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(Story on A4)
GOV’T OFFERS P15-M BOUNTY FOR ARREST OF QUIBOLOY, ASSOCIATES A P10 million bounty is being offered for any information that would lead to the arrest of wanted evangelist Apollo Quiboloy, Interior Secretart Benhur Abalos said.
The Philippine National Police is also abouts of Quiboloy but won't disclose the studying the possibility of filing obstruc- information. tion of justice charges against former "We are looking through our legal serPresident Rodrigo Duterte after he dis- vice to get witnesses to file cases. You closed last week that he knew the whereNext page
FUGITIVES. The government offers a total of P15 million pesos for any information leading to the arrest of fugitive pastor Apollo Quiboloy and five of his co-accused in several criminal cases alleging child sexual abuse and human trafficking.
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 144• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •TUESDAY, JULY 9, 2024 •
PH, Japan ties deepen, sign VFA-type agreement RAA allows bilateral exercises, purchase of equipment
BINAY FILES ETHICS CASE VS. CAYETANO NEWS / A3
BSP SEES FATF EXIT IN 2025 BUSINESS / B1
By Charles Dantes, Rex Espiritu, Rachelle Tonelada, Macon RamosAraneta and Maricel Cruz
HE Philippines and Japan signed a key defense pact on Monday that will allow the deployment of troops on each other's territory, as they boost ties in the face of China's growing assertiveness.
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The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) was finalized in Manila during talks between Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Philippine Defense chief Gilberto Teodoro and Foreign Affairs secretary Enrique Manalo. "I’m glad that having witnessed the commencement of this agreement that it has now come to fruition and that we are ready now to sign the Reciprocal Agreement," President Marcos said during the signing ceremony. "Your presence here increases our confidence and the importance that the Japanese government puts on
HISTORIC MOMENT. President Ferdinand Marcos poses for posterity with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (second from right) and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa (second from left) after the signing (inset photo) of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) in Malacañang yesterday morning. Witnessing the historic moment are Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo (right) and Japanese Defense Minister Kihira Minomura (left). PPA Pool
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DOF’s Recto now favors total ban of POGOs Fuel prices up; FINANCE Secretary Ralph Recto on Monday said he is inclined to ask President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to stop the activities of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) given the issues surrounding the apparently shady industry. Recto told business journal-
ABRA’S FIRST.
Myrna Esguerra was crowned Binibining PilipinasInternational 2024, marking a historic moment as the first woman from the Cordillera province of Abra to win in the 60-year history of the Bb. Pilipinas pageant. (Story on A2)
ists that while he is not fundamentally against POGOs as a form of business, the various illegal activities arising from POGO companies in Bamban, Tarlac, and Porac, Pampanga have caused him to see these businesses in a bad light. “Frankly, I’m not a fan of gambling and two, I’m not a fan of POGOs, really. But if they were not doing any hanky panky and they’re paying taxes, fine with me. But I think there are
many issues already surrounding the POGO industry,” he said in a mixture of English and Filipino. “Given that, like I said, I’m willing to recommend to the President that he not allow POGO operations to continue (in the Philippines),” he told reporters on the sidelines of the EJAP-SMC Economic Forum in Manila City. Recto’s statement came amid an Next page
3 ex-cops among 7 suspects 40% of Pinoys see better quality in couple’s slay—PNP chief of life — SWS
By Vince Lopez
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that 3 out of the 7 persons of interest in the killing of beauty queen Geneva Lopez and her Israeli fiancé Yitzhak Cohen were former members of the police force. PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, quoted by reports, said one of the dismissed cops was from Angeles, and two were from the National Capital Region Police Office. The said former PNP members
were dismissed in late 2019 and 2018 according to PNP records, Marbil said. Lopez, 27, and Cohen, 37, went missing after meeting a middleman to inspect a property that they were interested in buying in Tarlac on June 21. The couple’s remains were found at a remote quarry site over the weekend. Investigators are looking at robbery as the primary motive in the crime, Marbil, quoted by ABSNext page
By Vito Barcelo AT LEAST 44 percent of adult Filipinos expressed optimism that their lives will improve in the next 12 months, according to a recent survey by Social Weather Stations (SWS). Another 44 percent claimed their lives will stay the same and 7 percent said it will worsen. The survey said the net personal Next page
Meralco to hike rates this July By Alena Mae Flores PUMP prices in the country went up for the fourth consecutive week in what market analysts and energy officials attribute to continuing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and prospects of higher oil demand. Effective 6 a.m. Tuesday, the price of gasoline increased by PHP1.60 per liter, diesel by PHP0.65 per liter, and kerosene by PHP0.60 per liter. Cumulatively, gasoline prices have increased by PHP3.20 per liter, diesel by PHP4.15 per liter, and kerosene by PHP3.30 per liter since last month. “Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, unexpectedly large withdrawals from U.S. crude inventories, and optimistic forecasts for summer fuel demand have all contributed to pushing prices in oil products higher,” said Rodela Romero, director of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oil Industry Management Bureau. Meanwhile, DOE Undersecretary Rowena Guevara reiterated the higher biofuels blend will allow motorists to gain more mileage for every liter of diesel, thus, saving money. Next page