By Liezelle Soriano

Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) led by Usec. Paul Gutierrez said there are promising results in the investigation into the killing of broadcaster Juan Jumalon.

“The leads and possible motives being pursued by the investigators are showing promising results pointing to a faster resolution of this incident,” Gutierrez said.

“More than the expression of sympathy and the granting of financial support, what we are after here is justice for the victim through the apprehension of the identified suspect and his confederates leading to the unmasking of the mastermind, if there is any,” Gutierrez also said.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sunday assured the family of the slain radio broadcaster that law enforcement agencies are exerting all efforts to immediately resolve the incident that happened last November 5.

Misamis Occidental police director PCol. Dwight Monato said that the suspect, a known ‘gun-for-hire’ in the province, has been identified by at least three witnesses.

“We already have the name and background of one of the three possible suspects. This is a good starting point in any investigation,” Monato said.

A P500,000 reward has been offered by the office of Governor Henry Oaminal Sr. to anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the accused, and P3 million to any law enforcement official who can apprehend any of them.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission had pledged P100,000, and the PTFoMS had promised P100,000 for any tip that resulted in the arrest of the perpetrators. (ai/mnm)

By Liza Soriano

Deputy Minority Leader and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman on Thursday said he would file a resolution in the House of Representatives calling for an immediate end to violence against innocent civilians, women, children, and the elderly in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

“I call on my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join calls for an end to the violence. I believe this august body can encourage governments including our own to take a strong position against the continued violence against innocent civilians caught in the crossfires of the conflict,” Hataman, former governor of the now-defunct ARMM, said.

“Saksi ang buong mundo sa mga epekto ng karahasan sa Israel-Hamas conflict lalong-lalo na ang mga namamatay at nasusugatang inosenteng sibilyan, pati ang mga bata, kababaihan at matatanda. Nananawagan tayo para sa pagtatapos ng gulong ito at pagtahak ng mas mapayapang paraan ng pagtugon sa ugat ng digmaan,” Hataman added.

The United Nations estimates the death toll from the war between the Israelis and Palestinians already reached 4,300 since the ongoing conflict reignited last Oct. 7 when Hamas suddenly attacked Israel.

Of the death toll, it was gathered that at least 1,300 Israelis were estimated to have died in the war and the Palestinians accordingly sustained around 3,000 casualties.

Hataman also said the resolution will also call for immediate and unimpeded access to international humanitarian agencies in the affected communities, especially in Gaza, to provide relief and medical care to civilians.

“This resolution will also urge the international community of nations to work collaboratively towards a permanent and peaceful resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Ang ating bansa ay naniniwala sa peaceful resolution ng conflict, at napatunayan na natin ito sa Bangsamoro,” the Basilan lawmaker explained.

“We call upon the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority to return to the negotiating table to seek a just and lasting peace in the region. Madami nang inosenteng biktima ang nadadamay sa digmaan. Dalangin natin ay ‘wag na sanang tumaas ang bilang ng mga namamatay at nasusugatan,” he said.

The latest in the series of violence in Gaza is the bombing of the al-Ahli Arab Hospital, where hundreds died.

(ai/mnm)

EGYPT initiated diplomatic discussions with both Israelis and Palestinians as hostilities in the region escalated on Sunday.

Following a significant attack by Hamas that prompted retaliatory airstrikes from Israel, the Egyptian Presidency disclosed that President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi had engaged in a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron to deliberate on efforts aimed at de-escalation.

Egypt, in an official statement, affirmed its commitment to conducting intensive dialogues with Israeli and Palestinian parties, along with engaging regional and international stakeholders, in an effort to quell the current upsurge in tensions. However, specific details regarding these talks were not disclosed.

President Sisi issued a stern warning against allowing the region to descend into a perilous cycle of tension, emphasizing the risk it poses to regional stability and security.

In addition to diplomatic efforts, Egypt urged both Palestinians and Israelis to exercise restraint and prevent further endangerment of civilian lives.

The Israeli Health Ministry reported that Hamas’s extensive rocket attacks and infiltration near the Gaza Strip on Saturday resulted in the tragic loss of over 300 Israeli lives and left more than 1,500 people injured.

In response, Israel launched airstrikes in Gaza, resulting in the casualties of over 230 Palestinians and injuries to hundreds more, as confirmed by the Palestinian Health Ministry.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is now in a state of war with Hamas and subsequently called upon Gaza’s civilian population to evacuate, as the Israeli military was prepared to dismantle “all Hamas hiding places.”

Source Anadulo


(ai/mnm)

Image Courtesy of: Reuters

By Junex Doronio

IN THE FACE OF China’s “expansionist threat,” the Philippines, United States and Japan have jointly expressed their commitment to work for a free and open Indo-Pacific and ensure peaceful resolution of disputes.

This was declared by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday (Saturday in the Philippines) at the Second Trilateral Ministerial Meeting on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York.

“Our alliance with Japan and the Philippines is a cornerstone of our Indo-Pacific strategy. Together, we are committed to promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific, ensuring the peaceful resolution of disputes, and upholding international law,” Blinken announced.

Hosted by the US, the meeting was attended by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo and Japan Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa.

Meanwhile, the Philippines is exploring legal options against China accusing it of destruction of coral reefs within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea.

But China flatly dismissed the allegation, saying it was an attempt to “create political drama”. (ai/mnm)