News Roundup 12 February 2024
Feb 12, 2024 • 4 min Read
‘Mastermind’ behind Marawi bombing killed in military ops | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines said that the person behind the fatal bombing of the Mindanao State University last year was one of nine armed rebels recently killed in a military operation.
In a statement on Monday, the AFP said that the Khadafi Mimbesa or “Engineer,” who they believe is the amir or leader of Dawlah Islamiyah – Maute Group, was one of the nine alleged armed Dawlah Islamiyah members killed in a military operation from January 25 to 26.
Mimbesa is the brains behind the bombing incident in Marawi City last December, the AFP said, citing corroborated information from a “surrendered terrorist.”
“The efforts of the 103rd Brigade, under the leadership of their Commander, BGen Yegor Rey Barroquillo Jr., resulted in the neutralization of local terrorists and armed members of the Dawlah Islamiyah in Lanao del Sur on January 25 to 26, 2024, who were identified as perpetrators of the fatal bombing at Mindanao State University (MSU) on December 3, 2023,” the AFP said.
The military also recovered nine high-powered firearms, one bandolier, four Baofeng radios and one smartphone.
Full Story at: ‘Mastermind’ behind Marawi bombing killed in military ops | Philstar.com
Rumors of ABS-CBN’s franchise ‘renewal’ weaponized in Romualdez-SMNI feud | PHILSTAR.COM –MANILA, Philippines — Almost immediately after Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) was accused of committing franchise violations last year, several accounts that either repurpose viral entertainment content or appear to be hyperpartisan latched onto the false claim that ABS-CBN will return to free television by 2024, despite the network making no official announcement.
At least 12 social media accounts on different platforms and two news websites — all of which are not affiliated with ABS-CBN — posted similar narratives that said “reliable” sources have hinted at the former broadcasting giant’s “franchise renewal” by 2024.
Meanwhile, three channels with hyperpartisan content accused House Speaker Martin Romualdez of orchestrating ABS-CBN’s comeback days after the House summoned SMNI representatives to a committee hearing on their alleged franchise violations.
While the majority of posts about ABS-CBN’s supposed comeback did not have a political angle, a few known hyperpartisan vloggers seized upon the rumor of ABS-CBN’s franchise “renewal” to either accuse Romualdez of having a hidden agenda or claim that SMNI played a hand in the non-renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.
Posts promoting the claim mostly lacked corroborating details, failed to cite sources, and placed out-of-context recent statements of ABS-CBN executives who vowed to make 2024 the “best year” for the network.
These narratives have some of the markings of an influence operation that Philstar.com is tracking across all social media platforms, groups and spaces on the internet.
Full Story at: Rumors of ABS-CBN’s franchise ‘renewal’ weaponized in Romualdez-SMNI feud | Philstar.com
PUV modernization: Filipino jeepneys out, China imports in | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines—The deadline for public utility vehicle (PUV) consolidation has been extended and the government has already stressed that it will not be the one to decide on the brand of modern vehicles for the modernization program: “Ang cooperatives ang masusunod at hindi ang pamahalaan.”
(Only the cooperatives can decide, not the government.)
But even with the government stating that cooperatives would decide which brand to get—locally made, from Japan, or China, or any other country—its words were still not enough to erase fears about the modernization program, which, the government said, is its response to the Philippines’ problems on transportation.
Here’s why.
As pointed out by Sarao Motors Inc., local manufacturers can make modern vehicles that are compliant with the Philippine National Standard, the problem, however, is the uncertainty of the market: “If there is a demand for it, local manufacturers like us will certainly find a way.”
But in the absence of direct preference by the government for locally made modern vehicles, Leonard John Sarao, architect and operations supervisor of Sarao Motors Inc., said it would be impossible to ease people’s fears, especially on being left behind.
Full Story at: PUV modernization: Filipino jeepneys out, China imports in (inquirer.net)
More lawmakers reject ex-Pres. Duterte’s secession call | INQUIRER.NET – Some members of the House of Representatives urged former President Rodrigo Duterte and ex-Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Sunday to abandon their push for an independent Mindanao, calling the move unconstitutional, reckless, illogical and divisive.
Echoing the President’s stand against a separate South, House Assistant Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Adiong said the South has long been an integral part of the nation, with its rich cultural heritage and diverse population contributing significantly to the country’s identity.
“The fact that Mindanaoans have held prominent positions in the highest offices of the land is a testament to their integral role within the Philippine nation,” he stressed, adding, “To entertain notions of secession undermines the unity and stability that our country has worked so hard to maintain.”
“This attempt to separate Mindanao from the Philippines is not only unconstitutional but also a blatant disrespect to our duly constituted authority. We cannot allow the integrity of our nation to be compromised by such reckless actions,” Adiong said.
Full Story at: More lawmakers reject ex-Pres. Duterte’s secession call (inquirer.net)
