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15 cops under custody over ‘sabungeros’ case PNP resurrecting probe F into PCSO official's slay FIVE LOCAL HOLIDAYS IN OCT. NEWS / A3
ISRAEL CONTINUES TO POUND HEZBOLLAH WORLD / A6
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 227• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 •
Barretto denies hand in disappearances, ready to cooperate By Pot Chavez and Charles Dantes
IFTEEN police officers who allegedly carried out “executions” in the case of the missing “sabungeros” have been placed under restricted duty, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday said.
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 139 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, JULY 5, 2025 •
Speaker grateful for PMA Class '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm
“There is already a restriction imBy Rio posed onN. theAraja 15 PNP personnel in-
volved in the case,” he said in an interview withHE reporters. Philippine “They have to report to offices so National Police they remain there. This is to prevent them from(PNP) causing is anyreopening further harm,” he added. itsAsked investigation into to clarify the nature of the the murder of case, Recops’2020 involvement in the mulla said they were tasked Philippine Charity to “carry out executions” of the disappeared Sweepstakes Office Next page “sabungeros.”
T
(PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.
Gaming shares dip as solons target online gambling
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. ByMendoza Jennifer B. Austria, narrated before congressmen Garma allegedly faMaricelhow V. Cuz cilitated the PCSO official’s roadside and Vito Barcelo assassination on July 30, 2020 by providing the necessary information THE his backlash against online about schedule, details aboutgamhis bling, triggered at the Catholic vehicle and the funding necessary to Church’s pulpit and later on spread to carry it out. theThe halls of Congress, also is starting to be whistleblower implicated felt in the pockets of leading gaming incumbent National Police Comcompanies.Edilberto Leonardo in the missioner planning of the murder. “It is thewas prerogative our Barayuga a retiredof police lawmakers to propose laws which general and lawyer who supposedly they thinktowill be beneficial to withthe threatened expose corruption — PAGCOR inpublic” the PCSO shortly before he was shot dead in Mandaluyong City. Garma, herself an ex-police Lt. Data from the Philippine Colonel, allegedly gained theStock top Exchange (PSE) showed spot at the PCSO because ofDigiPlus’ her instock price fell to P38.74 as Next of Thurspage day from a recent high of P65.30. The company operates leading online gaming platforms BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and PeryaGame. In a disclosure to the stock exchange, DigiPlus Interactive Corp. attributed the sharp decline to market
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.
ICC junks Duterte’s appeal to remove 2 judges Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry THE International Criminal Court (ICC) has denied the request filed by THE counsel of Duterte’s Chinese former legal president Rodrigo businessman Tony Yang soughtfrom to lawyers to disqualify two judges disparage lawmakers’ conclusions hearing the case against him. about his client’s In a decision dated July supposedly 3, the plenasketchy pastsaid and his no alleged ties ry of judges it found grounds to with Overseas Gaming doubt Philippine the impartiality of Judges Reine Operators (POGOs) and even Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and organized crime. María del Socorro Flores Liera. Lawyer Fortun "The plenary Raymond of judges, acting unanquestioned the that House Quad imously, considers no actual nor Committee’s impartiality andarises its reasonable apprehension of bias 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
in respect of Judges Alapini-Gansou and Flores. The plenary of judges conadviser of the former President siders that judges acted, atRodrigo all times, Duterte. in accordance with the judicial duties Fortun, toa lawyer who often finds assigned them under the (Rome) himself at the center high-profile Statute," read the order signed by ICC cases, apparently soughtAkane. to mock President, Judge Tomoko congressmen, calling their probe In their request, the defense coun“unacceptable.” sels claimed the two judges had preHowever, House members argued judged the case against Duterte since they did not come bypart theirinsuspicions the magistrates took earlier proabout Yang recklessly. ceedings before Duterte's arrest which On Friday, Seniorthe Deputy Speaker determined whether ICC continued 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
to have jurisdiction following the former president’s order for the Philipofpines illegal drugs andfrom illegal activities to withdraw the Rome Statassociated with2019. POGOs,” Suarez said ute in March in a Meanwhile, mixture of Filipino and English. the ICC’s Office of The solons explained how the Prosecutor has submitted the the 11th matrix Yang’s connections batch details of evidence against Duterte tofor other individuals in case illicitin his crimes againstinvolved humanity activities, including operations connection with his the “drug war.” of illegal POGOs. Based on a document dated July 1, the companies implicated theAmong prosecution team presented over a are Brickhartz Technology Inc.to thousand pieces of new evidence and Xionwei Technology Co. Ltd., Next page 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 By Maricel Cruzpartners. businesses and V. business
Navy spokes debunks China claim of military exercises in Scarborough shoal
THE impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is not optional and should proceed once the 20th Congress formally convenes, House prosecutor and Bukidnon Rep. Jonathan Keith T. Flores said yesterday. “No, it is not optional. As soon as it is filed, it is my understanding that
DOTr’s Bautista says online news report‘unfounded' Boost fisheries with more cold storage facilities—PBBM Next page
BAUTISTA
By Rex Espiritu
cent Trinidad told reporters that Manila troops did not monitor By Darwin Amojelar any such activity, adding that BeiTHE Philippine Navy debunked jing’s statement was meant only on Sunday the recent announceTRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime for its internal audience. ment by China that it conducted Bautista denied an online news report “Our troops did not observe military exercises off Bajo de claiming that Malacañang was angry any exercise, we have to underMasinloc, also known as Scarborwith the increase in airport fees without stand that sometimes, China is ough Shoal, in the West Philipthe approval of the Cabinet members. doingLaurel this Tiu forvisit their internalSantos audiBOOSTING FISHERIES. R. Marcos Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Francis the General pine Sea (WPS). “The Bilyonaryo article is President mali- Ferdinand Fish Port Complex to assess the situation of fisherfolk and engage with stakeholders in the fishing industry. As part of the visit, the ence, right? For them not to look China reportedly made the ancious and unfounded,” Bautista said President leads the distribution of fish aggregating devices, boats, and fish processing equipment to help increase income opportunities weak and embarrassed,” Trinidad nouncement coinciding with the in Viber message, the for afisherfolk and ensurereferring that their to hard work yields better incomes. said. fourth Multilateral Maritime Cowebsite that published the said story. Two Chinese warships were operative Activity between the “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” he added. monitored at a organization distance ranging Philippines, Australia, Japan, The international marine protection Oceana Bilyonaryo reported online that By Charles Dantes from eight to 14 nautical miles. New Zealand, and the United warned of further declines in fishery production due to “Bautista and his long-time protege in One of theseoperations went up inside to 1,000 States within Manila’s exclusive unregulated commercial fishing the Philippine Airlines, Undersecretary for PRESIDENT Marcos on Friday reaffirmed his adminisyards at the MMCA butsecurity eveneconomic zone (EEZ) in the re15-kilometer municipal waters, giving rise tosite a food Aviation and Airports Bobby Lim, are tration’s commitment to revitalize the country's fisheriesover the tuallyespecially went away. gional waters weekend. crisis and malnutrition, among “It the was poor not and at the center of the storm after it was industry, recognizing its crucial role in foodPhilippine security and threatening, just normal,” accordNavy Spokesperson vulnerable coastal communities. economic growth. NextRear page Admiral Roy Vinfor WPS Next page Next page
PH-US TRADE DEAL IN THE WORKS NEWS/ A3 PAGASA
Gov’t readies P1.48b aid as 'Julian' strengthens CYBERLIBEL SUIT FILED VS. SASOT
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. NEWS/ A3 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 packs worth P1.48 billion, other 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, theNO Provincial DiCOLD CASE saster Risk Reduction MORE. Families ofand the Management Office (PDRRMO) advised missing sabungeros show the residents secure their roofs and photos to of the disappeared during a call at the Department install window shutters as Typhoon of Justice (DOJ) intoManila Julian is expected make landfall yesterday to seek updates on Next page the unresolved cases of their loved ones. Norman Cruz
PH lobbies UN for Security Council seat THE Philippine government on 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 emphasize the “importance of upholding the NEWS / A3 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 the Senate as is obliged to Asian hear and recognized the “first Re-decide the case,” Flores told a radio inNext page terview. Asked about the possibility of dismissal, he insisted that the Constitution requires the Senate to try impeachment complaints transmitted by the House. “Because their obligation under the Constitution is really to hear and decide [on the case]. That's what is
OVER P1/L FUEL PRICE ROLLBACK
Holding VP Sara’s impeachment trial is ‘not optional’—solon
and Ram Superable Next page
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Romualdez bills on senior discounts, rice among House priorities—Abante ing the previous Congress. Meanwhile, another bill filed by AWARD. Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings, Romualdez provides that the 20-perPASSAGE of by thethe proposed In- Association was honored PhilippineRice Retailers (PRA) with its Outstanding centleadership discount and exemption from the dustry and Consumer Empowerment Filipino Retailers President Award for his visionary in retail development. 12-percent tax enjoyed by (RICE) or right): RICEPRA ActDirector is expected to (FromAct left to and Director of SM Retail value Jorge T.added Mendiola, PRA senior personsGroup) with disPresident and President and COO of Golden, ABC,citizens Inc. (Theand Penshoppe beVice fast-tracked in the 20th Congress, Alicethe T. Liu, SMrecord Prime Holdings Chairman Executive T. Sy,promoability willCommittee be on topHans of any citing track of the House of of the PRA President and Chairman of Quorum International, Inc. or (Toby’s Sports) Roberto tional offer discount given by busiRepresentatives under the leadership Claudio, and PRA Director and President Int’l. Leisure, Inc. and ness establishments. of S.reelected Leyte 1st District Rep. of Sportshouse proponent of PRA OFR President’s Award Mars C. Chua Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez durNext page
By Maricel V. Cruz