Maniolas

By Cynthia D. Balana |Philippine Daily Inquirer 5:53 am | Friday, October 17th, 2014 German hostages Viktor Stefan Okonek and Henrite Dieter AFP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines–The local crisis management committee handling the negotiations for the release of two German captives on Thursday gave the go-signal for an all-out “law enforcement operation” against the Abu Sayyaf extremists in Sulu who are holding the hostages. Col. Allan Arojado, the Sulu island military commander, said Thursday the committee led by Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan II approved the launch of the operation by the military and the police to save the lives of the German couple who were abducted while cruising in a yacht off Palawan last April. “We will not use the word rescue. We prefer ‘law enforcement’ as that will already cover the kidnap victims. The priority is the safe rescue of the hostages,” Arojado said. “We will do everything not to endanger their lives,” he said. Lt. Gen. John Bonafos, Armed Forces of the Philippines vice chief of staff, confirmed the preparations being made for the “law enforcement operation.” The military did not say when it would strike the terrorists’ lair. “We are launching anytime… we are just determining the exact location of subgroup leaders and other ASG (Abu Sayyaf group) members,” said Arojado. P200M ransom   The approval for the operation came a day before Friday’s deadline to behead one of the hostages if the P200-million ransom demand is not paid, Germany does not withdraw its troops from Iraq Read More …

INQUIRER.net US Bureau 7:50 am | Thursday, October 16th, 2014 Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations SAN FRANCISCO –Filipino Archbishop Bernardito Auza, appointed by the Vatican as Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, will preside at the 7th Annual Simbang Gabi Commissioning Mass at the St. Mary’s Cathedral on December 3, at 7:30 p.m. The Mass includes a rite that “sends forth” the Filipinos to be the “light of their parishes and communities” as they prepare for the centuries-old tradition of Simbang Gabi, the Filipino Ministry Consultative Board (FMCB) announced. Archbishop Auza said he “is delighted to be in the Bay Area to celebrate with us,” in response to the invitation relayed by Rev. Arnold Zamora who contacted him. The Archbishop hails from Bohol, Philippines. Simbang Gabi, a novena (from the Latin word novem, which means nine) of Masses in preparation for Christmas, was first introduced in the Philippines by the Spanish missionaries around 1587. This tradition to hold pre-Christmas dawn Masses outdoors to accommodate farmers has been a cherished tradition in the Philippines for over four centuries, a distinct feature of Philippine culture and a collective expression of faith, hospitality and community spirit amongst the Filipinos. In the Archdiocese of San Francisco where nearly a quarter of the congregation is Filipino, the celebration of Simbang Gabi saw its rise in early 2000. Before then, approximately 16 parishes had Simbang Gabi Masses in chapels and church halls, until a mult-parish Read More …

INQUIRER.net US Bureau 7:30 am | Thursday, October 16th, 2014 SAN JOSE, California — The Santa Clara Valley Chapter of the Filipino American National Historic Society will be hosting a panel discussion of the new anthology Empire of Funk: Hip Hop and Representation in Filipina/o America In honor of Filipino American History Month. (www.empireoffunk.com) The anthology consisting of a collection of raw documents explores how some Filipino Americans found a sense of belonging in American hip hop and in turn influenced it through their own works and talent. The panel will be on Thursday October 30, at 7 p.m. Edenvale community Center, E. Branham Ln. 
San Jose, California. RELATED STORY Empire of Funk shows influence of Fil-Ams on US hip hop culture Follow Us Other Stories: Honolulu’s Filipino Community Center to fete achievers Greater Chicago Fil-Ams set lots of History Month events Comcast to host XFINITY party in Union City, California UP Epsilon Chi to celebrate 50th anniversary with series of events 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. Short URL: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/?p=112694 Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate: c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer Chino Roces Avenue corner Yague and Mascardo Streets, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Read More …

DFA spokesman Charles Jose. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – There is no guarantee that the United States (US) will hand over custody of Private first class Joseph Scott Pemberton who is the primary suspect in the killing of a Filipino transgender in Olongapo City. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Charles Jose said in a press conference Tuesday that, under the provisions of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), US automatically has custody of any of their personnel suspected of committing a crime. “Under Article V, paragraph 6 of the VFA ‘The custody of any United States personnel over whom the Philippines is to exercise jurisdiction shall immediately reside with US military authorities, if they so request, from the commission of the offense until completion of all judicial proceedings’,” Jose said, citing the pertinent provision. The Philippine government will request to the US to have custody of Pemberton, a US Marine, “but there is no guarantee they will grant it,” he said. The Philippines, however, will have jurisdiction of the case and he will be tried in a Philippine court. Pemberton had allegedly killed Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude, 26, after both checked in at a hotel in Olongapo City late Saturday night. RELATED STORIES US Marine tagged in transgender slay named US ships held back amid Filipino’s killing Tags: Charles Jose custody DFA Jeffrey Laude Jennifer Laude Joseph Scott Pemberton VFA Related Stories: Australia investigates ‘paedophile’ father in Thai baby scandal Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh ferry owner Read More …

Agence France-Presse 3:07 pm | Tuesday, October 14th, 2014 SYDNEY — Australia said Tuesday it would introduce a “premium investor visa” to give immigrants permanent residency after a year if they invest Aus$15 million (US$13 million) in the country. The visa, available from next July, builds on the Significant Investor program under which people who sink Aus$5 million into Australia are granted a minimum four-year visa. “The government will reform the program to encourage more high net-worth individuals to make Australia home,” Prime Minister Tony Abbott said in a joint statement with the immigration and trade ministers. They said the changes would “leverage and better direct additional foreign investment, while maintaining safeguards to ensure the migration program is not misused.” The reforms include a reassessment of where the investments were made so they matched the government’s “national investment priorities.” Some 436 Significant Investor visas were granted between November 24, 2012 — when the program was launched — to the end of last month, according to immigration department figures. A total of Aus$2.18 billion was invested in Australia through the program, with 88 percent of visa holders hailing from China. The government also announced a review of its 457-class skilled visa program, which was tightened under the previous Labor government amid claims of abuse by employers and disadvantage to local workers. There will be “greater flexibility” in English-language testing and skill requirements, and a streamlining of the sponsorship and visa application process. Abbott did not specify which industries would benefit from Read More …