US backs PH tack in sea row

 News
Apr 032013
 
US backs PH tack in sea row

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 6:49 am | Thursday, April 4th, 2013 Secretary of State John Kerry. AP FILE PHOTO Citing the importance of peace and stability in Asia-Pacific region, the United States has thrown its full support behind the Philippines’ bid for arbitration in the United Nations to settle a territorial dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). In remarks before talks with Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario in Washington on Tuesday, US Secretary of State John Kerry reiterated his government’s support for a code of conduct in the West Philippine Sea, home to vital sea lanes and islands believed to be sitting on vast energy and mineral reserves. “The Philippines is one of our five Asia-Pacific allies and a very, very important relationship at this point in time when there are tensions over the South China Sea, where we support a code of conduct, and we are deeply concerned [about] some of those tensions and would like to see it worked out through a process of arbitration,” Kerry told reporters at the US Department of State. A transcript of his remarks was posted on the department’s website. The West Philippine Sea dispute has long been a matter of keen interest for Kerry who, as senator, “was a moving force” behind a resolution in the US Senate seeking a peaceful settlement of disputes in those waters, Del Rosario said after his meeting with the new top US diplomat. Kerry replaced former State Secretary Hillary Clinton, Read More …

TFC, Comelec, DFA launch new drive for overseas voters

 News
Apr 022013
 
TFC, Comelec, DFA launch new drive for overseas voters

INQUIRER.net US Bureau 12:29 pm | Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013 Mario Guillermo, with his wife Lilia, is being assisted by Overseas Absentee Voters officer Rey Sambitan. FILE PHOTO Encouraged by the record-breaking turnout of Filipinos during the registration period last year, The Filipino Channel (TFC) is again teaming up with the Commission on Elections and the Department of Foreign Affairs – Overseas Absentee Secretariat (DFA-OAVS) to promote overseas voting for the May 13 elections. Through a campaign entitled, Boto mo, kinabukasan ng bawat Pilipino (Your vote is the future of each Filipino), TFC last year disseminated public service announcements (PSAs) in print media and social networking sites. The turnout exceeded records for new overseas Filipino registrants in the past three elections in 2004, 2007 and 2010. Total registration hit close to a million or a total of 988,384, a milestone for a registration for a non-presidential election. This year, TFC, Comelec and DFA-OAVs are tapping young superstar Kim Chiu, variety show “ASAP” mainstay and enterprising actor Robi Domingo, “Pinoy True Stories” hosts and respected reporters Maan Macapagal, Atom Araullo and multi-awarded anchor Ted Failon.  They will join last year’s endorsers–Boy Abunda, Pokwang, Eric Santos, Randy Santiago and Piolo Pascual in conveying the message “Your vote is our (every Filipino’s) future.” “We encourage our kababayans to exercise their right to suffrage and choose the nation’s next leaders who can make a difference in the lives of every Filipino,” says TFC Philippine Country manager Edson Aguiflor. DFA Undersecretary and OAVS Chairman Jose Read More …

Bill to teach Filipinos’ role in labor movement advances in California

 News
Apr 022013
 
Bill to teach Filipinos’ role in labor movement advances in California

By Rene Ciria-Cruz INQUIRER.net US Bureau 12:18 pm | Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013 SACRAMENTO, California—A bill requiring California public schools to instruct students on the contributions of Filipino Americans to the farm labor movement unanimously passed the Assembly Education Committee on March 20. AB 123 will now move to the Assembly Appropriations Committee and, if successful, it will go to the floor for a full Assembly vote. Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland), the bill’s sponsor, noted that Filipino Americans are the largest Asian population in California and continues to grow, yet the story of Filipinos’ “contributions to the farm labor movement is an untold part of California history.” The goal of AB 123 is to supplement California’s public school instruction on its “rich farm worker history,” explained Bonta, who is the first Filipino American to be elected to the State Legislature. Latino farm worker icon Dolores Huerta, who was inducted into the California Hall of Fame, stated that although she rarely had time to testify in support of legislation, she did not want to miss this historic opportunity to support AB 123. “The students of California need to learn that the sacrifices made by both the Filipino and Latino workers benefited all Californians,” she said. “AB 123 will ensure that the history is taught accurately.” Influential leaders such as Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, are synonymous with California’s farm labor movement. Not well known is the historical fact that the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee–composed of first-generation Filipinos—led the 1965 Delano Grape Read More …

US backs PH bid for arbitration on West Philippine Sea row

 News
Apr 022013
 
US backs PH bid for arbitration on West Philippine Sea row

By Tarra QuismundoINQUIRER.net 10:03 am | Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013 Secretary of State John Kerry. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — The United States has thrown its full support behind the Philippines’ bid to settle disputes with China in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) through arbitration as the country’s long-time defense ally underscored its importance as a partner in the Asia-Pacific. In remarks before talks with Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario in Washington D.C. Tuesday morning (US time), Secretary of State John Kerry also reiterated his government’s support for a code of conduct in the disputed waters, a critical international sea lane. “The Philippines is one of our five Asia-Pacific allies and a very, very important relationship at this point in time when there are tensions over the South China Sea, where we support a code of conduct, and we are deeply concerned [about] some of those tensions and would like to see it worked out through a process of arbitration,” said Kerry in remarks before media at the US State Department. Del Rosario said Kerry expounded on this during their meeting and “emphasized the importance the United States gives to maintaining peace and stability in the area.” “More importantly, Secretary Kerry assured me that the US is committed to supporting the efforts of the Philippines to settle the disputes peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law,” said Manila’s top diplomat. Del Rosario’s meeting with Kerry in Washington is the first for the two officials since Read More …

Filipinos in Saudi told: Have papers in order

 News
Apr 022013
 
Filipinos in Saudi told: Have papers in order

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 7:03 am | Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013 DFA Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez. INQUIRER.NET FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday reminded Filipino migrant workers in Saudi Arabia to make sure their work and residence documents were in order after the kingdom, one of the largest employers of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), launched a crackdown against illegal aliens. DFA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez likewise issued a general reminder to Filipinos seeking employment overseas to “go through the proper recruitment process and abide by the laws of the respective countries at all times.” He said the Philippine embassy in Riyadh and the consulate in Jeddah were closely following the Saudi government’s drive against illegal workers and employers, a sweep that started on Monday under Saudi labor laws. “The Philippine embassy in Riyadh and the Philippine consulate general in Jeddah are closely monitoring the implementation by the Saudi government of its ongoing drive to go after erring employers and illegal workers, as mandated by Saudi labor laws,” said Hernandez in a statement. “The embassy has told Filipino workers to ensure that their residence and work status were in accordance with the regulations for work and residency permits of Saudi Arabia,” he said. The DFA said Philippine missions in Saudi Arabia were prepared to provide consular assistance to Filipinos who may be taken into custody. “The embassy and consulate are ready to extend the appropriate assistance to Filipinos who are arrested during this drive,” Read More …

30 suspected Taiwanese hackers nabbed in Subic

 News
Apr 022013
 
30 suspected Taiwanese hackers nabbed in Subic

Philippine Daily Inquirer 7:01 am | Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013 Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chair Roberto Garcia from SBMA website. SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—At least 30 undocumented Taiwanese allegedly involved in extortion activities using computers and the Internet were arrested on Tuesday in a joint operation of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) law enforcement department (LED). SBMA Chair Roberto Garcia confirmed that the NBI led an operation in Forest View, one of the residential areas in Binictican here. Garcia was awaiting the final report on the raid but said that the Taiwanese were involved in a “cybercrime.” He did not provide details. Orlando Maddela, SBMA LED chief, said the Taiwanese were in the custody of the NBI. An NBI source, who asked not to be identified for lack of authority to speak on the operation, said the Taiwanese were “involved in extortion, with targets in China and Taiwan.” Asked to describe the operation, the source said they were able to hack into databases in those countries and find out which companies had cases and were about to be investigated by authorities there. “Then they’ll call up these companies, inform the executives of the pending cases, and ask them to call the authorities to confirm this. But the number they give is, of course, one of their own. That’s how they were able to extort money from their victims,” the source said. The group moved around at the Subic and Clark free ports, the Read More …

Kiram followers nabbed by Navy to be charged – De Lima

 News
Mar 142013
 
Kiram followers nabbed by Navy to be charged – De Lima

By TJ BurgonioPhilippine Daily Inquirer 6:28 pm | Thursday, March 14th, 2013 Justice Secretary Leila De Lima. INQUIRER/Niño Jesus Orbeta MANILA, Philippines—The 36 followers of Agbimuddin Kiram who were intercepted by the Navy off Tawi-Tawi on Wednesday with a cache of arms after apparently fleeing Sabah  are to be charged with illegal possession of firearms, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Thursday. De Lima said the 35 men and a woman who claimed to be members of the Sultanate of Sulu’s Royal Security Forces (RSF) would be brought to court for inquest on charges of illegal possession of firearms at the least. “They can be charged immediately with illegal possession of firearms and other deadly weapons,’’ De Lima said at a Malacañang news briefing, adding the inquest does not preclude the filing of other charges against them. On criticisms the government was quicker to file charges against them than protesting Malaysia’s alleged inhumane treatment of Filipinos, she said, “This group has committed unlawful and criminal acts, and we can’t set these aside.’’ The interception of the group came a month after Agbimuddin Kiram and his men crossed by speedboats from Tawi-Tawi to Lahad Datu on Feb. 9 to press the sultanate’s claim to Sabah, triggering a standoff with Malaysian forces that eventually led to battles in which the Malaysians threw in aerial and artillery bombardment. More than 60 people have been reported killed since, nine of them members of the Malaysian security forces. The Philippine Navy vessel PS38 intercepted the Read More …

Philippines to keep its UN forces in Golan Heights

 News
Mar 142013
 
Philippines to keep its UN forces in Golan Heights

Agence France-Presse 4:56 pm | Thursday, March 14th, 2013 DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines said Thursday it would keep its contingent of United Nations peacekeepers in the Golan Heights, after Syrian rebels abducted 21 of them last week and held them for three days. “The Philippine contingent to the UNDOF (UN Disengagement Observer Force) would remain stationed in the Golan Heights to perform its obligation in the name of peace,” foreign department spokesman Raul Hernandez told reporters. 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: DFA , Foreign affairs , Global Nation , Golan Heights , Philippines , Syria , UN 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

Militants scuffle with cops during rally at Malaysian embassy

 News
Mar 142013
 
Militants scuffle with cops during rally at Malaysian embassy

By Matikas SantosINQURER.net 3:04 pm | Thursday, March 14th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines – A scuffle broke out during a rally at the Malaysian Embassy Thursday as protesters tried to smear the embassy’s seal with red paint to symbolize the blood of Filipinos spilled in the Sabah conflict. The protesters initially coated red paint on their hands and smeared it onto a streamer that read “PM Najib Razak, Pres NoyNoy Aquino, there’s blood in your hands.” Rasti Delizo, Sanlakas spokesman, rushed to the Malaysian Embassy seal after placing a hand print on the streamer to stain the seal. Policemen blocked Delizo and a fight ensued as the latter continued to push his way to reach the seal. Restrained by police, he shouted at them: “The policemen of Malaysia and not the Filipino people.” After the scuffle, the protesters went on with their rally, blasting the alleged overkill of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. “We call on the Malaysian government to immediately listen to us otherwise we are warning Prime Minister Najib Razak, if you do not listen to us, if you do not stop your bloody war in Sabah now, then we will declare you Southeast Asia’s number one war criminal,” Delizo said. “We will even file appropriate charges against you in the proper courts of law at the international level,” he said. He also called on Aquino to step forward and make a firm stand on the Sabah issue by filing a diplomatic protest. Malaysian security forces have allegedly committed Read More …

KL rejects negotiation to end confrontation with Sulu group

 News
Mar 142013
 
KL rejects negotiation to end confrontation with Sulu group

By Allan NawalInquirer Mindanao 1:29 pm | Thursday, March 14th, 2013 Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram III. AP FILE PHOTO DIGOS CITY, Philippines—The Malaysian government has closed the door to any negotiation to end the crisis in Sabah. The state-run Radio 24 reported Foreign Minister Anifah Aman as saying Malaysia will not entertain any negotiations at this time, including one being proposed by third parties such as the Philippine government. The broadcast was monitored via shortwave radio here. Asked whether Malaysia would allow third party emissaries to travel to Sabah to meet with the followers of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III there, Anifah replied, “If something bad happens to them, what effect would it have on Malaysia’s image?” 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 , Foreign affairs , Phil-Malaysian Relations , Sabah claim , Sultan of Sulu 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:

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