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Home , Alan Peter Cayetano, Filipinos in Kuwait, Harry Roque, Rodrigo Duterte, Silvestre Bello III

EAGLENEWS.PH “WE LIVE IN INTERESTING TIMES” Volume 1 - Issue No. - 4 FEBRUARY 2018 US Ambassador visits INC Executive Minister (Eagle News) – The United States Ambassador to the visited (INC) Church of Christ Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo on Monday, February 12, 2018. The US Ambassador arrived at the INC Central Office before 8 in the morning. Ambassador Kim’s visit to the INC Central Office came about as the Church is preparing celebrations of its 50th anniversary in the West. The first overseas congregation of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ) was established in Hawaii on July 27, 1968. The second overseas congregation was established in San Francisco, California. At present, the Church is in 142 countries and territo- ries around the world, with member- ship comprising of at least 133 ethnic groups and nationalities. After his visit, the US ambassa- dor, accompanied by Brother Eduardo, was cheerfully greeted and welcomed by several ministers and volunteer workers at the INC Central Office who excitedly waved small flags of the Unit- ed States of America and of the INC at US ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim, accompanied by Iglesia Ni Cristo Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, is cheerfully greeted and welcomed by ministers and volunteer workers at the INC Central Office. The US Ambassador visited the INC Executive Minister on Monday, February 12, 2018 at the INC Central the Central Office’s lobby. Office in , Philippines. (Photo released by INC-Public Information Office)

President Duterte seeks more help for Overseas DFA’s Cayetano backs INC leader’s appoint- , taps INC Executive Minister Manalo ment; says INC’s “very organized system” to for their “extensive network” help PHL address ’ concerns

(Eagle News) — Presidential Spokesper- (Eagle News) — Foreign Affairs secretary Alan Peter son said that the Philip- Cayetano welcomed the ap- pine government would want to “tap the pointment of Iglesia Ni Cris- network” of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) or to Executive Minister Broth- Church of Christ which has around 6,000 er Eduardo V. Manalo as congregations worldwide in addressing he noted how the INC has the concerns of Filipinos across the globe. a “very organized system” This he said was the reason why of coordination that can President appointed INC greatly help concerns of Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. overseas Filipinos abroad. Manalo as special envoy for overseas Fili- He also observed pinos’ concerns. how the INC leader had “Meron po talagang network si Mr. been conducting pastoral Eduardo Manalo sa iba’t ibang Pilipino visitations of many of the na nagtatrabaho sa iba’t ibang mga ban- INC’s local congregations sa (Mr. Eduardo Manalo has a network of abroad. “One reason is they various Filipinos working in different coun- President Rodrigo R. Duterte tries),” Roque said in a press conference have churches in several in Malacanang while citing the 6,000 con- countries around the world where their administrators coordinate complaints received gregations of the INC spread across the wanted to make use of, particularly at and Ka Eduardo is actually from the church’s various local congregations to the govern- ment — can actually help the government. globe. this time that there were many reports visiting many of them,” Cay- etano noted. “Whether member or non-member, (kung may mag-com- “At matagal na po sila na gumagalaw of abuses suffered by OFWs, especially “Anyone of you (who plain), they have a system where the tagapamahala in each sa hanay ng mga overseas Filipino work- domestic helpers, in the hands of their have) dealt with the INC kapilya has a liaison with the government,” he said. ers (And they have long been helping and foreign employers. Church in the localities, Cayetano said the DFA saw how the INC’s very organized performing acts in service to overseas Fil- He explained that the Church and kung makikita nyo very or- system would benefit more Filipinos, which is the reason the ipino workers),” he said. its members had also proven their capa- ganized,” he said. DFA recommended the INC Executive Minister’s appointment Roque said that it is this vast net- bility in helping their countrymen in var- The secretary of the to President Rodrigo Duterte. work of the INC across the globe through ious regions across the globe. The INC Department of Foreign Af- “So that system will benefit Filipinos. So that’s one rea- its members spread in 142 countries has been engaged in community and so- fairs (DFA) also observed son that the DFA also recommended and the President ap- worldwide that the Philippine government cio-civic projects, including the “Kabayan how this INC system — proved that,” he said. continue to page 2

Special envoys help gov’t

Call for justice as Joanna Demafelis’ Trillanes declared “persona non 17 killed in Florida school shooting body returns home from grata” in City by former student: sheriff See Page 2 See Page 6 See Page 8

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Call for justice as Joanna Demafelis’ body returns home from Kuwait Duterte: PHL to deal with China “in friendly, civilized terms” in dispute ILOILO, Philippines (AFP) wanted to help her par- — More than a hundred ents repair the house (Eagle News) — President grey ships, the coastguard “Even in the claim itself claim, wala tayong ginawa,” he He said that while China mo nagsabi, and he is a man relatives and supporters that was damaged by Rodrigo Duterte reiterated and start waving our rifles. We and in the development of the said. was building structures and of honor,” he said. of a Filipina maid whose Super Typhoon Yolanda the country will deal with cannot do that today. It is unre- military bases in the disputed As for China’s naming body was found stuffed in (Haiyan),” in 2013, the China only through diploma- alistic, it cannot be true..Then sea “(they are) not intended of features in the Philippine cy. why would I go there, bringing for us.” Rise, Duterte said that the a freezer in Kuwait bran- aunt recalled. He said before Chi- my navy, my soldiers, my po- He said they were “re- move was understandable. dished banners demand- The slain maid also nese-Filipino businessmen lice and everything only to be ally intended against those “Eh alangan namang ing justice as her coffin wanted to finance the on Monday, February 19, slaughtered. I will not commit (whom) the Chinese think gawing German? Ang alam was returned home on college education of her during an anniversary cel- the lives of the Filipinos only to would destroy them, and that nila Chinese eh. Those are Saturday. youngest sister, Joyce, ebration of the Chinese die unnecessarily. I will not go is America.” just directions na tapos na Filipino Business Club, Inc. into a battle which I can never In fact, Duterte said that sila dyan. Of course, they The family of Joanna the aunt said. (CFBCI) at the Hotel win,” he said. Chinese President will do it in Chinese, it’s their Demafelis openly wept as Residents lined the that the country will insist Rapping the critics who himself has promised not to dialect,” he said. the white casket was un- highway as the funeral on its sovereign rights over question his approach with build anything in Scarborough He said what matters loaded at an airport car- convoy escorted by po- its claims in the West Philip- China, Duterte asked: “What (Panatag) Shoal. was that the “Philippine Rise go terminal in the central lice cars and motorcycles pine Sea but in “friendly and were they doing during their “Ganun na lang ang re- is ours.” civilized terms.” time? Why did they not start to speto ko kay Xi Jin Ping. Sabi “Huwag mong galawin. city of Iloilo. made its way to Demafe- “We cannot go there build things there, structures nila they will not build. They as- I will insist,” he said. (Eagle “Justice for Joanna lis’s hometown, about a ride in our, whatever, navy, that China is doing now?” Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua sured that….Si Xi Jinping mis- News Service) D. Demafelis,” was em- two hour’s drive from the blazoned on banners and city.

on T-shirts worn by the Labor Secretary Sil- continuation from page 1 (US Ambassador visits INC Executive Minister) crowd which included a vestre Bello said late Fri- “We are very happy with the visit of His US Ambas- congressman and local day that “working groups” sador Sung Kim to the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ) Central officials expressing their from both countries Office to visit the Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo,” anger over the death of were discussing forg- said Brother Joel San Pedro, an INC minister and the INC Central the Filipina whose body ing a memorandum for Office Protocol Officer. was found in a freezer in Jessica (C), sister of Filipina overseas worker Joanna Demafelis whose body was found inside a freezer in Kuwait, cries in front of a wooden casket containing her protecting the rights of sister’s body shortly after its arrival at the international airport in Manila on February 16, 2018, while Philippine Foreign Secretary “The timing is perfect as the Church is celebrating its 50th Kuwait earlier this month. (C-behind w/glasses) looks on. / AFP PHOTO / TED ALJIBE Filipinos in Kuwait, many anniversary in the West,” he said. The incident wors- of whom are working as He noted that the INC has around 300 congregations in the ened a diplomatic flap the deployment of new Philippine economy. Their ambassador had assured “She does not de- maids. United States alone. between the Philippines workers to Kuwait and or- treatment abroad is often him his government was serve the manner in Domestic workers in The Church also counts among its members people belong- and Kuwait with President dered airlines to fly home a political issue at home. “outraged” over the kill- which she died. She that country are not cov- ing to various races and cultures. Rodrigo Duterte alleging any of the 252,000 Fili- Kuwait’s foreign ing and determined to was beaten up,” said an ered by ordinary labour The Iglesia Ni Cristo was first registered in the Philippines on that Arab employers rou- pinos working there who minister previously con- find those responsible. aunt, Rosela Demafelis legislation, and accounts July 27, 1914, and will be celebrating its 104th anniversary this tinely rape their Filipina wish to return. demned Manila’s “esca- A distraught Eva Taunan, referring to local of Filipinas being sub- year. workers, force them to About 10 million Fil- lation,” of the issue but Demafelis could only say news reports about the jected to abuse and ex- His Excellency Ambassador Sung Kim was sworn in as the US work 21 hours a day and ipinos work abroad and Philippine Foreign Secre- “I am sad,” when asked 29-year-old maid’s death. ploitation in the Middle Ambassador to the Philippines on November 3, 2016, and start- feed them scraps. the money they remit tary Alan Peter Cayetano by reporters about the “She decided to go East have long circulated. ed his posting in the Philippines a month later, on December 1, He has also banned back is a lifeline of the said Friday the Kuwaiti death of her daughter. abroad because she (Agence France-Presse) 2016. From 2011 to 2014, he was the U.S. Ambassador to the Re- public of Korea. In between the two ambassadorships, Ambassa- DOLE chief expresses support for INC Executive Minister’s dor Kim served as Special Representative for North Korea Policy Ballot recount on VP electoral protest moved to in Washington. March 19; Marcos camp dismayed appointment as special envoy for overseas Filipinos’ concerns Ambassador Kim was born in Seoul, Korea, and grew up in . He earned his undergraduate degree from the (Eagle News) –Labor Secretary University of Pennsylvania and completed a degree in law from he Supreme Court, Silvestre Bello III expressed Loyola University. He also holds a Master of Laws degree from the support for the appointment of sitting as the Presi- London School of Economics and an honorary doctorate from the dential Electoral Tri- Iglesia Ni Cristo Executive Min- T ister Brother Eduardo V. Mana- Catholic University of Korea. (Eagle News Service with a release bunal, has set March 19 lo as Special Envoy for Over- as the start of the ballot from INC-Public Information Office) seas Filipinos’ Concerns. Bello recount in the elector- said this move by President al protest case of former Rodrigo Duterte would great- senator ly help the cause of overseas Jr., against Vice-President Filipinos. “Malaking bagay, President Duterte seeks more help for Overseas Filipinos, taps INC Executive Minister Manalo for their “extensive network” , moving the madami silang congregation. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III recount date for over a (it’s a big deal. They have many continuation from page 1 month allegedly because of congregations.) He would be a the need for psychological great help to our effort to pro- network” of the INC or Church Through a statement Ko, Kapatid Ko” or “My katotohanan. So kaya nga litika (This is not a political ence. tests for the revisors of the vide protection to our OFWs,” of Christ that the Philippine released by the INC Public In- Countrymen, My Breth- po tayo ang makikinabang payback),” the Presidential He said the President has recount. he said. government wanted to tap in formation Office (INC-PIO) on ren” and various “Aid for sa kanyang network. Hindi spokesperson said. “Sig- faith in Brother Eduardo and This came about as The labor chief said he addressing the concerns of Fili- Thursday, February 15, the INC Humanity” or Lingap sa naman po natin siya popon- uro po itong mga pangya- that his appointment would Robredo’s camp filed a mo- would be more than glad to pinos across the globe. members unitedly thanked the Mamamayan” programs. dohan yung kanyang trabaho yari ngayon — na nagiging further the government’s aim to tion to consider as “with- work and coordinate with work He also clarified that the President for the trust that he “So yun po ang (What I know is that there is biktima ng pang-aabuso strengthen the provision of ser- drawn” any pending mo- regarding overseas Filipino INC leader would not be receiv- placed on the INC leader. ating nais ma-tap—yung no budget for special envoy, ang ating mga OFWs — ang vices and help to OFWs. ing any honorarium or budget “Nagpapasalamat po tions if any that they have concerns. network at yung napa- that is the truth. So that is naging udyok na matalaga “Siguro po ang naging that may delay the ballot re- “He is very much wel- for his work and that the ap- tayo sa Mahal na Pangu- pointment did not violate the long Rodrigo Roa Duterte sa tunayan nang kakayahan why we are going to benefit itong si Mr. Manalo dahil marching order sa pagtatalaga count, even as their camp come, if he wants us to work doctrine of separation of Church kanilang pagtitiwala po sa nila ng kanilang organi- from his network. We will not nga sa kanyang — gaya ng sa kanya sa panahon na nang- claimed they did not have with him I will just be too glad to work and coordinate with and State. “Hindi po, kasi ang Kapatid na Eduardo V. Mana- sasyon na pangalagaan give him funds in his work),” sinabi ko po kanina – mala- yari nga itong mga pag-abuso any. him,” Bello said. separation of Church and State, lo,” said Brother Edwil Zabala ang kapakanan ng ating Roque told reporters in Mala- wak na network at serbisyo sa mga kababayan natin ay The motion was filed The secretary of the De- dalawa po yan: Yung kalayaan of the INC Public Information mga kababayan sa iba’t canang. sa ating mga kababayan mas paigtingin pa ang paninilbi- on Thursday, February 8, Former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., answers reporters’ questions as he partment of Labor and Em- na magkaroon ng pananampal- Office. ibang mga bansa (So that He said that the INC had (Most likely, because of han sa ating mga OFWs (Most the same day that Marcos and his supporters camped out before the Supreme Court on Thursday, February 7, 2018. (Photo by Moira Encina, Eagle News Service) ployment also cited the stature ataya, tsaka yung kasiguradu- “Ang buong kapatiran really is what we want to long been extending help what is happening now — likely, the marching order in his himself and his support- and reputation of the INC Exec- han ng estado mismo ay hindi ng Iglesia Ni Cristo po ay kai- tap — that network and to those in need overseas, that our OFWs are becom- appointment were the recent “Nagpapasalamat po ng Iglesia Ni Cristo po ay ers held a rally before the mag-eendorso ng isang panana- sa ng Ka Eduardo na tutulong utive Minister and the Church the proven capability of whatever faith they belong ing victims of abuse — this circumstances of and incidents tayo sa Mahal na Pangulong kaisa ng Ka Eduardo na Supreme Court, where he vigil turned into a protest to had a slim lead of 263,473 for helping people all over the mpalataya,” Roque explained. sa mga kababayan po natin their organization to care to. He said the appointment prompted us to appoint of abuse of our countrymen and Rodrigo Roa Duterte sa kanil- tutulong sa mga kaba- expressed dismay over the show displeasure,” Marcos votes. world through various pro- nasaan man po para sa kanil- for the interest of our was simply the government’s Mr. Manalo because of his the need to further service our bayan po natin nasaan delay in the ballot recount told reporters at the event. Marcos sought the an- grams that touched the lives of INC brethren one with the Executive ang kapakanan. Kagaya po ng ang pagtitiwala po sa Kapa- that was supposed to start He rued that not one bal- nulment of election results not just Filipinos, but He said Minister inilunsad na programa po ng countrymen in various recognition of this fact. — like what I said earlier — OFWs),” he said. tid na Eduardo V. Manalo,” man po para sa kanilang this month. lot box has been opened since in Basilan, Maguindanao, that this will be of great help to Ka Eduardo noon pa, ang ‘Ka- countries),” Roque said “Kumbaga ginagawa na wide network and service said Brother Edwil Zabala of kapakanan. Kagaya po ng he filed his electoral protest and Lanao del Sur, claim- the government. The INC has already is- , Kapatid Ko’–sa abot while noting that these nila yun. Sa pagtatalaga sa to our countrymen),” he INC statement the INC Public Information inilunsad na programa po Psychological evaluation for case with the PET in October ing that ballots there had sued a statement saying that ng ating makakaya ay lilingap INC projects also help kanya, siguro nire-recognize noted. Office. ng Ka Eduardo noon pa, revisors 2016. been pre-shaded. Extensive network the Church members worldwide po tayo sa mga kababayan na- those who are non-mem- na rin natin yung kanilang Meanwhile, the Iglesia Ni INC minister Zabala ang ‘Kabayan Ko, Kapa- “It is almost two years but He also sought the are one in expressing their read- tin nasaan man po sila.” (Eagle bers of the Church. ginagawa sa mga nakalipas Addressing Overseas Filipi- Cristo through a statement re- said that the whole of the INC tid Ko’–sa abot ng ating The ballot recount not one ballot box has been recount of the votes in Presidential Spokesper- iness to extend help to the best News Service with a release “Yun po ang dahilan na taon (In effect, they have nos’ concerns leased by its Public Information membership is united with makakaya ay lilingap po of their abilities to their fellow from INC-Public Information was moved because the opened. I hope the recount 36,000 precincts in 27 oth- son Harry Roque earlier ac- kung bakit siya naitalaga long been doing this. So with Office (INC-PIO) on Thursday, Brother Eduardo in extending tayo sa mga kababayan knowledged this “extensive Filipinos wherever they may be. Office) revisors should first under- will really push through next er areas (22 provinces and (That is the reason why this appointment, we most Roque said that Pres- February 15, thanked the Presi- assistance for the welfare of natin nasaan man po sila.” go psychological evaluation month,” he said. 5 cities). he was appointed),” he likely ident Duterte also believes dent for the trust that he placed fellow Filipinos. (with a release from INC- before they could start the The former senator also He claimed that if all added. recognize what they in the competency of Broth- on the INC leader. “Ang buong kapatiran PIO) recount process. question why there was a need the votes from the said pre- The Palace spokes- have been doing in the past er Eduardo Manalo which The revisors will be for a psychological test for the cincts were wither annulled PET “was an acceptance of Mar- will unwarrantedly interrupt, Marcos’ spokesper- person also explained years,” Roque said. is why he appointed him as revisors, which was the reason or recounted, he would son, Atty. Vic Rodriguez, part of the committee that cos’ challenge that they file a defer, postpone, suspend, de- there was no violation of “At pinapaigting pa natin his special envoy for Over- the recount date was moved have enough votes to over- added that the motion filed will conduct the examina- motion to withdraw all pending lay, prolong and/or impede the the separation ...of the na sana ay maging mas mal- seas Filipinos’ concerns. DFA’s Cayetano backs INC leader’s appointment... tion of the contested bal- for a month. come Robredo’s lead. motions that could stop the re- conduct of the proceedings in by Robredo was “a mere Church and State doc- awak pa ang kanilang tulong “Siempre po, di lots in Marcos’ electoral “Bigla nagkaroon ng psy- The Robredo camp, count.” this case,” the manifestation scrap of paper and may be continuation from page 1 trine in the appointment na ibinibigay sa ating mga naman siya itatalaga kung protest case. chological test para sa revisor. however, insisted that Marcos had earlier signed also added. later disowned by her as of the INC Executive Min- OFWs (And we will strength- wala siyang napatunayang He said that it is also embedded in the DFA’s of Ka Eduardo as his Special Envoy for Over- Marcos said that his Wala naman yan sa batas. there was no cheating in a joint manifestation on the with- Robredo, however, did having been signed without operations how to include the concerns raised by seas Filipinos’ Concerns on February 13, supporters were there at Noong 2016 pwede ng gawin the elections. drawal of “any and all motions not sign the document, and her authority” since it was ister as special envoy for en this further, that hopefully serbisyo sa ating mga ka- various special envoys who seek help for the inter- 2018. He said this will be in effect until Jan- the Supreme Court on yon,” Marcos said. and incidents that may unduly her camp instead filed their not signed by the vice pres- overseas Filipinos’ con- this will be wider in scope — babayan na nakatira sa est of overseas Filipinos and economic diplomacy uary 29, 2019. Thursday, February 8, to Marcos filed his poll pro- Robredo’s lawyer files motion delay or hamper the revision pro- own motion withdrawing any ident. cerns, and that there is the help that they are extend- ibat ibang bansa (Surely, abroad. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque test on June 29. 2016, a day to withdraw any pending Marcos also noted no honorarium or any ing to our OFWs),” he said. he will not be appointed “So basically it’s a support (system),” he earlier said that the Philippine government hold a prayer vigil at the ceedings” in election protest for pending motions that they said explaining the role of special envoys. “They wanted to tap the extensive network of the start of the recount. before Robredo was sworn motion on case Vice-President , and dared Robre- have with the PET. that what Macalintal filed budgetary allocation for He also defended the absent proof of previous are able to multiply our efforts in the countries,” INC or Church of Christ which has around “Kaya sila andito (The in as Vice-President. Marcos do to sign this too. But the document was would not cover motions the position of a special appointment amid allega- service to our countrymen he explained. 6,000 congregations worldwide in address- reason why they are here questioned Robredo’s victo- Robredo’s lawyer, “Both the protestant (Mar- supposedly only signed by that the Robredo camp envoy. tions by detractors that it was who are living in different Cayetano emphasized that that the Duterte ing the concerns of Filipinos across the globe. is) to hold a vigil. But the ry, citing massive cheating Atty. Romulo Macalintal cos) and protestee (Robredo) Robredo’s lawyer, Macalintal, may file in the future. (with “Ang alam ko po merely a “political accommo- countries),” he said in an- administration is really serious in its campaign to He also clarified that the INC leader in the May 2016 automated said that the motion they a report from Moira Encina, protect the interests of all Filipinos abroad, and would not be receiving any honorarium or recount was moved to next further commit to refrain from and not by the Vice-President wala tayong budget for dation.” swer to questions on this not just OFWs, which is why, he said, the President budget for his work and that the appointment month again. This prayer elections where Robredo only filed on Thursday with the filing any frivolous motion that herself. Eagle News Service) special envoy, yan po ang “Hindi po yan bayad pu- during the press confer- appointed the INC Executive Minister. did not violate the doctrine of separation of President Duterte issued the appointment Church and State. (Eagle News Service) 4 nation metro news 5 DOLE officially orders total ban on deployment of OFWs to Kuwait

(Eagle News) — The De- clearances,” Bello said in UST expels eight civil law students over partment of Labor and a joint statement with the Employment has official- Department of Foreign ly ordered a total ban on Affairs. hazing victim Castillo’s death the deployment of Over- He said the government seas Filipino Workers to would also extend assis- Kuwait. tance to the OFWs who he University of Sto. Tomas has ordered the expulsion of eight civil law Labor Secretary Silvestre were affected by the ban. students for their alleged roles in the death of UST law freshman Horacio Bello III signed on Mon- Foreign Affairs Secretary TCastillo III in September last year. day the administrative Alan Peter Cayetano said In a university statement published in The Varsitarian, UST said the ex- order that puts in place in the joint statement pulsion took place after the committee tasked to investigate his death found the ban, which came af- that the government’s them guilty of violating the Code of Conduct and Discipline..” ter the discovery of the “efforts to protect our The committee formed on Sept. 19, 2017 was composed of six adminis- gruesome death of Joan- kababayans will not end trators and a representative from the Central Student Council, the statement na Demafelis. with the imposition of de- said. Demafelis was found in- ployment bans or the re- UST did not identify the eight expelled students. side the freezer of an patriation of our workers “The university reiterates its commitment to ferret out the truth, deter- apartment left aban- in countries where they mine liability, and impose the appropriate sanctions,” UST said. doned since 2016. are prone to maltreat- “…UST has always been one with the Castillo family in the steadfast call It also came amid investi- ment.” for everyone to pray and work together to achieve justice for Horacio and for gations into the deaths of “We will also go after il- truth to prevail,” it added. six other cases. Photo screenshot from Net25, Agila Balita legal recruiters, human Several individuals affiliated with the Aegis Juris fraternity have been “In pursuit of nation- traffickers and other charged in connection with Castillo’s death. Castillo was believed to have died from injuries sustained during the fra- al interest and with the Filipino workers (OFWs) directive of the President He said the order would ipinos have been issued modern-day slave traders ternity’s hazing rites. (Eagle News Service) advent of the series of in Kuwait, a total ban on of the Philippines is here- take effect “immediate- travel documents, and who continue to victim- File photo of UST law freshman Horacio Castillo III reports involving abuse deployment of all OFWs by enforced,” Bello said ly.” 1,754 have already been ize our people,” he said. and death of overseas to Kuwait pursuant to the in the order. “To date, some 2,229 Fil- granted immigration (Eagle News Service)

President Duterte says ICC statute not yet part DOLE qualifies govt’s total ban on OFW SC asks Divina, 20 other Aegis Juris frat of PHL laws, as he “lectures” ICC prosecutor deployment in Kuwait; ban covers only lawyers to comment on disbarment complaint first-time overseas workers (Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte said he would want to have a one- (Eagle News) – The Department of Labor and on-one talk with the pros- he Supreme Court be disbarred. tion against the lawyers, ery of the legal profes- Employment has qualified the government’s to- ecutor of the International has asked Universi- In a notice dated Feb- noting that their actions sion.” tal ban on overseas Filipino workers to Kuwait, Criminal Court (ICC) who has saying this only referred to “all types of workers ty of Santo Tomas ruary 6, the SC gave the following the death of The lawyers are ac- opened a preliminary exam- T being deployed for the first time for overseas law dean Nilo Divina and 21 lawyers 10 days upon hazing victim Horacio cused of trying to cover ination on the complaint for employment in Kuwait.” several other lawyers notice to comment on the Castillo III in Septem- up the death of the Uni- alleged crimes against hu- Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III clarified manity that had been filed who are members of the report, which it treated as ber last year “constitute versity of Sto. Tomas law the “general coverage” of department issued against him and 11 other Aegis Juris fraternity to regular disbarment com- grossly immoral conduct freshman, who died re- Administrative Order No. 54 regarding the total officials. President Rodrigo Duterte speaking during a press conference in on comment on the Senate plaint. that is shocking, against portedly during Aegis Ju- Friday night, February 9, 2018 where he gave a televised “lecture,” explaining ban on the deployment of OFWs in Kuwait. This is so he could en- Philippine laws, to International Criminal Court prosecutor Fatou Bensouda. “The deployment ban covers all types of committee report that The report had the decency expected ris fraternity hazing rites. lighten ICC Prosecutor Fatou (Photo grabbed from RTVM/ Courtesy Presidential Communications Office) workers being deployed for the first time for over- recommended that they made the recommenda- from lawyers and a mock- (Eagle News Service) Bensouda about the real sit- seas employment in Kuwait, without distinction uation in the country, as well “But these laws must ically the Rome Statute which as to skill, profession or type of work,” stated AO as its laws where the ICC be published in the official is also known as the Interna- No. 54a issued on February 14, 2018. Statute is not yet a part of, gazette, to be really effective tional Criminal Court Statute. There are three groups of workers not cov- he said. laws.” “Now the treaty says that ered by the ban. In a press conference President Rodrigo Duterte we sign the treaty, we deliver “The ban does not include workers who in Davao City, Duterte said “Rare privilege” to talk to ICC the documents in Rome, ang are vacationing in the Philippines and will be re- ICC Prosecutor Bensouda prosecutor PNP handang makipag- sabi ninyo, but those laws were turning to the same employer to finish their con- But Bello said that “Balik Manggaga- should also understand that Indonesian police confers Medal of Honor submitted to you, but were not tracts, at the end of his/her vacation,” it said. wa” or returning OFWs to Kuwait on a new the treaty that created the ugnayan sa ICC ukol sa drug war The 72-year old Phil- published — yung definition of “Balik Manggawa workers who are return- contract with the same employer, “shall ICC — although signed by ippine leader who is known what are the crimes that you ing to Kuwait on a new contract with the same require prior clearance from the Overseas the Philippines in 2011 — is to PNP Chief Dela Rosa campaign ng pamahalaan for his strong words, said he can take cognizant of,” he said employer” are also exempted from the ban, so Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA).” not enforceable as a law in would welcome ICC prosecutor addressing the ICC prosecutor are “seafarers who will be transiting through or He said the “order takes effect immedi- the Philippines and does not By Mar Gabriel Fatou Bensouda in the coun- in a televised press confer- boarding in Kuwait to join their principals.” ately.” (Eagle News Service) bind the country because try, and would like to enlighten ence. Eagle News Service it had not been published her on the real situation when One of the fundamentals in any official gazette as is he talks to her personally. is really is that you have to required under Philippine “I hope you come, and publish it in the official gazette, jurisprudence. I hope we can be together in which this government did not “May I lecture you,” the one room. I hope I can have (do). Not my government, I did Territorial jurisdiction applies ment, since the preliminary tice in making this determi- President said addressing that rare privilege of talking not sign it,” he said. examination only aims to de- nation,” she added. the ICC prosecutor in a tele- to you. Tayo lang dalawa, the “Was there any publica- But the Philippine presi- termine if there is a reason- The complaint before vised press conference. two of us in a room. I welcome tion? None,” Duterte stressed. dent claimed the ICC cannot able basis to conduct a formal the ICC was filed by Atty. Jude “There is a Philippine you,” he said. claim jurisdiction over the investigation. Sabio, lawyer of a self-con- Constitution, it provides for But Duterte said that if The Rome Statute case under the rule on terri- “Lilinawin ko po, prelim- fessed hired killer in Davao remedies to seek redress after he explains everything toriality. inary examination pa lang po City, Edgar Matobato, who of grievance,” he said, re- to the ICC prosecutor, and she The Rome Statute was “Our principle of territo- ito. So wala po talagang na- had earlier appeared in a ferring to the constitutional still would insist on hailing him adopted at a diplomatic con- riality is that the crime must sasakdal dito. Pag-aaralan senate hearing that probed right of Filipinos to petition to trial, he would rather be exe- ference in Rome on 17 July only be prosecuted in the lang ng [ICC] Prosecutor ‘yung the alleged extrajudicial kill- the government for redress cuted in another country which 1998 and it entered into force place where the crime was sitwasyon at titingnan kung ings that he claimed was of grievances . would allow this. on 1 July 2002. committed,” he said. mayroong reasonable basis to connected to the Philippine He explained how Phil- “If you find me guilty, go Under the Rome Statute, The territorial principle begin a preliminary investiga- president when he was still Ang larawan ay kinuha mula sa Net 25, Agila Balit ippine criminal laws are. ahead, find a country where the ICC can only investigate is a principle of public inter- tion,” he said. the . “You cannot escape lia- they kill people with a firing and prosecute the four core national law under which a The senate, however, MANILA, Philippines (Eagle Nanindigan ang Philip- bility by just pretending to be squad. I am ready,” he said. international crimes in situ- sovereign state can prosecute Preliminary examination is not later questioned Matobato’s News) — Bukas ang Philippine pine National Police (PNP) na ignorant. So in order not to “I do not want imprison- ations where states are “un- criminal offences that are investigation, says ICC credibility as senators point- National Police (PNP) na maki- hindi madugo ang muling pa- be ignorant we have to pub- ment,” he said. able” or “unwilling” to do so committed within its borders. ed out several inconsisten- pag-ugnayan sa International glunsad ng Oplan Tokhang. lish our penal laws, especial- themselves. Territorial jurisdiction Prosecutor Fatou also cies in his testimony. Criminal Court (ICC) kaugnay Nakapagsagawa ng higit sa ly with punitive sanctions,” The jurisdiction of the also means that a criminal issued a statement clarifying Matobato’s lawyer, ng kaso laban sa giyera kontra apat na libong operasyon ang said Duterte, a veteran Phil- court is also complimentary action should be filed in the that a preliminary examination Sabio, later filed the ICC iligal na droga. pulisya sa ilalim nito, kung ippine lawyer who had once At the same time, Duterte to jurisdictions of domestic place where the crime was is not tantamount to an inves- complaint and included in Ayon kay PNP Spokesper- saan higit dalawang libong served as a prosecutor in also pointed out that even the courts. The court has jurisdic- committed, except as provid- tigation. it senator Richard Gordon, son Chief Supt. John Bulala- drug suspects ang mga sumu- Davao City for several years matter of extrajudicial killing tion over crimes only if they are ed in the treaties and laws “I emphasize that a pre- head of the senate blue rib- cao, handa silang magsum- ko. before he was elected in which his administration is ac- committed in the territory of a of preferential application, liminary examination is not bon committee, which ques- Philippine National Police Chief receives the Medal of Honor from the Indonesian Police. /PNP/ ite ng mga datos kaugnay ng Mula naman nang ibalik 1988 as the City’s mayor. cused of, has not been proper- state party or if they are com- based on Article 2 of the Re- an investigation but a process tioned Matobato’s credibil- kampanya kung papayagan ng sa giyera kontra iligal na droga “One of the fundamen- ly defined. mitted by a national of a state vised Penal Code. of examining the information ity, as well as then senator mga matataas na opisyal. ang PNP, nasa 65 drug sus- tal requirements in a de- “But what is extrajudicial party. Earlier, the President’s available in order to reach a Allan Peter Cayetano who he Indonesian police to the security not only of the would like to thank General Minister for Home Affairs of Dagdag ni Bulalacao, pects ang napatay. cent, in a humane society, killing? There is no … provision ICC Prosecutor Bensouda Spokesperson Harry Roque fully informed determination had delivered speeches has conferred Philip- Philippines but also of Indone- Bato for the rockstar-like inspi- , Commissioner kokonsultahin din ng PNP ang Ayon sa PNP, ang datos in a , is that you of extrajudicial killing, it is not said the “ICC would have juris- reiterated that the alleged on whether there is a reason- defending Duterte against pine National Police sia. ration to the Indonesian police of the Australian Federal legal experts ng bansa, gaya ay sa ilalim ng 4,613 opera- must know the law that you defined anywhere,” he said. diction over genocide, crimes deaths attributed to the ad- able basis to proceed with an allegations of extrajudicial T Chief Ronald dela Rosa The PNP and the Indo- and Indonesian people on how Police, Commissioner of ministration’s campaign ni Solicitor General Jose Cal- tions ng pulisya na isinagawa are violating,” Duterte said. He then questioned why against humanity and war investigation pursuant to the killings. with the nation’s highest nesia National Police are pio- to fight the war on drugs,” Dela the Royal Brunei Police against illegal drugs were ida bago magbigay ng impor- sa buong bansa mula Decem- “Now, you decide a he would be accused of a crimes if committed on the re- criteria established by the Nine other Philippine award given to security au- neer members of the ASEAN Rosa added. Force, Inspector General of because of lawful police op- masyon sa ICC. Nagsasagawa ber 5, 2017 hanggang Febru- case in the international crime that does not exist in spective territories of the Phil- Rome Statute,” she said in her government officials, in- thorities. Association of Police Chief or He thanked the Royal Police, erations and therefore could ng preliminary examination ary 14, 2018. court like a common law,” the Philippines’ Revised Penal ippines” or by its respective statement issued February 8. cluding the secretary of the Dela Rosa, who the ASEANAPOL, which fights President and the the Commissioner of the not be regarded as attacks ang ICC sa gyera ng bansa Inaresto naman ang he said. Code. nationals since the date when “Specifically, under arti- Department of Justice and has spearheaded the terrorism, piracy, smuggling, chief of the Indonesian police Singapore Police, and the against civilians. kontra droga. mahigit sa pitong libong mga He said the ICC can While treaties form part the Statute entered into force cle 53(1) of the Rome Statute, the government solicitor Philippines’ war against transnational crime, and ille- for giving the medal of honor, Director of the Internal Se- Roque clarified that no PNP, iginiit na ‘blood- suspek sa mga operasyon sa make a crime out of an act of the laws of the land, there in each State, namely since 1 I, as Prosecutor, must consider general, were also included drugs, received the Bin- gal drugs, among others. which he said was “doubly sig- curity Department of Sin- formal charges were filed less’ pa rin ang bagong Oplan parehong panahon. (Eagle or a deed that would consti- was no publication of the trea- November 2011 in the case of issues of jurisdiction, admissi- in Sabio’s complaint to the tang Bhayangkara Utama “According to general nificant” for him. gapore received the award. against any official in govern- Tokhang News Service) tute as a crime. ty that formed the ICC, specif- Philippines.” bility and the interests of jus- ICC. (Eagle News Service) award for his contribution (INP chief) Tito Karnavian, he Apart from Dela Rosa, the (Eagle News Service) 6 provincial news international 7 Trillanes declared “persona non grata” in Davao City 17 killed in Florida school shooting by former student: sheriff Fil-Am businesswoman accused of funding destab plots vs Duterte also declared as such by city council by Leila Macor Trump visits Florida hospital to Agence France Presse enator Antonio our city. You will not succeed in destroying the pay respects after shooting Trillanes IV and Fil- Dabawenyos. You will not succeed in destroying former student armed Am businesswom- our beloved President Rodrigo Duterte,” Vice with an AR-15 rifle US President Donald safety, but has yet to make any S Trump and Melania mention of gun control. an Loida Nicolas-Lewis Mayor Bernard Al-ag said. opened fire at a Florida A Trump visited a Florida hos- While the latest atrocity have been declared as He said Trillanes has never done anything high school on Wednesday, “personae non gratae” in February 14 killing at least pital Friday to offer their re- has reignited questions about good for the city. spects to the victims of a mass US gun laws, Trump — the first Davao City. In a statement, Trillanes, however, stood by 17 people, officials said, in a harrowing shooting spree that shooting that claimed 17 lives president to have addressed The declaration his pronouncements. saw terrified students hiding at a nearby high school. the powerful National Rifle As- made by the city coun- He said these were based on December in closets and under desks as The first couple visited sociation gun lobby — staunch- cil came after Trillanes 2015 statistics of the Philippine National Po- they texted for help. Broward Health North Hos- ly opposes any additional con- said Davao was the most Broward County Sher- pital, where a White House trols. lice. official said they would thank In a televised address to dangerous city in the “The truth definitely hurts…The people iff Scott Israel identified the gunman as Nikolaus Cruz, medical staff “for their life-sav- the nation on Thursday, Trump country, with the highest of Davao either know it or tolerate it out 19, a former student at Mar- ing assistance.” suggested the root cause of incidence of murder, and of fear or they’ve actually believed the jory Stoneman Douglas High The pair are also expect- the mass shootings that reg- the second highest inci- lie that was fed to them that Davao City School in Parkland who had ed to visit the Broward County ularly stun the United States dence of rape, in a press been expelled for “disciplinary sheriff’s office “to meet with was a crisis of mental health Nicolas-Lewis has been accused of funding de- is the safest city in the world,” he said. the law enforcement officials — an argument regularly made conference in Chicago, in stabilization plots against President Rodrigo Duterte. (With a report from Jerold Tagbo, Eagle reasons.” Cruz was arrested with- whose bravery helped save by opponents of gun curbs. the United States. “Mr. Trillanes, you will not succeed in destroying News Service) out incident in the nearby town lives.” Since January 2013, of Coral Springs after the Feb. Trump’s visit to the hospi- there have been at least 14 rampage and taken to hos- tal had not been announced in 291 school shootings across pital with minor injuries, the Vehicles are parked outside the Broward Health Emergency facility where victims were taken following a shooting at Mar- advance. the country — an average of jory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, a city about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Miami on February Military discovers food packs, sheriff said. The US leader is spend- one a week, according to the Ombudsman suspends Aurora governor 14, 2018. Seventeen people were killed when a 19-year-old former student opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle at the ing the long President’s Day non-profit group Everytown for “We have already begun Florida high school, the local sheriff said, calling the scene “horrific.” Broward County Sheriff Steve Israel said the victims medical supplies buried by to dissect his websites and were a mix of students and adults, though he could not confirm if the adults were teachers. / AFP / Michele Eve Sandberg holiday weekend at his Mar- Gun Safety things on social media that a-Lago resort, which is only Since the shooting, for nine months suspected NPA rebels in forested he was on and some of the about a 45-minute drive from Trump has faced teary pleas things… are very, very disturb- said. “There were problems with automatic weapons could No child should ‘feel unsafe’ Parkland, where the Valen- from some relatives of the area in Bukidnon ing,” Israel said. with him last year threatening be seen stationed at several President tine’s Day shooting rampage dead including Lori Alhadeff, “He had countless mag- students, and I guess he was points around the sprawling offered his “prayers and con- took place. whose 14-year-old daughter azines, multiple magazines, asked to leave campus.” school complex, which serves dolences to the families of the A troubled former stu- Alyssa was killed. and at this point, we believe A law enforcement nearly 3,000 students. victims. dent, 19-year-old Nikolas “We need action! Action! he had one AR-15 rifle,” the source told CBS News that the “Just a horrible day for “No child, teacher or any- Cruz, has confessed to gun- Action!” Alhadeff urged in an sheriff added. gunman pulled a fire alarm us,” said the superintendent one else should ever feel un- ning down 17 people at Mar- interview with CNN, address- Israel said he was uncer- before opening fire, but Israel of the county’s school district, safe in an American school,” jory Stoneman Douglas High ing Trump as the father of an tain about the exact number said he could not confirm that Robert Runcie. he said on . School north on Wednesday, 11-year-old son of his own. of people injured, but at least report. The FBI said it was assist- Since January 2013, in the country’s worst school “Let’s protect Barron, 14 were taken to hospital and ing local law enforcement with there have been at least 291 massacre since the horror at and let’s also protect all these two had died there of their ‘Very scared’ the investigation. school shootings across the Sandy Hook six years ago. other kids here in Parkland, in wounds. Parkland Mayor Chris- country — an average of about In the wake of the attack, Florida, and everyone every- The shooting, one of tine Hunschofsky told CNN ‘Everyone started running’ one school shooting a week, Trump has vowed to tack- where else,” she said. (Agence nearly 20 since the start of she had spoken to a number Student Jeiella Dodoo according to Everytown for le mental health and school France-Presse) the year, will once again throw of students after the shooting told CBS News that she and Gun Safety, a non-profit group the spotlight on the epidemic erupted shortly after 2:00 pm her schoolmates had evacuat- that advocates for gun control. of gun violence in the United (1900 GMT). ed their classroom calmly after Since the 2012 massa- States and the ready acces- “They were very scared,” hearing what they thought had cre at the Sandy Hook Elemen- Soldiers from the Infantry Battalion of the Army’s 4th ID unearthed on Wednesday, Feb. 14, supplies allegedly buried by suspected members of sibility of weapons in a coun- she said. “And almost in shock been a routine fire alarm. tary School in Newtown, Con- the New People’s Army in a forested area in Bukidnon. /88th IB/ try with 33,000 gun-related when they came out.” “The alarm went off so necticut, where 20 children deaths annually. Asked about security, the we had to evacuate from our and six adults were shot dead, he military on Wednesday discovered food and medical “This is a terrible day Parkland mayor said a police classes,” she said. “Then we warning procedures and emer- Aurora Governor Gerardo Noveras (Photo courtesy: http://bagongaurora.com) supplies buried by suspected members of the New Peo- for Parkland,” Israel said, officer is always stationed at heard gunshots. gency drills have multiplied at ple’s Army in a forested area in Bukidnon for future use. speaking of the city of about the school and there was a “I heard about six gun- US schools. T 30,000 people, located 50 “single point of entry.” shots,” she said, “and then The goal is to teach In a statement, Lieutenant Colonel Randy Remonte, he Ombudsman has or- contract for the project in Ba- and the project’s exposure to that he allowed the use of his commanding officer of the 88th Infantry Battalion of the Ar- miles (80 kilometers) north of Television images some people started running school children how to react dered the suspension of rangay Nipoo, Dinalungan—to the public,” the Ombudsman dump trucks in a government my’s 4th ID, said residents of Concepcion, Valen- Miami. showed students, some and then everyone started run- to a shooter who opens fire at TAurora Governor Gerardo use the dump trucks even if said, belying Noveras’ de- project within his jurisdiction cia, tipped his men about the presence of the food packs, “My very own triplets with their hands in the air, ning because we were like ‘If random. Noveras after he allegedly al- they were not in Remnant’s fense. tarnishes the image and integ- medical supplies, and sacks of rice the rebels reportedly ex- went to that school.” being led out of the school it’s real, then just run.'” “It is pretty clear that lowed his own dump trucks to initial list of equipment to be It noted Julio Liss, Rem- rity of his public office.” torted from them. A teacher at the school by heavily armed Teacher Melissa Fal- we’re failing our kids here,” be used in the construction of used. nant’s proprietor, conspired “Wherefore, judgment is The items in plastic containers were unearthed around told the Miami Herald that police officers and an armored kowski told US networks that said Falkowski, the teacher a barangay project. According to the Om- with Noveras to label his dump hereby rendered finding Gerar- 8 a.m. on Wednesday, February 14, 2018. Cruz had been identified pre- vehicle filled with a SWAT team she had helped 19 students who helped shield her stu- In meting out the nine- budsman, the fact that the trucks “Edfrobon” to make it do Noveras liable for conduct “We appreciate the support of the residents…most es- viously as a potential threat to on the scene. squeeze into a closet with her. dents from harm in a closet. month suspension without vehicles were used meant he appear they belonged to Ed- prejudicial to the best interest pecially Punong Barangay Luzviminda Santillan. We would his classmates. One injured victim was “We were in there for “I’m not saying the solu- pay, the Ombudsman said in a could have been given com- frobon Construction Services of the service…,” the Ombuds- not be able to locate these items without their vigilance and “We were told last year seen being placed into an am- probably 40 minutes. We were tion is one thing or another, decision approved on January pensation. Inc. man said. cooperation,” Remonte said. (Eagle News Service) that he wasn’t allowed on bulance on a stretcher. locked in the closet until SWAT but this does not happen in 15 that Noveras was “liable for “It is impossible for The anti-graft body add- It junked the charges of campus with a backpack on Police officers in helmets, came and got us,” she told other countries the way it hap- US President Donald Trump speaks with doctor Igor Nichiphorenko (L) and First conduct prejudicial to the best respondent to not have ed that “even if respondent did grave misconduct and grave him,” math teacher Jim Gard bulletproof vests and armed CNN. pens here.” Lady Melania Trump while visiting first responders at Broward Health North hos- interest of the service” for al- known that his dump trucks not intervene in the bidding abuse of authority against the pital Pompano Beach, Florida, on February 16, 2018./ AFP /Jim Watson/ lowing Remnant Builders– were used for the project process and did not coerce Aurora governor. (Eagle News *** which won the P232,441.50 considering their massive size or intimidate anyone, the fact Service) NUPL: Palparan “self-destructed” in hearing on kidnapping, serious Chinese media: China building test site for unmanned ships resorts given two months to comply illegal detention raps in disputed South China Sea with environmental regulations BEIJING, China (AFP) — Studies. cores of holiday re- “massive clean-up,” adding China has started build- “It symbolizes its sorts on the Philip- that the work was “a bitter ing the world’s largest rise as a world mar- Spines’ famous white- pill that we have to swallow test site for unmanned itime power and is sand island Boracay have if we (are) to collectively ships — a technology meant to position it been given two months to save and sustain Boracay.” with both civilian and in the future market clean up or face closure, Local businesses said officials said Wednesday, Duterte’s remarks had yet military applications for unmanned ships, February 14 after President to have a serious effect on — off a port in the dis- whether for civilian or Rodrigo Duterte warned visitor numbers. puted South China Sea, military applications.” tourists were swimming in But Nenette Graf, head File photo of Jovito Palparan (right) state media said Tues- Various unmanned polluted waters. of industry association the day, February 13. ship projects already The outspoken leader Boracay Foundation, said he National Union of People’s Lawyers said retired Ma- last week blasted the tiny there had been “one or two jor General Jovito Palparan Jr. “self-destructed” in his The test area is be- exist in the European island’s hotels, restaurants cancellations” since the is- Tlast court hearing on the kidnapping and serious illegal ing constructed off the Union and the Unit- and other businesses, ac- sue came to light. detention charges filed against him. southern port city of ed States. Norway is cusing them of dumping Local government offi- In a text message to reporters on Thursday, NUPL pres- Zhuhai bordering Ma- expected this year to sewage directly into the sea Boracay (Photo courtesy: Agence France Presse) cial Rowen Aguirre conced- ident Edre Olalia said Palparan, who reportedly maintained cau, the state Xinhua This photo taken on April 21, 2017 shows an aerial shot of part of a reef in the disputed South China Sea on April 21, 2017. / AFP / Ted Aljibe/ launch the world’s first and turning it into a “cess- ed that inspectors had often his innocence in the disappearance of two University of the pool.” found cases of resort viola- Philippines students in 2006, “self-destructed with his con- news agency said. wholly electrically-pow- nesses are accused of using buildings in protected parts of costs. The Department of En- the island’s drainage system the island. tions concerning waste wa- trived and sloppy defense.” China asserts sov- tonomous” ship tech- munication instruments ries of new unmanned ered and autonomous vironment and Natural Re- to send untreated sewage into Boracay is one of the ter discharge and expanding “It’s all bare denial and blames imagined conspiracy ereignty over almost all nology, still in its infancy, As the first of its kind or photoelectric com- systems for military but freighter. sources said a total of 300 the sea, officials said. country’s top tourist destina- into “no-build” zones, but against him,” Olalia said. the South China Sea would allow both civilian to be built in Asia, Zhu- ponents to guide ships also for civilian purpos- China is trying to businesses faced “evalua- “(The DENR) is giving tions, attracting some two mil- expressed optimism that “He sees red everywhere and recklessly, maliciously hai’s “unmanned boat and baselessly blames his present woes to what he stub- despite competing par- and military craft to be and boats, according to es, as this technology catch up in this field. tion” for sanitary or other them two months to comply lion visitors each year. the problems could be re- test site” is expected to offenses on the 1,000-hect- solved. bornly refers to as ‘enemies of the State,’ including human tial claims from the Phil- remotely controlled. the China’s Science and can potentially con- It plans to launch at with the law. Otherwise, we It has some 500 tour- become the world’s larg- are (2,470-acre) island, of will close them,” Environment ism-related businesses, al- “The term ‘cesspool’ is rights lawyers, human rights organizations, farmers’ groups, ippines, Vietnam, Ma- It could revolution- Technology Daily. tribute to its economic the end of the year its which 51 have already been Secretary said in a though most of the island’s too strong. You just have to and the Left. His incessant red scare perceptions as a politi- laysia and Brunei, and ize the shipping industry est with an area of about No commission- development,” said Collin own autonomous ves- handed official warnings for statement posted on his agen- supplies have to be shipped in come here and see the sit- cal dinosaur should have been fossilized,” Olalia added. has reclaimed several by creating more car- 770 square kilometers. ing date has been an- Koh, specialist in region- sel, the Jindouyun, for UP students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan were violating environmental reg- cy’s website. from nearby ports. uation for yourself,” he told islands which it controls go space on unmanned Islands in the test nounced. al naval affairs at Sin- river transport and fer- ulations. AFP. (Agence France Pres- seized allegedly by members of the military in Hagonoy. Officials will also inves- Tourism Secretary Wan- to bolster its claims. ships, which would also zone will be equipped “Beijing will use this gapore’s S. Rajaratnam rying goods to islands. Many of these busi- tigate businesses that put up da Teo said the island needs a se) The orders were allegedly given by Palparan. (Eagle News Service) Unmanned or “au- save huge sums in labor with GPS, sonar, com- test site to develop a se- School of International (Agence France-Presse) 8 international 71 dead, no survivors in Russian passenger plane crash by Anna Malpas with weather conditions as also set up at Domod- Thibault Marchand in Moscow the country has experi- edovo, Moscow’s sec- Agence France Presse enced record snowfall in ond-largest airport in recent weeks. It will also terms of passenger num- MOSCOW, (AFP) , consider human error bers. — A Russian passenger and technical failure, but Russia has suffered plane carrying 71 people it did not mention the numerous plane crash- crashed near Moscow possibility of terrorism. es, with airlines often on Sunday minutes after More than 400 peo- operating ageing aircraft taking off, killing every- ple and 70 vehicles had in dangerous flying condi- one on board in one of been deployed to the tions. the country’s worst ever crash site, the country’s A light aircraft aviation disasters. emergency ministry said. crashed in November in Investigators said the The site was envel- Russia’s far east, killing Antonov An-148 plane oped in heavy snow, mak- six people on board. went down in the Ramen- ing it difficult to access, In December sky district on the out- with emergency workers 2016 a military plane skirts of Moscow at 2:48 forced to park their vehi- carrying Russia’s famed pm (1128 GMT) after tak- cles and reach the wreck- A man looks at debris at the site of plane crash in Ramensky district, on the outskirts of Moscow, on February 11, 2018. Red Army Choir crashed ing off from Domodedovo age by foot. Others used A Russian passenger plane carrying 71 people crashed near Moscow on February 11, 2018, minutes after taking off, after taking off from the airport in the capital. snowmobiles and drones killing everyone on board in one of the country’s worst ever aviation disasters. / AFP PHOTO Black Sea resort of So- “Sixty-five passen- to survey the scene. chi, killing all 92 people gers and six crew mem- Russian transport four minutes after take- “more than 60 people” Ural56.ru in the Orenburg on board. bers were on board, and minister Maksim Sokolov off. on board the plane were region showed footage of The choir had been all of them died,” Rus- said “genetic expertise” A regional official from the region. distressed relatives at due to give a concert to sia’s office of transport would be needed to help said the aircraft’s black Russian President Orsk airport, where the Russian troops operating investigations said in a identify the victims, add- box had been retrieved. offered plane had been due to in Syria. statement. ing that it could “take two The Russian-made “his profound condolenc- land. Pilot error was Three children were or three months”. plane was reportedly sev- es to those who lost their Andrei Odintsov, the blamed for that crash. among the fatalities on a en years old and bought relatives in the crash,” mayor of Orsk, told Rus- In March 2016, all 62 list published by Russian ‘Shock wave’ by Saratov Airlines from his spokesman Dmitry sian state television that passengers died when a authorities. another Russian airline a Peskov said. six psychologists and four FlyDubai jet crashed in The flight was op- “I felt a shock wave,” year ago. Putin also cancelled ambulances with medics bad weather during an erated by the domestic Maria, a resident of a vil- Saratov was founded plans to travel to Sochi were working with the aborted landing at Ros- Saratov Airlines and was lage near the crash site, in the 1930s and flies to to meet with Palestinian families in the small air- tov-on-Don airport. headed for Orsk, a city in told AFP. 35 Russian cities. Its hub leader Mahmud Abbas. port. The Antonov An-148 the Ural mountains. “The windows is Saratov Central Airport Instead, the meeting will Orsk is the second plane, released in 2004, Russia’s Investiga- shook,” she said in southern Russia. take place in Moscow. biggest city in the Oren- has a range of 3,600 tive Committee said nu- The transport inves- The governor of the burg region, near Rus- kilometres (2,200 merous possible causes tigations office said the Orenburg region, where Grieving relatives sia’s border with Kazakh- miles) and can carry 80 of the crash would be plane disappeared from the plane was heading, stan. passengers. (Agence considered, including radar screens around told Russian media that Local media website A crisis centre was France-Presse)

13 killed in minister’s quake zone Search for Taiwan quake victims helicopter crash ends as toll rises to 17 by Joshua Howat Berger Agence France Presse TAIPEI, Taiwan (AFP) — Rescuers Sunday ended their search of a Taiwan building partially toppled by a 6.4-magnitude earthquake as the last trapped pair were presumed dead, bringing the final death toll to 17. Thousands of emergency workers had combed through rubble at the foot of the 12-storey Yun Tsui apartment block since the quake struck the eastern city of Hualien late Tuesday. It was left leaning at around a 50-degree angle by the quake, complicating rescue efforts due to fears of an imminent collapse. Hualien mayor Fu Kun-chi said the last two victims were pinned under heavy pillars that could not be removed without risking a total collapse of the building, and the rescue was called off with the consent of their relatives. Excavators began digging through the building from the top later Sunday to try to re- cover the bodies, he added “Seventeen people were unfortunately killed in the earthquake … I believe their rela- tives will receive proper assistance,” Premier William Lai said while paying his respects to victims in Hualien Sunday. The last pair are believed to be members of a family from Beijing who arrived in Taiwan on Monday, authorities said. The bodies of three other members of the family including a boy aged 12 were recovered Saturday. They were staying in a second-floor room at a hotel in the Yun Tsui building when the quake struck. Fourteen of the 17 people who were killed perished in the building. Three partially collapsed buildings in Hualien are being demolished, including the lo- cal landmark Marshal Hotel where one employee was killed. Hualien, on Taiwan’s picturesque east coast, is one of the most popular tourist desti- Relatives of thirteen people killed when a military helicopter fell on a van in Santiago Jamiltepec, Oaxaca state, Mexi- nations in the quake-probe island. co, carry the coffins of the victims past the site of the accident during the funeral, on February 17, 2018. Taiwan’s worst tremor in recent decades was a 7.6-magnitude quake in September A 7.2-magnitude earthquake rattled Mexico on Friday, causing little damage but triggering a tragedy when a 1999 that killed around 2,400 people. minister’s helicopter crash-landed on the way to the epicenter, Oaxaca, killing thirteen people, including three children, on the ground. / AFP PHOTO / ALFREDO ESTRELLA That quake ushered in stricter building codes but many of Taiwan’s older buildings remain perilously vulnerable to even moderate tremors. (Agence France-Presse) MEXICO CITY, Mexico (AFP) late Friday. quake epicenter, according — A 7.2-magnitude earth- On Saturday the Oaxa- to the US Geological Survey. quake that rattled Mexico on ca prosecutor’s office said About 50 homes in the Friday, February 16 triggered five women, four men, and nearby town of Santiago a tragedy when a minister’s three children were killed by Jamiltepec were damaged, helicopter killed 13 people the helicopter, while another as well as the town hall and during a crash-landing on victim died en route to hospi- church, but no one was killed the way to the epicenter. tal. in the quake, the interior The UH-60 Black Hawk Fifteen other people were ministry said. military helicopter landed on injured, the office said in a Oaxaca state author- its side, crushing a van. statement. ities opened shelters for There were no reported Rescuers quickly those affected, and nearly casualties from the quake swarmed the accident site 6,000 soldiers and feder- itself, which damaged build- searching for survivors. al police were deployed to ings. Navarrete told the Tele- help with the emergency re- The chopper was carry- visa TV network that the heli- sponse. ing Interior Minister Alfonso copter pilot lost control of the Both Mexico’s National Navarrete and Oaxaca state aircraft about 40 meters (130 Seismological Service and Governor Alejandro Murat, feet) above the ground as it the US Geological Survey put who were unharmed, Pres- was coming in to land. the quake’s magnitude at ident Enrique Pena Nieto He added that some pas- 7.2. said. sengers were hurt. It struck at 5:39 pm “Unfortunately, multiple The helicopter went down (2339 GMT) at a relatively The second of two bodies is removed from the Yun Tsui building, which is leaning at a precarious angle, people on the ground lost in the southwestern town of deep 24.7 kilometers, said in the Taiwanese city of Hualien on February 9, 2018, after the city was hit by a 6.4-magnitude quake late on February 6. Taiwan began demolishing three dangerously damaged buildings on February 9 their lives and others were Pinotepa de Don Luis — 37 ki- the USGS. (Agence France as rescue workers combed the rubble of a hotel in a last-ditch effort to find seven people still missing injured,” he wrote on Twitter lometers (22 miles) from the Presse) after a deadly earthquake. / AFP PHOTO