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Volume 28 - No. 10 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
ma r c h 1 6 - 2 2 , 2 0 1 7
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VP Robredo decries drug war deaths: Filipinos feel ‘hopeless’ and ‘helpless’ stressed that the drug problem took office in July last year, more in the country should be treated than 8,000 people were reportedly as a “public health issue” and not killed in his drug war. the thousands of killings and something that “can be solved by “You cannot kill addicts and human rights abuses in the Phil- bullets alone.” declare the problem solved… We ippine government’s brutal war “the body count due to the drug- must all demand greater transparagainst illegal drugs had left filipi- related killings keeps growing,” ency in the government’s war on nos feel “hopeless” and “helpless,” robredo said. “We are now looking drugs because this is a major, pubVice President Leni robredo said in at some very grim statistics… our licly-funded campaign,” robredo a recorded message to the United people need nothing less than a remarked. Nations (UN). safe environment.” While Philippine government CIVIL. President Rodrigo Duterte (center) and Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo (left), estranged leaders of the nation, attend In a video message uploaded since President rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly insisted that the the graduation rites of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) at Fort Del Pilar in Baguio City on Sunday, March 12. They were placed one on monday, march 13, robredo launched the campaign when he ManilaTimes.net photo by Thom Picaña PAGE A2 seat apart, with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana sandwiched between them. by Dana
SioSon AJPress
DATELINE
Cayetano likely to not replace Yasay as foreign affairs chief
USA
from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA
Filipinos advised to remain vigilant of imposter scams CoNsUmers in the United states lost a whopping $744 million to scams in 2016, according to the latest federal trade Commission (ftC) report. that number could go up this year, especially considering what’s happening in the news with the executive orders on immigration and proposed legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). “fraud tends to follow the headlines. What’s in the headlines is something that is likely to be transformed into some kind of a fraud,” monica Vaca, acting associate director of the ftC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, told reporters during a recent press call. Vaca is urging consumers to stay updated with the news “for a clue on where we might see fraudsters hitting next.” from last year, out of the 1.3 million fraud reports the ftC received, debt collection topped the complaint list. It was followed by imposter scams and identity theft. 77 percent of the individuals who reported their fraud experiences said they were contacted by phone, while 8 perPAGE A2
Filipino immigrants urged to know their rights amid deportations and raids IN recent weeks, raids and deportations by Immigration and Customs enforcement (ICe) officials are reportedly increasing across the country following President Donald trump’s immigration executive orders. Because of this, organizations such as Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles (Advancing Justice-LA) are advising immigrant communities to understand how to prepare for and respond in the event ICe agents show up to their homes, workplaces or any public spaces. At a press conference on thursday, march 9, Advancing Justice-LA President and executive Director stewart Kwoh urged communities to be aware that the trump administration’s crackdown will include many Asian and PAGE A3
by Dana
SioSon AJPress
seNAtor Alan Peter Cayetano is reportedly not going to replace Perfecto Yasay Jr. as the new Philippine Department of foreign Affairs (DfA) secretary. President rodrigo Duterte previously offered the DfA chief post to Cayetano, who was also Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes said that recent revelations involving US Navy officers and officials who engaged in prostitution and his running mate in the national lavish parties hosted in Manila by a Malaysian businessman should prod President Duterte to make true his promise to kick US troops out of Philippine soil. Photo courtesy of Bayan Muna election last may. he appointed foreign Undersecretary for Policy enrique PAGE A2 Senator Alan Peter Cayetano
Orgies in Manila, lavish perks mark US Navy bribery scandal by Dana
SioSon AJPress
A NeW indictment unsealed in san Diego, California on tuesday, march 14, added nine high-ranking U.s. Navy officials, including retired Admiral Bruce Loveless, in connection with the so-called “fat Leonard” bribery scandal. the latest federal indictment charged Loveless, four retired Navy captains, a marine colonel and three others of taking bribes – in the forms of sex parties with prostitutes, extravagant dinners, and luxury travel – in exchange for
trading military secrets. “this is a fleecing and betrayal of the United states Navy in epic proportions, and it was allegedly carried out by the Navy’s highest-ranking officers,” Acting U.s. Attorney Alana robinson said in a statement. the indictment claims that the defendants helped former Glenn Defense marine Asia (GDmA) chief executive Leonard Glenn francis, also nicknamed as “fat Leonard,” to pull off a colossal fraud that cost the U.s. government tens of millions of dollars by
overcharging food, water, fuel and other supplies. the Navy officers were facing cases of bribery, conspiracy to commit bribery, honest services fraud and obstruction of justice and making false statements to federal investigators when confronted about their actions. “the alleged conduct amounts to a staggering degree of corruption by the most prominent leaders of the seventh fleet – the largest fleet in the U.s. Navy – actively worked together as a team to trade PAGE A2
‘Madam Secretary’ airs controversial episode despite PH embassy protest by AJPress DesPIte the protest by the Philippine embassy in Washington, CBs Corporation still aired the latest episode of American television series “madam secretary” on sunday, march 12. the Philippine embassy earlier called on CBs to take “necessary corrective actions,” following a “highly negative depiction” of a supposed Philippine president on the American tV series. PAGE A3
Beijing says Manila can’t claim Benham Rise as part of PH territory by aJPreSS
DesPIte recognizing a 2012 ruling of the United Nations (UN), the Chinese government on friday, march 10 said that manila cannot claim Benham rise as part of the Philippine territory. the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental shelf in 2012 approved the submission of manila in 2009, acknowledging that Benham rise is within the continental shelf of the Philippines. Also referred to as Benham Plateau, the region is not part of China’s ninedash claim. No other nation has claimed it apart from the Philippines, which is
also the only country within the 200nautical mile exclusive economic zone (eeZ) of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the sea (UNCLos) of the plateau. Located along the Pacific ocean 250 kilometers (155 miles) east of Isabela, Benham rise is believed to be rich in mineral and gas deposits. While the UN ruling allows the Philippines “to carry out exploration and development of natural resources” within the Benham rise, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng shuang, however, stressed that “it does not mean In this photo released on Mar. 14, 2017, Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon, vice chair of the House national defense committee, points to the area on the map around Benham Rise, an PAGE A2 undersea plateau which expanded the Philippines’ baseline in a 2012 United Nations award.