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30 suspected Taiwanese hackers nabbed in Subic

 News
Apr 022013
 
30 suspected Taiwanese hackers nabbed in Subic

Philippine Daily Inquirer 7:01 am | Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013 Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chair Roberto Garcia from SBMA website. SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—At least 30 undocumented Taiwanese allegedly involved in extortion activities using computers and the Internet were arrested on Tuesday in a joint operation of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) law enforcement department (LED). SBMA Chair Roberto Garcia confirmed that the NBI led an operation in Forest View, one of the residential areas in Binictican here. Garcia was awaiting the final report on the raid but said that the Taiwanese were involved in a “cybercrime.” He did not provide details. Orlando Maddela, SBMA LED chief, said the Taiwanese were in the custody of the NBI. An NBI source, who asked not to be identified for lack of authority to speak on the operation, said the Taiwanese were “involved in extortion, with targets in China and Taiwan.” Asked to describe the operation, the source said they were able to hack into databases in those countries and find out which companies had cases and were about to be investigated by authorities there. “Then they’ll call up these companies, inform the executives of the pending cases, and ask them to call the authorities to confirm this. But the number they give is, of course, one of their own. That’s how they were able to extort money from their victims,” the source said. The group moved around at the Subic and Clark free ports, the Read More …

KL rejects negotiation to end confrontation with Sulu group

 News
Mar 142013
 
KL rejects negotiation to end confrontation with Sulu group

By Allan NawalInquirer Mindanao 1:29 pm | Thursday, March 14th, 2013 Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram III. AP FILE PHOTO DIGOS CITY, Philippines—The Malaysian government has closed the door to any negotiation to end the crisis in Sabah. The state-run Radio 24 reported Foreign Minister Anifah Aman as saying Malaysia will not entertain any negotiations at this time, including one being proposed by third parties such as the Philippine government. The broadcast was monitored via shortwave radio here. Asked whether Malaysia would allow third party emissaries to travel to Sabah to meet with the followers of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III there, Anifah replied, “If something bad happens to them, what effect would it have on Malaysia’s image?” 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 , Foreign affairs , Phil-Malaysian Relations , Sabah claim , Sultan of Sulu 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:

Palace hails new pope

 News
Mar 132013
 
Palace hails new pope

By TJ BurgonioPhilippine Daily Inquirer 12:27 pm | Thursday, March 14th, 2013 Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Thursday morning hailed the election of Argentine Jorge Cardinal Bergoglio as the new Pope, saying this brings the “promise of renewal’’ in the Catholic Church. “From the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica came an announcement of great joy: that Jorge Cardinal Bergoglio had been elected as Pope, and taken the name Francis. From the city to the world, the joyful news has been accompanied by prayer and goodwill born of new beginnings,’’ President Benigno Aquino III’s spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement. The President, together with the Filipinos, “joins all the Catholic faithful as they receive their new leader and meet his proclamation with a sense of boundless promise,’’ Lacierda said. “As the first pope from outside Europe in a millennium—the first pope from the Society of Jesus, and the first from Latin America—the election of Pope Francis brings with it the promise of renewal in the Catholic Church, as it strives to fulfill its mission here on earth,’’ he said. Lacierda aired the hope that this would inaugurate a pontificate that “will bear witness not only to the basic tenets of the Gospel, but will also serve as a voice for peace, justice, and charity in a world threatened by tension and armed conflict, poverty, uncertainty, and loss of confidence in institutions.’’ “This is not merely a time for all Catholics to come together. This is Read More …

NBI told to probe escape of 3 Chinese drug lords

 News
Feb 262013
 
NBI told to probe escape of 3 Chinese drug lords

By Tetch Torres-Tupas INQUIRER.net 7:11 pm | Tuesday, February 26th, 2013 Justice Secretary Leila De Lima. INQUIRER/Niño Jesus Orbeta MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila De Lima on Tuesday ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a parallel probe on the circumstances surrounding the escape of three Chinese drug lords last Feb. 21. Li Lan Yan alias Jackson Dy, his wife Wang Li Na and Li Tian Hua were snatched by armed men last Feb. 21 while on their way to attend a court hearing. Police arrested four people, among them a village chief in Imus City, for their alleged participation in the escape of the said Chinese drug convicts from jail personnel in Cavite. Police found evidence linking to the Ozamiz robbery gang arrested suspects Rodel “Gorio” Cambongga, 24; Emiliano Quilicol, 43; Rene “Dodo” Bersales, 33; and Leovino “Nonoy” Fontanilla, 46, the head of Barangay (village) Bayang Luma IV. The criminal gang, so named because its members are natives of Ozamiz City, was allegedly behind the “rescue operation” of the Chinese convicts from the hands of the Cavite provincial guards. They were reportedly paid a certain amount for the drug convicts’ escape. De Lima said she wanted to know where the amount paid to the armed men went. “Also, why Jackson Dy and company are not in the NBP (National Bilibid Prison) custody because supposedly they are already convicted. If accused in one case  had been convicted, he should be transferred to the NBP following a Supreme Court circular,” she Read More …

PH maids in HK seek direct hiring as recruitment agencies demand placement fees

 News
Feb 262013
 

By Tina G. Santos Philippine Daily Inquirer 6:45 pm | Tuesday, February 26th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines—Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong want the Philippine government to lift the ban on the direct hiring of Filipino domestic workers abroad. According to a statement from the United Filipinos in Hong Kong (Unifil), Filipino household service workers in the territory will troop Wednesday, to the Philippine Consulate General to express their demand. The United Filipinos in Hong Kong (Unifil-Migrante-HK), the organization leading the picket protest, stated that returning the direct hiring as an option to remove a threat to the livelihood of Filipino domestic workers, especially those processing their papers now. This demand by Filipino domestic workers comes at a time when recruitment agencies from Hong Kong and the Philippines are fighting over the placement fees being charged to the Filipino domestic workers. According to Unifil, the Philippines-based recruitment agencies want the Philippine government to allow them to charge the workers placement fees while letting the Hong Kong-based agencies to determine fees on their own. “In the middle of this still-unresolved ‘brawl,’ Filipino domestic workers are being wrongfully blamed and used as scapegoats by agencies, especially those based in HK. Such baseless accusations are only fodder for the anti-migrant sentiments being fanned by many entities in Hong Kong,” it added. Recently, the Society of Hong Kong Accredited Recruiters of the Philippines (SHARP), the Philippines-based agencies, imposed a moratorium on sending domestic workers to Hong Kong as it complained of the overly strict and Read More …

PH senior diplomat off to KL to iron out Sabah problem

 News
Feb 262013
 
PH senior diplomat off to KL to iron out Sabah problem

By Tarra Quismundo Philippine Daily Inquirer 5:27 pm | Tuesday, February 26th, 2013 Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez. INQUIRER.NET FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs has sent a senior diplomat to Kuala Lumpur to coordinate efforts with the Malaysian authorities toward the speedy resolution of the Sabah standoff as the situation dragged on into its third week. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jose Brillantes is now in the Malaysian capital to help the Philippine Embassy there in expediting the resolution of the situation in Sabah, where followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III continue to stand their ground despite repeated appeals from the Philippine government for them to pull out. “We see that at this point in time, there would be a need for more people who would be able to help out in the coordination work….  He’s there to help Ambassador (Eduardo Malaya) to help in coordinating the  peaceful resolution of this issue in Lahad Datu,” DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez said at a news briefing Tuesday. “Being a senior diplomat and being a former ambassador (to) Malaysia, he will also have some contacts and he would be able to coordinate well with the Malaysian authorities to be able to achieve the objectives to bring the group back home,” said Hernandez. He reiterated the Philippine government’s appeal for Kiram’s group to return home peacefully. “We don’t want to put them in harm’s way. And we believe the Kiram family are concerned about the welfare and interest of the Read More …

Senators back Aquino’s call to end Sabah standoff peacefully

 News
Feb 262013
 
Senators back Aquino’s call to end Sabah standoff peacefully

By Maila Ager INQUIRER.net 5:13 pm | Tuesday, February 26th, 2013 President Benigno Aquino III. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Four senators on Tuesday rallied behind President Benigno Aquino III’s call for a peaceful settlement to a two-week long standoff in Sabah, two of them even suggested a need for intervention by international bodies  to  end  the  conflict. “Maybe we should intensify our request for intervention by the international bodies, international tribunal including  Asean to reduce its negative effect in the ongoing peace process and to avoid any problem with Malaysia without renouncing our claim to Sabah,”  Senator Gringo Honasan  said in a mix of English and Filipino  in a phone patch interview. “But it is important that the debate is calm, peaceful and diplomatic,” Honasan added. Instead  of resorting to violence, Senator  Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said the “heirs” of the sultan  of Sulu, Jamalul  Kiram  III,  may raise their  claim  of the  land  before international  tribunals. “Yes, Sabah should be peacefully settled. I suggest to the heirs to use international courts and tribunal,” Pimentel said in a text message.  Senators  Francis “Chiz” Escudero and  Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan  also  backed Aquino’s call  for a peaceful  end to the Sabah claim. “Bringing the supposed Sabah heirs and government representatives in one table would allow discussions on the complex issues involved in the Sabah claim including the plight of Sabah residents who have Filipino roots,” Escudero said in a separate statement. He said a dialogue on the Sabah claim should include the Malaysian government to Read More …

‘Kiram followers to continue Sabah standoff’—Sulu sultanate spokesman

 News
Feb 262013
 
‘Kiram followers to continue Sabah standoff’—Sulu sultanate spokesman

By Jamie Marie Elona INQUIRER.net 4:59 pm | Tuesday, February 26th, 2013 Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram III. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Followers of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III will continue their standoff in Sabah until the government of Malaysia agrees to discuss the process by which the conflict can be resolved, Abraham Julpa Idjirani, secretary-general and spokesman of the Sulu sultanate and North Borneo said Tuesday. In an interview with Radyo INQUIRER 990AM, Idjirani said there is nothing to lose if the Malaysian government would consider a discussion with the Sultanate of Sulu through the intercession of the Philippine government. For the full interview, listen to the attached audio clip from Radyo Inquirer 990AM.

Philippine papal bet wants people power for Church

 News
Feb 202013
 
Philippine papal bet wants people power for Church

Agence France-Presse 11:45 am | Thursday, February 21st, 2013 Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle wants to bring the Catholic Church closer to people, a vision his fans say comes from a genuine passion for helping the poor and one that could make him Asia’s first pope. The 55-year-old cardinal from a working-class family close to the Philippine capital is being touted at home and abroad as a genuine chance to succeed Pope Benedict XVI during a historic Vatican vote next month. Tagle has a reputation across the devoutly Catholic Philippines as a humble man with a lifelong commitment to helping the poor, while senior Church figures regard him as a moderate progressive who balances conservative doctrines. Tagle, the archbishop of Manila who was appointed a cardinal in November, has refused to discuss his chances for the papacy since Benedict announced he would resign on February 28 due to poor health. But speaking at a public seminar in Manila last weekend, Tagle elaborated on his well-known views that Church leaders needed to do a better job at reaching out to the people within their communities, particularly the youth. “The young want to be connected,” Tagle said at the forum. “That is the basic of the faith — (to be) connected to God, connected to others, to the Church. We need to go back to that fundamental.” Eloquent and with a soothing voice, Tagle has also made high-profile speeches in recent years calling for Read More …

PH immigration awaits travel papers for 9 Myanmar crew

 News
Feb 202013
 
PH immigration awaits travel papers for 9 Myanmar crew

By Tetch Torres INQUIRER.net 9:11 am | Thursday, February 21st, 2013 Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David on Thursday said they were waiting for travel documents from the Myanmar embassy for the repatriation of the nine  surviving crewmen of a Myanmar ship that sunk last week off the coast of Bolinao , Pangasinan. David said the nine crewmen were turned over by the BI to the custody of the Myanmar embassy last Monday. They were identified as Kyi Win, Khin Maung Win, Aung Kyaw Khine, Aung Thu Nyein, Win Saw, Win Min Thein, Aung San Win, Thant Zin Moe, and Cho Aye. Theodore Pascual, BI bay service section acting chief, disclosed that until last Monday the Myanmar nationals have been under the custody of immigration officials in Region 1 since the mishap occurred last February 16. Pascual said the crewmen were initially under the custody of the BI field office in Dagupan before they were turned over to the BI office in San Fernando City , La Union. “They were eventually turned over to the Myanmar embassy which is now processing their travel documents which are required to facilitate their repatriation,” Pascual explained. A crew member died while 14 others went missing when the foreigners’ vessel sank Saturday night. The Philippine Coast Guard said the MV Arita Bauxite encountered engine trouble and sank 17 nautical miles (31 km) northwest of Cape Bolinao at about 11:30 p.m. The nine survivors were reportedly Read More …

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