News Roundup 09 August 2024
Aug 09, 2024 • 5 min Read
Philippines-China deal: Clashing claims amid ‘fragile truce’ over Ayungin | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Disgruntled over China’s immediate “mischaracterization” of the deal it struck over Ayungin Shoal, Philippine officials now appear to be on a wait-and-see approach on whether their provisional arrangement with Beijing is enough to keep tensions from again flaring up.
Exactly what the Philippines and China agreed upon has yet to be spelled out to the public. Both the Philippines and China decided not to disclose the text yet to “give it a chance to work first,” said National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya in a One News interview on July 23.
“And later, when we see the sincerity of both sides, then we will be able to release those details,” Malaya said.
But for retired Supreme Court justice Antonio Carpio, what was clear was that there was “no meeting of the minds” as the Philippines refuted China’s messaging about the deal just hours after its announcement.
Clashing assertions
The Philippines on July 21 announced that it had “reached an understanding on the provisional arrangement” with China to de-escalate tensions during its resupply missions to decommissioned navy vessel BRP Sierra Madre aground on Ayungin Shoal after months of aggressive altercations came to a head in June.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the two parties reached an agreement to “[avoid] misunderstandings and miscalculations, without prejudice to national positions.”
First instance. Less than a day after the DFA announced the agreement, China, through a spokesperson, issued a statement alleging the Philippines would “inform China in advance” prior to its resupply missions. China’s statement also implied the Philippines would eventually “[tow] away” the warship.
The Philippines’ response came within hours. “I want to stress that the agreement was concluded with the clear understanding by both sides that it will not prejudice our respective national positions,” said DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza on the morning of July 22.
Full Story at: Philippines-China deal: Clashing claims amid ‘fragile truce’ over Ayungin | Philstar.com
Court of Appeals restores Rappler’s media license | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Court of Appeals has ordered to restore the certificate of incorporation of the company that runs news website Rappler and its owner, Rappler Holdings Corp., voiding a 2022 ruling by the Securities and Exchange Commission that declared the company was not 100% Filipino-owned.
“The Securities and Exchange Commission is ordered to restore the Certificate of Incorporation of Rappler, Inc. and Rappler Holdings Corporation in its records and system and withdraw all its issuances and actions made pursuant to its illegal revocation of the same,” said the Court of Appeals Special 7th Division in a 48-page decision promulgated on July 23.
In a statement on Friday, Rappler said the appeals court’s decision was a “vindication after a tortuous eight years of harassment.”
“Rappler welcomes the Court of Appeals (CA) ruling that eliminates a long-standing threat to its corporate existence on account of a flawed ruling by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). When the rule of law prevails, justice is served,” the statement read.
“The CA was unequivocal in its rejection of the SEC’s 2018 shutdown order, declaring it ‘illegal’ and a ‘grave abuse of discretion,'” the news organization added.
Full Story at: Court of Appeals restores Rappler’s media license | Philstar.com
PNP says reported tunnels in Quiboloy compound an ‘open secret’ | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday called the reported tunnels inside the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City an “open secret.”
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said this was one of the factors the police are considering when planning the serving of the warrant against embattled religious leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who is believed to be hiding in the sprawling 30-hectare compound.
“I think it’s an open secret,” Fajardo said of the reported tunnels in Quiboloy’s compound.
Last June 10, some 100 policemen stormed the premises of the KOJC compound to serve the warrants of arrest against Quiboloy, but they were prevented by its religious members from entering.
Fajardo recalled that there was “a deliberate attempt to derail and delay the service of warrant” against Quiboloy, noting that sirens were also heard in the compound during the June 10 incident.
“I don’t know if it’s a signal to anyone to give them the opportunity to hide and even escape,” Fajardo said of the sirens.
“This is one of the challenges we are facing with respect to the service of warrant against Pastor Quiboloy and other suspects,” she added.
Full Story at: PNP says reported tunnels in Quiboloy compound an ‘open secret’ (inquirer.net)
Active, retired cops sending feelers about testifying vs EJKs – solon | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Several active and retired police officials have already sent feelers about their willingness to testify against past administration officials regarding human rights violations issues, Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said on Friday.
Barbers said this in an online interview less than a week before the newly-formed House of Representatives quad-committee starts its probe on the interconnection between illegal activities in Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo) hubs, the illegal drug trade, and alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war.
“Many have sent feelers to the quad committee, and these can be of help in our investigation. And because of this, they are welcome into the quad-comm, everyone who wants to speak the truth at our committee hearings that the quad-comm will conduct, they are very much welcome,” he said.
“It is up to them if they want to testify or give information in an open hearing, while we are hearing or during an executive session, should they believe that the information that will be shared to us has national security implications, we can allow an executive session,” he added.
Barbers refrained from divulging the identities of the officials that have sent feelers, as he wanted to protect them and refrain from preempting their testimonies.
Full Story at: Active, retired cops sending feelers about testifying vs EJKs – solon (inquirer.net)
