Military identifies foreign jihadists training locals

July 25, 2019 | 9:13 pm

THE PHILIPPINE military has identified at least two of the seven foreign jihadists who are grooming locals to become suicide bombers in the Mindanao region, according to Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana.

The nationalities of the foreign terrorists linked to Islamic State (IS) are Egyptian, Malaysian, Indonesian and Singaporean, the Defense chief told reporters on Thursday.

“We have the names of a couple but we are not going to give them out yet until we get all the names,” he said, adding that the foreign jihadists are with the group of Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan on the island of Jolo in southern Philippines.

Abu Sayyaf leader Sawadjaan, who is believed to have taken over the leadership of IS in the Philippines, allegedly masterminded the bombing of a Catholic cathedral in Jolo in January, killing 23 people and wounding about 100 more.

This was one of the few major instances where suicide attacks were used in the predominantly Catholic nation. Another was a van blast at a military checkpoint on the island of Basilan in July 2018, where at least 10 people died.

IS has also claimed responsibility for the June 28 attack near a military camp in Sulu province. The military later identified one of the two suicide bombers as the first Filipino to have participated in the tactic.

The Philippines has received attention from IS as it turns its sights on Southeast Asia after the fall of its self-proclaimed “caliphate” in the Middle East.

Mr. Lorenzana said they have received reports that about 100 foreign terrorists have entered the country and are staying in Central Mindanao.

He said military operations targeting members of the Abu Sayyaf in Jolo will be intensified.

Resource-rich Mindanao is home to a number of armed groups, several of which are linked to the decades-old insurgency seeking to create an independent Muslim state.

The Abu Sayyaf, the most violent extremist group in Mindanao, has used terror both for profit and to promote its jihadist agenda, according to the US National Counterterrorism Center. The group engages in kidnapping for ransom, bombings, assassinations and extortion. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Coast Guard gets new boats to improve patrols

July 25, 2019 | 9:13 pm

THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) yesterday took delivery of assets meant to upgrade its sea patrol capabilities and response to natural disasters.

The new assets include 73 rubber boats with outboard motors, 12 rigid-hulled inflatable boats, 90 pickup trucks, seven buses and five ambulances.

China’s neighbors are racing to empower their Coast Guard fleets amid increasing tensions in the South China Sea.

China has been building artificial islands in the disputed Spratly Islands and setting up installations including several runways. China claims sovereignty over more than 80 percent of the waterway based on its so-called nine-dash line drawn on a 1940s map.

“These new assets boost our men’s morale and see the silver lining to the challenging times and rainy days ahead,” Admiral Elson E. Hermogino said in ceremonies yesterday.

Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana said the Coast Guard can perform its duties more efficiently using the new equipment.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte has sought closer investment and trade ties with Beijing, including over resources in the South China Sea, since taking power in 2016.

On June 9, a Filipino fishing boat sank after colliding with a Chinese vessel at the disputed Reed Bank. The president has called the collision a “little” maritime incident.

His predecessor, Benigno S. Aquino III, sued China before an international arbitration tribunal over its territorial claims, and won. He also strengthened Philippine alliance with the US to try to check China’s expansion in the main waterway. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Robredo camp says sedition endgame is impeachment

July 25, 2019 | 9:12 pm

A COMPLAINT against Vice-President Maria Leonor G. Robredo accusing her of inciting to sedition was likely started to form a basis for her eventual impeachment, her spokesman said yesterday.

“There is clearly a political motivation behind all of this,” Barry Gutierrez, Ms. Robredo’s spokesman, told reporters at a briefing. “Impeachment is really the endgame here,” he added.

Mr. Gutierrez, a lawyer, also questioned the solicitor general’s role in drafting the complaint against the vice-president and other lawmakers, lawyers and Catholic Church leaders.

The Office of the Solicitor General, which allegedly helped draft the police complaint at the Ombudsman, in a statement said it is its duty to serve clients seeking legal advice.

Mr. Gutierrez noted that the solicitor has generally acted as the lawyer of government agencies before the courts.

“Helping prepare a complaint-affidavit that will initiate a criminal investigation by the Department of Justice falls way outside its mandate,” he added.

Police last week filed a complaint of inciting to sedition, cyberlibel, libel, estafa, harboring a criminal and obstruction of justice against Ms. Robredo and other people whom it accused of circulating a video linking President Rodrigo R. Duterte and his family to illegal drugs.

Also sued was Peter Joemel Advincula, the self-confessed drug dealer who was featured in the videos.

Mr. Advincula had sought legal assistance in filing charges against members of the drug syndicate he formerly belonged to. Later that month, he surrendered to police over estafa charges, and tagged the Liberal Party as behind the propaganda.

The Liberal Party has accused the government of political harassment and persecution, saying the complaint is based on lies.

Human Rights Watch on Wednesday said governments and donors should press the Duterte administration to end its persecution of critics of its “murderous war on drugs.” A conviction for incitement to sedition carries a maximum penalty of six years in jail. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Duterte raises bounty in cops’ killing

July 25, 2019 | 9:12 pm

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Thursday raised the reward money to P3 million for the capture of those responsible for the ambush of four policemen in Negros Oriental last week.

Mr. Duterte made the announcement in a speech in Ilocos Sur.

The Palace announced on Sunday that Mr. Duterte had offered a P1 million reward for the capture of the suspects. He later raised it to P1.3 million.

“I am raising it to P3 million,” he said in his speech in Ilocos Sur on Thursday.

The slain policemen were attacked while verifying the presence of communist rebels in Ayungon town. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Duterte to follow local execs on martial law

July 25, 2019 | 9:11 pm

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Thursday said he is not inclined to extend martial rule in Mindanao unless local officials seek it.

“I am not advocating any continuance of martial law,” the President said in a speech in Ilocos Sur.

“I would not hesitate to say yes” to governors, mayors and even congressmen who think martial law is still needed, he said.

Presidential spokesman Salvador S. Panelo on Tuesday said the president would extend martial rule if the military recommends it. — Arjay L.Balinbin

President says P50M threshold for plunder enough

July 25, 2019 | 9:11 pm

THE threshold for the crime of plunder should stay at P50 million, President Rodrigo R. Duterte said on Thursday.

Mr. Duterte, who wants to restore the death penalty for plunder, drug trafficking and other heinous crimes, said in a speech in Ilocos Sur the P50 million threshold is enough.

Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go has filed a bill reinstating capital punishment. He also said he is open to lowering the threshold amount.

On Wednesday, Mr. Go said he is “not very confident” that his bill would get enough backing form his fellow senators.

In his fourth State of the Nation Address last Monday, Mr. Duterte said drug traffickers must be put to death, noting that the illegal drug menace persists despite his deadly war on drugs that has killed thousands. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Filipino `gainers’ still trump ‘losers’ in SWS poll

July 25, 2019 | 9:11 pm

THE number of Filipinos who said their lives improved in the past year fell in June, while the number of those saying otherwise rose, according to the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

The pollster said 36% of Filipinos said their lives improved, 2 points lower than a quarter earlier. On the other hand, 22% of Filipinos said their lives worsened, 1 point higher than in the previous quarter.

This means a net gainers score of +17, 4 points lower but still considered by SWS as “very high.”

The lower net gainers score last month comes after a 19-point increase over the previous two quarters. After dropping to -2 (fair) in September 2018, it went up to +12 (very high) in December, and up again to +17 (very high) in March 2019, before falling to +13 in June.

Peso recovers vs dollar

July 25, 2019 | 9:00 pm

Peso Dollar — THE PESO rebounded against the dollar ahead of the policy meeting of the European Central Bank. — *BW FILE PHOTO*

THE PESO recovered versus the dollar on Thursday, even as it moved in a tight range ahead of the policy meeting of the European Central Bank (ECB).

The local unit closed yesterday’s session at P51.11 against the greenback, 6.5 centavos stronger than its P51.175-per-dollar finish on Wednesday.

The peso traded in a tight range, opening the session at P51.14 per dollar. It strengthened to as high as P51.07, while its worst showing stood at P51.15 against the US currency.

Trading volume thinned to $831.85 million from the $1.167 billion that changed hands the previous day.

A trader attributed the stronger finish of the peso to the continuation of profit-taking, which pushed the pair to end Wednesday’s trading session near its intraday high.

“Still, the dollar-peso traded on a tight range mainly because of the market is being cautious ahead of the ECB meeting,” the trader said on Thursday.

The ECB was expected to trim policy rates by 10 basis points during its policy meeting to ease the effects of trade tensions globally and pale inflation in the Eurozone.

The central bank’s meeting comes days ahead of the similarly crucial meeting of the US Federal Reserve, wherein they are also expected to ease monetary policy.

“The peso strengthened from market optimism on reports that a US delegation will be heading to Shanghai as US-China trade discussion resumes,” another trader said in an e-mail.

Officials of China and the US are set to meet in the Chinese financial capital next week to restart trade talks, weeks after US President Donald J. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to continue their negotiations.

Despite the resumption of cabinet-level trade talks, market watchers are not expecting any major development in the meeting.

For today, the first trader expects the peso to trade between P51.05 and P51.25, while the other gave a P51-P51.20 range. — KANV

Stocks rebound as mart hopes for US-China deal

July 25, 2019 | 9:00 pm

By Arra B. Francia, Senior Reporter

STOCKS recovered on Thursday as investors were optimistic on the trade talks between the United States and China next week.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) climbed 1.35% or 110.69 points to close at 8,272.18 yesterday, bouncing back from the previous session’s steep decline. The broader all-shares index likewise rose 0.75% or 37.60 points to 4,993.84.

“Philippine shares rebounded ahead of next week’s trade talks as China approved tariff-free US soybean purchases as goodwill,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said in a mobile phone message.

Trade negotiators from the US will be flying in to China next week for another round of trade talks, with the White House said to be eyeing a longer-term timeline for the deal.

The PSEi managed to end higher despite losses in the morning, as index heavyweight Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) continued to be sold down after its deal to acquire The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf brand for $350 million.

“JFC remained to be the main drag in the index as it fell this time by 6%, having the highest net foreign selling print of P751 million — the stock still reeling from the company’s recent acquisition of Coffee Bean,” Papa Securities Corp. Sales Associate Gabriel Jose F. Perez said in an e-mail.

Shares in JFC were the most actively traded for the day, ending 5.98% lower or P15 to close at P236 each.

Four sectoral indices ended in positive territory, led by the holding firms counter as it jumped 1.92% or 152.46 points to 8,077.35. Financials surged 1.67% or 30.84 points to 1,873.53; property went up 0.95% or 41.55 points to 4,401.11; and services firmed up 0.56% or 9.35 points to 1,669.69.

Meanwhile, industrials dropped 0.82% or 94.62 points to 11,407.16, alongside mining and oil which plunged 0.61% or 49.32 points to 8,038.13.

Turnover improved to P8.27 billion after some 894.31 million issues switched hands, higher than Wednesday’s P6.44 billion.

Despite the main index’s uptick, market breadth was negative with 124 decliners compared to 79 advancers. Forty-eight names were unchanged.

Foreign investors went back to buying mode with P124.46 million in net purchases, against the previous session’s P542.01-million net outflow.

“With the index managing to close above its 20-day moving average support at 8,160, it now has potential to retest its recent high of 8,419.59,” Mr. Perez said.

Wall Street ended mixed amid weak manufacturing data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.29% or 79.22 points to 27,269.97. The S&P 500 index gained 0.47% or 14.09 points to 3,019.56, while the Nasdaq Composite index went up 0.85% or 70.10 points to 8,321.50.

Brother of slain businessman charged

July 25, 2019 | 8:57 pm

GOVERNMENT prosecutors indicted the brother of slain businessman Dominic L. Sytin and two others, the Justice department said yesterday.

The suspects were charged Olongapo City court. with murder and frustrated murder for wounding the victim’s bodyguard, Justice Undersecretary Markk L. Perete said.

Sytin was the chief executive editor of United Auctioneers, Inc., chairman of Foton Philippines, and director and chairman of tLMG Chemicals Corp.

He was shot dead outside the Lighthouse Hotel at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone on Nov. 28, 2018 . — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Nationwide round-up

July 25, 2019 | 8:57 pm

Mayors given 60 days to clear roads and sidewalks from obstructions

THE DEPARTMENT of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will soon release a formal directive to local government units (LGUs) to clear roads and sidewalks from obstructions within 60 days, and mayors who fail to do so could face suspension. DILG Undersecretary Epimaco V. Densing III cited illegal vendors and illegally parked cars as causes of traffic. “Kapag ‘di nila nagawa ‘yung paglilinis ng (If they fail to comply within) 60 days, magkakaroon kami ng imebstigasyon (we will conduct an investigation)…. once we see that there is gross negligence of duty, we can recommend a suspension of the mayor, and the President, without second thought, will sign our recommendation,” said Mr. Densing in a chance interview with reporters during the Metro Manila Council meeting on Thursday. During his State of the Nation Address last Monday, President Rodrigo R. Duterte called for the smooth flow of traffic, particularly in urban areas. Mr. Densing also said that local councils should review their respective traffic ordinances, while LGUs should consider having their own towing equipment for illegally parked vehicles. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Bill on ROTC alternative filed

A BILL providing for an alternative Citizen Service Program, instead of the proposed mandatory Reserved Officers’ Training Corp. (ROTC), has been filed in the Senate. Senator Imee R. Marcos, in filing Senate Bill No. 413, opposed President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s request to revive the ROTC for students in Grades 11 and 12. “Nag-o-offer ako ng choice sa (I am offering another choice from) ROTC,” Ms. Marcos said in a briefing on Thursday, noting that the mandatory military training is against United Nations resolutions signed by the Philippines. “We can’t allow our youth to go through that,” she said. The bill’s proposed Citizen Service Program will be offered from grade school up to college. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Spokesman reassures teachers Duterte will keep campaign promise

MALACAÑANG ON Thursday said President Rodrigo R. Duterte is not dropping his campaign promise to “double” the salaries of teachers. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo made the statement after the President said teachers’ salaries will now be adjusted just “a little bit” in the proposed new Salary Standardization Law. In a press briefing, Mr. Panelo said the President is “definitely not” dropping his campaign promise to public school teachers to double their salaries. “Love niya ang mga teachers (He loves teachers),” the spokesman said. In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday, the President said of the teachers’ salary increase: “It is now time for Congress to approve a new version of the Salary Standardization Law. Ngayon na (It must be now).” He added, “And to the teachers — who toil and work tirelessly to educate our young, kasali na po dito ‘yung hinihingi ninyo. Hindi naman masyadong malaki, pero (this will include what you have been asking for. It will not be much but) it will tide you over during these hard times. A little bit bigger than before.” — Arjay L. Balinbin

DoTr, LTO, ImagineLaw sign deal to push for strict speed limit implementation

THE DEPARTMENT of Transportation (DOTr) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and non-government organization ImagineLaw to jointly push for the nationwide implementation of speed limits through the local government units (LGUs). The MoU is contained under Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2018-001, which provides the Guidelines and Standards for the Classification of Roads, Setting of Speed Limits under Republic Act No. 4136, and Collection of Road Crash Data. At the signing, DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Richmund M. de Leon also encouraged citizens to participate in the campaign by calling on their local leaders to implement the ordinance. “It will be jointly enforced by LTO and the local government units kaya ‘pag nagkaroon na sila ng ordinansa (so once they have the local ordinance)… the local government themselves can enforce the speed limit ordinance,” he said. Under the JMC, the DOTr is tasked to fund training activities for the speed enforcement training of LGUs, which will be conducted by ImagineLaw by bringing in international policing experts. The LTO will be ensuring that the effort will be sustained through information, education, and communication campaigns. ImagineLaw Executive Director Sophia Monica V. San Luis said a related website called “Dahan-dahan sa Daan” will be launched in September. — Vincent Mariel P. Galang

Nayong Pilipino to be rebranded Nayon Clark Park; launch set Oct. 28

July 25, 2019 | 8:54 pm

THE NAYONG Pilipino, a theme park showcasing Filipino culture, will be relaunched on Oct. 28 under a new name: Nayon Clark Park. Nayong Pilipino Foundation, Inc. (NPF) Executive Director Michelle Aguilar-Ong said several facilities of the 5.6-hectare park are currently undergoing renovation and improvements, including the theater area. “The park is also aimed to be the home of every young and struggling artists in various fields,” Ms. Ong said in a statement released by Clark Development Corp. Upon reopening, the theater is intended to be used for daily cultural shows, while the food park will also have stalls for souvenir and novelty items. The lagoon, one of the main attractions when Expo Pilipino was established in 1998, will also be used for entertainment purposes, according to Ms. Ong. NPF will also be launching a new logo featuring the Vanda Sanderiana flower, an orchid commonly known in the Philippines as waling-waling. The Nayong Pilipino, originally located in the capital near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, was transferred to Clark in July 2002 and reopened in 2007. It is popular for replicas and miniatures of Philippine tourist destinations and indigenous people villages. With the relaunch, Ms. Ong said NPF will be “aggressive in marketing the new theme park, targeting not only students and educational field trips but also for tourism activities replicating the meeting, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) thrust of Clark Development Corporation.” By Oct., the park will be made part of the public jeepney route within the Clark Freeport.