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China bullying fails to stop BFAR supply ops
POWER RATES LIKELY LOWER IN OCTOBER BUSINESS / B1
JOBLESS PINOYS DECREASE IN AUGUST
By Rex Espiritu
NEWS / A2
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 236 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2024
PH to raise WPS issue
Marcos at ASEAN Summit to push for rules-based order By Maricel V. Cruz
P
RESIDENT Marcos Jr. vowed to push for inclusive, rules-based dispute resolution in his attendance to the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits in Laos.
The President made the assurance vers by Chinese ships in the West Philamid the continued dangerous maneu- ippines Sea.
“As we continue to grapple with sharpening regional tensions, including the recent dangerous incidents in the West Philippine Sea, I intend to champion our advocacies in promoting an open, inclusive, and rules-based international order, and for the peaceful resolution of any disputes in accordance with international law,” Mr. Marcos said.
The President arrived in Laos Tuesday afternoon for a four-day official visit. The number of Chinese vessels spotted in the WPS increased to 190 from 178 in the past week, the Philippine Navy said yesterday. Mr. Marcos underscored the importance of the ASEAN Summits as an avenue for the Philippines to discuss Next page
THE Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) once more carried out an unprovoked water cannon attack on a Philippine vessel in an apparent attempt to drive it away from hotly contested waters, authorities in Manila confirmed on Tuesday. This time, the CCG set its sights on Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ships that were navigating the shallow waters of Bajo de Masinloc, internationally called Scarborough Shoal. It was reported that the agency’s BRP Datu Cabaylo and BRP Datu Sanday were delivering much-needed supplies to Filipino fishermen in mid sea Tuesday morning when the harassment happened. “The CCG vessels attempted to impede the mission of the BFAR vessels but were unsuccessful. The CCG vessels also opened and directed their water cannons, but this failed to reach the PH civilian boats,” BFAR Next page
New law to boost defense response to unconventional security threats By Rex Espiritu and Maricel Cruz THE Philippines will now develop technologies to counter “unconventional threats” in the current security landscape after President Marcos signed on Tuesday a law directing the pursuit of a self-reliant defense posture (SRDP). “Cyber security breaches, chemical attacks, radiological threats — these are more than hypothetical risks, but pressing realities. With this, we are broadening our perspective on defense. We are not just looking at tanks and rifles. We are building capacities that address these unconventional dangers head-on,” Mr. Marcos said. “This means developing systems and strategies that are reactive and predictive, allowing us to stay a step ahead of those who wish harm to the Philippines,” he added. Republic Act No. 12024 was a priority legislation of the Marcos administration with Next page
SELF-RELIANT DEFENSE. President Ferdinand R. Marcos presents the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act at the Ceremonial Hall in Malacañang Palace. With him are Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez (4th right), Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero (4th left). Others who witnessed the signing are (left to right ) Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro, Sen.Sherwin Gatchalian, Sen. Migz Zubiri, Rep. Raul “Buboy” Tupas, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr.. Inset shows President Marcos accepting a bouquet of flowers at the reception line upon arrival In Vientiane, Laos for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit. With is First Lady Liza Marcos Araneta. Ver Noveno/ PCO
185 bets vying for Senate as Rody denies bid for Upper Chamber By Vito Barcelo and Cherrie Villahermosa
candidacy (COC) yesterday. Among those who was supposed to file his candidacy for senator was forTHE Commission on Elections (Come- mer President Rodrigo Duterte who had lec) announced that 57 out of the 185 reportedly decided to withdraw his bid deSenate bets filed their certificates of for mayor of Davao City. This was de
nied later in the day by the Hugpong ng Tawong Lungsod party. “He is running for the position of Mayor of Davao City, and he remains committed to returning to local governance and serving the people of Davao,”
it said in a statement. “We are well aware of the strong public support for former President Duterte in Senate surveys, a clear reflection of the Filipino people’s trust and confidence in Next page
DEADLINE BEATERS. The filing of certificates of candidacies for the 2025 midterm elections ended yesterday. Among those who beat the deadline are: former Senator Kiko Pangilinan who was accompanied by his actor-singer wife, Sharon Cuneta, television host Willie Revillame, former Manila mayor Iskho Moreno, former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez, and detained pastor Apollo Quiboloy whose COC was submitted by his lawyer. Manny Palmero, Norman Cruz
DFA confirms execution of Pinoy in Saudi Arabia By Rachelle Tonelada THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed that a Filipino national was executed in Saudi Arabia on October 5 for the murder of a Saudi national. The Filipino national was sentenced to qisas, or retribution, for the killing, which reportedly emanated from a financial dispute with a business partner. President Ferdinand Marcos described the execution as “a terrible tragedy.” “There was little we had left to do.
‘Beijing state security funded Guo’s campaign’ SEN. Risa Hontiveros said that while a confidant of self-proclaimed spy She Zhijiang confirmed that dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo is indeed engaged in espionage, there is still a need to interview She himself to uncover the extent of Beijing’s intelligence network in the Philippines. The senator explained that she managed to interview Wang Fugui, a Chinese national who claims to be She’s close friend and the keeper of his files. Hontiveros noted that she tried to reach out to She but failed to gain access to the shady businessman who claims to also spy for China’s intelliNext page
MOA GLOBE LIGHTS UP FOR UN MONTH THIS OCTOBER.
We had very few options left, and we had tried everything, and for many, many years,” Marcos Jr told reporters in a media interview in Pasay City prior to his departure to Vientiane, Laos. “The Saudi government really tried to look and be sure that the judgment of hanging was actually deserved.” DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega told reporters on Tuesday that Filipino national, whose identity was not disclosed upon request of the family, pleaded guilty to the crime. Next page
United Nations Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez and SM Supermalls President Steven Tan are joined by the United Nations Country Team and SM officials at the ceremonial lighting of the SM Mall of Asia Globe to kick-off UN Month, an extended celebration of the founding anniversary of the United Nations on 24 October. This year’s theme, “One Common Future, One Common Agenda,” highlights the continued importance of multilateralism and the need for collaboration and cooperation among all sectors of society in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future for all.