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Beijing has a navy it doesn t even admit exists, experts say. And it s swarming parts of the South China Sea
Updated 6:17 AM ET, Tue April 13, 2021
This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows Chinese vessels in the Whitsun Reef located in the disputed South China Sea. Tuesday, March 23, 2021.
Hong Kong (CNN)They ve been dubbed China s Little Blue Men, an allegedly Beijing-controlled maritime militia that analysts say could be hundreds of boats and thousands of crew members strong.
China doesn t acknowledge their existence and when questioned, refers to them as a so-called maritime militia.
But Western experts say the alleged militia is an integral part of Beijing s efforts to exert its territorial claims in the South China Sea and beyond. They claim its blue-painted vessels and their crews allegedly funded and controlled by the People s Liberation Army can quickly bring a Chinese presence so large around disputed reefs and islands they are a
Sen. Grace Poe
(FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN)
“Mababawasan ang pila sa mga tanggapan kung magkakaroon ng ‘Pasa Loan’ o ‘Pasa Ayuda’ gamit ang national ID (There would be less lines in government offices if there would be an automated distribution of loans or cash aid),” Poe said in a statement.
The PhilSys, she said, could be connected to a mobile payment platform where individuals can pay bills, access government services, and receive emergency subsidies.
She mentioned for instance the IDs of students in the University of the Philippines, which also double as a cash card that could be used to receive stipends and pay for meals and school fees.
Published April 16, 2021, 5:44 PM
Some state colleges and universities (SCUs) are implementing various measures to keep students and their employees safe amid the surge in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country.
Isabela State University (ISU), for instance, extended its campus lockdown due to the spike in COVID-19 cases in the province as directed by its President Dr. Ricmar Aquino.
In a Facebook post on April 14, it was announced that the Office of the University President issued a memorandum extending the university-wide lockdown until April 30, 2021.
OFFICIAL | Earlier this afternoon, the Office of the University President issued Memorandum no. 98 s. 2021, extending…Posted by Isabela State University on Wednesday, April 14, 2021
Published April 16, 2021, 4:55 PM
Rendell Senining. (Photo from Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas)
Rendell Senining, the ARQ Builders-Lapu-Lapu City guard who became one of the notable figures in a controversial match that rocked the upstart Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup, said his actions were made out of frustration with the Siquijor Mystics’ lack of competitive desire.
Speaking to former University of the Philippines guard Mikee Reyes, an apologetic Senining explained that he and the rest of the team noticed something fishy when they raced to a big lead before Siquijor made apparent attempts to deliberately miss its free throws and layups.
That prompted Lapu-Lapu to respond by bungling some of its own free throws, with the right-handed Senining attempting one foul shot using his left.
Rendell Senining sorry for missed FTs, says team was upset by Siquijor s actions
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VisMin Super Cup fallout (3:03)
Outrage came from all sectors after a controversial VisMin Super Cup game on Wednesday where the league said the Siquijor Mystics threw the match against the Lapu Lapu City Heroes. (3:03)
An apologetic Rendell Senining on Thursday explained his actions during the much-maligned Pilipinas VisMin Cup game between Lapu-Lapu and Siquijor that led to multiple bans, fines and suspensions on players and coaches involved.
Senining, the Lapu-Lapu City player identified as the man who alternately shot free throws with his left and right hand late in a dubious second quarter, said he and the Heroes simply served back the type of game the Mystics were playing on Wednesday.