happy Birthday Andrea Mae Sebugan, more birthdays to come
Ph to tighten eye on shoals, reefs, islets
By J.Lo
“No one will guard these locations except us… our responsibility under international law to guard them and ensure environment there would not be damaged and that there won’t be reclamation activities,” National Security Council spokesman Jonathan Malaya told regular television program Philippines would keep closer guard on reefs, shoals and islets in its exclusive economic zone in South China Sea, alarmed by reports of new reclamation activities by China, which Beijing denied.
Philippine Coast Guard had deployed ship to Sabina (Escoda) Shoal on Spratly archipelago, where it accused China of building artificial island, having documented what it said were piles of dead and crushed coral on sandbars.
Malaya said NSC chief Eduardo Año had ordered tighter guard at locations within Manila’s 200-nautical-mile economic zone, as long-standing diplomatic row with Beijing intensifies.
China claims almost all South China Sea, including parts claimed by Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam, and has carried out extensive land reclamation on some islands, building military facilities, causing concern in Washington and the region.
China’s foreign ministry dismissed Manila’s latest accusation as “groundless and pure rumor.”
“Recently, Philippine side has repeatedly spread rumors, deliberately smeared China and attempted to mislead international community, which is futile,” spokesman Wang Wenbin told regular briefing.
He urged Manila to “return to right track of properly settling maritime disputes through negotiation and consultation.”
Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela said its presence at Escoda Shoal had deterred China from doing small-scale reclamation, but that scientists would have to determine whether piles of coral were natural or man-made.
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He said coast guard was committed to maintaining presence at the shoal, just over 120 nautical miles from Philippine province of Palawan.
To deter China’s activities, PCG deployed 97-meter BRP Teresa Magbanua to Escoda Shoal and which has stayed in the area for 26 days as of Saturday.
Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in 2016 that Beijing’s claims in South China Sea, vital waterway, had no basis under international law, decision China rejects.
Sabina Shoal, known locally as Escoda, is rendezvous point for vessels resupplying Filipino troops stationed on grounded warship at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, where Manila and China have had frequent run-ins.
“Yang’s associates never showed up at committee hearings…even NBI ,National Bureau of Investigation could not locate them…there is saying that flight is indicative of guilt,” Surigao del Norte second district congressman Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairman of the House committee on dangerous drugs said associates of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s economic adviser Michael Yang, who is being investigated by House committee for drug links, may have all gone into hiding after being found to have faked their identities and used spurious documents to acquire vast landholdings in the country.
Barbers said Chinese nationals “pretended to be Filipinos” so they could engage in property buying binge, most likely for their illegal activities like drug trafficking.
“If they are really innocent, we urge them to come out and explain their roles in labyrinth they created,” Barbers said, referring to Yang’s allies Aedy Yang, Henry Yang and Elaine Chua, among others.
“I always say we have no problems with Chinese nationals doing legitimate business in our country…but doing these illegal drug activities is another story…we have extended all invitations to these people and we have observed due process,..using fictitious documents and corporations,” he said.
Barbers said Chinese “went on buying sprees and allegedly bought hundreds and possibly thousands of hectares of agricultural and residential lands” in Ilocos region during previous Duterte administration.
“They have also “started building warehouses,these very suspicious activities have stopped as soon as we started investigations…so now, they again resorted to hiding these assets by ‘selling’ them to other Chinese nationals…we promise that we will leave no stone unturned in getting to the bottom truth of this mess,” Barbers said.
He also said there is nothing new about Yang’s alleged drug connections, particularly to P3 billion worth of shabu seized in Mexico, Pampanga in 2023.
“Connection of alleged drug lord Michael Yang to these drug activities is no surprise…remember that in the past administration, he was named by top official of PNP,Philippine National Police who was then tasked to investigate illegal drug activities, it was discovered that the one on top of drug trade was Michael Yang,” Barbers recalled.
Over the weekend, Barbers disclosed they would invite Yang to their next hearing so he could shed light on his alleged links to Pampanga drug bust, conducted jointly by agents of NBI and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
Empire 999, company that owns warehouse where drugs were stored, was found to be owned by Chinese nationals who also control other shell companies, together with other personalities earlier linked to anomalous activities during past administration.
In investigation conducted last May 8, Lincoln Ong, controversial figure in Pharmally scandal and interpreter of Michael Yang was found to be incorporator of company with links to Empire 999.
Meanwhile, members of Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs chaired by Sen. Ronald dela Rosa continue to question credibility of former PDEA agent’s testimony on leaked documents linking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.and other officials to drugs.
One of the bosses of former PDEA agent Jonathan Morales even mockingly called him STL or “professional storytelling liar.”
“One of the lessons I learned in law school is legal maxim that he who alleges has burden to prove this…apart from Morales’ statement, what other evidence did he present…nothing,” Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said at hearing of committee.
Sen. Francis Escudero said issues discussed in the hearing were far from scope of so-called PDEA leaked documents.
“I’m sorry, I’ve been really patient, but this has absolutely nothing to do with Batangas drug haul and nothing to do with PDEA leaks… something former agent Morales has probably against former PDEA chief General Arturo Cacdac or probably has something against former PDEA chief General Felizardo Serapio,” Escudero said.
Surprise witness introduced by Estrada, former PDEA chief Dionisio Santiago questioned credibility of Morales.
“Don’t take this badly, Jonathan, but do you know our friends call you STL…don’t forget, STL, they know you personally..what is STL… I know it’s small town lottery, but it’s professional story telling liar, STL,” Santiago said.
At the hearing, Estrada reminded Morales of his criminal records and that he had misrepresented himself when he filled out application form as PDEA agent where he indicated he had not been criminally charged.
Estrada also noted July 7, 2014 decision of Civil Service Commission affirming PDEA’s decision to dismiss Morales and disqualify him “from reemployment in government service.”
But Morales retorted case against him has not yet been proven in court, “unlike our good senator Estrada who’s already convict.”
Dela Rosa interrupted Morales to ask him to respect Estrada.
Cacdac confirmed Morales had admitted planting evidence in drug bust operation.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri urged his colleagues to “be very careful” and make sure committee’s motu proprio hearings would not be used for political persecution.
“We respect committees’ right to perform oversight functions, in aid of legislation…however, we would like to remind our colleagues to be very careful not to use hearings in aid of political persecution,” Zubiri later told reporters.
“Very serious accusations have been made…whether they have merit or not is whole other matter, while certain claims were made, documentary evidence is yet to be presented. .. no pictures, no corroborating testimonies…in other words, this was solely based on testimony of one person based on what appears to be hearsay evidence,” Zubiri added.
“Morales cited document he claims to have seen, by virtue of his former position, although he did not personally witness any wrongdoing… drug test of the President is being brought up, even though it does not appear to be germane to the subject of motu proprio investigation, under court of law, guilt must be proven beyond reasonable doubt…while legislative inquiries are very liberal in terms of adhering to rules of evidence, it is our opinion that hearings should aim to ferret out truth using evidence and facts, there have been instances when statements were made in legislative inquiries, only to be recanted before courts later on…we do not want repeat of that ,” Zubiri pointed out.
happy Birthday Andrea Mae G. Sebugan, more birthdays to come
Komedya o Komida
Ni Derek Jorge
Komedyang hudikatura
KOMEDYA naman talaga itong nagaganap sa ating hudikatura, makaraan kasambahay ng mahigit isang dekadang paglilitis, katarungan nang tinatawag ang pagkakakulong ng tigagalawang taon ng dalawang saragateng tsuper na kahit tinawag ng korteng maingat naman sa pagmamaneho ay nakamatay pa rin ng beteranang mamamahayag at edukador. Shout out muna kina Binang 1st Barangay Chairman Alfredo Quiambao, secretary Michelle Santos at treasurer Con-con Adatu,admin Ricardo Sta. Ana, konsehal Aru Cando, Pepito Nicandro, Gerry Noel. Makukulong nga kasambahay itong dalawang tsuper Daniel Espinosa at Victor Ancheta makaraang mapatunayan ni Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 83 Judge Ralph Lee na nagkasala ng reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property with homicide sa pagkamatay ng journalist at UP Professor Chit Estella. Pinagbabayad naman kapwa ang Universal Guiding Star Bus Line Corp. at Nova Auto Transport Bus Corporation ng P7.46 milyong “moral and exemplary damage” sa pamilya ni Estella o Lourdes Estella-Simbulan. Masasabing nasa “wrong place at wrong time” si Chit nang mga panahong iyon. Pasaway itong tsuper ng traditional jeepney byaheng Sto. Nino -Meycauayan City, mas pinili pang libre pamasahe kaysa tanggapin ang perang papel na P20, baka raw kasi hindi tanggapin mula sa kanya. Kasambahay, hangga’t hindi pinawawalang-bisa ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas ang pinalaganap nitong salapi sa bansa, kung nababasa pa naman ang serial number, hindi ito pwedeng hindi tanggapin. Isinukli din naman sa akin ang P20, at tinanggap ko naman kaya kailangang tanggapin mo rin driver, ang katangahan, hindi ipinag-aaraw-araw yan. Kung walang tatanggap, ang bangko, kahit anong bangko tatanggapin yan. Kasama yan sa hanap-buhay mo driver, kung wala pala akong alam, ibang salapi pa ang ipababayad mo, nungka. Tinutugis ho ngayon ng mga pulis ang kabaro nilang babae dahil nahuling nakikipagniig sa kapwa pulis at huli rin ng maybahay ang katalik. Hindi kinilala ni Col. Fajardo ang pasaway sa matinding kahihiyan, sino kaya ang life coach niyan? Sinusorpresa pa ng tambalang Dingdong Dantes at Charo Santos ang publiko hinggil sa pamagat ng kanilang unang pelikulang magkasama. Nagsimula raw kasambahay ang istorya sa pagkakaibigang humantong sa magandang ugnayan. Tengang ngiti ang iniukol ng Amazing Earth host sa kaakit-akit na si Tindeng sa set ng pelikula, abangan na lang kasambahay.Nananawagan kasambahay ang obispong katoliko sa mga panatikong magdasal para ulanin. Noong araw ipinagpuprusisyon pa ng mga panatiko ang paghingi ng ulan kaya lang galit ang itaas sa pagkikilik ng imahen sa prusisyon dahil iyon ay dinidiyos pa kaysa Kanya. Paano diringgin kung mali ang pamamaraan. Lalo lamang lalala ang sitwasyon kung hindi matututuhan ng tao ang tamang pagtawag sa nasa Itaas. Masdan nyo kasambahay ang nagagawa ng pera, hindi madampot-dampot itong si Puloy kahit sandamukal ang mandamyento de aresto, maliban sa “delaying tactics” gawa ng ‘sang batalyon nitong abogado, malawak din ang taguan nito. Hinihirit ho ngayon ni Puloy na dinggin ng Korte Supremang mga manananggol na lamang ni Puloy ang lulutang at magpapabango ng kanyang baho. Pwede yun sa mga kasong pinapipyansahan ng hukuman e yung hindi, hindi naman pwedeng magpakulong abogado para sa kanya. Ito kasambahay ang sinasabing lahat ng usapin ay mapipyansahan, depende sa laro ng abogado. Ipaghalimbawa na sa mga piitan, kaya may nakapiit ay dahil walang pampyansa at de kampanang abogadong magtatanggol.
Kasambahay na magpupulis, ipabura mo muna ang tato mo dahil ang mga pulis na burdado ay pinakakalas na kung ayaw magbura ng tato. Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal PNP Memorandum Circular 2024-023 ang nagbabawal sa tato ng pulis, mantakin ninyong 30k pala ang magpabura ng tato o kaya’y magbitiw na sa pwesto kung nagtitigas-tigasan ng ulo. Pero hindi ligtas ang tatong nasa labi at kilay ng lady cop. Komedyante rin talaga itong si Tata Digong, malamang daw na sa pagod ng mga ahente ng gobyerno sa pagtugis sa puganteng si Puloy ay hindi makauuwi nang hindi mananamba na rin nito. Magkakatotoo lang ang sinabi mo kung walang gulugod o “backbone” ang pananampalataya ng mga sugo ng gobyerno. Pero kung mga taga-langit ang mga ito, hindi kailanman magogoyo ni Puloy. Ano naman kaya kung ideklarang “no man’s land ang “Tamayong Prayer Mountain” ni Puloy gaya ng ginawa ni Tata Digong sa Marawi City at ng mga dating nasa poder ng pangasiwaan sa panahon ni Kamlon, tatagal kaya si Puloy laban sa buong pwersa ng pamahalaan? Malamang maraming “pinsalang kolateral”, ang mga magtitigas-tigasan nang ulong panatiko ni Puloy pero aaminin kong “next to impossible “naman ito. Nagpapakatanggi-tanggi ho kasi ang lolo nyong kinakandili nya si Puloy. Ipinapapakete na rin ni Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa sa Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) ang mga serbisyong ultrasound at mammogram. Ipinahaharang ho ng mga maka-puloy ang pagpapaaresto rito ng senado dahilan sa pangiisnab nito sa hearing. Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal, kung saka-sakali, mararagdagan ang santang pango. Tumango na ang batikanong simulan ng simbahang katoliko ang proseso sa pagiging santa ni Nina Ruiz-Abad ng Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, Nagpamudmod lang ng kung ano-ano noong nabubuhay pa, santa na. Mas mabuti naman ito kaysa ang sunong sariling bangkong nagtatagong Puloy, anak daw ng dios.
Shout out muna sa Values Bocaue Advocates, Wilfredo Jimenez Jr., Alex Driodoco, Gemma Daseco, Delfin Lawa at Alex Castro. Shout out muna sa mga may “hang over” pang bagong Marked Men for Christ”. Nagsipagtapos ng phase 2 at 3 seminar sa Plaridel,Bulacan staff na kayo kung saka-sakali, unang staffing nyo ang Phase 1 sa San Carlos City, Pangasinan sa HUlyo 3-5,2024. Jonathan Fernandez, nagkakalimutan na yata a.. Salamat JO! Adrian Montojo, magkatulungan tayo sa ikarereporma ng mga detenido.
“Finally, long-overdue decision brings two drivers and their bus companies to justice… Chit can finally rest in peace,” late Chit Estella’s husband, retired University of the Philippines (UP) professor Roland Simbulan said Quezon City court has sentenced two bus drivers to two years in prison over road crash that claimed life of veteran journalist Chit Estella in 2011 , decision that ends over decade of waiting for justice for her family and colleagues.
In 2011, victim Estella was on her way to dinner with friends at Ayala Technohub and was traversing Commonwealth Avenue when Ancheta, who drove Nova bus, hit the taxi she was riding on the right side. This caused taxi to swerve in the path of driver Espinosa, of Universal Guiding Star bus, rammed taxi’s rear end, causing Estella’s demise.
Espinosa was “driving his bus at fast pace,” the court decision noted, led him to slam into taxi vehicle that caused Estella’s fatal head injuries.
Judge Ralph Lee of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 83 found Daniel Espinosa and Victor Ancheta guilty beyond reasonable doubt of reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property with homicide, according to nine-page decision dated April 22.
Noting drivers’ poor financial standing, court ordered registered owners of Universal Guiding Star Bus Line Corp. and Nova Auto Transport Bus Corporation to pay over P7.46 million in moral and exemplary damages to the family of Estella, also known as Lourdes Estella-Simbulan.
Both bus drivers “had the last clear chance to avoid collision had they exercised reasonable care and precaution in driving their respective buses,” decision said.
Ruling also noted Estella’s “immense contributions… as one of the country’s premier academicians and journalists.”
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Estella’s death spurred enforcement of road safety laws in the country, particularly Republic Act 10916, or Road Speed Limiter Act of 2016, aims to prevent road crashes by installing speed limiters in vehicles.
Over a year after her death, Quezon City government also installed Commonwealth Road Safety Marker on sidewalk near Ayala TechnoHub in her honor.
Estella led illustrious career both in media and academe.
During early years of Martial Law regime, Estella was one of many student journalists writing for Philippine Collegian who took strong editorial stance against Marcos dictatorship. Estella penned stories exposing human rights abuses, corruption and administration wrongdoing, among others.
In her professional career, Estella is perhaps best known for having served as editor-in-chief of Pinoy Times, Filipino-language tabloid notable for its critical coverage of then-President Joseph Estrada. Before that, she spent short stints as editor at the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Manila Times.
Estella is also one of many key figures whose name is carved into remembrance walls of Bantayog ng mga Bayani. On its website, Bantayog ng mga Bayani described Estella in the eyes of her colleagues as “compassionate, but principled and straight-as-an-arrow journalist, who chose hard choices because it was what it meant to be committed to truth.”
Later, the veteran journalist went on to teach at the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication (CMC) for decade before her untimely death, training future generations of media practitioners.
Today, ring of Narra and Fire trees that were planted in front of UP CMC Film Center during her memorial service 13 years ago remain standing.
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
SCS has most excessive maritime claims challenged by US
By J.Lo
“If left unchallenged, excessive maritime claims could permanently infringe upon freedom of seas enjoyed by all nations,” US Department of Defense FON report .said excessive maritime claims advanced by China and two other claimants in South China Sea (SCS) were most operationally challenged by United States forces under Freedom of Navigation program.
Defense department released Thursday its annual FON Report for fiscal year 2023. During period from Oct. 1, 2022 through Sept. 30, 2023, US forces operationally challenged 29 different excessive maritime claims advanced by 17 different claimants throughout the world.
Excessive maritime claims are unlawful attempts by coastal states to restrict rights and freedoms of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of sea.
These are inconsistent with international law as reflected in 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They include variety of restrictions on exercise of navigation and overflight rights and other freedoms and lawful uses of seas.
Annual Freedom of Navigation Report 2023 identified excessive maritime claims in South China Sea by China, Vietnam and Taiwan that were challenged by US FON Program.
Challenged were China’s straight baselines not drawn in conformance with international law or Chinese government’s Declaration on Baselines of Territorial Sea; requiring prior approval for military survey activities in exclusive economic zone; restrictions on foreign aircraft flying through Air Defense Identification Zone without intent to enter national airspace; requiring prior permission for innocent passage of foreign military ships through territorial sea; and Beijing’s claims of “historic rights” in South China Sea.
Also challenged were Taiwan requiring prior notice for foreign military vessels to conduct innocent passage in territorial sea and Vietnam’s straight baselines that do not conform with UNCLOS and imposing prior notification for foreign warships to enter territorial sea.
US rejected unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in South China Sea that pose serious threat to freedom of seas, including freedoms of navigation and overflight, free trade and unimpeded commerce, and freedom of economic opportunity for South China Sea littoral nations.
According to US Navy, China, Vietnam and Taiwan “purport to require either permission or advance notification before foreign military vessel engages in ‘innocent passage’ through territorial sea.”
US forces also challenged excessive maritime claims by Cambodia in Gulf of Thailand; Colombia (Caribbean Sea), Croatia (Adriatic Sea); Dominican Republic; Iran (Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman); Japan (vicinity of Tsushima Strait and Senkaku Islands); Latvia (Baltic Sea); Maldives; Malta (Mediterranean Sea); Oman (Strait of Hormuz); Russia (Bering Strait); Thailand (Andaman Sea); United Arab Emirates (Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman), and Yemen (Bab el-Mandep Strait).
“Unlawful and sweeping excessive maritime claims or incoherent legal theories or maritime entitlement pose threat to legal foundation of rules-based international order,” according to report.
Defense department said US is committed to confronting this threat by challenging excessive maritime claims.
“As long as some countries continue to assert limits on maritime rights and freedoms that exceed coastal state authorities nested under customary international law, United States will continue to challenge such unlawful claim,” it said.
Philippines is only country can create artificial island on Escoda Shoal, an island within country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), according to former Supreme Court associate justice Antonio Carpio.
“Escoda Shoal is part of 200 nautical mile EEZ of Philippines…as such, only Philippines can create an artificial island on Escoda Shoal,” Carpio told media in text message.
“Any structure or artificial island erected by China on Escoda Shoal is illegal under international law,” he added.
In such instances that China constructs artificial island or any structure in Escoda Shoal, Carpio said Philippines can seek legal options, such as filing case for damage to marine environment for destruction of coral reef.
“Case will be filed with UNCLOS tribunal,” he added.
Carpio also pointed out purpose of China in creating artificial island is to create military outpost that would “prevent Philippines from getting gas in Reed Bank and in other nearby areas.”
“This is welcome development for BI,” Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco said BI supports Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)’s plan to implement stricter rules for issuance of tourist visas to Chinese nationals.
DFA cited cases of fraudulently acquired visas and crimes related to Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO).
“We project there will be fewer exclusions, given that arriving tourists have been better filtered during their visa applications at Philippine posts abroad,” he added.
DFA’s move would provide another strong layer of protection against foreigners who might have intentions inimical to state security, he noted.
Based on BI data in 2023, 3,359 foreigners were denied entry. Majority had questionable purposes for travel and were tagged as likely to become public charge.
Of the number, 885 were citizens of China.
Based on previous news reports, there have been instances wherein POGOs were linked to crimes such as human trafficking, forcible abduction, homicide, illegal detention, kidnap-for-ransom, theft, robbery-extortion, serious physical injuries, swindling and grave coercion.
Tansingco believes stricter visa issuance would have little impact on country’s tourism.
“Move is really just filtering out those undesirables that are trying to enter the country. Regular tourists need not be worried,” he added.
In 2023, BI said Chinese nationals were fifth largest group of foreign tourists in 2023 with 246,179 tourist arrivals.
Ahead in the list were South Koreans with 1,467,051 arrivals, followed by Americans, Japanese and Australians.
Amid reported influx of Chinese students in the country, BI requested Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to call for high-level meeting of agency members to clarify role of each agency in permitting foreigners to study in the country.
Inter-Agency Committee on Foreign Students (IACFS) is scheduled to meet today to discuss the matter.
“We have requested high-level meeting to reiterate our previous requests for immediate joint inspections and for it to become regular conduct by IACFS given new developments in national security concerns,” Tansingco said.
IACFS is chaired by CHED and member-agencies include BI, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), DFA and Department of Education.
“We will be supporting security assessments of NBI and NICA by providing them with initial data that can be used for investigations,” Tansingco noted.
BI made request after Congress called for probe on number of Chinese students in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
After reviewing its records, BI found that 1,516 Chinese were allegedly granted student visas in Cagayan and all were endorsed by undisclosed university.
As of April, BI noted that only 485 are currently enrolled, with only 96 onsite with student visas.
In 2023, BI issued 24,189 student visas to various nationalities, with 16,190 issued to Chinese nationals nationwide. Majority of them are in National Capital Region.
Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez urged DFA to impose stricter visa controls on Chinese nationals, whether they are students or POGO workers.
“I am urging DFA and our diplomatic posts in China to apply these stricter rules on all China’s nationals applying for whatever type of visa, whether they are businessmen, tourists, workers, or students,” he said.
Country must “be on lookout for Trojan horses among them,” said Rodriguez, former immigration commissioner during former president Joseph Estrada’s time.
POGOs and Chinese students enrolled in Cagayan schools have been suspected of spying for Chinese military, Rodriguez noted.
He also urged DFA, BI and CHED to conduct inventory of Chinese students in Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Cordillera Administrative Region and other parts of the country amid conflicting reports on their number.
CHED should probe if there is pattern of Chinese students migrating to areas near Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites, he said.
Meanwhile, Cagayan 3rd District Rep. Joseph Lara said influx of Chinese students began after government identified naval base in Sta. Ana town in Cagayan as additional site for EDCA activities, according to Rodriguez.
Another EDCA site in the region is military camp in Gamu, Isabela, Rodriguez noted.
“If we compare maximum temperature today and past week, we can see that there was a drop in temperature brought by rains in the afternoon or thunderstorm activities,” Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather specialist Daniel James Villamil reported drop in maximum temperatures in the country amid thunderstorms experienced in many areas.
Villamil said rains are expected in certain parts of Visayas brought by easterlies or wind from Pacific Ocean.
He added maximum actual temperature in Metro Manila could reach 33 degrees Celsius.
“We can still expect high heat index in Metro Manila between 42 and 43 degrees Celsius…we should still expect humid weather except for sudden downpours of rains brought by localized thunderstorms…danger level heat index will still be experienced in certain areas,” Villamil pointed out. PAGASA, he said, expects one or two typhoons to enter Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) this month.
“Historically, there is chance of one to two typhoons…but in the next three to five days, there is still less chance for typhoons as we have yet to monitor weather systems outside PAR,” Villamil said.
Once typhoon enters PAR, it will be named Aghon.
Based on PAGASA forecast, Laoag City in Ilocos Norte could experience heat index of at least 46 degrees Celsius today. At Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), heat index could reach 43 degrees.
Last Saturday, highest heat index was recorded in Aparri, Cagayan at 46 degrees Celsius. Heat index at NAIA in Pasay City was at 42 degrees.
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Ana Liza Solis, PAGASA climate monitoring and prediction section chief, has said worst is over in terms of record-high temperatures and searing heat, with many areas in the country possibly experiencing thunderstorms in second half of May. Solis said hottest temperature for this year has been recorded after an actual temperature of 40.3 degrees Celsius was observed in Tarlac on April 27.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary U-Nichols Manalo said Department of Agriculture is preparing for “more destructive” La Niña, even as El Niño continues to affect agriculture sector. Manalo added DA has started its La Niña preparations by looking into areas severely affected by La Niña in the past.
Norway to support Fil law enforcers in rescuing child sex abuse victims
By Nidz Godino
“Norway remains committed to supporting campaign against OSAEC and will continue to provide financial assistance across various initiatives,” Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs state secretary said Norwegian government has committed to helping train Philippine law enforcers to more effectively identify potential child sex abuse victims by teaching them to access available sources of information on perpetrators overseas.
This initiative by Norwegan officials is part of its program on combating Online Sexual Abuse of Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) globally, with Philippines long identified as global hotspot for OSAEC cases.
Philippines currently ranks second in the world, after India, in terms of number of OSAEC cases, according to data by non-profit Save the Children Philippines.
A 280% spike in OSAEC cases was recorded in 2022 by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), attributed to the
country’s visa-free policy, high use of technology and high poverty levels during pandemic.
Last March, Kravik, met with Department of Social Welfare and Development representatives, district social workers and youth advocates to discuss how OSAEC has impacted their communities.
Kravik said promotion of human rights and rights of children is “very important part of Norway’s foreign and development policy,” according to press release.
Norwegian Government, through long-term presence of Nordic Liaison Office in Manila, will support operations of Philippine National Police (PNP) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in identifying and rescuing potential OSAEC victims through “information sharing.”
Law enforcers will be educated on how to access “evidence for prosecution of perpetrators in the Nordic countries.”
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Sit-down dialogue also surfaced experiences of one social welfare officer from Manila who said there is need for city-wide legislation that will address OSAEC, according to press release by Plan International Pilipinas, implements Norway-funded “Uniting Against OSAEC: Multi-stakeholder Collaborations for Safer Digital Space Project.”
“Although we have policies within community, such as those that regulate money remittance centers, we wish to have them in the whole city…and we need additional support to lobby to strengthen programs and services for combatting OSAEC in Manila,” said Honeyleen Montano-Mabaet, a social welfare officer from City of Manila.
Nicholas Ty, Department of Justice undersecretary in charge of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, said in February that preventing OSAEC cases require cross-border collaboration among law enforcers.
“One important step is coordination with our foreign counterparts as online obscenity or OSAEC is usually cross-border crime,” Ty said.
High-profile rescue operation conducted by the PNP in 2023 involved the rescue of sixteen abused minors with the help of the Australian Federal Police.
From 2021 to 2022, staggering 72% of all child abuse cases on average involved sexual abuse or assault, according to data collected by Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) in government hospitals.
Around 6,600 children were sexually abused in 2022, according to CWC.
US State Department’s assessment of Philippines’ protection of children’s rights in 2022 found country has inadequate prosecutorial and technological resources to catch persons engaged in sexual exploitation of minors.
“I would like to reiterate what DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said adjusting cash grants of 4Ps beneficiaries is not just timely but that it also preserves value of grants,” Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistant Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group Irene Dumlao added due to continuing rise in inflation rates, DSWD is pushing for adjustment in cash grants given to beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
Dumlao recognize need to adjust 4Ps cash aid.
Dumlao noted DSWD is now working with National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in “trying to find best index to use for automatic adjustment” of benefits.
According to Dumlao, important for DSWD to work with NEDA and PSA to come up with right amount to ensure 4Ps grants will be able to cushion impact of inflation.
She cited inflation rate has inched up to 3.8 percent in April from 3.7 percent in March.
The 4Ps is national poverty reduction strategy and human capital investment program of Philippine government and currently caters to 4.4 million household-beneficiaries nationwide.
Under the program, beneficiaries receive cash grants if they comply with conditions of sending their children to school, bringing them to health centers for check-up and attending monthly Family Development Sessions.
Family-beneficiaries receive cash grant of P300 a month for each child enrolled in daycare or elementary school; P500 a month for each child enrolled in junior high school and P700 a month for each child enrolled in senior high school for maximum of 10 months a year.
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Each beneficiary household also gets P750 a month in health and nutrition grants and P650 monthly rice assistance.
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