Rappler Newscast | August 7, 2013

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3 explosions rock Southern Philippines. Coast guard personnel who shot Taiwanese fisherman face homicide charges. How Janet Napoles got away.

Today on Rappler. 

  • Three explosions rock the southern Philippines.
  • 8 Coast Guard personnel who shot a Taiwanese fisherman face homicide charges.
  • Records show the pork barrel queen was charged – and acquitted – in a graft case involving Kevlar helmets.

Story 1: EXPLOSIONS IN MAGUINDANAO, NORTH COTABATO
Three explosions rock the Southern Philippines in separate incidents Wednesday.
Police say suspected followers of Ameril Umra Kato of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters or BIFF bomb a bridge in Datu Piang, Maguindanao around 5:00 pm.
The blast partially damages the bridge. No one is hurt in the incident.
The blast comes just hours after the BIFF detonated an improvised explosive device along the highway in Shariff Saydona, wounding at least 7 soldiers.
The BIFF is also being linked to the July 26 bombing in Cagayan de Oro City.
Early Wednesday, an improvised bomb explodes in front of radio station Wow FM in Midsayap, North Cotabato.
Local radio station owner Rolly Sacdalan tells reporters they have been receiving reports of planned terrorist attacks in the town.

Story 2: COURT OF APPEALS, DOJ GET BOMB THREATS
The Court of Appeals and the Department of Justice receive bomb threats Wednesday.
Both turn out to be false alarms.
The Court of Appeals security office gets a call from a female around 9:30am.
The caller said a bomb would explode at the main building.
The Manila Police District bomb squad inspects the buildings, but finds no bombs.
A Court of Appeals justice says the threat was not taken lightly, considering the recent bombings in Mindanao.
The Justice Department also gets a bomb threat around noon.
The department is located in the same area as the Court of Appeals compound.
A fiscal reportedly got the information from the Philippine National Police intelligence.

Story 3: HOMICIDE CHARGES EYED OVER TAIWANESE DEATH
The National Bureau of Investigation recommends homicide charges against 8 Philippine Coast Guard personnel involved in a Taiwanese fisherman’s death.
On Wednesday, the bureau releases the probe results of the shooting incident last May.
In a press conference, NBI director Nonnatus Rojas says Commanding Officer Arnold dela Cruz and 7 others should face homicide charges.
In its recommendations, the NBI says the use of –quote– “deadly force” against the Taiwanese fishing boat had –quote– “no conclusive justification.”

NONNATUS ROJAS, NBI DIRECTOR: There is no positive evidence of attempted ramming  other than what is in the statement of the PCG. Because of this, the PCG was not able to establish that there was imminent and grave threat to their lives that allows the use of firearms against the fishing boat.

The NBI also recommends charges of obstruction of justice against Dela Cruz, Executive Officer Martin Bernabe, and two others for tampering with evidence.

NONNATUS ROJAS, NBI DIRECTOR: They also spliced the video footages of the incident cutting out vital portions of the video recording which they then presented to the NBI investigators. However a more complete version of the video recording was eventually submitted to the NBI.

In its report, the NBI also says the incident took place –quote– “without a doubt” within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
This means domestic penal laws apply to the coast guard personnel.
Manila Economic and Cultural Office chair Amadeo Perez earlier said the fisherman’s family wanted the Philippines to issue an official apology to the Taiwanese government.
The Philippine government has not acted on this request.
Perez says the President instead extends his “personal apology” to the people of Taiwan.
He adds, “There are issues why our government cannot issue a formal apology.”

Story 4: ALCALA: NAPOLES GOT P39M OF DA ‘PORK’
Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala answers allegations he was involved in the multi-million peso pork barrel scam as he confirms the extent of the graft.
A whistleblower had earlier said Alcala facilitated funding for two dummy NGOs created by alleged syndicate mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.
Alcala reveals P39-million worth of politicians’ pork barrel went through the Department of Agriculture and ended up with Napoles.
But he denies his involvement in the anomaly.
He says P83 million in funds for the Napoles group passed through the agriculture department, but P44 million was not released because of a tranche system put up by the agency to prevent irregularities.
Napoles allegedly used pork barrel money for ghost projects.

Story 5: HOW JANET NAPOLES GOT AWAY
The woman behind the multi-million peso pork barrel scam was involved in a graft case involving the Philippine Marines.
But Janet Napoles walked away scot free.
In 1998, Napoles committed to deliver 500 Kevlar helmets to the Philippine Marines in exchange for a P3.8-million contract.
The Sandiganbayan later found out she used her relatives to put up dubious companies to bid for the supply of the helmets.
In 1999, without any delivery, the Philippine Marines paid for the helmets, but 8 months after the payment, Napoles had still not delivered the helmets.
The Kevlar scandal forced the filing of malversation charges against officers and civilian suppliers in August 2001.
In 2010, the Sandiganbayan punished those who signed the contract.
But Napoles was acquitted.
In clearing Napoles, the court said Napoles was “not one of the dealer-payees in the transaction.”
Based on records and interviews with sources, Rappler learned the following:
Similar to the pork barrel scheme, the case involved the ghost delivery of helmets, with Napoles as the final recipient of the money.
Falsified documents were submitted to show proof of deliveries.
Winning firms were suspected to be dummy companies of Napoles.
At the time the Kevlar helmet case broke out in 1999, Napoles claimed she was an importer and dealer of various products.
But in a recent television interview, Napoles said the family built their wealth on coal trading in China, Pakistan and Indonesia from the 1990s.

Story 6: CAYETANO TO BINAY: FORT BONIFACIO STILL TAGUIG’S
Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano asks Makati mayor Junjun Binay to be “responsible” in his statements about a Court of Appeals ruling that favored Makati in a boundary dispute with Taguig.
On Monday, the 6th division of the appeals court reverts 730 hectares of Fort Bonifacio to Makati.
The area, home to a commercial hub and vote-rich barangays, accounts for a chunk of Taguig’s income base.
In a press conference, Cayetano says, “Mayor Binay and all the lawyers in the Philippines know that it will take time for the ruling to be executory. Taguig will continue to exercise full jurisdiction over Fort Bonifacio.”
Cayetano says a legal team is studying the 37-page decision but until then, it’s status quo.
Cayetano says the Court of Appeals decision is erroneous and says Fort Bonifacio is –quote– “legally, historically, and factually” part of Taguig.
She adds, the city government will file for a motion for reconsideration before the Court of Appeals.

Story 7: INDIE FILM NUWEBE TACKLES RAPE AND INCEST
Cinemalaya film entry Nuwebe deals with the ugly sins of society– rape and incest — and a child’s journey to transcend her trauma.
G Tongi reports.

G TONGI, REPORTING: I’m here at the CCP for the gala screening of the film Nuwebe, directed and written by Joseph Laban, an entry to the New Breed Category for Cinemalaya 2013.

Inspired by a true story of rape and incest, Cinemalaya film entry Nuwebe is about the life of the youngest mother recorded in Philippine history.
Krista at the age of 9 got pregnant from the sexual abuse by her own father.
Director Joseph Laban first wrote this story as a TV news documentary entitled “Ang Pinakabata” or “The Youngest”.

JOSEPH LABAN, DIRECTOR, NUEBE: May mga eksena doon na hindi mo mapapakita or mabibigyan ng justice through documentary lang. With films kasi, may freedom ka talaga to express yung mga kwento na gusto mong ipalabas. (There are scenes that a documentary will not do justice to. With films, you have the freedom to show what you want.)

Actress Nadine Samonte found the sexual content challenging.

NADINE SAMONTE, ACTRESS: Actually it’s scary. So sa part ko, ginawa ko yon its because para ipakita sa tao na hindi lang eto yung mga nakikita natin ngayon, eto yung nangyayari talaga. (I did the film because I wanted to show that some things go beyond what we see– this is the reality.)

Films like Nuwebe are called independent films or “indies” because these are produced without major studio backing.
Nuwebe actor Manny Castaneda says venues like Cinemalaya play a key role in the development of Philippine cinema.

MANNY CASTAÑEDA, ACTOR, NUWEBE: And I think Cinemalaya is doing the right thing by keep on yearly coming up with this, the regular producers will not dare touch. ‘Pag inuulit mo ng inuulit yan they will eventually develop the taste for such kind of films. (If you do it often enough, the audience will develop the taste for these kinds of films.)

Women’s health advocate May-I Fabros says films that delve into sensitive issues such as rape, incest and child pregnancy make the audience think.

MAY-I FABROS, BATANG INA/ WOMAN HEALTH ADVOCATE: It just screams at us, it stares us straight in the face that this is happening and it’s happening very close to us. The society that we are shaping right now of nine year olds getting pregnant, and is this normal? Is this the new normal?

Acclaimed writer and director Joey Reyes is hopeful a new generation of filmmakers will continue to tackle socially relevant material.

JOEY REYES, WRITER/ DIRECTOR: I get a greater joy finding the new voices, seeing the works of all these young directors. I like to take that step back and to watch, and be an active part of watching the growth, the real growth of Philippine cinema.

There is a movement in Philippine cinema that Cinemalaya continues to fuel.
Reyes says, in Cinemalaya, “You watch films and not just movies.”
G Tongi, Rappler, Manila.

Story 8: HIP HOP FOR A CAUSE
A group of Filipino Hip Hop and RnB artists performs to raise money for kids with biliary atresia.
Pia Ranada reports.

One-year-old Chloee Gabayan goes to the hospital every week.
Her bile duct is blocked, causing toxins to be released directly into her liver, which leads to liver failure.
The condition is called biliary atresia, and it’s fatal.
To survive, Chloee needs 3 to 4 million pesos for a liver transplant.
Her parents are struggling to pay mounting hospital bills.

MARYVAL MALABONGA & JOEY GABAYAN, PARENTS OF CHLOEE: Bale everytime na papasok kami sa PGH, maliit na yung 30,000 pag lalabas na kami dahil sa mamahal ng gamot, yung downpayment po pagpasok sa PGH. (Every time we enter PGH, 30,000 is the smallest amount we spend when we exit because of the high cost of medicine and the downpayment to PGH.)

The situation seems hopeless, but hope comes from the unlikeliest of places.
In this case, from the world of hip hop.
Pinoy Hiphoppaz gathers hip hop and RnB artists to raise funds for babies with biliary atresia.
Founder Jug Ramos says the group began helping babies four years ago.

JUG RAMOS, FOUNDER OF PINOY HIPHOPPAZ: November of 2010, one of my former student approached me for help. I decided to gather the hip hop community to try to raise funds, most importantly raise awareness about a sickness like that. Then after that, certain mothers found out about it and Hustle for Jaslyn and Hustle for Hannah came out in 2011, so this is the fourth one.

More than 20 hip hop and RnB artists perform at “Hustle for Chloee.”

JUG RAMOS, FOUNDER OF PINOY HIPHOPPAZ: I want to show people here that there is heart within the hip hop community.

It’s an intimate gathering electrified by a sense of purpose.
By the end of the night, the concert was able to raise around P19,000.
Rapper Bebe Riz says “Hustle for Chloee” is an empowering experience.

RIZZA “BEBE RIZ” BRAGA, RAPPER: I felt uplifted na ang hip hop community is starting to help out those who are in need. Hindi lang yung parang to represent yourself. It’s really to help out the community. (I felt uplifted that the hip hop community is starting to help out those who are in need. It’s not just about representing yourself.)

Pia Ranada, Rappler, Manila.

Story 9: OBAMA CONFRONTS RUSSIA ON SNOWDEN, ANTI-GAY LAW
US President Barack Obama confronts Russia for granting asylum to fugitive whistleblower Edward Snowden.
Obama says he is “disappointed” by Russia’s decision to grant a one-year asylum to the former intelligence contractor who leaked details of secret US surveillance programs.
Washington revoked Snowden’s passport and wanted him sent back to face charges of espionage over the leaks.
Obama also criticizes Russia over a law criminalizing the dissemination of information about homosexuality to minors.
Critics fear this could legitimize widespread discrimination.
Obama says, “I have no patience for countries that try to treat gays or lesbians or transgender persons in ways that intimidate them or are harmful to them.”
Speaking on a late-night NBC show, Obama adds, “There have been times where they flip back in the Cold War thinking and in a Cold War mentality.”
Obama also says he will attend next month’s G20 summit in St. Petersburg, but does not say whether he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin for one-on-one talks.

Story 10: HUGE FIRE CLOSES NAIROBI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
A massive fire shuts down Nairobi’s international airport Wednesday, with flights diverted to regional cities as firefighters battle to put out the blaze in east Africa’s biggest transport hub.
The Kenya National Disaster Operation Centre says the airport is closed indefinitely, with thousands of passengers expected to be affected by the closure.
The cause of the fire is still unknown.

Story 11: THE wRap: YOUR WORLD IN ONE READ
At number 5, The US government sues Bank of America for fraud in the sale of $850 million in mortgage-backed securities ahead of the housing bust.
The Justice Department civil complaint alleges Bank of America lied to investors about the riskiness of the mortgage loans backing the securities and intentionally avoided performing adequate due diligence, leading to investor losses surpassing $100 million.
The complaint says at least 23% of the mortgages in the securities were delinquent as of June 2013.
A bank spokesman denies it is responsible for the losses.

At number 6, Police say a python kills two children in their sleep in eastern Canada.
The two brothers, aged 5 and 7, were at a sleepover at a friend’s apartment late Sunday.
The snake apparently escaped from a pet store specializing in exotic animals located on the floor below the apartment.

At number 9, Apple will replace non-Apple chargers with official chargers worldwide at a discounted price of $10.
The USB Power Adapter Takeback Program comes after reports a Chinese woman was electrocuted by a non-Apple charger.
The replacement program begins August 16 until October 18 worldwide.
To qualify, customers need to present the third-party charger and an iPhone, iPad or iPod to an Apple retail store or Authorized Service Provider.

And at number 10, A young French nurse gains widespread attention after offering to rent her breasts to feed children of gay parents for 100 euros a day.
The 29-year-old mother posts an advertisement on e-loue.com – a website for people who wish to rent out services or products.
The website owners say the young mother was vetted and is serious about her offer.
The nurse reportedly received at least 10 offers.
She says some of them appear serious but most of the offers are from perverts.

Story 12: GILAS CAN TAKE TOP SPOT WITH WIN VS HK
The Philippine National basketball team has a chance for the top spot in Group E of the 27th FIBA Asia Championship if they take care of business against Hong Kong.
In a game earlier, Qatar held off a late rally from Chinese Taipei to secure a 71 to 68 victory.
Qatar’s win puts Gilas in great position to grab the number one spot in Group E and avoid an early showdown with China.
Gilas Pilipinas faces Hong Kong tonight and a win sets up a probable quarterfinals match with the less formidable but still dangerous Kazakhstan.

Rappler.com

Newscast production staff

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER / WRITER Lilibeth Frondoso
DIRECTOR Rupert Ambil
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER / PUBLISHER Rodneil Quiteles
  Dindin Reyes
HEAD WRITER / PROMPTER Katerina Francisco
MASTER EDITOR / PLAYBACK Vicente Roxas
  Exxon Ruebe
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR / CAMERAMAN Charlie Salazar
  Adrian Portugal
  Francis Lopez
  Naoki Mengua
GRAPHICS Jessica Lazaro
  Matthew Hebrona

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