News Roundup 22 April 2023
Apr 22, 2023 • 4 min Read
NDFP consultant Rogelio Posadas killed by military after alleged encounter | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Another top communist leader was gunned down by the military after an alleged gunfight in Negros Occidental, according to the 303rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Army claimed that they had killed Posadas, also known as “Putin”, after a series of encounters in the boundaries of Isabela and Balbagan on April 20.
The 303 IB claimed that Posadas is the “top leader” of the New People’s Army’s Komiteng Rehiyon- Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor (KR-NCBS), who was responsible for “assassinations, extortions, kidnappings, arsons and other forms of violence against innocent civilians and government personalities.”
The military said the revolutionary was identified through the help of informants and former rebels who earlier surrendered to the 94IB. His remains are reported to be at Soledad Funeral Homes, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental.
“The death of the Communist NPA terrorists top regional leader Rogelio Posadas is a result of the local resident’s vigilance and their full trusts to the government,” said 303rd Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin in a statement.
“The encounter also manifests the continuing loss of support of the NPA terrorists in the communities. This is another victory for all the countless victims of the KR-NCBS in Negros island in particular and in the region in general.”
Full Story at: NDFP consultant Rogelio Posadas killed by military after alleged encounter | Philstar.com
Philippines raises concerns over Taiwan in talks with China | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ top diplomat has expressed his concern to Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang over escalating tensions in waters around Taiwan, Manila said on Saturday.
Philippine foreign secretary Enrique Manalo met Qin as the two countries seek to deepen economic ties while also managing their dispute in the South China Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement after the talks.
“Secretary Manalo reaffirmed the Philippines’ adherence to the One China Policy, while at the same time expressing concern over the escalating tensions across the Taiwan Strait,” DFA said.
China claims Taiwan as its territory and has vowed to bring the island under its control one day, by force if necessary.
Qin described China and the Philippines as “close neighbors across the sea”.
Full Story at: Philippines raises concerns over Taiwan in talks with China | Philstar.com
Local poll execs can now reject village, SK bets on the spot | INQUIRER.NET – For the first time, Commission on Elections (Comelec) field offices will reject outright aspiring candidates for the Oct. 30 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections who are either overaged, underaged, or not registered voters.
The Comelec is expected to issue the new rule before the start of the Aug. 28-Sept. 2 filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs).
“For those who want to be SK candidates who will be more than 24 years of age on Election Day, we are making it clear that we won’t accept their COCs,” Comelec chair George Garcia warned.
“For those who will run for barangay posts, once we see that they are not registered to vote in the barangay where they are seeking to run, don’t even attempt to file a COC because we will not accept it,” he said. “They can go to the courts [but] we won’t accept their COCs.”
With the new rule, the Comelec will avoid having to act on thousands of cases to cancel the COCs of persons who should not have filed their candidacies in the first place.
Full Story at: Local poll execs can now reject village, SK bets on the spot | Inquirer News
An ambassador comes home: Albert del Rosario’s remains back in the Philippines | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The remains of the late former Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert F. del Rosario are back in the Philippines from the United States, according to his family on Saturday.
“Today, April 22 at 5:30 a.m., the plane carrying a casket bearing the remains of the former Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the late Ambassador Albert F. del Rosario, landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila. Also on the plane were his wife, Mrs. Margaret Gretchen del Rosario and his sister, Joanne del Rosario. They were met by his children, grandchildren and siblings. A patriot has returned to his beloved family and his home, the Philippines,” said his daughter Inge del Rosario in a statement.
According to his daughter, the 83-year old del Rosario was onboard a plane on Tuesday morning (US time) headed towards San Francisco when he passed away. He had traveled to California for a private devotion to the Lady of the Miraculous Medal.
Two doctors on the same flight tried to resuscitate del Rosario but it was too late, said the family.
Full Story at: An ambassador comes home: Albert del Rosario’s remains back in the Philippines | Inquirer News
