1 January 4-10, 2024
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA EDITION
www.pnewstoday.com
THE PREMIER FILIPINO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPER IN THE U.S. SINCE 1961
Vol.63 No.20 January 4-10, 2024
NEWS AND VIEWS YOU TRUST
U.S. VOWS ANEW TO DEFEND PHL AS SEA TENSIONS ESCALATE China warships tail US, PHL vessels while in joint patrol By ALFRED GABOT , Editor in Chief
MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) Strike Force conducted on January 3 and 4 their second joint patrol and Sacramento center battles mock operations in West Philippine Sea even as China warships shadAsian hate with assisted (WPS) owed the vessels of the Philippines and trips for seniors the United States during their “maritime By Gilda P. Balan, Correspondent Page 9 cooperative activity” (MCA). SACRAMENTO -- ElIn the worst of cases derly Asian-American men and women have been the most frequent victims of hate crimes, no doubt because they are perceived as the most vulnerable.
when they are physically assaulted, they are generally unable to fight back. As such, they are prone to injuries, which in some cases have proven fatal. Page 5
‘Hate’ cases surge in California; state agency bares plan to halt trend By Cesar Antonio Nucum Jr
SACRAMENTO - The California Commission on the State of Hate Has released its first annual report mainly providing the Commission’s work to study and combat hate activity aimed at supporting a California free from hate. Established to support state efforts to stop hate through research, policy recommenda-
tions, and community engagement, the Commission trains it focus on several major initiatives that have been advanced by the State of California in direct response to the surge in reported hate crimes in the state, which in recent years reached their highest levels since 2001 — increasing more than 20% from 2021 to 2022. Page 21
ASEAN expresses concern over deteriorating relations with China
By Be�ng Laygo Dolor, Editor MANILA – It may have ippines. been steeped in diplomatic China has been taking language, but the message progressively aggressive could not be lost on anyone, action in the South China except perhaps China. against ships of ASEAN The top foreign minis- members. Besides Philipters/secretaries of the Asso- pines vessels, China has ciation of Southeast Asian also been warding off sea Nations (ASEAN) over the craft from Vietnam, Malayweekend called on all par- sia, and Brunei through such ties to engage in peaceful actions as radio warnings dialogue over the South and water cannon attacks. In China Sea. worst cases, the China Coast Tensions had been rising Guard has even rammed in recent months between Philippine ships sailing in China and several ASEAN the West Philippine Sea. Page 6 members, notably the Phil-
UPSIDE
by Cherie M. Querol Moreno
Inspiring FilAms of 2023
Liezel Lucero
Rep. Jus�n Jones
Gio Espiritu
Logan Diño
Coach Kammmm
Jennifer Jimenez
Jo Koy
Donny de Leon
Ray Buenaventura
IN 2023 Filipino Americans made headlines for speaking up, smashing barriers or giving back. Here are 9 who inspired last year and whose efforts will continue to elevate FilAm presence in 2024 and beyond. 1. Justice advocate LIEZEL CHAN LUCERO Just days after Frances Kendra Lucero was shot and killed in front of her two children in March in Daly City, Page 10
Marcos, VP Sara optimistic for 2024, Pinoys Overseas Filipinos urged to register for 2025 polls VIEWS & COMMENTS
SHOWBIZ
Can you apply for naturalization if your green card has expired?
Fil-Am Jokoy ready to host Golden Globe awards
By A�y. Lozano
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SPORTS
In Japan, Pacquiao teases rematch with Mayweather in 2024 Page 16
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