Hello, Rappler readers!
Southeast Asian leaders are our top newsmakers this day. Amid a raised terror alert and speculations that he would declare Martial Law, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte acknowledges that military rule did not make Filipinos’ lives any better since Ferdinand Marcos’ regime. In Thailand, the son of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej has assumed the throne amid political turmoil. In Malaysia, Prime Minister Najib Razak is bent on staying in power despite being embroiled in a corruption scandal.
Here are the big stories you shouldn’t miss:
President Rodrigo Duterte brushed aside suggestions that he would declare Martial Law, saying it failed to improve the lives of Filipinos in the first place. He made the statement a day after thousands of protesters gathered at the People Power Monument on EDSA to oppose the stealth hero’s burial for dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who imposed Martial Law, a period marked by atrocities. “If it would come from me, a Martial Law declaration, that’s just foolish. We had Martial Law before, what happened? Nothing. Did our lives improve from then until now? Nothing,” he said, addressing those who advocate the imposition of Martial Law to eliminate terrorists.
The Philippine National Police is now on “terror alert level 3,” PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said, confirming the re-establishment of checkpoints across the country. Threat Level 3 means “a terrorist attack is a strong possibility within a short period of time.” He presented two suspects in the alleged attempt to plant an improvised bomb near the United States embassy in Manila. Opposition Senator Leila de Lima urged the public to be vigilant, saying the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte is “capable of lies and deception.”
Eight months after Republic Act 10754 or An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability was signed by President Benigno Aquino III, its implementing rules have been promulgated, providing 20% discount and value-added tax exemption on products and services for PWDs. Check the list of benefits in the full story.
Malaysia will hold polls sooner than the one due in mid-2018, embattled Prime Minister Najib Razak said, vowing “to fight until the death” and showing no sign of succumbing to calls to quit over a massive financial scandal. “I know, many can feel the heat… and are waiting for directions to battle in the polls that will be held soon,” he told some 2,600 delegates of his ruling United Malays National Organisation. UMNO represents the Malay heartland whose support is crucial for any Malaysian leader.
After more than 40 years of being named heir, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn was proclaimed king of Thailand late Thursday, opening a new chapter for the powerful monarchy in a country still mourning the death of his father. He ascends the throne 50 days after King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s death. At 64, he inherits one of the world’s richest monarchies as well as a politically troubled nation. “I agree to accept the wishes of the late king…for the benefit of the entire Thai people,” he said, after being invited to take the throne by the head of junta-appointed parliament.
Google has confirmed that 1.3 million accounts have been compromised due to an ongoing hacking campaign that experts have labeled “Gooligan.” Cybersecurity firm Check Point, which has been tracking the cyber-attack since last year, said the hackers were able to gain access to photos, emails, documents, and more by infecting Android phones through illegitimate apps. 13,000 additional devices are getting infected and compromised daily by the attacks. Check if your device has been compromised by using Check Point’s security check service at Gooligan.CheckPoint.com.
The periodic table has gotten larger after 4 new elements were officially named and added to the chart, including “nihonium” – the first ever to be discovered by Japanese scientists. The new elements are named after Japan, Moscow, and Tenessee. With the latest discoveries, the periodic table is now complete down to the seventh row. The scientists behind the 4 new elements had been seen as strong candidates for this year’s Nobel Chemistry Prize.
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