Hong Kong journalists, Chinese poachers, regulate Uber | The wRap

Today on Rappler.

• Foreign journalists in the Philippines denounce the blacklisting Hong Kong journalists.
• 9 Chinese fishermen charged with poaching in disputed waters.
• Taxi operators in the Philippines call for regulation of Uber services.

SERENO, DE LIMA EXPLAIN ‘DELAYS’ IN MASSACRE TRIAL

Local and foreign journalists gathered at the foot of EDSA shrine to light candles to mark the fifth anniversary of the Maguindanao Massacre.
Two of the highest officials tasked to resolve the massacre explains the delay.
Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno says she finds it “unacceptable” that the prosecution of the case has been delayed.
Justice secretary Leila De Lima says observers must look at the sheer number of people involved in the case.
She also cites the court’s denial of the bail petition of an accused, calling it a “significant victory.”
58 people, including 32 journalists, were killed in the worst case of violence against journalists in the world.

HONGKONG JOURNALISTS’ BAN SENDS ‘CHILLING EFFECT’

Foreign correspondents in the Philippines say the blacklisting of foreign journalists over an incident in Bali last year sends a “chilling effect” to media worldwide.
Journalists from Now TV, RTHK and Commercial Radio all from Hong Kong questioned President Benigno Aquino aggressively during the 2013 APEC Summit in Indonesia over the Luneta hostage taking incident in 2010.
The Foreign Correspondents’ Association of the Philippines or FOCAP adds, “If the government’s intelligence agency does not the like the way you ask questions”
you may be labeled a public safety threat and blacklisted from the Philippines.”
At the time of the incident, Malacanang said the journalists “crossed the line.”


PH CONVICTS CHINESE POACHERS DESPITE BEIJING’S WARNINGS

9 Chinese fishermen are found guilty of poaching and environmental crimes for fishing in disputed waters.
The 9 men were arrested in May and fined $100,000 each for poaching with an additional 120,000 pesos or $2,370 fined for catching an endangered species.
China previously demanded that the Philippines release the fishermen immediately, saying it has “indisputable sovereignty” over the shoal.

TAXI OPERATORS: REGULATE UBER SERVICES, PRICES

A lawyer for mobile application Uber says the app and its partner vehicles are engaged not in “public service” but “private contracts” to justify operating without government regulation.
But taxi association president Bong Suntay says they have nothing against technology but adds they are against using private vehicles for public service.

BONG SUNTAY, PHILIPPINE NATIONAL TAXI OPERATORS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT: Para namang kawawa kami. If you’re a professional, if you’re licensed to do it, aangal ka rin kung yung kalaban mo hindi lisensiyado.
(We’re at a disadvantage. You would complain too if you’re licensed and you’re going against someone without a license.)

PACQUIAO DOMINATES ALGIERI, WINS BY UNANIMOUS DECISION

Manny Pacquiao scored six knockdowns in the bout against Chris Algieri Sunday at The Venetian in Macau.
Pacquiao won his third straight fight since sustaining back-to-back losses in 2012 against Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez.
He closes 2014 with 2 victories in a row over undefeated fighters.

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– Rappler.com

Production Staff