Page

Groups...

(From page 1)

But Duterte simply shrugged off the “rumors” coming from the so-called “Viber 500” but admitted he was disheartened by the reports even as offi cials led by Defense Secretary Delfi n Lorenzana and Armed Forces of the Philippines chief-of-staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana denied the existence of a group in the military reportedly consisting of 300 retired and active ranking military offi cials, including allegedly some members of the Cabinet calling for the withdrawal of support for Duterte, their commander in chief.

Following the spread of the spread of the ouster rumors, Duterte hardened his stance against China, pointing out that there is a “limit” to the Philippines’ friendship with China, especially when Beijing starts asserting a claim over oil and gas deposits in the disputed West Philippine Sea.

Duterte warned China that he would send gray ships to WPS, should it start drilling for oil in the contested waters, adding that exploiting oil and mineral resources in the disputed sea is not part of the Philippines’ agreement with China.

In a pre-recorded public address, Duterte said he will state the Philippines’ territorial claim by sending navy ships in the disputed waters.

“I am addressing myself to the Chinese government, we want to remain friends, we want to share whatever it is. Sinabi ko naman sa inyo sa (I told you) Chinese government, I’m not so much interested now in fi shing. I don’t think there’s enough fi sh really to quarrel about. But when we start to mine, when we start to get whatever it is in the bowels of the China sea sa ating oil, diyan na ako (in our oil, that’s when I will act). Then by that time I will send my ships there,” he said.

Amid criticism over his supposed silence on Chinese vessels in the contested sea, Duterte said he would not allow China to dig for oil and other resources there.

“I will send my gray ships there to state a claim. ‘Yan masiguro ninyo. Pag kinuha na yung oil, kung anong mga nickel diyan, mga precious stones (That you can be sure of. If you start digging for oil, nickel there, precious stones). That would be the time because that is the time that we should act on it,” he added.

The Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Aff airs, has repeatedly fi led diplomatic notes against China over the prolonged presence of Chinese vessels in WPS.

On April 14, the DFA lodged a diplomatic note that counts as the daily protest so long as there are Chinese boats in and around Julian Felipe Reef in WPS, and another diplomatic protest on the dispersal of Chinese ships to other parts of Philippine maritime zones.

China’s presence in WPS came despite the Philippines’ 2016 historic win against Beijing’s sweeping claims to nearly the entire contested sea.

Sobejano, who was even implicated in the alleged plot which he vehemently denied, however, admitted that there are individuals and groups determined and are engaged in eff orts to undermine the government.

Lorenzana and Sobejano’s statements prompted Malacañang to state that there is no need for a loyalty check among members of the military amid the ouster plot rumors.

“Absolutely wala pong necessity. Sabi ni Presidente kung ayaw sa kanya ng military, uuwi siya ng Davao (Absolutely no necessity. The President said that if the military does not support him anymore, he will fl y back to Davao),” he said in a virtual press briefi ng.

In a pre-recorded public address, Duterte admitted that he was “downhearted” when he learned of rumors that a group of military offi cers have withdrawn their support for him.

“I was so -- talagang (really) downhearted ako because I expected the military to perform well…pagka akala ko makatulong ako sa bayan sa Pilipinas (I thought I could be of help to the nation, the Philippines),” he said.

The President said he is willing to step down if he no longer has their support, the same statements he echoed when ouster rumors fi rst surfaced in the early years of his term as President.

“If we cannot work together with just buy medicines, then maybe we cannot work together on bigger things. So what’s the point? Sinabi ko talaga sa kanila (I really told them). I do not work where I am not needed,” he added.

Duterte explained that he told defense and military offi cials that if they would ask him to resign, he would return to his hometown in Davao City. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte though is “unbothered” by the reports as he believes that the military offi cers would have ousted him a long time ago if they believed that he was “useless.”

Calls for Duterte’s ouster were fi rst aired in 2017 and 2018. In 2019, Duterte even acknowledged the plot and disclosed a supposed matrix of those who were allegedly behind the plot to discredit him and eventually remove him from offi ce reportedly composed of the opposition, lawyers and even journalists, among others

“Hindi po nababahala ang Presidente. Alam po ng Presidente na tapat siya sa Saligang Batas at alam po niya na nirirespeto din ng ating mga kasundaluhan ang ating Saligang Batas. Sabi nga po niya kung talaga siya ay inutil, matagal na siyang pinatalsik ng military,” Roque said in a virtual press briefi ng.

Roque said Duterte is confi dent that there is no reason for the military to remove him from offi ce.

“Alam po niya na kung gugustuhin ng military, kahit sino ay pupuwedeng ipatanggal ng militar, pero kampante po siya na walang dahilan para naman umakto ng ganiyan ang ating kasundaluhan,,” he added.

He also dismissed the allegations as “hearsay,” noting that the military knows that now is not the time for politics.

“Kuwentong kutsero lang po iyan. Naniniwala po kami na lahat ng ating kasundaluhan ay tapat sa Republika at alam po nila na hindi po talaga panahon para sa pulitika ngayon (That’s just hearsay. We believe that the military is faithful to the Republic and we know that it’s not the time for politics),” he said.

Roque said Filipinos have only over a year to wait until they elect new leaders.

‘Bising’ leaves 3 dead, 230K others displaced

“Bising” was last spotted 395 km. east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 215 kph.

TCWS No. 2 remains hoisted over the eastern portion of Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Baggao, Gattaran, LalLo, Peñablanca, Santa Teresita, Buguey) and the eastern portion of Isabela (Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan).

These areas may expect winds greater than 61 kph and up to 120 kph in at least 24 hours, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.

On the other hand, TCWS No. 1 is still hoisted over Batanes, the rest of Cagayan, including the Babuyan Islands, the rest of Isabela, Quirino, Apayao, the eastern portion of Kalinga (Rizal, Tabuk City, Pinukpuk, Tanudan), the eastern portion of the Mountain Province (Paracelis, Natonin), the eastern portion of Ifugao (Alfonso Lista, Aguinaldo), the northern and central portion of Aurora (Dipaculao, Baler, Dinalungan, Casiguran, Dilasag), Polillo Islands, the northern portion of Camarines Norte (Capalonga, Jose Panganiban, Paracale, Vinzons, Talisay, Daet, Mercedes, Basud), the northeastern portion of Camarines Sur (Siruma, Tinambac, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, Caramoan), and the northern portion of Catanduanes (Caramoran, Viga, Gigmoto, Panganiban, Bagamanoc, Pandan).

FLOODED Jipapad town in Eastern Samar LGU)

US issues travel warning to Philippines over Covid spike

MANILA – The United States government advised its citizens to avoid all travel to the Philippines due to the “very high level of Covid-19.”

“Do not travel to the Philippines due to Coivd-19. Additionally, exercise increased caution due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping,” the State Department said in a travel advisory dated April 20.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raised to Level 4 its Covid-19 notice for the Philippines, the highest in its Covid-19 warnings.

“Because of the current situation in the Philippines even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading Covid-19 variants and should avoid all travel to the Philippines,” the CDC said on its website.

“If you must travel to the Philippines, get fully vaccinated before travel. All travelers should wear a mask, stay 6 feet from others, avoid crowds, and wash their hands,” it advised.

The State Department earlier said it would update its travel advisories to refl ect the CDC’s science-based health notices, which will result in a signifi cant increase in the number of countries at “Level 4: Do Not Travel” to approximately 80 percent of countries worldwide.

“This does not imply a reassessment of the current health situation in a given country, but rather refl ects an adjustment in the State Department’s Travel Advisory system to rely more on CDC’s existing epidemiological assessments,” it said.

1-877-456-9266

www.crispinlozanolaw.com

• Deportation and Removal Defense • Waiver of Misrepresentation • Self Petition for Abused Spouse • Waiver of Crimes and Inadmissibility • Fiancé Visa Petition