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China’s cabbage strategy to recover Chinese islands, reefs illegally occupied by PH

 News
Jun 032013
 
China’s cabbage strategy to recover Chinese islands, reefs illegally occupied by PH

Global Networking By Rodel Rodis 3:14 pm | Monday, June 3rd, 2013 While the attention of the Philippines has been focused on its conflict with Taiwan over the killing of a Taiwanese fisherman by the Philippine Coast Guard on May 9, little notice has been given to the arrival, just the day before, of three Chinese naval ships at the Ayungin Reef (Second Thomas Shoal), the gateway to the oil and mineral rich Reed Bank, just 105 nautical miles from Palawan Island, within the 200 mile exclusive economic zone of the Philippines. This undated handout photo released by the Philippine Government on May 23, 2013 shows an aerial view of BRP Sierra Madre, a 100-metre (328 foot) amphibious vessel built for the US in 1944 and acquired by the Filipino navy in 1976, grounded at Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands. A handful of marines living on a World War II-era ship that is grounded on a remote, tiny reef is the Philippines’ last line of defence against China’s efforts to control most of the South China Sea. The soldiers are stationed on Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands aboard a former US tank-landing vessel that was deliberately abandoned there to serve as a base, according to their former commander, Juancho Sabban. AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE PHOTO / Philippine Government Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei confirmed the presence of the Chinese government vessels – two marine surveillance ships and one naval frigate – in the Ren’ai Reef (Ayungin Read More …

Gov’t hints at ‘rift’ in CPP could be affecting peace talks

 News
May 062013
 
Gov’t hints at ‘rift’ in CPP could be affecting peace talks

By Nikko DizonPhilippine Daily Inquirer 1:54 pm | Monday, May 6th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines–The government on Monday hinted at a rift within the so-called “reaffirmist faction” of the Communist Party of the Philippines that could be influencing the stalled peace negotiations between the government and the communist rebels. Presidential peace adviser Secretary Teresita Deles: Now for the difficult part. INQUIRER file photo Presidential adviser on the peace process Teresita Deles said the government peace panel’s recent consultations with communities affected by the decades-long insurgency have raised one important question: is the government even talking to the right people? “Who are we talking to? Are they the right people? That was the advice to us, that we should examine that question,” Deles said at the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines forum. CPP founder Jose Ma. Sison and Luis Jalandoni are heading the negotiating panel of the CPP and its political arm, the National Democratic Front and armed group, the New People People’s Army. Government chief negotiator Alex Padilla said that according to the government’s intelligence sources, Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, members of the CPP’s Central Committee, are now the ones “in-charge.” Padilla said that one indication that Sison may no longer have control over the CPP’s people on the ground was when the latter reneged on the documents that he himself presented during the “special track” on the talks that was proposed by the CPP-NDF-NPA panel itself. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, Read More …

PNP chief Purisima off to Interpol conference in France

 News
Apr 152013
 
PNP chief Purisima off to Interpol conference in France

By Jamie Elona INQUIRER.net 7:12 pm | Monday, April 15th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines—Philippine National Police chief, Director General Alan Purisima, left the country Monday to represent the Philippines in an annual conference of the Interpol in France that seeks to strengthen member countries in dealing with new crime challenges. Joining Purisima to attend the 9thannual heads of Interpol national central bureaus (NCBs) in Lyon, France from April 17 to 19 are Police Director Napoleon Estilles, PNP director for Plans, and Superintendent Lorenzo Eleazar of the Office of the Chief PNP. Philippine National Police Director General Alan Purisima. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO The three-man PNP delegation will also attend the group discussions of regional NCBs on specific topics from a regional perspective. “It is a great honor for me to represent the country in this annual meeting among Interpol-member countries,” Purisima said. The PNP is the NCB of the Interpol in the Philippines. In his absence, Purisima designated his 2nd in command, Deputy Director General Rommel Heredia, PNP deputy chief for Administration, as officer-in-charge.

Bill to teach Filipinos’ role in labor movement advances in California

 News
Apr 022013
 
Bill to teach Filipinos’ role in labor movement advances in California

By Rene Ciria-Cruz INQUIRER.net US Bureau 12:18 pm | Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013 SACRAMENTO, California—A bill requiring California public schools to instruct students on the contributions of Filipino Americans to the farm labor movement unanimously passed the Assembly Education Committee on March 20. AB 123 will now move to the Assembly Appropriations Committee and, if successful, it will go to the floor for a full Assembly vote. Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland), the bill’s sponsor, noted that Filipino Americans are the largest Asian population in California and continues to grow, yet the story of Filipinos’ “contributions to the farm labor movement is an untold part of California history.” The goal of AB 123 is to supplement California’s public school instruction on its “rich farm worker history,” explained Bonta, who is the first Filipino American to be elected to the State Legislature. Latino farm worker icon Dolores Huerta, who was inducted into the California Hall of Fame, stated that although she rarely had time to testify in support of legislation, she did not want to miss this historic opportunity to support AB 123. “The students of California need to learn that the sacrifices made by both the Filipino and Latino workers benefited all Californians,” she said. “AB 123 will ensure that the history is taught accurately.” Influential leaders such as Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, are synonymous with California’s farm labor movement. Not well known is the historical fact that the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee–composed of first-generation Filipinos—led the 1965 Delano Grape Read More …

Kiram followers nabbed by Navy to be charged – De Lima

 News
Mar 142013
 
Kiram followers nabbed by Navy to be charged – De Lima

By TJ BurgonioPhilippine Daily Inquirer 6:28 pm | Thursday, March 14th, 2013 Justice Secretary Leila De Lima. INQUIRER/Niño Jesus Orbeta MANILA, Philippines—The 36 followers of Agbimuddin Kiram who were intercepted by the Navy off Tawi-Tawi on Wednesday with a cache of arms after apparently fleeing Sabah  are to be charged with illegal possession of firearms, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Thursday. De Lima said the 35 men and a woman who claimed to be members of the Sultanate of Sulu’s Royal Security Forces (RSF) would be brought to court for inquest on charges of illegal possession of firearms at the least. “They can be charged immediately with illegal possession of firearms and other deadly weapons,’’ De Lima said at a Malacañang news briefing, adding the inquest does not preclude the filing of other charges against them. On criticisms the government was quicker to file charges against them than protesting Malaysia’s alleged inhumane treatment of Filipinos, she said, “This group has committed unlawful and criminal acts, and we can’t set these aside.’’ The interception of the group came a month after Agbimuddin Kiram and his men crossed by speedboats from Tawi-Tawi to Lahad Datu on Feb. 9 to press the sultanate’s claim to Sabah, triggering a standoff with Malaysian forces that eventually led to battles in which the Malaysians threw in aerial and artillery bombardment. More than 60 people have been reported killed since, nine of them members of the Malaysian security forces. The Philippine Navy vessel PS38 intercepted the Read More …

Agbimuddin alive despite assault

 News
Mar 132013
 
Agbimuddin alive despite assault

1:14 pm | Wednesday, March 13th, 2013 The heirs of the Sultan of Sulu: (seated from left) Rajah Mudah Agbimuddin Kiram, Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, Sultan Bantilan Esmail Kiram II and (standing from left) Datu Alianapia Kiram, Datu Phugdal Kiram and Datu Baduruddin Kiram. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO LAHAD DATU, Sabah, Malaysia—Malaysian authorities said Wednesday Sulu “royal army” leader Agbimuddin Kiram remains in Malaysia, practically confirming that the brother of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III is alive. “Malaysian security forces are highly confident he is still here because as a leader [he] must not run. He will not run and leave his people by themselves here. He must lead them,” Sabah State Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said at a news conference on Wednesday. Hamza said those killed and captured in target areas in the week-long assault on followers of the Sultanate of Sulu were considered “terrorists.” “I cannot positively say if they are foreigners. To me they are terrorists because they are within the target area,” Hamza said when asked about the identity of the  teenager who was shot dead in a village in Felda Sahabat over the weekend. Hamza said these people’s lack of documents prevented the authorities from establishing their identities and nationalities. He said operations were continuing in Kampung Tanduo although security forces have already cleared the area of Agbimuddin’s men. The clearing operations have expanded to Sungai Nyamuk, Kampung Tanjung Batu, and Sungai Bilis where security forces were to be sent to retrieve the bodies of the Read More …

Misuari faces NBI grilling over alleged involvement in Sabah dispute

 News
Mar 122013
 
Misuari faces NBI grilling over alleged involvement in Sabah dispute

By Tetch Torres-TupasINQUIRER.net 12:47 pm | Wednesday, March 13th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines–The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will send agents in Mindanao to question former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Nur Misuari on his alleged involvement in the Sabah dispute. Moro National Liberation Front chairman Nur Misuari AP Misuari, along with former National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, Pastor Boy Saycon and Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and his family have been summoned by the NBI. The NBI, along with the Philippine National Police, is determining possible liability of the Kirams for sending their “royal army” to Sabah. The NBI is also identifying alleged financiers and conspirators of the Kiram family. Misuari already said he cannot go to Manila because he is busy preparing for the 45th anniversary of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). NBI deputy director Reynaldo Esmeralda said it is important that the NBI talk to Misuari. The NBI had already sent subpoena to the MNLF chair. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: Features , Global Nation , Norberto Gonzales , Nur Misuari , Pastor Boy Saycon , Sabah claim , Sabah standoff , Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Read More …

Filipino among 7 foreigners kidnapped in Nigeria

 News
Feb 182013
 

Associated Press 9:36 pm | Monday, February 18th, 2013 BAUCHI, Nigeria  — A shadow Islamic extremist group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of seven foreign workers in northern Nigeria. In a statement Monday, the group that calls itself Ansaru claimed the kidnapping of the one British citizen, one Greek, one Italian, three Lebanese and one Filipino on Saturday night. Ansaru also threatened that Nigerian and European authorities shouldn’t “act contrary to our conditions.” The short statement offered no conditions, suggesting ransom demands would follow. The kidnapping happened in Jama’are, a town about 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of Bauchi, the capital of Bauchi state. Nigeria’s predominantly Muslim north has been under attack by the radical Islamic sect known as Boko Haram over the last two years. Ansaru is a new group that recently sprung up in the region.

‘Filipino’ gunmen captured in Malaysia – police

 News
Feb 132013
 
‘Filipino’ gunmen captured in Malaysia – police

1:09 pm | Thursday, February 14th, 2013 KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian security forces have captured a group of “foreigners with firearms” believed to be militants from the southern Philippines, police said on Thursday. State news agency Bernama cited unidentified police sources as saying the group was made up of more than 100 men in military fatigues, but police have not publicly confirmed that report. National police chief Ismail Omar said in a statement late on Wednesday that the gunmen intruded on Malaysian soil in the state of Sabah on Borneo island, a region with a history of incidents involving armed Filipino groups. “This intrusion is a result of the problems in the southern Philippines,” Ismail said in an apparent reference to Muslim insurgents and other lawlessness in the southern Philippines, which lies just across the Sulu Sea from Sabah. Malaysia is predominantly Muslim. Ismail said security forces surrounded and ordered the gunmen to surrender in the Malaysian coastal town of Lahad Datu. His statement made no mention of how many people were involved. “They’ve surrendered, but as for the number, I really have no info for now,” said a police spokesman contacted by AFP on Thursday. Sabah’s eastern tip is less than an hour by speedboat from the nearest Philippine islands. In October, Manila reached a framework agreement with the southern Philippines’ main Muslim separatist group aimed at ending a decades-long insurgency that has left more than 150,000 people dead. In 2000, a Philippine militant group seized 21 mostly Western Read More …

DOJ lawyers to start process of Amalilio extradition

 News
Feb 102013
 
DOJ lawyers to start process of Amalilio extradition

By TJ Burgonio Philippine Daily Inquirer 6:28 pm | Sunday, February 10th, 2013 MANUEL AMALILIO Contributed photo MANILA, Philippines – Lawyers from the Department of Justice would fly to Malaysia to formally start the process of extraditing Manuel Amalilio for allegedly swindling 15 million Filipinos of P12 billion in an investment scam, Malacañang said Sunday. Undersecretary Abigail Valte, deputy presidential spokesperson, debunked reports quoting Malaysian officials as saying that Kuala Lumpur would not extradite Amalilio since he is a Malaysian citizen. “That’s inaccurate because first of all our state counsels from the DOJ were about to go [to Malaysia] to formally start the extradition process,’’ Valte said over government-run dzRB. Even though Malaysia has no extradition treaty with the Philippines, Malaysian law allows extradition under “certain processes,’’ Valte pointed out. In a statement in Malaysia’s Star newspaper Saturday, Attorney General Abdul Gani Patail said Malaysia would not extradite Amalilio, aka Mohammad Kamal, because he is a Malaysian citizen holding a valid and active identification card. Gani said that the Attorney General’s Chambers had received a formal request from the Philippines’ Department of Justice to hand over Amalilio to the Philippines under the Asean Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, and freeze his asset. A team of Philippine law enforcers was about to board a plane to Manila with the fugitive on Jan. 25 when they were stopped by senior Malaysian police officials. Amalilio was returned to police custody and subsequently convicted and sentenced for fraud by a Kota Kinabalu court. Quoting Read More …

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