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VP SARA TO SKIP PBBM'S 3RD SONA, NAMES HERSELF 'DESIGNATED SURVIVOR' By Maricel Cruz VICE President Sara Duterte will skip the third State of the Nation Address of President Marcos on July 22, and “appointed” herself the “designated survivor.” “No, I will not attend the Sona,” Duterte said in an interview Thursday in Davao City. “I am appointing myself as the designated survivor,” she added. Lawmakers from both administration and opposition parties criticized the Vice President’s
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 147• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2024 •
CA: Freeze order vs. Guo, other POGO execs Order covers bank accounts, real estate properties—AMLC
By Macon Ramos-Araneta
T
HE Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) announced on Thursday it has secured a freeze order from the Court of Appeals on the assets of key individuals linked to illicit Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) activities. The court’s decision freezes various bank accounts, real properties, and personal assets connected to the suspected members of the syndicate.
Key individuals identified include suspended Mayor Alice Leal Guo of Bamban Tarlac, Zhiyang Huang, and Baoying Lin. These individuals are sus-
pected of orchestrating human trafficking and fraudulent activities through entities such as Zun Yuan Technology Inc., BAOFU Land Development Inc., and Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc. The freeze order was approved last Monday, July 8, based on Section 10 of Republic Act No. 9160 or the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001 and Rule 10 of its 2018 Implementing Rules and Regulations. This major development follows extensive investigations and joint operations led by the Presidential Anti-Organized
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VICE PRESIDENT SARA DUTERTE
Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) in the government’s crackdown on illegitimate POGOs. The investigation uncovered significant financial transactions and assets amassed by these individuals, raising suspicions of their involvement in money laundering, human trafficking, and other illicit operations. The illicit activities linked to these individuals include the operation of an unauthorized POGO at Zun Yuan TechnolNext page
ON THE JOB. President
Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. holds a bundle of farm produce from a stall before the start of the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolks and Families (PAFFF) program in Dasmarinas, Cavite on Thursday. Inset shows the President trying out a massage at the fair. Around 12,000 families benefited from the program which was also attended by Agriculture Secretary Francis Tiu Laurel and Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla. PPA POOL
DAVAO COP REVAMP NOT POLITICAL – PNP NEWS / A2
TPLEX EXTENSION DONE IN 2025 BUSINESS / B3
PH rejects China call to remove BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin By Rex Espiritu and Rachelle Tonelada THE Philippines will not retreat from Ayungin Shoal, following China’s demand to remove the BRP Sierra Madre because it was damaging the marine environment. Philippine Navy Spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad told reporters that Manila will not abandon the BRP Sierra Madre regardless of China’s demands. “We will not give up that ship. It symbolizes the government’s resolute stance. The AFP is mandated to ensure the integrity of the national territory,” declared Trinidad. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) remains committed to safeguarding Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights in the WPS. They will continue rotation and resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre, he said. Trinidad also cautioned the public about false narratives spread by foreign countries, specifically the Chinese Communist Party. “Last week, the AFP Chief issued a statement warning everyone about foreign malign influence and false narratives being disseminated by the Chinese Communist Party,” he said. China alleges the BRP Sierra Madre is “illegally grounded” at Ayungin Shoal and harms the marine environment. “We urge the Philippines to remove the illegally grounded warship at Ren’ai Jiao to stop damaging the ecosystem at Ren’ai Jiao,” asserted Chinese Spokesperson Lin Jian during a press conference. Next page
More Democrat lawmakers want Biden to withdraw
P10m bounty on Quiboloy draws many tipsters–PNP POLICE hotlines are beginning to heat up with tips on the supposed whereabouts of fugitive pastor Apollo Quiboloy following the announcement of a PHP10 million bounty on his head. Police Colonel Jean Fajardo, spokesperson of the Philippine Na-
tional Police (PNP), said that phones at the Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) started ringing as soon as news about the big reward broke out. However, she emphasized that PRO 11 director Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III told her that Next page
Marcos vetoes PNP Reform bill US PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN
WASHINGTON, United States—A Democratic senator on Wednesday called on US President Joe Biden to ditch his reelection bid, capping a brutal day that saw mounting pressure from high-profile actor and donor George Clooney and party heavyweight Nancy Pelosi. Next page
By Charles Dantes and Macon Ramos-Araneta PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vetoed the proposed Philippine National Police (PNP) Organizational Reforms Act, citing issues with administrative efficiency and policy alignment. He emphasized the need to align the bill with the present and
future administrations’ policies and programs, while also supporting upcoming government initiatives such as the National Government Rightsizing Program. “While this administration recognizes the laudable objectives of the bill, I cannot approve it because the provisions run counter to administrative policy and Next page
TRAINING EXERCISE. The Philippine Air Force’s FA-50PH fighter jets arrive at RAAF Base, Darwin Australia for the Pitch Black 2024 (PB2024) drills – the first time that the PAF has sent its aircraft overseas for an international exercise. Photo courtesy : 5th Fighter Wing