CHURCH OF THE LIVING DEAD
- Details
- Category: Teachings & Articles
- Published: Monday, 09 October 2017 07:31
- Hits: 4763
CHURCH OF THE LIVING DEAD
By Augusto A. Kho
On board Dagupan Bus to Cubao
October 5, 2017 (Thursday), 6:17 A.M.
October 08, 2017 (Sunday Preaching): 8:00 A.M.
Is there a hope for the dead?
(picture1)
Above photo from the internet
Why fellowship with the dead when you can do it with the living?
The “Church of the Living Dead” is inspired from three recent experiences that I have had.
First is from the vision of a zombie-like church which I received from the Lord last October 5, 2017 at 2:00 A.M
Second, on the same day at around 2:00 P.M., the facilitator of our meeting in Club Filipino who is linked to PMA and Malacanan asked, “In the next three months, should there be more bloodshed like civil war, are you prepared?”
Third is when we visited the ruins of the ancient Thyatira in June 11, 2017 which is one of the Seven Churches of Asia in the End Times that Apostle John have written. The old city was converted into a cemetery.
It reminded me just now about the vision I had today at 2 am. The vision goes like this:
“I was standing under a lofty tree overlooking a seemingly barren hilly battlefield ground. I saw some tanks approaching and people run for their lives for safer ground.
In a other scene, I was inside an empty church. The atmosphere is so eerie and very scary. I heard my heart pumped fast when I heard an approaching marching-like massive number of footsteps. I saw expressionless faced church-goers, both young and old, walking silently like zombies, all eyes staring blank.
In the four corner of the church has seemingly secret passageway, around 1 x 1 meters high as if made of fibre glass with one- way mirror. I saw a father of 4 seated in the front few closed to the church altar. He looked down at one of his young wards and started hitting the small boy left and right. His face is without an expression of emotion nor conscience nor knowledge of what he was doing. I saw other church goers inside that church displaying pale and expressionless faces yet raging so violently to others as if they were lunatics.
When I received that vision, fear runs all over my body. And I asked the Lord why? And what is the interpretation. The Lord gave me Ezekiel 21 and Zechariah. Both are prophetic books of the end times.
.
Book of Ezekiel
Ezekiel 21:9-12, “ Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD; Say, A sword, a sword is sharpened, and also furbished: 10 It is sharpened to make a sore slaughter; it is furbished that it may glitter: should we then make mirth? it contemneth the rod of my son, as every tree. :11 And he hath given it to be furbished, that it may be handled: this sword is sharpened, and it is furbished, to give it into the hand of the slayer. 12 Cry and howl, son of man: for it shall be upon my people, it shall be upon all the princes of Israel: terrors by reason of the sword shall be upon my people: smite therefore upon thy thigh.”
Sword is “chereb” in Hebrew i.e. drought, a cutting instrument from its destructive effect. Root word “charab” (khaw-rab) i.e. to be waste, lay waste, make desolate; be in ruins. Strong: to kill, to destroy. Sword is also the word of the Spirit. The Sword of God can be your form of weapon if not, as a weapon against you.
In Ezekiel chapter 21 alone, the word “sword” was mentioned 14 times.
(picture2)
Heb 4:12, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
“Terror by the reason of the sword,” says in verse 12. “Terror” from Hebrew “magar” (maw-gar) i.e. to yield up; to toss or throw.
Terror must be interpreted in the Greek etymological meaning according to our time. Like what is “terror” in Greek? It means “phobos.” And government can also sow terror (Romans 13:3) for political and personal benefits. Terror was sown against Christians during the reign of Emperor Augustus Caesar aka Titus between 39AD- 81AD. He was responsible for the persecution and execution of Christian martyrs in the Colosseo in Rome and burning the Temple on the Mount in Jerusalem on 70 AD.
Ezekiel is a priest and a prophet. It means “God strengthens” but Ezekiel is branded as the prophet of doom because he was given a scroll containing “funeral songs, words of sorrow and pronouncement of doom,” (Ezek. 2:9-10/ NLT). Book of Ezekiel is a prophetic book in line with the Book of Zechariah, Daniel, Joel and Revelation.
Book of Zechariah
Zechariah claimed, “The Lord gave this message… Return to me and I will return to you says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Don’t be like you ancestors who would not listen or pay attention when the earlier prophets said to them, ‘Turn from your evil ways..’ Where are your ancestors now” They and the prophets are long dead… In a vision during the night, I saw a man sitting on a red horse that was standing among some myrtle trees in a small valley. Behind him were riders on red, brown and white horses.” (Zechariah 1:1-8/NLT)
Red Horse
Th-4/ NLT, “When the Lamb broke the second seal., I heard the second living say, ‘Come’ Then another horse appeared, a red one. Its rider was given a mighty sword and the authority to take peace from the earth. And there was war and slaughter everywhere.” (This is almost the same what Ezekiel received from the Lord). Zechariah means “Jehovah remembers” is a minor prophet and a priest too like Zechariah. They are contemporaries of Nehemiah and Ezra.
While on board in this bus it reminds me of our recent trip again in Asia Minor, in the ancient city of Thyatira now called Akhisar. Thyatira is the 2nd smallest ancient ruins we saw, next to Philadelphia out from Seven Churches of Asia.
The ruins of Thyatira is in the middle of the modern cities now, surrounded with tabernas as well with commercial and residential buildings. According to our tourist guide, Miss Meltem, the local authorities would like to expand its archaeological explorations but most of the local residents refuse to sell their properties to them government. That is why the archaeological exploration is being put on hold.
The tourist guide ushered us to the fenced ruins together with archaeologist Mark Fairchild. We saw a few remains of broken columns and pillars including the marbled stone road. Ms. Meltem shared that shuddered me to dismay, "This Thyatira ruins is being preserved because it is converted into a cemetery." It is what it is now. Such a shock somehow concluded that it includes the Church of Thyatira which is now considered the " Church of the Dead. " Remember the TV horror-series, “The Living Dead”? Can be some of the Church today is the Church of the Living Dead?
(picture3)
Is the Church is dying or it is already dead?
Church of Ephesus
In Ephesians 5:14 / ESV, it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." God branded the Church of Ephesus like a "dead church." And how could that be?
Ephesus is the only city in the Seven Churches of Asia that has been awarded as "neokoros" for the next 4 consecutive times.
(picture4)
What is neokoros to them during that time? This rich city was visited at least four times no less by the Emperor of Rome, Emperor Hadrian. (See the Notes below). If you are a neokoros city, it means you must be a big and rich metropolis yet the spiritual condition of the people stinks as corpses. Take note in the Book of Revelation 2:7, this sleepy and dead church is sternly warned with this words, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches..” The word “hear” is very necessary.
Church of Sardis
Another "church of the dead" is Sardis.
"And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: 'The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. "'I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead,"
Revelation 3:1/ ESV. The Church of Sardis has a brand as "alive" church but on contrary, it is dead. It is like “church of the living dead!”
(picture5)
Dead Greek " nekros" means “deceased, departed ones whom soul is in heaven or hell, destitute of life, with life, spiritually dead, inactive, inoperative, a corpse.” That could be the reason why Jesus Christ encouraged a Pharisee named Nicodemus that he must be born again in the Spirit (John 3:3).
Sleepy church is a dead church?
Should the church slumber, can you call it a dead church? What is to be a sleepy? Let us take a closer look to the nation of Israel as God’s chosen one.
Isaiah 56:10-11, “His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. “
(picture6)
Characteristics of a Sleepy Church
Watchman are supposedly patrolling. Watchman in Hebrew “tsaphah” (tsaw-faw) means “to spy, to keep watch, to observe.” Watchman is likened to a security guard or security escort. So a watchman is completely sober, constantly on guard and a great observer, and most of all, never sleeps on duty. Isaiah describes a sleepy guard.
-
Blind
-
Ignorant
-
Like a dumb dogs
-
It never barks (to give warning)
-
Sleepy who loves to rest (most of the times, all the time)
-
Greedy, always never gets satisfaction.
-
Lacking in understanding (they cannot discern the seasons of God)
-
Self-centred
-
Love self-gain
Collectively, the Christian Evangelicals (collectively) never said a word on several social issues that plaguing this nation that can haunts the Church for eternity on these followings concerns, bills, and others.
The Church in general remained apathetic, unconcern, individualistic, ignorant, divisive, and gullible on these following issues:
-
Anti-SOGIE Discrimination Act
-
Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL)
-
Extra-Judicial Killing (EJK)
-
Federalism
-
“War on Drugs”
-
Martial Law
-
“Enemies of the State?”
Social relevance
You see plenty of grand churches who are busy in their ministries but lack social impact. I remember what former Governor Mdm. Co of Quirino Province asked me with this question, “Pastor, why the Church have lost her social-relevance?”
You ask pastors and church people from the evangelical side and you’ll get either a very, very poor insight or never have had a good moral and biblical stand.
Since the middle of 2014, I have been into “information dissemination” of the evils and unconstitutionality of these two bills – SOGIE and BBL. I got some responses and reactions but never favourable though and no continuing support or sustained concerted efforts from our side. Ignorance? May be. Or it more than that like “spiritual slumber and blindness, demonic clutches.” One multi-millionaire brother in the Lord even sarcastically stated, “Brother, what can you do? You’re merely a minority?” I said to him, “Small as you may call it, but what have you done?”
My advocacy from the evangelical side to support a strong “NO STAND” in Anti- SOGIE Discrimination Act and BBL have gone to deaf ears. Is it the Church is like a dog that never barks instead of giving warning to the incoming danger as prophet Isaiah have said?
A rich vibrant and massive church does not necessarily speak of a sound church. I’ve found that some (if not many) Christians today who commit church membership out from comfort and personal benefit. Just few seeks the Lord which church they should get sustenance from. Take the case of the Church of Ephesus.
Waking Up
Like any other I am susceptible of fear (phobos). During my fiercest moments of political squabbles, I was struck with much nervous breakdown and I always fear sleeping because I might not be able to wake up again. Should my eyes gone heavy and I was dosed to sleep, I would always wake up “thanking God” because I am still alive. That is when waking up turns an unexplainable job as mentioned in Psalm 127:2, “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.” So waking up is crucial to a dead church.
Of all the Seven Churches of Asia, Ephesus Church was the most vibrant church and a city. . But Paul described the church, a dead one. 5:14 says, “Arise from the dead.” Dead in Greek, “necros” meaning “corpse.”
" Wake up" in ESV is being interpreted as "watchful" in KJV in Greek" gregoreuo" i.e. “to give strict attention to," or " to take heed otherwise through remission and indolence destructive calamity suddenly overtake one," says Thayer. From origin of " egeiro" i.e. “to recall the dead to life." Waking up is therefore synonymous to resurrection.
Waking up is also mentioned in the prophetic Book of Revelation which is being addressed to the Church in Sardis. The only remedy for the dead church to be restored is to pay heed to the Lord's word. Revelation 3:2 (ESV) say, "WAKE UP!" "Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God."
That is why when someone had a fatal car accident or have had a stroke, doctors keeps the patient awake otherwise he might closed his eyes and sleep and might end up into coma (or hypnos) or physical death. The same thing goes to a church that are going through hard times. It must stay awake all the time at all cost.
Phobos & Deimos
Don’t you know that Filipinos now are living in fear according to the SWS recent survey? In other words, Phobos, the Greek god is there and here lurking in the corner looking for his prey? Who is Phobos & Deimos by the way?
Deimos was the son of Ares and Aphrodite. He is the twin brother of Phobos and nephew of the goddess Enyo who accompanied her brother Ares into battle, as well as his father's attendants, Trembling, Fear, Dread and Panic. Deimos is more of a personification and an abstraction of the sheer terror that is brought by war and he never appeared as an actual character in any story in Greek Mythology. His Roman equivalent was Formido or Metus.
Asaph Hall, who discovered the moons of Mars, named one Deimos, and the other Phobos - although the moons are very different and not twins like their namesakes.
On the modern monument to the battle of Thermopylae, Leonidas' shield has a representation of Deimos.
Filipinos on Phobos
According to the recent SWS Survey which was released on October 6, 2017 says
-
“7 in10 Pinoys fear getting killed in anti-drug war.” So Phobos, the Greek god of fear is here?
-
The so-called “Citizens National Guard,” have you read it? Does fear or phobos runs in your spines? If you don’t, then you are ignorant of the Constitution of the Philippines? Will it bring tyranny that is silencing one’s political enemies and to restrict the Freedom of Expression? No less than the Department of Injustice, OPPSS, Department of Justice is involved? Philstar reported it, please see “Notes” below.
-
Is democracy is DEAD in the Philippines? French word, TERRORISME, is the etymological meaning of “terrorism”. Can we call it “Deimos “Terrorism originally started from France when no less but the French Government sown “terror” to its own people. Shall we import that here in the Philippines?
-
Remember the defected US Internal Security Agency (ISA) American agent Edward Snowden? He spoke for the truth, yet the Obama Government branded him “enemy of the state” until he gone into hiding to fear (phobos) for his life. Will you and I be branded as an “enemy of the state” should we protest on injustice and unrighteousness? That is pretty scary (phobos).
Civil War.
While I received the vision of civil war on October 5, 2017 at 2:00 AM at exactly 2:00 PM of the same day when I had meeting with some people in Club Filipino. The people who I have had the meeting were not ordinary ones. They were CEO (chief executive officers) from both private firms and public offices.
A PMA-graduate opened the discussed with these, “Should there be a civil war in the next 3-6 months, are you ready?”
Ezekiel vision of the “sword” speaks of panic, fears, war and judgment. The vision of Zechariah (1:8) speaks of “red horse” who were “sent to walk to and fro” (1:10) are called “patrols” in NLT are “men of war” like Ares, the Greek god of war. Apostle John the Beloved whose vision is about the “red horse” also speaks of war, bloodshed and judgment.
While there is threat of political chaos if not civil war in our country, the Church of Jesus Christ remained sleepy and dead like a zombie-church that never understands nor discern the evil days ahead.
And how bad a Civil War is? Lebanon had civil war since 1975 yet up to now they have not recovered. Iraq and Syria had civil war up to this very day. Civil War, what does it means? It is when men like dogs eats one another. Civil is from Latin word “civilis” referring to people or humans. It is like the “Walking Dead” TV episode where zombies eats people. Civil War is when there is no rule of law and becomes tyrannical. It is WAR of PEOPLE. And no one leads in a civil war. It is the strong and witty who will survive
Observe, understand and pray what is happening in the Philippines. Update yourself with the current news, the daily occurrences all over this nation, the political condition, the economic climate, the spiritual state of the Church and all the religious sectors, the peace and order situation, and the hidden manna and revelations of the Scriptures, among many others. From there you will find insights.
The horrifying (phobos) sights of bloodshed and the foul-smelling odour of deaths (thanatos) are merely lurking on the four corners of the nation, spying on us and soon to devour us if we are not awake in the shields of prayers and of the Blood of the Lamb.
(picture7)
Thanatos
In time of war, there is no merely a casualties but deaths as well. That is when “Thanatos” comes to the picture. Who is Thanatos?
THANATOS was the god or personified spirit (daimon) of death. He has twin brother Hypnos (Sleep). Are clinically dead patients fall unto this category in the influence of Hypnos and Thanatos?
Violent death was the domain of Thanatos' blood-craving sisters, the Keres, spirits of slaughter and disease. The thousands of violent deaths of EJK’s on drug-related cases, are they falling on this stage?
War on Drugs
Is it war on drugs by the present administration is “three-in-one” thing? A three-some gods of the Greeks in the likes of Phobos, Deimos and Thanatos?
The “War on Drugs” has many loopholes. A drug-suspect falls on the ground lifeless even without given his very basic right – the right to be heard. It is a simple violation of Basic Rights under the Bill of Rights of Article III.
The Church with the exemption of the Roman Catholic Church is silent. PCEC have given their Position Paper on EJK’s but not collectively as an evangelical church. The stand of the Church is divisive.
Even the non-drug users are now scared of EJK’s after several deaths of minors starting from Kian whose death was sensationalized nationwide putting the PNP and the administration’s “War on Drugs” into a very bad light. Even the drug-free can easily be planted with evidence as one mother shared.
Some questions?
-
Is it “War on Drugs” is politically blown out of proportion to discreetly exercise tyrannical rule?
-
Is it “War on Drugs” is a justification of a pathologically deranged mind to justify massive thirst for blood? Or it is spiritual in nature like diabolically motivated like in John 10:10 i.e. to kill and to steal life from humans?
-
Is it “War on Drugs” is Nemesis like to sow terror and eventually inflict loss of lives to silence political enemies?
Should there will be a civil war, will this be politically instigated to cling power or to grab power? The cling power means that the present administration will hold on to power whatever it cost while to grab power will be from the “other side”. Alston said, “Power corrupts absolutely corrupts”.
(picture8)
Final Quest
By Rick Joyner
Book of Revelation is the final chapter of human history. After the birthing of the woman for the male-child fulfils the prophesy in Genesis Chap. 3. And that was exactly happened last September 23, 2017 that points to the Scriptures in Revelation 12 and Genesis 3:15 which is theophanic (visible manifestation of deity even in natural science like astronomical sights).
Rick Joyner’s “Final Quest.” It is a prophetic book of what is about to come in the End Times.
The book mentioned the “”hordes of hell” that will destroy the Church. This hordes of hell will jumps on Christians unaware and Christians will attack Christians.
(picture9)
Pastor Joshua, a Malaysian pastor gave me Joyner’s book in 2007 when I was in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia to preach in their church. But I did not read it although I brought it with me. Not until on late December 2011, God spoke saying, “Read Final Quest.”
When I opened its 1st page, I did not put it down anymore not until I finished reading it the whole night. Then I warned one of the Philippines’ largest pastoral movement that there will be great division, fighting and character assassinations among its members. I posted the warning in our website. Barely one month later, the splits and division came up to this very day.
Rick Joyner Book on “hordes of hell” is similar to the vision I saw last Thursday, October 5, 2017 that picture a “zombie church-like” or Church of the living dead.
Are we heading to the living dead?
WATCH THIS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMJMujPoa4Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF0fBKLh0A8
No fear
Phobos or fear is here to stay. There is phobos (fear) of death even among the living like you and me. Fear haunts everyone. Yet we can overcome it as long we know where we stands right in the Lord Christ.
Fear or no fear? But we should not fear anyone but to God alone who can bring our body and soul to hell or gehenna (Matthew 10:28). Hell or gehenna is a place of future punishment (Thayer).
1John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. “
Rom 8:14-16, “ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”
John 1:12 “But as many as received him, to them gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”
2Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Heb 13:6-8, “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me….Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”
The Lord is my helper and I shall not be afraid what man can do unto me… I gave you power to trample over snakes and scorpions… Spirit of Adoption (Romans 8); we are sons of God (John 1:12
1 John 5:4-5, “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? “
Hope for the living dead
Is there hope for the living dead church? Can a dead church live again? And how to revive dead church or dying church?
There is one case of resurrection during Christ’s time. Lazarus. Lazarus was dead for the past three day and his decomposing body must be smells very bad. Yet, it is the voice of the Lord Christ that brought Lazarus from death to life when the words of the Lords “Lazarus come out!” was spoken (John 11:43). Only the words of life can do that.
Scientifically speaking, a human ear is capable of hearing (and usefully discerning) anything from a quiet murmur in a soundproofed room to the sound of the loudest heavy metal concert. Such a difference can exceed 100 dB which represents a factor of 100,000 in amplitude and a factor 10,000,000,000 in power according to D. R. Campbell, "Aspects of Human Hearing,” (2011). Human ear have15,000-20,000 hair cells that can detect and amplify various sounds, then why can’t we hear God that way Lazarus a dead man heard the voice of Christ?
Divine voice of God may be rare these days but it can be heard even from the faintest sound from the heavens. Then why can’t we hear God who has the power to resurrect the dead?
Also Dr. Catherine Clark said that the last senses to go is hearing using electroencephalograms (EEGs).
(picture10)
In the case of the Church of Saris who was branded by Apostle John “ I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead,” Christ Jesus was still speaking to this “dead church” through the apostle. The church last senses according to Dr. Clark “that go” is the “sense of hearing.” There is still hope then for the dying or dead church to bring it to life. And this is what John the Beloved parting words to Sardis:
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches,” Revelation 3:6
The word “hear” from the Greek “akouo” means “to perceive the sense of what is said.” So as long the dying and dead can still hear the Voice of God and “understand” or “perceive” the “prophetic word” given to him or her can still be revived for life eternity. There is only one key of that divine voice. And who holds the key?
The only key
The only key for the Church of the Living Dead to unlock death to life is Christ. He alone holds the “key of hell and death,” (Revelation 1:18). The word “kleis” in Greek means “the authority to open and to shut.” Christ only has the key of thanatos (death). No one else has it.
NOTES:
-
Neokoros
A neocorate was a rank or dignity granted by the Roman Senate and the Emperor under the Empire to certain cities which had built temples to the Emperor or had established cults of members of the Imperial family according to “Neocorate". Encyclopædia Britannica. The city itself was referred to as neokoros (pl. neokoroi). A temple dedicated to the emperor was also called neocorate says Christopher Howgego, Volker Heuchert, Andrew Burnett. Starting in the 2nd century CE, the title appeared on many coins per reference Howgego, p. 127.
According to Steven J. Friesen, “Twice Neokoros" is a case study of the Cult of the Sebastoi that was established in the city of Ephesus by the province of Asia during the late first century C.E. Epigraphic and numismatic data indicate that the Cult of the Sebastoi was dedicated in 89/90 to the Flavian imperial family. The architecture, sculpture, municipal titles, and urban setting of the cult all reflect Asian religious traditions. The image of Ephesus was significantly altered by the use of these traditions in the institutions related to the Cult of the Sebastoi. Within the context of the history of provincial cults in the Roman Empire, the Cult of the Sebastoi became a turning point in the rhetoric of social order. Thus, the Cult of the Sebastoi served as a prototypical manifestation of socio-religious developments during the late first and early second century in the Eastern Mediterranean.
-
Phobos (systematic designation: Mars I) is the innermost and larger of the two natural satellites of Mars,[5] the other being Deimos. Both moons were discovered in 1877 by American astronomer Asaph Hall and they were named after Greek gods.
On "Mars: Moons: Phobos,” NASA Solar System Exploration. 30 September 2003 decribed Phobos is a small, irregularly shaped object with a mean radius of 11 km (7 mi) and is seven times as massive as the outer moon, Deimos.
-
PNP: Less than 7% of resolved homicides involved drugs
(philstar.com) | Updated October 4, 2017 - 1:41pm. The PNP has also filed 3,475 separate criminal charges against suspects arrested for the slay cases. File photo
MANILA, Philippines — Only 398 of 6,129 resolved homicides recorded between July 2016 to September 2017 are related to drugs, the Philippine National Police said.
According to the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management, 93.51 percent — or 5,731 — of homicides were found to have been related to other motives and circumstances.
-
Group alarmed by creation of 'citizens guard' against enemies of state
By Elizabeth Marcelo (philstar.com) | Updated October 4, 2017 - 8:30pm
Nanette Castillo grieves next to the dead body of her son Aldrin, an alleged drug user killed by unidentified assailants, in Manila on October 3, 2017. Philippines police officers who want to speak out about "extrajudicial killings and summary executions" in President Rodrigo Duterte's drug war have been offered sanctuary and legal help by the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church, which counts 80 percent of Filipinos as followers, has been one of the leading critics of the drug war and its offer to police on Monday was another step in its efforts to stop the killings.
Noel Celis/AFP
MANILA, Philippines — Progressive group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan or BAYAN Wednesday slammed Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre and Public Attorney's Office chief Persida Acosta over their show of support to the newly created "Citizens National Guard" which is supposed to protect the government against "yellowtards" and other "enemies of the state."
"Is the DOJ endorsing the formation of a vigilante group of retired and reserve officers under the Citizens National Guard? What is their basis in defining who 'enemies of the state are'? It seems that all critics of the regime are branded enemies of the state," Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes said in a statement sent via text message.
The PAO is an attached agency of the Department of Justice
-
7 in10 Pinoys fear getting killed in anti-drug war.
By LLANESCA T. PANTI, TMT on October 6, 2017 Top StoriesSeven in 10 Filipinos fear that they or someone they know will become victims of extrajudicial killings amid the government’s ongoing war on drugs, a Social Weather Stations (SWS) poll released on Thursday showed.
The Second Quarter survey, conducted from June 23 to 26, revealed that 73 percent of adult Filipinos polled fear that they or someone they know could get killed in the police’s anti-drug operations. Forty-one percent said they were very worried, while 32 percent were somewhat worried.
Also, 90 percent of those surveyed said suspected drug dependents should be captured alive.
The highest percentage of surveyed adults who want drug suspects captured alive is in Metro Manila at 95 percent, followed by Balanced Luzon and Visayas, 90 percent. The percentage in Mindanao was 86 percent.
But although many of those surveyed said they fear being killed, majority still believe that the Duterte administration is serious in solving cases of extrajudicial killings.
Only five percent said the government is not serious in resolving the drug-related killings.
The Second Quarter poll, a non-commissioned survey, was conducted before the death of three teenagers—Kian delos Santos, Carl Arnaiz and Reynaldo delos Santos. The survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults aged 18 years old and above nationwide, with 300 people surveyed each in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
-
SWS: Majority of Filipinos think ‘nanlaban’ victims didn’t really fight back
By Gaea Katreena Cabico (philstar.com) | Updated September 27, 2017 - 3:28pm
According to the survey conducted by Social Weather Stations, 54 percent of Filipinos believe that slain victims in police operations did not really put up armed resistance. Only 25 percent were undecided, while the remaining 20 percent disagreed. AP/Bullit Marquez, File
MANILA, Philippines — More than half of Filipinos believe that many of the victims killed by police in the government’s anti-drug campaign did not really put up armed resistance, contrary to the claims of authorities.
According to the second quarter 2017 study of the Social Weather Stations, 54 percent doubted the claims of cops that slain suspects fought back, with 20 percent saying they strongly agree.
READ: Albayalde: Interpreting Duterte 'kill' remarks up to cops' judgment
Twenty-five percent were undecided, while the remaining 20 percent disagreed.
Incredulity over the “nanlaban” reason is highest in Metro Manila at 63 percent. It is slightly lower in the rest of Luzon at 56 percent and in Visayas and Mindanao, both at 49 percent.
The very poor are more likely than the wealthy to disbelieve that slain victims put up armed resistance. Fifty-eight percent in class E, 54 percent in class D or the masa and 40 percent in classes ABC agreed with the statement.
According to the government’s #RealNumbersPH campaign's release as of August 29, there were 3,811 drug personalities who died in anti-drug operations since July 1, 2016.
READ: Flawed, fuzzy numbers in the war on drugs
However, human rights groups estimate a higher death toll, with more than 12,000 individuals killed in the course of the administration’s anti-narcotics campaign.
The study also revealed that nearly half (49 percent) of Filipinos think that many of those killed by police are not really drug pushers.
Twenty-seven percent were undecided, while the remaining 23 percent disagreed.
The number of people who believe that many of those killed during drug operation are innocent is higher in Metro Manila at 58 percent, followed by Visayas at 52 percent, Luzon at 48 percent and Mindanao at 45 percent.
Meanwhile, half of the Filipinos believe that false accusations of drug involvement lead to many police killings. Only 28 percent were undecided, while 21 percent disagreed.
A total of 1,200 adults—300 each in Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao—were surveyed using face-to-face interviews in the study that was conducted from June 23 to 26.
The survey had sampling error margins of ±3% for national percentages and ±6% each for Metro Manila, Balance of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
WATCH: Did Duterte encourage killing of drug suspects?
SWS: Most Pinoys believe drug suspects killed despite surrendering
By Ian Nicolas Cigaral (philstar.com) | Updated September 29, 2017 - 5:23pm
(picture11)
A police forensics operative sketches a drug suspect reportedly killed in a shootout with police in Santa Maria, Bulacan. Romeo “Boy” Cruz. PSN/File
MANILA, Philippines — Most Filipinos believe there were drug suspects who surrendered to authorities but were still killed, according to a survey by the Social Weather Stations.
In its poll conducted on June 23-26, SWS said 63 percent of 1,200 adults surveyed agreed that there were suspected drug personalities who were slain despite submitting to the police
COMMENTS:
If most of the Filipinos believe that drug-suspects were summarily executed despite of surrenders, that makes the government agency PNP a liar of their claim that the state is against EJK’s
-
The Last Senses
“The last senses.” Dr Katherine Clark is a staff specialist in palliative care at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney. She knows all about the common symptoms experienced by people on their deathbed. "Of course, each person's death is unique," she says. "So you might see only some of these symptoms or none of them."
According to Clark, a person in the last stages of life will typically sleep more. Even so, loved ones are encouraged to keep talking to them. "There's research based on electroencephalograms (EEGs) of people's brain waves that indicates hearing is the last sense to go."
-
The Brain before death
The Guardians dated August 12, 2013
What does it feel like to die? Most of us have no idea, but around 1 in 10 people who survive a cardiac arrest report having near death experiences (NDEs). These can range from relived memories to vivid experiences of light, sound, and emotion.
An interesting new study by Jimo Borjigin and colleagues at the University of Michigan, published in PNAS, may help explain what happens in the brain immediately before death. The researchers induced cardiac arrest in rats while measuring electrical activity in the brain using electroencephalography (EEG). What they found was remarkable: before death, activity in a particular frequency called the gamma band more than doubled in power compared to when the animals were awake.
These results are interesting because this pattern of brain activity is hauntingly familiar. For many years, gamma oscillations have been suggested as a hallmark of consciousness in the human brain. When we're consciously aware of a stimulus or recall a memory, waves of activity in the gamma band pass back and forth between the front and back of the brain.
-
“Enemies of the State?”
Aguirre, Acosta back new group against state 'enemies'
By Kristine Joy Patag (philstar.com) | Updated October 3, 2017 - 6:30pm
(picture12)
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II and chief public attorney Persida Acosta attend the launching on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017 of a newly formed group, the Citizen National Guard, that vowed to protect the government from its perceived detractors. STAR/Romina Cabrera via Twitter
MANILA, Philippines — Two top Justice officials have signified their support to a newly formed group, the Citizen National Guard, that seeks to battle "yellowtards" among other "enemies of the state."
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II and Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Acosta attended the launch of Citizen National Guard aiming to protect the government from its perceived enemies, namely:
-
ISIS-inspired terrorism
-
Communist party of the Philippines-New People’s Army
-
Drug cartels
-
Seditious political opposition (Yellowtards)
-
Foreign intelligence agencies generation international support for regime change
The PAO is an agency under the DOJ.
Aguirre lauded the group, adding that he, too, has created a similar body that aims to counter these "enemies of the state."
"This is extra official. In our own little way, we want to help them," he added.
President Rodrigo Duterte won the chief executive position promising war against drugs. Thousands have been killed under the bloody drug war, but critics have pointed out that drug lord has yet to be put behind bars.
Early in August, the communist National Democratic Front of the Philippines revealed an alleged plot of the US Central Intelligence agency to kill communist leader Joma Sison and Duterte. The Malacañang, however, dismissed the reports saying that it has "no basis" and is "pathetic."
Duterte, since the start of his term, have repeatedly cursed at the US—a long-standing ally of the Philippines—for supposedly meddling with his running the country. He has, however, adopted a friendlier stance recently recognizing that Washington had a hand in the Philippines’ liberation.
The term "yellowtard" is thrown around by internet users referring to loyal supporters of the Liberal Party, the political party of Duterte’s predecessor, Benigno Aquino III. It is a play between the yellow, the color associated to the moribund party, and retard, which indicates a delay in progress.
The label, however, has also been used by Duterte's supporters on any critic of the administration regardless of political allegiances. — with reports from Romina Cabrera
COMMENTS
Then Democracy is DEAD in the Philippines. TERRORISME, this French-word which it was originated is not imported to PHILIPPINES, PINOY STYLE.
Flakka
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMJMujPoa4Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF0fBKLh0A8