Friday, 9 May 2014

PIA News Dispatch - Monday, April 14, 2014

President Aquino meets with Philippine National Police for Holy Week preparations

President Benigno S. Aquino III met with members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday to go over the security and safety preparations for the Holy Week.

During a command conference at Camp Crame, PNP Chief Alan Purisima informed President Aquino that they are on heightened alert status.

Purisima said the PNP has increased police presence in places of convergence by deploying public safety forces.

“We have heightened security in malls, bus terminals, seaports and airports and we have established police assistant desks in these key establishments,” he said.

He further said the PNP has collaborated with various private agencies for the deployment of marshals at bus terminals and bus stops for the security of motorists and commuters.

“Our police community relations officers have also been intensifying crime prevention awareness measures against burglary and other crimes against property,” he added.

President Aquino is expected to visit bus terminals, airports and seaports to personally oversee the security measures being done by the authorities to ensure an orderly and peaceful Holy Week.

The command conference, which was also attended by Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel A. Roxas II, Police Director Leonardo Espina and other ranking police officials, also discussed the Philippines’ hosting of the World Economic Forum next month and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation in 2015. PND (jb/rck)


President Aquino, PNP discuss security for World Economic Forum, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

President Benigno S. Aquino III presided over the Philippine National Police (PNP) Command Conference at the PNP General Headquarters in Camp Crame on Monday to discuss security preparations for the Holy Week and two international events to be held in the country.
The Philippines is set to host the 23rd World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia on May 21 to 23, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting, slated to be held in November 2015.

PNP Chief Alan Purisima reported that to secure these international events, the PNP has organized a National Security Task Force, led by Police Deputy Chief for Operations Director General Leonardo Espina.

Purisima said some 2,378 personnel will be deployed to protect the delegates who will be attending the events.

He added that the Department of Budget and Management has procured brand-new hand-held radios, motorcycles and patrol cars for PNP personnel to ensure a more efficient coordination of all security-related activities, including terrorist activities.

Purisima further said that the PNP will construct a monitoring room for at least 200 closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) to be installed in various APEC sites in Metro Manila.

For the Holy Week preparations, Purisima assured the President that all security measures are in place.

The challenges faced by the PNP in criminality, budget and pensions of personnel were also discussed during the one-and-a-half-hour conference.

During the meeting, the President posed some questions, which were addressed by Purisima. He also welcomed questions from the attendees of the conference. PND (jb)


BIR Chief only doing her job in going after Pacquiao’s tax obligations—Palace

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares is simply doing her job as the country’s chief tax collector with her constant reminders for boxing living legend Manny Pacquiao to settle his tax liabilities following his most recent victory, the Palace said on Monday.

The BIR Commissioner was not out to spoil the fun in Pacquiao’s camp and neither did she intend to lessen the honor he brings to the country when she reminded the boxer of his tax obligations, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said during a press briefing.

The BIR chief has been criticized, especially online, after urging Pacquiao to settle his unpaid taxes, which amounts to P2.56 billion following his latest match.

“She’s very focused on her job and on her mandate. I don’t quite think she intends to be offensive. She’s just doing her job,” Valte told reporters.

Pacquiao regained his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt from American Timothy Bradley Jr. during last Saturday’s (Sunday in Manila) match at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Valte said the BIR has already been talking to his camp to address the issue.

“Nakikipag-usap naman sila doon sa kampo ni Pacman kung ano ‘yung mga pwede pang gawin dahil doon sa mga hinaharap niyang liabilities… We don’t mean to make it hard for Congressman Pacquiao,” Valte said.

In an article published by the Philippine Star, Henares said nagging Pacquiao over his tax liabilities was never her intention and she was only responding to queries from the media.


“Hindi naman ho ako nagre-remind sa kanya, tinatanong lang ako [ng media]. Kung tama ang gagawin niya, baka wala naman siyang babayaran sa Pilipinas kasi baka mas mataas ang babayaran niya sa Amerika,” she was quoted as saying. PND (hdc)