Al-Qaeda-linked militants behead Philippine militiaman

Transcription

1 04 06 FBC awards prizes to 54, 55 and 56th tourney winners Philippines wants defense pact for Japanese troops SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015 Al-Qaeda-linked militants behead Philippine militiaman Page 02 Ampon din ako : VP Binay MANILA: Ampon din ako. Ito ang iginiit ni Vice President Jejomar Binay kasunod ng isyu ng citizenship ni Sen. Grace Poe dahil isa itong foundling o ampon. Sa ambush interview sa bise presidente sa Biliran, iginiit nito na hindi niya kukutyain si Poe sa pagiging ampon nito lalo t ganoon din siya. Ako, si Jojo Binay, kukutyain ko yong mga ganyan? Hindi si Jojo Binay yan. E kasi ako, inampon din lang ako ng tiyo ko, ani Binay. Ani Binay, mas maganda pa ang naging sitwasyon ni Poe kumpara sa pagkakaampon sa kanya. PSN Philippine teenager to have life-saving surgery in Sudan MANILA: An impoverished Philippine farmer s teenage son will fly to Sudan next week for potentially life-saving open heart surgery thanks to an Oscar-nominated film and an Italian charity, his sister said Friday. Reynaldo Nilo, 17, will head to Khartoum on Monday for the free treatment at a hospital run by EMERGENCY, an Italian doctors group, to arrest the onset of rheumatic heart disease, sister Sarah Joy Nilo said. The cardiologist said surgery was urgently needed, otherwise the valves would deteriorate and cease to function, she told AFP. The treatment is locally available, but he was among a long list of charity patients and we did not know when he would get his turn. She said it cost 1.6 million pesos ($35,600) at other local hospitals, a sum the family, which raises ducks for a living, can not afford. We d lost almost all hope until we were introduced to this foundation. EMERGENCY, which works in 16 disaster and war-torn nations, said its cardiac hospital near the Sudanese capital Khartoum was the only one of its kind in Africa where patients were treated for free. US director Kief Davidson went to Khartoum five years ago to film Open Heart, a documentary about eight Rwandan boys who were treated at EMERGENCY s Sudan hospital. Continued on Page 2 MANILA: A row of shanty homes sits atop a sea of garbage on World Environment Day in Manila yesterday. Poverty and a lack of urban planning has been blamed for pollution in the Philippine capital city of 12 million people. AFP Climate debate takes global pulse ahead of Paris summit MANILA: From the typhoon-ravaged Philippines to the Arizona desert, thousands of people began gathering yesterday in small groups in 79 countries for what was touted as the biggest public debate on climate change. Results of the day-long consultations will be submitted to climate change negotiators ahead of a year-end United Nations summit in Paris, where world leaders will gather to forge a new treaty aimed at curbing global warming. I hope that decision makers will find this initiative an important echo chamber of citizens concerns, hopes and aspirations for the kind of world they want for themselves and their children, said Christiana Figueres, executive director of the UN s Framework Convention on Climate Change, one of the organisers of the event. It is also an important contribution to galvanising public understanding of what can often seem a highly complex topic, but one that goes to the heart of everyone s lives. There are about 100 participants from a cross-section of society in each of the day-long discussions, according to the organisers. They were to be asked how concerned they were about climate change, if climate negotiators should seek an ambitious accord, and if the Paris agreement should be legally binding for all countries. Every participant would be required to vote on the issues. Organisers will present the results to climate change negotiators who are meeting in Bonn, Germany, next week, and in other meetings leading to the Paris summit. voices of poor and vulnerable One of the first debates was in the Philippines, a Southeast Asian nation particularly vulnerable to climate change and already hit by an average of 20 major storms or typhoons a year. In 2013, Super Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines with the strongest winds ever recorded on land, leaving 7,350 people dead or missing. The Philippine meeting gathered ordinary people, including farmers, minibus drivers, housewives, street vendors and professionals, discussion moderator Editha Pimentel told AFP. One of the participants in Manila, high school teacher Jocelyn Pedernal, said she believed the forum could be a way for world powers to hear the voices of the poor and vulnerable. Continued on Page 2

2 SUNDAY, JUNE 7, Al-Qaeda-linked militants behead Philippine militiaman Climate debate... Continued from Page 1 Even a small speck of dust can get caught in the eye and have an effect, she told AFP. The big countries are the ones who should show the way and apply the measures to stem climate change. They are the ones who emit the most carbon. Another participant, tricycle driver Bartolome Pidar, 35, said he wanted to tell leaders of rich nations about his suffering. The poor are the ones who feel the effects of the heat and rain. The rich have houses and air conditioning, said Pidar, a father of three. They are rich because of us so they should listen to us. The consultations are co-organised by the French National Commission for Public Debate, French consulting firm Missions Publiques and the Danish Board of Technology Foundation. The goal of the planned Paris pact, which must enter into force by 2020, is to limit global warming to two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over pre- Industrial Revolution levels. Scientists warn that on current trends, Earth is on track for double that or more a recipe for catastrophic droughts, fiercer storms like Haiyan and other extreme weather events. AFP ZAMBOANGA: Members of an Al-Qaedalinked militant group beheaded a pro-government militiaman in the latest clash in the troubled southern Philippines yesterday, a military statement said. Two members of the extremist Abu Sayyaf group were also killed in the fighting against soldiers and pro-government volunteers in the strife-torn southern island of Basilan, the statement said. The troops were guarding a town s water system following a series of extortion demands by Abu Sayyaf when they were attacked by about 20 gunmen. A fire fight ensued for five minutes (and) resulted in the death of (one civilian auxiliary) who was eventually beheaded, the report said. Two Abu Sayyaf members were also killed in the fighting, the military said, adding that troops were pursuing the extremists. Abu Sayyaf, set up with seed funding from Al-Qaeda in the early 1990s, has been blamed for many of the deadliest militant attacks in the Philippines, including the 2004 firebombing of a ferry on Manila Bay that claimed more than 100 lives. The group has been known to behead some of its hostages and mutilate slain opponents. It has engaged in mass kidnappings and extortion to raise funds and has proved resilient despite the Philippine military receiving US training to hunt them down. A key leader of the group posted video footage of himself and other gunmen last year pledging allegiance to Islamic State fighters in Syria and Iraq. AFP MANILA: This general view shows participants attending a climate debate forum titled World Wide Views on Climate and Energy in Manila yesterday. AFP Espina should fast-track administrative cases MANILA: Following the news that Director Gen. Alan Purisima would report back to work on June 10, Sen. Grace Poe on Saturday said Philippine National Police (PNP) officer in charge Deputy Director Gen. Leonardo Espina should fast-track the investigations on administrative cases against the suspended police chief. Poe said Espina, who was set to retire in July, had the capacity to pursue charges versus Purisima while he was still in charge of the 150,000-strong police force. Hindi naman natin pwedeng sabihin sa tao na, basta magresign ka na lang. Kahit na overwhelming yung evidence, kailangan nilang gawin yung proseso pra mapatunayan kung ano ang mga pagkakamali, she said in an interview with radio station dzmm. Inquirer.net Philippine teenager... MANILA: Filipino activists hold slogans during an anti-china rally outside the Chinese Consulate at the financial district of Makati, south of Manila, Philippines Thursday. More than 100 Filipino activists demanded that China stop its increasingly assertive actions in the disputed South China Sea, and warned during a rally Thursday they could target Chinese economic interests. AP Continued from Page 1 The film, which received an Oscar nomination, was seen by the Filipino teen s sister on television last year, reviving the family s flagging hopes. She recognised that the condition described was the same as her brother s, waited for the credits and then tracked the producer Cori Stern down with a one-line . My brother has this, please help, the statement said. Stern, an American, endorsed the Nilo sister to the aid group, which agreed to provide either partial or total replacement of the teen s heart valves. The group said it would also pay for other required medications for the rest of his life, adding he would likely die within a few years without the operation. Reynaldo had strep throat as a child, which if not treated with antibiotics can lead to a rheumatic heart disease that usually leaves young adults dead by 20, it said in a statement. The sister, 25, said her brother was diagnosed with the disease two years ago. He became bedridden and was unable to finish his high school studies, while also requiring his sister to take care of him full time. EMERGENCY said the siblings would be flown to Khartoum for free by Turkish Airlines. AFP

3 SUNDAY, JUNE 7, Musika at Tawanan: Admission is free Lovi Poe darating sa Kuwait sa Huwebes KUWAIT: The stage is set for the Musika at Tawanan 5 featuring versatile Filipino actress and singer Lovi Poe together with fast-rising comic duo Pepay and Tammy Brown and showbiz reporter Rey Pumaloy. The event is organized by the Alliance of Filipino Organizations in Kuwait (ALLFIL-OK) in partnership with the GMA Pinoy TV/My-HD and in coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait. A group of Filipino local talents composed of world-class singers and dancers will be per forming in the upcoming event. Admission is free to the public. ALLFIL-OK is composed of the Filipino Badminton Committee, Filipino Cultural Club, Filipino Association of Secretaries of Employment Agencies in Kuwait, Philippine Society of Marketing Specialists in Kuwait, SANDIGAN, Friends in Kuwait, Kuwait Filipino Mothers Organization, MAKULAY, Lens Artists Photography Group, UFCORG and Filipino Zumba Association in Kuwait.

4 SUNDAY, JUNE 7, FBC awards prizes to 54, 55 and 56th tourney winners KUWAIT: The Filipino Badminton Committee (FBC) distributed awards to the winners of 54, 55 and 56th tournament held recently at the Disabled Club in Hawally. The prizes was handed over by PAG- IBIG FUND Country Representative Mac Khalil with FBC President Regine Panesal. Khalil on his short message congratulated winners and encourages members to avail their programs and to join the PAGIBIG raffle promo and to have a chance to win $10,000 grand prize, an annual program by Pag-Ibig Fund for their members. The HPI Championship Cup will continue on Friday June 12 but be noted on the timing changes to give way for the Musika at Tawanan concert to be held on same day with GMA artist from Manila Lovi Poe. Also, FBC is inviting all badminton enthusiasts to join its one day tournament on June 12 at Kuwait Disabled Sports Club. FBC Chairman Dr. Chie Umandap expresses its sincere gratitude to PAGIBIG and HPI. Chris OSN joins 117th Philippine Independence Day Celebration on June 12 KUWAIT: OSN and the Coalition of Filipino Community Organization in Kuwait will celebrate the 117th Philippine Independence Day (Fiesta ng Kalayaan) on June 12, 2015 Friday under the auspices of Philippine Embassy in Kuwait and Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO). The Philippine Independence Day celebration will be held at Qadsia Sports Club, Hawally, Kuwait. This is a whole day event and free to all who want to join and celebrate with us. The event will commence with parade of colors, Embassy officials, POLO officials, professionals, sports and regional organizations and sponsors. The Philippine Independence day will showcase food festival and cooking competition, live music bands, parlor games and raffle draws. The gates will open at 9a.m. The event is sponsored by LBC, Xtra, & Western Union. Two of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) superstars Anthony Semerad of Global Port team and Chris Banchero of Alaska team will join and participate in the event. They will have a meet and greet with the fans and autograph signing. The search for Lakambini (Miss Independence) 2015 is also one of the much awaited portion that gathers the young and talented Filipina all over Kuwait (from different organizations) to compete for the title. This will surely bring fun, laughter and excitement.

5 SUNDAY, JUNE 7, Dalal Al-Ameri celebrated her 18th birthday last Friday at Fusion Restaurant. Dalal, is one of the the beautiful daughters of Maria Palacious Al-Ameri, distinguished Filipino community leader and founder of several Pinoy organizations in Kuwait including the highly recognized Presidential Award Banaag Awards Filipino Cultural Club in Kuwait. A wonderful, challenging, intriguing time of your life begins at 18 Dalal, wish you best and smooth journey, be ready because you are now a lady! Happy Birthday Happy Birthday to both of you po! Madam Sarah Yousuf & Madam Farida Al-Halimi! You both shine in the dark and leave an indelible imprint, maaasahang lider, salamat sa walang sawang pagtulong sa mga nangangailangang kababayan!

6 SUNDAY, JUNE 7, BengarciaFILES Ni Ben Garcia bengarcia@kuwaittimes.net Ayun na nga po. May nakuha na akong sagot o impormasyon sa tanong natin last week. Bakit hindi magkakasama o bakit hindi nagkaroon ng isang event ngayong June 12 para sa araw ng Kalayaan? Eto po ang sagot! Ginawa raw po nila ang buong makakaya para maging posible ang isang event na lamang ng community sa June 12. Yan ang bungad sa akin ni Charge de Affair s Consul General Raul Dado nang makausap ko kasama ng mga core leaders ng dalawang nagbabanggaang umbrella organizations na sina Dr Chie Umandap ng Alliance of Filipino Organizations at Coalition of Filipino Organizations na si Oliver Diong ng Coalition of Filipino Organizations in Kuwait. Bakit ko ginamit ang nagbabanggaan? Kasi aware akong ganun nga ang inihahatid na mensahe ng magkahiwalay na event. Pero sabi ng dalawang grupo noong makausap ko, hindi naman daw dapat sabihing nagbabanggaan. Anu nga kaya ang magandang term anu po? Nag-aaway, nagsasalpukan, may-iringan o ano ba talaga kuya? Sa mga nagtatanong kung bakit hindi naging posible ngayong taong ito ang isnag event...well ito ang malinaw na sagot nila sa akin. Nagkaroon at nag-agree na di-umano ang dalawang grupo sa iisang event lamang this Friday. Ang Alliance at ang Coalition ay naglatag ng kani-kanilang programa. Para nga daw mabawasan na ang gastos ng embassy, inoffer na rin ng Alliance ang venue para gawing libre at sila na ang magbabayad sa venue. Pero dumating na ang disisyon ni CDA Dado; ayon sa kanya; apparently mayroong mga preferences ang bawat grupo at para ma-exercise natin ang tunay na kalayaan (sa pagpili) kung saan sila sasama okay na rin na magkaroon ng dalawang venues sa hapon ang community. Ang iba dahil sa mga work-skeds nila, ang iba mga personal taste and responsibilities kaya okay lang naman, hoping of course na lahat ng tao ay mapupuntahan naman ang lahat. Sa both venues pupunta kami free-flowing ang attendance on both sides. We do not want to coerce anyone on going somewhere, yan po ang sinabi ni CDA Dado sa akin. Dagdag niya: I was told, na dati daw (mga Independence Day events) kung mayroong isang grupo na nariyan na, hindi na raw ina-allow yung ibang grupo, so hindi yata maganda yun, dagdag niya: Gusto kong sabihin na ang embassy natin ay open sa lahat ng organisasyon sa June 12 ng morning. Magkakaroon tayo ng flag-hoisting ceremony with the new ambassador (Renato Pedro Villa) at magkakasama tayo sa almusal ng bayan. Wala namang animosity sa bawat grupo, gusto naman nilang magkasama at makatulong talaga. Pero ayaw kong maging instrumento ng coercion okay lang naman na ang ibang tao mayroong ibang sariling idea o opinion. Yung pagsasama at pag-uusap ng dalawang grupo ay napakalaking bagay na ito, hindi natin gustong ipilit muna (ang isang event), unti-unti, darating tayo dyan. Kasama nga pala sa Manila konektado sa disunity ng Pinoy organizations sa Kuwait Council (na itinayo) sina Vice Consul Atty Sheina Tesorero at Atty Cesar Chavez ng Overseas Labor Office. Importante ito sa amin, importante sa amin sina Dr Chie at Oliver sa usapan ng Council, wika nia CDA Dado. Oliver: Kami sa Coalition wala kaming sama ng loob sa ibang grupo, kami nina Dr Chie, nag-uusap naman kami ng maayos; may-galang at mayroon kaming mga respeto sa isa t isa. Mayroon kaming mga programs na inilaan sa aming mga members at yan ang gusto nila. Hindi ibig sabihin na magkakahiwalay kami, mayroon na kaming galit sa isa t isa o wala na kaming unity, tulad ng gustong palabasin ng iba. Mas-okay na rin na mayroong pagpipilian ang bawat Pinoy sa Kuwait, kung saan nila gustong magpunta mayroon silang pupuntahan. At least di ba, hindi namin sila dinidigtahan. Free ang members KUWAIT: Mula kaliwa, Dr Chie Umandap, Oliver Diong, Atty Sheina Tesorero at CDA Atty Raul Dado, noong Huwebes sa sa Kuwait City sa pagbubukas ng Adobo Connection. Kuha ni Ben Garcia namin, kung gustong manuod ng concert ni Lovi, hindi namin sila pipigilan. Hindi ito competition. Dr Chie: Unity ang gusto natin; isa ang puso namin dyan kaya nga nabuo ang council para sa pag-uusap ng dalawang panig. Now, sa amin sa alliance talaga nag-give way kami sa hangarin na magkaroon ng iisang event sana nitong June 12. Pero let s admit na bawat organizations mayroon nang mga naunang plano. Siguro, nung lumabas ang plano ng one event mayroon na rin silang initial plan (ang Coalition), hindi na puede siguro dahil they have the plan ahead of time pa. We understand that, kasi nga, hindi lang naman isang brain ang gumagana kung pag-uusapan ang mga programa nila. Naniniwal ako na itong ginagawa namin sa council ay proseso ito. Hindi puwede iimpose o ipilit. Magaganap siguro yan unti-unti. So tanggap na namin na matagal talaga itong pagkakaisang hangad natin. Pero natutuwa ako na yung proseso nagsimula na, in fact, sinimulan na nila sa change of name. Ginawa na nilang COALITION hindi na FILCOM ang pangalan nila, kasi very generic ang Filcom, kasali rin kami sa Filipino community. Kaya itong unang step na ito okay na sa amin ito. One step na ito towards unification or unity ng Filipino organizations sa Kuwait. Sa panig ni CDA Dado, isa pa sa rason kung bakit pumayag na rin siya ng separate venues ay dahil hindi raw po pumayag ang Manila na bigyan sila ng budget para sa community event na ito. Yung offer daw kasi ng Alliance ay sadyang very generous kasi free na nga daw ang venue sana: Heto ang sabi ni CDA Dado: It was very generous offer pero hindi kami (ang embassy) puwede tumanggap ng offer na ganun o kahit saan mang grupo, kasi mawawala ang objectivity namin (as embassy). Okay lang yan kasi magkakaibigan tayong lahat now, pero paano kung hindi na ganun, halimbawa I used my power to become objective sa isnag isyu, di magiging unfair ako sa isa. Kaya nag-decide ako na hindi ko tanggapin ang offer. I have to apologized to Miss Ana (Del Mundo) sa offer na yun. Yan po ang rason kung bakit hindi ko tinanggap ang offer, hindi yun dahil sa may-mga animosity sila. Pero ito ang million dollar palaisipan. Alam kong hindi lang ito ang usapin; kundi pondo (ng organization), pagalingan at kumpetisyon. Titigil muna ako dito ukol sa binanggit ko na yan. Pero nakita ko ang problema sa panig ng central government sa Manila. Bakit hindi sila nag-shell-out ng pondo sa konting kasiyahan sana ng mga Pinoy sa Kuwait? Kung ang narinig nating reason ang paniniwalaan natin kung bakit hindi nagkaroon ng iisang event ay dahil sa walang pondo, may problema ang Manila, again, bakit ayaw nilang maglabas ng kahit konti para sa community event? Lumalabas kasi now na nasa kanila (central government sa Manila) ang problema. Bakit hindi maglaan ng pondo ang gobyerno para sa mga events na tulad nito? Ito ay pakikinabangan ng mga Pinoy sa ibang bansa? Lalo pa t alam nating lahat na minimal o kokunti lamang ang outlets ng mga Pinoy dito para magkasama-sama. Hindi ba tuwing Independence Day naman ay mayroong talagang programa para sa community? E bakit hindi laanan ng pondo ng gobyerno ito? E kung ayaw naman nilang humingi ng ayuda sa private individuals or entities, di maglaan sila ng konti para sa community affairs. Diyata t ang mga sinisingil nila sa atin sa mga bayarin sa serbisyo ay kulang pa para sa simple at minsan lang namang kasiyahan o isang beses sa isang taong selebrasyon? Ang mga events na tulad nito ay puedeng makatulong sa mga kababayan natin upang maibsan kahit papaano ang kanilang homesickness. TOKYO: Philippine President Benigno Aquino III arrives for a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo, Friday. AP Philippines wants defense pact for Japanese troops TOKYO: Philippine President Benigno Aquino III said Friday he wants to start talks to allow Japanese troops into his Southeast Asian country, as both nations try to build up their defenses at a time of tense territorial disputes with China. A visiting forces agreement would allow for refueling and other logistical and legal needs for periodic visits by Japanese troops, Aquino told a news conference at the end of his four-day visit to Tokyo. The Philippines has similar deals with the U.S. and Australia. The Philippines and Japan on Thursday signed a strategic partnership agreement and said they would start talks on selling Japanese military hardware and technology, while bolstering exercises and operations between their militaries. Japan will be delivering 10 patrol ships for the Philippine coast guard and also promised to upgrade its surveillance and defense capability. However, the spokesman for the prime minister s office, Kenko Sone, said he did not know immediately whether Japan was also starting talks on a visiting forces agreement with the Philippines. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to expand Japan s military role abroad, and already has partnered with a number of countries, including Australia, to complement Tokyo s cornerstone alliance with the U.S. Abe s Cabinet last year adopted a new interpretation of Japan s war-renouncing constitution that would allow Japan to aid foreign allies under attack. So far, Japanese troops have been restricted to Japan and its vicinity, and the changes are currently being discussed in parliament. Defense Minister Gen Nakatani has said that the new law, if passed, could allow Japanese military to provide escorts and surveillance in the South China Sea, where the Philippines and the U.S. have challenged China s territorial claims. Aquino said the two leaders touched on a possibility of starting talks toward forging a visiting forces agreement, and that the Philippines is ready to discuss further details. He said strategic partners need such an arrangement in case there comes a time that you would need to be in coordination. Japan hosts American troops under its bilateral security treaty but has no visiting forces agreement with other nations, except in the case of U.N.-led peacekeeping operations. AP

7 SUNDAY, JUNE 7, Bowlersmate snatch lead, UAE Exchange joins magic 8 By Garry Nakpil KUWAIT: For the fourth week, there was a tumultuous shudder in the standing of the different teams competing in the Philippine Bowling Association in Kuwait (PBAK) 2nd Season Team Tournament 2015 held at Cozmo Center in Kheifan. Third rank Bowlersmate snatched the lead from the titan of the league the All Stars Strikers, second placer Cozmo slide to third position, Thunder Dragons although won the game skid from fifth to sixth, Asian Air Safari winning the weekly series jumped from sixth to fifth place and UAE Exchange joined the magic 8 striking out the Original Pin Killers who holds the ninth position. Travel Club and LEAF uphold their fourth and seventh ranking. Exceptional encounter was between the dangling teams Original Pin Killers and UAE Exchange who holds the eight and ninth positions. In the first two games, the Exchangers murdered the Pin Killers with the scores of / ( ). Although playing with a depleted lineup the OPK fought like true warriors and won the last game with its commander Greg Kingpin Melancon who scored game series of 723 (216/242/265). The victorious team top scorer were Rani Skeik (548) and Rudy de Lima (521) supported by Renato Pante (492), Freddie Santos (483), Mike Gonzales and Mariotte Vito while OPK who assisted Greg were his three angels, Alma Turley, Jelyn Colegio and Jenny Ganot. The final score was with 90 pins difference and after the summation of grand total, their standing was reversed. Bowlersmate was agitated when Nusantara won the first game of their 3-game series. But in the remaining games after energizing their selves they were back into their senses with killing instinct and won the last two games / and the final score was Bowlersmate high scorers were Ali Adel Ata Khalil 172/245/221 (638) and Yousef Khalil (537) assisted by Jess Tolentino, Mohammad Ismat, Aji Verghese, Hammad Yassen and Josie Lorino. Loser Nusantara s big scorer was Saleh Al Faraj (516) with Benyamin Hasan. Ahmad Fahmi, Endang Wendy, Abel, Laras and Iman Nitikusumo. With the win, Bowlersmate snatched the top rank while Nusantara maintained the tenth position. The collision between Asian Air Safari and LEAF was an unusual game when LEAF team won two games / while the Air Safari won just one game and the end result affected their standing although inside the inner circle of the elite group. Air Safari top honcho was Norlan Balasan (609), followed by Lito Michael (548), Gani dela Cruz (475), Vernie Villaruel, Hermie Saliba, Zairus Javellana and Alex Cervantes while LEAF have Blanca Sambajon (579), Cris Carungay (553), Rene Marzan (528), Marjorie Mercado (464), Maricel Montero and Reygan Percy. Other results: Although Thunder Dragons posted victory over Travel Club ( ) still they slide to sixth position while the Travelers uphold there old standing; The original strikers the All Stars wrecked the dreams of Tsamba Strikers for another win ( ); The Swooping Eagles continued its winning streak and dumped the Cozmo ( ) flying high and now resting in the eleventh position and finally the battle of the tail enders, Mangaf Strikers outsmarted the Magnum team ( ). Team Standing after fourth round: 1. Bowlersmate (11763); 2. All Stars Strikers (11738); 3. Travel Club (11460); 4. Cozmo (11448); 5. Asian Air Safari (11248); 6. Thunder Dragons (11240); 7. LEAF (11151); 8. UAE Exchange (11134); 9. Original Pin Killers (11075); 10. Nusantara (10762); 11. Swooping Eagles (10601); 12. Tsamba Strikers (10504); 13. Mangaf Strikers (7519); 14. Magnum (7497). Individual High Game Individual High Average Mens-A Abdul Aziz Al Aslawi 279 Greg Melancon Mens-B Yousef Khalil 257 Ypusef Khalil Mens-C Ishaaq Al Waahid 218 Ishaaq Al Waahid Ladies A Neveen Wasel 223 Hanadi Mezail Ladies B Laras Nitikusumo 191 Laras Nitikusumo Team High Game (Scratch) - All Star Strikers (1101) Team High Series (Scratch + Handicap) - All Star Strikers (3144) Team Weekly Series Week 1 - All Star Strikers Week 2 - Travel Club Week 3 - Bowlersmate Week 4 - Asian Air Safari Weekly - Individual High Game Mens A - Greg Melancon Mens B - Ferdie Saliba Mens C - Mohammad Ismat Lades A- Nasha King Ladies B - Jenny Ganot - 178

8 Bowlersmate snatch lead, UAE Exchange joins magic 8 Page 7 SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2015 SINGAPORE: Brunei has pulled out of hosting the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, blaming a lack of venues and preparation time, the Olympic Council of Asia said. The tiny, resourcerich state apologised to the SEA Games Federation council after announcing its decision at a meeting in Singapore, according to the OCA website. The Philippines has expressed interest in taking over the 2019 edition of the biennial, 11-nation event, whose latest incarnation formally opens in Singapore on Friday. Malaysia will host the next games in 2017, Vietnam will hold it them 2021 and Cambodia were confirmed as 2023 organisers at the meeting, the OCA said. The Federation also accepted ice hockey, ice skating, cricket, bridge and Indonesian martial art tarung derajat as new sports, meaning they are eligible for future SEA Games. Meanwhile, the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games needs to ditch its roster of obscure regional sports and focus solely on Olympic disciplines, Thai officials have urged. With the Games 28th edition opened in Singapore on Friday, the officials said the event had failed in its original goal of lifting athletic standards in the region. Those in charge of the Games should make it more interesting for both the athletes and fans, said Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) governor Sakol Wannapong, according to the Bangkok Post. Sports at the Games should only be the Olympic disciplines. While Southeast Asians are world-beaters at the volleyball-style sepaktakraw and pencak silat, a martial art, they have failed to make an impact in sports that are more widely played. The biennial SEA Games programme is decided by the hosts and the current edition features 36 sports, including floorball (indoor hockey), netball, bowling, petanque and wushu, a Chinese martial art. This time, Singapore is not organising Olympic sports like weightlifting and women s football, but netball has been included in the programme, Sakol said. At the previous Olympics in 2012, no athletes from SEA Games member countries won any gold medals. SEA Games Federation councillor Charoen Wattanasin said it was hard to convince other countries to change as the tournament, now in its 56th year, was a rare chance for them to win gold medals. At the 2013 edition in Myanmar, little-known martial arts vovinam and kenpo took pride of place, along with chinlone (keepy-uppy), futsal, chess and body-building. As a member of the SEA Games Federation, I personally want to correct things to make the Games better, Charoen told the Bangkok Post. But it is not easy because many countries are reluctant to do so. They want to have their traditional sports in the Games. He added: The SEA Games should be a venue for young athletes to hone their skills for bigger events like the Asian Games and the Olympics. AFP SEA Games Philippines to host SEA Games 2019? Obscure sports should be axed, say Thais SINGAPORE: Presenters Nikki Muller (L), Chua Enlai (C) and Sharon Au (R) are pictured during their routine at the opening ceremony of the biennial Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Singapore s National Stadium. TV personality and actress Sharon Au, a presenter at Singapore s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games opening ceremony, has apologised after she shocked onlookers by mocking a small, ethnic Indian girl about her accent. AFP SINGAPORE: Dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the biennial Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Singapore s National Stadium on Friday. AFP Pinay triathlete wins first SEAG gold for PH MANILA: Claire Adorna dominated the women s triathlon event at the 2015 Southeast Asian Games in Singapore to give the Philippines its first gold medal in the games on yesterday. Compatriot Kim Mangrobang came up at second place for a 1-2 finish by Team Philippines to establish the country s dominance in SEAG triathlon. Adorna clocked in at 2:13:08 followed by Mangrobang with 2:14:26. Their victories hiked the Philippines s medal tally to a gold, 4 silvers and 1 bronze. Their coach earlier predicted that the Filipino triathletes will rule the tournament on Saturday. Realistically, if we look at their times, of course we also review their opponent s times, these two kids are at a different level than their competition, more so than the men, said women s triathlete coach Ani de Leon Brown on Friday. I believe that his two (Adorna and Mangrobang) will dominate tomorrow, added Brown, who finished fourth in the women s triathlon in the Philippine SEA Games 10 years ago. ABS-CBNnews.com Claire Adorna