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(Story on A4) FIVE LOCAL BATS FOR 99-YEAR SPEAKER LAND LEASE FOR FOREIGNERS HOLIDAYS IN OCT.
File photo dated July 27, 2016 shows President Duterte during a National Security Council meeting attended by four former presidents including (from left) Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Fidel V. Ramos and Benigno Aquino III. Presidential Spokesman Harry NEWS / A3 Roque says Malacanang is inclined to ask the four ex-presidents to attend a meeting on issues besetting the West Philippine Sea. NSC file
NEWS / A3 4th impeach rap ISRAEL vs. VPCONTINUES looms; TO POUND HEZBOLLAH 12 more solons WORLD / A6 to endorse cases
NEARLY 5 MILLION HELPED BY AKAP NEWS / A4 VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 227• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 •
TERRORISTS EYED IN TRUMP TOWER BLAST
PNP resurrecting probe Suspected Chinese sub into PCSO official's slay drone found in Masbate By Maricel Cruz
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 322• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2025 •
AT LEAST 10 to 12 lawmakers from across party lines are planning to endorse one of the three impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte, a House official said yesterday as a fourth rap may be filed next week. House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said the lawmakers set to endorse one of the impeachment raps are from both the majority and minority blocs, but he declined to identify them. Velasco said his office is already verifying the three impeachment complaints previously filed against Duterte even as some House members havea asked for more time for the filing of a possible fourth case before these are referred to the Next page BySpeaker. Rio N. Araja
Gov’t readies P1.48b aid as 'Julian' strengthens
Speaker grateful for PMA Class '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm
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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.
Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry SPY SUB DRONE. Soldiers gather around the
Chinese-made submersible drone recovered near San Pascual, Masbate on December 30, 2024. PNP-Bicol
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 Presidential Communications Office questioned the House Quad (PCO) announced yesterday. Committee’s impartiality and its Acting PCO Secretary Cesar ability to pin Chinese national Yang Chavez told reporters in a Viber mesdown for ay wrongdoing in a real sage that the chief executive met with criminal court. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin “I am very interested in how they on Thursday to “compare notes” [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 sumes office on January 20.economic Yang, a presidential Citing information obtained from US law enforcement agencies, the Philippine envoy said Thursday that the incoming administration is poised to expel undocumented aliens who are most
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 “unacceptable.” However, House members argued they did not come by their suspicions ahead of the first Cabinet meeting of about Yang recklessly. 2025. On Friday, Senior Deputy Speaker Chavez added that big-ticket proAurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga grams and Official Development Asand Deputy Speaker David Suarez of sistance (ODA)-funded projects are Quezon presented a matrix showing also on the agenda of next week’s Yang’s first appearance and his page subsequent activities at theNext Quad Comm hearing. “We saw a pattern, and we tracked it to the top of these corporations... we stripped it of its layers , to get to the top and through it all, we have discovered and identified at least two likelyactors to poseor national security main players in therisks. issue “They [Trump administration] will begin with those with criminal records and those involved in terrorist activities,” he told Super Radyo Next page dzBB in Filipino.
By Rex Espiritu
cent Trinidad told reporters that Manila troops did not monitor any such activity, adding that Beijing’s statement was meant only for its internal audience. “Our troops did not observe any exercise, we have to understand sometimes, China is THE that Presidential Anti-Organized doing for their internal Crime this Commission (PAOCC)audihas ence, For them not towho look warnedright? that property owners alweak andestablishments embarrassed,” Trinidad low their to be used by said. illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Two Chinese Operators (POGOs) warships could face were severe monitored at a distance rangingof consequences, including the seizure from eight to 14 nautical miles. their properties. OnePAOCC of these went Director up to 1,000 Executive Gilbert yards at the site butmay evenCruz stated thatMMCA the organization inititually went away.proceedings “It wasagainst not ate criminal forfeiture threatening, just property owners whonormal,” knowinglyaccordfacilitate Next illegal POGO operations. Nextpage page
Marcos’ legacy projects on Cabinet meeting agenda DOTr’ s Bautista By Charles Dantes says online news report‘unfounded' PRESIDENT Marcos is scheduled to meet with his official family on January 7 to discuss the administration’s legacy projects as his term approaches the halfway marker, the
‘Trump to deport criminals, terrorists first’ PHILIPPINE Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez said the Trump administration will prioritize the deportation of illegal immigrants linked to criminal or terrorist activities when it asBAUTISTA
By Darwin Amojelar
THE government has readied P1.48 billion worth of aid for communities that may be hit hard by typhoon ‘Julian’ which PAGASA says could turn into a supertyphoon. As of 5:00 PM on Sunday, PAGASA raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 over Batanes and the northeastern portion of Babuyan Islands. “’Julian’ is forecast to continue intensifying over the next 24-36 hours as it moves towards Batanes and/or Babuyan Islands. With the By Rex Espiritu, Maricel current trend in its intensification, Cruz and Rosas Olarte the possibility of reaching super typhoon category is not ruled out,” SUBMARINE PAGASA said in its advisory. Meanwhile, the suspected National Disasdrone ter Risk Reduction and Manageto (NDRRMC) be from China ment Council said that awas totalrecovered of 1.9 million food infamily internal packs worth P1.48 billion, other waters Masbate, food itemsoff worth P276 million, and non-food items on (NFIs) worth P919 police said Thursday, million were already prepared by warning of "potential the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). national security Some P171 million in standby implications." fund is also available for utilization by the DSWD, including P123 milfound the torpelionThree whichfishermen can be allotted as Quick do-shaped drone, marked "HY-119" Response Fund (QRF) in the cenand office measuring meters long with tral of thetwo DSWD. fins, around nine kilometers off Dithe In Batanes, the Provincial coast of San Pascual in Masbate on saster Risk Reduction and ManageMonday. ment Office (PDRRMO) advised Regionto5secure policetheir director residents roofs Brig. and Gen. Andre Dizon said: "Based on install window shutters as Typhoon our open-source research on the inJulian is expected to make landfall ternet... HY-119 refers to a Chinese Next page underwater navigation and communication system.” "It has an antenna and an eye that can be used for viewing. Based on our research, this can be used for monitoring and reconnaissance,” Dizon added. Sealight director and retired US Air Force officer Ray Powell said the drone might have been conducting seabedPhilippine mapping for future submarine THE government on deployments. Sunday publicly called for the Unit“If this(UN) is atoChinese ed Nations give it a drone, seat on as seems likely, it indicates a troubling the UN Security Council, highlight-
Experts warn of Beijing's interest in PH internal waters
HE Philippine National Police (PNP) is reopening its investigation into the 2020 murder of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.
On Sunday, PNP Chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil said he ordered the reopening of the cold case after whistleblower Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza told the House Quad Committee that he helped carry out the killing at the behest of ex-PCSO general manager Royina Garma. Mendoza narrated before congressmen how Garma allegedly facilitated the PCSO official’s roadside assassination on July 30, 2020 by providing the necessary information about his schedule, details about his vehicle and the funding necessary to carry it out. The whistleblower also implicated incumbent National Police Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo in the planning of the murder. Barayuga was a retired police general and lawyer who supposedly threatened to expose corruption within the PCSO shortly before he was shot dead in Mandaluyong City. Garma, herself an ex-police Lt. Colonel, allegedly gained the top spot at the PCSO because of her in-
PAGASA
WORLD / A6
Navy spokes debunks China claim of military exercises in Scarborough shoal
THE Philippine Navy debunked on Sunday the recent announceTRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime ment by China that it conducted Bautista denied an online news report military exercises off Bajo de claiming that Malacañang was angry Masinloc, also known as Scarborwith the increase in airport fees without ough Shoal, in the West Philipthe approval of the Cabinet members. pine Sea (WPS). “The Bilyonaryo article is maliChina reportedly made the ancious and unfounded,” Bautista said nouncement coinciding with the in a Viber message, referring to the fourth Multilateral Maritime Cowebsite that published the said story. operative Activity between the “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” he added. Philippines, Australia, Japan, Bilyonaryo reported online that New Zealand, and the United “Bautista and his long-time protege in SM MALL OF Undersecretary ASIA’S GRAND PARADE. Over 200 States within Manila’s exclusive Philippine Airlines, for MASCOT mascots brought joy to mall goers at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) on New Year'sinDay. economic zone (EEZ) theThereAviation and Airports Bobby Lim, are Giant Mascot Parade featured giant inflatables and beloved SM MOA characters like Mimi gional waters over the weekend. atthe the of thethe storm it was Catcenter and Momo Dog, after and Sola the Panda from SM Southmall. The SM MOA Royal Philippine Spokesperson Marching Band, guest bands, and cheerleaders filled the air with Navy music, while a meet-andfor the WPS Rear Admiral Roy VinNext page delighted greet and a spectacular fireworks display crowd.
Gov’t to seize assets of POGO coddlers–PAOCC
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. and Xionwei Technology Co. Ltd., which are being linked to alleged kidnapping. The two firms supposedly have connections with the Baofu Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, which, in turn, can be directly traced to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo. During Friday’s Quad Comm hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang in contempt for “lying” to about his businesses and business partners.
PH lobbies UN for Security Council seat
Next page ing 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 emphasize the “importance of upholding the rule of law and the integrity of the multilateral system in the face of today’s global challenges.” Quoted by reports, Manalo also said: “The Philippines has consistently pursued peace, the sovereign equality of states, the rights and dignity of all persons.” He added that the country is also recognized as the “first Asian Re-
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BLESSING OF NAZARENO REPLICAS. Thousands of Catholic faithful accompany replicas of the image of Jesus of Nazarene on its way to Quiapo Church in Manila to participate in the opening day of the Replica and Estandarte blessing. Norman Cruz
14k cops to secure Traslacion—PNP ployed 10,984 officers to mainTHE National Capital Region tain peace and order in the region Police Office (NCRPO) will mofrom December 16, 2024 to Janubilize more than 14,000 cops to ary 1, 2025 wherein they reported secure the upcoming Feast of the that no major incidents, except for Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Masome firecracker-related injuries, nila on January 9. were recorded during the New In a statement, NCRPO acting AWARD. Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings, Year (PRA) revelry. director, Police Brigadier General was honored by the Philippine Retailers Association with its Outstanding “Our intensified visibilAnthony Aberin said the mobiliFilipino Retailers President Award for his visionary leadership in retail police development. key areas, conductPRA of agzation 12,168 officers for (From left includes to right): PRA Director and Director ofity SMinRetail Jorge T.the Mendiola, gressive and relentless anti-crime area and route security and andCOO 2,306 Vice President and President of Golden, ABC, Inc. (The Penshoppe Group) personnel serve as an of theoperations, and the active Alice T. Liu, SMwho Primewould Holdings Chairman Executive Committee Hans T.particiSy, PRA President and force. Chairman of Quorum International, Inc.community (Toby’s Sports) Robertoin augmentation pation of members S. Claudio, PRA Director and President andpage The and NCRPO previously de- of Sportshouse Int’l. Leisure, Inc.Next proponent of PRA OFR President’s Award Mars C. Chua