THE GOVERNMENT Service Insurance System (GSIS) has launched the Property Inventory Application (PIA), which aims to enhance the management and insurance of state assets.
“With PIA, we are not just making it easier to manage property records, we’re also enhancing how we assist government agencies in protecting their assets through insurance. It’s a major step towards strengthening our country’s infrastructure,” GSIS President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo “Wick” A. Veloso said in a statement on Sunday.
GSIS said the PIA aims to strengthen the protection and stability of government infrastructure.
The PIA was developed internally by GSIS and aims to fast-track the submission of annual property inventory forms. It simplifies the tracking of government property records to help solve the problem of incomplete or erroneous data due to manual processes, the state-run pension fund said.
This will ensure that all government assets are properly documented and managed, allowing for quicker government response to calamities, it added.
PIA’s initial rollout will cover the city governments of Pasig, Makati, Valenzuela, Navotas, San Juan, Pasay, Parañaque, Quezon, Manila, and Muntinlupa.
“By introducing this technology, GSIS is enhancing its capability to fulfill its responsibilities, helping to make the Philippines’ infrastructure safer and more stable. It will future-proof the gains of the government,” Mr. Veloso said.
GSIS’ net income rose by 21% year on year to P37 billion in the first quarter on the back of strong revenues. — AMCS
May is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Each year in the Philippines, 7,897 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 4,052 die from the disease. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the Philippines, including those between the ages of 15 and 44, according to the Department of Health (DoH).
The main cause of cervical cancer is persistent infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that are transmitted through sexual contact. Common signs and symptoms of cervical cancer include blood spots or light bleeding between or following periods; menstrual bleeding that is longer and heavier than usual; bleeding after intercourse, douching, or a pelvic examination; increased vaginal discharge; pain during sexual intercourse; bleeding after menopause; and unexplained, persistent pelvic and/or back pain.
The Philippines could eliminate cervical cancer by 2064 with concerted action across three “elimination pillars” identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) in its “Global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem.” These pillars are HPV vaccination, cervical cancer screening, and cervical cancer treatment.
The Strategy proposes an elimination threshold of four cases per 100,000 women, achieved by implementing the triple intervention targets by 2030: 90% of girls fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by age 15; 70% of women screened with a high-performance test (such as the HPV DNA test) by 35, and again by 45 years; and 90% of women identified with cervical precancer or invasive cancer receive adequate treatment and care.
The HPV vaccine has been proven to be safe and effective (close to 100% efficacy) at protecting against HPV and reducing HPV infections, which reduces the risk of cervical cancer and other cancers (vaginal, vulval, and penile cancer, among others) caused by HPV, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, while HPV vaccination has been available in the Philippines since 2016, widescale coverage has yet to be achieved.
The Strategy recommends facilitating the scaling up of HPV vaccination coverage by considering multisectoral delivery platforms, including a school-based strategy targeting adolescent females aged nine to 14 years, or innovative community-based strategies. It also suggests securing sufficient and affordable HPV vaccines, through a concerted effort to negotiate for reasonable prices and with international partnerships and support, including from GAVI, a public-private global health partnership which aims to increase access to immunization in developing countries.
The Strategy estimates that HPV vaccination could prevent nearly 94,050 cervical cancer deaths by 2070, and 688,966 cervical cancer deaths by 2120.
According to the Strategy, cervical cancer screening programs could be integrated with existing services such as primary care services, for instance by offering HPV testing at reproductive health clinics, ante-natal care consultations, family planning consultations or women’s health clinics. Integrating cervical cancer screening with facilities that offer services for HIV control should be considered to ensure women at high risk of cervical cancer have access to cervical cancer screening. This would minimize unnecessary referrals and reduce transport costs and waiting time for women.
The Strategy proposes offering self-collection for HPV testing, or point-of-care HPV testing in rural areas, so that women who need pre-cancer treatment can be treated in the same visit. It calls for the utilization of clinically validated high-sensitivity tests in screening scale-up, and strengthening of laboratory services and quality assurance programs to ensure the program is effective. The Strategy also recommends implementing surveillance and monitoring systems to ensure women are not lost to follow-up and to monitor program success nationally.
The effects of cervical cancer screening and pre-cancer treatment in the country will be seen mainly in the mid-term, after 2030. Cervical cancer screening would prevent an additional 960 cervical cancer deaths by 2030, 112,880 deaths by 2070, and 173,874 cervical cancer deaths by 2120.
The Strategy underscores the importance of developing and implementing national cervical cancer management guidelines in providing women with high-quality cancer treatment and care. Establishing strong referral networks between all aspects of the cancer care spectrum is needed to ensure the timely management of patients and reduce loss-to-follow-up. Diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of invasive cervical cancer will require high-quality pathology services and oncology services.
The Strategy calls for safe, effective, and timely surgery accompanied by supportive services such as anesthetic services and intensive care units for the treatment of early-stage cancers.
Cervical cancer treatment scale-up will have immediate impacts on deaths averted. The Strategy estimates that the scale-up of cancer treatment would prevent an additional 7,262 cervical cancer deaths in the country by 2030, 75,922 deaths by 2070, and 110,421 cervical cancer deaths by 2120. If the three pillars of elimination are established, the Philippines could avert over 970,000 deaths due to cervical cancer over the next century.
Each time a woman succumbs to cervical cancer, we lose a mother, a wife, a daughter, a grandmother, a colleague, and a friend. Each time a young woman gets cervical cancer, her chances of becoming a mother, a wife, having children, being a grandmother, or being a leader in her field of work or advocacy is lost to the disease. These are the foremost reasons why we must take cancer seriously.
Teodoro B. Padilla is the executive director of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP). PHAP represents the biopharmaceutical medicines and vaccines industry in the country. Its members are in the forefront of research and development efforts for COVID-19 and other diseases thataffect Filipinos.
Looking for a workplace where transparency is not a fleeting notion but a daily practice is hard to find in today’s job market. As job seekers scroll through different job boards, they are faced with several job descriptions and conflicting information that makes it challenging to discern the true essence of a company’s culture and work environment.
Trust can be one of the cornerstones of a healthy workplace, inspiring collaboration, teamwork, and a sense of belongingness that fuels employee satisfaction. PricewaterhouseCoopers’ (PwC) Trust Survey 2024 indicates most business executives agree that building and maintaining trust with customers, employees, and investors improves the bottom line.
However, the same survey suggests that there is a trust gap between employees and their employers. While 86% of business executives think employee trust is high, only 67% of employees say they highly trust their employer.
Several factors can be attributed to these companies’ optimistic trust levels with their employees, but it is clear that it is difficult to fully capture the current sentiment across stakeholder groups such as employees, customers, and investors.
One of the few companies that showcase high levels of trust for both employees and employers is insurance company Cocolife. As a recipient of HR Asia’s Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2022 and 2023, Cocolife’s perception of trust is not just a badge of honor but a testament to its unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of transparency, empowerment, and mutual respect.
Cocolife Senior Vice-President of Human Resources and Admin Services Atty. Michael Guevarra
“For Cocolife, trust is the foundation of a good and healthy relationship, and this holds true regardless of what type of relationship you have, whether romantic, professional, familial, etc. To be trusted then means to be successful in cultivating positive and healthy relationships,” Atty. Michael Guevarra, Cocolife’s senior vice-president of human resources and admin services, said in an interview.
The company builds this relationship and trust through communication, feedback, and employee engagement. By actively involving employees in decision-making processes and valuing their input, Cocolife cultivates a sense of ownership and accountability that fuels its success as a trusted employer.
“A relationship built on trust can only be achieved through proper communication. This is why Cocolife ensures that a yearly engagement survey is conducted to evaluate employee engagement, receive employee feedback, and identify key areas for improvement. The Company then centers its employee engagement strategy based on the results of the survey,” Atty. Guevarra stated.
This strategy has allowed Cocolife to build cohesiveness among its employees and create a collaborative and supportive work environment. As a result, Cocolife employees feel valued and heard, which strengthens the overall organizational culture.
“By responding to, or at least acknowledging the employee concerns raised, Cocolife builds a healthy relationship with its employees,” Atty. Guevarra added.
He also shared some initiatives the company has implemented during the pandemic to cultivate a culture of trust among employees. These programs have carried over to the post-pandemic normal and are part of their ongoing strategy to maintain employee engagement and satisfaction.
“The global pandemic truly had a profound impact on all of us. In response to economic hardships, a number of employees have started their respective small businesses… A big impact of the pandemic was also the fostering of new relationships by creating opportunities to interact within the company,” Atty. Guevarra explained.
At the Asia CEO Awards
With COVID-19 and technological advancements, he also discussed examples of how they have adapted their approach to building trust in response to changing work environments, such as remote work or hybrid models.
“One upside of the pandemic is that it changed our perspective of how to accomplish work. Remote work and hybrid work arrangements have shown that work can also be accomplished outside the four walls of the office,” Atty. Guevarra said.
Along with this evolution, Cocolife has opened an avenue that prioritizes employee health and well-being during trying times without sacrificing productivity.
“This shift also allowed us to change how we respond to employee concerns. For example, the unprecedented heat wave recently experienced by the Philippines was considered a health concern,” Atty. Guevarra explained.
Relevant events empowering individuals are also commemorated to further boost employee morale and motivate healthy competition. For instance, in celebration of Women’s Month last month, Cocolife hosted a bazaar featuring products made by their female employees to celebrate and support them.
Aside from several awards hailing Cocolife as one of the best insurance companies in the Philippines, its commitment to creating a healthy workplace and fostering a culture of trust among its employees has also garnered it accolades and awards including the above-mentioned HR Asia’s Best Companies to Work For for two consecutive years.
“It is truly an honor to receive such recognition. As a company that strives to attract top talent, these recognitions serve as a testament to the public that Cocolife is committed to cultivating a healthy and positive work environment. Such commitment, in turn, attracts job seekers with the same values,” Atty. Guevarra stated.
Cocolife employees
Being a trusted employer combined with an invigorated workforce has led Cocolife to deliver exceptional service, innovative insurance solutions, and sustained growth, reinforcing the company’s position as a leader in the insurance industry.
“In Cocolife, we are people-focused — both with how we service our customers and value our employees. We make it a point to provide the best possible servicing in the industry. From the time a customer purchases any of our products up to the time a claim has to be paid, we make it as convenient and efficient for them. Of course, they put their trust in us so it is our mission to repay them for that trust,” said Atty. Jose Martin A. Loon, president and chief executive officer of Cocolife.
Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld Web site. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.
Join us on Viber at https://bit.ly/3hv6bLA to get more updates and subscribe to BusinessWorld’s titles and get exclusive content through www.bworld-x.com.
The Philippines rose four spots to 94th out of 188 countries in the 2024 edition of CS Global Partners’ World Citizenship Report (WCR). The report assesses a country’s citizenship based on five indicators (or motivators) valued by high-net-worth global investors. The country scored 51.8 out of 100, the fifth lowest in the East and Southeast Asia region.
The lobby of the Philippine Stock Exchange in Taguig City, Sept. 30, 2020. — REUTERS
PHILIPPINE STOCKS could rise this week following the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) decision to maintain its benchmark interest rates for a fifth straight meeting and hints on a rate cut as early as August.
On Friday, the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) fell by 0.14% or 9.51 points to end at 6,618.69, while the broader all shares index declined by 0.01% or 0.37 point to close at 3,524.15.
Week on week, however, the PSEi rose by 1.64% or 106.76 points from its 6,511.93 close on May 10.
“As expected, local interest rates were kept unchanged, but ‘less hawkish’ comments roused some positive energy in what [was] mostly a range-bound week,” online brokerage firm 2TradeAsia.com said in a market note.
The Monetary Board on Thursday left its target reverse repurchase rate unchanged at a 17-year high of 6.5%, as expected by 17 out of 19 analysts in a BusinessWorld poll. Interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities were likewise kept at 6% and 7%, respectively.
BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. said after the meeting that they are now “somewhat less hawkish than before” and could cut rates by the third or fourth quarter of this year. He said they expect one or two 25-basis-point rate cuts within the second semester.
The policy-setting Monetary Board’s only meeting for the third quarter is scheduled on Aug. 15. Meanwhile, in the fourth quarter, it will hold reviews on Oct. 17 and Dec. 19.
The BSP’s policy decision and comments could push Philippine stocks higher this week, Philstocks Financial, Inc. Senior Research Analyst Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco said in a Viber message.
“The prospects of a possible rate cut by the BSP as early as August following their less hawkish stance in their latest meeting may also give sentiment a boost next week. With these, the market could move with an upward bias,” Mr. Tantiangco said.
“Looking at the bigger picture, however, the market has been moving sideways since mid-April, showing investors’ indecisiveness as they weigh hopes against lingering risks in the market. At its current level, the local market is still deemed to be attractive. Hence, episodes of bargain hunting are still possible in [this] week’s trading,” he added.
Mr. Tantiangco placed the market’s support at 6,400 and resistance at 6,700.
Meanwhile, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort put the PSEi’s one-month support at 6,540 and major resistance at 6,740-6,820.
2TradeAsia.com placed the PSEi’s immediate support at 6,400, primary resistance at 6,700, and secondary resistance at 6,800.
“The volatile week has been hard carried by mixed earnings plus speculation on how solid a pivot by third quarter could be: a test of grit until the Fed (US Federal Reserve) and ultimately, the BSP, eventually bring rates back down to earth,” the online brokerage said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
THE PESO may trade sideways against the dollar this week as the market awaits the release of minutes of the US Federal Reserve’s policy meeting this month for more leads on their future policy path.
The local unit closed at P57.62 per dollar on Friday, weakening by 15.5 centavos from its P57.465 finish on Thursday, Bankers Association of the Philippines data showed.
Week on week, the peso likewise depreciated by 20 centavos from its P57.42 finish on May 10.
The peso weakened against the dollar on Friday due to hawkish comments from the Fed from the previous day, Security Bank Corp. Chief Economist Robert Dan J. Roces said in a Viber message.
The dollar retreated against major currencies on Friday as market speculation continues to swirl about the timing of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts amid signs of cooling yet persistent inflation and a softening US economy, Reuters reported.
While consumer prices for April, reported on Wednesday, rose less than expected — leading to a risk-on flavor in equity markets — various Fed officials have sounded words of caution about when rates may fall, limiting the dollar’s decline last week.
The dollar index, which tracks the US currency against six peers, slid 0.04% to 104.44 after earlier trading about 0.3% higher.
Fed policy makers said on Thursday that still-high inflation warrants keeping rates at current levels, and that reaching the Fed’s 2% inflation target will take longer than previously thought.
Less hawkish comments from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) also dragged down the peso, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.
BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. last week said the Monetary Board could begin their easing cycle with a cut worth 25 basis points (bps) as early as their Aug. 15 policy meeting, adding that he expects one or two rate cuts within the second semester.
The Monetary Board kept its target reverse repurchase rate at a 17-year high of 6.5% for a fifth straight meeting on Thursday, as expected by 17 out of 19 analysts in a BusinessWorld poll. Interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities were likewise kept at 6% and 7%, respectively.
The central bank raised borrowing costs by a cumulative 450 bps from May 2022 to October 2023.
For this week, Mr. Ricafort said the peso will move depending on the minutes of the Fed’s policy meeting this month, which will be released on May 22, Wednesday.
“Economic data and comments from central bank officials will remain as catalysts,” Mr. Roces added.
The US central bank this month kept the fed funds rate unchanged at the 5.25%-5.5% range for a sixth straight meeting.
The Fed hiked interest rates by 525 bps from March 2022 to July 2023.
Mr. Ricafort sees the peso moving between P57.30 and P57.80 per dollar this week, while Mr. Roces expects it to range from P57.20 to P57.50. — A.M.C. Sy with Reuters
A CHINESE rule allowing its coast guard to detain foreigners crossing what it considers its borders could be a “hostage policy” meant to weaken Philippine resolve to defend its claims in the South China Sea, geopolitical experts said at the weekend.
There is a “very real possibility” now that its coast guard could detain a Filipino fisherman for one or two months, which could lead to a “serious diplomatic and humanitarian crisis,” said Raymond M. Powell, a fellow at Standford University’s Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation.
“Beijing may decide to do such a thing simply to test the Marcos administration’s resolve or deter future assertions of its maritime rights,” he said in an X message. “This would create a form of hostage diplomacy in which Beijing holds a mariner and then demands concessions.”
The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment.
China’s new policy, which the Philippine Coast Guard said is illegal, allows its coast guard to detain foreigners it suspects of violating its exit-entry rules including in disputed areas of the South China Sea for up to 60 days without a trial.
Foreign vessels may be seized, and foreigners detained if they are accused of illegal entry and exit, of helping others “to illegally enter and exit the country,” and of “endangering national security and interests.”
“The new policy will restrict fishing, scientific research and commercial activities by other nations in contested waters, effectively extending China’s control without resolving underlying disputes,” Randy M. Tuaño, dean of the Ateneo de Manila University School of Government, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.
“The policy certainly undermines international law, including the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling favoring the Philippines,” he added.
The United Nations-backed tribunal voided China’s claim to more than 80% of the waterway, including areas that fall within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Tensions between the Philippines and China have worsened in the past year as Beijing continues to block Manila’s resupply missions to Second Thomas Shoal, where Manila grounded a World War II-era ship in 1999 to assert its sovereignty.
The Chinese Coast has on many occasions fired water cannons and used dangerous maneuvers to block the Philippines’ missions within its exclusive economic zone.
The government should call on its international partners including the US, Japan and Australia to oppose the Chinese policy, Senator Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros-Baraquel said in a statement.
“Should Beijing dare push through with this illegitimate regulation, the Philippines’ hand may be forced to sue them again in the Hague tribunal,” she said. “China, better abrogate this shameless policy. China, better stop inciting violence in our waters. China, better leave the West Philippine Sea alone.”
Joshua Bernard B. Espeña, vice-president of Manila-based International Development and Security Cooperation, said China’s detention policy could weaken Philippine efforts to civilianize its EEZ.
“This call for arrests will certainly jeopardize the safety of Filipino citizens lawfully faring in the area,” he said via Messenger chat.
A civilian flotilla of Filipino activists on Thursday failed to sail closer to Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, avoiding a clash with dozens of Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels patrolling the area.
Still, the Atin Ito civic coalition called its mission to the shoal a success after it managed to distribute food packs and about 1,000 liters of fuel to Filipino fishermen about 50 kilometers away from Scarborough.
Mr. Powell urged the government of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to raise China’s detention policy with Southeast Asian nations and Philippine allies “and make it clear that such hostage diplomacy must never be practiced or tolerated by civilized nations.”
“He’ll have the perfect opportunity to do so in two weeks when he will be the keynote speaker at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore,” he added.
Mr. Espeña said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is “unlikely to join the Philippines until the Chinese make certain arrests.” “We cannot expect everyone to be on board.”
Mr. Tuaño said the Philippines should continue to reinforce its position as a rule-of-law advocate and garner support from the international community.
It should also boost ship patrols in coordination with allies to “protect its waters while avoiding direct confrontations.”
“Issuing formal diplomatic protests and engaging in international forums to highlight the risks associated with China’s policy could be undertaken,” he added. — with John Victor D.Ordoñez
A SPECIAL panel formed by Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to address human rights issues in the Philippines is unlikely to make a difference since it is dominated by agencies with a poor track record on human rights, according to Human Rights Watch.
The presidential order is “at first glance… admirable,” Carlos H. Conde, a senior researcher at the Asia division of Human Rights Watch, told BusinessWorld via e-mail.
“But it is led and dominated by agencies of government that not only have questionable or poor record of human protection; some of them were responsible for the very same human rights abuses that we’ve seen since 2016,” he added.
Under Administrative Order No. 22 signed on May 8, the Special Committee on Human Rights Coordination will fine-tune the investigation and data-gathering on human rights violations by law enforcement agencies.
The body is co-headed by the executive secretary and Justice secretary. Its members include the Foreign Affairs and Interior and Local Government secretaries.
Mr. Conde said the Interior and Justice departments have not done a lot in holding to account those who perpetrated abuses during ex-President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s deadly war on drugs.
Both agencies did not immediately reply to an e-mail and Viber message seeking comment.
Ephraim B. Cortez, president of the National Union of People’s Lawyers, said the human rights body won’t be helping prosecute officials accused of human rights violations.
“The [human rights body] adopted the focus areas of the United Nations Joint Program (UNJP) on human rights, and one of the criticisms against UNJP is it lacks a mechanism for accountability,” he said in a Viber message.
The panel was probably created to improve the Philippine image in the international community, he added.
Arjan P. Aguirre, who teaches political science at the Ateneo de Manila University, said the panel is an attempt to make it look like the government is serious about resolving human rights violations.
“The creation of the ‘super body’ is something that many don’t really recommend or suggest in addressing the longstanding and problematic human rights situation in our country,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat.
He also said it could be used against opposition figures.
“If the body’s main objective is to control the discourse of who is entitled to human rights or not — essentially a resurrection of the national task force against communists — only this time, it is under the president’s control, it’s going to be ludicrous,”Hansley A. Juliano, a lecturer at the Ateneo de Manila University’s Department of Political Science, said via Messenger chat.
La Union Rep. Francisco Paolo P. Ortega V said the human rights panel is a step in the right direction.
The President’s anti-illegal drug policy is “a huge step in the right direction compared with other administrations,” he said in an interview.
Mr. Conde noted that while the country’s human rights situation seems to have improved, it is not due to Mr. Marcos’ human rights policy but because Mr. Duterte’s drug war has ended.
“[Mr. Duterte[ set the bar so low that even if [Mr. Marcos] doesn’t do anything, the situation would definitely look improved.”
Almost 9,000 Filipinos died under Mr. Duterte’s war on drugs, according to a 2020 report by the United Nations (UN) Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Philippine human rights groups estimate that as many as 30,000 drug suspects died.
THE DEPARTMENT of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Sunday said all 23 Filipino seamen aboard a Panama-flagged oil tanker that was attacked by a drone controlled by Iran-backed Houthi rebels off Yemen’s Red Sea coast at the weekend were safe.
In a statement, the agency said the ship was only slightly damaged as it was sailing close to the Yemeni port city of Hodeida. “The vessel is continuing on its journey to its next port of call.”
“The DMW is closely coordinating with international maritime authorities, shipping companies and local manning agencies on the status of ships with Filipino seafarers traversing high-risk areas and war-like zones in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden,” it added.
The Houthi rebels shot a single anti-ship missile at the M/T Wind, a Panamanian-flagged and Greek-owned oil tanker on Saturday, causing flooding that knocked out its propulsion and steering, the US Central Command said in an X post on Saturday.
Last month, the DMW stopped the deployment of Filipino seafarers on passenger and cruise ships to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden amid recent attacks by Houthi rebels.
Under DMW Order No. 2, Filipino seafarers and manning agencies must sign an affirmation letter guaranteeing that vessels do not pass through these areas.
The agency earlier required commercial vessels to register a “significant event” when they sail through the areas after two Filipino seafarers died aboard an Israel-linked bulk carrier after a Houthi missile attack in March.
In November, Houthi rebels seized an Israel-linked cargo ship in the Red Sea and took 17 Filipino seamen hostage. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree had said the seizure was in response to “heinous acts” against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. — John Victor D. Ordoñez
THE BUREAU of Immigration (BI) in Cebu City has arrested an Australian man, an alleged member of the Mexican Sinaloa drug cartel, for drug trafficking.
In a statement, Immigration Commissioner Norman G. Tansingco said the man has a standing red notice from the International Police for a criminal case in Indonesia.
The Australian was detained in Taguig City pending deportation proceedings.
The National Narcotics Board of Indonesia on Jan. 29 issued an arrest warrant against the fugitive for drug smuggling.
Indonesian authorities accused the man of trying to smuggle a shipment of floor ceramics filled with more than five kilos of crystal meth. The package is said to have come from Guadalajara, Mexico. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana
BUSINESSMAN Meneleo J. Carlos, Jr., a pioneer at Philippine chemical group Resins, Inc., died on May 17 at 95, the company said in a statement at the weekend
Mr. Carlos took over Resin after his father and founder Meneleo Carlos, Sr. retired in 1980.
Aside from leading Resins, he also held top positions at the Federation of Philippine Industries, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Bishops-Businessmen’s Conference for Human Development.
He also participated in state-led multisectoral bodies including the negotiating panel for the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, Council of Advisers of Energy Affairs and Committee on Power Conservation and Demand Management.
“He was recognized as the grandfather of the roll-on/roll-off project that facilitates seamless movement of people and goods from Mindanao to Luzon through Visayas,” Resins said. — Justine Irish D. Tabile
