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NBI confirms fingerprint match: Mayor Alice Guo identified as Guo Hua Ping

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MANILA. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has confirmed that Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo is indeed Guo Hua Ping, which has stirred significant controversy. Senator Risa Hontiveros announced the findings on Thursday, June 27, 2024.

In a statement, Hontiveros said, “Indeed, the NBI has confirmed that the fingerprints of Mayor Alice Guo and Guo Hua Ping match. Ibig sabihin, they are the fingerprints of one [and] the same person.” She further asserted, “This confirms what I have suspected all along. Pekeng Pilipino si ‘Mayor Alice’ — or should I say, Guo Hua Ping. She is a Chinese national masquerading as a Filipino citizen to facilitate crimes being committed by POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators).”

Hontiveros has called on the Office of the Solicitor General to expedite the filing of a quo warranto case against Guo, which could lead to her removal from office. She emphasized, “Napakalaking insulto ito sa mga botante ng Bamban, sa mga institusyon ng ating gobyerno, at sa bawat mamamayang Pilipino.” (This is a huge insult to the voters of Bamban, to the institutions of our government, and to every Filipino citizen.) Hontiveros declared, “Ito na ang pinakamabigat na ebidensya para palayasin na sa pwesto si ‘Mayor Alice’.” (This is the most substantial evidence to oust ‘Mayor Alice’ from her position.)

The senator also vowed to continue investigating Guo’s activities and delve deeper into the systemic issues surrounding POGO operations in the country.

Last week, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian revealed that documents from the Board of Investments and Bureau of Immigration suggested that Mayor Guo might be Guo Hua Ping. According to these documents, Guo Hua Ping entered the Philippines on January 12, 2003, at 13, along with her family through a Special Investors Resident Visa (SIRV). She was born on August 31, 1990. Gatchalian pointed out that Guo Hua Ping’s registered mother under the SIRV is Lin Wenyi, suspected to be the mayor’s biological mother due to her involvement in the family’s businesses.

In response, Guo claimed she was born in the Philippines to a Filipina mother and grew up on a farm in Tarlac. However, the Office of the Ombudsman suspended her over charges of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. These charges were filed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) due to her alleged connections with Zun Yuan Technology Incorporated (ZYTI), formerly known as Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc., a POGO firm raided by police in March.

The firm was allegedly involved in illegal activities such as surveillance, hacking of government websites, human trafficking, and money laundering. During a recent hearing, it was revealed that the firm had used the names of individuals without their consent, listing them as incorporators. Among them was Merlie Joy Castro, a call center agent from Concepcion, Tarlac, who faces non-bailable charges of qualified human trafficking alongside Guo. Castro sought assistance from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Senate panel to prove her innocence.

Hontiveros highlighted discrepancies in the TIN associated with Castro when she was listed as an incorporator. Castro also identified three other individuals listed as incorporators: Thelma Laranan, a vegetable vendor; Rowena Evangelista, a breakfast vendor; and Rita Yturralde, who sells chicken barbecue in Concepcion town.

As the investigation continues, the implications of this development for Mayor Alice Guo and the broader issues of governance and legality in POGO operations remain to be seen.

DOH nagtala ng 84 nasawi sa leptospirosis; pagtaas ng kaso ibinabala

MAYNILA. Nagbabala ang Department of Health (DOH) sa tumataas na bilang ng mga kaso ng leptospirosis, na nakapagtala na ng 878 kaso at 84 na nasawi hanggang Hunyo 15, kasabay ng pag-ulan at pagbaha ngayong buwan.

Ayon sa DOH, ang kasalukuyang bilang ay kalahati lamang ng 1,769 kaso na naitala sa parehong panahon noong nakaraang taon, ngunit kapansin-pansin ang pagtaas ng mga kaso nitong mga nakaraang linggo.

“Mula sa anim na kaso na naitala noong Mayo 5 hanggang 18, 60 kaso ang naitala noong Mayo 19 hanggang Hunyo 1, na sinundan ng 83 kaso na naobserbahan mula Hunyo 2 hanggang Hunyo 15,” ayon sa DOH. Idinagdag pa nila na maaari pang tumaas ang bilang ng mga kaso sa mga naantalang ulat.

Maliban sa Zamboanga Peninsula at Northern Mindanao, lahat ng rehiyon ay nagkaroon ng pagtaas ng kaso ng leptospirosis sa nakaraang buwan.

Ang Leptospirosis ay isang zoonotic disease na dulot ng leptospira bacterium na matatagpuan sa kontaminadong tubig o lupa. Ang bakterya na ito ay maaaring makapasok sa katawan sa pamamagitan ng mga sugat sa balat, o sa pamamagitan ng mata, ilong, at bibig.

Ang mga daga na nahawaan ng mga bakterya na ito ay maaaring makahawa sa mga tao sa pamamagitan ng kanilang ihi na humahalo sa tubig baha. Pinapayuhan ng DOH ang publiko na iwasan ang paglusong o paglalaro sa tubig baha.

Ang mga sintomas ng leptospirosis ay kinabibilangan ng lagnat, pagsusuka, pagduduwal, pananakit ng kalamnan, pananakit ng ulo, kakaibang pananakit sa mga kalamnan ng guya, at mapupulang mga mata. Ang mga malalang kaso ay maaaring magkaroon ng jaundice o madilaw-dilaw na kulay ng katawan, madilim na kulay ng ihi, matingkad na dumi, mababang ihi na inilalabas, at matinding pananakit ng ulo.

Tumatagal ng dalawa hanggang 30 araw bago magkasakit pagkatapos magkaroon ng impeksyon sa bacteria na nagdudulot ng leptospirosis. Kung hindi maiiwasan ang paglalakad sa tubig baha, pinayuhan ng DOH na magsuot ng protective gear tulad ng bota.

Israel warns it can return Lebanon to ‘Stone Age’ as UN cautions against conflict

In a stark warning, Israel has indicated that while it does not seek war with Lebanon, it is prepared to send its northern neighbor “back to the Stone Age” if a conflict arises. This declaration comes amid heightened tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border and a stern warning from the UN about the potentially devastating consequences of such a war.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, speaking during a visit to Washington on Wednesday, stated, “We do not want war, but we are preparing for every scenario. Hezbollah understands very well that we can inflict massive damage in Lebanon if a war is launched.”

The border region has experienced daily exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants since the October 7 attack on Israel by Hezbollah’s ally Hamas, which sparked the ongoing war in Gaza. Concerns that these skirmishes could escalate into a full-scale war have intensified, particularly after Israel disclosed its plans for a potential offensive in Lebanon, eliciting further threats from Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

In Washington, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin conveyed to Gallant the severe repercussions another war with Hezbollah could have on the Middle East, advocating for a diplomatic resolution. A US official mentioned that Washington is engaged in “fairly intensive conversations” with Israel, Lebanon, and other stakeholders, emphasizing that no side desires a major escalation.

Amid these developments, Germany has joined Canada in urging its citizens to leave Lebanon immediately. The German foreign ministry updated its travel advice, highlighting the risk of further escalation in the border area with Israel.

UN humanitarian coordinator Martin Griffiths expressed grave concern, labeling Lebanon as “the flashpoint beyond all flashpoints” and warning of “potentially apocalyptic” outcomes if conflict breaks out. He emphasized that such a war would likely draw in Syria and other regional actors, exacerbating the situation.

On Wednesday, Lebanon’s national news agency reported approximately 10 Israeli strikes near the border, including a nighttime attack in Nabatiyeh that injured five people. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for six attacks on Israeli military positions in the region.

As Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza approaches its tenth month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the “intense phase” of operations in Gaza is winding down, suggesting that some forces might be redeployed to the Lebanese border for defensive purposes. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed hope that a ceasefire in Gaza could reduce hostilities on the Lebanese border.

In Gaza, bombings continued into Thursday, with fighting reported in the southern city of Rafah. The civil defense agency reported that at least four people, including three children, were killed in a strike on a house in Beit Lahia. However, agency spokesman Mahmud Basal noted a relative calm compared to previous days.

The conflict, which began with Hamas’s October 7 attack on southern Israel, has resulted in significant casualties. According to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures, 1,195 people, mostly civilians, have died. Hamas’s retaliatory actions have caused at least 37,718 deaths, predominantly civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens, with hospitals struggling and essentials becoming scarce. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, highlighted the dire impact on children, noting an average of 10 children losing limbs daily due to the conflict.

In Cyprus, USAID officials reported that only a fraction of the aid shipped to Gaza has been distributed due to looting and security issues, exacerbating the humanitarian plight.

As tensions remain high, international efforts continue to prevent a broader regional conflict and address the humanitarian needs in Gaza.

Israel launches major assault in Gaza City, orders evacuation south

CAIRO. Israeli forces stormed a neighborhood in Gaza City on Thursday, commanding Palestinians to move south as tanks advanced and airstrikes continued. The southern city of Rafah was also bombarded as Israel claims it is in the final stages of an operation targeting Hamas militants.

Residents in the Shejaia neighborhood were caught off guard by the sudden arrival of tanks and drones launching attacks following overnight bombings. Mohammad Jamal, a 25-year-old resident of Gaza City, described the scene: “It sounded as if the war is restarting, a series of bombings that destroyed several houses in our area and shook the buildings.”

The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service reported casualties in Shejaia but stated that rescue teams could not reach the victims due to the ongoing offensive. Initial reports indicated three fatalities from the earlier bombing and five deaths in the Sabra neighborhood.

Islamic Jihad, an ally of Hamas, claimed responsibility for detonating an explosive device against an Israeli tank east of Shejaia.

Israel maintains that militants are using civilians as shields and urges residents to evacuate to avoid harm. “To all residents and displaced people in the Shujaiya area and the new neighborhoods… For your safety, you must evacuate immediately south on Salah al-Din Street to the humanitarian zone,” army spokesperson Avichay Adraee posted on X.

Despite the warning, residents and Hamas media reported that the tanks had already entered before the evacuation notice was issued, forcing people to flee westward under fire as the road south was blocked.

More than eight months into Israel’s war on Gaza, triggered by a Hamas-led cross-border attack on October 7, aid officials warn that the enclave is at high risk of famine, with nearly half a million people facing “catastrophic” food insecurity.

“We are being starved in Gaza City, and are being hunted by tanks and planes with no hope that this war is ever ending,” Jamal lamented.

Elvis Presley’s iconic blue suede shoes up for auction

LONDON. Fans of Elvis Presley now have the chance to own a piece of rock ‘n’ roll history as the King’s famous blue suede shoes are set to be auctioned. The British auction house Henry Aldridge and Son is handling the sale, with the shoes expected to fetch between £100,000 and £120,000 (approximately $126,000 to $152,000).

These size 10.5 “Nunn-Bush” brand shoes were worn by Presley both on and off stage during the 1950s. According to the auction house, Elvis donned these shoes while performing hits like “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” and “Hound Dog” on “The Steve Allen Show” in 1956. He later gifted them to his friend Alan Fortas in 1958, the night before leaving for the US Army.

The shoes have been authenticated by Jimmy Velvet, a close friend of Presley and the founder of the Elvis Presley Museum. The lot comes with a letter of authenticity hand-signed by Velvet and a letter from Fortas detailing the night he received the shoes.

“The night before Elvis’ army induction here in Memphis, Elvis had an all-night party at Graceland,” Fortas’ letter states, according to the auction site. “Afterwards we went to the Rainbow roller rink. When we all got home, Elvis called some of us upstairs and gave away some of the clothes he didn’t think he would be wearing or wanted when he returned from the army. That night Elvis gave me these blue suede shoes size 10 1/2. I’ve owned these all these years,” the letter continues.

The auction will go live on Friday, with bidding for the shoes starting at £55,000 (around $69,600). Described as “an iconic lot of showbusiness memorabilia that simply transcends 20th-century popular culture,” these shoes will surely attract significant interest from collectors and fans alike.

Pope Francis denounces drug traffickers as ‘murderers’ and criticizes drug liberalization laws at UN event

ROME. In a powerful address marking the United Nations’ International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Pope Francis condemned drug traffickers as ‘murderers’ and criticized drug liberalization laws as a ‘fantasy.’

During his weekly catechism lesson on Wednesday, Pope Francis dedicated the session to addressing the issue of drug abuse. He emphasized the need for increased prevention efforts and care for addicts, urging the faithful to recognize the human dignity of those suffering from addiction.

Reflecting on his years of ministry in the slums of Buenos Aires, where the cheap and highly addictive drug “paco” devastated communities, the Argentine Jesuit underscored his long-standing commitment to visiting recovering addicts during his foreign trips.

Departing from his usual Biblical theme, Pope Francis highlighted the successful efforts of certain countries and programs in educating young people about the dangers of drug use and the “scandal” of trafficking. He firmly rejected the notion that drug liberalization could reduce addiction rates.

“A reduction in drug addiction is not achieved by liberalizing drug use, as has been proposed, or already implemented, in some countries,” he asserted. “This is a fantasy. You liberalize, they just consume more.”

Pope Francis stressed the moral imperative to eradicate the production and trafficking of dangerous substances, condemning traffickers as “murderers” and “traffickers of death” driven by greed and power. He called on them to repent and change their ways, while also advocating for compassionate care for addicts and legislative support for prevention efforts.

“We too are called to act, to pause before situations of fragility and pain, to know how to listen to the cry of loneliness and anguish, to stoop to lift and bring back to life those who fall into the slavery of drugs,” he urged.

In his address, Pope Francis emphasized the collective responsibility to support those afflicted by addiction and to combat the pervasive influence of drug trafficking on society.

Major cyberattack hits over 40 Indonesian agencies, disrupts immigration services and airports

JAKARTA. In a significant cyberattack, more than 40 Indonesian agencies, including the ministry overseeing immigration, were targeted, causing widespread disruption to immigration services and operations at major airports across the country. This attack is considered the worst Indonesia has faced in recent years.

Usman Kansong, an official from the communications ministry, confirmed that 44 government agencies, including key ministries, were victims of a ransomware attack. “Data at five agencies, including immigration services and the coordinating ministry of investment, have been restored, and the government is working to restore data at 39 other agencies,” Kansong said. He added, “We expect the data at 18 government agencies to be restored by the end of this month.”

During a joint press conference with the ministry, Harlan Wijanarko, director of the Telkom Group, sought to reassure the public about the security of their data. “We have isolated the system in the national data centre so no one can enter it. We cut the access from the outside,” Wijanarko stated, noting that an investigation into the cause of the attack is ongoing.

The Telkom Group operates two major data centers in Indonesia, located in Jakarta and Surabaya, which are critical for storing data for all government agencies. The Surabaya data center was identified as the target of the attack.

Earlier this week, Indonesia’s communications ministry revealed that the attackers used malicious software known as Lockbit 3.0 and demanded an $8 million ransom, which the government refused to pay. The Lockbit cybercrime group is notorious for using ransomware to extort victims by encrypting their data and demanding payments in cryptocurrency in exchange for a decryption key.

The Indonesian government is working diligently to restore affected systems and ensure the security of its data infrastructure in the wake of this unprecedented cyberattack.

NATO selects Netherlands’ Mark Rutte as next secretary general

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BRUSSELS. NATO has chosen Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as its next Secretary-General in a significant decision amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and uncertainties surrounding the U.S.’s stance on the transatlantic alliance.

Rutte’s appointment was solidified after his sole competitor, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, withdrew from the race last week due to a lack of support. Rutte is set to assume the role on October 1, taking over from Norway’s Jens Stoltenberg, who has held the position for a decade.

The decision was made by ambassadors from NATO’s 32 member countries during a meeting at the organization’s headquarters in Brussels. Rutte expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, stating, “The Alliance is and will remain the cornerstone of our collective security. Leading this organization is a responsibility I do not take lightly,” in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Rutte, who has been a vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and a strong supporter of Ukraine, received early endorsements from key NATO members, including the United States, Britain, France, and Germany. Despite initial reservations from Eastern European nations, who argued for a leader from their region, they ultimately supported Rutte’s candidacy.

Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Rutte’s selection warmly, saying, “Mark is a true transatlanticist, a strong leader, and a consensus-builder. I know I am leaving NATO in good hands.”

As he transitions from nearly 14 years as the Dutch Prime Minister to NATO’s top post, Rutte will face the challenge of maintaining allied support for Ukraine while preventing NATO from being directly drawn into the conflict with Russia. He will also need to navigate the potential return of NATO-skeptic Donald Trump to the White House, a prospect that has caused concern among NATO leaders given Trump’s previous questioning of U.S. commitments to the alliance.

Rutte’s leadership comes at a critical time for NATO, as the alliance continues to adapt to new geopolitical realities and strive for unity in the face of external threats.

Isyu ng stolen identity: Alice Guo may kapangalan sa NBI record

MAYNILA. Lumutang kahapon ang isyu ng stolen identity sa panig ni suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo matapos isiwalat ni Sen. Risa Hontiveros na isa pang Alice Guo ang may record sa National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) pero magkaiba ang larawan.

Sa pagpapatuloy ng pagdinig sa sinalakay na POGO hub sa Bamban, Tarlac, kinuwestyon ni Hontiveros ang tunay na pagkakakilanlan ni Guo matapos iprisinta ang nakasaad sa NBI document na litrato ng dalawang Alice Leal Guo na magkapareho ang birthday na Hulyo 12, 1986 at parehong Tarlac ang lugar ng kapanganakan.

“Is it a coincidence na may dalawang Alice Leal Guo na pinanganak on July 12, 1986, sa Tarlac? Is it a coincidence that this NBI clearance was applied just a few days before the date of filing of the delayed registration of birth of the other Alice Leal Guo in Tarlac City? Or is this a case of stolen identity?” tanong ni Hontiveros.

Tinanong din ni Hontiveros kung sino ang babae na nasa larawan at nasaan na ito sa ngayon. “Has Guo Haping assumed the identity of a Filipino woman and then nearly a decade later, ran for public office? Sino po ang babaeng ito na may pangalang Alice Leal Guo pero hindi kamukha ni Mayor? Nasaan na po siya ngayon?” dagdag pa ni Hontiveros.

Nauna rito, inilabas ni Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian ang record mula sa Board of Investments na aplikasyon ng pamilya Guo para sa Special Investors Resident Visa (SIRV) kung saan nakalagay doon na isang Guo Hua Ping ang pumasok sa Pilipinas noong Enero 12, 2003 noong 13-anyos pa lamang ito.

Hiningi na ni Hontiveros sa NBI ang biometrics ni Guo Hua Ping at Mayor Alice Guo para ikumpara ang kanilang fingerprints. Kinuwestiyon din ni Hontiveros kung bakit kailangan pang nakawin umano ni Guo Hua Ping ang pagkatao ni Miss Alice Leal Guo kung mayroon na siyang validly-issued investor’s visa.

Ang mga tanong na ito ay nagdudulot ng malaking isyu sa pagkakakilanlan ng nasabing opisyal at inaasahang magbibigay ng kaliwanagan sa mga susunod na pagdinig.

Israeli lawsuit accuses UN agency of aiding Hamas through dollar payments

NEW YORK. Israelis who were taken hostage or lost loved ones during Hamas’ October 7 attack have filed a lawsuit against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The suit claims that UNRWA has indirectly financed Hamas by paying its Gaza-based staff in U.S. dollars, which are allegedly funneled through money-changers who provide a cut to the militant group.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in a U.S. federal court in New York, marks a significant challenge to UNRWA, which has been a crucial provider of food, water, and shelter to civilians during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The Israeli government has long criticized the agency, and the scrutiny has intensified during the eight-month-long war. UNRWA has been compelled to defend itself amidst a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The lawsuit states, “UNRWA’s staff, facilities, and ability to truck U.S. dollars into Gaza formed a potent pillar of Hamas’ plan to undertake the Oct. 7 attack,” accusing the U.N. agency of systematically aiding Hamas.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini responded to the allegations, stating that he learned about the lawsuit through the media and considered it an additional pressure tactic against the agency. “I don’t know what the status of this lawsuit is all about, but for the time being, I see this as an additional way to put pressure on the agency,” Lazzarini said at a press briefing in Geneva.

The agency has denied any deliberate support for Hamas or other militant groups. UNRWA spokesperson Juliette Touma explained that staffers in Gaza requested payment in U.S. dollars because the region lacks an official national currency. “Gaza does not have an official national currency,” Touma said, emphasizing that the agency and its officials are immune from lawsuits.

The plaintiffs, including survivors of the October 7 attack, victims’ relatives, and rescued captives, allege that the dollar payments are converted to Israeli shekels by local money-changers, who are claimed to be controlled by Hamas. The complaint asserts that Hamas extracts a fee from these transactions, ensuring a portion of UNRWA’s payroll benefits the militant group.

“Hamas’ ability to carry out the Oct. 7 attack would have been significantly and possibly fatally weakened without that UNRWA-provided cash,” the lawsuit claims. It references a 2018 UNRWA-commissioned report that noted the risks of misappropriation and diversion of aid.

The conflict has seen severe casualties, with around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, killed in the Hamas attack, and more than 37,000 Palestinians killed in the subsequent war, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The lawsuit underscores longstanding complaints from the Israeli government about UNRWA, including accusations that the agency employs Hamas operatives and uses biased educational materials in its schools.

Since the onset of the conflict, over 1.7 million people have sought refuge in UNRWA facilities, with at least 500 displaced individuals killed in attacks on these sites. The agency has lost nearly 200 staff members.

The allegations have led to the suspension of hundreds of millions of dollars in contributions to UNRWA from the U.S. and other countries, though most have resumed their funding. Lazzarini indicated that new donors have also come forward, but the agency still faces a significant financial shortfall.

Two U.N. officials warned on Tuesday that Gaza aid operations could be suspended unless protections for humanitarian workers improve. Israel has accused UNRWA of allowing Hamas to exploit its resources, a claim that has added to the international scrutiny of the agency’s operations.