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QuadComm: Leonardo posibleng tumestigo sa drug war cash rewards

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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QuadComm: Leonardo posibleng tumestigo sa drug war cash rewards

MAYNILA. Posibleng tumestigo si dating National Police Commission (Napolcom) commissioner Edilberto Leonardo kaugnay ng mga alegasyon ni dating Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma hinggil sa diumano ay pagbibigay ng cash reward para sa bawat mapapatay sa war on drugs ng administrasyong Duterte.

Nauna dito, sinabi ni Dan Fernandez, chairman ng House Committee on Public Order and Safety na “ang katotohanan ay susi talaga hindi lang sa kalayaan kundi pati na din sa pagbabago. Kaya tama na magpakatotoo kaysa usigin ka ng iyong kunsensya.”

Ayon kay Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante, isa sa mga chairman ng apat na House committees na nag-iimbestiga sa war on drugs, nagpapakita si Leonardo ng intensyon na tumulong sa imbestigasyon. “We had an initial talk… He asked that we talk to him. Initially speaking, mayroon na siyang tinatawag na intensyon na, okay, sasabihin na niya ‘yung iba in detail,” sabi ni Abante patungkol kay Leonardo.

Si Leonardo ay nagbitiw sa kanyang posisyon sa Napolcom kasabay ng mga pagdinig sa isyu. Gayunpaman, nilinaw ni Abante na hindi pa tiyak ang testimonya ni Leonardo. “Although we are not sure about that. It’s up to him,” dagdag niya. Si Abante rin ang chairman ng House Committee on Human Rights.

Samantala, sinabi naman ni Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairman ng House Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, na ang testimonya ni Garma tungkol sa Davao model, kung saan may cash reward mula P20,000 hanggang P1 milyon para sa bawat mapapatay na drug personality depende sa kanilang profile, ay kailangang suportahan ng pahayag mula sa iba pang testigo. “Iniintay natin na merong mag-corroborate na ibang witnesses para nang sa ganun, magkaroon ng bigat yung kanyang revelation,” ani Barbers.

Hindi umano nangangahulugan na agad paniwalaan ang mga pahayag ni Garma. “Hindi naman ibig sabihin na kapag siya ay nag-reveal o nagbigay, nagsumite ng affidavit sa amin ay paniniwalaan natin [agad ng] 100%,” dagdag pa ni Barbers.

Nais din ng House Quad Committee na imbitahan ang ilang mga personalidad na binanggit ni Garma, kabilang sina dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, Senador Ronald dela Rosa, at isang indibidwal na kilala bilang “Muking.” Sinabi ni Barbers, “We took note of all these names so that we will invite them in the next Quadcom hearings.”

Naghihintay ang komite ng karagdagang testimonya o ebidensyang makapagpapatibay sa mga alegasyon ni Garma upang magbigay-linaw sa usapin ng cash rewards sa drug war, na nananatiling isang kontrobersyal na isyu sa bansa.

US expresses opposition to Israeli airstrikes in Beirut

Venus L Peñaflor
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US expresses opposition to Israeli airstrikes in Beirut

WASHINGTON. The United States, Israel’s closest ally, has voiced its opposition to the extensive scope of Israel’s airstrikes in Beirut, as civilian casualties continue to mount and concerns grow over a potential escalation involving Iran.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller confirmed that the U.S. had raised its concerns with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration regarding the ongoing air campaign. “When it comes to the scope and nature of the bombing campaign that we saw in Beirut over the past few weeks, it’s something that we made clear to the government of Israel we had concerns with, and we were opposed to,” Miller told reporters, adopting a more critical tone than previous statements from Washington.

The Israeli military’s ongoing operations, which began two weeks ago, have expanded to affect over a quarter of Lebanon’s territory, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency. The incursions are part of Israel’s efforts to weaken Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group operating in Lebanon, which Israel blames for a series of deadly attacks. These operations follow the killing of senior Hezbollah leaders, including its longtime secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah, a development seen as the biggest blow to the group in decades.

Despite calls from Western nations, including France, for a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, as well as in Gaza, the U.S. continues to express its unwavering support for Israel. In addition to its vocal backing, the U.S. is sending anti-missile systems and deploying troops to bolster Israel’s defenses.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin have also communicated with Israeli officials, urging them to take concrete steps to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. U.S. officials said the Israeli government was asked to implement specific measures within 30 days.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remained defiant against international pressure for a ceasefire. During a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, Netanyahu expressed his opposition to any unilateral halt to the conflict and criticized Macron’s proposal for a Lebanon-focused conference. According to an Israeli government statement, Netanyahu told Macron, “A reminder to the French President: It was not a UN decision that established the State of Israel but the victory that was achieved in the War of Independence.”

The French government has yet to respond to Netanyahu’s remarks, but this exchange adds to the diplomatic tensions between the two leaders, who have previously clashed over France’s stance on halting arms sales to Israel.

As the conflict continues to escalate, the international community remains divided on how best to address the growing crisis in Lebanon and Gaza, with the U.S. facing increased scrutiny over its role in the region.

Kennedy family gathers for funeral of matriarch Ethel Kennedy

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Kennedy family gathers for funeral of matriarch Ethel Kennedy

Wife of Late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy Remembered for Her Dedication to Family and Social Causes

CENTERVILLE, Massachusetts. Members of the Kennedy family came together on Monday, October 14, for the private funeral of Ethel Kennedy, widow of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, at Our Lady of Victory Church in Centerville, Massachusetts. The service, held under gray skies, marked the end of an era for the iconic family, with the passing of Ethel at age 96 due to complications from a stroke.

Ethel Kennedy, who raised 11 children after her husband’s assassination in 1968, was a dedicated advocate for social justice and human rights throughout her life. The Kennedy family released a heartfelt statement following her death, saying, “Along with a lifetime’s work in social justice and human rights, our mother leaves behind nine children, 34 grandchildren, and 24 great-great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom love her dearly.”

President Joe Biden honored her memory, calling Ethel “an American icon — a matriarch of optimism and moral courage, an emblem of resilience and service.”

Born into wealth, Ethel married Robert F. Kennedy in 1950, and together they became a political power couple. However, her life was marked by tragedy. She witnessed her husband’s assassination in 1968 at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, just after he had secured the California Democratic presidential primary. Her brother-in-law, President John F. Kennedy, had been assassinated less than five years earlier.

Despite the loss, Ethel Kennedy continued to champion her husband’s causes, founding the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights and dedicating her life to advocacy work, including efforts in gun control and human rights. Known for her strength and grace, she remained an integral part of the Kennedy legacy.

The funeral was closed to the public, but those closest to the family gathered to pay their final respects, remembering her enduring legacy of compassion, justice, and commitment to the Kennedy family’s public service mission.

NASA successfully launches Europa Clipper mission to assess habitability on Jupiter’s moon

EDGARDO HERNAL
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NASA successfully launches Europa Clipper mission to assess habitability on Jupiter’s moon

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida. NASA has launched the Europa Clipper spacecraft from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to investigate if Jupiter’s moon Europa possesses conditions that could support life. The spacecraft, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, lifted off on Monday under clear skies, marking a major step in the search for extraterrestrial habitability within our solar system.

The mission will focus on Europa’s vast subsurface ocean, which scientists believe lies beneath its thick outer shell of ice. The Europa Clipper, a solar-powered robotic probe, is set to enter Jupiter’s orbit in 2030 after a 1.8 billion-mile (2.9 billion km) journey over 5.5 years.

Mission Objectives and Challenges

Despite only a quarter of Earth’s diameter, Europa is considered one of the most promising candidates for hosting life due to its vast global ocean of salty water, believed to hold twice as much water as all of Earth’s oceans combined. NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free noted, “What we discover on Europa will have profound implications for the study of astrobiology and how we view our place in the universe.”

However, Free emphasized that this mission will not specifically search for living organisms. Instead, it aims to measure the moon’s internal ocean and the icy shell above it, map its surface composition, and detect possible plumes of water vapor venting from the surface.

Europa Clipper will perform 49 close flybys of the moon between 2031 and 2034, coming as close as 16 miles (25 kilometers) to Europa’s surface. The mission will face the challenge of operating in Jupiter’s intense radiation belt, with a magnetic field 20,000 times stronger than Earth’s. To protect the spacecraft, NASA designed a specialized titanium and aluminum vault to safeguard its sensitive electronics.

Scientific Potential of Europa

Europa, which is about 90% the size of Earth’s moon, has a 10-15 mile thick icy crust that sits atop an ocean estimated to be 40-100 miles deep. NASA scientists believe that beneath this ice, Europa may have the right conditions to support life, including water, energy, and stable chemistry. Sandra Connelly, deputy associate administrator of NASA’s science mission directorate, said, “Scientists believe Europa has suitable conditions below its icy surface to support life.”

The spacecraft, which is the largest NASA has ever built for a planetary mission, measures 100 feet (30.5 meters) long and 58 feet (17.6 meters) wide when fully deployed, and weighs around 13,000 pounds (6,000 kg). Its expansive solar arrays will power nine scientific instruments and the spacecraft’s subsystems during the mission.

Journey to Jupiter

To reach its destination, the Europa Clipper will use a gravity assist technique, flying by Mars and Earth to gain momentum. The spacecraft will be operating under extreme conditions near Jupiter, but its robust design is expected to withstand the challenges ahead. With more than 6,060 pounds (2,750 kg) of propellant on board, the spacecraft is set for its ambitious journey toward uncovering Europa’s secrets.

This mission represents a key moment in humanity’s quest to understand whether life can exist beyond Earth, with Europa Clipper poised to deliver groundbreaking discoveries about one of the solar system’s most enigmatic moons.

DILG Chief Remulla: Walang sasantuhin sa PNP drug war probe

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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DILG Chief Remulla: Walang sasantuhin sa PNP drug war probe

MAYNILA. Tiniyak ni Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla na walang sasantuhin sa imbestigasyon sa posibleng pagkakasangkot ng mga dating hepe ng Philippine National Police (PNP) sa drug war noong administrasyong Duterte.

“Walang sacred cows sa institusyong ito at sa imbestigasyong ito,” pahayag ni Remulla sa isang pulong balitaan.

“Sinumang mapatunayang may sala, sino man sila, ay haharapin ang buong bigat ng batas. Walang special treatment, walang special privileges. Lahat ay haharap sa buong kapangyarihan ng PNP at mga institusyon ng DILG,” dagdag pa niya.

Ayon kay Remulla, ang DILG at PNP ay aaksyon agad sa mga isyung may kaugnayan sa drug war pagkatapos ng congressional hearing tungkol sa extrajudicial killings (EJK).

Samantala, sinabi ni PNP Chief Police General Rommel Marbil na nagsimula na sila sa paghingi ng mga pahayag mula sa mga dating PNP chief upang simulan ang imbestigasyon.

“Mayroon na po kami ng komite na magsisiyasat sa mga alegasyon na isiniwalat ni Colonel Garma kaugnay sa EJK at iba pang isyu,” ani Marbil.

Dahil sa mga testimonya, posible umanong muling buksan ang ilan sa mga matagal nang nakabinbing kaso.

“I think we have to wait till the full revelations are announced. I think pretty soon there will be corroborative testimonies that will abound,” ayon kay Remulla.

“I think with the testimony, some of the cold cases will be opened. But again, let us wait till the final hearings and final recommendations of QuadComm are done, and then subsequent actions will be taken,” dagdag pa niya.

Naunang inihayag ni Garma na hiniling umano sa kanya ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na maghanap ng opisyal na ipatutupad ang Davao model ng war on drugs sa buong bansa

Israeli airstrike in northern Lebanon kills 21, as tensions escalate between Hezbollah and Israel

Venus L Peñaflor
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Israeli airstrike in northern Lebanon kills 21, as tensions escalate between Hezbollah and Israel

AITO, Lebanon. An Israeli airstrike on Monday hit an apartment building in northern Lebanon, killing at least 21 people, according to the Lebanese Red Cross. The attack took place in the village of Aito, a predominantly Christian area far from the usual Hezbollah strongholds in southern and eastern Lebanon.

Rescue workers combed through the debris of the damaged building in Aito, pulling victims from the rubble. The strike also impacted nearby structures and vehicles, but the full extent of the damage is still being assessed. The Israeli military has not yet stated the strike or its intended target.

This incident follows a deadly Hezbollah drone attack on an Israeli army base in northern Israel on Sunday, which left four 19-year-old soldiers dead and seven others severely injured. The attack is the most significant assault by Hezbollah since Israel began its ground invasion of Lebanon almost two weeks ago.

During a visit to the army base on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged continued strikes against Hezbollah. “We will continue to strike Hezbollah without compassion in every part of Lebanon, including in Beirut,” Netanyahu declared, reaffirming Israel’s military resolve.

The violence comes amid a sharp increase in hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. On Sunday, Hezbollah launched rockets, missiles, and drones into Israeli territory, causing significant casualties and destruction. Israel has reported that its air defense systems intercepted many of these attacks, but over 60 Israeli citizens have been killed in Hezbollah’s cross-border assaults over the past year.

According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, more than 2,300 people have died from Israeli airstrikes since October, with the majority of the deaths occurring in the last month. Hezbollah, a close ally of Hamas, has vowed to persist in its attacks on Israel until a ceasefire is reached in Gaza. In response, Israel asserts that its military campaign is aimed at stopping Hezbollah’s offensive, allowing displaced Israeli residents near the Lebanese border to return home safely.

As both sides intensify their military operations, the death toll continues to rise, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.

ASEAN pushes for swift South China Sea code of conduct, calls for end to Myanmar violence

Venus L Peñaflor
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ASEAN pushes for swift South China Sea code of conduct, calls for end to Myanmar violence

BANGKOK. Southeast Asian leaders have urged for a swift agreement on a code of conduct for the South China Sea, emphasizing the need for adherence to international law. At the same time, the bloc called for an immediate halt to violence in Myanmar and for inclusive peace talks to end the ongoing civil war.

In a statement issued by the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the 10-member group highlighted the key outcomes of its recent meetings, which concluded on Friday in Laos. Diplomats from major global powers, including the United States, Russia, China, Japan, India, and South Korea, were also in attendance.

Tensions have been escalating in the South China Sea, where China claims sovereignty over nearly the entire strategic waterway, putting it in direct conflict with ASEAN members like the Philippines and Vietnam. These disputes have increased concerns about a possible escalation that could draw in the United States, which is bound by treaty to defend the Philippines in the event of an attack.

The South China Sea, a crucial route for $3 trillion in annual trade, was a focal point during the ASEAN discussions. Russia and China objected to references to the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), according to a U.S. official.

The ASEAN statement called for confidence-building measures aimed at “reducing tensions and the risk of accidents, misunderstandings, and miscalculation” in the contested waters. It also noted “positive momentum” in the ongoing negotiations for a maritime code of conduct, which China and ASEAN initially agreed upon in 2002, though formal talks did not begin until 2017.

ASEAN expressed hope for the “early conclusion of an effective and substantive” code of conduct that aligns with international law, including UNCLOS.

Regarding the conflict in Myanmar, ASEAN reiterated its call for “an immediate cessation of violence” and the establishment of a “conducive environment for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and inclusive national dialogue” that is “Myanmar-owned and -led.” The war between Myanmar’s military junta, which seized power in a 2021 coup, and a growing armed resistance movement remains a significant concern for the region.

ASEAN’s five-point peace plan, announced shortly after the coup, has seen little progress. Currently, an estimated 18.6 million people — more than a third of Myanmar’s population — are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

The bloc welcomed Thailand’s initiative to host informal talks on the Myanmar crisis later this year, potentially involving other ASEAN members.

U.S. deploys THAAD defense system to Israel as regional tensions escalate

EDGARDO HERNAL
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U.S. deploys THAAD defense system to Israel as regional tensions escalate

The United States announced that it will send a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery to Israel, along with U.S. troops to operate it, as tensions continue to rise in the Middle East. The Pentagon’s decision came shortly after Iran issued a stark warning to the U.S., urging it to keep its military forces out of Israel.

This development comes as Israel prepares for what is widely expected to be a military retaliation against Iran following an October 1 attack, during which approximately 180 missiles were fired into Israel. The Israeli military has been engaged in a series of escalations, including intensified airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions in Lebanon and ground operations along the border.

Israel is currently embroiled in a multi-front conflict, waging war against both Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The conflict in Gaza has resulted in catastrophic consequences, with local health authorities reporting over 42,000 Palestinian deaths. While they have not provided details on how many of the deceased were fighters, they noted that women and children make up more than half of the casualties. The war has also left vast areas of Gaza in ruins and displaced nearly 90% of its 2.3 million residents.

A year ago, Hamas-led militants breached Israel’s security fence, launching deadly attacks on military bases and civilian communities. The assault resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and the abduction of approximately 250 others. As of now, about 100 captives are still being held inside Gaza, with estimates suggesting that a third of them have likely perished.

As Israel continues its military operations, the deployment of the THAAD system is seen as part of a broader U.S. effort to support its key ally amid mounting threats from Iranian-backed groups in the region.

10-oras na pagyanig sa Taal Volcano naitala, PHIVOLCS nagbabala

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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10-oras na pagyanig sa Taal Volcano naitala, PHIVOLCS nagbabala

MAYNILA. Isang volcanic tremor na tumagal ng 10 oras at 30 minuto ang naitala sa Bulkang Taal noong Sabado, ayon sa Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) nitong Linggo.

Bagama’t mas kalmado ang Taal noong Linggo ng umaga kumpara sa mga nakaraang araw, ayon kay PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol, walang naganap na phreatic o phreatomagmatic eruption sa nakalipas na 24 oras.

“For the past 24 hours, wala po tayong volcanic earthquake na naitala sa Taal Volcano and nasa Alert Level 1 pa rin ang Taal Volcano,” ani Bacolcol sa isang panayam.

Gayunpaman, binigyang-diin niya na hindi pa rin ligtas ang sitwasyon dahil posible pa rin ang mga phreatic at phreatomagmatic eruptions. Dahil dito, mahigpit pa ring ipinagbabawal ang pagpasok sa Taal Volcano Island, na itinuturing na Permanent Danger Zone.

Nanatiling nakaantabay ang mga awtoridad para sa anumang pagbabago sa aktibidad ng bulkan. Ang PHIVOLCS ay patuloy na nagmamanman at nagbibigay ng paalala sa publiko na maging alerto at sundin ang mga rekomendasyon para sa kanilang kaligtasan.

Netanyahu is considering plan to evacuate northern Gaza civilians and cut off aid to those remaining

Venus L Peñaflor
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Netanyahu is considering plan to evacuate northern Gaza civilians and cut off aid to those remaining

JERUSALEM. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering a controversial proposal to cut off humanitarian aid to northern Gaza, as part of a broader plan to intensify pressure on Hamas militants. The plan, put forward by a group of retired generals, aims to force the evacuation of civilians from the northern third of Gaza, including Gaza City, before declaring the area a closed military zone. Those remaining would be denied food, water, medicine, and fuel, effectively sealing them off from humanitarian assistance.

Under the proposed “Generals’ Plan,” Palestinians would be given one week to leave the area. After that, those who stay behind would be regarded as combatants, according to a copy of the plan obtained by the Associated Press. The plan’s architect, Giora Eiland, a former head of Israel’s National Security Council, believes that starving Hamas of aid and trapping the militants in the north is the only way to break their resistance. “They will either have to surrender or starve,” Eiland said, though he insisted that the goal was not to kill every person left behind. “People will not be able to live there. The water will dry up.”

Although no official decision has been made, the plan has reportedly been reviewed by Netanyahu and other key government officials. A senior Israeli official confirmed that Netanyahu has studied the proposal, though its full implementation remains uncertain.

Human Rights Concerns and International Reactions

Human rights organizations are raising alarms over the potential humanitarian catastrophe this plan could trigger. Critics argue that the proposal violates international law, which prohibits using starvation as a weapon of war and forcibly transferring civilians. Tania Hary, executive director of Gisha, an Israeli human rights organization, expressed concern, saying, “I’m most concerned by how the plan seems to say that if the population is given a chance to evacuate and they don’t, then somehow they all turn into legitimate military targets, which is absolutely not the case.”

The U.S. State Department also expressed its opposition to any plan that would involve Israel reoccupying Gaza. Spokesperson Matthew Miller reiterated that the U.S., along with the international community, opposes the idea of shrinking Gaza or imposing long-term control over any part of the territory.

Conditions in Northern Gaza Worsen

The humanitarian situation in northern Gaza continues to deteriorate. Since September 30, no trucks carrying food, water, or medicine have been allowed to enter the region, according to the United Nations. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, warned that “hunger is spreading” and that at least 400,000 people remain trapped in northern Gaza with little access to basic supplies.

Efforts by Israeli troops to isolate Gaza City have already led to roadblocks and checkpoints, making it difficult for residents to escape to the south. “North Gaza is now divided into two parts,” said Dr. Rana Soloh of Kamal Adwan Hospital. “There are checkpoints and inspections, and not everyone can cross easily.”

As the situation worsens, many Palestinians fear that fleeing to the south offers no real safety. Jomana Elkhalili, a 26-year-old aid worker in Gaza City, voiced the sentiments of many residents. “They will not make the mistake again. We know the place there is not safe,” she said, referring to the dismal conditions in southern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of displaced people are crammed into tent camps.

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