Tag: philippines

Philippine Everest conqueror sets sail for China

  by Ayee Macaraig Agence France-Presse   MANILA, Philippines (AFP) – After conquering Mount Everest, Philippine adventurer Carina Dayondon is set to sail to China aboard a wooden replica of an ancient boat in the hopes of boosting national pride in a forgotten maritime prowess. Dayondon is planning to sail from Manila to southern China early next year, recreating trade and migration voyages made before Spaniards colonized the Philippines in the 1500s. “People tell me I […]

Duterte arrives in PHL from “most productive, engaging” 2-day visit to Japan

Inks defense, business agreements; secures pledge for Build, Build, Build program (Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte arrived in the country on Tuesday night, after what he described as a “most productive and engaging” two-day visit to Japan. According to the President, he discussed with his “good friend” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe “concrete, time-bound and specific ways to further intensifying bilateral cooperation.” He said on top of both leaders’ agenda was “vital support for the […]

US Ambassador says CIA won’t undermine leadership of President Duterte

(Eagle News) — United States ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim has clarified that the US Central Intelligence Agency has no plans of removing President Rodrigo Duterte from office or overthrowing his administration. “President Duterte won a very impressive election. We respect his election and we are in fact working very well together with his administration,” he said. Kim was reacting to what President Duterte said last week. “They say that the CIA wanted me […]

Philippines promises compensation for slain Vietnamese fishermen

MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — The Philippines apologized Thursday and promised compensation for two Vietnamese fishermen killed by its naval personnel during an anti-poaching operation at sea. Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana made the apology in a meeting with Vietnam’s Defense Minister Ngo Xuan Lich as the two Southeast Asian neighbors discussed ways to improve cooperation, especially in naval matters. “Secretary Lorenzana also relayed President Rodrigo Duterte’s assurance that the families of the Vietnamese fishermen who […]

Tunnels reveal militants’ rat-like tactics in Philippine war in Marawi

  by Cecil Morella Agence France Presse MARAWI, Philippines (AFP) — The main battle zone in a southern Philippine city seized by Islamic State supporters resembles a tsunami-hit wasteland, with bullet-riddled mosques and a network of tunnels testifying to their hide-and-kill tactics. Two days after the military declared an end to the five-month conflict in which more than 1,100 people died, scrawny feral dogs and swallows flying above the ruins were among the few signs […]

US President Trump to be in PHL for 2 days for ASEAN and bilateral meetings with President Duterte

  (Eagle News) – United States President Donald Trump will be in the country for only two days during the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings, and will also have a bilateral meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte. This was confirmed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, saying that Trump will only be in the country from November 12 to 13. Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella also said that Trump will […]

US, ASEAN defense ministers discuss security cooperation in Philippines

https://youtu.be/Op0f2OSFvm4   Southeast Asian Defense Ministers and its dialogue partners, including the United States, continue the high-level security talks in Clark, Pampanga on Tuesday, October 24, focusing on security threats in the region. “With this, I am optimistic that we could broaden areas of cooperation to cover a wide array of defense and security issues, including terrorism and violent extremism, maritime security, cyber security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and peacekeeping operations among others,” Sec. […]

Whole country on full alert for security preparations of ASEAN Summit

(Eagle News) — All of the security agencies of the country are already on full alert for the Association of South East Nations (ASEAN) Summit next month, National Organizing Committee for ASEAN Ambassador Marciano Paynor said. Lead agencies include the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Presidential Security Group (PSG), which will handle the security of the state leaders. Twenty-one world leaders are expected […]

Australia to train Philippines in urban warfare to combat spread of Islamic extremism

  SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australia will train Filipino soldiers in urban warfare to combat the spread of the Islamic extremism after months of fierce fighting against militants in the country’s south, it was announced Tuesday. Canberra has been aiding Manila against local supporters of the Islamic State group in the southern city of Marawi since September, deploying two AP-3C Orion aircraft for surveillance while helping in information-gathering and analysis. Defense chiefs in the Philippines […]

Developing countries should work together for shared future: Filipino Military Chief

MANILA, Philippines (CCTV) — The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Eduardo Año, speaks highly of the idea of building a community of shared future for mankind stressed by Xi Jinping at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Año, who is attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers’ Meeting in Clark Freeport on Monday, welcomed the ideas that Xi raised during the CPC […]

Mattis praises Philippines for IS battle

  Clark, Philippines (AFP) — US Defense Secretary James Mattis on Monday praised the Philippines for its successes in battling Islamic State supporters, as he began an Asian trip aimed at reaffirming American support for regional allies. Mattis echoed Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement last week that Filipino forces had “liberated” the southern city of Marawi, after five months of bitter urban fighting that had claimed more than 1,000 lives, even though battles have continued. […]