MANILA – The administration’s economic managers have urged Canadian companies to look into opportunities in the Philippines during an investor roadshow in Toronto on July 13.
DOF Secretary Benjamin Diokno underscored that the two countries have a wide range of opportunities and cooperation to explore in terms of trade and investments in his speech during the Philippine Economic Briefing (PEB).
In a statement Friday, the DOF said Canada ranked 20th among the Philippines’ trading partners in 2022, with bilateral trade amounting to USD1.5 billion.
There are also nearly a million overseas Filipinos in Canada, whose cash remittances to the Philippines reach USD1.2 billion.
“Canada, a global leader in clean energy, may benefit from the recent liberalization of the Philippines’ renewable energy (RE) sector. Foreign enterprises may now participate in the country’s RE sector, particularly in solar, wind, hydro, and tidal energy,” Diokno said.
He said the Philippine government has liberalized the RE sector by allowing 100 percent foreign ownership for projects here.
Aside from adapting RE technology, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the government remains committed to mitigating the impacts of climate change.
Pangandaman shared with Canadian investors that the DBM previously increased the allocation for climate adaptation measures by 60 percent, and is pursuing the Green Public Procurement Roadmap to integrate “green choices” in public procurement.
For his part, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan offered opportunities in the 194 infrastructure flagship projects of the Marcos administration worth PHP8.3 trillion.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Mississauga Rechie Valdez, the first Filipino elected as Canadian MP, has also expressed her support for strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries, especially with the Indo-Pacific strategy of Canada.
“Since the announcement of Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy, our government has shown very clearly our commitment to working alongside the Philippines. And last month, our government announced that the new Indo-Pacific agriculture and agrifood office would be located in Manila,” Valdez said.
The DOF said more than 80 senior executives from Canada-based firms as well as representatives of business groups, industry associations, financial community, and public sector attended the 8th PEB in Toronto. (PNA)
LUNA, Apayao – Officials are hopeful that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s attendance at the 36th Cordillera Day celebration on Saturday will brighten up prospects for the region’s quest for autonomy.
The Cordillera remains an administrative region since its creation in 1987. Two previous autonomy bid plebiscites failed.
“We are happy that our President, Bongbong Marcos, will come. We hope that this will be the time that the Autonomy bill will land on the table of the President and he will sign it,” Apayao Lone District Rep. Eleanor Bulut-Begtang said on Thursday.
An autonomous region allows the regional government to manage its affairs including that of the local governments, and identify its needs and produce the logistics needed to provide the services to the people.
The national government allots a fixed budget during the first five years of being an autonomous region.
An administrative region, meanwhile, is a regular region with the national government dictating what programs and projects will be implemented following the national government’s mandates.
For several years, the Regional Development Council (RDC) has been lobbying for the passage in Congress of another enabling law but to no avail.
A parallel move to inform and educate the communities on the gains of being an autonomous region had been drummed up while waiting for an enabling organic act.
Special holiday
Malacañan Palace has declared July 15 as a special non-working holiday in the region, covering the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Baguio City, in celebration of the 36th anniversary of the creation of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
“It is but fitting and proper that the people of the CAR be given full opportunity to participate in the occasion and enjoy the celebration,” read Proclamation 250.
The proclamation was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, also a Cordilleran from Abra, on June 5. (PNA)
MANILA – The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Friday announced that another suspect in the June 29 attack against photojournalist Rene Joshua Abiad and his family is in its custody.
In a presser at the QCPD headquarters in Camp Karingal, QCPD chief Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III identified the suspect as Jomari Campillo alias “Mata”, who was arrested upon his arrival from Pampanga at a bus terminal in Cubao, Quezon City on Thursday afternoon.
The suspect yielded a handgun during the arrest.
“Siya yung nag-drive nung pink na motor nung nakita na kasunod na kotse nung mga gunman (he was the one driving the pink motorcycle seen following the car of the gunmen),” Torre told reporters.
In a separate interview, the suspect also confirmed that he served as a spotter during the surveillance of the activities of the victim.
He also said a certain “Juan”, “Nanad” and “Greg” are the brains behind the attack.
“Si Juan pinaka konektado nila doon. Ang pinaka mastermind yung Nanad tapos ang kanang kamay nun si Greg tapos kinontak lang kami ni Juan (It’s Juan who is really connected to the crime. Nanad is the mastermind while Greg is his right hand man. Juan only contacted us),” Campillo said, adding that he has received PHP15,000 for his work as the spotter.
Torre also said manhunt operations against “Nanad” are ongoing.
The QCPD chief earlier said “Nanad”, a former village chairperson, blamed Abiad as the source of negative information against him.
Charges against the suspects will be amended once the additional accomplices are arrested along with possible incriminating details are obtained.
Lower fees on gun permits eyed
As this developed, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said they are looking at the possibility of lowering the cost of fees for the “permit to carry” (PTC) firearms to encourage gun holders to regularly renew their firearm licenses and documents.
“So pag-usapan namin kung ano ang puwede natin gawin diyan with regards to the fees. Ang alam ko batas ba yun? Tingnan natin kung hanggang saan ang kaya ng kapulisan (We will talk on what we can do about it with regards to the fees. It is mandated in the law so we will see what adjustments the PNP can do),” Acorda said on the sidelines of the 1st PNP Press Corps Invitational Shootfest in Camp Karingal which runs from Friday to Sunday.
Expected to attend the 1st PNP Press Corps Invitational Shootfest is former PNP chief, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
It is a Level 1 Philippine Practical Shooting Association (PPSA)-sanctioned match with five stages and 120 rounds for handguns and Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC).
PNPPC president Mar Gabriel said the shoot fest will also come with an onsite caravan for the processing of the renewal and new application of License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF).
In holding the event, Gabriel emphasized the need for every journalist to be prepared for any eventuality in the line of their work. (PNA)
MANILA – The Department of National Defense (DND) has reaffirmed its commitment to work together with the United Nations (UN) to resolve “complex humanitarian issues”.
This collaboration between the two parties was renewed following the courtesy call of United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC) in the Philippines Gustavo Gonzalez to DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on July 12.
“Reaffirming the commitment to foster collaboration and strengthen the longstanding partnership between the Philippines and the UN, both sides underscored the need for joint efforts to address complex humanitarian issues,” DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said in a statement Friday.
Gonzalez recognized that cooperation between the Philippines and the UN has particularly been growing in the area of disaster risk reduction and management.
Gonzalez said the Philippines is considered by the UN a model country for humanitarian aid due to the country’s resilience in the face of frequent onslaught of natural disasters.
“Relatedly, he lauded the Philippines’ well-established systems for disaster preparedness, response and recovery, coupled with its robust community networks, which contribute to its ability to effectively address humanitarian crises,” Andolong said.
In line with this, Teodoro also expressed his intent to re-engineer the country’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System to make it “more agile, effective, sustainable, and transparent.”
“Both sides expressed their unwavering dedication to work closely and leverage their respective strengths to achieve mutual objectives,” Andolong said. (PNA)
MANILA – The Philippines is committed to implement all actions needed to achieve the goals of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) 2015 to 2030.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. made the assurance during the recent courtesy call of United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific chief Marco Toscano-Rivalta.
“Governments and states should work together and act with dispatch on disaster risks and climate change issues. The Philippines takes these issues seriously and vows to prioritize actions on the Sendai Framework,” Abalos said in a statement Friday.
The Sendai Framework provides member states with concrete actions to protect development gains from the risk of disaster. It recognizes that the state has the primary role to reduce disaster risk, but that responsibility should be shared with other stakeholders, including local government units (LGUs).
It was adopted at the Third UN World Conference in Sendai, Japan, on March 18, 2015, an outcome of stakeholder consultations initiated in March 2012 and inter-governmental negotiations from July 2014 to March 2015 as supported by the UNDRR at the request of the UN General Assembly.
Abalos said the Philippine government, through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, launched the Sendai Framework Monitoring in March 2018 to monitor and track the progress of the implementation of the targets and priorities of the Sendai Framework.
A technical working group was created, of which the DILG is a member, to address data gaps and propose measures to streamline available data for SFDRR reporting.
On the part of the DILG, Abalos said the agency will provide LGUs with capacity development interventions continuously to strengthen their implementation of DRRM policies and plans; strengthen local leadership governance; empower communities; highlight local DRR practices for replication; and emphasize all available science including indigenous knowledge.
During the courtesy visit, Abalos shared updates on the country’s preparations for the Philippines’ hosting of the 2024 Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR).
The APMCDRR is the primary regional forum for strengthening DRR coordination and cooperation in Asia and the Pacific and putting the Sendai Framework into effect. (Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
MANILA – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Friday said it has seized PHP16.15 million worth of shabu hidden in two separate shipments of “muscle recovery bath soaks” at Port of Clark in Pampanga.
In a news release, the BOC said the shipments came from Torrance, California, USA, and were consecutively seized on July 10 and 11.
“The first shipment was declared “Ash + Axel 2PK Cryo Therapy Set” while the other was “Gent Leather Shower Gel 33.8” which were consigned to different receivers,” the BOC said.
The illegal drugs found in the shipments weighed 1,122 grams and 1,218 grams, respectively.
The BOC issued a warrant of seizure and detention against the shipments for violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act in relation to Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
BOC-Port of Clark District Collector Ricardo Uy Morales cited the vigilance of their frontliners, as well as the stringent security measures being imposed by the bureau, that resulted in a series of apprehensions at the district.
“May these seizures be a warning to drug smugglers to stop what they are doing because we will not let these illegal drugs reach the public,” he said. (PNA)
MANILA – The Bureau if Immigration (BI) has received the copies of passports of more than 1,000 foreign nationals who were among the 2,714 workers of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) firm raided by the Philippine National Police – Anti-Cyber Crime Group (PNP-ACG) in Las Piñas City on June 27.
During a press conference organized by the Philippine Information Agency in Quezon City on Friday, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said they are waiting for the PNP to send the second batch for processing.
“Kakakuha lang namin sa PNP ‘yung mga copies nung mga passports nung 1,000 plus po na nakuhanan na po natin ng (We just got from PNP the passports copies of 1,000 plus and we also got their) biometrics yesterday (Thursday) lunchtime. There’s another batch of foreign nationals that we are still unable to get their biometrics. We are still waiting for the PNP for that batch before we can initiate any action on this,” Sandoval said.
The BI processing involves determining whether there are fugitives among the foreign nationals.
Sandoval said foreign governments usually inform the BI in advance if there are fugitives who might have entered or are about to enter the country.
“Upon entry po nila sa Pilipinas (here in the Philippines), we scan their passports, titingan po natin sa system, kung wala po silang record sa ating system. Pero kapag natunugan po ng kanilang bansa na andito pala sa Pilipinas ang kanilang pugante (we will check in our system if they have a record or not. But if their country gets a tip that their fugitive is here in the Philippines), they inform us immediately,” she said.
The BI Fugitive Search Unit conducts the investigation and implements arrest for deportation proceedings.
“Our system is also connected to the Interpol database. So, upon swiping ng kanilang passport, makikita na rin po natin kung sila po ay andun o wala sa Interpol database (of their passport, we will see if they have a record in the Interpol database,” she added.
According to PNP data, there were 1,239 foreigners and 1,534 Filipino workers “rescued” at the POGO raid, alleged victims of human trafficking. (PNA)
MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday confirmed that the body found near a pier in Hong Kong was a Filipino national.
In a statement, DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong is now in touch with the deceased’s family.
The agency has yet to determine the cause of death but said the Consulate General is in close coordination with the Hong Kong Police authorities and will share all results with the next of kin accordingly.
The Consulate will also assist in the repatriation of the remains and is now working with the employer.
Local reports said a passerby discovered the body floating near the Tsing Yi Public Pier in Hong Kong on Thursday morning.
The deceased was initially identified as a 51-year-old Filipino woman, who was wearing sportswear when found. (PNA)
MANILA – The government, through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), has partnered with a private school in a bid to facilitate the youth’s transition from school to work.
In a statement Friday, the DOLE said the partnership was formed through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed by Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma with STI Education Services Group, Inc. (STI) represented by vice chairman and chief executive officer Monico Jacob in a ceremony on July 11 at the DOLE main office in Intramuros, Manila.
Under the agreement, the signatories will collaborate in conducting job fairs and career development support activities.
These include career, vocational, and employment counseling in STI campuses nationwide.
Both entities will also facilitate the registration of job fair applicants and employers alike to the PhilJobNet.
The PhilJobNet is an automated job and applicant matching system of the DOLE.
Also present during the ceremony are Undersecretary Carmela Torres and Assistant Secretary Paul Vincent Añover of the DOLE’s Employment and Human Resource Development Cluster, Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) executive director for talent development Frankie Antolin and STI Alumni and Placement Services head Anna Carmela Aquino. (PNA)
MANILA – Eight ranking police officials have been included in the latest reorganization of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Based on PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr.’s order that took effect Friday, Police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) chief Brig. Gen. Faro Antonio Olaguera was designated as acting chief Human Rights Affairs Office (HRAO) while Col. Dionisio Bartolome Jr., from the Criminal Investigation Detection Group (CIDG) will be acting chief of PDEG.
Other officials who were assigned to new posts are:
— Brig. Gen. Cosme Abrenica, acting deputy director for Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management;
— Brig. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico, acting deputy director of the Directorate for Intelligence;
— Brig. Gen. Neri Vincent Ignacio, acting deputy director of the Directorate for Logistics;
— Brig. Gen. Flynn Dongbo, acting deputy director of the Directorate for Research and Development
— Col. Noel Sandoval, acting executive officer of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management;
— Col. Nestor Babagay Jr., acting executive officer for Directorate for Intelligence. (PNA)
MANILA – Customs officers discovered an estimated PHP350 million worth of used clothing, fake goods and other imported products from China in several warehouses in Marilao, Bulacan.
In a statement on Friday, the BOC said the warehouses located at Phil. Asia Pacific Realty Compound, Villarica Road in Barangay Sta. Rosa 1 was inspected on Thursday by agents of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP).
The inspection was conducted through the implementation of a Letter of Authority (LOA) issued by Customs Commissioner Bien Rubio.
“The team inspected the warehouses and found them to contain Used Clothing or ukay-ukay, mosquito coils, IPR (intellectual property rights)-infringing goods, and other suspected smuggled imported goods,” Rubio said.
CIIS-MICP chief Alvin Enciso said the implementation of the LOA was also done in coordination with Philippine Coast Guard, local police and barangay officials.
”Several warehouses were found to contain smuggled goods after we served the LOA to the warehouse admin and respective warehouse representatives,” he said.
On the other hand, Customs Intelligence Group Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy said the warehouses have been sealed and the team temporarily placed padlocks.
“Ongoing inspection is being conducted on the subject warehouses. This is to be followed by an inventory of the goods, which would be conducted by our assigned Customs examiner and witnessed by CIIS and ESS (Enforcement and Security Service) agents,” he added. (PNA)
MANILA – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China are set to hold the next round of negotiations on a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea in Manila this August.
This development comes as the two parties completed the second reading of the single draft COC negotiation and adopted the “guidelines” to speed up the talks.
In the Philippines’ omnibus intervention at the ASEAN-China meeting in Jakarta on Thursday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said Manila looks forward to having an “effective and substantive” COC.
“Regarding developments in the South China Sea, we call for the effective management and peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law,” he said.
“We welcome the completion of the second reading of the Single Draft COC Negotiating Text (SDNT) and look forward to continuing the COC negotiations in Manila in August, with a view towards adopting an effective and substantive COC,” he added.
The “Guidelines to Accelerate Negotiations for the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea” was adopted during the same meeting between ASEAN Foreign Ministers and the Director of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party Wang Yi.
No details have been provided as of yet but the adoption came as Indonesia, this year’s ASEAN chair, highlighted the increasing importance of ASEAN-China partnership amid growing challenges in the region.
Wang, during the meeting, conveyed his readiness to “play a constructive role” in the COC’s early conclusion.
Like Manila, the rest of ASEAN targets to produce a COC that is in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
In a joint communique released on July 13, the bloc also pointed out the need to maintain and promote a conducive environment while negotiations are ongoing.
“We stressed the importance of undertaking confidence building and preventive measures to enhance, among others, trust and confidence amongst parties, and we reaffirmed the importance of upholding international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS,” it said.
China, the Philippines and other Southeast Asian states are locked in a territorial dispute over the resource-rich South China Sea.
In 2013, Manila brought Beijing before the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration, which handed a landmark decision in favor of the country in 2016.
With China continuing to reject the move, it is not clear if the award would be incorporated into the future COC.
The decision was constituted under the UNCLOS and ruled that the claim of historic rights to resources in areas falling within the so-called nine-dash line is illegal.
On the award’s seventh anniversary on July 12, Manalo also pointed out that the ruling is “now part of international law”.
Upholding PH’s interest
The Department of National Defense (DND) also joined the commemoration of the seventh anniversary of the arbitral ruling.
“The Award, underscoring the primacy of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea serves as an anchor for the DND to protect our national interests in the West Philippine Sea based on established rules and generally accepted principles of International Law,” the DND said in a statement Friday.
It added that shall continue with its efforts to modernize the territorial defense capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines aside from enhancing security engagements and collaboration with our regional partners.
This includes supporting the nation’s courses of action for the maintenance of order in the South China Sea.
“The DND stands fully behind this victory of the Filipino people, which cannot be frittered nor bargained away. Keeping true to our sworn mandate to our people, we continue to work on making the Philippines an archipelago of stability in the Asia-Pacific region,” it concluded. (with Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
Iran’s President, Ebrahim Raisi, expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing “friendly and cordial” relationship between Iran and the Philippines, and he expressed his hopes for further enhancement of these ties.
According to the Philippine Embassy in Tehran, Raisi made these remarks during the presentation of credentials by the Philippine Ambassador to Iran, Roberto Manalo, on July 9.
Raisi encouraged Ambassador Manalo to continue building on the already excellent bilateral relations between the two countries. He expressed his desire for the expansion of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of economics, trade, and business.
The embassy also noted that Raisi appreciated the embassy’s plans to organize a series of events in 2024, commemorating the 60th anniversary of Philippines-Iran bilateral relations.
During the meeting, Manalo formally presented his Letter of Credence, along with his predecessor’s Letter of Recall, both of which had been translated into Farsi. Raisi took the time to read the Farsi translations of both letters and engaged in a discussion with Manalo regarding the current state of bilateral relations.
Manalo conveyed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s greetings to Raisi and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to further expand bilateral relations during his tenure. Raisi reciprocated the greetings and extended his own well wishes to Marcos.
Iran’s submarine fleet (Jerusalem Post photo courtesy)
MANILA — A French firm has extended an offer to the Philippine Navy, proposing the supply of submarines and assistance in developing the country’s submarine force.
The Naval Group, a prominent French company specializing in naval defense design, development, and construction, has taken the initiative by presenting its initial technical and financial proposal to support the Navy in establishing a submarine force.
In a significant step, the Naval Group inaugurated its offices in Makati on Wednesday.
On Thursday, Loic Beaurepaire, the corporate sales director for the Philippines at Naval Group, shared the details of the company’s offerings with the media.
Beaurepaire outlined two programs that the Naval Group presented to the Philippine government.
The first program involves an anti-torpedo system, with a contractual milestone expected to be achieved later this year.
The second program focuses on the creation of a submarine fleet.
In this regard, the Naval Group has proposed a strategic partnership that would provide the Philippines with the necessary military and industrial autonomy it requires.
(ai/mnm)
Photo courtesy of Daily Dispatch
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is preparing to assemble the National El Niño Task Force, aiming to ensure coordinated efforts in preparing for and addressing the potential impacts of the El Niño phenomenon.
Under the leadership of Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, Administrator of Civil Defense and Executive Director of the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC), the task force will convene on July 19 at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
During the meeting, the participating government agencies will discuss their ongoing initiatives related to El Niño. Key points of discussion will include the presentation of short, medium, and long-term plans from various team clusters, focusing on addressing the effects of El Niño on food security, water security, energy security, health, public safety, and other relevant issues.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) will also provide an updated forecast of the climate phenomenon, along with the current status of dams across the country. (AI/MNM)
In anticipation of the impacts of Tropical Depression Dodong, which made landfall in Dinapigue, Isabela province early on Friday morning, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has put its regional offices on high alert.
Secretary Rexlon “Rex” Gatchalian has instructed all regional directors to be fully prepared to assist families and individuals who may be affected by potential floods and landslides caused by the intensified southwest monsoon, also known as “habagat,” brought about by Tropical Depression Dodong.
Secretary Gatchalian emphasized the immediate activation of their respective Disaster Response and Management Division-Quick Reaction Teams (DRMD QRT) by all DSWD regional offices. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of close coordination with their local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMCs).
Secretary Gatchalian has also directed the Disaster Response and Management Group (DRMG), under the leadership of Undersecretary Dianne Cajipe, to ensure the availability of family food packs (FFPs) and other forms of emergency assistance for prompt delivery to regional offices that require stockpile replenishment.
As per the weather bulletin issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Typhoon Signal No. 1 is currently in effect in several provinces, including Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya (Region 2-Cagayan Valley); Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet (Cordillera Administrative Region); Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, the northern portion of Pangasinan (Region 1-Ilocos Region); and the northern and central portions of Aurora—Maria Aurora, San Luis, Baler, Dipaculao, Dinalungan, Casiguran, Dilasag (Region 3-Central Luzon).
Photo by Benjamin Cuaresma
China’s enormous ship, known as the CCG 5901 and referred to as “the monster” due to its size, has joined a fleet of Chinese vessels in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal, which falls within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The CCG 5901, weighing 12,000 tons, is armed with heavy machine guns and features a helicopter platform and hangar capable of accommodating larger rotary-wing aircraft.
It is considered the world’s largest ship of its kind. Alongside another CCG vessel, 4203, and a growing swarm of 32 Chinese maritime vessels, the CCG 5901 has positioned itself approximately 104 nautical miles west of Palawan.
This information is based on monitoring conducted through the automatic identification system (AIS) as of Friday morning.
It is worth noting that Philippine security officials have not yet confirmed this latest development regarding the presence of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea.
In a separate incident last June 30, a group of forty-eight Chinese fishing vessels was observed swarming around Iroquois Reef, located south of the oil and gas-rich Recto Bank within the Philippines’ EEZ.
This information was obtained during a recent air patrol conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). (ai/mnm)
By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Heavy rains induced by a low pressure area flooded streets along Taft Avenue and many parts of Metro Manila, stranding thousands of commuters as public transport on Wednesday screeched to a halt amid knee-deep flood waters.
Motorists also found themselves caught in traffic jams as they waited for the water to subside until the wee hours of Thursday morning, 14 July 2023.
Roads along the United Nations, where the Manila Police District headquarters is located, were also submerged
because of the continuous downpour.
State weather bureau Pagasa said residents of Luzon, Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Caraga and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will continue to experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the combined effects of the Low Pressure Area and Southwest Monsoon until Thursday afternoon..
Meanwhile, the spokesperson of Cebu Pacific Carmina Romero announced that the airline may cancel some scheduled flights Thursday, 14 July 2023, due to bad weather conditions. (ai/mnm)
Kai Sotto, the promising Filipino NBA player, has finally made his long-awaited debut in the NBA Summer League. The debut took place in a game between Orlando and Portland at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Friday, July 14.
Despite being on the bench for the Magic’s initial three games in the tournament, Sotto seized his opportunity when given playing time against Portland. In his 13 minutes on the court, he showcased his skills by contributing six points, four rebounds, three blocks, and one assist.
However, it is worth noting that the Orlando Magic has yet to secure a victory in the Summer League, including the game in which Sotto made his debut. (ai/mnm)
In a recurring pattern, Kai Sotto, the promising Filipino basketball prospect, found himself on the bench once again as his team, the Orlando Magic, suffered an 80-82 overtime loss to the New York Knicks in the NBA Summer League.
The game took place at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on Thursday, July 13 (Manila time).
Looking ahead, Sotto and the Magic are set to play against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday, July 14. The 7-foot-3 center eagerly anticipates his long-awaited debut in the preseason league.
Unfortunately, the Magic have yet to secure a victory in the Summer League, having previously lost to the Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers.
(Sourced online/AI/MNM)