Czech Embassy recalls Rizal-Blumentritt ties on hero’s 162nd b-day

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Czech Embassy in Manila celebrated on Monday the 162th birthday of the Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, who was a friend of Czech-born Ferdinand Blumentritt.

The embassy likened Rizal’s friendship with Blumentritt to the current diplomatic relationship between Prague and Manila.

Blumentritt, who studied extensively in the Philippines, became one of Rizal’s closest confidants.

He also translated a chapter of Rizal’s first book, Noli Me Tangere, into German and wrote the preface to Rizal’s second book, El Filibusterismo.

“Today, we honor the legacy of Rizal and celebrate his friendship with Blumentritt—a special bond that we treasure and nurture to this day,” the embassy said.

The embassy has a tradition of commemorating Rizal’s birth anniversary.

In 2021, it partnered with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the National Parks and Development Committee (NPDC), the Philippines Navy (PN), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in holding a wreath-laying ceremony at Noli Me Tangere Garden in Rizal Park, where a bust of the national

PNP: Probers watch suspects in June 14 ambush on cops

By Charles Dantes

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday that suspects in the ambush of policemen while on patrol in Maguindanao were already under surveillance.

PNP public information chief Brig.

Gen. Redrico Maranan did not provide further details on the so-called persons of interest, but emphasized that the investigators were closely monitoring the suspects’ movements.

“May magandang development sapagkat base sa kanilang pag-iimbestiga ay mayroon na silang mga persons of interest na tinututukan at sa ngayong doon nakatuon ang ating ongoing police operations,” Maranan said.

Maranan also added that the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region was placed under full alert status after the ambuscade.

On the same day, PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr, flew to Maguindanao

BI warns vs. use of fake OFW papers

By Vito Barcelo

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has expressed concern over the proliferation of fake Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) certificates being presented by prospective overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to the immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Immigration agents arrested an American fugitive in a joint operation with international law enforcement agencies in Manila.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said BI officers have encountered several instances of fake CFO guidance and counseling program (GCP) certificates that were presented by some plane passengers during immigration inspection. to check on the ongoing security measures in the area. hero lords over the place.

The GCP is a required pre-departure seminar conducted by the CFO to apprise Filipinos on intermarriages and binational relationships, as well as cultural and social realities overseas.

The dubious certificates purport to show that the holders have attended the GCP, and therefore, cleared to go overseas.

BI officers at the NAIA Terminal 1 recently intercepted a 29 years old female passenger bound for Pudong in China after presenting a fake CFO-GCP certificate with her purported Chinese husband. “Verification with the CFO revealed that the certificate presented was fake,” Tansingco said.

Last June 14, four PNP patrolmen were waylaid by unknown gunmen in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, killing two of the lawmen and injuring four others.

Slain were Patrolmen Saipoden Shiek Macacuna and Bryan Polayagan. Injured were identified Patrolmen Arjie Pabinguit and Abdulgafor Alib, SSgt. Benjie de los Reyes, and MSgt. Rey Vincent Gertos.

The embassy also unveiled its plans to launch a commemorative plaque remembering the friendship of Blumentritt and Rizal. Rizal’s bond with Blumentritt was also documented in a book recently launched by the Czech embassy about Czech’s ties with the Philippines: Kaibigan - Přátelé: Czech-Philippine Cultural and Diplomatic Dialogue.

MARINA suspends ferry after it catches fire off Panglao town

THE Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has suspended a passenger ferry servicing the Central Visayas region after it caught fire off Panglao town in Bohol on Sunday with no casualty reported. The agency explained however, that the suspension covered only the MV Esperanza Star, not the entire fleet of its operator, the Kho Shipping Lines.

The punitive action meant that the vessel’s seaworthiness was doubtful and it cannot be allowed to sail again..

The Esperanza Star caught fire around 4 a.m. off Duljo Point in Panglao, just a few kilometers and 30 minutes away from its destination, the Tagbilaran City port. . According to the Philippine Coast Guard, (PCG), the fire started at the engine room.

The PCG has launched an inquiry into the accident, with PCG Central Visayas chief Mark Larsen Mariano saying the probe panel will be composed of PCG naval engineers, architects, and arson investigators.

Mariano said findings of the probe team would be submitted to the Transportation secretary immediately, but gave no specific deadline.

Meanwhile, MARINA Central Visayas public information officer Rochyl Villamora said the agency was still awaiting the Marine Protest document that provides details on the accident.

The MARINA will also interview the crew and will look into the safety practices in the vessel as part of the investigation, Villamora said.

The Esperanza Star was towed by tugboats to the Cebu Port from Tagbilaran City. The vessel is currently at a private shipyard port of Tayud in Liloan, Cebu.

Seoulbound Spiders

.

A Customs agent shows seized tarantulas being illegally shipped to Seoul, South Korea while concealed in a package declared as “Snacks - Sweet Salted Fish” at the Central Mail Exchange Center. Customs photo