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
;REUTERS;ANJ; ANPAu..r.. 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
;AP;ANJ; ANPAu..r.. 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
;REUTERS;ANJ; ANPAu..r.. 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