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Filipino deaths in Libya oil depot attack ‘unverified’ — DFA

News

Feb 042015

Filipino deaths in Libya oil depot attack ‘unverified’ — DFA

popular Aquino did not snub arrival honors for slain cops – Palace Aquino LP ally: Suspend BBL hearings 2 dead, 11 hurt as Taguig condo flooring collapses Philippines protests Chinese ramming of 3 fishing boats Cosco group strengthens foothold in Central Luzon ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ arouses sex toy boom Facebook page honors 7 fallen frat ‘brods’ What’s inside City of Dreams Manila? videos Purisima may face contempt over alleged role in Mamasapano clash -Ombudsman Plan to oust Aquino over Mamasapano carnage bared Cayetano: Mamasapano clash a terror attack, massacre Trillanes: Marwan death ‘absolves’ Aquino Fertility dance marks filing of SC petition to stop Obando landfill Department of Foreign Affairs building. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — Reports that Filipinos were among the fatalities in an oil depot attack in Libya is “not verified,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday. “That’s not confirmed. We’re still verifying that report,” DFA spokesman Charles Jose said in a text message to INQUIRER.net. The DFA on Tuesday, February 3, said three Filipinos were among the seven abducted by still unidentified men in an oil depot in Libya. The Agence France-Presse, quoting a Libyan security officer, however, said three Filipinos and two Ghanians were killed in the attack. The DFA in an earlier statement said the Philippine Embassy in Libya was monitoring the situation to ensure the safety and security of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the country. The DFA has raised crisis alert level 4 in Libya which means mandatory evacuation for Read More …

Pope Francis: Leyteños’ show of faith, endurance unforgettable

News

Feb 022015

Pope Francis: Leyteños’ show of faith, endurance unforgettable

popular Aquino knew of Mamasapano mission; Purisima called the shots – SAF chief Poe says Purisima must explain role in ‘Oplan Wolverine” Maguindanao bomb expert on US wanted list The ballad of Rey Valera Mamasapano: From peaceful community to land of conflict Slain SAF officer planned to marry fiancée next year Purisima’s call AMLC shows how Jinggoy Estrada got Napoles ‘kickbacks’ videos MNLF: Mamasapano clash not a massacre, both sides fought valiantly Widow wants ‘all-out war’ against SAF 44 killers Bongbong urges gov’t, MILF: Develop trust in each other’s intentions Pasay court clears Abalos in electoral sabotage case Santiago: President Aquino may be charged before ICC MANILA, Philippines — Pope Francis has said that he will never forget how Leyteños showed faith and endurance during his short visit to the province last January 17. In a letter sent to Palo Archbishop John Du dated January 21, Pope Francis said that he would continue to include the Leyte faithful in his prayers. “I thank you, too wholeheartedly, for the witness of faith and endurance which your people showed me in the midst of trials. I will never forget this—may the Lord never permit to—and I will keep them in my prayers,” the Pope said. The Supreme Pontiff apologized anew for his shortened visit in the province. Pope Francis waves as he leaves Tacloban, Philippines, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015. AP FILE PHOTO “I was deeply saddened that the weather warning forced us to anticipate our departure by four hours; this prevented a Read More …

PH needs favorable int’l court ruling to force China to back down

News

Jan 292015

PH needs favorable int’l court ruling to force China to back down

Associate Justice Antonio Carpio. FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines needs a favorable ruling from an international body to sway world opinion and compel China to back down and respect maritime boundaries in the disputed South China Sea, a senior magistrate said on Thursday. In a lecture at the Ateneo Professional Schools on Thursday, Associate Justice Antonio Carpio pressed for clarity in the protracted conflict as he cited the urgency of settling the dispute amid China’s continuing reclamation activities in the disputed area. The Philippines has filed a case against China before the United Nations arbitral tribunal, seeking to invalidate Beijing’s expansive nine-dash-line claim and stop its incursions into the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). China has ignored the proceedings, and reiterated its “indisputable sovereignty” over the waters. It has continued with reclamation activities in at least five reefs within the Philippines’ EEZ. “We need clarity, that’s why our strategy would be do everything to get clarity through compulsory arbitration or, if not, through compulsory conciliation,” said Carpio, referring to the two possible legal remedies to the dispute. He noted that “there are only two things that can restrain China.” Either Beijing itself backs down—which would be unlikely given its naval buildup investment—or “world opinion would force China to behave,” he said. “We cannot expect China to restrain itself… We can only hope for world opinion,” said Carpio, a strong defender of Philippine sovereignty, taking to the lectern to lecture on the subject in other academic institutions like the University of Read More …

Spain gov’t behind PCOS bidder

General

Jan 282015

Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice. FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The two main bidders for the P1.2-billion contract to supply 23,000 precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) had been less than candid about their ownership and reach, a check on their background by members of the House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms revealed. On questioning by Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, an official of Indra Sistemas SA admitted that the Spanish government was the single biggest owner of the company. Smartmatic, on the other hand, had to concede that it was not the dominant poll equipment provider it had claimed to be when pressed on the issue by Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares. Committee chair and Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro meanwhile appealed for restraint among critics of the Comelec’s decision to give the diagnostics and refurbishment contract of 82,000 PCOS machines to Smartmatic. “Unless they can substantiate their accusations, I urge these groups to exercise restraint in coming out with statements that put the Comelec in a bad light. We should not allow this thing to happen because elections are critical to our democracy,” Castro said. In the House committee hearing Tuesday, Erice pressed Carlos Suarez, vice president of Indra Sistemas, to divulge the company’s biggest shareholder amid concerns that it was controlled by another sovereign country. Suarez told the panel that the Sociedad Estatal de Participaciones Industriales, a diversified public entity under the Spanish Ministry of Finance and Public Administrations, was the single biggest shareholder of Read More …

2 Filipinos among 9 dead in Tripoli hotel bomb attack

General

Jan 272015

2 Filipinos among 9 dead in Tripoli hotel bomb attack

In this image made from video posted by a Libyan blogger, the Cortinthia Hotel is seen under attack in Tripoli, Libya, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015. Gunmen stormed the luxury hotel in the Libyan capital of Tripoli on Tuesday, killing several foreigners and guards, officials said. The blogger, @AliTweel, captured the moments shortly after the blast, when flames rose up from outside the hotel, appearing to be from the aftermath of the car bomb. AP / @AliTweel via AP video TRIPOLI, Libya – Gunmen stormed a luxury Tripoli hotel popular with diplomats and officials Tuesday in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group, killing at least nine people — including five foreigners — before blowing themselves up. Two of the dead foreigners were identified by authorities as Filipinas. Two other Filipino women were reportedly among the five wounded. The assault on such a high-profile target underlined the fragile security situation in the Libyan capital, which is controlled by a patchwork of militias allied with one of two governments claiming to rule the country. And if it is confirmed that it was carried out by Islamic State militants it would highlight the growing reach of an extremist group with ambitions to spread its influence throughout the Middle East and North Africa. After setting off a car bomb outside the opulent Corinthia Hotel — where visiting world leaders have met local dignitaries in the past — three militants rushed inside and opened fire, Issam al-Naass, a security services spokesman, told Agence France-Presse. Read More …

Pope Francis heads home

News

Jan 182015

Pope Francis headed home Monday from the Philippines after a weeklong trip that also took him to Sri Lanka. Here are some glimpses of his last two days: Flying home Francis left Manila about 10:12 a.m. on a Philippines Airlines jet, heading back to the Vatican after his second Asia tour since becoming pope. He stopped at the top of the steps to the plane, turned to give one more wave to the crowd and then bowed before boarding. A large contingent of former street children, wearing matching T-shirts, kept chanting “Pope Francis, we love you,” and waving, long after the plane door was closed. Final motorcade Thousands of cheering people lined the streets of Manila one more time to try to see Francis as his motorcade traveled to Villamor Air Base for his flight. Standing in the bed of a white converted pickup truck, the pope waved to the crowd as his vehicle moved fairly rapidly through the cleared streets on a sunny morning. He is to leave after a brief departure ceremony at the air base. Soaked but happy It was a wet day. And it was worth it. A record 6 million people turned out for Pope Francis’ outdoor Mass in Manila’s Rizal Park on Sunday, including those who lined the streets for his motorcade to the site, a city official said. It was the culminating event of his weeklong trip to Asia. “Our wait and getting soaked in the rain was all worth it because we Read More …

A Filipino family’s Papal encounters

News

Jan 182015

A family of the Catholic faithful, from left, Cara, Joram, Carina, Ramir, Camir and Rai Encabo in their home in Quezon City. CONTRIBUTED IMAGE MANILA, Philippines—Despite having the privilege to visit the Vatican twice to hear Pope Francis himself lead the celebration of the Catholic Eucharist, the Encabo family, like millions of other Filipinos, was still ecstatic for the coming of the People’s Pope in the Philippines. “It just feels more special for me. This is where I live. I’ll be with my fellow Filipinos, and we will all be witnessing it together. It’s sharing this tremendous moment with our ‘kababayans’ that make all the difference,” 21-year-old Cara Encabo said. European pilgrimage The Encabos toured around Europe in 2008 and 2012 and made sure to visit the Holy City during both trips where they had simple, yet unexpected close encounters with the Pope. “We will always make sure that we go on a trip to the Vatican because it’s part of a Catholic’s life to be able to go there. It’s a pilgrimage,” 50-year-old mother Carina Encabo said. Back in May 2008, when Pope Benedict XVI was still the leader of the Catholic faith, it was the first time the Encabos visited the Vatican together as a family. Had they been given space to sit comfortably outside St. Peter’s Square with the rest of the people on their tour, the family of six would not be asked to rush inside the Basilica when it started to drizzle. They chanced upon seats near Read More …

Korean Air faces $2-million fine over ‘nut rage’

Economy

Dec 152014

Korean Air faces $2-million fine over ‘nut rage’

In this Aug. 14, 2009 file photo, customers walk near the model planes of Korean Air in a showroom at the headquarters of Korean Air Lines Co. in Seoul, South Korea. AP SEOUL, South Korea – South Korea said on Tuesday it could fine Korean Air up to $2 million after the daughter of its chief executive delayed a flight by throwing a tantrum over some nuts. Cho Hyun-Ah, a former senior executive with the flag carrier, forced the chief cabin crew member off a New York-Seoul flight after she took exception to being served macadamia nuts she had not asked for — and in a bag, not a bowl. “We will file formal complaints with the prosecution against Cho Hyun-Ah today” and ask them to open a criminal investigation, the transportation ministry said in a statement. Korean Air will also face either a flight ban of up to a month on an unspecified route or a fine of up to $2 million, it added. A ministry investigation found that 40-year-old Cho screamed and hurled abuses at a flight attendant and the chief purser during the incident on December 5, in a case which has sparked a wave of public anger in South Korea. State prosecutors are also investigating unconfirmed allegations that Cho used violence against cabin manager Park Chang-Jin, including his claims that she pushed him into the cockpit door and jabbed him with a service manual. Cho has denied reports she also made him and the flight attendant Read More …

US jury indicts 4 in Philippine hostage taking

News

Dec 042014

US jury indicts 4 in Philippine hostage taking

popular Kiefer Ravena emerge as top collegiate baller of 2014 Church: Pope banners with biz firms’ logos fund-raisers Aquino urged to name new PNP chief PH child actor wins in France Manila back in the black, says Mayor Estrada Binay: UNA in talks with LP’s Recto, Osmeña to join 2016 senatorial slate Holiday Cheer: John Arcilla A heartening letter from an animal lover videos Hundreds of passengers stranded at Matnog port due to Ruby Time-warped with Lemonheads at Whitespace Filipino peacekeepers granted holiday break, exempted from ‘Ruby’ red alert Tablet shopping: ‘More cores aren’t always better’ Ombudsman suspends PNP officials In this photo taken on October 3, 2011 freed US woman Gerfa Yeatts Lunsmann (C) and Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat (L) give a press conference in the southern city of Zamboanga after she was freed by armed men in nearby Basilan island. AFP / HO / Office of Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat FILE PHOTO WASHINGTON — A US jury has indicted four Philippine nationals sought in the 2011 kidnapping of an American woman and her teenage son during a family vacation in the Philippines. Gerfa Lunsmann was held hostage for 82 days and her son Kevin for 151 days in the abduction, in which the family was forced to pay ransom. After the mother was released, her son escaped his captors. Federal prosecutors said the two were taken hostage from an island beach cottage off the mainland of Zamboanga City. None of the four defendants, who were not Read More …

Marina to encourage more women sailors

News

Dec 042014

Marina office in Manila. FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—With its “She to Sea” program, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) is urging Filipino women to pursue careers in the male-dominated shipping sector. Of the 810,481 seaman’s books issued during the past four years by the Department of Transportation and Communications-attached agency, a total of 47,038 were released to women, according to Marina deputy administrator for planning Nicasio Conti. Metro Manila topped the list of female recipients of the travel document with 12,450, followed by Bulacan with 1,863; Iloilo, 1,842; Batangas, 1,439; Cebu, 1,396; Cavite, 1,365; Pampanga, 1,364; and Pangasinan, 1,311, according to a copy of the Marina report that Conti furnished the Inquirer. Seaman’s books were also issued to female applicants from Tawi-Tawi (12), Camiguin (16), Sulu (26), Lanao del Sur (31), Basilan and Quirino (both 40), Siquijor (45), Ifugao (47), Isabela (55), Abra (58), Batanes (72) and Catanduanes (97). Seaman’s books Of the 763,444 seaman’s books issued to male seafarers, those from Metro Manila also topped the list with 101,671, followed by Iloilo with 62,430; Cebu, 47,660; Negros Occidental, 30,557; Pangasinan, 27,020; Batangas, 26,043; Leyte, 21,229; and Bulacan, 16,277. Noting the “increasing number of women getting seaman’s books in this male-dominated industry,” Conti also disclosed that “more and more [Filipino women] seafarers have joined the ranks of marine officers” in an undisclosed number of local and foreign vessels, where other women are on the service sector, deck, engine and other assignments. “With these positive developments, we would like to encourage more Read More …

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