13/05/2026

WEDNESDAY | MAY 13, 2026

7

Duterte ally in standoff

Thai police crack down on foreign crime rings BANGKOK: Thailand has launched a crackdown on foreign criminal networks, with Thai police ordered to “X-ray” high-risk areas populated by foreigners and dismantle syndicates involved in cybercrime, drug trafficking, illegal businesses and human smuggling. Police spokesperson Lt-Gen Trairong Phiwphan said police chief Gen Kitrat Phanphet had instructed all units to intensify enforcement against foreigners violating Thai laws amid growing concerns over transnational crime and illegal operations affecting public safety and the economy. Trairong said the operation targets foreigners linked to drug trafficking, economic and customs offences, cybercrime, prostitution, human trafficking, illegal immigration and nominee business schemes. “The police chief has instructed all units to strictly enforce the law and take legal action against all offenders,”Trairong said yesterday. He said under the first phase, dubbed “X-ray, mobilise, sweep”, authorities will carry out a three month campaign focusing on locations where large numbers of foreigners gather or reside. He said police are also considering establishing a joint task force with agencies including the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Finance, Anti-Money Laundering Office, Bank of Thailand, Customs Department, Excise Department and Land Department to strengthen enforcement and intelligence sharing. “As part of medium-term measures, the Immigration Bureau and related agencies will review immigration records, scrutinise foreign-owned businesses and verify visa extensions to close loopholes,” he said. Trairong said authorities will also study amendments to relevant laws to improve enforcement, while investigators have been ordered to expand probes to dismantle syndicates. He said state officials found colluding with offenders would face immediate legal, disciplinary and administrative action.

MANILA: The top enforcer of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr yesterday to not hand him over to the International Criminal Court, but said he was ready to face justice at home. Fearing arrest and hunkered down in his legislative office for a second day, Senator Ronald dela Rosa said he had faithfully served his country. The ICC unsealed an arrest warrant on Monday for former police chief dela Rosa, dated November, on suspicion of crimes against humanity, the same crimes 81-year-old Duterte is accused of as he awaits trial in The Hague following his arrest last year. Dela Rosa, better known as “Bato”, or “rock”, has been under the protective custody of the Senate since law enforcement agents entered the building on Monday, when he reappeared in public for the first time since November. He has denied involvement in illegal killings. “I hope that, as the father of the nation, you will take care of all Filipinos. That is the role of government, to care for its people,” o Senator named in ICC arrest warrant

Rosa fielding questions from journalists at the Senate yesterday. – REUTERSPIC

person, but lived her life with no limits and chased her passions around the world,” he said. Her body was flown to a Kathmandu hospital on Monday. Makalu, a steep pyramid-shaped mountain southeast of Everest, is considered technically challenging because of extreme weather and its remote location. – AFP The war on drugs was the key platform that swept Duterte to power in 2016 as a tough-talking mayor who during televised public speeches promised to kill thousands of drug dealers while repeatedly daring the ICC to come after him. Duterte’s defence team at the ICC has said he maintains his innocence and his tough rhetoric was designed to instil fear among criminals. – Reuters yesterday said no order had been received to make an arrest, but police remain “prepared to act in accordance with lawful directives and established procedures”. The office of the president reiterated that the Philippines is no longer a signatory to the ICC’s founding treaty but can execute an ICC warrant if requested by Interpol, the same procedure as Duterte’s arrest. Asked by Reuters in a text message how soon an Interpol request could be made, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said: “Only Interpol knows.”

“She was hit by an avalanche below Camp 3,” said Nabin Trital, managing director of Expedition Himalaya. She was climbing with a three member team that included her partner David Ashley and two guides. Ashley said he was “heartbroken” by her death. “Shelley was not just an incredible “Mr President, (you) may one day face a situation like this. You may also encounter problems, and then you will understand, you will feel what I am feeling right now.” Dela Rosa was Duterte’s top lieutenant and oversaw a fierce crackdown during which police say more than 6,000 suspected drug dealers were killed in official operations. Thousands of users were also gunned down in slumland murders blamed on vigilantes or turf wars. Police say those killed during operations had resisted arrest and reject allegations of systematic murders and cover-ups. Police stood in line behind riot shields yesterday outside the Senate, where all committee meetings were cancelled following dramatic scenes a day earlier, when dela Rosa was seen scrambling for the safety of his office as agents from the National Bureau of Investigation arrived. National police chief Jose Melencio Nartatez in a statement

dela Rosa told reporters when asked what his message was to President Marcos. “I did everything for the country. I did not enrich myself. I worked faithfully,” he said, his eyes welling with tears.

NBI personnel waiting outside the Senate gate on Monday. – REUTERSPIC

American climber dies in Nepal avalanche KATHMANDU: An American climber has died in an avalanche on Mount Makalu, officials said yesterday, as fatalities mount early in Nepal’s busy spring climbing season. David Roubinek, a 38-year-old Czech climber, and three Nepali guides have died in the Himalayas so far this season. Johannesen, co-founder of US

In the longer term, police plan to establish an integrated database system linked to the “One Police” platform to improve monitoring of foreign nationals and strengthen coordination with international law enforcement agencies. – Bernama Nine killed in northwest Pakistan market blast Shelley Johannesen, 53, was killed on Monday while descending from the summit of the world’s fifth-highest peak, expedition organisers said, marking the season’s latest death.

based outfitter Dash Adventures, had successfully reached the 8,485m summit before she was struck by an avalanche at around 7,200m while coming down.

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: A massive blast at a crowded market in northwestern Pakistan killed nine people and wounded dozens more yesterday, the emergency services agency said, as the latest attack in the region threatens to reignite fighting with neighbouring Afghanistan. The bomb blast at the crowded

killed and around 30 others wounded in yesterday’s explosion at the market, which is part of the town square. Those with serious injuries had been rushed to hospitals in Bannu. Mohammad Ishaq, the medical superintendent of THQ Hospital, said they had received 37 patients. – Reuters

after Islamabad launched airstrikes on Kabul, saying it was targeting militant strongholds used to orchestrate attacks on Pakistan. Afghanistanan denied harbouring militants and said militancy in Pakistan is an internal problem. The emergency response agency Rescue 1122 said nine people were

nearby Bannu that killed 15 police officers Pakistan blamed Afghanistan based militants for the attack and delivered a strong protest to Kabul. The Afghan government said on Monday it had no comment. The two countries engaged in their worst fighting in years in February

Naurang Bazar caused panic on the streets, as people rushed to help the wounded and emergency vehicles raced to the site. Visuals from the scene showed damaged shopfronts and a mangled vehicle. The attack follows a Saturday car bombing and subsequent ambush in