Rappler Newscast | April 11, 2014

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Rappler Newscast | April 11, 2014
Negotiating panels conclude talks allowing more US troops in PH. The Abu Sayyaf attacks soldiers in Basilan. Abbott confident signals detected in the Indian Ocean are from flight 370

Today on Rappler.

  • The Philippines and the US conclude talks allowing increased US presence in the islands. The next stop, President Aquino.
  • An Abu Sayyaf attack in Basilan leaves at least 20 soldiers wounded.
  • Australia’s Tony Abbott is confident signals detected in the Indian Ocean are from black boxes of missing plane flight 370.

 

STORY 1: PH-US DRAFT DEAL READY FOR AQUINO SIGNING

Negotiations between the US and the Philippines for increased troop presence end after the 8th round of talks Friday.
Panel chair Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino says the draft will be submitted to the President for his review.
He says the Philippines is “ready for a heightened level of defense cooperation.”
The Enhanced Defense Cooperation or EDC will allow the increased presence of American troops in the Philippines.
Troops will gain more access and permission to build facilities inside the bases.
Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia says “This agreement will enable us to build a minimum credible defense posture.
It’s not just training but hopefully we can get more equipment in the future.”
Talks began in August 2012 upon the request of the Philippines which is counting on US help to respond to growing tension in the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea.
Critics say the deal would allow “de facto American bases” in the Philippines.
But the panels maintain it is a temporary agreement effective for less than 20 years.
In 1991, the Philippine Senate rejected a treaty that would have extended the stay of American troops in the country shutting down key US bases in Clark and Subic.

 

STORY 2: OBAMA TO ARRIVE IN MANILA APRIL 28

US President Barack Obama will visit the Philippines on April 28 for an overnight trip.
Obama will leave the Philippines on April 29 after meeting with President Benigno Aquino.
Ambassador Cuisia says he will not come with First Lady Michelle Obama.
In a TV interview, Philippine Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras says Aquino and Obama will discuss a range of bilateral issues.
Almendras says the two leaders will not limit their talks to the proposed agreement on increased presence of US troops and equipment in the Philippines.
The White House says Obama’s meeting with Aquino will “highlight the economic ties and security cooperation between the two countries including the modernization of its defense alliance.

 

STORY 3: PH-BASED ABDUCTORS DEMAND $11M FOR CHINESE VICTIM

An update on the kidnapping of a Chinese and a Filipina in Sabah last April 2…
Malaysian Home Minister Zahid Hamidi says the kidnappers of Chinese Gao Huayun demand more than $11 million or almost P500 million in ransom.
Gao Huayun was kidnapped by gunmen on April 2 along with Filipina resort worker Marcy Dayawan.
The Gao family is negotiating with the abductors through an intermediary.
Hamidi says the kidnappers asked for 36.4 million ringgit, which is roughly equivalent to $11.25 million.
The area of eastern Sabah is famed for its resorts but also notorious for lawlessness and kidnappings.
Earlier, the Philippine military said members of militant group Abu Sayyaf are the top suspects.

 

STORY 4: ABU SAYYAF ATTACK WOUNDS AT LEAST 20 SOLDIERS

At least 20 soldiers are wounded in an attack by the Abu Sayyaf Group or ASG in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan on Friday.
In a TV interview, Philippine military spokesman Ramon Zagala says
the military already deployed naval and air forces to assist soldiers in the area.
Zagala recounts, soldiers were deployed to the area following information ASG leader Furiji Indama was there.
ASG members were said to be occupying school buildings and reportedly extorting from people in the area.
The military operation against the ASG was launched in response to the recent extortion and kidnapping incidents.

 

STORY 5: ‘MRT’S VITANGCOL FOCUSED ON CORRUPTION, NOT JOB’

Commuter group Riles calls for the resignation of Metro Rail Transit 3 general manager Al Vitangcol during a rally at the MRT depot Thursday.
Protesters say the least Vitangcol could do is resign voluntarily.
They add the MRT is inefficient and mismanaged.
Among the MRT’s long list of problems: long lines of commuters waiting to board every day, overloaded coaches, technical glitches and breakdowns.
Vitangcol is also accused of attempting to extort $30 million from Czech firm Inekon, in exchange for ensuring a contract to supply cars for the MRT.
Vitangcol denies the allegations and says he will not resign.
In a TV interview, Vitangcol says “If I resign at this time, it might be construed as an admission of guilt. Once I’m cleared by all investigating bodies… I will resign voluntarily.”
Vitangcol says new trains are set to be delivered beginning February 2015.

 

STORY 6: AUSTRALIAN PM ‘VERY CONFIDENT’ SIGNALS ARE FROM MH370

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott says he is “very confident” signals detected in the Indian Ocean are from the black box of the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370.
Australia has taken the lead in the search since it moved to the Indian Ocean.
Searchers detected 4 signals or “pings” from the aircraft beacons so far.
The first two pings were picked up by Australian vessel Ocean Shield using US equipment.
The signal is said to be consistent with signals from black boxes.
Abbott says the search area has been narrowed down due to the consistency of the signals.
Searchers are racing against time– the signals will soon fade as the beacons lose battery power.
Abbot says, “We are hoping to get as much information as we can before the signal finally expires.”
The plane went missing March 8 en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

 

STORY 7: THE wRap: YOUR WORLD IN ONE READ


At number 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin warns leaders of 18 European countries: Russia could cut gas supplies to Ukraine.
Russia meets 30% of Europe’s natural gas demand.
Half of its gas transit to the EU goes through Ukraine.
Putin says if Ukraine fails to settle its 1.6 billion euro energy bill, natural gas giant Gazprom will be
“compelled to switch over to advance payment for gas deliveries,
and in the event of further violation of the conditions of payment,
will completely or partially cease gas deliveries.”
He also suggests, Moscow and Brussels should work together to help restore the ex-Soviet country’s battered economy.

At number 9, two researchers discovered in separate studies… an overzealous Facebook app might be draining your iPhone battery.
Ex-Apple employee Scott Loveless and iOS app developer Sebastian Düvel arrived at similar conclusions about draining iOS batteries.
The culprits: Location Services and Background App Refresh.
iPhone users may opt to turn off both via Settings.

At number 10, Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao says he is ready to prove himself on Sunday Philippine time when he faces WBO welterweight titleholder Timothy Bradley.
The upcoming fight is crucial for Pacquiao…
after losing to Bradley in a controversial decision in 2012.

MANNY PACQUIAO, FILIPINO BOXER: This fight is very important to me and my boxing career. Of course, my opponent is also claiming that this is an important fight so it’s gonna be a good fight on Saturday.

For the full top 10 visit Rappler.com’s ‘the wRap.’


STORY 8: GARY V CELEBRATES 30TH ANNIVERSARY WITH ‘ARISE’

Performer Gary Valenciano celebrates 3 decades in showbiz through an anniversary concert.
G Tongi reports.

Legendary Philippine recording artist Gary Valenciano celebrates his 30th year in the industry.
Known as Mr. Pure Energy Gary V. prepares for his concert this weekend at the Araneta Colliseum.
Gary V co-directs the concert called “Arise” with his eldest son, Paolo Valenciano.
Paolo says the pressure to make this concert better than the last one is nerve racking.

PAOLO VALENCIANO, CONCERT CO-DIRECTOR: I’ve been directing concerts before, but this is the most attention I’ve gotten as a director. So there’s a lot of pressure: How do I watch a Gary V show and see everything fresh? Like how do I present everything fresh to myself? Like… that was really the challenge there

In 1984, Gary V. held his first major sold out concert at the Araneta Coliseum.
Coming back to the venue exactly 30 years later is nostalgic, especially for Gary’s wife, who also manages his career.

Angeli Valenciano says Gary’s excellence comes from hard work and from being a man of faith.

ANGELI VALENCIANO, MANAGER OF GARY V: Well Gary V’s lasting power I think is a power that we don’t see. It’s a power that comes from above. It’s.. it’s really the Lord that has, I believe, sustained him.

Proceeds of Arise go to the victims of the recent typhoon Haiyan.

GARY VALENCIANO, MUSICIAN: I can guarantee people that if they come to the concert and they donate, in any way, no matter how much or how little… when you see people rebuilding in Tacloban, and you know that you played a part in that, it’s the inspiration and the encouragement is beyond… is beyond what you’ve ever experienced before. That’s one reason. The second is, I just wanna celebrate. And I want people to come and join me celebrate. Thirty years of being in an industry that’s very fickle-minded, you know, you’re here today and gone tomorrow… they’ve supported me all of these years. So this is my way of saying “Come. Let’s have fun. Enjoy the music. And there’s more to come too.”

There’s only one Gary V.

Spanning three decades as an artist, Gary V copes with the daily struggles of his diabetes.
He rose above the shallow and superficial early in his career to evolve into one of the most enduring icons of Philippine showbiz.

As he wows his audience with his gift of song and dance, he inspires them to share in a concert of renewal and hope.

G Töngi. Rappler Manila.

Arise has one last show tomorrow April 12 at the Araneta Coliseum.

 

STORY 9: SOCIAL MEDIA POST OF THE DAY

In June, there’s Father’s Day, in May, Mother’s Day…
In April… there’s National Sibling’s Day!
The hashtag #NationalSiblingsDay trended all over social media
While some netizens took to sharing photos of their siblings…
Professor Snape’s parody Twitter account scoffs at the Weasleys of Harry Potter fame…
while Game of Thrones fans post a photo of the Starks.

– 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
  Marga Deona
MASTER EDITOR / PLAYBACK Exxon Ruebe
  Emerald Hidalgo
  Jaene Zaplan
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR / CAMERAMAN Charlie Salazar
  Adrian Portugal
  Francis Lopez
  Naoki Mengua
GRAPHICS Jessica Lazaro
  Raffy de Guzman
3D GRAPHICS Sten Bautista

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