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PH, China in WPS call

PBBM: GOV’T WORK SUSPENDED BY WEDNESDAY NOON

Manila, Beijing trade diplomatic protests over latest clash

NEWS / A2

By Rey Requejo

ANILA and Beijing traded diplomatic protests on Monday, with China making “stern representations” during a phone call between deputy foreign ministers of both countries.

Palace security sector meets on sea attacks NEWS / A2

This was after a China Coast Guard vessel damaged a Philippine supply ship with a water cannon near

VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 45 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2024

DOJ to Teves: Face charges in Manila, not at UN HR body

MIRACULOUS SHRINE. Catholic faithful troop to the Kamay Ni Hesus (Hands of Jesus) shrine in Lucban, Quezon, motivated by a miraculous promise, as it is believed that those who climb the 300 steps to reach the 50-foot statue of Christ will have their prayers answered. Manny Palmero

THE Department of Justice urged expelled Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. to face the charges against him in the Philippines, not before any international body like the United Nations Human Rights Council. “We do not recognize or acknowledge any camp that refuses to go through our own justice system,” Justice Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano said, reacting to the plan of Teves’ lawyers both in the Philippines and in Timor-Leste to elevate the expelled legistator’s case before the UNHRC. “The brutal crimes happened here in the Philippines. The families of the victims are here in the Philippines. So, we want justice to be served here in the Philippines,” Clavano added. Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation said it could take as fast as a week to as long as 40 days to have Teves deported from Timor Leste, where he was arrested last week. For his part, Teves’ lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said they are ready should the former lawmaker and designated terrorist be repatriated back to Manila. “We’re ready for anything. Even if he is sent back to the Philippines, there will still be a trial. So let’s see what evidence they have against him,” Topacio said in a television interview yesterday. NBI Director Medardo De Lemos, who led the Philippine delegation to Timor Leste last Next page

As pertussis hits Big price hike of P2.20/l for gasoline, P1.40/l for diesel slated today Iloilo, DOH says rates declining By Alena Mae S. Flores

ment of prices in the world oil market. Diesel prices also went up by P1.40 per liter and kerosene by P1.30 per liter. OIL firms implemented a big oil price PTT Philippines, Jetti Petroleum and hike of P2.20 per liter for gasoline effective 6 a.m. Tuesday to reflect the move- Seaoil Philippines issued separate ad-

By Joel E. Zurbano THE incidence of pertussis or whooping cough in Metro Manila is stabilizing, but rising in other regions, the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday. Meanwhile, the Iloilo City government has officially declared an outbreak of pertussis. The Bacolod City government, on the other hand, issued on Monday a health alert against pertussis following report that a minor was admitted at a local hospital on suspicion of whooping cough infection. For its part, the Taguig City government urged residents to take precautions against pertussis. DOH Undersecretary Eric Tayag said many areas in the country are on alert over the pertussis breakout, particularly among children. “About 10 regions had an increase in pertussis cases. In NCR, cases are plateauing. This means that the cases in NCR are not increasing as much as we expected,” Tayag said. At least 453 people nationwide were infected by pertussis within just the first 10 weeks of 2024. Of this Next page

visories of the oil price increase while in pump prices to several factors. other companies are expected to follow. “Oil edges higher driven by specDepartment of Energy director for ulation surrounding the impact of the oil industry management bureau Ukraine’s recent assaults on Russian Next page Rodela Romero attributed the increase

At least 13 dead in N. Cotabato road collision AT LEAST 13 people were killed in the southern Philippines on Monday after a collision between a dump truck loaded with sand and a passenger van, local authorities said. The incident happened in the afternoon on a major road in Antipas municipality in North Cotabato province on the second-largest island of Mindanao. Thirteen bodies were recovered

FATAL ACCIDENT. Rescuers clear the road in front of the dump truck that collided with a passenger van—killing the 14 people on board—in Antipas, North Cotabato on Monday. AFP

High Court stripping judges of power to conduct preliminary probes By Rey E. Requejo

Monday revealed that the Supreme Court (SC) is set to strip judges of their THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on power to conduct preliminary investigation to determine probable cause for the issuance of arrest warrant over

#ANONGBALITA

cases filed by state prosecutors. Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo spearheaded the rollout of the sixth Justice Zone in the country along with the representatives of the DOJ and the

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), which comprises the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC).

PAWS says Killua tested positive for rabies via BAI

Zanjoe Marudo, Ria Atayde tie the knot In civil rites

Boracay hotels getting full amid Holy Week break

NEWS / A2