Was Sulu suicide bomber a man disguised as woman, foreigner? WAS THE LATEST suicide attack in southern Philippines carried out by a foreigner or a man disguised as a woman in hijab to conceal the explosives belt under the traditional garb? Police and military reports said a “woman” blew herself up before dusk on September 8
near an army checkpoint in the Muslim province of Sulu. The explosion occurred even before the bomber could get near the checkpoint just outside the camp of the 35th Infantry Battalion in the village of Kajatian in Indanan town. No soldiers were killed or wounded in the
Duterte says Xi offered him oil, gas deal to ignore SCS ruling
powerful blast, but the explosion obliterated the bomber. The identity of the attacker remains unknown, but the military’s Western Mindanao Command said the bomber was “foreign-looking” and that a severed hand recovered in the area was similar to that of a man. Continue on page 5
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Malaysia, Philippines grapple for ownership of ‘North Borneo’
The influential Royal Council of the Sulu Sultanate composed of Sultans Ibrahim Bahjin, Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram, Mohammad Venizar Julkarnain Jainal Abirin, Muizuddin Jainal Abirin Bahjin and Phugdalun Kiram II with their Special Envoy, Dr Sakur Tan now called Datu ShahBandar during his conferment on November 30, 2016 in Sulu province in southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
Read Story on page 3
Misuari, ma-impluwensya pa rin! NANANATILING MALAKI ang impluwensya ni Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari sa mga Muslim sa Mindanao at lalo pa itong lumakas dahil na rin sa pagiging malapit ng dating rebelde kay Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte.
Suportado pa rin ng mga Muslim si Misuari at sa isinusulong nitong peace talks sa pamahalaan. Kilalang kaibigan ni Misuari si Duterte kung kaya’t muling binubuhay ng Pangulo ang peace talks sa MNLF, at ilang beses na rin nag-usap ng
masinsinan ang dalawa ukol sa muling pagbubukas ng peace talks upang matuldukan na ang kaguluhan sa Mindanao. Nais ni Duterte na tumulong ang MNLF sa pagpapatupad ng kapayapaan sa rehiyon, Continue on page 5
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The Mindanao Examiner
September 16-22, 2019
Toxic skin whitening creams, lipsticks openly sold in Davao City DAVAO CITY – Contraband and counterfeit cosmetics contaminated with dangerous levels of mercury and lead are being sold in various shops here, according to the nongovernmental organization called EcoWaste Coalition. It said a team they sent to Davao City was able to purchased dozens of skin whitening creams and lipsticks and tested them and found out that these products, mostly from China, contain mercury and lead above the regulatory limits of 1 and 20 parts per million (ppm), respectively. The team bought the dangerous products from downtown Davao retailers for P20 to P120 each, and subsequently screened them for heavy metals using a portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analytical device. Out of 20 skin whitening products, it said 13 were found to contain mercury in excess of the 1 ppm limit. Mercury amounting to 1,187 to 2,330 ppm was detected in Erna, Jiaoli and S’Zitang creams, which have long been banned by the Food and Drug Administration due to their high mercury content. Out of 100 lipstick products, 24 had lead levels ranging from 118 to 30,500 ppm. Counterfeit lipsticks bearing the names MAC Vivaglam, Dermacol and April Skin were found to be laced with lead way above the 20 ppm limit. “Both lead and mercury are highly toxic and are not permitted as ingredients in cosmetic product formulations. The continued sale of cosmetics laden with these poisons, most of which are contraband and counterfeit items, is putting the health of consumers at risk and should be stopped,” said Thony Dizon, Chemical Safety Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition.
“The group’s latest exposé provides a compelling reason for the city government to act. As this appalling trade in toxic cosmetics has been going on for years, we urge the City Council to consider enacting an ordinance as a deterrent to such an unlawful act,” said Chinkie Golle, Executive Director, Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS). In addition to regular monitoring of business compliance to product safety regulations, the EcoWaste Coalition and IDIS urged city authorities to impose tougher sanctions, including hefty fines, jail time and business permit cancellation, against erring establishments and individuals, especially those who repeatedly engage in the unlawful manufacture, importation, distribution or sale of unsafe goods that can harm human health and the ecosystems. Both groups believed that combined national and local government action has to be strengthened to protect public health and the environment from dangerous chemicals lurking in consumer products such as cosmetics. “Aside from the health benefits that such action will bring about, halting the sale of poison cosmetics will prevent the leakage of lead and mercury into the environment, particularly when these chemicals are discharged into the wastewater and into water bodies,” according to EcoWaste Coalition. Both mercury and lead are highly toxic even at low levels, are well-studied neurotoxicant, and recognized endocrine disrupting chemicals. The World Health Organization has listed lead and mercury among the “10 chemicals of major public health concern.” Exposure to mercury and lead of developing fe-
tuses in pregnant women, babies and young children can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, reduced attention span, language skills and verbal memory, and reproductive disorders. Adult exposure to mercury can cause physical tremors, vision abnormality, irritability and memory problems, while adult exposure to lead can cause joint and muscle paint, high blood pressure, difficulties with concentration or memory, mood disorders, and miscarriage, stillbirth or premature birth in pregnant women. According to the WHO, the main adverse effect of the inorganic mercury contained in skin lightening soaps and creams is kidney damage. It added that mercury in skin lightening products may also cause skin rashes, skin discoloration and scarring, as well as a reduction in the skin’s resistance to bacterial and fungal infections. The Minamata Convention on Mercury has set a global phase-out target by 2020 for cosmetics such as skin lightening creams and soaps with mercury content above 1 ppm. This Philippines, which has signed but not yet ratified the chemical treaty, launched on July this year the National Action Plan (NAP) for the phase-out of mercury-added products and the management of the associated mercury-containing wastes. The NAP, developed with support from United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the Swiss Government, contains a detailed account on what the government is planning to take to address the environmentally sound management of mercury-containing products with a life-cycle approach. (With additional report from Mindanao Examiner)
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Anti-Sayyaf campaign continues in Sulu SULU – Security forces continue its campaign against the pro-ISIS group Abu Sayyaf in the southern province of Sulu where foreign terrorists are being coddled by the local extremist group. Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said the anti-terror operation will continue until the Abu Sayyaf and their supporters are destroyed. He said the support of the community and the local and provincial governments in the campaign against terrorism are strong. “Our troops remain persistent in tracking down and neutralizing the remaining terrorists in Sulu. The successful operations of our troops are also attributed to the local community who feeds information, directing our troops to the terrorists’ location,” he said. Just last week, government troops captured an Abu Sayyaf hideout after killing Nanz Sawadjaan, brother of a notorious terrorist commander, Hajan Sawadjaan, in a clash in the hinterland village of Langhub that left 2 soldiers wounded in Patikul
town. The fighting erupted after soldiers from the 41st Infantry Battalion assaulted a hideout of the Abu Sayyaf and clashed with about 40 gunmen under three commanders Almujer Yadah, Ben Tattoh and
Apo Mike. Hajan’s group was blamed by police and military for the recent suicide attack on an army detachment in Indanan town. (Zamboanga Post. With additional reporting from Mindanao Examiner.)
A military photo released to The Zamboanga Post shows the Abu Sayyaf hideout captured by soldiers following a firefight that killed Nanz Sawadjaan, a brother of terrorist leader Hajan Sawadjaan, in Sulu province on September 10, 2019.
September 16-22, 2019
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The Mindanao Examiner
SABAH IS OURS! Malaysia, Philippines grapple for ownership of ‘North Borneo’
M
ALAYSIA HAS REJECTED anew the Philippine claims on Sabah in the mineral-rich island of Borneo as Manila again raised the issue. “The state partment of Foreign Affairs told ABS-CBN Television. He also wanted Scarof Sabah is an integral part has allocated funds for Saof Malaysia. This fact has bah, which was annexed by borough and Spratlys – which is being claimed by been duly recognised and Malaysia in the 1960s. The newspaper also China and other ASEAN accepted by the United Nations and the international quoted Dimaporo as say- countries as theirs – to be community since the for- ing that “Sabah is one of part of the federated states mation of the Federation the parts of the Bangsam- of the Philippines Pimentel has also proof Malaysia on September oro territory hence Manila 16, 1963 and therefore, any should claim that Sabah is posed the following to form statements alluding to or part of the Philippines and part of the federal states Northern Luzon, Central insinuating the anachro- not part of Malaysia.” Last year, Malaysia also Luzon, Southern Luzon, nistic claims will be rejected as unfriendly towards tightened its grip on Sabah Bicol, Eastern Visayas, CenMalaysia,” the Malaysian following a proposal by a tral Visayas, Western Vimember of the Philippines’ sayas, Minparom, Northern Foreign Ministry said. Filipino Foreign Affairs 25-man consultative com- Mindanao, Southern MinSecretary TeodoroLocsin Jr mittee tasked with review- danao, Bangsamoro and said Sabah - now one of the ing and proposing amend- Metro Manila as its capital. “Eventually once we 13 states of Malaysia - be- ments to the Constitution to include Sabah as the have asserted our soverlongs to the Philippines. Early this year, he also country’s 13th federal state. eignty and rights over SaFormer senator Aqui- bah, we should include said that the Philippines should keep an eye on de- lino Pimentel Jr made the Sabah. Not only Sabah, but fending its claims on Sabah proposal while Filipino also Scarborough, Benham because “some jerks are lawmakers were preparing Rise, and Spratlys,” Pimenproposing we compromise to amend the 1987 Consti- tel said. Malaysian Foreign our historical claim to it tution and shift from preswith diplomatic moves of idential to federal form of Minister Anifah Aman last government. He said the year also said: “The Govimplicit surrender.” administration ernment of Malaysia reitSingapore’s The Inde- Duterte pendent newspaper also should continue to push for erates its position that Maquoted Locsin recently the country’s claim to Sa- laysia does not recognise as saying during a budget bah in a way acceptable to and will not entertain any claims by any party on Sahearing at the House Com- international laws. “There should be a way bah. Sabah is recognised by mittee on Appropriations that “we shall never have an that is acceptable under in- the United Nations and the Embassy in Sabah. To even ternational laws to assert international community think of it is an act of trea- our claim to Sabah. I think as part of Malaysia since son.” Locsin’s statement- we can defer it a little bit the formation of the Fedwas in answer to Lanao del more, but to say that we eration on 16 September Norte Rep. Khalid Dimapo- stop doing it is not in the 1963,” Anifah said. “Therefore, statements ro who asked him if the De- context of my proposal,” he
such as these will only expose the ignorance of history and international law of those who make them, as well as potentially harming the excellent bilateral relations which Malaysia and the Philippines currently enjoy.” Defenders of the Sultanate of Sulu In January 2018, Malaysia’s Supreme Court upheld the death sentence for 9 Filipinos who were charged with waging war against the Malaysian King during the 2013 assault on Lahad Datu in Sabah. The Filipinos have been identified as Julham Rashid, 70; Virgilio Nemar Patulada, 53; Salib Akhmad Emali, 65; Tani Lahad Dahi, 64; Basad Manuel, 42; Datu Amirbahar Hushin Kiram, 54; Atik Hussin Abu Bakar, 46; Al Wazir Osman, 62; and Ismail Yasin, 77. Chief Justice Md Raus Sharif said the decision of the five-man panel of the Federal Court was unanimous, adding, the panel agreed with the Court of Appeal that the death sentence was the most appropriate based on the findings of the facts of the case. The other judges were Chief Judge of Malaya Ahmad Maarop, Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Richard Malanjun, and Justices Ramly Ali and Azahar Mohamed. Basad Manuel is the son of the Jamalul Kiram III, the self-proclaimed Sultan of Sulu, who died from multiple organ failure in Manila in 2013. The bloody incursion by some 200 followers of Kiram from the southern Philippines in February 2013 was inspired by the supposed sultan’s claims of historical dominion over Sabah. The two-month siege was the most serious security crisis faced by Malaysia in years, involving armed conflict between the Sultan’s loyal followers and the Malaysian armed forces sent to root them out. At the height of fighting between Kiram’s followers and security forces, Malaysia deployed armoured vehicles and combat helicopters, including naval boats in an effort to flush out the Filipinos on the oil-rich island being claimed by both sides. About a dozen armoured personnel vehicles arrived in the town of Lahad Datu to support ground troops hunting down at least 50 members of the Sultanate of Sulu headed by Raja Muda Agbimuddin, the sultan’s younger brother.
Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III read a copy of the Mindanao Examiner when he was still alive. He died from multiple organ failure in Manila in 2013. (Mark Navales) The group intruded Sabah in February 2013 to exert claim over Sabah, citing historical and legal claims, but Malaysia rejected this and launched a massive assault on about 200 of the sultan’s men following a deadline for them to surrender peacefully. The assault by Malaysian jets and ground artilleries left at least 62 intruders dead, but the fighting between the two groups also killed and wounded 18 Malaysian policemen and soldiers. Malaysia arrested more than 300 Filipinos, mostly Tausugs, who are suspected of supporting or aiding Raja Muda Agbimuddin’s group under a strict anti-terrorism law. More than 2,000 Filipino Muslims have returned to Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces after fleeing Sabah in 2013 for fear they would be arrested in a massive crackdown launched by Malaysian on illegal immigrants and Filipino communities on the island. Sabah is just several nautical miles off Tawi-Tawi and is home to about 2.3 million Malaysians and 889,000 non-Malaysians, based on its 2010 population survey. Cession Money Malaysia is still paying 5,300 ringgits a year as cession money to the Sultanate of Sulu, although it lays claim on Sabah, a gift given by Brunei to the Sultan of Sulu for helping quell a rebellion on Borneo in 1658. The Sultanate leased Sabah – then known as North Borneo - to the British North Borneo Company in 1878 for an annual
payment of 5,000 Malayan dollars then, which was increased to 5,300 Malayan dollars in 1903. But the British transferred control of the territory to Malaysia after the end of World War II. North Borneo was annexed by Malaysia in 1963 after a referendum organized by the Cobbold Commission in 1962 and saw the people of Sabah voting overwhelmingly to join Malaysia. The Sultanate of Sulu was founded in 1457 and is believed to exist as a sovereign nation for at least 442 years. It stretches from a part of the island of Mindanao in the east, to Sabah, in the west and south, and to Palawan, in the north. Sulu Sultans At present, the heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu Sultans Ibrahim Bahjin, Muizuddin Jainal Bahjin, Muedzul-Lail Kiram, Mohammad Venizar Julkarnain Jainal Abirin and Phugdalun Kiram continue to exert strong influence in the Sulu Archipelago after they signed a covenant in 2016 aimed at consolidating and strengthening their unity and formed the Royal Council of the Sulu Sultanate. Sulu Governor Sakur Tan, who is a key figure in the unification of the sultans, said the signing of the covenant was unprecedented and historical, and will further strengthen the unity of all heirs to the Sultanate of Sulu. Tan, a respected and influential Muslim leader in the South, is also the Special Envoy of the Royal Council of the Sulu Sultanate. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
September 16-22, 2019
Sulu Pictures in the News
BARMM-BTA visits Sulu for caucus
Governor Abdusakur M. Tan graces the Forum on Education and Development organized by BTA BARMM and held at Sulu Area Coordinating Center on Sept. 11, 2019.
Sulu Governor Abdusakur M. Tan donates a complete set of sound system to the 11th Infantry Division based at Kuta Heneral Teudolfo Baustista in Jolo town. Captain Abdulhussien M. Matarul initiated the idea of seeking the assistance of the Office of the Governor, and without hesitation Governor Tan favorably considered. The sound system will be installed at the KHTB Mosque. (Ahl-franzie Salinas)
THE MEMBERS of Parliament of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority led by Atty. Suharto M. Ambolodto recently met with Sulu Governor Abdusakur M. Tan during their working visit and and sought his assistance in facilitating the attendance of religious organizations for the caucus with the senior ulama of Sulu. Sulu Governor Tan, in his opening remarks, personally thanked the BTA for coming to the province for consultations. He encouraged the religious leaders to be open with any problems and hopefully the BTA can atleast help in anyway to resilve their concerns. Governor Tan emphasized that Religion is important to the people of Sulu. He hoped that islamic teachers will be financially stable enough to sustain their daily necessities. “Encouraging and involving them with cooperative technique will help.,� he said. Islamic teachers, ulama and traditional gurus who are focused in spreading the teachings must be given appropriate compensations, according to Governor Tan. The BTA appreciated the efforts and assistance and support of Governor Tan. (Ahl-franzie Salinas)
BARMM members of Parliament Atty. Suharto Ambolodto, Rasul Ismael, Atty. Nabil Tan and Jess Burahan visited Sulu and met with Governor Abdusakur Tan last week. The legislators also met with representatives of the religious sector and fishermen and attended the education forum. (Nahdin Jubaira)
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The Mindanao Examiner
September 16-22, 2019
Was Sulu suicide bomber a man disguised as woman, foreigner?
Misuari, ma-impluwensya pa rin! Continued from page 1 partikular sa lalawigan ng Sulu na kung saan ay na-impluwensyahan ng ISIS ang teroristang grupo ng Abu Sayyaf. Hindi pa malinaw mula sa Malakanyang kung ano ang magiging papel ni Misuari sa plano ni Duterte, subali’t ilang ulit na sinabi ng Pangulo na nais nitong bigyan ng malawak na responsibilidad ang MNLF. Lumagda ng peace accord ang MNLF sa pamahalaan noong Setyembre 1996 at umupo si Misuari bilang gobernador ng Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), ngunit maiksing panahon lamang ang pagsisilbi nito. Natalo si Misuari sa halalan sa ARMM at inakusahan nito ang pamahalaan ng paglabag sa peace agreement na suportado ng Organization of Islamic Countries na ngayon ay kilala bilang Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Sa ilalim ng peace accord, dapat ay nakapaglaan ang pamahalaan ng sapat na pondo para mabigyan ng hanap-buhay at pabahay ang mga dating rebelde sa kanilang panunumbalik sa lipunan, at maitatag ng gobyerno ang isang mini-Marshal
Plan sa Mindanao upang maisulong ang ekonomiya sa magulong rehiyon. Dahil sa kabiguan ng pamahalaan, umalma si Misuari at ang maraming miyembro ng MNLF at nag-resulta ito sa rebelyon at pag-atake ng grupo sa isang kampo ng militar sa bayan ng Jolo sa lalawigan ng Sulu; at maging sa Zamboanga City noong Nobyembre 2001 na ikinamatay ng marami. At naulit ang atake sa Zamboanga City noong Setyembre 2013 at mas madugo ito dahil inabot ng 3 linggo ang labanan at nag-iwan ng malaking pinsala. Bagama’t nasampahan ng kaso si Misuari, nanatili itong malaya sa kautusan ni Duterte na huwag aarestuhin ang dating rebelde dahil sa napipintong pagbubukas ng peace talks. Sa katunayan, sinabi ni Duterte na nais nitong bigyan ang MNLF ng kahintulad ng peace deal ng pamahalaan sa karibal nitong Moro Islamic Liberation Front sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Murad Ebrahim na ngayon ay Chief Minister ng Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Ipinag-utos rin ni Duterte kay Presidential peace adviser Carlito Gal-
vez na agad bumuo ng coordinating committee sa pagitan ng pamahalaan at MNLF bilang panimula ng peace talks. Isinusulong rin ni Misuari ang pagtatatag ng federal form of government at tulad ni Duterte, matibay ang adbokasiya ng dalawa ukol dito. “We will look into this because we see that the BARMM is subdivided. We have what we call a deputy for the mainland, and then a deputy for Lanao, and then deputy for the BASULTA (Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi) area. And I believe the MNLF-Misuari group is more predominant in the BASULTA area,” ani Galvez. Malakas ang puwersa ni Misuari sa Sulu na kung saan ay matataas na kalibre ng armas ang bitbit ng libo-libong miyembro nito at daig pa ang mga sundalo ng militar sa kalidad ng kanilang mga baril. Ngunit sa kabila nito ay disiplinado pa rin ang mga miyembro ng MNLF sa Sulu at ibang bahagi ng Mindanao at nasa kani-kanilang mga kampo pa rin at naghihintay sa pagbubukas ng peace talks sa pamahalaang Duterte. (Mindanao Examiner. May karagdagang ulat mula sa Zamboanga Post.)
Continued from page 1 “The suicide bomber was in an abaya attire, a woman and foreign-looking with long hair based on the recovered mutilated head; however, the recovered dismembered hand is similar to that of a man,” it said, adding, forensic investigators were sent to the village to piece together all recovered evidence. The trigger mechanism used by the bomber to detonate the explosives was also recovered, it added. A separate police report said a soldier, Corporal Asmada Sabdani, of the 35th Infantry Battalion, noticed the suspicious woman, who was wearing a black hijab approaching the checkpoint and warned her. Sabdani quickly took cover and ordered the woman to stop, but she blew herself up. “Initial investigation disclosed that on on the above-cited date and time, CPL Asmada S Sabdani of 35IB PA noticed a female person wearing black hijab known as abaya who was walking along the road of the KM3 Highway going to the Camp of Alpha Company, 35IB (PA) located in the aforementioned place. When she was about to enter the gate, the duty guard took cover himself and warned the suspect. However, the suspect detonated an IED causing her body to be blown/shredded into pieces. No casualty was reported as a result of the incident. Post-blast investigation and crime
scene processing is ongoing,” the report said. The latest suicide bombing was the second in Kajatian village and the third in Sulu since early this year. In January, an Indonesian ISIS couple simultaneously detonated their explosives belt inside and outside the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo town and killing over 2 dozen mostly soldiers deployed at the church. And it was followed by twin suicide attacks in June by 2 Abu Sayyaf militants at the tactical command post of the 1st Brigade Combat Team in the village of Kajatian that killed eight people and wounded 22 others which was eventually claimed by ISIS. ISIS also claimed a suicide attack on an army checkpoint by a Moroccan militant, Abu Katheer al Maghribi, in Lamitan City in the neighboring Muslim province of Basilan in August 2018. At least 11 soldiers and pro-government militias were killed in the attack. All the suicide bombings occurred despite an extended martial rule in the troubled region where security forces are battling Filipino and foreign Islamic extremists. Islamic State Just recently, a motorcycle bomb exploded outside a public market in Sultan Kudarat’s Isulan town and wounded at least 7 people. The powerful blast was claimed by the Islamic
State – it was the 3rd time that the town was attacked since last year. The motorcycle, rigged with explosives, was parked outside the market when it went off and wounded those nearby, including a traffic constable. It was unclear how the bomber managed to sneak into the town, passing through several police and military checkpoints and road blocks and left the motorcycle bomb undetected by authorities. In April this year, over a dozen people were injured when a motorcycle rigged with explosives also went off outside the Carlito’s Chicken restaurant in Isulan town. The blast coincided with the town’s 61st founding anniversary. A similar attack claimed by the Islamic State - also occurred in August 2018 when a motorcycle bomb exploded outside a row of shops in Isulan and wounded several civilians. The BIFF was believed to have carried out the two previous bombings and possibly the latest attack. It was not immediately known if the attack was connected to the surrender of the MILF rebels to the government. Security forces have been fighting several Islamic extremist groups in the southern region where President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the armed forces to crush terrorism. (Mindanao Examiner and Zamboanga Post)
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The Mindanao Examiner
September 16-22, 2019
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September 16-22, 2019
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Duterte says Xi offered him oil, gas deal toignore SCS ruling From page 1 PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE said he has been offered a controlling stake in a joint energy deal by Chinese President Xi Jinping in exchange for ignoring an international arbitration in Manila’s favor on the South China Sea. In 2016, a tribunal in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines in a maritime dispute, concluding China has no legal basis to claim historic rights to the bulk of the South China Sea. Duterte said that Xi had promised him a majority stake in a joint oil and gas exploration venture that could fall within Manila’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), if the Philippines ignores the decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, according to CNN affiliate CNN Philippines. “Set aside the arbitral ruling,” Duterte said, quoting Xi. “Set aside your claim. Then allow everybody connected with the Chinese companies. They want to explore and if there is something, they said, we would be gracious enough to give you 60%, they will only get 40%. That is the promise of Xi Jinping,” Duterte reportedly said. An EEZ gives a country exclusive maritime rights to resources such as fish and oil and gas within 200 nautical miles of that land mass. Manila’s EEZ, mandated by the United Nation’s Convention on the Law of the Sea, overlaps with waters claimed by China and Vietnam.
Duterte’s comments come after he met with Xi in Beijing recently. According to China’s staterun news agency Xinhua, Xi said the two nations could take a “bigger step” in joint offshore oil and gas exploration. “As long as the two sides handle the South China Sea issue properly, the atmosphere of bilateral ties will be sound, the foundation of the relationship will be stable, and regional peace and stability will have an important guarantee,” Xi said. China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying didn’t comment directly on the reported offer, but said the Philippines was “ready to expedite cooperation with China in the joint exploitation of oil and gas.” “The two sides announced the establishment of an intergovernmental joint steering committee and a working group between relevant enterprises from the two countries on oil and gas cooperation,” she said. In 2018, the two leaders preliminarily agreed to cooperate on oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea, in a move that angered many Filipinos wary of Chinese territorial expansionism in the region. The deals included a memorandum of understanding to jointly explore for energy resources, alongside agreements on basic education, agricultural cooperatives and infrastructure projects, Philippines government
spokesman J. V. Arcena (who is the head of the Office of Global Media Affairs) told CNN at the time. According to a Chinese draft of the deal, the Chinese side would authorize its state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corporation to undertake joint exploration in “relevant sea areas” of the South China Sea, CNN Philippines reported. Beijing claims an enormous swathe of territory in the highly contested sea, overlapping competing claims from the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia, among others. And Manila has been in an awkward dance between Beijing and Washington for years over the South China Sea. The Philippines in the past has taken a strong line on China’s behavior in the area, even taking China to the international tribunal. But under Duterte, the government has increasingly looked to build an economically beneficial relationship with Beijing. Nevertheless, tensions between the two sides in the disputed waters have remained tense. In April, the Philippines government filed a diplomatic protest with China over the presence of hundreds of Chinese vessels near a Philippines-administered island in the South China Sea. Duterte then threatened to send his troops on a “suicide mission” if Beijing doesn’t “lay off” the island. (By Helen Regan – CNN)
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Mactan-Cebu International Airport bans use of plastic containers
C
EBU CITY – The multi-awarded Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) has banned the use of non-biodegradable single-use plastics and polystyrene containers in restaurants and shops inside the hub as part of its environmental program called “Going Green Campaign.”
The MCIA now is the first plastic-free airport in the country, according to Andrew Acquaah-Harrison, Chief Executive Advisor of GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC), the airport’s private operator. He said the ban on the use of plastic containers inside the airport facility is part of their commitment to a sustainable environment. “We took this step forward starting with our commercial partners as our commitment to environmental sustainability,” Acquaah-Harrison said. Starting this year, GMCAC prohibited its
concessionaires from using the non-biodegradable, single-use plastics and polystyrene containers in restaurants and retail stores located in Terminals 1 and 2. Restaurant and coffee shop patrons inside the airport facility on Mactan Island are also encouraged to use eco-friendly and reusable substitutes. Since the campaign began, at least 80% of the concessionaires are now using biodegradable alternatives such as plant starch utensils, paper cups and straws, wood stirrers, paper bags, and carton boxes for takeaway food. “In 2018, MCIA pro-
duced a monthly average of 3,500-kilograms of plastic wastes from its restaurants and shops. This is now down by close to 30% or a decrease of around 12,000 kilos per year,” Harrison said. The airport management also holds regular information and education campaigns for all concessionaires and stakeholders at the MCIA to raise awareness on the impacts of plastic use on the environment. GMCAC underscores other initiatives as part of its commitment to environmental sustainability. Since August 2017, GMCAC has been using 6,300 solar panels on the roof of
The Mactan Cebu International Airport has earned the prestige to be the first plastic-free airport in the country. The airport management has banned the use of non-biodegradable single-use plastics and polystyrene containers in restaurants and shops inside the hub.(GMCAC Photo) Terminal 1 to supply electricity for the airport which makes MCIA the first solar-powered airport in the
country. On a monthly average, the solar panel system produces 196,800 kilowatt-hours and pro-
vides for 30 percent of the electricity requirements of the domestic terminal. (John Rey Saavedra)
DFA opens authentication service center in Mandaue City CEBU CITY – The Department of Foreign Affairs has opened an authentication service center
in Mandaue City which will cater to the needs of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said the opening of center at the Pacific Mall will
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. (fourth from left) and Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino (third from left) lead other officials in the ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the opening of the Authentication Service Center in the DFA-Cebu Consular Office at the Pacific Mall in Mandaue City. (Photo by Danjick Lim)
ease the burden of OFWs from the Visayas in securing “red-ribbon” papers needed for travel abroad. Locsin and Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino, led the inauguration of the center. “For too long, they spend considerable time, money, and effort to avail of simple government service. I can only imagine the difficulties, hardships, and the frustration of the people,” Locsin said, adding, the authentication service for travel documents were previously available only in Manila and Pampanga. Locsin also thanked the Pacific Mall for allowing the DFA to open such
service for the applicants from the Visayas. “This is just the beginning. Under my watch, I tend to open more authentication centers and consular offices throughout Mindanao and Visayas in order to bring frontline services closer to the people,” he said. “There are many other services that the DFA renders to the public that you want it here, you will have it here, as fast as possible,” he added. Dino, for his part, commended Locsin for the effort of putting up an authentication service center in Cebu. “We have been burdened by the previous three-step process for authentication for decades, not only
was it costly, it was very time-consuming for the people. Legal processes and business transactions, here and abroad, would be further delayed if it involved documents from within or outside the Philippines that required authentication. It truly is remarkable that we now have the authentication through apostille,” Dino said. “It is a milestone because the painstaking traditional three-step authentication process has now become a streamlined two-step apostillization which only costs P100 for regular processing and only takes four working days,” he added. (John Rey Saavedra)
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