Aquino bares AFP buildup vs ‘bullies in our backyard’

 News
May 212013
 
Aquino bares AFP buildup vs ‘bullies in our backyard’

Agence France-Presse 8:55 pm | Tuesday, May 21st, 2013 President Aquino AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino on Tuesday announced a $1.8-billion military upgrade to help defend his country’s maritime territory against “bullies,” amid an ever-worsening dispute with China. The announcement came on the same day that the Philippines filed a protest with China over the “illegal and provocative” presence of a Chinese warship and two other vessels at a Filipino-claimed shoal in the disputed South China Sea. In thinly veiled comments referring to China, Aquino vowed during a speech to mark the navy’s 115th anniversary that the armed forces would be given the resources necessary to protect Philippine sovereignty. “We have a clear message to the world: The Philippines is for Filipinos, and we have the capability to resist bullies entering our backyard,” Aquino told naval chiefs. Aquino detailed a P75-billion ($1.82-billion) military modernization program that gives priority to upgrading the navy, which is one of the weakest in Southeast Asia. He said by 2017 the Philippines would acquire two new frigates, two helicopters capable of anti-submarine warfare, three fast vessels for coastal patrols and eight amphibious assault vehicles. “We will also improve our communications, intelligence and surveillance systems,” he said. The Philippines has been locked for more than two years in an increasingly hostile dispute with China over rival claims to the South China Sea, which is believed to sit atop vast resources of oil and gas. China insists it has sovereign rights to most Read More …

Taipei releases satellite record, rejecting Manila’s claim

 News
May 212013
 

Agence France-Presse 9:13 pm | Tuesday, May 21st, 2013 TAIPEI — Taiwan on Tuesday released a satellite record of the route of a fishing boat fired on by Philippine coastguards, flatly rejecting Manila’s allegations that the boat intruded into Philippine waters. The killing of crew member Hung Shih-cheng, 65, sparked outrage in Taiwan, which has announced a series of economic sanctions against the Philippines. Taiwan’s Fisheries Agency said the voyage data recorder from the fishing boat showed it was not in Philippine waters when it came under fire on May 9. “The satellite records indicated that the Guang Ta Hsin 28 had been fishing within Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone throughout,” the agency’s deputy chief Tsay Tzu-yaw told AFP. The satellite record showed that the ship was positioned at 122 degrees and 55 minutes east and 19 degrees and 59 minutes north when it was attacked at 10:12 am. The economic zones claimed by each country overlap. “Since the Philippine authorities repeatedly alleged that the fishing boat had intruded into their waters, then why not make public the video records they claim they have taken from the coastguard boat?” Tsay said. The Philippines said Monday it would make “coordinated efforts” with Taiwan to look into the incident. Its coastguards claimed that the fishing boat intruded into Philippine waters and tried to ram their vessel, forcing them to open fire. Taiwan’s President Ma Ying-jeou has termed the killing “cold-blooded murder” based on an initial inquiry by Taiwan, which showed that the boat Read More …

Aquino: We can fight back vs any threat

 News
May 212013
 
Aquino: We can fight back vs any threat

8:46 pm | Tuesday, May 21st, 2013 Members of the Philippine Navy SEALS display their gear during a ceremony celebrating the 115th anniversary of the Philippine navy at Fort San Felipe, Cavite city southwest of Manila, Philippines Tuesday, May 21, 2013. The Philippine government is planning to spend $1.8 billion dollars to modernize the Philippine navy with acquisition of additional ships and anti-submarine helicopters. AP MANILA, Philippines—Faced with territorial disputes and worries of external and internal threats, President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday claimed that the Philippines can fight back and defend itself within its bounds. “Our message to the whole world is clear: what belongs to the Philippines belongs to the Philippines,” Aquino said in a speech at a naval base in Cavite province south of Manila. “We can fight back and defend ourselves every time somebody will threaten us right in our own home ground.” Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said the Philippines denounced the “provocative and illegal presence” of Beijing’s ships off Ayungin Shoal in the South China Sea, adding the area is “an integral part of our national territory.” “We have already sent communications on this. We have already told them about our position regarding these vessels, which have intruded in our EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone),” Hernandez in a press briefing on Tuesday. Asked what such “communications” were, Hernandez said: “When we send communications on things like this, when there are intrusions, we file protests.” The DFA filed the protest with the Chinese Embassy Read More …

DOE chief still not keen on reviving BNPP despite blackout

 News
May 092013
 
DOE chief still not keen on reviving BNPP despite blackout

Despite the power outage that hit Luzon last Wednesday, the Department of Energy is not keen on reviving the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant to shore up the country’s energy reserves. Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla on Thursday evening said the BNPP lacks the capacity to meet present-day demand levels for energy, and may have safety problems if it is upgraded. “During that time (1970s), I would say dati (ang power capacity natin) mga 5,000 to 6,000 megawatts. Ngayon itong plant na ito is 400 megawatts. ‘Pag ikaw nagdagdag ng 400 megawatts sa 5,000 megawatts, napakalaking bagay. Ngayon, ang 400 megawatts parang balewala kung 16,000 megawatts ang present capacity, katiting na lang,” Petilla said in an interview on dzBB. Today, figures from the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines shows the demand for energy in Luzon alone is already 8,567 megawatts, more than 20 times the BNPP’s 400 megawatts. Petilla said they are aware of suggestions from some sectors to revive the BNPP, which was mothballed after the 1986 EDSA Revolution. He said the plant had been paid for and needs only the reactors to run. Yet, he said that if it were to be useful, it should be upgraded to have a capacity of 2,000 megawatts. “Ang problema, ang nuclear power plant na ito luma na… So wala nang cost benefit…. Kung 400 megawatts, napakaliit ng capacity at napakalaki ng risk,” he said. The DOE earlier said it is taking steps to prevent a repeat of Wednesday’s power outage, especially Read More …

PAGASA: Rain over Mindanao, 38-degree Celsius weekend for Central Luzon

 News
May 092013
 
PAGASA: Rain over Mindanao, 38-degree Celsius weekend for Central Luzon

Satellite Image as of 7:30 a.m, 9 May 2013. | Weather Central Central Luzon is in for scorcher of a weekend as temperatures as high as 38 degrees Celsius was forecast. Meanwhile, rain was projected over parts of southern Luzon, western Visayas and Mindanao due to the inter-tropical convergence zone. PAGASA forecaster Ricky Fabregas on Friday said that while the ITCZ would be affecting Mindanao, the easterlies or warm winds from the east will be affecting the rest of the country. “Sa Election Day, ang Mindanao may high probability ng paulan dahil sa ITCZ. Sa Luzon at Visayas, mababa ang probability, mga isolated rain showers and thunderstorms,” Fabregas said in an interview on dzBB radio. He also said temperatures will be hot in Luzon on Election Day, at about 26 to 35 degrees Celsius. Visayas and Mindanao may expect cooler weather at 25 to 33 degrees Celsius. 38-degree Celsius weekend PAGASA’s extended outlook indicated temperatures of up to 38 degrees Celsius in Angeles and Olongapo Cities in Central Luzon. It said the two cities may expect temperatures of 25 to 37 degrees Celsius Friday, and 25 to 38 degrees Celsius Saturday and Sunday, before settling to 25 to 37 degrees Celsius on Monday. Metro Manila may expect temperatures of 25 to 35 degrees Celsius Friday and Saturday. Tuguegarao City may expect temperatures of 24 to 36 degrees Celsius Friday. Friday weather In its 5 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Mimaropa, western Visayas and Mindanao will have cloudy skies with light to Read More …

Calif. care facility that employs Pinoys slapped with $1.6M citation for wage theft

 News
May 092013
 
Calif. care facility that employs Pinoys slapped with $1.6M citation for wage theft

By Rose Paquette INQUIRER.net U.S. Bureau 5:02 am | Friday, May 10th, 2013 SAN FRANCISCO–The California Labor Commissioner has issued a citation amounting to over $1.6 million in labor law violations–including unpaid minimum wage and overtime–to Bedford Care Group, Inc., an assisted living provider with six facilities in Fresno and Clovis, California that employs many Filipinos. Immigrant workers sought help from the Asian Law Caucus, a Workers’ Rights law firmcivil rights organization based in San Francisco, and Filipino Advocates For Justice (FAJ) in Oakland, who then assisted the complainants to file a formal complaint before the California Labor Commissioner. Upon uncovering the violations, Labor Commissioner Julia A. Su, ordered the Bedford Care Group, Inc.,  to pay $1,398,890 in unpaid overtime, $17,025 in unpaid minimum wage, and $95,053 in meal and rest period premiums to 11 current and former caregivers. The Bedford Care Group, Inc. was also fined $114,500 in penalties. The citations were issued after the Labor Commissioner’s Office interviewed and completed an audit for the 11 caregivers from November 2011 to April 2013 to determine the amount of unpaid wages owed. Labor Commissioner Su told PRnewswire online, “These live-in employees were on call and often required to work 24 hours a day and were not paid for all hours worked.  This is wage theft, and we will do everything in our power to ensure workers are paid all the wages they have earned.”             Saying she feels confident with their numbers and the case is strong, Szeto said the Read More …

Taiwan condemns PHL attack on fishing boat, meets PCG chief

 News
May 092013
 
Taiwan condemns PHL attack on fishing boat, meets PCG chief

Taiwan on Thursday demanded an apology from the Philippine government as it condemned the shooting of a Taiwanese fishing boat by a Philippine vessel. At least one fisherman was reported dead in the incident. A report on Taiwan’s Central News Agency said Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the shooting came from an “official Philippine ship.” Earlier, Beijing-based Xinhua News Agency reported on its website Xinhua.net that  a Philippine Navy ship fired upon the fishing vessel in seas south of Taiwan. Quoting the foreign ministry, the CNA report identified the slain fisherman as Hung Shih-cheng, 65, adding the shooting occurred Thursday morning. It said the Taiwanese boat “Kuang Ta Hsing No. 28” was some 170 nautical miles off the southern coast of Taiwan at the time, and was seriously damaged. Aside from an apology, Taiwan demanded that the Philippine government identify those responsible and make compensation for the losses. The CNA report noted there had been past incidents where Taiwanese fishermen operating in the area were arrested and detained by Philippine authorities. But it said there had been few reports of shooting. Quoting Taiwan’s representative to the Philippines Raymond Wang, who met with Philippine Coast Guard head Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena, the Philippines found one of its ships shot the Taiwanese fishing boat. It said the type of vessel deployed by the Philippines and the weapons used were not immediately known. A separate report on Taipei Times said the vessel was operating at around 164 nautical miles (304 km) southeast Read More …

2 Chinese spy ships sighted off PH-held shoal

 News
May 092013
 
2 Chinese spy ships sighted off PH-held shoal

By Redempto D. Anda Inquirer Southern Luzon 3:19 am | Friday, May 10th, 2013 PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines—The Western Command is monitoring the presence of two Chinese military surveillance vessels that were reported to have been stationary since Tuesday afternoon near the Philippine-occupied Ayungin Shoal in the disputed Spratly’s region. The two Chinese vessels were identified by other defense sources, who asked not to be identified, as “maritime surveillance vessels.” The vessels were reported to be some six nautical miles west of Ayungin Shoal since Tuesday afternoon. According to the source, the information about the Chinese presence “has been relayed to proper authorities,” including Malacañang and the Department of Foreign Affairs. Wescom spokesperson Lt. Cherry Tindog confirmed that the regional military command has received reports about the Chinese vessels but declined to issue additional information concerning the reported intrusion. Ayungin Shoal, also known internationally as Second Thomas Reef, is one of the reef formations within the six islands where Philippine troops are present and is considered by the country as part of the municipality of Kalayaan. It is closest to Mischief Reef, which until 1995 was occupied by the Philippines until the Chinese built a fortification on it.

PHL Navy ship fires upon Taiwan fishing boat, one  dead – report

 News
May 092013
 
PHL Navy ship fires upon Taiwan fishing boat, one  dead - report

Beijing-based Xinhua News Agency reported on its website Xinhua.net that a Taiwanese fisherman died Thursday morning after a Philippine Navy ship fired upon a fishing vessel in seas south of Taiwan. Xinhua said the deputy head of Taiwan’s fishery administration, Tsay Tzu-yaw, disclosed details of the incident. GMA News Online contacted the Philippine Navy for comment or confirmation, but no authorized officer was available as of posting time. Citing Taiwanese media reports, Xinhua said the Filipino ship dealt severe damage to the fishing boat while chasing it for an hour “after killing the fisherman” in waters 180 nautical miles southeast of the southern tip of Taiwan.  — DVM/ELR, GMA News

Angara honored by Japan

 News
May 092013
 
Angara honored by Japan

By Cathy C. Yamsuan Philippine Daily Inquirer 1:54 am | Friday, May 10th, 2013 Sen. Edgardo Angara INQUIRER FILE PHOTO Outgoing Sen. Edgardo J. Angara was conferred the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun by Emperor Akihito in Tokyo on Thursday, making him the third Filipino to be given what is said to be the highest distinction given by the Japanese government to an individual. Previous Filipino recipients of the award were the late Carlos P. Romulo, former foreign secretary and president of the United Nations General Assembly; and Alfonso T. Yuchengco, the country’s former ambassador to Japan. Other known personalities who received the distinction were former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, former United Nations Children’s Fund executive director Carol Bellamy, former British Prime Minister Sir John Major, the late US Sen. Daniel Inouye and former Brookings Institution president Michael H. Armacost. The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo said Angara was given the recognition for his valuable contributions to “promoting friendly relations and developing economic cooperation between Japan and the Philippines.” Simple rites The award was given in simple rites witnessed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the senator’s wife, Gloria, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. The embassy noted that the Order of the Rising Sun was created in April 1875 to recognize individuals with “distinguished achievements in international relations, the promotion of Japanese culture, the preservation of the environment and advances in development and various fields.” It is awarded in seven classes, with the Read More …

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