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Philippines, Vietnam reach agreement on fishermen

DEFENSE SECRETARY Delfin N. Lorenzana said he and his Vietnamese counterpart have agreed that fishermen of both countries will not be apprehended for fishing in claimed areas in the South China Sea.
“So kung meron tayong makikita diyan (So if we spot [Vietnamese fishermen] there), just warn them, ‘You are in Philippine waters, please go back to your area.’ In like manner, kung andun naman sa kanila ‘yung fishermen natin (if our fishermen are in their waters), just tell them to go back. Kasi hindi naman alam ng fishermen kung ano eh, wala naman silang GPS [Global Positioning System](Because these fishermen are not aware where they are, they don’t have GPS),” Mr. Lorenzana told reporters on Tuesday, March 19, at Clark Air Base, Pampanga.
Mr. Lorenzana made his official visit to Vietnam last week to discuss with Vietnamese Defense Minister General Ngo Xuan Lich issues in connection with China’s increased activity in the disputed waters.
He said, “Kasi ang sabi namin (What we said), these fishermen are not actually very rich people. They’re actually just poor fishermen trying to earn a living, so ‘wag na natin silang pahirapan (so let’s not make things difficult for them).”
Mr. Lorenzana also said he will meet with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia Joseph H. Felter to discuss the possible review of the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between the US and the Philippines.
“Exploratory lang. Wala pang talking points diyan. (No talking points yet.) Gusto lang natin malaman (We just want to know), what do they think about our proposal, to open up for discussion what is in the MDT?” said Mr. Lorenzana.
He also said, “I support in a way that the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea (be) always open for navigation for all, kasi ‘yun ang daanan ng ating mga trades, mga commerce natin (because it’s the path of our trade and commerce),” he said. “Ang takot ko lang diyaan baka sa girian nila diyan, magputukan, eh baka masali tayo sa gulo (My only concern is we might be involved in a flashpoint).”
“That’s why we are very much eager to finish the Code of Conduct (on the) South China Sea, which we have been crafting since 2012….Hanggang ngayon hindi pa tapos (It’s not yet finished). But hopefully with the cooperation of China, we will finish it in the next three years.” — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Lorenzana debunks reports of growing IS presence in PHL

DEFENSE SECRETARY Delfin N. Lorenzana debunked recent reports that a hundred Islamic State members are now in the country with the number growing as the extremist group loses territories in Iraq and Syria following intensified operations by US-backed forces. “We don’t see those people there, not that much. Siguro merong kaunti du’n (Maybe there are a few)… Siguro up to 10,” Mr. Lorenzana told reporters at the Clark Air Base in Pampanga on Tuesday, March 19. He added that he does not believe that the number is increasing, although he acknowledged that these foreigners, particularly the Malaysians and Indonesians, could possibly move from one country to another. Mr. Lorenzana said cooperation with the governments of Malaysia and Indonesia are continuously being strengthened to ensure security in the region. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

DoH to include Japanese Encephalitis vaccine in immunization program

THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DoH) announced on Tuesday that it will now include vaccines for Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in its immunization program, beginning in regions with the most number of reported cases last year. DoH, in a statement, said the vaccine will be given for free starting this month to children nine months to five years old in Regions 1 (Ilocos), 2 (Cagayan Valley), 3 (Central Luzon), and the Cordillera Administrative Region. JE is a viral disease transmitted from Culex mosquitoes, which thrive in wet and shallow areas. Children are more at risk. In 2018, DoH reported 345 cases of the mosquito-borne disease. “Among the 12 countries with established JE transmission, only two countries have not introduced the vaccine in their immunization program, and one of these is the Philippines. Now, the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine is available in the Philippines,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said. — Gillian M. Cortez

Air Force gets P2.5B worth of helicopter spare parts, equipment from Japan

THE JAPANESE government has donated spare parts and maintenance equipment worth P2.5 billion for the helicopters of the Philippine Air Force (PAF). “This is donated by the Japanese government because they are manufacturing these spare parts under license from the US. Ito mga excess nila (These are their excess production)…. So they thought it is wise to give it to us,” Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana said on March 19. He noted that the PAF has several grounded aircraft due to lack of spare parts needed for repairs. The parts will be used to restore the UH-1H helicopters that are deployed primarily for humanitarian assistance and disaster response, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Sytin’s brother summoned for preliminary investigation

THE DEPARTMENT of Justice (DoJ) summoned for preliminary investigation the younger brother of slain businessman Dominic L. Sytin, the alleged mastermind of the murder. The complaints of murder and frustrated murder against Dennis L. Sytin are scheduled for preliminary investigation on April 1. “You are hereby warned that failure on your part to comply with this subpoena shall be considered as a waiver on your part to present your defense/s in this preliminary investigation and the case shall be considered submitted for resolution based on complainant’s evidence only,” the subpoena read. The elder Sytin was gunned down outside the Lighthouse Hotel at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone on Nov. 28, 2018 while his body guard Efren Espartero was left wounded. He was chief executive officer of United Auctioneers, Inc., chairman of Foton Philippines, and director and chairman of the board of the listed LMG Chemicals Corp. Police Director General Oscar D. Albayalde, in a press conference on March 11, said the younger Sytin is the alleged mastermind in the killing after being identified by the alleged hitman Edgardo Luib in his testimony. Regional police authorities said the Sytin brothers were in conflict due to the business. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Measles claims 5 lives in Western Visayas

MORE THAN one month after a measles outbreak was declared in Western Visayas, the number of suspected cases in the region stood at 1,317 as of March 15, with five deaths attributed to the preventable disease. The Department of Health-Center for Health Development regional office (DoH-CHD6) reported that more than half of the suspected cases belong to the five years old and below age group at 626, followed by 16 years old and above at 563), and 6-15 years old with 128. Negros Occidental still had the highest number of cases with 473, followed by Antique (231), Bacolod City (146), Iloilo province (217), Aklan (93), Iloilo City (63), and Capiz (59). Vincent J. Sumergido, DoH-6 senior health program officer, said their priority target for measles vaccination are still 6-59 months old children “because they also have greater chances to suffer from complications.” Mr. Sumergido noted a shift in parents’ attitude towards vaccination. “The environment of the parents have changed. They now opt for voluntary immunization,” he said. Health officials said they are targeting to finish the immunization for 6-59 months old by the end of March and the school-based immunization on April 5. — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo

Boracay workers appeal SC decision on constitutionality of Boracay closure

WORKERS IN Boracay and a tourist have asked the Supreme Court (SC) to reconsider its decision upholding the constitutionality of the six-month closure of Boracay Island in 2018. In an appeal filed March 13, the petitioners, represented by the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, asserted that the order is unconstitutional and there was an “actual and deliberate impairment of the right to travel” when the island was temporarily closed, which is a violation of the Constitution. The petitioners asked the SC in April 2018 to issue a temporary restraining order against the closure, but the high court dismissed it only last Feb. 12 on the grounds that there was no impairment of the right to travel as it was “merely incidental” and the proclamation was a valid police power measure. President Rodrigo R. Duterte ordered the closure of Boracay, which he described as a “cesspool,” for rehabilitation from April 26 to Oct. 25, 2018. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Chedeng weakens to tropical depression after landfall over Malita

TROPICAL DEPRESSION Chedeng weakened into a low pressure area after making landfall over Malita in Davao Occidental on Tuesday morning, but “scattered to at times widespread moderate to heavy rains” continued to pour over parts of Mindanao for the rest of the day. The affected areas were: Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Sur, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, and portions of Northern Mindanao, Bangsamoro and Zamboanga Peninsula. All typhoon warning signals were lifted by weather bureau PAGASA by 8 a.m. Tuesday, but maintained warnings of possible landslides and flooding. Small sea vessels were also still advised not to venture at the eastern seaboard of Visayas and the eastern and southern seaboards of Mindanao.

Masipit Bridge clearing

The Masipit Bridge in Tarragona, the link to the capital Mati City in Davao Oriental, has been temporarily closed to all types of vehicles after it was deemed unstable due to scouring following the rains brought about by tropical depression Chedeng on Monday to early Tuesday. The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) immediately reported the situation to the Department of Public Works and Highways for assessment and response.

Sister cities join 82nd Davao foundation day

DAVAO CITY’S sister-cities within the Philippines and abroad joined the 82nd Araw ng Dabaw in the first Sister Cities Trade Fair and Exhibit held at the SM Lanang over the weekend. “We hope that Dabawenyos and our visitors will become more aware of the products and services offered by our sister cities. This is our way of helping in the promotion of our sister cities,” Davao City Investment and Promotion Center chief Lemuel G. Ortonio said. “This is an opportunity for Dabawenyos to make new friendships and learn more about their culture,” said Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. Davao’s local sister cities are: Angeles in Pampanga; Marikina, Quezon and San Juan in the National Capital Region; Liloan town in Cebu; Basud town in Camarines Norte; and Dapitan City in Zamboanga del Norte. The foreign partner cities are: Jinjang and Nanning in China; Bitung and Manado in Indonesia; Kitakyushu City in Japan; Kawaii County in Hawaii, USA; and Tacoma City in Washington, USA. Countries with consulates in Davao also joined the exhibit. — Carmencita A. Carillo

Cebu City water distributor taps suppliers to plug daily deficit

FACED WITH a 15,000-cubic-meter (cu.m.) deficit in water supply daily, the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) is tapping suppliers for additional volume to improve service in several areas experiencing low pressure to no water supply. MCWD, in a statement on Monday, said they are ready to accept the additional volume from existing bulk suppliers as well as the offer of Mactan Rock Industries Inc. (MRII). “MCWD is ready to accept the 2,500 cu.m. per day in Mactan and 2,000 cubic meter per day from the Cebu City plant of MRII. Also, MRII offered to treat the wells in Apas that are affected by high levels of nitrate,” MCWD said. MCWD General Manager Jose Eugenio Singson Jr. said that once the water district determines that the treatment price is acceptable, it will enter into an agreement with MRII. MCWD’s average daily production of 238,000 cu.m. has gone down due to the dry spell and the lowering of water levels of its Jaclupan facility and the Buhisan Dam. — The Freeman

Nation at a Glance — (03/20/19)

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.
Nation at a Glance — (03/20/19)

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