Dutch activist who scolded Filipino cop detained

 News
Aug 062013
 
Dutch activist who scolded Filipino cop detained

Associated Press 2:46 pm | Tuesday, August 6th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines—Immigration authorities have detained a Dutch activist photographed confronting a police officer during a rally last month against President Benigno Aquino III, a lawyer said. Lawyer Rey Cortez said airport immigration staff prevented Thomas van Beersum from boarding his plane to the Netherlands early Tuesday. Cortez said his 20-year-old client was just being harassed by requiring him to obtain a “clearance” to leave the country. Beersum has said in an open letter that he joined left-wing demonstrators because he was outraged by alleged human rights violations in the country, including the killing of a Dutch aid worker last year. Many Filipinos have denounced Beersum for interfering in Philippine affairs. Spokesmen for the Bureau of Immigration and the Dutch Embassy could not be reached for comment. 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: Activist , Bureau of Immigration , Police , rally 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:

Manila to apologize for Taiwan fisherman’s death—daughter

 News
Aug 052013
 
Manila to apologize for Taiwan fisherman’s death—daughter

Agence France-Presse 8:52 pm | Monday, August 5th, 2013 Taiwan government experts along with National Bureau of Investigation personnel are onboard the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) patrol boat Maritime Control Surveillance 3001, the patrol boat used by PCG when the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman happened, docked at a pier in Manila on May 28, 2013.  AFP FILE PHOTO TAIPEI — The Philippines will send a special envoy to Taiwan to apologize for the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman, his daughter said Monday, signalling a potential breakthrough in a major row. The remarks sparked hopes that the conciliatory move, if realized, could ease the strained relationship between Taipei and Manila following the shooting of 65-year-old Hung Shih-cheng on May 9 in disputed waters. “The Filipino side has agreed to apologize to us in a public manner,” Hung Tzu-ching, the fisherman’s daughter, told reporters in Pingtung city, adding that the agreement was made with lawyers authorized by the Filipino government. “They have agreed to send a special envoy (over the matter)… we insist the representative must represent the Filipino government. They will let us know in advance who will be appointed. If we feel the designated representative is OK, then the time will be decided,” she said. Officials at Manila’s Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, the Philippines de facto embassy in Taiwan, were not immediately available for comment. A presidential spokeswoman in Manila said she had no immediate confirmation of the move. Taiwan’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Anna Kao Read More …

DFA monitors no ‘specific threats’ to PH diplomatic posts abroad

 News
Aug 052013
 
DFA monitors no ‘specific threats’ to PH diplomatic posts abroad

By Matikas SantosINQUIRER.net 3:32 pm | Monday, August 5th, 2013 DFA spokesman Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has not monitored any specific threats to its posts abroad after the United States (US) has closed at least 20 of its embassies in the Middle East and Africa due to threats. “We recognize the prerogative and the need for any country to take precautionary measures to ensure the safety of their personnel and their people,” DFA spokesman, Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez, told reporters Monday. “So far they have not monitored any specific threats but they continue to monitor the security situation in their areas,” he said. The diplomatic posts of the US would be closed until August 10 Saturday. 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: al-Qaeda , DFA , Features , Global Nation , global warning , Philippine Embassies , Terrorism 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:

Fil-Ams urge new US envoy to push for stronger military ties

 News
Aug 052013
 
Fil-Ams urge new US envoy to push for stronger military ties

By Vivian Zalvidea AraulloINQUIRER.net US Bureau 2:30 pm | Monday, August 5th, 2013 Newly named Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg PHOTO FROM STATE.GOV SAN FRANCISCO—Filipino American leaders are calling on newly appointed US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg to push for stronger military relations between the United States and the Philippines. They agreed that the dispute between the Philippines and China over territory and maritime lanes in the East and South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) should be the new ambassador’s top concern. “The United States is already ‘pivoting’ towards Asia because of the prominent and aggressive role China has been playing in the past 10 years,” said Loida Nicolas-Lewis, chair of the US Pinoys for Good Government.  “Because of the strategic position of the Philippines in South East Asia, it is in the interest of the United States to be more present in our area.” The disputed territories are believed to be rich in oil and mineral deposits. Claimant countries Vietnam, Japan and the Philippines have complained about various incidents and “acts of aggression” allegedly initiated by China that threaten and encroach upon its stakes in the disputed areas. Jay Gonzalez, professor of Asian studies and international politics at the University of San Francisco believes the US should strengthen its military cooperation with and increase military aid to the Philippines. “American military exercises are very critical, because of the US’ capacity to invite more participants [other countries],” said Gonzalez. “If the US doesn’t conduct these multicountry exercises Read More …

Newly acquired warship arrives in PH amid sea row

 News
Aug 022013
 
Newly acquired warship arrives in PH amid sea row

1:14 pm | Friday, August 2nd, 2013 The BRP Ramon Alcaraz is the second Hamilton-class cutter that was acquired by the Philippine Navy under the Foreign Military Sales Program of the United States. The ship was named after Philippine Navy Commodore Ramon Alcaraz, a World War II hero who commanded the Philippine Offshore Patrol’s Q-Boat Q-112 Abra which shot down three Japanese aircraft. US EMBASSY PHOTO RELEASE MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines’ second warship acquired from the US, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, was welcomed by local fishing vessels off Aurora as it entered the Philippine waters early Friday. “After almost two months of long journey from South Carolina, we can now confidently say that she BRP Alcaraz is finally home,” the Philippine Navy in its official blog announced. The arrival of the second Hamilton-class came amid a tense territorial dispute between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). The warship, which sailed in the Pacific Ocean from South Carolina for almost two months, was welcomed through a “sail past.” It was carrying 88 officers and crew. The BRP Ramon Alcaraz left the US last June 10. The Philippines acquired from the US Coast Guard its first Hamilton cutter in  May 2011 and named it BRP Gregorio del Pilar. The BRP Alcaraz is expected to anchor in Subic Bay on Sunday. A formal welcome ceremony  will be held at Alava Wharf at Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales on Tuesday. “Tomorrow is a special day for them. They Read More …

New US envoy acceptable to PH, says Del Rosario

 News
Aug 012013
 
New US envoy acceptable to PH, says Del Rosario

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 6:55 am | Friday, August 2nd, 2013 Foreign Affairs secretary Alberto del Rosario. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines has accepted US President Barack Obama’s nomination of the next ambassador to Manila pending the latter’s confirmation in the US Congress, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said on Thursday. This developed as the nomination of Assistant Secretary Philip Goldberg, current head of the US Department of State’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR), has raised concerns among militant groups given his expulsion from Bolivia, his last overseas assignment. “We’ve already issued the agreement and I think he will be going through the US Senate. So we’re hopeful … we think that he will be a very good ambassador,” Del Rosario said, referencing to the document that incoming chiefs of mission present to their host countries as a diplomatic courtesy. He said he had not met Goldberg, a career diplomat, not even during his stint as Philippine ambassador to the United States. Asked about concerns about the envoy’s record in Bolivia, Del Rosario replied: “I don’t want to comment on that because I don’t know the circumstances.” Militant umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) is wary of Goldberg’s nomination, saying it “may signal intensified US intervention in PH affairs as the US moves more troops and ships toward Asia under its strategic pivot.” Goldberg was booted out of La Paz in 2008, two years into his term as US ambassador, after Bolivian President Evo Morales, a known Read More …

TFC’s myRemit maintains outreach gains

 News
Aug 012013
 
TFC’s myRemit maintains outreach gains

INQUIRER.net U.S. Bureau 1:39 am | Friday, August 2nd, 2013 REDWOOD CITY, California—Money transfer service myREMIT, which offers phone, online and over-the-counter remittance services through partner outlets, is keeping up its successful effort to reach more Filipinos in the United States. MyREMIT, a Kapamilya Service of The Filipino Channel (TFC), this year introduced the Kapamilya Exclusive Deal, which offers a US$2 discount on myRemit transaction fees to U.S. subscribers of TFC on any platform. “Our ongoing Kapamilya Exclusive Deal is our way of acknowledging and thanking the loyal subscribers of TFC,” said ABS-CBN North America Remittance and Cargo Marketing Manager Ray Olano. “We are very enthused by how this promo was received by the subscribers. We will make sure that the promo offerings of myRemit will continue to show appreciation for their patronage of TFC.” TFC myREMIT has also been active in community events. On July 27, together with TFC and StarKargo, it held the festive “Summer Show sa Island Pacific Cerritos” as part of the ongoing TFC Sama Saya Kapamilya event series. Adobo Nation’s Ana Diaz of the “LA Chika” segment and Gelo of “Barangay USA” hosted the event, which featured singer Jackie Chavez, hailed as the Acoustic Gem of the Bay Area.  Fun activities included games and prizes plus an amateur singing contest that drew many musically inclined Filipinos in Cerritos, an affluent city in Los Angeles County where Filipinos comprise the third largest Asian population based on the 2010 U.S. Census. “Our solid partnerships with respected Filipino Read More …

BRP Ramon Alcaraz enters PH – Navy

 News
Aug 012013
 
BRP Ramon Alcaraz enters PH – Navy

By Frances MangosingINQUIRER.net 2:32 pm | Thursday, August 1st, 2013 The BRP Ramon Alcaraz is the second Hamilton-class cutter that was acquired by the Philippine Navy under the Foreign Military Sales Program of the United States. The ship was named after Philippine Navy Commodore Ramon Alcaraz, a World War II hero who commanded the Philippine Offshore Patrol’s Q-Boat Q-112 Abra which shot down three Japanese aircraft. US EMBASSY PHOTO RELEASE MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ second warship, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, arrived early Thursday from an almost-two month voyage from the United States. The warship, with 88 Navy personnel on board led by Captain Ernesto Baldovino, entered the Philippine area of responsibility past 1 a.m., Navy spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic  told INQUIRER.net. “It is expected to be in Casiguran, Aurora by Friday morning,” Fabic said, but declined to provide the current location of the ship for operational security purposes. In Casiguran, BRP Ramon Alcaraz will be welcomed by local fishing vessels. The next day (August 3), BRP Gregorio del Pilar will welcome BRP Ramon Alcaraz on Bolinao waters. The ship is expected to anchor in Subic Bay on Sunday (August 4). A formal welcome ceremony  will be held at Alava Wharf at Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales on Tuesday (August 6). The decommissioned US Coast Guard ship, left Charleston in South Carolina in USA last June 10. It made port stops in Mayport in Florida; San Diego in California; Hawaii and Guam. Related story: Country’s 2nd warship starts Read More …

PH recommends peacekeepers stay in Golan

 News
Jul 312013
 
PH recommends peacekeepers stay in Golan

Associated Press 3:08 pm | Wednesday, July 31st, 2013 An old tank is surrounded by fire following explosions of mortar shells from Syria on the Israeli controlled Golan Heights. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ top diplomat says he has reversed an earlier recommendation to the president and now wants about 340 Filipino peacekeepers to stay in the Golan Heights for at least six months after the UN promised to bolster their safety. Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario told a news conference in Manila on Wednesday that UN officials assured him in a recent meeting in New York that they would fulfill three conditions laid down by the Philippine government, including providing the peacekeepers with more self-defense weapons. Del Rosario asked President Benigno Aquino III in May to withdraw the peacekeepers from Golan due to escalating hostilities between Syrian rebels and government troops in the U.N.-patrolled buffer zone that separates Syria from the Israeli-occupied plateau. 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 , Filipino peacekeepers , Global Nation , Golan Heights , United Nations 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 Read More …

PH warship test fires guns off Zambales; BRP Ramon Alcaraz due Friday

 News
Jul 312013
 
PH warship test fires guns off Zambales; BRP Ramon Alcaraz due Friday

By Frances MangosingINQUIRER.net 3:02 pm | Wednesday, July 31st, 2013 PH’S 2ND WARSHIP The BRP Ramon Alcaraz. PHOTO FROM TWITTER ACCOUNT OF PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN US MANILA, Philippines – The country’s warship, BRP Gregorio del Pilar, successfully test fired its guns off Zambales last Monday, a navy official said Wednesday. The naval drill was held as the Navy prepares to welcome the arrival in the Philippines of BRP Gregorio del Pilar’s sister ship, BRP Ramon Alcaraz. Navy spokesman Lieutenant Commander Gregory Fabic told reporters that the gunnery test of its Oto Melara 76mm main gun hit a floating “killer tomato” located two nautical miles away within five rounds. He added that BRP Gregorio del Pilar is near the Subic area to welcome the country’s second warship, BRP Ramon Alcaraz, which is due to arrive on August 2. Fabic, however, clarified that the test firing was not a show of force against China. The Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal), a disputed territory between China and Philippines, is located 124 nautical miles west of Zambales. He described the guns, the primary weapon of del Pilar, as “excellent.” The Oto Melara 76mm gun has a range of up to 10 nautical miles, and can fire up to 80 rounds in 60 seconds. 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 Read More …

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