News Roundup 31 August 2023
Aug 31, 2023 • 5 min Read
‘Act responsibly’: Philippines rejects China’s ‘2023’ map showing 10-dash line | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines on Thursday objected to China’s new territorial map and described it as Beijing’s latest attempt to legitimize its extended claims in the South China Sea.
China on Monday released a “2023 version” of its “standard map” that illustrates its claims of ownership over swaths of the South China Sea as well as overlaps with the territories of India, Malaysia and Taiwan.
In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said it rejects the map due to the “inclusion of the nine-dashed line (now a ten-dashed line) that supposedly shows China’s boundaries in the South China Sea.”
“This latest attempt to legitimize China’s purported sovereignty and jurisdiction over Philippine features and maritime zones has no basis under international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” the DFA said.
The DFA maintains that the 2016 tribunal ruling that invalidated Beijing’s claims over parts of the South China had categorically stated that Beijing’s “nine-dash line” was “without lawful effect to the extent that they exceed the geographic and substantive limits of China’s maritime entitlements under the Convention.”
Full Story at: ‘Act responsibly’: Philippines rejects China’s ‘2023’ map showing 10-dash line | Philstar.com
‘Stricter’ IACAT travel guidelines suspended | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — After receiving pushback from elected officials and the public, the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking has temporarily suspended the implementation of its revised guidelines on departure formalities.
In a press release Thursday, the Department of Justice, of which the IACAT is under, said that the revised rules were not meant to “burden the general public” and aimed only to “enhance the overall experience of departing passengers.”
The IACAT’s revised rules received backlash for imposing stricter travel requirements on Filipinos and possibly subjecting them to more long-winded questions from immigration officers and other airport personnel.
DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said that he has “has deemed it necessary to thoroughly clarify the issues surrounding the revised guidelines to both the senators and the public.”
“The primary objective of the revised guidelines was to streamline the departure procedures, ensuring a more efficient and secure process for all individuals traveling abroad,” the DOJ statement read.
This came after the Senate on Wednesday approved two resolutions calling to suspend the revised guidelines, which had previously been scheduled to take effect September 3.
Full Story at: ‘Stricter’ IACAT travel guidelines suspended | Philstar.com
Ex-cop’s road rage costs him SC job; QCPD head quits | INQUIRER.NET –
MANILA, Philippines — After drawing flak for organizing an “inappropriate” press briefing for road rage suspect Wilfredo Gonzales, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III submitted on Wednesday his courtesy resignation to Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr.
Hours later, the Supreme Court announced the dismissal of Gonzales as a co-terminus employee of one of its associate justices.
A statement from the high court’s Public Information Office confirmed that Gonzales, a dismissed Quezon City policeman, was assigned to the Office of Associate Justice Ricardo Rosario who fired him upon learning of his involvement in the Aug. 8 road rage incident.
“Justice Rosario does not condone any form of violence or abusive behavior,” said Wilhelmina Aileen Mayuga, Rosario’s judicial staff head.
Based on the court’s statement, Gonzales was fired on Aug. 27, the same day Torre presented him to the media at the QCPD headquarters in Camp Karingal. During the press briefing where they sat beside each other, Gonzales aired his side on the viral video that showed him hitting a cyclist on the head and then cocking a gun.
Apology
In an interview with INQUIRER.net, Torre said his resignation would take effect today, Aug. 31, adding that he wanted to spare the PNP “from any issue.”
Before submitting his resignation, he stressed in a radio interview that he “really deeply [regretted]” holding the press briefing.
“I apologize to the Filipino people for those actions because those are decisions made in a very short span of time,” Torre said. “In hindsight, we have 20/20 vision. I could have done it better with the same result, but it already happened.”
Full Story at: Ex-cop’s road rage costs him SC job; QCPD head quits | Inquirer News
Cop, ‘soldier’ grapple for guns in new road rage video | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Barely three weeks after the Aug. 8 road rage incident in Quezon City that was caught on video, a similar case happened in Makati City, this time involving a police officer and an alleged military man.
Based on the initial police investigation, Staff Sgt. Marsan Dolipas was driving his car on his way to work at Pasay Police Substation 2 in the morning of Aug. 25 when his vehicle was sideswiped and cut off on the lane by a motorcycle-riding man later identified as Angelito Rencio.
The altercation happened around 7:20 a.m. at the corner of Arnaiz Avenue and Osmeña Highway in Barangay San Isidro.
Recounting the incident, Dolipas said he told Rencio to be more careful on the road, but Rencio allegedly cursed at him. Dolipas then told Rencio to watch his words but the latter revved up his engine instead and gave Dolipas the finger.
A 16-second video of the two men — showing Dolipas holding two handguns and pinning Rencio to the ground — was uploaded on Facebook the same day by Joon Olaver.
Lapses in probe
“He lifted his shirt up [then] I saw a gun tucked in his waist,” Dolipas told the police. “When he looked at the stoplight, I hurriedly got off my car, subdued him and took away his gun.”
Dolipas said he was able to call immediately for a barangay patrol vehicle, which later brought both men to the Makati Police Substation 3 for questioning.
Full Story at: Cop, ‘soldier’ grapple for guns in new road rage video | Inquirer News
