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Vice President Sara bucks Cha-cha moves: Guard the Constitution
Rejecting the people’s initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution is “to guard the Constitution,” Vice President Sara Duterte said yesterday, as she joined the pushback against the move seen as “tainted” by reports of bribery by its proponents......»»
Cebu to supply vessels for Coast Guard, Navy
The Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Navy may avail sea vessels made in Balamban, Cebu as announced by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Department of National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro. “The new vessel that we are seeing there, the 40-foot vessel that’s made in Cebu, that will be included,” Marcos said. “We will eventually have 40 of them that would give us an increased capability. This is ongoing.” Cebu has long been recognized as the country’s shipbuilding capital with the shipbuilding industry propelling the local economy of Balamban in Midwestern Cebu on the brink of cityhood status and the newly-built ship building facilities in Danao City. The plan was confirmed by Teodoro, who recently went to Capitol and met with Governor Gwendolyn Garcia. “Cebu builds ships, Cebu builds equipment that we need, and therefore the synergy that we see today will continue but in a different dimension not only as a locator in the Province of Cebu but as a resource purchaser and resource user of the services, goods and other capabilities that your province can produce,” Teodoro said. He added that he is just waiting for amendments to the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization law to locally source military assets. “We encourage our legislators here today that we are waiting for these amendments by the end of the year so that by next year we can start to leverage the talents and abilities of the people of Cebu,” Teodoro said. Balamban has its locators include Japan-based Tsuneshi Heavy Industries and Australia’s Austal Corporation, local builders Advance Catamaran Composites and Cebu Maritime Industry. “You have an important role to play here not only in maintaining peace and security in Central Philippines,” Teodoro said. The post Cebu to supply vessels for Coast Guard, Navy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM says govt will not tolerate agri hoarders as rice smugglers apprehended
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reiterated that the government would not tolerate smugglers plaguing the agriculture sector as the government has already apprehended four rice traders for alleged smuggling and hoarding of rice. Speaking during the distribution of rice in Taguig on Wednesday, Marcos said the government will not tolerate those who take advantage and harm our livelihood and the entire agricultural sector. Marcos Jr. cited Republic Act No. 10845, which allows for the imprisonment for life and double fines for those proven to be smuggling agricultural products, including all associated taxes, duties, and charges. He also highlighted Republic Act No. 7581, which imposes heavy penalties on individuals caught illegally stockpiling supplies. Marcos also said that the government has charged four violators for violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, the Rice Tariffication Law, and the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016. "We have now filed charges against San Pedro Warehouse and Blue Sakura Agri Grain Corporation, F.S. Ostia Rice Mill, and Gold Rush Rice Mill for their actions," Marcos said. He also emphasized that there is no rice shortage in the country and placed the blame squarely on smugglers, hoarders, and price manipulators for the fluctuating prices. "You know, there shouldn't be any problem with rice. We have an abundant supply. Our buffer stock, as they say, our reserves are at 30 days, and it's steadily increasing," Marcos said, adding that the country would have more than 70 days of rice buffer after the harvest. President Marcos Jr. also commended the efforts of ordinary citizens engaged in urban farming initiatives in Taguig. He applauded projects like the BGC Community Farm, situated in the heart of Bonifacio Global City, and the City Farm led by student Anna Beatriz Suavengco, showcasing the cultivation of vegetables in an urban farm in North Signal, Taguig. The Taguig Agriculture Office was not left out of the President's praise, as he lauded their extensive efforts to promote urban gardening in communities. The post PBBM says govt will not tolerate agri hoarders as rice smugglers apprehended appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Spins, deceptions, barrage
Chinese propaganda was in full force yesterday as the country’s state media again referred to the Philippines’ removal of the floating barrier as done to further the interest of the Americans. The narrative that China wants the world to follow is that the actions of the Philippines are all being dictated by the United States, to which the country has a long history of subservience. Thus, the Philippines’ sovereign interests are really at stake in the challenges to China’s aggressive assertions. Beijing’s propaganda mill has been busy since the expanded Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement increased from five to nine the number of Philippine military bases US forces have access to. It initially raised the bogey of the broader military pact being the launch pad for an American defense of Taiwan if China attacked, which is farthest from the truth since it presumes that Filipinos would be stupid enough to risk their country for another’s interest. The latest volley from China was related to removing the floating barrier that cordoned off Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc to Filipino fishermen. The Philippine Coast Guard should check the contraption to determine where it was manufactured. Recall the suspicion that the rocks and other materials used for China’s reclamation of Philippine islands had come from Zambales with the collusion of local government officials. Wang Wenbin, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, said the Philippine statement was just what it wanted to believe itself. “China’s resolve in safeguarding its sovereignty and maritime rights and interests over Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoal) is unwavering. We call on the Philippines not to make provocations or stir up trouble,” Wang said. Moreover, China parrots the line that opening four additional military bases was a move “to win US support for its claims in the South China Sea.” The US then wants to exploit the Philippines so that “it can intervene in the Taiwan question and the South China Sea issue from a closer range.” The US is using the Philippines as a pawn in its campaign to “contain China,” according to the propaganda minions. EDCA was an offshoot of the Mutual Defense Treaty, a post-World War II pact in which the Philippines and the United States committed to come to each other’s aid in case of attack. Based on the hype generated in Beijing, the Philippines has made several “failed” attempts to deliver building materials to reinforce the “grounded warship” on China’s Ren’ai Jiao, also known as Ayungin or Second Thomas Shoal, since August. Indeed, attempts to reinforce the BRP Sierra Madre ended in a cat-and-mouse chase that succeeded, revealing that China is out of touch with reality. Also, the Sierra Madre is not a warship but a landing craft. It is an LST 542-class tank landing ship, previously known as the USS Harnett County, built for the United States Navy during World War II. The paid hacks and lapdogs of the Chinese government want to create an image that the venture between the Philippines and the US is meant to contain Beijing. The fundamental issue, however, remains the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS, that has under it the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea, or ITLOS. The Permanent Court of Arbitration, or PCA, issued the 2016 ruling favoring the Philippines was formed under ITLOS. Thus, UNCLOS invalidated China’s historical claims and upheld the exclusive economic zone from which the Philippines can derive economic benefits. Any argument that strays from the guiding principle must be treated with a grain of salt, if not doused with cold water. The post Spins, deceptions, barrage appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Russian missiles destroy Odesa grain stores
Ukraine authorities said Monday that the southern port of Odesa came under heavy Russian drones and missiles attack overnight that destroyed grain stores and wounded one person. The Defense Forces of the South of Ukraine said Russia sent 19 Shahed drones and fired two Onyx supersonic missiles and 12 Kalibr missiles. Nineteen drones and 11 Kalibrs were shot down while the others hit targets and caused significant damage. “Onyx missiles destroyed granaries while warehouses and a private house in the Odesa suburbs were damaged and caught fire “as a result of falling debris.” Nataliya Gumenyuk, spokesperson for the Ukrainian southern military command, said one of the grain stores hit was empty. Odesa regional governor Oleg Kiper said on Telegram that one woman in Odesa, a civilian, was injured by shrapnel “in a blast wave” and was being treated in hospital. Meanwhile, Russia’s defense ministry said its air defenses had “destroyed” four unmanned aerial vehicles over the northwestern Black Sea, and the Crimean peninsula which Moscow annexed in 2014. It said two drones each were intercepted in Kursk and Bryansk, two regions bordering Ukraine. Kursk regional governor Roman Starovoyt said several homes and the roof of an administrative building were damaged in the attack by Ukrainian unmanner aerial vehicles. Bryansk regional governor Aleksandr Bogomaz said there were “no casualties or damage” in the region. WITH AFP The post Russian missiles destroy Odesa grain stores appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
More heavy weapons, Ukraine pleads
Ukraine’s leaders have renewed calls on Western allies to increase deliveries of heavy weapons as 32 kamikaze drones from Russia attacked Kyiv overnight into Sunday. Air defenses shot down 25 of the attack drones with debris falling in several districts, damaging an apartment in a multi-story building, as well as road surfaces and power lines, Sergiy Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, wrote on Telegram. Popko added that one person was injured. Russia also said Sunday that it destroyed three military speedboats carrying Ukrainian soldiers in the Black Sea which Moscow claims were headed toward annexed Crimea. The attacks follow President Volodymyr Zelensky's statement in a cabinet conference on Saturday that slow weapons deliveries were hindering his troops’ counter offensive. New Defense Minister Rustem Umerov also called for more heavy weapons during the same conference. “We need them today. We need them now,” he said. “Ukrainian warriors today are sacrificing their lives for the core values of democracy and freedom. They need back up from you, dear partners. And this back up is weapons,” Umerov added. Deputy Intelligence Chief Vadym Skibitsky said Saturday that more than 420,000 Russian soldiers are deployed in occupied territories in the east and south of Ukraine. The figure “does not include the Russian National Guard and other special units that maintain occupation authorities on our territories,” he said. Ukraine launched its counteroffensive in June after stockpiling Western weapons, but has made limited gains as its troops encounter heavily fortified Russian defensive lines. Meanwhile, Russia’s forces in Ukraine have organized several days of voting in four regions — Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson — that Moscow claims to have annexed. Hastily arranged mobile booths have been placed despite a gruelling Ukrainian counteroffensive and amid widespread reports that locals have been forced to take up Russian passports. Kyiv has denounced it as a sham and called on allies to condemn the “fake” vote. Its SBU security service warned it has a list of “collaborators” helping organize the voting, promising punishment. But Kremlin-installed officials pressed on with the vote, seeking long-term office in areas Kyiv has vowed to re-capture. WITH AFP The post More heavy weapons, Ukraine pleads appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Oil spill hits Cebu’s Naga town
A tugboat in an anchorage in the municipality of Naga, Cebu reportedly submerged on Sunday and caused a manageable oil spill incident in the vicinity waters of the said anchorage, according to the report of the Philippine Coast Guard on Monday. The PCG said that its team in Naga deployed three segments of the oil spill boom, two bales of absorbent pads, and four segments of absorbent boom to control the oil spill. Based on the account of the skipper of MT SUGBO 2, the vessel encountered hull damage on the steering portion inside the engine room. Investigation disclosed that the vessel’s master noticed the steering room was flooded due to an approximately four-inch diameter hole at the vessel’s starboard quarter and instructed his crew to provide a submersible pump to remove the seawater inside the steering room, but the tugboat lost its power. He contacted its sister ship, MTUG SUGBO 5, to connect its power source to the submersible pump, but he terminated the pumping operation due to the increase in the volume of water in the steering room. Subsequently, MTUG SUGBO 7 arrived at the vicinity waters and rendered assistance, but the rate of water going in was much greater than the water they were able to pump out. Due to the unfavorable sea conditions, the master instructed all crew on board to abandon the ship for safety before it eventually submerged. Meanwhile, PCG operatives have prevented another oil spill in Occidental Mindoro after MV JOEGIE 5 owned by Preeminent Shipping and Management Corporation, ran aground after it drifted to the shallow waters while transiting the waters off Sitio Kalanginan, Barangay Harrison, Paluan last 1 September. According to a PCG report, their personnel are monitoring the safe fuel extraction operations of a cargo vessel that ran aground near Calaviti Point in Paluan. Vessel captain Arnie Alberto narrated that they were en route to Sablayan, Oriental Mindoro, from Bauan, Batangas, when it encountered heavy winds and high waves, causing it to drift and run aground. The post Oil spill hits Cebu’s Naga town appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cap cuffs cartel
Cartels have long lorded over the grains industry as they exploit the heavy reliance of Filipinos on rice and the ever-dwindling farm output due to the failure of the industry to modernize. Just like in any other critical sector, the market opportunists will use the flimsiest excuse to put in place a structured profiteering scheme. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. imposed a price cap on rice as he identified “cartels” and hoarders behind the surging charges. Executive Order 39 fixed the maximum retail price of regular milled rice, consumed by many Filipinos, at P41 per kilo and P45 for the higher-quality well-milled rice. Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile said the dismantling of these groups that dominate the rice business was on the table during the recent Cabinet meetings. As head of the Department of Agriculture, Marcos is well-informed about the syndicates, which have strong backers even within the people surrounding him. Restoring a level field in the rice market would, thus, be a tough operation but it will be a legacy that Filipinos will not forget. Disposing of unscrupulous traders is easier said than done, however. The previous case of Davidson Bangayan, which is the pseudonym of suspected rice smuggling lord David Tan gives the backdrop to the powerful network that the rice syndicates command. Bangayan was placed in the National Bureau of Investigation custody sometime in 2014 when Enrile was the Senate minority leader. Enrile obtained a libel case, Bangayan filed against a prominent businessman in which he specifically stated that he was also David Tan. Before Bangayan’s appearance in the Senate, he met with then-Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to dispute that he and Tan are the same person. After his arrest, primarily due to the Senate probe, strange things started to happen. On his arrest warrant stated “Davidson Bangayan who is not David Tan”, which is the phrase used that led to his release. Also, despite the inquiries in the Senate about his being the kingpin of rice smuggling in the country, the Department of Justice filed electricity pilferage charges against him. De Lima’s excuse then was that her agency was still building up a case against Bangayan regarding rice smuggling. The irony, however, was that De Lima was the last to know what several businessmen and trade groups have long volunteered as information to pin down David Tan, who hides behind the name of Bangayan. The libel case filed by Bangayan against Jesus Arranza, chairman of the Federation of Philippine Industries, or FPI, in 2005 should have ended the charade since Tan admitted in the complaint that he was also Bangayan. It even took the pointed inquiry of Enrile against Bangayan at the Senate apparently to convince the NBI to re-arrest him after he was released through the help of De Lima. With intelligence units of the NBI, the Philippine National Police, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, at her disposal, De Lima had a hard time establishing the identity of David Tan. The elderly Enrile and the other senators, in contrast, were able to amass information to match Bangayan and Tan, pieces of evidence that De Lima did not make use of. The Senate episode on the elusive trader portrays the complex challenges that face Marcos in his goal of removing the mob that manipulates rice prices. Imposing a cap on rice charges sends a message that prices will be the priority of the government and that it will use all means to keep the staple grain within the reach of the majority of the population. The post Cap cuffs cartel appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kyiv targeted by ‘most powerful’ aerial attack since spring
Kyiv was targeted early Wednesday by the "most powerful" barrage of missiles and drones since the spring, authorities said, with two people reported dead, as Russia claimed it destroyed four Ukrainian boats in the Black Sea carrying up to 50 soldiers. More than 20 missiles and drones were "destroyed by air defense forces" overnight, the Kyiv City Military Administration wrote on Telegram, describing the aerial assault as "the most powerful" to hit the city since the spring. An AFP reporter heard at least three loud explosions in the center of Kyiv around 5:00 am (0200 GMT). Two people had died as a result of falling debris, Sergiy Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, wrote on Telegram. Another person was injured and was being given medical assistance, he said. Russian forces had launched groups of Iranian-made Shahed attack drones at the capital from different directions, and launched missiles from aircraft, the Kyiv city military administration said. Earlier, Moscow's defense ministry said a Russian aircraft "destroyed four high-speed military boats" in the Black Sea around midnight Moscow time (2100 GMT Tuesday). The boats had been carrying "landing groups of Ukrainian special operations forces with a total number of up to 50 people," the ministry said on Telegram. It did not give details on exactly where in the Black Sea the incident took place. Early Wednesday, Russian defenses also repelled a "seaborne drone attack near" near Sevastopol Bay in Crimea, the local Moscow-installed governor Mikhail Razvozhayev was cited as saying by the state-run TASS news agency. Sevastopol is the base of Russia's Black Sea fleet. Both Ukraine and Russia have ramped up activity around the strategic waterway after a United Nations-brokered deal to ensure safe navigation for grain ships collapsed last month. In recent weeks, Kyiv has attacked Russian ships in its waters and the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed by Moscow in 2014. Last week, Ukraine said its forces had flown the country's flag in Crimea during a "special operation" to mark its second wartime Independence Day. Moscow's defense ministry also said last week that one of its jets destroyed a Ukrainian "reconnaissance boat" near Russian gas production facilities in the Black Sea. Drone wave Ukraine launched another wave of overnight drones strikes on Russia, targeting several regions from an airport near the Estonian border to the Crimea peninsula on the Black Sea, Russian authorities said. Air defenses "repelled" a drone attack on an airport at Pskov, roughly 800 kilometers (nearly 500 miles) from Ukraine's border and close to the borders of EU member states Latvia and Estonia, the local governor said. Regional governor Mikhail Vedernikov, who said he was at the scene of the attack, posted a video on Telegram of a massive fire, with the sounds of explosions and sirens in the background. Authorities were assessing the damage but there were no casualties, he said. There was no immediate comment from the defense ministry. The RIA Novosti agency cited the Ministry of Emergency Situations as saying two Ilyushin Il-76 heavy transport planes had caught fire. All Wednesday flights at the airport were cancelled, Vedernikov wrote, "until the nature of the possible damage to the runway is clarified." Citing air traffic services, TASS also reported that Moscow's Domodedovo and Vnukovo airports had been "temporarily closed" to traffic. The Pskov region was previously targeted by drones in May. Authorities in Bryansk region near the Ukraine border, southern Oryol region and Kaluga and Ryazan regions, southwest and southeast of Moscow, all reported drones had been destroyed or downed. Air defenses also destroyed a drone "heading for Moscow," the city's mayor wrote on Telegram, adding there were no casualties or damage caused, according to initial reports. Moscow and other Russian regions have been targeted by almost daily drone strikes since Kyiv vowed this summer to "return" the conflict to Russia. The post Kyiv targeted by ‘most powerful’ aerial attack since spring appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Imported rice warehouse padlocked
In line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to protect the country’s agricultural assets through intensified border security, the Bureau of Customs on Thursday seized at least P505 million worth of suspected smuggled imported rice from various warehouses in Bulacan province. This, as personnel from the BoC and the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, CIIS-Manila International Container Port and Philippine Coast Guard Task Force Aduana, inspected the warehouses of Great Harvest Rice Mill Warehouse, San Pedro Warehouse and FS Rice Mill Warehouse. The inspection was also joined by no less than House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Representatives Erwin Tulfo, Wilfrido Mark Enverga and Ambrosion Cruz Jr. The warehouses are located inside the Intercity Industrial Complex in San Juan, Balagtas, Bulacan and were found to contain about 202,000 sacks of imported rice grains from Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Meantime, Intelligence Group deputy commissioner Juvymax Uy underscored the role of the BoC in the Marcos administration’s thrust to get to the bottom of hoarding issues that drive up the cost of rice in the market. “If proven true, hoarding such a huge amount of rice grain will have legal consequences. There is no space in our fight against smuggling and hoarding for these kinds of operations. Together with key agencies, our commitment remains steadfast—it is time to put an end to the crippling impact of smuggling,” Uy said. The assigned Customs examiners conducted the inventory of the goods and was witnessed by agents from the CIIS, PCG, Enforcement and Security Service as well as the warehouse representatives. If found without proper importation and proof of payment documents, the corresponding seizure and forfeiture proceedings will be conducted against the subject shipments for violation of Sec. 1400 (misdeclaration in goods declaration) in relation to Sec. 1113 (property subject to seizure and forfeiture) of Republic Act 10863 known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. The post Imported rice warehouse padlocked appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Police guard Christian community, seeks blasphemers
Police on Thursday are guarding a Christian community in central Pakistan that had been attacked by a Muslim mob provoked by the desecration of the Koran. A spokesperson for the Punjab provincial government said late Wednesday that police in Jaranwala are also seeking to arrest the people accused of defiling the Muslim holy book, though more than 100 suspects who set fire on churches and ransacked Christian homes were also arrested. “The desecration of the Holy Quran has been made and emotions of the Muslims have been injured. An order has been issued for the arrest of the accused,” a statement from the provincial government said. Images on social media showed crowds of hundreds armed with sticks and rocks storming through the streets, with smoke rising from church buildings. In one video, crowds cheer and demand punishment for the accused blasphemers as a cross is torn from the top of a church. The boundary walls of a Christian cemetery were vandalized, police said. “The crowd inflicted heavy damage on the area including to homes of Christians, and many churches,” Ahad Noor, a government official, told Agence France-Presse. Pakistani bishop Azad Marshall, in the neighboring city of Lahore, said the Christian community was “deeply pained and distressed” by the events. “We cry out for justice and action from law enforcement and those who dispense justice and the safety of all citizens to intervene immediately and assure us that our lives are valuable in our own homeland,” he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. Pakistan’s newly appointed caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul-Haq Kakar said on X that he was “gutted” by what was happening. “Stern action would be taken against those who violate law and target minorities,” he said. WITH AFP The post Police guard Christian community, seeks blasphemers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
An inane idea
The conflict in the disputed waters in the West Philippine Sea has birthed unnecessary and unpalatable narratives plus inane proposals to dramatize the country’s condemnation of the provocative and aggressive navigational acts coming from some government functionaries, apart from escalating the tension between claimants China and the Philippines. The repeated infuriating bullying by the Chinese Coast Guard on our own Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine vessels has been relentless. China has been oblivious to our countless diplomatic protests and calls for it to stop its incursions on our territorial waters, respect our sovereign rights and accept the arbitrary ruling handed by the Permanent Arbitration Court. It has turned deaf ears to our protestations. It has been unmoved by the collective expression of condemnation of its acts of aggression against the Philippines from countries consisting of the European Union, Japan, Australia Canada, and the United States. Not even the threat by the latter to use counter-offensive and defensive measures by way of enforcing the Mutual Defense Treaty between it and our country could soften China’s provocative and aggressive stance. It stubbornly refuses to recognize the arbitral ruling of the Permanent Arbitration Court that has rejected its nine-dash expansionist claim over a large part of the South China Sea while validating the Philippines’ claim over Ayungin Shoal as within its exclusive economic zone. China’s emergence from an underdeveloped and weak country to a superpower like the United States and Russia made it easy for it to adopt the maxim that might is right. Truly, from a sleeping giant, it has become a mighty dragon spewing fire. China’s unacceptable and outrageous assaults on our territorial waters, which must be stopped, is, however, not an excuse to call for a boycott of its products. It’s a stupid idea. The proponents have not considered the repercussions if we enforce such an inane thought. We cannot be hostage to that vexing conflict with China and throw to the winds the benefits derived from our trade relations with it. China, being the largest supplier of manufactured goods, is known as the “ world’s factory.“ Every imaginable household use, clothes, shoes, textiles, construction materials, kitchen and toilet fixtures, beauty equipment, electronic gadgets, toys, outdoor and interior decors, tiles, air conditioning units, electric fans, engineered floors, kitchen utensils, heavy machinery and equipment, engineered wood floors, and a thousand other items. Compared to US and European-made, Chinese-manufactured goods are much cheaper. No wonder, they are much preferred now by the average Filipino because of the affordable prices of these products. Quality-wise, they can give Western merchandise a run for their money. A government policy of boycotting goods coming from China will deprive millions of ordinary Filipinos to have them. This is an anti-poor program. The propagates of this boycott idea seem to be either ignorant or oblivious to the fact that China is the biggest trade partner of the Philippines. Philippines exports to China have reached a whopping $10.97 billion in 2022 while imports from China rose to $28.2 billion per the latest data. If we enforce a boycott policy of Chinese products, those figures will be jeopardized. Do those propagators of such foolish advocacy realize the monstrosity of that monumentally folly? (To be continued) The post An inane idea appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Diokno: MUP pension reform to ensure sustainable, fair system
Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno on Tuesday said the immediate requirement for pension reform legislation is to create a sufficient, equitable and financially sustainable pension system for members of the military, police and other uniformed personnel. The Finance chief issued the statement as the House of Representatives ad hoc committee held its first hearing on the military and uniformed personnel pension reform bill. In a statement, Diokno said the core objective of the government's efforts to reform the pension system for military and uniformed personnel is to address the unsustainability and uncertainty of the current pension system. "Through these reforms, we can ensure the timely delivery of fair retirement benefits to men and women in service while gradually lessening the strain on the government budget over time," Diokno said. "The current MUP pension system's dependence on full government funding exposes it to economic and fiscal downturns and compromises its stability and reliability," Secretary Diokno said. Pension arrearages in the past few years amounted to P3.7 billion in 2021, P32.6 billion in 2022, P5.2 billion in 2023, and a projected P4.8 billion for 2024. "The goal is to craft a pension system that factors in the welfare of the military and uniformed personnel in active service and retirees while making sure it is sustainable and can withstand the test of time," Diokno said. "The emerging consensus provides a framework that balances the welfare of MUPs and the fiscal health of the MUP pension system," he emphasized. The creation of the Military and Uniformed Personnel Trust Funds is one of the key reform proposals, according to the Finance Secretary. "At the core of our reform package is the creation of separate pension funds that recognize the unique nature of military service and provide retirement benefits that reflect the sacrifices by the military and uniformed personnel," he said. These pension funds shall be funded through the military and uniformed personnel's contributions, with a corresponding government share and supplemented by the proceeds from the sale or lease of MUP assets, Diokno said. He also assured soldiers, police officers and other uniformed personnel that while the reform bill will require them to contribute, this benefits them because it gives them full ownership and vested rights over the pension fund. The economic team is also exploring the possibility of introducing mitigating measures such as loan restructuring to ease the impact of mandatory contributions on personnel with heavy personal loans. "The creation of a self-sustaining pension fund insulated from economic shocks and the budgetary process is key to ensuring that the State is able to honor its future promises to retirees and their dependents," Diokno said. The proposal also includes a uniform retirement age of 57 or upon accumulation of 30 years of satisfactory service for the MUP, to encourage those in active service to stay longer and ensure more experienced personnel are retained. There shall also be a periodic review of pension benefits and a possible increase of up to 1.5 percent per year, subject to the evaluation of economic conditions and the actuarial life of the pension fund, to keep up with inflation. The economic team conducted a series of exhaustive consultations across the country from May to July 2023 -- 30 roadshows and technical working group meetings in total -- with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Corrections and National Mapping and Resource Information Authority. The post Diokno: MUP pension reform to ensure sustainable, fair system appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Michael Ted Macapagal: Making tracks in public service
If life were a train, then Michael Ted Macapagal’s has been quite a ride. Raised by a labor leader and human rights lawyer father who served the people of Olongapo, including the workers of the US American Base in Subic, Michael Ted Macapagal had always wanted to become a public servant. It took Ted, though, a long journey to reach his goal, first achieving success in the insurance field in the United States where he lived for 20 years starting in 1991. Today, he is the chairman of the Philippine National Railways, a position “that allows me to make a difference in the lives of my countrymen,” he shared during his recent visit to the Daily Tribune office in Makati. Ted, good-looking and affable, proudly spoke of a father, his namesake, Atty. Teddy C. Macapagal who, early on, exposed his son to a firsthand view of a gentleman who looked beyond himself and his personal interests, and instead dedicated his career to protecting the common man and bettering their lot. The elder Ted served as a city councilor for 10 years. In 1984, he ran for the Batasang Pambansa, and in the late 1980s, for city mayor. “In all these electoral processes, I was involved and saw for myself how my father related to the people. He was a sincere man who helped them in the best way he could. He provided free legal services to those in need,” Ted recounted. Ted grew up in Olongapo, his place of birth. It was in the neighboring province of Pampanga, though, at the Don Bosco Institute in Bacolor town, where he first studied, but he eventually returned home to Olongapo, where he finished high school at the St. Columban. Aiming to become a lawyer, he enrolled at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, where he majored in History, which he intended as his pre-law course. Not unexpectedly, he joined the Upsilon Sigma Phi, his father’s fraternity. He also joined rallies where he stood with those who wanted the retention of US bases in the Philippines, in keeping with the sentiments of his townsmen. “It was the one concern where the whole of Olongapo was united,” he recalled, “because the people’s livelihood was connected to the base and the American presence in the community.” As a lawyer who specialized in labor, his father himself handled cases for the base employees. In 1988, his father lost his mayoralty bid in Olongapo. He fought against his fraternity brother, Richard Gordon. Actually, the two had been fighting it out for decades. “Olongapo became too small for them,” shared Ted. “A vivid memory to me to this day was the night I cried after my father lost. I was heartbroken because, for the most part of my life, I saw him give his all to the people. Throughout all those years, I just loved assisting my father. I followed him whenever he visited his constituents. I was a witness to everything that happened to him, his conflict with his political adversary and the loyalty of the people who believed in him and saw in him the man who would change the face of politics in our city.” The elder Macapagal became OIC-Mayor in 1986, but only two months after he received his appointment from the new president because the incumbent mayor did not easily give up his post which he was required to vacate under the new revolutionary government. “The next local election was the most expensive political exercise that our family ever waged,” Ted recounted. “It was then that my father decided that I pursue a new life in the United States, away from politics back home. “All the while, my heart never left the Philippines. Even before I left, I promised myself I would return to continue what my father started.” First non-white president Ted stayed in San Francisco for 20 long years. He had a tough time at the beginning of his new life. “I started off doing odd jobs. I worked as a security guard, janitor and waiter in a pizza parlor. “I also guarded the heavy equipment in a construction site in San Francisco. Thievery was a problem in that kind of situation. We would sleep in a trailer. “I transferred to a construction firm because I found out it offered a bigger salary. But I didn’t know the technical aspects of construction. Once, I made a portable ladder, but it fell apart, for which I was scolded by the owner of the company. I was fired on my third day on the job. Too bad because it paid high.” Ted then decided to pursue another degree, one that would be more useful in the United States. He took up Human Resource Management, a four-year course at the University of California in Berkeley. When he finally entered the corporate world, his first job was as a clerk. It wasn’t long before he became Division President of Stewart Title Company, one of the largest underwriters in the world, with offices across the United States, and in some 80 countries around the globe. He was based in the San Francisco Bay Area. “I may have been the first non-white president,” he said. “And I was a division president for the whole of North America. I was the first Filipino to reach that level.” Of his trailblazing accomplishments, he shared, “I was able to bring cultural diversity to the company, which enhanced its value. I got the top post because I asked for a meeting with the president. I told him we were not diverse enough to appeal to the non-white clients, and there were many of them who were first-time home buyers. Then, I told him to make the rounds. He would see that none of the home buyers was white. They were of different ethnic groups. I told him that if he appointed me as vice president, I would give him multi-cultural buyers because I would appeal to them and they would be our first-time buyers. So, he appointed me, and one month later, he made me president.” As an adjunct, he lectured on the topic of title insurance and escrow procedures in several community colleges in and around the San Franciso Bay Area. Through it all, he chose to keep his Filipino citizenship. The ‘Railway President’ For all the successes he was enjoying, the Philippines beckoned. He felt he still had a mission to accomplish. “My father was surprised. He asked me why I would still want to go home when I was doing well in the States. I insisted, so I came back and I plunged into political life. I worked on difficult campaigns, like the one for Rodrigo Duterte.” Back to his first love and passion, the political arena, he was in his element and served as president of PDP LABAN in Olongapo City from 2016 to 2021. In 2022, he joined LAKAS-CMD as its local chairman. This engagement led to his original target, as his father had achieved in his lifetime — serving the people. This time, he would be appointed to key posts in the government. He became director of the Clark Board and Gulf Oil Philippines. He took his oath of office as chairman of the Philippine National Railways on 28 April 2023. It is a job in a government agency where he is confident “I could make a difference because I can see that President Bongbong Marcos is really intent on improving the railway system of the country. “On my part, I want to make a difference. I want to be able to contribute whatever I can to help the president to achieve that objective. I call him now the ‘Railway President’ because I consider him the father of the railway system in our country.” Of course, he noted that many plans have been formulated during the time of President Rodrigo Duterte. Moreover, he recognized that President Gloria Arroyo “navigated our country through the global crisis. I was in the United States when the global economic crisis happened, and the Philippines was one of the countries spared, and I give credit to her. The economic fundamentals were very strong during her time. Being an economist, she was there at the right time when the country needed her the most.” With President BBM at the helm, he is confident “we will be able to push through with our development plan and finish the projects we have started, like the North-South Commuter Railway, which is a 147-kilometer stretch from Clark to Laguna. We hope to have the dry run in 2026 and it will be fully operational in 2027.” He also looks forward to the completion of the Bicol South Long Haul project. He is equally hopeful for the North Long Haul, the Subic-Clark and the Mindanao railways. He clarified that “we are now talking with the proponents, while some negotiations are being undertaken.” Working boots and a hard hat It would seem that this successful insurance executive was out of place in the railway sector. He pointed out, though, that “coming from the outside, I have the technical advantage of being able to look outside the box. So, I’m looking at it from outside the box, looking in. I am able to see the problems that need to be fixed. Stoppage is one of the problems so we have a bus augmentation program. We will also deploy UV Express units. We are closely coordinating with the LTFRB to provide emergency alternative transportation.” On the other hand, his exposure to people of all backgrounds from his youth, being his father’s son, has given him the advantage of “knowing how it is to be one of the boys. Something that I also experienced in the United States. “When people ask me what my management style is, I tell them straight I like to go down to the ground. I like hands-on supervision. I want my hands to be dirty. If you open the trunk of my car, you will find my working boots and my hard hat. I enjoy going to the construction sites and seeing for myself the progress, the problems, whatever it is that needs to be attended to. “Finally I want those working in the field doing the most difficult tasks to be satisfied and never to be hungry. Gusto ko, busog sila lagi. I am not happy when I get invited by the constructors and I am honored with a feast-like lunch or dinner, and not knowing what the workers are eating. I am on a diet anyway, so I make sure that my hosts bring the food to where the workers are eating. I can only eat so much and I would rather that the workers and the staff are full and happy. I am vocal about my displeasure when the construction workers are not eating the same food that is served to me. I may not be able to invite them to where I am eating but I can have the food brought to them.” Smiling from heaven Without a doubt, the old man Atty. Teddy C. Macapagal is smiling happily from his heavenly perch. He had served his fellowmen well, but he had done right as well by raising a son who took after his heart, to whom service to the people and compassion for the less fortunate matter more than any personal gain. His father, according to Ted, “died a broken man at the young age of 63. But whatever he lacked in longevity and riches, he made up for it with his compassion for others, for the free legal services that he gave to the people of Olongapo. “If you didn’t have money, you went to him because he was generous with his time and expertise. He would even give you some cash to use for your transportation fare to go home. That was my father. “The people whom he helped in turn would come to our home and bring him gifts like eggs, fruits, fish, vegetables and native chickens that they raised in their backyards. My father accepted them all. When I came home and saw all this, I teased him and said that he should probably open a sari-sari store so he could resell them. “Of course, we had a good laugh. But beyond the laughter, we both knew in our hearts that doing good to one’s fellowmen is its own reward and nothing in this world can take the place of personal fulfillment for having put a smile on people’s faces because you somehow made their lives better. “I am grateful that I have been raised by such a great father.” The post Michael Ted Macapagal: Making tracks in public service appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MIAA demonstrates NAIA’s emergency response preparedness at CREX 2023
PASAY CITY — The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) showcased its emergency response capability and preparedness during the Crash and Rescue Exercise (CREX) 2023 at the airside premises of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Friday, 4 August. The successful demonstration of this year’s full-scale simulated emergency CREX allows MIAA to ensure that the prescribed plans, guidelines, and organizational setup of the 8th edition of the NAIA Airport Emergency Plan 2023 adequately and effectively address emergencies occurring at or within the immediate vicinity of the country’s main gateway. “A dependable communication and coordination system is essential for a responsive Airport Emergency Plan (AEP). This exercise puts our communication and coordination system to the test, not only among MIAA offices but also with our external partner agencies,” said MIAA officer-in-charge Bryan Co. “We want to assess primary and secondary responders’ ability to respond to an aircraft crash and the resulting mass casualty event, including rescue and fire suppression, treatment and transport of survivors, and crash site security. The exercise also validates the methods for shifting from an emergency situation to normal airport operations following a potential major incident,” Co added. The scenario for CREX 2023 involved a commercial aircraft bound for Subic, CREX flight #0000, carrying 76 passengers and four crew members, that suffered a left engine malfunction during the take-off run after a flock of domestic pigeons crossing the runway was ingested into the aircraft's number one (left) engine, causing the aircraft to crash. The aircraft lost thrust on its number one engine during take-off. The pilot attempted to abort the take-off, but the aircraft veered off the runway and came to a stop on the western portion. A fire broke out on the left wing. In this mock incident, there were 80 casualties, with 72 survivors and eight deceased. In addition to the standard fire suppression, medical, emergency response, and search and rescue activities, this year's CREX edition featured the activation of Cebu Pacific's Accident Site Go Team, marking the first time MIAA partnered with an airline. “Cebu Pacific prioritizes safety and has established processes when it comes to emergency response. We thank the MIAA for the opportunity for us to train together to help ensure that communication systems are in place in the event of a multi-agency response,” Cebu Pacific President and Chief Commercial Officer Xander Lao said as the airline demonstrated its emergency response, particularly in providing support to victims as well as processing and cross-matching victims and family members. The CREX is held to continuously meet security standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). In compliance with ICAO’s Suggested and Recommended Practices, the CREX is held every two years, but the full-scale exercise may not be conducted if the airport’s emergency plan was activated. The last full-scale CREX was on 19 October 2017. Several actual aircraft incidents in the succeeding years then brought to the fore MIAA’s emergency response capabilities. In August 2018, a Plan 1 emergency under its Airport Emergency Plan was activated when a Xiamen Air aircraft veered off the main runway while attempting to land during a heavy downpour. Barely two years after, another Plan 1 emergency occurred in March 2020, when a Lion Air medivac flight caught fire while it was rolling for take-off. The most recent involved a Saudia Airlines flight that went off the taxiway onto the grassy portion when its six right landing gears malfunctioned in June 2022. All passengers and crew were immediately evacuated and brought to NAIA Terminal 1. No one was hurt as a result of the incident. NAIA is rated as a Category IX airport, while MIAA’s current rescue and firefighting capability is Category X compliant, making it ready to respond to an airport emergency involving an Airbus A380. With the support of highly skilled fire and rescue personnel, a medical team well trained and experienced in aviation medicine, a fleet of modern firefighting and medical vehicles, pneumatic aircraft lifting systems, and various other rescue equipment, the MIAA Emergency Services department is on par with its counterparts in the region. “As this is a multi-agency response to a simulated emergency, assessment activities will be done after the exercise, where stakeholders are welcome to share their observations and raise comments and suggestions to improve our airport emergency plan and coordination system. The response is a community effort, and we appreciate everyone’s contribution in our quest to maintain the global standards of safety and security in NAIA,” Co said. “We would also like to thank our secondary responders for their support: Pasay City General Hospital, Ospital ng Parañaque, San Juan De Dios Hospital, Philippine Airforce, Las Piñas General Hospital, Philippine Coast Guard, Taguig City Fire Station, Manila Medical Center, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) – Makati, Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group, Las Piñas City Fire Station, BFP Parañaque, Philippine General Hospital, Philippine Red Cross – Pasay City Chapter, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority,” Co added. See more photos here: The post MIAA demonstrates NAIA’s emergency response preparedness at CREX 2023 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Poe wants thorough investigation into Rizal boat mishap
Senator Grace Poe on Sunday said that those responsible for the motorboat which capsized and left at least 27 persons dead off the coast of Binangonan, Rizal must be brought to justice. “It is really infuriating and saddening that this incident happened. Losing a high number of people just because of negligence or maybe corruption of others is no joke, hence, an investigation must be done,” Poe said in a statement. She issued the statement even as she announced that the Senate Committee on Public Services, which she heads, is prepared to open its own probe on the incident. “Those who are responsible for this tragedy must be held accountable,” she added. The senator said the investigation must shed light on crucial questions such as why the Philippine Coast Guard allowed the motorboat to sail despite the strong winds and heavy rains. Poe said the boat's owner and the PCG should also explain why there were more passengers on the motor banca Aya Express than its allowed capacity. She also pointed out reports that the passengers had no life vests. “Life vest per passenger is a requirement before they can sail. This is necessary to provide them a chance to save themselves when it is needed,” she stressed. The lawmaker said the probe should determine liability and mete out punishment for those to blame. “Relieving or sacking those who are responsible from their posts is not enough, they should face charges,” she said. Likewise, she noted that the investigation may also include the victims of past sea tragedies to determine the outcome of their case and whether their families have been properly compensated. Senator Raffy Tulfo on Saturday lambasted PCG and the Maritime Industry Authority for the incident, stressing that the two agencies should be held accountable. “Twenty-seven lives were lost because of the sinking of the Princess Aya. This happened because authorities, such as the PCG and MARINA, were lax. Like in other sea tragedies, the boat was allowed to sail despite the bad weather, and it was overloaded and there were not enough life vests,” Tulfo said. The post Poe wants thorough investigation into Rizal boat mishap appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Russia strikes Odesa cathedral, Putin dismisses counteroffensive
Russia's latest strike on Odesa on Sunday killed two people and severely damaged a historic Orthodox cathedral, drawing a vow of retaliation from Ukraine's leader. The attack came as President Vladimir Putin met his Belarusian counterpart for talks in Russia and claimed Kyiv's counteroffensive had "failed". Russia has pounded the Ukrainian port city of Odesa since quitting the Black Sea grain deal last week. Locals watched in disbelief as the Transfiguration Cathedral -- originally built in 1794 under imperial Russian rule -- was hit. The biggest Orthodox church in Odesa lies within the UNESCO-protected historic city center. UNESCO condemned the "brazen" attack, which hit several sites in the World Heritage area, marking "an escalation of violence against (the) cultural heritage of Ukraine", according to UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay. Clergymen rescued icons from rubble inside the badly damaged shrine, which was demolished under Stalin in 1936 and rebuilt in the 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The culture ministry said it had so far identified damage to 29 monuments of important cultural heritage. The Ukrainian government condemned the cathedral strike as a "war crime", saying it had been "destroyed twice: by Stalin and Putin". President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed retaliation: "They will definitely feel this," he said. "We cannot allow people around the world to get used to terrorist attacks," Zelensky added in his evening speech late on Sunday. "The target of all these missiles is not just cities, villages or people. Their target is humanity and the foundations of our entire European culture." Icons pulled from rubble Images showed smashed mosaics on the cathedral floor as workers cleared the rubble. The outside of the building appeared intact. "There was a direct hit to the cathedral," said Father Myroslav, the assistant rector, adding that three altars were ruined. Icons were pulled out from under the rubble and the shrine was "very badly damaged inside", with "only the bell tower intact", he added. Clergymen said a security guard and a priest getting ready for a morning liturgy were inside during the attack but both survived. Russia blamed the cathedral damage on Ukrainian air defense. It said it had hit all its intended targets in the Odesa strike, claiming the sites were being used to prepare "terrorist acts" against Russia. But local people said Russia had hit residential areas. "We have ordinary residential buildings here, where people live," a woman who owns a beauty salon nearby, Tetiana, told AFP. "There are no military facilities here. Just simple beauty salons, a marine agency, a groomer. Nothing military here at all." Russia launched a wave of attacks on the Black Sea port this week, after exiting a deal between Moscow, Kyiv, Istanbul and the UN allowing the safe passage of cargo ships. Ukraine has vowed to find a way to continue exports from the ports and said Sunday repeated Russian strikes on Odesa this week were an attempt to "prevent and neutralise international efforts to restore the functioning of the "grain corridor." Putin meets Lukashenko As Odesa cleared rubble from the Russian strikes, Putin hosted his closest ally, Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko, in his native city of Saint Petersburg -- their first meeting since Minsk helped end a revolt by Russia's Wagner force. Both leaders were dismissive of the Ukrainian counteroffensive to take back land captured by Russia. "There is no counteroffensive," Lukashenko said at the meeting, before being interrupted by Putin: "There is one, but it has failed." The Belarus strongman now hosts Wagner fighters on his territory, after brokering a deal that convinced its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin to end a march on Moscow and exile himself to Belarus. "We are controlling what is happening (with Wagner)," he said, thanking Putin for vowing to defend Belarus should it be attacked. Wagner's presence in Belarus has rattled EU and NATO member Poland, which has strengthened its border. On Sunday, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said a new battalion of sappers would be formed in the country's northeast. Polish, US, British, Romanian and Croatian soldiers were training "shoulder to shoulder", he said, during a visit to the northeastern city of Augustow. The comments came two days after Putin said western Poland was a "gift" from Stalin at the end of World War II, when victorious allies decided on the contours of post-war Europe. Warsaw summoned the Russian ambassador over the remarks. Both Putin and Lukashenko also accused Warsaw of having territorial ambitions on Ukraine and Belarus. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba responded quickly on Twitter. "Putin's attempts to drive a wedge between Kyiv and Warsaw are as futile as his failing invasion of Ukraine," he wrote. "Unlike Russia, Poland and Ukraine have learned from history and will always stand united against Russian imperialism and disrespect for international law." Fighting in Ukraine continued Sunday, with Russia launching 17 cruise missiles and two ballistic missiles, according to the Ukraine army. The post Russia strikes Odesa cathedral, Putin dismisses counteroffensive appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Heavy security marks HK’s 26th handover
Hong Kong marked the 26th anniversary of its handover from British to Chinese rule on Saturday with heavy security and a warning from the city’s leader to guard against “destructive forces engaging in soft resistance.” John Lee, the former security chief who was sworn in as Hong Kong’s leader last year, said the city was “largely stable” now, but was still being targeted by countries that oppose China’s rise. “There are also destructive forces engaging in soft resistance hidden within Hong Kong,” Lee said during a speech at an event marking the anniversary. “Therefore, we must remain alert and take the initiative ourselves to protect national security.” Lee also said the finance hub — whose economy was pummeled by pandemic-related border closures that left it internationally isolated — was on the “fast lane to resuming normality.” “Over the past year, the government has led Hong Kong out from the shadow of the pandemic, cultivating confidence and hope amid a difficult experience,” Lee said, adding that he expected GDP to grow “around 3.5 to 5.5 percent” in 2023. The quiet streets of Hong Kong on Saturday were a far cry from previous years, when hundreds of thousands of residents would take part in a march to air their political and social grievances. Police said they received no applications for public processions on Saturday. The post Heavy security marks HK’s 26th handover appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Spec-tackle sports
Spectator sports are not without dangers. Athletes have suffered injuries in games, while fans have gotten hurt, and even died while watching in stadium stampedes. Basketball players from opposing teams have brawled and football fanatics of rival clubs have clashed during tense matches. Even team mascots have resorted to violence. In Game 4 of the National Basketball Association finals between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets at the Kayesa Center in Miami on 10 June, the home team and the promoters of a pain relief spray sponsored a live skit featuring mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor and Burnie, the team mascot, NBC News reported. The promotion during a third-quarter break was a mock fight between McGregor and Burnie. McGregor punched Burnie knocking him down and then he hit the floored mascot again. He then sprayed the mascot with the pain reliever. McGregor’s punches were apparently too hard for the man under the costume and he had to be dragged off the court and was treated before being sent home to recuperate. In golf, the danger is getting hit by a flying golf ball or, perhaps, falling from a golf cart. For player Adam Hadwin of Canada, however, another kind of mishap at the RBC Canadian Open last 11 June added to the game’s risks. When compatriot Nick Taylor sank a 72-foot eagle putt on the fourth playoff hole to clinch the title — the first Canadian to do so in 69 years — 12th placer Hadwin got so excited that he rushed to the fairway carrying an open bottle of champagne to douse Taylor in celebration. But before he could reach Taylor, Hadwin found himself embarrassingly sprawled on the grass, the champagne splashing on the ground and not on his target. A security guard thought Hadwin was a crazed fan and a threat so he tackled him, suprising Taylor, the cameramen and other golfers nearby. Fortunately, Hadwin suffered only a minor bruise from the unexpected takedown by the guard who was only doing his job of protecting the golfers. The post Spec-tackle sports appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fear, grief after 41 dead in ‘brutal’ Uganda school attack
Grieving families buried their dead in western Uganda on Sunday while others searched desperately for missing loved ones after militants killed dozens of students in a "brutal" school attack. Officials say at least 41 people, mostly students, were massacred Friday in the worst attack of its kind in Uganda since 2010. President Yoweri Museveni, in his first statement since the attack, vowed to hunt the militants "into extinction". Victims were hacked, shot and burned in the late-night raid on Lhubiriha Secondary School in Mpondwe, which lies less than two kilometres (1.2 miles) from the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Pope Francis offered a prayer on Sunday for "the young student victims of the brutal attack" that has shocked Uganda and drawn condemnation from around the globe. Ugandan authorities have blamed the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a militia based in DR Congo, and are pursuing the attackers who fled back toward the border with six abductees. "Their action -- the desperate, cowardly, terrorist action -- will not save them," said Museveni. Fifteen others from the community, including five girls, were still missing, said Eriphaz Muhindi, chairman of Kasese district, which shares a long and forested border with DR Congo. - 'Great pain' - Families desperate for news waited all night in the cold outside a mortuary in nearby Bwera. Those able to identify loved ones embraced and wept as they took away the bodies in coffins. "We flocked (to) the hospital and found many bodies -- of boys and girls, some cut with pangas (machetes), others hit with hammers on the head," Roti Masereka, a farmer, told AFP. He left with the body of his brother -- 35-year-old Mbusa Kirurihandi, a security guard at the school -- and his 17-year-old son. But a third son, aged 15, is missing, and the family is distraught. "Today we have buried two bodies, the father and his son. But we are still looking for the missing child," he said. The government said Sunday it would assist with funeral arrangements and support the injured. Seventeen victims were burned beyond recognition when the attackers set a dormitory ablaze, frustrating efforts to identify the dead and account for the missing. Muhindi said they had been taken away for DNA testing, a process that could take some time. "This is a great pain to their families," he told AFP. - 'They wore military camouflage' - Officials said 37 students were killed -- 17 in the torched men's dormitory, and 20 female students who ran but were hacked to death. Elias Kule, an 18-year-old survivor, said the boys locked their dormitory door when they heard gunshots and saw armed men entering the school. "They wore military camouflage. Each had a hammer, a hoe, knives, pangas (machetes) and guns with magazines," he told AFP. He said the attackers started firing through the windows and doors, hitting at least one student, before lobbing a "bomb" into the dormitory that started a fire. "I ran out of oxygen, I covered my mouth and nose with a cloth... I got blood and smeared myself on the head and ears to claim I was dead," he said, waiting until the coast was clear to escape. Four non-students, including the security guard Kirurihandi, were also killed. - 'Appalling act' - The African Union, France and the United States, a close ally of Uganda, offered their condolences and condemned the bloodshed. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said: "Those responsible for this appalling act must be brought to justice." Questions have been raised about how the attackers managed to evade detection in a border region with a heavy military presence. Major General Dick Olum told AFP that intelligence suggested the presence of the ADF in the area at least two days before the attack, and an investigation would be needed to establish what went wrong. Uganda and DR Congo launched a joint offensive in 2021 to drive the ADF out of their Congolese strongholds, but the measures have failed to blunt the group's violence. Originally insurgents in Uganda, the ADF gained a foothold in eastern DRC in the 1990s and have since been accused of killing thousands of civilians. The Islamic State group claims the ADF as its Central African affiliate. Attacks in Uganda are rare but in June 1998, 80 students were burnt to death in their dormitories in an ADF raid on Kichwamba Technical Institute near the DR Congo border. More than 100 students were abducted. The attack was the deadliest in Uganda since 2010, when 76 people were killed in twin bombings in Kampala by the Somalia-based group Al-Shabaab. gm-np/bp © Agence France-Presse The post Fear, grief after 41 dead in ‘brutal’ Uganda school attack appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»