We are sorry, the requested page does not exist
Philippine scientists harassed by China helicopter
Another case of harassment at sea by the Chinese has been reported – this time near Pag-Asa Island last Saturday – involving a helicopter, which hovered dangerously close to a group of Filipino scientists doing research work on a sand bar called Sandy Cay, causing minor injuries......»»
‘Trade with China should continue’
The Philippines should continue to pursue stronger trade ties with China despite rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea, according to the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. and the Department of Trade and Industry......»»
Philippine scientists harassed by China helicoper
Another case of harassment at sea by the Chinese has been reported – this time near Pag-Asa Island last Saturday – involving a helicopter, which hovered dangerously close to a group of Filipino scientists doing research work on a sand bar called Sandy Cay, causing minor injuries......»»
Philippines resupply boat heavily damaged
Again, using water cannons and executing dangerous maneuvers, the Chinese coast guard made another attempt yesterday to block Filipino vessels from resupplying a military outpost on the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, causing “major damage” and triggering condemnation from the US, the European Union and Japan......»»
US condemns China’s latest aggression in WPS
The Philippines reported on Saturday that the Chinese Coast Guard blocked and damaged a Filipino supply boat with water cannons while it was on its way to Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal), causing injuries to personnel onboard......»»
Philippines resupply boatheavily damaged
Again, using water cannons and executing dangerous maneuvers, the Chinese coast guard made another attempt yesterday to block Filipino vessels from resupplying a military outpost on the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, causing “major damage” and triggering condemnation from the US, the European Union and Japan......»»
Chowking Brings Halo-Halo Land to Cebu for 2024
Chowking has officially done it again. The Filipino-Chinese fast food chain has once again reinvented summer with another year of Halo-Halo Land in partnership with SM Supermalls, showcasing their new super-sangkap, kumpletong lamig-sarap Halo-Halo Supreme. Halo-halo is a Filipino staple. Its variety of ingredients dances on the pallet of your tongue as it gives you.....»»
Viral OTS screening officer relieved
The Office for Transportation Security confirmed on Thursday that the female security screening officer involved in the theft of $300 from a departing Chinese national passenger at NAIA Terminal 1 has been relieved. According to OTS administrator Ma.O Aplasca, the footage from the CCTV camera is clear and was used as basis to prove the passenger’s complaint about the loss of money in his wallet when he went through the final security check. However, the OTS chief refused to name the 28-year-old female OTS personnel because they have to conduct a follow-up investigation on who the accomplices were in the robbery. The OTS initially hid the incident of theft involving their SSO, but the said issue erupted after some OTS staff spoke to the airport in-house media because they also sympathized with the robbery issue. Reports disclosed that the incident happened on 8 September and the OTS did not release it to the media for almost two weeks, giving the reason that the investigation was still ongoing. Meanwhile, the Manila International Airport Authority expressed dismay at the incident as MIAA officer-in-charge Bryan Co issued a warning that any airport frontliners whose actions undermine MIAA’s efforts to improve service standards at the airport have no place in the NAIA. The OTS, on the other hand, was instructed by the Department of Transportation to file the requisite charges against the security screening staff. In other developments, some senators on Thursday were one in saying that unscrupulous activities of airport officials at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport must be put to an end. In separate statements, Senators Grace Poe, Joel Villanueva and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa demanded an investigation into the new scheme of airport screening officers to steal valuable items from passengers at the country’s main gateway. Poe, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Services, condemned the incident which she described as “infuriating and embarrassing.” “It seems that they [airport officials] never run out of gimmicks to steal money at the airport,” she said referring to the viral video. Villanueva echoed the same sentiment, adding that the incident would drive tourists away from visiting the country. For his part, Dela Rosa said the OTS and DoTr should work hand in hand to “get to the bottom of this newly discovered modus operandi at NAIA.” “We are hurting our own reputation before the international arena if this crime is not being addressed immediately,” Dela Rosa said. With Jasper Dawang and Jom Garner The post Viral OTS screening officer relieved appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senators want probe over ‘never-ending gimmicks’ of airport officials at NAIA
Unscrupulous activities of airport officials at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport must be put to an end, senators said Thursday. In separate statements, Senators Grace Poe, Joel Villanueva, and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa demanded an investigation into the new scheme of airport screening officers to steal valuable items from passengers at the country’s main gateway. Poe, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Services, condemned the incident which she described as “infuriating and embarrassing”. “It seems that they [airport officials] never run out of gimmicks to steal money at the airport,” she said referring to the viral video involving an Office for Transportation Security personnel who was seen swallowing $300 that she allegedly stole from a Chinese passenger at the NAIA Terminal 1. She noted that the CCTV footage of the incident may not be able to capture the whole story. “There are reports indicating that the OTS personnel was ordered to do that to avoid being caught. That means that she might have cohorts there,” she said. Poe expressed hope that the authorities would immediately identify those involved in the criminal activities in the airport. “We ask the airport security office to properly vet applicants and reinterview existing employees to determine their qualifications and evaluate their performance,” she said. “The airport leadership should immediately investigate, file cases and fire employees found involved in criminal activities. Those who violate the law must be punished at once,” she added. Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva echoed the same sentiment, adding that the incident would drive tourists away from visiting the country. “How to ‘Love the Philippines’ if we are like this?” Villanueva said. “How can we convince tourists to love the Philippines if upon their arrival here their safety is already at risk?” “Let us give them a happy experience, not a horror story,” he added. Villanueva called on the Department of Transportation to look into the matter and file cases against those who are proven involved in the scheme. “We need to know if she has accomplices in committing crimes to end the mafia of erring officials in the airport,” he said. He also urged the department to conduct retraining and assessment programs for airport personnel. “They also need to be more careful in accepting applicants to ensure that the government is not employing thieves,” he added. For his part, Dela Rosa said the OTS and DoTr should work hand in hand to “get to the bottom of this newly discovered modus operandi at NAIA.” “We are hurting our own reputation before the international arena if this crime is not being addressed immediately,” he said. The post Senators want probe over ‘never-ending gimmicks’ of airport officials at NAIA appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Coral harvesting in WPS tackled during DOST budget hearing
The recent coral reef destruction in the West Philippine Sea has become one of the sideline topics during the Senate’s deliberation on the proposed P25.6-billion budget of the Department of Science and Technology on Thursday. Senator Francis Tolentino raised the need to strengthen public awareness in science and technology as well as the integration of DOST with marine studies in light of reported destruction due to coral harvesting in WPS. This came after the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard reported an “extensive destruction” of coral reefs along Rozul (Iroquois) Reef in WPS after Chinese military militia vessels left the swarmed area. “Kung sakaling tuloy ang destruction ng corals, totoo bang mas malakas ang waves kapag may lindol at mas may posibilidad na magkaroon ng tsunami? (If the destruction of corals continues, is it true that the waves are stronger when there is an earthquake and there is a possibility of a tsunami?),” asked Tolentino, who presided over the hearing conducted by the Senate subcommittee on finance. During the hearing, Tolentino also urged DOST to conduct stronger research on agriculture and food security, including the development of tamban fish hatcheries, the African Swine Fever vaccine, and nutritious meals for marginalized Filipinos. The senator officially endorsed the DOST budget to the plenary after almost six hours of interpellation with the 18 attached agencies of DOST. Meanwhile, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa expressed his full support to the DOST’s proposed 2024 budget as he also recognized the excellence of Philippine Science High School for molding well-prepared future scientists. The post Coral harvesting in WPS tackled during DOST budget hearing appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Disguised military force
Wrongheadedly asserting outdated notions about the China Coast Guard or CCG show us exactly why some sitting senators shouldn’t be senators. Worse, despite having been schooled by maritime law experts and defense officials, Senators Robinhood Padilla’s and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s smarmy refusals to believe they are wrong about the CCG embarrass the Senate. Hear Padilla sarcastically telling experts during a joint Senate panel hearing into West Philippine Sea issues: ““Ibig niyong sabihin, iba ang definition ng coast guard ng China? Wow, ha, talaga lang, ha (So you mean, the Coast Guard is defined differently by China? Wow, really, are you sure about that)?” Most of us may be excused if last week we didn’t know or pay much attention to the fact that since its 2021 transformation by Chinese domestic law, the CCG is now a military force disguised as a civilian force. But sitting senators can’t claim the same excuse. Senators are expected to at least possess some knowledge of recent international developments since the Senate is constitutionally tasked with scrutinizing and approving the country’s treaties with other countries. Senators are supposed to enlighten us then. But both Padilla and Dela Rosa inspire us instead of their sheer ignorance of recent Chinese developments that directly affect our national interest. Not taking Filipino expert counsel, too, is wholly pathetic. It isn’t only Filipino experts but international maritime law experts who said the CCG’s command and control structure had been changed to that of a military-like organization under the centralized command of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission. True, putting military organizations in charge of maritime law enforcement — which coast guards typically do — is not unique to China. For instance, the United States Coast Guard is one of America’s five armed forces branches and has an explicit defense readiness mission. The French, too, have the Maritime Gendarmerie, a paramilitary police force under the operational control of the chief of staff of the French Navy. Still, the US and French coast guards are considered exceptions rather than the rule insofar as how most countries conceive, structure, and operate their civilian-led coast guards. China did follow the general practice when it put up its coast guard in 2013. Since 2021, however, after a comprehensive China Coast Guard Law took effect, China set its coast guard apart from the rest of Asia, except for Vietnam. China ensuring that military, not civilian government agencies, exert control over its coast guard undoubtedly has far-reaching consequences in the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea. For instance, one consequence of a militarized CCG is that China doesn’t need to declare war in her attempts to expand her de facto control over disputed waters. A militarized CCG is enough to bolster China’s preferred strategic approach of “slow intensity or low-intensity coercion.” Other important consequences of CCG’s militarization abound, particularly thorny questions about Chinese CCG law violating significant provisions of the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea. But that’s for another time. On a more recent topical note, however, our military officials say our armed forces are already preparing for any eventuality should the CCG go beyond firing water cannons when blocking our ships resupplying the beleaguered Ayungin Shoal detachment. Our military’s fears are not unfounded. Article 22 of the CCG law authorizes a CCG vessel to use its weapons without warning against foreign government and civilian vessels. And there are fears the CCG might use weapons deadlier than water cannons and lasers. Some CCG vessels, in fact, are equipped with destroyer-class 76mm guns. It behooves the military, therefore, to keep a close eye on any major equipment changes — like larger caliber guns and missiles — on CCG vessels patrolling the West Philippine Sea. The post Disguised military force appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gilas win over China stokes patriotic fervor
Senators were among the Filipinos who showed support for Gilas Pilipinas en route to its rousing 96-75 win over China in the FIBA World Cup at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Saturday night. Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, and Senators Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Christopher “Bong” Go was seen wearing matching black shirts with the print “West Ph Sea,” short for West Philippine Sea. “Congratulations Gilas Pilipinas! That’s the heart of the Filipino that you’ve shown fighting to the very end. I salute all the players, coaches, and fans because ‘our never-say-die attitude’ gave us the hope to score a victory in the FIBA World Cup,” Go, himself a prolific basketball player, said in Filipino. “While we were saddened by our not qualifying for the Olympics, Gilas did not disappoint the home crowd by showing a big potential for future competitions,” he added. He said the victory over a Chinese team boosts the morale of Filipinos amid the challenges the country is facing in the West Philippine Sea being claimed by Beijing as part of its territory. WPS ours! Asked about the WPS shirts he and the other senators wore during the game, Go said they were given to them to show their being one with the team and the country’s territorial sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea. “The West Philippine Sea is ours!” Go said. “This victory is also for all of us.” For Zubiri, the Philippines, even through basketball, was able to show it would not be bullied by China on the home court, seemingly referencing similarly gallant stands made by the Philippine Coast Guard and Navy in the WPS. “This was the most important game of all! For our pride and for our motherland, the Philippines,” Zubiri said. “We may not have won any of our games for the world championships, but this win was the sweetest of all.” Likewise, Villanueva described the Gilas Pilipinas’ victory over China as the country’s “best win.” Biggest game “Most important basketball game of the year! It feels like we won the championship! Yahoo!” he said. “Our Gilas Pilipinas fought well like each and every one of them knows the story of Ayungin, Recto Bank, Pag-asa Island, etc.” He added: “So proud of them! Everyone contributed! We saw a different Gilas Team; there’s fire in their eyes.” Zubiri explained that their matching shirts with the print “West Ph Sea” was their response to China’s new standard map which also included the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines. 10-dash line “They released a 10-dash line; we wore the T-shirt as a statement that the West Philippines Sea is ours. Mabuhay Gilas! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!” he said. Meanwhile, Dela Rosa said they have worn the shirts to “awaken the patriotic spirit of our Gilas Pilipinas and motivate them to secure the victory which is symbolic for us Filipinos in light of the recent developments in the West Philippine Sea.” The post Gilas win over China stokes patriotic fervor appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Dela Rosa on China ‘allowing’ resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal: ‘Who are they?’
The Philippines does not need China’s approval to operate within its territorial waters, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said. In a chance interview with reporters, Dela Rosa questioned China’s recent claims that the successful rotation and resupply mission of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin shoal was allowed only due to the Chinese’s “humanitarian consideration.” “Sino sila? Sino sila para mag-a-approve kung anong dadalhin natin doon para sa ating outpost, para sa ating mga sundalo doon sa outpost? Bakit nila tayo pigilan kung anong gusto nating dalhin? (Who are they? Who are they to approve our operation for our outpost, whatever we want to bring to our soldiers in our outpost? Why should they stop us from what we want to bring there?).” In a television interview, National Task Force for the WPS spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela denied China’s claims that it has extended humanitarian consideration to the Philippines. “That’s not true that they have allowed the path of the supply boasts to enter Ayungin shoal. Even the supply boast that we are using to deliver the supplies was blocked and intercepted by the Chinese Coast Guard vessels. So it’s not true, they are lying when they said that they are extending humanitarian consideration,” Tarriela stressed. Tarriela described the recent RoRe mission as “not a walk in the park” as China again threatened the Philippines with its usual aggressive tactics. CCG ships and other China militia vessels attempted to obstruct the Philippine resupply boats delivering fresh provisions to the military personnel stationed on BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal last 22 August. China vessels also reactivated their water cannons during the RoRe mission. AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said they are now looking into other strategies for the future resupply mission in the area. Meanwhile, Dela Rosa lamented that China’s recent blockage attempts against Philippine vessels serve as an “advancement of their own position.” “Gusto nila talaga na masira iyong barko nating Sierra Madre para ‘pag masira na ‘yan, magiba, wala na tayong matitirahan at sila na ang papalit sa atin, aagawin na nila ‘yan (They really want ship Sierra Madre to be totally destroyed so that they can positioned themselves when we will have no place to live and they will replace us, they will seize it),” he said. On the other hand, Senator Raffy Tulfo recommended to the AFP and the Department of the National Defense to allow the Philippine Coast Guard to conduct a joint military operation involving a resupply mission with the United States Navy to drive away the CCG trying to block the country’s sovereign rights over the WPS. The post Dela Rosa on China ‘allowing’ resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal: ‘Who are they?’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lawmakers want bigger budget for PCG, defense sector
Senators urged the country’s economic team to allocate more funding to the defense sector and the Philippine Coast Guard amid the increasing aggression of China in parts of the West Philippine Sea. Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday backed the proposal to increase the intelligence fund of the Philippine Coast Guard to strengthen its operations in the WPS. Hontiveros lamented that the PCG is threatened by China almost daily. But, despite facing “a clear and present danger” brought about by China’s increasing hostilities, the PCG is still operating with limited funding. “We have to hold more consultations with the Philippine Coast Guard to determine a respectable amount that could help them significantly deter China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea,” she said. Hontiveros said that the PCG has only been receiving "a measly" P10 million in intelligence funds annually since 2009, forcing it to rely solely on human intelligence to get up-to-date information when conducting maritime patrols. It is “unacceptable that PCG is receiving intelligence funds far less than those being received by civilian agencies with no direct relation to national security and protection of Philippine territory,” said Hontiveros. "I also must stress that the P10 million for intelligence funds is not only for the PCG's duties over the West Philippine Sea, but for the entire coastal areas and waters of the Philippines. Sa napakaraming banta na nararanasan ng Coast Guard, hindi ba dapat na mas malaki naman sa sampung milyon ang maibigay sa kanila?" she said. Earlier this month, the Senate collectively denounced China’s continued harassment activities against Filipino troops aboard Philippine vessels en route to the WPS, in particular, the recent water cannon incident involving Chinese Coast Guard and Philippine vessels carrying food and other supplies for soldiers stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. China’s repeated aggressions toward the Philippines within its exclusive economic zone prompted senators to urge the country’s economic managers to also consider increasing the budget of the defense sector. The issue was raised during the Committee on Finance briefing with the Development Budget Coordination Committee on the Proposed 2024 National Expenditure Program last week. Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said he pitied the defense sector after the economic team presented their budget allocation per sector. Under the proposed 2024 national budget, Dela Rosa noted the 37.9 percent allocation for social services, 29.6 percent for economic services, 12.1 percent for debt burden and 15.5 percent for general public services. The defense sector had the lowest funding allocation at only 4.9 percent, he said. “Awang-awa na tayo sa ating mga puwersa doon. Forgive me, my heart goes to the MUP (military and uniformed personnel) because I’ve been there, done that and saw my people dying before my eyes during encounters with the enemy. Kaya kung itong pambabastos ng China na simpleng tubig lang wala tayong panglaban, kawawa naman talaga iyong ating Coast Guard, kawawa iyong ating Navy,” Dela Rosa lamented. The post Lawmakers want bigger budget for PCG, defense sector appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Escape at own risk, PDLs warned
Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. yesterday warned persons deprived of liberty not to escape as “he will hunt them down even if they are in a far-flung area.” Catapang issued the warning during the culminating activities at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City wherein 880 PDLs were released from BuCor facilities. He told the inmates to be released that they were very lucky to be among the biggest prisoners list released Thursday. BuCor data shows that 374 were from the NBP, 196 were from the Davao Prison and Penal Farm, and 92 were from the Correctional Institution for Women. Catapang said that the PDLs that if their time is up they will be released but as long as they are at the BuCor facilities they should follow the law. The Board of Pardons and Parole is also processing now the documents of a 100-year-old inmate at the CIW considered the country’s oldest person deprived of liberty. Catapang, meanwhile, warned PDLs that he would look for them should they escape. “Don’t escape. I will look for you. Even if you are in Tawi-Tawi or Spartly, I will look for you,” said Catapang, in light of the escape of one inmate who got bored due to a lack of visitors. The DG said BuCor underwent a “massive storm” in the past months due to an “untoward incident” after a PDL fired a gun and the escape of a certain inmate. Though Catapang did not name the PDL, the BuCor in July announced that PDL Michael Cataroja had gone missing from the maximum security compound of the NBP, leading to a congressional inquiry. Cataroja is currently back at the NBP after being rearrested by the Angono police in Sitio Minahan Bato, Barangay San Isidro after a tip from a concerned citizen. He said he was able to leave the facility by clinging under a garbage truck, based on videos released by BuCor. “He did not think about his fellow inmates. Now, BuCor is tightening its security because of him.” The post Escape at own risk, PDLs warned appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Manhunt on vs missing POGO suspect
Department of Justice Undersecretary and spokesperson Atty. Mico Clavano yesterday disclosed that a tracker team has been formed to search for the missing Chinese national allegedly involved in the operations of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators in Pasay City. Clavano said in an ambush interview during the culminating event at the National Bilibid Prison that there is allegedly a missing Chinese national from the Pasay raid site in Rivendell. He said the tracker team will include members of the National Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Immigration’s Fugitive Search Unit. The DoJ official said they are doing everything in order to recapture the missing Chinese national from POGO. The spokesperson said the individual was among the 27 individuals who were recommended to be charged for violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act. He said that the Chinese national was detained at the POGO facility in Pasay. “We don’t have a complete handle on all the exit and entry points. There are many windows and emergency doors that, well, we have put guards there but we don’t know them as well as the scammers know them,” Clavano said. Authorities must look into who is guarding the room of the said employee as members of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, the Philippine National Police, the NBI, and FSU were present. The lawyer of the Chinese national is also looking for her client. “They informed me wala na sa custody nila yung isa where in fact, supposed to be he is detained,” Atty. Gloria Quintos said. Quintos said she could not confirm whether his client had escaped. The post Manhunt on vs missing POGO suspect appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Boredom made this PDL escape Munti
The escaped person deprived of liberty who was re-arrested recently yesterday told a Senate panel that he escaped the New Bilibid Prison maximum security compound in July out of boredom due mainly to a lack of visitors. Michael Cataroja admitted this during the hearing of the Senate committee on justice and human rights chaired by Senator Francis Tolentino, who asked the inmate why he escaped. Cataroja said he was so bored because no one was visiting him at the NBP. Cataroja, 25, who had been detained at the NBP for less than two years due to violation of the Anti-Fencing Law, said he evaded authorities on the morning of 7 July via a garbage truck. After the garbage truck reached C-6 Road, he took off and then walked to Antipolo City. Cataroja said at that time he was helping carry the garbage to the truck and when an L300 van passed by he went under the truck and hid. His disappearance was announced by BuCor on 17 August and was rearrested by Angono police in Sitio Minahan Bato, Barangay San Isidro after a tip from a concerned citizen. The Senate committee held Tuesday’s hearing at the BuCor where Cataroja is expected to demonstrate in front of the lawmakers and other authorities how he was able to get out of the state penitentiary in Muntinlupa City. On Sunday, BuCor released a video of Cataroja reenacting how he clung under a garbage truck to escape NBP. Senator Robin Padilla, who claimed that he was a representative of PDLs, said that it was “unfair” to have thousands of PDLs suffer the consequences of the mistake made by one. The post Boredom made this PDL escape Munti appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Congress terminates BuCor probe, Catapang says will not resign
The investigation being conducted at the House of Representatives by the joint Committees on Justice and Public Order and Safety on the disappearance of a person deprived of liberty inside the New Bilibid Prison has been terminated. Both committees were informed by Bureau of Corrections Director Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. that another angle is being pursued by BuCor investigators: that Michael Cataroja, the PDL under investigation, might still be alive. He was reported missing on 15 July 2023. Catapang said bureau operatives visited and talked to Cataroja’s mother, Florence, residing at Sitio Manahan Bato, Brgy. San Isidro, Angono, Rizal, on 5 August. Florence told the investigating officer that the last conversation she had with her son was sometime in June when Cataroja asked her to send him P200. If her son will contact her again, she will surrender him to Senator Raffy Tulfo to secure his safety, said Cataroja's mother. Another BuCor operative also obtained information from a female informant that she saw Cataroja roaming around the area in the latter part of July, while another male informant claimed to have seen Cataroja in the vicinity around 22 July. The BuCor has also coordinated with the Angono Municipal Police as well as barangay police and tanod in Angono, Rizal to arrest Cataroja or alert them should Cataroja reappear in the area. In terminating the hearing, Rep. Dan Fernandez, chairman of the Committee on Public Order and Safety, said the objective of the committee is to have different agencies such as the Bureau of Corrections, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the National Bureau of Investigation strengthen their coordination efforts. Fernandez urged the BuCor to renew its coordination with PDEA by forging a memorandum of agreement and provide them with an office inside the BuCor to assist them in their fight to eliminate the drug problem inside the NBP. Responding to the challenge by Rep. Bienvenido Abante of the 6th District of Manila for him to resign if he fails to reform and solve corruption in the bureau, Catapang said he serves “at the pleasure of the Filipino people, the President, and the Secretary, but right now I will not resign. Just give me more time because sinalo ko lahat ng problemang ito.” The post Congress terminates BuCor probe, Catapang says will not resign appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bato lauds DILG for raps vs shabu haul cops
Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Friday welcomed the filing of cases against 50 high-ranking members of the Philippine National Police allegedly involved in the P6.7 billion shabu mess. The Department of the Interior and Local Government recently filed the charges before the Office of the Ombudsman. “Very good. They (policemen) should be charged with administrative case and they should be held liable,” Dela Rosa said in a radio interview, adding that he hopes the police officers on the dock can thoroughly explain their side to the Ombudsman. Dela Rosa also reacted to the recent call by former president Rodrigo Duterte to “shoot dead” all cops involved in illegal drugs. “That’s quite hard because not all policemen are syndicates, not all of them are involved in it. It would be unfair for those sane policemen that are not doing anything bad. Right?,” he said. “We should be fair to them, hold liable those involved in (illegal drugs) operations and leave alone who are not.” Duterte had mentioned Dela Rosa’s handling of the Senate committee’s investigation into the alleged cover-up of PNP officials on the arrest of Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr., from whom 990 kilograms of shabu were seized in October last year. Dela Rosa, in a separate television interview, said Duterte's reaction was merely the former president's way of venting his resentment over police officers who engage in illegal activities. “They are protectors of these Chinese drug lords. The problem is sometimes they are the drug lords,” he said. The post Bato lauds DILG for raps vs shabu haul cops appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PH media organizations slam Chinese Foreign Ministry
PH media organizations slam Chinese Foreign Ministry.....»»