Indian Navy destroyer INS Kolkata and tanker INS Shakti, transits the international waters in the South China Sea along with US, Japanese, Philippine ships. (Photo JMSDF
China claims nearly the entire South China Sea based on its so-called ‘nine-dash line’ that the international court ruled without merit five years ago….reports Asian Lite News
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks on Sunday with visiting Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin in Tunxi, China.
This meeting comes amid tension between the two countries over the territorial dispute in the South China Sea (SCS).
Both have been involved in a confrontation over Beijing’s intrusion into Manila’s Exclusive economic zone. China claims it has the exclusive right to make, and execute its own laws, encapsulated by the creation of artificial islands.
China claims nearly the entire South China Sea based on its so-called ‘nine-dash line’ that the international court ruled without merit five years ago.
During the meeting between Wang Yi and Locsin on Sunday, the two sides exchanged views on the SCS issue and held that maritime issues should be placed in an appropriate position in bilateral relations.
Wang said China always takes the Philippines as a priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy, and China’s good-neighbourly and friendly policy toward the Philippines has maintained continuity and stability, Xinhua News Agency reported.
The two sides should remove disturbances, calmly and properly manage differences and not let them affect the overall situation of China-Philippines relations, Wang said.
China is ready to speed up the construction of key infrastructure projects with the Philippines, and continue to provide COVID-19 vaccine assistance to the Philippines, Wang said. (ANI)
As the largest iteration of the Philippines-US joint drills since 2015, Balikatan 2022 will be conducted across the main Luzon island until April 8….reports Asian Lite News
The Philippines and the US on Monday began their large-scale annual joint military drills in the Southeast Asian country.
The participants in the exercise, codenamed Balikatan 2022, include 3,800 Filipino and 5,100 US military personnel, as well as observers from various armed forces in the region, reports Xinhua news agency.
As the largest iteration of the Philippines-US joint drills since 2015, Balikatan 2022 will be conducted across the main Luzon island until April 8.
According to the military, the drills will focus on “maritime security, amphibious operations, live-fire training, urban operations, aviation operations, counterterrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief”.
— U.S. Embassy in the Philippines (@USEmbassyPH) March 26, 2022
It also includes a command post exercise that tests both forces’ ability to plan, command and communicate in a simulated environment.
Balikatan, a Tagalog phrase for “shoulder-to-shoulder”. is the most comprehensive among several regular Philippines-US joint military exercises.
The Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) gives US troops a legal basis to be in the Southeast Asian country for bilateral exercises, and governs the conduct of American armed force personnel.
However, some Philippine politicians have expressed their concerns that the large-scale military exercise might threaten regional security.
Presidential candidate and labor leader Ka Leody de Guzman said he is “uncomfortable” with the Balikatan military training exercise, calling it “provocative”.
He said the Philippines should pursue an independent foreign policy, stressing that the country should not be a “pawn”.
Philippines Pavilion records one million visitors at Dubai Expo 2020
The Philippines Pavilion “Bangkóta” at Expo 2020 Dubai has recorded over one million visitors as of mid-March, driving its unique key message of “cultural sustainability” to Expo’s global audiences…reports Asian Lite News
Kathelyn Nida Mendres and her family stepped within the grounds of the Bangkóta to a pleasant surprise when they learned that they were the one-millionth visitor marking a historic number of visits to one of Expo 2020 Dubai’s largest pavilions.
To celebrate the visit, the Philippines Pavilion gifted the family with a special gift bag from ‘Bangkóta’ filled with delicious treats shipped straight from the Philippines.
Philippine Department of Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary for the Trade Promotions Group and Philippines Expo 2020 Dubai Alternate Commissioner General, Rosvi C. Gaetos, highlighted that this milestone affirms the interest of Expo 2020 Dubai’s tourists in the Philippines and its 4,000-year story of the Filipino voyage that piques the curiosity and enthralls the eyes of visitors.
“The Philippines Pavilion sets itself apart with its unique look and message that shares the story of the Filipinos as they embarked a journey for the past 4,000 years – and today, many overseas Filipinos continue on that track especially here in the UAE where nearly a million Filipinos live, thrive, and contribute to the development of this country,” said Gaetos.
She added that the Organising Committee of the Philippines Pavilion had prepared a host of events that celebrates the country’s brand of food, fitness, and fun that visitors could look forward to in the run-up to Expo 2020’s closing date.
“We’re proud to join Expo 2020 Dubai’s ‘1 million club’ as we capture and sustain the interest of visitors through the myriad of our exhibits, activities, food, and more that we will be sharing to the world as Expo 2020 culminates this month,” added Gaetos. (WAM)
Philippines celebrated National Day at Expo 2020 (WAM)
The Philippines celebrated its National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai on Friday, with a host of activities marking the country’s strong ties with the UAE…reports Asian Lite News
Almost 700,000 Filipinos call the UAE home and have become part of the nation’s growth.
Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh, UAE Minister of State, welcomed Ramon Lopez, Philippine Secretary of Trade and Industry, Commissioner General of the Philippine Pavilion and Chair of the Philippine Organising Committee for Expo 2020 Dubai.
Al Sayegh said, “The Philippines Pavilion showcases the successes and the innovations of its people, promotes the Philippines’ growth sectors, including Infrastructure, ICT, and Eco-tourism, and positions the country as a key trade partner in the region.
“The relationship between our two countries, which was established in the early 1970s, is based on shared visions and mutual respect. Given that the Philippines is one of the most dynamic economies in the East Asia Pacific region, we are keen on exploring new prospects of cooperation between our public and private sectors within areas of common interest.”
In celebration of the Philippines’ National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai, His Excellency Ramon Lopez, Philippines Minister of Trade and Industry, pic.twitter.com/yb2aRZXKox
Lopez said, “We commend the UAE government for its bold initiative in hosting the first world expo in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia region and in delivering what (has) turned out to be the biggest and most impressive Expo ever. We are proud to be part of such an achievement.
“Expo 2020 Dubai has been a game-changer in Philippine-UAE economic relations, opening up unlimited opportunities in trade, tourism and investments. We project increased revenues in major industry sectors.”
A cultural performance by Daluyong ng Diwa, depicting the four-thousand-year history of the Filipino people, with music and lyrics by Ejay Yatco, concluded the ceremony. The show was created to complement the Philippines Pavilion.
Located in the Sustainability District, the pavilion has a thematic presentation titled ‘Bangkóta,’ an ancient Filipino word for “coral reef.” This presents the Filipino people as sea-oriented as well as globally connected, thriving in vibrant communities across the world.
In the evening, the Philippine flag was projected on Al Wasl Dome, while a gala presentation featuring Filipino artists and performers was staged at Jubilee Park. A food fiesta, showcasing the southeast Asian nation’s diverse cuisine was also held at the Philippines Pavilion.
Rounding off the festivities was a concert in Al Wasl dome by Filipino American singer, Bamboo, whose musical talent and songs about social issues have made him a pop icon. (WAM)
At least 67.5 million Filipinos have registered to vote, including 1.8 million voters overseas…reports Asian Lite News
Campaign for presidential election formally kicked off in the Philippines on Tuesday, three months ahead of the voting on May 9 to choose a new President that will lead this Southeast Asian country in the next six years.
At least 67.5 million Filipinos have registered to vote, including 1.8 million voters overseas, reports Xinhua news agency.
They will also elect the vice president, about 300 lawmakers, and over 18,000 positions as local officials.
There are 10 presidential candidates and nine candidates for the Vice President.
According to surveys, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., 64, the son of former President Ferdinand Marcos, is leading in the opinion polls. Trailing behind him are 56-year-old incumbent Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo, Manila City Mayor Francisco Domagoso, Senator Manny Pacquiao, Senator Panfilo Lacson, and five others.
In the Philippines, the President and Vice Pesident are elected separately.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, 43, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte, will run for vice president as the running mate of Marcos Jr..
Duterte, whose six-year term ends in June, has yet to endorse any presidential candidate.
Like in past elections, some candidates already started campaigning on television, social media, and radio months before the campaign season started.
As early as October, presidential aspirants have begun crisscrossing the archipelago to dole out goodies and cash, launch TV promotions and roll out social media advertising programs.
The candidates’ names and pictures are displayed on giant billboards along major highways.
However, unlike in the past, the candidates are not expected to barnstorm cities and towns, croon love songs, hug babies, and dance on stage to win votes.
The Commission on Elections has imposed restrictions in order to contain the spread of Covid-19, barring politicians from entering houses, crowding, handshakes, hugs, kissing, or any actions that involve physical contact.
Even taking selfies and photographs, activities that require proximity with people, as well as distribution of food and drinks are prohibited.
With the Covid-19 threat, the candidates are expected to be more prominent in digital platforms and hire social media savvy advisers to woo the youth, who comprise more than half of the total registered voters.
Meanwhile, the crescendo of campaign rhetoric and mudslinging is also expected to intensify in the coming days as the three-month campaign unfolds.
While the BrahMos sale is a major breakthrough in New Delhi’s attempt to emerge as a supplier of weapons to Southeast Asia, it has to be considered within the broader context of India’s growing relationship with the countries of the region, including the Philippines, under the banner of its Act East Policy (AEP), writes Baladas Ghoshal
The Philippines has emerged as the maiden buyer of BrahMos supersonic missile systems, jointly produced by India and Russia, amid China’s aggressive territorial claims in the South China Sea (SCS) region. Both sides were in an advanced stage of negotiations for a number of years and would have struck the deal earlier had not the Covid-19 pandemic intervened and hit the Philippines exchequer. Manila has now agreed to buy BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missiles from India for US $375-million to shore up its defences in the disputed SCS.
The acquisition is the newest of a number of similar capacity enhancements for the Philippine Army unveiled in contemporary weeks. In December, Philippine Protection Secretary Delfin Lorenzana made public the acquisition of six patrol ships from Austal for $600 million and two corvettes from Hyundai Heavy Industries for $550 million.
The acquisition of the BrahMos, said to be the world’s fastest cruise missile, “marks a breakthrough in efforts to upgrade the Philippines defense arsenal,” to quote a Filipino analyst.
The BrahMos has a top speed in the range of Mach 3, a surface-launch range of about 160 nm and a payload of about 440 pounds of explosives. It is designed with naval warfare in mind, can fly just 30 feet off the surface and carry out evasive manoeuvres to evade air defences. This universal missile can be launched from ships, mobile launchers, submarines and aircraft. It has network-centric architecture, multiple trajectories, way-point capability, and is capable of engaging any kind of land or naval targets beyond the horizon in a minimum deployment time. It is the only supersonic cruise missile in the world that flies at three times the speed of sound.
It appears from reports in the Filipino press that Manila is primarily interested in the shore-battery version, which would give its forces coverage of the majority of the Spratly Islands from bases on Palawan. Competing maritime claims in the Spratlys are an area of constant friction between China and the Philippines, with defence implications for the Philippine-aligned United States. BrahMos will upload substantial confirmed capacity to the Philippines (according to the Manila website Manilanews.ph) coastal defences, and it compares favourably with anti-ship missiles in use with different navies.
It’s some distance quicker than the US Army’s Tomahawk or the Chinese army’s YJ-18. Emerging hypersonic anti-ship missile technology is beginning to outcompete “slow” supersonic designs, but only Russia and China currently deploy unclassified hypersonic weapons, and only with a limited number of specialized units.
On Friday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana released a document via social media showing that Manila had approved the acquisition of the land-based missile system for the Philippine Navy from India’s BrahMos Aerospace Private Ltd. “As head of procuring entity (HOPE), I recently signed the Notice of Award for the Philippine Navy Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile Acquisition Project,” Lorenzana said on Facebook. “Negotiated with the government of India, it includes the delivery of three batteries, training for operators and maintainers as well as the necessary Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) package.”
Export orders by the Philippines are likely to be placed soon and Manila is expected to purchase BrahMos missiles under a “government-to-government deal”. Earlier this year, both sides signed a defence arrangement that would enable export of defence equipment to Manila from India.
The timing of the Filipino announcement for purchase of the missiles is significant, as earlier last week, India said it had successfully test-fired a naval variant of the BrahMos missile from an Indian Navy ship. “Advanced sea to sea variant of BrahMos Supersonic Cruise missile was tested from INS Visakhapatnam today,” India’s Defense Research and Development Organization said in a tweet, adding that the missile hit the designated target ship precisely.
BrahMos Sale to Manila marks a breakthrough
While the BrahMos sale is a major breakthrough in New Delhi’s attempt to emerge as a supplier of weapons to Southeast Asia, it has to be considered within the broader context of India’s growing relationship with the countries of the region, including the Philippines, under the banner of its Act East Policy (AEP). India’s ties with the Philippines have been upgraded over the past few years with the two countries expanding their defence partnership and negotiating a PTA (Preferential Trading Arrangement).
Indian Navy and coast guard ships regularly visit the Philippines and hold consultations with their counterparts. The participation of officers of the armed forces of both countries in various specialised training courses in each other’s countries has intensified. Earlier, India extended a $100-million defence-related LoC to Manila. The Philippines, a US ally for decades, has been keen to diversify sources of its defence hardware including from India. In 2018, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Defence and Logistics was signed. An MOU on Sharing of White Shipping Information – non-military/non-government shipping vessel information – was inked last year.
Experts in the region take note of the Development
Experts from Southeast Asia and from the US have already taken note of the development. Collin Koh, a Singaporean analyst from the Rajaratnam School of International Studies, pointed out that India is only the second new entrant into the Southeast Asia supersonic anti-ship missile game after Russia. As for the Philippines, it becomes only the third Southeast Asian country after Indonesia and Vietnam, which can boast of an anti-ship supersonic cruise-missile capability, he added. “I’ll say it’s more than a breakthrough – it’s practically a leapfrog,” Koh said via Twitter.
This is the first export order for BrahMos, to quote Derek Grossman, senior defense analyst at the RAND Corp., a US think-tank, who said via Twitter: “China won’t be pleased! It’s official, the Philippines is getting India’s BrahMos.”
Besides Koh and Grossman, many other experts see the BrahMos acquisition as a value-for-money option for a developing country with limited cash for defence spending. “It’s a cost-effective solution for the navy to have a sea-denial capability,” retired navy admiral Rommel Jude Ong, now with the Ateneo School of Government in Manila, who told Benar News from Malaysia in March 2021, when the Philippines and India signed an initial agreement for the deal. “The BrahMos, with a 290-km range, will provide a defensive buffer across a certain extent of the EEZ. It gives the navy a emission-kill’ option in case of conflict,” he said at the time, referring to Manila’s EEZ in the South China Sea.
Back at that time, tensions were running high between Manila and Beijing over the presence of some 200 fishing boats within the EEZ believed to be manned by Chinese militias. The diplomatic standoff went on for months, and although the situation has de-escalated, Philippine officials say that unauthorized Chinese vessels remain a constant presence in Philippine-claimed waters of the SCS. Manila, meanwhile, has been in a race to upgrade and modernize its navy, which until recently had to make do with a fleet of legacy vessels, many of which date back to World War II.
Over the last three years, as we have pointed out earlier, Manila has acquired its first missile-capable warships, a repurposed corvette from the South Korean navy, and two brand new South Korean-made frigates. Last month, Manila signed on to acquire two new corvettes from South Korean-maker Hyundai Heavy Industries for $554 million. Like the earlier corvette and frigates, these will have anti-ship, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare capabilities.
Can Manila stand up to the Chinese Bully?
With the BrahMos in possession, will Manila be able to stand up to China’s threat in case of a real conflict with Beijing? Experts, by and large, are pessimistic in their assessment and believe the Philippines is both outclassed and outnumbered militarily by China when it comes to asserting its territorial rights in the South China Sea. Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte had accepted the same last year when he had said it was better for the Philippines to pursue “diplomatic endeavours” with China over the SCS dispute because “China has the arms” and Manila did not.
Lorenzana also had admitted that the Philippines was “not yet 25 per cent” of the way to achieving minimum credible defence capability. Some experts are critical of Manila’s decision to go for the BrahMos because the country doesn’t have the required infrastructure to ensure that purchases are maintained and manpower is trained to maintain the systems. Some even go to the extent of suggesting that the country doesn’t have a budget to configure the ships to launch them. Leaving aside the sceptics, the procurement of the BrahMos will surely boost the morale of the Philippines Navy to deal with China in future over its possessions in their EEZ. More importantly, once countries like Indonesia and Vietnam also eventually go for the BrahMos, it will be a game changer and embolden all of them to look Beijing in the eye.
(Baladas Ghosal is a former Professor and Chair in Southeast Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University &Secretary General, Society for Indian Ocean Studies)
(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com)
The Secretary had also visited the Indian Western Naval Command in Mumbai and companies which manufacture defence-related supplies and equipment, paving way for further bilateral defence cooperation…reports Asian Lite News.
Exactly six months before his term expires, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has added final touches to the modernization of the country’s armed forces with acquisition of missile corvettes, Black Hawk combat helicopters, Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) and India’s BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.
Philippine government’s Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on December 27 released two Special Allotment Release Orders (SAROs) to cover the initial funding requirements of the ‘Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile System Acquisition Project’ of the Philippine Navy under the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Programme.
While the first SARO is worth PHP1.3 billion (over $27 million), the second amounts to PHP1.535 billion.
“The medium-range ramjet supersonic BrahMos cruise missile system is being eyed for this project,” reported Philippine News Agency, the newswire service of the Philippine government.
Manila’s military material procurement plans, which had gone haywire after the Covid-19 outbreak, have witnessed quite a surge recently considering the escalating regional tensions, especially China’s strategic expansion into the South China Sea.
Manila's military material procurement plans,which gone haywire after #COVID19 outbreak,have witnessed quite a surge recently considering the escalating regional tensions,especially China's strategic expansion into the South China Sea#IndiaNarrativehttps://t.co/hFjKagozZA
On Tuesday, the Department of National Defence (DND) of the Philippines had signed a PHP 28-billion contract with South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for the acquisition of two brand-new corvettes for the country’s Navy.
“Those (Black Hawks from Poland and OPVs from Australia) could be the last two contracts to be signed next month,” said country’s Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, two days ago.
Lorenzana had visited India in March 2018, along with a six-man delegation including his Under Secretary for Finance and Materiel Raymundo DV Elefante, and held meetings with then Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the South Block.
The Secretary had also visited the Indian Western Naval Command in Mumbai and companies which manufacture defence-related supplies and equipment, paving way for further bilateral defence cooperation.
Manila’s long wait to get BrahMos
Philippines has shown interest in acquiring BrahMos – the potent offensive missile weapon system developed through the joint venture between India (DRDO) and Russia (NPOM) – ever since the indigenously built stealth warship INS Sahyadri docked at Manila South Harbour in October 2019 along with an anti-submarine corvette, INS Kiltan.
Senior ranking Philippine Army (PA) officials visited the guided missile stealth frigate and learnt more about its missile capabilities which included the BrahMos.
“The Philippine Army is interested in acquiring this type of missile as it will strengthen our coastal defence operations,” PA spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, had said in a statement then.
A month later, Lorenzana confirmed that the country is eyeing acquisition of the supersonic missile which has established itself as a major force multiplier in modern-day complex battlefields with its impeccable anti-ship and land-attack capabilities.
“The Army is looking at it… There is money for it as per our modernization programme,” the defence chief was quoted as saying by the PNA, saying that the Philippines is keen on buying “two batteries” of BrahMos.
However, the acquisition hit the Covid roadblock in 2020 as Manila said that getting enough funds to acquire the missiles from India remains a challenge.
“The Brahmos (programme) is moving forward but the challenge now is (the) funding,” Lorenzana said in November 2020.
It was on March 2 this year that the two countries finally signed an agreement for the supply of BrahMos with Philippine Defence Undersecretary Raymund Elefante and India’s Ambassador to Manila Shambu Kumaran completing the formalities at Camp Aguinaldo, headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“As of now, it is a go. The implementing agreement recently signed will facilitate the G2G (government-to-government) mode of procurement,” Lorenzana said.
However, possibly due to the funding crunch, the top official said that the country would be procuring only one battery (“Three systems na yan (it will consist of three systems),” Lorenzana said), as of now.
Duterte’s love for India
Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has repeatedly asserted that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India could further enhance cooperation in fighting terrorism, violent extremism and transnational crimes through exchanges of best practices and information.
Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte
Speaking at the virtual 18th ASEAN-India Summit in October, the Filipino leader had thanked India for its consistent affirmation of the importance of the rule of law in the South China Sea, freedom of navigation and peaceful resolution of disputes, in accordance with the 1982 UNCLOS.
Duterte called India a reliable partner of ASEAN and said that the Philippines looks forward to 2022 as ASEAN-India Friendship Year and commits to continue strengthening ASEAN-India relations for mutual gain.
UN announce $12mn emergency funds for typhoon response in Philippines
People are in urgent need of emergency shelter, drinking water and food…reports Asian Lite News
UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths on Thursday announced a $12 million rapid response allocation from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund to support the response to the devastating typhoon Rai in the Philippines.
UN announce $12mn emergency funds for typhoon response in Philippines
The allocation will help 220,000 vulnerable people through interventions in food security, protection, water and sanitation hygiene, camp management, shelter and logistics, as well as telecommunications in the hardest-hit Caraga region and Region VIII, Xinhua news agency quoted the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs as saying.
The UN resident coordinator and humanitarian coordinator in the Philippines, Gustavo Gonzalez, said on Thursday that typhoon Rai has been devastating.
Some 3 million people need assistance, among them 1 million children.
A total of 631,000 have been displaced and about 200,000 houses have been damaged, he told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York.
People are in urgent need of emergency shelter, drinking water and food, he said.
On Friday, the UN will launch a humanitarian needs and priority plan that asks for $106.5 million dollars, targeting 530,000 people in the worst-hit areas, Gonzalez added.
The Philippine National Police has put the death toll due to the typhoon at 375, while many more are missing or injured.
Later, the InterPol issued a notice for him and the Maharashtra Police was closely monitoring his movements in different countries…reports Asian Lite News.
Two months after he was nabbed by the Philippines Police, dreaded absconder gangster Suresh Pujari has been deported to India and will face charges for nearly two dozen serious crimes in Mumbai, officials said here on Wednesday.
In mid-October, he was nabbed by the Paranaque Police’s Fugitive Search Unit in southern Manila metropolitan region and the extradition process was initiated, culminating in his deportation late on Tuesday to New Delhi.
Pujari was handed over to a team of Intelligence Bureau and Central Bureau of Investigations after he landed at New Delhi airport, returning to the country after absconding for 15 years.
After the CBI interrogation, he was handed over to a waiting team of Mumbai Police Crime Branch.
The Mumbai and Thane Police had already issued red-corner notices against him in 2017-2018, as he was wanted for several major crimes registered here against him.
Suresh Pujari is a relative of another notorious gangster, Ravi Pujari, who was deported from Senegal in Africa to India in February 2020, and is currently in custody being probed by central agencies and police of Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Soon after he sneaked out of the country in 2007, the Mumbai Police had shared a detailed dossier on Suresh Pujari with the Centre over a decade ago, said officials.
Since the two Pujaris fell out due to territorial disputes, Suresh Pujari, along with a few other ruffians, launched independent mafia operations in the early 2000s, with activities in parts of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane regions.
Living in Asalpha area of Ghatkopar suburb in north-east Mumbai, he managed to hoodwink the law-enforcers and slipped out of India 15 years ago.
Later, the InterPol issued a notice for him and the Maharashtra Police was closely monitoring his movements in different countries.
Suresh Pujari faces at least 10 major cases of extortion, threats to murder, killings, etc., in Mumbai and more offences elsewhere the MMR region, other cities and the Mumbai Police CID, the CBI and the FBI were on the lookout for him in the past nearly 15 years.
Going by aliases like Suresh Pai, he and his associates had allegedly made extortion-cum-threat calls to several top builders, contractors, and glamour world celebs in the early 2000s, organised or ordered gangland killings, etc.
Sources working with intelligence agencies said, “The businessmen, liquor shop owners of Mumbai and South India were on his radar. He used to make extortion calls. He had also threatened a few politicians,” said an official wishing anonymity.
“Most of the time Suresh would open fire at the house of his target, though he wouldn’t hurt anybody. Later, he used to drop threat letter demanding money. He did this in Ulhasnagar, Kalyan, Dombivali and Thane areas of Mumbai. His victims were too frightened to approach the police, but a few had reported the matter to the police,” said the sources.
Two politicians, Omi Kalani from Ulhasnagar and Jitendra Awhad from Thane, had lodged complaints against him.
Abdullah bin Zayed receives Teodoro Locsin at Expo 2020
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, has received Teodoro Locsin, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines, at Expo 2020 Dubai…reports Asian Lite News
Both parties reviewed the bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to further develop joint cooperation across various sectors.
The meeting also dealt with issues of common interest and developments in the regional and international arenas.
Abdullah bin Zayed receives Teodoro Locsin at Expo 2020
The UAE Foreign Minister and his Philippines’ counterpart discussed the UAE’s organisation of Expo 2020 Dubai and the expo’s role in promoting collective international action and stimulating global economic growth.
Sheikh Abdullah welcomed the visit of Locsin, highlighting the UAE’s interest in strengthening and developing relations between the two friendly countries in various fields to achieve the common interests of the two sides and bring good to their peoples.
