Philippines' Marcos meets China's Xi to find ways to reduce South China Sea tensions
The Philippines and China need to continue to communicate, with the meeting a key part of the process to maintain peace, and keep open sea lanes and airways over the South China Sea, Marcos told reporters on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in San Francisco. "We tried to come up with mechanisms to lower the tensions in the South China Sea," Marcos said, without elaborating. Marcos said he and Xi were in agreement that geopolitical problems should not be the defining element of the two countries' relationship. Marcos granted the United States greater access to its military bases, including in provinces facing the South China Sea and democratically-ruled Taiwan, drawing the ire of Beijing. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, ignoring a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated Beijing's expansive claim.
Source:The Standard
November 18, 2023 19:01 UTC
Indian tunnel rescue efforts paused over cave-in fears
DEHRADUN, India: Indian rescuers said on Saturday they had paused efforts to reach 40 men trapped in a collapsed road tunnel after a cracking sound created a "panic situation" over the possibility of a further cave-in. Excavators have been removing debris from the road tunnel in the northern Himalayan state of Uttarakhand since last Sunday after a portion of the tunnel the workers were building collapsed. WAITING FOR WORD People stand near the entrance to the site of an under-construction road tunnel that collapsed in Uttarakhand state, northern India on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. Rescuers have been communicating with the trapped men using radios. Engineers are trying to drive a steel pipe about 90 cm (nearly 3 ft) wide through the debris — wide enough for the trapped men to squeeze through.
Source:Manila Times
November 18, 2023 17:59 UTC
No forgiveness needed for ouster of father, says Marcos Jr.
No forgiveness needed for ouster of father, says Marcos Jr.President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. attends the mass commemorating the 105th birth anniversary of his father, the late former chief executive Ferdinand Marcos Sr. at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on Sept. 11, 2022. MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said he does not feel the need to forgive those who ousted his late father and namesake, former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., during the EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986. They don’t need my forgiveness, if they want it, I’ll give it to them,” he added. They don’t need my forgiveness, if they want it, I’ll give it to them.) The clan, including Marcos Jr., hastily vacated the presidential palace on February 25, boarding US military aircraft laden with bags and boxes filled with jewels, gold, and cash.
Source:Philippine Star
November 18, 2023 17:55 UTC
WHO denies cyberattack on PH COVID-19 records
The World Health Organization (WHO) office in the Philippines on Friday denied there was a cyberattack on its COVID-19 vaccination records, saying the WHO collects only “aggregated” numbers, and not personal information. ADVERTISEMENT“During the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO collected from national health authorities around the world data that is aggregated at a population level, for example, on the total numbers of COVID-19 infections, deaths and vaccine doses administered in the country,” he explained. The National Privacy Commission initially found that a “staggering” amount of data equivalent to more than 730 gigabytes had been stolen from the state insurer. Subscribe to our daily newsletter SIGN ME UPFor more news about the novel coronavirus click here. For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 18, 2023 14:16 UTC
PH-China relations go beyond West Philippine Sea issues — Marcos
PH-China relations go beyond West Philippine Sea issues — MarcosMANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Friday that the ongoing challenges in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) should not be the sole factor shaping the relationship between the Philippines and China. When asked about potential agreements to ease tensions in the South China Sea, Marcos said that he and Xi Jinping agreed that the West Philippine Sea issues should not overshadow their diplomatic relationship. He also mentioned plans for another meeting with Xi to address recent incidents and find solutions to reduce tensions in the South China Sea. Essentially, we tried to come up with mechanisms to lower the tensions in South China Sea,” the president said. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague invalidated Beijing's claim over nearly the entire South China Sea in a 2016 ruling.
Source:Philippine Star
November 18, 2023 10:05 UTC
Can hospitals be military targets? What international law says
Can hospitals be military targets? Israel has denied the accusation, saying its operation falls within the boundaries of international law. AFP looks at whether hospitals can be considered a legitimate military target, and under which conditions. Usually safe, but some exceptionsThe Geneva Conventions, adopted in the aftermath of World War II, form the core of international humanitarian law and "are particularly protective of civilian hospitals", according to Mathilde Philip-Gay, an expert in international humanitarian law at Lyon-3 university in southeast France. "It is forbidden to turn recognised civilian hospitals into a conflict zone.
Source:Philippine Star
November 17, 2023 22:48 UTC
Suzuki PH opens doors at Autofocus pre-Christmas test drive festival
The Japanese carmaker is set to literally open its doors for customers to try and drive its iconic cars during the Autofocus pre-Christmas Test Drive Festival at the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds in Pasay City from Nov. 16-19, 2023. Get the chance to drive Suzuki cars such as the new Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid and Suzuki XL7 at the Autofocus pre-Christmas Test Drive Festival in the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds from Nov. 16-19, 2023. Refreshments and free coffee will be available for customers, who will avail of the test drive opportunities. The Suzuki Kids Scout Corner will also hold games and informative activities for children, including a basic traffic safety course for kids. For more information, visit any authorized Suzuki Auto dealerships nationwide or its website at http://suzuki.com.ph/auto/.
Source:Manila Times
November 17, 2023 18:07 UTC
Philippines, US sign nuclear energy deal
(UPDATE) THE Philippines and the United States on Friday signed an agreement on nuclear energy cooperation that will allow Washington to export nuclear technology and material to Manila. In his remarks, the President expressed optimism that the signing of the deal will encourage more foreign investors to pursue nuclear power projects in the Philippines. IT’S A DEAL Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla (left) and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken sign the nuclear energy agreement between the Philippines and the US at the George Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. "I called then for the re-evaluation of the possibility of safely developing nuclear energy in the Philippines, recognizing the enormous potential of nuclear energy given the new, highly advanced technologies and standards of safety, security, and all the different safeguards that are now in place," he said. The Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. Ltd., on the other hand, is interested to rehabilitate the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.
Source:Manila Times
November 17, 2023 15:34 UTC
Philippines' Marcos, China's Xi to discuss tensions, way forward in South China Sea
REUTERS/Carlos Barria/ File photoPhilippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Friday he will meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the sidelines of the APEC Summit in San Francisco to discuss tensions and formulate ways forward in the South China Sea. Manila refers to the part of the South China Sea that it claims as the West Philippine Sea. Marcos said he also discussed South China Sea issues with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. China claims sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, pointing to a line on its maps that cuts into the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. The Philippines' foreign ministry on Thursday committed to continue resupply missions and an "upkeep" of a grounded navy ship in a disputed South China Sea atoll, saying it does not have to give prior notice to China.
Source:The Standard
November 17, 2023 15:14 UTC
Duterte unfazed by De Lima helping ICC
Duterte unfazed by De Lima helping ICCMANILA, Philippines — The International Criminal Court (ICC) and former senator Leila de Lima can go together for all former president Rodrigo Duterte cares, as he is unfazed by their joining forces against his so-called war on drugs. PDP-Laban members’ exitDuterte is also unfazed by the exodus of Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) members, particularly among House lawmakers to the Lakas-CMD party headed by Romualdez. PDP-Laban used to be the majority political party when Duterte was the president. Now, more than 100 PDP-Laban members have switched allegiance to Lakas-CMD. Duterte said he even understands the PDP-Laban members who flocked to Romualdez’s side now and eventually made Lakas-CMD the predominant political party.
Source:Philippine Star
November 17, 2023 15:05 UTC
Philippines, US ink civil nuclear cooperation pact
Philippines, US ink civil nuclear cooperation pactUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) and Philippines' Secretary of Energy Raphael Lotilla (L) sign, as Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (C) during the Philippines 123 Signing Ceremony during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Week in San Francisco, California, on November 16, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and the United States signed Friday a landmark agreement that would facilitate civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries, lauded by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as a “milestone toward a more energy secure and green” future. Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla and State Secretary Antony Blinken signed the agreement during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco, California. Nuclear in energy mixThe current administration is turning its focus toward nuclear energy. “Nuclear energy is one area where we can show that the Philippines-US alliance and partnership truly works for our peoples, our economies, and the environment,” he added.
Source:Philippine Star
November 17, 2023 14:44 UTC
Philippines: Greenhouse project launched in Eastern Samar town
Officials of Guiuan town in Eastern Samar inaugurated on Nov. 6 a greenhouse project that would help improve food security by adopting innovative agricultural practices. The greenhouse uses a solar hydroponic system, where vegetables grow with the use of a solar supply instead of soil. After all, one of the most critical sectors affected by climate change that brought us typhoons like Super Typhoon Yolanda is agriculture,” she said. “And one of the most critical concerns is food security. I believe the greenhouse project serves as one of the most sustainable solutions to the problem of food security in the face of the changing climate,” she added.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 17, 2023 13:37 UTC
Indian rescuers still 40 meters away from workers trapped in tunnel
SILKYARA, India — Rescuers drilled about one-third of the way into the debris of a collapsed highway tunnel in India by Friday morning to reach 40 workers trapped inside for five days, officials said. Drilling had penetrated through about 21 meters (70 feet) of debris, Devendra Singh Patwal, a disaster management officer, told Reuters. READ: Rescuers dig to reach 40 workers trapped in collapsed tunnel in IndiaAnother officer with the rescue team inside the tunnel said the trapped men were doing fine. ADVERTISEMENTThe workers have been supplied with food, water, and oxygen through a pipe and authorities have been in contact with them via walkie-talkies. Authorities have not said what caused the tunnel to cave in on Sunday morning, but the region is prone to landslides, earthquakes, and floods.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 17, 2023 06:00 UTC
Reducing vaccine wastage crucial in preparing for next pandemic
ABOUT 50 million coronavirus vaccine doses went to waste because they expired before they could be administered, officials from the Department of Health (DoH) told a recent Senate budget hearing. It's a disconcerting statistic, especially when we take into account that the Philippines spent about P22 billion to buy 23.5 million Covid-19 vaccine doses to supplement its stockpile of 26.2 million donated doses. There were more than 4 million Covid cases in the Philippines, and almost 67,000 Filipinos died from the disease. By the time President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared the pandemic over last March, 75.7 million Filipinos were still waiting for a second dose, while only 24.2 million had received a booster shot. The plan considered it crucial "that national and local agencies, public and private sectors, and other planning partners clearly understand each other's roles and responsibilities in the Covid-19 vaccination program."
Source:Manila Times
November 17, 2023 04:53 UTC
Philippines to China: Be accountable, remove illegal structures
Philippines to China: Be accountable, remove illegal structuresThis photo taken on Nov. 10, 2023 shows Philippine coast guard personnel and journalists sailing onboard a rigid inflatable boat (L) as they head back after filming the BRP Sierra Madre docked at Second Thomas Shoal in the disupted South China Sea. “We call on China to remove all these illegal structures, cease reclamations in the South China Sea, and be accountable for the damages caused by these illegal activities,” the DFA said in a statement on Thursday. “It is difficult to imagine how these activities could be deemed threatening to China,” they added. The BRP Sierra Madre was positioned at Ayungin Shoal since 1995 in direct response to China's occupation of Mischief Reef. In recent months, China has been provoking incidents during the Philippines' resupply missions to the stationed BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal, leading to multiple diplomatic protests.
Source:Philippine Star
November 16, 2023 20:29 UTC