14/05/2026

THURSDAY | MAY 14, 2026

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Gunshots fired as chaos erupts at Philippine Senate

Thailand to cut visa-free stay BANGKOK: Thailand will cut the visa-free stay period for tourists from 93 countries from 60 days to 30 days to help prevent crime. Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkaeow said on Tuesday that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will submit a plan to the Cabinet for approval to reduce the visa-free stay period for foreign tourists in Thailand to 30 days from 60 days. He did not say when. Thailand has set a visa-free period for tourists from 93 countries since July 2024. In addition, Thai authorities will check other visa types to ensure individuals entering the country comply with the purpose of that visa. The measures are designed to address concerns about the misuse of extended visas and the involvement of some tourists in illegal activities. From Jan 1 to May 10, Thailand received 12.4 million foreign tourists, a decrease of 3.43% compared with last year. Tourism is critical driver of the economy, with arrivals peaking at nearly 40 million in 2019. – Reuters cooperation in the nuclear field for nearly two decades, with this year marking the 20th anniversary of the bilateral Agreement on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, signed on Dec 1, 2006. – Bernama Russia, Indonesia meet on nuclear energy plans JAKARTA: Russia and Indonesia are exploring areas of cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, including nuclear power projects, nuclear infrastructure development, personnel training and non-energy applications of nuclear technology. Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom said in a statement that the matter was raised during a meeting on Tuesday between President Prabowo Subianto and its Director General Alexey Likhachev, who is on a working visit to Indonesia. Likhachev said it is important for Rosatom that the dialogue between Russia and Indonesia in the nuclear field is developing in an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect. “Indonesia has set ambitious goals for the development of nuclear energy and we are discussing not only technologies, but the creation of a long-term partnership,” he said in the statement. Likhachev said Rosatom is ready to offer Indonesia a comprehensive approach to developing its nuclear programme, including large-scale nuclear power solutions and projects involving small modular reactors and floating power units. According to Rosatom, both parties also paid attention to the integration of nuclear energy into Indonesia’s power system, taking into account the geographical specifics of the archipelagic state. Rosatom said Russia and Indonesia have maintained

put in place, according to the Kyunghyang Shinmun daily. An alleged accomplice, a 36-year old Chinese national arrested in Thailand last May, was extradited to South Korea in August and indicted the following month. His trial is ongoing. South Korean prosecutors and investigators were also sent to Thailand last July to meet Thai police and prosecutors. – AFP “If these principles are weakened, it will not just affect distant regions; it will affect Singapore directly.” He said working with like-minded partners, countries can help shape the global environment and reinforce the rules and norms that safeguard nations. “We will continue to support and uphold these frameworks, and to contribute to a more stable and orderly global system.” – Bernama police of systematic murders and cover-ups. Police reject the allegations and say the more than 6,000 killed in anti drugs operations were all armed and had resisted arrest. Rosa earlier appealed to the military to prevent his arrest. “I am not appealing for violent support. I am appealing for peaceful support,” Dela Rosa told reporters. He urged “my fellow men in uniform” and former classmates at the Philippine Military Academy, which produces most of the armed forces’ officer corps, to “express their sentiment” that President Ferdinand Marcos’s government “should not hand me over to foreigners”. Newly elected Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano told reporters on Monday that Dela Rosa was under the Senate’s protection. “We will allow an arrest under the condition that it is a Philippine court,” Cayetano said. Asked on Tuesday if he would submit to an arrest warrant by a local court, Dela Rosa said: “We will cross the bridge when we get there.” In a copy of the warrant issued in November but made public only late Monday, Dela Rosa is accused of the crime against humanity of murder along with Duterte and other co perpetrators. In a statement on Tuesday, a Marcos spokeswoman said the president would “not interfere in the decisions of the Senate”, while declining to discuss the details of the warrant against Dela Rosa. “Everything that happens in the Senate is within their power,” Claire Castro said. Dela Rosa’s defence team, meanwhile, has filed an injunction with the country’s Supreme Court, seeking judicial protection from what they called a “coordinated” enforcement strategy against him. – Reuters/AFP

enforcement agents were on the way following the ICC’s unsealing of an arrest warrant. The warrant, dated November and made public on Monday, seeks the arrest of the former police chief on charges 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. “I am appealing to you, I hope you can help me. Do not allow another Filipino to be brought to The Hague,” dela Rosa said in a video posted on Facebook from his Senate office. Dela Rosa, 64, was Duterte’s top lieutenant overseeing a fierce crackdown during which thousands of alleged drug dealers were slain, with human rights groups accusing

o Personnel in camouflage fatigues seen

MANILA: Volleys of gunshots were heard at the Philippine Senate yesterday and people were told to run for cover, Reuters witnesses heard, as chaos mounted in anticipation of an attempt to arrest a top senator wanted by the International Criminal Court. It was unclear what was happening or who fired the shots. More than 10 military personnel in camouflage fatigues had earlier arrived at the Senate building, some carrying assault rifles, Reuters journalists saw. It was not immediately clear why

troops were there and military officials could not immediately be reached for comment. It was unclear if other security personnel were inside the building. It came as Ronald dela Rosa, the chief enforcer in former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody “war on drugs”, said on Facebook his arrest was imminent and urged people to mobilise to prevent his handover to the ICC. Dela Rosa, who has taken refuge in his legislative office since Monday, called on the public to turn out and block his arrest, saying that law

Rosa taking refuge in a room at the Senate yesterday. – REUTERSPIC

Hacking ringleader extradited to Seoul SEOUL: An alleged cybercrime ringleader, whose victims reportedly included BTS megastar Jungkook, was extradited from Thailand to South Korea yesterday over a hacking scheme that stole more than US$25 million (RM98 million), Seoul’s Justice Ministry said. mobile carriers and other firms between August 2023 and April 2025, according to the ministry’s statement. The suspect was arrested in Bangkok in an Interpol-led operation and flown to South Korea’s Incheon airport yesterday in cooperation with Seoul’s National Police Agency, it said. Using illegally obtained personal data, the group allegedly accessed victims’ financial and cryptocurrency accounts and withdrew large sums without authorisation. Victims reportedly included celebrities, conglomerate chairmen and startup executives, with South Korean reports saying K-pop star Jungkook was among those targeted. Jungkook reportedly had his securities account identity stolen and shares in HYBE, BTS’s agency, worth US$5.6 million taken, but avoided financial losses after immediate payment suspension measures were Singapore underscores importance of international law SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lawrence Wong reiterated the importance of upholding Wong also reaffirmed that Singapore has always supported international institutions and The 40-year-old suspect is accused of leading a hacking organisation based overseas, including in Thailand, that infiltrated websites of budget

principles, the international system begins to weaken, with smaller and more vulnerable nations often bearing the consequences first. “That is why Singapore speaks up, and makes our voice count. “We do so in our bilateral engagements and international forums, whether it is Asean meetings, G20 or the United Nations,” he said in his opening address at the SGLaw200 Youth Forum yesterday.

mechanisms for peaceful dispute resolution, and expressed its positions clearly and consistently when fundamental principles were tested. “International law, including the law of the sea, ensures that vital waterways remain open to all and are not subject to arbitrary control.

international law that provides a measure of stability and predictability amid an uncertain world. He said more countries are now acting unilaterally without accountability, increasingly disregarding international rules with little or no consequences. Wong said as power overrides