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3 acquitted seafarers return from Nigeria
Three Filipino seafarers acquitted of drug charges in Nigeria arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Monday night, while the remaining eight are set to be repatriated Tuesday night. According to Captain Edgardo Flores, consultant and former owner’s representative of the Greek-owned Eastern Mediterranean Manning Agency, seafarers Romnick Albarracin, Kent Ryan Oblenda, and Judezar Quetua arrived on 7 August at the NAIA Terminal on a Qatar Airways flight QR-1432 from Doha, Qatar. Arriving on Tuesday in the same gateway are Reynante Antolin, Edgar Bechayda, Fidel Gerapusco, Dennis Maningo, Ervin Pabuaya, Bryan Ramos, Ralph Sumangil and Voltaire Tejero. Flores said the first three seafarers were welcomed by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega, Department of Migrant Workers Assistant Secretaries Fely Bay and Venecio Legaspi, representatives from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. He said the DMW provided P30,000 cash assistance for each seafarer, which according to Flores will help a lot to restart their lives and seafaring journeys again. Meanwhile, Flores questioned operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency who also attended the arrival of the three seafarers. He said the PDEA personnel wanted to seal the papers of the three seafarers as “DEPORTED” instead of “REPATRIATED.” “These seafarers were all freed by a Nigerian court, why will they tag them as deported? If you tag them deported, the Bureau of Immigration will put DEPORTED on their passports, which can compromise their future jobs,” he said. The post 3 acquitted seafarers return from Nigeria appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BI rescues Pinay trafficking victim
The Bureau of Immigration on Sunday reported that its operatives have intercepted a Filipina bound to Thailand — supposedly a victim of human trafficking — along with her alleged recruiter. BI officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, according to the report, intercepted the Filipina identified only as “Lynne” after she tried to board a Philippine Airlines flight to Bangkok on Friday. Authorities said that the Filipina presented herself as a tourist traveling with her friend identified only as “Che” after previously working as a factory worker in Taiwan. However, Immigration officers noted several inconsistencies with her statements and documents and later found that she had been recruited to work for a Thailand-based Chinese company. BI officers also suspected “Che” to have facilitated “Lynne’s” recruitment, providing her with fake documents to make the victim appear like a legitimate tourist and disclosing that the alleged recruiter was allegedly working as a recruitment assistant for a manpower agency in the Philippines and has multiple travels to Thailand. “We are now looking into alias Che’s records to see if she has facilitated the travel of other workers in the past,” BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said. Previously, another suspected human trafficking victim was also intercepted by authorities last Wednesday after trying to leave the Philippines for Vietnam, claiming that she was traveling to Vietnam as a tourist upon the invitation of a Vietnamese friend. But the Department of Migrant Workers revealed that the individual identified as “Issa” was actually bound for Cambodia after being illegally recruited. “We suspect they might have been recruited for a catphishing syndicate, similar to those previously intercepted and repatriated,” Tansingco said. Both cases have been referred to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for further investigation. Authorities were also filing charges against the recruiters. The post BI rescues Pinay trafficking victim appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US arrests two over Chinese ‘police station’ in New York
US authorities arrested two men Monday for allegedly setting up a Chinese "police station" in New York and charged dozens of Chinese security officials over a campaign to monitor and harass US-based dissidents. The arrests of Harry Lu Jianwang, 61, and Chen Jinping, 59, are the first anywhere over a suspected campaign by China to establish surreptitious police posts in countries around the world, said Breon Peace, the top federal prosecutor in Brooklyn. The two men set up the office in Manhattan's Chinatown last year at the behest of the Fuzhou branch of the Ministry of Public Security, China's national police force, ostensibly to offer services like Chinese driver's license renewal, according to Peace. But in fact, their main job was to help track down and harass fugitive dissidents from the People's Republic of China (PRC), US officials said. "The MPS established a concrete outpost, an off-the-books police station right here in New York City, to monitor and intimidate dissidents and other critics of the PRC within one of the United States' most vibrant diaspora communities," said David Newman, the Justice Department's principal deputy assistant attorney general for national security. Canada and several European governments have cracked down on similar "police stations." Last year the Spain-based human rights group Safeguard Defenders first revealed the existence of such outposts around the world. They often operate with little or no indication they are there -- though US officials said the Manhattan office had been visited by officials from the Chinese consulate in New York. According to Safeguard Defenders, the "police stations" have been involved in pressuring Chinese nationals to return home to face criminal charges. Canada has identified and closed several unofficial outposts in Montreal and elsewhere. In October, Dutch authorities said they were investigating reports of two Chinese police operations in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Lu and Chen were charged with acting as unregistered agents of a foreign government and obstruction for destroying evidence of their communications with Chinese officials. In a related case, the Justice Department announced charges against 34 members of China's MPS who were allegedly involved in harassing dissidents overseas, including the US-based Falun Gong religious movement. The indictees are allegedly members of the "912 Special Project Working Group," which the Justice Department described as an MPS task force set up "to target Chinese dissidents located throughout the world, including in the United States." The task force created thousands of fake social media accounts, according to the US charges, to target Chinese dissidents "through online harassment and threats." They also sometimes pose as people from the United States or other countries, the charges said, to push Beijing's official view or interpretation of global issues, from Democracy to the Ukraine war to American racial tensions. "This task force isn't a normal police force," said Peace. "It doesn't protect people or combat crimes. It commits crimes targeting Chinese democracy activists and dissidents located outside of the PRC, including right here in New York City." Another six MPS officials and two members of China's Cyberspace Administration were charged with conspiracy in an updated 2020 case of a China-based employee of Zoom acting to disrupt online meetings and discussions by anti-Beijing activists. The new indictment says the employee, Julien Jin, "worked directly with and took orders from" the MPS and Cyberspace Administration. In one case, in May and June 2020, Jin used his access to Zoom company systems to disrupt online meetings by activists to discuss the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen anti-democracy crackdown and massacre in Beijing. "It shows the PRC efforts to globalize the oppressive tactics used domestically in China to silence dissent," said Newman. "The efforts of the government of the PRC to export authoritarian methods to stifle free expression in the United States is a threat to American democracy that we will not abide." The post US arrests two over Chinese ‘police station’ in New York appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DA files agri smuggling charges vs. ship captain, crew
MANILA - The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Friday it slapped the captain and 14 crew of M/V Sunward with charges after attempting to smuggle white refined sugar into the Philippines."The ship's crew, which consists of one Filipino, six Indonesian, and seven Chinese nationals, are now f.....»»
FIBA: Mighty Jimmy and the shot that introduced Gilas to the World
This story was originally published on Feb. 24, 2019 It’s Saturday night at Mall of Asia and the arena is absolutely rocking. Eternal basketball rivals in the Philippines and South Korea are delivering another classic. Gilas Pilipinas is down to the final minute of regulation against its longtime tormentor in the second of two semifinal games. The national team is up by two, 81-79. The Philippines is hosting the 2013 FIBA-Asia Championships where three tickets to the 2014 World Cup are at stake and the winner of this particular game gets one of those tickets. Given the rich history of both teams and what it would mean to the winner, this pivotal game has gone down the wire as everyone pretty much expected. Also knowing the history of both teams in international play, Gilas’ precarious two-point lead was not safe at all. A ghost was lurking in the background and a dreaded curse felt almost inevitable. Down to the final minute of the crucial grudge match between the Philippines and South Korea, guard Jimmy Alapag has the ball and a two-point lead. What he will do will help define not only his career but the legacy of the Gilas name as a national team. WAKE-UP CALL Even before the Philippines-Korea game, Gilas Pilipinas already had to go through one emotional game early in its homestand for the Asian Championships. In a preliminary round showdown against Chinese Taipei, the Filipinos collapsed in the fourth quarter, allowing the Taiwanese to steal a morale-boosting 84-79 win. In 2013, the relationship between the two countries hit a rough patch over the death of one Taiwanese fisherman. In an updated May 17 report by CNN’s Jethro Mullen, “Taiwan has reacted angrily after one of its fishermen was killed by a Philippine coast guard vessel.” Taiwan had frozen applications from OFWs seeking jobs in its territory and the government of then President Ma Ying-jeou demanded an apology, among other things, from the Philippines. While the national basketball teams of both countries never really had any prior animosity with each other, tension was naturally present as both teams squared off in Group A action. Gilas Pilipinas and Chinese-Taipei both entered the showdown with identical 2-0 records and the winner would take control of solo Group A lead heading into round 2. Taking a good lead into the fourth quarter, the Philippines was outscored by 18 in the last 10 minutes and the national team took its worst home loss in quite some time. “At the time, it was a huge game for us. We understood what was happening in Taipei during that particular time. We really wanted to win for what our kababayans were going through at that time,” guard Jimmy Alapag said on that first home loss in the 2013 Asian Championships. “We didn’t get the job done, and it was tough especially to lose a game like that, it was a very emotional and it was a game that we knew we needed,” he added. The crushing loss meant that the Philippines had little room for error in round 2. While Gilas didn’t have any world beaters lined up in the second round, anything less than a perfect run would have meant an early clash with Asia’s established powerhouse teams in the knockout stages. On the other side of the bracket, defending champion China, Iran, and South Korea were battling for position and were expected to finish in the top-3. That means if Gilas Pilipinas failed to finish no. 1 in its group, the national team would have faced one of those teams in the quarterfinals. Gilas picked up a crucial win over Qatar in the 6th of August and the day after, the Philippines got some help from those same Qataris as they beat Taipei in a close decision. At the end of round 2, all teams finished with identical win-loss records but Gilas Pilipinas would take over first place after all tiebreaks were considered, barely edging out Taipei. The Philippines ended up avoiding defending champion China, Iran, and South Korea and instead got Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals. No. 2 Taipei drew China and the third-running Qataris were matched up with the South Koreans. “I think that was the moment we grew up and grew closer. I think that was the lowest of the lows, just because of the atmosphere and what was going on between both countries. It kind of felt that we let our end of the bargain down, you know what I mean? We’re on our home soil and we didn’t take care of business. I think that was one of those moments where we had to really check ourselves and find a way to make it right,” forward Gabe Norwood said of the Taipei loss. “But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. In tournaments like FIBA-Asia it’s important that you have short-term memory whether it was a win or a loss. We needed to let go of that game and continue to stay the course, keep our focus in the tournament,” Alapag added. On August 7, four days after Gilas lost to Taipei, the rift between the Philippines and Taiwan would reach a resolution and the latter country lifted its freeze hiring and other sanctions on the former. The Philippines also did issue on official apology over the death of the Taiwanese fisherman a couple of months prior and the National Bureau of Investigation in Manila recommended the pressing of homicide charges to erring members of the Philippine Coast Guard. DARK HISTORY If the word “rival” is to be defined as a, “person or group that tries to defeat or be more successful than another person or group” then sure, the Philippines and South Korea are rivals. Both countries are rivals in the Asian basketball scene and they have been going at it for a very long time. But if the word rival can also mean “equal” or “peer,” is the Philippines really a worthy basketball rival to South Korea? The Philippines’ history with South Korea in terms of basketball is dark. Very dark. Consider the most high-profile matches between the two countries and you’ll see that the Philippine national team is just not at the level of South Korea. Or at the very least, Koreans always seem to reach 120 percent of their potential when they play Filipinos and we barely bring out 80 percent of our abilities when matched up against our East Asian neighbors. The 1998 PBA Centennial team, arguably the greatest Philippine team ever assembled, was demolished by South Korea in the Asian Games. A national team set up for gold only settled for bronze. Speaking of a bronze medal game, the original Gilas Pilipinas team lost a podium finish to South Korea in the 2011 FIBA-Asia Championships. That team squandered a double-digit lead and collapsed late. Of course, who can forget the semifinals of the 2002 Asian Games in Busan when Olsen Racela had the chance to put the Philippines up four but missed two free throws. South Korea would win with a booming triple at the buzzer off a broken play and would later take down China to capture the gold medal. South Korea is the Philippines’ basketball nemesis for all intents and purposes. A worthy adversary that always seem to emerge victorious at our expense. Still, all that previous disappointment didn’t seem to bother Gilas Pilipinas six years ago. The team was not scared and instead, they were excited even. One factor to greatly consider was that fact that the game was in Manila. It makes all the difference to play at home. “We understood the bad history that we had with Korea. We haven’t been very successful with them in quite some time but we knew from Day 1 that if ever we got an opportunity to play them at home, then we have a great chance,” Alapag said. “Man, pre-game, it was just the focus. Everybody was up for the challenge, I don’t think anybody was really nervous, I think it was just the anxiety... we wanted to get out there and do it already,” Norwood added. Playing at home had its perks for sure, but it also had its drawbacks. For all the painful losses the Philippines suffered at the hands of South Korea, it would have been devastating if Gilas actually took a beating in Manila. Stakes were extra high in this particular chapter of this long, ongoing saga. “There was always pressure, it was something that we acknowledged early. Playing at home, it’s great having that support but at the same time, there is some added pressure because you wanna make sure that you make our home crowd proud of the team that they watch and ultimately, win games,” Alapag said, making sure to note that the national team knew of the disadvantages of playing at home even before the Korea game. “It was there but it was something that we acknowledged and we wanted to make sure that we took advantage of the opportunity playing at home,” he added. ALL FILIPINO, ALL HEART Once it was go time, the Philippines-South Korea game went about pretty normal, as you would expect any game from these two national teams. But even before halftime, an injury to Gilas center Marcus Douthit changed the complexion of the semifinals showdown. All of a sudden, the Philippines was without its anchor, without its best player. Sure, there were players on the Gilas bench that can come in and replace Douthit’s size but there was simply no one on the Gilas bench that can come in and replace his talent, production, and just overall presence. June Mar Fajardo was in that Gilas bench but it 2013, the would-be five-time PBA Most Valuable Player was just not at that level yet. It would have been easy for Gilas Pilipinas to fold like cheap furniture and succumb to the overwhelming pressure of trying to overcome South Korea to reach a stage very few Filipinos have reached before. Gilas didn’t fold and instead, the Douthit injury rallied the team even further. “Alam mo sa totoo lang, puso na lang yun eh. Nung nawala si Marcus talaga, sabi ni coach kailangan doble kayod tayo. Dahil sobrang dehado tayo kumbaga, wala na tayong import, wala tayong malaki,” forward Marc Pingris said. With Douthit gone, Ping ate up all of his minutes and worked by committee with guys like Ranidel De Ocampo and Japeth Aguilar to fill in the gaps. “As a player naman, kami nagusap-usap kami na kahit anong mangyari, lalaban kami. Yung time na yun, talagang patay kung patay,” Ping added. Despite losing its best player to an untimely injury, Gilas Pilipinas’ confidence in winning never wavered. With their collective backs against the wall, the Philippine national team played even better. Unlike the later iterations of Gilas Pilipinas, the 2013 team, aptly called Gilas 2.0, had the luxury of having actual preparation before the FIBA-Asia Championships. The amount of work that came before the tournament and the Korea game, the bond built over countless hours of training, all of that helped the national team avoid a monumental meltdown in front of a rabid Manila crowd. “We were such a close-knit team in terms of our chemistry, in terms of the talent that we had, so we felt confident even when Marcus went down early in the game. If you looked at our huddle, you had 11 more very confident guys, not just in themselves but more importantly, in each other,” Alapag said. “That just boiled down to the chemistry that we had. I don’t think any of us panicked, we were all confident in each other. We’ve all been into that situation with our PBA teams, having the ball in our hands and making a play. Knowing that we had five weapons on the floor that could make the winning play, I think it made us very confident and we were able to sustain our composure,” the former Gilas captain added. THE GHOST AND ITS CURSE Shin Dong Pa, Hur Jae, Lee Sang-min, Oh Se-Keun, TJ Moon, and Cho Sung-min are just some players from the South Korean national team that inflicted incredible damage to the Philippines over the course of decades. The dreaded Ghost of South Korea takes form in these players and its curse is to give Filipinos the most heart-crushing loss possible. In 2013, the Ghost was Kim Min-goo and his curse was to beat Gilas Pilipinas in Manila. Despite losing Marcus Douthit and trailing by three points at the break, the Philippines started to turn the tables in the second half. Gilas Pilipinas unleashed Jayson Castro and the Blur led a blazing offense in the third quarter, finding a way to take a 10-point lead over South Korea, the Philippines’ largest of the night. But as the dust settled and Gilas holding a 65-56 lead entering the final period, an ominous figure would make his presence felt. The Korean Ghost has arrived and his name was Kim Min-goo. His curse? Beat Gilas Pilipinas in Manila. Kim was 22 and a senior in college when he made the South Korean national basketball team as a backup shooter in 2013. In nine games in Manila, Kim would play well enough to make the tournament’s All-Star team, averaging 12.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. He led Asian Championships with 25 three-point field goals, 10 came in the last two games and five came against Gilas Pilipinas. Kim drilled back-to-back triples to open the fourth quarter against the Philippines. Later, his fifth triple — a four-point play at that — pushed the Koreans to within a point, 72-73. South Korea would take over soon after as Lee Seung-jun dunked the basketball on a fastbreak. The Ghost has arrived and his curse is in effect. “Ako pumasok sa isip ko yun nung lumamang Korea, na putek ito na naman,” Pingris said. “Pero ang sabi ko, sayang yung opportunity, kaya naman eh. So sabi ni Jimmy samin, no matter what happens wag kami gi-give up. Pinaghirapan natin to at may goal tayo, this year aalis tayo,” he added, noting the team’s goal to get into Spain and compete with the world’s best national teams. Faced with the possibility of dealing with a devastating defeat, Gilas had enough mental fortitude to keep things going. Trust your system, trust your preparation, trust your crowd, trust your teammates, and more importantly, trust yourselves. “You’re never out of the game if you’re playing at home,” Norwood said as they stared a deficit late against their destined rivals. “I think that was our mindset, keep it close and just find a way,” he added. Jimmy Alapag found a way. BORN READY Down 73-75, Jimmy Alapag was under heavy duress when he let go of a three-pointer from the left wing just in front of his bench. It was good to go. The Philippines was back on top by one as Alapag somehow managed to get his team to snap out of an initial shock following Korea’s strong fourth-quarter rally. The stage is now set for a wild finish and Jimmy will star in the final act of what has been an incredible show by Gilas and South Korea. “In situations like that, as an athlete and as a pro, that’s the situations that you dream about,” Alapag said. “Those are shots that you practice when you were a kid. When the shot clock is winding down, to have an opportunity to knock down a shot. It’s a shot that I practiced thousands of times,” he added. After the Philippines and South Korea traded baskets for the lead, Alapag made perhaps the most underrated play in this crazy and emotional encounter between two basketball rivals. Tasked with inbounding the ball just near underneath his own basket, Alapag found his Talk ‘N Text teammate Ranidel De Ocampo for an open look at three. Swish. Gilas leads, 81-77, with 91 seconds to go. “Ranidel was my favorite target for a very, very long time in my career,” Alapag said on the play that most people probably don’t even remember. “Once I saw that he got open, I wanted to make sure that I gave him as great a pass as possible and Ranidel has been known for a long time to take care of the rest,” he added. THE EXORCIST “Yeah, I was right under the basket,” Gabe Norwood says with a laugh when asked if he remembers the shot that changed the course of Gilas Pilipinas as a national team. Late in the fourth quarter of what was essentially a heavyweight bout, the Philippines just landed two strong haymakers but South Korea would refuse to go down without a fight, beating the count of 10 each time. Down to the final minute of a crucial grudge match with a World Cup berth on the line, Jimmy Alapag had his hands on the basketball as Gilas would go to its halfcourt set. Jimmy will never let go of said basketball. Up two, Jimmy did what Olsen wished he could 11 years prior. Up two against South Korea in a pivotal semifinal game, Alapag received a screen from Marc Pingris, which was enough to momentarily shake off Kim Tae-sul. With some room, Alapag drifted to his left and let a three-point shot fly. Boom. Gilas leads, 84-79, with 54 seconds to go. The shot would later be remembered as the one that ended the Korean Curse, the one that finally exorcised the Ghost. “The first thought that came to my mind was don’t miss,” Jimmy said of the clutch jumper. “That last one, Ping sets a good screen and I got a clean look. It’s a shot that myself, and Jayson [Castro], and Larry [Fonacier], and Gary [David], and Jeff [Chan], all of us, we practice that shot time and time again after practice. So you know, it was a shot that I was confident in but in that moment, all you’re thinking about was don’t miss,” he added. It’s one thing to be confident in yourself and to be confidednt in your preparation. It’s a different thing to actually perform under such pressure. As soon as Alapag managed to shoot his shot, Gabe Norwood did what any other good teammate would do and got in position to get the offensive rebound. You know, just in case. Gabe got the ball alright, but he got it after it swished through the rim. “When he put the shot up, I tried to crash for the rebound but I basically knew that it was going in,” he said. “I had probably the best view, I was right under the basket. I think caught it after it went through too,” Norwood added. Alapag checked out moments later as the Philippines went to its defensive lineup in order to stop another Korean comeback. South Korea turned to its most effective shooter in Kim and as he rose up to try and answer Alapag’s triple, Norwood met him at the apex for the game’s most dramatic stop. Gabe blocked Kim and Gilas would finish things off with a final Marc Pingris basket on the other end. A historic 86-79 win was complete. “I still get chills thinking about it, to look up and see grown men just breaking down. My wife was trying to hold my kids and she was holding back tears. It was just an awesome moment, the bond that we had on that team, the stuff that we did to get prepare, I think we poured it all out in that game,” Norwood said on the monumental victory. “I think it probably didn’t hit me until the final buzzer sounded. Not just for me but for the entire team, when that final buzzer sounded, it was such a special group of guys and the fact that we could share that moment with not just with each other but the entire country, it’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” Alapag added, savoring the moment of a Philippine win over Korea 28 years in the making. THE INTRODUCTION Gilas Pilipinas would lose to Iran the next day in the Finals of the 2013 FIBA-Asia Championships. The Philippines put up a fight but Hamed Haddadi would prove to be too powerful to stop. It would take another two years for Gilas to beat Iran but that didn’t really matter in the moment. The Philippines is headed to the World Championships for the first time in three decades. The Philippines has beaten South Korea and one singular shot has allowed the Gilas name to be known around the world. Jimmy wouldn’t say that though. At least not directly in that way. “For me, that shot was the biggest for my career. But really, it was our entire team. We’ve gone through so much and that was just one particular play that really culminated the entire game and all the contributions from other guys from Gabe’s defense, to Ping’s rebounding, to Japeth’s rim protecting, to Jayson and LA doing a lot of the legwork,” Alapag said. “Everybody had their part in contribution to the game. After the shot, after the buzzer sounded, it was just a very special moment for us as a team and for Philippine basketball to show that all of the sacrifices, all of the hard work, now it’s given an opportunity to re-introduce ourselves to the world,” he added. Jimmy wouldn’t say it, but his teammates would. That shot of his that beat South Korea in the 2013 FIBA-Asia Championships introduced the Gilas name to the world. It announced that the Philippines has finally arrived. Gilas’ breakthrough overtime win a year later in Spain against Senegal — a game Jimmy pretty much decided late as well — made it known that Filipinos are here to stay on the World stage. “I would say so, it got us to where we wanted to be in the World Cup. I think we shocked some people there as well. But just the work that went in, I think it showed the country that we can get back to where we want to be as long as you work together,” Norwood said. “Yung puso ni Jimmy, grabe naman. Makikita mo maliit pero gusto lang niya talaga manalo. Ang liit pero parang lion pag nagalit eh, nandoon yung tiwala namin sa kanya. Ano pa ba masasabi mo, Jimmy is Jimmy Alapag,” Pingris would add. [NOTES: At the time of original publishing, Gilas Pilipinas was fighting to make a return trip to the FIBA World Cup, this time in China in 2019. To secure its slot, the the Philippine national team needed to beat Kazakhstan in Astana plus a loss from Japan, Jordan, and/or Lebanon. One of the teams that can help Gilas is South Korea... ironically. Jimmy Alapag retired from national team play in 2014 and retired playing for good in 2016. He has since made himself a champion basketball coach in the ABL. Marc Pingris suffered an ACL injury in 2018 and is in the process of returning for his PBA team in the current 2019 season. Gabe Norwood is still in Gilas. He’s still an effective two-way weapon. He can still dunk and will stop your best player too.] [Updated Notes: The Philippines beat Kazakhstan to make the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China. Gilas got help from... South Korea. The Koreans beat Lebanon on the road, allowing Gilas to advance to the World Championships outright with a victory over Kazakhstan.] — Follow this writer on Twitter, @paullintag8.....»»
Chocolate Hills resort sarado na, hirit ng Bohol gov: We want to find the truth
HABANG mainit pa ang kontrobersiya sa viral resort sa gitna ng Chocolate Hills, pinatawag ni Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado ang ilang opisyal ng Sagbayan, Bohol. Ito ay para mabigyang-linaw ang ginawang pagpapatayo at operasyon ng Captain’s Peak Garden and Resort sa nasabing lugar. Ayon sa gobernador, makikipagpulong siya kay Sagbayan Mayor Restituto Suarez III, sa.....»»
DENR stops operation of Chocolate Hills resort
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issued a cease and desist order (CDO) against the controversial Chocolate Hills resort operating in a protected area in Bohol province. DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations Juan Miguel Cuna said the CDO was issued on March 14, putting Captain’s Peak Garden and Resort under close monitoring.....»»
Resort sa Chocolate Hills inireklamo ng netizens, DENR kinalampag
USAP-USAPAN ngayon ang viral resort sa Chocolate Hills na mabilis na nag-trending at nag-viral dahil sa galit ng madlang pipol. Isang netizen na nagngangalang “Ren The Adventurer” ang nag-upload ng promotional video ng naturang resort sa Facebook. “Resort Sa Gitna Nang Chocolate Hills [wow and heart emoji] “Feat. captain’s peak Sagbayan bohol [Philippine flag emoji],”.....»»
Small fishers to BFAR: File charges vs Chinese vessels destroying marine resources
Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas criticized the government’s alleged inaction toward the destructive activities of foreign vessels in Philippine waters. .....»»
3 Chinese nationals nabbed for violating Davao City’s firecracker ban
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 11 February) – Three Chinese nationals who used pyrotechnics to welcome the Chinese New Year here are facing charges for violating City Ordinance 060-02 or the firecracker ban. Arrested by operatives of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) for using pyrotechnics at the Royal Pines Subdivision along Shrine Hills in Matina […].....»»
5 NAIA officers charged with extortion
Criminal charges were filed yesterday against five security officers who allegedly extorted money from a Chinese at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3......»»
Bohol drug bust: Raps readied against 2 suspects caught with P1.8M shabu
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Police in Dauis town in Bohol Province are readying charges of illegal possession and selling of illegal drugs against a 21-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman, who were caught with nearly P1.8 million worth of suspected shabu during the past weekend. They were caught during a buy-bust operation at Purok 5,.....»»
1 charged in kidnap of 6 Chinese, 3 Pinoys
Criminal charges were filed on Friday against a suspect in the kidnapping of six Chinese and three Filipinos in Ayala Alabang Village in Muntinlupa last Oct. 30......»»
N.Korea tells UN that satellite launch was self-defense
North Korea told the UN Security Council on Monday that its launch of a spy satellite was legitimate self-defense, rejecting denunciations led by the United States. Western powers, Japan and South Korea said North Korea violated Security Council resolutions by launching last week's satellite, which the totalitarian state said has already provided images of major US and South Korea military sites. In a rare appearance at the Security Council, North Korea's ambassador to the United Nations, Kim Song, complained that other countries faced no restrictions on satellites. "No other nation in the world is in the security environment as critical as the DPRK," said Kim, using the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "One belligerent party, the United States, is threatening us with a nuclear weapon," he said. "It is a legitimate right for the DPRK as another belligerent party to develop, test, manufacture and possess weapons systems equivalent to those that the United States possesses or is developing." He mocked US charges that satellite technology also helped North Korea hone its missile capacity, questioning whether the United States put satellites into orbit "with a catapult." The US ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, rejected North Korea's assertion it was acting in self-defense and said that joint US-South Korean exercises were "routine" and "defensive in nature." "We intentionally reduce risk and pursue transparency by announcing the exercises in advance including the dates and the activities, unlike the DPRK," she said, adding that the drills did not violate Security Council resolutions. South Korea's spy agency said that Russia, eager for assistance in Ukraine, helped North Korea on the satellite following a summit between Kim and President Vladimir Putin. The United States said last month that North Korea has delivered more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions to Russia. Russia and China, North Korea's main ally, have put forward a resolution, opposed by the United States, to ease sanctions on Pyongyang as part of an effort to encourage dialogue. Chinese envoy Geng Shuang accused the United States of "further aggravating tension and confrontation" through its military alliance with South Korea. "If the DPRK constantly feels threatened, and its legitimate security concerns remain unresolved, the peninsula will not be able to get out of the security dilemma and only be caught in a vicious cycle of tit-for-tat aggressive moves," he said......»»
Farmers’ group laments lack of action vs onion hoarders
Farmers’ group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura yesterday lamented the Office of the Ombudsman’s order to file charges against Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary Kristine Evangelista, but excluding hoarders who profited from excessive onion prices last year......»»
Ombudsman ordersDA Asec dismissed
The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal from the service of Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary Kristine Evangelista in connection with a dubious deal with an onion supplier that led to a spike in the price of the commodity last year. The Ombudsman found Evangelista and John Gabriel Benedict Trinidad III, vice president for operations of Food Terminal Inc., guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. They were dismissed for grave misconduct and negligence of duty, respectively. Moreover, the Ombudsman found probable cause to indict Evangelista, Trinidad, and several others for breach of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019) and for “falsification by private individuals and use of falsified documents (Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code).” The criminal and administrative charges against DA Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban, chief accountant officer-in-charge Lolita Jamela, administrative officer V Eunice Biblanias, and budget division head Juanita Lualhati were dropped due to lack of probable cause and insufficiency of evidence. Likewise, the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal of both criminal and administrative charges against FTI president Robert Tan, who will stand as a witness for the prosecution. Back in August, the Ombudsman placed Evangelista, Trinidad, and several others, except for Panganiban and Tan, under preventive suspension in connection with the onion supply shortage in the country’s markets, price manipulation, and the dubious procurement of onions by FTI from Bonena Multi-Purpose Cooperative. Ombudsman records showed the DA entered into a memorandum of agreement with FTI for the Food Mobilization or Kadiwa Food Hub project. FTI, on the other hand, entered into a letter of agreement with Bonena for the delivery of 8,845 bags (approximately 28 kilograms/bag) of onions as part of the Kadiwa Food Hub. They were accused of violating RA 3019 and the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184) due to the lack of parameters in the selection of a cooperative that would supply and deliver the onions; the questionable advance payment of 50 percent of the contract price; non-compliance of the MoA; partial implementation of the contract; and doubtful deliveries by Bonena.” The country experienced an agricultural shortage, primarily in onions, which soared to as high as P500 to P700 per kilo during the last quarter of 2022. The post Ombudsman ordersDA Asec dismissed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Correction system is window of soul’ — Remulla
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in his speech, “Correction system is the window of the soul of the country”, as the Bureau of Corrections released 949 persons deprived of liberty from its major prison facilities nationwide yesterday. "So, dapat maraming pagbabago ang magawa natin dahil hindi magiging epektibo ang correction system pag congested ang ating mga kulangan,” he added. The DOJ chief continued, “We also have to expedite the release of PDLs if they have already served their maximum sentence and our police force and prosecutors are now working hand in hand to resolve the issue of those accused being detained for so long much more than their sentence.” “Gusto natin na mapalaya sila agad kung nakapag bayad na sila sa lipunan (We want them to be released promptly in the event they already paid their sins in the society),” Remulla said. Those released were from Correctional Institution for Women (90), Davao Prison and Penal Farm (177), Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (23), Leyte Regional Prison (69), New Bilibid Prison (486), Philippine Military Academy (2), Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm (33), and San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm (71). Of the said numbers, 556 were released due to the expiration of their maximum sentence, 213 were acquitted of the charges against them, 129 were given parole, 29 were granted probation, and two were released on cash bond. This brings to 6,322 the total number of PDLs who have been released under the administration of Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. Catapang has been expediting the release of PDLs as part of his reform agenda. The culminating activity, which coincides with the BuCor's fifth-day celebration of National Correctional Consciousness Week, was attended by Remulla, Justice Undersecretary Deo Marco, Justice Assistant Secretaries Francis John Tejano and Jose Dominic Clavano, PAO chief Atty. Persida Rueda-Acosta, Parole and Probation Administration OIC Atty. Bienvenido O. Benitez Jr., Board of Pardons and Parole chairman Atty. Sergio Calizo Jr., DOLE-NCR Regional Director Atty. Sarah Buena S. Mirasol, and other BuCor officials led by BuCor-OIC Gil Torralba. Torralba for his part told the PDLs to “(b)ring the good things you learned inside the jail and leave the bad experiences you encountered inside.” He also revealed that BuCor, under the guidance of DG Catapang, has launched an Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Unit (IMEU) wherein BuCor employees can report illicit activities of their co-workers and PDLs who have been released from detention can report via text or call against erring corrections officers. Torralba urged the released PDLs to report their bad and good experiences against corrections officers and assured them of the confidentially of their report. “This is one way that we can improve our services and reward our officers who do good and at the same time get rid of undesirables within our ranks,” Torralba said. The post ‘Correction system is window of soul’ — Remulla appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Charges filed vs owners of smuggled agri-fishery products from China, Vietnam
The Department of Agriculture Inspectorate and Enforcement Office on Friday said charges have been filed against the owners of P2,310,000 worth of smuggled frozen agri-fishery products from China and Vietnam. DA-IE head Assistant Secretary James A. Layug said violations of Republic Act 10611 or the Food Safety Act of 2013 along with FAO 195 Series of 1999 ("Establishing Rules and Regulations Governing Importation of Fresh/Chilled/Frozen and Fishery Aquatic Products") were slapped against the owners of Belen & Sons Inc. The charges stemmed from a joint anti-smuggling operation and food safety inspection in Navotas City, Cavite last 12 October 2023 conducted by the DA-IE, in partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Navotas Business Permit and Licensing Office, Philippine Fisheries Development Authority and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The target was a plugged-in container van detected to have been storing smuggled imported frozen agri-fishery products owned by Belen & Sons Inc. The operation yielded 25 boxes of bonito, 799 boxes of round scad and 1 box of mackerel totaling to 8,250 kilos, estimated to be worth at least P2,310,000. The contraband came from China and Vietnam. The confiscated commodities were brought on hold prior to confiscation and rendering by the BFAR. The Navotas BPLO issued a Notice of Violation and sealed the stall of Belen and Sons Inc. for not having a business permit. Layug encouraged the public to continue to report suspicious activities and coordinate with the Department to help achieve food security in the country. The post Charges filed vs owners of smuggled agri-fishery products from China, Vietnam appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Agri officials dismissed by Ombudsman for graft, misconduct
The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal from service of Department of Agriculture assistant secretary Kristine Evangelista in relation to a dubious deal with an onion supplier that led to a spike in the commodity last year. The Ombudsman found Evangelista and John Gabriel Benedict Trinidad III, vice president for operations of Food Terminal Incorporated, guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and dismissed for grave misconduct and negligence of duty, respectively. Moreover, the Ombudsman found probable cause to indict Evangelista, Trinidad and several others for breaching the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019), and for "falsification by private individuals and use of falsified documents (Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code)." The criminal and administrative charges against DA senior undersecretary Domingo Panganiban, chief accountant officer-in-charge Lolita Jamela, administrative officer V Eunice Biblanias and budget division head Juanita Lualhati, however, were dropped due to lack of probable cause and insufficiency of evidence. Likewise, the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal of both criminal and administrative charges against FTI president Robert Tan to stand as a witness of the prosecution. Back in August, the Ombudsman placed Evangelista, Trinidad and several others, except for Panganiban and Tan, under preventive suspension in connection with the onion supply shortage in the Philippine markets, price manipulation and the dubious procurement of onions by FTI from Bonena Multi-Purpose Cooperative. The Ombudsman’s records showed that the DA entered into a memorandum of agreement with FTI for the Food Mobilization or Kadiwa Food Hub project. FTI, on the other hand, entered into a letter of agreement with Bonena for the delivery of 8,845 bags (approximately 28 kilograms/bag) of onions as part of the said Kadiwa Food Hub. They were accused of violating RA 3019 and the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184) due to the lack of parameters in the selection of a cooperative that will supply and deliver the onions; questionable advance payment of 50 percent of the contract price; non-compliance of the MoA; partial implementation of the contract; and doubtful deliveries by Bonena. During the last quarter of 2022, the country experienced an agricultural shortage, primarily in onions, the prices of which soared to as high as P500 to P700 per kilo. Citing the evidence, Ombudsman Samuel Martires said “it seems like the prices of onions were manipulated.” “It seems like there was no bidding. We obtained CCTV footage from FTI showing what looks like a single person bringing three envelopes to the senior vice president,” he said. The post Agri officials dismissed by Ombudsman for graft, misconduct appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gov t highlights role of media in destroying China’s false narratives on WPS
Reportage and video footage of China’s dangerous maneuvers helped “destroy the false narratives” coming from Chinese government officials, NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said......»»