RP boosts security for Estrada

RP boosts security for Estrada

PHILIPPINES: Philippine police have boosted the security detail
of detained former president Joseph Estrada to protect him from
any assassination attempt, officials said on Wednesday.

Sixteen policemen, up from six, now make up the "close-in
detail" of Estrada and his son Jose Ejercito, on trial for
massive corruption, said Chief Superintendent Rosalio Magsino,
head of the Philippine National Police Security and Protection
Office.

"This would ensure their safety from possible assassination
attempt as well as harassment from various groups while the trial
is underway," said Superintendent Marcos Flores, the commander of
Estrada's police bodyguards.

Flores stressed that police have not monitored any specific
threat against the father and son. -- AFP

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THAILAND-PRINCE
Thai prince wore tracksuit to his wedding -paper
JP/9/ASEAN

Thai prince wore tracksuit to his wedding

THAILAND: Thailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn married in
secret last year, wearing a tracksuit and slippers after
astrologers told him to hold a low-key wedding, the Bangkok Post
reported on Wednesday.

The prince, 49, and next in line to the throne, has two
daughters from previous marriages.

The prince told the newspaper his stars had warned that
putting too much effort into the wedding would backfire, so he
married Srirasmi Mahidol na Ayudhya, 30, in a secret ceremony.

"That day we were dressed very casually in T-shirts,
tracksuits and slippers at the Nonthaburi palace," the English-
language daily quoted him as saying.

The prince, who rarely speaks to the press, said the marriage
ceremony, performed by the king, was kept secret. -- Reuters

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Malaysia-Sexism
Women's rights groups say sexism rampant in Malaysian Parliament
JP/9/ASEAN

Sexism rampant in Malaysian Parliament

MALAYSIA: Claiming that sexism is rampant in Malaysia's male-
dominated legislature, women's rights groups will monitor
parliamentary debates and report lawmakers who insult female
politicians, activists said on Wednesday.

The Women's Agenda for Change coalition says it will observe
the conduct of male members of Parliament and compile a list of
offenders who make chauvinist remarks. The complaints will be
submitted to the speaker of Parliament's lower house for further
action.

Several opposition leaders voiced support for the move,
pledging to help the activists monitor parliamentary proceedings,
which are scheduled to resume in March following a three-month
break.

Chong Eng, a legislator from the opposition Democratic Action
Party, said that several female opposition lawmakers were often
teased for being unmarried, inexperienced or comparatively young.
-- AP

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THAILAND-BLAST (UPDATE 1)
Thai army to destroy shells after warehouse blasts
JP/9/ASEAN

Army to destroy shells after blasts

THAILAND: Thailand's army said on Wednesday it would destroy
thousands of shells and mortars stored at a munitions warehouse
after the arsenal exploded twice in recent months, killing and
injuring dozens.

One soldier was killed and 24 people were injured on Tuesday
when a series of blasts rocked the warehouse in Pak Chong town in
Nakorn Ratchasima province, 260 km (160 miles) northeast of
Bangkok.

In a similar incident in October, 18 people were killed.

"We will soon destroy the 30,000 leftover shells in the next
couple of days as ordered by the defense minister," army
spokesman Col. Somkuan Saengpattaranetr told Reuters.

Army officers said the explosions were caused by small
artillery shells which went off as they were laid outside in
strong sunlight awaiting destruction. -- Reuters