News Briefs: June 19, 2019
De Lima: HK protests should inspire Filipinos
MANILA, Philippines — Opposition Sen. Leila de Lima has hailed the release of Hong Kong prodemocracy activist Joshua Wong, who was detained in connection with the 2014 protests calling for universal suffrage in Hong Kong.
The release came amid massive rallies in Hong Kong to oppose an extradition bill with China.
“I hope the protests in Hong Kong will give our countrymen the inspiration and courage to stand up and make noise against the rampant killings resulting from the government’s war on illegal drugs that only targets the poor and the powerless,” De Lima said in a statement. —Leila B. Salaverria
Israeli forces to train PH army on counterrorism
MANILA, Philippines — Israeli Defense Forces delegates, led by Brig. Gen. Dan Goldfus, paid a courtesy call on Monday on Army chief Lt. Gen. Macairog Alberto for the conduct of counterterrorism trainer’s training for Philippine Army troopers.
“The training aims to enhance the counterterrorism capabilities of Army personnel,” said Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala.
He said Goldfus particularly expressed interest on lessons learned by the Philippine Army from the Marawi siege as well as its other combat experiences. —Jeannette I. Andrade
PH aerospace company posts P28-M losses in 2018
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Aerospace Development Corp. (PADC) has incurred some P28.289 million in operating losses over the last year, the Commission on Audit (COA) said, adding that the agency’s continued existence should be reviewed.
Created in 1973 through Presidential Decree No. 286, the PADC was envisioned to develop the aviation and aerospace industry, and provide technical and maintenance support systems to airline companies and the government’s military arm.
It was also expected to be profitable.
But according to the COA, the PADC had only P5.9 million in revenues from the sale of aircraft parts and labor services in 2018, compared to its P34.2 million expenses. —Patricia Denise M. Chiu
