Metro Manila now safer due to police efforts: Roxas

 Entertainment
Feb 172015
 
Metro Manila now safer due to police efforts: Roxas

President Benigno Aquino III announce that suspected Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorist Zulkipli bin Hir alyas Marwan confirmed dead during SAF operation in Brgy. Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao and Accepted the Resignation of Suspended PNP Chief P/ Director General Allan Purisima during his message on Friday(Frebruary 6, 2015) held at the President hall in Malacanang.MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Metro Manila is now a safer place to live in than in previous years. That is because of the dedication of policemen to “do their job to the ultimate,” Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II said Monday. “Sa pangkalahatan mas safe ngayon ang National Capital Region kaysa sa mga nakaraang taon at ito ay resulta ng masigasig ninyong trabaho, ‘yung dedikasyon ninyo, ‘yung inyong propesyunalismo, at ‘yung inyong pagseserbisyo,” Roxas said in a speech before Metro Manila policemen on the 24th foundation day of the Philippine National Police. (Overall, it is safer now in National Capitol Region compared to the previous years and this is a result of your diligence, dedication, your professionalism, and your service.) Although there are still improvements that need to be done in some police stations in the region, Roxas said he is proud of the National Capital Region Police Office. “They are doing their job to the ultimate. We honor them every day by likewise doing our work professionally, competently, responsibly, to serve and to prootect. The order is very simple. The mandate is simple: to serve and to protect,” he added. The NCRPO’s success, according to Roxas, Read More …

BOI probes ‘defective’ SAF grenades

 Entertainment
Feb 172015
 
BOI probes ‘defective’ SAF grenades

Members of the Philippine National Police carry the body of one of the members of the Special Action Force slain in fighting Mamasapano town, Maguindanao on Monday. More than 30 have been reported killed from the government side following a clash with Muslim rebels. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Board of Inquiry will look into reports the grenades of the Special Action Force assault team in Mamasapano, Maguindanao were defective, which could have led to their deaths. Superintendent Raymund Train, the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) intelligence officer who led the 38-member assault team, had reportedly told investigators that the assault team still had ammunition for their rifles but their grenades did not explode. “I instructed my men to have fire discipline or shoot only when you see the enemy. However, many of our M203 ammunition were duds,” he said in a sworn statement. An M203 is an M-16 rifle fitted with a grenade launcher. Asked why he thought nine of his men died, he said, “There was no immediate reinforcement upon extrication. [The Armed Forces of the Philippines] did not react immediately even after we requested for indirect fire support.” AFP officials have claimed that they were given little information on the Mamasapano operation and on the location of the embattled SAF forces. PNP spokesperson Generoso Cerbo said should the Board of Inquiry find the grenades of the SAF team were indeed defective, it will come up with an appropriate recommendation. He said the PNP’s weapons Read More …

Trillanes says Norberto Gonzales is one of those planning coup

 General
Feb 172015
 
Trillanes says Norberto Gonzales is one of those planning coup

President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the National Economic and Development Authority Board Meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (February 16). Also in photo are Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr., Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Norberto Gonzales Jr., former national security adviser and defense secretary of ex-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, was among those planning to oust President Benigno Aquino III, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said Monday. “Yes,” was Trillanes’ reply to reporters when asked if Gonzales was part of those planning to destabilize the administration. “May nagpaplano na magpatalsik… They are hoping to recruit active members of the Armed Forces,” he said in a chance interview. Asked about the role of Gonzales, the senator said the former Cabinet secretary just wanted to cause chaos in the country. “(Ang papel niya) manggulo sa Pilipinas. Wala (siyang capability). That guy is a sociopath, ‘pag merong nasa utak, he will pursue that,” he said. He added that Gonzales has “no influence whatsoever but he is trying to project as if he has one.” “We checked everything about him. Ngayon solo na lang siya,” he further said. He reiterated that the coup plot is no cause for alarm but it should alert everyone. “Ang sa akin lang, there is no need to be alarmed but we Read More …

Nissan Cebu accepting reservations for Navara

 Economy
Feb 172015
 
Nissan Cebu accepting reservations for Navara

AFTER it was launched two weeks ago at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Manila, the Nissan Navara will soon be made available in Cebu. Nissan Philippines Inc. (NPI) announced that the Philippines is the first among 180 countries that will make the Nissan Navara commercially available outside Japan. As the first shipment for Cebu and Bohol will arrive this week, Nissan Cebu has begun accepting reservations, general manager Julie Sy Tio disclosed. The 2015 Navarra combines toughness with attractive design and smart interior, an innovation in response to customers demand for comfort, modern styling and attention to details on top of durability, reliability and practical performance. The official launch is scheduled on Friday at 6 p.m. at the SM City Cebu rotunda. Interested buyers are also encouraged to drop by the Nissan Cebu showroom at ML Quezon St., in Maguikay, Mandaue City for more information. (PR) Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on February 18, 2015. DISCLAIMER: Sun.Star website welcomes friendly debate, but comments posted on this site do not necessary reflect the views of the Sun.Star management and its affiliates. Sun.Star reserves the right to delete, reproduce or modify comments posted here without notice. Posts that are inappropriate will automatically be deleted. Forum rules: Do not use obscenity. Some words have been banned. Stick to the topic. Do not veer away from the discussion. Be coherent and respectful. Do not shout or use CAPITAL LETTERS!

Senate may invite DFA execs to explain extent of US role in military, police ops

 News
Feb 172015
 
Senate may invite DFA execs to explain extent of US role in military, police ops

MANILA, Philippines — There is now a recommendation in the Senate to  summon officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs  (DFA) amid talks of the reported involvement  of the United States in the Mamasapano operation last January 25, 2015, Senator Grace Poe said on Tuesday. While there was no motion yet to call the US Embassy in Manila to appear before the Senate probe on the incident, Poe said a suggestion was raised during an executive hearing to instead summon the officials of the DFA. “Sa ngayon wala pa namang nagmo-motion na ipatawag sila at meron ng suhestyon na ipatawag ang DFA para ma eksplika ang mga kasunduan ng ating bansa  sa mga ganitong klaseng pagtutulungan,”  she told reporters  on  Tuesday. (Right now, there are no motions yet to summon them, but there have been suggestions to summon DFA (officials) for them to explain the country’s agreements when it comes to collaborations like this.) “Tatapatin ko kayo (I am going to tell you the truth). We have to be very careful for it involves also diplomatic relations. We want peaceful ties with countries, we want their cooperation to be able to help us secure ourselves as well. We’re not trying to make more enemies in this thing but we also have to be accountable.” “So when it comes to that, it is not because we are trying to hide the information from you, we are just being careful. But we are with you in wanting to know the extent of foreign involvement because if there’s nothing Read More …

Eight communist rebels, four soldiers dead in Philippine clashes

 General
Feb 172015
 
Eight communist rebels, four soldiers dead in Philippine clashes

Eight communist guerrillas and four soldiers have been killed in separate clashes in the southern Philippines, a hotbed of one of the world’s last Maoist rebellions, the military said Tuesday. One female and six male members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in skirmishes Monday near Alabel on the south coast of Mindanao island, a military statement said. The 4,000-member NPA is waging one of the world’s longest-running insurgencies, with about half its guerrillas based in the south, according to military estimates. Government forces meanwhile repulsed an attack by a separate NPA unit on a police post in the southern town of Mati, 140 kilometres (87 miles) northeast of Alabel, on Sunday, a separate military statement said. The 50 guerrillas, who wore fake army uniforms, failed to capture the police post and suffered one dead after it was reinforced by a local army unit, it said. However, a landmine set off by the retreating rebels killed three of the pursuing soldiers and wounded four others, it added. It said the rebels also killed an off-duty soldier who was passing through a roadblock that they had set up near the police station. Repeated efforts by successive governments to arrange peace talks have failed to end the rebellion, which has claimed about 30,000 lives by official estimates. The latest negotiations with President Benigno Aquino’s government faltered after rebel demands that detained comrades be released were rejected. Aquino has however succeeded in forging a deal to end a far larger Muslim Read More …

PNP: Let probers say extent of US role in Mamasapano operation

 General
Feb 172015
 
PNP: Let probers say extent of US role in Mamasapano operation

MANILA, Philippines–Don’t conclude until the investigation is over. This was the advice of the Philippine National Police to those who are speculating that the United States had a hand in the Mamasapano, Maguindanao operation that went awry and killed 44 elite policemen. PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr. INQUIRER.NET FILE PHOTO In a briefing on Tuesday, PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. said the PNP will maintain the statement of sacked Special Action Force head Police Director Getulio Napeñas that his unit solely carried out the arrest of Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir or Marwan. Napeñas said earlier in congressional hearings that the US had no direct involvement in the bungled operation except for the medical and rescue assistance. But several sources have claimed that the US funded and led the operation. However, the US Embassy denied the involvement of the US apart from providing a helicopter to airlift the wounded. “General Napeñas’ statement is still subject to the investigation of the House and Senate as well as the PNP’s Board of Inquiry. We better wait for the result of the investigation,” Cerbo said. However, Cerbo said the PNP will not deny that the US is giving police forces “support.” “We don’t deny that the PNP receives support, not only from the US, in terms of equipment, capability enhancement, training and information sharing. We have an arrangement with ASEAN countries,” he said. But as to the US’ direct involvement in the Mamasapano mission, Cerbo advised the media to wait for Read More …

DOJ: No law needed for 'kill switch' in cellphones

 Economy
Feb 162015
 
DOJ: No law needed for 'kill switch' in cellphones

Telcos should ensure the security of the mobile phone users, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima says. AP/Matt Siocum, file MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice on Tuesday urged telecommunications companies to install “kill switch” technologies in mobile phones of subscribers to prevent theft. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said implementation of the “kill switch” no longer requires new legislation. She said it is the companies’ responsibility to prevent crime and make sure appropriate technology is being utilized to contribute to peace and order as well as to the security of phone users. The “kill switch” serves as an emergency stop or safety mechanism to shut off devices and erase its memory from a distance in cases when they are lost or stolen. Cellular phones may no longer be used once the kill switch is used as all existing data are deleted. RELATED: Kill-switch to erase data in mobile phones sought

Koko condemns killing of Bohol radioman, calls for Senate probe on media killings

 News
Feb 162015
 
Koko condemns killing of Bohol radioman, calls for Senate probe on media killings

Senator Aquilino Pimentel III on Tuesday condemned the murder of Maurito Lim, a local radio broadcaster in Tagbilaran, Bohol, as he reiterated his call for the Senate to probe the spate of media killings. In a press statement, Pimentel also called on the Philippine National Police to exert extra effort in arresting the killers of media practitioners “because we cannot allow impunity to reign especially at the expense of press freedom.” “The savage media attack again blotted the country’s image being among the five most dangerous places for journalists in the world,” he said. Lim was shot dead on Saturday morning in Tagbilaran City by a motorcycle-riding assailant.  Tagbilaran City police head Chief Inspector George Vale told radio dzBB Lim was about to report for work at the radio station when he was shot. Pimentel also expressed dismay at the slow resolution of work-related killings and the failure of authorities to arrest the suspects and their accomplice. Lim, who was critical of local officials linked to illegal drug trade, was the second journalist killed in Tagbilaran. He was the 172nd journalist killed since 1986, and the 31st under President Benigno Aquino III’s administration. A P150,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of the killer of Lim. —Amita O. Legaspi/KG, GMA News

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