himukin mo ang kanilang mga puso ng iyong pag-ibig.

Gabayan mo ang mga lingkod bayan na maipagtanggol,
mapangalagaan, maisulong, at maitaguyod ang halaga ng bawat tao.
Kilalanin ka nawa nila bilang Diyos na Bukal at Panginoon ng Buhay.

Himukin mo ang puso ng mga nambubusabos sa kapwa
at inilalagay ang batas sa kanilang mga kamay.
Himukin mo ang budhi ng mga nagsasagawa ng mga karumaldumal na krimen,
karahasan, at walang saysay na pagkitil sa buhay ng tao.
Akayin mo silang isantabi ang katigasan ng kanilang puso
at mga kasangkapan ng pamiminsala.
Inaalala rin namin ang kapulisan at ang mga nagbubuwis ng buhay
upang tiyaking ligtas ang lahat.
Maging kasangkapan nawa sila ng patas at makatarungang pagpapatupad ng batas
na gumagalang sa karangalan ng tao,
nagsusulong ng katotohanan, kapayapaan, at kapakanan ng lahat sa lipunan.

Itinataas namin sa iyo ang mga obispo, pari, relihiyoso, at layko
na nagdurusa dahil sa maling paratang at pag-uusig
dahil sa kanilang paninindigan sa pananampalataya at katarungan.
Pagkalooban mo sila ng banal na kagalakan at kapanatagan
na magtatawid sa kanila sa madidilim na gabi ng paghihirap.

Tanggapin mo sa iyong hapag sa kalangitan
ang mga napaslang sa mga marahas na organisadong pagpatay
kasama ang mga paring nagbuwis ng buhay
sa pagsusulong ng katotohanan at katarungan.

Kasama ni San Pablo aming sinasambit,
“Kabi-kabilaan ang pagpapahirap sa amin, ngunit ‘di kami nalulupig.
Kung minsa'y nababagabag kami, ngunit ‘di nawawalan ng pag-asa.
Inuusig kami, ngunit hindi kami pinababayaan ng Panginoon.
Napapabagsak kami, ngunit ‘di tuluyang napapatay.
Lagi naming taglay sa aming katawan ang kamatayan ni Hesus,
upang sa pamamagitan ng aming katawan
ay mahayag ang kanyang buhay” (2 Corinto 4:8-10).

Dahil kapiling ka namin, Panginoon,
walang anumang naganap na o darating pa
ang makaaagaw sa aming pag-asa kay Kristo.
Nagtitiwala kami sa iyong walang maliw na pagmamahal.
Ikaw lamang ang makahihilom ng mga sugatang puso.
Ikaw lamang ang makapagpapatahan sa aming pagluha.
Ikaw lamang ang makapagbibgay sa amin ng kapayapaan.
Ikaw lamang ang makapagkakaloob ng lakas upang kami ay magpatuloy.
Palakasin mo ang mga pinanghihinaan ng loob
at bigyan ng katiyakang walang imposible o hindi mapangyayari sa iyo.
Puspos ng Espiritu Santo, lumalim nawa ang aming pag-ibig at malasakit sa bawat isa.

Hinihiling namin ito sa pamamagitan ni Kristong aming Panginoon.

Amen.

Maria, Ina ng Pag-asa, ipanalangin mo kami.
San Miguel Arkanghel, ipanalangin mo kami.
San Juan Vianney, ipanalangin mo kami.
San Lorenzo Ruiz, ipanalangin mo kami.
San Pedro Calungsod, ipanalangin mo kami.
Beato José María de Manila, ipanalangin mo kami.
Beato Justo Takayama Ukon, ipanalangin mo kami.

– Rappler.com

ALBAY, Philippines – The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is now part of the school-based immunization in Albay. 

The HPV vaccination will start in August in the cities of Legazpi, Tabaco, and Ligao.

The Department of Education (DepEd), together with the Department of Health (DOH) and the local government recently held a ceremonial vaccination at Puro Elementary School in Legazpi City to relaunch the Oplan sa Kalusugan (OK sa DepEd) program. 

DepEd medical officer June Orense said HPV infection is among the top 5 leading causes of cancer in the Philippines, particularly cervical cancer. In the Philippines, cervical cancer is one of the top 5 causes of mortality among women. 

Legazpi City health officer Fulbert Alec Gillego said this vaccination should be treated as a preventive measure against cervical cancer.

The HPV vaccine is recommended before young girls become sexually active.

Under the government's school-based immunization, the vaccine is administered to grade 4 girls aged 9 to 14 years old who are attending public elementary schools. Barangay health programs also include HPV immunization for ages 9 to 14. 

The vaccine is given in two doses, with the second dose administered to the student 6 months after the first dose.

Rovy Barado was one of the 3 students who were given the HPV vaccine at PES. Their parents completed consent forms prior to the vaccination.

Francia, Rovy's mother, said she gave her approval because she had confidence in vaccines.  

"My children have benefited from vaccines by boosting their immune system. That's why I didn't have second thoughts," she said.

A member of the parents-teachers association at PES also wanted her daughter to be given the HPV vaccine once she reaches the fourth grade. She said the orientation helped her understand the benefits of the vaccine. 

"I hope my husband and I could attend an orientation together, especially that he's hesitant about this vaccine," she added. 

Education officials believe parents respond better to vaccination campaigns when a medical officer is around to explain these matters during orientations. 

Michelle Ann Lanuza, one of the teachers at PSE, said she also wanted to be vaccinated since it was "better to have a protection against diseases."

The OK sa DepEd program was relaunched as an effort to ensure children get the basic primary health and dental care they need. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines –  Former senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV on Thursday, August 1, denied hiring an alleged scammer for an online smear campaign against administration candidates in the recent elections. 

Aquino was reacting to the claim of Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, who based his allegation on the say-so of alleged scammers police presented to the media on Thursday.

The alleged scammers – Dennis Borbon and Edgar Buluran – were arrested for posing as a congressman to solicit thousands of pesos from lawmakers and a vice governor. 

In text message to Rappler, Aquino said that Borbon apparently wanted to change the narrative of the story to divert attention away from his crime.

"Kulang sa pansin itong si Borbon at malinaw na iniiba ang kuwento para makalimutan ang mga krimeng nagawa niya. Wala tayong kinalaman sa kanya," Aquino said.

(Borbon wants attention and it's clear that he's trying to change the story so that people will forget the crimes he committed. We don't have anything to do with him.)

During the briefing on Thursday morning, Go alleged that Aquino and former senator Antonio Trillanes IV were involved in Borbon's "demolition job" against administration bets in the May elections.

Borbon then volunteered the information that he was an "anti-administration" blogger and claimed that he was hired by the chief of staff of Aquino to discredit Go and their allies.

He also alleged that he rendered his services to former Magdalo congressman and defeated opposition senatorial bet Gary Alejano.

Aquino warned against believing scammers.

"Huwag sana nating paniwalaan ang mga tao gaya ni Borbon na manloloko at nakasangkot sa mga scam (Let's not believe people like Borbon that is a fraud and has been part of a scam)," Aquino said.

Like Aquino, Alejano also denied hiring Borbon, saying that his entire social media campaign was managed by professional volunteers. He said that his general rule is to "never resort to smear campaign"

"May our government officials be more responsible in releasing information to the public especially if their source is a scammer," Alejano said.

Meanwhile, Trillanes said that Go should stop hatching new conspiracies against him.

"Puwede ba tigilan niya ako sa mga kalokohan niya? Wala akong pakialam sa kanya (Can he spare me from his antics? I don't care about him)," Trillanes said.

Since Go had not made a formal complaint based on Borbon's allegations involving the opposition figures, Philippine National Police spokesman Brigadier General Bernard Banac said the police was not investigating the matter. – Rappler.com

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Three armed men traveling from Ayungon, Negros Oriental, were arrested in Badian town in southern Cebu on Wednesday, July 31, for allegedly being “passive observers” in the ambush of 4 police officers in Ayungon last July 18.

According to regional police, they apprehended the 3 suspects who were traveling to Cebu on a banca after receiving an intel from the Barangay Intelligence Networks (BIN) of Ayungon town.

Brigadier General Debold Sinas, the Central Visayas’ police director, said in a press conference in Negros Oriental on Thursday, August 1, that a police team in Badian, Cebu, was ready to intercept them after receiving the report and spotting the 3 suspects who matched the description of suspects named by the BIN.

According to the spot report, “the [police] team rushed up and accosted the suspects as they were visibly seen holding short firearms,” they added. The banca left with the driver shortly after they got off the boat.

Sinas said while they are still “conducting interviews to know their associations,” the 3 suspects – Danny Harold Tancinco, Ronnie Herebias, and Marlon Basalo – were allegedly "passive observers" when the crime was committed. 

“We understand they were there when the police were executed,” Sinas added.

The suspects will face illegal firearms charges.

The arrest comes after two other suspects were apprehended following a joint police-military operation across 4 towns in the province last week. (READ: 2 suspects in Negros Oriental police slaying arrested)

The 4 police officers were among 15 killed on the island in a single week.

On July 31, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that the President may use emergency powers under the Constitution to "quell the lawless violence engulfing the island, as well as to crush all forms of threats aimed to destroy the government."

Panelo said Duterte raised his reward offer to P5 million (from an initial 3 million) for the capture of the killers, "dead or alive." An additional P100,000 was offered for information on anyone who participated in the killing. – Rappler.com 

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Leni Robredo visited the 22 fishermen of Philippine fishing boat Gem-Ver for the second time to provide them with more cash assistance and new fishing equipment.

On Thursday, August 1, the Vice President went to Ilin Island in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, where some of the Gem-Ver crew members are residing.

Under Robredo's flagship anti-poverty program Angat Buhay, the fishermen were given 12 units of global positioning system (GPS) and fish-finding equipment from Angat Buhay partner company Marnav Marine Electronics.

The equipment will be attached to the 12 fiberglass fishing boats that the Gem-Ver crew previously received from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

Other private donors of Angat Buhay also gave cash assistance to each of the 22 fishermen, though the Office of the Vice President has not disclosed the amount as of posting time.

"Sa ating pagbisita, nagbigay tayo ng GPS at fish-finding equipment mula sa ating Angat Buhay partner, at cash assistance mula sa private donors para makatulong sa kanilang kabuhayan habang ginagawa ang barkong kanilang inaasahan para makapangisda," Robredo said in a tweet.

(During our visit, we gave GPS and fish-finding equipment from our Angat Buhay partner, and cash assistance from private donors to help with the fishermen's livelihood while their boat is still being repaired.)

The Vice President first visited Occidental Mindoro on June 21, when each of the fishermen received P50,000 from Angat Buhay.

On June 10, the Gem-Ver fishing boat was sunk by a Chinese ship in Recto Bank (Reed Bank) in the West Philippine Sea. Found in the West Philippine Sea, Recto Bank is coveted by China, but the Philippines has exclusive fishing rights in the area. It is within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.

Abandoned by the Chinese, the Filipino fishermen were left drifting at sea. They were later rescued by crew members of a Vietnamese fishing boat.

The Vice President previously condemned "in the strongest possible terms the irresponsible actions of the Chinese crew involved in the incident."

Robredo also met with Vietnamese Ambassador to the Philippines Ly Quoc Tuan and told him how grateful Filipinos were for the Vietnamese crew who rescued the Filipino fishermen. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Francis Pangilinan urged Filipinos to resist historical revisionism on the 10th death anniversary of former president Corazon Aquino.

In a statement on Thursday, August 1, Pangilinan said Aquino served as an inspiration not only to Filipinos, but to the rest of the world, as an icon of democracy during the People Power Revolution in 1986.

"Simbolo siya ng tagumpay ng bayan sa pakikibaka laban sa diktadurya. Ito'y isang aral na hindi dapat kalimutan, lalo na ngayon," he said.

(She symbolizes the people's triumph in the hard-fought struggle against the dictatorship. It's a lesson that should never be forgotten, especially now.)

Pangilinan also said that the death of Aquino's husband, former senator Benigno Aquino Jr, was a "turning point" for him to see the evils of Martial Law. (READ: FALSE: 'No massacres' during Martial Law)

In the age of social media today, Pangilinan noted that online platforms may be used to "erase" the victory of People Power.

"Ginagamit na sandata ng mga kaaway ng kalayaan ang digital media para ikalat ang propagandang binubura itong tagumpay ng demokrasya. Ipinanalo natin ang ating kalayaan sa EDSA. Dapat nating protektahan ang ating kalayaan at ang ating kasaysayan laban sa rebisyunismo," Pangilinan said.

(The enemies of freedom have weaponized digital media to spread the propaganda erasing this triumph of democracy. We won our freedom in EDSA. We must protect our freedom and our history against revisionism.)

Fight against repression

In a separate statement, detained Senator Leila de Lima said former president Aquino remains to be an inspiration for her.

"Sa kabila ng pananakot at panggigipit ng mapaniil na rehimen, tinanggap niya ang hamon na mamuno para makabangon ang bansa mula sa diktadurya," De Lima said.

(Despite the threats and the oppression of the tyrannical regime, she accepted the challenge to lead so the country could rise from dictatorship.)

De Lima, who has denounced her detention for drug charges as political persecution, drew parallels between the Duterte administration and the Martial Law period.

"Nakita naman natin noon, at sa mga nangyayari ngayon, na hindi masosolusyunan ng dahas at kamay na bakal ang ating mga problema – sa halip ay kumikitil lamang ng libo-libong buhay at pangarap," De Lima said.

(We saw from the past, and even with what's happening today, that we can't solve our problems with violence and an iron fist – these only kill thousands of lives and dreams.)

Corazon Aquino died at the age of 76 on August 1, 2009, due to colon cancer. Her death sparked calls for her only son, then-senator Benigno Aquino III, to run for president in the 2010 elections. He won and served as president from 2010 to 2016. – Rappler.com

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen Thursday, August 1, criticized Beijing for making "a big strategic mistake" by halting individual travel to the island while her government relaxed rules on Chinese visits in a rebuke to the mainland.

Relations between Beijing and Taipei have plummeted since Tsai of the Beijing-skeptic Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) came to power in 2016 because her party refuses to recognize the idea that Taiwan is part of "one China."

As punishment, Beijing has cut official communications, ramped up military exercises, poached diplomatic allies and ratcheted up economic pressure on the island.

China's tourism ministry announced Wednesday, July 31, the suspension of individual travel permits to Taiwan "due to current cross-strait relations" – a move that could hurt the island's economy. The statement did not mention restrictions on group tours.

The move comes as Taiwan gears up for a presidential election in January, with China-friendly candidate Han Kuo-yu of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party hoping to defeat Tsai.

"China's decision is a big strategic mistake...using tourists as political tools will only spark negative sentiments among Taiwanese people. Tourism should not be politicized," Tsai told reporters.

"Chinese young people who visit Taiwan as individual travelers is the best way to get to know Taiwan...I regret that the young people are deprived of their rights."

She said China had always enhanced its "verbal intimidation and saber rattling" against Taiwan before elections and accused it of acting "unwisely and irresponsibly" with its recent military drills in the region.

China had allowed its citizens in 47 cities to apply for permits to visit Taiwan on their own instead of on group tours.

Taiwan experienced a sharp drop in mainland tourists since Tsai took office 3 years ago. The DPP has accused Beijing of using its tourists "as a weapon" to threaten her government.

Taiwan's interior ministry announced Thursday it had relaxed restrictions on visits by Chinese relatives, a move aimed at highlighting its "human rights values."

Under new rules which take effect immediately, the spouses of Taiwan residents' blood relations, such as a step-parent or sister-in-law, are eligible to apply for a relative's visiting permit.

"China's arbitrary suspension of individual travelers to Taiwan highlights Chinese people's lack of free travel rights but we treat the visits by foreign and Chinese nationals the same with open arms," the ministry said in statement.

Taiwan and China have been ruled separately since the end of a civil war on the mainland in 1949, but Beijing still views the democratic island as its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, August 1, said he was "about to do something drastic" in the coming days. 

In a speech during the Bureau of Fire Protection's 28th founding anniversary, Duterte talked about the rampant killings in Negros Island and how fire officers should help the police and military in maintaining law and order in the country. 

"Do not limit yourself diyan – kulang tayo ng tao (Don't limit yourself there – we lack manpower). I will explain in the coming days, but I'm about to do something drastic. It will not sit well with everybody, maybe including you, but it is needed," Duterte said. 

He added: "Sabi ko sa inyo, wala akong ambisyong magdiktador. On the day na ayaw kong bumaba sa Malacañang, patayin 'nyo ako (I tell you, I have no ambition of becoming a dictator. On the day that I refuse to step down from Malacañang, kill me). Shoot me dead if I overstay in Malacañang. I do not need it, I am tired, and I want to rest. I just want to complete what I agreed with the people as the term of my mandate."

Earlier on Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte could opt to "declare martial law" in Negros Island to stop the spate of killings there. A day earlier, Panelo had said the President would use his emergency powers under the Constitution "to quell the lawless violence" there.

During his speech on Thursday, Duterte again blamed the New People's Army for the rampant killings in Negros Island. 

"Paisyuhan ko man kayo ng baril, kayong mga bumbero, pagtapos niyang tubig, tao naman ang hanapin 'nyo, patayin 'nyo 'yung tubig, tapos tao (I'll have guns issued to you, firemen. After water, you look for people next; turn off water, then kill people). You help in the maintenance of peace and order. Within your area of jurisdiction, make it safe for everybody," he said. 

In Negros Oriental, at least 21 people have been killed from July 18 to 27, including a lawyer, a barangay captain, a city councilor, a former mayor, and a one-year-old child. Rights groups say at least 87 people have been killed in the two Negros provinces since 2017.

"You must help and you must help kill, kill the enemy, kasi 'yung enemy 'nyo papatayin talaga kayo. So I'm warning everybody, including the sparrows, na the angels – ang tawag ko sa sparrows ko – will also be looking for you. Ang mga anghel ng gobyerno," he said.

(You must help, and you must help kill, kill the enemy, because your enemy will really kill you. So I'm warning everybody, including the sparrows, that the angels – that's what I call my sparrows – will also be looking for you. The government's angels.) – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, August 1, slammed Senator Richard Gordon for criticizing what he said was his "prerogative" to appoint former military men to government positions.

"Ano ba ang problema niya? Eh mas gusto ko sa military," Duterte said in a speech during the Bureau of Fire Protection's 28th founding anniversary. (What's his problem? I prefer military [men].)

Duterte said he took exception to Gordon's recent remarks following the suspension of some of the gaming operations of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) due to "massive corruption."

Duterte's suspension order came months after the firing of retired general and PCSO general manager Alexander Balutan in March over "serious allegations of corruption."

Asked about the order, Gordon had said maybe the President should not appoint military men to government positions.

"Ang tanong niya sa akin, ano daw ang nakita ko sa military. Well, one, sabihin ko sa 'yo, I can move faster with honesty. Mahirap maghanap ng tao na honest ngayon," Duterte said on Thursday.

(His question for me is, what do I see in the military? Well, one, I'll tell you, I can move faster with honesty. It's hard to find honest people nowadays.)

He added: "Do not be too presumptuous about your talent. Why do you criticize me? It's my prerogative. It is not prohibited by law. And the law says that the president shall be, kung may tulong siya sa mga taong Cabinet member (if he gets help from Cabinet members), it doesn't say except those who are ex-military men because they are not qualified."

Duterte also responded to Gordon's remark that the President appoints military men because he is from the province and does not know a lot of people in Manila.

"Pero kung ako ang presidente at pupunta ako ng Maynila magtrabaho dito, maghanap ako ng tao. Kung si Gordon lang naman ang makita ko, mag-resign na lang ako [sa] pagkapresidente." (If I'm the President and I go to Manila to work and look for people, if Gordon is all I'd see here, I'd rather resign as president.)

"You know, I think 'yung sabi niyang probinsyano ako, sa bagay totoo 'yan. Pero, at least, probinsiyano ako, my brain stays in my head. 'Yung utak mo, Dick, natutunaw, napupunta diyan sa tiyan mo. You are a fart away from disaster. Intindihin mo muna 'yung tiyan mo bago ka makialam sa trabaho ko," he later said.

(You know, I think his remark about me being from the province, to be fair, that's true. But at least I'm from the province, my brain stays in my head. Your brain, Dick, dissolves and goes to your belly instead. You are a fart away from disaster. Mind your belly first before interfering with my job.)

The President's sudden blanket verbal order stopping operations of all PCSO gaming formats in order to curb "massive corruption" had been widely criticized. Duterte has since lifted the suspension of lotto operations.

Lotto operations are computerized and automated, unlike small town lottery or Peryahan ng Bayan where insiders say most of the corruption takes place.

On Thursday, Senator Panfilo Lacson alleged that retired generals were the ones who pocketed the multi-billion small town lottery revenues. – with reports from Pia Ranada and Aika Rey/Rappler.com

NEGROS ORIENTAL, Philippines – The family of Anthony Trinidad, the lawyer who was shot dead in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on July 23, condemned the red-tagging of their kin.

Andrea Trinidad, sister of the murdered lawyer, said "Anthony or any member of our family is not a communist sympathizer as portrayed by the people who want to harm and kill us."

"We call on the people who issue irresponsible statements linking members of our family to the extreme Left to stop. They are putting our lives in grave danger," she said.

She added that "we lost an innocent brother all because of this irresponsibility. Unfairly linking us to communist extremists have left 3 young children orphaned and a wife widowed."

She said that her brother was a respected lawyer who handled all types of cases. 

"He was known to be a very kind and soft-spoken person who was always willing to help everyone in need."

She said they are hoping that President Rodrigo Duterte's order for a full investigation will bring justice to their brother and will stop impunity.

They also appealed to the National Bureau of Investigation to immediately intervene and help their family and the people of Negros Oriental to continue with their lives without fear of foreboding harm and danger.

"We hope that with all government agencies tasked to look into the case of our brother, the perpetrators will soon be put into jail and punished to the full extent of the law," she said.

On July 23, Anthony was on his way home from a court hearing when two motorcycle-riding gunmen shot him and his wife. He was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital while his wife survived the shooting.

The slain lawyer was also a cousin of former Ayungon mayor Edsel Enardecido, who was killed in his home at Barangay Tampocon 1 just 4 days after Anthony was ambushed.

"The past days have been very difficult for our family. After our brother Anthony was murdered in broad daylight, our cousin, former mayor Edsel Enardecido, was killed in cold blood inside their home," Andrea said.

Anthony Trinidad and Edsel Enardecido were among the 21 people shot dead in Negros Oriental in 10 days, from July 18 to July 28. – Rappler.com

GOMA, DR Congo – Rwanda has shuttered its frontier with Ebola-hit Democratic Republic of Congo after a third case of the deadly virus was detected in the border city of Goma, the Congolese presidency said Thursday, August 1.

The announcement coincided with the first anniversary of an epidemic that has claimed more than 1,800 lives, stoking dread that the disease may spread from eastern DRC to vulnerable neighbors.

In a statement, President Felix Tshisekedi's office condemned a "unilateral decision by the Rwandan authorities" that affected citizens from both countries who had to cross the border as part of their daily life.

Goma, a city of two million people and a major transport hub, shares the border with the Rwandan city of Gisenyi, which has a population of more than 85,000.

Many people have jobs on the other side of the border while others have homes or put their children in schools in the neighboring city.

"On the basis of a unilateral decision by the Rwandan authorities, Rwandan citizens cannot go to Goma and Congolese cannot leave Gisenyi but are prevented from going home," the statement said.

"This decision harms a number of Congolese and expatriates who live in Gisenyi but work in Goma."

It added: "The Congolese authorities regret this kind of decision, which goes against the recommendation of the World Health Organization."

"Response teams are continuing to ensure that the city of Goma is out of danger," it promised.

An Agence France-Presse reporter in Goma and a resident in Gisenyi each confirmed the frontier had been closed. In Rwanda, a government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said "it is closed," without giving further details.

Widening scare

Just hours earlier, a third case of Ebola was announced in Goma, adding to two fatalities.

Health workers are racing to find people who have had contact with these patients.

In an urban setting, density of population, anonymity and high mobility make it far harder to isolate patients and trace contacts compared to the countryside.

Goma is the capital of North Kivu province, which has borne the brunt of the year-old epidemic, followed by neighboring Ituri province.

Fifteen people have also been placed in quarantine in South Kivu province, which has so far escaped the epidemic.

The 15, including a mother and her 6 children who had come from Goma, were isolated in a hospital at Birava, the hospital's chief doctor, Ciza Nuru, said.

South Kivu Governor Theo Ngwabidje Kasi told the press Thursday that tests on the 15 were negative.

The first death in Goma, reported on July 16, was of an evangelical preacher who had travelled from Goma to Butembo, one of the towns hardest hit by the outbreak.

During his stay there, he preached at 7 churches and regularly touched worshippers, including the sick, and then returning to Goma by bus, investigators said.

The second Goma fatality had no connection with the first, according to their inquiry.

He was a gold miner who had been working in Mungwalu in Ituri province and had returned to his wife and 10 children at their home in the poor district of Kiziba.

He showed symptoms of Ebola on July 22 and went for outpatient treatment at a private clinic before going to hospital on July 30, which transferred him to an Ebola treatment center.

His one-year-old daughter then fell ill and tested positive for the disease on Wednesday, July 31, according to investigators.

Laborious fight

The day after the preacher's death was announced, the WHO declared the epidemic a "public health emergency of international concern"– a move that prompted a surge in funding pledges.

Ebola is named after a river in northern DRC, then named Zaire, where the virus was first identified in 1976 by a Belgian-led scientific team.

Its virus causes fever, vomiting and severe diarrhea, often followed by kidney and liver failure, internal and external bleeding.

The disease is spread by contact with infected body fluids and is fought with time-honored but laborious techniques of tracing contacts and quarantining them.

Nurses and doctors have to dress in full-protection biohazard suits and respect intensive disinfection measures.

There is no medical cure for Ebola, although an unlicensed but tested vaccine has been widely deployed to help protect frontline workers.

The latest epidemic is the second deadliest on record after more than 11,000 people were killed in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia between 2014-2016. – Rappler.com

CARACAS, Venezuela – Representatives for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaido reopened talks in Barbados on Wednesday, July 31, to resolve the country's political crisis.

Three weeks ago during previous talks in Barbados, the rival factions agreed to set up a platform for negotiations mediated by Norway, where the first talks were held in May.

"We've started another round of meetings under the Oslo mechanism," Guaido's envoy and legislator Stalin Gonzalez tweeted.

Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodriguez confirmed in a news conference that Maduro representatives had traveled to Barbados to meet the opposition.

Later in the day, Maduro said in a televised address that the ruling party aims to establish a "platform of permanent dialogue" with the opposition, and proposed bringing in businessmen and social movements.

Crisis-wracked Venezuela has been mired in a political impasse since January when Guaido proclaimed himself acting president, quickly receiving the support of more than 50 countries.

The oil-rich, cash-poor country has been in a deep recession for 5 years. Shortages of food and medicine are frequent, and public services are progressively failing.

Around a quarter of Venezuela's 30 million-strong population are in need of aid, according to the United Nations, while 3.3 million people have left the country since the start of 2016.

Guaido and the opposition accused Maduro of having rigged the 2018 poll that saw him re-elected, and they describe the socialist leader as a "usurper."

They want him to stand down so new elections can be held.

Maduro has refused to resign and says the talks must lead to "democratic coexistence" and an end to what he describes as an attempted "coup" orchestrated by the United States. – Rappler.com

MAPUTO, Mozambique – Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi and Renamo opposition leader Ossufo Momade on Thursday, August 1, signed a landmark agreement aimed at formally ending decades of hostilities, state TV said.

The signing took place in the Gorongosa National Park in central Mozambique, nearly 27 years after the end of the country's first civil war.

The two leaders hugged after penning the deal on a mounted stage in Gorongosa where a white tablecloth carried the inscription "Peace: Final agreement on cessation of hostilities," according to live broadcasts of the ceremony.

Thursday's agreement brought an end to a long peace negotiation process initiated by Renamo's historic leader, Afonso Dhlakama, who died in May last year, and comes just months before general elections in October.

"We want to assure our people and the world that we have buried the mindset of using violence as a way of resolving our differences," Momade, the new Renamo leader who succeeded Dhlakama, said after the signing ceremony.

Nyusi said "this agreement opens a new era in the history of our country in which no Mozambican should use weapons to resolve conflicts."

Brutal civil war

Soon after Mozambique gained its independence from Portugal in 1975, Renamo fought a brutal 16-year civil war against the Frelimo government, a conflict that left one million people dead before the fighting stopped in 1992.

The rebel movement then entered politics after a 1992 peace pact which was signed in Rome, paving the way for multi-party elections in 1994.

Renamo (the Mozambican National Resistance Movement) lost that vote and subsequent elections and became the official opposition party.

In October 2013 Renamo declared the end of the 1992 peace deal after the military raided its bush camp in central Sathundjira.

Fresh clashes then erupted again between government forces and Renamo soldiers from 2013 to 2016.

Since 2016, the government and Renamo have been in talks, which continued after Dhlakama died from a suspected heart attack.

Despite the end of the civil war and the group transforming into a political party, it retained an armed wing.

On Tuesday, July 30 Renamo began disarming armed members as part of the peace deal.

Some of the demobilized fighters will be absorbed into the country's army and police, while others will be re-integrated into civilian life.

More than 5,200 Renamo fighters are to expected to surrender their weapons to the government.

The signing of the peace deal comes just two-and-half months before general elections scheduled for October 15 in the former Portuguese colony in southeastern Africa.

It also comes as Nyusi's administration is battling a jihadist insurgency in the north, which has claimed more than 250 lives since October 2017, and ahead of the visit to the impoverished country by Pope Francis in September. – Rappler.com

MOGADISHU, Somalia – The mayor of Somalia's capital Mogadishu has died of wounds sustained in a militant bombing attack on his office last month, the government said on Thursday, August 1.

Mayor Abdirahman Omar Osman died while doctors were treating his wounds at a hospital in Doha, a spokesman for the Somali president's office said.

Six people were killed and Osman was seriously wounded in the July 24 attack on a government building claimed by Al-Shabaab jihadists to have been targeting a UN envoy.

Abdinur Mohamed Ahmed, a spokesman for the president, said the mayor's death would "unite us" in the fight against the jihadists.

"We extend our condolences to the family and friends of the Mogadishu mayor, Abdirahman Omar Osman, and we share our grief regarding this painful death with the entire Somali public," he said in a statement.

The mayor and several others badly injured in the suicide attack by Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-linked militant outfit, were airlifted to Qatar for treatment.

The bombing occurred just hours after UN Special Representative for Somalia James Swan had been visiting the mayor.

Al-Shabaab were chased out of Mogadishu in 2011 but the capital is still hit regularly by the militants who have fought for more than a decade to topple the Western-backed Somali government.

Just days before the assault on the mayor's office a car bomb detonated at a checkpoint near Somalia's international airport, killing 17 people and wounding more than two dozen others. – Rappler.com