twitter.com/ MlaStandard
facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH
Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation
instagram.com/ manilastandard
manilastandard.net Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net
For advertisement: email: advertise@manilastandard.net • 85646229
Sara ordered to answer petition on P125-m confidential fund use By Rey Requejo
spent by her office last year. The High Court also directed Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and THE Supreme Court has ordered Vice Budget Secretary Amenah PangandaPresident Sara Duterte to answer a petition challenging the constitutionality man to comment on the petition on the Next page of the P125-million confidential funds
VOL. XXXVII • NO. 293 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023
IS claims Marawi bombing Manhunt underway for bombers, 2 persons of interest By Vince Lopez and Macon Ramos-Araneta
T
HE Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack on a Catholic mass in Marawi on Sunday, which killed at least four people and injured 50 others.
‘‘
I wish to assure my prayers for the victims of the attack that took place in the Philippines, where a bomb exploded during Mass. I am close to the families, to the people of Mindanao, who have already suffered so much. —Pope Francis
bombings, was attempting to flee the province when he was killed. “The successful operation is a testament to the relentless efforts and unwavering commitment of our armed forces to ensure the safety and security of our citizens,” the military said in a statement. A traditional Muslim burial will be conducted for the slain ASG leader while authorities are contacting family members to claim his remains. Mundi’s death happened hours before the
The blast hit during a morning service at the Mindanao State University’s gymnasium in Marawi City, which was overrun by gunmen belonging to the IS-led Maute group in 2017. The Islamic State group said in a statement on its Telegram channels that “soldiers of the caliphate detonated an explosive device on a large gathering of Christians... in the city of Marawi.” President Marcos on Sunday blamed “foreign terrorists” for the explosion. In a command conference at Camp Ranao in Marawi on Monday, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner said the military is not discounting the possibility that IS had a hand in the explosion. He said the attack could be revenge for the killing of leaders of the Abu Sayyaf Group and the Dawlah Islamiyah (DI). “We all know that the DI has links with international groups, so we are not discounting that... theory of retaliatory actions of the ISIS group,” Brawner said. “We are looking at all aspects, we are looking at all angles. Remember, when the Marawi siege happened here, it was the Dawla Islamiyah Southeast Asia group that claimed they
Next page
Next page
HIGH ALERT. Policemen and soldiers arrive at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur province on Dec. 4, 2023, a day after a bomb attack killed at least four people and left dozens wounded. The Islamic State terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the deadly explosion. AFP
ASG sub-leader killed in Basilan–military By Vince Lopez
Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Mudzrimar Sawadjaan
A SUB-LEADER of the Abu Sayyaf Group was killed in an operation in Basilan Saturday night, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said. The military said Mudzrimar Sawadjaan, also known as “Mundi,” was killed in an operation by the Joint Task Force Orion of the Western Mindanao Command in the waters off Tipo-Tipo and Tuburan in Basilan. Mundi, the suspected mastermind in the 2020 Jolo
House resolution urges NTC to suspend SMNI By Maricel V. Cruz A HOUSE resolution was filed Monday urging the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to suspend the operation of Sonshine Media Network Inc. (SMNI) for ped-
dling false information. Resolution 1499, authored by House Assistant Majority Leader and PBA party-list Rep. Margarita Nograles, accused SMNI of failing to fulfill its mandate to the public when it aired false information regarding
the alleged travel expenses of SpeakSpeak er Martin Romualdez. SMNI anchor Jeffrey Celiz, one of the hosts of Laban Kasama ng Bayan, admitted the source of his report on the P1.8 billion Next page
2 strong quakes hit Surigao del Sur after 7.4 tremor VP warns PBBM: Talks with Reds NO SHOW. Former President Rodrigo Duterte skips the first day of the probe of the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office into the grave threat complaint filed by ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro. Supporters of the lawmaker rally outside the justice hall on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. Manny Palmero
By Rio N. Araja
TWO earthquakes with magnitudes of 6.8 and 5.6 and epicenters near the municipality of Cagwait in Surigao del Sur were recorded on Monday. The magnitude 6.8 quake struck 67 kilometers northeast of Cagwait at 3:49 a.m. It was 1 kilometer deep. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Teresito Bacolcol said this tremor is not an aftershock of the magnitude 7.4 offshore earthquake that jolted Next page
FLATTENED. A man carries a child and their
belongings as they walk past a destroyed house in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur on Dec. 3, 2023, following a 7.4 magnitude earthquake. AFP
an agreement with the devil
VICE President Sara Duterte cationed President Marcos against reviving peace talks with communist rebels, which she likened to an “agreement with the devil.” Duterte also expressed her opposition to the amnesty proclamations issued by the President for various rebel groups, including the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front-New People’s Army. “History has proven the communists are not serious and are insincere in peace talks. They will use the peace negotiation to betray the government
and dupe our people,” the Vice President said in a statement. “We appeal to your power to review these proclamations and agreements,” she added. Her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, terminated peace negotiations in 2017 and declaree the NPA a terrorist organization. “I support efforts to pursue peace because the fight against terrorists is deeply personal to me, as it is deeply personal to the families of countless Filipinos whose lives were forever upended because of Next page