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VOL. XXXI • NO. 96 • 5 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, MAY 21, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@thestandard.com.ph
BUSINESS/ C1
ASEAN CODE OF CONDUCT COMPLETED
A THOUSAND HANDS. Cultural dancers from China perform 'A Thousand of Hands Guan Yin' during the Philippine Qipao Cultural Association's inauguration ceremony and charity gala dinner entitled 'Love Without Border.' Ver Noveno
GUIYANG, China—Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana has welcomed the completion of the draft of the framework of the Code of Conduct for the South China Sea territorial disputes. ”This is a welcome development. Bilateral and multilateral efforts to address issues of common concerns can be mutually reinforcing for peace, stability and security,” Sta. Romana said in his opening remarks during Friday’s 1st Meeting of the China-Philippines Bilateral Consultative on the South China Sea at the New World Hotel here. Sta. Romana lauded the senior officials of China and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for finally endorsing the clean text of the framework to the Asean foreign ministers. Sta. Romana added that China and the Philippines engaged in a candid but friendly discussion where officials from the two countries tackled almost all contentious issues on the South China Sea Turn to A2 dispute.
PH MAY SUE CHINA OVER WAR THREAT SC JUSTICE PROPOSES, DU30 WAITS FOR 'BETTER TIMES' By John Paolo Bencito and Sara Susanne Fabunan
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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday said that he would “wait for better times” to raise the issue of oil extraction and the arbitration ruling in disputed waters “when heads are cooler,” even as Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio insisted that the country should sue China before a United Nations tribunal for threatening war against the country and demand that Beijing comply with an international court ruling that invalidated its claims over the South China Sea.
“It cannot be dismissed because it will be there for all time and it will always bug China,” Duterte said Friday in his new television show, Mula sa Masa, Para sa Masa aired over state broadcaster PTV4. “[We’ll] wait for better times when heads are cooler and when we are, we have the equanimity... both in [our] mind and body to discuss it,” he added. Malacañang earlier denied that President Rodrigo Duterte gave the “green light” to China’s reclamation activities in the West Philippine Sea. Carpio had also said that the Philippines should file damages against Beijing for our failure to utilize resources in the disputed waters, a move being blocked by China. Carpio said China’s recent warning was a “gross violation” of the United Nations Charter, Unclos, and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia to which China and the Philippines are parties. It was President Duterte himself who revealed that Chinese Turn to A2
PEACE TAKES A HIT WITH ANTI-EU TIRADE By John Paolo Bencito FUNDS in support of the Mindanao peace process will be largely hit by the Philippines’ decision to reject more than €250 million in development assistance from the European Union, EU ambassador to the Philippines said Saturday. EU’s Ambassador Franz Jessen said that the biggest chunk of the €250 million or roughly P13 billion worth of grants for new projects that the government chose to reject will supposedly finance the peace process as well as community development at grassroots level. “A major part of the new spend-
ing will be reserved for Mindanao to support the peace process,” Jessen reiterated. On Friday, President Rodrigo Duterte admitted that it was the suggestion of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III for him to forgo more than 250 million euros ($278.7 million) in funds for development projects in the country to avoid possible “interference” by the European Union. “The EU, they sent us $200 million. They said, we will grant you. But it needs to be consensual. They told us, we’re giving you to promote human rights, law and order,” Duterte said in his speech before members of the Philippine Coast Guard in Davao. Turn to A2 twitter.com/ MlaStandard
GUNS GALORE. President Rodrigo Duterte (2nd from left) and National Police director general Ronald dela Rosa (right) have a field day with firearms of various sizes, shapes and caliber during Friday's opening of the Defense and Shooting Arms Show held at the SMX Convention Hall in Davao City. Presidential Photo
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FOOD FIRM ADDS 2 TO 3 STORES A DAY
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WHAT IF 'MY FAMILY'S SLAVE' IS MADE INTO A FILM?
STRICTER GUN CONTROL PROPOSED PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has called for stricter regulations on public ownership of high- powered firearms and ammunition as he ordered newly named Interior Secretary Eduardo Año to prevent these weapons from falling into the hands of criminals and communists. In a speech before gun enthusiasts in Davao City on Friday , Duterte cited the threat posed by the communist rebels which he said have the means to purchase high-powered guns and ammunition from local gun dealers. The communist rebels are earning money through extortion from mining companies and large plantation owners, he said. “So they have the money. So we have to control. Kung may magpabili ka ng armas, make sure kung sino and I would create an office,” he said. “I will give the guidance to the new Interior chief on how to ensure that no firearms would ever, ever land in the hands of an enemy of the state,” the President added. Duterte told gun dealers to advise their clients that they have to work on the papers to buy bullets and arms and to submit them early to get their orders on time. High-powered firearms should not be sold to civilians, he stressed, adding security guards should not be allowed to own firearms. They can be equipped with shotguns to defend themselves. “We can do business but let us make sure that it does not fall into the hands of the enemies. Because it could then make it doubly hard for us, instead of investing on the life of one soldier in a fight, if you give them the firepower and the firearms. I would need about five soldiers to suppress one enemy. Mahirap ‘yan,” he told the guns and ammunition dealers. Turn to A2
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