ASEAN IN FOCUS

Thailand confiscates almost three tons of pangolin scales

BANGKOK, Thailand (Reuters) — Thai officials on Thursday (February 2) displayed 2.9 tons of confiscated pangolin scales worth $826,446 that were smuggled into Thailand from Congo and destined for Laos. Authorities said the seizure was a result of an illegal wildlife crackdown by the police, Thai customs, and the Wildlife Department, who had carried out three raids at Bangkok’s Suvarnnabhumi Airport since December. Thai customs chief Kulit Sombatsiri said although pangolins were moved from Appendix […]

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Indonesian plane skids off runway in new aviation mishap

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — An Indonesian passenger plane carrying 130 people skidded off the runway as it landed at a major airport in heavy rain, the airline said Thursday, the latest mishap to hit the country’s aviation sector. No one was hurt after the Boeing 737-800 operated by Indonesian flag carrier Garuda came off the runway at the airport serving the city of Yogyakarta late Wednesday as it arrived from Jakarta. Adisutjipto International Airport, on […]

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Increasing cars in Yangon pressure authorities for traffic solutions

YANGON, Myanmar (Reuters) — During the decades of military rule, cars ownership in Myanmar was reserved to a select few and traffic jams in Yangon, then the capital, were unknown. But now, after six years of civilian rule, cars are no longer a privilege and vehicles of all shapes and sizes fight for space on the roads. Rush hour gridlocks are a daily occurrence and set to worsen as the appetite for cars and mobility […]

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Asian TPP nations pledge to salvage trade accord

CANBERRA, Australia (Reuters) — Asian TPP nations announced on Tuesday (January 24) they were looking for ways to save the multi-country trade pact in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to pull his country out of it. Fulfilling a campaign pledge Trump signed an executive order in the Oval Office on Monday (January 23) pulling the United States out of the 2015 TPP agreement and distancing the United States from its Asian allies. […]

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China wants peaceful resolution of South China Sea dispute, but defends right to put defense facilities on islands

  (Eagle News) — China said it is committed to “peacefully resolving the South China Sea dispute through dialogue and negotiation” with sovereign states like the Philippines, even as it stressed its right to put military equipment on its alleged territories in the disputed seas. In a statement, China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said direct negotiations with the Philippines have “lowered the temperature” in the South China Sea maritime dispute. But she maintained that […]

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Japanese and Vietnamese leaders discuss South China Sea security

HANOI, Vietnam (Reuters) — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a state welcoming ceremony in Hanoi, Vietnam on Monday (January 16). Vietnam is the last leg of his six-day Asia-Pacific tour, aimed at bolstering security cooperation amid tensions on the South China Sea. In Vietnam, Abe announced that Japan would supply six new patrol boats to Vietnam, which too is locked in a dispute with China over the disputed South China Sea territories. China has […]

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President Duterte asks ASEAN to respect rule of law

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte asked the members of the Association of South East Asian Nation to adopt a stronger ASEAN spirit so that the region can rise up to the challenges that it faces. “We have established amongst ourselves good neighborliness that allow for secure and stable relations. But we also see in ourselves the very same burning desire to move forward together based on shared values,” the president said […]

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Featured video: The Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship theme song, “ASEAN Spirit”

(Eagle News) — The song, “ASEAN Spirit” was sung for the first time during the launch of the Philippines’ chairmanship of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Davao City on Sunday, January 15. It was performed by Filipino world class tenor, Jonathan Badon, also known as “Prince of  Popera” for his ability to easily switch his singing style from classic opera to pop or vice versa, accompanied by Davao City’s “Himig Choir” […]

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Philippine chairmanship of ASEAN launched in Davao City

  (Eagle News) — The Philippines, under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte, officially launched the hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City on January 15, 2017. Bearing the theme, ‘Partnering for Change, Engaging the World,’ ASEAN 2017 aims to focus on the further development and enhanced cooperation of the ASEAN community. As the Philippines assumes chairmanship, the year-long meetings and activities will highlight several […]

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Police braces for full deployment on ASEAN confab and the Miss U events

  DAVAO CITY, January 13 (PIA) – The Davao Region Police Office braces for the full deployment of personnel Saturday during the eve of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Golden Launch in the city Sunday and the Miss Universe engagement on January 17 here. Chief Inspector Andrea de la Cerna, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office XI said a pre-deployment of police personnel was conducted prior to the visit of Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe […]

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