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Sharon Cuneta apologizes, shares story behind Kiko Pangilinan’s pugot ulo photo
“Megastar” Sharon Cuneta admitted that she was at fault for posting a recently viral photo of her politician husband Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan with no head on her official social media account......»»
No exact air pollution numbers in MM – DENR
An official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) admitted yesterday that the 138 monitoring stations in Metro Manila do not reflect the actual air pollution in the metropolis......»»
N.Korea tells UN that satellite launch was self-defense
North Korea told the UN Security Council on Monday that its launch of a spy satellite was legitimate self-defense, rejecting denunciations led by the United States. Western powers, Japan and South Korea said North Korea violated Security Council resolutions by launching last week's satellite, which the totalitarian state said has already provided images of major US and South Korea military sites. In a rare appearance at the Security Council, North Korea's ambassador to the United Nations, Kim Song, complained that other countries faced no restrictions on satellites. "No other nation in the world is in the security environment as critical as the DPRK," said Kim, using the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "One belligerent party, the United States, is threatening us with a nuclear weapon," he said. "It is a legitimate right for the DPRK as another belligerent party to develop, test, manufacture and possess weapons systems equivalent to those that the United States possesses or is developing." He mocked US charges that satellite technology also helped North Korea hone its missile capacity, questioning whether the United States put satellites into orbit "with a catapult." The US ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, rejected North Korea's assertion it was acting in self-defense and said that joint US-South Korean exercises were "routine" and "defensive in nature." "We intentionally reduce risk and pursue transparency by announcing the exercises in advance including the dates and the activities, unlike the DPRK," she said, adding that the drills did not violate Security Council resolutions. South Korea's spy agency said that Russia, eager for assistance in Ukraine, helped North Korea on the satellite following a summit between Kim and President Vladimir Putin. The United States said last month that North Korea has delivered more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions to Russia. Russia and China, North Korea's main ally, have put forward a resolution, opposed by the United States, to ease sanctions on Pyongyang as part of an effort to encourage dialogue. Chinese envoy Geng Shuang accused the United States of "further aggravating tension and confrontation" through its military alliance with South Korea. "If the DPRK constantly feels threatened, and its legitimate security concerns remain unresolved, the peninsula will not be able to get out of the security dilemma and only be caught in a vicious cycle of tit-for-tat aggressive moves," he said......»»
DOT chief apologizes over attached agency exec’s behavior
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco yesterday apologized to senators over the inappropriate behavior of an official who texted the senators to ask for VIP treatment for the Department of Tourism in the budget deliberations......»»
DENR joins Pag-Asa Island research expedition
A team from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources visited Pag-Asa Island on 23 October 2023, led by DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga. The visit included a site inspection of the area surrounding Pag-Asa Island, including Sandy Cay 2, and coincided with the arrival of the M/V Panata research vessel of the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute for its bi-annual research expedition to the Kalayaan Island Group and the West Philippine Sea. Loyzaga is the second Cabinet-level official to visit Pag-Asa Island in recent years, and the first DENR Secretary to do so. She was joined by other DENR officials, namely, Undersecretaries Augusto Dela Pena, Analiza Rebuelta-Teh and Juan Miguel Cuna; Assistant Secretaries Gilbert Gonzales and Marcial Amaro, Jr., the respective Directors of the Environmental Management Bureau and the Biodiversity Management Bureau; and Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Executive Director Teodoro Matta. The DENR team was joined by Dr. Fernando Siringan, Dr. Jose Fernando Alcantara and Dr. Rolando Tolentino from UP-MSI. They were met on Pag-Asa Island by Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, Commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command, and Kalayaan Municipal Mayor Roberto Del Mundo. The DENR, UP-MSI, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development and Wescom teams discussed with Del Mundo and the Kalayaan government officials plans to expand research and monitoring in Pag-Asa Island and peripheral areas. Scientific studies have established that the marine ecosystem in the Kalayaan Island Group is a critical biodiversity area, and is crucial for the sustainable supply of fish and coral larvae in the Philippines and the region. “The discussion was on the environmental sustainability of the island and the research needed for understanding of marine environments and value of these ecosystems to livelihoods, food security in the Philippines and the region and the global need to ensure the ocean’s climate regulatory functions. Given the implications, we need to actually determine an ecological boundary rather than administrative lines,” Loyzaga explained. She and the DENR team visited the research station of UP-MSI on Pag-Asa Island, where the team is in the thick of field and oceanographic surveys as part of the periodic monitoring of the immediate environment around Pag-Asa Island. The research is partly funded by the Philippine Ocean Monitoring and Prediction System project of the national government. The group boarded the research vessel for a site inspection and docked at Sandy Cay 2, an islet just two miles off Pag-Asa Island, to check the crushed corals littered on the beach. Loyzaga and Del Mundo also discussed possible interventions for the priority needs of the municipality’s residents and the sustainable development of the island, such as the area's carrying capacity and need for water, sewerage and solid waste management systems. Pag-Asa Island serves as the hub of the municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan — the smallest in the Philippines with a population of 193, but the largest in terms of jurisdiction, with an area spanning almost 65,000 square miles. The post DENR joins Pag-Asa Island research expedition appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DENR: Over 100 barangays at risk of flooding
Amid the worsening impact of climate change, more than 100 barangays in the country were identified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as most at risk of flooding, a ranking official said......»»
‘They put a price on everything’: extortion hits Mexican economy
Plots of land lie empty among lime and banana plantations in one of Mexico's most violent regions -- abandoned by their owners due to widespread extortion squeezing Latin America's second-largest economy. As in many other agricultural zones around the country, criminal gangs in the western state of Michoacan have become a major market force, driving up costs and hurting not just farmers but also consumers. Take limes, for example: despite a national increase in production, and a slowing of overall consumer price inflation, the cost of the citrus fruit rose by more than 50 percent in the past year, according to the Agricultural Market Consulting Group (GCMA), a consulting firm. The impact is huge in a country where limes are a vital ingredient in many dishes. "The prices are through the roof!" said Gabriela Jacobo, a 53-year-old housewife who now only buys a few limes a week. The threat from organized crime is such that trucks transporting limes now have police escorts, AFP reporters saw during a visit to the region. The fallout has even been felt in Mexico City, where drug and gang violence is often seen as a faraway problem and the ability to source food from all around the country eases supply problems. The price of limes in the capital doubled, reaching almost $4.5 per kilo ($2 per pound) in August. "It's not because of a supply issue," but because of extortion, said GCMA analyst Juan Carlos Anaya. Turf wars Michoacan, which covers an area as big as Costa Rica, is riven by bloody turf wars between rival gangs such as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Los Viagras, and La Familia Michoacana. As well as fighting over drug smuggling routes, they also compete to make money through extortion. Payment is taken in the form of a charge of 11 US cents to package each kilo of limes, a farmer told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity due to fear of reprisal. It may not sound like much, but the region can produce about 900 tons of fruit every day. In the past, "the criminals had their fights but they left us to work. Now they don't even leave us to work,'" the farmer said. Tomato, banana, and mango producers, as well as transporters and distributors, must also pay the gangs, he said. "They put a price on everything," he added. Extortion and theft cost companies in Mexico about 120 billion pesos ($6.8 billion) a year, equivalent to 0.67 percent of the country's annual economic output, according to official figures. In the southern state of Chiapas, extortion and violence have caused food shortages in communities bordering Guatemala. "There's no electricity. There's no food. There's no water. There's no gas," a resident told AFP. The region is gripped by a turf war between the Jalisco New Generation and Sinaloa cartels that has led to dozens of business closures and forced locals to buy supplies in Guatemala, at higher cost. Even the ingredients for tortillas -- a Mexican staple -- are being purchased across the border. Cities such as Chilpancingo, the capital of southern Guerrero state, also saw widespread closures of chicken shops in the past after farmers and merchants who allegedly refused to pay extortion were murdered. 'Deep trouble' Avocado growers have also fallen prey to the battle for control of Michoacan's agricultural riches. Last year the United States briefly suspended avocado imports from the state after a US inspector checking export shipments before the Super Bowl received phone threats. To confront crime, lime producers like Hipolito Mora founded self-defense groups in 2013 that were themselves later accused of links to criminals. After vehemently denouncing drug traffickers, Mora was shot dead in June in Michoacan. "We're in deep trouble with the cartels," said his brother Guadalupe Mora, who was being watched over by several bodyguards. "They charge us a fee for everything -- basic foods, soft drinks, beers, chicken. Everything's very expensive because of them," he said. State prosecutor Rodrigo Gonzalez urged people to come forward to report such crimes. "We're committed to fighting these people, identifying them, arresting them, and bringing them to court," he said. But many fear they will suffer the same fate as Mora if they speak up. Despite the risks, the farmer said that he had no intention to leave his land. "Lots of people depend on us and our work, to provide for their families," he said. The post ‘They put a price on everything’: extortion hits Mexican economy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NOW Telecom appeals to SC over ‘erroneous’ NTC fine
NOW Telecom Inc. of businessman Mel Velarde has elevated its appeal to the Supreme Court or SC to settle the alleged P2.6 billion in spectrum regulatory fees or SRF and associated charges it allegedly owes the National Telecommunications Commission or NTC. The company, through a 22-page comment dated 1 September 2023 filed before the SC, pointed out that the regulatory fees and penalties imposed were "erroneous" and needed to be recomputed. NOW Telecom is disputing the NTC's calculation, which was based on the total capital stock of P13.57 billion instead of the subscribed and paid-up capital of P1.39 billion. The company pointed out that the additional paid-in capital of P12.17 billion should be excluded from the computation. Thus, it requested the High Court to order NTC to recompute the SRF and base it solely on its capital stock of P1.39 billion and set aside the regulator's letters assessments dated 5 July 2025, and 23 December 2005. Additionally, the company also asked the SC to delete the imposition of any penalty and interest. “We are confident that this SRF issue will be finally resolved. NOW Telecom continues to appeal to the Marcos administration to (maintain) a level playing field, for NOW to compete head-on with China Telecom/DITO and Huawei-equipped SMART and GLOBE,” Velarde said in a press statement on Tuesday. NOW Telecom also contended that the NTC's reference to a COA letter was flawed due to discrepancies. The COA letter claims over P3 billion in unresolved receivables that spanned 14 years. "The crucial COA Letter was conspicuously absent from NTC's official documents, replaced by correspondence with the Office of the Solicitor General, casting doubts on the authenticity of the claim," it added. NOW Telecom additionally said that "the staggering amount imposed by the NTC as penalties and interest does not align with the purpose of the law." "As the term itself implies, the amount of the SRF collected is supposed to be commensurate to, and is simply intended to reimburse the NTC for the costs it incurs in supervising and regulating the telecommunications industry," the company said, adding that the SRF is not a tax or a revenue-raising measure. Last June, it can be recalled that the Securities and Exchange Commission or SEC fined NOW Corp. and Velarde P1 million each for allegedly “misleading disclosures” about the P2.6-billion unpaid obligation of affiliate company NOW Telecom to the government. In a seven-page order dated 15 June 2023, the SEC affirmed that NOW Corp. and Velarde were administratively liable for violating the Securities Regulation Code or SRC for disclosing misleading information to the public. The disclosure in question was the one posted on 10 November 2021, which stated that NOW Corp. was unaware of the details surrounding the motions filed by the NTC with the SC. The SEC pointed out that as one of the concurrent key officials of both NOW Corp. and NOW Telecom, Velarde is “considered to have ipso facto participated in the transactions” relating to the unpaid SRF and SUF liability of NOW Telecom. The post NOW Telecom appeals to SC over ‘erroneous’ NTC fine appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DENR: 33 air monitoring stations in Metro Manila need upgrade
The 33 air monitoring stations in Metro Manila need upgrading to ensure accurate data, an official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said over the weekend, after pollution-related smog smothered Metro Manila residents on Friday, forcing local government units to suspend classes due to poor air quality and visibility......»»
US, Iran release prisoners in $6 billion swap deal
The United States and Iran on Monday swapped five prisoners each in one of the arch-foes' first deals in years as Tehran gained access to $6 billion in frozen funds. The five Americans freed by Iran, including one held for eight years, flew out of Tehran in a Qatari jet, hours after the unblocked funds were deposited in accounts also managed by Qatar. The White House said it was "pleased to confirm" the plane carrying the freed Americans had left Doha, Qatar for the United States, and that President Joe Biden had spoken with the families of the Americans in an "emotional call". The five had walked in the setting sun on the tarmac in Doha, three of them with arms around one another's shoulders. One of them praised Biden for ignoring the political backlash and taking the "incredibly difficult decisions" that freed them. "Thank you, President Biden, for ultimately putting the lives of American citizens above politics," Siamak Namazi, a businessman held since 2015, said in a statement. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who spoke to the released Americans by telephone after they landed in Doha, insisted the Biden administration had "no higher priority" than freeing US citizens. "It's very good to be able to say that our fellow citizens are free," Blinken told reporters in New York, where he and Biden are taking part in UN meetings. Two of the Iranian detainees arrived in Qatar, Iranian media said. The other three released by the United States have opted to remain there or in a third country. After quiet discussions led in part by Qatar, the two countries completed the exchange after the transfer of $6 billion in funds, frozen by US ally South Korea. The Biden administration has rejected criticism at home that it is paying "ransom," insisting the money will be used only humanitarian purposes, with a threat to re-freeze the funds if not. But Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani, speaking earlier in Tehran, said the clerical state will have "total access" to the assets. Political risks for Biden Biden's Republican rivals have roundly denounced the deal. Republican Senator Mitt Romney said it would lead to "kidnappings". "The idea of basically paying to release, in this effect, a hostage is a terrible idea," he said. Mindful of political risks, Biden in a statement said he would "continue to impose costs" on Iran and announced sanctions against former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the country's intelligence ministry. The sanctions were imposed over alleged deceit in the disappearance of Bob Levinson, a former FBI agent who disappeared in Iran in mysterious circumstance and is presumed dead. Biden in his statement did not mention that he granted clemency to five Iranians. A US official said that all were convicted or changed with non-violent crimes, with one already set to be released soon. Iran had generated the revenue through oil sales. South Korea froze the funds after Biden's Republican predecessor Donald Trump withdrew from a landmark nuclear accord and imposed unilateral US sanctions on buying oil from Iran. Iran's central bank governor said Iran would seek damages from South Korea. "We're making a complaint on behalf of Iran against South Korea for not giving access to these funds and the reduction in value of these funds in order to receive damages," Mohammadreza Farzin said on state television. The five Americans of Iranian descent -- all considered Iranian nationals by Tehran, which rejects dual nationality -- were released to house arrest when the deal was agreed last month. Besides Namazi, they include wildlife conservationist Morad Tahbaz, venture capitalist Emad Sharqi and two others who wished to remain anonymous. All were accused of spying or other crimes that they strongly reject. Tahbaz also holds UK nationality. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Britain was not involved in the deal but that he was "extremely pleased" he was free. A US official said that two more US citizens flew out of Tehran -- Namazi's mother and Sharqi's wife, who were not in prison but had ont been allowed to leave. According to Tehran, the freed Iranians include Reza Sarhangpour and Kambiz Attar Kashani, both accused of violating US sanctions against Tehran. A third prisoner, Kaveh Lotfolah Afrasiabi, was detained at his home near Boston in 2021 and charged with being an Iranian government agent, according to US officials. The two others, Mehrdad Moein Ansari and Amin Hasanzadeh, were said to have links to Iranian security forces. Nudge on nuclear? The swap was the first deal sealed by Biden with Iran's clerical rulers, who toppled the pro-Western shah in 1979 and are deeply hostile to the United States. Biden took office with hopes of restoring the 2015 nuclear agreement, under which Iran promised to constrain its contested nuclear work in return for sanctions relief. But months of talks failed to produce a breakthrough. Prospects to restore the deal sank further after protests broke out almost exactly a year ago in Iran following the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, who had been arrested for allegedly violating the country's Islamic dress code for women. Blinken said that the release of the prisoners "doesn't speak to anything else in the relationship," with the nuclear issue "a different track." Biden is not expected to meet in New York with Iran's president, Ebrahim Raisi, who arrived Monday. The post US, Iran release prisoners in $6 billion swap deal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Taiwan detects 103 Chinese warplanes around island
Taiwan told China on Monday to stop its "destructive unilateral actions" after more than 100 Chinese warplanes and nine navy ships were detected in areas around the self-ruled island. Beijing claims Taiwan as its own territory to be seized one day, by force if necessary, and has ramped up diplomatic and military pressure on Taipei in recent years. Taiwan's defence ministry described the number of warplanes detected in 24 hours as a "recent high", while Beijing has so far refrained from issuing any official comment on the sorties. "Between the morning of September 17th to 18th, the Ministry of National Defence had detected a total of 103 Chinese aircraft which was a recent high and has posed severe challenges to the security across the Taiwan Strait and in the region," it said in a statement. Beijing's "continued military harassment can easily lead to a sharp escalation in tension and worsen regional security," the ministry said, as it called on China to "immediately stop such destructive unilateral actions." Of the total number of warplanes detected, 40 crossed the so-called median line of the Taiwan Strait that separates the island from China, and entered its southwest and southeast air defence identification zone (ADIZ), the statement said. 'High alert' Last week, Taipei also reported an increased number of incursions by Chinese warplanes and ships. The uptick came as Beijing said its troops were on "high alert" after two ships belonging to the United States and Canada sailed through the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan's defence ministry said 68 Chinese aircraft and 10 naval vessels were detected around the island between Wednesday morning and Thursday morning. Some of those planes and warships were heading to an unspecified area of the Western Pacific to "conduct joint sea and air training" with China's Shandong aircraft carrier, the ministry said. The Shandong, one of two operational aircraft carriers in the Chinese fleet, was detected last week around 60 nautical miles (110 kilometers) southeast of Taiwan heading into the Western Pacific, Taipei authorities said. Japan's defence ministry also said last week its navy had detected six ships -- including frigates, destroyers, one fast combat support ship and the Shandong -- sailing through waters some 650 kilometers (400 miles) south of Miyakojima island, east of Taiwan. It confirmed that jets and helicopters had been detected taking off and landing from the Shandong, though China has not commented officially on any drills being conducted in the Western Pacific. 'The same China' Analysts said China could be flexing its muscles to counter US influence in the Asia-Pacific, as it leads multiple rounds of military drills with allies across the region. "Politically, China aims to counter the military containment of democratic allies led by the United States," Su Tzu-yun, an analyst at Taiwan's Institute for National Defence and Security Research told AFP. Following last August's visit to Taipei by Nancy Pelosi, then-speaker of the US House of Representatives, China staged its largest-ever war games around Taiwan. Then in April this year, Beijing conducted a three-day "Joint Sword" military exercise to simulate the encirclement of the island, after Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen met US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California. While Beijing has yet to issue any statements on its latest sorties, China's Global Times state tabloid posted a comment on the Weibo social media platform. "The mainland and Taiwan belong to the same China, and Taiwan is a sacred and inalienable part of China," the post said, reiterating Beijing's long-standing policy. "The People's Liberation Army's relevant combat training activities are necessary actions to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," it added, referring to China's military. The post Taiwan detects 103 Chinese warplanes around island appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ransom seen in 5 Americans’ release
Republicans have described as “ransom payment” the Biden administration’s transfer to Tehran of $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds in exchange for the release of five Americans detained in Iran. Representative Mike McCaul, the Republican chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the transfer “creates a direct incentive for America’s adversaries to conduct future hostage-taking.” “The administration is demonstrating weakness that only further endangers Americans and freedom-loving people around the world,” he said. The White House confirmed Monday it had signed off on the transfer of the fund, South Korea’s payment for oil sold by Iran, which Seoul froze as per US sanctions on Tehran for its nuclear program. The US State Department said the money transfer is “a critical step in securing the release of Siamak Namazi, a businessman arrested in 2015 and accused of spying, wildlife conservationist Morad Tahbaz, venture capitalist Emad Sharqi and two others who wished to remain anonymous. “As we have said, no money is going to Iran directly and no taxpayer funds are being used. The funds held in South Korea are Iran’s funds,” the State Department spokesperson said. The official IRNA news agency had reported that five Iranians will also be released from the US as part of the deal announced last month. Iran foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani said Iran expects to have full access to its assets in the coming days. Once the funds are moved to an account in Qatar, the American prisoners fly out of Iran. WITH AFP The post Ransom seen in 5 Americans’ release appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Russian hacker draws 9 years for securities fraud
NEW YORK (AFP) — A Russian who reaped tens of millions of dollars trading US stocks using hacked, unreleased company earnings reports was sentenced Thursday to nine years in prison. Businessman Vladislav Klyushin, 42, was convicted in February of hacking and securities fraud in a federal court in Boston, where he was tried after being extradited from Switzerland in December 2021. Klyushin, who reportedly had close contacts in the Kremlin, owned a Moscow information technology firm named M-13. His firm helped partners and clients hack into the computers of two US businesses that publicly listed companies use to file official financial reports. During 2018-2020, they obtained filings from hundreds of companies on earnings and other matters, allowing them to trade the shares before the information went public, according to the Justice Department. Investing $9 million over that period, they pulled in nearly $100 million on the trades, the Justice Department said. Klyushin himself earned $34 million, in his own trades and in commissions for helping others invest. In addition to his prison sentence, he was ordered to forfeit his $34 million in profits and pay an unspecified amount in restitution for damages. The post Russian hacker draws 9 years for securities fraud appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PNP logs suspected election-related incidents
The Philippine National Police on Tuesday announced that it has already logged eight suspected election-related incidents ahead of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections slated on 30 October. PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said that the cases — including shootings and stabbings — were recorded in the Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula and Soccskargen. She added that the incidents will be validated within 10 days by the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council using its parameters to determine if these can be considered as ERIs. “First, we have to determine whether the victim or the suspect is an incumbent official running in the BSKE. We also check whether these are Commission on Elections officers or family members of candidates or identified political supporters of a candidate. Another thing is we would check if these would affect the electoral process,” Fajardo said. “In the past, there were incidents that qualified as ERI because these happened during the election period. Another parameter is if the incident may somehow create a form of political tension that may eventually affect the electoral proceedings,” she added. Fajardo disclosed that out of the eight incidents, one has been validated which happened in Libon, Albay where the victim Alex Repato, reelectionist captain of Barangay San Jose, was shot dead by still unidentified assailants in his house during the first day filing of Certificate of Candidacy last 28 August 2023. Meanwhile, police are looking into another incident where a candidate was allegedly prevented from filing his CoC in Malabang, Lanao del Sur. “We have to understand this area under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. There are special geographic areas we also have to monitor the presence of some threat groups. These are some of the factors we are seriously considering studying to make sure that the deployment we are going to make is right,” Fajardo said. The post PNP logs suspected election-related incidents appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘India key to taming China’
Only India has the muscle to flex against China in Asia amid overlapping territorial claims by several nations in the South China Sea, political analyst and University of Santo Tomas professor Marlon Villarin told Daily Tribune and Dyaryo Tirada. Guesting on the digital show “Hot Patatas,” Villarin pointed out that India has an ace up its sleeve when it comes to dealing with China, one that is more economic in nature despite the fact that both New Delhi and Beijing are nuclear powers. Villarin cited India’s nearly adversarial reaction to China’s release of a new map that expanded its discredited nine-dash line claim with an extra dash covering the east of Taiwan, which Beijing considers a renegade province. He explained that while China is using military might to assume the role of an overlord in the South China Sea, India holds weight when it comes to another critical trade route, the Indian Ocean. “Within Asia, India has the capability to strong-arm China because of the Indian Ocean and the other important trade routes in India that are crucial to China’s economy,” the political science professor said. [caption id="attachment_179490" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Fostering cooperation Before President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. flew to Jakarta, Indonesia for the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, he said he plans to promote ‘a rules-based international order — including in the South China Sea,’ among other Philippine priorities. | PHOTOGRAPH BY YUMMIE DINGDING FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE @tribunephl_yumi[/caption] Rules-based look He noted that India and China have a long history of trade-relation tension between them. “To cut a long story short, China whimpers when it comes to India,” he said. “India has leverage against China, while if it’s the European Union speaking out against Beijing, nothing happens.” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. left yesterday for Jakarta, Indonesia for the 43rd ASEAN Summit, saying he’ll bring to the table a rules-based look at the irritants among nations in the South China Sea. Mr. Marcos said the government was still cementing its response to China’s expanded 10-dash line claim, although several high-ranking Filipino officials have joined their Indian and Malaysian counterparts in denouncing China. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China’s nine-dash line claim had no legal leg to stand on as no one country can control international bodies of water. It also affirmed the Philippines’ maritime entitlement in the West Philippine Sea. “What’s sad is that while America is angry over China’s intrusion, here comes the United Kingdom mumbling that ‘it’s not really good to escalate [the situation] with China,’” professor Villarin said. He averred that India protesting China’s new map was just another instance of Beijing intruding into Indian territory. Previously, India had protested Beijing’s claim that the whole of Arunachal Pradesh and the Aksai Chin region were part of China. Rational view Arunachal Pradesh is a northeastern state in India while the Aksai Chin region is part of Jammu and Kashmir at the center of the long-standing tug-of-war between the two countries. “Taking Indian territories has been an old habit of China’s,” according to an official New Delhi response published by the news website Anadolu Agency. Earlier, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin called on countries to “view this map in an objective and rational manner.” “Updating and releasing various types of standard maps each year is a routine job for competent authorities in China, which aims to provide standard map services for all sectors of society and raise the public’s awareness of the standardized use of maps,” Wang told Beijing-based Global Times. Taiwan, meanwhile, has also protested China’s new map with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jeff Liu saying, “Taiwan, the Republic of China, is a sovereign and independent country that is not subordinate to the People’s Republic of China.” “The PRoC has never ruled Taiwan. These are universally recognized facts and the status quo in the international community,” Liu said. The post ‘India key to taming China’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ejercito: Beef up Phl Navy, PCG vs China’s incursions
The government should prioritize the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines amid the escalating tension between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea, Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said Tuesday. In a radio interview, Ejercito underscored the importance of having a credible defense posture to halt the frequent incursions of China into the country’s territories. “We cannot fight China because it is a superpower [country] but they have recommendations such as [keep] the line of communication open and exhaust all diplomatic means,” he said. “On our part, we have to strengthen our Armed Forces [of the Philippines], our [Philippine] Coast Guard. We need to have a minimum credible defense posturing, at least a respectable one,” he added. He issued the remarks weeks after the Chinese Coast Guard used a water cannon at Philippine vessels en route on a resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. Ejercito likewise urged the government to forge alliances with “like-minded” countries to combat Chinese military aggression in the WPS. “We should make an alliance with other countries aggrieved by China such as Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia,” he said. “There is strength in numbers, we cannot fight China alone but maybe if we will have an alliance with other countries, they will be at least hesitant because the countries are united against them,” he added. ‘Impossible’ In a separate statement, Ejercito reiterated his rejection of the claim that his father, former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, ordered the removal of the grounded BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal. “Such an assertion is impossible, given that it was President Erap himself who ordered the grounding of the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal,” he said, referring to columnist and former Palace official Rigoberto Tiglao’s accusation that former president Joseph Estrada made such a commitment to China. “Mr. Tiglao’s column is patently inaccurate and distorts the reality of President Estrada's decisive actions against Chinese aggression,” he added. The lawmaker urged the former Palace official to correct his false accusation against his father. “It is thus imperative that Mr. Tiglao's column be rectified to accurately reflect actual historical events,” he said. The post Ejercito: Beef up Phl Navy, PCG vs China’s incursions appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fear no China
One could find reason to disagree with the view that a warship of the Philippine Navy at Ayungin Shoal had been deliberately run aground as a “symbol of Philippine sovereignty over that area.” The ongoing word war between Beijing and Manila only strains diplomatic relations and bilateral cooperation through confrontational media hype over deference to China as the “natural leader of the Third World.” A few well-defined observations may be drawn and serious questions may be raised. China’s averment of the Philippines’ commitment to remove the BRP Sierra Madre, beached the past 24 years, and the latter’s refusal since it never expressed any commitment to do so only aggravates the growing tension that has hogged the headlines recently and instilled an ideological clash of world views. Wasn’t there a “bilateral code of conduct” signed to put to rest such a dispute or conflict, at least in the case of Mischief Reef? Call to mind that in November 1995, Chinese President Jiang and President Fidel V. Ramos, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Osaka, reportedly discussed the joint development of marine resources in the disputed regions. Ramos also proposed an “interim solution” where “each littoral state assumes stewardship over the sea closest to it without prejudice to the sovereignty claims.” In fact, when a new Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States was signed in 1999, the Philippines practically shelved its plans to strengthen its fortifications in the Spratlys. Whereas China would want the Sierra Madre removed to bring Ayungin Shoal back to its unoccupied state, an irreverent National Security Council official only amplified the rhetoric by saying that such removal is tantamount to “abandoning our sovereign rights and jurisdiction over West Philippine Sea.” It must invite a congressional review as to whether or not — using the same ploy at Scarborough Shoal — another Philippine Navy ship (LST 507) was towed away when the China Coast Guard made a veiled threat to blow it up. It becomes understandable why the China Coast Guard that monitors its claim over the South China Sea deems in accordance with “maintaining China’s ‘national face’ on the world stage” its response to Philippine vessels on a resupply mission to the Sierra Madre. China also believes that the “introduction of third-party forces will only complicate the situation,” its reference to the G7 (US, UK, Japan, Australia, Canada, France, Germany) — consequent to President Benigno Aquino’s unilateral move “to humiliate China before the global public.” Note that Chinese nationalism cannot be undermined as the prime mover behind its tough stance against “recalcitrant neighbors” (e.g. Vietnam). The truth is that we failed to reach a level of “bilateral harmony” with China’s rise, a thing that Malaysia has done so effortlessly. If scholars are to be believed, the dynamics in play differ, viz., Malaysian politicians aim at giving face to China while Filipino politicians actively aim at destroying China’s public image to the pitch of a “global flashpoint.” Still, it’s best not to miss the forest for the trees. It sounds like a child’s game for the country’s national security official to unabashedly dismiss as a “figment of the imagination” the statement made by China’s envoy of a purported Philippine commitment to tow its grounded navy vessel from Ayungin. The dilapidated hulk is in a dismal state — gaping holes, corroded decks, unseaworthy, even worse than a decommissioned ship. How can you call that a “symbol of Philippine sovereignty?” Wherever these unfolding developments lead, the absolute fact remains that there is no single navy, marine, or soldier that the China Coast Guard has killed. If the Sino-Malaysian relationship resulted in highly profitable bilateral relations over the past four decades, why don’t we reconfigure Philippine threat perceptions of China precisely “to deny any external power’s hegemonial grip on the regional order,” as scholars suggest? Ought we follow what Brantly Womack describes as the “positive equilibrium between asymmetrical neighbors,” as well as Malaysia did? Perhaps let’s write new laws, draw new maps, then build installations over our territorial claims?” The post Fear no China appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Public execs who refuse suspension should face more sanctions’
An additional penalty should be imposed on any elected or appointed public official who refuses to comply with an executory legal suspension or removal order to avoid tension and violence similar to the incident in Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental, according to Sen. Francis Escudero......»»
Bogus DoTr liaison entrapped
The police reported yesterday the arrest of a 37-year-old man in Muntinlupa City for allegedly posing as a liaison coordinator for the Department of Transportation to dupe a businessman. Identified as Peejay Giganto Durano, the suspect was arrested by elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in a sting operation last 31 July. Durano allegedly introduced himself to complainant Rholand Dindo Sioson, a businessman from Valenzuela City, as a liaison Officer from the Office of the President with a special letter of endorsement bearing what turned out to be the forged signature of DoTr Secretary Jaime Bautista. The suspect reportedly convinced Sioson that he could facilitate the processing of the latter’s application for a franchising business, specifically the licensing and registration of motor vehicles with the LTO. With the fake credentials, Durano was able to get from Sioson a total of P405,000 supposedly as the required processing fee, which the latter sent to him through a bank transfer. Durano asked for an additional P100,000 from Sioson which he said was for the release of a department order for the latter’s LTO franchise. Acting on Sioson’s formal complaint, the CIDG-NCR set up an entrapment and gave Sioson marked money to hand to Durano. The exchange took place in Alabang, where Durano was arrested. Durano is now facing charges of violating Article 315 (Large-scale Estafa) in relation to Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act, specifically Article 177, on “Usurpation of Authority or Official Function,” and Article 172, on the “Falsification by Private Individual and Use of Falsified Document” of the Revised Penal Code. Sioson presented his case to the Chief Prosecutor of Mandaluyong City, assisted by CIDG investigators Patrolmen Roberto Felipe and Jodar Capati. Four PNP officers based in Camp Crame — P/MSg. Arcadio Manganas Jr. of the Forensic Group; and P/SSg. Jeck Ryan Olarte, P/SSg. Jerome Vicente, and Patrolman Jericho Dela Cruz of the CIDG-NCR Regional Field Unit — handled the booking documentation and disposition of the case. DoTr Secretary Jaime Bautista urged the public not to fall prey to scams using his name because his administration does not condone any illegal activities. The post Bogus DoTr liaison entrapped appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DOTr liaison poser nabbed for usurpation, estafa
Police nabbed a 37-year-old man who posed as liaison coordinator for the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and duped a businessman who wanted to have a franchise for motor vehicle registration with the Land Transportation Office (LTO). Elements of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group - National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) pounced on Peejay Giganto Durano of Muntinlupa City at a sting operation on 31 July in Susana Heights. CIDG-NCR Chief P/Col. Hansel Marantan said on 22 May of this year, Durano introduced himself to complainant Rholand Dindo Sioson, a businessman from Valenzuela City, as a liaison officer from the Office of the President with a special letter of endorsement bearing the forged signature of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista. Marantan said Durano convinced Sioson that he can facilitate the processing of the latter’s application for a franchising business, specifically the licensing and registration of motor vehicles with the LTO. The CIDG-NCR chief said, with fake credentials, Durano was able to get from Sioson a total of P405,000 supposedly as the required processing fee, which the latter sent to him through a bank transfer. Durano even asked for an additional P100,000 from Sioson which he said was for the release of a department order for the latter’s LTO franchise. Acting on Sioson’s formal complaint, Marantan and his men set up an entrapment and gave Sioson marked money to hand to Durano on Alabang, where the exchange was to take place in Alabang where they netted Durano. According to Marantan, Durano is now facing charges of violating Article 315 (“Large-scale Estafa”) in relation to Republic Act 10175 (“Cybercrime Prevention Act”), Article 177 (“Usurpation of Authority or Official Function”), and Article 172 (“Falsification by Private Individual and Use of Falsified Document”) of the Revised Penal Code (RPC). Sioson presented his case to the chief prosecutor of Mandaluyong City, assisted by CIDG investigators Patrolmen Roberto Felipe and Jodar Capati. Four PNP officers based in Camp Crame – P/MSg Arcadio Manganas Jr. of the Forensic Group; and P/SSg Jeck Ryan Olarte, P/SSg Jerome Vicente, and Patrolman Jericho Dela Cruz of the CIDG-NCR Regional Field Unit (RFU) – handled the booking documentation and disposition of the case. CIDG, the primary investigation arm of the PNP, is tasked with investigating and prosecuting all crimes involving economic sabotage and other large-scale crimes that may be committed by highly placed or professional criminal syndicates or organizations. Bautista, on the other hand, issued a stern warning to everyone not to fall prey to scams like this because his administration does not condone any illegal activities. The post DOTr liaison poser nabbed for usurpation, estafa appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»