MARCOS SUMMONS CHINA ENVOY

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday voiced his concern over the recent statement made by the Chinese ambassador to Manila, which was widely regarded as a veiled threat to the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taiwan.

“We were all a little surprised, but I just put it down to the difference in language,” the President said about the recent statement by Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian, who has been summoned to the Palace to explain himself.

Huang remained mum on the backlash at his recent pronouncements as he attended Wednesday the International Chinese Language Day celebration at the Jose Abad Santos High School in Binondo, Manila.

He did not respond to queries from reporters about his remarks last Friday.

At a recent forum, Huang said Beijing “reserves the option of taking all necessary measures” should matters escalate in the Taiwan Strait and advised Manila to oppose “Taiwan independence” if it really cares about the 150,000 Filipinos working there.

The President said this sounded like Huang was ordering the Philippines not to meddle in the Taiwanese situation.

“I interpreted it as him trying to say that the Philippines should not provoke or intensify the tensions because it will impact badly on the Filipinos there,” Marcos said.

“That’s how I take it and I will be talking to the ambassador soon and I’m sure he will be very anxious to give his own interpretation of what he was trying to say,” the President added.

Marcos acknowledged that there might have been a language problem.

“English is not his first language but I’m very interested to know what it is that he meant,” he said.

OVER 1.2M RECORDS FROM NBI, PNP, OTHER AGENCIES LEAKED, FIRM SAYS

MANILA — Over 1.2 million records, including sensitive information of applicants and employees of multiple government agencies in the Philippines, have been leaked online, according to a cybersecurity firm.

vpnMentor claimed the "massive data breach" includes records from the National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police and Bureau of Internal Revenue.

The 817.54 gigabytes of database contained highly sensitive personal information such as passports, birth and marriage certificates, drivers’ licenses, academic transcripts and security clearance documents, the firm added.

"Individuals whose data is exposed could be potential victims of identity theft, phishing attacks, and a range of other malicious activities," the firm said in a report.

"It would be easy for criminals to apply for loans, credit, or other financial crimes using the identity of these individuals and supporting documents."

Cybersecurity researcher Jeremiah Fowler, who found the existence of a non-password protected database, authored the report.

The NBI has denied the report of a data breach in its system.

"Based no the initial assessment of our IT people, so far we did not see a breach in our system. But our verification and monitoring are continuous," NBI spokesperson Atty. Giselle Dumlao said in a statement.

The PNP and BIR have yet to comment.

Meanwhile, the National Privacy Commission will investigate the alleged breach of personal data.

It is set to meet during the day with the concerned government agencies regarding the matter.

MARCOS RULES OUT RICE CRISIS IN COMING MONTHS, SAYS GOV'T OPEN TO IMPORTATION

MANILA - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Wednesday he does not expect a rice crisis to happen in the country in the coming lean months, contrary to the warning of a farmers group of a repeat of the problem five years ago.

“No. I don’t. There is a chance na ninipis talaga ‘yung supply because nga nung magkasabay-sabay ‘yan. So we are watching and waiting to see what the production levels are going to be after the last planting season before the harvest, for the upcoming harvest and what will be… Basta’t nag-harvest na tayo. Pagka-umani na tayo, wala ng problema sa supply,” Marcos said in an interview in Bulacan.

The Federation of Free Farmers earlier said that the country could experience a deficiency in the supply of rice during the lean months of July to September.

“Basta’t things — all things remain in equal, we are, we have enough supply and that we’ll be able to keep the prices stable.”

The President, however, noted that there may be a need to import rice to ensure that there is enough supply of the staple before the harvest season.

“It is in the dry part where we are waiting for the last planting to be harvested. So ‘yun ang tinitingnan natin. We may have to import. So that’s — we’re keeping that option open,” he said.

PH NOD NEEDED IF EDCA SITES WILL BE USED FOR US OPS VS OTHER COUNTRIES - DFA CHIEF

MANILA -- The Philippine government has to give its consent if the United States also intends to use the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the Southeast Asian nation for its operations against other countries, Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said Wednesday.

Manalo issued the statement in response to a query by Sen. Imee Marcos, chair of the chamber’s foreign relations committee, during a Senate hearing on the EDCA.

“Given the heightened state of tension in the Taiwan Strait and the new United States National Defense Authorization Act of 2023, are we to understand that the United States will be allowed to store its military assets in the EDCA sites… for the defense of Taiwan?” Marcos asked, citing a supposed provision in the said US law regarding America’s establishment of “regional contingency stockpile for Taiwan.

Taiwan and mainland China have been governed separately since they split in 1949 due to a civil war.

The United States changed its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 but has kept up unofficial relations with Taiwan while supplying the island with arms and spare parts to help it maintain sufficient self-defense capabilities.

Three of the new EDCA sites are located in northern Luzon, which is across Taiwan.

Manalo said that based on the provisions of EDCA, “any other activities” not specified there are subject to agreement by the parties.

“So whatever new activity that could arise would have to be subject to agreement by both parties,” Manalo said.

PRIVACY WATCHDOG TO DISCUSS ALLEGED BREACH WITH BIR, PNP

The National Privacy Commission has summoned government agencies linked to the alleged data breach for a meeting on Thursday afternoon, an official said.

A cybersecurity firm earlier said about 1.2 million records of employees and applicants of government agencies were leaked online. According to vpnMentor, the agencies involved were the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

So far, the NPC had coordinated with the BIR and the PNP for the meeting later on Thursday, said National Privacy Commission Complaints and Investigation Division Chief Atty. Michael Santos.

"Totoo bang may nangyaring breach? Marami bang apektado? Gaano kalaki ba ang nakuhang data? Titingnan natin kung may nakuha nga ba o wala o may breach ba talaga," he said.

Santos said the NPC recognizes reports by cybersecurity firms, adding that they are working with the government to safeguard its systems.

However, the said report of a 1.2 million data breach was not initially forwarded to the NPC's office, which could have led to a swifter response, he said.

The NPC, Santos said, has a mandate to impose administrative fines as well as the authority to recommend prosecuting criminally those proven guilty of negligence in taking care of the personal data of Filipinos.

DOJ MOVES TO REOPEN TRIAL, PRESENT WITNESS VS DE LIMA

MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed Wednesday a petition to reopen one of the two remaining drug cases against former Sen. Leila de Lima, saying it intends to present a "rebuttal witness" against the senator.

The state prosecution, in its motion seeking to reopen Criminal Case No. 17-165, said it would present lawyer Demiteer Huerta from the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) as a witness.

According to PAO's website, Huerta is the officer in charge of PAO's administrative service.

Meanwhile, the camp of De Lima opposed the reopening of the trial as both the prosecution and the accused's party have already agreed "to terminate the proceedings and to submit the case for resolution."

In the DOJ's motion, it said the rebuttal evidence they would provide would also answer the evidence presented by the accused.

"The function of the rebuttal evidence is to explain, repel, counteract, or disprove the evidence of the adversary," the DOJ's motion read.

SENATORS GRILL GALVEZ, DND ON NEW EDCA SITES CHOICE

Senators on Wednesday quizzed Defense officials about the choice of four new military bases that American troops can access under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

At a hearing of the Senate committee on foreign relations, panel chairperson Senator Imee Marcos said the selected locations—two in Cagayan, one in Palawan and one in Isabela—seemed “random” and “no longer purposeful with regard to the modernization of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines).”

Marcos asked Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. if the military officials were now focusing on the Taiwan Strait instead of the West Philippine Sea, since two of the new EDCA sites are located in Cagayan, near Taiwan.

Galvez responded: “No, we are still concentrated on the West Philippine Sea.”

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian asked Galvez if the EDCA sites were strategic for the Philippines or for the United States.

“You mentioned earlier that it is strategic, but strategic to whom? Is it strategic for us or for the US?”

Galvez said the locations are strategic for the Philippines, saying the major consideration in picking locations for EDCA sites is the “total defense of the archipelago.”

He noted the vulnerability of the AFP is in the north, adding that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. instructed them to prepare for external defense.

“We can see that our vulnerabilities are located at the north-eastern side in terms of maritime security. While on the disaster side in the areas of Cagayan and also in Isabela, we see our experiences that these areas have been isolated during the previous typhoons that we have experienced,” he said.

LOCAL SHIPBUILDER SAYS READY TO HELP COUNTRY BE 'MARITIME CAPITAL'

MANILA — As the Philippines sets course to be the "Maritime Capital of the World", a local ship manufacturer says it is ready to support that goal by developing vessels for use by the country's sailors and seafarers.

Philstar.com joined other members of the media in a visit to the Propmech Corp. shipyard in Subic Bay, Zambales.

Propmech develops and maintains vessels used in various operations by the Philippine Armed Forces as well as the Philippine National Police.

One of the company's signature vessels is the Philippine Navy’s MPAC or the Multi Purpose Attack Craft that played a role in delivering medicines and vaccines during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The MPAC has also been used in operations in the southern Philippines, including the Marawi Siege in 2017.

Propmech also helped build BRP Tagbanua, a landing craft of the Philippine Navy that was commissioned into the fleet in 2011.

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OCCIDENTAL MINDORO, ISINAILALIM SA STATE OF CALAMITY

The provincial government of Occidental Mindoro has declared a state of calamity in the wake of worsening power outages that have triggered a string of protests.

“This is a big disaster,” Vice Governor Diana Tayag told Rappler on Thursday, April 20. “The suffering of our constituents now is worse than when we were hit by storms.”

The state of calamity declaration would allow the provincial government to tap into funds to continue essential public services.

“Our hospitals are the most affected. Our budget has dried up due to fuel allocation. We spend P7 to P8 million to just to operate our hospital,” she said, referring to the fuel needed to operate generator sets.

The provincial government previously declared a state of power crisis to “ring the bell” about the issue and catch the attention of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“We appeal to the president, and under him, the Department of Energy and the National Power Corporation, to step in,” Tayag said.

There is only one power source in the province, a 20-megawatt bunker fuel power plant being operated by the Occidental Mindoro Consolidated Power Corporation (OMCPC).

The OMCPC said that due to delayed subsidy payments of the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) amounting to more than P1 billion, the power provider cannot buy sufficient fuel.

As a result, only one engine is running, which only generates 7 megawatts per day.

Power distributor Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (OMECO) said the province’s daily power demand is around 30 megawatts.

“Maybe the national government could pay the subsidies being asked by our power provider. At the same time, maybe NAPOCOR could step in by operating other power plants here while OMECO is undertaking another round of a competitive selection process [for a new power supplier],” Tayag said.

CPP CONFIRMS DEATHS OF TOP LEADERS TIAMZONS, CLAIMS THEY WERE TORTURED AND KILLED

MANILA — The Communist Party of the Philippines confirmed Thursday the deaths of their top leaders Benito Tiamzon and Wilma Austria-Tiamzon, whom they claimed were tortured and killed by government troops last August 21.

The CPP said in a statement it took months of investigation for them to confirm the deaths of Benito or "Ka Laan", chairperson of their central committee, and Wilma or "Ka Bagong-tao", their secretary-general, who had long been speculated to have died in a boat explosion off Samar’s coast during an operation by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

But the CPP countered this, saying the unarmed Tiamzons and eight other rebels were flagged down when they were travelling to Catbalogan City, held captive, tortured and killed. Their bodies were then supposedly dumped on a motorboat with explosives which was then detonated, the CPP claimed.

"According to the information gathered by the Central Committee, the Tiamzons suffered severe beating in the hands of their captors. Internal reports cited witnesses who saw how the faces and bodies of the victims were smashed, apparently beaten with hard objects," the CPP said.

"The claimed mid-sea firefight and explosion were all a drama hatched by the AFP and its US military advisers, to hide all evidence of the ignominy of their fascist crime."

Along with the Tiamzons, CPP subregional secretary in Eastern Visayas Joel Arceo or "Ka Divino", and members of the guerrilla force of the central headquarters Ka Yen, Ka Jaja, Ka Matt, Ka Ash, Ka Delfin, Ka Lupe, Ka Butig were killed.

"The Party demands justice for the August 21 massacre of the Tiamzons et al. Their capture, torture and killing were directed by the top officers of the AFP," the CPP said as it called for the alleged perpetrators’ indictment in all relevant courts.

The CPP’s Central Committee and the National Operational Command of its armed wing, the New People’s Army, directed rebels to silently perform a 21-gun salute to pay respects to the Tiamzons.

MIMAROPA, ILOCOS RECEIVE TOURISTS FROM CRUISE SHIPS

MANILA — Hundreds of tourists from cruise ships flocked to Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) and Ilocos region several days before and until the end of the Holy Week break, the Department of Tourism (DOT) reported yesterday.

The M/V Star Breeze, owned by the Windstar Cruises, docked in Puerto Princesa and Coron in Palawan in late March.

After the Palawan tour, the Breeze proceeded to the Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos, Pangasinan on Palm Sunday, according to the DOT’s regional offices in Mimaropa and Ilocos.

The ship was carrying at least 476 crewmembers and passengers including foreigners and Filipinos.

From Pangasinan, the Breeze proceeded to Hong Kong.

Several cruise ships carrying thousands of tourists and crewmembers also visited Puerto Princesa in February and March.

Among these vessels were the Arcadia with 2,960 passengers and crewmembers; Europa, 488; Nautica, 1,084; Queen Elizabeth, 2,885; Seabourn Encore, over 1,000; Seven Seas Mariner, 1,145, and Westerdam with 2,000 passengers and crewmembers.

The Seven Seas Explorer with 914 passengers and crewmembers on board also docked in Coron.

The province of Romblon also welcomed passengers from Europa and Silver Shadow, the DOT-Mimaropa said.

30,000 HOUSING UNITS TO RISE IN BULACAN

MANILA — The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) will build six housing projects in Bulacan that may generate up to 30,000 shelter units under the Marcos administration’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing or 4PH program.

The President attended yesterday the groundbreaking ceremonies for the housing projects at the San Rafael Heights in Barangay Caingin in San Rafael, Rising City in Barangay Gaya-Gaya in San Jose del Monte City and Mom’s Ville Homeowners Association Inc. in Barangay Penabatan in Pulilan.

Groundbreaking ceremonies for the housing projects in Pandi, Guiguinto and Malolos City were attended by DHSUD officials and concerned local government officials.

Nine eight-story buildings will be built with an initial target of 1,890 housing units and a commercial area in San Jose del Monte.

Up to 3,920 residential condominium units will be initially constructed in a seven-hectare land in San Rafael.

At least 4,050 housing units will be constructed in Barangay Pandi, 108 units for municipal government employees of Guiguinto in Barangay Sta. Cruz and 675 units in Barangay Santor in Malolos.

A total of 12,563 housing units will be constructed during the initial phase of the projects.

The President said the government is likely to exceed its annual target of one million housing units with 1.2 million units now under construction.

SPORTS

PBA FINALS GAME 5: TNT DEF. GINEBRA, 104-95, TAKES 3-2 LEAD

TNT Tropang GIGA defeated the crowd-favorite Barangay Ginebra, 104-95 in Game 5 to take a commanding 3-2 lead in their best-of-7 final series in the 2023 PBA Governors' Cup on Wednesday, April 19 in front of 10,070-crowd at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson led the Tropang Giga with a huge triple-double output of 32 points to go with 16 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals and a block. Calvin Oftana had a solid game of 20 points (8/20fg, 4/9 3pts) along with 8 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal while Mikey Williams had 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and a block.

As per SPIN, due to a severe case of food poisoning, Justin Brownlee had to exit the game late in the third quarter, leaving the Gin Kings without their import during the crucial stretch of Game Five.

The Scores:

TNT 104 – Hollis-Jefferson 32, Oftana 20, M Williams 15, Erram 10, Khobuntin 10, Castro 10, K Williams 5, Montalbo 2, Marcelo 0.

GINEBRA 95 - Standhardinger 29, Pinto 18, Brownlee 14, Thompson 12, Gray 10, Malonzo 6, Pringle 6, J Aguilar 0, Onwubere 0, Mariano 0.

Quarters: 28-26, 49-61, 81-79, 104-95.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 56.21

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds, and the pessimist fears this is true. - James Branch Cabell