News Roundup 31 October 2023
Oct 31, 2023 • 4 min Read
Pro-China narratives from Filipinos exist — PCG spox Tarriela | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela warned the public against China-leaning parroted narratives of some Filipinos.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) Monday, Tarriela cited three narratives that promote Chinese narratives to downplay its aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
Tarriela first pointed out that the narratives indicate that speaking up against China’s incursions in the West Philippine Sea can lead to an armed conflict.
“Exposing China’s aggression is not inciting war. By keeping our political leaders and countrymen aware of China’s violations of international law, we are safeguarding our country from political manipulation and disinformation,” the PCG spokesman said.
Tarriela also pointed out the narrative of the Philippines operating under the influence of the United States’ interests.
“Our transparency efforts are driven by our own national interest – the protection of the Philippines’ maritime rights. The Philippine Coast Guard and other government agencies are utilizing their own resources to document and monitor Beijing’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea,” the PCG spokesperson said.
Tarriela then highlighted the recent initiative of bringing journalists to the West Philippine Sea to “ensure accurate and unbiased reporting of the events they witness.”
Full Story at: Pro-China narratives from Filipinos exist — PCG spox Tarriela | Philstar.com
Filipino caregiver vows to stand by 95-year-old Israeli employer until the end | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Despite enduring trauma since the outset of the conflict, the Filipina caregiver, who saved her employer from Hamas militants, expressed her commitment to staying by her side indefinitely.
Camille Jesalva, a 31-year-old caregiver from Nueva Ecija, is devoted to looking after her 95-year-old patient, Nitza Hefetz, until the patient’s passing, even while working at the Gaza Strip-Israel border.
“Bakit ko iiwan ‘yung pinangakuan kong ‘di ko siya iiwan? (Why would I abandon the one I’ve sworn never to leave?)” Jesalva said in a Zoom press conference on Tuesday.
Jesalva was described by some Israelis as an “angel” because she offered her savings amounting to $350 (equivalent to approximately P19,881.92) to the Hamas militants who had entered their home, all to save both of their lives.
She credited Nitza for shaping her into the person she is today, emphasizing that her patient has been her greatest teacher.
“Ayoko pa siyang makitang mamatay pa talaga. Siya ‘yung dahilan nasusuportahan ko ‘yung anak ko bilang single mom,” she said.
(I can’t bear the thought of her passing away. She’s the reason I can provide for my child as a single mother.)
“I cannot forgive myself if namatay si Nitza dahil iniwan ko. (I cannot forgive myself if Nitza dies because I left her),” she added.
Full Story at: Filipino caregiver vows to stand by 95-year-old Israeli employer until the end | Philstar.com
Police seek more proof to connect cop to beauty queen’s disappearance | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Police are looking for evidence that will directly link the police officer identified as a “person of interest” in the disappearance of beauty queen, former Miss Batangas Catherine Camilon.
Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation Field Unit – Calabarzon chief Colonel Jacinto Malinao on Monday said the unnamed police officer was relieved from his post.
The law enforcer was transferred to the Philippine National Police – Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit’s custody, pending an impartial and full investigation.
“I-sa-subject po siya for interview para kung siya man ay hindi magsasabi ng totoo, he will be under pain of perjury later on,” Malinao revealed in an interview with Radyo 630.
(He will undergo an interview, and if we prove he’s not telling the truth, he will face a perjury complaint later on.)
“For the meantime, tumitingin po kami sa ibang ebidensya na pwedeng mai-link sa kanya sa pagkawala ni Catherine,” he said.
(In the meantime, we seek other evidence linking him to the case.)
Full Story at: Police seek more proof to connect cop to beauty queen’s disappearance | Inquirer News
6 Chinese abducted in Muntinlupa; 3 Pinoys freed in Laguna | INQUIRER.NET – LUCENA CITY — Nine persons, including six Chinese nationals, were kidnapped in Ayala Alabang Village in Muntinlupa City on Monday, but three of them were later freed in Calauan, Laguna, the police said.
In a report on Tuesday, Oct. 31, the Police Regional Office 4A (PRO-4A), said village officials in Barangay Limao in Calauan accompanied three of the kidnap victims identified as Marian Arambulo, Henry and John Ray Catapat to the local police station after they were freed in the area by their supposed kidnappers.
The report, citing the statement of the three, said at around 4 a.m., six armed men barged inside the house of their employer, Ceng Chi Liang, on Sampaca Street in the village.
The intruders tied and blindfolded Liang, Arambulo, the two surnamed Catapats, and five other unidentified Chinese nationals, the PRO-4A said.
The victims were then loaded into a Hi-Ace Commuter van which traveled to Laguna.
Full Story at: 6 Chinese abducted in Muntinlupa; 3 Pinoys freed in Laguna | Inquirer News
