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FIVE LOCAL SUPER TYPHOON 'LEON' ON TRACK TO EXIT PH TODAY; SIGNAL 4 IN BATANES
HOLIDAYS IN OCT.
/ A3 SSSNEWS CALLS OUT DELINQUENT FIRMS ISRAEL CONTINUES NEWS / A3 TO POUND HEZBOLLAH VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 227• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 • WORLD / A6 PCSO TURNS OVER 90 PTVS TO LGUS
PNP resurrecting probe PNP to reopen ‘cold into PCSO official's slay cases’ of drug war EJKs
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 258• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2024 •
NEWS / A2
Speaker grateful for PMA Class '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm
Rody's Senate testimony transcript sent to ICC—Trillanes
By Rio N. Araja
T T
HE Philippine By Ratziel San Juan, Police Vince National Lopez, Ralph Rirao (PNP) and Rio Arajais reopening
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DOTr’s Bautista says online news report‘unfounded'
SUPER Typhoon “Leon” is expected to make landfall along the eastern coast of Taiwan today (Thursday) as it intensified while moving closer to Batanes, which is under Signal No. 4. The state weather bureau said “Leon” may leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility this evening or by PAGASA Friday early morning. PAGASA the hoisting of Signal No. 5 has not been ruled out in the event that the super typhoon moves to the left of its forecast track. As of 4 p.m. yesterday, “Leon” was estimated at 215 kilometers east southeast of Basco, Batanes, moving northwestward at 20 kilometers per hour, with maximum sustained winds of 185 kph near the center and gustiTHE has readied P1.48 ness government of up to 230 kph. billion worth Ferdinand of aid for "Bongbong" communiPresident ties that may hit hard by typhoon Marcos Jr. onbe Wednesday directed lo‘Julian’ which PAGASA says could cal government units along the path turn into a supertyphoon. of "Leon" to prepare for its possible As ofdespite 5:00 PM on Sunday, PAimpact the forecast. GASA raised Tropical Cyclone "Unfortunately, it looks like anothWind Signal No. 3 over er one is coming our way. SoBatanes let’s get and thefor northeastern portion of Baready it," the President said. buyan Islands. Next page “’Julian’ is forecast to continue intensifying over the next 24-36 hours as it moves towards Batanes and/or Babuyan Islands. With the current trend in its intensification, the possibility of reaching super typhoon category is not ruled out,” PAGASA said in its advisory. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that a total of 1.9 million family food packs worth P1.48 billion, other food items worth P276 million, and non-food items (NFIs) worth P919 million were already prepared by the of Social Welfare By Department Charles Dantes and Development (DSWD). Some P171Marcos million in standby PRESIDENT is optimistic fund also available utilization that is a newly opened for distribution by P123 milhubthe in DSWD, Calamba,including Laguna, will help lion whichthe canPhilippines’ be allottedlogistics as Quick transform Response (QRF) in in thethe censector intoFund a major player tral office of DSWD. movement ofthe goods in Southeast In Batanes, the Provincial DiAsia. saster Risk and Manage"With theReduction grand opening of the ment (PDRRMO) MaerskOffice Optimus Distribution advised Cenresidents to secure theirwill roofs ter, our logistics system be aand install window shutters as Typhoon step closer to becoming a powerJulian is expected to our make landfall ful force—bridging islands, breathing life into our industries, Next page our businesses, and bringing together our people on a path towards sustained development," the President said during the facility's inauguration on Wednesday. The P4.8-billion distribution center, equipped with advanced technology, is envisioned to serve the CALABARZON and Bicol regions, which encompass Next pageon THE Philippine government 11 provinces. Sunday publicly called for the United Nations (UN) to give it a seat on the UN Security Council, highlighting the country’s strong record and dedication to upholding the rule of law. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo in a speech delivered at the UN General Assembly in New York said the Philippines continues to spokesperson emphasize legal detention," PNP the “importance upholding the Police BrigadierofGeneral Jean Fajarrule thebriefing. integrity of the do of saidlaw in aand press multilateral system in authorities the face of could toHowever, police day’s globalany challenges.” not offer insights as to the posQuoted by reports, Manalo also sible location of the abductee, or his said: “The Philippines current state of health. has consistentlyWitnesses pursued peace, the sovereign said Eastman was shot equality theof rights digin the of legstates, by one his and kidnappers nity of all when he persons.” tried to resist being snatched He added that the country is coastal also from his in-laws’ house in the recognized as thelast “first Asian17.Retown of Sibuco October
Gov’t readies P1.48b aid as 'Julian' strengthens
Marcos sees PH as ‘powerful force’ in SEA logistics with Calamba hub
its investigation into Philippine the 2020HE murder of National Philippine CharityPolice said itOffice will Sweepstakes investigate thesecretary sworn (PCSO) board statements of former Wesley Barayuga. President Rodrigo On Sunday, PNP Chief Police Duterte during General Rommel Francisco MarSenate bilMonday's said he ordered the reopening of the cold case after whistleblower inquiry into his Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza told bloody war Committee on drugsthat he the House Quad helped carry out the killing at the and re-open cold cases behest of ex-PCSO general manager of alleged Royina Garma. extrajudicial Mendoza narrated to before killings linked the congressmen how Garma allegedly faformer cilitated the administration. PCSO official’s roadside assassination on July 30, 2020 by This as senator Antonio providing the former necessary information Trillanes IV said the transcript about his schedule, details about hisof the Senate Duterte vehicle and thehearing fundingwhere necessary to claimed full legal responsibility for carry it out. his campaign against illegal drugs The whistleblower also implicated and admitted maintaining death incumbent National Police aComsquad in Davao CityLeonardo was already sent missioner Edilberto in the to the International Criminal Court. planning of the murder. "The transcript of the police Senate Barayuga was a retired hearing where the evil (Duterte) adgeneral and lawyer who supposedly mitted a to lotexpose on EJKs was transmitthreatened corruption withto the ICC,"before Trillanes postinted thenow PCSO shortly he was ed in a mix of English and Filipino shot dead in Mandaluyong City. on social media. Next page Garma, herself an ex-police Lt. Colonel, allegedly gained the top spot at the PCSO because of her in-
By Charles Dantes, Rex Espiritu and Rio Araja
A WEB OF CRIME? House leaders Aurelio Gonzales and David Suarez presented this matrix during the last QUAD Comm hearing which shows the operations of a criminal syndicate allegedly led by fugitive Michael Yang, then economic adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, that controlled the illegal activities of the POGOs and was involved in the drug trade and extrajudicial killings. LOGISTICS HUB. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. speaks at the inauguration of the Maersk Optimus Distribution Center in Calamba, Laguna, a logistics hub that will boost import-export activities in Southern Luzon, especially in the Calamba,Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon corridor and the Bicol Region. The President said the facility will help decongest Manila and create 1,000 direct jobs and 1,000 indirect jobs for vendors, service providers, truckers, and others. He also recognized Maersk and Solid Group, Incorporated for supporting the government's initiatives towards a cleaner and more environmentally friendly New Philippines. PCO
Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry THE legal counsel of Chinese businessman Tony Yang sought to disparage lawmakers’ conclusions about his client’s supposedly sketchy past and his alleged ties with Philippine Overseas Gaming Operators (POGOs) and even organized crime. Lawyer Raymond Fortun questioned the House Quad Committee’s impartiality and its ability to pin Chinese national Yang down for ay wrongdoing in a real criminal court. “I am very interested in how they [Quad Comm members] can prove this criminal network in court. In Congress, lawmakers act as both prosecutor and judge,” he said. Yang, who already admitted having a fake Philippine birth certificate, is the brother of Michael Yang, a presidential economic
adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Fortun, a lawyer who often finds himself at the center high-profile cases, apparently sought to mock congressmen, calling their probe FLOWERS “unacceptable.” FOR THE However, House members argued DEPARTED. they did not come by Anticipating their suspicions a about Yang recklessly.rush of Undas On Friday, Senior Deputy Speaker customers, a Aurelio Gonzales Jr.store of attendant Pampanga and Deputy Speaker David Suarez of arranges of Quezon presented a bouquets matrix showing flowers at the his Yang’s first appearance and Flower subsequent activitiesFarmers at the Quad shop at the Comm hearing. “We saw a pattern,Araneta and weCity tracked Center in Cubao, it to the top of theseQuezon corporations... City. we stripped it of its layers to get to Manny, Palmero the top and through it all, we have discovered and identified at least two main actors or players in the issue
of illegal drugs and illegal activities associated with POGOs,” Suarez said in a mixture of Filipino and English. The solons explained how the matrix details Yang’s connections to other individuals involved in illicit activities, including the operations of illegal POGOs. Among the companies implicated are Brickhartz Technology Inc. By Xionwei Vince Lopez and Technology Co. Ltd., which are being linked to alleged THE Philippine National Police kidnapping. (PNP) Wednesday that The ontwo firms announced supposedly three suspects in the kidnapping have connections with the Baofuof American vlogger Elliot Eastman Compound in Bamban, Tarlac,in Zamboanga del Norte are now in powhich, in turn, can be directly traced lice custody. to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo. "Yesterday, a case was filedComm against During Friday’s Quad six identified suspects. Inquest prohearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang ceedings were held. Three of the in contempt for “lying” to about sushis pects are now in custody… The case businesses and business partners. filed is for kidnapping and serious il-
PH lobbies UN for Security Council seat
3 kidnappers of American vlogger caught; victim’s fate still unknown
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Gov’t agencies revNavy upspokes measures debunks China claim cast US voters for Undas exodusofnationwide military exercises in Scarborough shoal ballots as polls BAUTISTA
By Vince Lopez, Joel Zurbano and By Darwin Amojelar Rio Araja
TRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime Bautista denied an online news report THE Philippine National Police claiming wassecurity angry (PNP) isthat nowMalacañang on heightened with in airport feescountry's without alertthe inincrease preparation for the the approval of the members. observance All Cabinet Saints’ Day and All “TheDay. Bilyonaryo article is maliSouls’ cious unfounded,” said In and a press briefingBautista Wednesday, inPNP a Viber message, Police referringBrigadier to the spokesperson website the said story. Generalthat Jeanpublished Fajardo said 21,000 po“Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” he added. lice personnel will be deployed for Bilyonaryo reported online that Undas. “Bautista and his long-timeour protege in “Effective yesterday, area poPhilippine Airlines, for lice commands andUndersecretary our police regionAviation andareAirports Bobby Lim, al offices on heightened alertareas atpart theofcenter of the storm after was our security plan for theitcoverage of Undas,” she said. Nextdiscrepage Regional directors have the
tion to increase the number of deploy-
By Espiritu mentsRex if needed, according to Fajardo. Malacañang has suspended work THE Philippine Navy in government offices anddebunked classes at on Sunday recent announceall levels fromthe noon onwards today to ment by China to that it conducted allow employees travel to and from military exercises off Undas. Bajo The de the provinces to observe Masinloc, alsosuspension known asofScarborPalace left the work for ough in the privateShoal, companies andWest officesPhilipto the pine Sea (WPS). discretion of their respective heads. China reportedly made the theCivil anIn a related development, nouncement coinciding with the Aviation Authority of the Philippines fourth (CAAP)Multilateral implementedMaritime enhancedCoseoperative Activity between the curity measures at 44 airports nationPhilippines, Australia,safety Japan, wide to ensure passenger durNew andperiod. the United ing theZealand, holiday travel States Manila’s exclusive Last within year, CAAP recorded 2.1 mileconomic zone (EEZ) in theOctorelion passengers traveling from gional waters over the weekend. ber to November, an increase from Navythe Spokesperson 1.9Philippine million during same period for WPS Rear Admiral Roy NextVinpage
show dead heat
cent Trinidad told reporters that Manila troops did not monitor any such activity, adding that Beijing’s statement meant only MORE than 51was million Americans for have its internal audience. cast early ballots ahead of next “Our not observe week'stroops nationaldid election, according anytoexercise, we have to underdata published Tuesday. stand The thatUniversity sometimes, China Elecis of Florida's doing their internal auditionthis Labfor reported that 51,354,949 ence, right?voted For them look people early not via to in-person weak and embarrassed,” Trinidad voting and mail-in ballots. said. Roughly 26.8 million people Two were to have Chinese gone into warships polling stations monitored at a distance ranging vote while 24.6 others have voted from viaeight mail. to 14 nautical miles. One of up more to 1,000 Justthese over went 800,000 Demoyards at than the MMCA site but evencrats Republicans – 9,892,219 tually went away. was not to 9,048,267 – have“It voted early. threatening, just normal,” accordNext page Next page
AWARD. Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings, was honored by the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) with its Outstanding Filipino Retailers President Award for his visionary leadership in retail development. (From left to right): PRA Director and Director of SM Retail Jorge T. Mendiola, PRA Vice President and President and COO of Golden, ABC, Inc. (The Penshoppe Group) DECISION A US voter (bottom) fills Executive out his ballot in a precinct Alice T. Liu, SMTIME. Prime Holdings Chairman of the Committee Hansas T. Sy, early voting began inInternational, the United States aheadSports) of the Nov. 5 PRAin-person Presidentand andmail-in Chairman of Quorum Inc. (Toby’s Roberto elections. Polls this Director time show former US president Donald Inc. Trump S. Claudio, andatPRA andRepublican President of Sportshouse Int’l. Leisure, andand Democrat Vice Kamala Harris in a Mars deadC. heat. AFP proponent of President PRA OFR President’s Award Chua