Speaker A
Other news now, the US Embassy Manila issues a security alert to American citizens.
US Embassy warns Americans of NPA risks in PH; updates on Duterte ICC case, police dismissals, and fugitive Zaldy Co's asset freeze efforts.
Key Takeaways
- US Embassy warns Americans of serious risks near NPA insurgents in specific Philippine provinces.
- ICC proceedings against Duterte continue despite defense's attempt to appeal charges.
- Police dismissals highlight ongoing accountability efforts in Duterte-era drug war abuses.
- Tensions persist in West Philippine Sea with Chinese maritime presence near Philippine missions.
- Philippine authorities actively pursuing fugitive Zaldy Co and freezing his overseas assets.
Summary
- US Embassy Manila issues a security alert to Americans due to risks from New People's Army (NPA) insurgent activities in rural areas.
- Two Americans died in a recent armed encounter involving Filipino troops and NPA in Negros Occidental.
- Communist groups may recruit foreign nationals for terrorist activities or financial support.
- A Chinese Coast Guard vessel was spotted near a Philippine civilian mission ship heading to Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea.
- Detained former President Rodrigo Duterte seeks to appeal ICC charges of crimes against humanity; ICC trial status conference set for May 27.
- At least 11 police officers dismissed over abduction complaints linked to Duterte's drug war and disappearance of cockfighting enthusiasts.
- Philippine police leadership supports accountability and discipline amid ongoing investigations.
- Congressman Benny Abante calls for investigation into alleged Duterte family ouster plot against President Marcos.
- Philippine government pushes to freeze overseas assets of fugitive former Congressman Zaldy Co, who is believed to be in France.
- President Marcos questions French Ambassador about France's request to transfer Zaldy Co from Czech Republic to France.
Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown
Speaker A
Following intensive hide operations by Filipino troops against communist insurgents.
Speaker A
In an advisory, the embassy notes US nationals have been present during recent military actions targeting the New People's Army, including an armed encounter in Toboso, Negros Occidental that left two Americans dead.
Speaker A
The embassy warns anyone in proximity to NPA elements faces grave risk of arrest, injury, or death.
Speaker A
It also noted communist groups may recruit foreign nationals to participate directly in terrorist activities or provide financial support to insurgents.
Speaker A
Authorities identified several areas of heightened concern, particularly rural and mountainous areas in Leyte, Mindoro, Negros, and Samar provinces.
Speaker B
A Chinese vessel was spotted shadowing a Philippine civilian mission ship Friday.
Speaker B
A few hours after it departed towards Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea.
Speaker B
The Atin Ito Coalition reports a sighting of a Chinese Coast Guard vessel.
Speaker B
About five nautical miles from the MV Kapitan Felix Oca Friday morning.
Speaker B
At that time, the ship was sailing about 60 nautical miles west of Mindoro province, well within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.
Speaker B
The vessel is carrying members of the Atin Ito Coalition for their fourth civilian mission.
Speaker B
Aimed at delivering aid to residents and local fishermen in Pag-asa Island.
Speaker B
A key highlight of the mission is a planned patriotic jet ski ride.
Speaker B
Led by Akbayan Party-list Congresswoman Dada Keram Ismula.
Speaker C
When it comes to Pag-asa Island, we will have a patriotic jet ski flag ride.
Speaker C
Because if we remember, a former president once promised that he would jet ski in the West Philippine Sea.
Speaker C
It seems that promise will no longer be fulfilled.
Speaker C
Since he is now detained and facing a case at the ICC.
Speaker A
Detained former President Rodrigo Duterte asks the International Criminal Court to allow him to appeal the confirmation of charges against him.
Speaker A
Duterte's lawyer, Nicolas Kaufman, says the court's pre-trial chamber committed errors in deciding that his client's crimes against humanity case should proceed to trial.
Speaker A
Kaufman referred to what he described as the chamber's flexible approach.
Speaker A
Which he said allowed an open-ended formulation of the charges.
Speaker A
But ICC accredited assistant to counsel, Attorney Ross Tugade, doubts this move by the defense will prosper.
Speaker D
I don't think there's a lot of a lot of weight to be placed in this kind of argument.
Speaker D
Will this buy the defense more time?
Speaker D
Because it appears from the pattern of filings of Mr. Kaufman that he's trying to buy a lot of time for Mr. Duterte.
Speaker D
Or have a favorable decision on their side.
Speaker D
So I don't think, I don't foresee that this will significantly, you know, change anything.
Speaker D
And I think the ICC will really stick to its procedure.
Speaker A
The ICC has also scheduled for May 27, the first status conference of Duterte's trial.
Speaker A
The leadership of the Philippine police acts on a series of complaints of rights violations allegedly committed by cops.
Speaker A
Michael Delizo on the line with that report.
Speaker E
Michael.
Speaker E
At least 11 police personnel, including those linked to the missing cockfighting enthusiasts or Sabungeros.
Speaker E
Have been dismissed from the police service over separate abduction complaints stemming from operations during Duterte's drug war.
Speaker E
The National Police Commission or Napolcom said the 11 personnel all assigned to the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit of the National Capital Region Police Office.
Speaker E
During the incident were found administratively liable for two counts of grave misconduct and two counts of conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
Speaker E
The case is anchored on complaints filed before the commission in September 2025.
Speaker E
The complainants alleged that several police officers were involved in the supposed abduction of their sons during separate anti-drug operations in 2021.
Speaker E
In a decision rendered by the commission and bank, those found liable included Police Lieutenant Colonel Ryan J.
Speaker E
Orapa, Police Major Mark Philip Almedilla, Police Senior Master Sergeant Mark Anthony Manrique.
Speaker E
And Police Staff Sergeant Edmund Muñoz.
Speaker E
They had also been earlier administratively and criminally charged over the 2021 to 2022 disappearances of Sabungeros and were later arrested and dismissed from the police service in January.
Speaker E
The respondents were accused of acting in conspiracy to abduct 28-year-old Dane Mark Carlos and 30-year-old Charles Dean Soto.
Speaker E
In separate incidents under the guise of anti-drug operations on February 17, 2021 and March 24, 2021 respectively.
Speaker E
Their bodies have yet to be discovered five years on.
Speaker F
They say this is a drug war, but we can see that this is an abduction incident.
Speaker F
Their defense does not match the actual event.
Speaker E
Meantime, Rafael Vicente Calilisan of the Napolcom said the investigation into the kidnapping of drug suspects and the disappearance of the missing Sabungeros.
Speaker E
Is being handled separately and based on evidence.
Speaker E
PNP Chief of Police, General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. expressed support to the Napolcom's decision, underscoring firm commitment to accountability and discipline as key pillars of the PNP's ongoing reform agenda.
Speaker E
Ron, back to you.
Speaker A
Thanks for that report, Michael Delizo.
Speaker B
A Philippine congressional leader wants the Duterte family investigated for an alleged ouster plot against President Marcos.
Speaker B
Congressman Benny Abante says the National Bureau of Investigation should add that to its probe of Vice President Sara Duterte's kill threat against Marcos.
Speaker B
He referenced remarks by Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, who two years ago told Marcos to remember the collapse of the Romanovs and Mussolini regimes in Russia and Italy.
Speaker B
Abante also took issue with the alleged deal for Marcos to give way to VP Duterte by the middle of his term.
Speaker A
President Marcos fails to get fresh information from Czech and French envoys on the whereabouts of fugitive former Congressman Zaldy Co.
Speaker A
Katrina Domingo with the story.
Speaker G
In this uphill shopping district in Paris lies a row of luxury stores catering to the rich and famous.
Speaker G
Atop one of these buildings is the supposed Parisian apartment of fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co.
Speaker G
Several sources, both from Manila and Paris, confirmed to ABS-CBN News that they have been invited to Co's apartment.
Speaker G
While another source is part of that community here.
Speaker G
But these sources, much like European authorities, refused to give more details.
Speaker G
In fear of the European Union's strict policies on data privacy.
Speaker G
An official from the Philippine executive branch confirmed to ABS-CBN News that the government is now pushing to freeze Co's overseas assets.
Speaker G
But authorities have yet to come up with the full list of where those assets are located.
Speaker G
And how much these are worth.
Speaker G
This process is expected to take some time, as the Philippines still needs to review if there are legal bases for the freezing of a fugitive's assets overseas.
Speaker G
Or if there are diplomatic routes possible to disable the businessman-turned-politician from tapping his network of funds and properties.
Speaker H
You have to understand the principles of diplomatic practice.
Speaker H
We don't have the sovereignty ourselves here in Paris to be conducting investigations.
Speaker G
Philippine Ambassador to France Eduardo de Vega says there are still no sightings of Co in major cities.
Speaker G
But there is credible information that he remains within the French borders.
Speaker H
Right now, we're not going to tell you how much the Philippine government knows exactly about the situation.
Speaker H
We have a fugitive from justice.
Speaker H
So we're not going to help him hide any further if that's what he's doing.
Speaker G
So you have an idea where he is or where he is going, but you don't want to telegraph your punches.
Speaker H
We're doing what we can to get him home.
Speaker G
Okay.
Speaker H
That's all I'll say.
Speaker G
Meantime, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directly asked French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel why her home country asked the Czech Republic to transfer the fugitive ex-lawmaker to France.
Speaker I
The President asked the French Ambassador why France asked the Czech Republic to release Zaldy Co.
Speaker I
The French Ambassador, however, said she can't provide any information.
Speaker I
The President respects this position, but he still expressed that the situation was very unsatisfactory and that he was disappointed.
Speaker I
He also asked the French government if it can still help by sharing additional information.
Speaker G
Despite the President's disappointment, the government maintains that diplomatic relations between the Philippines and France remain strong.
Speaker H
We assure the public, the French government knows precisely how the Philippine government feels about the situation.
Speaker H
As you know, France and the Philippines are enjoying very solid relations now.
Speaker H
We trust with our solid relations between us that there will be a solution to this.
Speaker G
Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN News, Paris, France.
Topics:US EmbassyNew People's ArmyNPAPhilippines security alertRodrigo Duterte ICC casePhilippine police dismissalsWest Philippine SeaChinese Coast GuardZaldy Co fugitiveasset freeze
