Facebook Instagram Linkedin X Youtube
Home Blog Page 5275

Philippine Coast Guard accuses China of blocking resupply ship

PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD FACEBOOK PAGE

THE PHILIPPINE Coast Guard on Monday accused China of trying to block a resupply ship at the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, prompting lawmakers to seek more joint patrols with security allies to deter China’s militarization of the waterway.

A China Coast Guard vessel had tried to blind the crew of BRP Malapascua on Feb. 6 by shining a laser light at the ship, putting them in danger, it said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.

Philippine lawmakers condemned the act and sought more joint patrols and international pressure to stop Chinese excursions.

The Philippines claims sovereignty over the shoal in the Spratly Islands that it calls Ayungin, having deliberately grounded the Navy ship BRP Sierra Madre — a World War II-era vessel it acquired from the United States in 1976 — there in 1999.

Second Thomas Shoal lies within the Southeast Asian Nation’s exclusive economic zone.

As BRP Malapascua reached a 10-nautical mile distance from the shoal, the Chinese Coast Guard vessel was seen about 4 nautical miles dead ahead, maneuvering from the Philippine ship’s left side and heading toward its right side.

“The Chinese ship illuminated the green laser light twice toward the BRP Malapascua, causing temporary blindness to her crew at the bridge,” the Philippine Coast Guard said. “The Chinese vessel also made dangerous maneuvers by approaching about 150 yards from the vessel’s starboard quarter.”

The Philippine vessel altered its course from Second Thomas Shoal and headed toward Lawak Island (Nanshan).

“The deliberate blocking of the Philippine government ships to deliver food and supplies to our military personnel on board the BRP Sierra Madre is a blatant disregard for, and a clear violation of, Philippine sovereign rights in this part of the West Philippine Sea,” it said, referring to areas of the South China Sea with the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila and Philippine Foreign Affairs department did not immediately reply to separate text messages seeking comment.

“The Philippine Coast Guard will continue to exercise due diligence in protecting the country’s territorial integrity against foreign aggression,” Philippine Coast Guard Commandant, Admiral Artemio M. Abu said in the statement.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines can always rely on the Philippine Coast Guard to support their resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal,” he said.

“Despite the dangerous maneuver of the much larger Chinese Coast Guard ships and their aggressive actions at sea, the Philippine Coast Guard ships will always be in the West Philippine Sea to sustain our presence and assert our sovereign rights.”

Party-list Rep. France L. Castro said the Philippines should increase coast guard patrols and launch joint patrols with Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and Taiwan.

“By doing this, we are increasing the cooperation with Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries with generally equal footing with the Philippines and at the same time defending our territory,” she said in a statement.

Senator Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros-Baraquel urged China to act responsibly “if it wants to show true leadership in the region” and restrain its coast guard, navy and maritime militia to avoid inflaming the situation at sea.

“Tensions are already high, but what is China doing instead? She is only getting more brazen by the day,” she said in a separate statement. “Her shameless harassment, causing temporary blindness to Filipino crew members, should warrant a penalty.”

Senator Francis Joseph G. Escudero in a statement said the incident should be referred to the Foreign Affairs department, which can file a diplomatic protest or summon the Chinese ambassador in Manila.

Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito said the Philippines should enter into an alliance with the US, Japan, Australia and other ASEAN nations with a territorial dispute with China to stop its “continuing aggression.”

The Philippine Coast Guard noted that back in August, the Chinese Coast Guard had also prevented its ships from coming closer to Second Thomas Shoal while these were providing security to a Philippine Navy resupply mission.

The same China Coast Guard vessel removed the cover of its 70 mm naval armament when BRP Teresa Magbanua came close to the shoal, it said.

The Chinese ship, together with two Chinese maritime militia and another coast guard ship formed a 13-nautical mile-radius blockade with the grounded Philippine Navy vessel to prevent government ships from reaching the Armed Forces troops, it added.

The Philippine Coast Guard said it was evident that the Chinese maritime militia vessels had taken orders from China’s coast guard to prevent the Philippine ships from entering the shoal.

“The Chinese maritime militia even deployed their utility boats to support the blockade and shadowing by the Chinese Coast Guard,” it added. — Norman P. Aquino, Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Beatriz Marie D. Cruz and Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Philippine cops arrest 8,183 drug suspects

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

PHILIPPINE police arrested 8,183 drug suspects in 6,044 illegal drug operations from the start of the year to Feb. 11, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.

Law enforcers seized P530 million worth of illegal drugs during the period, national police chief General Rodolfo S. Azurin, Jr. told a livestreamed news briefing. 

“The PNP is addressing all of these law enforcement and public safety concerns while continuously addressing our internal house cleaning as accountable public officials,” he said.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr. earlier said Mr. Azurin would join the five-man committee that would look into the records of top police officers who might be involved in the illegal drug trade.

Last month, the interior chief called on all colonels and generals to resign after a probe found many top police officers were involved in illegal drugs.

Mr. Azurin said the team would meet this week to discuss the evaluation of senior police officers.

“We will also discuss how we intend to finish the job in less than three months with the data we have at hand,” he said.

After the review, the committee will submit recommendations to the National Police Commission, which is headed by the Interior chief.

The five-man advisory body is composed of Mr. Azurin, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, ex-Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, retired police Major General Isagani R. Nerez and a fifth person who declined to be named, Mr. Abalos said on Feb. 1.

The country’s top cop, who quit his job on Jan. 5, earlier said the committee should be composed of people outside the police and Department of the Interior and Local Government to ensure fairness.

Mr. Abalos said Mr. Azurin could help “steer the committee” because he has access to intelligence reports on the police officers.

Police seized P30.9 billion worth of illegal drugs in 37,000 raids last year, the presidential palace said last week, citing a Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency report. More than 53,000 drug suspects were arrested during the raids.

PDEA was reducing drug demand through community-based rehabilitation programs and information campaigns that provide information on drug abuse, the palace added.

At least 25 policemen have been charged with murder in connection with ex-President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s anti-illegal drug campaign, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla told the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council in November. An inter-agency task force on extralegal killings had investigated at least 17,000 cops.

In November, the Philippines accepted more than 200 recommendations from the UN Human Rights Council, including investigating extralegal killings and protecting journalists.

More than 30 member-states of the UN body urged the Marcos government to do something about these. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Marcos: Increased US access to bases not meant to worsen tensions

PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Sunday said the government’s decision to give the United States access to four more military bases is not meant to increase tensions in the South China Sea.

 “It’s a valid concern and is something that we have to pay attention to,” he told reporters on his return flight from his working visit to Tokyo, based on a transcript sent by the presidential palace.

He was referring to the possibility of more US access increasing tension in the region. “We do not want to be seen as… provocative to anyone.”

On Feb. 2, the Marcos government gave increased US access to military bases under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

Under the 2014 deal, Philippine military bases may be used for joint training, pre-positioning of equipment and building facilities such as runways, fuel storage and military housing.

“I always think about the agreement because we always say we want a peaceful [region] and that there will be safe passage,” Mr. Marcos said.

The South China Sea, a key global shipping route, is subject to overlapping territorial claims involving China, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. Trillions of dollars flow through the sea, which is also rich in fish and gas.

China has said greater US access to Philippine military bases undermine regional stability.

“The statement is a de facto admission by President Marcos that adding EDCA sites expectedly will annoy China,” Jaime B. Naval, who teaches political science at the University of the Philippines, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

“It is his way of parrying accusations or criticisms that he may be steering the Philippines, and even the region to perilous routes,” he said. “It is a diplomatic way of massaging China’s back in what is actually a reconfiguring of the security landscape, not only with reference to our alliance with the US but also with respect to calibrating alignments and force deployments which would connect to contingencies as in Taiwan, the South China Sea, East China Sea and even the Korean peninsula.

Last week, Philippine lawmakers said the deal would help deter China’s aggression in the South China Sea.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who met with Mr. Marcos in Manila early this month, said the Philippine-US alliance “makes both of our democracies more secure and helps uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

“That’s just part of our efforts to modernize our alliance,” he said. “And these efforts are especially important as the People’s Republic of China continues to advance its illegitimate claims in the West Philippine Sea.” — J.V.D. Ordoñez

Charter change not a priority for Marcos but lawmakers to continue discussions

PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. cast aside the urgency of changing the 1987 Constitution, saying it is not a priority of his administration as some lawmakers push for amendments to supposedly allow more foreign investments.  

“We can achieve what we want, but within the present constitutional [framework,] the way the Constitution is written,” the president told reporters on his return flight on Sunday night from Japan to the Philippines, based on a transcript.  

“There are so many other things we need to do first, that we can still do.”  

Mr. Marcos said it is possible to attract foreign investments without changing the current Constitution, noting recently passed laws that already ease foreign participation in certain industries.   

Christian S. Monsod, one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution, earlier told a House hearing on constitutional reforms that “real change cannot happen until we strike at the roots and not the branches of the problem.”  

CONSULTATIONS
Lawmakers in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, however, intend to carry on with public discussions and Congressional hearings on charter change.   

“We respect the opinion of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on constitutional amendment measures. We will of course consider it. But as an independent branch of government, the House of Representatives and Congress will proceed with its public dialogues on this issue,” Cagayan De Oro Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez said in a statement on Monday.   

During a public consultation on constitutional reform in Iloilo on Monday, Eduardo Alcasaren, president of the Palacatian Irrigators’ Association, said moves to bring in more foreign capital should not put locals, such as farmers, at a disadvantage.  

“We should be innovative,” he said.   

Iloilo Rep. Ferjenel G. Biron said amending the Constitution is not “a one size fits all solution to the economic predicament of this country,” citing the need to improve the business climate in the Philippines. 

The constitutional amendments committee kicked off its public consultations in Cagayan De Oro last Friday, and Mr. Rodriguez said discussions are also set in Pampanga and Bulacan.   

In the upper chamber, Senator Robin C. Padilla insists that changing the Constitution, particularly its economic provisions, is needed for the country to attract more foreign investments.   

“It is sad because if we do not make the needed changes to the Charter’s economic provisions, ordinary Filipinos will not feel the benefits of progress for our Motherland, or of improvements in their lot in life,” Mr. Padilla, chair of the constitutional change committee, said in a statement on Monday.

“The foreign direct investments that we badly need cannot come true without the proper provisions from our Constitution,” he added, “and most of the pledges by foreign investors from our leaders’ foreign trips will not materialize.” 

Mr. Padilla earlier filed a resolution seeking to amend the Constitution through a constituent assembly.

However, other senators found the proposal unnecessary as it duplicated recently enacted legislation meant to open the Philippine market to foreign investors, referring to the Public Service Act, Retail Trade Liberalization Act and Foreign Investments Act.

Mr. Padilla said he will carry on with the hearings.  

“Whether or not my fellow senators support my advocacy, it is important that the people know why our growth as a nation has been held back — and what must be done to address this,” he said. — John Victor D. Ordoñez, Beatriz Marie D. Cruz, and Alyssa Nicole O. Tan 

SC asked to void certification of Maharlika fund bill as urgent 

PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

By John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporter 

OPPOSITION lawmakers have asked the Philippine High Court to void President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s certification of the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) as urgent as well as the approval of the bill in the House of Representatives.   

In a 22-page petition filed on Monday before the Supreme Court (SC), members of the Makabayan bloc said there was no public emergency or calamity to justify the certification of urgency.  

“There is a history of abuse, going back several administrations of the presidential prerogative to certify a proposed legislation as urgent despite the absence of any ‘public emergency or calamity’,” they said.   

“This has to stop.”  

The House approved the bill on third and final reading on Dec. 15, just over two weeks after it was filed.  

Under the Constitution, a president can only certify a bill as urgent if there is a public emergency or calamity that requires the immediate passage of a law.  

Mr. Marcos said in his letter the immediate enactment of the bill creating the Maharlika Fund is needed “in order to establish a sustainable national investment fund as a strategic mechanism for strengthening the investment activities of top performing government financial institutions (GFIs), and thus pump-prime economic growth and social development.  

The Makabayan bloc said the certification of the bill showed an abuse of discretion as there was no similar certification addressed to the Senate. 

A Senate counterpart bill was filed in January by Senator Mark A. Villar.   

COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION
Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco, a lawyer and policy analyst, said the petition before the Supreme Court could compel the president’s allies to speed up the enactment of the bill. 

“The allies of the president can, theoretically, enact the law before the Supreme Court, even makes a preliminary ruling on the petition,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat.  

“Lawmakers who oppose this bill should bring this matter to the people directly and shape public sentiment against the bill.”  

He said that the petition was prematurely filed since there is no actionable issue on the bill’s certification yet.   

Mr. Yusingco said the high tribunal usually views petitions like these as “political questions” and often refuses to assume jurisdiction.  

The proposed MIF has been heavily criticized by economists, former Cabinet officials, business groups and civil society organizations over the lack of transparency and safeguards.  

The bill’s initial version required state pension funds to pour money into the wealth fund, which saw strong public opposition.  

The proposed sovereign wealth fund, if approved, is intended to finance big-ticket government projects such as power grids and dams.  

“The petitioners are not asking for the President to be powerless in the face of public emergencies or calamities,” the Makabayan lawmakers said. “Rather, they are seeking for the exercise of a power that would infringe on the constitutional duties and processes of Congress to be exercised only when a clearly defined emergency or calamity requires the curtailment of these processes.”

Villar vows to put more teeth into anti-smuggling law

BUREAU OF CUSTOMS

THE SENATE agriculture and food committee chair will propose changes to the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016 to categorically include profiteering, hoarding, and engaging in cartel as acts of economic sabotage.  

“I will make the amendment to the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act to be explicit and very specific so that there will be no room for the implementers to interpret the intent and spirit of the law through the implementing rules and regulations,” Senator Cynthia A. Villar said in a statement on Monday.  

“We will include hoarding, profiteering, and engaging in cartel, as forms of economic sabotage, and we will also increase the penalty under this law,” she added.  

Republic Act 10845 classifies large-scale smuggling of agricultural products as economic sabotage, a non-bailable charge.   

Large-scale is defined as at least P1 million worth for most agricultural commodities and P10 million for rice.   

The proposed changes come after the cost of onions rose to as much as P750 per kilo despite farmers from Occidental Mindoro having sold them to traders for at least P8 per kilo during harvest season.   

Ms. Villar said trade cartels have been hoarding the supply to manipulate prices of local onions. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

BoI to woo agri, food production locators to Bukidnon Industrial Zone

DPWH

THE BOARD of Investments (BoI) is pitching the Bukidnon Industrial Zone to investors as a food manufacturing hub for local supply and exports, citing the readiness of existing infrastructure as well as potential expansion.

“Located at Barangay Dicklum, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, the industrial zone boasts a complete access road, power and water supply and perimeter fences,” BoI said in a statement on Monday.   

It added that the industrial zone, located in southern Philippines, is linked to the Mindanao International Container Port and the soon-to-be operational Don Carlos Bukidnon Domestic Airport.  

Trade Undersecretary and BoI Managing Head Ceferino S. Rodolfo met with Bukidnon officials on Jan. 27 to discuss the development and promotion of the industrial zone.   

“This endeavor is very promising and we truly believe in Bukidnon’s potential to be a global food manufacturing hub. To realize this, we are proposing to schedule a series of roundtable meetings with industry stakeholders and industrial zone developers in the next three months from January 2023 to solicit inputs and interests and ready the industrial zone for strategic promotions,” Mr. Rodolfo said. 

“We are looking at showcasing this kind of investment opportunity in international roadshows in countries like South Korea who can potentially bring their food production facilities to Bukidnon,” he added. 

Bukidnon’s main produce include pineapple, tomato, coffee, rubber, cattle, and bamboo. It hosts food production players such as Del Monte Philippines. Inc., Republic Biscuit Corp. and Liwayway Marketing Corp. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave  

PHL posts ​1,101 COVID cases in the past week 

PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

THE PHILIPPINES posted ​1,101 coronavirus infections in the past week, with the daily average 9% lower than a week earlier, according to the Department of Health (DoH).

Of the new cases, ​two were severe and critical, it said in a bulletin on Monday.  

The DoH said it had verified 98 more deaths from Feb ​6 to ​12, six of which occurred on Jan. 30 to Feb. 12.

It said 311 of 2,243 intensive care unit (ICU) beds were used as of Feb. 12, while 3,402 of 17,344 non-ICU beds were occupied. There were 426 severe and critical admissions, the agency added.  

The health department said that over 73 million Filipinos or 94.57% of the target population had been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, 21 million of whom received booster shots.  

In its weekly report published on Feb. 8, the World Health Organization (WHO) said globally, almost 10.5 million new cases were reported on Jan. 9 to Feb. 5, 89% lower than in the past 28 days.  

More than 90,000 deaths were reported during the period, 8% lower than a month earlier.  

As of Feb. 5, more than 754 million have been infected with the coronavirus worldwide, with the number of deaths exceeding 6.8 million.  

The WHO has said the coronavirus would probably become an endemic disease like influenza as its movements become more predictable. — John Victor D. Ordoñez 

8 Filipino trafficking victims rescued from Myanmar 

DFA.GOV.PH

EIGHT FILIPINOS have returned to the Philippines after being rescued from a trafficking scheme in Myanmar, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday.  

Among the eight, four males were recruited online from Dubai to supposedly work as customer support representatives in Thailand. Instead, they were brought to Myanmar and forced to scam individuals into investing in cryptocurrency.  

The other four, all females, were detained for allegedly entering Myanmar illegally from Thailand.  

“The DFA wishes to advise all that the Myanmar-Thai Friendship Bridge, the border crossing closed for nearly three years, only reopened last January 2023 for the citizens of the two countries,” it said in a statement.  

“Therefore, crossing by any other means, e.g. across the river, is illegal,” it added. “Moreover, the legal entry points for foreigners, including Filipinos, are through Yangon, Mandalay, and Nay Pyi Taw airports.”  

The DFA warned Filipinos both in the Philippines and abroad to be cautious of jobs offered in social media sites.  

“It is vital to pass through the legal deployment processes in the Philippines and arrive in their countries of destination not as tourists but with actual working visas,” it said. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

DA eyes permanent KADIWA stores in Metro Manila markets 

OFFICE OF THE PRESS SECRETARY PHOTO

THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) plans to set up permanent KADIWA stores in Metro Manila’s public markets, providing a stable venue where farmers can directly sell to consumers.  

In a statement on Monday, the DA said the plan is expected to “ensure food availability” in local markets while addressing the high prices of agricultural commodities. 

“One of the things we’re looking at is having accredited KADIWA retailers inside the market itself for the countrymen to have access to cheaper agricultural commodities — especially now that we have identified cooperatives that are ready to supply the market,” DA Assistant Secretary Kristine Y. Evangelista said in Filipino in a media interview on Feb. 10.   

KADIWA stores were rolled in various localities at the height of the coronavirus pandemic to facilitate access between growers and buyers amid mobility restrictions.  

The DA also said that it has asked farmer cooperatives, members of the private sector, and other agricultural stakeholders to take part in “direct and effective food supply distribution system throughout the country.”  

To date, there are 308 KADIWA stores, pop-up stores, and KADIWA-on-Wheels, according to the DA Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service.  

“Interested outlets and stores may apply as KADIWA-accredited retailers by submitting a letter of intent addressed to the AMAS Director or the DA Regional Field Office – Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) Chief, along with the location and/or sketch plan of the store,” the DA said.  

In line with the marketing linkage initiative of the DA, farmer cooperatives will also be directed to KADIWA outlets. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

‘Consumer-to-consumer’ online transactions need protection — groups

JCOMP-FREEPIK

Consumer groups said the proposed law that seeks to protect online customers and merchants should also cover consumer-to-consumer transactions.

“There is a gap relating to the customer-to-customer transaction, which is explicitly exempted from the bill,” said Ronald Gustilo, national campaigner of Digital Pinoys, a network of digital advocates focused on developments in telecommunications. 

“Most unscrupulous sellers are not registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) nor the Securities and Exchange Commission,” he said via Messenger chat. 

Sponsored by Senator Mark A. Villar, the recently filed Senate Bill No. 1846, or the Internet Transactions Act of 2022, seeks to ensure the protection of consumer rights and data privacy in online transactions.

The proposed measure will cover business-to-business and business-to-consumer internet transactions, including internet retail of consumer goods and non-financial services, online travel, online media, and online delivery.

“Consumer-to-consumer transactions shall be exempt from the operation of this act, without prejudice to the application of other laws,” a section of the bill reads.

While the bill both protects e-commerce players and promotes the rapidly growing industry, the exemption can be exploited by scammers, Mr. Gustilo said.

“As such, the bill should define when consumer-to-consumer sellers become online merchants, which may be determined based on sales or product volume,” he noted.

Rodolfo B. Javellana, Jr., president of the advocacy group United Filipino Consumers and Commuters, agreed that the bill’s coverage should be expanded. 

“There’s still time to expand the bill’s scope,” he said in a phone interview. “This is a welcome development if they think consumers need protection, because a lot have become victims.”

He said it is important for the lawmakers to hold public consultations on the matter.

The bill also calls for the establishment of an e-commerce bureau under the DTI.

This is to “ensure the attainment of the objectives of this act and promote the growth of e-commerce,” the bill reads. The e-commerce division created by the Department of Budget and Management under the Competitiveness Bureau of the DTI in Jan. 2020 will be abolished.

The aim of the Internet Transactions Act is to combat online fraud, Mr. Villar said. 

“Once signed into law, merchants and consumers will be able to safely conduct business across different online platforms,” he said in a statement. — Patricia B. Mirasol

Chiefs rally in 4th quarter to take down Eagles, win Super Bowl 57

KANSAS CITY Chiefs’ Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes celebrate with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl LVII. — REUTERS

HARRISON Butker kicked a 27-yard field goal with eight seconds left and Patrick Mahomes passed for two of his three touchdowns in the fourth quarter as the Kansas City Chiefs rallied to a 38-35 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII on Sunday night in Glendale, Arizona.

Kadarius Toney caught a touchdown pass and set up another score with a long punt return as Kansas City became just the second team in Super Bowl history to rally from a deficit of 10 or more points.

Travis Kelce and Skyy Moore caught touchdown passes, Isiah Pacheco ran for a score and Nick Bolton returned a fumble for a touchdown for the Chiefs.

The Super Bowl title is the third for Kansas City. The Chiefs also won Super Bowl IV (1969 season) and Super Bowl LIV (2019).

Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts tied a Super Bowl record with three rushing scores and also passed for one touchdown. Mr. Hurts was 27-of-38 passing for 304 yards and rushed for 70 while teaming up with Mr. Mahomes as the first pair of Black starting quarterbacks in Super Bowl history.

Former Denver Broncos star Terrell Davis rushed for three touchdowns against the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII.

Kansas City moved 66 yards on 12 plays for the winning field goal, receiving help from a third-down defensive holding penalty on Philadelphia’s James Bradberry. Another key play was a 26-yard scramble by Mr. Mahomes, who earlier aggravated his right ankle injury on Kansas City’s final offensive snap of the first half.

A.J. Brown caught six passes for 96 yards and one touchdown and DeVonta Smith had seven receptions for 100 yards for the Eagles.

Teams that trailed by 10 or more points at halftime in the Super Bowl are now 2-26. The New England Patriots were the first team to accomplish it as they recovered from a 25-point hole to beat the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI.

Kansas City took its first lead of the contest at 28-27 when Mr. Mahomes completed a 5-yard scoring pass to a wide-open Mr. Toney with 12:04 left in the game. That also marked the first time Philadelphia had trailed the entire postseason.

The Chiefs then forced a three-and-out and cashed in big when Mr. Toney set a Super Bowl record with a 65-yard punt return. He fielded the ball at his 30-yard line and started left before reversing to the right with a wall of teammates blocking. He was stopped at the Eagles’ 5.

Three plays later, Mr. Mahomes had another wide-open target in Mr. Moore, who caught the 4-yard scoring pass to give Kansas City an eight-point lead with 9:22 remaining.

Philadelphia quickly responded as Mr. Hurts connected with Smith on a 45-yard pass to the Chiefs’ 2. Mr. Hurts scored on a quarterback sneak on the next play and then ran in the two-point conversion to tie it at 35 with 5:15 remaining.

Mr. Mahomes reinjured his right ankle when tackled with 1:33 left in the first half but he didn’t seem bothered by it when the Chiefs opened the second half with a 10-play, 75-yard drive. Mr. Pacheco capped the drive with a 1-yard run with 9:30 left in the third quarter to pull Kansas City within 24-21.

Philadelphia responded with a 17-play, 60-yard drive that took 7:45. Jake Elliott finished it by booting a 33-yard field goal to give the Eagles a six-point lead with 1:45 left in the period.

Mr. Hurts rushed for two touchdowns and threw for one in the first half to give Philadelphia a 24-14 advantage. — Reuters

1...5,2745,2755,276...14,250Page 5,275 of 14,250
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin X Youtube