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BEFORE ENTENG’S WRATH. The sun rises
IN MET R MANILAO
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 205 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES SEPTEMBER 8, 2024
over the eastern horizon in Baguio City on its 115th Foundation Day on Sept. 1, 2024 – a day before it was battered by heavy rains brought about by Tropical Storm ‘Enteng’ and the enhanced southwest monsoon. Dave Leprozo
www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
TEVES
TIMOR LESTE WANTS RETURN OF TEVES TO PH SOON – DOJ NEWS | A2
MPOX VIRUS
QC CONFIRMS 2 MORE MPOX CASES, URGES VIGILANCE
DOJ: POSSIBLE FOR GUO TO BE STATE WITNESS
NEWS | A3
NEXT TARGETS?
The DILG said it is coordinating with its Southeast Asian counterpart for the return of Wesley Guo, brother of former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo. PAOCC says it is also tracking down Duanren Wu, the alleged ‘boss’ of Guo.
WESLEY GUO
BUT ONLY IF THERE’S ‘BIGGER’ POGO CRIMES MASTERMIND
By Charles Dantes
T
HE Department of Justice on Saturday said there was still a small possibility of turning dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo into a state witness following her return to the country from Indonesia. However, Justice Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Mico Clavano said this was only possible if Guo could point out the mastermind behind illegal POGO activities in the country. “As of right now, as far as we know because of what appears in the, investigation, she still stands as the most guilty, thereby disqualifying her to become a state witness,” Clavano said. “But if we can identify and meet someone even bigger involved in the
illegal activities of POGO, then she might become a state witness, because she wouldn’t be the most guilty anymore if there’s an even bigger mastermind out there,” Clavano said. On Thursday, Presidential AntiOrganized Crime Commission Executive Director Gilbert Cruz said they are now tracking down Duanren Wu, a former Chinese police officer whom he described as the “boss” of Guo and her associate, Cassandra Li Ong. “That is who we’re after now. We
DUANREN WU
are not the only ones interested in him, even the international authorities are interested in him because of his significant participation and involvement in money laundering, not just in our country but worldwide,” Cruz said. Wu is the top executive of Whirlwind Corporation – the firm that leased land to the Lucky South 99 POGO hub raided in Porac, Pampanga. He is also the godfather of Ong who helped her and Guo flee the country on July 17. Guo returned to the Philippines on Friday following her arrest in Indonesia. She faces several charges, including human trafficking, misrepresentation, graft, and corruption.
Clavano said details of government personnel involved in the illegal exit of Guo will be revealed soon. “According to the DOJ Secretary (Jesus Crispin Remulla), any action seems to be happening this month. Although I can’t guarantee that either, because if other factors or new information come up, it might get pushed back,” Clavano said. “The POGO network is quite large. There’s a web of bosses, managers, supervisors that may be helping each other as well,” he added. Earlier, President Marcos reiterated his firm resolve to hold accountable anyone implicated in aiding Guo escape the country. “All of those who are implicated in assisting Alice Guo to leave the Philippines illegally as a fugitive from justice will certainly pay the price,” he said. “You’re asking who will be booted out? It’s not just that we’ll kick them out. We’re also going to file charges against them because what they did is against the law and goes against all the interests of the Philippine judicial system,” he added. Mr. Marcos earlier said he already has a “very, very good idea” as to who should be held responsible, including those from the Bureau of Immigration.
DILG TO PROBE FRISKING OF POLICE BY KOJC MEMBERS – ABALOS By Maricel Cruz Interior Secretary Benhur Aba Abalos said the DILG “would have to investigate” reports that mem members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) subjected some unarmed female police to frisk frisking before allowing them to enter the compound in Davao City in search for fugitive pastor Apollo Quiboloy. “That is wrong for them to frisk our cops,” Abalos said on Satur Saturday. “I would have to investigate
The KOJC founder and his aides are wanted for qualified human trafficking and violating the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act. Quiboloy also has a standing warrant of arrest from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for alleged frauds and for sex-trafficking girls and women aged 12 to 25 to work as personal assistants or “pastorals” who were allegedly required to have sex with him.
By Maricel V. Cruz SPEAKER Martin Romualdez on Saturday assured soldiers the administration will push for more than a 100 percent increase in their daily subsistence allowance in 2025. “From P150 per day, we will double your daily subsistence allowance. Our target is to raise this to as much as P350 per day,” Romualdez said during the House of Representatives-AFP Southern Luzon Command fellowship at Camp Nakar in Lucena City. As instructed by President Marcos, the leader of the 307-strong House said the increase would entail P15 billion in additional funding, which he committed to include in the 2025 national budget being scrutinized by his chamber. He said the House has also passed on third and final reading the bill that will institutionalize a sustainable pension system for veterans and military retirees. “Additionally, we are pushing for measures to provide quality healthcare and legal assistance for personnel in the lawful performance of their duties,” Romualdez said. He said the House likewise remains committed to supporting the AFP Modernization Program, as well as House Bills 11, 6375, and 7764 — aimed at improving the nation’s overall defense posture. “We are also exploring resources to further strengthen archipelagic defense and international alliances in the face of modern-day security challenges,” Romualdez said. At the same time, the House leader committed funding for areas that have been declared as communist insurgency-free. “We in the House of Representatives are fully committed to supporting the peace-building efforts in recently cleared areas. To consolidate these gains, I will advocate for more infrastructure and barangay development projects, which are crucial for long-term stability,” Romualdez said.
BOSSA NOVA GREAT SERGIO MENDES DEAD AT 83
SERGIO MENDES
RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazilian music legend Sergio Mendes, who helped catapult bossa nova onto the global stage in the 1960s with hits including “Mas Que Nada,” died in Los Angeles at the age of 83, his family said. Mendes’ family said the composer and pianist “passed away peacefully” Thursday at his home, surrounded by his wife and children. “For the last several months, his
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this – the circumstances of this frisking.” PNP-Davao Region Director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said unarmed female cops were bodysearched by KOJC members. During the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights public hearing chaired by Senator Ronald Dela Rosa in Davao City on Friday, Torre said they allowed it after a negotiation with the lawyers of the KOJC on the first day of the search for Quiboloy and five others on Aug. 24.
SPEAKER ASSURES SOLDIERS OF OVER 100% INCREASE IN DAILY ALLOWANCE
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health had been challenged by the effects of long-term COVID,” the statement added. The three-time Grammy winner, who trained as a classical pianist, arrived on the scene as bossa nova — Brazil’s silky mix of samba and jazz — was taking the world by storm, popularized by Joao Gilberto’s “The Girl From Ipanema” among other hits. Mendes’ mastery of jazz brought
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him to the attention of American saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, who chose the Brazilian’s group “Sexteto Rio” to record his album “Cannonball’s Bossa Nova” in 1963. Three years later, Mendes became an international sensation in his own right with his album “Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66,” which featured the now legendary “Mas Que Nada” — his adaptation of a Jorge Ben standard.
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Throughout his career, Mendes skillfully blended samba rhythms and jazz grooves with bossa nova harmonies and Californian pop to produce a deceptively simple but hugely popular style dismissed by some as “easy listening.” He recorded more than 35 albums in total and toured with some of America’s jazz greats, including Frank Sinatra. AFP
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