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Massacre of Negros sugar workers condemned

ACTIVIST and labor groups on Sunday condemned the reported massacre on Saturday night of nine sugar workers at a farm in Sagay City, Negros Occidental.
According to a report by the Philippine Star, the nine fatalities included three women and two minors who were strafed at around 9:30 p.m. by armed men at a hacienda in Purok Firetree, Barangay Bologna.
The fatalities belonged to the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW), said the Star report, which also cited the provincial police director, Senior Supt. Rodolfo Castil, as saying that about 40 armed men were involved in the attack.
In their joint statement, the NFSW and the Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) said they “hold the Duterte administration including the Armed Forces of the Philippines responsible for this reprehensible act of violence towards our farmers.”
The groups attributed to an Army official the claim that “the land cultivation areas (LCAs) being maintained by agricultural sugar workers and farmers in Negros Island are in fact New People’s Army (NPA) rebels communal farms.”
“The NFSW, on the other hand has time and again stated, that the goal of setting up land cultivation areas is to ward off the inevitable hunger brought by the Tiempo Muerto (dead season in the sugar industry) on properties covered by agrarian reform but which remain undistributed and idle, planting these with vegetables, banana, corn, and root crops to feed their families.”
“The 9 together with 4 others were resting in a farm hut when they were reportedly strafed by 40 armed men. They, together with others had just begun their LCA in the 75 hectare hacienda that morning. The names of the victims are still being ascertained and a Fact Finding Mission is still ongoing in the area.”
NFSW also said in a separate statement, “Land cultivation area or Bungkalan is our response to resonate our campaign for genuine agrarian reform and free land distribution. Farmers militantly occupy idle lands and collectively cultivate these lands in order to make it productive. Bungkalan reflects the failure of the government’s land reform program and the landlords’ refusal to distribute land to the tillers.”
“It is morally right and just for the sugar workers and peasants in Negros Occidental to undertake their Land Cultivation Areas especially with a regime that has no land reform program to offer. Instead it red baits those who assert their rights to the land,” NFSW also said in its statement with UMA.
For his part, Makabayan senatorial candidate and former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said in a statement, “This is an attempt of the Duterte gov’t to quell any form of protest by criminalizing legitimate demands. As NFSW have repeatedly pointed out the goal of setting up land cultivation areas is to ward off the inevitable hunger brought by the Tiempo Muerto (dead season in the sugar industry) by planting on properties vegetable, corn and root crips on undistributed and idle lands to feed their families.”

International body to look into ‘persecution’ of two PHL senators


By Camille A. Aguinaldo, Reporter
THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY Union (IPU) wants to send an official mission to the Philippines to look into the alleged “political persecution” of Senators Leila M. De Lima and Antonio F. Trillanes IV.
The requests were raised in separate resolutions adopted at the 139th IPU assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, on Oct. 18. The international body noted that the situation of the two senators warranted an “urgent visit” by the Committee on Human Rights of Parliamentarians.
With regards to Mr. Trillanes, the IPU expressed deep concerns that the senator “may soon be arrested” over charges which ran “counter to the legal principle that no one shall be tried twice for the same offense.”
It also pointed out the “exclusive preoccupation” of the presidential proclamation that voided Mr. Trillanes’s 2011 amnesty and gave “serious weight to the allegation that this is a targeted attempt to silence Senator Trillanes.”
IPU also decided to send a trial observer to close monitor the legal proceedings if this complied with international fair trial guarantees.
With regards to Ms. De Lima, IPU reiterated its call for the senator’s release and for the government to abandon the legal proceedings against her, “given that no serious evidence appears to be forthcoming.”
The international body also urged the Senate, under the new leadership of Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III, to act in solidarity with Ms. De Lima.
“(IPU) reaffirms that the Senate has a special responsibility to help ensure that its colleagues participate in its deliberations and speak out when they face reprisals for their work,” the resolution stated.
It also urged the Supreme Court to grant her occasional “legislative furlough.”
Both resolutions also pointed out that Filipino legislative authorities have not responded to IPU’s requests for information on the respective situation of the two senators.
Mr. Trillanes is still awaiting the decision of the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 150 regarding the Department of Justice’s (DoJ) motion for arrest against the senator in connection with his rebellion case.
Ms. De Lima was detained in February 2017 for what the government said was her involvement in the illegal drug trading at the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) when she was justice secretary.

Lawmaker to ASEAN: Don’t trust China

MAGDALO REP. Gary C. Alejano warned that China might not adhere to the air encounter code agreed upon by members of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).
“China, one of the ASEAN partners, does not even honor the existing international guidelines and rulings,” the party-list lawmaker said in a statement, Saturday.
“While we can expect ASEAN states to abide, it might be a different story for China,” he also said.
ASEAN Defense ministers in Singapore signed on Friday a joint declaration to strengthen cooperation and secure peace in the region, particularly in navigating the South China Sea.
Mr. Alejano also cited a maritime agreement that did not keep China from increasing its military presence in the South China Sea.
“Just last year, ASEAN with its international partners such as China adopted a similar code relating to sea encounters. Despite this, China’s aggression in our waters continued,” he said.
“The old and existing guidelines proved insufficient to contain tensions in the West Philippine Sea with China constantly challenging the rules and norms. We need an agreement that would specifically address cases of aggression especially amid territorial disputes,” he added. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Meralco keeps slim playoff hopes alive with ROS win

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE late resurgence of the Meralco Bolts in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup continued on Sunday after beating the (ROS) Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 91-82, in league action at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Engaged in a virtual slugfest, the Bolts delivered accordingly, delivering the blows needed in the end against the Elasto Painters to book their third straight win in the season-ending PBA tournament to improve to 4-6 and keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
The contest got off to a slow pace as the two teams struggled early to get their offense going.
The count stood at 6-all midway into the opening quarter and stayed tight at 19-19 after first-period play.
The nip-and-tuck nature of the match continued at the start of the second frame until Rain or Shine created some separation, 37-31 at the halfway point behind Rey Nambatac and Ed Daquioag.
Meralco though would pick up its game after, led by Chris Newsome, to overhaul the Elasto Painters’ lead, 44-43, by the halftime break.
Rain or Shine had more fluidity on offense as the third frame commenced.
The Elasto Painters raced to a 55-49 advantage with just four minutes lapsing.
Meralco, however, no sooner made the adjustment and came back to level things at 59-all at the 3:12 mark.
More jostling ensued after with the two teams eventually knotted at 65-all at the end of three quarters.
With the outcome of the match very much open, the two teams fight it off, looking to establish control in the payoff canto.
The Bolts held a two-point lead, 76-74, with 7:46 to go, padding it to five, 79-74, two minutes later after an and-one play by import Allen Durham.
Meralco did not stop there as it stepped on the gas pedal thereafter to speed to an 88-77 advantage with 2:31 left on the clock.
Rain or Shine attempted to make its way back but the Bolts did not allow them to, hanging on to park the victory and send the Elasto Painters (2-6) to back-to-back losses.
Mr. Durham led Meralco with 19 points, 20 rebounds and six assists with Mike Tolomia coming off the bench to score 17.
Norbert Torres paced Rain or Shine with 16 points while import Terrence Watson had 14 points and 13 boards.
“It’s another solid defensive showing for us. Everybody rotated well and played as a group. On the other end we had balanced scoring and Allen (Durham) did not have to do a lot,” said Meralco coach Norman Black as he made his assessment of their win after the game.
“But we are not out of the woods yet. We have a 12-days break before we next play and hopefully we don’t miss a lot of momentum,” added Mr. Black, whose wards play their last game of the eliminations on Nov. 4 versus the San Miguel Beermen.
The Meralco Bolts are hoping to sweep their remaining games to at least get a shot at a tie and playoff for the last quarterfinal spot.

World Series: Dodgers vs Red Sox

MILWAUKEE — The Los Angeles Dodgers booked a return trip to the World Series behind steady power and sturdy pitching on Saturday, defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS).
Cody Bellinger and Yasiel Puig hit home runs to back a strong effort from rookie right-hander Walker Buehler and four relievers, sending the Dodgers to the Fall Classic in consecutive years for the first time since 1977-78. Game 1 of the World Series against the Red Sox is set for Tuesday night at Fenway Park in Boston.
Bellinger was recognized as NLCS MVP. Though he hit .200 in the series, his home run on Saturday accounted for the go-ahead run, and he had the game-winning hit in the 13th inning of Game 4.
Puig had three of the Dodgers’ 10 hits, none bigger than a three-run home run in the sixth inning that gave Los Angeles a 5-1 lead. Buehler helped set the tone for the pitching staff with a strong start, limiting the Brewers to one run and six hits in 4 2/3 innings while striking out seven.
Brewers right fielder Christian Yelich opened the scoring with one out in the first inning, delighting the sellout crowd of 44,097 by smacking a solo home run to right field. The ball narrowly escaped Puig’s leaping attempt at the wall.
The Dodgers responded in the top of the second, however, as Bellinger hit a two-run homer into the second deck in right to give Los Angeles a 2-1 lead. Shortstop Manny Machado started the rally by bunting down the third base line on a 3-2 count to beat a defensive shift.
Brewers right-hander Jhoulys Chacin worked out of further trouble to end the inning, which proved to be his final action of the game. Manager Craig Counsell pinch-hit for Chacin with two on and two out in the bottom of the second, but Jonathan Schoop grounded out to end the threat.
Chacin (1-1) allowed two runs on three hits in two innings, walking one. A fully rested Josh Hader followed and kept the Brewers afloat by continuing a dominant postseason.
Pitching for the first time since Game 4, Hader struck out four, walked one and allowed one hit in three innings of scoreless relief. The All-Star left-hander fanned 16 of the 35 batters he faced in 10 shutout innings over seven playoff appearances. He allowed five hits and walked one.
Hader entered the on-deck circle to potentially hit in the bottom of the fifth, but was removed for a pinch hitter after Orlando Arcia grounded out to start the inning.
Largely reliable throughout the regular season stretch run and into October, the Brewers’ bullpen stumbled one inning later as Puig lined a three-run home run to left field against Jeremy Jeffress with two outs. Puig pumped his arms exuberantly as he rounded the bases.
Los Angeles’ rally came on the heels of Dodgers left fielder Chris Taylor’s dazzling defensive play to end a prime Milwaukee scoring chance in the fifth. With two out and the potential tying run on second base, Yelich drilled an opposite-field line drive to the left field gap against Julio Urias.
Taylor ranged toward the ball to make a sliding, over-the-shoulder catch on the warning track.
Urias, Ryan Madson, Kenley Jansen, and Clayton Kershaw combined for 4 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. Madson (1-0) earned the victory, scattering one hit and two strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings.
The Dodgers stood at 16-26 on May 16 and did not climb over .500 until June 10. They took sole possession of the National League West lead for the first time on July 13 but battled with the Colorado Rockies for the division crown through the end of the regular season.
Los Angeles clinched its sixth successive division title with a home victory against the Rockies in the NL West tiebreaker game.
The Brewers also needed a 163rd regular-season game to outlast the Chicago Cubs for the NL Central title, earning the club’s third postseason berth since moving to the National League in 1998. The Brewers were seeking their first World Series berth since 1982. — Reuters

NU Bulldogs stop UST Tigers’ charge, 69-61

THE National University Bulldogs put an end to the impressive winning run of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in UAAP Season 81 after beating the latter, 69-61, in league action on Sunday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Showing strong resolve to fight off a gallant stand by erstwhile streaking UST, NU (3-6) got back on the winning track in the ongoing University Athletic Association of the Philippines tournament and stayed in contention for the playoffs while stopping the Tigers’ (4-5) winning ascent to three games.
The two teams swung at each other early, fighting to an 8-8 count midway into the opening frame.
NU, however, would outscore UST, 7-3, led by Troy Rike and Shaun Ildefonso, the rest of the way to hold a 15-11 lead after the first 10 minutes.
The Tigers opened the second quarter strong with Renzo Subido and Marvin Lee showing the way.
They were able to pull even, 23-all, with 6:10 to go in the period before seizing the lead altogether, 28-26, two minutes later.
But the Bulldogs would regain their footing, regaining the lead and staying ahead heading into the break, 33-32.
NU sustained its fine play to begin the third canto as it opened things with an 8-2 run to build a 41-34 advantage by the 6:30 mark.
Rookies CJ Cansino and Germy Mahinay tried to rally UST back but NU held on to carry a 53-42 advantage entering the final quarter.
UST tried to make up for lost ground to start the payoff quarter.
Subido towed the Tigers to within two points, 55-53, with seven minutes left in the game.
A Rev Diputado basket gave the Bulldogs more breathing space, 57-53, at the 6:46 mark.
Lee though pushed UST to one point away, 57-56, with a triple with five minutes to go.
A back and forth ensued between the two teams went before Dave Ildefonso started an NU run that gave the Bulldogs a 65-58 lead with 2:58 remaining on the clock.
Lee hit a triple with 2:03 left to narrow the gap, 65-61, but UST would not go near after that as NU strung up four straight points after, care of John Clemente and Issa Gaye, to seal the victory.
Dave Ildefonso paced the Bulldogs with 16 points to go along with four rebounds and three assists.
Rike had 13 points and seven boards while Clemente added 12 points.
Subido, meanwhile, was the high point man for UST with 18 points followed by Lee with 12.
Zach Huang ended up with 11 points and nine rebounds while Cansino had eight points, 18 rebounds and five assists for the Tigers.
NU next plays against league-leading Ateneo Blue Eagles (7-2) on Oct. 27 while UST faces off with tail-ending University of the East Red Warriors (1-7) on Oct. 28. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

‘Challenger’ Angela Lee of Singapore looking forward to testing self in upcoming fight

IN an unfamiliar position as “challenger” in her upcoming fight, ONE Championship women’s atomweight world champion Angela “The Unstoppable” Lee of Singapore said she is relishing the opportunity given to her and is looking forward to the challenge she is about to face.
To take on and challenge ONE women’s strawweight champion “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan of China for her title at “ONE: Heart of the Lion” on Nov. 9 in Singapore, Ms. Lee (9-0) is out to solidify her legacy as one of the best female fighters ever even as she said it is going to be easier said than done against a tough fighter like Ms. Xiong (13-1).
“I’m not the type of person who is comfortable where I am at. This is about my legacy. I want to be known as one of the baddest female fighters of my time and I see this as a great opportunity to shock the world and become the first female two-division world champion in ONE,” said Ms. Lee in a global media conference call for Heart of the Lion on Oct. 18, speaking of her decision to take on Ms. Xiong in a title fight.
While she is the challenger in the title fight, Ms. Lee, who last fought in May against Japanese Mei Yamaguchi and won by unanimous decision, said the “champion mentality” is still there and that she is going for the belt.
“For me I’m entering this fight as the challenger but I’m still the atomweight champion in the organization. But having said that, it doesn’t mean I don’t have that hunger to go out there and take on this challenge and get another belt. I still have that champion mentality,” said Ms. Lee, 22, eight years younger than Ms. Xiong.
“I’m excited for this. I think that this is a great opportunity. There is nothing that will get in my way,” she added.
The Xiong-Lee title fight headlines “Heart of the Lion” which will happen at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Serving as co-main event is the unification bout between reigning ONE world bantamweight champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes and interim world bantamweight champion Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon of the Philippines. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Rollback

A fuel station in the National Capital Region gets a diesel supply refill on Sunday, a day before most oil companies were to implement a rollback in pump prices today, Oct. 22, for the second week in a row, following movements in the international oil market.

Super Eagles, Team Ghana dispute 7’s Football League title tonight

THE 7’s Football League final is to be played tonight with African teams Super Eagles and Team Ghana disputing the title in the clash set at 7 p.m. at the McKinley Hill Stadium in Taguig City.
The two teams topped their respective semifinals with Super Eagles getting the better of Laro, 4-1, and Team Ghana edging Real Amigos in matches that took place on Oct. 15.
They now collide in trying to bag the championship of the tournament, which is designed to give players and football lovers an opportunity to pursue their passion and further the growth of the sport.
Super Eagles were towed by the brace of Ugochuku Ebere as they eliminated Laro, which is led by former Philippine Azkals captain Aly Borromeo.
Mr. Ebere opened the scoring in the sixth minute of the match before Laro levelled the count at 1-1 three minutes later on a free kick by Charlie Beaton.
It proved to be a short-lived tied score as the Super Eagles regained the upper hand in the 16th minute when Olisa Analle found the bottom of the net.
They continued to put pressure on Laro when Mr. Ebere scored his second goal in the 43rd minute to give his team a 3-1 lead.
The Super Eagles put the game away in the 47th minute when Michael Okeagu added another goal to make it 4-1.
“Awesome! It’s so great. What happened today was an amazing thing,” said Super Eagles team manager Danny Kross following their booking of a seat in the final.
Team Ghana, meanwhile, held tough to eliminate Real Amigos.
The team got a brace from Sam Adams as it fought its way back from being down a goal.
Joseph Dabo put Real Amigos ahead early when he punctured through a goal in the 10th minute.
Mr. Adams, however, equalized in the 18th minute by way of a header.
Team Ghana built on its first goal care of David Asare in the 27th minute and Mr. Adams eight minutes later to make it 3-1.
Godwin Odogu converted a goal off a free kick just before full time for the consolation goal for Real Amigos.
“This time, we planned our strategy well and we trained hard for this game,” said Team Ghana coach Ayi Bimbo after the match.
The 7’s Football League final will be shown over ESPN5. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Itogon mining decision up to provincial panel, DENR says

THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has given the Benguet Provincial Mining Regulatory Board the authority to decide whether mine tunnels, stockpiled mineral ores, and mineral processing plants in Itogon will be reopened. The decision on what to do with adits and processing plants closed and/or cordoned off, and stockpile of mineral ore earlier inventoried by the National Task Force–Mining Challenge ‘Operation Itogon’ shall be decided by the local board. The adits and processing plants shall remain closed and shall not be utilized, and the stockpile of mineral ore shall not be processed and disposed unless allowed by the board. According to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), “the board agreed to grant temporary permits for the operation of ball mills and sluicing activities only.” MGB also said that an advisory has been issued for the guidelines in the issuance of special permits to process ore stockpiles. DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu ordered a stop to all small-scale mining activities in CAR on Sept. 17 following a landslide that killed dozens in Itogon town when typhoon Ompong (international name: Mangkhut) hit the region. According to the Benguet Federation of Small-Scale Miners, around 20,000 in the province are engaged in the trade. — Philstar

Lewis Hamilton takes US pole with fifth title in sight

AUSTIN, TEXAS — Lewis Hamilton took a big step towards clinching his fifth Formula One title after putting his Mercedes on pole position at the US Grand Prix on Saturday with Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel starting fifth.
The Briton, who will be only the third driver to win at least five titles if he scores eight points more than Vettel on Sunday, will share the front row with the German’s Finnish team mate Kimi Raikkonen.
Vettel qualified second, and just 0.061 slower than Hamilton, but has a three-place grid drop after failing to slow sufficiently while red flags were being waved in Friday practice.
The pole was a record-extending 81st for Hamilton, his third in a row in Austin and ninth of the season and he did it with a time of one minute 32.237 seconds — a track record.
“That was very important, that was close,” said the Briton as he waved at the throng of fans on an overcast and gusty afternoon at the Circuit of the Americas with rain clouds gathering.
“Once we went into that last run, I knew it was quite edgy between us. It was going to require solid laps. The first one was decent but not good enough. The second one was just that little bit better.
“The Ferraris are obviously really quick.”
Ferrari had looked the faster team in the second phase of qualifying, with Raikkonen top of the timesheets and Vettel second.
There was also very little between them in the final shootout, with the top three separated by less than a tenth of a second.
“After the weeks we had I’m pretty pleased we are back in range. Today has been surprisingly close, I don’t think we expected it to be that close,” commented Vettel, who vented his frustration over the team radio after crossing the line.
VERSTAPPEN STOPPED
Vettel will have his work cut out on Sunday at a racetrack where Hamilton has won five times in the last six years. The Mercedes driver is also on a roll, with six wins in the last seven rounds.
Another win on Sunday would be Hamilton’s fifth in a row, and Vettel — also a four times world champion — would have to finish second to keep the championship alive to Mexico the following weekend.
Hamilton’s team mate Valtteri Bottas will share the second row with Red Bull’s Australian Daniel Ricciardo and neither will be easy for Vettel to get past.
Ricciardo’s team mate Max Verstappen would also have hoped to be in the mix but the young Dutch driver will start 13th after suffering suspension damage in the first phase of qualifying.
“Something broke,” he exclaimed over the radio.
Force India’s Esteban Ocon will start sixth, with Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg seventh and Romain Grosjean in eighth place for Haas, Formula One’s only US team.
Vettel’s future Ferrari team mate Charles Leclerc will line up ninth for Sauber while Force India’s Mexican Sergio Perez, who has plenty of local support, qualified 10th.
Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne qualified last but will move up the grid thanks to engine penalties applied to the Toro Rossos of Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley, who will go to the back of the field. — Reuters

Houston Rockets top LA Lakers as tempers flare late

LOS ANGELES — James Harden scored 36 points and Chris Paul added 28 points with 10 assists as the visiting Houston Rockets spoiled LeBron James’ home opener with the Los Angeles Lakers by earning a high-intensity 124-115 victory Saturday night.
Three players were ejected with 4:13 remaining after an on-court altercation that started after the Lakers’ Brandon Ingram committed a hard foul on Harden. After the whistle, Paul and the Lakers’ Rajon Rondo threw punches at each other, with Ingram also joining the fray. Paul, Rondo, and Ingram all were ejected.
The Rockets closed out their first victory and showed improved defense after giving up 131 points in a season-opening defeat to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday.
James scored 24 points on his new home floor, adding five rebounds and five assists. James, who led the Cleveland Cavaliers to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances, signed a four-year, $154 million deal with the Lakers in the offseason.
James’ first home field goal with the Lakers came on a pull-up jumper with 10:02 remaining in the first quarter. His first dunk came as he cut into the lane with 7:03 remaining in the opening quarter.
The Lakers remain in search of their first victory with James, losing 128-119 in their season opener at Portland on Thursday. JaVale McGee had 16 points for the Lakers on Saturday, while Lonzo Ball added 14, hitting four 3-pointers. Rondo had 13 points and 10 assists.
Harden and Paul took charge from the outset for the Rockets. Harden had 23 points at halftime, making eight free throws. Paul had 19 points in the first two quarters, making seven free throws.
Houston shot 18 free throws in the first half to the Lakers’ seven as the Rockets led 66-62 after two quarters. Clint Capela finished with 19 points and had 12 rebounds for the Rockets, while Gerald Green scored 13.
The Rockets led 109-108 at the time of the on-court confrontation and put the game away afterward, getting a key 3-pointer from PJ Tucker with 2:31 remaining for a 117-112 lead. Harden added a 3-pointer of his own with 1:12 remaining to give Houston a 120-113 lead. — Reuters

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