Police to escort COVID-19 vaccine delivery to inoculations sites

POLICE teams will be deployed to escort the delivery of coronavirus vaccines to the inoculation sites, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Wednesday. DILG Undersecretary Jonathan E. Malaya, in a statement, said the Philippine National Police (PNP) will remain on “high alert” despite assurance from communist rebels that they will open a “humanitarian corridor for safe and unimpeded” delivery of coronavirus vaccines to the countryside. The police have been directed to coordinate with local government units (LGUs) to ensure the security of the vaccine supply, he said. The Armed Forces of the Philippines chief earlier said all land, air, and water assets of the military will be used in the vaccination drive. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Supreme Court chief says Aetas’ petition dropped due to pending case

THE petition-in-intervention of Aeta farmers Jasper Gurung and Junior Ramos in the anti-terror law cases was denied “because there is already a pending case before (a) trial court,” Chief Justice Diosdado M. Prelate explained Wednesday. The message was sent to reporters through Supreme Court Public Information Officer Chief Brian Keith F. Hosaka in a Viber message. When asked for more details, Mr. Hosaka said to “wait for the actual resolution of the court.” The high court announced the denial of the two Aetas’ petition to intervene in the 37 petitions seeking to declare the Anti-Terrorism Act as unconstitutional during the second oral arguments on Tuesday. Messrs. Gurung and Ramos were charged and jailed under Section 4(a) of the Anti-Terror Law or for “engaging in acts intended to cause death or serious bodily injury to any person, or endangers a person’s life.” — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

Immigration bureau reminds aliens to register by March 1

FOREIGNERS with immigrant and non-immigrant visas have until March 1 to renew their registration as the Bureau of Investigation (BI) announced on Wednesday that the deadline will not be extended. “This year’s annual report of aliens will not be extended,” BI Commissioner Jaime H. Morente said in a press release. Under the Alien Registration Act of 1950, foreigners with immigrant and non-immigrant Philippine visas are required to “report in person to the bureau within the first 60 days of every calendar year.” Those who are out of the country during the 60-day period are given 30 more days upon their return. Failure to do so “may result in fines, visa cancellation, deportation, or imprisonment,” Mr. Morente warned. BI Spokesperson Dana Krizia M. Sandoval said measures are in place to ensure observance of health protocols at immigration offices nationwide. An online appointment system is available for the BI headquarters in Manila. BI Alien Registration Division Chief Jose C. Licas said as of January, 77,303 aliens have already reported, 10% less than the 86,683 who complied last year. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

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