MANILA: Philippine President Benigno Aquino yesterday hailed the election of the first Latin American Pope, saying he brings “boundless promise” and the hope of unifying all people around the world. Aquino also welcomed the election of Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the first Jesuit Pope and hoped the 76-year-old Argentine will be able to rebuild confidence in the Catholic Church and other institutions. “The president, along with the Filipino people, joins all Catholic faithful as they receive their new leader and meet his proclamation with a sense of boundless promise,” said a statement released by Aquino’s office.
Govt to keep its UN forces in Golan
MANILA: The Philippines said yesterday it would keep its contingent of United Nations peacekeepers in the Golan Heights, after Syrian rebels held 21 of them hostage for three days last week. “The Philippine contingent to the UNDOF (UN Disengagement Observer Force) would remain stationed in the Golan Heights to perform its obligation in the name of peace,” foreign department spokesman Raul Hernandez said. “The Philippines, as a founding member of the UN, remains fully committed to the UN mandate of promoting peace and security.” The UNDOF has been in the Golan Heights since 1974, monitoring a ceasefire between Syria and Israel. But senior UN diplomats said there were fears there that Syria’s civil war could spark new withdrawals from the peacekeeping force.
Manila eyes mutual trust with Beijing
MANILA: The Philippine government yesterday said it will seek opportunities to build a climate of mutual trust and cooperation with China as Xi Jinping sits as its new president. “The Philippines extends its sincere congratulations as Mr Xi Jinping assumes the presidency of the People’s Republic of China by means of the 18th National Congress and his election as General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said. The Philippines is locked in a territorial dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). The Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), filed last January an arbitration case against China before the United Nations.
Filipino-American held over scam
MANILA: Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation arrested a Filipino-American wanted in the US for a multi-million dollar investment scam. They nabbed Rodolfo Suacon at his house in Pampanga where he had been holding out for 10 years since he eluded arrest for fraud and money laundering case filed against him by 80 individuals in California. Liaison Division Chief Daniel Daganzo said Suacon was a subject of an extradition request by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Hackers target Aquino’s website
MANILA: Hackers posted a statement on the official website of President Benigno Aquino III yesterday, slamming his “mishandling” of the crisis in Sabah. Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Sonny Coloma said the hacking of 1.president.gov.ph was detected at around 1.30am. “An errant sentence critical of the government on the Sabah issue was found inserted in a news items in the website.” AGENCIES
