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10 countries cause global surge of measles cases THE Philippines and nine other countries were responsible for three-quarters of a global surge in measles cases last year, the United Nations’ children’s agency said Friday. Ninety-eight countries reported more cases of measles in 2018 compared with 2017, and the world body warned that conflict, complacency and the growing
anti-vaccine movement threatened to undo decades of work to tame the disease. Meanwhile, the Department of Health reported Friday that a total of 203 patients who contracted measles this year have died. In an interview with radio dzMM, Undersecretary Eric Domingo said there were 13,470 cases of measles in the first
two months. Of these, 4,300 cases were recorded in the first week of February. Most of the cases were recorded in Metro Manila, Cagayan and Minaropa, Domingo said. “This is a wake-up call. We have a safe, effective and inexpensive vaccine against Next page
VOL. XXXIII • NO. 20 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
Pompeo: US to defend PH
Armed attack in SCS to prompt Washington to act By Nat Mariano
U
S SECRETARY of State Mike Pompeo on Friday vowed to defend the Philippines against “armed attack” in the disputed South China Sea in Washington’s starkest warning yet against Chinese claims to most of the strategic waterway.
NUMBERS RISING. Children with measles occupy beds at the pediatric department of government-run San Lazaro Hospital in Manila in this file photo. The United Nations’ children’s agency UNICEF said Friday the Philippines is one of 10 nations responsible for three-quarters of a global surge in measles cases last year. Lino Santos
Garin, Sanofi execs face criminal rap over 8 Dengvaxia death cases By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Justice has recommended the indictment of former Health Secretary Janette Garin and 19 others for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, in connection with the deaths of eight children allegedly after being inoculated with the anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia. In a statement, the DOJ’s panel of prosecutors found probable cause to hold Garin and other respondents criminally liable for the deaths of eight children, arising from their “inexcusable lack of precaution and foresight.”
However, complaints against incumbent Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and officers of Zuellig Pharma Corp. were dismissed. The panel said Garin and the others facilitated, “with undue haste, the registration and purchase of Dengvaxia” and used the vaccine in implementing a school-based dengue mass immunization program. The panel also found sufficient evidence that Garin and the other respondents circumvented various regulations in the purchase of P3.5 billion worth of Dengvaxia. “which constituted proof of their reckless imprudence.” Next page
PNP weighs in on deadly viral app THE Philippine National Police on Friday joined other government agencies in urging parents to monitor their children’s online activities. Brig. Gen. Marni Marcos Jr. made the reminder after the “Momo Challenge” and other online challenges went viral on social media and reportedly driving some youth to suicide. “While we have yet to determine where the ‘Momo Challenge’ originated, we encourage the public and law enforcement authorities to spread awareness of this suicide game,” Marcos said in a statement.
Speaking after meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte, Pompeo said Beijing’s artificial islands in waters also claimed by the Southeast Asian nation and other neighbors was a threat. “China’s island-building and military activities in the South China Sea threaten your sovereignty, security and therefore economic livelihood, as well as that of the United States,” he said at a joint news conference with Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin. “As the South China Sea is part of the Pacific, any armed attack of Philippine forces, aircraft or public vessels in the South China Sea will trigger mutual defense
Meanwhile, the Department of Information and Communications Technology is urging parents to play an active role in safeguarding their children against the “Momo Challenge.” News of the death of an 11-year-old child was allegedly linked to the “Momo Challenge,” where children are reportedly tricked to follow a step-by-step instruction to get involved in unsafe dares, which eventually lead them to harm themselves. Marcos advised people to report any untoward incident involving the “Momo
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STRONG ALLIES. President Rodrigo Duterte greets US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo upon his arrival at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Thursday night. They discussed the countries’ stances in the West Philippine Sea and China’s claims in the disputed waterway and the risks of using technology from Chinese telecoms giant Huawei. AFP
America’s state secretary likens Duterte to Trump...
...warns against entering deals with Chinese telco
By Nat Mariano US SECRETARY of State Michael Pompeo has likened President Rodrigo Duterte’s style of governance to that of US President Donald Trump, the Palace said Friday. During a courtesy call by Pompeo at the Palace, Duterte shared stories about the controversies he stirred up since assuming the office in 2016, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said. “He [Pompeo] is very fond of the President and I remember
US SECRETARY of State Michael Pompeo on Friday warned the Philippines and other nations against using technology from Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei amid allegations that the company could be used by the Chinese government for spying. Globe Telecom plans to roll out with Huawei commercial 5G services this year, while the Duterte administration last year signed an $400-million deal for Huawei to install closed-circuit television cameras in two Philippine cities to deter crime.
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ROLLS-ROYCE SPONSORSHIP.
Former Leyte congressman, Philippine Constitutional Association and Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Board president Atty. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez (left photo) signs the deal sponsoring the launch of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Manila’s newest offering, the Cullinan (right), at the Manila Polo Club. The club in Makati City will display the sport utility vehicle from March 1 onwards.
WEATHER PAGASA ‘retires’ 3 typhoon names “OMPONG,” “Rosita,” and “Usman” will no longer be used as names of typhoons entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility in the future, owing to their destructive runs Next page