ASEAN has called for an immediate cessation of violence in the Israel-Hamas crisis.

In a joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of its 10 member countries, ASEAN strongly condemned the acts of violence in the region, which have resulted in the loss of life and injuries to civilians, including Filipino and Thai nationals.

The organization urged an immediate end to violence to prevent further human casualties and emphasized the importance of respecting International Humanitarian Law. They also called on all parties to facilitate safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian corridors.

Furthermore, ASEAN reaffirmed its support for a negotiated two-state solution, allowing Israelis and Palestinians to coexist in peace and security in line with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

They stressed that this remains the most viable path to address the root causes of the conflict.

The organization also called on the international community to support the peace process to ensure long-lasting peace and stability in the region.

This statement comes amid a two-week-long escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict, resulting in the loss of thousands of civilian lives, including children, medical personnel, and journalists. (ai/mnm)

By Liza Soriano

SENATOR Grace Poe has urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to suspend the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) until after all issues hounding it are resolved.

Earlier, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has suspended Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Teofilo Guadiz amid reports of alleged corruption.

The chairperson of the Committee on Public Services in the Upper House said that the alleged act of corruption is “unjust” for the public utility vehicle drivers.

“Kung totoo ang alegasyon, hindi ito makatarungan sa ating mga drayber na nawalan ng kabuhayan dahil pinaboran pala ang mga naglalagay,” Poe said.

Erring officials must be held accountable for bungling a very critical program of the transport sector, she added.

The senator hopes that while those involved are being investigated, the modernization program is also being organized that will improve the livelihood of drivers and provide proper service to commuters.

(ai/mnm)

Image Courtesy of: CNN Philippines

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has called for an immediate halt to activities that are detrimental to the environment in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

On Monday, the DFA expressed deep concern over reports of coral destruction in Rozul Reef, located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Coral reefs, which once thrived in the shallow waters near Rozul (Iroquios) Reef in the WPS, have disappeared, likely due to extensive harvesting, according to an official from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) who reported this on Saturday.

Vice Admiral Albert Carlos, AFP Western Command chief, confirmed these findings after a survey of Rozul Reef, where Chinese maritime militia vessels had been observed “swarming” by Philippine military air assets on September 6 and 7.

The DFA stressed that the Philippines has consistently raised concerns about ecologically damaging activities by foreign vessels in its maritime zones, an issue extensively discussed in the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea.

In a statement, the DFA called on all concerned parties to act responsibly and cease any activities that could harm the precious marine environment. They emphasized, “The well-being of millions of people who depend on the South China Sea for their livelihood is at stake.”

Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri expressed outrage over the destruction of the marine ecosystem in the WPS, as the continued presence of Chinese vessels within the Philippines’ EEZ threatens global food security.

Zubiri pointed to the reported damage to coral reefs in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, where numerous Chinese maritime militia vessels have been spotted operating illegally.

He emphasized that this destruction affects not only the Philippines but the entire world because the fish species breeding in these reefs are harvested by fishermen from various nations, including the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, and China. Therefore, protecting these coral reefs is in the best interest of the global community.

Zubiri revealed that the Senate is collaborating with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to establish marine ranger stations in key coastal areas nationwide to safeguard the country’s marine resources in the WPS. He has also requested a budget allocation of P600 million for this initiative, emphasizing the critical need for it.

Furthermore, Zubiri pledged to advocate for larger allocations in the 2024 national budget for the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy to acquire additional patrol boats and equipment. Under the proposed P5.768-trillion 2024 national budget, the PCG is set to receive P24.014 billion, a nearly 10 percent increase from its current budget, while the Navy’s budget will increase to P40.97 billion from its current allocation of P34.98 billion. (AI/MNM)