Sunday, August 9, 2026


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Updates sa kaso ni Bamban Mayor Alice Gou na inaakusahang espiya ng China

Venus L Peñaflor
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Updates sa kaso ni Bamban Mayor Alice Gou na inaakusahang espiya ng China

Lumutang ang pangalan ng isang maliit na bayan sa Tarlac na pumukaw sa pambansang pansin matapos akusahan ang kanilang alkalde ng pagiging espiya ng Tsina.

Ang Bamban ay isang tahimik na bayan sa hilaga ng Maynila. Si Alice Guo, ang kanilang alkalde, ay kilala bilang isang masipag at batang lingkod-bayan. Siya ay nakasalamin, may mahabang itim na buhok, at palaging nakangiti. Si Guo, 35 taong gulang, ay nagsasalita ng Tagalog nang walang puntong Chinese.

Kampante niyang pinamumunuan ang bayan ng Bamban, hanggang sa siya ay ipatawag upang tumestigo sa isang pagdinig ng Senado kamakailan. Natuklasan ng mga awtoridad na ang isang online casino sa kanyang bayan, na kilala bilang Pogo, ay isang front para sa isang scam center.

Noong Marso, ni-raid ng mga awtoridad ang pasilidad at nasagip ang halos 700 manggagawa, kabilang ang 202 Tsino at 73 iba pang dayuhan na pinilit magpanggap bilang mga online lovers. Ang Pogo ay Philippine Offshore Gambling Operator na ang mga kliyente ay mga mainland Chinese.

Ang mga negosyong ito ay lumaganap sa panahon ni Rodrigo Duterte na may malapit na ugnayan sa China. Ngunit sa ilalim ng kasalukuyang pangulo na si Ferdinand Marcos Jr., ang mga Pogo ay nasa ilalim ng masusing pagsusuri matapos matuklasan na ang ilan sa mga ito ay ginagamit bilang front para sa human trafficking at online scam operations.

Ang kaso ni Guo ay naganap habang umiinit ang tensyon sa pagitan ng Maynila at Beijing tungkol sa mga bahura at pulo sa South China Sea.

Natuklasan na si Guo ay may-ari ng kalahati ng lupain kung saan nakatayo ang Pogo, na nasa likod lamang ng kanyang opisina. Ayon sa kanya, ibinenta na niya ang lupain bago pa siya tumakbo bilang alkalde dalawang taon na ang nakalipas.

Ipinakita sa video ng halos walong ektaryang compound na may grocery, warehouse, swimming pool, at wine cellar. Ang mga scam center workers ay nagtatrabaho sa compound na may 36 na gusali.

Si Guo ay natuklasan ding may helicopter at Ford Expedition na nakarehistro sa kanyang pangalan ngunit tulad ng lupain, sinabi niyang matagal na niyang naibenta ang mga ito.

Matapos ang pagdinig ng Senado, tinanong ni Senador Risa Hontiveros kung si Guo ay isang “asset” ng Tsina batay sa kanyang mga “malabong” sagot tungkol sa kanyang personal at negosyo.

“No-one knows her. We wonder where she came from, that’s why we are investigating this, together with the Bureau of Immigration, because of the questions about her citizenship,” sabi ni Pangulong Marcos sa mga mamamahayag noong Huwebes.

Sinabi ni Guo sa mga mambabatas na hindi siya “coddler” o “protector” ng mga Pogo.

Kaunti lang ang kaalaman tungkol sa kanyang background, na hindi pangkaraniwan sa mga kanayunan ng Pilipinas, kung saan ang mga lokal na opisyal ay kadalasang kabilang sa mga political dynasties. Siya ay nasa kanyang unang termino bilang halal na opisyal.

Sinabi ng Commission on Elections na siya ay nagparehistro para bumoto sa Bamban noong 2021, isang taon bago siya tumakbo at nanalo bilang alkalde.

Ang apelyido niyang Guo ay hindi karaniwang apelyido ng mga Pilipinong may lahing Tsino. Bagaman sinakop ng Espanya, ang Pilipinas at Tsina ay may malalim na ugnayang pangkultura dahil sa siglong kalakalan. Sa katunayan, ang bansa ay tahanan ng pinakamatandang Chinatown sa mundo.

Sa ilalim ng pagtatanong ng mga senador, inamin ni Guo na ang kanyang birth certificate ay nairehistro lamang sa lokal na awtoridad noong siya ay 17 taong gulang na. Sinabi niyang ito ay dahil ipinanganak siya sa bahay, hindi sa ospital o klinika ngunit hindi niya ala kung saan ang lokasyon ng bahay. Hindi siya makapagbigay ng karagdagang detalye.

Sinabi niyang home-schooled siya sa loob lamang ng family compound kung saan sila nag-aalaga ng baboy. Ngunit hindi niya matandaan ang pangalan ng kanilang home school organization at nabanggit lamang ang isa sa kanyang mga guro.

Sinabi niyang ang kanyang ama ay Pilipino, ngunit sa mga rekord ng negosyo, ang kanyang ama ay nakilalang isang Chinese national.

“Maraming nagtatanong kung sino si Guo?” sabi niya sa isang campaign speech noong 2022, ayon sa GMA News. “Ako si Alice Guo na tubong Bamban. Ang nanay ko ay Filipina, ang tatay ko ay Tsino.” ayon sa kanya.

Si Hontiveros ay isa sa mga nagtanong kay Guo tungkol sa kanyang mga rekord ng kapanganakan at edukasyon. Nang pinilit niya si Guo na maging mas tiyak, sumagot lamang ito ng “Babalikan ko po kayo.”

“Labis akong nababahala sa malalabong mga sagot ni Mayor Guo, lalo na tungkol sa kanyang pinagmulan,” sabi ni Hontiveros sa mga mamamahayag. “Si Mayor Alice ba at ang mga katulad niyang may misteryosong pinagmulan ay nagtatrabaho bilang asset ng Tsina na inilagay sa ating bansa upang maimpluwensiyahan nila ang pulitika sa Pilipinas?”

“Mahirap paniwalaan si Mayor Alice Guo ng Bamban, kapag ang sagot niya sa aming mga tanong ay palaging ‘Hindi ko alam’ at hindi niya maalala kung saan siya tumira.” sabi ni Senador Sherwin Gatchalian, sa nasabi ring pagdinig.

Hindi nagbigay ng komento si Guo tungkol sa paratang ng espiya at halos hindi nagpapakita sa media mula noong kanyang pagharap sa Senado noong nakaraang linggo.

Sinabi ni Marcos na ang imbestigasyon kay Guo ay naglalayong pigilan ang mga dayuhan mula sa paghawak ng pampublikong posisyon sa bansa. Sinabi niyang hindi lamang isang bansa ang kanilang tinitignan.

“Hihigpitan natin ang pagpapatupad ng batas. Nariyan ang mga batas, ang problema ay iniisip ng ilan na maaaring magdala ng pera ang mga taong ito, o kaya naman ay sinusuhulan sila,” sabi ni Marcos.

Ang Commission on Elections at ang Solicitor General ay nag iimbestiga na sa kaso ni Guo upang malaman kung siya ay ilegal na humahawak ng pampublikong posisyon. Kung mapatunayan, maaari siyang tanggalin sa pwesto.

Dalagita, pinakain muna bago inabuso ng rider

Arman B. Cambe
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Dalagita, pinakain muna bago inabuso ng rider

SAN MATEO, RIZAL. Isang 15-anyos na dalagita ang naging biktima ng pang-aabuso matapos pumayag na sumakay sa motorsiklo ng isang rider na nag-alok na ihahatid siya sa bahay ng kanyang kaklase. Nangyari ang insidente kahapon sa San Mateo, Rizal.

Ayon sa ulat, papunta sana ang dalagita sa bahay ng kanyang kaklase upang gumawa ng assignment. Habang naglalakad, nadaanan siya ng suspek at inalok na ihahatid. Pumayag ang dalagita at ilang minuto pa lamang silang magkasama ay tila nagkapalagayan na sila ng loob. Nagawa pa nilang kumain sa isang restoran bago nakalimutan ng biktima ang kanyang orihinal na pakay.

Sa halip na sa bahay ng kaklase, dinala ng suspek ang dalagita sa kanyang bahay sa San Mateo, Rizal, kung saan naisakatuparan ang kanyang makamundong pagnanasa. Matapos ang insidente, inihatid pa ng suspek ang biktima sa kanilang bahay, na inakala niyang nagkapalagayan na sila ng loob at hindi niya inasahang ang menor de edad ay magsusumbong sa kanyang ina.

Sinamahan ng kanyang ina ang dalagita sa tanggapan ng Criminal Investigation and Detection Group – Anti Organized Crime Unit (CIDG-AOCU) upang magsampa ng reklamo laban sa suspek. Agad kumilos ang mga awtoridad at sa tulong ng plate number ng motorsiklo, natunton at naaresto ang suspek.

Ayon kay Police Colonel Ian Rosales, hepe ng CIDG-AOCU, nadiskubre na dating salesman ang suspek at may warrant of arrest para sa kasong estafa. Inamin naman ng suspek ang kanyang krimen at sinabi niyang hindi niya inakalang 15-anyos lamang ang dalagita. Aniya, naging maayos ang kanilang pagkikilala at inisip niyang may makakasama na siya sa buhay dahil isa na siyang balo at mag-isa na lamang sa buhay.

Nahaharap ngayon ang suspek sa mga kasong acts of lasciviousness, child rape, at child abuse.

Nagpaalala naman ang mga awtoridad sa publiko, lalo na sa mga kabataan, na huwag basta-basta makipag-usap at magtiwala sa mga taong hindi kakilala upang maiwasan ang ganitong mga insidente.

Israeli Army finds bodies of four hostages in Gaza

Venus L Peñaflor
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Israeli Army finds bodies of four hostages in Gaza

JERUSALEM. The Israeli military has found the bodies of four Israeli hostages in Gaza, including those of German-Israeli Shani Louk and Ron Benjamin, who were killed during the Hamas attack on October 7. The retrievals were confirmed over two consecutive days, shedding light on the brutal events that transpired during the attack and the subsequent military operations.

On Friday, the Israeli military announced that its troops found the bodies of three hostages in Gaza, all victims of the October 7 assault by Hamas militants. Among the deceased were 22-year-old Shani Louk, whose body was shockingly paraded on a Hamas truck, 28-year-old Amit Buskila, and 56-year-old Itzhak Gelerenter. All three were killed while trying to flee the Nova music festival near the Gaza border, where militants massacred hundreds of attendees.

“They were celebrating life at the Nova music festival and were murdered by Hamas,” said IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari during a press conference in Tel Aviv. The bodies were recovered during a joint operation by the IDF and Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service, although details about the exact locations were not disclosed.

The following day, the body of Ron Benjamin was also recovered from Gaza. Benjamin was killed on October 7 at the Mefalsim intersection and his body was taken by Hamas into Gaza. Hagari noted the harrowing conditions under which these bodies were found, including some being hidden in tunnels.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed profound grief over the loss, stating, “The heart breaks for the great loss. My wife Sara and I grieve with the families. All our hearts are with them in this hour of grieving. We will return all our hostages, the dead and the alive alike. I congratulate our brave forces who, with determined action, have returned our sons and daughters home.”

Shani Louk’s family shared their emotional response upon recovering her body, stating that the IDF’s efforts have brought them some closure. “Every news like this brings us back to the horrific moment we had to find out that our loving daughter was brutally murdered by Hamas on the 7th of October. However, it is also a relief to get the body back and we are now able to bury her close by. It gives us some kind of closure,” the family said in a statement to CNN. They remembered Shani as a beautiful, peace-loving individual who brought light and hope to many.

The gruesome discovery of these bodies underscores the severe impact of the October 7 attack, in which Hamas militants killed approximately 1,200 people, primarily civilians, and abducted around 250 others. While about half of the hostages have since been freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, many remain unaccounted for. The ongoing conflict has claimed the lives of over 35,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials.

Despite various attempts to negotiate the release of the remaining hostages, progress has been slow. Recently, Hamas militants criticized Israel’s rejection of a ceasefire plan, claiming it hindered hostage release talks.

The Israeli military continues its operations in Gaza, determined to recover all hostages and bring closure to grieving families.

Vatican tightens guidelines on evaluating ‘supernatural’ events

Venus L Peñaflor
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Vatican tightens guidelines on evaluating ‘supernatural’ events

VATICAN CITY. The Vatican introduced on Friday stricter procedures for evaluating reported supernatural events such as weeping Madonnas and blood-dripping crucifixes, phenomena that have captivated the Catholic faithful for centuries.

The Vatican’s doctrinal office has overhauled norms first issued in 1978, stating that the old guidelines are no longer practical in the internet age. Today, news about apparitions or weeping Madonnas spreads rapidly and can harm the faithful if hoaxers exploit people’s beliefs for financial gain or manipulation, the Vatican explained.

In a document replacing guidelines from 1978, the Vatican’s doctrinal office (DDF) mandated that bishops can no longer act independently when faced with reports of such phenomena. Instead, they must consult the DDF before initiating investigations.

Furthermore, the new rules strip bishops of the authority to recognize the “supernatural” nature of apparitions and other purportedly divine events. This responsibility now rests with the pope and central Vatican offices.

Pope Francis has previously expressed skepticism regarding these events. Last year, he told Italian TV RAI that Virgin Mary apparitions are “not always real” and that he prefers to view Mary as “pointing to Jesus” rather than drawing attention to herself.

Reported incidents, including the appearance of “stigmata” or Jesus’ crucifixion wounds on the hands and feet of saintly individuals, have often become the basis for shrines and pilgrimages.

Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, head of the DDF, emphasized the need for cautious assessment of such events, warning that they might be fraudulent and exploited for “profit, power, fame, social recognition, or other personal interest.”

The new DDF document advises that bishops should typically issue a “nihil obstat” — a provisional approval for worship that leaves open the question of formal Vatican recognition of the phenomenon as “supernatural.” Fernandez noted that such recognition is “very exceptional.”

Bishops can reach five other conclusions on purported supernatural events, including their formal rejection or measures to ban or limit the worship of controversial or clearly fake phenomena.

The document cited past confusion over alleged supernatural appearances by the Virgin Mary in Amsterdam during the 1940s and 1950s. These were eventually ruled invalid in 2020 after several conflicting verdicts. “It took about 70 excruciating years to bring the whole matter to a conclusion,” the DDF stated.

The norms acknowledge that many pilgrimage sites are linked to purported supernatural events not authenticated by the Vatican. However, this does not pose significant problems for the faith.

An example not mentioned in Friday’s document is the popular shrine of Medjugorje in Bosnia, where repeated apparitions of the Virgin Mary have been reported since 1981. A Vatican investigation into these claims is ongoing. “We think that with these rules it will be easier to arrive at a prudential conclusion [on Medjugorje],” Fernandez said.

The proliferation of supposed religious phenomena, some clearly fraudulent, contributed to the split in Christianity and the rise of Protestantism in Europe during the 16th century.

Mahigit 4.2 milyong botante, binura sa listahan ng Comelec

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Mahigit 4.2 milyong botante, binura sa listahan ng Comelec

MAYNILA. Inalis na sa opisyal na listahan ng Commission on Elections (Comelec) ang mahigit na 4.2 milyong rehistradong botante dahil sa iba’t ibang kadahilanan.

Ayon sa datos na inilabas ni Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia noong Mayo 16, 2023, kabuuang 4,239,483 botante ang aalisin mula sa voter’s list. “4.2M voters will be deactivated. Hence deductible to the present total no. of voters of 68M,” pahayag ni Garcia sa mga mamamahayag.

Sa nasabing bilang, ang pinakamalaking bahagi ng idi-deactivate ay dahil sa hindi pagboto sa dalawang magkasunod na halalan, na umabot sa 4,237,054 botante. Kasama rin sa aalisin ang 1,829 botante na “excluded per court order,” 595 na hindi nakapag-validate ng kanilang rehistro, tatlong nawalan ng Filipino citizenship, at dalawang napatawan ng pinal na sentensya ng hukuman.

Ang pinakamalaking bilang ng mga idi-deactivate na botante ay nasa Region 4A (Calabarzon) na umabot sa 733,903, at Region 3 (Central Luzon) na may 503,297 na botante.

Patuloy ang Comelec sa kanilang kampanya para siguraduhin ang pagiging tapat at maayos ng voter’s list ng bansa, na kasalukuyang may 68 milyong rehistradong botante.

Xi and Putin pledge new era of partnership, condemn U.S. dominance

Venus L Peñaflor
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Xi and Putin pledge new era of partnership, condemn U.S. dominance

BEIJING/MOSCOW. China’s President Xi Jinping and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin pledged to forge a “new era” of partnership on Thursday, positioning themselves as a counterbalance to the United States, which they criticized as an aggressive Cold War hegemon creating global instability.

Xi welcomed Putin with a red carpet ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, featuring a 21-gun salute in Tiananmen Square, marching soldiers of the People’s Liberation Army, and children waving Chinese and Russian flags.

In their joint statement, Xi and Putin reaffirmed a “no limits” partnership, first declared in February 2022 when Putin visited Beijing just days before launching a military incursion into Ukraine. This conflict has since become the deadliest land war in Europe since World War II.

“The China-Russia relationship today is hard-earned, and the two sides need to cherish and nurture it,” Xi told Putin. “China is willing to… jointly achieve the development and rejuvenation of our respective countries, and work together to uphold fairness and justice in the world.”

The leaders’ joint statement outlined a unified stance against the U.S. on various security issues, covering topics from Taiwan and Ukraine to North Korea. It also highlighted cooperation on peaceful nuclear technologies and financial matters.

Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, head of the DDF, emphasized the need for cautious assessment of such events, warning that they might be fraudulent and exploited for “profit, power, fame, social recognition, or other personal interest.”

“The United States still thinks in terms of the Cold War and is guided by the logic of bloc confrontation, putting the security of ‘narrow groups’ above regional security and stability, which creates a security threat for all countries in the region,” the statement read. “The U.S. must abandon this behavior.”

Washington views China as its primary competitor and Russia as its biggest state threat. The U.S. administration has criticized both nations’ leaders, with President Biden referring to Xi as a “dictator” and Putin as a “killer” and a “crazy SOB.” Both Beijing and Moscow have condemned Biden’s remarks.

Putin’s visit, his first foreign trip since starting a new six-year term, underscores the importance of his relationship with Xi. The joint statement also indicated plans to enhance military cooperation and defense sector collaboration, purportedly to improve regional and global security.

The U.S. State Department responded with Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel saying, “China cannot have its cake and eat it too” by supporting Moscow while seeking better relations with Europe. Patel called Beijing’s assistance in rebuilding Russia’s defense industrial base “deeply problematic.”

Following severe Western sanctions on Russia due to the Ukraine war, Putin has increasingly turned towards China, which has become Russia’s primary ally and top buyer of crude oil. Despite this, some Russian elites are concerned about the country’s growing dependency on China, reminiscent of the 1969 border conflict between the Soviet Union and China.

During the visit, Xi and Putin agreed that a political resolution to the Ukraine crisis was essential. Putin expressed gratitude to China for its efforts to mediate the conflict and noted that he would brief Xi on the current situation in Ukraine.

Describing his talks with Xi as “warm and comradely,” Putin highlighted various sectors where the two nations are strengthening ties, including nuclear energy, food supplies, and Chinese car manufacturing in Russia.

Putin’s delegation notably lacked Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller, who was in talks with Iranian officials. The visit will also feature a gala celebrating 75 years since the Soviet Union recognized the People’s Republic of China, established by Mao Zedong in 1949.

It remains unclear if Putin will make additional stops in Asia during this trip.

Aid trucks begin deliveries via U.S.-built pier in Gaza

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Aid trucks begin deliveries via U.S.-built pier in Gaza

GAZA. Aid trucks commenced deliveries through a newly constructed U.S.-built pier on Friday in response to mounting international pressure to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The U.S. Central Command announced that trucks carrying humanitarian supplies began moving ashore at 9 a.m. local time (0600 GMT).

This temporary floating pier, pre-assembled by the U.S. military at the Israeli port of Ashdod, was moved into position on Gaza’s coast earlier this week. Despite the military’s involvement in constructing the pier, U.S. troops did not go ashore, according to Centcom.

“This is part of an ongoing, multinational effort,” stated the U.S. Central Command, noting that the aid includes commodities donated by various countries and humanitarian organizations.

The UK confirmed the delivery of its first aid shipment via this new route. Concurrently, the United Nations is finalizing plans to distribute aid through the pier, though it maintains that land convoys remain the “most viable, effective and efficient” method for aid delivery into Gaza.

“To stave off the horrors of famine, we must use the fastest and most obvious route to reach the people of Gaza – and for that, we need access by land now,” emphasized deputy U.N. spokesperson Farhan Haq.

Aid supplies unloaded at the pier will undergo Israeli security checks in Cyprus before reaching Gaza and will face additional checkpoints upon arrival, as confirmed by U.S. administration officials.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has worsened significantly following an Israeli campaign launched last year in response to Hamas-led attacks on October 7. With hundreds of thousands already displaced, the latest upheaval has exacerbated the need for aid as people continue to evacuate in anticipation of further Israeli assaults.

Israel has pledged to increase aid efforts, reporting that 365 aid trucks entered Gaza through the Kerem Shalom and Erez crossing points on Thursday, delivering essential supplies like flour and fuel. Hundreds of tents have also been dispatched for those evacuated to the Al-Mawasi area, designated as a humanitarian zone by Israel.

Efforts have also been made to streamline aid delivery through new inspection routes in the occupied West Bank at the Tarqumiyah and Beitunia crossing points. However, disruptions persist due to attacks by Israeli settlers protesting the aid shipments.

“The IDF will continue its efforts to allow humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip by land, air, and sea, in accordance with international law,” stated the Israeli military.

While Israel has recently initiated aid deliveries through a new point near the Erez crossing in northern Gaza, supplies via the southern crossings of Rafah and Kerem Shalom remain disrupted due to Israeli control over the Gaza side of Rafah crossing.

The international community continues to call on Israel to do more to facilitate aid into Gaza, where the humanitarian crisis remains dire.

Suspek sa babaeng pinatay at isinilid sa ice cooler, arestado

Arman B. Cambe
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Suspek sa babaeng pinatay at isinilid sa ice cooler, arestado

CAVITE CITY. Naaresto na ng Trece Martires City Police ang isang mister na suspek sa brutal na pagpatay sa isang babae na isinilid sa ice cooler sa Cavite. Sa isinagawang follow-up operation kahapon, nahuli ang suspek sa kanyang pinagtataguan sa Pasay City.

Wala pang 24 oras matapos matagpuan ang bangkay ng biktimang si Mari Joy Singayan, 26-anyos, residente ng Golden Horizon Villas, Brgy. Hugo Perez, Trece Martires City, ay agad na nahuli ang suspek na si alyas “Wilson”.

Ayon sa pulisya, nagtungo ang biktima sa bahay ng suspek upang singilin ito ng pagkakautang na P50,000. Sa kanilang pagtatalo, sinakal ng suspek ang biktima gamit ang lubid at isinilid ang bangkay nito sa isang malaking ice cooler bago tumakas.

Ayon sa mga salaysay ng misis ng suspek, bandang 4:45 ng hapon nang tumawag ang kanyang mister at inamin ang krimen. Sinabi rin ng suspek kung saan niya inilagay ang bangkay ni Singayan. Agad na nag-report ang misis sa kanilang barangay na siya namang tumawag sa pulisya. Narekober ang katawan ng biktima sa loob ng ice cooler.

Patuloy ang imbestigasyon ng mga awtoridad upang matukoy ang iba pang detalye ng krimen.

Israel defends actions in Gaza, denies genocide charges at ICJ

Venus L Peñaflor
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Israel defends actions in Gaza, denies genocide charges at ICJ

THE HAGUE, Netherlands. Israel vehemently denied charges of genocide on Friday, asserting before the United Nations’ top court that it is taking extensive measures to protect civilians amid its military operations in Gaza. The statement came as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concluded its third round of hearings on emergency measures requested by South Africa, which claims that Israel’s incursion in the southern city of Rafah endangers the “very survival of Palestinians in Gaza” and seeks an immediate cease-fire.

Tamar Kaplan-Tourgeman, a member of Israel’s legal team, defended the nation’s actions, emphasizing the allowance of fuel and medical supplies into the embattled enclave. “Israel takes extraordinary measures in order to minimize the harm to civilians in Gaza,” she told the court.

During Kaplan-Tourgeman’s closing remarks, a protester interrupted, shouting “Liars.” The hearing was briefly paused as security escorted the woman from the gallery.

South Africa, in its statements on Thursday, highlighted the severity of the situation in Gaza, describing it as having reached “a new and horrific stage” and urging the ICJ to mandate a cessation of Israeli military actions. This session marked the third set of hearings on South Africa’s emergency measures since it filed the genocide case in late 2023.

South Africa’s recent request reiterates concerns that Israel’s military actions in Rafah pose an existential threat to Palestinians in Gaza. In a January ruling, the ICJ ordered Israel to take all necessary measures to prevent death, destruction, and acts of genocide, though it did not mandate an end to military operations. Judges are now deliberating on the latest request, with a decision expected in the coming weeks.

The ICJ has the authority to order cease-fires and other measures, but lacks enforcement power. Historical precedence shows that compliance can be an issue; a 2022 ICJ order demanding Russia halt its invasion of Ukraine remains unfulfilled.

The conflict, sparked by a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, has led to extensive casualties. Palestinian militants killed approximately 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages in the initial attack. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 35,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began, though this figure does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.

South Africa initiated the legal proceedings in December 2023, aligning the campaign with its national history and values. The African National Congress, South Africa’s ruling party, has frequently compared Israel’s policies in Gaza and the West Bank to its own apartheid history, which ended in 1994.

Jema Galanza: Consistency matters more than career achievements

DC Alviar
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Jema Galanza: Consistency matters more than career achievements

This is far from the Creamline Cool Smashers game. What you see is not us, says Jema Galanza. The Cool Smashers land on the fourth and last spot to qualify in the next round after the elims of the Premier Volleyball League in its new edition in 2024. It is a cliffhanger semifinal slot, completing the semis cast only to taste the bitterness of another defeat. At the crucial stage of the tournament, Galanza is already doing a Darna.

She understands that pressure points are needed to stop the Pink bleeding. The one wearing Michael Jordan’s jersey number goes out one night to bleed for 23 points and exactly the same production for another. She can still glance at a tiny hole, where Creamline can cross into the best-of-three championship series. Never mind reclaiming the title. Being in the finals is enough.

Still no reliable, steady hands in sight that would set the perfect ball for the spikers to hit, because long-time Best Setter Jia Morado-De Guzman has grabbed a once-in-a-lifetime offer abroad. MVPs Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos can hardly don their usual high gears as they are heavily scouted out by their adversaries. Even though Galanza was also MVP back in 2019, they have to brave the toughest challenge of the present, knowing that their competitors come well prepared. They come with high stakes and an equally high-level competition.

Galanza even notes that any Cool Smasher plays in fear because everyone wants to bring them down. Everyone looks up to them and, of course, “binabato ang mabunga.”

This favorite daughter of Laguna and product of San Pedro Relocation Center National High School and Adamson University seriously takes advantage of every opportunity given to her to ably protect Creamline from a quick meltdown. She fully trusts herself that she still can unleash something more. She totally trusts her teammates that they still can change things for the better and can learn from the battles they both won and lost (“salo-salo manalo, matalo”). Above all, she gives due weight to the words of Coach Sherwin Meneses, who never loses confidence in them: “I have a better view that you still can do it.” Can the defending champs even make razor-sharp progress and avoid one more loss, while their foes have already positioned better on the ramp?

They never lose again. The Choco Mucho Flying Titans simply fail to deliver the goods and extend the titular showdown into Game 3. It is because Galanza’s hopes and dreams never fail. There you go. Creamline bags its 4-peat and eight title overall in the pro league.

According to Galanza, there are also those who hope that she will model consistency, including her younger sister Mafe, who has become a champion twice after being added to the not-so-deep-anymore Creamline roster since the last conference.

In life, not just in Galanza sisters’ favorite sport, consistency matters. It is difficult to translate this into one word in the Filipino language. “Kabuuan?” Nope. “Hindi pabago-bago?” Not really.

But Jema Galanza tries her best to be the most consistent among her teammates in terms of playing offensively and defensively. Her attack mode is massive, and her thousand moves cannot be easily predicted by foes stationed near or far from the net. She tallies more receives and digs than previous conferences. She still makes crucial blocks. She is now an eight-time champion and five-time Best Spiker awardee, aside from getting the coveted PVL Finals MVP plum. And most importantly, she is the healthiest among Coach Sherwin’s starting unit.

If Valdez is Creamline’s heart and soul, Galanza is the staying power of their defense, the heavy-duty generator of their offense and, well, magical moments for both the team and the legion of fans. It is because, to paraphrase Jordan, she relaxes and never thinks about what is at stake. Jema Galanza just thinks about the volleyball game.

This is special for those who follow the career of the former Queen Falcon. Why? Now that volleyball is the Next Big Thing – assuming it is not the most popular sport in the Philippines yet – the sport loves Galanza back.

‘Yun mindset ng pagiging champion kasi ang hirap maging consistent, ang hirap maging champion every conference pero makikita niyo sa amin, bawat isa gusto namin nananalo, gusto namin makuha ang season na ito,” Galanza said after they won Game 1. Indeed, her consistency is the key.

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