ASEAN NOW News

 

The Philippines seems to be heading in the right direction with recent GDP figures showing the country second overall in the region with only Vietnam posting better increases.

 

The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 7.4 percent in the second quarter of 2022, as the economy recovered strongly with loosened pandemic restrictions boosting economic activities.

 

In a press briefing this week, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said while the second-quarter economic growth was slightly lower than the median forecast of 7.5 percent for this year, the Philippines was the second-best performing nation among the region's major emerging economies that have released their reports in 2022.

 

Balisacan said the country was next to Vietnam’s 7.7 percent, but faster than Indonesia’s 5.4 percent and China’s 0.4 percent.

 

The GDP growth rate for the January to March period has been revised to 8.2 percent. It averaged 7.8 percent in the first half of the year. The economy posted a 5.9-percent pre-pandemic growth in 2019.

 

5^th in 2020

These were the 2020 figures according to data supplied by Southeast Asia (SEA)

 

Rank	Country	2020 GDP (PPP) billions of USD
1	Indonesia	$3,328
2	Thailand	$1,261
3	Vietnam	$1,047
4	Malaysia	$988
5	Philippines	$933
6	Singapore	$578
7	Myanmar	$275
8	Cambodia	$74
9	Laos	$59
10	Brunei	$28
11	Timor-Leste	$5
	Total	$8,493

 

The economy of the Philippines is the world's 32nd largest economy by nominal GDP according to the International Monetary Fund 2021 and the 12th largest economy in Asia, and the 3rd largest economy in the ASEAN after Indonesia and Thailand.

 

The Philippines is ranked 84^th in the world according to the Legatum Prosperity Index 2021.

 

Worldwide gross domestic product in 2021 was at about 12.259 US Dollar per capita.

 

In contrast, the GDP in the Philippines reached 3.549 US dollars per inhabitant, or 394.09 bn US Dollar in the whole country.

 

The Philippines is therefore currently ranked 36 of the major economies.

 

The top country is surprisingly Guyana. And with the war in Ukraine and oil prices at a 10-year high, this year Guyana is still set to maintain its status as the world's fastest-growing economy for the third year in a row, with a GDP growth rate of over 47%.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MANILA – The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 7.4 percent in the second quarter of 2022, as the economy recovered strongly with loosened pandemic restrictions boosting economic activities.

 

In a press briefing Tuesday, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said while the second-quarter economic growth was slightly lower than the median forecast of 7.5 percent for this year, the Philippines was the second-best performing nation among the region's major emerging economies that have released their reports.

 

Balisacan said the country was next to Vietnam’s 7.7 percent, but faster than Indonesia’s 5.4 percent and China’s 0.4 percent.

 

The GDP growth rate for the January to March period has been revised to 8.2 percent. It averaged 7.8 percent in the first half of the year. The economy posted a 5.9-percent pre-pandemic growth in 2019.

 

“Timely changes in Covid-related policies, such as easing alert levels, removing tourism restrictions, and accelerated vaccine rollout, helped increase economic activities. As of June 2022, around 85 percent of the economy is already under Alert Level 1. That these changes were implemented during the recently held national and local elections demonstrate that, indeed, ‘living with the virus’ is possible,” Balisacan said.

 

He said the full reopening of the economy will generate more income-earning opportunities.

 

“But the purchasing power of that income may be eroded by the high inflation, primarily resulting from increased fuel and food costs. Consequently, the government is focused on ensuring food security and reducing transport, planning, and energy costs,” he said.

 

Balisacan, chief of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), remained optimistic that the economy can grow within revised expected 6.5 to 7.5 percent this year despite headwinds, particularly inflation, citing some positive developments like the decline in energy prices in the world market.

 

“Nearly 70 percent of our economy is really consumption, and services account for 60 percent of the economy so you are likely to have growth and the rest of the economy for the remainder of the year largely coming from the domestic front,” he added.

 

Balisacan said the economy needs to expand 5.3 percent in the second semester to achieve the 6.5-percent growth, which is “very highly achievable.”

 

The GDP, on the other hand, needs to accelerate 7.2 percent in July to December to hit the upper end of this year’s growth target, he said.

 

National Statistician Dennis Mapa said the country’s GDP stood at PHP9.6 trillion at constant prices in the first semester of 2022, higher compared to the 2019 first semester of PHP9.49 trillion.

 

At current prices, GDP current value reached PHP10.32 trillion in the first semester this year from PHP9.29 trillion during the same period in 2019, he said.

 

“So, the first semester of 2022 both in the current prices and constant prices are already higher compared to the pre-pandemic level,” he added.

 

Meanwhile, Balisacan said all sectors on the production side expanded in the second quarter, driven by the services and industry sectors at 9.1 percent and 6.3 percent, respectively.

 

He cited the recovery of the services sectors that have been hit hard by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19)-induced restrictions.

 

“Transport, accommodation, food service, and other services have shown continued yet slow signs of recovery to their pre-pandemic levels,” Balisacan said.

 

He said the increase in foot traffic in retail and recreation centers, given improvements in mobility and easing of border restrictions, supported the faster growth in wholesale and retail trade.

 

Balisacan said the agriculture sector was still weak at 0.2 percent growth as the sector remains vulnerable to natural calamities and rising input costs.

 

“Given the agriculture sector's weak performance, the government will provide support through lower input costs, access to new farming technologies, financial assistance to farmers, and strengthening the agricultural value chain,” he added. (With a report from Wilnard Bacelonia/PNA)

 

(File photo)

 

MANILA – The Philippine Travel Mart (PTM), one of the country's longest-running travel exhibitions, will hold its 2022 edition starting Sept. 30.

 

The expo, which will run until Oct. 2 at SMX Convention Center, will feature more than 200 exhibitors and promises accommodation, flights, as well as, domestic and international travel packages at discounted prices.

 

"We've been waiting for a long time and now is the perfect time to travel again, support local businesses, and explore the Philippines and beyond," Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) president Fe Abling-Yu said.

 

Abling-Yu said the expo this year is targeted to match the PTM held prior to the pandemic.

 

The expo had been staged for the last two years but exhibitors only reached over 50 both in 2020 and 2021.

 

"Pre-pandemic we had over 200 exhibitors then. So, we are a bit close to the pre-pandemic level now," Abling-Yu said.

 

The expo's layout features designated zones for various tourism products such as sun and beach, marine sports, cruise; health, wellness, culinary; cultural, farm tourism; entertainment and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE).

 

Overseas Exhibitors

 

Also included in this year's PTM offers are tour packages in Bali, Siem Reap, Ho Chi Minh as well as Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea.

 

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, on the sidelines of the PTM launch, said the Philippines could compete with Southeast Asian neighbors and leading tourist destinations in the region.

 

"If you put our country side by side with our main competitors in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region, our offerings are almost the same if not better. In that, we have beaches, natural resources, beautiful people, beautiful products, various destinations," she said.

 

To further position the country as a top tourist destination, she told stakeholders that the DOT would introduce programs to improve the overall tourist experience in the country.

 

Aligned with the PTM's 2022 theme "Safe Travels," Frasco also assured travelers that she personally instructed concerned offices to ensure that tourist sites in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are "safe and well-equipped to receive guests".

 

"We will also provide a convenient and better tourism experience for both foreign and domestic travelers through standardized travel protocols," she said.

 

"We have reached out to the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), the Bureau of Immigration, and the Bureau of Quarantine to ensure that our entry protocols are reasonable, are consistent throughout the country, and will encourage, not dissuade, tourists from coming to the Philippines and going from place to place across our country," she added. (PNA)

 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (File photo)

 

MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has rejected the proposal of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to import 300,000 metric tons (MT) of sugar despite the current local supply deficit, Malacañang said Wednesday.

 

“The President rejected the proposal to import an additional 300,000 MT of sugar,” Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said in a press statement.

 

Philippine sugar plantation

 

Marcos, concurrent Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, is also the chairperson of the Sugar Regulatory Board.

 

Cruz-Angeles issued the statement following reports that Marcos supposedly approved the proposal.

 

“He (Marcos) is the chairman of the Sugar Regulatory Board and denied this in no uncertain terms,” she added.

 

Retail prices of sugar are currently beyond PHP100 per kilogram in wet markets and grocery stores.

Traditionally, the retail prices of sugar are only PHP50 per kilo.

 

Last month, Marcos acknowledged that the Philippines has not been producing sufficient palay (rice), corn, livestock, and fish.

 

He, however, said he wants the government to cut down food imports to the barest minimum.

 

He said importation will be done not as a price stabilization measure, but “a strategic food supply measure.” (PNA)

 

Tourist boats dock at Tuan Chau Wharf in Ha Long Bay, August 10, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Phuong Thao

 

Quang Ninh Province closed public beaches while tourism activities at tourist hotspots Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba Island were halted from Wednesday afternoon due to the impacts of Storm Mulan reported VN Express.

 

Mulan, the second storm to enter Vietnamese waters this year, is forecast to enter the Gulf of Tonkin at 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, bringing heavy rains to the northern region over the next three days.

 

Quang Ninh, home to Ha Long Bay, and the port city of Hai Phong will be the first localities to be hit by the storm.

 

Authorities in Ha Long Town ordered all tourist cruise ships on the bay to suspend operation from Wednesday afternoon.

 

Around 20,000 tourists are now in Ha Long.

 

In Co To Island, around 80 kilometers from the mainland, Do Huy Thong, vice chairperson of the island district said that many tourists had left the island, but there are still more than 260 domestic tourists left.

 

"District authorities have informed tourists about the storm and boat schedules so they can decide to return to the mainland or stay on the island," Thong said.

 

Hoang Trung Cuong, vice chairperson of Cat Hai District in Hai Phong, said all tourism activities on Cat Ba Island have been suspended.

 

Around 1,000 tourists, including 81 foreigners, are on the island.

 

Local authorities advised tourists to leave the island by 4 p.m. Wednesday to avoid being stranded due to the impacts of the storm.

 

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, Mulan will move between Leizhou Peninsula and Hainan Island at a speed of 65 kph before entering Quang Ninh Province. The Hong Kong Observatory concurred but expected winds of 85 kph.

 

Vietnam's national forecasting center said the coast between Quang Ninh and Hai Phong will see winds of 40-60 kph from Wednesday night and through Thursday.

 

The entire northern region and two north-central provinces of Thanh Hoa and Nghe An will receive rainfall of 100-200 millimeters, and 250 millimeters in some places during the period.

 

A satellite image of storm Mulan in Vietnam's waters, 5.30 p.m. August 10, 2022. Photo courtesy of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting

 

Localities from the northern to the northern central regions have been requested to gear up personnel and equipment for Storm Mulan, which is predicted to enter the Gulf of Tonkin.

 

Storm Mulan is set to hit Vietnam’s northern coast, from Quang Ninh to Nam Dinh, at around 4 a.m. Thursday with wind speeds of up to 74 kilometers per hour.

 

It was centered around 200 kilometers from Bach Long Vi Island in northern Hai Phong City as of 5 p.m. Wednesday, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

 

In the next 12 hours, it would move west-northwest at 15-20 kph and will hit the seas of Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thai Binh and Nam Dinh Thursday morning before weakening into a tropical depression.

 

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, Mulan will move between China’s Leizhou Peninsula and Hainan Island at a speed of 65 kph before entering Quang Ninh and Hai Phong.

 

The Hong Kong Observatory has traced the same path but estimated wind speed at 55 kph.

 

In the next 24 hours, the above-mentioned localities are set to experience strong winds and waves.

 

A cadre from the steering board for natural disaster prevention and control, search and rescue of Co To district, Quang Ninh province, calls on fishermen to seek shelter on August 10. (Photo: VNA)

 

From Wednesday morning until Friday, the entire northern region and the two north-central provinces of Thanh Hoa and Nghe An will receive rainfall of 100-200 mm, and 250 mm in some places during the period, the meteorologists estimate.

 

Quang Ninh, Hai Phong and Thai Binh have shut down their beaches starting Wednesday noon and called for ships to return to land.

 

Tourists on islands have been evacuated to mainland areas and those who remain will be placed in safe locations, authorities have said.

 

Vietnam should expect 10-12 storms and low-pressure areas in the East Sea this year, with around half making landfall, the weather experts say.

 

NDPeeps/YouTube and Ng Eng Hen/Facebook

Third Warrant Officer Jeffrey Heng (pictured right) is recovering in hospital after a bad landing (left) during the National Day Parade on Aug 9, 2022.

 

SINGAPORE — The member of the Red Lions parachute team who made a hard landing at the National Day Parade on Tuesday (Aug 9) is in stable condition, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said on Wednesday.

 

And despite his injuries, no surgery is required, Dr Ng added. 

 

According to Today, Third Warrant Officer (3WO) Jeffrey Heng, who was the last of 10 parachutists to land during the National Day Parade, skidded on the pavement and fell to the ground entangled in his parachute. 

 

The incident happened at about 6.10pm on The Float@Marina Bay. 

 

“Chief of Defence Force and Chief of Army visited him. We are glad to report that he is stable. Suffered some injuries due to hard landing, but no surgery required. He will need time and some rehab, but full recovery is expected,” Dr Ng wrote in a Facebook post on Wednesday evening.

 

Earlier on Wednesday, Member of Parliament Cheng Li Hui from Tampines Group Representation Constituency posted on her Facebook page that 3WO Heng was “stable and can be discharged in a few days”.

 

In response to queries from TODAY, she said that he would be discharged in three days.

 

In its Facebook post on Wednesday evening, the Singapore Army said that 3WO Heng is recovering well.

 

"Parachuting at The Float can be tricky, with strong crosswinds, gusty currents and disruptive airflow."

 

"Thankfully, 3WO Jeffrey applied his training and adopted the Parachute Landing Fall upon the hard landing, and thus avoided major injuries."

 

"Thanks to our fellow Singaporeans for all their well wishes and support. We wish 3WO Jeffrey a speedy recovery!"

 

Whether you are visiting HCMC or Hanoi here are two excursions you should add to your bucket list.

 

Cu Chi Tunnels

 

Cu Chi Tunnel - the extensive labyrinth of underground tunnels made during the Vietnam war.

 

The tunnels of Củ Chi are an immense network of connecting tunnels located in the Củ Chi District of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.

 

This incredible labyrinth of tunnels really stands out among all locations that appear to represent a tenacious Vietnamese spirit.

 

A ride to underground tunnels would open a window into the rich past of this land, evoking scenes from the Vietnam War.

 

After war ravages, Cu Chi is undeniably distinguished by its perseverance and resolve to restore itself.

 

This region played a crucial role in US troops' wartime defeat and is known for its underground tunnel network.

 

To camouflage Viet Cong forces, a labyrinthian network of tunnels was used to pass secret messages and stage clandestine attacks.

 

They have become an enduring reminder of the Vietnam war and are a popular tourist attraction for those interested in exploring extraordinary steps taken by Viet Cong soldiers to escape and eventually kill their enemies.

 

While Cu Chi tunnels have become world-famous, the entire scheme extends through Vietnam, unraveling under the cities and towns, in some areas extending as far as Cambodia.

 

Cruising in style

 

If you are planning to visit Northern Vietnam and are staying in Hanoi then you must include a side trip to one of the wonders of the world Halong Bay. 

 

Take an overnight Cruise in Halong Bay

 

Halong Bay is a remarkable geographical formation with 1,900 islets with sandy beaches, freshwater lakes, granite caves, and floating villages.

 

The best way to explore this landscape is by joining an overnight Halong cruise.

 

For first timers, a two-day one-night cruise is the best choice to explore numerous islands, villages, and caves and enjoy exciting activities like swimming, kayaking, rowing boat.

 

Cruise sundeck always is the first choice to enjoy the breathtaking scenery with panoramic sea view, taste a cocktail, or immerse yourself in the melodious music.

 

Join our 3 x a week Vietnam News, Travel and Expat information newsletter and keep up to date. https://aseannow.com/newsletter.php

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fong Soong Hert, also known as Alan Fong, pleaded guilty to killing his wife in the UK in 2021.

 

NEWCASTLE, UK: A Singaporean man on Tuesday (Aug 9) admitted to murdering his wife while they were on holiday in the United Kingdom in 2021 according to a CNA report. 

 

The defence for Fong Soong Hert, who is also known as Alan Fong, told the Newcastle Crown Court in the northeast of England that he now accepts “proper criminal liability” for his actions on the night his wife died.

 

When the trial began last Monday, Mr Fong’s team had argued that he should be found guilty of the manslaughter of Pek Ying Ling, known as Evelyn Pek, on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

 

Ms Pek was found dead at the County Aparthotel on Dec 6, 2021.

 

On Tuesday, after a delay to the start of proceedings, Judge Paul Sloan QC asked the 51-year-old defendant to stand, and the clerk read out the charges, to which Mr Fong responded: “Guilty.”

 

He is due to be sentenced on Friday - the minimum sentence for murder is life imprisonment.

 

The couple’s three sons sat at the back of the public gallery as their father admitted to the charges.

 

In a joint statement, they said: “We are heartbroken after losing our Mum, but now we just want to provide our Dad with the support he needs.”

 

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Steel, the senior investigating officer, called the case “incredibly tragic.”

 

He commended the couple’s sons’ “composure and their engagement with the police throughout this extremely difficult period in their lives.”

 

He added: “We will support them in any way we can as they continue to navigate their grief and process what has happened.

 

“We would ask that everyone respects their privacy at this extremely challenging time. We want to be clear that we will absolutely not tolerate domestic abuse or violence in any form.

 

“When incidents of this nature do occur, we are committed to bringing those responsible to justice.”

 

Mr Fong’s guilty plea comes five days into the trial. Court proceedings were postponed last Thursday and Friday due to a lawyer's illness.

 

Acting on behalf of the prosecution, Peter Makepeace QC told the court last week that Mr Fong and Ms Pek were in the UK following a trip to Dubai and Europe.

 

They had planned to tour Scotland, but while on the Isle of Skye, a small island off the Scottish coast, Mr Fong experienced a bad fall.

 

On a walk one evening, he tripped, lost his step in the dark and fell down a steep embankment.

 

The court heard that an ambulance was called, and Mr Fong was given a mix of painkillers by paramedics before being taken to hospital to be examined.

 

Days later, the couple travelled down to Newcastle with their son Alonzo Fong and checked into the Country Aparthotel on Westgate Road.

 

The court played a recording of the call Alonzo made to the emergency services soon after 7am on Dec 6.

He is heard saying: “Okay, he told me, I think they had some argument of some sort and then I think he lost it. "

 

The court also heard from Dr Jennifer Bolton who conducted the post-mortem of Ms Pek’s body.

 

The mother-of-three had been wearing black leggings, a black top and black underwear, stained with urine, when she was found.

 

The forensic pathologist said 11 bruises and haemorrhages were visible on Ms Pek’s chin, shoulders, arms and legs.

 

Two large, symmetrical bruises were identified on each shoulder, which Dr Bolton said she believed were likely to have been caused at the same time.

 

She added: “That then raises the possibility of her being knelt on while the pillow was then held over her face.”

 

Mr Fong took the stand himself on Monday, describing his marriage as “wonderful”, “peaceful” and “very happy”.

 

When questioned by the prosecution, the defendant claimed he could not remember any details of killing his wife.

 

He replied “I don’t know” or “I cannot remember” to most questions put to him.

 

A Vietnam Airlines aircraft is seen at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, September 9, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh

 

A plane made a U-turn as it was flying from Hanoi to Tokyo on Monday after a Japanese boy suffered a nosebleed.

 

VN Express reported that Flight VN384 operated by Vietnam Airlines, with 145 passengers on board, was already one hour and 45 minutes away from Hanoi when the 10-year-old boy suffered a nosebleed. The boy was accompanied by his mother and sister.

 

The crew provided immediate first aid, and subsequently decided to return to Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport for medical assistance.

 

After landing, the boy was taken to a hospital in Hanoi. His health is now stable.

 

The plane later resumed its trip, which was delayed for four hours.

 

Doan Thi Kim Tho, head flight attendant, said there was no doctor on the plane and still 3.5 hours left for Japan, prompting the decision to return to Hanoi.

 

"We are glad to learn that the boy’s health is now stable," she said.

 

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Foreign tourists are seen in Hoi An, central Vietnam, on July 24, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Dac Thanh

 

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung proposed expanding visa exemption for tourists from the U.S., Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and India to boost sector recovery reported VN Express.

 

He also suggested the government consider simplifying immigration procedures to attract foreign tourists as Vietnam reopened after over two years of border closure, he said in a report submitted to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Tuesday.

 

Tax Cuts too

 

Hung also proposed extending tax cuts to tourism businesses until the end of 2023 to help them recover after the pandemic crisis.

 

Though Vietnam reopened tourism and lifted most Covid restrictions, Hung said travel firms and those working in the tourism industry are grappling with difficulties and have not really benefited directly from current policies.

 

The country welcomed 954,000 foreign arrivals in the first seven months this year, up nine times year-on-year.

 

This year, Vietnam targets five million foreign tourists, around 30 percent of pre-pandemic levels.

 

The government has allowed quarantine-free entry and resumed its pre-pandemic visa exemption policy for 24 tourism markets including Western European countries from mid-March with a maximum stay of 15 days.

 

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(File photo)

 

MANILA – AirAsia Philippines on Tuesday said it will expand its network, while also seeing the airline's full recovery by 2023.

 

To further widen its domestic reach, AirAsia is looking at Butuan and Tawi-Tawi via Zamboanga in Mindanao; Legazpi, Tuguegarao and Laoag in Luzon.

 

It is also strategically considering Bohol as one of its hubs in the Visayas.

 

"For domestic tourism is on a strong rebound, hence, as we move to the new normal, we hope to decentralize the foot traffic in the usual tourist destinations of our country as we offer other Filipino destinations that are just as exciting," spokesperson Steve Dailisan told the Philippine News Agency.

 

Dailisan said the firm is also in the early planning stages of international expansion, which he said is set to support the demand of not just leisure travelers going abroad, but also the large number of Filipino workers going overseas for employment.

 

"We believe that we can help our kababayans succeed in their endeavors by offering them affordable world-class flights," he said.

"Our target is to reach, if not even exceed, pre-coronavirus disease capacity across all routes by the second quarter of 2023," Dailisan said.

 

The firm, he said, is highly optimistic that all international markets, including China, will have opened by then.

 

The International Air Transport Association recently reported that globally, air traffic is now at 70.8 percent pre-crisis levels. (PNA)

 

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Vice President Sara Z. Duterte. (PNA file photo)

 

MANILA – Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte slammed former vice-presidential rival Walden Bello on Tuesday for accusing her of having a hand in his arrest over a libel case.

 

In a statement, Duterte said Bello should stop obsessing over her, considering she has long remained silent despite the latter’s offensive attacks during the campaign period.

 

“Mr. Bello should focus on salvaging what remains of his dignity and self-respect, I am asking him to stop obsessing over me — and stop blaming me for his fall from grace,” she said.

 

The vice president also said Bello’s claim that the arrest was a political attack is imaginary.

 

“Instead of deflecting blame, playing the victim of an imaginary case of political persecution, and dragging me into his legal woes, I suggest that Mr. Bello be reminded of the fact that a civilized and democratic society does not respect hubris. The right to freedom of speech and expression does not protect anyone from defiling the name and reputation of others,” she said.

 

In an ambush interview, Bello said he is not guilty of the charges imposed against him.

 

“I say that I am innocent of the charges of libel that have been filed by the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte. It is pure political persecution,” he said.

 

Former presidential candidate, Leody de Guzman, added that the arrest was a form of “political repression.”

 

On Monday, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) arrested Bello for a cyber libel case filed by former Davao City Information Officer Jefry Tupas.

 

The complaint included Bello’s alleged Facebook post where he “claimed” that “Tupas and her friends were snorting PHP1.5-million worth of drugs” last year, as well as VP Sara’s supposed statement that she was unaware of “sheltering a drug dealer.”

 

The Davao City Prosecutor's Office issued the arrest warrant for two counts of violations of Republic Act 10175 or Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. (PNA)

 

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GRAVE VISIT. President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. visits the grave of his father, former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) in Taguig City shortly after attending the state funeral of former president Fidel V. Ramos on Tuesday (Aug. 9, 2022). Marcos Sr. died on Sept. 28, 1989. (Photo by Rey Baniquet/NIB)

 

MANILA – President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Tuesday visited the grave of his father, former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) in Taguig City shortly after attending the state funeral of former president Fidel V. Ramos.

 

Photos shared by state-run Philippine News Agency showed the President wearing a gray face mask as he visited his father’s tomb.

 

This is the first time Marcos visited his father’s grave after being sworn in as the country’s 17th president on June 30.

 

Marcos last visited his father's tomb on May 11, two days after the May 9 elections. At that time, he was the presidential frontrunner.

 

The remains of Marcos Sr. were buried at the LNMB on November 18, 2016, or 27 years after his death.

 

His remains were transported from the Marcos Museum and Mausoleum in Batac, his hometown in Ilocos Norte to the LNMB.

 

Established in 1947, the LNMB was first known as the Republic Memorial Cemetery. It was built by the Philippine government to pay tribute to the gallant Filipino men and women who brought honor to the country and fought for the sake of freedom and democracy during World War II.

 

It was renamed LNMB on Oct. 27, 1954, by former president Ramon Magsaysay.

 

Its existence was in accordance with Republic Act 289, which provides for “the construction of a national pantheon for presidents of the Philippines, national heroes, and patriots of the country.”

 

Those who are buried in LNMB include medal of Valor awardees; presidents; secretaries of national defense; chiefs of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); active and retired military personnel of the AFP who died in line of duty; veterans of Philippine Revolution, World War I, World War II, and recognized guerrillas; government dignitaries and statesmen, and national artists and scientists. (PNA)

 

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Angeles City is perhaps most famous for its raucous nightlife, making it effectively the Sin City of the Philippines.

 

Angeles City is in Pampanga province in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines.

 

The city is rich in history and heritage, with old and historically significant buildings dotting its landscape, but these days it is best known for its high concentration of casinos and the vibrant nightlife for men.

 

Angeles City is a smaller but beautiful upcoming tourist destination that is worth a visit.

 

You will be surprised by some of the unique things to do and places you can explore at this hidden destination.

 

Angeles, officially the City of Angeles (Kapampangan: Lakanbalen ning Angeles; Tagalog: Lungsod ng Angeles), is a 1st class highly urbanized city in the province of Pampanga, where it is geographically situated but remains politically independent.

 

It is located in the region of Central Luzon, Philippines.

 

The best time to visit the Philippines and Angeles is during the dry season between November and April, when the country's beautiful islands and remote areas are fully accessible.

 

The shoulder months of May and November are also good, as it is less crowded, but the weather is still lovely.

 

Staying in style

 

Agoda was showing over 250 hotels and apartments in Angeles City and if you wanted a room at a 5-star hotel in November they had rates from only US$43 a night and condo-hotels for only US$16.

 

Angeles City is well known as we have said for its raucous nightlife, however, that’s not the only string to its bow.

 

Particularly in downtown Angeles, away from the entertainment districts, you’ll find a number of extraordinary historical places to visit.

 

Some of the older buildings have been at the crossroads of the country’s history and continue to stand the test of time.

 

The Clark Freeport area of the city, around the international airport, also has its share of interesting attractions.

 

Most notable is the tax-free shopping that gives the area its name.

 

Clark Sunvalley GC

 

If you are into your golf, the area is rich in several first-class golf courses all within a 30 -60 minutes drive.

 

There are also a couple of theme parks for the kids.

 

Where is the red-light district?

 

Fields Avenue also known as Walking Street, is the name of a major street running through Balibago area of Angeles City.

 

 

It is the center of the red-light district and the bar scene of the biggest entertainment district of the Philippines.

 

 

The girls love to line dance on masse here and there are a few bars with similar names as found in Pattaya’s Walking Street.

 

Getting There

You can of course fly to Manila and then go by bus or taxi to Angeles.

 

The fastest way to get from Manila Airport (MNL) to Angeles City is by taxi which takes 1h 18m and costs around ₱1,500 - ₱1,800. There are also direct buses between Manila Airport (MNL) and Angeles City. 

 

Clark International Airport which has recently been upgraded is only 24 minutes to Angeles and there are buses and taxis available.

 

Clark's airport

 

Here is a list of the international flights into Clark at the moment:

 

1.     Cebu Pacific. One of the Philippines’ major airline companies, it flies to almost ten local destinations and five international destinations. If you’re looking to fly cheap but comfortable, this is the perfect airline for you. This airline is also one of the locals’ favorite as it offers popular destinations such as Clark to Singapore direct flights in its international variety. Here’s a full list of its direct flights through Clark Airport:

·         International Destinations: Narita – Tokyo, Hongkong, Guangzhou, Singapore

·         Local Destinations: Bacolod, Caticlan, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Puerto Princesa

 

2.     Philippine Airlines. The Philippines’ flag carrier airline – this is perfect for travelers who want a premier experience when flying. It is the only airline to offer direct flight to Basco, Batanes from Clark Airport but has a wide variety of flights offered under its operations. Here’s a complete list:

·         International Destinations: Seoul – Incheon

·         Local Destinations: Cebu, Bacolod, Basco, Busuanga, Calbayog, Catarman, San Vicente, Siargao, San Jose (Antique)

 

3.     AirAsia. Another emerging airline in the Philippines but already established with Asian routes, this airline has become more active in Clark Airport in recent years. See a full list of its destination offerings:

·         International Destinations: Cagayan de Oro, Caticlan, Cebu, Davao, Puerto Princesa, Tacloban

·         Local Destinations: Taipei – Taoyuan, Kaohsiung, Seoul – Incheon

 

4.     South-Korea Bound Airlines. With the increasing number of South Koreans wanting to visit the Philippines to experience the tropical weather and even learning English, these airlines have expanded their operations to Clark Airport. The most common route is from Clark to Incheon. If you’re planning to experience the Korean culture for your vacation, check out these airlines and specific routes via Clark Airport.

·         Jin Air. Provides direct flights from Clark to Seoul – Incheon, and Clark to Busan, South Korea.

·         T’Way Airlines. Provides direct flights from Clark to Seoul – Incheon.

·         Korean Air. It also operates direct flights from Clark to Seoul – Incheon.

·         Jeju Air. Provides direct flights from Clark to Seoul – Incheon.

·         Pan-Pacific Airlines. A Philippine-based airline that concentrates on Clark to Seoul-Incheon flights.

 

5.     Chinese Based Airlines. Chinese tourists have enjoyed the stronger relationship between China and the Philippines under the current administration, hence there are more airlines investing on direct flights via Clark Airport. See the list below:

·         Cathay Pacific. Operates Clark to Hongkong direct flights.

·         China Eastern Airlines. Provides Clark to Shanghai-Pudong flights.

·         XiamenAir. Operates Clark to Quanzhou flights.

 

6.     Middle East-Based Airlines. Many Filipinos working as Overseas Filipino Workers in the Middle East are regulars on these airlines as well as tourists who like to enjoy the Arab culture. The airlines who are operating in Clark Airport are some of the world’s premier airlines – offering ultimate comfort and world-class service. Try it now:

·         Qatar Airways. Operates Clark to Doha, Qatar flights.

·         Emirates. Operates Clark to Dubai flights.

 

7.     Other Asian-Bound Airlines. There are other two airlines that offer direct Clark to Singapore flights.

1.     Scoot. This low-cost Singapore airline is known for its Clark to Singapore flights.

2.     JetStar Airlines. Operates from Clark to Osaka – Kansai and Clark to Singapore.

 

8.     Other Philippine Local Airlines. Here are some local airlines that cater to some popular destinations in the Philippines to alleviate the tourists from traveling by land for many hours. Check it out:

·         Royal Air Philippines. A new airline company in the Philipines, its focus are the local destinations which include flights from Clark to Caticlan and Puerto Princesa.

·         AirSWIFT. This is the only airline from Clark that flies directly to El Nido.

 

Enjoy your visit.

 

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Reuters Representations of the Ripple, Bitcoin, Etherum and Litecoin virtual currencies are seen on a PC motherboard in this illustration picture

 

HONG KONG — Hodlnaut, a Singapore-based crypto currency lender and borrower, has suspended withdrawals, swaps and deposits, the company said on Monday (Aug 8), the latest sign of stress in the cryptocurrency industry.

 

Today reported that the crypto lender also said it would withdraw its application for a licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to provide digital token payment services, for which it received in-principle approval in March.

 

Hodlnaut said the move was "due to recent market conditions" and was "to focus on stabilising our liquidity and preserving assets".

 

The company is the latest in a string of crypto players globally to run into difficulties following a sharp selloff in markets that started in May with the collapse of two paired tokens, Luna and TerraUSD. 

 

Other high-profile failures include U.S. crypto lender Celsius, and Singapore-based fund Three Arrows Capital, both of which filed for bankruptcy last month. 

 

Hodlnaut was named as one of Celsius' institutional clients, according to court filings.

 

Singapore, a major centre for crypto and blockchain in Asia, has seen several crypto companies run into difficulties in recent months. Read full story

 

Vauld, a Singapore-based crypto lending and trading platform, suspended withdrawals in early July, and later that month, Zipmex, a Southeast Asia-focused crypto exchange, suspended withdrawals, though has since resumed them for some products.

 

Hodlnaut and the MAS did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent outside office hours. REUTERS

 

(File photo)

 

MANILA – Motorists are set to get a sigh of relief as oil companies will implement a big-time rollback effective Tuesday.

 

In separate advisories, Caltex, Cleanfuel, Petro Gazz, PTT Philippines, Seaoil, and Shell said they will reduce diesel prices by PHP2.20 per liter and will also slash gasoline prices by PHP2.10 per liter.

 

Caltex, Seaoil, and Shell will roll back kerosene prices by PHP2.55 per liter.

 

This is the fourth consecutive week that oil firms cut prices of diesel and kerosene products.

 

According to industry experts, the decline in oil prices in the world market was mainly due to a weak demand outlook.

 

Manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI), a benchmark of a country’s manufacturing performance, in the United States, China, and Japan dropped in July.

 

Uncertainties in the global economy also affect demand for petroleum products.

 

On the other hand, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) agreed to pump more in September by 100,000 barrels per day.

 

Meanwhile, with the price adjustments last week, net increases in petroleum products since the start of the year stood at PHP29.60 per liter for gasoline, PHP39.35 per liter for diesel, and PHP33.35 per liter for kerosene. (PNA)

 

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(File photo)

 

MANILA – Customers in franchise areas of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) can expect lower electricity charges this August as the distribution utility announced to cut rates.

 

In an advisory Monday, Meralco said the overall power rate for August decreased by 20.87 centavos to PHP9.5459 per kilowatt hour from the PHP9.7545 per kilowatt hour last month.

 

This is the second straight month that Meralco implemented such an adjustment.

 

With the adjustment, a typical household consuming 200 kWh a month can expect a PHP42-decrease in the August electricity bill.

 

Meralco said despite the increase in transmission fees, it was offset by lower generation and distribution charges as well as taxes and other charges.

 

“The generation charge for August went down by PHP0.1944 to PHP6.5812 per kWh from PHP6.7756 per kWh last month due to the decrease in charges from Power Supply Agreements (PSAs),” it explained.

 

The distribution charges also went down by PHP0.0360 per kWh this month.

 

Meanwhile, Meralco said it will continue to implement the distribution-related refunds amounting to PHP48.3 billion as ordered by the Energy Regulatory Commission. (PNA)

 

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Undersecretary Dennis Mapa, National Statistician and Civil Registrar General (Photo courtesy of PSA Facebook)

 

MANILA – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Monday that the country's employment rate for June 2022 remained nearly the same as the 94.0 percent listed in May but higher than the 92.3 percent recorded during the same period last year.

 

Undersecretary Dennis Mapa, National Statistician and Civil Registrar General, said 46.59 million Filipinos who are 15 years old and above were employed in June 2022, higher than the 46.08 million employed in May.

 

With the unemployment rate also remaining the same at 6.0 percent, Mapa said it translates to 2.99 million unemployed Filipinos out of 49.58 million who were in the labor force in June 2022, lower than the registered rate of 7.7 percent in June 2021.

 

He said increased employment rate in the general public administration and activities subsector at 164,000 was recorded in June.

 

" This includes administration, supervision, and operation of military defense affairs; land/sea combat forces of Army, Navy, and Air Force reserve; and auxiliary forces of the Defense establishment.  This increased to 37,000. So maybe the Armed Forces has recruited many new soldiers," Mapa said in a press briefing.

 

Among the subsectors, Mapa also took note of agriculture and forestry (1.26 million); education (141,000); mining and quarrying (138,000); and other service activities (132,000).

 

The subsectors which decreased employment include wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (minus 1.22 million); manufacturing (minus 101,000); accommodation and food service activities ( minus 91,000); transportation and storage (minus 90,000); and financial and Insurance activities (minus 55,000).

 

"The way I assess it,  this is like the non-essential items  that maybe because of the tighter budget,  we slightly reduced our consumption  (here that is why the number of employed also decreased in these subsectors," Mapa explained.

 

The underemployment rate in June 2022 was down to 12.6 percent from 14.5 percent in May 2022 which translates to a decrease of 780,000 underemployed persons from 6.67 million to 5.89 million.

 

Underemployment is defined as working at less than full-time or regular jobs or at jobs inadequate with respect to training or economic needs. (PNA)

 

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A 24-hour office building (green) in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by VnExpress/Vu Le

 

A 24-hour office building is coming up in HCMC with the owner targeting multinationals that need to operate simultaneously in various time zones.

 

According to VN Express, CEO of apartment leasing company Sabay Home, Nguyen Huu Thien, said he is building the nine-story facility in Tan Binh District near Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

 

This will be one of the first 24-hour office buildings in Vietnam’s largest city.

 

The building with a total floor area of 3,000 square meters will have sleeping and amusement areas for staff.

 

Thien said he considers it an "experiment" to discover the market reaction.

 

Some customers have put down deposits, including an American marketing firm with 30 employees in Vietnam and an IT firm.

 

Thien charges a monthly fee of $15 per square meter.

 

Even office buildings with co-working space in HCMC do not operate 24/7 though there are coffee shops that do, and people who work at night use them.

 

Nguyen Hong Hai, chairperson of office leasing company VNO Group, said there is no research into 24-hour office buildings in HCMC yet.

 

A niche market like this comes with both potential and risk, and the investor needs to approach a wide variety of customers from various sectors to ensure high occupancy, he said.

 

Good access to the airport and downtown is important since multinational companies are the likely customers, he added.

 

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Vietnam's new passport (L) in comparison with an old one. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Minh

 

The Spanish Embassy in Hanoi on Monday said it would accept Vietnam's new passport following consultation with Spanish authorities reported VN Express.

 

Vietnam's new passport has already included necessary information in accordance with international regulations, the embassy said.

 

However, it said those who wish to apply for visa need to bring both their new passports and valid identity cards to verify their places of birth.

 

The embassy also warns that Spain's visa on Vietnam's new passport would not be valid for entry into countries that have not accepted the passports, even if those countries are part of the Schengen group.

 

Previously on August 1, Spain denied visas for holders of Vietnam's new passports because they lack information regarding places of birth.

 

Spain's rejection followed Germany's move on July 27 for the same reason. The Czech Republic on August 2 also said it does not recognize Vietnam's new passports due to the lack of birthplace information.

 

The immigration department under the Ministry of Public Security said Vietnam's new passport model complies with international regulations and practices and issues that arise will be prioritized for handling through diplomatic channels.

 

The ministry has said it will investigate regulations to see if it is possible to incorporate place of birth in the new passport.

 

In the meantime, birthplace info would be added to the new passports manually and citizens could go to the local immigration office or Vietnamese representative agencies abroad for this, the ministry added.

 

Vietnamese new passport, with decorations on its pages and covers, has been in use since July 1 this year. The old, green cover passports will continue to be valid till they expire.

 

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Following on from last week’s post, it seems many of you are keen to stay away from the main touristy attractions and prefer to explore by yourself.

 

So here are another three places to add to your list.

 

Ha Giang: Great forested limestone and granite mountains

 

Ha Giang is a land with many magnificent landscapes: Dong Van Geopark, Quan Ba Twin Ranges, Ma Pi Leng Pass, 16 ethnic brotherhoods with their cultural features and vibrant traditional dresses in residential areas.

The beauty of pristine natural scenery of the Rocky Mountains, deep valleys & spectacular rice terraces is a unique point of this; a must-visited & off-the-beaten-path destination for adventure lovers & nature.

 

Along with the magnificence of the landscape, travelers will hear about the rich culture and lifestyle of local ethnic groups living in this Vietnamese highland.

 

Great forested limestone & granite mountains in Ha Giang

 

As rice terraces change their natural color from green to yellow at the beginning of October, it's so lovely to have breathtaking captures of stepped rice fields down the valleys with their numerous golden layers.

 

It is also fascinating to see local ethnic groups happily gathering rice in their colorful clothes, placing it on the sack, and carrying it home. How lovely to see local rice-stepped farming practices with buffalo plowing, harrowing & planting on the high mountain slope terrains.

 

Then you are intrigued by the purple & pink colors of buckwheat flowers blooming everywhere in Ha Giang between late October & early November.

 

Buckwheat is considered a symbolic flower in the northern mountainous regions of Vietnam and its finest beauty that you can only find in Ha Giang province.

 

The only way how to get to Ha Giang is to travel by bus/van/motorbike. The closest airport to Ha Giang is Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, about 260 km south of Ha Giang. In the future there should be opening a new airport in Lao Cai.

 

Con Dao: prison island

 

In the past, people always thought of frightening jails when discussing Con Dao and felt the agony of history. But in recent years, voted by a popular Travel & Leisure magazine as one of the 10 most stunning and enigmatic archipelagos globally, Con Dao is now being picked as a paradise for leisure travel nature discovery.

 

Firstly, Con Dao's elegance is undoubted, as it is fortunate to have all the best for a beach destination.

People also said it is a "compensation" from God for his grim past.

 

Con Dao is the biggest of sixteen islands, with 200 km of perfect coastline with a sparkling emerald sea and fine white sandy beaches.

 

Con Dao Island looks like a mighty hunting sea bear from the air, amidst the USA's unbelievable blue.

 

Con Dao Island

 

Additionally, any tourist who comes to this gorgeous island has the same fresh air sensation and a pristine environment.

 

Natural biodiversity is unspoiled enough that tourists can also see wild animals up in forested mountains, such as beautiful chamois, and all kinds of birds leisurely hopping on the trees.

 

Con Dao Island, the setting for Six Senses Con Dao, is 140 miles (230 kilometers) from Ho Chi Minh City. It takes a 45-minute domestic flight from Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao Airport (VCS), then a 10-minute drive to the resort.

 

Hanoi Old Quarter: the spiritual symbol of Hanoi

 

The Hanoi Old Quarter is a top tourist destination with its stunning architecture, Buddhist temples, and long, narrow-styled shops.

 

If you have ever explored the back streets in Paris you will love the old quarter.

 

It would easily be one of the most unforgettable moments of your journey to Vietnam to experience Hanoi’s Old Quarter's architecture.

 

In this part, the French colonial has made an enormous influence on houses.

 

On several corners in Old Quarter, you will notice a collection of small houses with tile roof blocks after blocks featuring French themes.

 

Each house is just a few meters tall, but about 10 meters long and has two to three floors.

 

Artisans or merchants manufacturing their items in the same places they sell made a cooperative structure for delivering goods to specific streets.

 

 

For instance, Hang Gai Street offers ready-made and personalized silk garments, embroidery, and silver items.

 

Wherever you wander you will come across interesting sites and some unusual and unique items to take home.

 

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Apple's CEO Tim Cook. Photo courtesy of Apple

 

Apple CEO Tim Cook said Vietnam is one of four emerging markets for the tech giant that have contributed to the company's success in the second quarter of 2022.

 

In its financial report for the second quarter, Apple announced a record revenue of $83 billion, up 2% year-on-year, despite the volatile market situation.

 

"We set June quarter records in the Americas, in Europe and in the rest of Asia Pacific region. We also saw June quarter revenue records in both developed and emerging markets with very strong double-digit growth in Brazil, Indonesia, and Vietnam and a near doubling of revenue in India," Cook said during the company’s earnings call in late July.

 

He said the company continues to "execute across some significant geographies with low penetration of iPhones between Indonesia, Vietnam and India where we did quite well."

 

The company's strategy is to use its smartphone model to expand its presence, with promotion of other products to follow.

 

"iPhone tends to be the engine for those markets, particularly at the beginning of creating the market there for Apple products."

 

Apple did not specify the growth rate for each region.

 

However, major retail systems in Vietnam have recorded that iPhone is an item that brings in the largest revenues.

 

Among the top 10 smartphones with the highest revenue in the first half of the year sold at electronics retail giant Mobile World, there are four iPhone models, with the top three positions being iPhone 13 Pro Max 128 GB, 13 Pro Max 256 GB and iPhone 11 64 GB.

 

At FPT Shop, a consumer electronics retailer, the best-selling and revenue-generating phone is also iPhone 13 Pro Max.

 

From the beginning of the second quarter of 2022, Apple's authorized retail systems in Vietnam have launched repeated discount programs to stimulate demand during the off-peak period.

 

Popular models such as iPhone 11, 13 Pro Max all saw price reductions of VND2-3 million ($85.51-128.26) in this quarter.

 

A businessman who has monitored the mobile phone market in Vietnam for many years said that the popularity of iPhones in Vietnam was not as low as Tim Cook said it used to be.

 

There were people who bought iPhones from abroad and resold it in Vietnam, therefore, the market valuation statistics Cook stated was not entirely accurate.

 

"For the last 2-3 years, Apple has made many moves to promote users to buy iPhones from its authorized distributors in Vietnam, releasing it soon with the prices similar to those in foreign countries, and at the same time expanding the distribution system, so the growth rate is high. The double-digit growth is completely understandable," said the businessman who did not want to be named.

 

According to an Apple report, sales in the smartphone segment reached $40.7 billion, up nearly 3% from the same period last year.

 

Other than the iPhone, the only other product that increased in popularity was Apple TV Plus. Sales of other products including Mac computers, iPads and wearable devices declined.

 

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Police officers stand guard in Madrid, Spain, October 3, 2020. Photo by Reuters/Javier Barbancho

 

Spanish media reports say that a provincial court has returned the passports of two Vietnamese nationals accused of sexual assault in Mallorca and ordered them to return home.

 

Spain's Ultima Hora newspaper reported Sunday that the Provincial Court of Palma decided August 3 to return the passports of two Vietnamese citizens accused of "sexually abusing a 17-year-old minor."

 

No additional information was reported about the conclusions drawn by investigators or the court.

 

On June 28, two Vietnamese citizens were arrested on the island of Mallorca in the Balearic Islands, Spain, for allegedly raping a 17-year-old British girl.

 

A spokesperson of the Mallorca police department told VnExpress on July 1 that two Vietnamese men, 42 and 38 years old, had been arrested over sexual assault allegations.

 

He refused to disclose their identities and occupations.

 

According to local media, the two Vietnamese male citizens were an actor and a musician.

 

They appeared in court on June 28 and were granted bail, but their passports were confiscated by authorities.

 

The British girl testified in court, confirming her previous testimony to the police.

 

On June 28, she and her family left Mallorca.

 

According to a source in local law enforcement, the two Vietnamese citizens were staying at the Sant Elm hotel in Mallorca, while the British girl and her family stayed somewhere else.

 

On the evening of June 24, she met and struck up a conversation with two Vietnamese men at a restaurant.

 

VN Express reported that they had an "intimate" conversation before returning to one of the two Vietnamese men's hotel rooms.

 

The girl then reported the "rape" in the hotel room to the local police.

 

After receiving the news, the local civil defense agency's patrol unit went to the hotel to take the British girl to the Son Espases hospital.

 

They also arrested the two Vietnamese men.

 

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