News Roundup 02 May 2024
May 02, 2024 • 4 min Read
Philippines summons China envoy over water cannon attack | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs said Thursday it summoned a senior Chinese embassy official over the “harassment of Philippine vessels” in the South China Sea.
“The Philippines protested the harassment, ramming, swarming, shadowing and blocking, dangerous manoeuvres, use of water cannons, and other aggressive actions of China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels against” Filipino government vessels, it said in a statement.
Manila said it summoned Zhou Zhiyong, the number two official at the Chinese embassy in Manila, over the April 30 incident that damaged a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel and a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) boat near the China-controlled Scarborough Shoal.
“China’s aggressive actions, particularly its water cannon use, caused damage to vessels of PCG and BFAR. The Philippines demanded that Chinese vessels leave Bajo de Masinloc and its vicinity immediately,” it said, using the Filipino name for the shoal.
The Chinese embassy did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Full Story at: Philippines summons China envoy over water cannon attack | Philstar.com
Bomb scare at NAIA delays Japan flight | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Passengers on a flight to Japan experienced delays at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 following a bomb scare that temporarily disrupted travel operations.
On Wednesday, Japan-bound Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight, PR412, was delayed for five hours due to a bomb threat call received by airport authorities from an unidentified woman.
Passengers were promptly evacuated and authorities conducted security checks before the flight was cleared for departure.
“Bomb jokes or any comments referencing explosives are not taken lightly, especially in sensitive environments like airports. Such actions can be construed as threats and may lead to exclusion or deportation if foreign nationals are involved,” said BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco.
“We urge all foreign nationals to exercise caution and refrain from making any statements or jokes that could be deemed as threats to security,” he added.
Full Story at: Bomb scare at NAIA delays Japan flight | Philstar.com
Hontiveros asks PNP to check the right number of Quiboloy’s guns: Is it 19? | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure the accurate number of fugitive televangelist Apollo Quiboloy’s firearms.
Speaking at the Senate panel on women’s hearing on Thursday, Hontiveros mentioned in passing her previous appeal for a “shorter deadline” for Quiboloy to surrender his guns.
The opposition senator then noted the need to ensure that these weapons are only 19 — as previously disclosed by the PNP.
“Ulitin ko lang po ang hiling ko kina chief PNP [ Police Major General Francisco Marbil at] sa inyo pong lahat — na baka [pwedeng] hindi umabot sa anim na buwan yung period na makuha yung mga ‘yun at matiyak na 19 lang ba talaga,” said Hontiveros.
(I will repeat my appeal to PNP chief Police Major General Marbil and to all of you – maybe it is possible for us not to hit the period of six months to get all of these guns and to ensure that these are only 19.)
Kasi kahit sa social media posts ng mala-private army nya ay parang mas marami pa sa 19,” the senator observed.
(Because in social media, the guns shown by Quiboloy’s so-called private army seem to exceed 19.)
Full Story at: Hontiveros asks PNP to check the right number of Quiboloy’s guns (inquirer.net)
Ex-QC councilor gets 32 years for ‘ghost’ handouts | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — A former Quezon City councilor was sentenced to up to 32 years in prison for projects that, on paper, supposedly provided free raincoats, tents, sports equipment and other items for his constituents 16 years ago.
In a decision promulgated on Tuesday, the Sixth Division of the Sandiganbayan found Dante De Guzman guilty of violating the antigraft law on four counts.
Aside from serving a prison term of 24 to 32 years, De Guzman must pay P6.41 million in damages to the city government, with interest of 6 percent per annum until the amount is fully paid.
According to the decision, the ex-councilor’s office made it appear, through falsified documents, that it had handed over P6.4 million worth of custom-made tents, children’s rain gear, food items and sports supplies to their intended beneficiaries in the barangays comprising QC’s District III.
‘Ghost’ staff, projects
De Guzman served as councilor from 2007 to 2010. The supplies that were supposedly purchased between 2008 and 2009 included 141 tents, 1,177 raincoats, 1,177 pairs of rainboots, and an unspecified volume of food and sports items.
The charge against De Guzman stemmed from a complaint filed with the Office of the Ombudsman about “anomalous transactions involving the hiring of ghost employees and implementation of ghost projects by certain councilors” in Quezon City.
Full Story at: Ex-QC councilor gets 32 years for ‘ghost’ handouts (inquirer.net)
