3 top JI, Abu Sayyaf leaders killed in Sulu air strike, says military

The military claimed on Thursday that it had killed 15 Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah members — including three senior leaders — in a short predawn air strike in a remote area in Sulu province.

JI Leader Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan (L) and Abu Sayyaf leader Umbra Jumdail alias Dr. Abu were reportedly killed in a Sulu airstrike early Wednesday(R)Armed Forces of the Philippines
Authorities said among those killed in the air strike launched about 3 a.m. were JI leaders Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan, a certain Mawiyah, and Umbra Jumdail alias Dr. Abu, a senior leader of the al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf bandit group.

“The troops on ground have confirmed deaths of 15 ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) and JI members including Mawiyah, Dr. Abu, and Marwan,” said Armed Forces information chief Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr.

“This (operation) is a product of thorough intelligence [and was] carefully planned,” Burgos added. “‘Yung sinasabi nating air strike, segundo lamang tinagal.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation describes Marwan, reportedly a member of the JI Central Command, as among the most wanted terrorists in the world.

According to the FBI, Marwan was indicted on Aug. 1, 2007 in the United States District Court, Northern District of California, and charged with providing material support to terrorists, conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, contributing goods and services to a specially designated global terrorist, and making false statements.

Bounties

Burgos said Jumdail, who was involved in the 2001 the Dos Palmas and Sipadan, Malaysia kidnapping incidents, has a P7.4-million bounty for his capture. The US government has also put up a $140,000 reward for the same.

Marwan, on the other hand, has P7.4-million and $5-million bounties for his capture while Mawiyah has a $50,000 reward for his arrest, Burgos said.

Malacañang immediately commended the military for its “victory.”

“We commend the AFP with this victory in the continuing fight against terrorism,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a text message to reporters.

Air strike

The air strike was conducted a day after an unidentified group seized two European birdwatchers in Tawi-Tawi. Authorities, however, have yet to confirm if the Abu Sayyaf is involved in the latest kidnapping incident in southern Philippines.

“Malaki ito kasi three leaders ng grupo na ‘to, ‘yung natamaan, so that would be very big impact on the capability of the terrorists,” said Maj. Gen. Noel Coballes, commander of the Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command.

Senior Superintendent Antonio Freyra of the Sulu police said two OV-10 bombers dropped four bombs and hit their target at Sitio Lanao Bato in Brgy. Lanao Dakula in Parang town.

“As per [our] monitoring thru Scan Eagle, six KIA (killed in action) were seen laid on the bomb site and two of them were left by the group at the said area,” Freyra said, quoting a police spot report.

He added 21 people were seen moving toward east after the attack and “possibly regrouping” with the group of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader Ahadun Adak.

Coballes said the terrorists were caught unaware by the attack.

“Naka-istambay lang sila dun,” Coballes replied when asked on what the terrorists were doing at the time of the airstrike, which he said was a “deliberate, fully planned attack coming from our forces.”

He added that the presence of MNLF forces made it impossible for Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) to proceed to the area. — with Amita O. Legaspi/Agence France-Presse/KBK/RSJ, GMA News

CA issues freeze order vs oil firm’s assets over smuggling raps

The Court of Appeals (CA) has issued a 20-day freeze order against the bank accounts of a petroleum company whose officers are facing smuggling charges before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

In an 11-page resolution penned by Associate Justice Michael Elbinias, the CA’s First Division has found enough grounds to freeze the accounts and all related web accounts of Cross Country and Petroleum Corporation located at Unit 3105 World Trade Exchange Building, 215 Juan Luna Street, Manila and Aleli Arellano, Jerome Canada and Samuel Mora.

Arellano is a major stockholder of the oil firm which had been able to engage in multi-billion peso oil importation business despite a paltry capitalization of only P3 million.

She allegedly signed some of questionable import entries of the oil company.

Canada is a customs broker who signed some of the questionable import entries of the Cross Country.

The freeze order became possible following the petition filed by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

Ordered frozen are the assets of the oil firm in Asia United Bank, Security Bank, Metrobank, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Banco de Oro, Green Bank, Land Bank, Phil. National Bank and Export and Industry Bank.

The appeals court directed the concerned banks to comply with the order.

Both parties were directed to attend the hearing set on November 10, 2011 at the CA Building in Manila, “in order to determine whether or not to modify, lift, or extend the effectivity of the freeze oder.”

Records showed that the company was able to import nearly P8.5 billion worth of petroleum products between March 2009 and September 2010.

Also facing charges before the DOJ are Mora, duties and VAT-refund representative of Cross Country; Canada, customs broker and several others, among them customs employees who allegedly conspired to defraud the government of taxes.

These violations supposedly gave the government legal justification to consider all subject Cross Country shipments as fraudulent and demand from the company payment of the entire amount of the petroleum products imported to the tune of P8.5 billion.

In its ruling, the CA stated that “after a careful and judicious examination, the petition for the issuance of a freeze order is justified by a finding of probable cause.”

“…Unless the bank accounts subject of the petition are frozen and placed under the custody of the law, there is imminent certainty that the funds contained in the accounts …will be withdrawn…and out of reach of the law enforcers,” the resolution stated.

Concurring with the ruling were Associate Justices Andres Reyes Jr. and Celia Librea-Leagogo.

 

 

Aquino offers to bring in doctors for Gloria Arroyo

The government, after disallowing former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to seek medical treatment abroad, has offered to bring into the country foreign medical experts to check on the former State leader.

At a hastily called press briefing in Malacañang, no less than President Benigno Aquino III himself said his administration is even willing to shoulder the bills for the treatment of Mrs. Arroyo, an incumbent congresswoman representing the second district of Pampanga.

The President said he is wishing for the former Philippine leader’s speedy recovery.

“Bilang pagkilala ng karapatan ni Gng. Arroyo na personal na pumili ng mga espesyalistang doktor na magbibigay lunas sa kanya, maaari tayong magpapunta dito ng mga espesyalista o manggagamot mula sa alinmang panig ng mundo upang magsagawa ng kanyang eksaminasyong medikal,” Aquino said.

“Kung kinakailangan handa nating sagutin ang mga tungkuling pinansyal sa pagpapagamot ni Gng. Arroyo,” he added.

The camp of Mrs. Arroyo has yet to comment on Aquino’s offer as of posting time.

The briefing was held a day after Justice Secretary Leila de Lima announced that the government cannot allow Mrs. Arroyo to seek medical treatment abroad due to, among others, the “discrepancies” between the medical abstract the Arroyo camp submitted to the Department of Justice to justify her request for an Allow Departure Order (ADO) and the letter-affidavit they earlier submitted.

Mrs. Arroyo, who is on the Immigration watch list in connection with the charges filed against her, needs to secure an ADO before she can leave the country. She is being treated for a pinched nerve and is suffering from hypoparathyroidism and a bone mineral disorder.

De Lima said there was no need for Mrs. Arroyo to leave the country because she was recuperating well and has already been attended to by doctors here in the Philippines. She cited a report by Health Secretary Enrique Ona who paid Arroyo a recent visit at her home.

The camp of Mrs. Arroyo has since brought the matter before the Supreme Court.

Supportive of De Lima’s decision

Aquino, during Wednesday’s briefing, said he fully supports De Lima’s decision to deny Mrs. Arroyo’s request. He said this is to ensure that Mrs. Arroyo will be available to face the plunder and electoral sabotage charges filed against her.

“Gagawin natin ito upang matiyak ang pagharap ng sinumang akusado sa ating hukuman at manaig ang katarungan sa ating bansa,” he said.

He added that it is not unreasonable to doubt the motive of someone who cannot make up her mind on what countries she wanted to go to.

Earlier in the day, the camp of Mrs. Arroyo maintained that the former president has no plans of fleeing from the charges against her, and that the “escape scenario” is just a “figment” of De Lima’s imagination.

The President said when Mrs. Arroyo asked for a travel authority before the House of Representatives, she mentioned six countries she wanted to visit. But only three countries were indicated in an affidavit she submitted to the DOJ.

He added last week, Mrs. Arroyo changed one of the countries on her list.

“Sa makailang beses niyang pagsusumite ng mga di-nagtutugmang listahan ng mga bansa, nito lamang Nobyembre 2 niya naisipang banggitin ang doktor na titingin sa kaniya,” Aquino said.

“Hindi po ba kung magpapaalam ka para magpagamot ng iyong karamdaman, mula’ t sapul pa lamang ay alam mo na kung kanino ka kokonsulta at kung nasaang bansa siya, lalo pa kung alam mong may nakabinbing kaso laban sa iyo?” he asked.

No full trust

Asked if he has trust in the former President, Aquino said he cannot give his full trust to someone who cannot truthfully declare where she is going.

“Hindi ko ho pine-personal ito. (Pero) paano natin dapat paniwalaan nang buong-buo ‘yong sinasabi niyang aalis ako, magpapagamot, babalik ako kung ‘yon nga ho pabago-bago pa iyong mga bansang binabanggit niya?” he said.

The President also found it funny that Mrs. Arroyo questioned before the court Memorandum Circular 41 which was issued and implemented during her term.

Asked if he is willing to talk to his predecessor, Aquino answered in the affirmative. “Bakit hindi? Guro ko naman siya noong araw; nakakatanda sa akin; babae pa ho siya; siya ay may karamdaman, bakit naman ho natin iiwasan ‘yon?” he said. — KBK/RSJ/HS, GMA News

Pacquiao offers little hope of bout vs Mayweather

LAS VEGAS – Manny Pacquiao offered no extra hope to fans that he will fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. next year, but his trainer says the long-awaited showdown might be the only challenge left for the Filipino icon.

 

Pacquiao was greeted by hundreds of well-wishers on Tuesday as he arrived at Las Vegas for his Saturday fight against Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez, but he was ho-hum about Mayweather’s pitch last week for a May 5 fight with Pacquiao.

“What I’ve done, I’m happy (with),” Pacquiao said Tuesday. “Whatever fight my promoter gives me I’ll take it and fight hard. We haven’t made a decision about the next opponent. After this fight, I’m just waiting for the next.”

Unbeaten Mayweather, Pacquiao’s main rival as the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter, has not made a deal to fight the Asian southpaw even though such a bout figures to bring $50 million for each fighter — if it ever happens.

“I think that fight has to happen,” said Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer. “It needs to happen because it’s the only challenge out there (for Pacquiao). I don’t see any other challengers.”

Even so, Pacquiao’s camp made it clear that Mayweather’s hand-picking a date and site for his next fight and then offering to fight “Pac-Man” is unacceptable.

“I’m kind of tired of Floyd,” Roach said. “Shut up and fight or not. We’ll fight him any day of the week. Who is he to make the rules?

“If that fight doesn’t happen, I’m not going to cry.”

Roach said Mayweather needs to face Pacquiao to give his unbeaten record legitimacy, saying “there will be questions” if he does not, and said Mayweather’s defensive style has produced unspectacular fights, calling the Marquez bout “a much more exciting fight than Mayweather.”

That is, in part, because Pacquiao is passionate after Marquez has claimed he truly won their prior fights, a 2004 draw and a Pacquiao split-decision victory in 2008 that was decided by one point on one judge’s scorecard.

“He disrespected me. The most important thing to me is respect,” Pacquiao said. “I’m not mad at him. I’m not mad at anybody. It’s about what I need to prove.”

Pacquiao wants to silence Marquez once and for all, saying that took priority over the $30 million payday he will have for the fight compared to the career-best $5 million Marquez will make.

“I took this fight not for the money but to give a great showing,” Pacquiao said. “This fight is one of the most important fights I’ve had. This fight is really important to me because he says he won the last two fights.

“That’s why I have been very motivated with my training. I feel like in my training when I was 24 or 25 years old.”

Roach added: “Manny has a little extra fire in him. He has been a little rougher on his sparring partners.”

Pacquiao sees Mayweather as having been disrespectful of boxing fans with his controversial knockout of Victor Ortiz last September. Mayweather swung the deciding punch while Ortiz turned to look at the referee

“I won’t do that. I don’t want to disappoint the fans,” Pacquiao said. “I care about the fans. I don’t want them to be disappointed.

“Nothing wrong with what he did. It’s legal. But we are talking about sportsmanship.” — AFP

Pacquiao, Vegas mourn Joe Frazier’s death

LAS VEGAS – Former undisputed world heavyweight champion Joe Frazier, the epic rival to fellow boxing legend Muhammad Ali, was mourned on Tuesday in US boxing mecca Las Vegas by fighters he helped inspire.

Manny Pacquiao, the Filipino icon who defends his welterweight crown against Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez on Saturday, said Frazier’s legacy will endure well beyond death, which came for Frazier on Monday at age 67 of liver cancer.

“His memory in boxing will remain,” Pacquiao said. “We lost a great champion. He was a great fighter. He left a huge legacy as a fighter. We won’t forget the fights he gave Muhammad Ali.”

Pacquiao was born three years after Frazier fought Ali for the third and final time in the “Thrilla in Manila,” but a young Pacquiao sought out the video of that fight to see the legendary bout an older generation raved about.

Pacquiao wants to follow in the Ali-Frazier footsteps one day with his own epic bout in his homeland.

“My dream is to fight a big fight like that in the Philippines,” Pacquiao said. “I hope to find a promoter who can promote that. The problem is it’s hard to promote. It costs a lot of money.”

Ali, in a statement, paid his ultimate respect to the first man who ever beat him in the ring, Frazier taking a unanimous 15-round decision at Madison Square Garden in 1971.

“The world has lost a great champion,” Ali said. “I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration. My sympathy goes out to his family and loved ones.”

Frazier went 32-4 with one drawn and 27 knockouts over his career, but for long-time fight promoter Bob Arum, the Manila fight was simply the greatest bout in boxing history.

“The third fight was the greatest fight in the history of boxing. Ever. The greatest fight ever,” Arum said. “It’s something I’ll never forget. He proved himself a great man and a great warrior.”

Former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson posted his remembrances on his Twitter page, saying, “Today is a sad yet remarkable day as we mourn the death of boxing legend Joe Frazier & honor him by celebrating his amazing accomplishments.”

Tyson marveled at the Ali-Frazier rivalry, which saw Frazier win the first fight but then lose a 1974 rematch in a 12-round decision at New York and be stopped by Ali after 14 rounds in Manila.

“Frazier and Ali were quintessential the apex of pedigree fighting in which each man would not give an inch until they were dead,” Tyson said. “Their era was competitive fighting at the highest level. As a young fighter it has always been an honor to be compared to Frazier.”

Former heavyweight champion George Foreman posted a Twitter message that simply said, “Good night Joe Frazier. I love you dear friend.”

Floyd Mayweather, the undefeated welterweight who has refused to fight Pacquiao in what many fans hoped might be a modern epic boxing trilogy such as Ali and Frazier staged, offered to pay for Frazier’s funeral.

“RIP Smokin Joe. My thoughts and prayers go out to to the Frazier family. We lost an all time great,” Mayweather posted on his Twitter page.

“My condolences go out to the family of the late great Joe Frazier. TheMoneyTeam will pay for his Funeral services.”

Bernard Hopkins, the oldest world champion in boxing history at age 46 after winning the WBC world lightweight crown earlier this year, mourned a fellow Philadelphia fight legend.

“Joe Frazier is an icon, and he will always be remembered that way,” said Hopkins. “He had great discipline and a strong will to win. It’s a very sad day in Philadelphia and all over the world.

“Joe is a person who will never be imitated or emulated. His legacy in boxing will never be duplicated.”

Even beyond boxing, Frazier touched sports stars, notably women’s tennis superstar Serena Williams, who tweeted, “Joe Frazier you were a icon and pioneer for people like me. Inspiring and loved. Your presence will be missed.” — AFP

Imelda seeks Sandigan OK to go to China again

Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos has asked the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court to allow her to go to China next week to attend a high-level conference of women leaders in various fields.

The 82-year-old widow of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos was invited as a VIP guest to the 2011 Financial Times–Women at the Top conference and dinner to be held in Shanghai on Nov. 15. The occasion will coincide with the announcement and publication of the FT 2011 Top 50 Women in World Business Ranking.

Marcos has 10 pending graft charges before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division concerning allegations of having unlawful financial interests in private foundations and businesses while she was a member of the Interim Batasang Pambansa from 1978 to 1984, during which her husband was president.

Due to the charges, Marcos has to seek clearance from the court each time she has to leave the country.

In his letter to Marcos dated Oct. 7, 2011, Financial Times chief executive officer John Ridding said the event will “bring together world-class thought leaders and decision makers for an exclusive gathering, to discuss the role of women in business, their contributions as drivers of development and growth, and their inspirational legacy as innovators and influencers in the workplace and beyond.”

Marcos’ counsel, Robert Sison, said the former First Lady has been allowed to travel abroad many times in the past and has always returned as proof that she is not a flight risk.

Marcos’ last trip abroad was on Aug. 29 to Sept. 11, 2011 when she visited Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong and Hong Kong at the invitation of Chinese firms Metro Millenium Consolidated Building Consultants Inc. and the China Triend Investments Ltd. to encourage more investors to put up businesses in the Philippines particularly in her province and congressional district.

“Accused has no intention to evade the due course of justice and the processes of this Honorable Court. She has left the country several times in the past and has returned in compliance with the terms and conditions of her permit to travel abroad,” Sison said.

He added that Marcos has executed waivers of appearance that will allow the trial of her cases to proceed even in her absence. (GMA News)

PAGASA: Wind system to bring rain over Palawan, Mindanao

An inter-tropical convergence zone may bring rain over parts of Palawan province and Mindanao, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Wednesday.

PAGASA, in its 5 a.m. bulletin, also noted the warm weather with isolated rain in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

“Southern Palawan and Mindanao will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms,” it said.

For Metro Manila, PAGASA said the temperature may range from 25 to 33 degrees Celsius.

In its extended weather forecast, PAGASA indicated warm weather may prevail over Metro Manila until Sunday, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 33 degrees.

On Tuesday, PAGASA forecaster Elvie Enriquez said despite the entry of the amihan (northeast monsoon), Filipinos can still expect the weather to become warm again due to the easterly winds.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast and southeast will prevail over Extreme Northern Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

Light to moderate winds blowing from the east to southeast will prevail over the rest of Luzon and Visayas and coming from the northeast to north over Mindanao.

The coastal waters along these areas will be slight to moderate, it said. — LBG, GMA News

Cops arrest 3 suspects in stealing of car accessories in QC

The police early on Wednesday arrested three men suspected of stealing car accessories from parked vehicles in the Quezon City area.

A report of radio dzBB’s Allan Gatus said the police also recovered some 130 pairs of side mirrors and other car accessories such as headlights and tail lights in a raid in Banaue, Quezon City early Wednesday.

The report identified those who were arrested as: Robert de Vera, Oswald Tiologo and Ricky Reyes.

The police are investigating them for fencing or selling the stolen items.

Quezon City Police District Station 11 head Superintendent Norberto Babagay said they received many complaints from motorists who said their car mirrors were stolen when their vehicles were parked in the area.— GMA News

4 suspected hijackers killed in Laguna clash

At least four suspected hijackers were killed in a predawn encounter with police in San Pedro, Laguna province Wednesday.

San Pedro police head Superintendent Kirby Kraft said the men fired at pursuing police teams at San Antonio village near the boundary of San Pedro and Muntinlupa City.

“May apat dito armado ng mataas na kalibre, mahaba (kasama ang) carbine,” he said in an interview on dzBB radio.

He did not immediately identify the four fatalities, but said they are looking for other suspects who may have escaped the firefight.

No one among the pursuing police teams was hurt, he said.

Citing initial reports reaching him, he said the four suspects had hijacked a truck carrying 192 flat television sets in Cavite Tuesday.

Acting on a tip, police tracked down the suspects and located them along the highway, Kraft said.

“Madilim itong lugar, hinahanap namin kung may nakatakbo (The encounter took place in a dark area. We are looking for other suspects who may have escaped and are hiding),” he said. — LBG, GMA News

2 hurt as PAF bomber plane crashes near Zambo air base

A Philippine Air Force OV-10 Bronco plane crashed near the runway of the Edwin Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga City Wednesday morning after encountering engine trouble, a local military spokesman said.

Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman of the Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command, said the two pilots of the bomber plane ejected to safety but are undergoing checkup at the base’s clinic.

“Sa kabutihan nakaligtas ang dalawang pilots. They were trying to land the plane on one engine, medyo nag-stall ang isa. Hindi nila nakayanan so the pilots ejected,” Cabangbang said in an interview on dzBB radio.

Air Force officials requested that the identities of the injured pilots be remain undisclosed.

A separate report by dzBB’s Benjie Liwanag Jr. quoted Zamboanga City police head Superintendent Edwin de Ocampo as saying the incident occurred about 10 a.m.

Cabangbang said the plane was a “total wreck.” He said the plane appeared to be on a “maintenance flight” when the incident occurred.

The incident is now being investigated, he said.

As of posting time, GMA News Online has yet to ascertain how many OV-10s are in the inventory of the Philippine Air Force. — RSJ, GMA News