News Roundup 26 April 2023
Apr 26, 2023 • 5 min Read
Albert Del Rosario remembered as a kind boss with inspiring leadership | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs paid tribute to its former chief, ex-Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, whose leadership was guided by his kindness, tenacity, and dedication to get the job done inspired others in the department as well.
“ADR”, as he was fondly called by colleagues and the public, continued to serve the country with much enthusiasm despite his age. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said even the younger staff at the department “can barely keep up with his schedule and drive.”
“Seeing him work long hours and flying across timezones around the world despite his backpain was an invitation to do more and aspire to give more of ourselves,” Manalo said of his former boss as he delivered his eulogy.
Del Rosario was also remembered for the “moral clarity” that guided his leadership.
Del Rosario was foreign affairs secretary from 2011 to 2016, when he resigned due to his health. As the country’s top diplomat at the time, he is known for leading the Philippines’ case at the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague, underscoring sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, and for his dedication to serving Filipinos at home and abroad.
Full Story at: Albert Del Rosario remembered as a kind boss with inspiring leadership | Philstar.com
Philippines, US simulate coordinated operation against ship off Zambales coast | PHILSTAR.COM –MANILA, Philippines — Philippine and American troops simulated an operation against a decommissioned Philippine vessel in waters 12 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales province as part of the Balikatan exercises.
The site of the exercise, 12 nautical miles from shore, is also around 180 kilometers from Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal), a traditional fishing ground where Chinese Coast Guard ships have been deployed.
Authorities say around 1,4000 personnel — marines, soldiers, sailors, airmen, and coast guardsmen — from Washington and Manila participated in the exercise, which made use of at least nine kinds of military assets and artillery from both countries.
“This event enhanced the interoperability of the Philippines and US forces in conducting combined joint operations utilizing both countries’ army, navy, and airforce assets in conducting maritime security and territorial defense,” Armed Forces of the Philippines Maj. Gen Marvin Licudine, who is also the Philippines’ Balikatan 2023 exercise director, said in a statement on Wednesday morning.
Apart practicing interoperability, the military exercises also give Filipino military personnel a demonstration and a chance at trying out US equipment. The military modernization program has shifted from buying equipment for internal security to external defense and could include buying missile systems and siubmarines.
Full Story at: Philippines, US simulate coordinated operation against ship off Zambales coast | Philstar.com
Lawmakers are perplexed why Mayo has more ‘shabu’ than drug lords | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers from the House of Representatives’ committee on dangerous drugs are perplexed as to how a single Philippine National Police (PNP) anti-drug operative can be arrested with a humongous amount of illegal drugs, way bigger than the drug lords nabbed in the past.
According to Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop, the amount of shabu seized from Police Mst. Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo’s WPD Lending office in the October 8, 2022 operation — 990 kilograms — are bigger than what has been obtained from several Chinese drug lords in the Philippines.
Such an issue, he said, merits an investigation from the PNP and other law enforcement agencies.
“In the case of Sgt. Mayo, wala akong makita na Chinese man lang (but) he has in his possession one ton of illegal drugs. Sa’n kaya nanggaling ‘yon?” Acop asked.
(In the case of Sgt. Mayo, I don’t see any Chinese with him, (but) he has in his possession one ton of illegal drugs. Where did that come from?)
Full Story at: Lawmakers are perplexed why Mayo has more ‘shabu’ than drug lords | Inquirer News
Cop claims hearing PNP execs discuss how to clear Mayo from drug raps | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — A police officer from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) well-versed in anti-drug operations has claimed that he heard Philippine National Police officials discuss how to help Police Mst. Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo, the anti-narcotic operative arrested with 990 kilograms of shabu in October 2022.
Police Lt. Col. Glenn Gonzales told lawmakers from the House of Representatives’ committee on dangerous drugs on Wednesday that relieved Philippine National Police (PNP) Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) chief Brig. Gen. Narciso Domingo, Calabarzon DEG Special Operations Unit (SOU) head Col. Julian Olonan, National Capital Region DEG officer-in-charge Lt. Col. Arnulfo Ibañez were part of the discussion
“Pagdating ko do’n sa WPD Lending sir, nakita ko po si sir Ibañez, sir Domingo, sir Olonan, nag-uusap po sir […] and Major [Michael Angelo] Salmingo […] ‘yon nga po sir, tama po ‘yong sinabi ni sir Ibañez, pinag-uusapan namin kung ano’ng dapat gawin kay Sgt. Mayo,” Gonzales said.
(Whe I arrived at the WPD Lending sir, I saw sir Ibañez, sir Domingo, sir Olonan, they were talking […] and Major [Michael Angelo] Salmingo […] that’s it sire, what sir Ibañez said is right, we were talking what to do with Sgt. Mayo.)
WPD Lending is the establishment in Tondo, Manila that was handled by Mayo. The 990 kilograms of shabu were found in the said office.
Full Story at: Cop claims hearing PNP execs discuss how to clear Mayo from drug raps | Inquirer News
