Sing Galing Philippine leader Duo: 12 pairs affirms US alliance to go02 for semis but wants 03 troops out www.kuwaittimes.net SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016 PBLK’s ‘7th season 5’8 division’ continues Page 4 Miss Philippines crowned Miss International 2016 TOKYO: Philippines’ bet Kylie Verzosa was crowned Miss International 2016 on Thursday in Tokyo, Japan. In her speech before the awarding ceremo- ny, Verzosa said if she wins the crown she will devote herself to promoting cultural and interna- tional understanding. The 24-year-old beauty queen added she believes she is prepared to take on the responsibility of being Miss International 2016. Verzosa thanked her family and her fellow Filipinos for the support. “I deeply appreciate this. This only happened in my dreams,” she said.—CNN PH mayor, nine bodyguards killed in police shoot-out KIDAPAWAN: A Philippine mayor accused of drug traf- ficking was killed along with nine bodyguards in a shoot-out with police Friday, authorities said, hours after President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to intensify his crackdown on crime. Samsudin Dimaukom, the mayor of the southern town of Saudi Ampatuan, was one of more than 150 local government officials, judges and TOKYO : Newly crowned 2016 Miss International Kylie Verzosa from Philippines (C) poses with 1st runner-up Miss Australia police identified by Duterte earlier this year as being Alexandra Britton (L) and 2nd runner-up Miss Indonesia Felicia Hwang (R) during the Miss International beauty pageant final in involved in the illegal drug trade. Tokyo last Thursday. —AFP The deadly crime war has claimed more than 3,800 lives and drawn criticism from the United States, the United Nations and international rights groups who have accused police of summarily executing suspects. Chinese vessels leave disputed Police spokesman Superintendent Romeo Galgo said that Dimaukom and his security personnel opened fire after anti-narcotics police stopped their vehicles at a checkpoint on suspicion they were transporting illegal shoal: Philippine official drugs. Officers returned fire, killing the men in the town of Makilala, about 950 kilometres (600 miles) south of MANILA: Chinese vessels have left the contest- resounding victory at an international tribu- Duterte had hinted at the possibility of a the capital Manila. “Suspects (were) heavily armed and ed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, a nal earlier this year over Beijing’s extensive Chinese withdrawal directly upon his return fired upon the law enforcers, which prompted them to Philippine official said Saturday, less than a maritime claims in the area, infuriating the from Beijing last week, saying: “We’ll just wait fire back,” Galgo said. Dimaukom made a name for him- week after President Rodrigo Duterte visited Asian giant. for a few more days. We might be able to return self by funding the construction of a pink mosque in Beijing pledging closer ties. But Duterte has made a point of not flaunt- to Scarborough Shoal.” Saudi Ampatuan in a plea for peace in the town which The firebrand leader used the trip to vaunt ing the ruling and President Xi Jinping told the On Friday, Defence Minister Delfin has been wracked by violence. his move away from traditional ally the United Philippine leader on his recent visit that there Lorenzana said: “If the Chinese ships have left Muslim rebels have been waging a separatist insur- States in favour of Beijing — which was previ- was no reason for hostility and difficult topics of then it means our fishermen can resume fishing gency in the southern Philippines for decades. Duterte, ously at loggerheads with Manila over the mar- discussion “could be shelved temporarily”. in the area.” who swept to power in May elections on a pledge to itime dispute. “There is no sign of Chinese coastguard ves- However the foreign affairs department said eradicate drugs, has described his critics as “fools” and China took control of the Scarborough sels in the area. While we do not have any offi- they had yet to verify that Chinese vessels had said he is not breaking any domestic laws by threaten- Shoal, 230 kilometres (140 miles) from the main cial explanation for this, it sends a positive sig- left the shoal. ing to kill criminals. After returning from a trip to Japan Philippine island of Luzon, in 2012, driving nal regarding relations,” Duterte’s spokesman A report by television network GMA7 said late Thursday, he threatened to step up police killings of Filipino fishermen away from the rich fishing Ernesto Abella told AFP Saturday, referring to fishermen from the northern province of drug suspects. “If my wish to get rid (of illegal drugs) in ground, sometimes using water cannons. the shoal. Pangasinan had returned to shore Saturday my country is not granted, you can expect about 20,000 In a case brought by former president “This is a welcome development especially with “a huge load of big species of fish” caught or 30,000 more. There is a war going on,” he said. —AFP Benigno Aquino, the Philippines won a for Filipino fisherfolk.” at Scarborough Shoal. —AFP SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016 2 Aeronon Ore Pilola Donna Caryl Melendez Astro Gabriel R. Jimenez Prisian Mae Caranza Charles Vincent Molaco Beljore Jude Camello Sing Galing Duo: 12 pairs to go for semis KUWAIT: Twelve pairs so far has Manpower Services, Yazeemir 2. John Warren Hilla OCT 17 OCT 29 been qualified to join the semi- International Manpower Agency Mary Ann Oriendo 1. Charles Vincent Molaco 1. Aeronon Ore Pilola final rounds in the on-going Pinoy and Asia’s Grill Restaurant. Jeffy Cambel Beljore Jude Camello Donna Caryl Melendez Arabia FM ‘Sing Galing Duo’ com- Reichelle Ancheta ——————— In-house judge Jennifer Uy petition. Auditioners will compete Here’s the list of qualifiers: ——————— OCT 21 released individual grades/scores on 11th November for the semis. SEPT 28 OCT 8 1. Nomer Cervantes of the contestants but it will be Grand Finals will be held on 1. Astro Gabriel R. Jimenez Ariane Linda kept out of the public eye until 1. Oscar Delfinado Nov 18, 2016 at the Discovery Mall Prisian Mae Caranza the grand finals. The audition is in Kuwait City. The last day of 2. Nelson Jarata Joanna Slayton 2. Emma Lou Lanuria open to all Filipinos/even for audition will be on Nov 10. The Joann Nazareno ——————— Mark Marquez some half blooded Filipinos. contest is co-sponsored by ——————— OCT 13 ——————— Champions and First prize win- Philippine Airlines, LBC, ADM OCT 7 1. Richard Suico OCT 28 ners are discourage to participate International Manpower Services 1. Ezael Mar Jandusay Bjhane Del Mundo 1. Ruth Aguilo as they will not be allowed to Co, Al Alamia International Marisol J. Untal ——————— Jerome Hantoc compete for the newbies. Oscar Delfinado Joanna Slayton Emma Lou Lanuria Mark Marquez John Warren Hilla Mary Ann Oriendo Ezael Mar Jandusay Marisol J. Untal Jeffy Cambel Reichelle Ancheta Nelson Jarata Joann Nazareno Nomer Cervantes Ariane Linda Richard Suico Bjhane Del Mundo Ruth Aguilo Jerome Hantoc SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016 3 Philippine leader affirms US alliance but wants troops out TOKYO: The leaders of Japan and the “I want to be friends to China,” he told an largely on Japan’s contribution to Philippine After two rounds of talks with Abe, he is Philippines agreed to cooperate in promoting audience of businesspeople in Tokyo. “I do not maritime security and other projects totaling attending a banquet hosted by the Japanese regional peace and stability and acknowl- need the arms. I do not want missiles estab- a 21 billion yen ($210 million) loan. leader. On Thursday, he is set to meet edged the importance of their alliances with lished in my country. I do not need to have the Duterte is on a three-day visit to Japan. Emperor Akihito.—AP the U.S., after the tough-talking Rodrigo airports to host the bombers.” Duterte said he wants his country to be free of As president, Duterte has reached out to visiting American troops possibly within two Beijing while criticizing U.S. foreign policy. His years. approach has caused consternation in both In a news conference, Duterte, after his first the U.S. and Japan. round of talks with Japan’s Prime Minister Still, Abe welcomed Duterte’s recent Shinzo Abe on Wednesday, said he expected efforts to improve ties with China. Japan to continue being an important part of “The South China Sea issue is directly maritime security in the region, including the linked to the region’s peace and stability and South China Sea, where Manila and Beijing a matter of interest for the entire internation- have overlapping claims. al society,” he said. “In that regard, Japan wel- In a statement, the two sides acknowl- comes the effort of President Duterte visiting edged the importance of “their network of China and endeavoring to improve the friendship and alliances,” particularly one Philippine-China relations.” between them. Deputy Chief Cabinet Duterte has announced canceling Secretary Koichi Hagiuda told reporters that planned joint military exercises with the their alliances with the U.S. were recognized, United States, and preparatory meetings for though not in writing. next year’s joint combat exercises between Duterete, in his second round of talks only American and Filipino forces in the among close aides, reassured Abe that he has Philippines have been shrouded in uncer- no intention to sever diplomatic ties with the tainty. U.S., Hagiuda said. Explaining his policy, Philippine Foreign Since Duterte took office in June, Manila’s Minister Perfecto Yasay, also in Tokyo, said relationship with Washington has quickly Duterte respects all bilateral security agree- become strained. ments with the U.S. and that he has no inten- Japan is a staunch U.S.