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US, ASEAN tackle China

By Arjay L. Balinbin
Reporter
THE UNITED STATES and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) want international law to be followed, “not the unilateral actions by China,” in resolving the maritime disputes in the South China Sea, Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan said.
“[O]ur opposition to what the Chinese Government has done in the South China Sea is not because we think we’re making a determination that China does or does not have a claim to a particular feature of the South China Sea. We want international law to be followed and for there to be a peaceful process, not a unilateral decision by one country, to resolve those claims, which involve a number of different countries — [the] Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, et cetera,” Mr. Sullivan said in a special briefing on the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sept. 27.
In a statement, Spokesperson Heather Ann Nauert of the US Department of State said Mr. Sullivan “met on Sep. 27 with Foreign Ministers and other senior representatives from the ten member-countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York.” She also said “the Deputy Secretary co-chaired the meeting with Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith of Laos, the ASEAN country coordinator for the United States.”
In a mobile message to BusinessWorld on Sunday, Sept. 30, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Ernesto C. Abella said Undersecretary for Policy of the DFA Enrique A. Manalo represented the Philippines in the said meeting.
Mr. Sullivan said during the press briefing: “I was met with representatives from all of the 10 ASEAN member-countries. We reaffirmed the US-ASEAN strategic partnership and discussed…the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region with ASEAN at its center, in which independent nations with diverse cultures and aspirations can prosper side by side in freedom and peace. During our meeting, I highlighted the U.S. commitment to upholding international law, including the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. We also discussed ASEAN’s efforts to fully implement UN Security Council resolutions on North Korea.”
He added: “We have enjoyed many successes during the past 41 years of U.S.-ASEAN partnership, and we’re fully committed to building upon this relationship at the upcoming U.S.-ASEAN Summit and East Asia Leaders Summit in Singapore on November 15th.”
Mr. Sullivan also said: “I’ve met with a number of — bilaterally — with a number of ASEAN countries during my week here at UNGA (United Nations General Assembly). I would say that there is (a) consensus, a commitment by ASEAN and the United States to the rule of law, the Law of the Sea treaty, that should govern these claims, disputed claims to the South China Sea, and not unilateral actions by one country to develop features in the South China Sea and, even worse, to militarize them.”

170 illegal online gaming operators nabbed

By Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan
Reporter
THE PHILIPPINE Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has intensified the crackdown against illegal online gaming operators, saying it has raided some 170 establishments operating without licenses as of the first semester.
In a statement over the weekend, PAGCOR warned illegal offshore gaming operators to shape up or face charges.
“Word of advice, therefore, legalize your operations or face dire consequences,” said PAGCOR Chairperson Andrea D. Domingo.
“The campaign was stepped up in June 2018, after…(a) coordination meeting (between) PAGCOR, NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), PNP (Philippine National Police), BI (Bureau of Immigration), and the Office of the President,” said PAGCOR Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) Vice-President Jose S. Tria, Jr. in a mobile phone message yesterday.
PAGCOR said the agencies signed a mutual cooperation agreement “exchange intelligence information to ultimately carry out intelligence operations, surveillances, raids, arrests, or any other action deemed appropriate, and thereby put a stop to the proliferation of illegal online gambling activities.”
“Personalities apprehended for operating without a gaming license will either face charges in court or deported,” it added.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte issued Executive Order No. 13 in 2017 to “intensify the fight against illegal gambling,” both online and land-based.
Through its Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Department, PAGCOR ensures that POGO licensees operate within the bounds and limits of their offshore gaming licenses, comply with labor and immigration laws, and remit to government the proper taxes.
“The current regulatory framework provides administrative penalties and sanctions against POGO licensees found to be performing prohibited acts, including violations of any conditions attached to the grant of said license,” the gaming operator-regulator said.
Philippine offshore gaming firms are based here and cater primarily to non-Filipino foreigners based abroad, largely Chinese, through the internet.
POGOs accounted for about P4 billion, or 7%, of PAGCOR’s P57.34-billion 2017 gross gaming revenue.
Ms. Domingo said PAGCOR’s third-party audit platform will soon be fully functional and will “strengthen revenue collection and ensure fairness in the operations of its POGO licensees.”
“Furthermore, regulation includes protection of the bets of the player, and we do this as a matter of course,” she said.
CYBER-FRAUD SUSPECTS NABBED
In another development, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has arrested 46 Chinese nationals involved in cyber fraud operations in call centers and who are wanted in Beijing for economic crimes.
BI Commissioner Jaime H. Morente said the fugitives WERE arrested in two separate operations conducted by THE BI Fugitive Search Unit in Makati City and Muntinlupa City, following a request from the Chinese Embassy.
“We received information from the Chinese authorities that these fugitives are hiding in the Philippines,” Mr. Morente said. “We immediately conducted our investigation upon receipt of information, and discovered that there were more fugitives involved conducting their illegal activities.”
BI intelligence officer and FSU Chief Bobby R. Raquepo said many of the arrested Chinese were undocumented as their passports were already cancelled by the Chinese government.
Thirty (30) Chinese fugitives were arrested on Sept. 14 in three different condominium buildings in Makati, and 16 others were nabbed in a follow-up operation in Muntinlupa City.
Mr. Raquepo said they were in their computer workstations when the BI arrested them.
“Further coordination with the Chinese embassy in Manila later revealed that the arrested nationals are all wanted fugitives in China for involvement in economic crimes. It seems like they attempted to transfer their operations in the country,” Mr. Raquepo said.
Mr. Morente said the arrested fugitives will undergo deportation proceedings. They will also be blacklisted and banned from re-entering the country. — with a report by V. Marlo M. Villegas

Cayetano to UN: Philippines ‘on track’ in antidrug campaign

By Camille A. Aguinaldo
Reporter
THE PHILIPPINES is “on track” in providing reforms to prevent the country from becoming a “narco-state” while remaining committed to the rule of law and human rights, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano told world leaders at the 73rd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York last Saturday.
“The Philippines, under the leadership of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, is one with the United Nations in being uncompromising on the issues of rule of law, just and equitable peace that leads to order, development and prosperity, and the protection of each and every human beings’ rights,” he said in his speech.
“As a sovereign and democratic country led by a duly elected President, we are on track in salvaging our deteriorating country from becoming a narco-state or a state held hostage by the rich and powerful who ignored the plight of the poor, powerless and marginalized. Or worse both,” he added.
It was the second time Mr. Cayetano addressed the UN General Assembly on the Philippine campaign against illegal drugs, as the international community has been critical of the country’s human rights situation in connection with the drug war.
Mr. Cayetano said the Philippines will always choose to protect the rights of law-abiding citizens and law enforcers over the rights of drug lords and criminals who, he said, seek to kill and destroy.
“Wouldn’t you do the same? Which country, which leader wouldn’t do the same and protect your citizens and protect your law enforcers?” he said.
He also clarified that the Philippine government’s statements should not be interpreted as disregarding its international human rights obligations.
“We may somehow and sometimes differ in how we express ourselves yet this should not be interpreted as turning our backs on the universal declaration on human rights,” Mr. Cayetano said.
“On the contrary, the Philippines and President Duterte are instituting all these reforms to be able to protect the rights of every single Filipino and every single human being living in the Philippines,” he added.
Mr. Cayetano also called on the UN member-states to put the interests of the global community above their national interests.
Aside from the issue on the war on drugs, Mr. Cayetano also raised the issue on migration and regarded the international agreement called the Global Compact on Migration “a huge step in the right direction” for the protection and better treatment of migrants, including the 10 million Filipinos living overseas.
Here at home, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo said on Sunday: “The President will not stop at continuing his war against illegal drugs, a duty imposed on him by the Constitution. Extra-judicial killings are the result of members of the drug syndicates killing each other due to fraud in their dealings as well as a means of protecting and avenging themselves from whistle blowers. The fact that policemen are killed in anti-drug operations shows that the drug lords and pushers use violence in resisting arrest as well as putting the lives of the arresting officers in peril, hence their application of lawful self defense.” — with Arjay L. Balinbin

PHL ‘to extend assistance’ to Indonesia

MALACAÑANG in a statement on Sunday said,“We join the people of Indonesia in offering our prayers to the hundreds who died after a powerful 7.4 earthquake and tsunami hit Central Sulawesi last Friday.”
Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr. also said “the only Filipino in the area is safe,” and the Philippine government is “ready to respond and extend assistance to Indonesia.”
DFA identified the Filipino survivor as “a detainee serving his sentence at the Lapas Penitentiary.”
For his part, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano said in a statement: “We grieve with our Indonesian brothers and sisters and stand hand in hand with them in praying for all of those who lost their lives in this tragedy.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said, citing Ambassador to Indonesia Leehiong T. Wee, that “the earthquake and tsunami struck the provincial capital of Palu and the neighboring city of Donggala” last Friday, Sept. 28.
“The Indonesian Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) placed the initial death toll at 384 people with more than 500 injured. At least 29 are still missing,” the DFA added.
The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in the United States (US) said in a statement it is extending help through its local partners in Indonesia, the Caritas Makassar and the Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Center (MDMC).
“Responders and local aid groups are having to drive overland 10-12 hours. That means a bottleneck for relief supplies in coming days. Those long hours on the road are going to mean hours lost getting assistance to people who need it in the next few days. Another option in coming days will be sea routes. The Ministry of Transportation is sending in relief by ship from North Sulawesi,” Yenni Suryani, CRS’ country manager in Indonesia, was quoted as saying.
The European Union (EU), for its part, said it “has already activated its emergency Copernicus satellite mapping service to assist the [Indonesian] authorities.”
“We continue to closely monitor the situation, and we are ready to mobilise more assistance,” the EU also said. — Arjay L. Balinbin

DILG backs task force vs Reds

THE DEPARTMENT of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has expressed support for the proposal of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to have a multi-agency task force that would address the communist insurgency.
“The government is cognizant that effectively ending insurgency requires not only police and military response but necessitates a triad of development, governance and security efforts,” DILG Officer-in-Charge Eduardo M. Año, a former AFP chief, said in a statement last week.
AFP Chief General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., in a television interview last week, said the military has requested President Rodrigo R. Duterte to issue an executive order creating a national body that will draw up plans and implement the strategy against communist fighters, particularly members of the New People’s Army.
Mr. Galvez said the military needs the support of the government and other stakeholders to counter the 50-year old communist rebellion, which is not just an armed struggle but a political matter.
Mr. Año agreed, saying the problem needs a “whole-of-government” approach as rebels are stirring anti-government sentiments by exploiting issues on corruption, price hikes, and indigenous peoples’ concerns.
“Insurgency is rooted in poverty, inequality, and grievances that could be addressed by respective mandates of various government institutions. We have all the mechanisms to face these issues but all government agencies have to perform our roles in a concerted manner,” Mr. Año said.
Mr. Año also claimed that the government is winning the battle as more rebels surrender.
“In fact we are winning the battle in the mountains. There are so many surrendered now. It’s in the propaganda war and parliamentary battle that we are loosing,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rey C. Casambre, consultant of the National Democratic Font of the Philippines, the umbrella group of the communist movement, said the proposed anti-insurgency body will not succeed as in previous attempts by the government.
Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria C. Sison, for his part, said the proposal is just an excuse for the military to get additional budget. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Iloilo City council to seek participation in House hearing on power supply franchise

By Louine Hope U. Conserva
Correspondent
THE ILOILO City council wants the voice of stakeholders heard in the ongoing deliberations in the House of Representatives for the license of the city’s power supply distributor.
Councilor R. Leoni N. Gerochi, chair of the committee on transportation, energy and public utilities, said he will file a resolution On Oct. 2 calling on the city government to intervene in the hearings.
The resolution states that the city should push “for terms and conditions that should be included in the franchise to ensure that the welfare of the consumers are upheld and protected, and likewise to participate in all the processes related to the application and approval of the franchise.”
Mr. Gerochi said the House committee on legislative franchises has already approved the application of More Minerals Corp. (MMC) without hearing the sentiment of locals.
The existing distributor, Panay Electric Company, Inc. (PECO), has a pending application for the renewal of its license that is expiring in 2019.
“Supposedly we should have a representative in Congress to check, intervene and ensure that we are protected,” Mr. Gerochi said.
He added that the franchise committee may not be privy to the power situation in the city and will not suffer the impact of their decision.
Iloilo City Representative Jerry P. Treñas, who is not a member of the House committee, is inhibiting himself from all related deliberations because his law office under retainer by PECO.
“For me, there is a conflict of interest. So after the committee level, it will have to be approved in plenary. My position is still the same. I will have to inhibit,” Mr. Treñas said.
He added that he will give his “120%” support to whoever gets the franchise.
Mayor Jose S. Espinosa III also said he leaves it to Congress to decide on what firm should distribute electricity in Iloilo City.
“Whatever will be the decision, and then if all is in order, we will abide by the decision of the Congress,” Mr. Espinosa said.
PECO, which has been facing complaints for its service, has opposed MMC’s franchise application, pointing out in a statement that the company “has no experience in the business of power distribution.”
PECO also said that MMC has “no track record to show since they are a mining company as stated in their articles of incorporation.”
Earlier, the Private Electric Power Operators Association (PEPOA) also warned of a looming power crisis in Iloilo City if the franchise is given to a company that has no infrastructure for distribution.

Storm Kong-Rey expected to strengthen while in PHL area this week

TROPICAL STORM Kong-Rey, which was still 1,445 kilometers east of the Visayas on Sunday morning, is expected to enter the Philippine area between Monday evening and Tuesday morning, according to weather bureau PAGASA’s 11 a.m. update on Sept. 30. The storm will be locally named Queenie and is seen to intensify into a typhoon once in the country. It’s track is moving west-northwest and predicted to be 1,250 km east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan by morning of Oct. 2. Kong-Rey is packing winds of 100 km per hour (/h) near the center with gustiness of up to 120 km/hr. It will be closest to land by Friday morning, with a forecasted position of 535 km northeast of Basco, Batanes.

Cebu provincial execs say trans-axial highway will solve traffic, bring more inclusive development

OFFICIALS OF Cebu province and engineers said the national government should look into the long-standing Cebu Trans-Axial Highway Development Project (CTDP) because it will help solve traffic congestion in the Metro Cebu area as well as bring a more inclusive economic development. “It’s not too late. If implemented, this would definitely solve our traffic problems,” Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes A. Magpale is quoted in a statement as saying during a forum last week. The CTDP is a four-lane, 300-kilometer highway that will traverse mainland Cebu’s central axis from Daanbantayan in the north to Santander in the south. Engineer Grecilda Sanchez-Zaballero, a former provincial board member and now consultant, said infrastructure projects have been concentrated in the towns and cities in Metro Cebu, and spaces in these areas for investments will soon be inadequate. “This highway (CTDP) will not only solve the traffic woes, it is also seen to spur development in other towns and cities as far-flung areas of the province will only need to connect this highway to send their products to the markets or welcome tourists,” Ms. Sanchez said. Engr. Edgar R. Sibonga, also a provincial government consultant, said the value of the project in 2007 when they conducted the pre-feasibility study stood at P55 billion, but the cost now is estimated at P120 billion. Under the original proposal, the CTDP would be offered to a private investor with a four-year construction period and 25-year management contract.

Hundreds, including soldiers, lost money to pyramid rent-a-car scam in Mindanao

HUNDREDS, INCLUDING army and police personnel, who got duped into investing in what turned out as a multi-million pyramid rent-a-car and money market business scam want the people behind it locked in jail. Among those now complaining against Lahdin’s Marketing in Cotabato City, alleged broker of the deals now in question, are cops and soldiers who each invested up to P350,000. Police and Army investigators told reporters Saturday the firm is owned by an entrepreneur named Cassandra, whose parents are ranking employees of the Region 12 office of the Department of Education. A victim, Anwar Emblawa, spokesman of a group of about 200 of the more than 400 people recruited into the now controversial car and money trading deals, said Saturday they are preparing to file a class suit against Cassandra whom they accuse of having shortchanged them of their supposed earnings based on written agreements. “The consensus of the group is to have her prosecuted properly for all these problems,” Mr. Emblawa said. Other victims told reporters that President Rodrigo R. Duterte should immediately order the Anti-Money Laundering Council and the National Bureau of Investigation to look into the case. — Philstar
See the full story on https://goo.gl/EQ6duQ

Draw a not-so-favorable result for Jerwin — analyst

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE sixth title defense of the International Boxing Federation super flyweight title of Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas on Saturday (Manila time) against Mexican Alejandro Santiago Barrios ended in a split draw, a verdict that left both camps disappointed, and one local fight analyst viewing it as a “hit” to the Filipino champion.
Following 12 rounds of back-and-forth boxing, the judges of the bout held at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, rendered it a split draw, with one judge going 116-112 for Mr. Ancajas, another 118-110 for Mr. Barrios, and the third had it tied at 114-114, resulting in a split draw.
While the outcome had Mr. Ancajas retaining his IBF super flyweight title, for fight analyst Nissi Icasiano it was not so favorable for the Davao del Norte native, especially since at this stage of his career he is trying to prove his mettle as a champion.
“I am completely taken aback by the split draw decision. On my scorecard, I have it 8 rounds to 4 in favor of Jerwin Ancajas. It is also fair if others had it 7 rounds to 5 on their own scorecards. I find it questionable that one judge scored 114-114, and all the more with 118-110 in favor of his opponent. Although I saw Jerwin as the winner together with other respected observers of the sport, his performance in this fight rates a mere passing mark,” said Mr. Icasiano in a post-fight interview with BusinessWorld.
“This is a big blow to Jerwin’s stature because at this stage of his career, he needs to prove that he merits all the attention showered on him as the next standard bearer of Philippine boxing, if he is worth the spot that Top Rank has given him, and if he’ll have the chance of getting marquee fights with the big names of his division. The result of his bout thrusts him to limbo,” he added.
Channeling his focus on the fight, the analyst said Mr. Ancajas undoubtedly had his struggles in exacting his will on his opponent which surely did not help his cause.
“Jerwin failed to capitalize on many of his advantages like size, movement and technical style. In the early rounds, it was very obvious that he had much pressure to put on a show. He pressed the action in the first four rounds which left him open to counter shots. A wild right hand caught him in the fourth, causing his opponent to gain confidence, thereby throwing more shots in Round 5. It was only in Round 6 that Jerwin took to his real game,” Mr. Icasiano said.
Despite the split draw decision in the Barrios fight setting him aback, all is not lost for Mr. Ancajas, said Mr. Icasiano.
The analyst though was quick to say that the Filipino champion has to make things happen in his succeeding fights and come out with a renewed sense of urgency and purpose, living up to the top-caliber fighter billing bestowed on him.
“The logical path to redemption for Jerwin Ancajas is either a rematch with Alejandro Santiago Barrios or to fight someone in the same category as Barrios. In my opinion, he might encounter difficulty with the likes of Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, based on his lackluster performance against Barrios. I will not revoke my pre-fight assessment to this bout. I still strongly believe that the difference in skill level and talent is starkly day and night. Should there be a rematch with Barrios, the real Jerwin Ancajas has to show up to get the job done,” he said.
The draw result was the second in the career of Mr. Ancajas, who now sports a record of 30-1-2 with 20 knockouts while it was the fifth draw for Mr. Barrios (16-2-5, seven knockouts).
Mr. Ancajas and his team are due back in the Philippines today.

Philippine women’s chess team held seeded England to share 23rd place

THE Philippine women’s team seeks to sustain its impressive showing as it clashes with 15th seed Spain tonight in the sixth round of the 43rd World Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia.
The Filipinas pulled off a shock 2-2 draw with 25th seed England in the fifth round that positioned them in a 10-country tie at 23rd place with seven match points, or just three points behind solo leader United States, which remained unbeaten with 10 points.
Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales, the women’s squad’s coach, said they will field in WGM Janelle Mae Frayna, Woman FIDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza and Woman International Masters (WIM) Antoinette San Diego and Bernadette Galas against the Spaniards.
WIM Catherine Secopito takes a rest after absorbing two straight defeats.
“We’re hoping and praying to have a good result against Spain,” said Gonzales, whose trip in this biennial, 11-round tournament is bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission.
Frayna and Mendoza have been the highest scorer for the Pinay chessers so far with 3.5 points out of five games apiece while Galas, San Diego and Secopito had two points each.
GOOD RESULTS
Gonzales’ ploy of playing Galas with the white pieces and San Diego with black has been drawing good results with the former staying perfect in two games and the latter getting two points out of three games.
Meanwhile, the men’s team, which skidded at a group at 101st place with four points following a loss to Lebanon, aims to end an alarming three-match slump as it clashes with lowly Jersey.

Perpetual dominates Lyceum in 94th NCAA junior chessfest

PERPETUAL Help downed Lyceum of the Philippines University, 3-1, in the finals to clinch a historic first juniors’ championship in the 94th NCAA chess competition at the Malayan High School of Science Lobby in Otis, Manila over the weekend.
Carl Zirex Sato and Chris Pondoyo downed Jan Darryl Batula and Leonel Escote on boards two and three while Eric Labog, Jr. and John Anastacio drew with Earl Rhay Mantilla and Japeth Aaron Caresosa on boards one and our, respectively, to claim their very first crown.
The Junior Altas finally won it this time after coming close from ending its title drought a season ago when they eventually lost to the Letran Squires in the finals.
The Las Piñas-based woodpushers, who is mentored by FIDE Master Roel Abelgas, however, made sure the title will not slip from their grasp.
It was a feat that was witnessed by no less than NCAA and school president Anthony Tamayo and NCAA Management Committee chair Frank Gusi.
“We dedicate this victory to our school officials, sirs Antonio and Anthony Tamayo, the school, community and all the people who kept the faith,” said Abelgas, who later revealed this will be his last season to coach Perpetual Help.
Capping the Junior Altas’ dominance was Chris Pondoyo winning the board four gold medal and MVP plums.
Anastacio also took gold on board four while Abelgas was adjudged coach of the year.
Perpetual Help’s seniors’ team finished fifth in the event ruled by St. Benilde, which bested LPU.

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