MANILA. The defense forces of the United States, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines are set to engage in maritime cooperative activities on April 7 in a concerted effort to uphold the principles of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. This announcement comes amidst growing concerns over China’s escalating assertiveness in the South China Sea.
The one-day exercises, slated to take place in Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), will include communication activities and officer-of-the-watch maneuvers, according to statements from Philippines’ defense ministry spokesperson, Arsenio Andolong.
The participating vessels, including the littoral combat ship USS Mobile, Australian frigate HMAS Warramunga, and Japanese destroyer JS Akebono, will join two Philippine warships in the exercises, which are designed to strengthen interoperability among the armed forces of the four nations.
“They will go from south going to the north encompassing the boundary of western and northern command,” Andolong elaborated.
The joint statement emphasized the exercises as an opportunity to align armed forces’ doctrines, tactics, techniques, and procedures, underscoring the collective commitment to maritime security in the region.
Additionally, the four nations reiterated their support for the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award, regarding it as final and legally binding.
The timing of these maritime activities is noteworthy as it precedes a summit involving the leaders of Japan, the U.S., and the Philippines. Discussions during the summit are expected to address recent incidents in the South China Sea.
Since assuming office in 2022, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has pursued closer ties with Western nations, particularly the U.S., while adopting a more assertive stance against perceived Chinese aggression, departing from his predecessor’s pro-Beijing stance.
Recent maritime confrontations between the Philippines and China, involving water cannon and verbal exchanges, have raised concerns about escalating tensions at sea.
The Chinese embassy in Manila has yet to respond to requests for comment on these joint naval exercises.
China’s expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea have been a source of contention among neighboring countries, including Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The strategic waterway sees the transit of goods worth $3 trillion annually, further highlighting the significance of ensuring stability and freedom of navigation in the region.
HAGONOY, Bulacan. Dinukot ng tatlong suspek ang 13-anyos na estudyante, kabilang ang kanyang ina, at humingi ng P3 milyong ransom bilang kapalit ng kalayaan ng biktima sa Plaridel, Bulacan, kamakalawa ng gabi.
Sa loob lamang ng 24-oras, nasagip ang Grade 7 student na dinukot sa Hagonoy, Bulacan, habang naaresto ng pulisya ang tatlong suspek na kinilalang sina Maryrose Medina, 42, alyas “Elmarie”, ina ng binatilyong biktima, Eleonor Bolosco ng Brgy. Menzyland, at Adrian Cortez, security guard ng Brgy. Mojon, Malolos City, Bulacan.
Sa inisyal na imbestigasyon at salaysay ng amang negosyante na hindi pinangalanan, umalis ang kanyang anak at nagpunta sa kanyang kaklase bandang alas-3:00 ng hapon nitong Abril 4. Ayon sa ama, hindi na bumalik ang anak at isang hindi nagpakilalang indibiduwal ang tumawag sa kanyang telepono at nanghihingi ng P3 milyon bilang ransom para pakawalan ang biktima.
Matapos makatanggap ng tawag ang ama ng biktima mula sa hinihinalang kidnapper, agad siyang dumulog at humingi ng saklolo sa Hagonoy Municipal Police Station. Napag alaman na naibaba naman sa P550,000 ang ransom matapos na magkatawaran.
Kasunod nito, bandang alas-10:40 ng gabi nitong Abril 5, nagsagawa ng operasyon ang Provincial Intelligence Unit ng Bulacan sa pangunguna ni PLt. Col. Jesus Manalo, Anti-Kidnapping Group Luzon Field Unit, at Hagonoy Police Station sa pamumuno ni PLt. Col. Aldrin Thompson para sa rescue operations.
Matapos maibigay ang P550,000 ransom, agad sinundo ng kanilang family driver ang biktima sa isang fast food chain sa bayan ng Plaridel kasabay ng pagkakaaresto sa mga suspek. Narekober ng mga awtoridad sa operasyon ang P550,000 ransom money at black Chevrolet SLX na ginamit ng mga suspek.
Sinasabing puwersahang ginamit ang biktima ng kanyang ina, katuwang ang dalawang kasabwat, at palabasin na dinukot para ipatubos at makapaghiganti umano ito sa kanyang negosyanteng mister.
CAIRO. Israel’s military announced on Saturday that they had retrieved the remains of a 47-year-old farmer who had been held captive in Gaza, as negotiators gear up for another round of discussions on brokering a cease-fire and securing the release of remaining captives, six months into the conflict.
Elad Katzir’s body was found by Israel’s army, with suspicions that he was killed in January by militants affiliated with Islamic Jihad during an attack that occurred on October 7th. This attack resulted in over 1,200 casualties and around 250 individuals being taken as hostages. Katzir was abducted from Nir Oz, a border community that bore some of the heaviest losses.
The recovery of Katzir’s body has intensified pressure on Israel’s government to secure the release of the remaining hostages, prompting thousands to gather in Tel Aviv demanding action and even early elections. Families of the hostages have expressed deep concerns about the passage of time, with at least 36 hostages confirmed dead and only about half of the initial number released.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approach to the situation has divided Israelis, with recent large-scale protests in central Jerusalem against the government’s handling of the crisis.
Meanwhile, inside Gaza, the toll of Israel’s offensive continues to mount, with tens of thousands dead and over a million Palestinians displaced. The U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths labeled the situation as reaching a “terrible milestone” after six months of conflict, warning of the looming threat of famine.
Negotiations for a cease-fire are slated to resume on Sunday, with the involvement of a Hamas delegation and the arrival of CIA Director Bill Burns to Egypt as part of U.S. President Joe Biden’s efforts to broker peace.
Hamas has insisted on linking the end of hostilities to the release of hostages, proposing a phased approach that would involve the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails and the return of displaced individuals to northern Gaza, alongside increased aid.
Recent Israeli airstrikes resulting in the deaths of humanitarian workers have sparked international condemnation, with calls for increased protection of civilians and aid workers in the region.
As the conflict continues, the toll on Gaza’s health infrastructure is becoming increasingly dire, with hospitals like Shifa and Nasser severely damaged, exacerbating an already strained health system.
With Gaza’s population seeking refuge in cities like Rafah, fears of a potential ground offensive by Israel persist, raising concerns both locally and internationally.
LOS BAÑOS, Laguna. In a bid to address the escalating diabetes cases worldwide, researchers from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), a CGIAR Research Center, have unveiled the genes responsible for low and ultra-low glycemic index (GI) in rice. This groundbreaking discovery offers the potential to transform widely consumed rice varieties into low and ultra-low GI options for refined white rice, using conventional breeding techniques. This development maintains grain quality and ensures high yields.
During the opening ceremony of the 6th International Rice Congress, the initial batch of ultra-low GI rice samples derived from the Samba Mahsuri x IR36ae crossbreed was formally presented to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
Expressing gratitude for the congress, Marcos emphasized the significance of advancements like ultra-low GI rice in promoting rice industry development globally and particularly in the Philippines.
Previously, IRRI had identified two low GI Philippine varieties, IRRI 147 and IRRI 125, which were released in the Philippines as salt-tolerant options. Clinical studies showed that IRRI 147 had a GI value of 55, while IRRI 125 had a GI value of 51.1.
With diabetes reaching epidemic proportions, the necessity for healthier food options is paramount. Many commonly cultivated rice varieties have high GI levels, ranging from 70 to 92, which is concerning for individuals with diabetes.
IRRI categorizes GI levels as ultra-low below 45, low between 46 and 55, intermediate from 56 to 69, and high at 70 and above. The newly discovered ultra-low GI rice boasts a GI level of 44, with translucent grains.
In 2019, IRRI identified significant marker-trait associations for distinguishing between intermediate and high GI varieties. Now, IRRI has defined the genetics for low and ultra-low GI rice, developing pre-breeding lines with these characteristics in high-yielding backgrounds.
Dr. Nese Sreenivasulu, Head of IRRI’s Consumer-driven Grain Quality and Nutrition Research Unit, highlighted the opportunity this discovery presents to develop rice varieties that meet consumer health needs and preferences.
The breakthrough stems from collaborative efforts between IRRI scientists at the global headquarters in the Philippines and the IRRI South Asia Regional Centre in India. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the latter with the goal of fostering research partnerships across regions.
Dr. Leo Sebastian, Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development at the Department of Agriculture, expressed support for further research on low GI rice and its potential incorporation into Philippine varieties.
IRRI’s Interim Director General, Dr. Ajay Kohli, emphasized the health benefits and market potential of these research breakthroughs. Collaborative efforts between IRRI and PhilRice aim to make ultra-low GI rice varieties available in the market within two years.
SYDNEY. A passenger has been fined for urinating in a cup during a delay in deplaning after landing at Sydney Airport, sparking public attention after the incident came to light months later.
According to officials, the incident occurred last December after a 3-hour Air New Zealand flight from Auckland. The 53-year-old man was fined 600 Australian dollars ($395) for offensive behavior in February.
The incident gained traction when a passenger from the same row, identified only as Holly, reported the behavior to the air crew. Holly, accompanied by her 15-year-old daughter, described how the man in the window seat urinated in a cup while they were awaiting deplaning.
Holly recounted the experience, stating that the plane had been grounded for about 20 minutes, waiting for a terminal gate, when she heard the unmistakable sound of the passenger urinating. She further mentioned that the man appeared to be intoxicated and accidentally spilled urine on a flight attendant as he exited the plane.
Australian Federal Police confirmed the incident, stating that the passenger was removed from the plane for “urinating into a cup while in his seat.” However, the airline, Air New Zealand, declined to comment on the specific incident. They did mention their policy of banning disruptive passengers, including those intoxicated, with a monthly average of between five to ten customers facing such consequences.
NEW YORK. An earthquake struck the densely populated New York City metropolitan area on Friday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Residents across the Northeast reported feeling tremors in an area where such occurrences are uncommon.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake struck at 10:23 a.m. with a preliminary magnitude of 4.8, its epicenter located near Lebanon, New Jersey, approximately 45 miles west of New York City and 50 miles north of Philadelphia. Initial estimates suggested that the quake may have been felt by over 42 million people across the affected areas.
Despite the significant rumbling, New York City’s emergency notification system swiftly assured residents via social media that there were no reports of damage or injuries within the city. Mayor Eric Adams received a briefing on the event, with spokesperson Fabien Levy stating, “While we do not have any reports of major impacts at this time, we’re still assessing the impact.”
In the aftermath of the quake, residents across the Northeast shared their experiences, with reports of shaking coming from as far as Baltimore, Philadelphia, Connecticut, and even near the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border, over 200 miles away. The tremors prompted a sense of unease among many, stirring memories of the magnitude 5.8 earthquake that struck the East Coast on August 23, 2011, leaving cracks in the Washington Monument and prompting evacuations in Washington, D.C.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul assured the public of ongoing assessments regarding impacts and damages throughout the state. Similarly, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont’s spokespersons stated that officials were monitoring the situation, though no reports of significant damage had surfaced in their respective states at the time.
The unexpected seismic activity disrupted the usual rhythm of city life, with motorists honking horns on momentarily shuddering streets in Manhattan and Brooklyn residents hearing a booming sound accompanied by building vibrations. In lower Manhattan, patrons at a coffee shop discussed the startling occurrence as dishware rattled and concrete counters shook. “I noticed the door trembling on its frame,” remarked India Hays, a barista, reflecting the disbelief shared by many at the prospect of an earthquake in the area.
While the quake did not result in widespread damage or injuries, its occurrence serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of geological events, especially in regions where such phenomena are less common. As authorities continue to assess the situation, residents remain vigilant, reflecting on the fleeting but impactful disruption to their daily lives.
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna. Patay ang isang suspek sa pagpatay ng isang tricycle driver matapos ang engkwentro sa mga pulis sa Barangay San Jose, lungsod na ito nitong Huwebes.
Kinilala ng mga awtoridad ang suspek na si “Alyas Benjo” na napatay sa Barangay Parian, Calamba City noong gabi ding iyon.
Si Benjo ay tinukoy ng mga pulisya bilang salarin sa pagpatay kay Frederick Tagle, 41 anyos, isang tricycle driver na binaril habang nagmamaneho ng kanyang Rusi tricycle sa Barangay San Jose, Calamba City, noong Huwebes ng hapon.
Pagkatapos ng insidente, tumakas ang suspek patungo sa Barangay Sais. Batay sa ulat ng isang concerned citizen, natukoy ang suspek sa paligid ng Barangay Parian, Calamba City bandang 7:08 ng gabi.
Agad namang isinagawa ng mga intelligence operatives ang pagsundan sa suspek. Subalit, sa halip na sumuko, nagpaputok ang suspek nang maramdaman ang presensya ng mga operatiba na nagresulta sa engkwentro at nauwi sa kanyang kamatayan.
JERUSALEM. Two Israeli military officers have been dismissed and three others reprimanded for their involvement in drone strikes in Gaza that tragically claimed the lives of seven aid workers on a food delivery mission. The Israeli military disclosed that the officers had mishandled crucial information and breached the army’s rules of engagement.
The findings, stemming from an investigation led by a retired general, unveiled an uncomfortable truth for Israel, amid mounting criticism from key allies, including the United States. The incident has raised concerns about Israel’s commitment to safeguarding civilians in the midst of its conflict with Hamas.
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the military’s spokesman, expressed regret over the incident, acknowledging, “It’s a tragedy…It’s a serious event that we are responsible for, and it shouldn’t have happened, and we will make sure that it won’t happen again.”
The swift investigation and subsequent disciplinary actions mark a departure from the norm, reflecting the seriousness of the situation. However, doubts linger over the effectiveness of such measures in assuaging international outcry and rebuilding trust with aid organizations operating in Gaza.
World Central Kitchen, the charity to which the slain aid workers belonged, welcomed the investigation but stressed the need for systemic change to prevent similar tragedies in the future. They reiterated calls for an independent inquiry into the incident.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken underscored the importance of Israel’s accountability, stating that the United States would scrutinize the findings closely to gauge the steps taken and their impact.
According to military spokespeople, the drone strikes were authorized based on flawed intelligence, with a colonel greenlighting the operation upon receiving inaccurate information about an armed individual in the aid convoy. The subsequent strikes, based on this faulty premise, resulted in the loss of innocent lives.
The incident has intensified scrutiny of Israel’s conduct in the ongoing conflict with Hamas and highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. With the enclave facing severe food shortages, the international community is pressing for urgent action to alleviate the suffering of its inhabitants.
The victims, hailing from various countries, were employees of World Central Kitchen, founded by celebrity chef José Andrés. Their deaths underscore the risks faced by humanitarian workers operating in conflict zones.
As Israel grapples with the fallout from the drone strikes, questions persist about the breakdown in communication that led to the tragic outcome. Despite efforts to coordinate with aid organizations, the military’s actions underscore the challenges of operating in a volatile environment where lives hang in the balance.
TEA Governance advocacy, where leaders behave in transparent, ethical, and accountable ways.
In almost four decades of service, a former DepEd Undersecretary never lost sight of the need to help the government in the very serious matter of Curriculum and Instruction. He also lectures in webinars, seminars, conferences, public hearings, and technical meetings. Now that he is the SEAMEO INNOTECH Educational Research and Innovation Office Manager, Dr. Diosdado “Dads” M. San Antonio’s door continues to be knocked by many opportunities to pass on his expertise to more and more younger colleagues and spread common sense methods in educational institutions.
Usec Dad’s “TEA” will surely shun those who knock and choose to be untransparent, unethical, and unaccountable, though.
Once quoted by the media as saying, “Yung level ng commitment ng mga kasama nating guro, hindi matatawaran,” (the level of commitment of our fellow teachers is unmatched) San Antonio is one with the teachers in their feelings and always looking for solutions to the various problems faced by the schoolchildren because he, too, was a public schoolteacher before being entrusted with high positions in the Education Department’s regional offices and HQ.
He would almost always co-lead in Curriculum Development; Learning Delivery; Education Assessments; Learning Resources; Teacher Education and Literacy Coordinating secretariats; and Indigenous Peoples Education. And he listens. (Remember when he did not decline questions and one of his pressers was extremely cherishing, “It was among the many options we were considering but noting the objections from our stakeholders, we will no longer propose a two-week break.”)
As a member of the Standing Committee on Basic Education at EDCOM 2 (Second Congressional Commission on Education), San Antonio constantly emphasizes “the value of empowerment as long as both DepEd officials and teachers are fully capacitated.” (Inserting his eager smile after saying that is important; we cannot have that here, anyway.)
Most of his peer-reviewed journal articles were developed out of his experience in doctoral research.
San Antonio fully agreed when a noted economist wrote in part: “It would appear that our country embarked on decentralization of basic education more than two decades ago in 2001, when the reorganized Department of Education (DepEd) supposedly adopted School-Based Management (SBM) as a governance framework. SBM purportedly transferred power, authority, and resources to the school level, and was piloted in the implementation of foreign-funded projects like Australia’s Basic Education Assistance for Mindanao (BEAM) and Japan’s Third Elementary Education Project (TEEP). Even as analyses showed BEAM and TEEP to have yielded positive effects on pupils’ performance, DepEd, for various reasons, failed to fully implement SBM beyond these pilots. A 2014 assessment by the World Bank observed that most elementary and secondary schools had put in place ‘only a minimum number of arrangements for community participation and for taking action to improve learning outcomes.’
“SBM notwithstanding, the ongoing (EDCOM) found in its first year of research and consultations that schools cannot act in the absence of a memorandum from higher up—a situation stakeholders dub as ‘memocracy,’ a tongue-in-cheek takeoff on ‘democracy.’ Local chief executives (LCEs) have affirmed this, citing how division superintendents often block local initiatives for lack of a memorandum or approval from DepEd superiors. This ‘stems from the long history of centralized and hierarchical control exerted over the DepEd bureaucracy’ (EdCom II Year 1 Report, p. 302-303). This is unfortunate, as EdCom II has heard progressive LCEs embrace education as a core function of LGUs. But ‘absence of a formal policy hinders them from taking a more active role and reaping the benefits of devolution—faster, more focused responses, and innovative solutions that address local context and needs.’” (Habito, 2024)
San Antonio’s research abroad is on SBM and he firmly believes in a “principal-teacher empowerment” to be more specific to the Philippine setting. Before all stakeholders of SEAMEO INNOTECH, he speaks, “It’s our responsibility to empower teachers so they can take risks and be innovative.” (Insert the organization’s technical and related assistance; they are not mere words.)
Policy recommendations for the education sector proceed out of the mouths of laudable people like San Antonio, processes occur in their mouths, and when they make a mistake, it does not leave a bad taste to others’. Go ask their partner research organizations.
San Antonio, who served six Education chiefs, wrote in his social media account that he “will treasure the opportunity to personally know (them) and work with the great DepEd Secretaries of our time.” He began new phases of his career as DepEd retiree on June 30, 2022.
Many teachers do not know San Antonio personally. The good thing is the internet of things. Check out his “Module-based professional development for teachers: A cost-effective Philippine experiment” and other papers, big ideas, and lessons, all out there for all of us to personally ponder his works before asking our bigger questions. We may try to ask him those queries and he will gamely deliver as he did in “The Future of Teaching Controversial Public Issues: The DepEd Response” at UST.
“What’s the use of submitting perfect scores if it’s not the work of your child? As a parent I’ll never do that.” That is how Usec Dads told Christian Esguerra, when asked how to deal with the pandemic woes of both the learners and their parents, adding that other parents saw “nice things in it… nare-review rin sila.”
This recipient of the 2019 Gawad Career Executive Service (CES) Presidential Award also experienced monitoring 35 incidents of errors in self-learning modules as he worked closely with co-leaders at DepEd.
San Antonio precisely detects problems and knows where to start and work to end the problems in the education sector. Like us and his EDCOM standing committee, he hopes and prays: #ItaasAngAntas (improve our levels).
Pangungumusta
Some of my 1996 NHS batchmates who in 2017 donated wall fans, the number of which totaled the number of classrooms in the school before, wanted to know: “Musta [sic] na ang silid-aralan sa tag-init at maiinit na isyu sa edukasyon sa bansa?” My response: “Go visit the classrooms. Magpainit.”
In almost four decades of service, former DepEd Undersecretary Dr. Diosdado “Dads” M. San Antonio never lost sight of the need to help the government in the very serious matter of Curriculum and Instruction. He also lectures in webinars, seminars, conferences, public hearings, and technical meetings.
Namataan ang isang namumuong bagyo ngayon sa labas ng Philippine area of responsibility, ayon sa Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). Kahit na mainit ang panahon sa kasalukuyan, binabantayan ng mga awtoridad ang low pressure area (LPA) na ito na matatagpuan sa timog-silangan ng South Cotabato.
Ayon kay weather forecaster Chenel Dominguez, ang LPA ay huling namataan sa layong 770 kilometro timog-silangan ng General Santos City province ng South Cotabato. Inaasahang ang buntot ng LPA ay magdudulot ng pag-ulan sa ilang bahagi ng Mindanao sa Biyernes, partikular sa Davao Region.
Nagpapayo ang PAGASA sa mga residente sa mga naturang lugar na maging handa sa posibleng epekto ng bagyo, tulad ng pagbaha at pagguho ng lupa. Manatiling nakatutok sa mga susunod na ulat ng PAGASA para sa mga karagdagang impormasyon hinggil sa pag-unlad ng bagyo at posibleng epekto nito sa mga komunidad.
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