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President Rodrigo Duterte. JOAN BONDOC/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA — If he was still a city mayor, Rodrigo Duterte could take criticism from international bodies. But as Philippine president, he would not allow himself to be reprimanded by them, Duterte said on Wednesday. A day after cursing at the European Union for calling for a stop to extrajudicial killings of drug suspects in the country, President Duterte explained why he was “bullshitting” the international body. He noted that even the EU was reprimanding him. “When I was mayor, that’s okay. It’s different now that I’m President because I represent a country,” he said in a speech before soldiers in Camarines Sur. “I am the President of the republic. Why would you insult me, why would you curse at me as if I’m under you? That’s why I’m bullshitting all of them,” he said. The EU earlier expressed concern over the rising number of slain drug suspects. EU lawmakers had also said the President’s statements encouraged the killing of drug traffickers and users. On Tuesday, in a speech before local government officials in Davao City, Mr. Duterte lashed back at the EU. The President said “f*** you” to the EU, and flashed his middle finger, a move applauded by his audience. He also said the group’s statement was only intended to atone for its own sins. According to him, a study of history would show that EU member countries were involved in atrocities in the Middle East.  SFM Latest Phoenix ousts Rain Read More …

This photo taken on May 28, 2016 shows Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari (C) speaking during an interview at his mountain lair in Indanan town, Sulu province, on the southern island of Mindanao.  AFP PHOTO / MARK NAVALES ZAMBOANGA CITY – Both the Indonesian government and the Philippine military recognized the big role of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Saturday’s release of four kidnap victims — a Norwegian and three Indonesian fishermen. Indonesian Defense Minister Ryanmizard Ryancudu told reporters here, on Sunday night, that they were grateful for the help extended by the MNLF to secure their people safely from the Abu Sayyaf. “We appreciate the assistance of the MNLF. They know very well the terrain, they are very professional and they know what to do, that is why we need the assistance of the MNLF,” Ryancudu said in Bahasa. Lt. Gen. Mayoralgo dela Cruz, chief of Western Mindanao Command, agreed. “The MNLF knows the terrain. They know some of the people from the Abu Sayyaf, and they have their own ways of dealing with the Abu Sayyaf,” Dela Cruz said. But Dela Cruz also said President Duterte’s directive to destroy the bandit group resulted in efforts involving military, police, local government and even the MNLF to rescue and secure safely the hostages. “As we all know, the forefront in this endeavor is the President’s directive to really go after this group,” he said, adding that at least 16 battalions of government troops have been Read More …

Released Norwegian hostage Kjartan Sekkingstad carries a backpack as he boards a plane to take him to Davao city for an audience with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016 on Jolo island, Sulu province in southern Philippines. (AP Photo/Nickee Butlangan) MANILA — Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and Norway’s ambassador to the Philippines Erik Forner thanked President Duterte for Sekkingstad’s safe release from the Abu Sayyaf, with Forner acknowledging Duterte’s commitment as crucial to the resort manager’s release. Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Erik Forner  said, “The President’s personal commitment even before he took office has been crucial in solving this issue.” Forner also thanked Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza for his “tireless efforts.” “I would like to express my heartfelt thank you to the President, Secretary Dureza, (Moro National Liberation Front) chairman (Nur) Misuari and his finest men who released me yesterday afternoon, got me out of captivity,” Sekkingstad said on Sunday (Sept. 18). “Also the Norwegian Embassy, the Norwegian team. My Filipino family and my family in Norway. Everybody who has helped make this release possible.” “I am very happy to be alive and free. It’s a beautiful feeling.”  SFM Latest De Lima firm on snubbing House probe into NBP drug trade Ex-TV cameraman caught with shabu at QC checkpoint Racela: Jose capable of producing big numbers every game DQ foul ‘turning point’ in UE loss to FEU, says Pumaren Recommended Disclaimer: Comments do not represent the views of INQUIRER.net. We reserve the right to exclude comments which Read More …

The police detained seven Chinese nationals (four seen in this photo) after a raid at a piggery farm led to a suspected shabu laboratory beneath a feeds warehouse in Barangay Balitucan in Magalang, Pampanga. Police discovered the facility on Wednesday (Sept. 7). PHOTO BY TONETTE T. OREJAS/INQUIRER CENTRAL LUZON CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga —  As much as 468 grams of methamphetamine, 20 kilograms of suspected ephedrine, and assorted equipment used in the manufacture of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride), were recovered from seven Chinese nationals who were arrested in a Sept. 7 raid on an underground laboratory in a Pampanga town. Alvin Wang, Philip Chang, Wang Shi Yu, Lieu Wang, Susan Wang, Xia Po Chang and Sonny At from Xiamen in China were caught at the piggery farm in Magalang town, where the laboratory was concealed beneath a feed mill that doubled as a warehouse. They face charges for manufacturing and for possessing narcotics. The laboratory could produce up to 100 kilograms of shabu weekly. Entrance to the underground laboratory was hidden by a large wooden chest. The piggery in Balitucan village started operations two years ago and the warehouse was built four months ago, according to village chief Marcial Alfaro. The piggery is accessible via Nueva Ecija and the North Luzon Expressway. PDEA National Capital Region Director Wilkins Villanueva said the Magalang facility are part of a network of five shabu laboratories in Luzon. Five minors found in the piggery were turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.SFM Latest Read More …

Flight instructor Julie Wang landed at the Clark International Airport, on Sept. 7, 2016, in Pampanga province, one of her stops as she attempts to fly around the world on her Cirrus Generation Three single-engine aircraft. (Photo contributed by the Clark International Airport Corp.) BAGUIO CITY —  Flight instructor Julie Wang has landed at the Clark International Airport in Pampanga province, one of her stops as she attempts to fly around the world on her Cirrus Generation Three single-engine aircraft. Wang’s plane landed on Wednesday after a 10-hour flight from Guam and flew out at noon on Thursday for China without much fanfare. A resident of Florida in the US, Wang intends to become the first Chinese woman to circumnavigate the world on a single-engine plane. A Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) report said Wang’s journey, which has been promoted by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) in China, would cover 23,000 nautical miles, mostly over oceans. Wang grew up in Dalian, China, but she has been a Florida resident for the past six years.  SFM Latest Villar seeks 4Ps review Duterte sums up debut at Asean summit: ‘Perfect’ ASEAN, China agree to ease military tensions at sea, set up hotline Global stocks higher after stronger China trade, Nasdaq gain Recommended Disclaimer: Comments do not represent the views of INQUIRER.net. We reserve the right to exclude comments which are inconsistent with our editorial standards. FULL DISCLAIMER View Comments For feedback, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.