Your Daily News Update About CALABARZON and Beyond.
ISSN 2799-1911

Home Blog Page 18

Pope Francis makes surprise public appearance after hospitalization for double pneumonia

Venus L Peñaflor
-
0
Pope Francis makes surprise public appearance after hospitalization for double pneumonia

VATICAN CITY. Pope Francis made a surprise return to the public eye on Sunday, appearing in St. Peter’s Square for the first time since his release from the hospital two weeks ago. The 88-year-old pontiff was seen smiling and waving to cheering crowds as he was wheeled out in front of the main altar after a Mass, marking a significant moment in his recovery from double pneumonia.

The pope’s appearance had not been announced beforehand. Arriving in a wheelchair shortly before noon local time (1000 GMT), Francis briefly addressed the faithful gathered under the bright spring sun.

“Happy Sunday to everyone,” he said in a frail yet clearer voice than during his previous appearance on March 23. “Thank you so much.” A small oxygen hose could be seen under his nose as he spoke, but the pope smiled broadly as he interacted with the crowd.

This marked his first public appearance since his brief greeting upon leaving Rome’s Gemelli Hospital two weeks ago. That March 23 appearance followed more than five weeks of intensive treatment in what has been described as the most serious health crisis of his 12-year papacy.

Francis was admitted to the hospital on February 14 after a bout of bronchitis progressed into double pneumonia. His medical history, which includes pleurisy in his youth and partial removal of one lung, heightened concern over his condition. According to his lead physician, the pope had come dangerously close to death during his 38-day hospitalization, prompting doctors at one point to consider ending treatment to allow him to pass away peacefully.

Sunday’s Mass was part of a special celebration honoring healthcare workers and individuals who are sick. While Francis did not lead the Mass, the Vatican released a written message from the pope shortly afterward, reflecting on his recent health ordeal.

“I ask the Lord that this touch of his love might reach all those who suffer and encourage those who are taking care of them,” he wrote.

Despite his improved condition, Pope Francis remains under strict medical advice to rest. Doctors have prescribed a two-month recovery period at his Vatican residence, and all prior engagements have been removed from his official schedule.

The Vatican has yet to confirm whether the pope will preside over the Easter celebrations on April 20. Meanwhile, Britain’s King Charles III, who is due to visit Italy next week, has canceled a planned meeting with the pontiff in light of the pope’s ongoing recovery.

Pope Francis had not delivered his usual Sunday noon-time prayer in St. Peter’s Square since February 9. His unexpected appearance this weekend has sparked hope among many Catholics, though it remains unclear how frequently he will return to public ministry in the near term.

Over 50 countries seek trade talks with U.S. after the sweeping tariffs

EDGARDO HERNAL
-
0
Over 50 countries seek trade talks with U.S. after the sweeping tariffs

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida. More than 50 countries have reportedly approached the United States to begin trade negotiations following President Donald Trump’s sudden imposition of sweeping tariffs, according to senior administration officials speaking Sunday. The tariffs, set to take effect Wednesday, have already rattled financial markets, stoked fears of a global recession, and disrupted longstanding trade relationships.

“This is not the kind of thing you can negotiate away in days or weeks,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on NBC’s Meet the Press. “We have to see what the countries offer and whether it’s believable.”

The White House confirmed that over 50 nations — many of which are U.S. allies — have initiated contact with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to open talks. The import taxes, announced on April 2, are part of Trump’s strategy to overhaul global trade practices he deems unfair to the United States.

“WE WILL WIN. HANG TOUGH, it won’t be easy,” Trump declared on social media while spending the weekend golfing in Florida.

Markets, however, responded with alarm. U.S. stock futures tumbled Sunday evening — the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 futures fell nearly 4%, while Nasdaq futures dropped nearly 5%. Even Bitcoin, which remained relatively stable last week, saw a nearly 6% dip.

Top White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett acknowledged the international backlash but claimed it was having a desired effect. “Other countries are angry and retaliating, and, by the way, coming to the table,” Hassett said on This Week.

The tariffs are affecting both adversaries and allies. Israel, a longstanding U.S. partner, faces a 17% tariff. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to raise the issue during a Monday visit to the White House. His office said discussions will also include the ongoing war in Gaza.

Vietnam has also reached out, with Trump claiming that its leader offered to reduce tariffs to zero “if they are able to make an agreement with the U.S.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni publicly opposed the tariffs, stating: “We are ready to deploy all the tools — negotiating and economic — necessary to support our businesses and our sectors that may be penalized.”

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed on CBS’s Face the Nation that the tariffs are moving forward: “The tariffs are coming. Of course they are.” He said they would “definitely” remain “for days and weeks.”

In Washington, Trump’s tariff move is facing skepticism even within his own party. Some Republicans are joining Democrats in backing legislation that would reassert Congress’s role in tariff policy. A bipartisan bill would require presidential tariffs to be approved by Congress within 60 days or be automatically rescinded.

“We gave some of that power to the executive branch. I think, in hindsight, that was a mistake,” said Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), who plans to introduce the House version of the bill. “Passing it won’t be easy unless markets continue to react negatively and indicators like inflation and unemployment worsen.”

Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), the Senate GOP’s No. 2 leader, backed Trump’s authority but conceded that concerns are growing: “There is concern across the country. People are watching the markets.”

Industry Voices, Divided Opinions

Elon Musk, head of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency and CEO of Tesla, expressed a preference for open trade during a weekend event in Italy. “I’d like to see a zero-tariff situation between the U.S. and Europe,” he said.

His comments drew a sharp response from White House trade adviser Peter Navarro. “Elon, when he is on his DOGE lane, is great… But we understand what’s going on here,” Navarro said on Fox News. “He’s simply protecting his own interest as any business person would do.”

Economist Lawrence Summers, who served as Treasury Secretary under President Bill Clinton, criticized the administration’s mixed messaging. “If it’s just making a deal, then we don’t raise any revenue nor do we get any businesses to relocate to the United States. If it’s a permanent revenue source… then we’re going to have these tariffs permanently. So the president can’t have it both ways,” Summers said on ABC’s This Week.

As the world braces for the first wave of tariff impacts this week, uncertainty reigns over how long this economic confrontation will last — and what form it will ultimately take.

Chinese Coast Guard blocks Philippine ship near Zambales in latest West Philippine Sea standoff

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
-
0
Chinese Coast Guard blocks Philippine ship near Zambales in latest West Philippine Sea standoff

A China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel shadowed and dangerously blocked the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) on Sunday, approximately 170 kilometers off the coast of Zambales, intensifying tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

An exclusive report aired by GMA Integrated News on “24 Oras Weekend” featured video footage of the incident. It showed CCG vessel 3302 repeatedly maneuvering close to the BRP Cabra despite the PCG’s radio challenges.

At one alarming point, the Chinese ship came within 16 meters of the Cabra, raising fears of a potential collision.

“Dahil sa seamanship skills ng ating mga [Thanks to the seamanship skills of our] coast guard sailors, we were able to prevent them from delivering another possible collision,” said PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela. “You can just imagine how much it would impact dito sa ating mas maliit na [the larger ship would have had on our smaller] coast guard vessel,” he added.

Video footage also showed the Chinese ship sailing alongside the BRP Cabra, closely tailing the Philippine vessel in a clear attempt to obstruct its patrol route.

Tarriela emphasized that this is not an isolated case. “This is not the first time that the China Coast Guard has attempted such maneuvers against a PCG vessel,” he said, adding that the PCG’s continued patrols are meant to prevent China from claiming historical presence in the area.

In a separate incident on Sunday, a China Coast Guard ship was also seen following the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel BRP Datu Bankaw. Maritime security expert Raymond Powell reported that a 134-meter CCG vessel shadowed the BFAR ship up to 100 nautical miles from the Busuanga Islands in Palawan.

Meanwhile, a Chinese research vessel was also detected in waters north of Batanes, shortly after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the Philippines. During his visit, Hegseth announced upcoming advanced bilateral training exercises between U.S. and Philippine forces to be held in Batanes, a strategic location in the northernmost part of the country.

GMA Integrated News has reached out to the Chinese Embassy in Manila for comment regarding the recent encounters.

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said China’s increasing assertiveness in the West Philippine Sea is a key reason behind the country’s push to modernize its armed forces. He noted that the Philippines is working on a deal to acquire fighter jets, which could be delivered by 2027 if the agreement moves forward.

These developments come amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the region, as the Philippines continues to assert its sovereignty over its exclusive economic zone while maintaining diplomatic channels with concerned parties.

Movie review: Naomi Watts, a grieving dog, and the ghost of Bill Murray shine in “The Friend”

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
-
0
Movie review: Naomi Watts, a grieving dog, and the ghost of Bill Murray shine in “The Friend”

In a tender and quietly powerful film, The Friend, Academy Award nominee Naomi Watts stars as Iris, a solitary writer and professor in New York City, who unexpectedly inherits a 150-pound Great Dane named Apollo following the suicide of her mentor and friend, Walter — portrayed in haunting flashbacks by Bill Murray.

The film, an adaptation of Sigrid Nunez’s National Book Award-winning novel, is directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel (What Maisie Knew), and brings together emotional depth, subtle humor, and a fresh perspective on grief, particularly the often-overlooked sorrow of losing a close friend.

A Grief Story Told Through a Dog

Living in a 500-square-foot rent-controlled apartment in Manhattan — already a dream for many New Yorkers — Iris finds herself in a painful dilemma: her building doesn’t allow dogs, not even ones as gentle and mournful as Apollo. For Iris, who is not a self-proclaimed dog lover and has no intention of becoming one, the unexpected responsibility collides with the loss of a man who meant more to her than she ever realized.

Walter, a charismatic and controversial writer, died a literary legend with a complicated past — multiple marriages, a grown daughter (Sarah Pidgeon), and an unresolved misconduct accusation. He left no plan for Apollo, but perhaps he did: “Iris was the plan,” as the film subtly reveals, though he never told her.

Apollo, found by Walter as a stray in Central Park, becomes the physical embodiment of grief in the film. The Great Dane mourns in silence — sitting listlessly on Iris’s bed or destroying furniture in frustration. Together, Iris and Apollo navigate the aftermath of Walter’s death, struggling with both logistical reality and emotional wreckage.

Watts and Murray Deliver Quiet Power

Naomi Watts delivers a restrained and graceful performance as Iris, a woman content in her solitude and unbothered by social conventions. “She’s the most radical of female characters, even — depressingly — in 2025: a single woman of a certain age and no ambition to be anything else,” the review notes, and Watts embodies that with nuance and dignity.

Murray, appearing mostly in flashbacks, fully inhabits the role of Walter — a flawed literary icon with undeniable charm. As the film unfolds, Iris is left to reassess not only the man he was but also the nature of their friendship, which included a brief romantic connection. Their bond was, as the film suggests, “his deepest,” though complicated by unspoken truths.

Subtle and Emotionally True

While The Friend avoids the cliches of “dog movies” and resists easy humor, it does stretch its runtime — clocking in at 123 minutes. However, McGehee and Siegel handle the story with such care that the film remains compelling. They focus on the emotional journey of two unlikely companions — a grieving woman and a grieving dog — forming a bond that gives each a path forward.

The result is a moving portrait of friendship, loss, and quiet resilience. As the review puts it, The Friend is “one of those movies people complain they don’t make anymore… smart, emotionally authentic stories about people who seem real.”

The Friend, a Bleecker Street release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for “a sexual reference and language.” Running time: 123 minutes. Now in limited release and in theaters nationwide Friday.

Rating: ★★★ out of 4

Nearly 100-year-old Galápagos tortoises at Philadelphia Zoo become first-time parents

EDGARDO HERNAL
-
0
Nearly 100-year-old Galápagos tortoises at Philadelphia Zoo become first-time parents

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Zoo has announced the successful hatching of four critically endangered Galápagos tortoise hatchlings—born to a pair of nearly 100-year-old tortoises who became first-time parents.

The zoo shared the exciting news on Friday, calling it “a significant milestone” in its more than 150-year history. The hatchlings are the offspring of “Mommy” and “Abrazzo,” the zoo’s oldest animal residents and longtime ambassadors of the species.

“This is a significant milestone in the history of Philadelphia Zoo, and we couldn’t be more excited to share this news with our city, region and the world,” said Zoo President and CEO Jo-Elle Mogerman in a statement.

“Mommy arrived at the Zoo in 1932, meaning anyone that has visited the Zoo for the last 92 years has likely seen her,” Mogerman added. “Philadelphia Zoo’s vision is that those hatchlings will be a part of a thriving population of Galápagos tortoises on our healthy planet 100 years from now.”

The four hatchlings, each weighing between 70 and 80 grams—or roughly the weight of a chicken egg—are currently being cared for behind the scenes in the Reptile and Amphibian House. The first egg hatched on February 27, and the zoo’s animal care team is still monitoring additional eggs that could hatch in the coming days.

According to the zoo, Mommy is now recognized as the oldest first-time mother of the Western Santa Cruz Galápagos tortoise species. She is also considered one of the most genetically valuable individuals in the species survival plan managed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

The last recorded hatching of Galápagos tortoises at an AZA-accredited institution occurred in 2019 at the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina. Other U.S. zoos involved in similar conservation efforts include the San Diego Zoo, Zoo Miami, and the Honolulu Zoo.

A public debut for the Philadelphia hatchlings is scheduled for April 23, along with a naming contest to engage the community in celebrating this rare and remarkable event.

“Mommy arrived at the Zoo in 1932, meaning anyone that has visited the Zoo for the last 92 years has likely seen her,” Mogerman added.

Philippines raises concern over China’s arrest of alleged Filipino spies

Venus L Peñaflor
-
0
Philippines raises concern over China’s arrest of alleged Filipino spies

MANILA. The Philippine government raised alarm on Saturday following reports that three Filipinos were arrested in China on suspicion of espionage, calling the move potentially retaliatory amid ongoing tensions between the two countries over intelligence operations and maritime disputes.

According to a report by China Daily earlier this week, Chinese authorities apprehended three Filipino nationals and accused them of working for Philippine intelligence to gather classified military information. Chinese state security officials claimed that the suspects had already confessed to the crime.

However, the Philippine National Security Council (NSC) strongly disputed Beijing’s claims, asserting that the individuals in question were “ordinary Filipino citizens with no military training” who had been in China under a government scholarship program.

“They are ordinary Filipino citizens with no military training who merely went to China at the invitation of the Chinese government to study,” said NSC spokesperson Jonathan Malaya in an official statement.

“They are law-abiding citizens with no criminal records and were vetted and screened by the Chinese government prior to their arrival there,” he added.

The three Filipinos were reportedly former scholars under a bilateral agreement between Hainan province in China and Palawan province in the Philippines. Both coastal provinces lie adjacent to the South China Sea, a critical and contested maritime region where China and the Philippines have frequently clashed.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila has not responded to requests for comment as of press time.

Malaya also suggested that the arrests could be politically motivated and in retaliation for Manila’s ongoing operations against suspected Chinese intelligence activities within Philippine territory.

“The arrests can be seen as a retaliation for the series of legitimate arrests of Chinese agents and accomplices by Philippine law enforcement,” Malaya noted.

Over the past three months, Philippine authorities have arrested at least a dozen Chinese nationals for allegedly engaging in espionage. These individuals are accused of illegally gathering sensitive information related to military facilities and critical infrastructure — actions that, according to Philippine officials, pose serious threats to national security.

The latest development adds another layer of tension to Manila’s already strained relationship with Beijing, especially concerning overlapping claims in the South China Sea. China maintains expansive territorial claims in the area despite a 2016 ruling by an international arbitral tribunal that found Beijing’s assertions to be without legal basis—a decision China continues to reject.

With reports from Reuters

2 nakulong sa pagpapakalat ng fake news sa social media

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
-
0
2 nakulong sa pagpapakalat ng fake news sa social media

MAYNILA. Dalawang indibidwal ang kinasuhan ng cybercrime ng Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 nitong Biyernes matapos umanong magpakalat ng fake news sa social media kaugnay ng katatapos na Sinulog Festival sa Cebu.

Kinilala ang mga suspek na sina Leomar Magallanes at Salic Daurong na nahaharap ngayon sa kasong paglabag sa Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 dahil sa diumano’y pagpapakalat ng disinformation online.

Ayon kay PRO 7 director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, ang reklamo ay bunsod ng isang kumakalat na video sa social media kung saan makikita ang isang kaganapan sa Sinulog Festival na umano’y pinalabas bilang isang prayer protest rally na sumusuporta kay dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte.

“Ating mga cyber investigators ay napag-alaman natin very tedious at very circuitous ang imbestigasyon na ginawa natin dahil online kasi ito,” ani Maranan.

Dagdag pa niya, nakipag-ugnayan na ang PRO 7 sa mga telecommunication companies at internet service providers upang matunton ang digital footprint ng mga nasa likod ng pagpapakalat ng maling impormasyon.

Nagbabala rin si Maranan sa publiko hinggil sa seryosong epekto ng fake news sa kaligtasan at tiwala ng sambayanan.

“Ang pagpapakalat ng maling impormasyon sa social media ay isang malaking pagkakasala na sumisira sa tiwala at kaligtasan ng publiko,” paalala ni Maranan.

Hinikayat rin niya ang mga mamamayan na maging mapagmatyag at responsable sa paggamit ng social media.

“Maging maingat po tayo sa mga pinopost natin online. Malaki ang epekto nito sa ating komunidad,” aniya.

Patuloy ang imbestigasyon ng PRO 7 upang matukoy pa ang iba pang posibleng sangkot sa insidente.

Israel expands military operations in Gaza, seizes key territory

Venus L Peñaflor
-
0
Israel expands military operations in Gaza, seizes key territory

JERUSALEM. Israel has launched a significant expansion of its military operations in Gaza, seizing territory and declaring plans to incorporate large areas of the enclave into its designated security zones. The move, which involves mass evacuations of civilians, marks a dramatic escalation in the ongoing conflict.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the seizure of a strategic strip known as the “Morag Axis,” located between the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis—roughly 3 to 4 kilometers from the Egyptian border.

“Because we are now dividing the Strip and we are increasing pressure step by step so they will give us our hostages,” Netanyahu said in a video address.

By cutting off Rafah from Khan Younis, Israel aims to gain control of a second critical corridor in southern Gaza. This is in addition to the “Philadelphi Corridor,” which runs along the Gaza-Egypt border and is viewed by Israel as essential to stopping arms smuggling into the Strip.

The Israeli military confirmed it had encircled the Tel al-Sultan area near Rafah, killing dozens of militants and discovering two rockets and a launcher pointed toward Israeli territory.

Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, Israel’s top military official, declared that the offensive would continue “at a deliberate and determined pace.”

“The only thing that can halt our further advance is the release of our hostages,” Zamir said in an official statement.

Earlier in the day, Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed the broader scope of the operation, stating that Israeli forces would expand operations to eliminate militant infrastructure and seize territory to add to Israel’s security buffer.

Evacuation orders were issued for southern Gaza districts. According to local radio reports, large areas around Rafah were left nearly deserted following the warnings. The situation is growing increasingly dire for civilians.

“As of today, 64% of Gaza is under active forced displacement orders or falling within the so-called ‘buffer zone’,” said Jonathan Whittall, the United Nations’ top humanitarian official for Gaza and the West Bank. “Nowhere and no one is safe in Gaza.”

The Gaza Health Ministry reported that at least 60 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday. Among them were 19 individuals—including children—killed in an attack on a U.N.-run clinic housing displaced civilians.

Israel’s military claimed the building, previously used as a clinic, had been repurposed as a Hamas command and control center. The military said it took steps to minimize civilian casualties using surveillance.

However, Hamas denied the allegation and labeled it a “blatant fabrication.”

Reuters footage from the scene showed pools of blood on the floor as bodies were carried away on stretchers by rescue teams. In Khan Younis, residents were still reeling from another deadly strike.

“From the moment the strike occurred we have not been able to sit or sleep,” said Rida al-Jabbour, holding up a baby’s tiny shoe and pointing to a blood-splattered wall. She recounted how her neighbor and the woman’s three-month-old infant were killed in the attack. Rescue workers, she added, were unable to separate the victims’ remains.

The latest developments come amid mounting international concern over the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza and the rising death toll from intensified Israeli operations.

Four space tourists complete polar flight, splash down in Pacific after 3½ days in orbit

EDGARDO HERNAL
-
0
Four space tourists complete polar flight, splash down in Pacific after 3½ days in orbit

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. Four space tourists have successfully returned to Earth after completing a groundbreaking, privately funded mission that took them over both the North and South Poles. Their Dragon capsule, launched by SpaceX, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on Friday, marking the end of their 3½-day polar adventure.

Bitcoin investor Chun Wang, who chartered the flight, was joined by Norwegian filmmaker Jannicke Mikkelsen, German robotics researcher Rabea Rogge, and Australian polar guide Eric Philips. Wang, now a citizen of Malta, organized the mission to provide a unique opportunity to experience space travel with views of the Earth’s polar regions. He declined to disclose how much he paid for the expedition.

The mission, which began on Monday night at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, made history as the first human spaceflight to orbit above both poles. The crew also made the first Pacific splashdown in 50 years, with the capsule landing off the coast of Southern California.

The crew members shared awe-inspiring views of the polar ice caps, thanks to a domed window installed in the Dragon capsule that offered 360-degree vistas. “It is so epic because it is another kind of desert, so it just goes on and on and on all the way,” said Rabea Rogge, in a video posted by Wang on social media while gazing down at the South Pole.

Filmmaker Jannicke Mikkelsen took full advantage of the opportunity, capturing stunning footage of their journey. Meanwhile, the crew conducted several scientific experiments, including the first-ever medical X-rays taken in space. The quartet also completed over two dozen additional experiments during the mission, which was named “Fram2” after the famous Norwegian ship used by explorers to reach the poles more than a century ago. A piece of the Fram’s original wooden deck accompanied the crew on their journey.

Though all four participants experienced space motion sickness upon reaching orbit, they reported feeling fine by the second day. According to Wang, they were eager to open the window cover over the South Pole after waking up on day two, capturing the stunning views in high detail.

The crew’s return included medical tests to observe the effects of space travel on their physical stability. Upon splashdown, all four were able to exit the capsule on their own, carrying bags of equipment as researchers studied their ability to maintain balance after returning from orbit.

SpaceX explained that their decision to switch splashdown locations to the Pacific Ocean, rather than Florida, was made with safety in mind. The company confirmed that the change ensures any remnants of the capsule’s trunk, which is jettisoned near the end of the flight, will fall into the ocean rather than land.

The last group to return from space to the Pacific was the Apollo-Soyuz crew in 1975, making this splashdown a significant milestone in the history of human spaceflight.

Upon splashdown, all four were able to exit the capsule on their own, carrying bags of equipment as researchers studied their ability to maintain balance after returning from orbit.

Lacson: Dapat maghanda ang mga Pilipino sa Taiwan sa posibleng pananakop ng China

Venus L Peñaflor
-
0
Lacson: Dapat maghanda ang mga Pilipino sa Taiwan sa posibleng pananakop ng China

ANTIPOLO CITY. Nanawagan si dating senador at ngayo’y senatorial aspirant Panfilo “Ping” Lacson sa mga Pilipinong nasa Taiwan na maghanda sa posibleng pananakop ng China, kasunod ng babala ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ukol sa scenario ng military conflict sa rehiyon.

Sa isang press conference ng Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas bago ang kanilang campaign sortie sa Antipolo City, sinabi ni Lacson na tama si AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. sa panawagang paghahanda ng mga sundalo ng Northern Luzon Command para sa Taiwan invasion contingency.

“Gen. Brawner is right in telling the AFP to prepare. Who else can implement the evacuation plan other than those who have the equipment and capability to evacuate or at least protect our fellow Filipinos there?” paliwanag ni Lacson.

Ayon sa kanya, matagal nang may contingency plans ang Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) para sa mga Pilipino sa Taiwan kung sakaling lumala ang tensyon.

“MECO has long devised a plan for possible contingencies including the evacuation of our overseas Filipino workers there,” ani Lacson.
“These plans take into account the possibility of such an invasion from China,” dagdag pa niya.

Giit pa ni Lacson, kung may ganitong paghahanda ang MECO, nararapat lamang na magkaroon din ng mindset na ganoon ang mga Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) sa Taiwan.

Nauna nang ipinaliwanag ni Gen. Brawner na ang kanyang direktiba ay hindi bunga ng isang “imminent threat” kundi isang “prudent measure” lamang upang paghandaan ang anumang maaaring mangyari.

“Non-combatant evacuation operations preparedness” aniya ang layunin ng AFP, lalo’t nasa 250,000 OFWs ang kasalukuyang nasa Taiwan at dapat tiyaking ligtas kung sakaling lumala ang tensyon.

Ang panawagang paghahanda ay kasunod ng hakbang ng China na magpadala ng kanilang army, navy, air at rocket forces sa paligid ng Taiwan upang magsagawa ng military blockade drills.

Tinuturing ng Beijing ang Taipei bilang isang “renegade province” at patuloy ang hangarin nitong maisailalim ang isla sa kontrol ng mainland China. Matatandaang humiwalay ang Taiwan sa mainland noong taong 1949 matapos ang Chinese civil war.

1...171819...644Page 18 of 644




Tutubi Digital News will shape up the way you stay up to date with the goings-on around Calabarzon, and the world. Tutubi is committed to keep you socially active. Tutubi updates on the Go!


Contact us:

info@tutubi.ph

Popular Posts

Popular category

World News2681PH News2624Curiosity593Asia383Opinion347

Developed by Tutubi Digital Marketing Solutions | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions of Use | Cookie Policy | All rights reserved