Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Sunday, September 22, 2024.
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READ: 8 Chinese ships move into Escoda
CHINA on Saturday deployed several maritime militia ships to Escoda (Sabina) Shoal after the Philippines disclosed that it had sent a ship to the disputed atoll located in the West Philippine Sea as a replacement for the BRP Teresa Magbanua. Retired US Air Force Col. Ray Powell, director of SeaLight, said they were able to monitor eight additional Qiong Sansha Yu militia ships being deployed from Panganiban (Mischief) Reef to Escoda Shoal at around noon. This development came as National Maritime Council (NMC) spokesman Undersecretary Alexander Lopez revealed that the PCG ship sent to replace BRP Teresa Magbanua was now moving closer to Escoda Shoal.
READ: PDP forms an alliance with 3 parties
FORMER president Rodrigo Duterte's Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) forged an alliance with three political parties on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, to strengthen its position for the 2025 elections. During the PDP National Assembly at the D'Leonor Inland Resort in Davao City, the party solidified its alliance with Partido para sa Demokratikong Reporma (Partido Reporma); Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS); and The Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte-National Executive Coordinating Committee (MRRD-NECC). The agreement was signed by former Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) chairman Greco Belgica, the founder of PDDS, and former House speaker Pantaleon Alvarez of the Partido Reporma. They were present at the event to represent their respective parties, while PDP was represented by its chairman and former president, Duterte, who also represented the MRRD-NECC. Before the agreement was signed, PDP president Sen. Robinhood Padilla said those who chose to remain with the party and be part of it were truly courageous. The National Assembly was attended by more than 1,200 PDP officials and members from across the country, said PDP Secretary-General Aimee Torrefranca-Neri.
READ: Awarded writer, poet urges artists to speak out, fight
"NEVER again. Never forget." These were the words that award-winning writer, poet and activist Jose "Pete" Lacaba used to end a pointed speech remembering martial law — 52 years after its declaration — as he accepted the 2024 Gawad CCP Para Sa Sining medal at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati. Lacaba, a journalist, essayist, screenwriter and martial law detainee, was one of eight recipients of the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining 2024 medal for their significant contributions in their respective fields of art.
READ: Protesters, police clash in martial law rally
PROTESTERS clashed with anti-riot police in the nation's capital on Saturday as the country commemorated the 52nd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law. Police reports indicated that the protesters tried to make their way to Mendiola near Malacañan Palace, charging into an anti-riot police barricade. The clash that was caught on camera erupted. Carrying protective shields, the anti-riot police were able to forcefully drive away the protesters. There was no report of arrests, but one protester was pinned to the ground as anti-riot police tried to subdue him. The protesters later set up a stage on Recto Avenue after they failed to reach Mendiola. Meanwhile, on España Avenue, protesters gathered near Welcome Rotonda. Rallies and commemorative events were also carried out in multiple locations nationwide on Saturday to mark the declaration of martial law. The Buhay and EDSA Campaign Network launched on Saturday evening simultaneous candle-lighting campaign at multiple sites across the country to remember the atrocities during martial law. In Cebu City, a rally was carried out in Plaza Independencia. Protesters also marched from Fuente Osmeña Circle to Metro Colon. Proclamation 1081 was signed by the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. on Sept. 21, 1972, placing the Philippines under Martial Law. According to data from the Human Rights Victims' Memorial Commission, more than 11,103 victims suffered human rights violations.
READ: Robredo plays down Sara's visit to her home
FORMER vice president Leni Robredo on Saturday said the annual festival of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga City was politically neutral, and anyone could visit her home, regardless of political affiliation. These were Robredo's first comments after Vice President Sara Duterte paid her an unexpected visit Friday. The former vice president said since her husband, the late Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, became mayor of Naga in 1988, everyone was welcome. Robredo spoke with Duterte for about an hour on Friday. She also welcomed Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos and Sen. Bong Revilla Jr. at her home.
READ: Documentation delays Guo's transfer to Pasig jail
INCOMPLETE documentary requirements, including medical assessment, have delayed the transfer of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame to the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory. Guo underwent booking procedure and medical examination in Camp Crame on Saturday after Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 167 Judge Annielyn Medes-Cabelis ordered her transfer to a Pasig jail on charges of qualified human trafficking, a non-bailable offense. However, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said the PNP was not able to complete the procedure. BJMP spokesman Jayrex Joseph Bustinera said they were awaiting Guo's transfer.
BUSINESS: PH bats for keeping special terms in FTA
In business, the Philippines is pushing for the retention of a protocol in the free trade agreement (FTA) in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) that will protect sensitive agricultural products in the country such as rice and sugar. During the Asean Economic Ministers (AEM) Meeting and Related Meetings in Vientiane, Laos, from September 16 to 22, Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo conveyed the Philippines' request to keep the special consideration for rice and sugar with the ongoing review of the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (Atiga).
SPORTS: Suarez KOs Castaneda, wrests WBO int'l crown
Over to sports, Filipino pug Charly Suarez scored a third-round knockout of American Jorge Castaneda to claim the World Boxing Organization (WBO) international junior lightweight title in the Munguia-Bazinyan undercard at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, on Saturday (Manila time). Suarez floored Castaneda with a streaking left hook following a right-hand lead in the last 58 seconds of the third frame, but the latter got up. Sensing blood, the "King's Warrior" poured it on with a left-rightleft combination to send Castaneda to the canvas once more with 38 seconds left (2:22 mark). The American got back on his feet anew, but the referee stopped the 10-round bout to prevent further damage on the groggy fighter. A 2016 Rio Olympian, the 36-year-old Suarez thus increased his knockout total to 10 and stayed undefeated at 18-0. On the other hand, the 27-year-old Castaneda dropped to a 17-4 win-loss record with 13 knockouts.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Marlen Ronquillo is today's front page columnist, as he looks into the arrest of former Budget undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao.
Today's editorial talks about the government's approval of a plan for a nationwide vaccination plan. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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