ABS-CBN TV News

Gretchen Fullido Reporting

ABS-CBN TV News
Gretchen Fullido
Ermita, Manila

Director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Nonnatus Caesar Rojas,announced today that a joint 2 year "Sting" operation pertaining to Corruption within the Philippine Military has been conducted by the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation in conjunction with elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Armed Forces,has resulted in the arrest of 17 present and former High ranking members of the Philippine Armed Forces, the Judiciary,and Legislative branches of Government and Business CEO's and government contractors, on Treason and Corruption Charges.

NBI Director, Nonnatus Caesar Rojas stated that" Further arrests involving the case are expected".

No further details are available at this time.

ABS-CBN TV News
Gretchen Fullido
Manila.Philippines



Philippine Department of Energy (DOE) Minister Jose Rene D. Almendras announced today that the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) received $2 Billion in loan guarantees to upgrade its refining facilities in order to yield more liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), gasoline,petrochemicals,BIO and Low Sulfer Diesel,and to increase their oil storage capacity.
PNOC will be able to produce fuels that meet global clean air standards (Euro 5) once the upgrades are completed.
The upgrades are expected to be completed by 2015.

DOE Minister Jose Rene D. Almendras further stated that"This is the first step in transforming the Philippines into a World Class Regional Refining and Storage Hub for the Philippines and for ASEAN.

Philippine DOE Minister Jose Rene D. Almendras also said that the Philippine DOE is seeking Foreign Investment to build two new refining and storage facilities, one of which is to be built on Luzon and the other on as yet to be determined location.

For foreign corporations interested in such an investment opportunity, further inquiry should be made through the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs.

ABS-CBN TV News

Gretchen Fullido
Manila,Philippines

The trial date of the 17 former and present members of the Philippine Military,Government,and Business on Treason and Corruption charges is set to begin August 1st 2012.

No bail was set and the 17 will continue to remain in custody at the New Bilibid Prison's Maximum Security facility which is located in Muntinlupa City, Philippines.
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ABS-CBN TV News
Gretchen Fullido
Manila.Philippines

Energy Secretary Rene D. Almendras announced today that 15 petroleum blocks of the Philippine's 200 nautical mile exclusive economic development zone would be offered to investors for further exploration and development.

Philex Mining and its partner Monte Oro Resources, announced that it would be deploying 2 oil/gas exploration vessels to the Reed Bank (Petroleum Blocks 3 and 4) and have budgeted a $170 million to drill one appraisal and one exploratory well in each Block.

A third exploratory vessel will be sent into a disputed area of the Spratly Islands claimed by the Philippines but legally within the Philippines exclusive economic zone,later in the year.
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ABS-CBN TV News
Gretchen Fullido
Manila,Philippines


Xian MA 60 (Aircraft similar to the one that crashed).

Zest Airways Flight 382 from Cebu to Manila crashed shortly after takeoff killing all 49 people aboard.

Several witnesses on the ground reported hearing an explosion and then seeing the aircraft disintegrate before hitting the ground.

A representative of the Philippine Civil Aviation Authority (CAAP) stated that flight 382s "Black Box" and Cockpit Voice recorder have been recovered from the wreckage and a thorough investigation of the crash would be conducted.

ABS-CBN TV News
Gretchen Fullido, Reporting
New Bilibid Prison,Philippines

In the much delayed trial of 17 former and present members of the Philippine Military,Government,and Business, has received yet another setback today with the apparent suicides of Retired General Reyes who was a former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) under President Estrada and Secretary of Defense and Energy under President Arroyo and General Reyes's former Military Budget Officer Lt. Col. Cabading.

Investigators on the scene are indicating that suicide notes had been left by both men but the contents of each note were not being released at this time.

The Prosecutor in the case,Claro Arellano,has ordered a 24 hour a day suicide watch on the remaining 15 defendents.and has ordered additional security measures to be taken.

It is believed that the suicides were triggered in part by the surprise testimony of a Former Comptroller of the Philippine Armed Forces (AFP) Retired Lt. Col. George Rabusa and a budget officer who has been employed by the Comptrollers Office of the AFP since 1967, Perla Valerio, to the Philippine Senate's Blue Ribbon Committee on Military Corruption.

Retired Lt. Col. George Rabusa and budget officer Perla Valerio were not under investigation at the time of their testimony to the Senate Committee.

ABS-CBN TV News
Gretchen Fullido, Reporting
Manila, Philippines

It was revealed today that the surprise testimony Lt. Col. George Rabusa and Perla Valerio's was freely given to the Senate Blue Ribbon Commission without any agreement between themselves and the government on immunity from prosecution during their time of service or employment by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Government.

Since the testimony of Lt. Col. George Rabusa and Perla Valerio before the Blue Ribbon Commission on Military Corruption,several more "whistle blowers" have come forward.

The government prosecutor in the case,Claro Arellano,stated that the additional information being provided by the "whistle blowers" is being further investigated and corroborated and that further arrests may be imminent.

ABS-CBN TV News
Gretchen Fullido, Reporting
Manila, Philippines

Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

In a brief joint statement, the Philippines government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) announced that they have reached a "breakthrough agreement in principle" on how to end the decades long conflict that has killed an estimated 150,000 people according to Philippine government sources.

Philippine government negotiator Marvic Leonen stated that "This marks a significant and concrete step forward by both parties in their discussions of the substantive issues in these negotiations," but also warned that major issues still needed to be resolved.

Political power and resource sharing are two main issues that have have unraveled former negotiations including the previous peace agreement which was declared un-constitutional by the Philippine Supreme Court.

Marvic Leonen said" Both sides are committed to the peace process and we look forward to the coming weeks of more thorough and perhaps more difficult conversations with the MILF".

MILF leaders were not immediately available to comment.

ABS-CBN TV News
Gretchen Fullido, Reporting
Manila, Philippines


Scarbourgh Reef (Bajo de Masinloc) Location South China Sea
Coordinates 15°11′N 117°46′E


In an offical statement issued by the Philippine Navy:

A Philippine Navy Surveillance aircraft monitored eight (8) Chinese fishing vessels anchored inside the Scarbourgh Reef in the conduct of its maritime patrols and its enforcement of the Philippine Fisheries Code and marine environment laws.
The BRP Gregorio del Pilar, in accordance with the established Rules of Engagement, dispatched an inspection team that reported that large amounts of illegally collected corals, giant clams and live sharks were found in the compartments of these fishing vessels.


Phots taken by the boarding party from the BRP Gregorio del Pilar of endangered marine animals gathered by Chinese fishing vessels at Scarbourgh Reef

Two Chinese maritime surveillance ships, identified as Zhonggou Haijian 75 and Zhonggou Haijian 84, then approached and positioned themselves between the Gregorio del Pilar and the Chinese fishing vessels,thus preventing the arrests of the erring Chinese fishermen.

The two Chinese maritime surveillance ships then contacted the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar and “advised them to leave the area and asserted that it was intruding into Chinese territory.”
The Captain of the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar in response told the Chinese vessels that Scarborough Shoal was not Chinese territory and that it was within the Philippines’ 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone.

We will keep you informed as to further developments of this situation as it occurs.

ABS-CBN TV News
Gretchen Fullido, Reporting
Manila, Philippines

The Court Martials of five of the 15 Military Officers being held at New Bilibid Prison,Manilla,on Treason and Corruption Charges has ended in guilty verdicts for four of the five with the fifth ending in a mistrial.

Evidence presented during the court martial's included a sordid list of crimes to include:

Receiving Payola and Bribes for various types of military contracts and "other"personal services preformed .

The selling of military equipment and supplies on the Black Market,and even directly to Insurgent Forces, to include but not limited to such items as: weapons,ammunition,rations,uniforms,medical supplies,fuel,vehicles,spare parts,office supplies and more.

Several documented cases were presented during the court martial's directly linking the deaths of several Philippine Army soldiers to the selling of military equipment and supplies.

Co-operating with criminal organizations to move and transport illegal items such as drugs,logs,mining ores,cash,and endangered species.

The accused also routinely embezzled funds from every type of financial account to include such accounts as Veterans Pension Funds,Active Duty Pay, Expense accounts Travelling Expenses (local and foreign),Gasoline, Oil and Lubricants expenses, Consultancy Services,Representation Expenses, Confidential Expenses, Extraordinary Expenses, and Miscellaneous Expenses and even UN funds for non-military projects.

The Head prosecutor in charge ,Claro Arellano, stated "These men covicted here today are not hero's of the Philippine's, but traitors to their country. They bring nothing but shame and dishonor to themselves and their families for what they knowingly did. They were not protecting the Sovereignty and lives of the Philippine people, as was their sworn duty, but only lining their pockets for personal gain and political power".

Sentencing in the cases is scheduled for May of this year.

6 NPA Leaders and 103 NPA Insurgents Surrender

ABS-CBN TV News
Gretchen Fullido, Reporting
Manila, Philippines

In what is one of the largest surrenders to date, six National Peoples Army (NPA) leaders and 103 NPA insurgents laid down their arms.



The NPA commander stated that some of the reasons for his insurgent groups surrender is that the morale of his insurgent group was low because of the continuous Philippine Army (PA) pressure being applied against his insurgent group that had resulted in the loss of several key rebel bases and the excessive number of casualties his insurgent group had suffered.

Individual insurgents stated that they were tired of the endless combat against government forces with no success and with the loss of many of their comm-rads.
Other rebels stated that they were tired of the hardships and wanted a chance at a more normal life.

Lt. Col. Jonathan Ponce,commanding officer of the 4th battalion 1st Scout Rangers, said that "This surrender represents a success for the PAs counter-insurgency strategy.The combining of military action with various political and economic incentives to encourage surrender have resulted in the reduction of an NPA insurgent force of an estimated high of 26,000 insurgents in 1998 to less than an estimated 3,500 rebels today".

When president Aquino was informed of the NPA surrender, he reiterated his administration’s policy of"Pursuing the peace process with armed insurgents and encouraged other rebel groups to also lay down their arms. President Aquino also stated “Success is measured in maintaining the peace,not with the number of those killed but with the number of lives spared from conflict.”

China Invades Philippines!!!

ABS-CBN TV News
Gretchen Fullido, Reporting
Manila, Philippines


Thitu Island

In a completely unprovoked attack,military forces of the People's Republic of China (PRC) attacked and seized Thitu Island, which is the 2nd largest of the Spratly Islands,that consists of approximately 37.2 Hectares. It is located 300 miles west of Puerto Princesa City on the Philippine island of Palawan.

Thitu Island had a military garrison of 60 personnel. The Philippine military operated a small Philippine Naval facility an airstrip and a communications station.

Thitu island also has a small town that has a population of 300 peaceful Philippine residents including children.
The town had several structures to include a municipal hall, multi-purpose hall, health center, school, salt water distillation plant, marina,communication tower,and a diesel power generator.

There are presently no reports of military or civilian casualties since communications with the island were severed shortly after the attack began.

The Philippine Government has filed an official protest with the Chinese Ambassador demanding an explanation for the unprovoked attack and information and accountability concerning the status of all military and civilian personnel that were known to be on Thitu island prior to the attack.

A list of all such personnel will also be given to the International Red Cross for further investigation and confirmation as to their status.

The Philippine government has also requested to convene an emergency meeting of ASEAN Defense Ministers to discuss the present situation with China.

China Claims Philippines!!!

ABS-CBN TV News
Gretchen Fullido, Reporting
Manila, Philippines

He Jia,a news anchor for China's State Run TV station CCTV,declared on last nights evening news program that "We all know that the Philippines is China's inherent territory and the Philippines belongs to Chinese sovereignty, this is an indisputable fact.We should attack directly and send Philippine President Benigno Aquino packing and take back our inherent territory.If every Chinese spat once, we could drown the Philippines."

In another related report Yang Rui,a host for a CCTV talk show,called upon China’s Ministry of Public Security to“clean out the foreign trash that undermines the purity of the Chinese Way and urged the public to assist in rooting out all foreign and domestic spies. “We should make everyone who demonizes China's recent military actions in the South China Sea to secure what inherently belongs to China shut up and f**k off,” he concluded.

President Aquino Speaks to the Nation

ABS-CBN TV News
Gretchen Fullido, Reporting
Manila, Philippines


President Aquino

Two weeks ago the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Ma Keqing, addressed an audience on the 11th anniversary of Philippine-China Friendship Day.
Ambassador Kequing read a special message to the audience from the Chinese President conveying friendship, peace and prosperity to the Filipino people.
It has often been said that Diplomacy is the art of lying for ones country. If that is the case Ambassador Kequing certainly succeeded. China’s message of “peace, friendship and prosperity” sounds hollow now in light of what has occurred and should serve as a warning to all other nations what the true Chinese definition of peace, friendship and prosperity is really all about.

The South China Sea dispute has festered for many years but time and again over a period of many years dating back to the 1950s, China has repeatedly refused to settle the disputed claims diplomatically despite numerous attempts to do so by nations that are parties to the disputed claims and those that are not.

By taking military action against the Philippines and its ASEAN neighbors China has shown that it has a complete and utter disregard and disrespect for all of its neighbors.

This is borne out by the reckless and arrogant comments made recently by Chinese State Run CCTV news and talk show personalities. These comments, although not made directly by any Chinese official,are attitudes that are fully reflective of and supported by the Chinese government.

I want to make it clear and in no uncertain terms to both the Philippine people and the Chinese Government that I have a sworn oath under the Philippine Constitution, to "defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

We are working closely with our ASEAN Brothers and regional allies to formulate a coordinated response diplomatically,economically,militarily,and politically to the unprovoked Chinese aggression against the Philippine people. Although we cannot at this time reveal the nature or content of these plans there are actions we have or already are taking that we can reveal.

First,we have demanded that China immediately withdraw its military forces.

We have also demanded that the Chinese Government provide an immediate and complete accountability, thru representatives of the International Red Cross, of the 60 military and 300 civilian personnel that were located on Thitu Island at the time of the Chinese attack.
The Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Ma Keqing and the International Red Cross have been provided with an official list of all such personnel.
This is the second time we have made this request of the Chinese government and we expect the Chinese government to respond post-haste.

Next,the Philippine Government has recalled our Ambassador to China along with all senior staff members.

The Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines and all senior embassy staff are being returned to China Persona-Non-Grata. No replacements will be accepted at this time and this will constitute a permanent reduction in the total number of Chinese embassy staff permissible upon any return to normal relations.

All Chinese Assets in the Philippines are hereby frozen.

Several Chinese funded High Visibility infrastructure projects contracts such as the $1.5 billion Philippine Rails LRT 1 High Speed Rail line from Manila to Clark International Airport will be terminated and rebid. Chinese firms will be prohibited from bidding on any further projects.

Some hardship will occur to the Philippine people because of the actions our government is taking against the Chinese government today but I feel that this will be far better in the long run than having to deal with a deceptive and dishonest "friend" that has their hand in the "cookie jar" of our economy and nation.
We will do our best as a government to mitigate any negative effects of our actions today.
We call upon the Philippine people to work together and stand shoulder to shoulder to support each other through this crises and let the Chinese government know that "this will not stand"

China Travel Advisory

ABS-CBN TV News
Gretchen Fullido, Reporting
Manila, Philippines



The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs has issued a issued a travel advisory for China.

Due to the developing situation in the South China Sea and the Deteriorating Diplomatic and Political relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the People's Republic of China,all Philippine citizens residing or traveling throughout China are instructed to report to the Philippine Embassy located in Beijing or the nearest Philippine Consular office located in one of the following Chinese cities:
Guangzhou
Xiamen
Shanghai
Hong Kong
Yu Zhong

For the purpose of safe evacuation and return via Clark International Airport,Philippines