78 PASSENGERS, 7 CREWMEN OF DISTRESSED BOAT IN TAWI-TAWI RESCUED
COTABATO CITY — The Navy and local government units on Tuesday rescued 78 passengers of a distressed boat and its seven crewmen in the territorial seas of Tawi-Tawi, now in the custody of the Bangsamoro social services ministry, the regional police announced on Thursday.
Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, told reporters here on Thursday morning that the Philippine Navy’s PC390 sea patrol craft immediately towed to Bongao, capital town of Tawi-Tawi, the M/L Dhiemal that went adrift several miles off the Sibutu island municipality in the province after its engine malfunctioned.
“We ought to thank the Navy unit in Tawi-Tawi for its immediate response to that incident,” Nobleza said.
Nobleza, citing a report from the Tawi-Tawi Provincial Police Office, said that the M/L Dhiemal was supposedly bound for the seaport in Bongao from Tandu Banak in Sibutu when its engine conked out about nine miles off from its port of origin.
Officials in Tawi-Tawi of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao had endorsed the rescued boat passengers and crewmen to the provincial office of the Bangsamoro government’s Ministry of Social Services and Development.
The MSSD regional office here and the provincial government of Tawi-Tawi had separately vowed to provide them with essential humanitarian support and facilitate their return to their places of origin.
JAPAN, PHILIPPINES REAFFIRM TIES FOR MARITIME SECURITY
MANILA — Japan, through its parliamentary vice minister for foreign affairs Masahiro Komura, has again reassured the Philippines of its commitment to a continuing strategic partnership.
Komura relayed his nation’s position to Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. in Tokyo on Wednesday where they discussed maritime security and other issues.
While the maritime issue with China was not specifically mentioned, the Japanese embassy said the two discussed the need “to further strengthen the maritime security cooperation for the peace and stability in the region.”
“Amidst the multiple crises the international community is facing, Japan attaches great importance to cooperation with the Philippines as a neighboring maritime nation and a strategic partner, in order to maintain and strengthen the free and open international order based on the rule of law,” Komura said.
Adaci, in response, expressed his gratitude to Japan for its decision to provide coastal radar systems to the Philippine Navy as its first project under the “Official Security Assistance” program.
Like the Philippines, Japan is also having territorial issues with China, which is claiming Japan’s Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.
GOVERNMENT EYES E-BIKE REGULATION
MANILA — The government plans to regulate e-bikes and electric tricycles in Metro Manila by banning them from major thoroughfares due to complaints from motorists. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) aims to address issues such as e-bike and e-trike drivers stopping in yellow intersection boxes and the lack of registration and licensing for these vehicles.
Acting MMDA Chairman Romando Artes highlighted the exponential growth of e-bike and e-trike users, with at least 18,000 recorded in Caloocan City alone. To address this, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) proposed requiring registration and a driver's license for e-bike and e-trike users.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) also expressed concern about these vehicles obstructing public transit modernization efforts by competing with franchised public utility vehicles.
Recommendations on regulating e-bikes and e-trikes will be presented to the Department of Transportation. Discussions between MMDA, LTO, LTFRB, and local government traffic departments aim to develop measures to regulate their use along major roads.
LANDSLIDE FATALITIES REACH 85 AS SEARCH, RETRIEVAL CONTINUE
MANILA — Ten days of search, rescue and retrieval operations have brought the number of fatalities to 85 in the rain-induced landslide in Maco, Davao de Oro.
The municipal disaster risk reduction and management office said at least 38 people remain missing as of yesterday.
As this developed, the military deployed additional men and assets to help search and retrieve victims of calamities in Davao region as well as in Caraga, which were battered by heavy downpour for several days.
The Philippine Air Force had transported 88,444 pounds of relief goods, equipment and personnel as of Tuesday.
Col. Xerxes Trinidad, chief of the public affairs office of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said the Navy deployed the BRP Davao el Sur and the Marine Battalion Landing Team 9 to deliver 40,000 family food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Several units of the Army are helping in the search, rescue and retrieval operations. Troopers secure communities affected by calamities.
PHILIPPINES ARRESTS ISLAMIC STATE TERROR FUNDING 'FACILITATOR'
MANILA — The Philippines arrested Myrna Mabanza, a woman identified by the US as an Islamic State (IS) funding facilitator, near Indanan in the southern Sulu island group. The US Treasury Department labeled her a "terror" facilitator for aiding ISIS in the Philippines, including providing financial support. Mabanza allegedly facilitated fund transfers to the Abu Sayyaf militant group and ISIS-Philippines leader Isnilon Hapilon in 2016.
She also reportedly assisted a representative from Indonesia's Jamaah Ansharut Daulah in meeting Hapilon for arms purchases and training Indonesian recruits. Hapilon, on the US "Most Wanted Terrorists" list, was killed in 2017. Mabanza faces trial for terror financing charges. Her arrest is seen as a positive step in the Philippines' anti-terrorism efforts.
SALARY HIKE FOR TEACHERS? DEPED DEFERS ANSWER UNTIL WORLD BANK STUDY COMPLETE
MANILA — The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines has deferred its decision on teacher salary increases pending a World Bank study commissioned last year. This study will assess the feasibility and extent of pay hikes, a long-standing demand from education groups.
Recent actions in Congress and schools have called for salary raises for public school teachers to help them cope with inflation. Lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc reintroduced a bill to nearly double entry-level public school teachers’ pay to P50,000, citing the need for a "living wage" to keep up with rising costs.
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers also held protests in Metro Manila demanding higher pay, stating that economic and professional rights are essential for teachers to perform well.
DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa stated that while they support additional benefits for teachers, they cannot comment on specific amounts until the World Bank study is complete. The study aims to determine if there is a need for salary increases and the ideal percentage of increases in the coming years to match inflation rates. DepEd will present the study results during House deliberations on the salary increase bill.
SC SETS GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING CHILDREN'S DISCERNMENT IN CRIMINAL ACTS
MANILA — Children are not always assumed to have the ability to make sound judgments in criminal offenses, the Supreme Court (SC) said.
In a decision by the high court released on Wednesday, it said that children with their “malleable and developing minds” do not always discern the acts that they commit.
“We are cognizant, however, that children, with their malleable and developing minds, may not yet have the same level of awareness on the concept of right and wrong,” the 26-page decision read.
The high court stated that the guidelines summarized the carefully constructed rules and principles for handling children in conflict with the law, “taking into account their rights and special circumstances.”
The SC released the guidelines following a 17-year-old nursing student who was convicted of homicide by the regional trial court (RTC) for the death of an individual.
MIGRATION BOOM: FILIPINOS STUDYING IN CANADA UP BY 50% IN 2023
More Filipinos are pursuing education in Canada, with nearly 49,000 holding study permits in 2023, a 50% increase from the previous year. This makes the Philippines the third largest foreign student population in Canada, after China and India. The number of Filipino students in Canada has increased ten-fold from 2019 to 2023, reflecting a trend of rising international students in Canada.
Alberta and Saskatchewan saw significant growth in Filipino student numbers, making them the fastest-growing destinations. The spike in Filipino student applicants in Canada is primarily from working-age adults, many of whom aim to relocate their families. The average age of Filipino students applying through ApplyBoard is 31.
However, the number of new international students in Canada may decrease in 2024 due to new government policies limiting overseas student acceptance. The Canadian government plans to process fewer applications, leading to a projected 35% reduction in new student visa approvals compared to 2023. Study permits will be allocated based on each province's population, encouraging applicants to explore diverse education opportunities in Canada.
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BULACAN CHURCH COLLAPSE BLAMED ON TERMITES
MANILA — The floor of the balcony of a church in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan that collapsed on Wednesday was infested with termites, an official of the city government said yesterday.
The number of people injured in the incident rose from 45 to 56 yesterday, with one fatality.
Gina Ayson, chief of the city disaster risk reduction and management office, said the second floor balcony of the St. Peter the Apostle Parish Church in Barangay Tungkong Mangga was made of wood.
“Noong bumagsak lang siya saka nakita na may anay na pala (It was only after the floor collapsed that the termites were exposed),” Ayson said.
She said the church, which is about 30 years old, undergoes regular repainting.
“Kapag nakita ng church management na may kalumaan, talagang ginagawan nila ng paraan na maging maayos sa paningin ng mga parishioners (If they see signs of aging, the management acts immediately to make everything look neat and clean),” Ayson said.
The lone fatality, Luneta Morales, 80, was on the balcony when it collapsed. She was a member of the church choir.
PCO CHIEF’S HOUSE RAZED BY FIRE
MANILA — The house of Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil was among the residences razed by a fire that broke out in Quezon City on Wednesday night.
The fire at New Capital Estate 1 in Barangay Batasan Hills started at around 8:38 p.m. and reached first alarm, city fire marshal Senior Superintendent Flor-Ian Guerrero said in a report.
Firefighters doused the fire at around 10:44 p.m.
A South Korean man suffered third degree burns, according to Guerrero.
A public safety officer in the barangay said four houses, including that of Garafil, were burned.
The officer said they have yet to determine the exact number of families affected by the fire.
Arson probers said they are conducting an investigation to determine what caused the fire.
In Barangay Payatas, a 31-year-old woman was injured after a fire razed a house on Wednesday.
The woman was treated for second degree burns, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)’s National Capital Region field office.
The blaze started at around 9 a.m. and reached first alarm before it was put out before 9:30 a.m.
ANOTHER DA OFFICIAL STRIPPED OF POSITION
MANILA — Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has replaced Assistant Secretary James Layug as head of the DA office tasked to oversee the campaign against smugglers and hoarders of agricultural products.
Laurel appointed his chief of staff, Alvin John Balagbag, as undersecretary for the DA’s inspectorate and enforcement office.
Layug is now on floating status after he was stripped of his position.
The appointment of Balagbag was part of the revamp of key officials in the department.
Earlier, Laurel designated former Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources director Asis Perez as undersecretary for policy, planning and regulations.
Perez replaced DA Undersecretary Drusila Esther Bayate, who was previously appointed to replace Undersecretary Mercedita Sombilla.
Sombilla is now undersecretary for DA bureaus.
Bayate returned to her previous position as undersecretary for fisheries.
Laurel now has 11 undersecretaries compared to the six undersecretaries when President Marcos was the concurrent agriculture secretary.
LGU TO LIFT STATE OF CALAMITY OVER MINDORO OIL SPILL
MANILA — The municipal government of Pola in Oriental Mindoro will lift the state of calamity it declared over the area following the massive oil spill caused by the sinking of the motor tanker Princess Empress last year.
Pola Mayor Jennifer Cruz yesterday said the state of calamity would be lifted on Feb. 26, a year after the Empress sank in the waters off Oriental Mindoro.
“The lifting of the state of calamity will revive the local tourism industry and will erase doubts among the fisherfolk whether to fish or not,” Cruz said.
The Empress was loaded with 800,000 liters of industrial fuel when it sank near the coast of Naujan town on the morning of Feb. 28, 2023.
“Swimming is now allowed as we have cleaned the area, although there are still traces of oil slick,” Cruz said.
She lauded a decision of the Department of Justice to file charges against the executives of the RDC Reield Marine Services, owner and operator of the Empress, as well as two crewmembers of the vessel, an employee of the Maritime Industry Authority and a private person.
ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
OVER 1,000 COUPLES TIE KNOT IN CALOOCAN, VALENZUELA
MANILA — Over 1,000 couples got married during a mass wedding organized by the local government of Caloocan on Wednesday as part of its 62nd cityhood anniversary.
The mass wedding was officiated by Mayor Along Malapitan at the city’s Sports Complex.
In his speech, Malapitan congratulated the newlyweds and reminded them of the commitment they had entered into, emphasizing the importance of love and support in their relationships.
In Valenzuela City, Mayor Wes Gatchalian officiated the wedding of 163 couples on Wednesday.
The event was part of the city’s 26th Charter Day celebration.
Seventy couples from District 1 and 93 couples from District 2 exchanged “I do’s.”
The newlyweds were given free hotel accommodations and gift certificates worth P500.
SPORTS
MOBILE GAME NBA INFINITE TO LAUNCH GLOBALLY ON FEB. 17
MANILA – NBA Infinite, a free mobile basketball game from Tencent’s Level Infinite and Lightspeed Studios, is set for a global release on February 17.
Announced for pre-registration at the latter part of 2023, NBA Infinite is an officially licensed free-to-play game that offers players a chance to compete with players all over the world in different PVP modes of either 1v1, 3v3 or 5v5. Players can collect NBA players and upgrade their coaching staff.
The game also offers casual modes like the Three-Point Contest and Triple Threat where players can hone their mobile basketball skills.
Since pre-registration started, NBA Infinite has reached a milestone 4 million player pre-registrations across both iOS and Android platforms. With the overwhelming response, NBA Infinite has announced additional early access rewards like exclusive starter players and coaches, in-game currency and a special starter pack for the game’s kick-off.
Besides in-game rewards, NBA Infinite will also have a sweepstakes event for including autographed memorabilia from one of the NBA’s star players, an Ultimate NBA Infinite Fan Pack that includes two tickets to a 2024-2025 regular season NBA game of your choice, and other out of game rewards.
The game is still available for pre-registration on both the App Store and Google Play Store, with players receiving exclusive in-game rewards upon the game's official release on February 17.
NBA SCORES OF GAMES PLAYED ON FEB 14, 2024
Final
1 2 3 4 T
Hawks
24-31
31 24 25 19 99
Hornets
13-41
29 32 35 26 122
Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
D. Hunter ATL SF
21 PTS , 3 REB , 1 AST
B. Miller CHA SG
26 PTS , 5 REB , 4 AST
Final
1 2 3 4 T
Heat
30-25
33 27 23 26 109
76ers
32-22
33 29 20 22 104
Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
T. Herro MIA PG
23 PTS , 7 REB , 7 AST
T. Maxey PHI PG
30 PTS , 6 REB , 7 AST
Final
1 2 3 4 T
Knicks
33-22
36 19 22 23 100
Magic
30-25
27 38 24 29 118
Kia Center, Orlando, FL
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
J. Brunson NY PG
33 PTS , 1 REB , 6 AST
P. Banchero ORL PF
36 PTS , 7 REB , 5 AST
Final
1 2 3 4 T
Nets
21-33
15 17 23 31 86
Celtics
43-12
30 38 33 35 136
TD Garden , Boston, MA
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
T. Watford BKN PF
15 PTS , 2 REB , 1 AST
P. Pritchard BOS PG
28 PTS , 4 REB , 3 AST
Final
1 2 3 4 T
Bulls
26-29
32 17 27 29 105
Cavaliers
36-17
25 18 28 37 108
Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Cleveland, OH
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
C. White CHI PG
32 PTS , 7 REB , 4 AST
D. Mitchell CLE SG
30 PTS , 6 REB , 7 AST
Final
1 2 3 4 T
Pacers
31-25
31 34 36 26 127
Raptors
19-36
35 36 32 22 125
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
P. Siakam IND PF
23 PTS , 5 REB , 7 AST
S. Barnes TOR SG
29 PTS , 12 REB , 8 AST
Final
1 2 3 4 T
Rockets
24-30
21 28 32 32 113
Grizzlies
19-36
36 22 26 37 121
FedExForum, Memphis, TN
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
A. Thompson HOU PG
19 PTS , 12 REB , 2 AST
G. Jackson MEM PF
20 PTS , 9 REB
Final
1 2 3 4 T
Wizards
9-45
26 34 38 28 126
Pelicans
33-22
31 37 31 34 133
Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
D. Avdija WAS SF
43 PTS , 15 REB , 3 AST
Z. Williamson NO PF
36 PTS , 6 REB , 8 AST
Final
1 2 3 4 T
Spurs
11-44
32 19 14 28 93
Mavericks
32-23
25 31 32 28 116
American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
V. Wembanyama SA C
26 PTS , 9 REB , 5 AST
K. Irving DAL PG
34 PTS , 9 REB , 7 AST
Final
1 2 3 4 T
Pistons
8-46
25 16 28 31 100
Suns
33-22
37 33 29 17 116
Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
S. Fontecchio DET SF
16 PTS , 1 REB , 1 AST
K. Durant PHO PF
25 PTS , 5 REB , 6 AST
Final
1 2 3 4 T
Lakers
30-26
34 36 38 30 138
Jazz
26-29
28 41 23 30 122
Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
A. Davis LAL C
37 PTS , 15 REB , 1 AST
C. Sexton UTA SG
18 PTS , 3 AST
Final
1 2 3 4 T
Kings
31-23
16 25 30 31 102
Nuggets
36-19
27 26 21 24 98
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
D. Fox SAC PG
30 PTS , 7 REB , 8 AST
A. Gordon DEN PF
25 PTS , 15 REB , 2 AST
Final
1 2 3 4 T
Clippers
36-17
23 29 34 44 130
Warriors
26-26
30 29 38 28 125
Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
J. Harden LAC PG
26 PTS , 8 REB , 7 AST
S. Curry GS PG
51 PTS , 5 REB , 6 AST
INDICATORS
FOREX $1 = P 56.02
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Many are stubborn in pursuit of the path they have chosen, few in pursuit of the goal. - Friedrich Nietzsche
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