National

Philippines says tanker carrying 1.4 million litres of oil capsizes in Manila Bay

MANILA, July 25, 2024 (AFP) – A Philippine-flagged tanker carrying 1.4 million litres of industrial fuel oil capsized and sank off Manila on Thursday, authorities said, as they sought to contain a spill stretching several kilometres. The MT Terra Nova had been heading for the central city of Iloilo when it sank in Manila Bay, nearly seven kilometres (4.3 miles) off Limay municipality in Bataan province, near the capital, in the early hours. Strong winds […]

President Marcos urges swift relief as Typhoon Carina and monsoon batter the Philippines

Manila, July 24, 2024 – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has urged government agencies to prioritize assistance to isolated areas affected by Typhoon Carina (international name: Gaemi) and the intensified southwest monsoon, known locally as “habagat,” which continue to bring heavy rains to parts of the country. In a briefing held at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Marcos commended the government’s response efforts thus far. He instructed the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) […]

Streets turned into rivers as Typhoon Gaemi hits Philippines

  MANILA, July 24, 2024 (AFP) – Relentless rain drenched the northern Philippines on Wednesday, triggering flooding in Manila and landslides in mountainous regions as Typhoon Gaemi (local name: Carina) intensified the seasonal monsoon. In the densely populated capital, rescuers were deployed across the city to help evacuate people from low-lying homes after downpours turned streets into rivers. People clutched flimsy umbrellas as they waded through thigh-deep murky water or used small boats and shopping […]

Malacañang suspends work and classes in Metro Manila due to typhoon Carina

(EAGLE NEWS) Malacañang Palace has ordered the suspension of work in government offices and classes at all levels in Metro Manila on Wednesday, July [Date] due to heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon, or habagat, enhanced by Typhoon Carina. The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced the cancellation, citing the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) recommendation. However, government agencies responsible for basic and health services, disaster response, and other vital operations will […]

Philippines ‘to assert our rights’ after China sea deal

MANILA, July 22, 2024 (AFP) – Manila insisted Monday it will continue to “assert our rights” over a hotspot South China Sea reef, after reaching a deal with Beijing for resupplying Filipino troops stationed on a grounded warship. The Philippine foreign ministry also rejected suggestions by China that the “provisional arrangement” announced Sunday required Manila to give Beijing “prior notification” and verification of deliveries to the BRP Sierra Madre on Second Thomas Shoal. China claims […]

Philippines and China de-escalate tensions with resupply “arrangement”

By Pam CASTRO MANILA (AFP) – The Philippines and China have agreed on an “arrangement” for resupplying Filipino troops stationed on a South China Sea reef, Manila said Sunday, after a series of escalating confrontations in the disputed waters. A remote outpost on Second Thomas Shoal has been a focus of clashes between Chinese and Philippine ships in recent months as Beijing steps up efforts to push its claims to almost the entire South China […]

Sacked hotel worker arrested over killings of two Australians, Filipina

MANILA, July 17, 2024 (AFP) – A disgruntled former hotel employee has been arrested over the killings of two Australians and a Filipina in the Philipines, a government official and police said Wednesday. The bodies of a man and two women were found in a hotel room in Tagaytay city, south of Manila, on July 10, with their hands and feet bound and packaging tape over their mouths. The suspect was identified from CCTV footage […]

Philippines hit by 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Mindanao, no tsunami threat detected

Eagle News – On Thursday, July, 11, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Mindanao, Philippines. The German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) said the quake occurred at a depth of 630 km (391.46 miles). While the deep offshore quake is not anticipated to cause damage, aftershocks are likely. There is no threat of a tsunami. The Philippines is situated in the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’, an area known for […]

Philippines, Japan eye signing key defense pact amid China tensions

By Pam CASTRO MANILA, July 5, 2024 (AFP) – The Philippines’ military chief said Thursday he hoped a key defence pact with Japan allowing for the deployment of troops on each other’s territory will be signed at security talks next week. Japanese Defence Minister Minoru Kihara and Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa are set to meet their Philippine counterparts in Manila on Monday. The Philippines and Japan — longtime allies of the United States — have […]

Philippines says it agrees with China to ‘de-escalate’ South China Sea tensions

By Pam CASTRO MANILA, July 2, 2024 (AFP) – The Philippines and China agreed on Tuesday to “de-escalate tensions” over the South China Sea, Manila said, following a violent clash in the disputed waters last month. Manila and Beijing have a long history of maritime territorial disputes in the hotly contested waterway but last month’s incident was the most serious in a number of escalating confrontations. Chinese coast guard personnel wielding knives, sticks and an […]

President Marcos says Philippines won’t be intimidated amid China row

  MANILA, June 23, 2024 (AFP) – President Ferdinand Marcos said Sunday the Philippines “will not be intimidated” by anyone after a violent clash between the Filipino navy and the Chinese coast guard in the South China Sea. The confrontation took place Monday off Second Thomas Shoal as the Chinese sailors foiled an attempt by Philippine forces to resupply marines stationed on a derelict warship that was deliberately grounded atop the disputed shoal in 1999 […]

Chinese sailors wield sticks, axe in disputed sea clash with Philippines

MANILA, June 20, 2024 (AFP) – Chinese coast guard sailors brandishing weapons including sticks, knives and an axe clashed with Philippine naval vessels near a strategic reef in the South China Sea, dramatic new footage released by Manila showed. The clash took place Monday as Philippine forces attempted to resupply marines stationed on a derelict warship deliberately grounded atop the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, Manila said. Fresh footage of the confrontation released late Wednesday by […]