The nomination put forward by the Philippine Democratic Party – People’s Power (PDP-Laban). “President Rodrigo Roa Duterte agreed to make the sacrifice and heed the clamor of the people, and accepted the endorsement of the PDP Laban Party for him to run as vice president in the 2022 national elections,” …
Read More »Duterte won’t scrap military pact with US despite prior threats, Philippines defense minister says during Pentagon chief’s visit
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced the move on Friday, saying Duterte wouldn’t jettison the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with Washington, but added that he was unsure why the president had reversed his course. “The VFA is in full force again after Secretary Austin’s meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte,” the defense …
Read More »Military aircraft carrying at least 85 passengers crashes in the Philippines
Philippines military chief Cirilito Sobejana confirmed that a C-130 transport plane had crashed in Jolo, the province’s capital. The plane, which was transporting troops at the time of the accident, missed the runway while landing and crashed into a nearby village, Sobejana explained. At least 40 people have been rescued so far. Military and …
Read More »Philippines raises alert level after volcano sends plume 1km skywards, evacuations strongly recommended (PHOTOS)
In a statement shared on Facebook on Thursday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said, “The Taal volcano main crater generated a short-lived dark phreatomagmatic plume one kilometer high with no accompanying volcanic earthquake,” at 3.16pm local time. A phreatomagmatic eruption occurs when magma – that is, molten rock …
Read More »Former Philippines President Benigno Aquino III dies at 61
“It is with profound sadness that I learned this morning of the passing of former Pres. Benigno Aquino,” Supreme Court justice Marvic Leonen, who was himself tapped for the role by Aquino, said in a statement on Thursday. Aquino was rushed to a hospital in Quezon City earlier on Thursday, …
Read More »Philippines President Duterte threatens to jail those refusing Covid shots and ‘inject vaccine in their butts’
Duterte vented his frustration over vaccine hesitancy during a cabinet meeting late on Monday night. “If you don’t want to get vaccinated, leave the Philippines,” he said, as quoted by the PNA news agency. “Go to India if you want, or somewhere to America. But for as long as you …
Read More »‘We do not need foreigners to investigate killings’: Philippines leader Duterte won’t cooperate with ICC killings probe
Speaking on Tuesday, the president’s spokesman, Harry Roque, dismissed the requirement for foreign intervention into the deaths during the nation’s war on drugs. “We do not need foreigners to investigate killings in the drug war because the legal system is working in the Philippines,” Roque stated. He claimed that the …
Read More »Civilians flee as Philippines soldiers dislodge 200 (hungry?) Islamist militants who seized town market – media
Members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) seized the public market of Datu Paglas, located on the southern Philippines island of Mindanao, on Saturday morning, prompting the deployment of military and police units to the area. The group opposes a peace agreement between Muslim rebels, the Moro Islamic Liberation …
Read More »‘GET THE F**K OUT’: Philippines foreign secretary issues not-so-diplomatic request to China amid maritime dispute
On Monday, the Philippines issued a protest against the “belligerent” actions of Chinese vessels in waters claimed by Manila. But it appears that the country’s top diplomat felt the need to reiterate his government’s position – without the typical formalities. “China, my friend, how politely can I put it? Let …
Read More »Duterte says he will send Philippines’ navy ships into South China Sea to ‘stake claim’ over oil resources
“I will send my grey ships there to stake a claim,” Duterte said in a speech on Monday, explaining that he is not interested in a quarrel over fishing, but that he would protect “our oil.” “If they start drilling oil there, I will tell China, is that part of …
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