PHILIPPINES BOOSTS MARITIME SECURITY AS CHINA TENSION RISES

MANILA — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has ordered his government to strengthen its coordination on maritime security to confront “a range of serious challenges” to territorial integrity and peace, as a dispute with China escalates.

The order, signed on Monday and made public on Sunday, does not mention China but follows a series of bilateral maritime confrontations and mutual accusations over a disputed area of the South China Sea.

“Despite efforts to promote stability and security in our maritime domain, the Philippines continues to confront a range of serious challenges that threaten territorial integrity, but also the peaceful existence of Filipinos,” Marcos said in the order.

The president vowed on Thursday to implement countermeasures against “illegal, coercive, aggressive and dangerous attacks” by China’s coastguard.

His order expands and reorganizes the government’s maritime council, adding the national security adviser, solicitor general, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency chief and the South China Sea task force.

The order appears to expand the role of the military by naming the Armed Forces of the Philippines, not just the navy, among the agencies supporting the council.

The renamed National Maritime Council will be the central body to formulate strategies to ensure a “unified, coordinated and effective” framework for the Philippines’ maritime security and domain awareness.

Marcos increased the number of agencies supporting the council to 13 from nine, including the space agency and the University of the Philippines’ Institute for Maritime Affairs and the Law of the Sea.

POPE FRANCIS PLEADS FOR PEACE IN EASTER MESSAGE

VATICAN, Holy See — Pope Francis urged the world to resist "the logic of weapons" in his Easter message at the Vatican on Sunday, easing growing health fears as he greeted thousands of Catholics.

The 87-year-old's "Urbi et Orbi" (To the City and the World) blessing came after he led Easter Mass in front of 60,000 worshippers at Saint Peter's Square while appearing in good spirits.

In his traditional speech broadcasted worldwide, Francis condemned war as "always an absurdity and a defeat", raising conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar and beyond.

He renewed appeals for a ceasefire in Gaza, calling for greater aid deliveries to the devastated territory and the release of hostages taken by Hamas during its unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel that sparked the war.

The civilian population is "now at the limit of its endurance", he said, lamenting the impact on children especially.

"Let us not allow the strengthening winds of war to blow on Europe and the Mediterranean. Let us not yield to the logic of weapons and rearming," he added.

The pope prposed a "general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine" as the war between the two countries grinds through its third year.

Francis also urged world leaders to "spare no efforts in combatting the scourge of human trafficking" to free its victims.

ENERGY SPECIALIST BACKS TAX BREAKS FOR E-MOTORCYCLES

MANILA — The Philippine National Police recorded at least 56 incidents during the Holy Week break, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo reported yesterday.

Fajardo said in an interview over dzBB that since the start of Holy Week monitoring on March 25 until 6 a.m. yesterday, the overall observance has been relatively peaceful, despite several Holy Week-related incidents.

“As of 6 a.m., we recorded 56 incidents, 34 of them were drowning incidents and 10 were vehicular accidents,” the police spokesperson reported.

Fajardo added that the spate of drowning incidents began on March 27.

These incidents, she said, primarily occurred at beaches, resorts and rivers, with two near-drowning incidents reported.

Fajardo highlighted the timely intervention of police personnel in rescuing some victims, while lamenting the loss of lives from incidents that occurred in private resorts, with three individuals still missing. She urges the public to exercise caution and responsibility to prevent further tragedies.

FILIPINOS URGED TO AVOID ILLNESS-RELATED JOKES ON APRIL FOOLS’ DAY

MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) cautioned Filipinos against making jokes or pranks related to illnesses or mental conditions this April Fools’ Day.

Across the globe, many pull off jokes and playful pranks on April Fools’ Day. However, some antics have gone too far, causing distress or harm.

The DOH reminded the public to keep the spirit of the annual event lighthearted, without causing any harm.

“The DOH urges all would-be pranksters to please avoid jokes related to illness, disease, and other physical or mental conditions; most especially about the loss of life. Doing so adds to stigma we want less of,” the department said in a statement.

The DOH urged the public to engage in “considerate and wholesome” fun on April Fools’ Day.

ROMMEL MARBIL APPOINTED AS NEW PNP CHIEF

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Police Major General Rommel Francisco Marbil as the new chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Marbil is taking the helm of the PNP after General Benjamin Acorda retired from service. Acorda was supposed to retire in December 2023, but Marcos extended his term until March 31, 2024.

The 30th PNP chief said that his leadership will focus on enhancing the knowledge and professionalism of PNP personnel, expanding their ability to maintain order and fight crimes, and increasing public trust in the police force.

Prior to his appointment as the country’s top cop, Marbil served as the head of PNP’s Directorate for Comptrollership.  He also led the Eastern Visayas regional police and the PNP Highway Patrol Group.

Marbil was a member of the Philippine Military Academy’s Class of 1991 like Acorda.

Malacañang announced on Sunday that Marcos had designated Police Lieutenant General Emmanuel Peralta as the officer-in-charge of PNP.

Peralta’s appointment is effective only until a “replacement is appointed.”

LTFRB stops expansion of motorcycle taxis

MANILA — The expansion of motorcycle taxis has been stopped as the pilot study is scheduled to end in May, according to the Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board.

The LTFRB will also draft its recommendation to Congress on the operation of motorcycle taxis.

“We will prepare our recommendation and it is up to Congress whether or not it will adopt our recommendation and based on that, we will act depending on the decision of Congress,” LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz said over the weekend.

At least 8,000 more slots were authorized by the LTFRB, he added.

Guadiz, serving as head of the technical working group, is assigned to carry out the pilot study of motorcycle taxi services in the Philippines.

“The TWG will submit its recommendation to Congress this May regarding the results of our work,” he noted.

Motorcycle taxi services aim to address the problem of unauthorized motorcycle taxis transporting passengers without a permit from the LTFRB, Guadiz said.

The motorcycle taxi service has trained drivers and passengers are also insured.

Motorcycle taxis would also address severe traffic congestion, he argued.

At present, there are 51,000 motorcycle taxi slots in Metro Manila.

Various transport groups have appealed to President Marcos to stop the expansion of motorcycle taxis in Metro Manila.

The Coalition of Transport Sectors urged Marcos to order the LTFRB to limit the expansion of motorcycle taxis in areas outside the National Capital Region, where the adverse effects of traffic congestion might be less severe.

The House of Representatives committee on Metro Manila development has pushed for a moratorium on additional players in the motorcycle taxi pilot study.

PISTON EYES TRANSPORT STRIKE

MANILA — Amid the impending crackdown on traditional jeepneys, drivers and operators are planning to hold a transport strike in Metro Manila as the deadline set by the government to comply with the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP) ends on April 30.

In an interview with The STAR yesterday, Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) president Mody Floranda said they have asked President Marcos to order a review of the PUVMP before the end of the three-month extension he ordered.

“We condemn the impending crackdown as we all know that jeepney drivers and operators are really suffering,” Floranda said.

He was reacting to Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Teofilo Guadiz’s statement that the LTFRB would go after colorum public utility jeepneys starting May 1.

“During our meeting with Chairman Guadiz last week, we asked him to study the PUVMP. That’s what we are demanding, especially now that many of those who joined the consolidation program have withdrawn from corporations because since operators joined the cooperatives, they lost their source of income,” Floranda said.

Aside from a transport strike, Floranda said Piston and transport group Manibela are planning to launch rallies.

“For us, holding a transport strike is always an option. We are prepared for all forms of protests, including big rallies,” he said.

Floranda expressed hope that the Supreme Court will issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) stopping the government from implementing the PUVMP.

“We are still hoping that the high court will issue a TRO, based on the petition we filed on Dec. 20, 2023,” he said.

DAR VOWS TO DISTRIBUTE REMAINING 1 MILLION LAND TITLES

MANILA — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) will distribute the remaining one million land titles to farmer-beneficiaries before the term of President Marcos ends in June 2028.

This is the commitment of Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III, who said that the DAR hopes to distribute 100,000 land titles this year and expects to double the number by 2025.

“Before we took over, the yearly land titles being distributed were only about 15,000. When we assumed office, from July 1 to Dec. 31, 2022, we were able to release more than 22,000 land titles in just six months,” Estrella told The STAR over the weekend.

During a Senate budget deliberation in 2022, the DAR committed to distribute at least 50,000 titles per year.

“In the next budget hearing in September 2023, I informed the senators that we were able to distribute 70,000 titles and we exceeded the target. This year, we are targeting about 100,000, which is almost doubled,” Estrella said.

He said the agency was able to identify and address solutions to hasten the distribution of land titles.

“The problem was the shortage in the judicial forms for land titles as many are in the pipeline and for printing,” he said.

Estrella said the Land Registration Authority and the Registry of Deeds do not have the capacity to print a large volume of forms for the certificates of land titles.

“We plan to outsource, which can be authorized by the government. We can distribute about 200,000 titles a year,” he said.

Once the printing of the certificates of land titles is addressed, the distribution of the remaining one million can be completed within the administration of Marcos, Estrella said.

THE REST

========

WALANG PASOK: CLASS SUSPENSIONS FOR APRIL 1 TO 2 DUE TO EXTREME HEAT

MANILA — Several classes in Visayas and Mindanao have been suspended or adjusted  due to “high heat conditions.”

In separate announcements, several schools and cities suspended classes or adjusted their mode of instruction for April 1 and 2, 2024. The Department of Education’s memorandum released on April 20 last year allowed heads of public and private schools to cancel face-to-face classes due to extreme heat.

In the latest heat index bulletin of state weather bureau PAGASA, four areas in the Philippines are currently under the “danger” classification where temperatures may range from 42 to 51 degrees Celcius.

BI DETECTS ‘BITBIT,’ A NEW HUMAN TRAFFICKING SCHEME

MANILA — Immigration officials issued a warning about the “bitbit” human trafficking scheme, wherein Filipino women are persuaded to work in the flesh trade abroad.

In the bitbit scheme, “a frequent traveler would attempt to transport a female victim who will be deceived into working as a sex worker abroad,” Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said.

On March 22, a male trafficker and his victim were intercepted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

They posed as cohabiting partners and attempted to depart for Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.

The male suspect recently traveled to Malaysia with another Filipino woman who he also claimed was his partner, based on records. The woman has not returned to the Philippines.

Authorities turned over the latest victim to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking.

The suspect could face charges for violating the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022.

Tansingco recalled a 2023 case when a victim illegally boarded a sailboat in Palawan going to Malaysia.

The victim reached a hotel in Sibu, Malaysia that housed sex workers.

“She was held captive. Disturbingly, she was subjected to appalling conditions, including being denied food if she failed to satisfy the demands of her captors. She was even forced to undergo an abortion when they discovered she was with child,” Tansingco said.

36 POOR BARMM OPHTHALMIC PATIENTS GET FREE EYE SURGERIES

COTABATO CITY — Thirty-six more ophthalmic patients, some of them squint-eyed, benefitted from a seven-day eye care mission of the figurehead of the Bangsamoro government and a physician-member of the 80-seat regional parliament that culminated on Saturday.

Radio reports here on Sunday stated that many of the 36 marginalized patients who benefited from the weeklong outreach activity of Regional Parliament Member Kadil Monera Sinolinding Jr. and Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim are from the Muslim, Christian and non-Moro ethnic communities in far-flung areas in Central Mindanao.

The continuing eye care missions of Sinolinding, a physician-ophthalmologist trained in India, started right after he was appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in August 2022 as member of the interim parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, led by Ebrahim, who is chairman of the central committee of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Ranking officials of BARMM’s health ministry told reporters on Sunday that many of the 36 eye patients served in the past seven days by Sinolinding’s team underwent free cataract and ptyregium surgery, done with the help of volunteers from the non-stock, non-profit medical service outfit Deseret Ambulatory Referral Center based in Kabacan town in Cotabato.

A number of the 36 beneficiaries of their latest outreach mission were squint-eyed, or “duling” in most Filipino vernaculars, whose eye defects were fixed by Sinolinding and his assistants via delicate surgical procedures.

ANGAT DAM WATER LEVEL DROPS TO 190 METERS

MANILA — The water level in Angat Dam dropped to 190.03 meters due to El Niño and the dry season, according to PAGASA. This is 9.20 meters lower than the previous day and 12.97 meters below the normal high water level. Despite this, it remains above the minimum operating level of 180 meters.

PAGASA predicts further decreases, with levels possibly reaching 189 meters by the end of March and 182.73 meters in May, below the dam’s rule curve. Angat Dam supplies over 90 percent of Metro Manila’s water and irrigates 25,000 hectares of farmland in Bulacan and Pampanga.

Other Luzon dams, including Ambuklao, San Roque, and Pantabangan, are also experiencing declining water levels. Pantabangan Dam may reach a critical level by April's end, affecting the irrigation needs of Nueva Ecija, a major rice-producing area. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources emphasizes the importance of water for peace, stability, and development, aiming for water security and access for all communities.

14 RESCUED AS BOAT SINKS OFF QUEZON

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna — Fourteen people were rescued when their boat capsized in the waters off Burdeos, Quezon on Saturday night.

The passengers came from Binumbunan Island when big waves and strong winds battered their boat off the coast of Barangay San Rafael at around 6:30 p.m., according to Capt. Fernando Portes, Burdeos police chief.

Police and local disaster management personnel responded and rescued the passengers.

Portes said the passengers, including a teacher and the owner of the boat, were taken to a clinic for medical checkup.

No injuries were reported.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

KIM RODRIGUEZ DENIES INVOLVEMENT WITH CAGER MARC PINGRIS

MANILA — Kim Rodriguez quashed the rumors linking her to basketball star Marc Pingris through her manager, vlogger Ogie Diaz.

Showbiz and pundits alike were momentarily busy talking about the issue that broke out during the Holy Week, when most of the predominantly Catholic Philippines are called upon to reflect on their sins and shortcomings.

Ogie relayed Kim's answers through his popular YouTube show "Showbiz Updates" on March 30. Kim is Ogie's ward.

“Tito, hindi po ‘yan totoo,” Kim said as quoted by Ogie.

Ogie asked Kim to clarify on the two viral photos. In separate photos of Kim and Marc, both personalities were seen with the staff of a popular French fries store and with Sydney Opera House as the background.

Kim said that she was on her way to Subic with her friends when they stopped by a gasoline station where the snack store was located.

“Hindi po kami magkasama niyan. Kahit itanong niyo po sa girl na 'yan kung magkasama kami ni Marc Pingris or kung pareho niya kaming nakita on that same time, I’m sure alam niya ang totoo," said the actress.

She also refuted the Australia photo with the popular Sydney landmark.

“Ang sabi naman sa akin ni Kim, meron siyang dalawang kaibigan na kasama nu'ng nagbakasyon sila sa Australia. Sabi sa akin ni Kim, 'Anong pakialam ko kung may picture doon si Marc Pingris sa Opera House? Eh,  ako din may picture. Lahat naman ng nagpupunta ng Sydney dapat may picture ka daw sa Opera House kaya may picture ako,” she said.

Marc Pingris and his wife Danica Sotto had also spoke about and denied the issue.

SPORTS

NBA SCORES OF MARCH 30, 2024

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Celtics

58-16

28        31        24        21        104

Pelicans

45-29

37        20        11        24        92

Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

J. Tatum BOS PF

23 PTS , 9 REB , 4 AST

Z. Williamson NO PF

25 PTS , 9 REB , 4 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Grizzlies

24-50

13        21        21        33        88

Magic

43-31

33        25        32        28        118

Kia Center, Orlando, FL

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

J. Goodwin MEM SG

16 PTS , 11 REB , 3 AST

J. Suggs ORL SG

15 PTS , 1 REB , 4 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Bucks

47-27

33        26        30        33        122

Hawks

34-40

28        17        29        39        113

State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

G. Antetokounmpo MIL PF

36 PTS , 16 REB , 7 AST

B. Bogdanovic ATL SG

38 PTS , 10 REB , 4 AST

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Conservatism stands on man's confessed limitations; reform on his indisputable infinitude - Ralph Waldo Emerson