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48% OF FILIPINOS SEE ECONOMY IMPROVING—SWS
PUSH POLL REFORM, PRESIDENT TELLS ELECTION SUMMIT
NEWS / A2
NEWS / A2 VOL. XXXVII • NO. 28 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 2023 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
Guns found in Teves’ houses
Negros solon asks for more time abroad; Come home, Speaker tells him
By Charles Dantes, Maricel V. Cruz, and Rey E. Requejo
P
OLICE on Friday raided houses belonging to Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., who has been charged for three murders in 2019, and who has been linked to the March 4 assassination of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo. Police said they searched three residences in Barangay Malabugas, Bayawan City, and a resort home in Basay in compliance with warrants issued by a court. Teves' lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, and Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. confirmed in separate interviews the reports of the police raids. “It’s not yet clear to us who or what they are looking for,” Topacio said. Topacio confirmed the CIDG served search warrants on five houses. He said he has yet to talk to his client, who was in the United States. Next page
WEAPONS CACHE. In these photos from the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, authorities on Friday uncovered various firearms as the searched properties linked to Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves' under the authority of a warrant. Found were a hand grenade, a .45 caliber pistol, two .40 caliber pistols, a rifle scope, and numerous .45 and .40 caliber pistol bullet rounds. PNP CIDG
3 more suspects in Adiong ambush nabbed in BARMM THREE more suspects have been arrested over supposedly participating in the assassination try on Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal "Bombit" Adiong last month, the Philippine National Police said Friday.
Those arrested were identified as Palawan Salem Macalbo, 34, a member of Gandawali Group; Nagac Dimatangkil Baratomo, 38; and Amirodin Dimantingkal Mandoc, 29. This was according to a report sent to
the PNP headquarters by the Regional Director of the Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. The trio were included as suspects in the recent ambush against Adiong last February 17. The governor survived but
6 persons tagged Marcos to PNPA grads: Serve in Salilig hazing country with integrity, justice want to give up By Vince Lopez By Rio N. Araja SIX more persons of interest in the hazing death of Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig want to surrender, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Friday. At the same time, Remulla said there was a conflict of interest because the Public Attorney’s Office said it would not help fraternity members linked to the hazing because the family of the victim had approached them first. “We have to work it out that there should, of course, be a limit [to] the involvement of the PAO so they can also cater to the defendants in cases,” Remulla said. He said the defendants had a right to counsel. “It’s a constitutional right,” he said. Next page
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday urged the Philippine National Police Academy’s Masidtalak Class of 2023 to become agents of justice and serve with high moral integrity in protecting the people despite the current roadblocks which was on the path of new servicemen and women of the land. “As the citizen’s peacekeeping force, be just, be morally upright, and commit yourself to protecting and defending the rights of our people notwithstanding the current challenges faced by the PNP organization,” Mr. Marcos said in his speech during the 44th PNPA Commencement Exercises in Camp Mariano Castañeda in Silang, Cavite.
“I also ask you to be catalysts for restoring public trust in the Philippine National Police, and to be recognized as protectors and defenders of peace, order, and human rights; the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, as safekeepers of the general welfare of those persons deprived of liberty; and the Bureau of Fire Protection, as protectors of the nation from fires and other emergencies,” the President said. He noted that the graduates should fulfill their duties and responsibilities “with fairness and impartiality, regardless of status in Next page society.”
four of his police security escorts were killed. Meanwhile, a judge has granted bail to nine policemen accused in the 2021 murmur der of Calbayog Mayor Ronaldo Aquino, Next page
PNPA RITES. For the first time as Chief Executive, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. attends the 44th Commencement Exercises of the ‘Masidtalak’ (Reliable servants of the motherland with Honor and Wisdom whose Purpose is Peace) Class of 2023 of the Philippine National Police Academy on Friday in Cavite. PCO Photo
China to PCG plane: Leave immediately P1.20 hike in gas OVER THE SPRATLY ISLANDS—As a Philippine Coast Guard plane carrying journalists flew over the Spratly Islands in the hotly disputed South China Sea, a Chinese voice issued a stern command over the radio: "Leave immediately." The order came from a radio operator
on a Chinese coastguard vessel 3,500 feet (1,000 meters) below -- one of dozens of ships seen prowling the waters. AFP was one of several media outlets given the rare opportunity on Thursday to fly over some of the dozens of tiny islands and reefs where the Philippines, China, Next page
‘EDCA pact quenching thirst with poison’ By Rey E. Requejo WPS BASTION. An aerial view taken on March 9 shows Pag-Asa (Thitu) Island in the West Philippine Sea. As a Philippine Coast Guard plane carrying journalists flew over the Spratly Islands in the hotly disputed South China Sea, a Chinese voice issued a stern command over the radio: ‘Leave immediately.’ AFP
The Chinese Embassy in Manila on Friday bewailed a statement made by the United States questioning the benefits arising from the Philippines's bilateral relationship with China. This was even as China described
the US claim that the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) would provide the Philippines with economic opportunities as “tantamount to quenching thirst with poison.” Meanwhile, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said a Next page
pump price seen; Meralco rates up By Alena Mae S. Flores PUMP prices may go up on Tuesday by up to P1.20 per liter for gasoline and P0.35 per liter for diesel based on the first four days of global oil trading data. The estimate by one industry source dovetailed with a statement from the director of the Oil Industry Management Bureau of the Department of Energy, Rodela Romero, who said they expect an increase in the prices of gasoline and diesel and a minimal rollback or no adjustment for kerosene. Next page