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Teves mocks DoJ over ‘bribing’ allegations
Embattled Negros Oriental Third District Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. mocked Justice Secretary Boying Remulla’s claim that the suspects were bribed with P8 million each to recant their statements against him. In a Facebook video uploaded on Saturday, Teves labeled the alleged P8-million bribe as a figment of the Department of Justice’s imagination, stressed that he had no idea where Remulla obtained the figure. The accused lawmaker’s remark came a day after Remulla’s claim that the offer to the suspects began when his alleged co-mastermind Marvin Miranda was allowed to speak with a lawyer he earlier refuted knowing. “When Marvin Miranda was caught on 31 March, about six days after that, the rustling started. When he finally spoke to the lawyer he didn’t want to let in at first, the money offer to the other accused began,” said the Justice chief. To recall, five more suspects in the sensational 4 March killing of Degamo and nine others recanted their confessions before the Manila Regional Trial Court on 31 May, bringing the total number of suspects who initially cooperated with authorities but have now recanted their statements to 10. All 11 accused, including Miranda, filed a move to quash as they alleged that their arrests were unlawful. The most recent suspects to recant are Winrich Esturis, Eugelio Gonyon Jr., John Louie Gonyon, Joric Labrador and Benjie Rodriguez. They were represented by lawyer Jord Valenton, who said his clients were subjected to torture to confess to taking part in the assassination. Remulla over the weekend named former Justice Undersecretary Reynante Orceo as the person who allegedly spoke with Miranda and other suspects. Teves contended, though, that the Justice chief was only fabricating it against him. Previously, Teves was given another 60-day suspension and forfeited his committee memberships by the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges on Wednesday as a punishment for his continued defiance of Speaker Martin Romualdez’s call to return home and face the allegations against him in the Degamo murder case and report to work. His first suspension lapsed on 22 May. Teves left for the US since February this year. His stay outside the country despite his expired travel clearance is one of the reasons the House is running after him. The post Teves mocks DoJ over ‘bribing’ allegations appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Russian Spy Chief Makes Bizarre Claim of US, UK, and Ukraine Involvement in Moscow Attack
In a recent development, the director of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has made startling accusations against Ukraine, the US, and the UK, claiming they.....»»
Philippines to improve 9 of its islands in South China Sea
MANILA, The Philippines: The Philippines is set to enhance the habitability of islands it considers part of its territory in the South China Sea, according to Romeo Brawner, Manila's military chief. These plans are unfolding amid escalating tensions between the Philippines and China, as both nations claim South China Sea territory and have accused each other of provocative actions in the region. Apart fr.....»»
Philippines to enhance habitability of its islands in South China Sea
MANILA, The Philippines: The Philippines is set to enhance the habitability of islands it considers part of its territory in the South China Sea, according to Romeo Brawner, Manila's military chief. These plans are unfolding amid escalating tensions between the Philippines and China, as both nations claim South China Sea territory and have accused each other of provocative actions in the region. Apart fr.....»»
Fiscals grill Enrile ex-aide on ‘pork papers’
State prosecutors yesterday questioned lawyer Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes, former chief of staff of former senator and now Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, on her claim that her signatures on the “pork papers” were forged......»»
LTO innovates responses to backlogs
The Land Transportation Office, or LTO, now under the leadership of Atty. Vigor Mendoza II, has committed to implementing innovative solutions to immediately address the piles of problems “inherited” from the previous leaderships. Mendoza, whom Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista tasked to help the agency improve its current state, expressed confidence that he could turn the LTO around and make it more efficient and effective. He said this aligns with the Marcos administration’s marching orders to digitalize and bring government services closer to the people seamlessly. Mendoza has already begun to execute some changes, such as streamlining the driver’s license application process, implementing a new online vehicle registration system, and reducing the number of fixers at LTO offices, among others. Speaking in a recent interview on DAILY TRIBUNE’s Straight Talk, Mendoza disclosed that his agency is studying cost-effective ways to produce license plates. Presently, the LTO has a manufacturing plant with eight machines working to produce license plates, but as recently directed by Bautista, the agency is looking at outsourcing them instead of producing them. “We make the plates ourselves, although we are studying if maybe it is high time to review whether the LTO should produce or outsource the plates. I told Secretary Bautista that in terms of efficiency, it might be less costly and faster if we outsource it,” Mendoza said. “We are thoroughly studying those options to weigh which will be less costly to the government. Thus, finally, we could resolve all the backlogs,” he added. Million plates a month Mendoza added that the agency’s plate-making plant could produce a million monthly plates to replace all the backlogs — from the old green plates to the new white ones. He said before the end of November, the license plate backlog will hopefully be fully addressed. With production in full swing, a motorist with a newly acquired four-wheel vehicle can claim his license plates within 10 days. In the meantime, new motorcycle owners can now get their plates immediately. This significantly improved from the previous year when motorists took years to get their plates. To recall, in March, ex-LTO chief Jay Art Tugade issued a memo suspending the production of license plates due to a shortage of materials. Online portal needs full utilization Mendoza said the LTO is also working on finally utilizing the Land Transportation Management System, or LTMS, a P3.14-billion portal created to address Filipinos’ motoring concerns. He lamented that the underutilization of the online portal, which he described as just one of the many inherited problems of the agency, was a misuse of government funds. “The system design is incomplete, and you know that as much as possible, we want to be fully digital as instructed by the President. We want motorists to be able to apply for a license and register their vehicles through that platform,” Mendoza said. “We supposedly have all the facilities. There will be no need to go to LTO offices as it will also address the issues of fixers. However, we cannot do all these until we fully resolve the website’s functionalities,” he said, adding that the LTO would need the developers to provide them with some missing source and application codes. The LTMS was jointly developed by German technology firm Dermalog and its local partners, Holy Family Printing Corp., Microgenesis, and Verzontal Builders Inc. The project went through competitive bidding in May 2018. The LTO’s online portal is a one-stop shop that will integrate all LTO services in a single contactless database system and digital platform. “We are waiting for their reply. I have been open since my first day in office, and I’ve been very open to them. There is a problem, let us talk about it. However, they have not replied to my letters on the source code and application code issue. We have to protect the government’s interest, and the government’s interest is to get the source and application codes so we can do the enhancements ourselves,” Mendoza said. According to the new LTO chief, hiring another third-party team to resolve the LTMS issues might cost the government at least another billion pesos. Mendoza asked why the government does not just find another software developer, saying: “We already paid for the contract.” “If we do it, maybe they will spend another billion just to complete everything, so the government will save a lot if we do it ourselves. We have DICT with us, and LTO is also hiring technical people for us to be able to do it ourselves. So, we can do it, we don’t need foreigners to teach us.” The post LTO innovates responses to backlogs appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Observe ‘cyber hygiene,’ judicial personnel urged
The Supreme Court has directed all judiciary officials and personnel to strengthen the courts’ cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data and minimize the risk of cyber threats. Acting Chief Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen issued the directive as Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo is on official travel abroad, citing the recent data breach involving the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or PhilHealth. In Administrative Order 150-2023 on “Proper Cyber Hygiene in Judiciary,” the SC said, “One of the most common ways of ransomware attacks is done through phishing emails, which usually contain malicious links or attachments.” The SC warned, “Do not open these links or attachments unless they have been verified to be legitimate.” Court officials and employees were advised to examine carefully the sender’s email address to avoid being victimized. “Phishers often use email addresses that look similar to ones used by legitimate organizations but may have small misspellings or inconsistencies. Always take a close look at the sender’s display name when checking the legitimacy of an email,” the SC said. Court officials and personnel were also instructed to protect personal information and double-check email attachments by scanning the same for viruses. On password security, the SC suggested that “under no circumstances should judiciary personnel use personal information and dictionary words in creating passwords.” Judiciary officials and employees were also urged to use a longer password containing numbers, symbols, and both uppercase and lowercase letters; to avoid the same password for multiple accounts; to consider passphrases or a sequence of random words instead of passwords; to use a password manager; and to enable a multifactor authentication system in their accounts. They were advised never to share their passwords with others, even those who claim to be from trusted institutions, and to ensure that any written passwords are stored securely. In protecting important files and ensuring their recovery in case of data loss, the guidelines recommend that court officials and personnel follow the “3-2-1 backup rule” to ensure data redundancy and availability in case of hardware failure, data corruption, or other catastrophes. The rule requires users to keep three copies of their data on two different media types, with one copy stored offsite. The post Observe ‘cyber hygiene,’ judicial personnel urged appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
U.S. asserts safe WPS passage for all
It has nothing to do with that particular country, or so they claimed rather cautiously and diplomatically. Navies of the Philippines and the United States opened their bilateral naval exercises yesterday, along with six other countries, at Naval Station Jose Andrada on Roxas Boulevard, Manila. The drills involve at-shore events at the Philippine Navy’s headquarters before going out to sea for exercises intended to improve the allied naval forces’ interoperability. Dubbed Exercise Sama-Sama, or Together, the exercise, according to Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci, has nothing to do with a particular country that has figured in increasing tensions in the West Philippine Sea. But Adaci was obviously referring to China whose coast guard had used water cannons on Philippine Coast Guard-led resupply missions to Filipino troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal in the WPS. Adaci opened the exercise with US Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Karl Thomas. “The exercise is designed to be conducted here in Manila and the southern Luzon area,” Adaci said. Thomas, for his part, stressed the need to recognize the rules-based international order. Strong word “I think it is important that all nations have a right to sail and operate in the West Philippine Sea — free from worrying about being attacked,” Thomas said. “And attack is probably a strong word.” “I would say, free from being coerced, free from being intimidated. You know we want the commons to be common and open and free. And so long as our nations operate in accordance with the rule of law, in accordance with the rules and regulations, with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” he said. Like Adaci, Thomas did not mention China, but it is common knowledge that the United States military has been conducting “freedom of navigation” patrols to keep the South China Sea open to international commerce. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last week ordered the PCG to cut the 300-meter floating barrier installed by Chinese militia vessels at Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal. PN assets in action A 2016 arbitral ruling deemed China’s territorial claim on nearly the entire South China Sea, including areas that overlap the WPS, invalid. The ruling stemmed from a 2013 case filed by the Philippines against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration, or PCA, after Beijing seized control of Scarborough Shoal in 2012. As the PCA junked China’s nine-dash line South China Sea claim, it affirmed the Philippines’ entitlement to its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. Around 700 sailors and marines from different PN units are participating in the exercise, which will see in action, among other assets, the BRP Antonio Luna, and an AW109 naval helicopter. For the second straight year, the exercise will include the navies of Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada, France and Australia. They will be participating mainly in humanitarian assistance and disaster response drills. Observers Meanwhile, the Royal New Zealand Navy and the Indonesian Navy are also joining as observers the naval exercise that dates back to 1994 when it was known as Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training. In 2017, its name was changed to Exercise Sama-Sama. Subsequently, the exercise was conducted annually across various regions: In 2017 at Naval Forces Central; in 2018 at Naval Forces Northern Luzon; in 2019 at Naval Forces West; and in 2021 at the Northern Luzon Command. Last year, it was held alongside Exercise Lumbas — the bilateral navy-to-navy exercise between the Philippines and Australia — with the limited participation of France, Japan and the United Kingdom. According to the PN, the primary objective of the exercise is to enhance the capabilities of both nations in responding to regional crises. Additionally, it aims to strengthen its capacities to address non-traditional challenges, including territorial defense, natural and man-made disasters, counterterrorism, maritime security and transnational crimes. The post U.S. asserts safe WPS passage for all appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Man on a mission
He has been to hell and back since entering the country’s premier military school, the Philippine Military Academy, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1982, to seeing action as a police officer, and lately to waltzing into the ring of fire by entering politics. Much has been written about the exploits of former police general Benjamin “Benjie” Magalong, Baguio City Mayor, since 2019, with the positive usually outweighing the negative. Love him, hate him, but believe me, Magalong is no lone ranger. He can sustain the hard yards of fighting criminality and corruption that one wonders where he gets all the energy and focus in addressing the challenges that come his way. Last month, Magalong and a few local chief executives launched “Mayors for Good Governance,” a campaign for responsible leadership and anti-corruption in local governments. They signed A2, a manifesto committing local executives to transparency and the rule of law. The movement has already received support from more than 150 city and municipal mayors nationwide, a testament to how much rests on his stewardship. Corruption is like a “communicable” disease that can easily transmit the evils that go with it from the lowest strata to the highest echelon of society. It has many forms and strains — from petty graft to large-scale kickbacks — and affects people from all walks of life, generations, and races. People get used to it until it becomes a way of life, and in the process, they lose their independence of thought because their eyes are shut. Pope Francis described it best: “Some people behave in relation to corruption as they would with drugs. They think they can take it and leave it as they please. They start with something minor: a kickback here, a bribe there. And between this and that, they gradually lose their freedom.” Fighting corruption is like fighting drugs; it is never one-sided. There are hits and misses along the way. Anything is fair game when you put a face into a noble cause. I was a field operative of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency assigned in Region 8 when Magalong was director of PDEA’s Special Enforcement Service, which was responsible for dismantling numerous drug laboratories and causing the dismissal of several police scalawags. Magalong is one straight arrow. He never compromises his name when it comes to fighting drugs and crime. However, he is also a caring leader who always looks after his men like he would his children. He never tolerates shenanigans but lavishes praise and support for a well-done job. That’s why it did not come as a surprise when he was made chairman of the Mamasapano Board of Inquiry in 2015, which investigated the carnage of 44 Special Action Forces in Maguindanao. I have seen firsthand Magalong’s sincerity when it comes to public service. A public servant who goes beyond his comfort zone to give timely and proper assistance to the public, Magalong has the integrity and bravery to stand by his ideals to the detriment of his career because he wants the country to succeed. Like Magalong, I also had my share of fighting the tentacles of corruption in PDEA and later at the Bureau of Customs, once touted as the most corrupt government agency, during my seven-month stint as a commissioner despite the brickbats and the Sword of Damocles hanging above me. It was a lonely battle indeed, especially since I came to the bureau all alone. Tormentors coming from opposite directions were having a field day — from the not-so-harmless Marites (Mare, ano ang latest?) and Mariposa (Mare, post mo na) to greedy politicians and industry shenanigans. I have no moral qualms regarding Magalong’s mission — to take the arduous and lifelong task of making a difference in people’s lives, especially the poor, who are most hurt by corruption. Taking the high road is never easy, and I am sure that knowing Magalong, he could surmount all the hurdles, including the legal ones, that come in the end. The post Man on a mission appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DoJ prosecutors told: Probe Pinoy-Indian case delay
The Philippine National Police on Thursday appealed to the Department of Justice’s Office of the Regional Prosecutor in Southern Tagalog to intervene in the immediate filing in court of the amendments in the charge of illegal possession of firearm against a Filipino-Indian businessman. In a two-page letter dated 27 September 2023 addressed to Assistant Regional Prosecutor Rogelio D. Radoc Jr. and signed by P/Lt. Col. Stefano Andrenicus A. Rabino, chief of the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Southern Metro Manila District Field Unit, it stressed that the Office of the City Prosecutor of of Dasmariñas in Cavite has yet to act on the 8 September resolution signed by Radoc himself. “Given the mandate to practice close coordination between the Prosecution and Law Enforcement, we ask for the immediate intercession of your Honorable Office to remind and compel the OCP Dasmariñas to comply, without delay, with the Resolution dated 8 September 2023 and file the necessary charges against the respondent,” said Rabino in his letter. To recall, the Dasmariñas OCP was ordered in the resolution to amend the charges it filed in court against Filipino-Indian businessman Amith Chandiramani. The OCP, aside from only the charge of illegal possession of a 9mm handgun, has been ordered to amend the criminal charge sheet to include illegal possession of M4 carbine and M26 fragmentation grenade with casing. Rabino said they were informed that the OCP have yet to officially received the copy of the resolution but said they find the claim as incredulous and as a ploy to delay. The post DoJ prosecutors told: Probe Pinoy-Indian case delay appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DFA confirms Azurin’s awry Canada issues
The Department of Foreign Affairs shed light on reports that retired Philippine National Police chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. had encountered issues with Canadian immigration. During the House 2024 budget deliberations Wednesday, House Minority Leader Rep. Marcelino Libanan asked Nueva Ecija Rep. Joseph Violago, DFA budget sponsor, if the reports were accurate. Violago confirmed that Azurin encountered issues but added that the Canadian government regretted the “misunderstanding and miscommunication.” Azurin voluntarily returned to the country after traveling to Canada. The DFA was unable to assist him since it was a personal trip. Due to confidentiality issues, the Canadian government has yet to submit an official report to the Philippine government on the incident. “This incident happened a few days ago. General Azurin voluntarily went to Canada and he suddenly returned to the country,” Violago said during the budget debates. Azurin denied he was deported and blamed his former colleague, PNP Deputy Chief for Administration, P/Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia for spreading disinformation. In a statement Tuesday, he said Sermonia was the source of the disinformation. “Sermonia had been spreading lies about my alleged deportation. Maybe he knows something that everyone in our country does not know. Maybe it was him who tipped off Canadian Immigration by concocting half-truths and many lies and was hoping that I would be deported. He had been sending messages about my deportation,” Azurin said. He said the truth will come out in due time. He urged current PNP chief, Gen. Benjamin Acorda, to investigate Sermonia’s alleged participation in the defamation campaign. Sermonia’s denial Meanwhile, Sermonia denied Azurin’s claim. In a press briefing at Camp Crame Wednesday, Sermonia said he had no idea why his name was being dragged into the controversy regarding the supposed deportation of Azurin. “Former Chief PNP Azurin may have been fed false stories again to drag my name into the unverified reports of his alleged deportation. There is no reason for me to do what I am being accused of,” said Sermonia, whose wife is the sister of Azurin’s wife. He added: “I’d rather not dignify the accusations with a reply that may be construed negatively. My advice is to directly ask the Canadian Embassy what the reason for the questioning was, which made Azurin decide to return to the country as he stated, and not deported.” He said Canada has its own rules and regulations on border control. “So, it is best to secure the report from them. The truth will speak for me,” he added. Sermonia said he plans to discuss the issue with their entire family. Azurin and Sermonia are members of Philippine Military Academy Class 1989. The post DFA confirms Azurin’s awry Canada issues appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Herbosa: Corruption perennial problem in PhilHealth
Health Secretary Ted Herbosa on Tuesday admitted to lawmakers that corruption remains a perennial problem in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or PhilHealth. During the deliberation of the Commission on Appointments for his ad interim appointments, Herbosa was asked whether he could confirm the alleged corruption within the state-run health insurer. “As chairman, PhilHealth has been involved in many scams in the past administrations such as pneumonia scam, [and] cataract scam,” said Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. LRay Villafuerte, the majority leader of the CA. “There are scams waiting to explode. The public is listening. Can you safely say that there is a syndicate in PhilHealth?” he added. Responding to Villafuerte’s query, Herbosa said that he had no proof to support the lawmaker’s claim. He, however, said that it has been a problem of every administration. “I have no proof that there is a syndicate. But it is true that every president and every administration had problems to deal with that,” he said. As secretary of the Department of Health, Herbosa says he sits as an ex-officio non-voting chairperson of the PhilHealth’s Board of Directors. He underscored the state-run health insurer’s role in realizing the promise of the Universal Health Care Act. “PhilHealth is important because the success of the Universal Health Care Law lies on it,” he said. “What I really want is an efficient running of PhilHealth. However, if it does not turn out well, we may propose suggestions to correct it legislatively,” he added. The Health chief said he is open to suggestions from lawmakers to dismantle the fraudulent activities in PhilHealth. “Maybe the legislature can help us with the laws that can actually change it, then probably cleanse PhilHealth of fraudulent individuals that are feeding on tons of money there that supposed to be given to the public,” he said. “There are still ways. We can discuss and study solutions to these problems that may arise,” he added. The post Herbosa: Corruption perennial problem in PhilHealth appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fools in suits
When a ranking Department of Agriculture official was asked in a recent Congress hearing what steps the agency had taken to break the rice cartel, he replied that he did not believe that a “mafia” existed. Coming from a high DA official, the statement revealed that nothing was being done to stop the syndicate that everyone in the industry knows about since, to the authorities, it does not exist. In the reenacted Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and forming cartels for agricultural and fishery products are considered economic sabotage and are non-bailable offenses for which a long jail term could be meted out. The strengthened law, however, lacks strong teeth against government officials who are in cahoots or protect the syndicates. Contained in the proposed bill is a provision indicating that any government officer or employee found to be an accomplice in the commission of the crime will “suffer the additional penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, exercising the right to vote, from participating in any public election, and forfeiture of employment monetary and financial benefits.” The bill is pending in both houses of Congress. With the slow grind of justice in the country, a public official looking for a fast buck will not hesitate to risk his job in exchange for a huge payback. The recent series of events showed the markets are being manipulated by the big players in the sugar, vegetable and rice businesses. These syndicates are known to be deeply entrenched due to their connections with government bigwigs who facilitate their domination of the markets either through edicts or the use of public resources. In the most ridiculous situation, the recent spike in onion prices was found to be artificial since farmers were even throwing away their harvests because of low farmgate prices, thus there was no reason for prices to surge. Later, it was exposed in a congressional hearing that a cartel had succeeded in manipulating the onion market to create a condition that would require its importation, from which its members would make a killing. The warehouse and storage facilities are controlled by the mafia which makes it easy to create artificial conditions to which the market reacts by raising retail prices. The ultimate goal is to coax the government to allow importation from suppliers in overseas markets that are also flooded with the commodity, The cartel rakes in profits from both the high markup and the kickbacks from the overseas suppliers desperate to sell their surplus. The woeful victims are the Filipino farmers whom the cartel boxes out of the market. In extreme cases, these farmers just throw away their harvest since they cannot afford to transport their products without the middlemen who are also in the pocket of the cartel. The same goes for the rice industry, where the market was manipulated for a different reason, which was to kill the rice tariffication law that kicked the National Food Authority out of the import business. Rice prices then surged to as high as P56 a kilo, which pushed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to impose price ceilings. The NFA used to have a monopoly on importation, but that resulted in acrimonious confrontations at the apex of government. The tariffication law, in turn, opened importation to all grain traders and relegated the NFA to buying rice from local farmers. Under the new anti-smuggling bill which has the endorsement of Mr. Marcos, an Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council headed by the President or his designated permanent representative will be formed. The proposed body will have the power to investigate and file charges, as well as freeze violators’ funds, properties, bank deposits, placements, trust accounts, assets and records. The creation of the body looks good on paper but in the real world, it might just add another layer of bureaucracy and source of corruption unless the cartel, which DA officials claim does not exist, is dismantled. Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile has a simple solution for breaking the cartel, which is for the government to confiscate all the rice overstock and let the owners of the warehouses prove that their huge inventory is legitimate. Such a move would prompt the traders to release more rice into the market to avoid confiscation. The imposition of the price cap on rice indicated that the prices are artificial since the markets are now selling at lower than the manipulated prices despite conditions being constant. An expected bumper harvest is also prompting the prices to go back to normal, after the attempt of the cartel to create a price shock to support their effort to return to the old ways. To know the real situation, President Marcos goes out of his way to see what is on the ground. His underlings, particularly at the Department of Agriculture, should do better. The post Fools in suits appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl to UN: Uphold int’l law to keep Indo-Pacific free, open
Adherence to international law by all nations would maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region, the Philippines said Sunday. Speaking on behalf of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York City, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo reiterated that all countries are accountable for maintaining a rules-based global order. “Its present and future rest on the predictability and stability of international law, which safeguards the rights of all states. If multilateralism is to endure, all states must adhere to the rule of law,” Manalo said. “Guided by an independent foreign policy, the Philippines actively works with nations to promote a rules-based international order,” he added. Quoting President Marcos, Manalo stressed that the Philippines is “a friend to all and enemy to none.” The DFA chief also said that the Philippines advocates the “peaceful settlement of disputes, in accordance with international law.” “This has always been our position with respect to the disputes in the West Philippine Sea, inasmuch as we are prepared to defend our sovereignty, sovereign rights and territorial integrity,” he said. “Our Constitution renounces war as an instrument of national policy, adopts the generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land and adheres to a policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with all nations,” he added. In his speech, the country’s top diplomat also pointed out that the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea is “now part of international law.” China claims the vast South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, with its historic nine-dash line claim, which the Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidated after siding with the Philippines. Seven years after the Tribunal favored the Philippines’ arbitral case against China, the ruling remains on paper as China continues to disregard it by keeping its illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea. For Manalo, all nations must adhere to international law to sustain stability in the Indo-Pacific region. "Adherence to international law contributes to keeping the Indo-Pacific, with ASEAN at the center, free and open and our region stable and peaceful. In line with this, we are guided by the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific,” he said. The post Phl to UN: Uphold int’l law to keep Indo-Pacific free, open appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Maritime zones long defined under law — JPE
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce said the Senate should not bother enacting the maritime zones measure since the country’s territory has long been defined under the Baselines Law. Enrile was reacting to reports that the Senate is consolidating eight proposed measures seeking to define the maritime zones of the Philippines that the legislators said should strengthen the country’s claim in the West Philippine Sea, but which would merely duplicate a 2009 law. Senator Francis Tolentino, the Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones chairperson, had said that a new Philippine map, with its specified maritime zones, would be included in the proposed mandate. “We will be sending a copy of the measure to the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) Secretariat (and) the United Nations for their recognition as well. But again, the other countries supporting us would also support our claim based on our new Maritime Zone Law,” he said. The Baselines Law is already in the hands of international bodies. The proposed measure, Tolentino said, would also specify the sea lanes, air routes, and natural resources within the country’s exclusive economic zone. “Once crafted into law, this will be part of our argument that China should abide by UNCLOS because the progeny of UNCLOS is the Maritime Zone Law. So this will fortify our claim,” he said. The process, however, is redundant since “we already have the Baselines Law,” Enrile indicated on his weekly program Bayan ni Juan. “We applied the principle of archipelagic waters consisting of Amianan island in the north and Sibutu in the east, and you have a 12-mile limit from the baseline that is considered part of Philippine waters where Filipinos can fish,” he explained. So they don’t have to craft another law since the law already exists; it was enacted during the term of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, according to Enrile. He added that the nine-dash line of China did not cover those areas under the law since China respected it. Among the islands in the Baselines Law within the country’s territory are the Kalayaaan group of islands and Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal. The Baselines Law, or Republic Act 9522, enacted in 2009, was cited as the basis for seeking the intervention of the United Nations-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague, which subsequently issued the ruling in July 2016 that favored the Philippines. Enrile, one of the law’s authors, said it intended to encourage further dialogue with China while asserting the country’s stake. A peaceful negotiation would be the only way for the Philippines to settle the West Philippine Sea issue with China under the landmark measure, particularly its claims over the Kalayaan island group and Scarborough Shoal. Enrile said the regime of islands the Baselines Law sought to protect was demarcated based on the provisions of UNCLOS. China protested the law’s enactment, but Enrile said a dialogue might iron out the kinks between both nations. “The only capability we have is through negotiations; we must use patience in negotiating with China,” he said. Status quo once existed The State Council Information Office of the People’s Republic of China, in a white paper it issued shortly after the arbitral ruling titled “China Adheres to the Position of Settling Through Negotiation the Relevant Disputes Between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea,” stated that a near stable situation existed in the disputed territory. The post Maritime zones long defined under law — JPE appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ex-Comelec chief denies receiving bribe money
Former Commission on Elections chairman Andres Bautista yesterday denied allegations that he received a bribe from poll automation company Smartmatic or any other entity......»»
Global concern
China’s recent release of its rewritten claim in the 10-dash line map is a prelude to more aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea or WPS, according to the assessment of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro. Through a media mouthpiece, Beijing described the revision of its boundaries as a “normal exercise of sovereignty by law.” Security officials, however, view the new map as establishing China’s intent to strengthen its “control and occupation of the West Philippine Sea.” Teodoro urged international support for the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling invalidating China’s historic claim, or “if that’s not stopped, then the whole international rules-based order is in jeopardy.” China has consistently refused to arbitrate the overlapping claims in the WPS, insisting on bilateral dialogues or, at most, a settlement among claimants, which proved to go nowhere. Negotiations for binding rules in a proposed Code of Conduct have failed to advance for over 20 years. Ignoring China’s increasing assertiveness jeopardizes global trade since nearly all of the region’s goods shipments to the West and vice versa pass through the disputed waters. “If China’s claims are given credence, freedom of navigation and freedom of air traffic is jeopardized,” Teodoro warned. While China keeps blaming US intervention for creating instability in the region, the lack of concerted action among nations that Beijing encourages has led to its unbridled occupation of the sea features. Teodoro stressed that China’s “expansionist policy” heightens tensions. “It is the expansionist policy of China that is escalating the tensions not only between us but with Vietnam and other actors, and their 10-dash line is the best proof that they want to escalate tensions within the area,” he said. Teodoro contrasted the actions of China and the Philippines, saying that while Beijing asserts an arbitrary historical claim, Manila insists on enforcing international law based on the arbitral ruling. China’s containment is also not the target of the expanded Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the Philippines and the United States. “China keeps saying that we are containing them. If you use the word contain, that means to say you have an intention to expand, so for me, it’s disingenuous for them to use that term,” the defense chief explained. Despite the assertion of China that the Philippines has given the United States a free hand to intervene in the conflict, Teodoro said the country’s independent foreign policy of being a friend to all and an enemy to none is being maintained. “The (recent) water cannon (incident) proves that we are not leaning too much on the US because if we lean too much on the US, we would have asked them to escort us there, which we don’t want to do because we want to do things our way and we want a balanced foreign policy,” he said. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the country’s independent foreign policy is being upheld. Still, we will adhere to enforcing international law, particularly the 2016 international tribunal ruling based on the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. During the term of his predecessor, President Rodrigo Duterte, closer relations with China resulted in commitments of economic assistance and the fair resolution of the territorial rift through a CoC. Only a few promises were realized, rewards for actions that showed hostility towards the Americans. It didn’t go far, however, as in the twilight of his term, Duterte had to raise the international tribunal’s decision and the country’s maritime rights. Duterte said the ruling couldn’t be erased, and China would have to follow it, resulting in acrimony that continues today. The post Global concern appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Beijing going on an island-building binge?
The harvesting of corals on Rozul Reef could be part of China’s preparations for new reclamation in the West Philippine Sea, senators warned Monday. Citing China’s “playbook,” Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri suspected the destruction of the shoal’s seabed could be in preparation for reclamation activities in the area. “It’s possible. That has been their guidebook and playbook since the beginning where they destroy an area first and then reclaim it. That’s why we have to remain vigilant,” Zubiri said. The warning came on the same day that Japan’s ambassador to the Philippines, Kazuhiko Koshikawa, revealed in a social media post that his country had also been a victim of coral poaching in the past. “In the territorial waters and EEZ (exclusive economic zone) around Japan’s Ogasawara Islands, the large-scale poaching of precious corals by foreign vessels occurred 10 years ago, causing marine environmental and economic damage to Japan, leading to [a] diplomatic issue and strict JCG (Japan Coast Guard) controls,” Koshikawa tweeted on X. The envoy, however, did not name the country responsible for the pillaging of corals off Ogasawara Islands. Over the weekend, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command reported that there was massive coral harvesting at Rozul Reef. The report of missing and destroyed corals came following the sightings of Chinese maritime militia vessels in the area. The report was confirmed by the Philippine Coast Guard, which observed the same coral inundation in the seabed of Escoda Reef (Sabina Shoal), also in the West Philippine Sea. Airstrips Senator Francis Tolentino, who chairs the Senate Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones, echoed the Senate chief’s observation that China may be planning to build manmade structures at Rozul Reef like it did in the Spratlys group of islands, also in the WPS. China built artificial islands in the Spratlys — at the Fiery Cross, Subi, Mischief, Johnson South, Cuarteron, Gave and Hughes reefs — where it constructed airstrips, radar stations and missile sites. “There might be a different plan for that, not only the harvesting of corals and the destruction of it. Because killing the corals is a prelude to one thing — when you kill it you can now do reclamation,” Tolentino said in a television interview. He noted that China’s actions in the reefs that are all within the Philippines’ EEZ violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. “If we are to file a claim for damages, it should be in the tribunal recognized by UNCLOS and the United Nations,” he said. He noted that the Philippine government may file cases against China before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, the International Court of Justice, or the Permanent Court of Arbitration. Meanwhile, Senator Risa Hontiveros said the recent developments in the West Philippine Sea called for a Senate inquiry. “It’s ripe for a Senate resolution and investigation because it would not be the first time that China caused environmental degradation in our sea,” Hontiveros said. “They also dredged our seafloor to invent their artificial islands, militarize them, within the West Philippine Sea and our exclusive economic zone, to claim it as their territory,” she pointed out. The lawmaker expressed gratitude to the Armed Forces of the Philippines for its discovery of the damaged seabed at Rozul and Escoda Reefs. WITH LADE JEAN KABAGANI The post Beijing going on an island-building binge? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
500 EDCA deals in 2024 pipeline
The United States has committed to more than 500 bilateral military engagements with the Philippines next year, which would primarily feature the stepping up of war games and joint sea patrols. An Armed Forces of the Philippines official described the engagements as encompassing exercises and high-level exchanges between the allied nations on security cooperation and strategic vision, including maritime security, information sharing, and capacity and capability development, among others. The commitments were made during last week’s annual Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board meeting, said the AFP official, who requested anonymity. Meanwhile, AFP Public Affairs chief, Lt. Col. Enrico Gil Ileto, said highlights of the activities will include an increased “tempo” in the joint exercises. At the same time, projects under the Enhanced Development Cooperation Agreement will be scaled up. He said engagements with other key international partners will also be part of the new set-up. During the meeting, AFP Chief of Staff, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., and US Indo-Pacific Command Chief Admiral John Aquilino reaffirmed the “steadfast commitment of the Philippines and the United States to safeguard their respective nations and the Indo-Pacific region.” “The meeting was the culminating activity of the planning cycle that assessed previous activities and set out over 500 bilateral engagements for 2024,” Ileto said. Increasing the American role in the maritime conflict with China is expected to be matched by the latter through increased aggressiveness in staking its claim in the West Philippine Sea. Swarming by vessels resumes The AFP Western Command on Saturday expressed alarm over the heightened presence of Chinese maritime militia vessels and the massive coral harvesting at Rozul, or Iroquois, Reef, located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. In a weekly news forum in Quezon City, Wescom commander, Vice Admiral Albert Carlos, reported the “resurgence” of swarming incidents in the West Philippine Sea, with about 40 Chinese fishing vessels spotted as of 15 September at Rozul Reef, which is located south of Recto Bank. Carlos said the latest figure is higher than the 33 vessels spotted on 24 August and the 24 tracked on 7 September. Swarming was also observed at Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, where five Chinese fishing vessels were spotted, and Baragatan (Nares) Bank, with two boats, according to a Wescom news release on 14 September. “But the good news is we also have our presence there,” Carlos said, referring to vessels of the Philippine Navy and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. “So, we are addressing the issue of this swarming,” he added. Harmful harvesting Carlos noted that in July, the Philippine Navy deployed divers to conduct an “underwater survey” of the swarmed area and found “there were no more corals” at Rozul Reef. The military is coordinating with scientists and experts to assess the area, he said, adding that it specifically wants to verify the divers’ assessment that massive harvesting of corals happened just recently. “We saw that there were no more corals. The corals were damaged, and there was debris,” he said. “We are not making any conclusions at this time. It’s a work in progress, but we just want to report coral harvesting in the area where (the Chinese were) seen loitering and swarming.” Keeping the peace Carlos said government troops want to “keep the peace and avoid miscalculations” in the WPS despite the recent incidents. He, however, guaranteed a heightened military presence in the Philippines’ waters. “The presence (of Chinese vessels) is already alarming because we have the sovereign rights in our exclusive economic zone. Now, coral harvesting is still unverified. We are not saying that they are harvesting our corals. We suspect somebody is harvesting our corals, which means they are violating our sovereign rights. We have the exclusive right to exploit resources in the West Philippine Sea,” Carlos said. “For the Western Command, that is alarming, because it might appear that we are remiss in our duty to protect our territory, as well as the riches of our exclusive economic zone. So we are doubling our efforts on that. We are going to address that issue by increasing our presence there,” he said. Joint patrols assessed Carlos said the government is “carefully” studying offers by other countries to conduct joint patrols with Philippine forces. For now, the military is carrying out unilateral maritime patrols in the WPS, he said, adding that these are being “jointly conducted with the Philippine Coast Guard and the BFAR, not with any foreign country.” “We are in engagement with whoever offers to help us, whoever shares our desire, our objective to establish a rules-based international order. We are studying it carefully. All the offers are on the table,” he said. More EDCA projects Ileto said Brawner and Aquilino also agreed to hasten the completion of the EDCA projects. There were 32 projects approved. The two officials are eyeing 63 more EDCA projects. “More importantly, it reaffirmed the two nations’ commitment to the PH-US alliance as espoused in the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty,” he said. The Philippines and the US military officials also agreed to jointly push for a free and open Indo-Pacific region “against a backdrop of a rules-based international order,” Ileto said. 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Disguised military force
Wrongheadedly asserting outdated notions about the China Coast Guard or CCG show us exactly why some sitting senators shouldn’t be senators. Worse, despite having been schooled by maritime law experts and defense officials, Senators Robinhood Padilla’s and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s smarmy refusals to believe they are wrong about the CCG embarrass the Senate. Hear Padilla sarcastically telling experts during a joint Senate panel hearing into West Philippine Sea issues: ““Ibig niyong sabihin, iba ang definition ng coast guard ng China? Wow, ha, talaga lang, ha (So you mean, the Coast Guard is defined differently by China? Wow, really, are you sure about that)?” Most of us may be excused if last week we didn’t know or pay much attention to the fact that since its 2021 transformation by Chinese domestic law, the CCG is now a military force disguised as a civilian force. But sitting senators can’t claim the same excuse. Senators are expected to at least possess some knowledge of recent international developments since the Senate is constitutionally tasked with scrutinizing and approving the country’s treaties with other countries. Senators are supposed to enlighten us then. But both Padilla and Dela Rosa inspire us instead of their sheer ignorance of recent Chinese developments that directly affect our national interest. Not taking Filipino expert counsel, too, is wholly pathetic. It isn’t only Filipino experts but international maritime law experts who said the CCG’s command and control structure had been changed to that of a military-like organization under the centralized command of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission. True, putting military organizations in charge of maritime law enforcement — which coast guards typically do — is not unique to China. For instance, the United States Coast Guard is one of America’s five armed forces branches and has an explicit defense readiness mission. The French, too, have the Maritime Gendarmerie, a paramilitary police force under the operational control of the chief of staff of the French Navy. Still, the US and French coast guards are considered exceptions rather than the rule insofar as how most countries conceive, structure, and operate their civilian-led coast guards. China did follow the general practice when it put up its coast guard in 2013. Since 2021, however, after a comprehensive China Coast Guard Law took effect, China set its coast guard apart from the rest of Asia, except for Vietnam. China ensuring that military, not civilian government agencies, exert control over its coast guard undoubtedly has far-reaching consequences in the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea. For instance, one consequence of a militarized CCG is that China doesn’t need to declare war in her attempts to expand her de facto control over disputed waters. A militarized CCG is enough to bolster China’s preferred strategic approach of “slow intensity or low-intensity coercion.” Other important consequences of CCG’s militarization abound, particularly thorny questions about Chinese CCG law violating significant provisions of the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea. But that’s for another time. On a more recent topical note, however, our military officials say our armed forces are already preparing for any eventuality should the CCG go beyond firing water cannons when blocking our ships resupplying the beleaguered Ayungin Shoal detachment. Our military’s fears are not unfounded. Article 22 of the CCG law authorizes a CCG vessel to use its weapons without warning against foreign government and civilian vessels. And there are fears the CCG might use weapons deadlier than water cannons and lasers. Some CCG vessels, in fact, are equipped with destroyer-class 76mm guns. It behooves the military, therefore, to keep a close eye on any major equipment changes — like larger caliber guns and missiles — on CCG vessels patrolling the West Philippine Sea. The post Disguised military force appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»