MAY 11-14, 2019 Volume 29 - No. 36 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages
DATELINE
USA
AFP on red alert for midterm elections by NATHALIE
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
US seeks bigger drills with PH THE United States Army wants larger joint exercises with the Philippine Army, as it seeks to increase the number of soldiers who will join next year’s counterterrorism exercises from 900 to 1,500. Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, Army spokesman, said Maj. Gen. John Johnson, the U.S. Army Pacific Command deputy commanding general, made the proposal during his visit to the army headquarters at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City on Tuesday, May 7. Zagala said Johnson met with Lt. Gen. Macairog Alberto, the Philippine Army chief, and proposed the holding of large scale that will focus on counterterrorism for the Salaknib (shield) exercises for 2020. Salaknib exercises are army-to-army drills between Manila and Washington conducted yearly since 2015 as part of the mutual defense treaty between the two nations. For next year, Zagala said Johnson was proposing the deployment of more troops. “It’s still a proposal; it’s a proposed concept and although both armies are committed to it, we are still waiting for the final plan. This is, however, for next year’s drills and planning u PAGE A3
Global road traffic deaths hit 1.35-M annually ROAD traffic deaths continue to rise, reaching 1.35 million fatalities annually, according to the United Nations’ World Health Organization (WHO). Children and young people aged five to 29 are now the main victims of road traffic accidents, according to WHO. Globally, of all road traffic deaths, pedestrians and cyclists account for 26 percent and motorcycle riders and passengers make up 28 percent. The risk of a road traffic death remains three times higher in low-income countries than in high-income countries, with rates highest in Africa (26.6 per 100,000 population) and lowest in Europe (9.3 per 100,000 population). “Road traffic deaths and injuries are an unacceptable price to pay for mobility,” said WHO director Etienne Krug. “There is no excuse for inaction. This is a problem with proven solutions. Governments and their partners must demonstrate leadership and accelerate action to save lives by implementing what works,” Krug said. In settings where progress has been made, WHO cited strong leadership around legislation on key risks such as speeding, drinking u PAGE A2
ROBLES
AJPress
AS the upcoming midterm elections draw near, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday, May 10 raised the red alert status in order to ensure national security on Monday, May 13. AFP chief General Benjamin A member of the MPD motorcycle unit checks the driver’s license of a rider at Madrigal Jr. announced that they a checkpoint in Manila on Friday, May 10, as police districts beefed up security raised the red alert status early operations ahead of election day.
Philstar.com photo by Edd Gumban
on Friday to express their support for the national and local elections. “The AFP is on red alert status starting 8 am., May 10, in support to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the upcoming national and local Elections,” Madrigal said. “This declaration is to ensure that our troops and all AFP personnel are ready
to act on any emergency and thwart all possible threats that may arise. We are ready to respond appropriately for the honest, orderly and peaceful conduct of elections,” the AFP chief added. AFP spokesperson Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo earlier said that the military will be deploying around 35,000 troops for the elections. The PNP, on u PAGE A2
Philippines joins three countries for naval drills in South China Sea by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
A QUADRILATERAL cooperative naval drill is currently being conducted in the South China Sea by a Philippine Navy patrol ship and five other warships from Japan, India, and the United States. The Navy spokesman Capt. Jonathan Zata assured, however, that the naval exercise underway in international waters is not directed towards any country in the disputed region. “It’s being held in international waters of the West Philippine Sea. We’re not trying to pick on one country but we are just highlighting the fact that we are cooperating with other navies,” said Zata on Thursday, May 9. Currently, BRP Andres Bonifacio — the Philippine Navy’s patrol ship — is engaging the vessels of Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) JS Izumo and JS Murasame; Indian warships INS Kolkata and Shakit, and the U.S. warship USS William P. Lawrence in different types of naval formation exercises called “Formex.” These exercises are for addressing various types of threats from the air, surface and sub-surface via established terminologies, publication and communication protocols. “That’s what they’re practicing while headed for Singapore for the next phase of the exercise,” Zata said. The first phase of the drill was held in the open waters of Busan, South Korea. Different approach Meanwhile, David Hale, undersecretary for political affairs at the U.S. Department of State, said that Washington will continue to protect its interests as well as that of its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. According to him, the U.S. government wants a constructive relationship with China that produces results for its people and for others involved. “We’re going to be actively defending American u PAGE A5
PH supports increased deployment of women peacekeepers by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
Chargé d’ affaires and Deputy Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN in New York Kira Christianne Azucena said the Philippines has never failed in its peacekeeping commitments and is committed to a larger presence in UN peacekeeping operations. Photo courtesy of DFA
THE Philippines supports the deployment of more women peacekeepers, including in the highest posts during United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions. According to Kira Christianne Azucena, Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, the Philippines has never failed in its peacekeeping commitments and is committed to a larger presence in UN peacekeeping operations. “There is no debate about their preeminent qualification for any aspect of peacekeeping operations,” Azucena said. u PAGE A2
GROWING NETWORK. Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Wednesday, May 8, explains a diagram showing individuals and groups allegedly involved in a wider conspiracy to discredit the Duterte administration. Inquirer.net photo by Joan Bondoc
Ouster plot vs Duterte? No ‘strong evidence’ yet, says PNP by CATHRINE
GONZALES Inquirer.net
MANILA — There is yet a “strong evidence” to say there is indeed a plot to expel President Rodrigo Duterte from power, Philippine National Police (PNP) Spokesperson Col. Bernard Banac said on Friday, May 10. According to Banac, the PNP is still investigating personalities and organizations included in the latest matrices showing alleged hatchers of a scheme to unseat the Presi-
dent. Malacañang on Wednesday presented to the media four matrices — an expanded version of the matrix it initially released last April 22 — of alleged oust-Duterte plotters. Banac also said the PNP did not contribute any information to the Malacañang-produced matrices, although PNP chief General Oscar Albayalde has said before that the President has unlimited sources of information. “Bilang investigation agency, PNP spokesperson Colonel Bernard Banac Inquirer.net photo u PAGE A3
Panelo blames media for noting Diaz, Ho inclusion in Palace’s latest ‘matrix’ by KRISTINE JOY
Philstar.com
PATAG
MANILA — Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo shifted the blame on “some media outfits” for noting in reports that Olympic silver medallist Hidilyn Diaz and celebrity newscaster Gretchen Ho were included in yet another ouster matrix that he presented to reporters. In a statement Friday, May 10, Panelo lamented that “some media outfits have put a spin on the Oust Duterte Matrix by instantly assuming and zeroing in on the supposed inclusion and participation” of Ho and Diaz. u PAGE A4 Celebrity newscaster Gretchen Ho and Olympic silver medallist Hidilyn Diaz
Philstar.com photos