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GAZA TRUCE TALKS HANG
Tantoco died from ‘cocaine effects’—report
WORLD / A6
SWIATEK WINS 1ST WIMBY SPORTS / A7
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 148 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, JULY 14, 2025 •
Agri smuggling a nat’l security threat—PBBM Agency heads organizing joint offensive vs. smugglers
THE Los Angeles County Medical Examiner in the United States has ruled that Filipino businessman Juan Paolo Tantoco died from the effects of cocaine—an illegal substance—and an underlying heart disease. The report was released four months after Tantoco passed, according to the Bilyonaryo news channel. His cause of death was classified as accidental with “cocaine effects” cited as primary cause and “probable atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease” listed as a significant condition. Tantoco, the grandson of prominent retail industry leaders, died on March 8, 2025. He was 44. His case remained open pending the results of additional investigation. The late Rustan’s Group of Companies executive was in the Next page
By Othel V. Campos
MULTI-AGENCY effort to stamp out agricultural smuggling is taking shape after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he considers its recent surge a serious national security threat, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said over the weekend.
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“The President has ordered us to go after consignees and all those involved in smuggling agricultural goods. By yearend, we expect to see many of them in handcuffs, facing charges,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. said. In 2024, the DA managed to seize
over P3 billion worth of contraband agricultural products in 2024, exceeding the 2023 total by P1 billion. Of that amount, approximately P1.9 billion worth of smuggled rice was confiscated in a single operation. Next page
Evidence planting claims irk PCG; Taal fishers seek aid By Vince Lopez and Pot Chavez THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) brushed aside allegations suggesting that the sacks of bones recovered from Taal Lake were "planted" in connection with the search for the long-lost cockfighting players, popularly called the "missing sabungeros." In a statement, PCG Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla said such online rumor mongering is an insult to the technical divers who are putting their
lives on the line searching the lake’s murky depths. "We pour our heart and mind into this. Every time we conduct a dive, half of the diver's body is exposed to danger. This is no joke, and what we're doing should not be taken lightly or reduced to mere speculation," he said. The PCG officer explained that the ongoing search and retrieval operations require massive efforts, involving underwater personnel and forensic experts who carefully examine every piece of fragile evidence they Next page find.
NUMBERS GAME. A man plays online gambling on his cellphone as moves to curb the billion-peso industry gain ground. Online and outdoor gaming ads will be banned effective August 15, even as several lawmakers have called for a total ban. Manny Palmero
Survey: Corruption still tops Pinoys’ concerns A NEW PUBLiCUS Asia survey released yesterday shows that corruption, the economy, and inflation remain the top three issues Filipinos believe President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. should prioritize. The Pahayag 2025 Second Quarter survey indicated that corruption ranked highest among issues respondents feel need to be addressed by the
chief executive (21%), the fourth consecutive quarter since Q3-2024 that this issue remained on top. The economy (11%) and inflation (11%) followed closely. Poverty ranked next (9%), while education and illegal drugs each registered at 7%. After a brief surge in public concern last quarter, the issue of illegal
drugs has returned to previous levels, implying that the uptick may have been temporary, the study indicated. This shift may be attributed to the waning media attention on the ongoing investigation into extrajudicial killings (EJKs) linked to the Duterte administration, which likely influenced public focus. Next page
US calls on China to respect WPS arbitral ruling By Rex Espiritu and Maricel Cruz
ALL IS WELL. Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac embraces one of 11 seafarers who arrived yesterday at NAIA Terminal 3. The 11 were among 17 crewmen who escaped harm when their cargo vessel, MV Magic Seas, was attacked by Houthis while crossing the Red Sea. The first six seafarers were repatriated on July 11. DMW
THE United States has reiterated its call for China to respect the 2016 arbitral ruling that affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea and to cease provocative actions in the region. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio strongly criticized China’s contin-
PCG confronts China ships off Mindoro NEWS / A3 ued defiance of the ruling and its aggressive behavior toward neighboring countries with competing maritime claims.
‘‘Beijing’s expansive claims directly infringe on the sovereign rights and jurisdictions of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia, and undermine peace, stability,’’ Rubio said in a statement Saturday. He described the arbitral decision as a ‘‘significant milestone and useful basis’’ for resolving maritime disputes in the South China Sea. Next page
Eleven crewmen of vessel hit Zambo schoolers by Yemen’s Houthis return home thank Marcos for ALL 17 Filipino crew members of the Greek-managed bulk tanker MV Magic Seas, which was attacked by Houthi rebels while navigating the Red Sea, are back home safe, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). Eleven of the seamen arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Saturday night, while the first six were repatriated last Friday. Meanwhile, Philippine government authorities are still searching for 13 other missing crewmen of
the sunken MV Eternity in Yemen, also attacked by Houthi rebels, leaving 22 crew members on board, 21 of whom are Filipinos. Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac gave assurance that the DMW’s 'Aksyon Fund' will provide necessary assistance, including medical and financial aid to the tragedy-stricken sailors. The DMW reported that the crew, along with two foreign nationals, survived the July 6 assault and were rescued by the container ship Safeen Prism. Next page
online connection
By Vince Lopez TEACHERS and students from two hinterland barangays in Zamboanga delNorte thanked President Marcos through a recorded video message sent using the very tool he provided to help them connect with the world through satellite-powered internet. The Seroan Integrated School in the municipality of Katipunan, and the Marupay National High School in Barangay Marupay in President Manuel Next page
HOMAGE TO MAMA MARY. A total of 67 images of saints and Marian icons joined this year’s Manila Grand Marian Procession 2025 yesterday in front of Manila City Hall. The annual event, known formally as the Intramuros Grand Marian Procession, honors the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and brings together canonical and episcopal-crowned Marian images from parishes and families across the Philippines. Norman Cruz