• President Aquino: Government will hunt down escaped terrorist suspect Usman
• President Aquino vows justice for fallen police commando

APEC News Releases:

• Good governance leads us closer to achieving inclusive growth, says Ombudsman
• APEC member economies reaffirm commitment to vision of a ‘Healthy Asia Pacific’ by year 2020
• Civil Defense Chief underscores need for inter-economy cooperation in dealing with disasters in Asia Pacific
• Enhancing regional economic integration by empowering small and medium economies, key to inclusive growth — Customs Commissioner

“Inutos na natin sa kinauukulan ang pagpaplano ng mas mahusay na operasyong hulihin ang taong ito. Kumikilos na po ang inyong gobyerno, hindi lamang sa mga oras na ito, kundi bago pa man ako humarap sa inyo, upang isakatuparan ito,” President Aquino said during the necrological service for the 44 fallen members of the Philippine National Police – Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) held in Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City.

“Patutunayan po natin ang pag-iral ng batas sa buong Pilipinas. Tinitiyak ko po sa inyo, mahuhuli natin si Usman,” he said.

Usman and Zulkifli Bin Hir, also known as Abu Marwan, were the target of Sunday’s police operation that led to the death of 44 members of the SAF during an encounter with members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

“Sa nangyaring operasyong ito ng SAF, diumano’y napatay ang pangunahing target na si Marwan. Umasa naman po kayo na ang pangalawang target na hindi natin nahuli noon, ay makukuha din natin. At kilala ninyo naman po ako, kapag nagbitiw ako ng salita, tinutupad natin. Number 1 po sa listahan ng dapat nating gawin ay ang pagdakip kay Basit Usman,” he said.Marwan was a member of the Jemaah Islamiyah’s (JI) central command that masterminded the Bali bombing in October 2002, while Usman has been linked to an explosive manufacturing facility in Shariff Aguak, Maguindano that is reportedly operated by the JI.

According to news reports, Usman was wounded during a joint military and police operation against him in June 2014, but was able to escape.

The remains of 41 SAF members will be at Camp Bagong Diwa for public viewing for a few days before they are sent to their respective families for burial.

Two fallen SAF members have already been buried in Zamboanga while the remains of one member has been sent to Bicol. PND (ag)

She said that in recent years, the world has witnessed rounds of economic downturn and exposés of corporate fraud and other fraudulent government transactions.

“Government regulatory arms have started to lay emphasis on corporate social responsibility and corporate governance. People have been searching for alternative ways of doing business, and stakeholders are studying initiatives on how to mitigate the risk of doing business with companies managed by those strongly suspected or known to be corrupt or fraudulent actors,” she added.
“Eliminating this evil called bribery along with regulatory red tape can get budding business ventures started and keep thriving enterprises afloat. In this manner, proper policies and harmonized frameworks shall pave the way for regional economic integration.”

Carpio-Morales further said that engaging the participation of the civil society ensures that government resources are safeguarded and funneled to the rightful beneficiaries in dire communities.

The Anti-Corruption and Transparency Working Group meeting is among the ongoing related technical meetings being held in Clark Freeport, in line with the first Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM1) of the APEC.

“The discussions of the senior officials during the SOM1, they will take into account the results of these technical meetings, in addition to recommendations from the APEC Business Advisory Council that will have their first meeting this year from January 27 to 30 in Hong Kong, China,” the APEC said in a statement.

Marking the inaugural gathering of APEC senior officials for this year’s Philippine hosting, SOM1 will foster discussions on a range of issues relevant to the region, including the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, trade facilitation and implementation, environmental goods and services liberalization, and efforts toward development and against corruption.

The SOM1 will be held on February 6-7.

Having started as an informal dialogue group in 1989, the APEC has since become the premier forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.

The APEC is composed of 21 member economies: Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People’s Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; Philippines; The Russian Federation; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States of America; and Viet Nam.

This year’s meetings carry the theme, “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World.” PIA 3 (cljd-PIA3)

“The global community has long recognized the contribution of improved health, particularly through prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), in ensuring progress across the three pillars of economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection,” Garin added.

“We agree that mental disorders, another form of NCD, deserve the recognition in the APEC Ministerial and Economic Leaders’ Declaration. Noteworthy is the importance of integrating the efforts of the public and private sector for innovative and creative solutions to this growing global burden,” the cabinet official stressed.

She also cited emerging infectious diseases, such as MERS CoV and Ebola Virus, as well as antimicrobial resistance as continued threats to Asia-Pacific health.

“With renewed interest on health, we hope that our collective efforts help put a strong foothold of health in economic and trade discussions, which are usually prioritized in APEC,” Garin said.

The meeting of the Health Working Group is among the ongoing related technical meetings being held in Clark and Subic Freeports in line with the first Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM1).

“The discussions of the senior officials during the SOM1, they will take into account the results of these technical meetings in addition to recommendations from the APEC Business Advisory Council, which will have their first meeting this year from January 27 to 30 in Hong Kong, China,” the APEC said in a statement.

Marking the inaugural gathering of APEC senior officials for this year’s Philippine hosting, SOM1 will foster discussions on a range of issues relevant to the region, including the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, trade facilitation and implementation, environmental goods and services liberalization, and efforts toward development and against corruption.

The SOM1 will be held from February 6 to 7.

Having started as an informal dialogue group in 1989, the APEC has since become the premier forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.

The APEC is composed of 21 member economies: Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People’s Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; Philippines; The Russian Federation; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States of America; and Viet Nam.

This year’s meetings carry the theme, “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World.” (cljd-PIA 3)

“This highlights the fact that a government or a sector in isolation can no longer manage disaster. This further emphasizes the need for an inter-economy cooperation in dealing with disasters to ensure sustainable economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region. More importantly, this calls for a holistic, comprehensive, integrated and proactive Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) approach as a new paradigm in confronting calamities,” he added.

As such, he said, the EPWG will continuously foster its research and collaboration and knowledge sharing to better protect business, trade, and economic growth and communities in the Asia-Pacific region from disruptions related to emergencies and natural disasters.

“Our tasks are not easy, but truly, I believe that no other group of people can carry it. The outputs made here will not only serve our individual economies, but also that of our collective economies and peoples as well. May we never tire of espousing this empowerment mechanism to build resilience and foster effective DRRM,” Pama said.

The Emergency Preparedness Working Group meeting is among the ongoing related technical meetings being held in Clark and Subic Freeports in line with the first Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM1) of the APEC.

“During the discussions of the senior officials during the SOM1, they will take into account the results of these technical meetings in addition to recommendations from the APEC Business Advisory Council, which will have their first meeting this year from January 27 to 30 in Hong Kong, China,” the APEC said in a statement.

Marking the inaugural gathering of APEC senior officials for this year’s Philippine hosting, SOM1 will foster discussions on a range of issues relevant to the region, including the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific, trade facilitation and implementation, environmental goods and services liberalization, and efforts toward development and against corruption.

The SOM1 will be held from February 6 to 7 in Clark Freeport.

Having started as an informal dialogue group in 1989, the APEC has since become the premier forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.

The APEC is composed of 21 member economies: Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People’s Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; Philippines; The Russian Federation; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States of America; and Viet Nam.

This year’s meetings carry the theme, “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World.” (cljd_PIA3)

He assured their respective families that the government would provide them assistance.

“Pipilitin nating bawasan ang agam-agam sa inyong kinabukasan. Tutugunan po natin ang inyong mga pangangailangan nang sumusunod sa lahat ng batas at patakaran,” he said.

He noted that the government would grant financial aid to the families of the police officers who died, as well as those who were wounded.

“Mula sa pagbibigay-suporta sa pag-aaral ng mga benepisyaryo, hanggang sa pagtulong sa paghahanap ng trabaho’t mapagkakakitaan—ilan lang po ito sa mga halimbawa ng ayudang ipinagkakaloob ng inyong gobyerno,” the President said.

According to Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., the benefit package includes lifetime pension, gratuity equivalent to a year’s salary, additional pension for the next five years, Pag-Ibig Fund death benefits, insurance benefits, and commutation of leaves.

Each family will initially receive a minimum of P800,000 in cash, excluding monthly pension benefits, he said, adding that scholarship assistance will also be given to their children, as well as employment and livelihood assistance to their widows, siblings and parents.

Before his speech, President Aquino paid his last respects to each of the fallen SAF members by praying and placing a “Medalya ng Katapangan” on top of each coffin.

He then proceeded to the Moral and Spiritual Formation Center across the multipurpose hall to meet with the families of the SAF members.

According to Coloma, President Aquino listened to the sentiments expressed by the family of each SAF agent and he in turn condoled with them, reiterating the government’s determination to render justice to the slain troopers.

He said the President has directed Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas and PNP Officer-in-Charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina to ensure that the families receive all of the benefits due them within the shortest time frame possible.

During the necrological service, PNP-SAF Officer-In-Charge Police Chief Superintendent Noli Talino paid tribute to the 44 SAF members.

Widow of Senior Inspector Ryan Pabalinas, Erica Pabalinas, who spoke on behalf of the families of the slain police officers, asked President Aquino for justice to be served.

Also present during the service were former president Fidel Ramos, Senate President Franklin Drilon, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, and other members of the Senate and Congress.

Before the President arrived, his sisters Maria Elena “Ballsy” Aquino-Cruz, Aurora Corazon “Pinky” Aquino-Abellada and Victoria Elisa “Viel” Aquino-Dee were seen condoling with the families of the police officers. PND (ag)

“As advocates of inclusive growth, we need to recognize that small and medium enterprises in many, if not all, of our countries face particular challenges in dealing with Customs procedures. That is why we need to adopt policies and procedures that are friendly to small and medium enterprises, otherwise the increase in trade flows and the realization of the benefits of economic integration will not happen,” the Commissioner said.

Sevilla further cited the sub-committee’s Strategic Framework on Mutual Recognition, Mutual Assistance, and Mutual Sharing in Customs Procedures as an important milestone in achieving the APEC objective of reducing trade transaction costs and making sure that supply chains flow efficiently.

“The framework gives us direction as it provides strong basis for our ongoing work and initiatives in the following areas: implementation of the World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade Facilitation, establishment and strengthening the authorized economic operator programs, establishment and inter-operability of a single window systems, and improvement of customs efficiency and risk controls through information technology,” he noted.

Sevilla enumerated some of the reforms undertaken by the Philippine Customs, such as the Integrated Enhanced Customs Processing System and the Philippine National Single Window Phase 2 Project that give traders comprehensive trade information to ensure informed and diligent compliance of customs practices and procedures.

The meeting of the Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures is among the ongoing related technical meetings being held in Clark and Subic Freeports in line with the first Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM1) of the APEC.

“During the discussions of the senior officials during the SOM1, they will take into account the results of these technical meetings in addition to recommendations from the APEC Business Advisory Council that will have their first meeting this year from January 27 to 30 in Hong Kong, China,” the APEC said in a statement.

Marking the inaugural gathering of APEC senior officials for this year’s Philippine hosting, SOM1 will foster discussions on a range of issues relevant to the region, including the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific, trade facilitation and implementation, environmental goods and services liberalization, and efforts toward development and against corruption.

The SOM1 will be held from February 6 to 7 in Clark Freeport.

Having started as an informal dialogue group in 1989, the APEC has since become the premier forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.

The APEC is composed of 21 member economies: Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People’s Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New xZealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; Philippines; The Russian Federation; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States of America; and Viet Nam.

This year’s meetings carry the theme, “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World.” (cljd/mjls/PIA 3)