NEWS MONITOR (April 23, 2002)
1. CAR AUCTION
Used vehicles still flooding RP
(Philippine Star, Page2 )
Used vehicles continue to flood the country despite the position taken by Trade and Industry Secretary Manuel Roxas II that their importation is illegal, Rep. Prospero Nograles (Lakas, Davao City) said yesterday. Nograles said he received reliable information that two shiploads of assorted used right-hand drive vans, cars and light trucks are arriving this week at the Subic Freeport. These are in addition to hundreds of second-hand vehicles that have been brought in and which are being kept in several warehouses near the Kalayaan Gate of the Freeport zone before being disposed to auctioneers, he said. ENTRY OF RHD CARS CONTINUES (Today, Page 10) Administration Rep. Prospero Nograles disclosed Monday that two shiploads of used right-hand drive vehicles are expected to flood amid the unresolved dispute between the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on the legality of the entry and sale of these imported vehicles. Nograles, quoting his informant, said the two ships fully loaded with right-hand-drive vehicles are expected to arrtive this week through the Subic Bay Free Port while hundreds of other used vehicles kept in a compound near Kalayaan gate in the Subic Bay Free Port are ready for disposal to auctioneers.
2. BALIKATAN EXERCISES/ABU SAYYAF/INSURGENCY,WAR ON TERROR
Bomb rocks GenSan again
(Inquirer, Page 1)
GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Another explosion rocked the city Monday morning less than an hour before President Macapagal-Arroyo arrived to visit the victims of Sunday's blast that left 14 people dead and 65 others injured. No one was injured in Monday's explosion in Barangay Calumpang, 7 kilometers from the Buayan Airport, where Ms Macapagal landed at about 10 a.m. The explosion, which destroyed a motorized outrigger, came after an alleged special operations chief of the Abu Sayyaf claimed responsibility for the bombings and after police arrested two suspects. At the airport, the President was immediately briefed by local officials of the South Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat-Sarangani-General Santos (Socsksargen) area. Ms Macapagal then proceeded to the St. Elizabeth Hospital where she met with the relatives of the victims. She distributed 5,000 pesos in assistance to the family of each victim. She then went to the General Santos Doctor's Hospital.
A warm-up, GenSan mastermind boasts
(Manila Times, Banner)
Sayyaf: Bombings just a warm-up
(Philippine Star, Page 1)
MARBEL, South Cotabato — “That’s just the start.” The self-proclaimed mastermind of the deadly General Santos City blasts that killed 15 persons on Sunday justified the deaths of innocent civilians by citing mounting collateral damage in the Armed Forces campaign against Moro separatist groups. Abu Muslim al-Ghazi, in an interview with Radio Mindanao Network and THE MANILA TIMES, claimed to be the Special Operations Group chief of the Alharakatul Islamiya, or the Abu Sayyaf. But other than his nom de guerre — and the fact that he loves giving interviews — cops have scant information on the rebel leader. ‘We didn’t take him seriously’;Bomber wanted radio station to air countdown (Manila Times, Page 2 )
MARBEL, South Cotabato — Abu Muslim al-Ghazi, the self-proclaimed Special Operations Group chief of the Alharakatul Islamiya or Abu Sayyaf, wanted the local Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) station here to air live the countdown to the deadly blast that killed 15 persons at the Fitmart shopping center. Muslims charge RP, US of ethnic cleansing plans (Manila Times, Page 2 ) ZAMBOANGA CITY — The self-proclaimed mastermind of the General Santos blasts that killed 15 persons on Sunday accused the Philippine and US governments yesterday of planning an “ethnic cleansing” in Mindanao.
Abu Muslim al-Ghazi, in an interview with the local Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) station, said he had gotten hold of a document outlining Philippine and US plans “to drive all Muslims out of Mindanao.”
2 MILF bomb suspects fall
(Philippine Star, Page1 )
Police arrested yesterday two supposed members of the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in connection with the bomb blasts in General Santos City on Sunday. Central Mindanao regional police chief Senior Superintendent Bartolome Baluyot identified the two suspects as Bobby Sabilo, 23, and Mulikin Adam Ambi, 40. They were arrested in a raid on their supposed safehouse at Purok 4 Extension, Lanton in Barangay Apopong around 1 a.m. yesterday. Police officials, however, did not rule out the involvement of other groups in the bombings that left 14 people dead. The MILF’s Eid Kabalu also denied his group’s involvement in the blasts.
'State of emergency' reports sow confusion
(Inquirer, Page1 )
Did she or didn't she?MALACAÑANG was thrown into confusion after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was initially reported to have declared a state of emergency in General Santos City where 14 died and 65 were wounded in a bomb attack Sunday. "The President has ordered the declaration of the state of emergency at least in General Santos City," National Security Adviser Roilo Golez told reporters at about 2 p.m. Golez made the announcement after emerging from an emergency meeting of the Cabinet Oversight Committee on Internal Security. He added that the President would make the announcement upon her arrival in Manila from General Santos City. But less than two hours later, acting press secretary Silvestre Afable said "there has been no recommendation by the Cabinet oversight committee for the declaration of a state of emergency." Crackdown in GenSan ( Philippine Star, Banner) The government mulled a curfew and more checkpoints in General Santos yesterday but backed out of declaring a state of emergency in the city that was rocked Sunday by several bomb explosions, leaving 14 people dead and at least 60 wounded. Instead Malacañang ordered an "intensified police and military crackdown" in General Santos, allaying fears of martial law and vowing that the writ of habeas corpus would not be suspended. The government also dangled a P5-million reward for information leading to the capture of the bombers. Emergency measures follow blasts
(Manila Times, Page 1) EMERGENCY security measures that include a curfew and checkpoints are being imposed in General Santos City and nearby areas following the bloody bombings there last Sunday. Malacañang made it clear, however, that the situation in General Santos does not warrant the declaration of a state of emergency.
Police in heightened alert all over Metro
(Manila Times, Page 1)
ALL five police districts of Metro Manila have been ordered to increase patrols and guard vital facilities and crowded shopping centers in the wake of the bomb attacks on Sunday in General Santos City. Police Director Edgardo Aglipay, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief, gave the order to the heads of the Southern, Eastern, Northern, Central and Western Police Districts.
Guingona proposes change in future RP-US war games
(Inquirer, Page1 )
VICE President Teofisto Guingona Jr. used the occasion of the formal launch of the second RP-US military training exercise at Camp Aguinaldo Monday to suggest changes in the "substance and procedure" of future Balikatans. He said he wanted to refocus the annual war games to address other problems, including that of poaching. "It is estimated that damage to marine life caused by the poachers have reached 50 million dollars a year. Perhaps, in response to this . . . we must train, we must deploy, we must prevent poachers from ravaging our coasts." This was one reason, Guingona said, why he asked President Macapagal-Arroyo to convene the National Security Council. "It is up to the NSC to decide whether there is a need for fundamental change. I have requested the President to convene the NSC to recommend to her policies on the content and essence of training and the magnitude of priorities where our soldiers can be most effective," Guingona said.
Text messages to Biazon claim bombers in Metro
(Inquirer, Page 17 )
ARE the bombers in Metro Manila? In text messages to Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, that's what a group said Monday as it also claimed responsibility for the Gen. Santos City bombings. Three bombs are now allegedly in place in a large shopping mall in Metro Manila. From 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., the group warned of more violence "just like a repeat of the Rizal Day bombings" in 2000. "Death to American and Christian Filipinos, Islamic Jihad, Allah be Praised to our Muslim heroes of Oplan Gen San," the first text message read. Saying that the "Gen. San bombing was just the start," the texter also revealed that "NCR (National Capital Region) would be next unless our brother Muslims would be freed by the military."
Basilan construction starts
(Inquirer, Page2 )
US Marines, Seabees start deploying for Basilan projects
(Philippine Star, Page 6 )
ZAMBOANGA CITY–US Marine engineers and Navy Seabees began deploying Monday for construction projects in the island province of Basilan to enhance the counter-terrorism campaign aimed at helping Filipino troops wipe out a Muslim extremist group. About a dozen trucks, bulldozers and other construction equipment, escorted by US Special Forces and Philippine soldiers, roared out of a Filipino army base in the capital of Isabela to Maluso town. The Naval Construction Task Force includes 340 US military engineers who arrived Saturday to build roads and helicopter landing pads, improve ports, dig wells and clear an unused airstrip to improve mobility in the joint six-month Balikatan 02-1 military exercise.
No R&R for GIs in Laur
(Inquirer, Page 17)
IN LAUR, Nueva Ecija, Army officials said soldiers participating in Balikatan 02-2 will spend their rest and recreation or R&R inside the military reservation in Fort Magsaysay. Maj. Rhoderick Parayno, spokesperson of the Army's 7th Infantry Division and of Filipino soldiers involved in the military exercises in Fort Magsaysay, said a number of concessionaires inside the camp will provide soldiers with R&R opportunities, such as videoke singing and beer drinking. But Parayno said the American and Filipino participants will actually have little time for R&R, because they will keep a tight schedule, with training exercises and lectures even at night.
GMA confirms PNP training deal with Israeli commandos
(Philippine Star, Page 2 )
President Arroyo confirmed yesterday the Philippine National Police (PNP) has a long-standing "commercial arrangement" with Israeli anti-terror experts to train crack Filipino police commandos. The training exercise under Israeli police experts, the President said, is part of the anti-kidnapping measures her administration has been implementing since last year as her commitment to the Filipino-Chinese community which is often victimized by kidnap-for ransom syndicates. She disclosed in her weekly radio interview yesterday that "some of them (the Israelis) are already living here in the Philippines," adding that the training is a commercial arrangement, unlike the training with Scotland Yard and the Hong Kong Police which is done on a "government to government" basis.
3. ERAP/PLUNDER CASE
‘ERAP is not Jose Velarde’
(Philippine Star, Page 1 )
VELARDE IS NOT ESTRADA- LAWYER
(Today, Page 1)
ERAP IS NOT JOSE VELARDE, LAWYERS INSISTS
(Manila Standard, Page 3)
A court-appointed counsel of Joseph Estrada said yesterday the former president had merely acted as a representative of the real Jose Velarde when he signed at least five documents of the Equitable PCI Bank. Prospero Crescini, one of the 13 counsels de officio appointed by the Sandiganba-yan special division to represent Estrada in the five criminal cases against him, including the capital offense of plunder, said the defense panel was able to establish yesterday that Estrada is not Jose Velarde. Crescini, citing the testimony of lawyer Manuel Curato, first vice president and legal services division chief of the Equitable PCI Bank, pointed out that Estrada signed on Feb. 4, 2000 the name Jose Velarde under the printed words "the principal(s) by" in the bank’s Investment Management Agreement (IMA).
Witness admits Erap not Jose Velarde; ALSO SAYS BANK WITHDRAWALS HEAVY DURING IMPEACHMENT TESTIMONY OF BANKERS
(Tribune, Banner)
The plunder and illegal alias cases of the government against detained President Joseph Estrada are in a state of virtual collapse as a bank executive yesterday admitted under cross-examination that the ousted leader did not sign under the name of Jose Velarde as the principal of the controversial bank account. The defense considered this extracted admission from witness Manuel Curato, Equitable-PCI Bank first vice president and head of its Legal Services Division, as a major victory. Lawyers following the Estrada trial told the Tribune this admission by Curato has considerably weakened the prosecution’s plunder case.
SC covering up on GMA’s swearing in
(Tribune, Page 1)
From all indications, the high court is attempting a cover-up job on the swearing in of Gloria Arroyo as president.Recently retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Bernado Pardo's disclosure to opposition Sen. Edgardo Angara that Chief Justice Hilario Davide was authorized to swear in Vice President Gloria Arroyo only as “acting president” as reported by Malaya newspaper, has elicited a prompt denial from the Supreme Court through its spokesman, Ismael Khan. Justice Secretary Hernando Perez also denied Pardo's disclosure.The SC and Perez yesterday insisted that Angara had misunderstood Pardo and had problems recalling conversations he had with the retired associate justice on the alleged “conspiracy” against deposed President Joseph Estrada.
Retired justice denies confirming 'deception' ;Pardo likely pressured to backtrack, senators say
(Malaya, Banner)
A Supreme Court spokesman yesterday said retired Associate Justice Bernardo Pardo has called him up to deny a claim by opposition Sen. Edgardo Angara that he (Pardo) told the senator that 12 justices agreed that Gloria Arroyo would be sworn in as "acting president" in January last year."It appears that Senator Angara's recollection is exactly the opposite of what transpired that day. This may be understandable considering that (Angara) is trying to recall an event that took place more than 15 months ago," Ismael Khan, assistant court administrator of the Supreme Court, quoted Pardo as saying.Khan said Pardo was "a little upset" during their phone conversation.Malaya tried, but failed, to get in touch with Pardo.Angara remained steadfast on his recollection."I stand firm and clear about my story on Justice Pardo. I am not backing down," he said.
4. MARCOS WEALTH
PCGG, Ombudsman set up Marcos cases secretariat
(Inquirer, Page 4 )
THE PRESIDENTIAL Commission on Good Government and the Ombudsman's office will be cooperating more closely on the criminal cases against the Marcoses and their cronies, and have agreed to set up a joint secretariat to serve as a clearinghouse for issues involving the prosecution of these cases. It is a breakthrough of sorts for the PCGG and the Ombudsman, which have been at odds over certain cases, resulting in the dismissal of some of the criminal suits against the Marcoses. Alarmed by the increasing number of dismissed cases, the two state agencies met last week to settle their differences and work out how they could cooperate to forestall any more dismissals.
5. CHA-CHA
Solon wants polls deferred (Inquirer, Page 3) A CONGRESSMAN has proposed canceling the elections for the president and vice president in 2004 to allow President Macapagal-Arroyo and Vice President Teofisto Guingona to remain in office up to 2007. Rep. Gerardo Espina, a Nationalist People's Coalition representative from Biliran, said he would propose this as an amendment to the 1987 Constitution. Espina, the author of a House resolution calling for Charter change through a constituent assembly, said extending Ms Macapagal's term to 2007 via Charter change would lead to "better performance, less politicking." Ms Macapagal, who is serving out the unexpired term of deposed ex-President Joseph Estrada, would then serve as the transition president until the next presidential elections are held in 2007.
6. OTHER TOP STORIES
Cardinal Sin denies backing Copa 'junta'
(Inquirer, Page 1)
MANILA ARCHBISHOP Jaime Cardinal Sin on Monday distanced himself from the Council of Philippine Affairs (Copa), which is allegedly espousing the formation of a junta under the name of "Freedom Force" to replace the administration of President Macapagal-Arroyo. Bishop Socrates Villegas said the supposed junta proponents – columnist Teodoro Benigno, former Tarlac Rep. Jose "Peping" Cojuangco, Copa secretary general Pastor "Boy" Saycon, Chief Supt. Florencio Fianza and two unidentified persons – visited the cardinal at the Villa San Miguel three days ago. Villegas, who attended the meeting at Sin's residence, said the group wanted the support of the cardinal and the Catholic Church in their moves to oust the President.
Corona can face criminal raps — Drilon
(Tribune, Page 1)
Associate Justice Renato Corona's ascension to the powerful Supreme Court (SC) does not exculpate him from alleged misdeeds and can face any criminal charges.This was the impression gathered yesterday from Senate President Franklin Drilon who took note of supposed plans of relatives of Corona to file graft and estafa cases against him over an ownership dispute of a family-owned enterprise.But Corona can only be removed from his post through impeachment, Drilon pointed out.“Certainly, no one is exempt from criminal charges except the President who may not be charged during her term. That is the only qualification. All of us are covered by our penal system,” he said in an interview.
GMA rejects Pagcor plan for a ‘casino university’
(Manila Times, Page )
GMA thumbs down Casino University
(Philippine Star, Page7 )
PRESIDENT Arroyo yesterday rejected the proposal of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) to put up a “casino university,” saying she does not want the “culture of gambling” to thrive in the country. The President announced her opposition to the plan during her weekly radio interview.
Captain of burned ferry cries arson
( Philippine Star, Page1 )
The captain of the ill-fated M/V Maria Carmela claimed yesterday that the fire that killed 44 passengers of the ferry last April 11 was an act of arson. Testifying before a special Board of Marine Inquiry at the Coast Guard headquarters in Manila, Capt. Godofredo Erandio of Lucena City said the fire could not have been accidental since they had long been transporting copra without any untoward incident. When the Carmela caught fire off Lucena City in Quezon province, it was reportedly carrying trucks loaded with 1,600 sacks of the coconut byproduct. The highly flammable material is being eyed as the cause of the rapid spread of the blaze, which forced many passengers to jump overboard and eventually drown.
Senate approves bill on film industry perks
(Philippine Star,Page2 )
The Senate approved yesterday on third and final reading a bill granting incentives to local movies as a means to upgrade the movie industry. Senate Bill 2049, principally authored and sponsored by Sen. Vicente Sotto III, creates a Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) whose main task is to establish and implement an incentive system for movie producers and encourage them to produce quality film. The measure also creates a 30-man Cinema Evaluation Board that would formulate a set of criteria on film evaluation, subject to the approval of the FDCP, and rate Filipino films submitted to it for review.
GMA seeking new AFP ‘shopping list’
(Philippine Star, Page6 )
President Arroyo hinted yesterday that her administration may submit to Congress a new "shopping list" for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization program, one that would be more flexible to bidding rules and more relevant to the anti-terror campaign. In her weekly radio program, the President noted that while Congress has approved the list for the modernization program, the military has not been able to acquire the modern equipment due to the long bidding process prescribed by law. "The first bidding would have been completed end of last year. The bids had already been sealed. But by the time we have a successful bid, the shopping list is already obsolete. That is what’s saddening here," she said.
Labor leaders warn of more displacement of workers
(Philippine Star, Page7 )
Labor leaders representing various workers groups warned yesterday of continuous displacement of workers as factories close down due to the impact of trade liberalization and the country’s commitments to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Ernesto Arellano of the National Confederation of Labor said that from January to April this year, a total of 80,299 workers lost their jobs as against 4,419 workers displaced when the country initially joined the WTO. At the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), reports said more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) face possible displacement in the coming months due to the impending ban on the hiring of foreign workers in Micronesia.
DOJ suspends guard who raped witness
(Philippine Star, Page7 )
The Witness Protection Program guard who allegedly raped a 29-year-old witness he was supposed to protect has been suspended indefinitely, Justice Secretary Hernando Perez said yesterday. "He is suspended. And after his suspension, he will be transferred to the Cordillera region," Perez announced the administrative sanction, as he ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate WPP guard Gerry Lintan, alias Rustom Yap. The WPP guards — composed of men from the Intelligence Service Operations Group (ISOG) — had gone through rigid scrutiny, the justice secretary said, but a closer re-examination is now imperative to make sure that "they can be trusted with the life of our witnesses."
DENR files raps vs Alvarez accuser
(Inquirer, Page 4)
THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources on Monday filed graft charges against the former head of its Environmental Management Bureau, for allegedly allowing an unqualified company to import and handle ozone-depleting substances (ODS). Charged before the Ombudsman was Peter Anthony Abaya, former EMB chief. Environment Secretary Heherson Alvarez approved the filing of the charges based on the complaint of current EMB head Julian Amador, whom Alvarez had appointed to replace Abaya. Also charged was Antonio Ortigas, president of Elite Adjusters and Surveyors Inc., one of the firms allowed by Abaya to import ODS. Abaya, son of Cavite Rep. Plaridel Abaya, has opposed Alvarez's confirmation as environment secretary before the Commission on Appointments.
TNTs may still cast absentee vote, but…
(Inquirer, Page 4)
UNDOCUMENTED Filipinos working abroad – TNTs for tago nang tago (always hiding) – will not be barred from voting in local elections under the proposed absentee voting law, so long as they can show proof of Philippine citizenship. Fresh from consultations abroad on the absentee voting measures before Congress, Commission on Elections chair Alfredo Benipayo said it was decided the immigration status of overseas Filipino workers in their host countries would not affect their chances of voting in Philippine elections. "TNTs can vote as long as they're Filipinos," Benipayo said, adding they must register as absentee voters and present certified true copies of their birth certificates, voter's affidavit or affidavits affirming they are Filipino citizens.