Dawlah Islamiya terror group leader killed in Marawi

June 14, 2023 | 7:54 pm

DI-leader-killed-scene-LANAO-DEL-SUR-PROVINCIAL-POLICE — LANAO DEL SUR PROVINCIAL POLICE

THE LEADER of local terrorist group Dawlah Islamiya was killed by security forces during a brief gunfight in Marawi City early Wednesday, the regional police chief said.

Bangsamoro Police Regional Director Allan C. Nobleza said the joint military and police team were to serve several warrants of arrest issued against Faharudin Pumbuaya Pangalian, also known as known as Abu Zacharia and was considered the “emir” or ruler of the Islamic State-linked group.

Mr. Nobleza reported that the Dawlah Islamiya head, who was wanted for more than 20 high-profile criminal cases pending in different courts, resisted arrest and provoked a gunfight.

He said the operation, intended to peacefully arrest Faharudin Pangalian, involved different military and police units and intelligence agents of the Army-led anti-terror Task Force Marawi under the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom).

Members of the multi-sector Lanao del Sur Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) told the media that Maranao villagers supportive of the peace and security programs of Gov. Mamintal A. Adiong, Jr. reported the presence of Mr. Pangalian in Marawi’s Sarimanok area to authorities.

Mr. Adiong, chairman of the Lanao del Sur PPOC, last week called on his Muslim and Christian constituents to help security forces clear all of the city’s villages and the province’s 39 towns from Dawlah Islamiya presence.

“We are thankful to the vigilant Marawi City residents who led the joint Army and police raiding team to the hideout of Abu Zacharia,” WestMinCom Commander Roy M. Galido said.

RETALIATION
Mr. Pangalian was the leader of all Dawlah Islamiya groups in Mindanao and was recently proclaimed “East Asian emir” by supporters. He also had links with the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

Both groups have a reputation for fomenting hatred for non-Muslims and are together tagged in all deadly bomb attacks in Mindanao since 2014.

“We are bracing for possible retaliations. (But) we will never give his sympathizers a chance to do that,” Mr. Nobleza said.

More than 300 members of both groups have surrendered since late 2021, according to police and military records.

Police forensic experts found grenades, improvised explosive devices and two M16 assault rifles in Mr. Pangalian’s hideout. — John M. Unson

Marcos pushes for rice sector consolidation

June 14, 2023 | 7:54 pm

palay-rice-farmer — PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Wednesday called for wider consolidation in the rice sector as he led the launch of a provincial program that seeks to mechanize and organize contiguous farming of the staple commodity.

Mr. Marcos Jr. said the Consolidated Rice Production and Mechanization Program, a project of South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo, Jr. would help the country achieve rice self-sufficiency, which he said is needed amid supply issues facing the country’s major sources of rice.

He was addressing rice farmers from a pilot farm under the project, which seeks to bring together local rice growers to form consolidated areas of at least 1,000 hectares.

“Why is consolidation important? It’s very simple. The production cost here in the Philippines, which includes the labor such as harvesting and planting, is doubled compared to Thailand and Vietnam,” he said.

“How did that happen? The easy answer is mechanization,” he added.

And maximizing the use of machinery, he said, requires big farm areas. “By using big machinery, production cost, and labor cost go down while the produce yield per hectare goes up.”

Under the consolidation and mechanization program, the government would also set up a corporation to market the rice, dismantling the old model of middlemen getting more profit than farmers, he said.

Mr. Marcos last month said the government will work towards achieving 97.5% rice self-sufficiency by 2028, a level which he described as adequate to meet the country’s needs.

The new target reflects a drop from the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) former goal of 100% self-sufficiency by 2027.

The DA, which Mr. Marcos also heads, said in April that it expects to achieve 100% self-sufficiency in rice by 2027 through the Masagana Rice Program 2023-2028.

The program aims to stabilize rice supply at between 24.99 million metric tons (MT) and 26.86 million MT, and in the process lower the hike in prices to less than 1% annually. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

June 28 declared a holiday for Feast of Sacrifice celebration

June 14, 2023 | 7:54 pm

Muslims-mosuq-PHILSTAR-EDD-GUMBAN — PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has declared June 28 a regular holiday in observance of Eid’l Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice.

In a proclamation, the president said the date was upon the recommendation of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, following the 1444 Hijrah Islamic Lunar Calendar.

The Eid’l Adha is an annual holiday in the country based on Republic Act No. 9849 signed in 2009.

Eid’l Adha and Eid’l Fitr are the two main holidays celebrated by Muslims worldwide.

Muslims make up about 6.01% of the Philippines’ total population, according to a 2017 report by the Philippine Statistics Authority. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

SC orders PhilHealth to reinstate QC Eye Center, pay claims

June 14, 2023 | 7:54 pm

supreme-court-philstar — PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE SUPREME COURT (SC) has ordered the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to lift its suspension against the Quezon City Eye Center and to settle all unpaid claims related to cataract operations conducted between July 2009 and June 2010.

In a 30-page decision dated Feb. 6 and made public on June 13, the tribunal said there was no evidence presented that would hold the medical institution liable for supposedly engaging in unethical practices as an accredited health care provider.

“There is no substantial evidence showing that it (Quezon City Eye Center) directly or indirectly solicited patients for cataract screening, operation, and treatment during medical missions or under any circumstance prohibited under Circular No. 19, series of 2007 as to render it liable for Breach of the Warranties of Accreditation,” according to the ruling penned by Justice Amy. C. Lazaro-Javier.

PhilHealth had issued a circular that ordered the suspension of claims for cataract operations performed during medical missions and through “other cataract sweeping recruitment schemes.”

It said it was acting on reports of supposed irregularities in the recruitment of patients that stemmed from a complaint from a group of doctors.

In 2015, the PhilHealth Arbitration Office ordered the suspension of Quezon City Eye Center’s accreditation after it was found that one of its ophthalmologists performed a total of 1,179 operations from July 2009 to June 2010.

The firm argued that it had entered into an agreement with Heidelberg Ventures Corp., an independent group of ophthalmologists, to only lease its facilities to their doctors to treat patients, which the court agreed with.

“In this light, the Court will not penalize health care providers, whereas in this case, there is an abject lack of substantial evidence to support a finding of administrative liability against the petitioner for Breach of the Warranties of Accreditation,” the tribunal said.

“To do otherwise would ultimately result in the deprivation of the right of the people to health and patient care services and the chance to have a better quality of life and well-being.” — John Victor D. Ordoñez

UAE invites PHL to join exchange program to boost business ties

June 14, 2023 | 7:53 pm

UAE-Marcos-PCO-PHOTO — UNITED Arab Emirates Ambassador to the Philippines Mohamed Obaid Salem Alqataam Alzaabi shares a light moment with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. during a visit in Malacañang on June 14, 2023. — PCO PHOTO

EXECUTIVE Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin has been directed to draft a memorandum of understanding regarding the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) proposal to the Philippines for an exchange of information program.

The Presidential Communication Office (PCO) made the statement after UAE officials met with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Tuesday.

“In terms of the economy, the UAE said there are a lot of companies in their country wanting to build their businesses in the Philippines as they emphasized that they wanted to introduce a new program which is similar to what they have been doing to other countries,” the PCO said.

The exchange program by the Office of the Prime Minister is now participated in by 40 countries including Egypt, Spain, and Jordan, UAE Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary H.E. Mohamed Obaid Salem Alqataam Alzaabi told Mr. Marcos Jr.

“The Ambassador explained that the program was launched in 2018 as a ‘platform knowledge,’ where the Philippine and the UAE governments, for example, can exchange information to be covered by a memorandum of understanding, should President Marcos approve the proposal,” the PCO said.

The UAE officials also told Mr. Marcos that they want the Philippines to become a member of the Global Mangrove Alliance, the PCO said.

“We have made great efforts to preserve and restore our mangrove ecosystem. As a matter of fact, the law in the Philippines is, you cannot touch mangroves at all, and because of that, the mangroves have grown back,” Mr. Marcos told them.

“In fact, they grow back so much that sometimes they are already beginning to block the rivers. So maybe there is much you can learn on the management of it because I think we have done as much as we can in terms of preservation,” he added.

Mr. Marcos said he would want to study the structure of the alliance and how the group works.

“But again, the preservation of the mangroves is a very big issue. It is a very important point for the Philippines because of all the waterways that we have,” he added.

The UAE officials also invited Mr. Marcos to attend the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, to be held in December this year in Dubai. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Rights group asks Kalinga gov’t to review ‘red-tagging’ policy

June 14, 2023 | 7:53 pm

A HUMAN rights group has asked the Kalinga provincial government to review a resolution issued by the local anti-communist task force that tagged 18 non-government organizations as fronts for the communist movement.

In a statement, Karapatan said the policy puts these organizations based in the Cordillera region in danger and makes them vulnerable to threats, harassment, and intimidation.

“This resolution likewise undermines the fundamental principles of freedom of association and is violative of international laws and human rights norms,” it said.

“We call on the Kalinga provincial government to review this resolution, which dangerously puts human rights defenders in harm’s way.”

The group also called on the Commission on Human Rights to ensure that local anti-communist task forces uphold international human rights commitments and standards.

The task force’s resolution also requires all entities representing themselves as non-government organizations to secure permits from the local government unit before they can conduct any activity.

Among the groups tagged as communist fronts are Karapatan’s Cordillera chapter and the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance.

Karapatan said the task force baselessly tagged these groups even though none of them have been found guilty of any crime or violation.

“They (non-government organizations) play a vital role in facilitating grassroots participation, advocating for marginalized groups, and holding governments accountable for their actions,” it said. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Pinoy ace Yulo plunges in action in Asian AGC in Singapore today

June 14, 2023 | 6:10 pm

FILIPINO dynamo Carlos Yulo will take the first important step in his quest for an Olympic gold as he wades into battle in today’s Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships (AGC) at the OCBC Competition Hall in Singapore.

The pocket-sized spectacle from Leveriza in Manila will plunge into action in all six apparatuses starting with the pommel horse, which unfurls at 9:30 a.m. to be followed by still rings at 10:05 a.m., vault at 10:40 a.m., parallel bars at 11:15 a.m., horizontal bars at 11:50 a.m. and floor exercise at 12:25 p.m.

If he does well, and everyone will agree he would, Mr. Yulo will book his place in the World Championships slated Sept. 30 to Oct. 8 in Antwerp, Belgium where he will try to book his place in the Mt. Olympus of all sports — the Olympics in Paris next year.

The apparatus finals are set Saturday and Sunday.

And the two-time world champion is expected to bring in his best and bedazzle everyone including the excited spectators, who are expected to come in droves expecting nothing less from the event’s biggest, if not the biggest, draws.

Mr. Yulo flew in last Monday with the 12-strong Philippine team that included his younger siblings Karl Eldrew and Elaiza, who competed in the junior division of this same event a few days back.

He came in determined not to miss the Paris Olympic bus.

So determined that he had already decided to skip the Hangzhou Asian Games, which runs smack with the Antwerp tilt, for that precious berth to the Olympics where he would want to bury the ghost of the Tokyo Games past and claim the one piece of hardware that is missing in his massive trophy collection — the Olympic gold. — Joey Villar

PHL Azkals face Nepal Gorkhalis in international friendly match at Rizal Memorial Stadium pitch

June 14, 2023 | 6:09 pm

Match Thursday
(Rizal Memorial Stadium)
7 p.m. — Philippines vs Nepal

THE PHILIPPINE Azkals return to the Rizal Memorial Stadium pitch against Nepal tonight in an international friendly they intend to use as a jump-off point for a targeted renaissance.

Now under comebacking German coach Michael Weiss, the Pinoy booters are fighting to regain relevance and win back fans after losing luster in the last few years.

For the Azkals, a winning performance in the 7 p.m. matchup with the Gorkhalis should be a good start in this quest.

“The last couple of years weren’t the best time for the Azkals but we’re looking forward to starting a new journey,” said defender Daisuke Sato in yesterday’s pre-match presscon.

Mr. Sato and fellow veterans are reunited with Mr. Weiss, who’s back in the reins after a nine-year absence. The German mentor previously called the shots from 2011 to early 2014 and led the side to the bronze medal in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup held in Nepal.

“I believe with the core players and coach Mr. Weiss, we can achieve some really good things. I also hope the fans come back. I kinda feel we lost connection with the fans a little bit and we want to get it back,” said the Fil-Japanese.

The Azkals are unbeaten in five matches against Nepal since 2011.

The Filipinos won the first four, including a 4-1 victory at home in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers in March 2017. However, the Gorkhalis forced the Azkals to a goalless draw in the return match in Kathmandu eight months later.

After Nepal, Mr. Weiss’ troops duke it with Chinese Taipei on Monday, also at Rizal.

The twin friendlies serve as part of the Azkals’ buildup for the joint Asian Cup and Fifa World Cup Qualifiers set later in November. — Olmin Leyba

Vanessa de Jesus reinforces Gilas Pilipinas as naturalized player

June 14, 2023 | 6:08 pm

DUKE University’s Vanessa de Jesus can’t wait to finally don national colors in honor of her family and country when Gilas Pilipinas vies in the 2023 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Division A next week in Sydney, Australia.

Ms. De Jesus, 21, said playing for the national team is the realization of her dream and of her proud Filipino parents as she reinforces the Southeast Asian Games core of Gilas against the continent’s best teams.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to suit up for the Philippine national team. Two of the most important things in my life are family and basketball,” said Ms. De Jesus in an online media availability with the local press late Tuesday night.

“Having the opportunity to represent both on a national level is something I’m very excited about. And I’m very excited to go both as a player and as a leader by competing on the global stage.”

Ms. De Jesus, an incoming senior, is the first Asian player to ever play in the elite Duke women’s basketball program — making her a highly-sought prospect for the Philippines for years now.

She’s one of the primary guards for Duke, which reached the US NCAA Division I second round this year, with averages of 5.1 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 66 games so far.

Though born to both Filipino parents — Phillip and Maria — in California, the 5-foot-8 ace will fill the naturalized player spot for Gilas in the Asia Cup slated on June 26 to July 3.

Ms. De Jesus obtained her Philippine passport last month but FIBA requires players to secure one before turning 16 in order to be considered as a local player.

She will join Gilas in Melbourne, where the wards of coach Pat Aquino will arrive this weekend, for their final build-up before flying to Sydney next week.

Gilas is bunched with five-time champion Japan, host Australia and Chinese Taipei in Group B of the Asia Cup that also serves as a qualifying event for the Paris Olympics. — John Bryan Ulanday

San Beda battles Letran in semis rubber match of PBA D-League

June 14, 2023 | 6:08 pm

Game Today
(Ynares Sports Arena)
3 p.m. — Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda vs Wangs Basketball @27 Strikers-Letran

ARCHRIVALS Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda and Wangs Basketball @27 Strikers-Letran dispute the last finals seat in the win-or-go-home Game 3 of their 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup semifinals series today at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The Red Lions and the Knights split their first two matches in contrasting fashions, making their last duel at 3 p.m. an interesting one for another chapter of their storied rivalry with the winner gaining a shot at toppling reigning champion EcoOil-La Salle in the best-of-three finale starting next week.

De La Salle University swept the University of the Perpetual System Dalta in the other semis bracket last Thursday.

San Juan de Letran University drew first blood on a stellar 24-point deficit comeback, 93-87, in overtime as San Beda University quickly retaliated with a statement 74-51 win in Game 2 on Tuesday to force a rubber match.

Now, the battlelines are drawn as they gun for each other’s heads despite only a day breather.

“It’s a test of character for us. We know we can bounce back as long as we play within our system. It will be an exciting game,” said coach Rensy Bajar as Letran eyes to prove its mettle as the three-time NCAA king.

But momentum is on San Beda, seeking to live up to expectations as the D-League’s top-ranked team in the eliminations.

“I’m sure, coach Rensy (Bajar) will adjust. It’ a do-or-die Game 3. They’ll be ready and we have to be ready for it. We have to show much more effort than Letran,” said coach Yuri Escueta.

Peter Alfaro, Yukien Andrada, Jacob Cortez and Clifford Jopia headline the Red Lions’ attack against the Knights’ cavalry of Kobe Monje, Pao Javillonar, Kevin Santos and Kurt Reyson, who is out to bounce back from an eight-point outing in Game 2. — John Bryan Ulanday

19 players receive invitations to attend June 22 NBA draft in NY

June 14, 2023 | 6:07 pm

VICTOR Wembanyama, Brandon Miller and Scoot Henderson are among 19 players who have received invitations to attend the NBA draft, ESPN reported Tuesday.

The draft will be June 22 in New York City. The San Antonio Spurs have the top pick.

Mr. Wembanyama, a 7-foot-4 center who averaged 21.6 points and 10.5 rebounds a game in France last season, is the consensus No. 1 selection. He played for Metropolitans 92 of the French Betclic Elite league.

Miller, a 6-9 forward, averaged 18.8 points and 8.2 rebounds a game as a freshman at Alabama. Mr. Henderson, a 6-2 guard, was at 17.6 ppg and 6.6 assists a game for the Ignite of the G League.

According to ESPN, other NBA draft invitees are Amen Thompson, Ausar Thompson, Cameron Whitmore, Jarace Walker, Anthony Black, Taylor Hendricks, Gradey Dick, Bilal Coulibaly, Cason Wallace, Nick Smith, Dereck Lively II, Kobe Bufkin, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Jett Howard, Jordan Hawkins and Keyonte George.

All 19 invitees are among the top 19 prospects in ESPN’s Top 100 ranking. Four or five more players are expected to be invited to the draft, ESPN reported. — Reuters

NBA Finals TV ratings tick down from ’22; playoff viewership up

June 14, 2023 | 6:06 pm

ABC, ESPN and TNT averaged 5.47 million viewers per game during the NBA playoffs, the most-watched playoffs in five years, the networks announced Tuesday.

As for the NBA Finals, ABC brought in an average of 11.64 million viewers — a decrease from 2022, when a six-game series between the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics averaged 12.402 million.

The 2023 Finals concluded Monday night with the Denver Nuggets defeating the Miami Heat in five games for their first NBA title in franchise history.

Game 5 averaged 13.084 million viewers, according to Nielsen. That was a four-year high, slightly beating out than last year’s NBA Finals Game 5 between the Warriors and Celtics (13.016 million).

Though Denver and Miami are large markets with teams in all four major North Americans sports leagues, some skeptics believed a Nuggets-Heat series would not garner as much interest as a potential matchup between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers, historic rivals who each lost in their respective conference finals.

Denver led the nation with an average household rating of 21.55 for the length of the series, according to the blog Sports TV Ratings. — Reuters