Manila Standard - 2018 March 22 - Thursday

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Will ‘Lady Leni’ fall for Rody’s charm? By Vito Barcelo

VOL. XXXII • NO. 39 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has turned on the charm offensive on Vice President Leni Robredo after the two leaders graced three consecutive events, including yesterday’s graduation rites of the Philippine National Police Academy Class of 2018 in Silang, Cavite. Next page

Russia backs ICC exit Moscow scoffs at tribunal’s approaches

SEARCH FOR SURVIVORS. This undated handout from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office-Occidental Mindoro, released on Wednesday, shows rescuers using heavy equipment to search for survivors after a passenger bus plunged off a cliff in Sablayan town, where 19 people were killed and 21 others were injured. AFP

By Rey E. Requejo

R

USSIA’S ambassador to the Philippines said Wednesday he empathized with the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to withdraw the country’s membership in the International Criminal Court due to its “highly politicized” activities. In an interview on the ANC News channel, Ambassador Igor Khovaev said his country, too, withdrew from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, which was used to pressure “selective governments [and] selective countries.” “We cannot accept certain approaches. That’s why my country decided to withdraw from the Rome Statute. I understand why your country took the same decision. It’s up to the Philippine government… [and] society to make assessments… But for us, we respect it,” Khovaev said. Moscow initially signed the Rome Statute in 2000, but did not ratify the document and later withdrew from the ICC in 2016. Russia opted to withdraw from the ICC after the tribunal published a report classifying Moscow’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine as an occupation. For her part, US Embassy Press Attaché Molly Koscina declined to comment on Duterte’s decision, saying it was an internal matter for the Philippines even as she stressed the importance of coopNext page eration with the tribunal.

19 killed in Mindoro bus crash; driver error? By Macon Ramos-Araneta NINETEEN people died and 21 others were injured when a passenger bus lost control and plunged off a cliff in the central Philippines, police said Wednesday. The bus, which was heading to the capital Manila, skidded off a mountain road on Mindoro island late Tuesday, said regional police spokeswoman Imelda Tolentino. Rescue workers were pulling the dead and injured from the vehicle, which

landed at the bottom of a wooded ravine, she added. “Police are investigating why the driver lost control—whether there was mechanical trouble or the driver fell asleep,” Tolentino said. Police photos showed rescuer workers clambering down the cliff to reach the bus, which lay on its side among trees and grass about 15 meters below the road. The accident occurred near Sablayan town, which is about 195 kilometers south of Manila.

Road accidents are common as poorly maintained buses and poorly trained drivers form the backbone of land transport options. In 2010, 41 people died, including five foreigners, when a packed bus plunged into a deep ravine in the northern Philippines. Another 31 people perished in bus crash in the country’s north in April last year. Public transport regulators said Wednesday they may suspend the franchise of the operator of the bus involved in the most recent disaster. Next page

Airports gear up for terrorist attack THE Manila International Airport Authority has deployed security personnel armed with assault rifles, machine pistols and bullet-proof vests to four airport terminals following reports of possible attack in Metro Manila by a foreign terrorist group. But MIAA general manager Eddie Monreal said the public, especially air travelers, should not be alarmed by the heightened alert status being enforced at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, adding that the sight of armed security men is good for the passenger’s peace of mind. “It is just part of a security measures to protect our passengers, the facilities and of course the airport users,” he said. Next page

THE valedictorian of the Philippine National Police Academy class of 2018 will join the Philippine National Police’s elite Special Action Force, heeding the challenge of PNP chief Ronald dela Cadet Fritz John Next page Napalinga Vallador Rosa.

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My God, you Canadians how stupid can you get? —President Rodrigo Duterte, taking a swipe at Canada’s decision to abort a $233-million chopper deal with the Philippines over human rights concerns

Rody snipes at Canada anew over chopper deal By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte called Canada “stupid” for its aborted deal to sell $233 million worth of helicopters to the government, and said he would not hesitate to insult other countries that treat the Philippines “like garbage.” “Look at how stupid the Canadians are, very stupid. They agreed to sell the helicopters. But when these were due to be delivered, they said, ‘Ah but you cannot use these for [the] military or police. This is only good for evacuation and Next page

Napoles eyes govt deal, other options By Rey E. Requejo JUSTICE Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Wednesday said he is unsure if alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles would be eligible for a plea bargain considering the status of the pending plunder cases against her in the Sandiganbayan. Aguirre issued the statement after Napoles’ lawyer Stephen David said

By Joel E. Zurbano

PNPA topnotcher opts to join SAF

they were looking into a plea bargain with the government in her plunder and other cases pending before the Sandiganbayan. “There are several options we are looking into and one of those is plea bargaining. There are many options for us,” David said in an interview. David earlier said he met with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea Next page

Manila Pavilion fire claims 6th victim By Macon Ramos-Araneta

LIGHTNING RALLY. Masked militant student activists conduct a quick rally in Manila’s Bustillos Street Wednesday to celebrate the 49th founding anniversary of the declared terrorist group New People’s Army, on the same day Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana urged all remaining NPA fighters to lay down their arms and help the government build a better Philippines. Norman Cruz

THE deaths in the Manila Pavilion fire last weekend reached six on Wednesday when another employee of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. working at the hotel and casino passed away. Pagcor identified the latest victim

as Jennelyn Figueroa, 28, an internal security staff stationed at the hotel in the Ermita district that burned down on Sunday morning. Figueroa was brought to the Manila Doctor’s Hospital, which initially reported her as dead, then clarified that they were able to revive her, radio dzBB Next page reported.


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