Amid bombings, what’s the point of martial law? asks Senator Pangilinan

September 17, 2018 | 8:55 pm

By Camille A. Aguinaldo, Reporter

SENATOR Francis N. Pangilinan on Monday questioned the imposition of martial law in Mindanao amid the series of bombing incidents in the region in the span of two months.

“This places under question the effectiveness of the martial law declaration in the entire Mindanao. What’s the point of such a declaration by government if it is incapable of preventing such bombings?” he said in a statement.

“Let’s not yield to the deviousness of the attackers. Let’s be vigilant and alert at all times,” he added.

Since July 31, four incidents of bombings occurred in four provinces in Mindanao. An improvised explosive device exploded in General Santos City on Sunday morning, wounding seven people.

Hours after the blast in General Santos City, another IED bomb was set off in Midsayap, North Cotabato. on July 31, a passenger van explosion in Lamitan, Basilan killed 11 people, three of whom were women and another, a child.

An IED blast was also reported last Aug. 28 while people were celebrating Hamungaya Festival in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat where two were killed.

For his part, Senator Panfilo M. Lacson, in a tweet on Monday, doubted whether Congress’ cooperation with Malacanang was “worth it” on the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the granting of martial law extension.

“With a promise of peace in Mindanao, we burned candles to pass the Bangsamoro Organic Law. That, after we supported the extension of martial law. The recent bombings make us doubt if Congress’ cooperation with Malacanang is all worth it,” Mr. Lacson said.

“It’s their turn to prove us wrong,” he added.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon cited the need to revisit the intelligence budget following the incidents, saying, “This should be an item for discussion on the committee for intelligence fund to find out behind closed doors how the budget is being utilized.”

President Rodrigo R. Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao in May 2017 after government forces clashed with the terrorist Maute group in Marawi City. Congress later granted the President’s request for an extension of martial law in Mindanao until December 2018.

Still flooded

September 17, 2018 | 8:54 pm

PARTS of Pangasinan, such as Barangay Maningding in Sta. Barbara town were still flooded as of Monday morning, Sept. 17, following heavy rains brought by typhoon Ompong (international name: Mangkhut) over the weekend. The Department of Public Works and Highways reported that as of yesterday morning, 44 road sections, including several in Pangasinan, were closed to all types of vehicles while several others were partly blocked “due to rock debris, slides, fallen trees, mudflow, rock and soil collapse, washed-out road, road cut, damaged slope protection and electric post, road slip, eroded bridge approach, fallen trees and flooding. These are in Regions 1,2,3,6, and the Cordillera Administrative Region.

PRA targets rich Russian retirees

September 17, 2018 | 8:53 pm

THE PHILIPPINE Retirement Authority (PRA) Cebu Satellite Office wants to attract wealthy Russian retirees to choose Cebu as their second home destination. PRA-Cebu officer-in-charge Elma A. Corbeta said the Russian market has started to show interest in acquiring a permanent special visa in the country and Cebu is one of their top destination picks. “We want to hit the rich market,” Ms. Corbeta said in an interview. The Department of Tourism, in its National Tourism Development Plan for 2016-2022, is seeking an increase in Russian visitor arrivals to 71,000 by 2022 from 25,000 in 2015. Ms. Corbeta said she is planning to link up with appropriate agencies and establishments to promote Cebu to the huge active retiree market in Russia. Chinese nationals currently top the foreign retirees staying in Cebu and availing of special resident retirees visa. PRA data show of the 3,900 special retiree visa holders in Cebu, majority are Chinese, followed by Koreans, and Taiwanese. – The Freeman

Pursuit operations on vs GenSan bombers as public asked for info, vigilance

September 17, 2018 | 8:52 pm

POLICE DIRECTOR General Oscar D. Albayalde said security forces have been mobilized to track down those responsible for Sunday morning’s blast in General Santos City, which left eight people injured. “I have directed the mobilization of all available police security forces in pursuit operations against persons responsible for the latest act of terrorism in General Santos City this morning,” Mr. Albayalde said in a statement on Sunday evening. “I have once again strongly directed our police units in SOCCSKSARGEN (Region 12) to further intensify conduct of checkpoints, police visibility patrols, and focused intelligence and law enforcement operations in close coordination with the rest of the members of the security sector,” Mr. Albayalde said. “At the same time, we will surely appreciate any information from our citizens that may help police to identify the suspects,” he added. Meanwhile, Gov. Emmylou “Lala” T. Mendoza of Cotabato, one of the provinces in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region, stressed on Sunday evening that peace and security is “everybody’s concern.” She said checkpoints are continuously implemented daily and asked for full public cooperation. “We don’t know why until now there are still bombings,” she said.
NORTHERN MINDANAO
In Northern Mindanao (Region 10), Police Regional Director PCSupt Timoteo G. Pacleb also ordered full security alert following the General Santos City incident. In a statement, the police regional office said officers and K-9 units have been deployed in busy public areas while intelligence units are intensifying information gathering activities. “We need to further intensify our intelligence monitoring and liaising to build a strong information network against this kind of terror attack,” Mr. Pacleb said.

Japan upgrading Davao office into consulate general

September 17, 2018 | 8:51 pm

THE JAPANESE government is upgrading its consular office in the city into a consulate general office, which would have authority to handle wider commercial relations. Makoto Iyori, Minister for Economic Affairs of the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines, told the Mindanao Business Conference in Tagum City, Davao del Norte last weekend that the plan to enhance its Davao office is “part of strengthening the cooperation between Japan and the Philippines,” particularly in Mindanao. Mr. Iyori said they are targeting to have the expanded office in place by Jan. 2019. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

Chinese business delegations visit Davao as consular office prepares for opening

September 17, 2018 | 8:50 pm

MORE CHINESE investors have been visiting Davao City to scout for business opportunities in the southern islands, according to Mindanao Development Authority Deputy Executive Director Romeo M. Montenegro. “We hope they will eventually invest in Mindanao as they are eager to explore its potentials, particularly in agriculture,” Mr. Montenegro told BusinessWorld yesterday, noting that they gave a briefing last week to one Chinese delegation and have been replying to numerous inquiries. Last week, Chinese Consul General Li Lin said during the Mindanao Business Conference that he has been actively inviting investors from his country to look for opportunities in Mindanao. China is currently setting up its consular office here, with opening expected before the end of the year. “Mindanao is facing a rare opportunity of (economic) growth,” he said. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

3 Indonesian captives released by Abu Sayyaf amid military pursuit

September 17, 2018 | 8:45 pm

THREE INDONESIAN fishermen held by members of a notorious Islamist kidnap-for-ransom group have walked free 18 months after they were abducted off the southern Philippines, the military said on Sunday. The men were kidnapped in January 2017 while on board a speedboat off the southernmost island group of Tawi-Tawi, which together with the nearby Sulu archipelago are preyed on by Abu Sayyaf militants. The Indonesians were freed in the town of Indanan in Sulu on Saturday and “turned over” to authorities following “intensified military operations” against the Abu Sayyaf, a regional army spokesman said without giving details. Asked if a ransom was paid, Lieutenant Colonel Gerry M. Besana told AFP: “No, there was definitely no ransom given. (They) were pressured by our operations.” The Abu Sayyaf has been known to behead hostages unless ransom payments are made. The Philippine military identified the three Indonesians as Hamdam Bin Salim, 34, Subande Satto, 27, and Sudarlan Samansung, 41. The Abu Sayyaf is still holding 11 hostages, including a Dutch bird-watcher abducted in 2012 and a Vietnamese captive, according to Mr. Besana. — AFP

Nation at a Glance — (09/18/18)

September 17, 2018 | 8:45 pm

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.

Altas gun for skid-halting win over Chiefs in San Juan

September 17, 2018 | 6:47 pm

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
CURRENTLY right smack in a campaign-hampering losing skid, the Perpetual Help Altas try to wiggle out of it when they take on the Arellano Chiefs in National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 94 action today at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Losers of their last three games after winning five of its first seven matches in the ongoing season, the Altas (5-5), the Season 94 hosts, try to go back on the winning track in their 4 p.m. match with the Chiefs (4-6).
The most recent of Perpetual Help’s losses came at the hands of College of Saint Benilde, 91-87, on Sept. 6.
In said game, the Altas rode on the career game of Prince Eze, who finished with 36 points and 17 rebounds, but it was not enough to tow his team to the victory.
Perpetual Help continued to miss the services of floor general Edgar Charcos, something the team is seemingly having a hard time adjusting to.
Charcos, who is averaging 17 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.9 steals before hurting his knee at the tailend of the first round, has missed his team’s last three matches which had all been losses.
Out to add to the misery of the Altas, meanwhile, are the Chiefs, who were tripped in their last game by the Letran Knights, 99-82, on Sept. 6.
Arellano kept in step with Letran for much of the contest but faltered in the end to begin its second-round bid on the off foot.
Michael Canete and Archie Concepcion led the way for the Chiefs with 17 points apiece.
With the loss, Arellano lost further ground in their attempt to hitch a ride for the playoffs midway into the tournament.
Playing in the 2 p.m. game are the College of Saint Benilde Blazers (7-4) and the Mapua Cardinals (3-8).
Today’s double-header marks the return of the NCAA after games on Friday, Sept. 14, were postponed because of Typhoon Ompong (international name: Mangkhut), which wreaked havoc with strong winds and gust to much of Luzon.

Danny Kingad seeks to keep groove going

September 17, 2018 | 6:47 pm

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
NOW in the upswing anew after being dealt his first loss nearly a year ago, Filipino mixed martial arts fighter Danny “The King” Kingad is seeking to keep the winning momentum going and throw himself back in the mix as one of the top fighters in his class in ONE Championship.
Won his last two fights following his submission defeat at the hands of erstwhile ONE flyweight champion Adriano Moraes of Brazil in their title clash in November 2017, Mr. Kingad (10-1) of Team Lakay is gunning for an official win streak once again when he battles Japanese Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu at “ONE: Conquest of Heroes” in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Sept. 22 as part of the main card.
The 22-year-old Kingad enters the contest confident that he has improved as a fighter in the last year and cannot wait to showcase such form in his upcoming fight to be held at the Jakarta Convention Center.
“My last bout was one of my hardest, and I learned a lot from it,” Mr. Kingad was quoted as saying by the ONE Championship Website, referring to his bout with Chinese Ma Hao Bin in June in Macau where he won by unanimous decision.
“Props to Ma Hao Bin — he showed his strength and toughness. He was a really tough opponent and was hard to finish. He had some good takedowns and submission defense. Every time I wanted to stand and trade, he would shoot on me, which was tricky. I couldn’t land many clean strikes. I definitely proved to myself that I can beat a scrappy opponent in a hard fight,” he added.
Prior to defeating Mr. Han, the Filipino warrior defeated Bulgarian Sotir Kichukov in March also by way of unanimous decision.
Zeroing in on his fight against Mr. Wakamatsu (10-2), a Pancrase flyweight tournament champion, Mr. Kingad said he is expecting nothing easy but expressed readiness to take on the challenge.
“He is a dangerous opponent with a lot of knockouts. His style appears to favor striking over grappling. I think that is his strength,” Mr. Kingad said.
“I would love to test his striking to see what that’s all about, and he looks skilled on the ground, also. He is a well-rounded fighter, and I think this will be a good test for me. I’m prepared to go wherever this fight takes me, whether that’s on the feet or on the ground. I’m ready,” Mr. Kingad added.
TORRES RETURNS
Meanwhile, ONE: Conquest of Heroes also marks the return of streaking Filipino women’s atomweight fighter Jomary “The Zamboanginian Fighter” Torres of Catalan Fighting System.
Back in ONE action for the first time since her explosive victory over compatriot April Osenio in January this year, Ms. Torres (4-0) is out to keep her unblemished record intact and fortify her claim for a title shot when she collides with hometown bet Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol.
Against Ms. Osenio, Ms. Torres was on top of her game, finishing the fight in just 40 seconds in the opening round by way of knockout (slam and punches).
Experiencing much success as an MMA fighter since making it a career in 2016, Ms. Torres said she is happy how things are panning out for her in the sport and is looking forward to advancing further.
“I am happy to be part of this sport. It’s now considered as the fastest-growing sport in the world. Making a mark as an international competitor of mixed martial arts gives me a sense of fulfillment. I truly believe I am destined to be a professional fighter,” she said.
ONE: Conquest of Heroes is headlined by the ONE strawweight championship fight between reigning champion Yoshitaka “Nobita” Naito of Japan and challenger Joshua “The Passion” Pacio of the Philippines.

Croatia defeats US to set up Davis Cup final with France

September 17, 2018 | 6:46 pm

ZADAR, CROATIA — Croatia will meet France in the Davis Cup final after defeating the United States 3-2 as Borna Coric triumphed in the decisive match in Zadar on Sunday.
Coric defeated Davis Cup debutant Frances Tiafoe 6-7 (0/7), 6-1, 6-7 (11/13), 6-1, 6-3 to end a thrilling fightback by the Americans over the weekend.
Croatia will play in their third final in November, after winning the 2005 title and losing in 2016 to Argentina.
They also faced France in the final of this summer’s football World Cup, with Les Bleus winning 4-2.
“This is the most special day in my life,” Coric, the world number 18, told reporters as local media hailed him as a “hero.”
“I had bigger victories, but this feeling cannot be compared to any other, when the whole nation stands behind you,” the 21-year-old Croat added.
“Now we have a ‘Dream Team’,” Croatia coach Zeljko Krajan said.
Looking ahead to the final against France, Krajan said that the “goal is that everyone remains healthy.”
“France are strong… Davis Cup defending champions. But, we will get our chances and we should believe we will use them.”
Croatia have now beaten the US in all five of their Davis Cup meetings.
“I’m very proud of my boys,” US coach Jim Courier said.
“It was really an exciting day, with a lot of fight.”
Coric’s victory followed Sam Querrey’s surprise 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (7/6), 6-3, 6-4 win over world number six Marin Cilic in Sunday’s first match which hauled the visitors level at 2-2.
“I was more nervous in this match than the first day. I had difficulties to find a rhythm… My game was not at the top level,” a visibly unhappy Cilic told reporters.
Cilic was warned by chair umpire Carlos Ramos, the same official who issued three code violations to Serena Williams during the US Open final, after slamming his racket to the ground.
He received only a warning as it was the first violation of the match.
“It was a certain frustration, I tried to run away from negative thoughts in such a way,” Cilic said of his outburst.
Both Cilic and Coric had won their singles matches on Friday, before the US cut Croatia’s lead to 2-1 as Mike Bryan and Ryan Harrison beat Ivan Dodig and Mate Pavic in a dramatic doubles rubber on Saturday.
Courier’s team were without two top players — John Isner, the world number 10 who stayed home for family reasons, and the injured Jack Sock. — AFP

Mahomes, Fitzpatrick continue air assaults in NFL’s week two

September 17, 2018 | 6:46 pm

LOS ANGELES — Two unheralded quarterbacks dazzled for the second week in a row and a pair of clutch field goal kickers were in the spotlight during the second week of the National Football League season.
Patrick Mahomes equalled a franchise record with six touchdown passes as the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 42-37 on Sunday.
Ryan Fitzpatrick is making his case for being a starter by throwing for four touchdowns and 402 yards to power the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 27-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Second year player Mahomes delivered another impressive offensive display as he tied Len Dawson’s team record for touchdowns in a game. Dawson threw for a half a dozen touchdowns against the Denver Broncos in 1964.
Mahomes was one touchdown pass from tying the NFL record of seven touchdown passes in a game shared by eight others, including Drew Brees for the New Orleans Saints in 2015.
He also now has a NFL-record 10 touchdown passes through the first two games. Brees (2009) and Peyton Manning (2013) previously held the record with nine each in their team’s first two games.
Fitzpatrick is right behind Mahomes with eight touchdowns on the season so far.
He has more than 800 passing yards the last two weeks while stepping in for suspended starter Jameis Winston.
Against the Eagles, Fitzpatrick added a couple more long touchdown passes. His four 50-plus-yard touchdown throws tied him with Joe Namath, in 1972, for the most through a team’s first two games in league history.
Fitzpatrick credited his teammates for helping him get off to a blazing start.
Said teammate DeSean Jackson, “He’s playing his tail off. He said he’s 36, but he’s playing like he’s 28.”
In Nashville, Tennessee, Ryan Succop kicked a 31-yard field goal with 1:00 left, and the Tennessee Titans held off the Houston Texans 20-17 for Mike Vrabel’s first win as an NFL head coach against the team he coached for the past four seasons.
Succop also kicked a tying 42-yarder in the fourth quarter as Tennessee improved to 1-1 on the season.
Not to be outdone, Brandon McManus booted a 36-yard field goal with six seconds left, pushing the Denver Broncos to a 20-19 win over the Oakland Raiders and denying Jon Gruden his first win as a head coach since 2008.
With no time outs and 18 seconds left, Case Keenum hit Tim Patrick for a 26-yard gain to the Oakland 18.
Cornerbacks Gareon Conley and Leon Hall failed to keep him inbounds and McManus came on to kick the game winner.
Quarterback Derek Carr had a stellar outing by completing 29 of 32 passes for 288 yards and a score in the loss.
RODGERS PLAYS WITH BRACE
Elsewhere, Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 281 yards and a touchdown while playing with a brace on his injured left knee as the Packers settled for a 29-29 tie with the Minnesota Vikings.
The 34-year-old Rodgers was questionable for the game after injuring his knee in a hotly-contested game last Sunday.
A hobbled Rodgers suffered a sprain in the first half then returned to throw three touchdown passes to lift the Packers to a 24-23 comeback victory.
He took part in just one practice this week but didn’t skip a beat against the Vikings.
Vikings kicker Daniel Carlson missed two field goals in overtime, including one from 35 yards as time expired.
Packers kicker Mason Crosby matched a career high with five field goals, but his potential game-winner from 52 went wide left as time expired in regulation. — AFP