Malaysian authorities detain 9 more with suspected Kiram links

 News
Apr 102013
 
Malaysian authorities detain 9 more with suspected Kiram links

At least nine more people with suspected links to Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III—two of them local residents—were arrested in Sabah Tuesday and Wednesday, Malaysian police said. Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said the nine were picked up in Beluran, according to a report by Malaysia’s state-run Bernama news agency. Confiscated from them were weapons, documents and about RM1,000 (P13,511.60), he added. “There was, however, no exchange of gunfire when they were arrested,” Hamza said. Hamza said the nine, whose ages ranged between 20 and 50, were arrested 8 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m. Wednesday, and are detained under the Security Offenses (Special Measures) Act of 2012 (Sosma). Malaysian forces have been flushing out Kiram’s followers since March 5. Kiram’s followers had engaged Malaysian forces in a nearly-three-week standoff that culminated in deadly clashes on March 1 and 2. 32 ‘politicians’ still probed Hamza also said they are still quizzing 32 Filipinos intercepted off Sabah waters from Mindanao on Monday. However, the Department of Foreign Affairs (which places the group’s number of members at 33), said that the Filipinos are set for release. “Last night the order for the release was given at the behest of the Foreign Minister of Malaysia and the Defense Minister of Malaysia. Administrative procedure and the papers are now being handled for their actual release,” said DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez in a press briefing Wednesday. Also still being investigated are “Datuk Seri” Clarence Luing Karl a.k.a. Muhammad Khalil John Karl, who was caught on Read More …

15 Pinoys, Malaysian cop to face court Friday for Sabah intrusion

 News
Apr 102013
 
15 Pinoys, Malaysian cop to face court Friday for Sabah intrusion

Fifteen Filipinos and a Malaysian police officer will face a high court on Friday over the standoff and fatal clashes in Sabah between followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and Malaysian security forces. The 16 had been tentatively charged before the magistrate’s court due to the Lahad Datu incident, Malaysia’s state-run Bernama news agency reported Wednesday evening. Of the 16 who will be brought before the Tawau High Court Friday, eight are facing a possible death penalty as they were slapped the additional charge of waging war on the King. The other Filipinos face charges of terrorism, harboring terrorists and recruiting people to join terrorist groups, the Bernama report said. The policeman is charged with concealing information on terrorist activities. Armed followers of Kiram led by Kiram’s brother Raja Muda entered Sabah last February and engaged Malaysian forces in a two-week standoff that resulted in deadly clashes March 1 and 2, which in turn prompted Malaysian forces to mount offensives against Kiram’s followers starting March 5. — BM, GMA News

SC issues guidelines on Team Patay, Team Buhay oral argument

 News
Mar 142013
 
SC issues guidelines on Team Patay, Team Buhay oral argument

The Supreme Court has issued guidelines on the oral arguments—scheduled for Tuesday, March 19—on the controversial “Team Patay, Team Buhay” posters that were hung in a Bacolod cathedral. In a notice signed by SC Clerk of Court Enriqueta Vidal, the high court informed both respondent (the Commission on Elections) and petitioner (Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra) that they would each be given 20 minutes, regardless of the number of lawyers they would be bringing, to defend their respective positions. The high court last week issued a temporary restraining order that stopped the Comelec from tearing down the controversial posters, which contained a list of supposed bishop-approved senatorial candidates, called Team Buhay, and a list of supposedly undesirable candidates, called Team Patay. The list is based on a candidate’s stand regarding the reproductive health law. Under the Team Patay roster are those who supported the passage of the law while Team Buhay is the list of candidates said to be pro-life and who voted against the bill. The poll body wrote a letter to Navarra asking him to take down the tarpaulins because they violated Comelec rules of the size of election posters. Navarra accused Comelec of violating the principle of the separation of the church and state, as well as the church’s right to expression. In its guidelines, the SC said the oral arguments seek to determine whether any of the parties violated the principle of separation of church and state: the Bacolod diocese when it posted the tarpaulins and Comelec Read More …

Sen. Angara elected as first Asian head of int'l anti-corruption group

 News
Jan 312013
 
Sen. Angara elected as first Asian head of int'l anti-corruption group

Senator Edgardo Angara on Thursday said that he has been elected as the first Asian chairman of the Global Conference of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC). “I was elected last night as the chairman and chief executive of the GOPAC,” Angara told reporters in an interview on Thursday. According to its website, GOPAC is an “an international network dedicated to good governance and combating corruption throughout the world.” “GOPAC has provided information and analysis, established international benchmarks, and improved public awareness through a combination of global pressure and national action,” it said. GOPAC, which claims to have over 700 members from over 45 countries worldwide, is holding its conference in Manila this year. Angara said that he will be the first Asian chairman of GOPAC.  He will serve a term of two years. “Hindi na ninyo ako makikita sa Maynila dahil I will be traveling to Brazil, I’ll be traveling to Brussels,” he said. Angara had earlier withdrawn his gubernatorial bid in Aurora. He said this is due to his international commitments, including to GOPAC. — BM, GMA News

CBCP will support initiatives to determine, choose 'worthy candidates'

 News
Jan 292013
 
CBCP will support initiatives to determine, choose 'worthy candidates'

After listing the Philippines’ “problems as a nation,” the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said it will support lay initiatives to form “circles of discernment to choose worthy candidates” in the midterm elections in May. “We will help the people to know the stance of those who run for office on important issues of the country,” it said. The quotes are part of a pastoral statement it issued after a three-day plenary session in which the CBCP enumerated—and blasted—the country’s “long litany of storms,” including the government’s inability to stop a “culture of impunity” that allows extrajudicial killings; its failure to ease the suffering of the poor despite good economic news; and “the promotion of a culture of death and promiscuity” through school sex education, the use of contraceptives and discussions about divorce. “We note the above social and political storms that buffet our Filipino life because they deeply touch the experiences of our people. We speak for those who suffer. We bring these concerns to those who have responsibility and hence accountability. These stormy situations need not be so!” the CBCP said in the statement signed by council president and Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma. RH law denounced anew The CBCP denounced anew the passage of the Reproductive Health Law, and what it claimed were the “political and financial pressures imposed on lawmakers” as well as the “imperialism exercised by secularistic international organizations in the legislative process.” It commended the efforts of lay people and lawgivers who Read More …

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