Maniolas

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s refusal to surrender fighters involved in a clash with the police Special Action Force (SAF) troopers last January could derail the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), a lawmaker has warned. Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chair of the ad hoc committee on the BBL at the House of Representatives, said the measure will face rough sailing if the MILF will not turn over its members involved in the Jan. 25 encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao since lawmakers are demanding for justice for the 44 SAF commandos killed in the incident. However, he said the MILF should only be asked to surrender its members once the Department of Justice (DOJ) concludes its investigation and identifies fighters from the Moro group as among those liable for the death of the SAF troopers. “If there is no finding yet and if the MILF is not going to surrender its people, there’s a big possibility that the BBL will lose in the House of Representatives,” Rodriguez told dzBB in an interview.  Asked if the MILF’s refusal will be the deal breaker against the BBL’s passage, the lawmaker said: “Yes, that’s really the deal breaker if they (MILF) will not cooperate to achieve justice in the country.” April 2 deadline The MILF’s surrender of its members involved in the clash was one of the three conditions set by lawmakers to rebuild confidence in the group’s commitment to the peace process. However, the MILF has ruled out the Read More …

A military assault on Islamic militants in the southern Philippines entered its fifth day on Saturday, with the toll rising to 24 guerrillas and two soldiers dead, officials said. Ten Abu Sayyaf militants were killed in a two-hour clash on Friday after the army pounded their jungle lair on Jolo island with artillery and helicopter gunships, said Colonel Alan Arrojado, who is leading the assault. Another 14 rebels and two troops had been killed since the fighting erupted on Tuesday, he said. Battles were raging in the mountainous and thickly forested villages of Patikul town, an area controlled by Abu Sayyaf, a group of a few hundred gunmen with links to the Al-Qaeda network. The militants were reportedly moving with three Malaysian Jemaah Islamiyah members who were providing them with bomb-making training, military spokesman Colonel Restituto Padilla told AFP. “This (assault) will not stop until we put an end to the Abu Sayyaf,” Padilla said. The Malaysians have been “monitored for some time” he said. The Abu Sayyaf in the past have harboured JI militants, including Umar Patek and Dulmatin, key suspects in the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings that killed 202 people. The group is currently holding at least seven hostages, according to the military. A German couple that they had held captive for six months were freed in October last year with the bandits claiming they were paid 250 million pesos ($5.7 million) in ransom. Despite receiving training assistance from the United States, the Philippines has struggled to contain Read More …

WASHINGTON (AP) — China is expanding its outposts in the South China Sea to include stationing for ships and potential airfields as part of its “aggressive” effort to exert sovereignty, the U.S. intelligence chief said Thursday. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper was speaking at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on worldwide threats. His comments underscore U.S. concern over land reclamation activities that could fuel tensions between China and its neighbors over disputed islands and reefs. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A gunman shot and killed three people Friday before he was found dead at a home in a city near the capital Seoul in the second such incident in two days, police officials said. Shooting incidents are rare in South Korea, which tightly controls gun possession, and the two deadly shootings this week will likely trigger a debate on whether the country should tighten its control on hunting weapons that can be legally owned. TOKYO (AP) — Diplomatically speaking, they may be the most important words Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe utters this year. So much so that he convened a panel of experts this week to advise him on what to say to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II on Aug. 15. BEIJING (AP) — China imposed a one-year ban on ivory imports that took immediate effect Thursday amid criticism that its citizens’ huge appetite for ivory has fueled poaching that threatens the existence of African elephants. The State Administration of Forestry Read More …

popular Piolo Pascual dishes out sarcasm in getting back at Instagram basher Albay gov fumes at actor Xian Lim for rejecting promo shirt, book Carnival topple Tropang Texters Two years on: forgotten pope sees out days in the shadows Duterte ‘eyes’ presidency in 2016 to save PH from ‘disaster’ French President Francois Hollande arrives in Manila Redemption at the Oscars NBA: Mavs suspend Rondo after exchange with coach Carlisle videos PBA: Ginebra’s LA Tenorio comfortable on the floor with Emman Monfort PBA: Agustin credits good defense, big men performance for win over Purefoods PBA: Warner’s maturity big thing for Globalport, says coach Gonzales Crime watchdog wants advisory body composed of bishops, inter-religious leaders Former Tarlac Governor calls Aquino to resign President Benigno Aquino III and French President Francois Hollande. Photo from Official Gazette PH Twitter account MANILA, Philippines – The governments of the Philippines and France on Thursday signed several agreements pertaining to tourism and trade. President Benigno Aquino III and French President Francois Hollande witnessed the signing of the documents by their respective Cabinet members. Among the agreements signed were: Agreement on Tourism Cooperation Declaration of Intention on Philippine-France Cooperation in the Area of Higher Education and Research Business and Operation Agreement of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway Letter of Award for the Manila Light Rail Transit Extension Project Hollande is the first French president to visit the Philippines since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries in 1947. He is in the country primarily to promote the campaign against Read More …

popular Piolo Pascual dishes out sarcasm in getting back at Instagram basher Albay gov fumes at actor Xian Lim for rejecting promo shirt, book Carnival topple Tropang Texters Two years on: forgotten pope sees out days in the shadows Duterte ‘eyes’ presidency in 2016 to save PH from ‘disaster’ French President Francois Hollande arrives in Manila Redemption at the Oscars NBA: Mavs suspend Rondo after exchange with coach Carlisle videos PBA: Ginebra’s LA Tenorio comfortable on the floor with Emman Monfort PBA: Agustin credits good defense, big men performance for win over Purefoods PBA: Warner’s maturity big thing for Globalport, says coach Gonzales Crime watchdog wants advisory body composed of bishops, inter-religious leaders Former Tarlac Governor calls Aquino to resign French President Francois Hollande with Philippine President Benigno Aquino III at the welcome ceremony at Malacanang on Feb. 26, 2015. Photo by Kristine Angeli Sabillo/INQUIRER.net MANILA, Philippines – French President Francois Hollande arrived in Malacañang on Thursday afternoon to meet with President Benigno Aquino III and to promote the global campaign against climate change. Hollande and his entourage were at the Palace for the welcome ceremony and the launch of the Manila Call to Action on Climate Change. After the welcome ceremony at the Palace grounds, Hollande was asked to sign the official guestbook of Malacañang. Hollande and Aquino will meet for 30 minutes before holding an expanded bilateral meeting. At around 6 p.m., they are expected to sign several bilateral agreements, which will be announced during a joint press Read More …