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Australia, Britain Criticize China for Actions in Hong Kong
SYDNEY - Australia and Britain on Friday criticized China for its actions in Hong Kong and the South China Sea and its support of Russia, after a meeting in which London and Canberra deepened their security ties.The two countries called out 'recent unsafe and destabilizing behavior by China's vessels against Philippine vessels and crew near Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea,' in a statement that contain.....»»
GCash sets sights on further international expansion
With GCash Overseas, Filipinos in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Germany, Qatar, Kuwait, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia can now download and use the GCash app, whether they have Philippine SIMs or local mobile phone numbers in the countries or territories where they live......»»
Elijah Woods on first-ever Asia tour, ‘loving’ Filipino fans
Canadian singer-songwriter and producer Elijah Woods (stylized as elijah woods) is bringing to Asia his ilu 24/7, 365 tour. The series of shows will commence on May 13 in Singapore and travel through Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Manila, Tokyo and Taipei......»»
Hong Kong, Philippines work to enhance relations
Filipinos are slowly beginning to travel back to Hong Kong following continued efforts by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office to woo tourists from the Philippines, as well as renew and improve trade and economic ties between the two nations following the COVID-19 pandemic......»»
NAIA deal signing set in Malacañang on Monday
Diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. will get the blessing of no less than President Marcos in its takeover of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport as the Chief Executive is expected to witness the signing of the concession on Monday......»»
Marcos appoints acting MIAA chief
Airport operations expert Eric Jose Ines will serve as the MIAA’s acting chief and board member, replacing Cesar Chiong. .....»»
BI says ready for Undas travel influx
The Bureau of Immigration said it will have sufficient manpower at airports to handle the increase in travelers during the All Souls' Day and All Saints' Day break. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that BI personnel deployed in all major international airports remain sufficient to cater to the needs of the travelling public. As previously practiced, officers are disallowed from going on vacation leaves during the peak season. Apart from the new immigration officers, augmentation teams have been assigned and mobile counters are ready for deployment as needed, said the BI chief. The BI is forecasting 4 million arrivals for the entire 2023 fourth quarter. From October to December, the BI also anticipates 3.8 million departures -- numbers that are close to pre-pandemic figures. “We have implemented numerous changes in our systems to cater to the resumption of international travel after the pandemic,” said Tangsingco. Prior to the pandemic, passenger volume at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport increased by an average of 6 to 10 percent. Tansingco reminded the public to arrive at the airports at least three hours prior to their flight and proceed directly to the immigration area for clearance after check-in. All BI officers in all airports are likewise placed on heightened alert. “I have ordered all terminal heads to conduct close monitoring of our operations in the coming weeks to ensure smooth processing,” said Tansingco. The post BI says ready for Undas travel influx appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Siarganons urged to adopt eco-friendly practices to preserve island
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged the people in Siargao to adopt eco-friendly practices to protect and conserve the environment as he expressed his commitment to fortify the island's position as a prime global surfing destination. In a speech delivered by the President's son, William Vincent Marcos, the Chief Executive underscored the significance of this annual event as a catalyst for economic recovery and sustainable development in the region. "Apart from showcasing the exceptional talents and skills of surfers, this Cup aims to fortify the position of Siargao Island as a prime surfing destination on the global map," said Marcos Jr. The International Surfing Cup, a prominent event on the island's calendar, not only celebrates the sport of surfing but also serves as a platform for fostering cultural exchanges and nurturing respect and solidarity amidst differences. It is an opportunity for locals and tourists to come together and experience the rich culture and values of surfing. "This competition reinforces the indomitable spirit of the people of Siargao," the President noted, acknowledging the resilience of the island's residents in the face of challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic and Super Typhoon Odette, which caused significant damage to the island. He stressed the importance of supporting responsible fishing practices, buying sustainable seafood, and choosing eco-friendly cleaning and personal care products. The President also called on tourists and locals alike to support government initiatives aimed at the development of Siargao. He highlighted programs such as the Training on Homestay Pilipinas, which educates residential owners about accommodating tourists systematically and responsibly. In addition to these efforts, the government is actively pursuing projects to enhance tourism and trade on the island, including the New Siargao Airport Development Project. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is also working on programs to strengthen Odette-hit towns' adaptive capacities and resilience to climate-related hazards and natural disasters. President Marcos Jr. concluded his speech by expressing his optimism for the continued growth and prosperity of the International Surfing Cup and Siargao's legacy in the global surfing community. He reiterated the government's staunch commitment to supporting the island's efforts for economic recovery and sustainable development. "Let us, therefore, unite as one to bring forth a greener, more secure, and more progressive Philippines for all," the President declared, inspiring hope and unity among the people of Siargao. The post Siarganons urged to adopt eco-friendly practices to preserve island appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Settle fees early,departing aliens told
The Bureau of Immigration on Wednesday advised all foreign travelers leaving the country during the upcoming Undas holiday break to comply with immigration departure requirements early to avoid unnecessary queuing at the airport on the date of their departure. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco reminded registered foreigners who are studying, working or living permanently in the Philippines that they can obtain their special return certificate or re-entry permit prior to departure at any of the various BI’s district, field, satellite, or extension offices nationwide. While foreign tourists who have stayed in the country for more than six months may also secure their emigration clearance certificates before departure, Tansingco said securing the required permits early will decrease queuing time by half, as they will not have to line up at the BI’s airport cashiers anymore. The BI chief added that with the complete elimination of all Covid-related travel restrictions, the Bureau is anticipating a spike in passengers at all international airports in the country, especially at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, this upcoming December, and this time they are also experiencing a big increase in the volume of New Year’s Day travelers. During this peak season, the Bureau reminded all travelers that other immigration services are also available online via the BI’s e-services portal at e-services.immigration.gov.ph. Tansingco shared that the bureau also has a one-stop shop facility located at NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City, where departing aliens may also secure the said documents. He also reiterated previous reminders for passengers to arrive at least three hours prior to their flight and go straight to immigration after check-in. The Bureau is confident that BI operations will be smoother this holiday season as it has deployed additional immigration officers and assigned a rapid response team as well as mobile counters for immediate deployment as necessary. The post Settle fees early,departing aliens told appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BI reminds departing aliens to settle fees; arrests high-profile Korean fugitive
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday advised all foreign travelers who are leaving the country during the upcoming Undas holiday break to comply with their immigration departure requirements early to avoid unnecessary queuing at the airport on the date of their departure. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco reminded registered foreigners who are studying, working, or living permanently in the Philippines that they can obtain their special return certificate (SRC) or re-entry permit (RP) prior to departure at any of the various BI's district, field, satellite, or extension offices nationwide. While foreign tourists who have stayed in the country for more than six months may also secure their emigration clearance certificates (ECC) before departure, Tansingco said securing the required permits early will decrease queueing time by half, as they will not have to line up at the BI’s airport cashiers anymore. The BI chief added that with the complete elimination of all COVID-related travel restrictions, the bureau is anticipating a spike in passengers at all international airports in the country, especially at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), this upcoming December, and this time they are also experiencing a big increase in the volume of New Year's Day travelers. During this peak season, the bureau reminded all travelers that other immigration services are also available online via the BI’s e-services portal at e-services.immigration.gov.ph. Tansingco shared that the bureau also has a one-stop shop (OSS) facility located at NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City, where departing aliens may also secure the said documents. He also reiterated previous reminders for passengers to arrive at least three hours prior to their flight and go straight to immigration after check-in. The BI is confident that its operations will be smoother this holiday season as it has deployed additional immigration officers and assigned a rapid response team as well as mobile counters for immediate deployment as necessary. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, 24 October, BI agents detained a South Korean wanted person who was allegedly part of a major narcotics ring that smuggled contraband into Korea from the Philippines. Commissioner Tansingco identified the suspect as Choi Sun Hyeok, a 56-year-old male who was arrested at his residence in Bgy. Lahug, Cebu City by the BI Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU) operatives. The BI-FSU operatives were armed with a warrant of deportation, which Tansingco issued pursuant to a summary deportation order that the BI Board of Commissioners issued against Choi in 2017. Tansingco said that Choi would be immediately deported to Seoul, South Korea after the bureau had secured the necessary clearances for his departure. According to the South Korean government, Choi was tagged as a high-profile fugitive, as he is believed to be a member of the so-called MS Alliance syndicate that facilitates the illicit transport of narcotics to Korea. A red notice for his capture was also issued by Interpol this year after an investigation confirmed that he was in the country. According to Interpol’s National Central Bureau (NCB) in Manila, Choi is the subject of a warrant of arrest issued by the Changwon District Court in Korea, where he is charged with violating his country’s narcotics control act. Investigators have also established that this year alone, Choi’s accomplices in the syndicate managed to smuggle into Korea more than 265 grams of methamphetamine by concealing the drug in their underwear. It was gathered that the passport of Choi, who will be committed to the BI detention facility in Taguig City, was already revoked by the Korean government, thus making him an undocumented alien. Choi's name was also placed on the BI blacklist to prevent him from re-entering the Philippines. The post BI reminds departing aliens to settle fees; arrests high-profile Korean fugitive appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gazans await ‘life and death’ aid, Israel readies invasion
Thousands of tonnes of "life and death" aid for Gaza should be delivered soon, the United Nations said Friday, to relieve a "beyond catastrophic" situation after unrelenting Israeli bombing in response to an unprecedented Hamas attack. Some 175 lorries stuffed with vital medicines, food, and water stretched into the distance at the Rafah crossing with Egypt, which has removed concrete roadblocks and is scrambling to repair the route into besieged Gaza -- the only one not controlled by Israel. Overseeing operations personally, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters: "These trucks are not just trucks, they are a lifeline, they are the difference between life and death for so many people in Gaza." Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas after the Islamist militant group launched a shock raid from the Gaza Strip on October 7, killing at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians shot, mutilated or burned to death, according to Israeli officials. Hamas gunmen also kidnapped some 200 hostages including foreigners from around two dozen countries. The Islamist group said Friday that its armed wing had released two Americans among the captives, a mother and her daughter, the first fruit of mediation efforts by the Gulf state of Qatar. The Islamist group did not detail how or when the hostages were released. The Israeli military said earlier Friday that most of those abducted to Gaza were still alive. It said more than 20 were minors. In response to the Hamas attack, Israeli bombers have levelled entire city blocks in Gaza in preparation for a ground invasion they say is coming soon. The Hamas-run health ministry said 4,137 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have died in the onslaught. Israeli jets pounded more than 100 Hamas targets in Gaza overnight, the army said, with AFP reporters hearing loud explosions and witnessing plumes of smoke billowing from the northern Gaza Strip. Embracing front-line soldiers and clad in body armour, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged them to "fight like lions" and "win with full force". Fists clenched and voice raised, Netanyahu told cheering troops: "We will deal harsh blows to our enemies in order to achieve victory." Defence Minister Yoav Gallant told some of the tens of thousands of personnel preparing the ground invasion that "the order will come soon". 'Beyond catastrophic' US President Joe Biden said Friday he expected the first aid for Gaza to pass through the Rafah crossing from Egypt within the next two days, under a deal he clinched to allow in 20 trucks of supplies for civilians. Medicine, water purifiers and blankets were being unloaded at El Arish airport near Gaza, an AFP reporter saw, with Ahmed Ali, head of the Egyptian Red Crescent, saying he was getting "two to three planes of aid a day". But World Health Organization emergencies director Michael Ryan said Biden's 20-truck deal was "a drop in the ocean of need" and that 2,000 trucks were required. The UN says more than one million of Gaza's 2.4 million people are displaced, with the humanitarian situation "beyond catastrophic" and deteriorating daily. Refugees from northern Gaza told harrowing tales of bombs, profiteering and extreme temperatures as whole families trekked on foot to flee the violence. Mother of seven Fadwa Al-Najjar walked for 10 hours with her family from northern Gaza to reach a UN camp in the southern city of Khan Yunis, saying she saw cars hit by a strike just in front of them. "We saw bodies and limbs torn off and we just started praying, thinking we were going to die," she said. 'It's unimaginable' On the other side of the conflict, the full horror of what Israel suffered on October 7 and following days was still emerging, as traumatised residents recounted their stories. Shachar Butler, a security chief at the Nir Oz kibbutz, where Hamas militants killed or kidnapped a quarter of the 400 residents, recalls more than a dozen gunmen spraying bullets indiscriminately and lobbing grenades at homes. "It's unimaginable," the 40-year-old told AFP as part of a trip organised by the Israeli military. "Anytime someone tried to touch my window, I shot him," he said. "The people who came out got kidnapped, killed, executed, slaughtered." Butler estimated as many as 200 militants attacked the kibbutz, entering from three sides before going house-to-house. Homes there were still charred with burnt personal belongings strewn everywhere. Israel says around 1,500 Hamas fighters were killed in clashes before its army regained control. 'No safe place' Biden requested a massive $105 billion security package Friday, including $14 billion for Israel, but paralysis in the still speakerless Congress means it will hit an immediate wall. Fresh from a whirlwind trip to Israel this week, Biden is hoping to staunch the possibility of a wider Middle East war. The United States has moved two aircraft carriers into the eastern Mediterranean to deter Iran or Lebanon's Hezbollah, both Hamas allies, from getting involved. After days of clashes with Hezbollah fighters along the Lebanese border, Israeli authorities announced the evacuation of Kiryat Shmona, a nearby town which is home to some 25,000 residents, many of whom have already left. The conflict has inflamed passions across the region, with protests held in several countries. Thousands flooded into Egypt's iconic Tahrir Square in support of Gaza, an AFP correspondent said. Protests were also held outside the French and US embassies in Tunis. Following a strike at a church compound late Thursday, the Hamas-controlled interior ministry said several people sheltering at the church were killed and wounded, blaming an Israeli strike. The Israeli army acknowledged a church wall had been damaged in one of its air strikes targeting a "command and control centre belonging to a Hamas terrorist". "This place is dedicated for praying, a place of love and peace," said witness Abu Khalil Jahshan. "There is no safe place here in Gaza." The post Gazans await ‘life and death’ aid, Israel readies invasion appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Immigration officer convicted
The National Bureau of Investigation yesterday revealed that a Bureau of Immigration officer has been convicted for the falsification of travel records showing that former Wirecard chief operating officer Jan Marsalek was in the Philippines even if he did not arrive and leave the country in 2020. The NBI said BI officer Marcos S. Nicodemus has been found guilty by the Pasay City Regional Trial Court of violations of Republic Act 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act, and RA 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Though the RTC decision was not provided by the NBI, it said that Nicodemus “was sentenced by the court to a maximum imprisonment of nine years for each of the criminal cases with perpetual disqualification to hold public office.” Marsalek, an Austrian national, has been wanted by the German government for his involvement in the $2.2 billion Wirecard fraud. In 2020, the Philippine government joined the hunt for Marsalek due to Wirecard’s links in the country and discovered travel records that showed that the Austrian came to the Philippines in 2020. Then Department of Justice Secretary and now Solicitor General Menardo I. Guevarra ordered the NBI to conduct an investigation. In August 2020, the NBI “recommended to the DoJ the prosecution of subject Marcos Nicodemus for falsifying the travel records of an Austrian national.” “Investigation conducted by NBI-IAID (NBI-International Airport Investigation Division) revealed that based on Marsalek’s travel records, he arrived in the Philippines through NAIA Terminal 1 on 23 June 2020, processed by Immigration Officer Darren Ilagan but with a mysterious ‘canceled by user’ remark and departure on 24 June 2020 at Mactan-Cebu International Airport processed by Immigration Officer Perry Michael Pancho,” the NBI said. “However, NBI-IAID discovered thru CCTV (closed circuit television) footages that Marsalek never entered the Philippines and he did not even depart through MCIA,” the NBI said. The records of Marsalek were found to be spurious due to the following: Existing immigrations protocol as of that date disallowing passengers from entering Philippine territory due to Covid situation; absence of actual scanned data page of the passport; existing protocol that incoming flights of airlines disallowing the boarding of a passenger who will be prevented entry based on the destination country’s protocol as of flight date. The NBI said that Ilagan testified that Nicodemus, who was his supervisor, “ordered him to conduct a derogatory check upon Marsalek despite the fact that he was already not on duty on that date and that Marsalek is not present during checking.” Guevarra in 2020, said that the travel records of the Marsalek were falsified possibly as “diversionary tactics to mislead his pursuers.” The post Immigration officer convicted appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hundreds dead in Israel-Gaza war as Hezbollah launches attacks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday warned of a "long and difficult" war, as fighting with Hamas left hundreds dead on both sides after a surprise attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group. The conflict's bloodiest escalation in decades saw Hamas carry out a massive rocket barrage and ground, air and sea offensive Saturday that Israel's army said had killed more than 200 Israelis and wounded 1,000, while soldiers and civilians were taken hostage. Gaza officials said intense Israeli air strikes on the coastal enclave had brought the Palestinian death toll to at least 256, with nearly 1,788 wounded. As fighting raged Sunday, Lebanon's powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah movement said it had fired "large numbers of artillery shells and guided missiles" at Israeli positions in a contested border areas "in solidarity" with Hamas. Israel's army had earlier said it fired artillery on southern Lebanon in response to a shot from the area without identifying the attackers. "We are embarking on a long and difficult war that was forced on us by a murderous Hamas attack," Netanyahu said on X, formerly Twitter, early Sunday. "The first stage is ending at this time by the destruction of the vast majority of the enemy forces that infiltrated our territory," he added, pledging no "respite" until victory. Overnight Israel battered the Gaza Strip with air strikes as rockets from the blockaded Palestinians territory rained on Israel. Sunday morning gun still battles raged between Israeli forces and hundreds of Hamas fighters in multiple locations, including at the Sderot police station across the border from Gaza. Police and Israeli army special forces "neutralized 10 armed terrorists" who were holed up inside the station, a police statement said. The bloody air, sea and land attack launched Saturday by Hamas came half a century after the outbreak of the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, taking Israel and the world by surprise. As the UN Security Council called an emergency meeting for Sunday, President Joe Biden voiced "rock solid and unwavering" support for the US ally and warned "against any other party hostile to Israel seeking advantage in this situation". - Hostages and 'so many bodies' - The Israeli army said overnight its forces were still engaged in gun battles in a string of Israel locations, in an operation labelled "Swords of Iron", as reservists were being called up. Hamas earlier released images of several Israelis taken captive, and another army spokesman, Daniel Hagari, confirmed that soldiers and civilians had been kidnapped. "I can't give figures about them at the moment," he said late Saturday, adding there was also a "severe hostage situation" in the Negev desert communities of Beeri and Ofakim east of Gaza. According to Ynet Israeli news website "dozens of Israeli captives, including numerous women, children and elders, are believed to have been taken into the Gaza Strip". The fighting prompted Israel to cut off Gaza's electricity, fuel and goods supplies, Netanyahu said. The Islamist group started the multi-pronged attack around 6:30 am (0330 GMT) on Saturday with thousands of rockets aimed as far as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, some bypassing the Iron Dome defense system and hitting buildings. Hamas fighters -- traveling in ground vehicles, motorized paragliders and boats -- breached Gaza's security barrier and attacked nearby Israeli towns and military posts, opening fire on residents and passersby. "Send help, please!" one Israeli woman sheltering with her two-year-old child pleaded as militants outside opened fire and tried to break into their safe room, Israeli media reported. Bodies were strewn on the streets of the Israeli town of Sderot near Gaza and inside cars, the windscreens shattered by a hail of bullets. "I saw many bodies, of terrorists and civilians," one man told AFP, standing beside covered corpses on a road near Gevim Kibbutz in southern Israel. "So many bodies, so many bodies." AFP journalists witnessed Palestinian armed men gather around a burning Israeli tank, and others driving a seized Israeli military Humvee vehicle back into Gaza, where they were met by cheering crowds. - 'Gates of hell' - Israeli army Major General Ghasan Alyan warned Hamas had "opened the gates of hell". An AFP journalist in Gaza saw clouds of dust from the remains of bombed residential towers which Gaza's interior ministry said contained 100 apartments. Israel's military said it had warned residents to evacuate before targeting the multi-story buildings used by Hamas. The escalation follows months of rising violence, mostly in the occupied West Bank, and tensions around Gaza's border and at contested holy sites in Jerusalem. Before Saturday, at least 247 Palestinians, 32 Israelis and two foreigners had been killed this year, including combatants and civilians, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials. Hamas labeled its attack "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood" and called on "resistance fighters in the West Bank" as well as in "Arab and Islamic nations" to join the battle. Its armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, claimed to have fired more than 5,000 rockets, while Hecht said Israel had counted more than 3,000 incoming rockets. Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said the group was on the "verge of a great victory", vowing to press ahead with "the battle to liberate our land and our prisoners languishing in occupation prisons must be completed". - 'Dangerous precipice' - Air raid sirens wailed across southern and central Israel, as well as in Jerusalem on Saturday, and there were major disruptions at Tel Aviv airport where many carriers canceled flights. Israel said schools would remain closed on Sunday which marks the start of the week. Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, leading to Israel's crippling blockade of the impoverished enclave of 2.3 million people. Israel and Hamas have since fought several wars. The last major military exchange, in May, killed 34 Palestinians and one Israeli. Violence also erupted across the West Bank, including annexed east Jerusalem, with five Palestinians killed and 120 wounded in clashes with Israeli forces and settlers, Palestinian medical services said. Countries around the world condemned the wave of attacks by Hamas, which Israel, the United States and European Union consider a terrorist group. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the attack "terrorism in its most despicable form". But Hamas drew support from other foes of Israel, with Iran's supreme leader declaring he was "proud". UN Middle East peace envoy Tor Wennesland warned of "a dangerous precipice" and called on all sides to "pull back from the brink". (Rosie Scammell with Adel Zaanoun in Gaza) az-rsc-jd/hkb © Agence France-Presse The post Hundreds dead in Israel-Gaza war as Hezbollah launches attacks appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Domestic aviation rebounds this year
The local aviation industry, which was badly hit by the global health crisis, is seen to achieve full recovery this year. This was according to the International Air Transport Association in a recent forum organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines. During the Aviation Forum last week, Yuli Thompson, area manager for the IATA in Southeast Asia, said the Philippines and the rest of the Asia Pacific region’s aviation market is swiftly recovering and seeing a consistent rise in terms of growth in international and domestic travel. Thompson said passenger traffic trends for international flights in the Philippines were logged at 75 percent of 2019 levels as of June 2023. As for the Asia Pacific passenger forecast, Yuli maintained that domestic travel will fully recover in 2023, while international travel will occur sometime in 2026. Further, Asia Pacific will be seen to lead in traffic growth in the next 20 years. “However, overcoming current challenges riding on the current momentum, and meeting full recovery will require strong interventions from all players in the aviation sector,” he said. Infra investments For his part, Cebu Pacific Air chief executive officer Michael Szucs emphasized the need to invest in infrastructure, citing that “Philippine carriers will need to quadruple in size to cater to growing demand.” In her keynote speech, Secretary Grace Poe urged stakeholders to support necessary infrastructure investments, especially following the air system glitch incident earlier this year. The senator called for the acquisition of a new Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management. Poe also recommended the hiring of a third-party maintenance provider for the CNS/ATM system. “It is my hope that the government, the private sector, and other stakeholders can work together and collaborate on air transport projects which will not only generate economic growth but also provide our people with excellent and affordable public services that can improve the quality of life for all,” she said. Also filed by Poe is Senate Bill 1121 which proposes the creation of a Philippine Transportation Safety Board. Under the directive of the current Marcos administration, Department of Transportation Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Roberto Lim highlighted the government’s key priorities, including aviation safety and strengthening of learning institutions. Lim further noted the agency’s priority of strengthening the Civil Aviation Training Center and engaging with the private sector as close partners for Air Transport Skills Training and Development. “If we are able to train our air traffic controllers, we would not only meet our own requirements, but the requirements of other countries. We can develop this on an institutional basis,” said Lim. Open up the industry Kurt Edwards, director general of the International Business Aviation Council, also raised the fact that much could be gained “by opening the industry and making it more known to people.” In terms of managing safety risks, Captain Manuel Antonio Tamayo, director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, shared initiatives to advance safety capabilities in the aviation sector through the State Safety Program. The program employs a risk-based approach to regulations, capacity building and integration of a new organizational structure for monitoring and evaluation. Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista stressed that the DOTr’s goal to rehabilitate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport through a public-private partnership agreement, which he said, will present a “landmark opportunity for economic growth, improved infrastructure, and a world-class travel experience.” Added Bautista, “We are also developing regional airports, such as the unsolicited proposals for the operations and maintenance of the Bicol International Airport, Bohol-Panglao International Airport and Laguindingan Airport.” The post Domestic aviation rebounds this year appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hawaiian child porn convict denied entry
The Bureau of Immigration reported that an American national who was previously convicted for crimes against children in his country was denied entry to the country. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco identified the passenger as Ronald Huy Young, a 54-year-old male, who was excluded on Sunday (1 October) after arriving at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on board a Philippine Airlines flight PR101 from Honolulu, Hawaii. Tansingco said that Young was denied entry by the BI officer at NAIA for a violation of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940. Under the said law, foreign nationals who have been previously convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude are inadmissible in the country. According to the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center records, Young pleaded guilty to first-degree electronic enticing of a child. He was listed on the state’s sex registry and given a 10-year prison sentence by Hawaii’s first circuit court in 2008. The BI chief reiterated that aliens with records of sexual crimes are not welcome to the country. Tansingco said that the law is very clear in its intent to protect Filipinos from foreigners who might be engaged in sex tourism and may prey upon the vulnerable. Any aliens with such criminal records are barred from entering the country. The post Hawaiian child porn convict denied entry appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Governor’s fight vs EDCA
Despite political pressure, Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba continues to oppose the Enhanced Defense Cooperative Agreement or EDCA sites in his province. Since April this year, he has been announcing publicly his opposition. Mamba also urged Cagayanos to make a united stand and voice their opposition following the announcement by the Presidential Communications Office that EDCA sites were to be established at Naval Base Camilo Osias in Santa Ana and the Lal-lo Airport in the province. I had a chance to meet Mamba last 25 August, and he said he is against any form of neo-colonialism, which is perhaps why he is not in favor of having American military personnel, facilities, and structures in the country, particularly in his province. During the occasion, he was also commended by a retired Philippine National Police general. I suppose we are aware that Governor Mamba is under heavy political oppression due to his opposition to PH-US military relations and new EDCA sites. To Cagayanos, Governor Mamba is undoubtedly the national hero of the new century because his courage and determination are worthy of admiration. Observers said his opposition to the military ties with the US and the new EDCA sites had alienated him from President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., to whom he was once close. In early May, in reaction to Governor Mamba’s opposition to the new EDCA sites, House Speaker Martin Romualdez reiterated that the President’s determination to strengthen cooperation with the US with new EDCA sites was “unshakable.” There were rumors the Speaker asked the Governor to keep quiet on the matter. To Governor Mamba’s supporters, this was a severe warning and a humiliation from the President and the US. On 9 February this year, US embassy personnel met with an assistant of Cagayan Vice Governor Melvin Vargas, named Agatep, mainly to get an update on Governor Mamba’s alleged “irregular vote buying” in the last election. During the meeting, dissatisfaction was expressed with the Governor’s public opposition to the new EDCA sites in Cagayan. Well, should the vote-buying case push through, what could we expect? Should Governor Mamba’s election be overturned, Vice Governor Vargas, who supports the PH-US alliance, would be the likely successor. A friend from the north told me that Katrina Enrile, like her father Juan Ponce Enrile, the Presidential Chief Legal Adviser, is pro-EDCA. To eliminate the local opposition to EDCA, Katrina Enrile allied with Governor Mamba’s political rivals — Vice Governor Vargas and the Lara family. Vice Governor Vargas met with Katrina Enrile on 19 April and stated that he had garnered the support of a majority of the provincial officials regarding the establishment of the two EDCA sites in Cagayan. The new EDCA sites were the President’s decision, and they should not speculate on this. Katrina Enrile’s efforts paid off, as the President appointed her Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of CEZA, the office that manages the Cagayan Special Economic Zone. Interestingly, the Cagayan Special Economic Zone Act of 1995 was proposed and drafted by Juan Ponce Enrile. On 7 April, representatives of the US government met with Mayor Florant Pascual of Lal-lo and president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Cagayan Chapter. During the meeting, the American government promised to carry out energy projects through USAID and provide local assistance in exchange for Pascual’s support of the new EDCA sites. On 20 April, Pascual and 18 other mayors publicly announced their support for the new EDCA sites in Cagayan. Soon after, on 15 June, USAID representatives visited the Philippines and announced a $65-million fund for Cagayan and Isabela to support local energy planning and introduce renewable energy technologies, such as solar roofs. The US embassy said the communities near the new EDCA sites in Santa Ana and Lal-lo would also benefit from the grant. The post Governor’s fight vs EDCA appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Immigration to explore AI use
The Bureau of Immigration said yesterday that it is now exploring the use of artificial intelligence or its operations. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco shared that immigration heads attended a biometrics conference in Montreal, Canada to benchmark technology trends for the Philippines. The conference, dubbed the 18th Symposium on the International Civil Aviation Organisation, Traveller Identification Program and Joint International Criminal Police Organization Biometrics Forum, was attended by the BI Chief last 12–14 September to study and adopt global trends on immigration and border management. Tansingco also attended a meeting with the Canada Border Services Agency and viewed the facilities at Vancouver International Airport. In the said conference, the BI Chief said that he saw how AI can improve immigration processing by adding a layer of security. Tansingco added that the AI technology can also be used to detect impostors and falsified documents even before they reach immigration counters. He clarified that AI will not replace immigration officers but instead unburden them from manual processing to maximize the BI’s manpower. These technological advancements, including the expansion of the BI’s e-gates, will significantly improve the bureau’s operations. The post Immigration to explore AI use appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl immigration to explore AI use
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Friday that it is now exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for its operations. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco shared that BI heads attended a biometrics conference in Montreal, Canada, to benchmark technology trends for the Philippines. The conference dubbed the 18th Symposium on the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Traveller Identification Programme (TRIP) and Joint International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) Biometrics Forum, was attended by the BI chief last 12 to 14 September to study and adopt the global trends on immigration and border management. Tansingco also attended a meeting with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and viewed the facilities at Vancouver International Airport. At the conference, the BI chief said that he saw how AI can improve immigration processing by adding a layer of security. He added that AI technology can also be used to detect impostors and falsified documents even before they reach immigration counters. "Naglalakad palang sila makikita na ng AI kung may suspicious documents or activities sila,” Tansingco also said. AI technologies are expected to provide facial recognition and document-matching features. He clarified that AI will not replace immigration officers but instead unburden them from manual processing to maximize the BI’s manpower. These technological advancements, including the expansion of the BI’s e-gates, will significantly improve the bureau's operations. "Currently, we are doing manual processing, and it takes 45 seconds per passenger,” said Tansingco. “The e-gates can decrease processing time to as low as eight seconds,” he added. Tansingco also shared that, due to the limited airport space, technologies such as e-gates are necessary to lessen queueing time. In the Philippines, he said, these technologies make things faster especially so that the country has "limited space". The BI chief said he sees the need to modernize immigration systems to be on par with their international counterparts. Likewise, he is pushing for the approval of the proposed immigration modernization law, which updates the country’s 83-year-old Philippine Immigration Act. The post Phl immigration to explore AI use appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Travel patterns led to arrest of mother-daughter drug smugglers
Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco lauded on Friday the BI Anti-Terrorist Group (BI-ATG) for its role in the successful interdiction of two drug couriers on 27 September. In a report given to Tansingco, BI-ATG airport head Bienvenido Castillo III shared that the mother-and-daughter tandem, who were identified as Siti Aishah Binte Awang and Nur Alaviyah Binte Hanaffe, both Singaporeans, were intercepted after arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 via a Qatar Airlines flight QR928 from Doha. According to Castillo, the two suspects attempted to transit to Hong Kong via the Philippines but the BI officer at NAIA 3 intercepted them after detecting suspicious travel patterns. Castillo said that they also received information about the suspects from their international counterparts. They observed that the suspects would come in and out of the country in several instances and noted suspicious travels. He added that they also discovered another individual with the exact same patterns; hence, they immediately coordinated the matter with the members of the NAIA-Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-DITG). After alerting the task group, members from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) conducted an immediate entrapment operation with the assistance of airline representatives. A canine inspection showed that the duo’s luggage contained suspicious materials. Checks by the BOC confirmed that their bags contained six cookie tin cans and five cylindrical chip cans containing 564 pellets with a white powdered substance. The substance, identified as cocaine, totaled more or less 14,360 grams, with a current street value of PhP76,108,000. Tansingco hailed the arrest and commended the BI-ATG for the immediate and proactive actions that led to the interdiction. The BI chief said that the alertness of their immigration officers in analyzing the travel patterns of these criminals was instrumental in this arrest. Tansingco added that close coordination among government agencies in the airports is necessary to protect our borders from all kinds of criminal activity. Both suspects were arrested by the PDEA and remain under the agency’s custody for the filing of the appropriate charges against them. The post Travel patterns led to arrest of mother-daughter drug smugglers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DFA confirms Azurin held by Canadian immigration
Former Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. was intercepted by Canadian immigration personnel upon his arrival at Langley Airport in Canada, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed Wednesday. During the budget deliberation on the DFA’s proposed P23 billion for the upcoming fiscal year in the House of Representatives, House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan inquired about reports of Azurin being held by Canadian immigration authorities. Responding to Libanan’s query, Nueva Ecija Representative Joseph Violago, who sponsored the DFA’s proposed budget before the plenary, positively affirmed the report. “There seems to be a misunderstanding, misinterpretation of what happened. The Canadian government expressed their regrets due to the miscommunication,” Violago said. He noted that Azurin, who resigned from his post in January, voluntarily went back home after being denied from entering Canada. In a separate statement, DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said that the Philippine government is “in touch” with Canadian authorities regarding Azurin’s case. “The Department is in touch with Canadian authorities and hopes to get a better understanding of the incident soon,” Daza told reporters in a WhatsApp message to reporters. “While our foreign service posts are ready to assist Filipino travelers, including former government officials, these cases have privacy issues surrounding them,” she added. To recall, Azurin resigned from his post in January following Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos’ appeal to the high-ranking officials of the PNP to resign from their posts as part of the internal cleansing of the organization. Abalos sought the courtesy resignation of almost 1,000 police colonels and generals to address the alleged return of ninja cops in the PNP. The post DFA confirms Azurin held by Canadian immigration appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»