The View of the Animals/Strays in the Philippines

Dear Carla Abellana, you posted something about a dog you had to be buried in and you said to us that be that someone —that someone who will take the initiative of rescuing. Like don't hope for somebody to do it, because you're that "someone". I failed thrice. I can't do anything except to ask for help to our barangay and pray. They even failed for the second time too. I cannot contain them. I don't own the place where I currently live. I don't have the decision power to do so. We have 2 dogs that might get infected from the new guy, but I left her there trembling in agony. She was in pain from the hit and run orange trycycle in our street. At the very moment I was leaving the house, every rider and witness stopped to see if the dog was okay. Everyone left when she ran away, but I followed her. She has a few cuts, but she looks fine: neat, and clean. I thought maybe she was owned by somebody. I didn't know what to do, so I left there on the pavement as I had to run some errands. Though, I get back to check her again. She seemed so strong, but a few hours later that night, that's the moment I saw her shaking. She's not okay. What I did is to ask for help to our Barangay Facebook messenger. Left my name, my address and a picture of complaint. There was a template to follow. It’s difficult not to notice that the page had time to post promotional content, yet a basic concern sent through the same page remained unaddressed. Mine was way 3 hours early. "DAPAT TALAGA INA-ABOLISH NA ANG LGU-Barangay System." (For which I always see this in the news feed.) Why did I have to include this infamous statement?! In the United States of America, a single 911 phone call from a witness can lead to charges against a person who committed a crime or allow authorities to respond immediately to negligence. It is easy, fast, and smooth. Police respond right away, and no paperwork is required before action is taken. You know why I didn’t call 122 or 911? Because they will almost always tell you to go back to the barangay if the incident involves people who live in the same barangay. And lastly, there's no punishment when the driver hit a "stray dog". Yes! Poor animals. Now, they didn’t even bther to verify if the crime that was reported had really been committed. I am an interested witness. A part of a government who doesn't take the initiative of pursuing a case. Requests from certain individuals were acted upon, while other complaints were not acknowledged despite being submitted earlier. These experiences raised concerns for me about how requests are prioritized. I once saw them post about a free check-up program that requires few attendees, and it was posted just an hour before closing. So the list is probably already filled up yesterday or even a week earlier. Seeing frequent posts about activities and awards, while unresolved complaints remained unanswered, raised concerns for me about how the page’s priorities are reflected. Well of course for formality. You see, I was that somebody in that moment, but I failed to be that somebody. I don't even have extra funds. If I do, our dogs need immediate care too. Molly has epileptic seizure and hip displaxia. What I know is that dog was 100 percent owned by somebody, because she's too tidy and well kept. The LGU is the only one I can think of that’s supposed to help meet the community’s basic needs. They could have posted about it and looked for the owner. But all I did was try to control my anger in our chats. It was already midnight, and they didn’t even bother to check my complaint. Welcome to the Third World style of leadership. From the top down to the lowest level. Well you were rich kasi. It's just so easy to decide. A lot of animal shelters are on the verge of shutting down because they can’t manage anymore. One shelter said they could raise ₱61,000 a month from subscribers to support 1,000 rescued cats and dogs, and that amount would be enough for them to survive. Imagine, based on a political analyst’s calculation of the ongoing corruption in the DPWH: if they can steal billions of pesos in a year, that means they’re actually stealing about ₱2.7 million a day. A fookin day! 61k lang kaya na in month for 1000 rescues. I didn't do my best. I'm still a failure. She was there alone as I wrote this at 22:57. They say not to depend on the government, especially if you’re living in a messed-up country. But I still have wishes. I wish to strengthen the Animal Welfare Act. I wish for government funding for all legitimate animal shelters, especially those that have been rescuing for more than five years. Just to prove their credibility and dedication. And one long-time wish: to finally find somewhere where my furrypets are safe. This place was never my home. This experience stayed with me and influences how I view prioritization of complaints today.

...

Dear Mother Earth, I’m sorry. This is a test of failed vibration—I chose this. Speaking of energy, vibration, and frequency, the power of synchronicity is just too strong for me. I posted something about braking for animals with the caption, “Brake, like you’re licensed to drive. Duh!” And VIOLA, RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY FACE! The universe tested me the very next day. Furthermore, ... guess what! The Civil Service Commission has introduced a new way of granting eligibility for LGUs. The SK officials will receive theirs after just a minimum of three years in service. It's way too unfair for a private individual needs to pass the hard exam of CSE just to be promoted or even get hired. During the pandemic, my brother and I were listed for Pfizer vaccination. We waited for several hours, but were eventually told to go home. Later, we learned that the available Pfizer doses had already been given out and the supply was exhausted, so we were not vaccinated that day despite being on the list. Afterward, we heard from people in our area that some individuals had already received Pfizer even though they were not on the original list. This information came from personal conversations, not from official records. Because of this, questions naturally arose for us about how the distribution was handled. However, we do not know the full details of what happened internally. To end the great despair they have caused me, I do not want to generalize everyone in that barangay. They have also done good things. However, when you are in public service, there is no such thing as “We're just peoplelearn from mistakes.” Perfection must be applied. There is a clear distinction between situations meant for learning and those that demand accountability.

...

If you can internalize what I mean, this is not a regular complaint that can simply be adjusted through a suggestion box. A crime has already been perfected. Negligence was witnessed by many, and lives were at stake. These are not just pests roaming around our community.

They still ignored me and did nothing further. That is still wrong. Whoever handled that public Facebook page so irresponsibly, along with the other incompetent public servants involved—justice and karma never sleep.

Civil Service Eligibility is a must to every person who employed in public service. It's a test for someone who fits in greater responsibility. When this is ignored, public trust is destroyed, which made me feel so disillusioned that I'd already now loathe and leave this place. It is deeply saddening that someone who has lived here for decades is now itching to get the hell out of here. This experience during the pandemic is one of several instances where I felt concerns about how lower government functions. 

This country is truly a wonder of “backward progress.” So many applicants are doing their very best to pass the exam. Some have been trying for over ten years, taking it multiple times just to qualify for a decent position. And many passers still can’t even get a government job. The problem is obvious, and we all know who’s suffering. The voiceless. Should I file a case for the driver and hope for the barangay to assist me? The results were very clear. I can't manage to have my own animal shelter. I was thinking about it too but —I'm probably a "nobody". I don't know; I just can't. I write for my frustrations, my story and my experience, but what I do know is I possess some powerful karma. I can even sense how things can unfold. I don't do spells; I only pray. Karma will serve tenfold. Pray hard driver. Swear to my highest vibration that it will happen. Not just this current situation, but even their past for I am certain of a revelation. Now I leave her that night and I knew she's still there. "I pray for you to get home and be healed." I'm not just ready but this is the start of becoming somebody. 

Just journalling. 

Update: Seen since Friday (October 11, 2025, 22:09 PM). By Monday, three days later, there was still no reply up to now.

My good morning is standard way of my greetings. I came from business and investment career. Analyze the photo. After the trauma, the dog stayed hidden in broad daylight, unable to move. Hours passed, and she was still there, shaking.

In this scenario, how am I supposed to know that the messages were scripted and not written with any human intelligence? They didn’t even acknowledge my concern by assuming with the wrong reply. Means, this templated messages were designed for a public response. The moment I include the word “aso”, they replied instantly with a long paragraph, and that was the last response. After that, I was left on seen for hours.

I don't have any concrete evidence that they truly left me hanging because, I can pretend that I erased their reply by 22:09, but they definitely chose nothing to say. In good faith, I solemnly swear that everything I said here is true and based on facts.

 

See the time, I was just so concerned about the dog and tried reaching out to them at 19:16. My message was sent hours before it was seen. During that period, the page was active and posting other content.

*Screenshots shown for documentation purposes only. Barangay name intentionally withheld. Names, brands, and identifiers have been intentionally concealed to protect privacy and avoid misidentification. This is shared to highlight concerns about responsiveness in public service, not to accuse any specific individual or entity. All are from an observable facts not an accusations. This is an advocacy writing mainly to raise voice for the voiceless, our animals friends. Framed as concern, not character attack. But let us focus on the title of this article. Everywhere—even among some private individuals—this is the prevailing view of our poor animals, and it is a mindset that must be changed.

*This is a screenshot of my own message to a barangay page that remained unanswered despite being seen. I am sharing this to highlight the need for better responsiveness from local government channels. To clarify that no human response occurred. After sending my complaint, I received an automated response requesting details. I complied with the instructions. No further response was received. It's the fact, it's my experience and it's my concern both for the animal, and for the entire government who takes action so gradual for the welfare of everyone.

"Bawat segundo lumilipas mayroong biktima ang nawawalan ng karapatan (RIGHTS), proteksyon, kaayusan (ORDER), tiwala (TRUST), kinabukasan (FUTURE), at hustisya (JUSTICE) dahilan sa wala, outdated, o mahinang batas." - by me.

Please be advice that the title is meant for the Philippine law. When the victim died, the alleged murderer can still be bailed out. There are several cities who already made their initiatives like Angeles City for "no kill shelter" in their pound and Cebu City for catch, vaccine, neuter and return. (CVNR) Program. 

As I'm done writing this, this was shown from my news feed. My prayers and voice are already answered. For this is the only hope and miracle that we can do. Funds for shelters are on its way. Thank you Universe. 🧿😇

"The ₱10 Million funding was initiated and recommended by Sen. Pia Cayetano and as Vice Chairperson of the Sub Committee defending the Agriculture Budget to which Animal Welfare programs fall under, I supported the funding and endorsed the same to our Finance Committee Chairman, Sen Win Gatchalian, who in turn endorsed the same as well. 

It was a team effort with Sen Pia as main proponent. Team work, works!" - Kiko 

As of January 4, 2025, another LGU and GOV body of the Philippines have done something really triggering your nerves.

Department of Social Welfare (DSWD) was so proud in their operation or program for the homeless without thinking that this woman has its own family with her. They don't even have protocols or plans for this situation. They just summoned the lady without her dog and left ASTIG in a hands of LGU/Barangay. After detaining her for 4 days in Marikina, the lady came back begging and crying to release the cctv footage where could lead her dog to be found. 

If I was the lady, I will file an Illegal Detention against them and negligence for the Lgu. Instead of the welfare she expected from their so-called proud operation, she received depression instead. Imagine world, this is how they see the voiceless in this country. They don't have power, confidence and knowledge to fight for their rights. It's the government that we who should trust. And they have failed us again. No wonder we really need Civil Service Eligibility for this kind of job. Someone who has BRAIN, ACCOUNTABILITY and INTEGRITY for the welfare of everyone.

Added as of January 10, 2025.

See how some LGUs are pain in the ass. Instead of helping, they intentionally harass people through pressure and even police visits. The government should be the number one institution that eases our problems—especially in cases like this, which are advocacies, not businesses.

This is an establishment built by private individuals to help clean and organize our environment by rehoming strays. It is an advocacy not only for the safety of our public roads, but also for caring for Mother Nature. All creatures in this world are worthy of living on this planet Earth. We are not special beings—we share this world and help maintain a healthy ecological balance for one another.

Animal Welfare Act is not just for strays.

Another case of animal cruelty I found on social media. Yes, I do not have personal knowledge of the crime, but this awful content-creator wannabe proudly shared the video in multiple public groups, including Buy & Sell groups, purely to gain engagement—views, popularity, and possible earnings.

Here's the quick story:

Many people witnessed this video. Including myself, I tagged and commented on PAWS, DENR, Grace Poe, and Norman Marquez, and I even asked for help from a well-known blogger page. Only one responded—Sir Norman Marquez and his team. They provided me with guidelines on how to report an animal cruelty case and educated me about animal welfare laws.

Unfortunately, as witnesses—especially just netizens who have no personal knowledge of the crime, did not witness the incident live, and only saw a video uploaded on social media—our evidence alone is not considered sufficient or fully admissible in court. 

Please keep in mind na I obtained the video from FB social media as a public post. Kaya pansinin ang shares, that content-creator wannabe did that. As a witness, the uploader shared it nga to public groups and that's the reason it popped out in our news feed. Lots of people even commented, "IGNORANCE OF THE LAW EXCUSES NO ONE." Hindi lang po strays, aso, or pusa ang sakop ng (R.A. Animal Welfare Act, as amended), even farm animals are covered and must be handled with proper care, ethical, and legal procedures. Of course, if you chose to be a PUBLIC FIGURE or a content creator, you are accepting opinions from the public from your works and this is my response to them.

Based on the video, I think it's a snake—mating. After most of us commented and tagged authorities to report it, they blocked me — and likely blocked others. I do not know whether it was truly this person and their friends, who were laughing in the video and who mutilated the snake. Upon checking their content, some of thier posts appear to be 100% stolen from other vloggers. ("Stolen or Nakaw na videos" came from typical term for no originality works for their content.) For this reason, we are protecting this person’s identity, as they could have helped by reporting where they even got it and by revealing the true murderers behind the scene. So we're wrong to quickly judge this content creator. (The dialect was recognized to what country is this.) However, if it was truly them and their accomplices, it is utterly nauseating that seemingly grown adults would find entertainment in torturing an animal and on the other hand, for content creator who find it amusing? —Nakakadiri!

The Data Privacy Act (RA 10173) mainly protects personal data that is private, confidential, or restricted, not information intentionally exposed to the public.

*Even if you didn’t blur the uploader, consent is implied because they shared it publicly.

Use social media to educate and to embody a good role model for the next generation. Be a good citizen for the future of our country. If you like entertainment, yes—you may—but not like this.

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/cqJTX2OJvVI?si=uKlzTyq9jxwLrBa5

A.I. Google Overview

{The main animal welfare law in the Philippines is Republic Act 8485 (Animal Welfare Act of 1998), which prohibits cruelty, neglect, and torture, regulating animal care, trade, and research, later strengthened by RA 10631 (2013) with stricter penalties and pet owner responsibilities like registration and vaccination, establishing a framework for humane treatment but facing implementation gaps that prompt ongoing legislative efforts for a more robust law. 

Key Provisions of RA 8485 & 10631:

Prohibition of Cruelty: Makes it illegal to torture, neglect, or maltreat animals, including prohibiting dog/horse fighting. ....}

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https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/2/58330

This advocacy journal is made is for PUBLIC AWARENESS, A PUBLIC INTEREST for the welfare of our society. A CALL for the law makers. A voice for the voiceless. No intention of demafing an alleged abuser, but a justice I can give for this case that will never be ever heard. I tried to reach out. I volunteered to make things legally right. My screenshots are not admissable for the court.

“Some of them are stealing 1 billion peso a year. More than. And if you're stealing 1 billion a year, you're stealing ₱2.7 million a day,” - Mayor Benjamin Magdalo

Imagine an animal shelter that can support and manage 700 dogs and 300 cats through its subscribers, accumulating ₱61,000 a month. (Based on their estimated amount but could be inaccurate.) You see, if only we had laws that truly protect them—especially through proper budget allocation—we could save countless living creatures. Amending the law to strengthen protection and impose harsher punishment is the first step toward instilling discipline. Sadly, some people do not know right and wrong until a case is filed or a conviction is made.

See, every second that passes, there is a victim of poor laws—someone who lacks rights, protection, and receives only a limited amount of justice.

As of December 16, 2025, there is an update on the case of Axle, the American Bully who was brutally beaten to death simply for urinating. The Philippine National Police (PNP) of Sandanga Municipal Station has made a final decision to pursue the case for the third time, after the dog’s owner refused to continue filing the case in exchange for ₱100,000. The owner himself is corrupt. It is the voiceless who do not want to be hurt or to die. If only they could speak, they would fight back. It was the murderer who caused the loss of life through a dangerous act—one that may be linked to dark impulsiveness that must be addressed. When ignored, this behavior endangers everyone, not just animals.

Thank God, Axle, Justice is on its way!

"He who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with men. We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant

People of the world, would you let someone who have done unbearable acts in liberty? To live with public? In psychology, a deterrence theory, If criminals think there’s only a slim chance they will be caught, even very harsh punishments are ineffective as a deterrent. 

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https://nij.ojp.gov/library/publications/five-things-about-deterrence?utm_source=chatgpt.com

"Visible, certain consequences — especially a real likelihood of being caught — are what reduce crime."

^

https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/five-things-about-deterrence

In simply explanation: Deterrence theory (Nagin; NIJ): people are less likely to reoffend if they believe they will be caught/punished — if consequences are absent or uncertain, the deterrent effect weakens and repeat offending becomes more likely.  

I can’t let this video pass in silence. If others can move on, I simply cannot, because I am deeply concerned for the well-being of our nature. I even became a 100% vegetarian for almost two years. However, my health declined severely, so I had to include white meat and simple protein-based foods such as butter, eggs, cheese, and milk. I am grateful that I stopped eating red meat entirely. That is how serious I am about this. Animals are friends, not food.

> “All identifying information has been intentionally obscured. This post focuses on the act shown, not on any individual: To strengthen the law, to protect animals welfare and to educate weak-minded." Last reminder: This story is not to target the content creator. The Facebook profile was shown just to elaborate the entire story primarily on the education about being a responsible public figure and to show some of its creations are borrowed, not originally edited. This is an advocacy writing. The fight for the abuse and to call the attention of our lawmakers to amend a better law for all of us. The maximum penalty for animal cruelty is only three years, and it is bailable even if the animal victim is already dead.

Rest in peace poor snake. 

(I don't think the snake will survive for long.)

P.s. What happened to Axle can happen here. This case can be filed because there is an actual victim who died. Justice and Karma never sleep.