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Lamitan bombing probe sought

COTABATO CITY — Residents have called for a probe of Tuesday night’s bombing of a fuel station in Lamitan City, convinced it was meant to embarrass local officials who declared all of its 45 villages as Abu Sayyaf-free.

Governor Hadjiman H. Salliman, who heads the Basilan Provincial Peace and Order Council, officials of the Army’s 101st Infantry Brigade and the Basilan Provincial Police Office on Tuesday said Lamitan City is free of the terrorist group.

“I condemn that atrocity in the strongest terms,” the governor said in a text message.

A passerby was hurt in the bombing of the roadside fuel station in the village of Matibay, according to police.

Lamitan City police chief Lieutenant Colonel Arlan L. Delumpines told reporters on Wednesday extortion was the most likely motive for the bombing and was not done by Abu Sayyaf terrorists. — John Felix M. Unson

Underground power lines sought

PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

THE GOVERNMENT should consider moving telecommunication and power lines underground in areas often struck by calamities to ensure minimal power and communication disruptions, a congressman said on Wednesday.

In a statement, Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy said the Department of Energy (DoE) and National Electrification Administration (NEA) should come up with a plan for the relocation of these cables.

The underground relocation of connection lines should be done in the next 15 years, to be implemented in three phases of five years each, she added.

“Underground power lines and telecommunications that include satellite internet should be central to ensuring post-disaster continuity and survival, especially in the most calamity-prone localities,” Ms. Dy said. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Speaker seeks JPEPA review

PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

SPEAKER and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Tuesday called for a review of a 2006 free trade agreement with Japan, citing the need to expand the agricultural export opportunities.

The review of the trade agreement should look at eliminating or reducing tariffs imposed by Tokyo on Philippine agricultural exports such as bananas, he told members of Japan’s House of Councilors at the National Diet Building in Tokyo, his office said in a statement on Wednesday.

“We believe that a review of the JPEPA (Japan–Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement), especially after the recent trilateral agreements, would show support and solidarity… to foster a better and more conducive relationship between our countries,” Mr. Romualdez said in the statement.

Mr. Romualdez is looking to increase the market share of Philippine bananas in Japan after it declined to 78% from as high as 90% before the pandemic.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) earlier this year pushed for a bigger market share of exported Philippine agricultural products in Japan.

It also called for the reduction of Japan’s tariff on Philippine bananas, which is at 8% and 18%, depending on the time of the year.

Hiroshi Moriyama, a member of Japan’s House of Representatives, said he would consider the Speaker’s proposal, according to Mr. Romualdez’s statement. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Bangued execs’ suspension voided

BAGUIO CITY — An Abra regional trial court (RTC) has on Tuesday nullified the 90-day suspension of barangay Calaba, Bangued officials over a supposed “shoot-to-kill” ordinance against littering.

RTC Branch 1 Acting Presiding Judge German F. Ballesteros III granted the petition of officials led by village chairman Renato P. Brasuela contesting their May 3, 2024 suspension by the Bangued Sangguniang Bayan.

The court also voided the May 6, 2024 concurring preventive suspension order by Bangued Mayor Mila Valera.

The officials were earlier sued for grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, gross neglect of duty, grave dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service over a tarpaulin along a road warning against improper garbage disposal.

Citizens were warned of a P1,000 fine on first offense, P1,000 fine and eight hours of community service on second offense and a “pistol” on third offense.

The tarpaulin was seen hanging until March 31, and was only taken down after its photo went viral on social media. — Artemio A. Dumlao

P387M released for ambulances

BUDGET SECRETARY AMENAH F. PANGANDAMAN — PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

THE BUDGET department on Wednesday said it has approved the release of P387 million for the purchase of 141 ambulances for the Health department.

In a statement, the agency said Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman signed the fund release on June 11.

The allocation is under the health facilities enhancement program under the Health department’s P241.1-billion budget this year.

Funds under the program are used to build, upgrade or expand state health facilities and hospital equipment and medical transport vehicles. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Meralco Bolts aim for more after breakthrough PBA title

PBA.PH

THE MERALCO BOLTS are poised to make the euphoria of their breakthrough Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) title fuel their desire to continue fighting and aiming for more.

Team governor Bill Pamintuan, speaking at Meralco’s victory celebration with fans Monday night at One Ayala Mall, said the Bolts are determined to prove their Philippine Cup milestone isn’t a one-off.

The Bolts used the gathering to preach the values that helped them overcome several obstacles in this one-for-the-books golden run capped by a massive 4-2 dispatching of mighty holder San Miguel Beer in the finals.

Chris Newsome, the Finals MVP who famously sank the winning fade-away jumper in the dying seconds of their riveting 80-78 clincher last Sunday.

“You may go through tough times in your life, there may be times when you’re down but just understand that you need good people around you, a good support system,” said Mr. Newsome, who ended a nine-year wait to become a PBA champion.

“As you see, everyone here, we all support one another, we all believe in one another despite our accomplishments and our failures. We continue to lift each other up at all times. So I encourage you to keep good people around you, have a good support system and continue to believe that you can do anything you put your mind into.” — Olmin Leyba

Gilas Pilipinas settles for fourth place in FIBA 3×3 Under 23 Nations League Asia

GILAS PILIPINAS 3X3 — FIBA

GILAS Pilipinas 3×3 stood its ground against the continent’s best but missed out on a coveted World Cup spot in the FIBA 3×3 Under 23 (U23) Nations League Asia in Handan Shi, China.

Led by ace guard Rey Remogat of the University of the Philippines, the Nationals finished with 390 points at fourth place after six legs in the Asian tourney that served as a qualifier to the 2024 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia this September.

Mongolia and Japan clinched the only two reserved tickets in the world tilt after topping the Asian qualifier.

Powerhouse Mongolia ruled the event with 540 points built on three leg titles as Japan saved its best for last by winning the last stop against Mongolia to finish in second with 460 points. Gilas fell only five points shy of a podium finish, no thanks to a fifth-place finish in the last leg as China snatched the bronze with 395 points.

The Filipinos were clinging to third spot a few days ago with 340 points compared to China’s 325 after ruling the fifth leg over Mongolia, 21-12, before a costly struggle in the last stop of the tour.

Still, it was a commendable feat for the young Philippine squad that also featured Perpetual Help’s Patrick Sleat and JM Tulabut, San Juan de Letran’s Jun Roque, San Beda’s Zed Ettule and Jynno Ladimo of Ateneo de Manila University.

Patrick Fran mentored the squad with Lester del Rosario and Ronnie Magsanoc serving as deputy coach and team manager, respectively.

Meanwhile, Camille Clarin, Kristine Cayabyab, Karl Ann Pingol and Angel Surada of Gilas women also finished fourth in the women’s division with 380 points as China (520), Japan (470) and Mongolia (415) topped the tournament. — John Bryan Ulanday

Olympian Rosalio ‘Yoyong’ Martires passes away at 77

ROSALIO ‘YOYONG’ MARTIRES — PHILIPPINE STAR FILE PHOTO

PHILIPPINE BASKETBALL is mourning the passing of Olympian and pioneer PBA player Rosalio “Yoyong” Martires last Tuesday. He was 77.

Before making his mark as a comedian and public servant, Mr. Martires was one of the country’s elite basketball players in the 1970s and 80s. Highlight of the 5-foot-8 guard’s stellar career was his stint in the 1972 Olympics in Munich, where the Nationals compiled three wins and six losses and wound up 13th overall in the Philippines’ last Olympic hoops campaign to date.

In 1973, Mr. Martires played for the Philippine squad that ruled the Asian Basketball Confederation Championship, forerunner of the FIBA Asia Cup.

As a pro, Mr. Martires saw action for the San Miguel-Royal Tru-Orange franchise in the MICAA and in the PBA from 1975 on. He won two PBA titles before retiring in 1984. He shifted to acting and public service post-basketball.

“I will forever be proud of your accomplishments. Your legacy as a sportsman and as a public servant will remain an inspiration to many,” his teammate Ramon “Mon” Fernandez posted on Facebook. “Maayong pagpahuway (Rest well), Yong!” — Olmin Leyba

Boston Celtics celebrate, confident championship window is wide open

BOSTON — With a Game 5 win on Monday night the Celtics sealed the NBA title, but Boston had actually been waiting for this moment for over a decade.

Just over five years after the Celtics claimed their 17th championship, Boston went into a complete rebuild on June 28, 2013, trading franchise centerpieces Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for a package that included role players and draft picks.

What followed was a stretch of nearly 11 years that featured ups and downs, plenty of change and a constant belief that Banner 18 was always just one season away.

Two of the draft picks in the Brooklyn deal ended up turning into Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, drafted third overall in 2016 and 2017, respectively. The Celtics decided to build around the duo, and it ended up being the right choice.

But before the arrival of Mr. Brown and Mr. Tatum, Boston went through the 25-57 2013-14 campaign that featured Jeff Green as the frontman. Then a 5-foot-9 Isaiah Thomas came to town and started to establish himself as “The Little Guy,” in the words of the late Tommy Heinsohn.

Those teams may not have realized it at the time, but they were laying the foundation for something special.

Once Mr. Brown’s rookie season rolled around, the Celtics were really starting to look like contenders. Mr. Thomas averaged 28.9 points per game during the 2016-17 season, leading Boston to its first Eastern Conference finals appearance since 2012.

The Celtics came up short but proceeded to load up the following offseason, trading for Kyrie Irving and signing Gordon Hayward. Even though Hayward fractured his left tibia just minutes into his Boston debut, the Celtics ended up returning to the East finals, where they fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games.

From there, Boston overcame a fallout with Irving and an underwhelming two seasons with Kemba Walker running the point to punch its ticket to the Finals in 2022. Heartbreak was again in the cards, though, as the Golden State Warriors raised the Larry O’Brien Trophy after beating the Celtics in six games.

After getting bounced in the Eastern Conference finals once more a year ago, Boston went all in.

The Celtics parted ways with fan favorite Marcus Smart, considered by many to be the heart and soul of the team, to acquire Kristaps Porzingis via trade, and they also made a deal with the Portland Trail Blazers to bring in Jrue Holiday.

Those moves paid off, and now a league-record 18th banner will be raised this fall.

While this year’s team was the one that broke a 16-year title drought, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla is forever thankful for Mr. Green, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Smart and every other player that checked in for Boston over the past 11 seasons.

“I think the most important thing, something that’s really been going through my mind throughout this process, is you can’t lose sight of the people that came before us,” Mr. Mazzulla said. “And I want to make sure every person that’s worked for the Celtics, that’s played for the Celtics that didn’t win, knows that their work and what they have done has not gone unnoticed or it doesn’t play a part in where we are at today.

“It can be so easy when you work for this organization and you don’t win that the work that people put in just gets brushed over or gets ignored. … So I think that’s one of the first things that came to mind, was just because we won this doesn’t mean what the people have done before us isn’t just as important.”

Through everything over the past seven years, Mr. Brown and Mr. Tatum have been the one constant. “We’ve been through a lot, the losses, the expectations,” Mr. Brown said. “The media have said all different types of things: We can’t play together, we are never going to win.

“We heard it all. But we just blocked it out, and we just kept going. I trusted him. He trusted me. And we did it together.”

Mr. Brown was named Finals MVP. He averaged 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists in the series, and Mr. Tatum quickly shot down any notions of him being jealous of his co-star.

“Extremely happy for him. This is a hell of an accomplishment,” Mr. Tatum said. “The main goal for us was to win a championship. We weren’t — we didn’t care who got Finals MVP. I know that I need him through this journey, and he needs me.”

The Celtics had plans to fly down to Miami on Tuesday to celebrate for a bit before returning to Boston for their championship parade on Friday morning. And if all goes to plan, Celtics fans should get used to lining the streets and watching the city’s duck boats roll by. — Reuters

FIFA and UEFA oppose Italian plan to oversee club finances

MILAN — Soccer governing bodies Federation Internationale of Football Association (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) have expressed opposition to an Italian government plan to set up a committee to oversee the budgets of professional clubs, the head of Italy’s football association (FIGC) said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a parliamentary hearing, Gabriele Gravina told lawmakers the FIGC had received an email on Monday from world body FIFA and Europe’s UEFA. The government decree — still subject to change by parliament — has echoes of plans to appoint an independent regulator for English soccer.

Rome moved to set up the authority to oversee the budgets of professional sports clubs following a string of financial and regulatory problems suffered by major Italian soccer teams in recent years.

Juventus, controlled by the Agnelli family, suffered a 10-point deduction in Serie A in the 2022/2023 season and a ban from European competition in 2023-24 after accounting issues. — Reuters

Francisco Conceicao to the rescue as Portugal snatches 2-1 win over Czechs

LEIPZIG, Germany — Francisco Conceicao came off the bench to grab a predatory stoppage-time winner as Portugal kick-started their Euro 2024 campaign with an edgy 2-1 Group F win over a dogged but cautious Czech Republic side in a tight contest on Tuesday.

Mr. Conceicao, who was brought on in the 90th minute, pounced on a mistake by Robin Hranac to fire home from close range in the third minute of added time soon after Portugal were crestfallen when Diogo Jota’s effort was ruled out by VAR for offside.

The Czechs had stunned the Portuguese fans packed inside the Leipzig Stadium when they took the lead out of the blue in the 62nd minute as Lukas Provod’s superb curling effort threatened to cause an almighty upset.

Yet unfortunate defender Hranac scored an own goal seven minutes later to set up a frantic finish that saw Portugal claim the three points to leave them level in the group with Turkey who beat Georgia 3-1 earlier on Tuesday.

With 41-year-old Pepe, who became the oldest player in Euros history, at center back, and Cristiano Ronaldo, 39 and playing at a record sixth Euros, up front, Portugal banked on experience against a Czech side with the youngest squad in the tournament.

The match was meant to be a walk in the park for the highly fancied Portuguese, who came into the tournament on the back of a flawless qualifying campaign in which they won all 10 matches, scoring 36 goals and conceding twice.

But as is so often the way in major tournaments the script needed a hasty rewrite.

While Portugal predictably dominated the ball, with 70% possession, 19 shots and 13 corners, the workmanlike Czechs provided an infuriating obstacle for Martinez’s side.

DISCIPLINED CZECHS
Portugal set up camp in Czech territory early on, but they came up against some fierce resistance as Ivan Hasek’s disciplined side kept them mostly at arm’s length.

For all their possession, Portugal’s chances were limited. Rafael Leao was their most creative outlet with his jinking runs down the left flank, although one theatrical dive earned him a first-half booking.

Record breaker Mr. Ronaldo was predictably at the center of most of Portugal’s attacks, although a largely ineffective display will do little to quell the debate about whether he should still be starting for the national team.

He passed up their best chance of the first half when he was played through on goal by Bruno Fernandes only to be thwarted by Jindrich Stanek and had another shot beaten away by the keeper just before the break. — Reuters

Putin gets lavish welcome in N. Korea with vows of support

RUSSIA’S President Vladimir Putin is greeted by North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un during a meeting in Pyongyang, North Korea on June 19, 2024. — SPUTNIK/GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/POOL VIA REUTERS

SEOUL — Cheering crowds and lavish ceremonies greeted Russian President Vladimir Putin in Pyongyang on Wednesday, where he met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for a rare summit aimed at forging a partnership to counter US pressure and sanctions.

An honor guard including mounted soldiers, and a large crowd of civilians gathered at the square by the Taedong River running through the capital, video broadcast by Russian media showed. The scene included children holding balloons, and giant portraits of the two leaders with national flags adorning the Grand People’s Study Hall.

Mr. Kim and Mr. Putin then rode to the Kumsusan Palace for summit talks, Russian media said. “We highly appreciate your consistent and unwavering support for Russian policy, including in the Ukrainian direction,” Russian state news agency RIA quoted Mr. Putin as saying at the start of the talks with Mr. Kim.

Mr. Putin said Moscow is fighting the hegemonic, imperialist policy of the United States and its allies, Russian media reported.

Mr. Kim said North Korea-Russia relations are entering a period of new flowering, the reports said.

Mr. Putin arrived at Pyongyang’s airport earlier in the day. After Mr. Kim welcomed him with an embrace, the two shared “pent-up inmost thoughts” on the ride to the state guest house, North Korean state media said.

Mr. Putin is on his first trip to the North Korean capital in 24 years, a visit likely to reshape decades of Russia-North Korea relations at a time when both countries face international isolation.

The countries’ partnership is an “engine for accelerating the building of a new multi-polar world” and Mr. Putin’s visit demonstrates the invincibility and durability of their friendship and unity, North Korea’s state news agency KCNA said.

Russia has used its warming ties with North Korea to needle Washington, while heavily sanctioned North Korea has won political backing and promises of economic support and trade from Moscow.

The United States and its allies say they fear Russia could provide aid for North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs, which are banned by UN Security Council resolutions, and have accused Pyongyang of providing ballistic missiles and artillery shells that Russia has used in its war in Ukraine.

Moscow and Pyongyang have denied weapons transfers.

Mr. Kim greeted Mr. Putin, shaking hands, embracing and talking beside the Russian leader’s plane. The pair then rode in Mr. Putin’s Russian-made Aurus limousine to the Kumsusan State Guest House.

Likely given the hour, the welcome was a relatively subdued affair, with Mr. Kim greeting the Russian leader on the red carpet without the grand ceremony the North put on for Chinese President Xi Jinping on his 2019 visit.

“Passing through charmingly lit streets of Pyongyang at night, the top leaders exchanged their pent-up inmost thoughts and opened their minds to more surely develop the DPRK-Russia relations,” KCNA reported, using the initials of North Korea’s official name.

State media photos showed streets of Pyongyang lined with portraits of Mr. Putin and the facade of the unfinished and vacant 101-story pyramid-shaped Ryugyong Hotel brightly lit with a giant message “Welcome Putin.” 

‘ALTERNATE TRADE MECHANISM’
Wednesday’s agenda includes one-on-one discussions between the two leaders, as well as a gala concert, state reception, honor guards, document signings and a statement to the media, Russia’s Interfax news agency quoted Mr. Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov as saying.

In a signal that Russia, a veto-wielding member of the UN Security Council, is reassessing its approach to North Korea, Mr. Putin praised Pyongyang ahead of his arrival for resisting what he said was US economic pressure, blackmail and threats.

In an article on the front page of North Korea’s main ruling party newspaper, he promised to “develop alternative trade and mutual settlement mechanisms not controlled by the West” and “build an equal and indivisible security architecture in Eurasia.”

Mr. Putin’s article implies that there is an opportunity for North Korea’s economic growth within an anti-West economic bloc led by Russia, which is a message that is likely appealing to Kim Jong Un, wrote Rachel Minyoung Lee, an analyst with the 38 North program in Washington.

“If Pyongyang views Russia as a viable longer-term partner for improving its economy — as irrational as this may seem to some — there is even less of an incentive for it to try to improve relations with the United States,” she said in a report.

Mr. Putin also issued a presidential order on the eve of the visit saying Moscow was looking to sign a “comprehensive strategic partnership treaty” with North Korea. Mr. Ushakov said it would include security issues.

Mr. Ushakov said the deal would not be directed against any other country, but would “outline prospects for further cooperation.” — Reuters