Rappler Newscast | June 25, 2013

Story 1: ‘PILOT ERROR CAUSED CEBU PACIFIC MISHAP’
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines or CAAP says pilot error caused the June 2 incident at the Davao airport when a Cebu Pacific plane skidded off the right side and overshot the runway.
In a press briefing Tuesday, CAAP Deputy Director General John Andrews says the pilots of the plane are responsible for the incident.
Captain Antonio Roehl Oropesa and First Officer Edwin Perello are suspended for 6 and 3 months, respectively.
Andrews adds, “We looked at 3 different factors in the investigation – man, machine and environment.
The plane is okay and the environment is given.”
The plane, which carried 165 passengers, skidded off the runway while landing in bad weather.
No one was injured in the incident, but several passengers complained it took a while before they were ushered out of the aircraft.

Story 2: PADILLA’S RESIGNATION AS GOV’T CHIEF NEGOTIATOR NOT YET OFFICIAL
Newly-appointed Philhealth CEO Alex Padilla says he notified Peace Adviser Secretary Teresita Deles of his intention to resign as government chief negotiator to focus “full-time” on his new role.
He says, “I have notified Secretary Deles, awaiting formality.”
But his resignation will only be formalized once the government peace panel negotiating with the communist rebels completes its transition plan.
Deles confirms, “We have agreed that he will stay on to ensure a smooth transition.”
She adds, “The rest of the panel remain in place and the work continues to proceed.”
Padilla earlier expressed his frustration and disappointment over the talks with the National Democratic Front.
In an interview, Padilla says he is –quote– “ready to move on.”
Peace talks between the government and the NDF are at a deadlock.
Despite the stalemate, Padilla says the government has not closed its doors on the peace talks.

Story 3: DE LIMA TO VICTIMS’ FAMILIES: RESIST AMPATUAN SETTLEMENT
Justice Secretary Leila De Lima says it would be –quote– “both legally and morally wrong” for the families of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre to settle with those responsible for the 2009 killing.
De Lima says, “The Maguindanao massacre case…is imbued with deep public interest.
It cannot and should not be bargained away for any amount of money.”
This comes after lawyer Harry Roque told media at least 14 of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre were offered settlements if they identify Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu as the culprit.
Roque says an associate of the Ampatuans, who are charged for the murders, reportedly obtained an authority to negotiate from the 14 families.
The families were also made to sign several documents in exchange for a 50 million peso or 1.2 million dollar settlement.
But De Lima says any waiver to be executed by the victims’ families will not be binding in court.
She adds, “Any compromise in a criminal case can only affect the civil liability but not the criminal liability of the accused.”

Story 4: SOCIAL CAPITAL FOR DISASTER PREVENTION
A flood-prone barangay in Quezon City is taking control of its fate during disasters by tapping social connections.
David Lozada reports.

Marilou prepares lunch for her family.
After Typhoon Ondoy in 2009, there are two-less people to prepare for.
She lost her sister and her niece, and all her possessions.
Living in flood-prone Barangay Bagong Silangan, she says evacuating is part of their lives.

MARILOU ARANDIA, RESIDENT: Madalas kasi nung nakaraang taon siguro mga five times kaming nasa relocation. Sa totoo lang, nung mga nakaraang baha, naaanod yung mga gamit, parang ano ba, parang naaano ka na ring mag-pundar kasi maaanod lang naman… (We evacuate a lot. Last year, in fact, we had to relocate five times. All our possessions got washed away during the past floods. That’s why we don’t invest on appliances anymore.)

Ondoy covered the barangay in water and mud.
60 people died, 200 families lost their homes.

DAVID LOZADA, REPORTING: When Typhoon Ondoy struck Bagong Silangan, half of this covered court was filled with dead bodies. The other half served as a shelter for the evacuees. The tragedy taught the barangay to use a more personal approach during disasters.

To make up for the lack of disaster equipment, Bagong Silangan officials tap the social connections in the community.
Every time a typhoon is about to strike, officials and volunteers go house to house to remind residents of the disaster and evacuation protocol.
Barangay captain Beng Beltran says the resident’s concern for each other makes the system successful.

BING BELTRAN, BARANGAY CAPTAIN: Kailangan tigasan mo rin bilang kapitan ka. Kapag sinabing likas, kailangan lumikas…hindi kami nagtitira kahit isang tao. Kahit na sabihin nila na baka mawala yung gamit nila, kapag sinabi kong walang matitira, walang matitira. (As Barangay Captain, I make sure that the system is strictly implemented. When I say, ‘evacuate,’ people evacuate. We do not leave even one person. Even if the people do not want to leave because of their belongings, we still make sure that they evacuate.)

Only one casualty was reported when Habagat struck in 2012.
Civil Defense spokesperson Major Reynaldo Balido Jr. says Bagong Silangan’s system is commendable.

REYNALDO BALIDO JR., OCD SPOKESPERSON: We are encouraging yung ibang LGUs to look at Barangay Bagong Silang, to follow their example. Sa level nila, kaya nilang tumayo, kaya nilang gumawa ng paraan para maging disaster free and disaster resilient. (We are encouraging other LGUs to follow the example of Barangay Bagong Silangan. They can stand and make solutions to become disaster free and disaster resilient.)

Like other residents of Bagong Silangan, Marilou prepares her disaster kit in case she needs to leave her house again.
This time, she is optimistic her family will survive with the community.
David Lozada, Rappler, Quezon City.

Story 5: TOP MARITIME JUDGE TO HEAR PH CASE VS CHINA
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea names Thomas Mensah as president of the panel that will hear the Philippines’ case against China over the West Philippine Sea maritime dispute.
Philippine foreign affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez confirms ITLOS president Shunji Yanai appointed Mensah on June 21.
Mensah led the ITLOS when it was founded in 1996.
The judge from Ghana takes the post after the tribunal’s former president resigned because of conflict of interest.
The Philippines says it will ask the the tribunal to declare China’s claims on portions of the sea as “invalid.”
China formally rejected the arbitral proceedings initiated by the Philippines.

Story 6: US PRESSURES RUSSIA ON SNOWDEN, SLAMS CHINA
The White House pressures Russia to expel fugitive Edward Snowden, who leaked details of a US secret surveillance program.
As intrigue in the case mounts, it’s not clear where he is now after he didn’t take a scheduled flight to Cuba from Moscow.
He arrived in Moscow Sunday from Hong Kong.
Russia’s Interfax news agency confirms he was not on the Havana flight.
It quoted an informed source as saying he was likely already out of the country.
Snowden also makes another revelation in a report published in the South China Morning Post, saying he joined National Security Agency contractor Booz Allen Hamilton to gain access to information on spying activities and spill it to the press.
Snowden stole secrets on the surveillance programs from Hamilton.
Snowden tells the Post, “My position with Booz Allen Hamilton granted me access to lists of machines all over the world the NSA hacked.
That is why I accepted that position about three months ago.”
President Barack Obama says Washington is using legal channels to apprehend Snowden.
The White House warns China it harmed efforts to rebuild trust by allowing Snowden to leave Hong Kong.
White House spokesman Jay Carney says,
“This was a deliberate choice by the government to release a fugitive despite a valid arrest warrant. That decision unquestionably has a negative impact on the US-China relationship.”
He adds, “We do expect the Russian government to look at all the options available to them to expel Mr Snowden back to the United States.”
Interfax’s source says Russia does not have the right to either –quote– “detain or deport” Snowden because he has not officially crossed the Russian border.

Story 7: MINISTRY: SOUTH KOREA ON ALERT, OFFICIAL WEBSITES HACKED
South Korea issues a cyber attack alert Tuesday after hackers penetrated a number of official websites, including the presidential Blue House.
The country’s science ministry says –quote–, “The government can confirm a cyber attack by unidentified hackers that shut down several sites including the Blue House.”
The five-stage national cyber alert is raised from level one to two.
A number of news websites and government agencies, including the office for Government Policy Coordination and the ruling New Frontier Party, are also affected by the attack.
The hacking coincides with the 63rd anniversary of the start of the Korean War.
South Korea sought to beef up its cyber defenses since a March 20 attack completely shut down the networks of TV broadcasters KBS, MBC and YTN, and crippled operations at three banks.
An official investigation showed North Korea’s military intelligence agency was responsible.
A number of posts left on the hacked sites claim to be the work of the global “hacktivist” group Anonymous.
The posts include messages praising North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.
On its official twitter account, Anonymous denies any involvement.

Story 8: INDONESIA SORRY FOR HAZE AS THOUSANDS SENT TO FIGHT FIRES
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono apologizes to Singapore and Malaysia for the forest fires which cloaked the countries in thick haze.
Yudhoyono says –quote–, “As the president of Indonesia, I apologize for what has happened and ask for the understanding of the people of Malaysia and Singapore. We accept it is our responsibility to tackle the problem.”
Southeast Asia’s worst smog crisis for years pushes haze levels in Singapore to a record high last week, with levels reaching 400.
Smog shrouded residential buildings and skyscrapers affecting Singapore residents, especially the ill and the elderly.
The smog drifted north and is now badly affecting Malaysia.
Indonesia’s national disaster agency says more than 3,000 emergency workers, including police and soldiers will be sent over the next two days to Riau province, where the fires are centered.

Story 9: THE wRap: YOUR WORLD IN ONE READ
At number 6, Around 1,000 people die in flash floods and landslides in northern India. Heavy rains stop the search for thousands still stranded in the devastated Himalayan regions.
9 days after flash floods and landslides hit the state of Uttarakhand, Indian priests prepare to cremate hundreds of victims.
Senior officials warn the death toll could rise above 1,000.
Raging rivers sweep away houses, buildings and even entire villages in the state.

At number 7, South Korea rejects the bid of Universal Entertainment for preliminary casino licenses.
Rejecting Universal Entertainment which is owned by Japanese billionaire Kazuo Okada could delay plans to put Incheon on the Asian gambling map.
Citing a South Korean spokesperson, Reuters reports no reason was given for rejecting the requests.
In the Philippines, Manila grants Tiger Resorts Leisure and Entertainment Inc, a unit of Universal Entertainment, the right to operate a $2-billion integrated casino-entertainment resort .
The Philippines is vying to be one of the stops for Asian VIP gamblers through its Pagcor Entertainment City in Pasay City.

And at number 9, Facebook admits phone numbers and email addresses of some 6 million users were improperly shared because of a software bug.
In a security note, the social network says no financial information was leaked. It adds there is no evidence the bug was exploited maliciously.
Facebook says it is –quote– “upset and embarrassed” by the glitch. Affected users are notified by email.

Story 10: NADAL FALLS IN WIMBLEDON FIRST ROUND
Rafael Nadal suffers a shocking defeat in the first round of Wimbledon at the hands of Belgian world number 135, Steve Darcis.
Darcis, who only has 2 wins under his belt on the tour all year, gives the Spanish superstar his first ever loss in the opening round of a major.
Nadal’s early exit clears the title paths of Andy Murray and Roger Federer.
It also comes just two weeks after Nadal celebrated a record 8th French Open crown.
Nadal refuses to blame his constant struggles with his knees for the defeat.
He says –quote– “I tried my best in every moment, but it was not possible this afternoon.”
“Darcis deserved to win today.”
Nadal won 43 of his 45 matches and seven titles since his return to the tour in February after a seven-month injury lay-off to rest his knees.
Darcis will next face Poland’s Lukasz Kubot in the next round.

Story 11: BERLUSCONI SENTENCED TO JAIL IN SEX TRIAL
An Italian court sentences Silvio Berlusconi to 7 years in jail and bans the former premier from public office after convicting him of paying for sex with an underage prostitute and abusing his power to hide it.
The sentence goes beyond the request of prosecutors, who called for Berlusconi to serve 6 years.
The verdict brings to a climax a two-year trial which kicked off a media frenzy.
Berlusconi’s lawyers say they would appeal the decision.

Story 12: ANGELINA JOLIE SLAMS UN FOR WARTIME RAPE
Hollywood star and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie criticizes the UN Security Council powers for their lack of action over wartime rapes.
Ambassadors from Russia, China, the United States, France and Britain listen as Jolie calls them out for failing to take seriously the thousands of victims of sexual attacks in conflict.
Jolie shares stories of a woman in Jordan raped in Syria and of a five-year-old girl raped in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Jolie says –quote–“I understand that there are many difficult things for the Security Council to agree on, but sexual violence in conflict should not be one of them.”
She adds –quote– “The UN Security Council must step in and provide leadership and assistance.”

Newscast production staff