US-PH ‘Salaknib’ exercises begin

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SOME 3,000 Filipino and American soldiers are participating in the three-week long Army-to-Army annual Salaknib Exercise that opened yesterday.

Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said whereas previous Salaknib exercises focused on internal threats such as communist guerillas, this year’s joint exercises are geared toward external challenges.

“We are seeing the near of the end of [communist groups] in the country. We are shifting towards territorial defense. In our scenarios in Salaknib together with the US forces, we will be training on scenarios that will allow us to work

Customs, DA bag more smuggled agricultural goods

By Joel E. Zurbano, Julito G. Rada and Maricel V. Cruz

THE Bureau of Customs on Monday announced the seizure of at least 18 container vans loaded with smuggled red and yellow onions from China worth P77 million.

Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio and other Customs officials inspected the containers over the weekend upon the request of Manila International Container Port - Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (MICPCIIS) chief Alvin Enciso after his office received derogatory information about the shipments from its country of origin.

Based on bills of lading and other documents, the importer described the shipments as “pizza dough and fishballs.” and operate together to face adversaries from out of the country,” Brawner said.

On Monday, MICP District Collector Arnoldo Famor issued Warrants of Seizure and Detention (WSD) against the shipments.

Rubio said his agency remain committed to the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to protect the country’s borders against any form of illegal importation of goods, especially agricultural products.

The exercises will be held in two phases: the first from March 13 to April 4, and the second during the second semester of the year.

“In addition to the normal exercises and trainings we have, we will infuse more programs and training exercises that involve tactics we are learning from the Russia-Ukraine conflict,” he added.

As this developed, Senator JV Ejerci-

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Fernandez also said representatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the missing police escorts themselves are being invited to Tuesday’s panel proceedings.

“Basically, what we’re after here in the hearing is about the lapses of the security personnel,” Fernandez said.

He said they have not invited Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., who has been linked to the attack and who is still abroad.

Speaker Martin Romualdez over the weekend noted reports that five out of the six police escorts assigned to Degamo did not show up for duty on March 4, when a group of gunmen attacked his house and killed him, along with eight others.

“Governor Degamo had earlier reported to the police about the threats to his life so it stands to reason that his security detail should have implemented stricter measures to ensure his safety,” Romualdez said as he called on Fernandez’s committee to investigate the matter.

“That’s why it’s highly suspicious

DOJ,...

From A1 to on Monday cautioned against taking China’s statements at face value where the West Philippine Sea is concerned.

“I don’t trust China anymore… I just don’t trust what their government is saying,” Ejercito said.

“They have been very aggressive and hostile. We have to have freedom of navigation in those seas, in the West Philippine Sea,” he added.

For his part, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, chairperson of the Senate committee on national defense, said China’s misgivings over the designation of four new sites under the PH-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement are inevitable given the rising tension between Beijing and Washington.

“In agreeing to expand the EDCA lo-

[that] these police escorts were missing on the day he was killed.” cations, President Marcos said that he does not want this issue to cause tension in the South China Sea or consider this move by our government as an act of aggression or anything that will be seen as provocative to anyone,” Estrada said.

“It appears that the perpetrators were aware of the fact that Governor Degamo had practically no protection so they could easily accomplish their mission to assassinate him,” he added. Fernandez said beyond the missing escorts, there might be a bigger problem within the PNP.

Romualdez on Monday said he has not heard yet from Teves, whose travel authority expired on March 9.

“I expect congressman Arnie to heed my appeal and report for work as soon as possible. His stay outside the country is no longer authorized by the House of Representatives,” Romualdez said.

Teves, who went to the US based on his travel clearance filed in the House of Representatives, has been named a respondent in complaints filed by the police in connection with several killings that took place in 2019.

Police raided some of Teves’ homes in Negros Oriental in search of illegal firearms last week.

One of the gunmen arrested by the police said “Cong Teves” had hired them to kill Degamo—an accusation the congressman has denied.

“Our Balikatan exercises are only exercises for the defense of the country and not for the invasion of China. We are not waging a war against China,” he added.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila on Sunday said the United States was dragging the Philippines into its issues with China by establishing additional military bases in the country and warned that this may “seriously harm” Manila’s national interests and regional peace and stability.

Romualdez assured Teves that he would be safe if he returns to face the charges.

“Police officials have spoken. They are willing to provide security to protect him from bodily harm. All congressman Arnie needs to do is make the appropriate request,” Romualdez said. “Our law enforcers cannot extend this protection outside the Philippines,” he added.

The Teves camp on Monday maintained his innocence, adding that the lawmaker wanted to return to the Philippines to face the charges against him, but feared for his life.

Teves’ lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, along with the other counsel, Roberto Diokno Jr. and Edward Santiago, at a no-holds barred Pandesal Forum at the Kamuning Bakery in Quezon City, decried as “illegal and irregular” the series of raids on his homes and resort, claiming authorities planted guns and explosives as evidence.

He appealed for fairness and said Teves must get due process. Topacio said two months ago, Teves publicly complained about intelligence reports warning him that his properties would be raided for no apparent reason, adding it would be impossible for him to still keep such weapons in his properties.

In Brief

Gas up P1/l, diesel and kerosene down

DOMESTIC pump prices will have a mixed price movement effective 6 a.m. Tuesday with gasoline increasing by P1 per liter while kerosene and diesel prices will be rolled back by P0.60 per liter to P0.10 per liter, respectively.

“Petron will implement the following price adjustments effective 6 a.m. on March 14: P1 per liter increase for gasoline; P0.10 per liter rollback for diesel and P0.60 per liter rollback for kerosene. These reflect movements in the international oil market,” Petron Corp. said in its advisory.

Seaoil Philippines, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Cleanfuel, Chevron Philippines, PTT Philippines, Jetti Petroleum, and PetroGazz also adjusted pump prices.

Unioil Petroleum Philippines on Saturday said gasoline prices will increase by P0.80 to P1 per liter while diesel may go down by P0.10 per liter or with no price movement.

Alena Mae S. Flores

JFC to Congress: Pass air transport reform

THE Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines on Monday called on Congress to pass much-needed air transport reform legislation, in support of recommendations contained in Senate Committee Report No. 39 on the Air Traffic Management System glitch at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on New Year’s Day.

CR No. 39 recommended, among others, the amendment of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) charter to strengthen CAAP as an agency.

It also pushed to decouple CAAP’s conflicting functions as regulator, operator, and investigator, along with the passage of bills creating the Philippine Transportation Safety Board (PTSB) and the Philippine Airports Authority to allow for more efficiency and transparency in the sector. Othel V. Campos asked to prosecute eight police officers in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat for murder and other criminal charges, in connection with their involvement in the alleged shootout that left three teenage boys dead last December.

PBBM...

clearances. We’re building everything we can,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said, in an interview.

On Monday, the Philippine National Police also launched its digital booking system or “e-booking” to facilitate easy access to crime data as part of efforts to modernize crime solution operations.

Late last month, MICP-CIIS men also intercepted shipments of smuggled onions, sugar, and cigarettes worth more than P104 million in Manila North Harbor.

‘Oil...

From A1 which will put it way beyond the Guimaras oil spill that is considered the worst in Philippine history,” Chua said.

In 2006, an oil tanker sank off the coast of Guimaras and spilled more than 500,000 liters of bunker fuel.

Greenpeace Philippines also raised the alarm that the oil spill may reach the Verde Island Passage — considered the center of marine biodiversity in the planet.

For his part, Puerto Galera Mayor Rocky Ilagan said there are no traces of the Mindoro oil spill yet in the island destination.

“If the oil arrives, we are ready,” Ilagan said.

The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute on Sunday showed the results of a recent simulation model on the oil spill crisis.

The simulation focused on the tanker’s location from March 10 to 16 and claimed that the non-stop discharge of oil from the alleged seepage area and the weakening of the northeast monsoon or “amihan” may lead the oil to flow northwards toward Verde Island.

The oil trajectory will also affect the coastal areas of Calapan and some parts of Batangas, the UP MSI study noted.

So far, more than 137,000 people or 30,000 families living in the Mimaropa and Western Visayas regions— nearly double than previously reported—have already been affected by the oil spill, the government said.

From A1

Arnaiz’s death. Perez was sentenced to suffer the same for De Guzman’s killing.

The Public Attorney’s Office welcomed the favorable decision of the Navotas City court in the murder of

Remulla said the need for such a database became apparent after the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.

Degamo and five others were killed in the attack. The death toll went up to nine the following day as those who were seriously wounded died.

Thirteen others were seriously injured in the shooting.

Meanwhile, the DOJ said it has been

‘Everything...

From A1

“Ladies, don’t let anybody tell you, you are ever past your prime,” added the 60-year-old, whose career began decades ago with martial arts films in Hong Kong.

Brendan Fraser won best actor for

Lady...

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Anna York Bondoc, Ma. Lucille Nava, Ruth Mariano-Hernandez, Midy Cua, Ysabel Maria Zamora, and Margarita Nograles as presiding officers during yesterday’s session.

Solon...

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Congress to convene a constitutional convention to propose amendments to the Constitution. It is scheduled to vote on Monday on House Bill No. 7352, which implements the resolution.

“Inter-chamber courtesy calls that the teenagers amid the drug war of thenPresident Rodrigo Duterte.

“We have been fighting for this case ever since,” PAO chief Persida Acosta told reporters.

The court ordered Perez to pay the following amounts to the victims’ kin:

Arnaiz’s family: actual damages (P90,000); civil indemnity (P100,000); moral damages (P100,000); and exem- playing a morbidly obese teacher in “The Whale,” capping a remarkable career comeback.

Named respondents in the complaints filed by the parents of the victims were Lambayong police chief Police Major (PMAJ) Jenahmeel Tonaco, Police Senior Master Sergeant (PSMS) Syril Mahaddi, Police Corporal (PCpl) Elpedio Garlit, PCpl Joffrey Apalla , patrolmen Nicol Dion Toreja, Basser Mako, Mario Rombaoa Jr., and Roldan Claveria.

The respondents were all assigned at the Lambayong Municipal Police Station.

Fraser was a major action star in the late 1990s with films like “The Mummy,” before largely disappearing from the public view.

“I started in this business 30 years ago, and things -- they didn’t come easily to me,” he said.

Rep. Yedda – the Speaker’s wife -said different facets of society are becoming more aware of the significant benefits of gender balance and diversity, recognizing that societies thrive where women are given equal opportunities and respect.

“Today, in line with our celebration of all womanhood this National Women’s plary damages (P100,000).

Senate tackle any measure passed by the House, especially if it is approved by an overwhelming vote and requires urgent attention, and vice versa,” Rodriguez said. Zubiri, however, was blunt in rejecting the House initiative.

“It would be useless for senators to tackle Charter change since there would be no vote for it in his chamber,” the senator said over the weekend.

De Guzman’s kin: Civil indemnity (P100,000); moral damages (P100,000); and exemplary damages (P100,000).

In 2017, Arnaiz was killed by Caloocan police officers on August 18 after allegedly staging a hold-up against a taxi driver.

Meanwhile, De Guzman, Arnaiz’s companion, was later found dead with

Under the system, the police force would fully digitalize the booking process of arrested persons which makes the collection and cross-matching of fingerprints through the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) faster and more efficient.

PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said police investigators and intelligence operatives will now have easy access to the data storage system which covers arrested law offenders across the country. Rey E. Requejo

He thanked director Darren Aronofsky for “throwing me a creative lifeline and hauling me aboard the good ship ‘The Whale.’”

‘American Dream’

“Everything Everywhere,” comfortably the night’s biggest winner, is a wordof-mouth smash hit that has grossed $100 million at the global box office. AFP

Month, I welcome you all in this year’s all-women Session here in Congress. May this simple gesture of handing over power to the women be the platform for positive change as we continue to lead our nation to a kinder and gentler world for the next generation of women,” she said.

Throughout the world, Rep. Yedda said women have been shattering glass

But Rodriguez said Zubiri should not be afraid of the result of the Senate vote on the proposed Charter change.

“Let the people know who are against and who are for reform that could result in more foreign companies investing or expanding their businesses in the country,” he said.

In its report, Fitch Solutions said the present economic provisions of the Constitution have always been a “chal-

From A1 Cop...

30 stab wounds on his body in a creek in Gapan, Nueva Ecija.

His head was wrapped in packaging tape.

The Caloocan Regional Trial Court in November 2022 found Perez guilty beyond reasonable doubt for the torture and planting of evidence on the two teenagers.

Arnaiz and De Guzman went missing on Aug. 17, 2017. Arnaiz’s body was later found on Aug. 28 in a funeral parlor that will educate the public about the danger posed by syndicates engaged in trafficking of persons (see related story on A5 – Editors).

Mr. Marcos believes that good information spearheaded by the PCO is a key element “in preventing all the terrible abuses being committed against victims of human trafficking.” ceilings and laying down a path for other women to walk on, from fighting for the right to suffrage to being able to lead nations and influence economies. lenge” for foreign investors. in Caloocan City with gunshot wounds.

“So heightened public awareness is key. That’s what we spoke about a little bit earlier. The Presidential Communications Office must assist IACAT in its communication campaign against trafficking in persons to amplify the effort,” the President pointed out.

Mr. Marcos directed the agencies to halt the operation of human traffickers who exploit physical and economic weaknesses of vulnerable people especially women and children.

“Women have become trailblazers and powerful figures in their own fields of specialization and the world can no longer deny us of our rightful place in society’s leadership,” she said.

As this developed, all members of the National Unity Party (NUP) in the House of Representatives voted for the passage of RBH No. 6. Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, the party’s president, said the NUP is in full support of the House leadership’s initiative to amend certain economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

In November 2022, a Caloocan Regional Trial Court found Perez guilty of two separate counts of torturing Arnaiz and De Guzman, and of planting plastic sachets of marijuana, shabu, and a revolver.

Authorities accused Arnaiz, a 19-year-old student at the University of the Philippines, of robbing a taxi driver and was killed in a shootout.

Gabriela files House bill seeking P750 wage hike

THE Gabriela Women’s Party on Monday filed a bill mandating a P750 across-the-board and nationwide increase in the salary rate of employees and workers in the agricultural and nonagricultural enterprises in the private sector to attain a living wage.

Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas, the nominee of the Gabriela party-list group, said that the workers’ call for a P750-wage increase is justified, as the amount represents the average gap between current minimum wage levels and the family living wage across various regions.

“This yawning average minimum wagefamily living wage gap of P750 across regions starkly represents the vast sea of unfulfilled basic necessities of ordinary Filipino families, which thenational government should urgently address through substantial wage increasesamid historic inflationary surges,” she said.

According to the BusinessWorld Top 1000 Corporations in the Philippines report, Brosas saidthe aggregate gross revenue of the top companies jumped 17.5 percent in 2021 (or P13.44 trillion), from the P11.44 trillion posted during the height of the pandemic in 2020. This was thefastest gross revenue growth since the 24.4 percent expansion recorded in 2001.

As for micro and small enterprises, the women’s group said a wage subsidy program will be instituted to assist them in complying with the proposed significant wage increase.

“Significant wage increase is long overdue,” Brosas said.

The Gabriela party-list group urged President Marcos Jr. to certify as urgent House Bill 7568 to bring direct and concrete relief to millions of Filipino workers across the country. Maricel V. Cruz

MMDA: 1,494 motorists

nabbed

On Motorbike Lane

A TOTAL of 1,494 motorists and motorcycle riders were flagged down in the first four days of a dryrun of the implementation of a motorcycle lane policy along Commonwealth Avenue in QuezonCity. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Romando Artes said the numbers offlagged-down cars and motorcycles continued to decline during the first four days of the dry run activity.

He added that motorcycle riders and drivers of four-wheel vehicles alike are getting used to thepolicy set to be fully implemented on March 20.

On the first day of the dry run (March 9), MMDA traffic enforcers caught 276 motorcycles and 61 four-wheel vehicles. The next day, 368 motorcycles and 201 four-wheel vehicles or total of 569 vehicles were flagged down.

On March 11, 177 riders and 186 drivers of four-wheel vehicles or a total of 363 vehicles were apprehended while on Sunday, the enforcers caught 128 motorcycle riders and 97 fourwheel vehicles. Joel E. Zurbano