International, Law Enforcement, Technology

Philippines Bans Importation Of Chinese-Made Suction Climbing Apparatus!

May 15, 2023 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

A member of the SWAT unit uses a climbing device to climb a high-rise building.

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – The Philippines’ Bureau of Customs, upon recommendation of the Philippine National Police, has banned the importation of a Chinese-made suction climbing apparatus.

The new device was recently unveiled at the 11th China International Police Equipment Exhibition. The demonstration was done by a member of the Chinese SWAT team.

The principle of operation is based on the use of negative pressure when air is sucked in by suction cups and then attached to the wall.

Customs Chief Bienvenido Y. Rubio told Adobo Chronicles’ chief geopolitics reporter Brian Neyra that the Philippine government is afraid that the climbing equipment could be used by members of Akyat Bahay syndicates to perpetuate their criminal activities.

Akyat Bahay refers to the modus operandi of criminals to climb and enter private residences to steal valuables and property.

“With the climbing device, not even high-rise condominiums which abound in the country will not be spared from thieves,” Rubio said.

Moral of the story: Spider-man is not welcome in the Philippines!

Health & Medicine

Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong The Next Health Secretary?

May 15, 2023 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Baguio Bureau) – It’s been over a year since Bongbong Marcos was elected the 17th president of the Philippines. His election came on the heels of the Covid-19, with his campaign promise of leading his country to full recovery from the negative socio-economic effects of the pandemic.

Today, a Health Secretary is still missing from his Cabinet.

If Marcos is looking for a forward-looking, risk-taking Health Secretary with lots of political will, he may have finally found it in Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, once the country’s Covid contact-tracing Czar under President Rodrigo Duterte.

Now, just as the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that Covid-19 is no longer a global emergency, and countries significantly easing their Covid restrictions, the Philippines is reporting a rise in Covid-19 cases.

But leave it to Magalong to step up and take up the cudgels for the country’s continued vigilance against the return of Covid. He has issued an Executive Order reinstating the mandatory wearing of face masks in his city, particularly in establishments and crowded venues. He is leaving no stone unturned.

And President Marcos is impressed. Our fly-in-the-wall contact at the presidential palace tells us that Magalong is now the frontrunner to be the new Health Secretary.

This is a developing story.