LOS ANGELES/ORANGE/INLAND
Melai gives update on delicate pregnancy See ENTERTAINMENT, page 9
VOL. XXIII, NO. 47 LOS ANGELES / ORANGE COUNTY / INLAND EMPIRE
December 24 - 30, 2016
The leading source of news and information for Filipino-Americans
Dela Rosa asks for forgiveness for fatalities in war on drugs
President Rodrigo Duterte grants the wish of a senior citizen who wanted to join the Christmas party with the President in Malacañang on Tuesday, December 20, 2016. (MNS photo)
MANILA, Dec. 19 (PNA) – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Monday asked for forgiveness for those killed in the war on drugs. ”Kaya ang hinihingi ko sa inyo ipagdasal niyo kami na sana Lord patawarin niyo kami sa mga nangayyari ngayon (Hence, we are asking you to pray for us that the Lord will forgive us with what is happening now),” Dela Rosa said. Dela Rosa said that we did not want it and even more so President Rodrigo Roa Duterte does not want anybody killed, especially
Filipino such that he loves the Philippines very much, he loves each Filipino. ”Hindi namin kagustuhan yan, mas lalong hindi kagustuhan ni Presidente Duterte na merong mamatay, ayaw na ayaw niya na may namamatay na Pilipino, mahal na mahal niya ang Pilipinas, mahal na mahal niya ang bawat Pilipino,” Dela Rosa said. However, Dela Rosa added, the President loves more Filipinos who are peace-loving and law-abiding. He would like to save the innocent, hence, this is happening. See DELA ROSA, page 12
Filipinos ‘OK’ with drug war
MANILA, Dec 20 (PNA) – President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs continues to gain satisfaction from majority of Filipinos. Citing the latest findings from the Social Weather Stations (SWS), Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the SWS 4th quarter survey found 85 percent of Filipinos is satisfied with the Duterte administration’s performance in its campaign against illegal drugs. Likewise, the same report showed a sizeable 88 percent of Filipinos saying there has been a decrease in drug problem in their areas since President Duterte took office
on June 30. “Clearly, the results of the survey showed that drug-related problems are becoming less among our people’s worries,” Andanar said.
De Lima: Much at stake’ by scrapping VFA By Azer N. Parrocha
MANILA, Dec 18 (PNA) – Amid threats of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte to scrap the country’s Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US, Sen. Leila de Lima on Sunday warned the President that there was so much at stake by doing so. “There is so much at stake here – the Filipino people’s lives, well-being, security and even our very sovereignty. I hope he doesn’t sacrifice those interests,” De Lima, a staunch critic of the President’s, said in a statement. The VFA, signed in 1998, is a bilateral agreement that allows US military and civilian personnel temporarily in the Philippines in connection with activities approved by the Philippine government. Pres. Duterte, in a recent speech, urged that the US to prepare the revocation of the VFA after what he thought the Philippines has been stricken out of the US aid agency Millennium Challenge Corporation. De Lima said that the decision whether the VFA should See DE LIMA, page 12
“If a portion of the SWS survey found that people are worried about becoming victims of EJK (extrajudicial killing), it is important See DRUG WAR, page 12
CHR revives team to probe Duterte’s claim of killing criminals MANILA, Dec 21 (Mabuhay) – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has “reconstituted” its team that would look into President Rodrigo Duterte’s claims that he “personally” killed criminals when he was still mayor of Davao City. “CHR has reconstituted a team to further investigate [and] look into the new revelations and public admissions that may shed light on our previous findings,” CHR chairperson Chito Gascon said. He did not elaborate. See CHR, page 12
Visitors check sculptures made of wires, which complete the Nativity set at the Meralco headquarters in Pasig City on Monday. The Liwanag Park, which is open to the public until January 8, showcases sculptures made from scrap copper wires. (MNS photo)
PHL now safe, crime rate is significantly down MANILA, Dec 19 (PNA) – “The Philippines is now safer from theft, carnapping, robbery, physical injury, and rape.” This is the statement of Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar as the Philippine National Police (PNP) released figures showing index crime volume declined 25,673 to 55,391 in July-November 2016 period, from 81,064 a year ago. Citing the said PNP report, Andanar said index crime rate went down to 31.67 percent in July to November this year as compared to the same period
last year. Index crimes are defined by the PNP as crimes against persons (such as murder, homicide, physical injury, and rape) and crimes against property (like robbery, theft, carnapping, and cattle rustling). Data showed crimes against property posted a significant slide to 42.48 percent, while crimes against person dropped 12.25 percent. Overall, crime incidents continued to decline across the country since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office.PNP report showed crime See CRIME RATE, page 12