Latest news with #Filipino
GMA Network
31 minutes ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Atin Ito ship returning to Manila as China vessel shadows
The ship of the Atin Ito Coalition is heading back to Manila after its civilian mission to the West Philippine Sea (WPS), one of the organizers, Emman Hizon, said Thursday morning. According to Hizon, China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 21549 continued to shadow Atin Ito's M/V Kapitan Felix Oca with a distance of 4.2 nautical miles. The Atin Ito ship is expected to arrive in Manila at 4 p.m. on Friday, Hizon said, adding that its voyage was slowing down due to offshore waves. Despite the shadowing of Chinese ships and bad weather on Wednesday, Atin Ito Coalition conducted a concert off the territorial waters of Pagasa Island as part of its third civilian mission to the WPS. "Mission accomplished! This is a moment of triumph not just for our mission, but for every Filipino who dreams of peace and justice in our seas. We made history today by holding the very first sea concert deep in the West Philippine Sea, just two nautical miles from Pag-asa Island," Atin Ito co-convenor Rafaela David earlier said. "Despite being shadowed by Chinese marine vessels, we stood our ground. Our artists sang not just to entertain, but to resist, to unite, and to inspire," she added. Supplies were delivered to fisherfolk in the area. A symbolic flag-raising ceremony was also held on board Atin Ito's ship in observance of the National Flag Day. More than 150 people are on board M/V Kapitan Felix Oca including volunteers, artists and their crew, the press, as well as boat staff. The civilian mission started on May 26 and is expected to end on May 30. Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country's claim. The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis." China has refused to recognize the decision. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
The Star
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Star
No more Timor-Leste ‘paradise' for Filipino fugitive Teves
MANILA: Timor-Leste ordered the return of expelled lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr to the Philippines in an 'administrative decision' that tagged him as an undocumented alien facing multiple criminal complaints and thus posing 'threats' to the island state's national security and interests. 'The Government of Timor-Leste believes that the presence of Filipino citizen Arnolfo Teves Jr in its territory, who is suspected of having committed several serious crimes and has been formally charged by the judicial authorities of the Republic of the Philippines — a member country of Asean, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations—represents a serious and unacceptable situation,' the Timorese government said in a statement on Wednesday (May 28). Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta earlier said the country should not become a 'paradise' for fugitives. 'His extended stay in Timor-Leste for over two years poses a disruptive factor in bilateral relations between the two States and establishes a serious precedent with potential implications for internal security,' the Timor-Leste government said. 'The perception that Timor-Leste might be viewed as a refuge for individuals fleeing international justice undermines the integrity of our borders and our shared efforts to combat transnational crime,' it added. The government also cited its imminent full accession to Asean, scheduled for October this year, which 'further reinforces the responsibility of the Timorese State to actively collaborate with its regional partners in upholding justice, legality, and stability in the region.' 'The decision, which takes effect immediately, is based on national legislation regarding migration and asylum and is grounded in the risks that this citizen's continued presence poses to public order and national security,' it said. Noting Teves' multiple criminal cases in the Philippines, the Timorese government said it also decided to prohibit him from entering the national territory for a period of 10 years. More than two months ago, a Timorese court denied the Philippine government's request to extradite Teves, who is the subject of an Interpol red notice and accused of masterminding the assassination of his political rival, former Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, in March 2023. Local reports in Dili, however, quoted Ramos-Horta as saying that the earlier court ruling rejecting Teves' extradition was now immaterial, and that Teves is no longer eligible for political asylum. 'If he is not eligible for asylum, if there is an Interpol warrant, and if the Philippine authorities are requesting that we enforce the Interpol mandate, it would be a serious irresponsibility on the part of this country not to comply with the request from Interpol and the Philippine authorities,' Ramos-Horta said in Portuguese during a press conference on May 27, as quoted by local reports. He also said he does not want Teves to remain in the country for reasons of national interest. 'Regardless of all legal and constitutional considerations, there is one issue that all countries in the world observe: the national interest,' Ramos-Horta said. 'The national interest is what imposes, what determines and, in this case, we are not interested in someone of that nature, to prevent East Timor from becoming a paradise for all those who commit crimes in the region,' he added. Outgoing Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, widow of the slain governor, has welcomed news of the arrest. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, she said the arrest marks a 'significant step' in a high-profile case that has spanned borders and renewed demands for accountability in the 2023 murder of her husband and nine others. 'This arrest is a significant step toward justice, not only for our family, but for the people of Negros Oriental and the entire nation … Let this serve as a reminder that no one is above the law,' said Janice, who was elected representative of the province's third district in the midterm elections. 'We now look forward to the proper legal proceedings that will bring lasting peace to our province and long overdue justice for my beloved Roel and the hundreds of others who suffered at the hands of the Teves Terrorist Group,' she added. Roel Degamo was killed by assailants while attending to the needs of his constituents inside his residential compound in Pamplona town, Negros Oriental, on March 4, 2023. Nine other persons were also killed during the attack which was captured on closed-circuit television. Teves, who was tagged by witnesses as the mastermind in the massacre, has sought asylum in Timor-Leste after fleeing the Philippines. Philippine authorities had requested for his extradition but the Court of Appeal in Timor-Leste rejected the request last March, citing Article 35 (3) of the Timorese Constitution, which bars extradition if an individual 'faces a credible risk of torture or inhumane treatment.' With Teves' rearrest, however, Timor-Leste authorities signalled a shift in stance. Ferdinand Topacio, Teves' lawyer, however, claimed that Timor-Leste's Court of Appeal has granted his client's petition for a writ of habeas corpus, directing authorities to produce him in court within 48 hours. But the Department of Justice (DOJ) could not immediately verify this. Topacio told reporters earlier Wednesday that immigration police took his client from his residence in Dili around 8pm (local time), along with his Timorese counsel, Joao Serra. According to Topacio, no arrest warrant was presented, nor was any reason given by immigration officers for the rearrest. Videos posted by his son Axel showed the former congressman being forcefully taken from his home by men believed to be Timor-Leste police and immigration officers. 'They just picked him up without documents, without warrants or any form of legal documents. They just came in forcefully, took him out forcefully,' Axel said in a video uploaded on Wednesday. He decried the arrest as unlawful and insisted his father had 'already won the extradition case before the Timor-Leste court.' The DOJ, meanwhile, said it was still awaiting official communication from the Timor-Leste government regarding the basis of Teves' detention and the procedure for his return to the Philippines. 'While we welcome the recent pronouncements from Timor-Leste indicating a renewed position that Teves should not remain in their territory, we await their action — whether he would simply be deported for being an undocumented foreigner or extradited forthwith pursuant to our pending application,' the DOJ said. It reiterated that the Philippines has long been ready to bring Teves home to face charges, noting that the initial grant of its extradition request was later 'unexpectedly reversed,' stalling the process. Nonetheless, the DOJ said it remains 'ready and committed to bring Teves to justice in accordance with the rule of law and the principles of international cooperation.' Teves also faces charges for the killings of three other individuals between March and June 2019, and violations of firearms and explosives laws after authorities recovered high-powered weapons and ammunition from his family's compound. In June 2023, the Anti-Terrorism Council designated Teves and his armed group as a terrorist organization, naming both the group and its members as terrorist entities. He was expelled from the House of Representatives in August 2023 for disorderly conduct after repeatedly refusing to return to the country despite the expiration of his travel authority. In February 2024, the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 51 ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs to immediately cancel his passport. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
_2025_05_29_10_26_50.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
GMA Network
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Freddie Aguilar's wife Jovie Albao mourns passing of OPM icon
Jovie Albao is mourning the death of her husband Freddie Aguilar. On Facebook, Jovie shared a photo of herself standing at Freddie's grave site and wrote a heartfelt message for the OPM icon. 'I understand that the hardest night for a person is the first night in the grave. However, I am not here out of worry. I am confident that, due to your faith in Allah, your first night was peaceful. I am here to rest,' she wrote. According to Jovie, she tried to sleep in their home but with Freddie gone, it doesn't feel like home anymore. 'I know you said 'don't cry' the night before you [left], but just like I tend to cry more when you console me, I will shed a few more tears today, tomorrow, and every time I think of you until I can smile again when I think of you,' she added. Freddie died of multiple organ failure on May 27. He was 72 years old. The Filipino singer and songwriter is survived by Jovie, as well as his four children from his previous marriage: Maegan, Jonan, Isabella, and Jeriko. Considered an icon of OPM, Aguilar is best known for his hit song 'Anak' which became an international hit and was translated into multiple languages. His other songs include 'Bulag, Pipi At Bingi,' "Mindanao," "Katarungan," and 'Magdalena,' among many others. — Jade Veronique Yap/LA, GMA Integrated News
The Star
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
‘Anak' singer Freddie Aguilar dies aged 72
Filipino singer-songwriter Freddie Aguilar, best known for his chart-topping international hit Anak, died in Manila aged 72, local media reported. He had been receiving treatment at the Philippine Heart Center, according to social media posts by his wife, Jovie Albao-Aguilar. Aguilar was one of the leaders of the locally based Original Pilipino Music movement of the 1970s, and was known for his political activism, often tackling social issues through song. In the 1980s, he lent his voice to the People Power Movement that overthrew then-dictator Ferdinand Marcos, with his rendition of the traditional patriotic ballad Bayan Ko (My Country) serving as an anthem. In a special 2018 resolution, the Philippine Senate lauded him for 'lifetime outstanding contributions to Philippine arts and culture.' Anak, a Tagalog-language song about the struggles of raising a problematic child, sold more than 30 million copies. — AFP
The Sun
4 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
ASEAN All-Stars score shocking 1-0 win over Man United in Bukit Jalil
THE ASEAN All-Stars sprung an unbelievable surprise against English Premier League powerhouse Manchester United when they beat them 1-0 at the Maybank Challenge Cup match at National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. Winger Maung Maung Lwin who came on as a substitute scored the all-important goal in the second half to beat the 13-time English champions. Appearing for the first time in Malaysia since 2009, United fielded a mix of experienced and young players, including Andre Onana, Harry Maguire, Casemiro, Diogo Dalot, Manuel Ugarte dan Rasmus Hojlund. Onana proved to be a crowd favourite as fans cried out his name every time he touched the ball. United dominated the game in the first half, but both teams' defence were tested several times, as the regional ASEAN-All Stars showed they would not be daunted by their more illustrious rivals. Filipino Amani Aguinaldo came close to putting the ASEAN team ahead in the 16th minute but his effort flew high, while United's Maguire header off a corner was saved by ASEAN-All Stars keeper Patiwat Khammai in the 24th minute. Three minutes later, on the other side of the pitch, local fans roared approvingly as Onana made a close range save off an attempt by Filipino Sandro Reyes while his ASEAN All-Stars counterpart Patiwat was kept busy till halftime denying United's repeated attempts at goal by Kobbie Mainoo. In the second half, United seemed to pull out all the stops by substituing in team captain Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo, all in search of the first goal of the match. But it was the ASEAN All-Stars who would be the team that found the net, as they mounted a counterattack with a pass from Adrian Segecic to Maung Maung Lwin on the right, who then calmly tucked the ball past substitute United keeper Thomas Heaton in the 71st minute. The almost 72,000 strong crowd immediately erupted into cheers as the entire stadium celebrated the first goal. Although United were stung into action after the goal, the equaliser they so desired eluded them despite their repeated attempts at goal, and the match ended with a 1-0 victory for the ASEAN All-Stars. United will continue their pre-season tour to Hong Kong and play against the national team on May 30 at Hong Kong Stadium.
