#JusticeForRommyTorres: Farmer fighting for a parcel of land found dead, stuffed in a drum

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Another day another innocent man loses his life.

Rommy Torres, a 52-year-old farmer in Norzagaray, was reported missing last February 3. 

Torres was found in a creek in Mabitac, Laguna on February 5. His body, ridden with gunshot wounds, had been stuffed in a blue drum.

Prior to his disappearance, he fought alongside fellow farmers to resist the Royal Mollucan Realty Holdings Inc.'s land-grabbing of agricultural lands in the area.

He joins the hundreds of farmers and peasant leaders who were murdered under Duterte's rule, for which justice is yet to be exacted. Join us tonight as we register our indignation against the persistent killings of farmers and peasants under Duterte's tyranny!

In 2019, Torres got into an altercation with an alias Kaloy, leader of the security guards who mauled an elderly farmer. In 2020, security guards of Royal Mollucan fired shots at Torres after he entered the fenced land to harvest banana and root crops. 

Torres reportedly went out early Wednesday morning to harvest bananas inside the fenced land being grabbed by Royal Mollucan and guarded by goons led by Salvador Domagtoy of NSD Elite Security Agency. 

Torres’ relatives filed a blotter and reported him missing on February 4 after he failed to go home.

On February 5, Torres was found dead and stuffed in a blue plastic drum in a creek in San Miguel, Mabitac, Laguna. 

The stench coming from the cemented drum led residents to discover the body of Torres. 

According to Mabitac PNP, he bore gunshot wounds in the mouth, chest, and back. He was hogtied and slid in a drum.

A farmer fighting against land grabbing and asserting his rights for a parcel of land was brutally killed, stuffed in a drum, and left to rot afar. Only monsters can commit this heinous crime.

Farmer-members of Sama-Sama are enraged with the brutal killing of Rommy. The farmers themselves often receive threats from the armed goons and guards of landgrabber Royal Moluccan.

Rommy was known in the community as a dutiful and good-humored farmer. Despite being reserved and quiet during peasant association meetings, he realized the importance of asserting and defending their right to the land they till.

Rommy was known in the community as a dutiful and good-humored farmer. Despite being reserved and quiet during peasant association meetings, he realized the importance of asserting and defending their right to the land they till.

In October 2019, the SAMA-SAMA farmers' houses were demolished and burned Royal Moluccan goons to force them to move out the fenced farm lots.

KMP, and SAMA SAMA maintains that the DAR Adjucation Board repeatedly favored Royal Moluccan in its decisions despite DAR issuing a Notice of Coverage for distribution as early as May 15, 2006.

THIS IS OUR COUNTRY NOW UNDER DUTERTE FASCIST REGIME.

pansin nyo ba, kapag may mga ganitong news, hindi na tayo nagugulat? It's because this administration conditioned our minds already to accept this as normal.

FUCCCKINGGG WAKEE UUUPPP!

Ganito nila gaguhin mga magsasaka, tapos magtataka tayo kung bakit ang daming rebelde. Tanga lang.

Dati pa nangyayari pero bakit hinahayaan nating mauulit? Nakasanayan na kaya okay lang? At may namatay tapos mema lang?

KATARUNGAN KAY ROMMY TORRES!

Itigil ang pamamaslang sa mga magsasaka.

Mariing kinukundena ang brutal na pagpaslang kay Rommy, 52, kasapi ng Samahan ng Magsasaka sa San Mateo (SAMASAMA). 

THE KILLING OF BULAKEÑO PEASANT IS FAR PAST THE LAST STRAW IN COUNTRYSIDE STATE VIOLENCE

The culture of impunity is made worse by Terror Law.

Duterte’s minions—soldiers, policemen, goons—are further empowered to commit red-tagging and killings.

#JusticeForRommyTorres

#JunkTerrorLaw 

#StopKillingFarmers

Smart Asset Managers Introduces SAM Koin and the SAM Merchant Acceleration Program (MAP)

Wazzup Pilipinas!

There are numerous advantages using digital currencies. Aside from being convenient especially during the time of the pandemic (as there's no need of any physical meetups), the transactions between parties without the need of any intermediaries, usually makes the arrangement more instantaneous and low-cost.

Monitoring is also a breeze since everything could be setup to pass through easily documented online security measures more advanced than just typically having a registered account with password. There are so many ways to authenticate the validity of transactions that we can say our money is safe and secured going through the online process.

Thus the people behind Smart Asset Managers (SAM) have also introduced to us their own digital "coins" called SAM Koins.

Yup! It's spelled with a "k" and not a "c" for whatever reason, it's bound to be more than just to be unique. It's made to stand out as they have implemented strategic ways to make their own currency thrive within their community of subscribers who are getting the first opportunity to experience these SAM Koins soon. Add to that the incentives existing subscribers will get with its initial launch to the market.

SAM Technical Director Erick Alvaro, who is part of top management, discussed this newest addition to their massive portfolio of offerings that are now slowly emerging as each day passes. They are a promising company with offers that are too good to miss so I quickly grabbed the opportunity as well immediately after his talk. I'm glad to say I'm now one of the subscribers of SAM, and soon will also get the chance to experience having the SAM Koins and hopefully be also part of their SAM Members Acceleration Program (MAP) which is the next big thing we will have to watch out.

I actually took videos of his full talk uploaded on our YouTube channel so you could check it out for a clearer and complete discussion of what both Join and MAP are. But before we proceed to inquire about MAP, let's focus more on the Koin as it's soon to be offered this February 8, Monday. Existing subscribers get to have an additional 30% if we buy at least $20 of the Koins within 20 days from it's introduction.Then the next few days will be reduced to a 20% , then 10% incentive.

https://youtu.be/igbgK0howgg

Erick explained about the Merchant Acceleration Program (MAP) on the first part of the video before proceeding with the SAM Koin discussion. You'll get a comprehensive idea about it by watching the video. I think it's best that I let the video explain since I'm also quite new with this particular technology though I've know about similar technologies for years already, I'm one of those people who hesitate in exploring new ventures especially when they're quite in their birthing pains.

Like any other investment, there are risks to consider so scatter our investments not just in one places but in many. That's taking precaution of our hard-earned money. So don't just take my word for it. Do your own research too.

I also interviewed fellow blogger John and his family about their SAM experience and with how they eagerly support this endeavor, I'd say they have made one of their best decision in their lifetime. I'm definite they'll also won't miss the SAM Koin opportunity too.

https://youtu.be/N2OGY14Gh6w

SAM Koins, like the other "coins" in the digital commerce could be used as good as cash from trading to payment of utility bills and many other uses especially when the collaboration with merchants, other establishments, etc., booms. After all, where else are we proceeding but towards this future of online currencies. The paper money is not yet going obsolete, but the digital version will be a lot more flexible and truly promising with more convenience.

Are you an existing subscriber, then continue your way towards a more fruitful investment by trying out this new offering from SAM. Who knows, it may be the next big thing that it will be frustrating not to be among the pioneers.

On the SWS survey showing that 9/10 Filipinos want priority for public and active transport on roads

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) recognizes the results of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey that showed Filipinos want priority be given to public and active transport on roads. We see this as proof that the face of transportation in the country is indeed changing, especially in this period that the country is grappling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We acknowledge this demand by the public, and it is in fulfilling this desire that the DOTr has been implementing projects geared towards providing commuters with access to faster, reliable, safe and efficient means of mass transportation; and to open infrastructure for active transportation such as walking and cycling.

In the works are several key mass transport systems and high-capacity public transport vehicles, to move more people while using less vehicles and occupying less road space.

In the railways sector, the DOTr and its attached agencies continue to pursue the construction, rehabilitation or expansion of several railway projects. These include the country’s first ever subway system. In fact, tomorrow, we are going to unveil to the public the 74-ton cutterhead of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) “Kaunlaran”, that recently arrived in the country.

We are also completing projects such as the extension of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 Extension from Metro Manila to Cavite— stalled for almost two (2) decades, but is now targetted for partial operations by the 4th quarter of 2021; the LRT-2 East Extension from Santolan to Masinag, which will be completed in April; the PNR Clark Phase 1 (Tutuban to Malolos), that is targeted for partial operations by 4th quarter of 2021; the Common Station, which is expected to be completed by the 4th quarter of 2021; the MRT-7 from North Avenue, Quezon City to San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan, shall be ready for partial operations by 4th quarter of this year and for full completion by 2022; and the MRT-3 rehabilitation, which is slated for completion in July 2021.

We have also pushed for the acquisition of new train sets for the MRT-3, LRT-1, and Philippine National Railways (PNR) lines to increase their respective capacities, among others. In fact, we now have four (4) 4th Generation LRVs out of 120 for LRT-1 and its Cavite Extension; three (3) new Diesel Hydraulic Locomotives (DHL) and fifteen (15) passenger coaches are now being used, and that which completes the PNR re-fleeting strategy in 2018 [37 cars/passenger coaches and 3 locomotives]. Further, the contract for the rolling stock of the Metro Manila Subway Project has been signed last December 2020.

Through these, the DOTr is putting in place mass public transportation as the principal means for mobility to reduce dependence on private vehicles, with the objective of reducing exhaust emissions, given that 70% of air pollution is from vehicle emissions.

Meanwhile, in the road transport sector, the shift to clean energy of public buses and other public utility vehicles has become more relevant and timely with the pandemic.

Thus, through the LTFRB, we are rationalizing routes and undertaking the Public Utility Modernization Program (PUVMP) to ensure order, efficiency, safety and protection of the environment through clean fuel use in public land transport.

We are gearing towards a public transport that has clean energy-powered public buses, particularly high-capacity electric-powered vehicles, to move people while using less vehicles.

We are also currently conducting the Service Contracting program to, not only help PUV drivers to make up for loss income during the restrictions, but also to upgrade the quality of public transport service they provide.

We are fully developing the EDSA busway in accordance with global standards to optimize its potential for moving commuters and for this purpose, work for the allocation of the required road space.

With a majority of Filipinos saying that active transport is possible in their localities, we, at the DOTr, are supporting and facilitating the use of other forms of mobility such as bicycling and walking.

For this purpose, we support the recovery of lost sidewalk space due to past car-oriented road space use policy, where roads were widened by encroaching on sidewalks and cutting down trees.

To take a notch higher, we are determined in our push for more infrastructure to serve the needs of pedestrians and cyclists.

At present, the DOTr is expanding bicycle lanes in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao under the Bayanihan 2 Bike Lane Networks project. Around 29 kilometers of bike lanes were already established to date. Before the year ends, we intend to add 140 kilometers of bike lanes to the country’s expanding bike lane network.

We are also actively pursuing the Bike Sharing Program with a total of 31 bike sharing stations already operational across Metro Manila as of February 2021.

The concept of a “walkable community” is also on top of our active transport list, with the EDSA Greenways Project Phase 1. The project aims to establish “greenways” or walkable nodes at different railway stations. It aims to serve 1.1 million pedestrians daily in 2023 and 1.2 million/day in 2051. Target partial operations of the project is by December 2021, and full operations by February 2023.

We are also pushing forward with the EDSA Busway Bridge with Concourse Project which will assist pedestrians in safely crossing EDSA as they alight from the designated bus stops along the thoroughfare.

Outside Metro Manila, we are promoting public and active transport on roads through the establishment of bus systems.

In Cebu, the DOTr is pushing for the partial operability of one of the crucial segments (Package 1) of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (Cebu BRT) within 2021. DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade ordered a 24/7 construction work schedule for the project. The Cebu BRT’s Package 1, which covers the 2.6-kilometer busway, with four (4) stations, urban realm enhancement, and vital intersection improvements, is already at the procurement stage.

In Davao, a modern high priority bus system shall provide an efficient, world-class, and affordable mode of transportation through the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project (DPTMP). We are likewise targeting its partial operations this year as the parcellary works are currently ongoing following the awarding of its contract.

These projects prove that the DOTr is indeed looking forward to serve more commuters with better mass transport option, and is in full support of the government’s thrust to enhance mobility and connectivity through the provision of mass transport infrastructure across all transport sectors in the country.