IN BRIEF

and rescue operation, the PCG said.

The PCG said it will deploy BRP Melchora Aquino, BRP Gabriela Silang, BRP Boracay, and one 44-meter multi-role response vessel for the maritime exercise.

The US, on the other hand, will send USCGC Stratton (WMSL-752), while Japan will deploy its Akitsushima (PLH-32) for the exercise.

“The US Coast Guard and Japan Coast Guard have been assisting us in our human resource development program, particularly in law enforcement training,” said Coast Guard Vice Admiral Rolando Punzalan

“This is a good opportunity to thank and show them what our personnel learned from their programs,” he added.

7 regions tagged for private armies ahead of BSKE

THE Philippine National Police said seven regions have been tagged as having active and potential private armed groups ahead of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) this year. In a related development, PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda on Monday said anti-drug units across the country will continue to be operational, as he reiterated the need for a strict vetting of personnel assigned to these offices.

“The PNP is also monitoring continuously the activities of 48 private armed groups wherein three of these groups are active and 45 potential PAGs from

Region 1, Region 3, Region 5, Region 6, Region 13, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,” Acorda said in a press briefing.

Acorda said the PNP received reports that some elected officials are receiving threats ahead of the polls.

Charles Dantes

Lakas... From A1

Coalition Foundation Inc. (PCFI), Partido Navoteño, and Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines (CDC).

Their leaders signed the alliance agreement with Lakas-CMD separately as they cited the shared vision of a strong republic through the sustainable growth and development of the regions in the country.

“In view of the shared vision of LAKAS-CMD and [PDP-Laban, NUP, NP, NPC, Partido Navoteño, and CDC], the parties have agreed to reiterate their alliance in the House of Representatives,” the agreement read.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Lakas-CMD President; Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales of PDP-Laban, Agusan del Norte Rep. Jose Aquino II, Secretary General of Lakas-CMD; House Secretary General Reginald Velasco, and other House leaders witnessed the event.

The separate agreements were signed by House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, Lakas-CMD Executive Vice President; Palawan Rep. Jose Alvarez, PDP-Laban President; Deputy Speaker pines, like housing workers in shelters, searching for runaways without involving state institutions, and inappropriately dealing with Kuwaiti citizens. and Antipolo City 1st District Rep. Roberto Puno, NUP Vice Chairman for Internal Affairs; Romblon Lone District Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona of NP; Rizal 1st District Rep. Michael John Duavit, NPC President; Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, PCFI President; Navotas Lone District Rep. Tobias Tiangco, Partido Navoteño Chairman; and Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, CDC President. They highlighted their history of working together as they vowed to continue doing the same to push for the legislative agenda of the Marcos administration. opportunity for both parties to discuss the matter, De Vega said.

But he noted that DFA hopes to again talk with Kuwaiti officials by July.

P900m

‘hot

items’ from China seized

GOVERNMENT agents raided a warehouse in Plaridel, Bulacan, and seized P900 million worth of smuggled cigarettes, counterfeit products, and other goods from China.

A composite team from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service - Manila International Container Port (CIIS - MICP), Enforcement and Security Service (ESS), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) conducted the operation based on the Letter of Authority and Mission Order issued by Customs Commissioner Bien Rubio on May 26.

“Our men inspected the warehouse and found it to contain imported illicit cigarettes, and other imported general merchandise, housewares, kitchenware, and infringing goods,” Rubio said.

The Customs chief said the latest operation is part of the bureau’s intensified campaign against smuggling following the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Joel E. Zurbano

Gasoline up P1.10, kerosene down 35c

THE country’s oil firms implemented a mixed price movement for domestic oil products effective 6 am Tuesday, with gasoline prices increasing by P1.10 per liter to reflect the movement of oil prices in the world market.

Diesel prices did not move, but the oil firms cut the price of kerosene by P0.35 per liter.

“PTT Philippines to implement a P1.10 per liter increase in gasoline prices effective 6 am Tuesday, May 30, 2023. No movement in diesel price,” the oil firm said.

Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Chevron Philippines, Seaoil Philippines, Petro Gazz, Cleanfuel, and Jetti Petroleum also made separate announcements of their latest price movements.

Alena Mae S. Flores

The center of the eye of the typhoon was estimated at 445 km east of Calayan, Cagayan at 5 p.m. Monday. Storm signal No. 2 was raised over Batanes and the northeastern portion of Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands.

Signal No. 1 was hoisted over the rest of mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the northern and central portions of Aurora, Quirino, the northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, the northern portion of Catanduanes, the northeastern portion of Camarines Sur, Polilio Islands, the northern portion of Camarines Norte, and the northern and central portions of Ilocos Sur.

lack of bike lanes and there have been incidents, accidents where aggressive drivers have injured cyclists,” he told CNN Philippines’ The Source.

On May 27, the DFA reported that several Filipino cyclists were hurt after being hit by a car along the Arabian Gulf Road. De Vega said 11 of the cyclists were brought to the hospital; seven were immediately released, while two others took some time before they were discharged.

Two female victims remain in the hospital, one due to head trauma and another due to a fracture on her vertebrae, he noted.

Earlier, the Kuwait Interior Ministry revealed some of the reasons behind the visa suspension order for the Philip-

From A1 Senate...

Romualdez said the firm belief of the House in the capital market is also the reason the very first bill filed in the House under the 19th Congress is a measure aimed at providing enterprises the assistance they need to recover from the effects of the pandemic.

Romualdez said the push to amend the restrictive provisions of the 1987 Constitution is also part of the efforts the House is exerting to raise further the contribution of the private sector to national development.

He said the inauguration of the PSE Events Hall is a testament to the agility and resilience of the exchange to adapt quickly to see and seize opportunities in our ever-changing state of affairs, citing its move to online trading to adapt to the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.

PSE President and CEO Ramon Monzon thanked Romualdez for his support to promote the country’s capital market, as he cited the need for new products and active regulations to improve liquidity.

De Vega said that while Kuwait wants Manila to formally admit such actions and apologize, he maintained that the Philippines cannot accede to it since its actions were only to ensure the welfare of overseas Filipino workers.

When asked what the Philippine government’s next step will be, De Vega said “among friends, we can agree to disagree and then keep trying to find the middle ground.”

According to him, the Philippines already indicated the willingness of the country’s embassy there to work with Kuwaiti officials to ensure that no violations will be repeated.

For now, the Philippines will wait until “cooler heads prevail” and there is an

From A1

The NDRRMC said 3,692 people or 947 families were staying inside 22 evacuation centers, while 525 people, or 131 families, were taking shelter in other places.

A total of 4,831 were preemptively evacuated in Central Luzon, Mimaropa, and Western Visayas. NDRRMC spokesperson Assistant

Teves:...

From A1

The House Committee on Ethics is set to decide on Teves’ standing after his 60day suspension ended on May 22.

The committee, chaired by Rep. Fe-

De Vega earlier said that more dialogues between the two nations are needed. This was after officials from Kuwait insisted during a meeting midMay that the Philippine government has violated their law.

As for the injured cyclists De Vega said the Kuwaiti government is covering all the expenses, but Philippine authorities are also ready to provide any kind of assistance.

Meanwhile, the suspect has surrendered to police there, he said.

Authorities are looking into a possible felony case, De Vega said.

The DFA official added that the victims are also eyeing filing legal action against the suspect.

Secretary Raffy Alejandro said these figures were expected to rise as the evacuation tally from the northern provinces of Cagayan and Batanes comes in.

Betty is expected to dump heavy rains over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, the northern portion of mainland Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Abra, and Benguet until Wednesday morning, the state weather bureau said.

The typhoon is also enhancing the limon Espares of the NATCCO partylist group, is considering a call to expel Teves from the chamber for his failure to return to the country despite repeated calls for him to do so.

The committee is expected to announce its decision and put it to vote in a plenary session on Wednesday, May 31.

This developed as Teves’ legal counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, expressed dis-

Betty is forecast to steadily weaken over the next five days due to cooler ocean waters, and dry air intrusion. It may be downgraded into a severe tropical storm on late Thursday or early Friday and into a tropical storm on late Friday or early Saturday.

In its 8 a.m. report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said 4,552 people or 1,170 families in Western Visayas and Cordillera were evacuated due to typhoon Betty.

The NDRRMC said 3,692 people or 947 families were staying inside 22 evacuation centers, while 525 people or 131 families were taking shelter in other places.

A total of 4,831 were preemptively southwest monsoon or “habagat,” which may affect the eastern portion of Central Luzon, eastern and southern portions of Southern Luzon, and most of Visayas, the weather bureau added.

Some 14,000 military, police, and coast guard personnel are on alert to help local governments with the typhoon response, the NDRRMC said.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said some 800,000 food packs had been deployed across the country. Rio N. Araja may over the Department of Justice’s pronouncements against the congressman, who is the suspected mastermind in the Degamo killing.

Topacio said the DOJ has already prejudged Teves’ supposed involvement in the death of Degamo.

The lawyer also denounced the move of the House ethics panel not to allow Teves’s camp to participate in hearings unless Teves attended physically.