TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Psalm 139:13-14

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.

13 Mayo 2024, Lunes

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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.”

13 Mayo 2024, Lunes

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Stricter visa controls for Chinese

By Nidz Godino

“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.

13 Mayo 2024, Lunes

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Temperatures down amid rains

By J.Lo

“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.

13 Mayo 2024, Lunes

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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.

13 Mayo 2024, Lunes

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HEADLINES

DSWD to increase 4Ps cash aid

By J.Lo

“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.

13 Mayo 2024, Lunes

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SCS has most excessive maritime claims challenged by US

By Nidz Godino

“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 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 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.

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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  exceed coastal state authorities nested under customary international law, United States will continue to challenge such unlawful claim,” it said.

Philippines is the only country  can create  artificial island on Escoda Shoal,  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  artificial island on Escoda Shoal, any structure or artificial island erected by China on Escoda Shoal is illegal under international law,” Carpio told media in  text message.

In such instances  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.”

13 Mayo 2024, Lunes

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Yet to award online voting contract- Comelec

By Nidz Godino

“Two joint venture companies pre-qualified are still undergoing post-qualification evaluation by technical working group,” Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia said Comelec is still doing post-qualification evaluation and has yet to award  contract for  online voting and counting system (OVCS) for overseas voting in  May 2025 midterm elections.

Garcia issued  statement in reaction to criticisms over  public bidding of  P465-million OVCS project of the commission.

One of the bidders,  was previously declared “ineligible” by Comelec, questioned what it considered  “low bid” of another bidder.

Joint  venture of AMA Group Holdings Corp., Dasan Network Solutions Inc. and Kevoting Inc. twice sought  reconsideration of its bid that was declared “ineligible” first on April 4 before  special bid and awards committee automated election system (SBAC-AES) and second, on April 12 before  Comelec en banc.

According to  joint venture, they were flatly rejected twice without opening  bid.

“Comelec en banc did not reconsider  second motion because  joint refused to pay P2.3 million non-refundable protest fee,  5 percent of project cost,” it said in  statement.

Garcia said  protest fee is  mandatory requirement of  procurement law.

In its motions for reconsideration, AMA-Dasan-Kevoting joint venture argued  SBAC has refused to look into low bid of P112 million by  SMSGT Technologies and Sequent Technologies Joint Venture.

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“Its bid represented only 25 percent of  estimated project cost, raising questions on its capacity to handle  2025 overseas voting system,” AMA-Dasan-Kevoting claimed.

AMA-Dasan-Kevoting said there were deficiencies like failure of  SMSGT-Sequent joint venture to submit 14001 ISO Certification (Environmental Management System) or its equivalent. It also does not have sufficient credentials to prove their internet voting system was successfully used in electoral exercise.

In its second motion for reconsideration, AMA-Dasan-Kevoting joint venture raised  question if SMSGT-Sequent has submitted any written certification from  election authority that it was indeed successful in  previous electoral exercise it handled.

It mentioned that one of its executives admitted in its post-bid evaluation that the only electoral exercise it did was  referendum in Madrid  involved 1.2 million voters.

It said: “SMSGT-Sequent should not be allowed to participate in the first place for failure to prove that ultimately their internet/online voting system has proven track record of being successfully implemented in at least one election year here or abroad; and  proposed internet voting system has been successfully used in  prior electoral exercise.”

13 Mayo 2024, Lunes

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200,000-MT sugar importation needed to sustain shortage

By J.Lo

“This El Niño is different… I have been engaged in farming for so long and this is the first time I have experienced this…when you go out, you cannot endure  heat… I never experienced this…as early as 7 in the morning, I returned inside  house because of  heat,” United Sugar Producers Federation (UNIFED) president Manuel Lamata added producers’ group  underscored  need to import 200,000 metric tons (MT) of sugar to prevent shortage in supply as it confirmed  sugarcane plantations in Negros have been severely damaged by El Niño.

Lamata said local sugar production would be affected as many sugarcane farms would not be able to recover.

Former agriculture secretary Leonardo Montemayor has said  damage caused by  current El Niño episode to  agriculture sector is underreported, adding that former Sugar Regulatory Administration chief Rafael Coscolluela had warned  sugar production in Negros is expected to drop by 30 percent amid impact of drought on sugarcane plantations.

“Sugar plantations did not only dry up, even  cows will not eat  charred sugarcanes,” Lamata said.

He added that local milling would be delayed as  farmers need to plant sugarcane again.

“Once  rains start coming in, we will plant again… what will happen vis-à-vis  supply,  local supply will be delayed…there will be  gap… where  imported sugar will come in. ..we need to import,” Lamata said.

He added importation of 185,000 MT to 200,000 MT of sugar is necessary to prevent  possible shortage in supply.

“We need to import to bridge  gap. ..volume of 185,000 metric tons to 200,000 metric tons is just enough… should not be more than that so that once  milling season starts, we can protect  mill gate prices of farmers,” Lamata added.

UNIFED head asked  provincial government to procure its own airplane that can be used for cloud seeding operations.

“I am pushing for  local government units especially provincial government as sugar producers are here in Negros, it should prepare for clouding seeding plane in  province as  income of  province comes from agriculture,” he said.

12 Mayo 2024, Linggo

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

Pinoy seafarer held by Iran freed

By Nidz Godino

“Philippines welcomes  good news that one of  four Filipino seamen at MSC Aries has been released and is arriving home later today,” Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said one of the four Filipino seafarers being held by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards has been released.

Efforts to have  remaining three freed continue with  help of  Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and other nations providing assistance. 

“We appreciate Iran’s gesture and  intercession of India in this matter,” it added in  social media post on X.

“We send thanks to  Department of Foreign Affairs who spared no efforts to secure  release of our brave seafarer,” said Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.

He added  DMW will remain in constant communication with  DFA to check on condition of  remaining members of the crew still being held by Iranian authorities.                

DMW’s attached agency,  Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), is coordinating with  families of all crewmen, assuring them of  government’s full support and assistance during this difficult time.

“DMW, OWWA and DFA, in coordination with  ship agent and licensed manning agency, are now working to bring  Filipino crew member home to reunite him with his family,” said Cacdac.

He expressed optimism that  three Filipino seafarers will be released soon.

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Released  Filipino seafarer arrived back in the country yesterday, and was welcomed at  Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 by Cacdac and OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio.

Four  Filipinos were among 25 crew members of  MSC Aries  seized and held by Iranian naval authorities on April 13, as it was passing through  Strait of Hormuz.

MSC Aries, though registered in Portugal, is said to have links to Israel. Tensions between Iran and Israel in the region continue.