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VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 90 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2024
‘Atin Ito’ flotilla drops buoys at EEZ China ships tail convoy, challenge PCG plane
W MARKING TERRITORY. The Atin Ito civilian flotilla yesterday dropped 12 buoys at a
designated area in the country’s exclusive economic zone about 50 nautical miles from Panatag (Scarborough) shoal. Inset map shows location of Panatag in the West Philippine Sea. AFP
‘PH embassy in Beijing gets hate emails over WPS row’ By Macon Ramos-Araneta FACING the Commission on Appointments (CA), Minister and Consul General Arnel Talisayon divulged on Wednesday that the Philippine Embassy in Beijing, China had been receiving ‘hate emails’ from unnamed Chinese citizens over the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue. Talisayon and 15 other foreign ser-
EST PHILIPPINE SEA—China Coast Guard vessels on Wednesday evening began shadowing a convoy of Filipino civilian boats on their way to the contested area of Scarborough Shoal, also known as Panatag Shoal, a spokesman of the Atin Ito convoy said.
Three clearly marked China Coast dio warnings heard aboard one of the Guard vessels sailed within sight of Philippine boats as the Atin Ito flotilla the convoy at dusk and broadcast ra- moved closer to Panatag Shoal, convoy
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) will no longer allow the substitution of candidates beyond the designated period to file certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the 2025 midterm elections. Chairman George Erwin Garcia
vice officials of the Department of Affairs (DFA) appeared before the CA foreign service committee for their ad interim appointment. During the confirmation hearing, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa asked Talisayon if there are reports of harassment against Filipinos in China due to the country’s ongoing maritime dispute with China over WPS.
By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel Cruz
and Senator Francis Tolentino pushing for punitive action if embassy officials are proven guilty of wiretapping. The Senate Committee on National CALLS to have Chinese diplomats in Manila expelled immediately have snow- Defense will likewise investigate “by balled, with the Philippine Coast Guard next week” the alleged wiretapping on
financial networks, recruitment, and movement,” he added. According to Abalos, the Marcos administration is advocating for strengthened information-sharing Next page
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NEWS / A2
NEWS / A2
LIGHT MOMENT. President Marcos shares a light moment with NEDA chief Arsenio Balisacan and Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin during the 16th NEDA board meeting in Malacanang.
Marcos vows commitment to combat terrorism, extremism Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary BenjaPRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos reiter- min Abalos Jr. made this pledge during ated its steadfast commitment to com- his address at the 33rd Session of the bating terrorism and preventing violent United Nations Commission on Crime extremism on a global scale. Prevention and Criminal Justice.
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SOLICITOR General Menardo Guevarra said his office is now gathering information on the possible involvement of Bamban Mayor Alice Guo in illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO), among other things. Guevarra said Wednesday that his office might file a quo warranto petition questioning the right of Mayor Gou to sit in office due to the matter of her nationality and identity. Guevarra said that if there is good reason that Guo is holding office as a public official illegally, thus the filing of a petition for quo warranto by the OSG. Quo warranto, according to the High Court, is a legal action requiring the subject to show ample proof for holding office or an official title. In a recent hearing, Senator Risa Hontiveros has raised questions as to the identity and nationality of Gou because no official records are available to prove that she is a Filipino, even asking if Gou was a Chinese national. Hontiveros raised the absence of school and hospital records, as well as the late filing of her birth certificate issued
said this was unanimously approved by the Comelec en banc during its regular session. “The decision was unanimous. The Commission en banc approved our proposal that there would be no more substitution after the last day of filing of candidacy, which is October 8
A RARE 4-PEAT FOR NU BULLDOGS
officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines military officials. Tolentino, who got confirmation of the Senate probe from panel chairperson Senator Jinggoy Estrada, said
Solgen looking into Mayor Gou’s POGO links
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BILL FILED TO STRENGTHEN PCG
By Charles Dantes
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Expel China envoy call mounts; Senate to probe wiretap
Comelec junks substitution rule By Vito Barcelo
spokesman Emman Hizon said. A Philippine Coast Guard aircraft was also issued a radio challenge by one of the Chinese vessels spotted in and around Panatag Shoal, located 124 nautical miles west of Zambales and within the country’s exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea.
“We recognize the urgent need for a robust international response to effectively address the challenge,” Abalos said. “We believe that comprehensive and enhanced collaborative approaches and efforts are needed to disrupt terrorist