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Former PNP chief Oscar Albayalde

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Albayalde joins Bato in seeking gov't protection VOL. XXXVIIIDantes • NO. 227• 3 SECTIONS PAGES P20 •MONDAY, 30, Ferdinand 2024 • Hague is16 already in the • pipeline. hopeSEPTEMBER that our President By Charles

and Maricel V. Cruz

He joins his predecessor, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, in seeking government protection from the global tribunal that has charged them of being primary co-conspirators in the previous administration’s bloodsoaked war against drugs. “I am also counting on the government’s protection… I have not lost

Marcos, Jr. [will extend protection],” he said in Filipino. Albayalde, who is running for mayor of Angeles City, asked for protection from the incumbent administration even as he attended a proDuterte rally in the city to express his support for his former boss.

Sen. Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa

PNP resurrecting probe intosets PCSOpre-trial official's slay ICC Sept. 23 FORMER National Police chief Oscar Albayalde is asking the Marcos administration to shield him from the long arms of the International Criminal Court (ICC) amid reports that a warrant for his arrest and extradition to the

PAGASA

Gov’t readies P1.48b aid as 'Julian' strengthens

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 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 VOL. XXXIX • NO. 32 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, MARCH 2025 • other packs worth15, P1.48 billion, food items worth P276 million, and non-food items (NFIs) worth P919 million were already prepared by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Some P171 million in standby fund is also available for utilization by the DSWD, including P123 million which can be allotted as Quick Response Fund (QRF) in the central office of the DSWD. In Batanes, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) advised residents to secure their roofs and install window shutters as Typhoon Julian is expected to make landfall

Rejects another next week, says Rody 'fit, mentally aware' Speakerrequest gratefulfor PMA Classhearing '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm By N. Araja By Rio Charles Dantes, Rachelle Tonelada, Cherrie Anne Villahermosa and Rolando Ng III

T T

HE Philippine National Police HE Hague, Netherlands— The International (PNP) is reopening Criminal Court rejected a petition from the its investigation into President Rodrigo Duterte to camp of former the 2020 of move themurder first hearing to next week, ruling that the Philippine 79-year-oldCharity was "fully mentally aware and fit." Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board first secretary During Duterte' appearance before the ICC via video conference Wesley Barayuga. Friday evening (9:34 p.m., Manila

time) face crimes On toSunday, PNPagainst Chief humanPolice ity charges over his deadly on General Rommel Franciscowar Mardrugs, Presiding Judge Iulia bil said ICC he ordered the reopening of Motoc set the hearing for the coldalso case afternext whistleblower the confirmation of charges on Sept. Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza told 23, 2025. the House Quad Committee that he Duterte, wearing a blue suit and tie, helped carry out the killing at the was allowed to sit down during the enbehest of ex-PCSO general manager tire hearing. Royina Garma. "As Mr. Duterte madebefore a long conjourMendoza narrated ney, involving time difgressmen howa considerable Garma allegedly faference, the the PCSO chamber authorized Mr. cilitated official’s roadside Duterte to follow at a disassassination on the Julyhearing 30, 2020 by tance,” Motoc said. providing the necessary information Motoc informed him of the crimes about his schedule, details about his he is alleged to have committed, as vehicle and the funding necessary to well as his rights as a defendant. carry it out.

Next page 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-

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.

Palace won’t stop Rody fans Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry from airing sentiments Next page

By Vince Lopez DOTr’ s Bautista and Rosas Olarte says online news report‘unfounded'

MALACAÑANG said it would not bar supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte from venting out their sentiments as he faces trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity. At a press briefing on Friday, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said it is the right of supporters to express their feelings over Duterte’s current predicament. Next page

BAUTISTA

By Darwin Amojelar

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 “unacceptable.” However, House members argued they did not come by their suspicions about Yang recklessly. On Friday, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga and Deputy Speaker David Suarez of Quezon presented a matrix showing Yang’s first appearance and his subsequent activities at the 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 main actors or players in the issue

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said the Special Action Force (SAF) officer allegedly hurt

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 IN TACLOBAN. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is welcomed New Zealand, and the United “Bautista and his long-time protege in by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Tacloban City Manila’s Mayor Alfred States within exclusive Philippine Airlines, Undersecretary for Romualdez and Marty Romualdez upon his arrival at Tacloban City Airport economic zone (EEZ) in the reAviation and Airports Bobby Lim, are yesterday to attend the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Grand gionalPilipinas waters senatorial over the slate weekend. at the center ofPlaza the storm after it was Rally at the Libertad. Philippine Navy Spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy VinNext page

THE Philippine government on Sunday publicly called for the Unitof illegal drugs and illegal activities ed Nations (UN) to give it a seat on associated with POGOs,” Suarez said the UN Security Council, highlightin a mixture of Filipino and English. ing the country’s strong record and The solons explained how the dedication to upholding the rule of matrix details Yang’s connections to law. other individuals involved in illicit Department of Foreign Affairs activities, including the operations of (DFA) Secretary Manalo in illegal POGOs. PRELIMINARIES. The Enrique International a speech delivered at the UN GenCriminal Court (ICC) begins proceedings Among the companies implicated eral Assembly in New York said the the crimes against humanity charges are Brickhartz Technology inInc. Philippines continues President Rodrigo to emphasize and Xionwei Technology Co. against Ltd., former the “importance of upholding the Duterte by conducting yesterday an which are being linked to alleged initial appearance hearing at the ICC's rule of law and the integrity of the kidnapping. pre-trial chamber 1 venue, inset, multilateral system in led the by face of toThe two firms supposedly Presiding Judge Antoanella Motoc, day’s Iulia global challenges.” have connections with the Baofu at left, of Romania. Duterte, at right, Quoted by reports, Manalo also Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, was represented by former Executive said: “The Philippines has consiswhich, in turn, can be directly traced Secretary Salvador Medialdea. tently pursued peace, the sovereign to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo. ICC video grab equality of states, the rights and digDuring Friday’s Quad Comm nity of all persons.” hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang He added that the country is also in contempt for “lying” to about his recognized as the “first Asian Rebusinesses and business partners.

Injured lady cop won't press charges vs. Honeylet

By Vinceclaim Lopez Navy spokes debunks China of military exercises in Scarborough shoal By Rex Espiritu

PH lobbies UN for Security Council seat

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 that sometimes, China is doing this for their skipped internalaaudiSEN. Imee Marcos camence, right?led Forbythem not to Presilook paign sortie her brother, weak and embarrassed,” dent Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Trinidad yesterday said. and criticized the arrest of his predecesChinese sor,Two Rodrigo Duterte.warships were monitored at a distance "I CANNOT ACCEPT ranging WHAT from eight to nautical miles. HAPPENED TO14 PRRD. I apologize to One of these went because up to I1,000 my Waray kababayans won’t yards MMCA site but rally evenbe ableattothejoin the campaign in tually went not Tacloban." Sen.away. Marcos“It said was in a social threatening, media post. just normal,” accordThe President together with NextHouse page

by former president Rodrigo Duterte's partner, Honeylet Avanceña, will no longer pursue a complaint of direct assault against her. PNP spokesperson BGen. Jean Fa-

jardo said talked to SAF chief MGen. Mark Pespes about the decision of one of his personnel. "It is the police officer’s personal Next page

Pinoys closely Imee Marcos, Villars oppose over VP Duterte’s turnover to The Hague divided Sara’s impeachment

Speaker Martin Romualdez led the rally of the administration's Senate ticket in Tacloban City, Leyte, her family's By Rachelle Tonelada bailiwick. AWARD. Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings, "I honored am studying the events to Association NEARLY half its of Outstanding Filipinos, or 45%, was by the Philippine Retailers (PRA) with enlighten the public andAward comeforup Filipino Retailers President his visionary leadership retailimpeachment development. of disagree within the (From to right): PRA Director and Director of SM Retail Jorge T. Sara Mendiola, PRA acwith a left realistic solution regarding Vice President Duterte, President andformer President and COO of Golden, ABC, Inc. Penshoppe Group) theVice arrest of the president," cording to (The a recent non-commisT. Liu, SM Prime Holdings Executive Committee Hans T.conducted Sy, sheAlice added. Marcos is part Chairman of the of the sioned Pulse Asia survey PRA President and Chairman Quorum Inc. (Toby’s Sports) Roberto 12-member Senate slate of of the Aly- International, from February 20 to 26. S. Claudio, and PRA Director and President of Sportshouse Int’l. Leisure, Inc. and ansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas. proponent of PRA OFR President’s Award Mars C. The Chua survey revealed that 26% Next page