Marawi evacuees start returning home

Hundreds of evacuees continue to be housed for almost five months now in a multi-purpose hall at Balo-i township, Lanao del Norte province after fleeing the besieged city of Marawi Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017 in southern Philippines. There was joy among the evacuees at news of the two Muslim militant leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omarkhayam Maute involved in the siege were killed by Philippine troops Monday. AP Photo/Bullit Marquez

LANAO DEL SUR — Displaced Maranaos started returning on Sunday to villages in Marawi City that they were forced to abandon on May 23.

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Assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong of the 24-seat Regional Assembly in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao told The STAR on Sunday that authorities have allowed the return of evacuees to areas declared safe by security advisers, among them bomb disposal experts.

“Residents of Barangay Basak Malutlut started returning to their homes today, October 29,” said Adiong, spokesman of the Lanao del Sur provincial crisis management committee.

Marawi City is the political and administrative capital of Lanao del Sur, which has 39 towns.

It was in Barangay Basak Malutlut were government forces and combined Maute and Abu Sayyaf gunmen first clashed on May 23, sparking a conflict that lasted until October 23.

“We are thankful to the office of Marawi Mayor Majul Gandamra and all other agencies and cause-oriented groups helping return evacuees to Marawi City,” Adiong said

Brake failure not likely in Batasan truck accident: truckers' group

MANILA - It is unlikely that the brakes failed on the truck which killed 5 people in Quezon City last Thursday, an official of a truckers' group said Sunday.

Alberto Suansing, director of the Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines told radio DZMM that the pneumatic brake system on trailer trucks is different from hydraulic systems found on most vehicles.

Suansing said that with a pneumatic brake system, a driver only needs to flip a switch to activate the emergency brakes.

"Nataranta yung driver. Hindi nya nakalabit yung switch na mag-a-activate ng emergency brakes," Suansing said.

(The driver panicked. He forgot to switch on the emergency brakes.)

He added that the accident could have been avoided if the driver was better trained.

"Unfortunately, mahirap ma-determine yung skills ng nagmamaneho... Sa LTO (Land Transportation Office) hindi gaanong nasusukat yun," Suansing added.

(Unfortunately, it's hard to determine the skills of a driver. At LTO, it is not assessed very well.)

At least 5 people were killed when a 22-wheeler truck carrying steel bars plowed into a tow truck, 2 cars, 1 jeepney and 1 motorcycle on San Mateo Road, Barangay Batasan Hills, Quezon City last Thursday.

The accident also caused heavy traffic for several hours in the area.

Gov’t expecting to retrieve hundreds of remains in Marawi

 Government authorities are expecting to retrieve more than a hundred cadavers from the main battle area in Marawi City, an ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) assemblyman said Sunday.
Lanao del Sur Provincial Crisis Management Committee spokesman and ARMM assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong said there were still 61 persons missing.
“Yung expected na remains sa MBA [main battle area] could be even be bigger: Nasa hundred po ang expected natin na pwede nating ma-recover diyan na human remains,” he added in an interview on Super Radyo DzBB.
“Actually, we're expecting the worst. We are actually not causing any panic here or alarm, but we're getting ready, we are expecting the worst,” Adiong said.
Adiong said that the government has buried the remains of around 100 people at the Maqbara Public Cemetery in Barangay Papandayan Caniogan in Marawi City.
Since there were more than 900 members of the Maute group that were killed, Adiong said that they were expecting to recover an estimated 600 or 700 bodies.
“These are the Maute fighters alone but they're also looking at the possibility of kung meron man, pero sana wala tayong makitang civillians diyan but nga we are getting ready for the worst scenario na mangyayari,” Adiong said.
He added that once the government forces finishes their clearing operations they would immediately start the conduct of retrieval and rescue operations.
“Kasi may 61 pa naman na missing so we don't classify them as retrieval operations. We still consider it to be as rescue operations,” he said.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana declared an end to the five-month urban warfare in Marawi City on October 23. He said that combat operations had been terminated as there are "no more militants" in Marawi.
Colonel Romeo Brawner Jr., Task Force Ranao deputy commander, said a total of 920 Maute members have been killed while 165, on the part of the government, perished.
President Rodrigo Duterte on October 17 declared the liberation of Marawi City after the deaths of terror leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute.

Ilang tips para sa maayos na pagdaraos ng Undas

Watch also in iWantv or TFC.tv

Nakaugalian na ng mga Pilipino ang pagdalaw sa mga puntod ng yumaong mahal sa buhay tuwing Undas. Narito ang ilang tips para maging matiwasay ang pag-alala sa mga pumanaw.

Mga biyahero para sa Undas, dagsa na sa mga pantalan, bus terminal

MANILA - Nagsimula nang bumuhos sa mga pantalan at bus terminal, Linggo, ang mga pasaherong pauwi sa mga probinsya para sa Undas.

Sa Araneta bus terminal sa Quezon City, pahirapan na para sa mga chance passenger ang pagsakay sa mga bus, lalo na ang mga papuntang Bicol.

Kuwento ng ilang pasahero, Sabado ng hapon pa sila naghihintay ng masasakyan.

"Sobra talaga ang tagal, hindi katulad ng dati. Ngayon lang ako nakaranas ng ganito," sabi ni JR Puro.

"Hintay-hintay lang daw, puno kasi lahat ng bus e," dagdag ni Jomar Santos.

Dagsa na rin ang mga biyahero sa hilera ng mga bus terminal sa EDSA-Cubao.

Sa Five Star terminal, 20 bus na biyaheng Pangasinan, Tuguegarao, Cabanatuan at Tarlac ang dumarating kada oras.

Mas marami pa naman ang mga bus kaysa mga pasahero sa mga paradahan ng Jac Liner, Genesis, Jam Liner at Super Lines.

Nawalan naman ng cellphone ang isang Korean national sa Batangas Port, ayon sa Philippine Coast Guard.

Wala pang eksaktong bilang ang pamunuan ng pantalan, pero kumpara nitong Sabado ay mas marami na anila roon ang mga pasaherong patungong Mindoro, Romblon, Marinduque at iba pang parte ng Visayas.

Nagsimula na ring humaba ang pila ng mga pasahero sa Cebu North at South Bus Terminal sa Cebu.

Binigyan ng Land Transportation Office ang mga pasahero ng complaint form para maisumbong ang mga kaso ng labis na singil sa pamasahe, overloading at reckless driving.

Samantala, una nang sinabi ng Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) na hinigpitan na ang seguridad sa 39 commercial airports ng bansa.

Winnie Monsod Wants PH Doctors To Assess President Duterte’s Mental Health

 


According to winnie monsod, he must believe for review of the Philippine Medical Association or other groups of doctors the mental health of President Rodrigo Duterte to determine if he is still fit to be president of the Philippines.

"Our Philippine Medical Association, or whatever psychological or psychiatric associations should get together and assess the President's behavior." -Winnie Monsod

WATCH: Duterte says communists, Islamic militants are next after Marawi liberation

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte (L) raises a clenched fist, as he shouts declaring Marawi "liberated" during a ceremony inside the battle area of Bangolo district in Marawi on October 17, 2017. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on October 17 declared a southern city "liberated from terrorists' influence" but the military said the five-month battle against militants loyal to the Islamic State group was not yet over. Ted Aljibe/AFP

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte is setting his sights on Communist rebels and Islamic militants in Basilan and Jolo after the liberation of Marawi from the Maute terrorist group.

Marawi, the capital and largest city of Lanao del Sur province in Mindanao, has been severely devastated after the Maute group, which claims allegiance to the Islamic State, laid siege to it last May 23.
The military estimated that around 1,000 people have been killed including at least 847 militants.
The group's two key leaders have been slain and their numbers have dwindled, prompting Duterte to declare Marawi liberated.
READ: Military pushes to defeat last Marawi fighters

Duterte: PH will reject EU aid

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC

The Philippines would no longer accept grants from the European Union (EU) because it allegedly disrespected the country’s sovereignty, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday.
Speaking during a visit to Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, Mr. Duterte said that he would reject foreign aid with strings attached.
“I’m cursing them [the EU] because they do not know how to respect sovereignty,” he said. “We need aid but if it’s like that, you are taught how to do it … that’s pedantry.”

He said that the United Kingdom was about to give a grant but he turned it down, disputing reports that London made no such offer.

“They are about to make an offer,” Mr. Duterte said. “[Finance Secretary Carlos] Dominguez asked. I said, ‘No, I will not accept it.’”
Following a visit last week by a foreign mission, which included several European parliamentarians and party representatives that criticized the President’s bloody war on drugs, Mr. Duterte slammed the European Union for meddling in the country’s internal affairs.
In a statement, the European Union disowned the mission, saying it was undertaken by the Progressive Alliance, a global network of social democratic and socialist parties and groups.

Mr. Duterte said that it was “very stupid” for some officials to talk about aid “as if it is a matter of survival of our country.”

“It’s okay if we suffer,” he said. “I said, ‘I’ll tell the people, we should bear it. We’re poor.’”
Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said that he would clarify from the President whether the country would refuse aid from individual EU members.
“So, it’s a policy for us now not to accept grants from them, but I’m saying our relationship should not be affected. What the President wants is: ‘Do not accept new EU aid,’” he said.
Cayetano said that sometimes nations disagree and later become very close.

Military chasing Malaysian terrorist hiding in Marawi

MANILA - (UPDATE) After the killing of local terrorists Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute, government troops are now chasing Dr. Mahmud Ahmad, a Malaysian terrorist who could still be hiding in a building in the remaining battle areas in Marawi, an official said.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana they have received reports that Mahmud bin Ahmad is still inside one of the buildings in the battle area.
"There is still another personality that they are trying to get. Si Dr. Mahmud, the Malaysian. That's what they are trying to do now," said Lorenzana.

Mahmud was among the foreigners spotted fighting alongside local armed men who waved Islamic State's black flags as they tried to occupy Marawi in May.
A former university professor, Mahmud was believed to be the financier of the assault in Marawi and also reportedly the one who organized ISIS cells in Malaysia that were sent to Mindanao.
Mahmud is suspected of channeling roughly P30 million from the Islamic State group to acquire firearms, food and other supplies for the Marawi siege, according to Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence, and Terrorism chairman Rommel Banlaoi.
Mahmud, who also went by the name Abu Hanadzalah, was one of five men sought by the Malaysian police for their alleged ties to terrorist organisations, said Banlaoi.

Lorenzana, meanwhile, said they may be announcing the cessation of hostilities in Marawi this week. A possible lifting of martial law in Mindanao will be discussed with President Rodrigo Duterte.

13 of remaining Maute members killed in fresh Marawi clashes

 Thirteen of the remaining pro-ISIS Maute terrorists in Marawi City have been killed, and Malaysian high-profile terrorist is believed among the fatalities.
DzBB's Benjie Liwanag reporting from Marawi said that ground troops announced early Thursday morning the deaths of the 13 terrorists in clashes that happened three days after ISIS-anointed emir Isnilon Hapilon and leader Omar Maute were killed in a predawn assault.Earlier, the military said that the number of holdover terrorist forces was between 20 to 30 as of Tuesday.
Intelligence officials had described Ahmad as a financier and recruiter, who helped put together the coalition of pro-Islamic State fighters that stormed Marawi on May 23.
Ground troops believed that Ahmad was still with some 30 remaining Maute terrorists after the deaths of Isnilon and Omar.
“Based on our information, there is still one personality, Dr. Mahmud of Malaysia, and he is still in the main battle area with some Indonesians and Malaysians,” Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Eduardo Año said last Monday.
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday afternoon declared that Marawi City has been freed from the Maute group.
This came a day after government killed Isnilon and Omar, and rescued 17 civilian hostages.
Meanwhile, dzBB reported that Isnilon and Omar have already been buried in accordance with the Islam rites.

Palace condoles with Cebu on Cardinal Vidal's death

In this July 13, 2016 photo, President Rodrig Duterte shows respect to Ricardo Cardinal Vidal doing the traditional "pagmamano" when the latter visited the president in Malacañan Palace. PPD/Toto Lozano

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Wednesday expressed its condolences with the Cebu faithful following the death of Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.

"President Rodrigo Duterte and Cardinal Vidal had a friendly, cordial relationship," Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

Abella noted that Vidal paid a courtesy call to Malacañang shortly after Duterte assumed office last year and "assured the Chief Executive of his fervent prayers for him and his administration."

Duterte declares liberation of Marawi

MARAWI. Smoke billows from destroyed buildings after government troops fired mortars at an Islamic State position in Marawi City on October 15, 2017. (AFP) MANILA (Updated) -- President Rodrigo Duterte traveled to the war-torn Marawi City on Tuesday, October 17, to declare it liberated from Islamic State (IS) fighters, nearly five months after the Maute terror group laid siege to the southern Philippine city. "Ladies and gentlemen, I hereby declare Marawi City liberated from the terrorist influence that marks the beginning of the rehabilitation," Duterte told the security forces that fought the Islamist fighters. In a speech in Camarines Sur, Duterte, however, admitted that there were still challenges confronted by the government due to resistance offered by some Islamist fighters who were still hiding in Marawi City. "It's now liberated, except for a few pocket of resistance somewhere but you can now enter Marawi," he added. Earlier Tuesday, Malacañang appealed to remaining terrorists to end hostilities and instead come back to the "road of peace." "With terrorist leaders gone, we call on all fighters to cease further resistance and violence and return to the road of peace. This is also the call of our Muslim leaders, our imams, Armm [Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao], MNLF [Moro National Liberation Front], MILF [Moro Islamic Liberation Front] chiefs, and the leaders of Muslim nations. And this is the plea of your family, friends and communities,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said. "Let us restore peace and rebuild our land," he added. Duterte said the government would not celebrate the government's successful retaking of Marawi, saying the lengthy armed conflict has resulted in the destruction of the city, which is home to 200,000 displaced individuals. The President also apologized to Marawi residents who suffered for months because of the armed conflict in the city. "That (Marawi liberation) could not be a cause for a celebration because we have destroyed in the process the city, which I admit, because we had to do it. There was no alternative. And I could only extend my apologies to the Maranao people," Duterte said. "The circumstances really compelled us to act just what we did," he added. Duterte said the government's next step was to help displaced individuals recover from the massive devastation brought about by the fighting between security forces and Jihadist fighters. "We will have to spend and rehabilitate because whether we like it or not, they are our brothers and sisters, those especially who did not take part in any of those covert, open rebellion. So they have nothing to do with that. We will help," he said. On October 16, state forces killed the last remaining leaders of the Maute group, Omar Maute and Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon. But military spokesperson Brigadier General Restituto Padilla Jr. said that Hapilon and Maute's deaths did not mean that lawless acts in Marawi City already end, noting that around 20 individuals are still in the hands of the terrorists. Padilla said that none of the remaining Filipino members of the Maute terror group are in the caliber of Hapilon and Maute. "So far, in the group of Filipinos who are continuously taking part in Maute, we do not see anyone who may have the caliber similar to Hapilon and Omar. That is why we do not monitor especially those who were left inside the Marawi," he said in a televised interview. He said there are around 20 local and foreign pro-Islamic fighters left in the battle area, including financier Dr. Mahmud Ahmad, who is considered by the military as a high-value target. Padilla said Mahmud topped the list of six to eight foreigners who were still alive, joining the IS-linked terror group. "There are also still in existence about 20 to 30 armed elements -- strugglers if you may call them -- of the group. And among these are about six to eight foreigners terrorists, to include the notorious foreign national, a Malaysian, by the name of Dr. Mahmud, who was the financier of the Marawi siege," Padilla said in a separate interview. Security officials have considered Mahmud as the local extremists' financier and recruiter who helped them to have a direct link with the IS group and laid siege to Marawi. Padilla said the government was not discounting the possibility that Mahmud may be anointed as the next extremist leader in Marawi. "On the issue of leadership, we are not sure to date if Dr. Mahmud would be designated [as the next leader of the terror group in Marawi]. We will know in the next few days, based on the developments," Padilla said. "That's why our goal in our continuing operation in other parts of Marawi is to hunt him down and his other accomplices," he added. As of October 16, the death toll in Marawi crisis has risen to 1,057, including 847 terrorists, 163 security troops, and 47 civilians. On May 23, Maute fighters wreaked havoc in the Marawi City while the military was conducting an operation against Hapilon, who is believed to be the emir of IS extremists in Southeast Asia. The Maute group, who was purportedly in connivance with some foreign terrorists, allegedly stormed Marawi City in an effort to establish a caliphate for IS' Southeast Asia group. Duterte was forced on May 23 to place the entire Mindanao under martial rule to quell the insurgency and avert the possible spread of terrorism to other parts of the country. The 60-day martial law initially declared in Marawi lapsed last July 22 it but was extended by Congress until end of December this year.

Read more: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2017/10/17/duterte-declares-liberation-marawi-569850
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Solano names frat brods in Senate hazing probe

John Paul Solano, one of the primary suspects in the death of Horacio “Atio” Castillo III, identified on Wednesday his fraternity brothers, who were at the Aegis Juris library in Manila on the day he found the “unconscious” University of Santo Tomas (UST) freshman law student.

Solano, in his sworn affidavit that was made public during the resumption of the Senate committee on public order’s investigation into Castillo’s death, named Oliver John Onofre, Axel Hipe, Arvin Balaga and Mark Ventura as those fraternity members present inside the library.

READ: Senate releases Solano testimony on Atio hazing death

Asked by committee chairman Senator Panfilo Lacson to confirm Solano’s testimony, Onofre, Hipe, Balag and Ventura all invoked their right against self-incrimination.

In earlier hearings, Solano only said that a fraternity colleague called him and asked him to go to the fraternity library on the morning of September 17. Invoking his right against self-incrimination, Solano did not name the persons involved.

According to Solano, it was Onofre who phoned him and asked him to go to the Aegis Juris fraternity library; and that Onofre did not tell him the reason why they needed him to go to there.

“Sabi niya, ‘Punta ka dito sa frat library’. Sabi ko, ‘Hindi ako pwede’. After that, tumawag ulit 7:10 a.m. Sabi ko, ‘Brod, bakit?’. Sabi, ‘Brod, kaillangan ka talaga namin’. Sabi ko, ‘Ano ba nangyari?’. Sabi ni OJ, ‘May nag-collapse’,” read his affidavit.

Riding his motorcycle, Solano then left his father’s clinic at around 7:30 a.m. and arrived at the fraternity library around 8:30 a.m.

“Pagdating ko po doon, I opened the door, I knocked muna so tiningnan nila na ako iyong dumating. I opened the door, I found Atio was lying. By that time, hindi ko pa ma-confirm na siya ‘yon. Sabi ko, ‘Sino ito?’ Pangalan, ‘Hor’,” Solano’s affidavit read.

“Because basic po ng first aid, paglapag niyo po, kailangan niyo siyang sigawan at tawagin sa name niya. So, SOP po iyon. So sabi ko, ‘Hor, Hor is that you? Sabi ko, ‘Hor, naririnig mo ba ako?’” it also stated.

Solano narrated, however, that when he checked, Castillo’s pupils were already dilated and that the victim had no pulse. It was at this point, Solano said, that he administered CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on Castillo.

‘Relatively, it's already safe to rebuild Marawi,’ says Andanar

Despite the presence of a few remaining Filipino and foreign terrorist fighters in the newly-liberated city, it is relatively safe to rebuild Marawi, said Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar on Wednesday.

His statement came the morning after President Rodrigo Duterte declared the city "liberated from terrorists," ushering in the beginning of the recovery of the ruined city.

"Relatively, it's already safe to rebuild Marawi," said Andanar in an interview on Unang Balita.

He said the rescued hostages he had talked to on Tuesday told him the number of terrorist forces had thinned out since Friday, when they last talked.

Andanar added that the main battlefield has decreased in size, from three hectares to two as of October 17.

In the outskirts of the city, rehabilitation and trade could begin, he said.

"Sa outskirts ng Marawi, syempre ang laking lugar n'un eh, ay okay na magsimula 'yung rehabilitasyon at kalakalan," said the PCOO chief.

What is not safe to say, on the other hand, is that martial law will be lifted after the presidential declaration of liberation.

"I wouldn't say that. I would leave that to the President," he said, adding there are remaining forces in Basilan and Jolo, Sulu that need to be countered.

Rehabilitation

The government will need P150 billion to rebuild Marawi City. The Office of Civil Defense, together with the Department of National Defense (DND), estimated the overall rehabilitation to cost at least P100 billion up to P150 billion.

Andanar said it is up to Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno to source the funds for the immense project, but that an initial P5 billion has already been allocated for use until December this year.

The PCOO, for its part, has received P30 million to establish a Salam television and radio station for the city, he said.

"At least, in terms of communicating the message of government ay magkakaroon po ng sariling TV at stasyon ang siyudad ng Marawi," he said.

Rehabilitation has already started in some parts of the city, he said, citing the building of both temporary and permanent shelters in certain barangays around the city.

Marawi City's ground zero has to be cleared entirely, said Andanar.

"Talagang wala ka nang mapakikinabangan eh. You have to bulldoze the entire area, 'yung ground zero," he said.

The nearly 360,000 individuals who had been displaced by the fighting may return home once the area is completely free from explosive devices, added Andanar.

"Once that is cleared already, na-mop out na 'yan, then they can already go back," he said.

He said Task Force Bangon Marawi will hold a meeting later in the day to discuss recovery efforts for the city, which endured armed fighting for almost five months.

PH shares pull back after hitting 8,500 peak

MANILA - Share prices extended gains on Friday, on course to reach 8,500 points within the year, as investors looked to third quarter earnings and the passage of tax reform in Congress.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index closed 0.54 percent higher at 8,447.94, for a second day above the 8,400 level.

President Rodrigo Duterte's outburst against the European Union was unlikely to dampen sentiment, said Cristina Ulang, AVP & Head of Research, First Metro Investment.

"Investors are focusing on the accomplishment, the fact that it's moving and it will be there in place to fund the infrastructure program," Ulang told ANC.

"The government is doing a lot of spending and I think that's what's going to propel the country's economy forward," Ulang added. 

European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines president Guenter Taus said it was "business as usual," with two business conferences lined up this month

Pangulong Duterte, idineklara na ang kalayaan ng Marawi

Matapos ang halos limang buwan nang pakikipagbakbakan ng pwersa ng militar kontra terorista, pormal nang idineklara ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, ika-17 ng Oktubre, ang kalayaan ng Marawi City mula sa kaguluhang dulot ng Maute terrorist group.

WATCH PTV FULL REPORT:

SOBRANG NAKAKAIYAK na MENSAHE ni PANGULONG DUTERTE sa mga KASUNDALUHAN sa MARAWI CITY!

Duterte to drivers: Makita kong luma ang dyip n’yo, guyurin ko ‘yan

 President Rodrigo Duterte is bent to proceed with the modernization of the public utility jeepneys, ignoring the two-day transport strike led by Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON).
Duterte said that old engines emit too much carbon dioxide that could affect the health of Filipinos.
He urged the drivers and operators to upgrade their jeepneys by the end of the year.
“Sumunod kayo kasi January 1 [2018], kapag may makita ako diyang mga jeep ninyo na hindi narehistro, luma, guguyurin ko 'yan sa harap niyo,” he said in a speech in Caramines Sur.
“Sumunod kayo because January 1 ‘pag may makita ako diyan mga jeep ninyo na walang rehistro, hindi narehistro, luma, guguyurin ko ‘yan sa harap ninyo,” he said in a speech in Caramines Sur.
Duterte said the plan to modernize PUJs had been in the works since the time of former President Fidel Ramos.
“January 1, ‘pag hindi niyo na-modernize ‘yan, umalis kayo. Mahirap kayo? P— ina, sige. Magtiiis kayo sa hirap at gutom, wala akong pakialam. It’s the majority of the Filipino people. Huwag ninyong ipasubo ang tao,” he said.
Duterte even cited statistics from the United Nations saying that cases of lung cancer in the Philippines would be tripled 2025.
“There’s a health reason, actually. Public interest, public health because that would be… You can get a good definition. Kasi looking at the ailments and the diseases that we would acquire from the inhalation,” he said.
The President also warned the protesters that he would arrest them if they would violate the laws.
“Aarestuhin ko talaga kayo. Believe me. Maniwala kayo. Mag—mag-abang-abang kayo diyan sa daan ninyo, padaanin niyo, ‘yan lang ang hinintay kong magkamali kayo. ‘Yan ang pagkakamali na gusto ko,” he said.
“You give me now the reason to enforce the law against all. Walang pili. Against the rich and the poor,” he added.
Duterte said that PISTON, which organized the transport strike, along with other militant groups like Kilusang Mayo Uno and Karapatan, were just the legal fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
“It’s a one big conspiracy. But they are at the same time, all of them are committing right now, rebellion,” he said.

Duterte: Revolutionary gov’t not meant to perpetuate stay in power

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said his threat to establish a revolutionary government to deal with destabilizers was not meant to prolong his stay in power.
“Nobody is interested here in this government, me especially, to go beyond my term, I don’t intend to perpetuate myself. I will not shame my family for any ambition in this world,” Duterte said in a speech in Camarines Sur.
Duterte said if he had a choice, he would leave office ahead of the expiration of his six-year term in 2022.
“Iyung sinasabi nila na mag-revolutionary government ako dahil gusto ko tumagal [sa pwesto], anak ng, kung maari lang pwede umatras nakakahiya lang. If you ask me if I’m happy, I’m not, because of the sheer volume of work,” he added.
Duterte earlier threatened to set up a revolutionary government amid alleged destabilization efforts by his enemies, including the rebels, the elite, and even the US Central Intelligence Agency.
Duterte said he will set up a revolutionary government and declare all positions in government vacant if the country will descend into chaos amid what he believes are efforts by his political enemies to destabilize his administration.
The President said declaring martial law nationwide would not be an option for him under this scenario since martial law would need the approval of Congress.
In response, opposition coalition Tindig Pilipinas slammed Duterte for his threat, saying only a “paranoid and insecure little man” would feel the need to do so.

Faeldon to Lacson: Why not narrate Pampi’s smuggling racket?

Senator Panfilo Lacson (left) and former Customs chief Nicanor Faeldon INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

“Why don’t you just tell the public about the smuggling activities of your son?”

This was how resigned Customs Chief Nicanor Faeldon fired back on Tuesday at Senator Panfilo Lacson, after the latter reiterated that Faeldon had received P107 million “pasalubong” or welcome gift.

“Instead of tiring accusations, why don’t you just tell the public about your smuggling activities, through your son Pampi Lacson, Jr., in particular Bonjorno Trading’s 67 cement importations in 14 months, in the aggregate sum of P4.5 billion,” Faeldon said in a statement.

He also said Lacson’s allegations were “baseless” since “zero evidence” were ever produced by the senator whom he accused of “cowardly hide(ing) behind parliamentary immunity.”

“That has been the tired and tiring modus operandi of this smuggler’s dad, who the public well remembers to have self-confessed to being obsessed (nahuhumaling) with Capt. Faeldon,” he added.

Faeldon even challenged Lacson to file complaints against him before the courts.

“If you truly believe your own propaganda, Sen. Lacson, the courts are open. File all the cases your obsessed mind can imagine. Let the courts decide,” he said.

In an earlier interview over ABS-CBN News Channel, Lacson reiterated his accusations that Faeldon received “welcome gift” upon assuming his position at the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

READ: Holy mackerel! Lacson bares Faeldon got P100-M ‘pasalubong’

It was current BOC chief Isidro Lapena who informed him of this, the senator said.

“No less than Commissioner Lapeña testified. He confirmed that there’s indeed the pasalubong money and he confided to me: ‘Sir, hindi P100 million yung kay Faeldon, P107 (million) yung inabot,” the senator said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel’s “Headstart” on Tuesday morning.