News Update
As of October 20, 2017 (Friday)
1. Manila Bulletin
Duterte lauds China, S. Korea for kind treatment of Filipinos
China and South Korea are among the countries that treat Filipinos with kindness and respect, President Duterte said last Wednesday after ordering an intensified campaign against illegal recruiters.
The President expressed gratitude to the two Asian nations for their relaxed immigration rules for Filipinos. The President, however, reminded Filipinos living and working overseas to follow the rules in the host countries, especially regulations against illegal drugs.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/10/19/duterte-lauds-china-s-korea-for-kind-treatment-of-filipinos/
2. Philippine Star
Malaysian terrorist killed in Marawi – Duterte
President Duterte announced last night that top Malaysian terrorist Mahmud bin Ahmad is dead. Mahmud was believed to have taken over the terrorists in Marawi after the death of Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon who was killed Monday along with Omarkhayam Maute, key leaders of the Maute group.
Mahmud was among the 20 Islamic State-linked Maute extremists killed in the fighting overnight in Marawi City.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Eduardo Año earlier said the bodies of the dead militants, including that of Mahmud, were yet to be retrieved from the battle site.
“The process to confirm this with finality, however, is still ongoing. Earlier information regarding this were received from the rescued hostages,” he said.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/10/20/1750653/malaysian-terrorist-killed-marawi-duterte
3. Daily Inquirer
No EU aid, no excuse to meddle, says Cayetano
The Philippines will reject “all kinds of aid” from the European Union (EU) to give the 28-member bloc no excuse to meddle in the country’s internal affairs, Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said on Thursday.
Cayetano said he would formally notify the EU delegation’s ambassador to the Philippines, Franz Jessen, about Manila’s decision following President Duterte’s vitriolic attack on Wednesday against the EU over criticisms of his bloody war on drugs.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/160994/no-eu-aid-no-excuse-meddle-says-cayetano
4. Manila Times
Martial law won’t be lifted – Duterte
Marawi City may have been liberated from the Maute terror group but martial law will not be lifted in Mindanao, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Thursday.
The President said he will not lift martial law “until the last terrorist is taken out.” In a speech during the 43rd Philippine Business Conference and Expo in Manila, Duterte said the Islamic State-inspired terrorists could still launch retaliatory attacks against government security forces.
http://www.manilatimes.net/group-loses-emblematic-syria-stronghold-raqqa/357303/
