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ALBERT DEL ROSARIO, EX-DFA CHIEF AND ENVOY, PASSES AWAY AT 83
STORIES BELOW
CHIEF EXECUTIVE RALLIES AGENCIES VS. EL NINO ISSUE
SPEAKER: BETTER PH-US ECONOMIC SECURITY TIES UP
NEWS / A2
NEWS / A5 VOL. XXXVII • NO. 68 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2023 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
PBBM: Watch Taiwan OFWs By Rey E. Requejo, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz
DFA says contingency plans in place at MECO
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday directed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to look after the welfare of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taiwan following a statement from the Chinese ambassador that referred to their safety as tensions rose over the selfgoverning island.
Foreig n Affairs Undersecretar y for Migrant Workers Affairs Eduardo De Vega said contingency measures are in place in case Filipi-
STINGER DRILL. Philippine and US Marines demonstrate the use of Stinger MANPADS in an air defense drill at Naval Station Leovigildo Gantioqui in San Antonio, Zambales during Balikatan 2023 on Mondauy. While the Philippine Marines does not operate any MANPADS, it is looking to procure them for its Coastal Defense Regiment. USMC Photo / Cpl. Kyle Chan
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China Foreign Minister on 3-day Manila visit By Rey E. Requejo and Jessica M. Bacud
FAREWELL, ‘ADR’. Former Foreign Affairs Secretary and Ambassador to the US Albert del Rosario passed away Tuesday morning at the age of 83.
CHINA’S Foreign Minister Qin Gang flies to the Philippines on Friday for a three-day official visit and meeting with his Filipino counterpart as Beijing and Manila keep their relations warm
Staunch WPS defender Del Rosario dies at 83 By Rey E. Requejo FORMER Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, one of the country’s staunchest advocates of Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, passed away on Tuesday, He was 83.
“The family of Ambassador Albert Ferreros del Rosario is deeply saddened to announce his passing today, April 18,” his family said in a statement. “The family requests privacy during this difficult time. Details will be released at a later date,” the statement added.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said Del Rosario, who spearheaded the Philippines successful arbitration case against China in 2016, died while en route to San Franciso (see related story on A1 – Editors). Next page
Marcos, solons, diplomats pay tribute to ‘ADR’ By Vince Lopez, Maricel V. Cruz, Macon Ramos-Araneta, Rey E. Requejo and Rio N. Araja
Tuesday paid tribute to the late former Foreign Affairs secretary and ambassador Albert Del Rosario, who played a key role in winning a favorable ruling PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr., for the Philippines against China from lawmakers and foreign diplomats on an international tribunal.
Del Rosario, 83, died on his way to San Francisco in the United States onboard an aircraft. The Del Rosario family has yet to release information on the cause of death.
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Abalos vows to watch over Teves himself once solon comes home By Joel E. Zurbano INTERIOR and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. assured a Senate panel Monday that he would guarantee the safety of suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., if he returns to the country to face murder charges filed against him. “I will watch over [Teves] myself. I assure you that 100 percent,” Abalos said.
During Monday’s Senate hearing on the case, Senator Ronald Dela Rosa asked Abalos if he is ready to take accountability for ensuring Teves’ safety, the DILG chief replied “yes.” The Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs earlier did not allow Teves — who has also been tagged as the mastermind behind the assassination of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo -- to attend the hearing virtually. Next page
DOH: No return to masking in MM THE Department of Health is not considering reimposing strict mask rules in Metro Manila, where nearly 13 million people live, amid a slight increase in COVID-19 infections. The wearing of masks became voluntary in indoor and outdoor settings in October.
But masking remains mandatory in healthcare facilities and public transportation. But DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire urged the public to wear masks in crowded and poorly ventilated areas during a press briefing Tuesday. Next page
SHE SAID YES, AGAIN!
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. kisses First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos on the forehead after making her say ‘yes’ again to marrying him on their 30th wedding anniversary on Monday night. ‘Celebrated our pearl anniversary with family and close friends— many of whom were present at our wedding in ‘93!’ the President said in a Twitter post (see story on A2). PBBM via Twitter
amid their continued differences, especially over the South China Sea. Qin, China’s concurrent State Councilor, will have a meeting with Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo to exchange views on the outcomes of the recent Philippines-China Foreign Ministry Consultations and Bilateral Consulta-
tions Mechanism on the South China Sea held in Manila in March. “The official visit continues the series of high-level interactions between the Philippines and China in 2023, following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s state visit to China Next page
Address political violence, illegal drug trade, PH peace councils told By Vince Lopez PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday tasked the members of the national and regional peace and order councils to address cases of political violence as well as those stemming from the illegal drug trade. The President said these were today’s two biggest concerns threatening peace and order in the country. He also said that an internal review being conducted by the Philippine Na-
tional Police (PNP) aimed at determining cops with drug links will conclude in two weeks or so, as he vowed to relentlessly fight the proliferation of illicit narcotics in the country. Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said the CCTV footage “speaks for itself” in the alleged coverup attempt of some cops in the P6.7 billion drug haul in October 2022. Abalos made the statement in response to the defense of PNP Chief Police General Next page