Recent Stories – Page 8

UN probes ‘Yolanda’ aid to Philippines

News

Dec 082013

Associated Press 9:07 am | Monday, December 9th, 2013 United Nations Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos. AP FILE PHOTO CANBERRA, Australia – The United Nations humanitarian chief said she is investigating reports that aid has yet to reach remote parts of the Philippines a month after a devastating typhoon. Valerie Amos, who is in Australia for aid talks with the government, said on Monday that she is still hearing “worrying reports in the media … where people said they hadn’t received any aid as yet.” Typhoon”Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) and its tsunami-like storm surge plowed through coastal areas of the Philippines on Nov. 8, leaving over 5,700 dead. 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: aid , Haiyan , Philippines , Typhoon , UN , Valerie Amos , Yolanda 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

Japan seeks int’l action against China air zone

News

Dec 082013

Japan seeks int’l action against China air zone

Associated Press 3:56 am | Monday, December 9th, 2013 Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, center, waves as he arrives at the airport in Tacloban City on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, to look at the magnitude of the disaster for additional Japanese aid. Onodera called on the international community on Sunday to oppose China’s recently declared maritime air defense zone over the East China Sea and possibly over the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). AP PHOTO/AARON FAVILA TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines—Japan’s defense minister called on the international community on Sunday to oppose China’s recently declared maritime air defense zone over the East China Sea and possibly over the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera discussed Japan’s concern over China’s action separately with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Australian Foreign Minister Julia Bishop. Onodera and Bishop separately visited Tacloban City, which was devastated by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: “Haiyan”) last month. In his meeting with Bishop, Onodera said he mentioned that the international community “should meet to deal with this matter together” and that any unilateral action by coercive means should be opposed. “If any country would establish a similar air zone in the South China Sea, that would bring up tension in the region and I mentioned that should be stopped,” he told reporters in Tacloban, where he visited a school serving as a shelter for villagers who lost their homes in the Nov. 8 typhoon. Onodera said the issue should be resolved by dialogue. Read More …

China ships sail through disputed waters as tensions simmer

News

Dec 082013

China ships sail through disputed waters as tensions simmer

Agence France-Presse 2:29 pm | Sunday, December 8th, 2013 In this Sept. 2, 2012 file photo, the survey ship Koyo Maru, left, chartered by Tokyo city officials, sails around Minamikojima, foreground, Kitakojima, middle right, and Uotsuri, background, the tiny islands in the East China Sea, called Senkaku in Japanese and Diaoyu in Chinese. AP FILE PHOTO TOKYO – Three Chinese ships entered disputed waters off Tokyo-controlled islands in the East China Sea on Sunday, the Japanese coastguard said, the first such incident since Beijing announced an air defense zone in the area last month. The vessels entered the 12-nautical-mile territorial waters at about 9:00 a.m. (0000 GMT) off one of the Senkaku islands, which China also claims and calls the Diaoyus, the Japan Coast Guard said. They left the area shortly after noon. It was the first time that Chinese coastguard ships had been spotted sailing through the waters since Beijing raised regional tensions with its declaration of an Air Defense Identification Zone in November. Chinese vessels have sailed in and out of contiguous waters around the islands but stayed away from entering territorial waters since November 22, a Japanese coastguard official said. Japan’s conservative Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has vowed no compromise on sovereignty of the islands and stepped up defence spending, believing that China is trying to change the status quo through growing sea incursions. Chinese state-owned ships and aircraft have approached the Senkakus on and off to demonstrate Beijing’s territorial claims, especially after Japan nationalised some of Read More …

Australian minister to visit Leyte

News

Dec 072013

By Bong LozadaINQUIRER.net 1:46 pm | Sunday, December 8th, 2013 Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (“Haiyan”) survivors walk through the ruins of their neighborhood in Tacloban City on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Foreign Affairs Minister of Australia is scheduled to visit Yolanda-struck areas Ormoc and Tacloban Sunday to check on her goernment’s assistance, a statement said. Julie Bishop would visit the Australian field hospital in Tacloban then go to Ormoc where Australian defense forces conducted clearing and rehabilitation works at the Libertad Elementary School. A new humanitarian assistance from the Australian government to bolster the relief and rehabilitation efforts in the area would be spearheaded by Bishop. Australia has so far pledged P1,318,078,983.90 worth of assistance to the Philippine government for relief and reahabilitation operations in the country. Related stories Aussie FM urged to raise PH’s ‘paralyzed criminal justice system’ Australia gives $10 million to typhoon-hit Philippines 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: Australia , Features , Global Nation , Julie Bishop , Leyte , Yolanda 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 Read More …

Binay condemns Yemen attack as ‘senseless act’

News

Dec 062013

Binay condemns Yemen attack as ‘senseless act’

By Matikas SantosINQUIRER.net 4:10 pm | Friday, December 6th, 2013 Vice President Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Vice President Jejomar Binay condemned as a “senseless act” the suicide bomb attack in Yemen capital of Sana’a that left 52 people killed, including seven Filipinos. “I condemn the bombing in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa. It was a senseless act that has no place in the modern world,” Binay said in a statement Friday. “I hope the Yemeni government will make sure that the families of the bombing casualties are extended all possible assistance they will be needing, particularly in the recovery and repatriation of the victims,” he said. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that one Filipino doctor and six medical workers were among the casualties, while 11 other Filipinos were injured. Binay, who is the presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers concerns, said that the families of the victims will be given help from the Philippine government. DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez likewise condemned the attack calling it a “barbaric act.” “We condemn this senseless and barbaric act and we call on the Yemeni government to bring the masterminds to justice and to take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of Filipinos and other foreigners in Yemen,” he said. There are some 1,000 Filipino workers in Yemen. Manila has raised crisis alert level 1 in the Arab state, advising Filipinos there to take all necessary precautions to ensure their personal safety, Hernandez said. “We are still doing a thorough assessment Read More …

Jordanian journalist expected back in Manila–PNP

News

Dec 062013

Jordanian journalist expected back in Manila–PNP

By Julliane Love de JesusINQUIRER.net 2:05 pm | Friday, December 6th, 2013 Veteran Middle Eastern TV reporter Baker Atyani looks at his X-ray record as he undergoes medical check-up following his release from one-and-a-half years of captivity in Jolo, the capital of the island province of Sulu in Southern Philippines late Wednesday Dec.4, 2013. (AP Photo/Nickee Butlangan) MANILA, Philippines–The Jordanian journalist who escaped his Abu Sayyaf captors is expected back in Manila later this Friday, the Philippine National Police said Friday. He’s on his way here,” Chief Superintendent Noel delos Reyes of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao told a media briefing. Baker Atyani is expected to be brought to the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group office upon his arrival. PNP spokesperson Reuben Theodore Sindac added that the Jordanian journalist may arrive at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame in Quezon City between 3 and 4 p.m.After 18 months in captivity, Atyani escaped from the Abu Sayyaf camp in Patikul, Sulu on Wednesday. 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: Abu Sayyaf , Baker Atyani , captive , Jordan , journalist , Moro rebel group , release 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’ Read More …

Hong Kong travel agencies cancel Bangkok tours amid unrest

News

Dec 022013

Hong Kong travel agencies cancel Bangkok tours amid unrest

Agence France-Presse 8:43 pm | Monday, December 2nd, 2013 Anti-government protesters use a wheeled bulldozer to break through police barricade in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, Dec. 2, 2013. AP HONG KONG — Hong Kong travel agencies said Monday they were cancelling most package tours to Bangkok because of anti-government protests, after authorities issued a travel warning for the strife-torn Thai capital. The Hong Kong government issued a “red” outbound travel alert on Bangkok, the second highest in its three-tier warning system, while other Asian countries urged citizens to exercise caution as turmoil continued on the streets. “Residents intending to visit Bangkok should adjust their travel plans and avoid non-essential travel. Those already there should monitor the situation, attend to personal safety and avoid protests and large gatherings of people,” a Hong Kong government spokesman said in a statement. Hong Kong is particularly sensitive to the safety of its tourists. A travel alert on the Philippines remains in place three years after a hostage crisis in Manila killed eight Hong Kong residents. A lower “yellow” warning has been placed on the rest of Thailand. Police in the Thai capital used rubber bullets and water cannons against rock-throwing demonstrators after weekend unrest left several dead and more than a hundred wounded. Roads were blocked across the city and shopping malls forced to close. “After the Security Bureau raised the warning to red, the vast majority of Hong Kong travel agencies have decided to cancel tours,” Travel Industry Council director Joseph Tung told reporters. Read More …

Germany gives P950M more

News

Dec 012013

YOLANDA AFTERMATH: Philippine Daily Inquirer 5:40 am | Monday, December 2nd, 2013 MANILA, Philippines–The German government, through its Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), has pledged P950 million (16 million euros) for the reconstruction of areas destroyed by Supertyphoon Yolanda, the German Embassy announced. BMZ Federal Minister Dirk Niebel said the funds were committed to the medium and long-term rehabilitation of schools, hospitals and public infrastructure, as well for the implementation of disaster prevention measures in several areas in the Visayas. The German government had earlier committed 6.5 million euros in humanitarian aid for the immediate relief of the typhoon survivors, raising the German government’s total contribution to 22.5 million euros (P1.35 billion). Emergency relief Apart from the funds provided by the German government, 49.6 million euros (P3 billion) have been received for the emergency relief of the survivors by the fund-raising alliances Aktionsbündnis Katastrophenhilfe (Action Alliance for Humanitarian Emergency Response) and Aktion Deutschland Hilft (Germany’s Relief Coalition). Other German nongovernment organizations are also directly performing relief operations in several areas in the Visayas affected by Yolanda. The German business sector has also mobilized humanitarian aid in the Philippines by providing financial and logistical assistance to relief operations. RELATED STORIES: Lacson accepts job as ‘Yolanda’ rehab czar Pacquiao gives away cash, Bibles in Samar ‘Bayanihan’ impresses UN official 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 Read More …

Don’t forget the soap

News

Nov 302013

By Marie Claire Lim MoorePhilippine Daily Inquirer 12:07 am | Sunday, December 1st, 2013 THE BOOK will be launched on Dec. 6 at Fully Booked, Bonifacio Global City. Proceeds of the book launch will go to the victims of Supertyphoon “Yolanda.” Shortly after I started working for Citi, I began traveling frequently. This meant early mornings, long flights, time differences and jet lag, but it also meant fancy corporate dinners, 5-star hotels, airport lounges and business class. I knew I was starting to get used to all the perks when I stopped taking the extra soap and shampoo bottles from my hotel room. It had become second nature for me to do a morning sweep of the bathroom toiletries before leaving each day to ensure my supply was replenished when the room was made. By the time check out day came, I was about ready to start my own mini mart. When I got home I’d put them aside in a shopping bag and before I knew it they’d be packed away in a balikbayan box that our family would send back to the Philippines. During my assignment in Brazil, I lived in the Marriott Executive Apartments so I hit the jackpot in soap and shampoo bottles. After the first few weeks, however, I couldn’t be bothered to save the soap and shampoo anymore. Then my family came to visit for Christmas. I was happy and excited to show them Sao Paulo— where I lived, where I worked and what Read More …

Cops seize P182M shabu from Chinese man

News

Nov 292013

By Tonette T. OrejasInquirer Northern Luzon 11:45 pm | Friday, November 29th, 2013 CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Philippines—The police in Pampanga on Friday seized some 36.5 kilograms of shabu (metamphetamine hydrochloride) worth P182 million from a Chinese who lived and conducted his trade in an upscale village in nearby Mexico town. Supt. Raymund Louie Baloyo, head of the provincial anti-illegal drugs operation task force, said around 16.5 kg of shabu were stacked in a luggage while another 20 kg were stored in a box in a house on Lakeshore. Ding Wenkun, 30, was arrested together with his aide, Roel Cabag, during a buy bust past 5 p.m. The suspect, from Jiangxi province, entered the Philippines last Oct. 29. Both are held at the Pampanga police camp in this capital as charges are being prepared against them, Senior Supt. Oscar Albayalde, provincial police director, said. “The intensified campaign against illegal drugs in Pampanga is upon the guidance of Chief Supt. Raul Petrasanta,” Albayalde said. 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: buy-bust , Illegal Drugs , Philippines – Regions , shabu 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 Read More …

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