Malaysia on lookout for ‘leader from Sulu’

 News
Mar 022014
 
Malaysia on lookout for ‘leader from Sulu’

6:02 am | Monday, March 3rd, 2014 KOTA KINABALU—Malaysia’s security forces are closely monitoring information that another leader from Sulu in the Philippines plans to enter Sabah in order to meet with local political figures. Sabah police commissioner Hamza Taib said that should the Sulu leader—whom he did not name—follow the proper channels of entry into Sabah, this would not be a problem. “But if he threatens the security of the state, the police will act accordingly. “At the moment, we are keeping an eye on the individual (a senior leader of a Sulu group), who is planning to come to Malaysia to meet with a political leader. “As far as I am concerned, this individual can enter Malaysia legally as we are a free country and we do not stop people from coming here,” he said. “However, if anyone tries to cause chaos or threaten us, we will not hesitate to take stern action,” he told reporters after launching the second phase of a motorcycle patrolling unit at Taman Suria near Penampang here yesterday. Hamza was commenting on a statement by the inspector general of the  police, Khalid Abu Bakar, that a senior leader of a Sulu group was planning to enter Sabah. The Sulu leader reportedly claimed his group was not related to the one led by Agbimuddin Kiram, the brother of the late self-proclaimed Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram, which entered Lahad Datu’s coastal village of Tanduo on Feb. 12 last year, demanding the return of Sabah to Read More …

Filipinos still okay in Ukraine, says Palace

 News
Feb 222014
 
Filipinos still okay in Ukraine, says Palace

By Nestor CorralesINQUIRER.net 2:43 pm | Saturday, February 22nd, 2014 MANILA,Philippines—The Aquino government is exerting efforts to ensure the safety of Filipinos in Ukraine amid a deep political crisis in which scores have been killed and hundreds injured earlier this week, Malacañang said Saturday. “Because of some of the events transpiring in Ukraine, particularly Kiev, the DFA has been monitoring the situation and making sure they are watching out for the welfare of Filipinos there,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said  on radio. Valte added that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) continues to be on the lookout as the violence has claimed 77 lives. She, however said, there has not been any report of Filipinos in Ukraine being adversely affected or injured due to the crisis. On Friday, the Ukraine government and opposition leaders reached a deal to end the political crisis and the bloody fighting, especially in Kiev. RELATED STORIES Shaky peace reigns after Ukraine rocked by protest Ukraine death toll rises to 28–ministry 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: Filipino , Foreign affairs , OFW , Overseas Filipinos , Political Crisis , safety , Ukraine 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 Read More …

Naia cops recover P770,000 in cash left in cab by Spanish tourist

 News
Feb 192014
 
Naia cops recover P770,000 in cash left in cab by Spanish tourist

By Jerome AningPhilippine Daily Inquirer 7:58 pm | Wednesday, February 19th, 2014 FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — Ninoy Aquino International Airport policemen on Tuesday recovered cash worth P770,000 accidentally left in a cab by an 80-year-old Spanish tourist. Marco Muñoz Santiago, who arrived in Manila on Monday from Sydney, Australia, said he returned to Naia Terminal 1 on Tuesday morning to return a baggage that he wrongly claimed.  After doing so, he realized that he left his shoulder bag containing cash inside the taxi. Airport police department chief Jesus Descanzo said Santiago, a retired physical therapist, sought help from the APD office, which dispatched investigators to contact Santiago’s hotel in Manila for information regarding the cab. The cab’s name was identified by the hotel as a “Kevin Carlo Taxi” with plate number UVJ-421.  The investigators then contacted the Land Transportation Office, which provided name of the operator, who in turn, contacted the driver. The policemen found the cab parked along Pedro Gil Street in Ermita, Manila at around 4:30 p.m.  The driver, when confronted by the police, returned the shoulder bag. The bag contained US$8,200, US$250-worth of travelers’ checks, and 9,800 Australian dollars and as well as Santiago’s passport and eyeglasses.  The cash and checks combined was equivalent to about P770,000 based on Wednesday’s exchange rates. Santiago thanked the airport policemen for returning his money. RELATED STORY 2 NAIA cops return clutch bag to Chinese tourist Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile Read More …

German arrested for allegedly beating up Filipina girlfriend

 News
Feb 192014
 
German arrested for allegedly beating up Filipina girlfriend

By Julliane Love de JesusINQUIRER.net 6:59 pm | Wednesday, February 19th, 2014 MANILA, Philippines–For allegedly beating up his Filipina girlfriend, a German national has been arrested by the police in Tabaco town, Albay province. Michael Alexander Schneider, 53, was collared Monday afternoon after being charged with two counts of violation of Republic Act 9262, or the Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Act of 2004 in a house in Barangay (village) San Carlos. Senior Superintendent Eduardo Chavez, Catanduanes Provincial Police Office director, told INQUIRER.net over the phone Wednesday that Schneider committed violence to his Filipina girlfriend based in Catanduanes and then fled to Tabaco. Upon settling in Tabaco, Chavez said Schneider met another Filipina. Asked how long Schneider had been staying in the Philippines, the Catanduanes PPO chief said the Bureau of Immigration found no travel record in Schneider’s passport. He faces immediate deportation once the police receive complaints or information linking him to illegal activities. An arrest warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 42 of Virac, Catanduanes was served on Schneider. Schneider is currently under the custody of Catanduanes Police Provincial Office for proper disposition. 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: Albay , Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Act of 2004 , Barangay San Carlos , Read More …

PH listed as 3rd most dangerous place for journalists

 News
Feb 192014
 
PH listed as 3rd most dangerous place for journalists

By Nestor CorralesINQUIRER.net 6:06 pm | Wednesday, February 19th, 2014 Maguindanao massacre. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines was listed as the third most dangerous place for journalist in the world following Syria and Iraq, a report from the International News Safety Institute’s said. The report entitled “Killing the Messenger” provided information about 134 journalists and media personnel who were killed doing their work in 29 countries in 2013. The report said 20 journalists died in Syria which retained its spot as the most dangerous place for journalist in the world for the second year while 16 died in Iraq, 14 died in the Philippines. The report revealed that 65 journalists lost their lives in armed conflict situations while 69 were killed in peacetime covering issues such as crime and corruption. The report added that most journalists were targeted and shooting was the most common cause of death with 63 percent. The report added that print media is the most dangerous among any other medium. In the Philippines, unprecedented media killings continues to pose threat to the country including the unresolved Maguindanao massacre which is considered the deadliest single event for journalists in history. RELATED STORIES PH’s slow justice system has worsened impunity in media killings—senators PH rank in press freedom index drops to 149 from 147 PH government is committed to end impunity, says Coloma 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? Read More …

OFW, sole breadwinner of family, killed in Macau accident

 News
Feb 172014
 
OFW, sole breadwinner of family, killed in Macau accident

By Matikas SantosINQUIRER.net 4:55 pm | Monday, February 17th, 2014 MANILA, Philippines – A Filipina overseas worker in Macau and sole breadwinner of her family in the Philippines was killed in a car accident after participating in the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) worldwide walk event last Saturday. Imelda Ignacio-Austria, 48, was hit by a car as she was crossing a street on the morning of February 15, her husband Villamor Austria, 45, said in a phone interview with INQUIRER.net Monday. Fellow INC members in Macau were the ones who informed him of the tragic accident. Villamor said that he and their 14-year-old boy and nine-year-old girl rely on the remittances of Imelda as he has yet to get a job after his previous work in construction. A report by the Macau Daily Times published Monday said that the driver was “in his twenties,” and had passed the breathalyzer test, which measures blood alcohol levels. “She was crossing the road between the Macau Tower and Sai Van Lake Square with two other Filipino women at around 10 am on Saturday, before being hit by a private car,” it said. The report also said that police believe she may have been jaywalking. It did not state whether the driver has been detained. Elvin Jerome Austria Laceda, a nephew of Imelda, said that they are worried the driver will not be held accountable if it was found her aunt was jaywalking. “We are worried that they might have local laws there that would Read More …

Fil-Am Honolulu city councilor to run for US Congress

 News
Feb 162014
 
Fil-Am Honolulu city councilor to run for US Congress

INQUIRER.net US Bureau 4:49 pm | Sunday, February 16th, 2014 Joey Manahan HONOLULU – Joey Manahan, current Honolulu City Council Member and Filipino immigrant, declared his candidacy for Hawaii’s First Congressional District House seat. If elected, Manahan would be the first Filipino immigrant to serve in the US House of Representatives. “The American Dream is what led my mother to bring me to the US from the Philippines when I was just ten years old. This country gave us opportunities we otherwise would not have had and I’m so grateful for that,” said Manahan. “But today, too many Hawaiians feel that dream slipping through their fingers. We need leaders in Congress who understand what it takes to ensure that every person living in this great nation has the chance to succeed,” Manahan added. Manahan was born in Makati, Philippines and came to America with his mother, Maite. They first lived in San Jose, California, before moving to Honolulu. His grandfather was Dr. Constantino Manahan, a prominent obstetrician in the Philippines. In addition to his current role as City Council Member, Manahan previously was elected to the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives and spent two years as the Vice Speaker of the Hawaiʻi Legislature. He has focused on upgrading schools and housing projects and promoting Hawaiʻi’s tourism industry for job creation. Manahan also authored the first successful legislation in any state to designate October as Filipino-American Heritage Month. He has advocated for improved veterans’ benefits and reunification among the families of Read More …

Ambush leaves Chinese trader, wife wounded

 News
Feb 092014
 
Ambush leaves Chinese trader, wife wounded

By Maricar B. BrizuelaPhilippine Daily Inquirer 4:19 am | Monday, February 10th, 2014 NAIA terminal 3. FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—A Chinese businessman and his wife are still in critical condition after two men on a motorcycle repeatedly fired at their vehicle on Saturday afternoon in Pasay City. Minjiang Sy, 48, suffered a wound in the chest and right arm while his wife, Qing Xiam, 43, was shot in the head and back, a Pasay City police report said. Both remain confined in a hospital in serious condition. In the report signed by Pasay police chief Senior Supt. Florencio Ortilla, the couple and their two children had just left the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 when they were attacked at 4:30 p.m. “The family’s car was traversing the stretch of Andrews Avenue and heading toward Roxas Boulevard when two unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle shot the car several times,” the report said. Investigators added that after their assailants left, Sy asked for help from people in the area who took them to the hospital. The couple’s children who were in the backseat suffered just minor cuts and bruises after they were hit by pieces of the shattered windshield and windows, the police added. Scene of the Crime Operatives found eight bullet casings and a slug at the site. Investigators said they have yet to determine the motive behind the shooting. The couple’s children have not been able to give any information either, they added. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories Read More …

5 Filipino sailors rescued as storms resurge off Spain

 News
Feb 042014
 
5 Filipino sailors rescued as storms resurge off Spain

Agence France-Presse 5:42 am | Wednesday, February 5th, 2014 A fishing boat is hit by a wave near the coastal city of Burela, northwestern Spain, on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014. Spanish coastguards rescued five Filipino sailors by helicopter after the seamen’s boat got caught in a storm on Tuesday off northwestern Spain, where fresh sea gales were growing, authorities said. AFP PHOTO/MIGUEL RIOPA MADRID—Spanish coastguards rescued five Filipino sailors by helicopter after the seamen’s boat got caught in a storm on Tuesday off northwestern Spain, where fresh sea gales were growing, authorities said. The five were lifted from the Esnaad 715, an Emirates-flagged supply ship, which was “in danger of sinking” 50 nautical miles from the Spanish port of La Coruna, the national coastguard said in a statement. “The rescue operation was complicated by the adverse weather conditions in the area, with southeasterly winds of 45 knots,” equivalent to more than 80 kilometers, or 50 miles, an hour, it added. It said the coastguard had brought the sailors to land in the nearby Spanish port of Viveiro and sent a tugboat to assess the situation of the Esnaad, which had been on the way from the Netherlands to Abu Dhabi. Fierce waves were pounding seafronts and fishing boats off northern Spain, where authorities issued alerts for storm tides and strong winds for Wednesday, with snow forecast in some places. On Sunday, authorities said a boy was swept out to sea as storm surges hit Galicia and other northwestern regions. He Read More …

Albay lawmaker warns gov’t of worse sanctions from HK

 News
Feb 042014
 
Albay lawmaker warns gov’t of worse sanctions from HK

INQUIRER.net 6:05 pm | Tuesday, February 4th, 2014 Albay Representative Al Francis Bichara. Facebook photo MANILA, Philippines – A lawmaker believes the government should have apologized earlier to Hong Kong over the botched hostage-taking crisis three years ago. Albay Representative Al Francis Bichara said at a press briefing Tuesday that it would be more shameful if the government waits for worse sanctions from Hong Kong before it apologizes. “We could have done that earlier because apparently we cannot always say that is the fault of the police captain. We’re part of the operations and we are partly to blame, also,” Bichara said when asked if the government should give in to Hong Kong’s demands. “Kung hihintayin pa natin na maipit tayo, mas lalong nakakahiya (It would be more embarrassing if we wait for things to get worse before we apologize),” he added. Bichara made the statement after Hong Kong suspended the current visa-free arrangement for visiting Philippine diplomats and officials. The sanction will start on February 5. Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said the government may take more action if it thought it could be “effective” in securing an apology over the hostage-taking. Hong Kong is infuriated as the Philippines refused to apologize for the act of a disgruntled police officer who hijacked a tourist bus boarded by its nationals in 2010.  Eight Hong Kong tourists were killed because of a botched police operation. Since the crisis, relations have soured between the Philippines and Hong Kong, home to some Read More …

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