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Today's headlines: China's claims, massive gathering in BSP, Bianca Bustamante | The wRap | May 9, 2024

Here are today's headlines – the latest news in the Philippines and around the the world: - China ups ante, says it has audio recording of ‘new deal’ arrangement with PH Wescom chief - Marcos’ Partido Federal, Lakas-CMD forge alliance for 2025 elections - Finally, Supreme Court defines red-tagging as a threat - Hundreds flock to Bangko Sentral to claim ‘hidden wealth’ - Steadily improving, Bianca Bustamante earns maiden podium finish in 2024 F1 Academy https://www.rappler.com/video/daily-wrap/may-8-2024/

2024-05-08T16:54:35Z

1,000 march to BSP to claim ‘hidden wealth’

MANILA, Philippines — Around 1,000 people trooped to the main office of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in Manila yesterday to claim what they described as P100 trillion in “hidden wealth” supposedly kept in the BSP. Members of the Democratic and Republican Guardians Philippines – who came from Pangasinan, Antipolo City, Iloilo and other areas – marched to a gate of the BSP head office at the corner of Mabini and P. Ocampo streets at past 9...

2024-05-08T16:35:27Z

Man wanted for 72 child abuse, sex raps falls

MANILA, Philippines — The third most wanted fugitive in Quezon City, who is facing at least 72 child abuse and sex-related offenses, was arrested by police on Tuesday. Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said Delfin Dolatre was arrested in Barangay Del Monte at around 2:30 p.m. Dolatre was collared based on a warrant of arrest for violating Republic Act 7610, the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse,...

2024-05-08T16:35:26Z

Filipinos want military action to resolve sea row

(UPDATE) SEVEN out of 10 Filipinos favor military action and diplomacy in resolving the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue, an OCTA Research survey said. Results of the first quarter Tugon ng Masa survey conducted from March 11–14, 2024 showed that 73 percent of respondents wanted the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to expand naval patrols and troop presence in the disputed waters. Seventy-two percent said they wanted the dispute...

2024-05-08T16:32:12Z

Cyclist, 37, dies following crash with car

The police say officers are supporting the cyclist's family and are asking witnesses to come forward.

2024-05-08T14:45:54Z

P60B in emergency allowances given to COVID-19 frontliners – Marcos

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said that his administration was able to release nearly P60 billion in health emergency allowances (HEA) to COVID-19 frontliners. In a Facebook post late Tuesday night, Marcos said the government made the move to show how it values its frontliners. READ: Frontliners in some gov’t hospitals finally get COVID-19 incentive “Alinsunod sa ating pangako, naipamahagi na ng ating...

2024-05-08T09:18:39Z

Investigation as van fire spreads to supermarket

A police cordon was put in place around a city centre Iceland store following the incident.

2024-05-08T12:30:33Z

Iranian Filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison and Flogging, Lawyer Says

Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof has been sentenced to eight years in prison, according to his lawyer. In a post on X, the filmmaker’s lawyer Babak Paknia wrote that Iran’s Islamic Revolution Court sentenced Rasoulof to eight years of imprisonment, flogging, a fine and confiscation of property. The judgment was confirmed in a Court of Appeal […]

2024-05-08T16:42:48Z

DepEd to shorten next school year by 15 days

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) will cut the prescribed minimum of 180 school days for the coming school year 2024-2025 by 15 days to ensure that students and teachers are not in classrooms during extreme summer heat by April and May 2025. DepEd Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas said the agency plans to start SY 2024-2025 on July 29 and end it on March 31, 2025, with 165 school days or 15 days short of the 180 to 220...

2024-05-08T16:35:23Z

Men robbed after talking to woman online

Police say the two victims were confronted by a man with a baseball bat and robbed.

2024-05-08T14:30:48Z

Subway project equipment movement to affect 7 NCR roads on May 10-12

MANILA, Philippines — Traffic in several Metro Manila roads from May 10 to 12 will be affected by the transportation of the Metro Manila Subway Project’s (MMSP) tunnel boring machine (TBM) the vicinity of the Camp Aguinaldo Station. The Department of Transportation, in a social media post on Wednesday, said the following roads would be affected from May 10 to May 11, 2024 (10 p.m. to 4 a.m.) and May 11 to May 12, 2024 (10 p.m. to 4 a.m.): Port/...

2024-05-08T08:48:37Z

MP Natalie Elphicke reveals why she crossed the floor to Labour

Rishi Sunak was hit with a bombshell today as another Tory defected to Labour. Dover MP Natalie Elphicke announced she was crossing the floor just moments before Mr Sunak faced a bruising PMQs session.

2024-05-08T17:27:36Z

Britain to expel Russian spy amid new fears over Kremlin espionage

James Cleverly told MPs that an 'undeclared' Russian military intelligence officer had been posing as Moscow 's defence attaché and had been told to leave the country.

2024-05-08T12:54:29Z

DOJ to brief Marcos on ICC arrest options

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is preparing a brief on the legal options available to President Marcos on the arrest warrants that the International Criminal Court (ICC) may issue. DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano said all options will be discussed in the briefer, including the Philippines’ possibly rejoining the ICC, “with an awareness that policy frameworks may evolve.” “The briefer will be an objective analysis of the pros...

2024-05-08T16:35:25Z

Woman in critical condition after being hit by car

A man is arrested after a woman in her 40s suffers serious injuries in the collision.

2024-05-08T17:01:26Z

Laguna solon calls for probe into local police leadership

MANILA, Philippines — San Pedro City (Laguna) 1st Dist. Rep. Ann Matibag has called for a “comprehensive Congressional inquiry” into the local police leadership in every city and municipality, particularly the San Pedro City Police Force. In a statement on Wednesday, Matibag said that she fears the “anomalous assignments and unjust actions coming from a directive given to the police force in her city.” Matibag mentioned a series of “troubling...

2024-05-08T10:03:46Z

UK to expel Russian diplomat for spying - Cleverly

The home secretary says the diplomat is an "undeclared" military intelligence officer.

2024-05-08T13:45:33Z

Kenya inks deal to end doctors' strike

Kenya's government has signed a deal with striking doctors, the health ministry announced Wednesday, after almost two months of industrial action that left thousands of patients struggling to find medical care. The eight weeks of industrial action threw Kenya's public hospitals into crisis, running with a skeleton crew as patients scrambled to find treatment in the absence of doctors.

2024-05-08T15:06:55Z

Korea mulls $3 billion financing facility

MANILA, Philippines — The Korean government is looking at establishing a $3-billion funding facility for the Philippines to finance various projects. Finance Secretary Ralph Recto recently met with Ambassador of Korea Lee Sang-hwa to strengthen economic and investment cooperation between the two countries. In particular, Korea plans to establish a $3 billion Economic Development Promotion Facility (EDPF) through the Export-Import Bank of Korea...

2024-05-08T16:35:36Z

Truth of China's 'new model' claims must be laid bare

ON Tuesday, the Chinese Embassy in Manila presented what it claimed was a recording of a telephone conversation between an unidentified embassy official and Western Command (Wescom) chief Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos, wherein the latter purportedly agreed to China's "new model" for operations to supply the Philippine outpost on Ayungin Shoal, and confirmed that Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, and Armed...

2024-05-08T16:11:20Z

Attempted murder probe after man is injured

A man remains in a critical condition in hospital after suffering a head injury in Basildon.

2024-05-08T13:00:28Z

Interloper joins ‘Made in China’ mock enemy ship sinking drills

LAOAG CITY, Philippines — A surprise guest joined Wednesday’s sinking exercise here where a “made in China” ship was made the target of naval missiles and airstrikes as part of Manila and Washington’s war games. However, the marine interloper appeared to have no sinister intention, according to Lt. Col. Omad Abdullah Al Assaf, the maritime strike lead planner for this year’s Balikatan. READ: US, PH begin striking ‘Made in China’ mock target ship...

2024-05-08T06:52:03Z

'Significant arrest' after chop shop inquiry raid

West Midlands Police carried out two raids on Wednesday, in relation to suspected "car cannibalism."

2024-05-08T12:31:10Z

AFP on China claim: Audio can be forged with deep fakes

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday said it wouldn't dignify China's claims that it agreed to "a new model" for conduct in the Ayungin Shoal, saying audio recordings could be manufactured with deep fake technology. In a statement, AFP chief of staff General Romeo Brawner said China's claim of an audio recording allegedly between Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos and a Chinese diplomat did not merit significant concern "as it appears to be...

2024-05-08T16:00:37Z

Admin allies observe Trillanes’ ouster claims now sound like evidence

MANILA, Philippines — The speculations raised by former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on a possible destabilization plot have started to appear as corroborating evidence if the actions of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s critics are considered, a lawmaker said on Wednesday. In a press briefing in Makati, 1-Rider party-list Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez said that while Zambales 1st District Rep. Jefferson Khonghun may have tagged Trillanes as a...

2024-05-08T06:48:17Z

House okays PH citizenship for figure skater Aleksandr Korovin

MANILA, Philippines: The House of Representatives gave its final nod to a bill that seeks to grant Philippine citizenship to figure skater Aleksander Korovin. The measure, House Bill 10048, hurdled its third and final reading on Wednesday with over 180 lawmakers voting in the affirmative. Seven abstained. Korovin "has participated in and achieved milestones in the sport of figure skating with his Filipina partner, Isabella R. Gamez, where he...

2024-05-08T15:11:03Z

SC: Red-tagging threat to life, liberty, security

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has declared that red-tagging and guilt by association threatens a person’s constitutional right to life, liberty and security. In a 39-page decision, the SC noted that red-tagging has been acknowledged by international organizations as a form of harassment and intimidation. Being labeled as “red” often comes with frequent surveillance, direct harassment and, in some instances, eventual death,...

2024-05-08T16:35:22Z

Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama suspended for 6 months

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has been placed under suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman. The state’s anti-graft investigating body on Wednesday, May 8 announced that they ordered to put Rama under preventive suspension for six months. READ MORE: 4 ex-tax mappers pay of Cebu City ‘signed’ but… 4 Cebu City ex-tax mappers cry: Give us our 10 months worth of salaries Delayed salaries due to employees’ defiance – City...

2024-05-08T04:30:11Z

Kamuning Bakery donates classroom building to Calasiao elementary school

KAMUNING Bakery Cafe (KBC) owner and noted media practitioner Wilson Lee Flores handed over the keys to a brand-new four-classroom public school building to Dinalaoan Elementary School in Barangay Dinalaoan, Calasiao City, Pangasinan, on May 3. The donation underscores KBC's unwavering dedication to education and community enrichment, made possible through a fruitful partnership with the "Operation Barrio Schools" civic initiative spearheaded by...

2024-05-08T16:20:21Z

Marcos’ Partido Federal, Lakas-CMD forge alliance for 2025 elections

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas and Speaker Martin Romualdez’ Lakas-CMD political parties sign an agreement on Wednesday, May 8, formalizing an alliance for the 2025 midterm elections. Full story: https://www.rappler.com/philippines/marcos-partido-federal-pilipinas-lakas-cmd-forge-alliance-2025-midterms/

2024-05-08T16:24:42Z

UK says to expel Russia defence attache for intel role

The UK government on Wednesday raised tensions with the Kremlin by announcing it would expel a Russian defence attache for being "an undeclared military intelligence officer". Measures included the expulsion of 23 undeclared Russian intelligence officers from the UK. har/rlp

2024-05-08T14:15:47Z

Pennsylvania man who pointed gun at pastor during sermon now charged with cousin's murder

Bernard Junior Polite is charged with his cousin's murder after pointing at gun at a pastor during a church service in North Braddock, Pennsylvania.

2024-05-08T16:25:31Z

Four arrested for duping young Indian men into fighting for Russia in Ukraine

By Sakshi Dayal NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Indian police said four people linked to a network of human traffickers have been arrested on suspicion of luring young men to Russia with the promise of lucrative jobs or university places only to force them to fight in the war in Ukraine. About 35 Indian men were duped in this manner, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said in March. The four Indian

2024-05-08T12:34:44Z

Hong Kong court bans protest song ‘Glory to Hong Kong’

HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s appeal court on Wednesday banned “Glory to Hong Kong,” a protest song that emerged during the city’s massive democracy demonstrations in 2019. Penned anonymously, its lyrics include the slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times”, and the song has been all but illegal to sing or play it since authorities crushed the protests and Beijing imposed a national security law quelling dissent in 2020. Wednesday’s...

2024-05-08T08:22:25Z

Abalos says Northern Samar barangays now free from communists

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos on Wednesday said all barangays in Northern Samar are now free from guerilla fronts and communist groups. “These barangays are now CTG-influenced free, wala nang mga guerrilla fronts dito ayon sa Philippine Army (PA),” Abalos said in a press release, noting that the barangays no longer support communist groups. Abalos recently led the distribution of over P160,000 worth of livelihood and financial assistance...

2024-05-08T13:00:06Z

Taiwan offers STEM scholarships to PH students

MORE than 2,000 students and officials from various schools in Luzon trooped to the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City recently to check on available scholarships offered by 15 Taiwanese universities. Spearheaded by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO), the Taiwan Ministry of Education (MOE), and the International Talent Circulation (Intact) Base Taiwan-Philippines, the academic program for Filipino students and professionals...

2024-05-08T16:35:37Z

Hontiveros urges release of Ayungin ‘new model’ pact evidence

MANILA, Philippines – The “evidence” allegedly proving that a Philippine army official reached an agreement with China regarding a “new model” on Ayungin Shoal should be made available to the government, Senator Risa Hontiveros said on Wednesday. “Kung meron talaga silang recording at kung meron talaga silang transcript, they should at the least make it available to the government — to the Executive, dahil seryosong claim na naman nila yan ng...

2024-05-08T06:21:59Z

Man on bike with machete spotted by police drone

A PCSO saw the man and was able to monitor him before officers arrived, police say.

2024-05-08T15:15:46Z

Russia's biggest airstrike in weeks piles pressure on Ukraine power grid

By Anastasiia Malenko and Pavel Polityuk KYIV (Reuters) -Russian missiles and drones struck nearly a dozen Ukrainian energy infrastructure facilities on Wednesday, causing serious damage at three Soviet-era thermal power plants and blackouts in multiple regions, officials said. Ukraine's air force said it shot down 39 of 55 missiles and 20 of 21 attack drones used for the attack, which piles

2024-05-08T13:06:32Z

PFP, Lakas-CMD alliance is ‘the most powerful political force’ – Romualdez

MANILA, Philippines — Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) President and House Speaker Martin Romualdez called their political party’s new alliance with the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) “the most powerful political force” in the country. PFP — led by Romualdez’s cousin, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.— consists of a sizable number of local leaders in its party. Lakad-CMD, on the other hand, comprises one-third of the members of the House...

2024-05-08T07:33:22Z

Amsterdam police break up pro-Palestinian student protest

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -Dutch riot police broke up a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) on Wednesday, battling demonstrators who had vowed to stay put until the institution severed all ties with Israel. Protesters on barricades made of desks, fences, wooden pallets and bricks used fire extinguishers to keep the police at bay, images on the local TV station AT5 showed.

2024-05-08T16:50:25Z

Cops tagged in PNP exec’s slay positive for gunpowder

MANILA, Philippines — The two police officers tagged in the killing of a police official in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte early this month have tested positive for gunpowder, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported yesterday. M/Sgts. Aladdin Ramalan and Shariff Balading had traces of gunpowder on their hands, PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said, citing paraffin test results. Capt. Roland Moralde, an administrative officer of the...

2024-05-08T16:35:25Z

Putin sends assassins to eliminate Zelensky

The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) has announced the arrest of 2 agents accused of involvement in a Russian-coordinated plot to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelensky and other senior officials. The SBU has dismantled a network of Russian FSB agents who planned to assassinate the Ukrainian president, the agency said in a statement. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) arrested two colonels of the State Protection Department for their alleged...

2024-05-08T12:48:11Z

House panel OKs P89 billion for seniors’ universal social pension

MANILA, Philippines — A universal social pension measure has gained a foothold after a House of Representatives committee yesterday approved the budget allocation for the benefit. The proposed measure would include all senior citizens nationwide, not just indigents, in the current social pension program. Some P89 billion in the annual budget was earmarked by the House committee on appropriations. “We have been pushing for the universal social...

2024-05-08T16:35:19Z

Malawians who abandoned Israeli farms deported

They went to Israel as part of a deal to provide agricultural workers after the 2023 Hamas attacks.

2024-05-08T17:10:01Z

Russian spy expelled from Britain under crackdown as Vladimir Putin told to stop 'malign activity'

Home Secretary James Cleverly said Russia would respond with 'conspiracy theories and hysteria', and accusations of Russophobia but the UK would not be swayed

2024-05-08T12:19:58Z

Landlord found guilty of sexual offences

A man has used his position as a landlord to prey on vulnerable women.

2024-05-08T14:45:50Z

Wife of detained foreigner nabbed for alleged extortion

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division arrested the wife of a detained Cameroon national after allegedly extorting money from a relative of another detainee in exchange for the latter's release. According to a "24 Oras" report by John Consulta on Wednesday, the suspect was caught after receiving a bag with P1 million marked money in an entrapment operation in Parañaque. Based on the report, the...

2024-05-08T17:05:50Z

Expel Chinese embassy execs over phone wiretap – Gibo

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. called on the Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday to investigate how unnamed people in the Chinese embassy in Manila allegedly recorded a supposed phone conversation between a Chinese diplomat and a top Armed Forces official discussing a so-called new model agreement on rotation and resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea last January. He said if proven true,...

2024-05-08T16:35:23Z

Ukraine parliament passes bill for prisoners to join army

Parliament’s chairperson and President Zelenskyy need to sign the legislation for it to become law.

2024-05-08T17:17:27Z