Latest news with #PCSD
GMA Network
14-07-2025
- General
- GMA Network
P11.1M coral reefs damaged after Chinese ship runs aground off Pag-asa Island
At least P11.1 million worth of coral reefs in Pag-asa Reef 1 were damaged after a Chinese maritime militia vessel ran aground in the area last month, the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development said Monday. The damage assessment was carried out on June 17 by a joint team from PCSD, Western Philippines University, and the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development. The grounding occurred on June 7. In a press conference, Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said the incident happened approximately 2.6 nautical miles from the coast of Pag-asa Island and involved a Chinese vessel with bow number 16868. While the ship managed to free itself after nearly three hours, experts confirmed the incident inflicted significant harm on the protected coral zones. Marine scientists reported that a parachute anchor, believed to have been used by the Chinese vessel, was found on-site and had severely impacted the reef. The damage was caused by the dragging of the sea anchor and/or anchor line. Protected zone violated Atty. Teodoro Jose Mata, executive director of PCSD, explained the legal framework governing the incident area. 'The location of the incident is within the core zone or the zone which is afforded maximum protection under the law, under Republic Act 7611," he said. 'No human activity is supposed to be allowed in there," he added. PCSD field biologist Mark De La Cruz presented findings from the on-site evaluation, noting that coral fragments—both hard and soft—were broken or chipped due to the dragging of the parachute anchor. 'We estimate that around 30% of the impacted area was damaged. And the yellow polygon, the anchor area, that is totally damaged," he stressed. The reef anchor site alone sustained damage across 307.75 square meters, while the impacted surrounding reef covered an additional 157.21 square meters—totaling 464.96 square meters of damaged coral. Biodiversity and fisheries at risk Dr. Benjamin Gonzalez, a marine biologist and retired professor from Western Philippines University, warned of the long-term consequences. 'The anchor parachute will continue to cover the corals, denying access to sunlight. Without sunlight, the coral reef will die," he said. 'Further contact between the parachute anchor and the reef will produce microplastic waste... Studies show microplastics are already present in fish muscles—and now, possibly in humans. Fish will have no shelter. Coral reefs are their home," he added. He added that coral reefs also serve as a coastal barrier and their destruction increases vulnerability to storm surges. NTF-WPS: China must be held accountable Meanwhile, Assistant Director General Cornelio Valencia of the National Security Council said the task force is deeply concerned over the environmental damage. 'The NTF-WPS expresses concern over this reported environmental damage caused by a Chinese vessel near Pag-asa Reef. While it did not run aground directly on the coral reef, the vessel's anchoring activity caused significant damage to the surrounding reef area." Valencia also praised the vigilance of local fisherfolk who first reported the incident. 'Their lived experience at sea reflects not only environmental risks but also daily threats to their safety, livelihood, and dignity," he added. The NTF-WPS endorsed the PCSD's recommendations to enforce environmental accountability and to implement a coral reef rehabilitation program. 'We remain committed to safeguarding the West Philippine Sea, preserving our marine ecosystems, and upholding the well-being of the communities that depend on them," Valencia added. The PCSD has recommended the imposition of P11.15 million in penalties against the Chinese vessel, based on a rate of P12,000 per square meter for both resource value and restoration costs.—AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
09-07-2025
- General
- GMA Network
PCG: Study on Pagasa Reef 1's possible damage due to Chinese ship completed
The assessment on the possible damage on Pagasa Reef 1 from the grounding incident involving a Chinese vessel in June has yielded results, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Wednesday. PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela said the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) conducted the study. 'The PCSD already came up with the result ng evaluation nila,' Tarriela said at a Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum. (The PCSD already came up with the result of their evaluation.) 'Since they are the ones who did the study, they should be the one to share to the media and to explain ano ang mga significant findings na ginawa nila out of that survey,' he added. (Since they are the ones who did the study, they should be the one to share to the media and to explain what are the significant findings they made out of that survey.) Tarriela said the results on the possible damage on Pagasa Reef 1 will be presented first to the National Task Force - West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS). 'And from there, I think that's the time we can come up with actions and whether it will be publicized and shared to the media,' Tarriela said. On June 7, the PCG monitored a suspected Chinese maritime militia vessel with bow number 16838 that ran aground at Pagasa Reef 1, which is around one nautical mile from Pagasa Island. The Chinese vessel was likely driven into the shallow area due to adverse sea conditions with two to three meters of waves as well as strong winds. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
Toronto Sun
10-06-2025
- Toronto Sun
HUNTER: Ex-MLB hurler's murder trial hears of lover, money feud with in-laws
Dan Serafini's gal pal and the family's nanny, Samantha Scott, pleaded guilty to being an accessory and is testifying against him Get the latest from Brad Hunter straight to your inbox NOT THE SHOW: Former MLB hurler Dan Serani is on trial for murder in California. PCSD Dan Serafini never really got much beyond the backhanded sobriquet of 'journeyman.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Still, ask any kid in the ballyard if seven years toiling around the MLB would be worth it, and it would be 100% in the affirmative. But sometimes, dreams go sideways even with multimillion-dollar contracts, the women, the cars, and the glamour. Some guys struggle when the cheering ends. Like Lenny Dykstra, Mel Hall, the tragic Pete Rose, O.J. Simpson, and former Maple Leaf Brian 'Spinner' Spencer, who was accused of murder and was eventually a homicide victim. The graveyards and prisons are packed with former jocks who flew too close to the sun, who believed the things they were told when they were 12. Former pitcher Serafini is just the latest in a long line of woe. He is likely to be reassigned to San Quentin. Dan Serafini, seen here pitching for the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver on Sept. 5, 2007, is accused of murdering his father-in-law and almost killing his mother-in-law. Photo by Doug Pensinger / Files / Getty Images Serafini is charged with first-degree murder in the ambush murder of his father-in-law, Gary Spohr, 70, at his home in Lake Tahoe, California, in June 2021. Cops say Serafini also allegedly parked two bullets into the head of his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. She survived the bullets but not the heartache and took her life two years later, still despairing over the murder of her husband. Now, Serafini, who toiled for the Minnesota Twins, the Pirates, Cubs, Reds, Padres and Rockies from 1996 to 2007, is on trial. The death penalty was taken off the table in October. His gal pal and the family's nanny, Samantha Scott, has already pleaded guilty to being an accessory and is testifying against Serafini. Scratch beneath the surface, and there are more twists and turns than a screwball. GOTCHA: Ex-MLB player Daniel Serafini and gal pal Samantha Scott arrested for murder. PLACER COUNTY SHERIFF Among the bon mots: Scott claims she and Serafini went on a booze-a-ramma the night before the murder at a 'seedy' casino in Elko. — According to prosecutors, the murder and attempted murder were part of a long-time family feud tied to money (isn't it always?). Like a lot of other former jocks, Serafini blew all his MLB dough on a watering hold called The Bullpen. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. — Just before the murder, Wood gave her daughter Erin a cheque for $90,000. Erin testified that her parents paid for the pair's Reno home and financially supported them. She and her sister, Adrienne Spohr, have been engaged in a legal war over the family will. — Prosecutors claim Serafini offered $20,000 to have his in-laws whacked in 2012. He called them 'wealthy pieces of shit.' KILLER: Caught on CCTV. Placer County Sheriff It's expected that Serafini's lawyers will try to point the finger at his disgruntled sister-in-law Adrienne Spohr or others who described the dead couple as 'nightmare neighbours.' Their daughter is reportedly currently dating a bank robber. But it was Adrienne who offered a $150,000 reward for information that led to the identification and arrest of the killer. Two years later, Serafini was charged. Prosecutors are alleging that a world of hurt was piling up for the former hurler. Pages of emails unveil the bitterness and depth of the hatred between Serafini and his in-laws. WEALTHY IN-LAWS: Robert Spohr and Wendy Wood. HANDOUT They argued over vacations in Hawaii, dodgy business deals, and a whopping $1.3 million the couple owed to Serafini's in-laws. Wendy accused everybody's all-American of being 'vicious and belligerent.' Daniel Serafini, ex-big leaguer, appears destined for the showers. Permanently. bhunter@ @HunterTOSun NHL Toronto Blue Jays Columnists Columnists Relationships
GMA Network
22-05-2025
- General
- GMA Network
Rescued 10-feet-long King Cobra released into wild in Palawan
The rescued 10-feet long King Cobra was later released by authorities into a forested area. PHOTO: Municipality of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Palawan Facebook page An endangered 10-feet-long King Cobra that was found inside a house in Sitio Libtong, Barangay Iraan in Rizal, Palawan was released into the wild after its rescue. According to Super Radyo Palawan's JB Juanich on Thursday, the snake also has a width of 5 inches and weighs 10 kilograms. The reptile was discovered underneath a bed and was immediately reported by residents to authorities. Personnel from the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Offices (MENRO) and the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) rescued the King Cobra and released it into the wild. MENRO advised the public to always report to authorities if they found animals out of the wild so they could properly be rescued. Meanwhile, the PCSD said that King Cobras are among threatened species, hence the a need to protect them. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
Kentucky school officials warn community of ‘dangerous' TikTok trend
PERRY COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) — A dangerous social media trend involving school-issued Chromebooks has reportedly made its way to Kentucky. Perry County School District officials posted on Facebook on Wednesday, asking the community to be aware of a social media trend 'encouraging students to attempt to short out' the laptops. 'In some cases around the country this has led to injury and even caused electrical and fire damage to homes,' district leaders said. Rowan County superintendent announces new protest policy Across the district, PCSD wrote that seven Chromebooks had already reportedly been damaged by students trying out the trend. 'Please remind your student how dangerous these trends can be, and the financial consequences of destroying a $435 Chromebook,' district officials said on Facebook. 'Additionally local enforcement will be notified of any damage to school district property.' Hardin County Schools posted a video on Facebook on Wednesday featuring an officer with the Elizabethtown Police Department to warn the community about the dangers with damaging essential student equipment. In the video, the officer said that damaging a Chromebook is a crime that could lead to a fire and personal injury. Experience the sound of the Bluegrass at Southland Jamboree: 2025 lineup announced Trump's anti-DEI push doesn't stop Black Kentucky grads from holding an off-campus celebration Kentucky school officials warn community of 'dangerous' TikTok trend On Thursday, the Leitchfield Police Department (LPD) asked parents in the community to talk to their kids about viral TikTok challenges. 'You should know that if any of these 'challenges' result in property damage, personal injury, or other adverse effects your child could be charged with misdemeanor or felony offenses and through prosecution you may be responsible for paying restitution for damages,' the department warned. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
