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PH to get five new coast guard ships from Japan By Rey E. Requejo
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 92• 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P20 •SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2024 •
The Philippines and Japan have signed an agreement that would pave the way for the acquisition by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) of five 97-meter
China warns arrest of trespassers in SCS PCG spokesperson says it’s an empty threat
By Rey E. Requejo and Vince Lopez
C
PAGUDPUD TOURIST AREAS INAUGURATED NEWS / A2
SERENO CLEARED OF TAX RAPS NEWS / A2
Beijing shrugs off wiretap probe, says leak ‘factual’ CHINA has recently made light of any moves by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to investigate the alleged involvement of Chinese embassy diplomats in wiretapping activities. It can be recalled that the Department of National Defense, the National Security Council, and several lawmakers had accused China of wiretapping when it recorded a purported phone call between a Chinese diplomat and a Philippine military official and released it to the media. When sought for comment about the DFA’s move, Wang Wenbin, spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry, insisted that “the information released by the Chinese Embassy in Manila is factual.” Next page
Marcos: Troops must adapt to new 'battlefield'
SAFETY GUIDE. A pedestrian caught by a sudden downpour in Quezon City holds on to a passing bike to avoid falling into a hole in a flooded street. Robert Gines
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BSP takes action against ‘ghost’ fixers BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas has begun disciplinary proceedings against the employees suspected to have falsified attendance records. In a statement, the BSP said that "due to the confidential nature of administrative disciplinary proceedings, BSP cannot disclose the details
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By Rey E. Requejo and Maricel V. Cruz
HINA issued a regulation that authorizes the arrest of "foreigners" in the disputed maritime territories, including the South China Sea, beginning June. Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela immediately denounced China's directive, calling it "illegal." "These are things that we can say are illegal actions again by China," Tarriela said. "The mere fact that they claim full sovereignty over our own exclusive economic zone and the only thing they justify is their imaginary ninedash line,” he added. In a report published by the South China Morning Post on Thursday, the China Coast Guard warned that under the regulation, they can detain trespassers in the South China Sea without trial. The regulatory document is expected to take effect in June. "Foreigners suspected of illegally passing China's borders can be held for up to 60 days," the newspaper reported. The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has yet to make an official response when sought for comment on the report. But according to Tarriela, he does not think China is serious in arresting civilians in the area because other claimant-countries, such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia, would also criticize Beijing's actions. Besides, Tarriela said it can be considered harassment if China arrests civilians from other countries.
patrol ships intended to strengthen the country's capability to guard its territory amid increased China aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). The Department of Foreign Affairs
at this time." "The BSP is firm in its commitment to ensure that any erring employee will be held accountable. The BSP upholds integrity and professionalism at all levels of the organization," it added. Next page
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged the troops to consider training in new forms of warfare, especially in the digital spectrum. In a visit on Thursday to Camp Edilberto Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City, Marcos said that times are changing and that new threats to national security have become commonplace. He also reminded the troops that the battlefield “is changing,” and will be far removed from the traditional fighting they have developed in traditional training. “I call on you to develop the skills that are going to be required to combat these new forms of warfare, including those that extend up to the digital realm," he added. Next page
BREAK TIME. President Marcos Jr. chats with Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez during a break in the distribution of the Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolks and Families (PAFFF) at Pimentel Convention Center in Cagayan de Oro City. With them is Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu. Ver Noveno
Senate president confident of passing Cha-cha SM CITY CALOOCAN NOW OPEN. SM Prime Holdings’ 86th SM mall
and the third in Caloocan City opens today. Sharing the honors in the blessing and ceremonial balloon burst are (from left to right): SM Engineering Design and Development President Hans Sy Jr., SM Supermalls’ President Steven Tan, Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo "Along" Malapitan, Archbishop Roberto Orendain Gaa, Caloocan City Vice Mayor Karina Teh, and SM Food Retail Executive Director Hendrik Sy.
By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATE President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Friday said they only need two more votes to amend the three restrictive economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution in the upper chamber. But when asked if it means 16 sena-
tors are now in favor of Charter Change (Cha-Cha), Zubiri clarified he sees 15 or 16 senators are supporting Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6, which allows 100-percent foreign ownership on public utilities, education and advertising. At present, the 1987 Constitution
limits foreign ownership in these sectors to only 30 percent. RBH No. 6 needs a quarter of votes from the Senate or 18 out of the 24 senators before it could be submitted to a bicameral conference, and eventually, to a plebiscite for people's approval. Next page