PNP-SAF chief, Junjun Binay, US blizzard | The wRap

Today on Rappler:

• Update on the death of 44 policemen: The chief of the Special Action Forces is relieved of his post.
• Makati Mayor Junjun Binay slams the Senate’s probe – calling it a “telenovela.”
• ‘Historic’ blizzard paralyzes Northeastern United States.’

PNP-SAF COMMANDER RELIEVED OVER ‘MISENCOUNTER’
Interior Secretary Mar Roxas says the Special Action Forces chief Getulio Napeñas Jr has been relieved of his post after 44 of his men died in a bloody carnage in Maguindanao, southern Mindanao last Sunday.
Napenas reports to the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame while an investigation is ongoing.
The policemen who entered the area controlled by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front or MILF were hunting down Malaysian bomb maker Marwan, one of world’s most wanted terrorists.
Top officials say the SAF acted alone and without approval.
The encounter threatens a year-old peace agreement between the Philippine government and the MILF.
Roxas reiterates despite the tragedy, the police force is committed to peace in the region.

MAR ROXAS, INTERIOR SECRETARY: Tuloy ang tiwala at kumpiyansa ng PNP sa peace process na bagaman napakalungkot, napakatindi ng kapaitan nitong nangyaring ito ang mas malawak na peace process ay mahalaga.
(The PNP continues to trust and have faith in the peace process that, despite the tragedy and the bitterness of what just transpired, a widespread peace process is important.)

Senators Alan Cayetano and JV Ejercito also condemn the clash.
They withdraw their authorship of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law or BBL, which is suppose to pave the way for the creation of an autonomous Muslim region.
Their withdrawal means the proposal no longer has the majority vote.
But MILF leader Ghadzali Jaafar urges lawmakers not to delay deliberations on the BBL, saying it would only be counterproductive to restoring peace and development in Mindanao.

MAYOR BINAY SLAMS ‘TELENOVELA’ SENATE PROBE
Makati Mayor Junjun Binay slams his accusers in the Senate as the blue ribbon committee threatens to throw him in jail for snubbing its hearings.
Calling the long-running hearings a “telenovela,” the Vice President’s son said the committee is following a “script”on the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building 2.
The younger Binay says he hasn’t been given due process and would rather answer the allegations in court.
On Monday, the Senate blue ribbon committee cited Binay and 5 others in contempt for skipping Senate hearings into corruption allegations.
The Senate later deferred the detention order after Senator Tito Sotto questioned the procedure.

JAPAN SAYS WORKING TOWARDS FREEING HOSTAGE, JORDAN PILOT
Japanese officials say they are working with their Jordanian counterparts to free a Japanese journalist and a Jordanian pilot held by extremist group ISIS or Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
The terrorists beheaded Japanese contractor Haruna Yukawa last week after a deadline for a $200 million ransom passed.
In a video released last Saturday, ISIS said it demands the release of a female Jordanian bomber from death row in exchange for the life of Kenji Goto, the remaining Japanese captive.
Japan is likely to face resistance from the US over any kind of swap.

NORTHEAST US SHUTS DOWN DUE TO ‘HISTORIC’ BLIZZARD
Heavy snowfall pounds northeastern United States affecting tens of millions of people.
7,100 flights were cancelled, subway services suspended while tunnels and bridges connecting Manhattan to New Jersey were closed down.
New York made non-emergency road travel a criminal offense in 13 counties.
Meteorologists warned the storm which comes with powerful winds would “bring crippling conditions” and is expected to dump 3 feet up to a meter of snow.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio tells people, “You can’t underestimate this storm. It’s not a typical storm, it’s going to pack a real punch.”

WARM OCEAN MELTING EAST ANTARCTICA’S LARGEST GLACIER
Scientist say one of the world’s biggest glaciers is melting due to warm ocean water.
The Totten Glacier was thought to be very stable and unlikely to change.
But Australian scientists discover the ice sheet is melting from below, with waters 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer than other areas.
The 120-kilometer or 74-mile long glacier holds enough water to increase sea levels by 6 meters or 20 feet.

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Production Staff