Iraq war veteran ‘Bagyo’ fights the fight of his life By Abner Galino

 Entertainment
Sep 092017
 
Iraq war veteran ‘Bagyo’ fights the fight of his life By Abner Galino

Iraq war veteran ‘Bagyo’ The scorching daytime heat and the cold nights of the desert around the Al Numaniyah district in Iraq were all but sparse memories for Filipino American Marine Sgt. Mark Villamac Ho, better known here in Los Angeles as “Bagyo” – the hip-hop artist. The invasion of Iraq resulted in deaths of more than 4,000 American soldiers who participated on two large-scale military operations codenamed “Operation Iraqi Freedom” and “Operation New Dawn” from 2003 to 2011. More than half a million Iraqi people perished, including civilians and fighters. Bagyo, then with the MWSS-271 Crash Fire Rescue of the United States Marine Corps (USMC), drove a Humvee or whatever military vehicle available to him throughout these episodes of blood and gore — pulling out comrades, civilians and even enemies from wrecks and fires. Today, the pacified Al-Numinayah district is home to an airbase of the re-established Iraqi armed forces. It is also where US coalition forces operate. “It was an honor to have served in a time when my country called upon me,” Bagyo recalled. “I was nothing and it was a chance to become something bigger than I was. Not only for myself, but for my country, my family and my friends.” Bagyo survived the war, albeit unscathed. He was diagnosed with mild symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Luckily, Bagyo has his family, his friends, his hip-hop music and the Filipino American community on which to distract the anxieties from those nightmares entangled in his Read More …

Duterte vows to pursue case vs cops in Arnaiz slay

 Entertainment
Sep 092017
 
Duterte vows to pursue case vs cops in Arnaiz slay

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte meets with Carlito and Eva Arnaiz, parents of the slain teenager Carl, who was allegedly killed in a shootout with policemen on August 17. The parents of the slain teenager as well as the victim’s sister Camille paid a courtesy call on the President at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang on September 6, 2017. During their meeting, the President assured a thorough and impartial investigation will be conducted in the case. (Photo by Ace Morandante/Presidential Photo) MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday promised that cases would be pursued against policemen implicated in the killing of 19-year-old Carl Angelo Arnaiz. In his speech during the 60th anniversary celebration of the Social Security System (SSS), Duterte said he was late because he met with the parents of the slain teenager in Malacañang. “I’m a bit late because the parents of Arnaiz, the latest victim of, I don’t know, who (is) still under investigation. I ordered the Secretary of Justice to take over the investigation of the case,” he said. The President said that he would only defend security forces if their actions were done in the performance of duty, stressing that he would never allow his troops to kill defenseless persons, including enemies of the state. “Ang sinabi ko naman (What I said) we will protect soldiers and policemen, no doubt about it, but there should always be the element of the performance of duty and you do not kill defenseless persons,” he said. “I’m sorry but I will Read More …

DAR chief Mariano’s fate likely known Wednesday — Sotto

 Entertainment
Sep 092017
 
DAR chief Mariano’s fate likely known Wednesday — Sotto

MANILA, Sept 5 (Mabuhay) — Members of the Commission on Appointments (CA) will likely vote on Wednesday whether to approve or reject the nomination of Secretary Rafael “Ka Paeng” Mariano as head of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). This, after the CA committee on agrarian reform heard the oppositions against Mariano’s appointment Tuesday for more than three hours. Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, chairman of the committee, said the CA will likely go into executive session after the hearing on Wednesday, scheduled at 10 a.m. “Tapos na oppositors so yung members na lang ng commission ang magtatanong sa kanya bukas,” Sotto told reporters. “We’ll go into executive session afterwards, I’m sure. If we are satisfied, the we will vote tomorrow,” he said. If the CA goes into executive session, the voting on Mariano’s nomination will be conducted through secret balloting. At least 13 votes are needed to attain a majority vote on whether to approve or reject the DAR secretary’s appointment. In a separate interview, Mariano said he felt that his appointment to the post was already an expression of support from President Rodrigo Duterte. “Bago pa magsimula ‘yung pagharap ko dito sa Commission on Appointments, wala akong naramdaman na kaba o pag-a-alala,” Mariano said. “Kapag tinatanong ako kaugnay sa support ni President Rordrigo Duterte, yung issuance at pagkaloob ng ad interim appointment ni President Duterte, para sa’kin yun ay expression ng patuloy na suporta at pagtitiwala ni President Duterte sa ‘kin bilang kalihim sa Agrarian Reform,” he Read More …

Palace reiterates: Duterte won’t interfere in Senate probe involving Pulong, Mans Carpio

 Entertainment
Sep 092017
 
Palace reiterates: Duterte won’t interfere in Senate probe involving Pulong, Mans Carpio

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presides over the 18th Cabinet Meeting at the Malacañan Palace on September 4, 2017. (MNS photo) MANILA, Sept 7 (Mabuhay) –President Rodrigo Duterte will not meddle in the investigation involving his son, Davao Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and son-in-law, lawyer Manases Carpio. Malacañang reiterated this on Thursday as the two attended the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing over the P6.4-billion shabu shipment which slipped past the Bureau of Customs. “Today’s appearance of Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and Atty. Manases Carpio before the Senate blue ribbon committee demonstrates that both gentlemen are willing and ready to face malicious allegations intended to impugn their character and credibility,” presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement. “The President has said in numerous occasions that he would not interfere and he believes that both gentlemen, Vice Mayor Duterte and Atty. Carpio, can hold their own at the Senate,” he added. While both Vice Mayor Duterte and Carpio were mentioned at the previous Senate hearings, Customs fixer Mark Taguba had absolved them of any involvement in corruption activities at the BOC. Duterte had repeatedly said that he would step down if any of his children are involved in corruption. (MNS)

Trillanes alleges Paolo Duterte has P104-M in bank accounts

 Entertainment
Sep 092017
 
Trillanes alleges Paolo Duterte has P104-M in bank accounts

ILLEGAL DRUG SHIPMENT PROBE CONTINUES: Senator Richard Gordon (middle), chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, together with Senators Panfilo Lacson (left) and Antonio Trillanes IV (right) listen to the testimonies of resource persons during the continuation of the Senate inquiry Thursday, September 07, 2017, on the smuggling of P6.4 billion worth of illegal drugs into the country. The probe was prompted by the discovery in Valenzuela City of 600 kilos of shabu or metamphetamine hydrochloride from China, which were reportedly hidden in printer rolls and entered the country through the “green lane” of the BOC. (MNS photo) MANILA, Sept 7 (Mabuhay) – Senator Antonio Trillanes IV alleged during a Senate probe on Thursday that presidential son and Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte had P104 million in at least two bank accounts. Trillanes made the accusation as he quizzed Duterte during the hearing of the Senate blue ribbon committee on his alleged accounts at the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) and the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) in Davao City. Duterte repeatedly refused to confirm owning any accounts in the said banks. “Mr. Chair, do I have to answer this irrelevant question?” Duterte said, responding to Trillanes’ queries. “I refuse to answer anymore,” Duterte added. “This is not part of the inquiry.” At one point Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the committee asked the presidential son if he was invoking his right against self incrimination, to which Duterte answered in the affirmative. “Which part of the question will Read More …

Paolo Duterte, Mans Carpio: Shabu smuggling allegations ‘baseless’

 Entertainment
Sep 092017
 
Paolo Duterte, Mans Carpio: Shabu smuggling allegations ‘baseless’

DUTERTE SON, SON-IN-LAW ATTEND SHABU SHIPMENT PROBE: Presidential son and Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and presidential son-in-law Manases Carpio consult with each other during the continuation of the Senate inquiry Thursday, September 07, 2017, on the smuggling of P6.4 billion worth of illegal drugs into the country last May. Duterte and Carpio both denied allegations that they were part of the “Davao Group” allegedly operating in the Bureau of Customs (BOC). The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by Senator Richard Gordon continues its probe on the 600 kilograms of shabu or metamphetamine hydrochloride which entered the country through the BOC’s green lane. (MNS photo) MANILA – Presidential son and Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and his brother-in-law Manases Carpio faced a Senate panel on Thursday to “once and for all” deny their involvement in the PHP6.4 billion worth of shabu shipment from China. “Once and for all, I now have the time to deny any and all baseless allegations thrown against me,” Duterte said in his opening statement before Senator Antonio Trillanes IV began asking him questions. Duterte said he and Carpio showed up “in compliance with the invitation of the Senate blue ribbon committee” and as a “gesture of respect to the Senate as a whole.” He started speaking in Bisaya, but eventually shifted to English, explaining that his presence there is for the Filipino and for his fellow Davaoenos. “I am very sorry, but I cannot answer allegations based on hearsay,” Duterte said. He ended his Read More …

Duterte to son Paolo: Kung wala kang kasalanan, ba’t di ka pumunta doon?

 Entertainment
Sep 092017
 
Duterte to son Paolo: Kung wala kang kasalanan, ba’t di ka pumunta doon?

SENATE PROBE. Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte (left) and his brother-in-law Atty. Manases Carpio take oath before testifying at the hearing on the PHP6.4 billion worth of shabu shipment conducted by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Thursday (September 7, 2017) .(PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan) MANILA, Sept 6 (Mabuhay) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said his son Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte was old enough to handle facing a Senate inquiry on the P6.4-billion shabu shipment that slipped past customs authorities. Speaking to reporters after attending a bank’s anniversary celebration in Taguig, Duterte said his son Paolo and his son-in-law Attorney Manases Carpio should indeed attend the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on Thursday. Duterte, however, balked at giving an idea of what the public could expect from Paolo and Carpio. “I would leave it to the lawyers. Because if I give an expectation, media will begin to speculate. Ganoon ‘yan eh. I have to be very careful,” Duterte said. He said Paolo should be able to handle his problems all on his own. “He has his own lawyer. He’s about 38, 37 years old. He’s old enough to know and he can take care of his problem,” Duterte said, referring to his son, who was linked to alleged corruption in the Bureau of Customs. “I do not speculate. I do not give him advice. I just said, ‘Kung wala ka talagang kasalanan, ‘bat hindi ka pumunta doon?’” he added. Duterte on Saturday said Paolo Read More …

Dela Rosa cries while assuring senator there’s no state policy on killings

 Entertainment
Sep 092017
 
Dela Rosa cries while assuring senator there’s no state policy on killings

PNP Chief Director General Ronald Bato Dela Rosa is close to tears while answering a question during a Senate committee probe on Tuesday into the death of 17-year-old Kian Delos Santos allegedly by policemen. Dela Rosa decried Senator Risa Hontiveros’ statement on the alleged pattern of police killings in the government’s drug war.(MNS photo) MANILA, Sept 5 (Mabuhay) — Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa on Tuesday cried, seemingly out of frustration, during the Senate hearing after a senator alleged that there was a government policy to kill drug suspects. “I am grieving for the majority of my men na nakataya ang buhay nila tapos i-accuse n’yo kami ng polisya na ganun. Masakit. Masakit, your honor,” Dela Rosa told Senator Risa Hontiveros during the Senate public order and dangeour drugs committee hearing on the death of Kian Loyd delos Santos. “Andyan si Lord, nakikita niya. I’m willing to go back to Davao City ‘pag na-prove mo ‘yan,” Dela Rosa added. “You know me personally, your honor. ‘Di ako papayag na gagamitin ang pulis sa masama.” Hontiveros’ husband, Francisco Baraquel Jr., was Dela Rosa’s classmate in the Philippine Military Academy’s Class of 1986. The top cop also assured Hontiveros that President Rodrigo Duterte, who declared the war on drugs after assuming the presidency, did not order him to tell the police to go on a killing spree of drug suspects. “Mamatay man ako, walang sinabi sa akin si Presidente na pumatay kayo nang pumatay,” he said. (MNS)

Professional Press Release Writer in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

 General
Sep 092017
 
Professional Press Release Writer in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

Looking for someone in the Indianapolis, Indiana area to write a press release for you? You have come to the right place. We can write a press release for you and if you like we can guide you on how to and where to submit it to reach the media and search engines.

US Pinoys Call for Prayers to the Blessed Mother for Protection from China

 News
Sep 072017
 

Satellite pictures have now exposed to the world China’s secret immoral rushed construction of extensive military bases, runways and stations in seven different areas deep inside the Philippines’ UN defined 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Massive fortified buildings and runways are at advance stages of construction in expanded reefs and islands …

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