060317 - LA Weekend Edition

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June 3-6, 2017 Volume 27 - No. 45 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages

Security expert: Resorts World attack more likely a robbery by MIKAS

MATSUZAWA Philstar.com

MANILA — A security expert cast doubts on the claim that the Resorts World Manila attack was an act of terror, saying the robbery motive suspected by the police is more likely. “It is still unclear what is the real score. I would tend to believe the claim that it was a robbery,” Joseph Franco, an analyst specializing on counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism, said. “If it was really a lone-wolf attack, there would be more

casualties.” Shortly after the attack early Friday, June 2, the SITE intelligence service, which tracks jihadist activity online, said an Islamic State-linked Filipino operative who provides daily updates on the ongoing clashes in Marawi claimed that “lone wolf soldiers” were responsible for the attack. Distributed across several proISIS Telegram chat groups was an English message by the operative detailing that the attacker intended to burn the casino as the activities inside were haram, or forbidden, by Islam.

The attack in the hotel and casino complex happened amid fear that militants in Marawi might stage an attack elsewhere to divert the attention of government forces quelling the siege there. Lone wolf attack a ‘sign of weakness’ Franco said a lone wolf attack is actually a sign of weakness. He noted that ISIS-inspired lone wolves resort to such operations because there is no organization to plug into. In the Philippines, however, terrorism is more organized, he added.

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CCTV footage shows the still unidentied lone gunman who went on rampage inside the Resorts World Manila in Pasay City on Friday, June 2. Authorities said robbery was the likely motive of the attack as more than PHP100 million worth of casino chips were found in his area. Several were injured as a result of the ensuing panic. Photo courtesy of Southern Police District

Clients and workers of Resorts World Manila in Pasay City scampered for safety when pandemonium broke loose after a still unidentied lone gunman red warning shots and set on re gaming tables inside the luxury hotel casino on Friday, June 2.

House, Senate pass Trump condoles with victims resolution supporting of Resorts World Manila attack DATELINE USA Duterte hits back Mindanao martial law at Chelsea Clinton: Did you slam your father’s affair? FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

by JOSE

KATIGBAK Philstar.com

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte hit back hard at former United States’ first daughter Chelsea Clinton over her criticisms against his recent rape remark. In a speech during the Philippine Navy’s anniversary on Wednesday, May 31, Duterte made referChelsea Clinton ence to former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Chelsea’s father, who had an affair with Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern, in 1998.

EXPRESSING its “full support,” both the House of Representatives and the Senate said it found “no reason” to revoke Philippine President Rodrigo’s recent implementation of martial law and suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao. On Wednesday, May 31, the House adopted Resolution No. 1050, which supports the Philippine president’s move. “Resolved by the House of Representatives, to express its full support to President Rodrigo Duterte as it finds no reason to revoke Proclamation Number 216, entitled ‘Declaring a State of Martial Law and Suspending the Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus in the whole of Mindanao” the House resolution read. The House also said it has “determined the sufficiency of the factual basis for the issuance of Proclamation Number 216.” Earlier on Tuesday, May 30, the Senate likewise adopted its amended Resolution No. 388 which says it has “no compelling reason” to revoke Duterte’s Proclamation Number 216.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. President Donald Trump offered “his thoughts and prayers” to those affected by the violence at the Resorts World Manila before his momentous announcement he was pulling the United States out of the Paris Climate accord. But reports said Trump got laughs as he called the violence in the casino complex a “terrorist attack” when Philippine authorities had yet to make such determination. “I would like to begin by addressing the terrorist attack in Manila,” Trump said at the start of his speech before it was found that the shooting incident was caused by a robbery attempt. “We’re closely monitoring the situation but it is really very

sad as to what’s going on in the world with terror. Our thoughts and our prayers are with all of those affected,” he added. A U.S. official was quoted as saying that Trump was “freelancing” when he associated the shooting incident in Resorts World Manila with terrorism and “a laugh went up in the Situation Room” after Trump made the comment. U.S. First Lady Melania Trump also expressed her thoughts and prayers to those who were injured during the incident at the casino complex. The immediate reaction among the Filipino community in the Washington area was that President Duterte would declare martial law throughout the Philippines. Last week, Duterte declared a 60-day martial law in Mindanao because of the battle for Marawi, a largely Muslim city, which

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Pres. Donald Trump

forced the evacuation of thousands of people and left at least 140 people dead. U.S., UK, Australia warn their citizens The embassies of the U.S., United Kingdom and Australia issued urgent warnings to their citizens to exercise a heightened degree of caution while in the Philippines following the shooting incident at Resorts World Manila. The U.S. embassy in Manila issued an emergency message

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Sandigan OKs Junjun Tourism chief: Nickelodeon Study finds Healthy park in Coron to push through Binay’s US vacation California Act will DOT confident in resiliency of PH tourism u PAGE A3

by ELIZABETH

MARCELO Philstar.com

cost billions less and cover millions more than current system

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

DESPITE heavy opposition from environmental advocates and concerned citizens, the planned construction of Nickelodeon theme park in Coron, Palawan will still push through, according to Philippine Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo. Teo made the confirmation in a television interview on Thursday, June 1, almost six months after the project was announced. “Yes, they’re pushing through,” Teo told CNN Philippines. Last January, Nickelodeon’s parent company Viacom, in partnership with Coral World Park Un-

Middle class families and California businesses would pay less and receive more coverage

SACRAMENTO, CA – A study by national researchers released Wednesday, May 31, found that the Healthy California Act (Senate Bill 562) will save billions of dollars while expanding coverage to uninsured and underinsured Californians. “Healthcare costs Californians billions and one-third of people with healthcare still don’t have enough coverage,” said Senator Ricardo Lara. “The good news is that California

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Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo

AJPress le photo by Wanda Teo

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MANILA — The Third Division of the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan has allowed former Makati mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay to push through with his three-week vacation to the United States together with his children. As he prayed for in his motion, Binay was allowed to stay in United States of America from June 8 to 30. He is specifically allowed to travel to the states of California, New York and Washington – the places he cited in his motion to travel filed before the court on May 22. The Third Division did not give weight on the prosecution’s position that Binay must not be allowed to leave the country as he is

Former Makati City Mayor Junjun Binay

supposedly a flight risk given the gravity of the cases he is facing in court. Binay is facing four counts of graft, one count of malversation of public funds and six counts of falsification of public documents before the Third Division in con-

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