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STILL WANTED.
This file photo shows the ‘Wanted’ poster issued by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation last year for Kingdom of Jesus Christ church founder Apollo Quiboloy, who is facing sex trafficking and other charges in a California court.
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 26• 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2024 •
US court unseals arrest warrants for Quiboloy As senators petition to reverse panel’s contempt charge By Rey Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta
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CALIFORNIA judge has ordered the unsealing of the arrest warrants against Kingdom of Jesus Christ church founder Apollo Quiboloy and his co-accused, bringing the case a step closer toward extraditing the pastor, who is wanted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, a New York-based lawyer said. Central District of California Judge Terry Hatter Jr. ordered the unsealing of the arrest warrants issued against Quiboloy and threeother accused for charges of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, coercion, sex trafficking of children, conspiracy, and cash smuggling. New York lawyer Lara Gregory told GMA Integrated News this could be the first step in initiating the extradition process for Quiboloy as the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) may now issue red notices against those covered by the arrest warrants. Next page
Admiral among injured in water cannon attack By Manolo del Rio, Macon Ramos-Araneta, and Rey Requejo THE head of the military's Western Command was injured as two China Coast Guard vessels used water cannons against the civilian supply ship Unaiza May 4 near Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on Tuesday. Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos said Thursday the incident left him with some cuts and bruises, while four other crew members were also injured as the windows of the supply ship were shattered during the water cannon attack. Despite the incident, Carlos said the Philippines will continue its regular rotation and resupply (RoRe) missions to stationed troops on board the BRP Sierra Madre that was deliberately run aground on Ayungin Shoal to serve as an outpost of the Philippine Marines. Next page
Australia as ASEAN member OK—PBBM THE Philippines is open to the possible inclusion of Australia into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), President Marcos said. "I cannot see why that would not be a good idea. Australia has alreadybeen a very active part of ASEAN,” he said in a media interview before leaving Melbourne on Wednesday. Next page
MARCOS TRAVELING TO GERMANY, CZECH NEWS / A2
WELCOMING A FELLOW PRESIDENT. Fresh from his four-day trip to Australia, President Marcos welcomes
President Hilda Heine of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (seated left), as she visits the Philippines to expand a 35-year diplomatic bond, advance a fisheries cooperation agreement, and bolster Pacific cooperation. PCO Photo
‘CHASE CHINESE PASSPORT GANG’ NEWS / A4
Solons hope Zubiri gets Senate vote Huthi rocket salvo kills 2 Pinoy seamen on ship in Aden to back Cha-cha; Unlikely, says Villar Speaker vows aid, justice for victims By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta LAWMAKERS on Thursday expressed optimism that the leadership of Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri would be instrumental in garnering 18 votes in the Senate to pass amendments to the restrictive economic provisions of the Constitution. However, Senator Cynthia Villar said it would be difficult to get the needed 18 votes among the 24 senators to pass the Resolution of Both Houses
No. 6, which seeks to amend the Constitution. Reps. Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur and Marvin Rillo of QuezonCity said at a news conference they were confident that with the vast experience of Zubiri as a lawmaker and former Majority Leader in the Senate, he could hold sway over his fellow senators. “If there is a will, there is a way," said Adiong, also the chair of the House Special Committee on Marawi Rehabilitation and Victims Compensation. Next page
La Niña could start in June, says Pagasa By Rio N. Araja A LA NIÑA episode, marked by enhanced rainfall in the Pacific Ocean, is likely to develop in June, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Thursday.
At a Zoom news conference, Pagasa administrator Dr. Nathaniel Servando said the agency issued a La Niña watch “because of a higher possibility of more than 50 percent that a La Niña will develop in June, but its effects will be felt in the last part of the year.”
#ANONGBALITA?
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TWO Filipino crew members were among those killed in a missile attack by Yemen's Huthi rebels on a ship in the Gulf of Aden, the government said Thursday. Those killed in the attack on Wednesday appear to be the first
deaths resulting from Huthi attacks on merchant vessels transiting the key Red Sea trade route. "With great sadness, the Department of Migrant Workers confirms the deaths of two Filipino seafarers in the most recent attack Next page
By Maricel V. Cruz SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Thursday expressed deep sorrow and concern following reports of the tragic deaths of Filipino seafarers in a Huthi ballistic missile attack on the ship M/V True Confidence Next page in the Gulf of Aden.
Where did P152b cash go, NFA asked amid suspensions By Maricel V. Cruz ALBAY Rep. Joey Salceda is asking the National Food Authority to shed light on the P152 billion in cash the agency was supposed to have received from 2018 to 2022 from government subsidies and rice sales, which must then be subjected to an exhaustive review by the Commission on Audit. Earlier, President Marcos said the suspension of more than 130 NFA officials and employees involved in other Next page
WOMEN OF SWAT. Several female members of the Manila Police District SWAT team practice handling their weapons at the MPD shooting range on Wednesday, as they celebrate National Women's Month and International Women’s Day today. Norman Cruz
217 COVID vax shots in 29 mos. for German man
Deadly skin lightening? Binay seeks probe on IV gluta deaths
Imelda's condition: Awake, alert, and feeling much better
NEWS / A2
NEWS / A2
NEWS / A2