Marcos looking forward to maritime deal with Vietnam, Malacañang says

August 10, 2023 | 8:19 pm

PBBM Marcos — PRESIDENT FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR. — PNA PHOTO BY ALFRED FRIAS

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. Looks forward to signing a deal with Vietnam to boost maritime cooperation in the South China Sea, the Philippine presidential palace said in a statement on Thursday.

Speaking with outgoing Vietnam Ambassador to the Philippines Hoang Huy Chung, Mr. Marcos underscored the importance of maritime cooperation.

“Now that we are going to start discussions on the agreement that we have between the Philippines and Vietnam… it will be a very, very important part of our relationship and it will bring an element of stability to the problems that we are seeing now in the South China Sea,” the President said.

President Marcos said the agreement “is going to be a very big step” between the Philippines and Vietnam.

Mr. Chung paid a farewell call to the President on Thursday. He was appointed ambassador to the Philippines in 2020.

Meanwhile, Armed Forces spokesman Medel Aguilar said 12 Chinese militia vessels had helped the Chinese Coast Guard attack using a water cannon Philippine vessels on a resupply mission at Second Thomas Shoal on Aug. 5.

“Our soldiers and crewmen saw 12 maritime militia that supported the six ships of the China Coast Guard,” he told a news briefing. “There was also the presence of the People’s Liberation Army Navy in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal,” he added, referring to Second Thomas Shoal.

But not all of them participated or were involved in the blocking, Mr. Aguilar said.

The National Security Council earlier said the Chinese Coast Guard had used one of the world’s strongest water cannons.

Also on Thursday, Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tristan Tarriela criticized Filipinos whom he accused of sympathizing with China in its sea dispute with the Philippines.

“If you are a Filipino, whether in government or private sector, regardless of your politics, defending and making excuses for China’s aggressive behavior should deem you unpatriotic, and a traitor to the Philippines and to our people,” he tweeted.

“Given current developments in the West Philippine Sea, it is important to show loyalty to the country,” he said, referring to areas of the sea within the country’s exclusive economic zone. Freedom of speech should not be misused by Filipinos who act as China’s mouthpiece, he added.

Ex-President Rodrigo R. Duterte met with Chinese President Xi Jinping last month, during which he reportedly asked the Chinese leader to look kindly on the Philippines.

The sea dispute between the two nations was never brought up during the meeting, Senate President Juan Miguel F. Zubiri said last week, citing President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

Mr. Marcos met with Senate leaders on Wednesday night after meeting with Mr. Duterte at the presidential palace, the senator said.

There are now proposals from his Senate allies to make him a special envoy to China, citing his “good standing” with Beijing. — KATA

Manila’s new curriculum to focus on reading, math, values and patriotism

August 10, 2023 | 8:18 pm

THE PHILIPPINES’ new curriculum for kindergarten and Grade 10 students would prioritize “foundational skills,” the Department of Education said on Thursday.

Under the new K-10 curriculum, students from kindergarten to Grade 2 will study five subjects — language, reading and literacy, mathematics, values education and patriotism, Education Director Jocelyn Andaya said at the curriculum’s launch.

Students will study science starting in Grade 3, just like in the old curriculum, she said.

Mother tongue was removed from the curriculum, but it will remain as a medium of instruction, Education Undersecretary Michael T. Poa told a news briefing.

Ms. Andaya said the new curriculum balances cognitive demands and seeks to develop 21^st-century skills.

It also seeks to strengthen values and peace education. “It is now on par with international standards.”

In her speech during the event, Vice-President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio highlighted “peace competencies for nonviolent action and conflict resolution skills” in the new curriculum.

“After all, there is security if there is peace,” she said.

Human rights groups have criticized Ms. Duterte-Carpio for accusing government critics of having links to the Maoist movement.

Her agency is proposing another P150 million in confidential funds under next year’s national budget.

Ms. Duterte earlier said DepEp’s confidential and intelligence funds are needed because “education is intertwined with national security.”

“It’s very important that we mold children who are patriotic, children who will love our country and who will defend our country,” she said.

ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France C. Castro is worried that the confidential funds would be used to “put under surveillance students and teachers” suspected of recruiting people to the Maoist movement.

“Is the DepEd now a police or military agency that is conducting surveillance operations on students and teachers?” she said in a statement.

Despite opposition from civil society and some lawmakers, Congress last year approved the agency’s P150-million confidential and intelligence funds for 2023. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Irrigation deputy named

August 10, 2023 | 8:18 pm

BAGUIO CITY — President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has appointed former National Tobacco Administrator (NTA) Robert Victor Seares, Jr. as deputy administrator of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

Mr. Seares Jr. took his oath before Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin at the presidential palace in Manila on Aug. 9.

He was ex-President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s administrator at the NTA at the age of 40, the youngest ever appointed to the position, after his father, former NTA Administrator Robert Lizardo Seares Sr. died. — Artemio A. Dumlao

Jail escapee caught in Kalinga

August 10, 2023 | 8:18 pm

BAGUIO CITY — Cordillera police caught an alleged car thief who escaped from the Cabarogguis district jail in Quirino province in Cagayan Valley nine years ago.

He was caught in Rizal, Kalinga province on Monday, Cordillera police chief Brigadier General David Peredo said.

The suspect was among four prisoners who escaped from the Cabarogguis jail on Sept. 13, 2014. They were detained for carnapping.

Police received a tip from an informant, leading them to his hideout, Mr. Peredo said. He was turned over to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Regional Office 2. — Artemio A. Dumlao

Tornado hits Zamboanga

August 10, 2023 | 8:18 pm

COTABATO CITY — A tornado from the sea ripped and blew away the roof of about 30 houses in the coastal village of Sinunuc in Zamboanga City on Wednesday.

In separate reports on Thursday, the office of Mayor John M. Dalipe and Zamboanga City Police Office said emergency responders had been dispatched to help to 32 affected families.

Mr. Dalipe, who heads the Zamboanga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said their local government unit’s engineering and social welfare offices would provide makeshift shelters to victims.

The tornado, which was first spotted in the sea about a kilometer away, moved inland and hit the houses on its path. — John Felix M. Unson

P13-M crystal meth seized in Sulu

August 10, 2023 | 8:18 pm

COTABATO CITY — Anti-narcotics agents seized P13 million worth of crystal meth from two suspected dealers, one of them a former member of the Moro National Liberation Front in Maimbung, Sulu in southern Philippines on Wednesday.

Christian O. Frivaldo, director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 12, told reporters on Thursday the duo fell in a sting operation.

The suspects did not resist arrest when PDEA agents and local police frisked and cuffed them after they traded two kilos of crystal meth to operatives disguised as drug users.

Mr. Frivaldo said the operation was launched after local officials, among them members of the Sulu Provincial Peace and Order Council, reported the suspects’ drug trafficking activities. — John Felix M. Unson

DTI, Bangsamoro to push halal

August 10, 2023 | 8:17 pm

THE DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI) has partnered with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Ministry of Trade, Investments and Tourism to promote the halal industry in the region.

The two have signed a memo that seeks to promote business development in certain Bangsamoro areas, DTI said in a statement on Thursday.

Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual cited opportunities in the $2.3-trillion (P129 trillion) global halal food industry, which is expected to grow by about 50% to $3.4 trillion next year.

He said the law mandates the promotion and development of the local halal industry.

“Acquiring even a tiny bit of this cake — let’s say 0.1 percent or $2.3 billion to $3.4 billion — would still greatly contribute to the country’s economic recovery and growth,” the Trade chief said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Gilas enters the final stage of preparation; Clarkson, Sotto in

August 10, 2023 | 6:21 pm

ALL HANDS (almost) on deck.

Fil-Am NBA star Jordan Clarkson and big man Kai Sotto — two key pieces missing for the good part of the pre-FIBA World Cup buildup — finally checked in as Gilas Pilipinas entered the final stage of preparations.

Mr. Clarkson attended his first session Wednesday night at the PhilSports Arena, going to work a day after arriving from the US.

Mr. Sotto, who stayed in Manila while the pool participated in the Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament in China due to back injury, also reported for practice and did some drills.

The 7-foot-3 Mr. Sotto is said to be waiting for doctor’s clearance to determine if it’s green and go for his stint in the Aug. 25 to Sept. 10 hoops showcase.

Messrs. Clarkson and Sotto linked up with June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, AJ Edu, CJ Perez, Chris Newsome, Ray Parks Jr., Kiefer Ravena, Dwight Ramos, Thirdy Ravena, Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, Jamie Malonzo and Rhenz Abando in the closed-door session.

It’s nearly a complete pool with injured Scottie Thompson (hand) and Poy Erram (knee) the only ones not in harness.

Mr. Thompson fractured his hand during their previous camp in Europe last month and is hoping to heal fast and still make it Erram, however, is reportedly out of it all.

Gilas coach Chot Reyes said integration and execution are main focus for the next two weeks before the opener against the Dominican Republic.

“Game condition, game shape, understanding of the pace and kind of competition we’ll be playing were the goals of the previous phase of the training. Now coming back from China, we’ll focus on integration and execution and game planning,” Mr. Reyes said.

With Mr. Clarkson in tow, Gilas will have three more tune-up games versus teams from Ivory Coast, Montenegro and Mexico before heading into WC battle versus the Dominicans, Angola and Italy. — Olmin Leyba

Gilas women on nonstop Asian Games buildup at Jones Cup

August 10, 2023 | 6:19 pm

GILAS Pilipinas covered another base to a nonstop Asian Games buildup with a decent campaign in the return of the William Jones Cup at the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium.

The Nationals finished only fifth out of six teams but succeeded in gauging their preparedness with close duels against the best club and national squads in Asia — with still two more than two months to go before the Asiad in China.

Gilas’ lone win came against Iran, 64-58, but it stood tall against eventual Jones Cup champion Chanson V-Magic of Japan, 95-88, in the final playdate.

The Filipina dribblers even managed to hold a 69-65 lead against the multiple Women’s Japan B-League champion entering the payoff period before losing steam.

Gilas only had one double-digit loss against Chinese Taipei B, 94-83, as it went toe-to-toe with Chinese Taipei A, 89-85, and South Korea’s Busan BNK Sum, 65-59, for a 1-4 slate.

“This was an overwhelming success for us as the tournament served as the benchmark in our team’s progress. Having to see new faces and mixing with our veterans made valuable strides for our team’s future,” head coach Pat Aquino told The STAR.

One of the bright spots for Gilas in the Jones that marked its comeback from a three-year hiatus is UAAP Rookie of the Year Kacey Dela Rosa from Ateneo with her steady inside presence highlighted by 17-point, 10-rebound debut against Taipei.

Gilas previously captured a pair of silver medals in the 32^nd Southeast Asian Games and Cambodia before a historic sixth-place finish in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Division A in Australia.

Now, Gilas sets its sights on a Korean trip with a stacked tournament against teams from the Korean Basketball League on Aug. 26 to Sept. 3 with hopes of further improving before an anticipated Asiad return. — John Bryan Ulanday

Asistio, Mamuyac and Kouame reunite under ROS in Jones Cup

August 10, 2023 | 6:19 pm

YOUNG guns Anton Asistio and Gian Mamuyac are pumped to join forces with Ateneo buddy Ange Kouame as they reunite under the Rain or Shine (ROS) banner in the 42^nd Williams Jones Cup.

The trio won a UAAP championship together and they hope to bring back the winning form for the Yeng Guiao-coached PBA squad tasked with representing the country in the Aug. 12 to 20 meet in Taiwan.

“I’m sure he’s going to be the same Ange (Kouame) who will go for every rebound and block every shot. I can’t wait for us to share the court in the Jones Cup and see how much better he has gotten,” said Mr. Mamuyac.

“He can really bring a lot to this team: His tenacity, his defense and his smarts. And post presence on offense and defense already makes a big difference,” said Mr. Asistio.

Mr. Kouame, one of Gilas Pilipinas’ naturalized players, was tapped to reinforce ROS along with American Nick Evans.

They will team up with Gabe Norwood, Beau Belga, Rey Nambatac, Jewel Ponferada, Leonard Santillan, Shaun Ildefonso, Andrei Caracut, Mark Borboran, Nick Demusis, Jhonard Clarito and Mac Belo against a slew of international opponents.

The E-Painters will launch their bid against Chinese Taipei’s Team A tomorrow with succeeding games against Chinese Taipei B, UAE, Qatar, Iran, Korean champs Anyang KGC, Japan Under 22, and University of California, Irvine. — Olmin Leyba

Spanish football club signs up former ‘Little Azkal’ Shane Neil Clemente

August 10, 2023 | 6:18 pm

SHANE Neil Clemente, 21 years old and from Malabon City, is the newest player to be signed up by the football club CD Llosetense based in Lloseta in Majorca, Spain.

In a statement, CD Llosetense President and Pro-Experience Academy Manager Lurek Vince Estarellas said, “We are pleased to officially introduce Shane Clemente as the newest addition to our U23 team. We firmly believe that Shane (Clemente) possesses the qualities and skills necessary to excel in his sports career. Notably, he demonstrates exceptional intellect, clear vision, and a relentless work ethic, which are all essential attributes for personal and professional growth.”

In 2013, Mr. Clemente was one of the 22 boys who were chosen from hundreds of aspirants from all over the Philippines to be part of the Under-11 national pool that traveled to the United Kingdom for a three-week elite training at Loughborough University. The experiences of the young players were chronicled in the documentary Little Azkals directed by award-winning director Baby Ruth Villarama.

Mr. Clemente would be part of the varsity football team of San Beda University High School in Taytay before making his way to play for the Al Ittifaq Football Club in United Arab Emirates in 2022.

Mr. Clemente was discovered by Ruben Fortunato Lopez and 90plus Sports Agency through videos of game highlights that the player himself posted on social media. Mr. Clemente’s brother Bryan, a videographer and post-production artist working in Dubai, edited the videos.

“This is the moment, I’m so excited about this journey!” Mr. Clemente said when he signed his contract. “This is a big step towards my career and keeping my dreams of becoming a professional footballer alive. I am ready to make waves in the upcoming season!”

The youngest of five children of a liaison officer-father and a public school teacher-mother, Shane — as Mr. Clemente is called by family and friends — had always dreamed of becoming a top professional football player ever since he was an eight year-old student in Malabon’s Acacia Elementary School.

Estarellas believes that Clemente’s development as a footballer will be enhanced by the high level of play in Spain. Mr. Estarellas said, “As a club, it is our commitment to provide Shane with the indispensable resources and support he needs to unlock his full potential and become the best version of himself on and off the field. We are enthusiastic about the possibilities that lie ahead for him and are eager to witness his progress and achievements. Together, we will pursue excellence and success in the world of football.”

Akari sister team Nxled Chameleon is 12^th member of PVL

August 10, 2023 | 6:18 pm

THE PREMIER Volleyball League (PVL) will have its 12^th and newest team in the Nxled Chameleons when it stages its second All-Filipino Conference tentatively scheduled Oct. 16.

Nxled is a company owned by Akari Lighting and Technology Corp., which joined the league in late last year’s Reinforced Conference.

Akari sports director Russell Balbacal said creating a second squad will not only provide the company an added marketing exposure but also aligns with its thrust of supporting Philippine volleyball.

“Of course, the obvious reason that we are forming Nxled is because we want to market the brand,” said Mr. Balbacal. “The PVL has proven to be a strong platform for brands to promote their products.

“More importantly, Akari has been a staunch supporter of Philippine volleyball for the past few years. Having a second team will help provide more jobs for players and coaches alike,” he added.

Mr. Balbacal has a vision for Nxled, a company which provides luxury lighting, as having its own winning identity in the league.

“We are envisioning the Nxled Chameleons to be a team that will easily adjust to any opponent they face in the PVL,” said Mr. Balbacal.

“We are committed to forming a very competitive team in this new endeavor of ours because this is not just a one-shot deal. We are guaranteeing to the PVL and fans alike that this team will be in the league for the long term.”

Nxled has yet to name its players and coaching staff.

Interestingly, Akari and Nxled will be the league’s fourth sister teams next to Creamline and Choco Mucho, Cignal and PLDT and Chery Tiggo and Foton.

The other teams seeing action are Farm Fresh, Gerflor, F2 Logistics and Petro Gazz. — Joey Villar