AFP among PHL armed groups that recruited minors in 2012, UN says

 News
Jun 162013
 
AFP among PHL armed groups that recruited minors in 2012, UN says

(Updated 3:30 p.m.) The Philippine military was among the armed groups in the country that recruited minors for their operations in 2012, according to a report by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The report, released June 12, said there was a “verified case” in July last year where two young boys were “forced” by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to serve as guides to locate a communist rebel camp in North Cotabato province in Mindanao. “[We] remained concerned over the use of children by the national armed forces as guides and informants during military operations,” the report, titled “Grave Violations Committed Against Children in 22 Situations of Concern,” said. “In a verified case in July 2012, the Fifty-Seventh Infantry Battalion forced two boys aged 12 and 13 years to serve as guides to locate an NPA camp in North Cotabato Province,” it added. Against AFP policy Reached for comment, AFP spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said the military leadership will have the reported use of children as guides in operatioins verified as such is against their policy. “As a matter of policy, the AFP does not use children as guides during military operations so as not to endanger them,” he said Monday. “We will verify this information if there is any truth to it.” Moon, in the report, noted that the AFP has “issued directives prohibiting such use of children, assigning responsibility to commanders, institutionalizing investigations and putting in place corrective measures.” The two guides were among the Read More …

PAGASA: TD Emong to affect PHL till Friday; LPA may form off Ilocos

 News
Jun 162013
 
PAGASA: TD Emong to affect PHL till Friday; LPA may form off Ilocos

PAGASA: ‘Habagat’, LPA, ITCZ bring rain to various parts of PHL. PAGASA said in its weather bulletin early Sunday morning that the Bicol region, Central and Eastern Visayas and Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rainshowers and thunderstorms which may trigger flash floods and landslides.” PAGASA Tropical Depression Emong will affect parts of the Philippines until at least Friday, state weather forecasters said. PAGASA forecaster Jun Galang also said they are monitoring a cloud formation that could become a low-pressure area off Ilocos later this week. “[Ang epekto nito] itong buong week hanggang Friday. Kung walang pagbabago by Thursday makakalabas ng Philippine area of responsibility,” Galang said in a Monday interview on dzBB radio. While Tropical Depression Emong was too far to directly affect any part of the country, it would enhance the southwest monsoon, which will bring rain mainly to Luzon and Visayas. He also said that as Emong moved northward, the weather in Mindanao would gradually improve while Luzon and Visayas can expect more rain. Meanwhile, Galang said there was a chance a low-pressure area would form off Laoag in Ilocos Norte province later this week. “Papalabas siya may chance mabuo na LPA west ng Laoag, makakadagdag sa epekto ng habagat,” he said. Emong PAGASA’s 5 a.m. bulletin said that as of 4 a.m. Monday, Emong was estimated to be 300 km east of Virac, Catanduanes. It had maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and was forecast to move north-northwest at Read More …

PAGASA: TD Emong maintains strength, accelerates slightly

 News
Jun 162013
 
PAGASA: TD Emong maintains strength, accelerates slightly

PAGASA: ‘Habagat’, LPA, ITCZ bring rain to various parts of PHL. PAGASA said in its weather bulletin early Sunday morning that the Bicol region, Central and Eastern Visayas and Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rainshowers and thunderstorms which may trigger flash floods and landslides.” PAGASA Tropical Depression Emong accelerated slightly and hovered near Legazpi City in Albay Province on Sunday night, state weather forecasters said. PAGASA, in its 11 p.m. advisory, said Tropical Depression Emong was estimated to be 380 km east of Legazpi City as of 10 p.m. It said Emong packed maximum winds of 45 kph near the center and is forecast to move north-northwest at 13 kph. “Tropical Depression Emong is still far to directly affect any part of the country. However, it will bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms over southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao,” it said. It added Emong “is likely to intensify within the next 24 to 48 hours.” PAGASA said Tropical Depression Emong is expected to be at 360 km northeast of Legazpi City by Monday evening, and 400 km east of Aparri, Cagayan by Tuesday evening. By Wednesday evening, it is forecast to be 530 km northeast of Aparri, Cagayan. Tropical Depression Emong may bring 5 to 15 mm per hour of rainfall (moderate to heavy) within its 300-km diameter, PAGASA said. — DVM, GMA News

World Bank keeps PHL growth forecast, lowers global projection

 Entertainment
Jun 142013
 

MANILA, June 13 (Mabuhay) — Washington-based World Bank maintained its Philippine economic forecast, while it lowered the projection for East Asia and the Pacific and the rest of the world. The Philippine economy can still to grow at an annual rate of 6.2 percent and 6.4 percent this year and the next, respectively, the World […]

China's 'behavior' needs even larger PHL defense spending – NSC

 News
Jun 132013
 
China's 'behavior' needs even larger PHL defense spending - NSC

A ranking official of the National Security Council on Thursday detailed China’s “aggressive behavior” in the West Philippine Sea, as he called for additional defense spending to uphold the Philippines’ interests in the region. Retired Navy Rear Admiral Vicente Agdamag, now Deputy Director General of the NSC Secretariat, said China’s actions confirmed its “clear intention to consolidate its control” over the disputed areas in line with the Chinese government’s nine-dash line claim. “It started, actually, in March 2011 when a Chinese patrol ship challenged MV Veritas Voyager conducting a survey for Forum Energy, 85 nautical miles off Palawan,” he said, referring to an incident at the Reed Bank in the Spratly Islands. Defense and military officials said two Chinese ships harassed the Department of Energy-commissioned survey ship. The Chinese ships told the crew of the Filipino ship to cease their activities because that was part of Chinese territory. The Chinese vessels left when the AFP Western Command, based in Puerto Princesa City, promptly dispatched a Navy BN-2 Islander maritime patrol aircraft and an Air Force OV-10 light attack/reconnaissance aircraft. No armed confrontation was reported. Agdamag also cited how Chinese ships prevented a Philippine Navy vessel, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, from arresting Chinese fishermen caught illegally fishing at the Scarborough Shoal, locally known as the Bajo de Masiloc, in April last year. The incident triggered a standoff between the China and Philippines, though China now is in virtual control of the shoal. The Philippine government withdrew its two ships from Read More …

PAGASA: Monsoon rain over Luzon, Visayas on June 12

 News
Jun 112013
 
PAGASA: Monsoon rain over Luzon, Visayas on June 12

Southwest monsoon to bring rain to western side of PHL. PAGASA satellite image shows the southwest monsoon affecting the western sections of Luzon and the Visayas PAGASA Rain from the southwest monsoon may fall over parts of Luzon and Visayas on Wednesday, even as state weather forecasters continued to monitor a potential low-pressure area off Palawan. PAGASA forecaster Buddy Javier also said the Mindanao area may expect partly cloudy weather due to the inter-tropical convergence zone. “Ang potential low-pressure area sa may Palawan at Mindoro (The potential low-pressure area is near Palawan and Mindoro),” Javier said in an interview on dzBB radio. Earlier, PAGASA had said the potential LPA may bring rain but is not likely to become a cyclone. For Wednesday, PAGASA said Metro Manila may expect temperatures of 25 to 33 degrees Celsius, while Angeles and Olongapo may expect temperatures of 23 to 33 degrees Celsius. But it will still be hot in Tuguegarao City, which PAGASA said may expect temperatures of 26 to 37 degrees Celsius. Wednesday outlook PAGASA’s 5 a.m. bulletin indicated the southwest monsoon is affecting the western sections of Luzon and Visayas. “Luzon and Visayas will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms. Mindanao will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms,” it said. It added moderate to occasionally strong winds from the southwest to south will prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to occasionally rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to Read More …

BRP Ramon Alcaraz stops at Florida to test-fire cannon

 News
Jun 112013
 
BRP Ramon Alcaraz stops at Florida to test-fire cannon

BRP Ramon Alcaraz sails for PHL. The newest warship of the Philippine Navy, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF 16) with 14 officers and 74 enlisted personnel lead by Capt. Ernesto Baldovino, departs on Monday, June 10 from Charleston, South Carolina bound for the Philippines. The ship is expected to arrive in August after making port visits to San Diego, Hawaii and Guam for reprovisioning. The BRP Alcaraz will test fire its main gun off the coast of Florida. PN/DFA/Elmer Cato The BRP Ramon Alcaraz, the the Philippine Navy’s second Hamilton-class ship, made a stop at Mayport, Florida in the US Tuesday evening (Philippine Standard Time), the Philippine Embassy in Washington said. In posts on its Twitter account, the embassy said the Ramon Alcaraz was to load and test-fire its 76-mm Oto Melara cannon while in Mayport. According to Italian manufacturer Oto Melara, the 76-mm compact naval gun is a rapid-fire cannon that can be installed on relatively small warships. It shoots 76-mm, 62-caliber shells at selectable rates of either one round or a full rate of fire of 80 rounds per minute. The embassy also said that Florida was the Alcaraz’s first stop in its voyage to the Philippines. It would also pass through the Panama Canal. The BRP Ramon Alcaraz started its journey to the Philippines from the United States Monday night (Philippine Standard Time). It was given an emotional send-off by the Filipino community of Charleston, South Carolina. — DVM, GMA News

OC Fil-Am Chamber reaches out to PHL marginalized children

 Entertainment
Jun 112013
 

by Rey Andres A nonprofit group in the Cavite, a province south of Manila in the Philippines, has been busy at work rescuing, abused, abandoned and orphaned children from the streets of Manila and training them to begin a more productive life in society. These unfortunate children who when left to their own resources  will […]

Palace: Cebu Pacific mishap should not affect PHL bid for aviation upgrade

 News
Jun 082013
 
Palace: Cebu Pacific mishap should not affect PHL bid for aviation upgrade

Saying similar accidents also happen even in first-world countries, Malacañang on Saturday insisted the faulty landing of a Cebu Pacific plane at the Davao International Airport should not be a cause to hold the upgrade of the Philippine aviation industry. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda contested claims that the country’s aviation industry is not ready for an upgrade following the Davao airpoprt mishap. “Ang nangyari diyan, nangyayari rin sa mga first world countries, hindi lang ‘yan sa mga third world countries. Alam natin na may mga aksidenteng ganito na nangyayari rin sa mga ibang bansa,” he said on government-run dzRB radio. Excerpts of the interview were posted Saturday afternoon on the Presidential Communication and Operations website. Last Sunday, a Cebu Pacific plane skidded off a Davao International Airport runway and got grounded. The incident forced the airport to halt operations until Tuesday night. Yet, Lacierda downplayed arguments that what happened showed the Philippines is not ready for an upgrade in its assessment. “I don’t think that is a one-to-one correspondence. And I don’t think that is proper. The premise would justify the conclusion,” he said. Also, he said the government has been focusing on different approaches in improving the country’s aviation industry and making a conclusion based on the Davao incident would be irresponsible. Besides, he said the Philippines is getting commendations for its initiatives in modernizing the aviation sector. “We are taking the proper steps to ensure that we are going to be out of that category and to ensure Read More …

Hero's welcome awaits now famous dog Kabang in Zamboanga

 News
Jun 082013
 
Hero's welcome awaits now famous dog Kabang in Zamboanga

Hero dog Kabang goes to Makati after arriving from US. Team Kabang members play with hero dog Kabang during a presentation rite in Makati City shortly after the dog’s arrival from a successful operation in San Francisco, California, USA. From left to right: Mona Consunji of Animal Welefare Coalition, veterinarians Anton Mari Lim and Edgardo Unson. Danny Pata The residents of Zamboangga City will be giving a hero’s welcome to the now internationally-famous dog Kabang, who arrived in the Philippines on Saturday after her eight-month treatment in the United States. Kabang’s owners — Rudy and Cristina Bunggal — and the hero dog’s fans are eagerly awaiting her arrival in Zamboanga on Sunday, according to a report of Kara David for “24 Oras.” Kabang’s owners said even the pup that the dog left behind before going to the US, is also excited about the hero dog’s arrival. The couple’s niece, Mary Jane Manuel said, they are happy that Kabang, who became famous for heroically saving two young girls from a road accident, is finally headed home. Zamboangga residents have readied a motorcade and a meet-and-greet- for the hero dog. Kabang’s arrival in PHL Balitanghali’s Katrina Son said Kabang arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport around 3:00 a.m. on Saturday and was mobbed by local media. The hero dog seemed to look healthier and more cheerful after undergoing reconstructive surgery to close the gaping wound on her face. Kabang’s Philippine vet Dr. Anthony Lim said Kabang underwent a gruelling five-hour facial Read More …

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