Filipino Muslims fly to Mecca for Hajj on Saudi tab

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Oct 122013
 
Filipino Muslims fly to Mecca for Hajj on Saudi tab

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 2:19 am | Sunday, October 13th, 2013 The sun sets behind the minarets of Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University mosque in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Everybody flies for the Hajj, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Going on a pilgrimage to Mecca has been a lifelong dream for lawyer Samina Macabando but the hefty price of the journey—up to P200,000—was always a barrier. This year, the Marawi City native is finally making the sojourn that Muslims around the world make their life’s mission. The 31-year-old lawyer is among 47 Filipinos the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is flying to and billeting for free in Mecca this month for the Hajj, in Islam a defining expression of devotion to the faith. “I’ve been dreaming of this ever since I was young,” said Macabando. “It’s very important. It’s one of the five pillars of Islam. If you go on the pilgrimage, your faith is complete,” she told the Inquirer. Officials of the Saudi Embassy in Manila and the National Commission for Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) feted the pilgrims at the embassy in Makati City on Saturday where they were handed their plane tickets, the Ihraam (the sacred white clothing that Muslims wear for the Hajj) and other gifts. The group, selected from around the Philippines through a stringent process, will be provided “luxurious accommodations and other services that befit them as guests” during their 10-day trip, said the embassy’s chargé d’affaires, Abdullelah Aljebreen, in remarks Read More …

DFA protests call to bar Filipino workers from Hong Kong

 News
Oct 122013
 
DFA protests call to bar Filipino workers from Hong Kong

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 2:07 am | Sunday, October 13th, 2013 DFA spokesman Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez.  INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reacted sharply on Saturday to a proposal by a political party in Hong Kong to ban Filipino domestic workers from the Chinese territory until the Philippines issues an apology for the death of eight HK tourists during a bus hijack in Manila more than three years ago. The status of thousands of innocent Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong should not be leveraged with the city’s appeal for a categorical apology from the Philippines for the tragic result of the bus hijack incident at Rizal Park on Aug. 23, 2010, the DFA said in a statement. “Let us de-link the issue from the Filipino workers in Hong Kong whose dedication to their work and high skill set have contributed to the society and economy of Hong Kong,” said Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez, the DFA spokesperson. Hernandez cited the longstanding presence of Filipinos in the former British colony, adding that most Hong Kong residents shared a different view from lawmaker Albert Chan Wai-yip, who led the ban call. Eman Villanueva, spokesperson for the Asian Migrants’ Coordinating Body, was quoted in the South China Morning Post as saying that Chan was “barking up the wrong tree.” “Chan is just exploiting the political situation to gain popularity. What does the visa issue have to do with the Manila hostage incident? This is racist and he Read More …

DAP funding Coast Guard patrols in disputed waters

 News
Oct 102013
 
DAP funding Coast Guard patrols in disputed waters

By Tina G. SantosPhilippine Daily Inquirer 8:21 pm | Thursday, October 10th, 2013 INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — The controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program has been paying for Philippine Coast Guard patrols at Bajo de Masinloc off Zambales province, as well as in other disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said Thursday. “We looked through our records and the discussion on the DAP. There were funds released to the PCG in September 2012. Forty-four million [pesos] was released as additional MOOE (maintenance and other operating expenses) for the patrol operations at Bajo de Masinloc,” said Abaya, who was guest of honor at the PCG’s 112th anniversary celebration on Thursday. “Likewise, P105 million was allocated for the capability requirements of PCG operations in the West Philippine Sea,” he added. The Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Panatag Shoal and internationally as Scarborough Shoal, is at the center of a territorial dispute between the Philippines and China, with the Philippines bringing the dispute to a United Nations tribunal for arbitration. Concrete blocks that could be used to anchor construction posts had been sighted at the shoal recently. Last year, Chinese fishing vessels were discovered illegally poaching endemic Philippine marine species in its waters. A standoff ensued when Philippine authorities were prevented from apprehending the fishermen by Chinese navy ships that blocked them. China has also been claiming nearly all of the South China Sea, parts of which the Philippines calls the West Philippine Read More …

Indonesian military chief starts 3-day Manila visit

 News
Oct 102013
 
Indonesian military chief starts 3-day Manila visit

By Frances MangosingINQUIRER.net 6:53 pm | Thursday, October 10th, 2013 Indonesia’s military chief General Moeldoko pays a courtesy call to Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Emmanuel Bautista on Thursday at the General Headquarters Camp Aguinaldo. He is on a “goodwill visit” to the country from October 9 to 11. Photo from AFP Public Affairs MANILA, Philippines – Indonesia’s military chief is in the Philippines for a three-day visit. General Moeldoko, commander-in-chief of Tentara Nacional Indonesia (Indonesian Defense Forces), paid a courtesy call to Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Armed Forces of the Philippines General Emmanuel Bautista on Thursday at Camp Aguinaldo. Military spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said his visit was part of a tradition of military chiefs among Asean counterparts. He will be in the country from October 9 to 11. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: Features , General Moeldoko , Global Nation , Indonesia , Military Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate: c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer Chino Roces Avenue corner Yague and Mascardo Streets, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Or fax nos. +63 2 8974793 to 94

Kerry presses China, neighbors on maritime issues

 News
Oct 092013
 
Kerry presses China, neighbors on maritime issues

Associated Press 3:47 pm | Wednesday, October 9th, 2013 U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry AP PHOTO BANDAR SERI BAGAWAN, Brunei — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is in Brunei for meetings with top officials from China and its smaller Southeast Asian neighbors, in which he will urge all countries to cool tensions over territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Kerry will make the case in Wednesday discussions with China’s prime minister and the leaders of the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. U.S. officials said Kerry would call on the Chinese to accept a binding code of conduct to govern maritime behavior until disputes with the ASEAN states are resolved. Kerry is filling in at the summit for President Barack Obama, who had to cancel his participation due to the government shutdown in Washington. One senior official traveling with Kerry said he would he encouraging the ASEAN countries to continue to work “for enhanced coherence and unity” among themselves to bolster their position with China in negotiating a code of conduct. China has bristled at what it sees as U.S. interference in its backyard and has only reluctantly agreed to open consultations with ASEAN on a code of conduct. It has also lobbied some ASEAN members hard to prevent a consensus on the matter. The U.S. weighed in on the issue during Obama’s first term, when Washington announced it had a national security interest in keeping the world’s busiest commercial sea lanes open and Read More …

Chinese national nabbed in Manila drug bust operation

 News
Oct 082013
 
Chinese national nabbed in Manila drug bust operation

By Jamie ElonaINQUIRER.net 12:43 pm | Wednesday, October 9th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines—A 25-year-old Chinese national believed to be a member of a drug syndicate was arrested and millions worth of suspected shabu were confiscated following a drug sting in Manila, a Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency official said Wednesday. In a belated report, PDEA chief, Director General Arturo Cacdac Jr., identified the arrested suspect as Shaofen Cai, a.k.a Chua Sho Feng/ Ding Cai. Cacdac said the suspect made a drug deal with a PDEA under cover agent last Monday and they met at Plaza L. Ruiz, in Binondo, Manila around 9 p.m. Operatives of PDEA Regional Office National Capital Region who were staked out around Plaza Ruiz immediately collared the Chinese national after he accepted the marked money for payment for several grams of a plastic bag of shabu. The confiscated shabu weighed roughly 1,000 grams with an estimated market value of P2 million, Cacdac said. Also confiscated from Cai were two LTO licenses with different names, one mobile phone, and one gold Toyota Innova with plate number ZTS 968. Confiscated pieces of evidence were submitted to the PDEA Laboratory Service in Quezon City for forensic examination, while the suspect is now under the custody of PDEA RO-NCR detention facility. The suspect will be charged with violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, Cacdac said. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Read More …

No Filipino hurt or killed in fresh clashes in Egypt

 News
Oct 072013
 
No Filipino hurt or killed in fresh clashes in Egypt

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 7:02 pm | Monday, October 7th, 2013 DFA spokesman Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — There were no reported Filipino casualties in fresh clashes that left more than 50 dead across Egypt, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday. “No report of Filipino casualties in the latest incident in Egypt. We continue to advise Filipinos there to take extra precaution and avail [themselves] of the mandatory repatriation program of the Philippine government,” said Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez, spokesman of the Department of Foreign Affairs in a text message on Monday. The resurgence of violence marked the anniversary of the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, as Egypt’s military-backed government commemorated the event on Sunday, breaking the relative calm since bloody clashes erupted in August, reports from the ground said. Ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi’s supporters clashed with police in Cairo and other parts of Egypt, leaving more than 50 dead and nearly 300 injured. Clashes in August prompted the Philippines to order a mandatory evacuation of some 6,000 Filipinos there amid the “marked deterioration of peace and order, exacerbated by the complex political challenges,” as Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario had said. Filipinos in Egypt are mostly employed as skilled and household service workers in Cairo and Alexandria. Since the mandatory repatriation call, some 145 Filipinos have so far volunteered to return to the Philippines, Hernandez said. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks Read More …

Kerry assures CEOs on US role in Asia-Pacific

 News
Oct 072013
 
Kerry assures CEOs on US role in Asia-Pacific

5:41 pm | Monday, October 7th, 2013 U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry AP PHOTO BALI, Indonesia — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is seeking to assure Asia-Pacific business leaders that nothing will shake America’s commitment to the region and that the current government shutdown in Washington will soon be over and forgotten. Kerry told executives at an Asian economic summit in Indonesia on Monday that the shutdown is simply a “moment in politics.” He guarantees that America will move beyond it and will come back more resilient than ever. Kerry is filling in for President Barack Obama, who was forced to cancel his participation to deal with shutdown. Kerry joked that he had tried to replace a president when he ran for the White House in 2004 but that standing in for Obama was not what he had in mind. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: ASEAN , Global Nation , John Kerry , US Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate: c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer Chino Roces Avenue corner Yague and Mascardo Streets, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Or fax nos. +63 2 8974793 to 94

China evacuates 417,000 people ahead of typhoon

 News
Oct 062013
 
China evacuates 417,000 people ahead of typhoon

Associated Press 6:28 pm | Sunday, October 6th, 2013 Huge wave hits the dike as Typhoon Fitow moves to make its landfall in Wenling, east China’s Zhejiang province on October 6, 2013. AFP Photo BEIJING — Hundreds of thousands of people in southeast China were evacuated and fishing vessels called back to shore on Sunday because of an approaching typhoon, authorities said. Typhoon Fitow is expected to make landfall early Monday between Zhejiang and Fujian provinces, according to the National Meteorological Center. Provincial authorities said that by noon Sunday more than 65,000 boats had returned to port or moved to safer areas. Zhejiang’s provincial government said 289,000 people had been evacuated from fishing boats and coastal areas. Fujian’s government said 128,000 boat workers and dwellers had been evacuated, including 7,000 elderly people and children who were on fishing rafts. The typhoon will bring heavy or torrential rain to five provinces, Shanghai and Taiwan over the next three days, the meteorological center said. Some coastal areas may see rainfall of 250 millimeters (9.84 inches), it said. Another typhoon was blowing east of the northernmost Philippine province of Batanes on Sunday with sustained winds of 130 kilometers (81 miles) per hour and gusts of 160 kph (100 mph), but was too far out in the ocean to affect any part of the country. Typhoon Danas may blow toward southern Japan later this week if it does not change direction, according to the Philippine weather agency. RELATED STORY: Typhoon ‘Ramil’ enters PH Follow Read More …

1-day SSS on-site service and briefing at SF consulate on Oct. 12

 News
Oct 032013
 
1-day SSS on-site service and briefing at SF consulate on Oct. 12

INQUIRER.net US Bureau 7:30 am | Friday, October 4th, 2013 SAN FRANCISCO—Representatives of the Social Security System (SSS) of the Philippines will be coming to San Francisco to conduct on-site services and a briefing for all SSS members on Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Philippine Consulate General, at 447 Sutter Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco. The on-site services will start at 2 p.m., while the briefing will be at 4 p.m. The following are the on-site services that will be conducted by the SSS: §  Registration of new members §  Reactivation of SSS membership for existing members §  Enrollment in the Flexi-fund Program §  Member date amendment §  Assistance in MySSS §  Annual confirmation of pensioners; and §  Pensioner data amendment Those who are interested to avail themselves of these services are encouraged to review the flyer for the list of requirements for each service and download the forms at www.philippinessanfrancisco.org. To facilitate the verification of records during the on-site service, SSS members are encouraged to e-mail their full names, birthday and Philippine SSS numbers in advance to roldanrv@sss.gov.ph (Subject Line: SAN FRANCISCO ONSITE) so that their records may be pre-downloaded and reviewed before the team arrives in San Francisco. Queries regarding the upcoming SSS briefing may be directed to Dianne Sarmago by phone at (415) 433 6666 ext. 313, or via e-mail to cultural@philippinessanfrancisco.org or info@philippinessanfrancisco.org. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step Read More …

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