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Jaishankar, Philippines counterpart discuss shared interests in ensuring maritime safety
Manila [Philippines], March 26 (ANI): India has briefed the Philippines on the Indian Navy's deployments in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea to counter ongoing threats, external affairs minister Jaishankar said on Tuesday. Jaishankar, who is on a visit to the archipelagic country, said that he discussed with Philippines Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo discussed shared interests in ensuring maritime safety. Addr.....»»
PAWS files animal cruelty raps vs killer of golden retriever Killua
Non-government organization for animal rights Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) on Monday filed criminal complaint against the individual who struck the golden retriever Killua which resulted to its demise......»»
Meralco reminds public of electrical safety tips this Holy Week
Electric concessionaire Meralco said that its personnel will attend to the needs of its customers during Holy Week despite its offices being closed from Maundy Thursday to Black Saturday......»»
Cops on heightened alert, NLEX ready for Lenten break
Police units across the country are on heightened alert starting tomorrow, as part of security preparations for the safety of the public during the Holy Week break......»»
Bill seeks review of rules on reckless imprudence
The country’s road safety laws must be reviewed to address the liability of drivers in cases of traffic violations and accidents, a lawmaker from Bukidnon said yesterday, citing the high number of vehicular crashes in Metro Manila......»»
DOT advises public to ‘travel wisely’ this Holy Week
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) is advising the public to “travel wisely” to ensure safety during the Holy Week celebrations. “Travelers needing accommodation, tours, transportation, and other tourism-related services are strongly advised to patronize DOT-accredited tourism enterprises. Accreditation by the DOT recognizes establishments as having complied with the department’s minimum standards set.....»»
Mike files case vs. Gwen, seeks her suspension
Mike files case vs. Gwen, seeks her suspension.....»»
Cenro files complaint vs CPA for ‘illegal’ wharf construction
Cenro files complaint vs CPA for ‘illegal’ wharf construction.....»»
Over 14K security personnel to be deployed for Davraa 2024
THE Davao City Public Safety and Security Office is all set to ensure the security and safety of delegates to the Davao Regional Athletics Association (Davraa) to be held from April 1 to 7, 2024......»»
Hong Kong: Free Pro-Democracy Publisher Jimmy Lai
(New York) -The Hong Kong authorities should drop the baseless charges against Jimmy Lai, founder of the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, and release him from prison, Human Rights Watch said today. Lai's national security trial is scheduled to start on December 18, 2023, and is expected to last for 80 days.Lai, 76, faces three "foreign collusion" charges under.....»»
Probe sought on possible ‘collusion’ behind granting of Philippine passports to Chinese nationals
Sen. Loren Legarda raised the possibility of a “collusion” of government personnel to grant Chinese nationals with authentic Philippine birth certificates for their passport applications......»»
Opening Pandora’s box
Exposing the recruitment racket where Filipinos are brought to Italy using bogus work permits, Daily Tribune’s show Usapang OFW may have opened a can of worms in the country’s skewed policy of relentlessly exporting labor. In most countries, being a migrant worker is a career move, not a forced one to have a decent human existence. The diaspora now consists of more than 10 million Filipinos who are promised by their elected leaders every time they are visited that the time is coming when opportunities at home will allow them to return. Policies, however, continue to lean toward promoting overseas employment mainly due to the lure of $3 billion in remittances that shower the country like manna from heaven monthly. Filipinos are preferred first-class workers due to their proficiency in English and their famed work ethic, resilience, and cheerful nature. The demand for Filipino workers is exploited by those seeking a fast buck by recruiting them. Those seeking jobs abroad are sucked dry before they can get a contract and then squeezed of their hard-earned money again at every opportunity by vultures, including the government. Tales like the emergency repatriation fund being misused to buy overpriced sanitary napkins and similar kickback rackets abound. Some 400 workers recounted to the online program how a Filipino employment consultancy firm based in Italy, Alpha Assistenza SRL, headed by Filipino co-CEOs Krizelle Respicio and Frederick Dutaro, victimized them through a “serial scamming” where they paid substantial sums only to be issued fake Nulla Ostas or work permits. The labor trafficking the Filipino firm had been engaged in was revealed after several individuals surfaced to narrate the ordeal they experienced at the hands of Alpha Assistenza. Senator Risa Hontiveros has filed a resolution to investigate the likely scam operation, but the probe’s focus should be on the officials who are complicit with the crooks. The victims recounted how the sting of bringing Filipinos to Italy with fake work permits could only be possible through the collusion of officials in the foreign diplomatic outposts. An immediate impact of the revelations of massive human trafficking may squander the country’s recently won Tier-1 ranking in the Global Trafficking in Persons report of the US State Department. As a Tier-1 country, the Philippines is considered to have fully met the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking. The government was applauded for its continued demonstration of “serious and sustained efforts” to fight human smuggling and illegal labor deployment. “These efforts included investigating more trafficking crimes, convicting more traffickers, amending its anti-trafficking law, increasing funding to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, and sentencing nearly all traffickers to significant prison terms,” the US State Department said. Being dropped from Tier-1 would have the effect of foreign governments tightening entry procedures for Filipino workers and the issuance of tighter rules on labor recruitment conducted by local agencies. “Corruption and official complicity in trafficking crimes remain significant concerns, inhibiting law enforcement action during the year,” the US report said. The report continued: “Some officials in law enforcement, immigration agencies, and other government entities are allegedly complicit in trafficking or allow traffickers to operate with impunity. Some corrupt officials allegedly accept bribes to facilitate illegal departures for overseas workers, operate sex trafficking establishments, facilitate the production of fraudulent identity documents, or overlook illegal labor recruiters.” Italy could just be the tip of the iceberg of a possibly colossal syndicate tapping into the tens of millions of job-seeking Filipinos for a lucrative illegal recruitment ring. The post Opening Pandora’s box appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Rent moratorium for rice retailers imposed
The Muntinlupa City Council passed an ordinance imposing moratorium on rental payment for public stall holders selling rice as a form of assistance to the traders due to the effectivity of the price caps. Mayor Ruffy Biazon signed Ordinance 2023-120 last Tuesday, 26 September, which became “effective immediately upon its approval.” The ordinance states that the President issued E.O. 39 “with an end view to put a price cap on rice in the effort to ease off the increasing price of the staple caused by illegal price manipulation such as hoarding by opportunistic traders and collusion among industry cartels in the light of the lean season, as well as global events taking place beyond the Philippines’ control, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India’s ban on rice exportation, and the unpredictability of oil prices in the world market, among other factors, have caused an alarming increase in the retail prices of rice.” In consonance with the presidential order, the city government was prompted to impose the moratorium on the collection of rental payment from stall holders engaged in the selling of rice as assistance to them due to a price cap on regular and well-milled rice. On 31 August, Marcos issued Executive Order 39 imposing a mandated price ceiling of P41 per kilo for regular milled rice and P45 per kilo for well-milled rice. The rice price cap took effect on 5 September. The Department of the Interior and Local Government issued Memorandum Circular 2023-131 for mayors to assist and ensure the effective regulation of the price of rice through “regular inspections of public and private markets, as well as rice warehouses; activation of hotlines, consumer complaints desk, and Timbangan ng Bayan; and deputation of barangay officials and non-government organizations to monitor abnormal price increases,” the ordinance added. The DILG also issued an unnumbered memorandum urging local government units “a) grant rent discounts; b) waive market fees; or c) pass a moratorium on rental payments, for public stall holders engaged in the business of selling rice for a period of two weeks to one month, subject to the discretion of the LGUs.” The post Rent moratorium for rice retailers imposed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Spins, deceptions, barrage
Chinese propaganda was in full force yesterday as the country’s state media again referred to the Philippines’ removal of the floating barrier as done to further the interest of the Americans. The narrative that China wants the world to follow is that the actions of the Philippines are all being dictated by the United States, to which the country has a long history of subservience. Thus, the Philippines’ sovereign interests are really at stake in the challenges to China’s aggressive assertions. Beijing’s propaganda mill has been busy since the expanded Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement increased from five to nine the number of Philippine military bases US forces have access to. It initially raised the bogey of the broader military pact being the launch pad for an American defense of Taiwan if China attacked, which is farthest from the truth since it presumes that Filipinos would be stupid enough to risk their country for another’s interest. The latest volley from China was related to removing the floating barrier that cordoned off Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc to Filipino fishermen. The Philippine Coast Guard should check the contraption to determine where it was manufactured. Recall the suspicion that the rocks and other materials used for China’s reclamation of Philippine islands had come from Zambales with the collusion of local government officials. Wang Wenbin, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, said the Philippine statement was just what it wanted to believe itself. “China’s resolve in safeguarding its sovereignty and maritime rights and interests over Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoal) is unwavering. We call on the Philippines not to make provocations or stir up trouble,” Wang said. Moreover, China parrots the line that opening four additional military bases was a move “to win US support for its claims in the South China Sea.” The US then wants to exploit the Philippines so that “it can intervene in the Taiwan question and the South China Sea issue from a closer range.” The US is using the Philippines as a pawn in its campaign to “contain China,” according to the propaganda minions. EDCA was an offshoot of the Mutual Defense Treaty, a post-World War II pact in which the Philippines and the United States committed to come to each other’s aid in case of attack. Based on the hype generated in Beijing, the Philippines has made several “failed” attempts to deliver building materials to reinforce the “grounded warship” on China’s Ren’ai Jiao, also known as Ayungin or Second Thomas Shoal, since August. Indeed, attempts to reinforce the BRP Sierra Madre ended in a cat-and-mouse chase that succeeded, revealing that China is out of touch with reality. Also, the Sierra Madre is not a warship but a landing craft. It is an LST 542-class tank landing ship, previously known as the USS Harnett County, built for the United States Navy during World War II. The paid hacks and lapdogs of the Chinese government want to create an image that the venture between the Philippines and the US is meant to contain Beijing. The fundamental issue, however, remains the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS, that has under it the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea, or ITLOS. The Permanent Court of Arbitration, or PCA, issued the 2016 ruling favoring the Philippines was formed under ITLOS. Thus, UNCLOS invalidated China’s historical claims and upheld the exclusive economic zone from which the Philippines can derive economic benefits. Any argument that strays from the guiding principle must be treated with a grain of salt, if not doused with cold water. The post Spins, deceptions, barrage appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Accused of rape, Russell Brand speaks of ‘distressing’ week
British comedian and actor Russell Brand on Friday spoke of an "extraordinary and distressing week" in his first public comments since rape and assault allegations were aired against him, but did not address the claims. "Obviously it's been an extraordinary and distressing week and I thank you very much for your support and for questioning the information you are being presented with," he said on a video posted to his YouTube channel, which has 6.64 million subscribers. "I need your support now more than ever, more than I ever imagined I would," he added. But he did not comment on the joint investigation by The Times, Sunday Times and Channel 4 television in which four women made claims of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse against him. Then on Thursday, a woman accused Brand of exposing himself to her in 2008. Brand criticized the British government for asking tech companies to take action against him. Denouncing what he described as "deep state and corporate collusion" and "media corruption and censorship", he said he would post a longer video on Monday. In a video released last week, just before the story broke, Brand, 48, denied the allegations against him, which are said to have taken place between 2006 and 2013. He said his relationships had always been "consensual", even during a period when he admitted he was "very, very promiscuous". Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's official spokesman called the allegations "very serious and concerning". Sunak "has been clear there should never be any space for harassment, regardless of where it is found", he added. Brand's publisher Bluebird announced that "all future publishing" with the comedian had been put on hold. Video-sharing platform YouTube has also demonetized his content. /jj © Agence France-Presse The post Accused of rape, Russell Brand speaks of ‘distressing’ week appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Political will test
The rice cartel causing the price problems will fall only one way, which is by applying political will, since it has been proven, not once, that the manipulators are well known to the authorities. In the previous administration, former President Rodrigo Duterte even had the phone numbers of the scalawags to periodically warn them. In a National Security Council meeting, for instance, Duterte called up someone who received the worst scolding ever heard from the president. The person on the other end was the supposed head of the Manila rice cartel who dictated the prices and supply of the staple grain. Duterte then directed the National Bureau of Investigation and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to go after the members of the syndicate, but until today neither agency has produced a single arrest. In one of his State of the Nation Addresses, Duterte indicated that it was not a secret who the members of the rice mafia were. “I now ask all the rice hoarders, cartels and their protectors, you know that I know who you are: stop messing with the people,” Duterte said. Other instances that proved the government knew the identities of their supposed prey were the several congressional probes where specific mention was made of the names of the rice gang. The Senate committee on agriculture had established the existence of the cartel and its intrusion into the National Food Authority but nothing happened after the inquiry. Some 13 trading firms were identified as dominating the rice business in Metro Manila. The panel said the firms hoarded rice from the NFA and mixed it with other rice varieties before these were resold. An instance that indicted the government as being in collusion with the cartel was during the tenure of the detained Leila de Lima as justice secretary, in the investigation of ringleader David Tan alias Davidson Bangayan. Bangayan and his cohorts were accused of establishing a scheme to recruit rice farmers and organize them “to acquire substantial importation allocations.” In 2014, the Senate initiated a probe into rice smuggling and the existence of a grains cartel that focused on Bangayan whose operations were based in Mindanao. Before the 2016 polls, De Lima, who was gunning for a Senate seat, returned the smuggling case against Bangayan to the NBI for further case buildup. De Lima’s excuse was that the NBI needed to gather more evidence against Bangayan. “We have to make sure it meets the probable cause threshold. When we evaluated Bangayan’s case, it was still not enough,” she said when asked about her actions. Most officials, businessmen and even rice retailers in Mindanao knew who the rice smuggling king was, yet De Lima said the NBI needed to prove his identity. Bangayan then was very confident about not being charged as he appeared at the Senate hearing, which even resulted in an overnight detention as he was being elusive in responding to the senators’ questions. The National Bureau of Investigation, an agency under the Department of Justice, ordered Bangayan’s arrest only after evidence in a libel case obtained by then Senate minority leader Juan Ponce Enrile was presented before the Senate committee on agriculture. The case was against businessman Jess Arranza in which Bangayan admitted that he was David Tan. Before Bangayan’s appearance in the Senate, he had met with De Lima to deny that he was Tan. His first NBI arrest papers even bore the clarification, “Davidson Bangayan who is not David Tan,” even though many in the business community were willing to testify that Bangayan was David Tan. Duterte, then Davao City mayor, was among those who vouched that Bangayan and Tan were the same person. Still, the NBI released Bangayan on the absurd reason that it could not establish his identity. An infuriated Duterte then demanded the resignation of De Lima as justice secretary for releasing Bangayan. The charade continued as Bangayan was rearrested on the ridiculous charge of electricity pilferage. It was the height of absurdity since it meant that Meralco was able to positively identify Bangayan which the NBI failed to do. The perpetual zarzuela of government vowing to run after the rice cartel when prices kick up will have to stop — which will happen only when the members of the rice mafia are prosecuted. The post Political will test appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos caps rice prices in Philippines inflation fight
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos on Friday imposed a price cap on rice, the national staple cereal, blaming "cartels" and hoarders for surging food charges. Marcos fixed the maximum retail price of regular milled rice, consumed by many Filipinos, at 41 pesos (73 US cents) per kilogram (2.2 pounds) and 45 pesos for the higher-quality "well-milled" rice. The new ceilings, which went into immediate effect, were as much as 25 percent lower than those quoted on Manila markets earlier this week, the presidential palace said in a statement. Rice is a basic staple in the country of 110 million people. But the nation cannot produce enough for itself and has been one of the world's top importers of the grain. "The current surge in retail prices of rice in the country has resulted in a considerable economic strain on Filipinos, particularly those who are underprivileged and marginalized," Marcos said in an executive order. Despite a "steady supply", Marcos alleged widespread "illegal price manipulation, such as hoarding by opportunistic traders and collusion among industry cartels in light of the lean season" were to blame. A ban on rice exports by major producer India, the war in Ukraine, and unstable world oil prices have also "caused an alarming increase in the retail prices of this basic necessity", he added. Marcos said the government, with police help, would "intensify ongoing inspections and raids of rice warehouses to combat hoarding and illegal importation". Price caps are "not ideal", Victor Abola, an economist at Manila's University of Asia and the Pacific told AFP. "But now that it is implemented the challenge for the government is to make sure that we have enough rice harvest these coming months so they can bring down the prices of rice to their desired price." "It's really a difficult balancing act at this time," Astro del Castillo, managing director of Manila securities firm First Grade Finance told AFP. Failing to rein in high inflation would hamper economic growth, he added. Inflation rose 6.8 percent in the January-July 2023 period compared with the previous year, government data show, after peaking at a 14-year high of 8.7 percent in January. Wilbert Lee, who represents the agriculture sector in the House of Representatives, called the price cap a "stopgap measure" and warned it could backfire. "The government must ensure strict compliance as this may result in supply drop in the market. It may discourage the private sector from selling with little or no profit," Lee said in a statement. The post Marcos caps rice prices in Philippines inflation fight appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DTI, DA to supervise implementation of rice price cap
Along with the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Trade and Industry will be the top agency that will make sure that Executive Order No. 39 released by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to impose mandated price ceilings on rice, will be heeded by rice players in wet markets and supermarkets. Under EO 39, the mandated price ceiling for regular milled rice is P41.00 per kilogram and P45 per kilo for well-milled rice. “The EO primarily mandates the DTI and the DA that the price ceilings are strictly implemented. We will visit major wet markets and retail stores in the coming days. This is not the sole responsibility of the DTI and DA because it’s a whole of government approach to ensure that rice in the markets is reasonably priced and remains a conveniently accessible staple food to Filipinos. The EO is not mainly on the price of rice but also on the supply,” Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said during the Laging Handa Public Briefing on Friday. He said EO 39 was already in effect after it was published in the Government Gazette, as well as in various newspapers with nationwide circulation. “There is no price freeze but a price cap, to be clear. Traders can still lower their prices. This EO is being implemented to prevent price manipulation in the market, and despite the ample supply, prices of rice surged in the past few days,” Pascual added. Pascual maintained that the price cap is not applicable to other varieties of rice and is only meant for regular-milled rice and well-milled rice. “We have premium varieties that are not covered by the price cap. During our rounds, we will ensure that the subject of the EO 39 is not mislabeled as premium type,” he added. Under the Price Act, retailers violating the price ceiling have a penalty of imprisonment of not less than one year or more than 10 years, and/or a fine of not less than P5,000 but not more than P1 million. On the other hand, price manipulators and hoarders are penalized with 5 years minimum up to 15 years imprisonment, and a fine of P5,000 not more than P2 million. Hoarders, meanwhile, will be run after by law enforcement units, namely the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Customs, and the Philippine Coast Guard, among others, Pascual said. The recommendation of the DA and the DTI to impose price ceilings on rice stemmed from the current surge in retail prices of rice in the country, which resulted in a considerable economic strain on Filipinos, particularly the underprivileged and marginalized. During the sectoral meeting, the DA reported its projection that rice supply for the second semester would reach 10.15 million metric tons, 2.53 MMT of which is ending stock from the first semester while 7.20 MMT is the expected yield from local production and only 0.41 MMT is imported rice. The total supply would be more than enough to cover the current demand of 7.76 MMT and will yield an ending stock of 2.39 MM that will last up to 64 days. Based on the projection, EO 39 stated the DA and the DTI “have reported that the country’s rice supplies have reached a stable level and are sufficient owing to the arrival of rice imports and expected surplus on local production.” The EO, however, noted that “despite steady supply of rice, the DA and DTI have also reported widespread practice of alleged illegal price manipulation, such as hoarding by opportunistic traders and collusion among industry cartels in light of the lean season, as well as global events taking place beyond the Philippines’ control, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India’s ban on rice exportation, and the unpredictability of oil prices in the world market, among other factors, have caused an alarming increase in the retail prices of this basic commodity.” The post DTI, DA to supervise implementation of rice price cap appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pork’s different strokes
Efforts have begun in the House of Representatives to raise the Motor Vehicle Road Users Charge or the Road Users Tax after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. identified the levy as a main source of precious funds. The eagerness of the members of the House to comply with the proposal to hike the tax makes people wary. Proceeds from the tax are the favorite source of legislative pork. Albay Rep. Joey Salceda’s bill indicates the MVUC which ranges from P120 to P4,000 will be raised to between P2,080 and P10,400 for cars, depending on their gross weight. Under the proposal, the MVUC will be increased by a fixed rate yearly until 2025, and by 5 percent from 2026 onwards. Salceda is looking at collecting P151 billion more in revenue from 2024 to 2027 through the higher MVUC. The higher collections should be earmarked for road improvements which is under the Department of Public Works and Highways after President Rodrigo Duterte signed a law abolishing the graft-tainted Road Board. The disposition of the MVUC sparked the feud between House members and the Department of Budget and Management during the initial years of the Duterte term after then Budget Secretary Ben Diokno refused to release the MUVC proceeds until the Road Board was dissolved. Moreover, the late former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III exploited the RUT funds using them as leverage to get House members to impeach former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez and to obtain the legislators’ approval for his political agenda, such as a measure seeking to postpone the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao election to allow Noynoy to place his appointees in the Muslim region. The Road Board had an unusual collection setup that practically freed its state audit, making it a perfect “cash cow” as termed by some senators. Gutierrez was impeached overwhelmingly in the House after Noynoy first dangled the pork barrel, saying through his House allies that those who would vote against the impeachment would not receive their pork barrel while those who signed the measure would get a P20-million bonus taken from the Road Board.Later, Gutierrez, knowing that she was in a losing situation, resigned from her post despite her having a guaranteed term. She was replaced by Noynoy’s favorite associate justice, Conchita Carpio-Morales, who carried out the yellow brand of selective justice. Gutierrez had displeased Noynoy when she dismissed the case against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in connection with the P729-million fertilizer fund scam. Former Chief Justice Renato Corona Jr. was also ousted through impeachment and the leverage used, in turn, were the DAP funds. It was ironic that Noynoy’s allies vowed to abolish the Road Board, which under the law that created it, had full discretion on its use. Its disposition was beyond the scope of the Commission on Audit since the RUT was not part of the budget. Former Sen. Franklin Drilon, for instance, said the body would be abolished by the Senate despite the House allies of former President Arroyo’s withdrawal and eventual rescinding of the bill that sought to terminate the anomalous 2001 creation. Congressmen turned the RUT proceeds into a source of fast money through collusion with Road Board officials. Since the DPWH is now the custodian of the funds, attention must also be directed at the agency in the proper disposition of the MUVC proceeds. Increasing the audit-free funds plus the recently discovered P215 billion in insertions in the budget through the generic flood mitigation projects exposed maneuvers to pilfer public funds. The post Pork’s different strokes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Taiwan decries China’s ‘military harassment’ after warplanes detected
Taiwan urged China on Tuesday to stop "military harassment" that risked damaging regional security after it said 24 Chinese warplanes were detected near the island. China has ratcheted up military and political pressure on self-ruled Taiwan since President Tsai Ing-wen came to power in 2016 because she rejects Beijing's stance that the island is part of Chinese territory. "The People's Liberation Army's continuous military harassment in the region could lead to a sharp escalation of tensions and worsening of regional security," Taiwan's Defense Ministry said in a statement. "We urge Beijing to take responsibility and immediately cease all unilateral actions that undermine regional stability," it said. According to the ministry, Beijing had sent 24 aircraft, including fighter jets, bombers and drones, as well as five warships close to Taiwan in what it described as a "joint combat patrol" since 9 am local time (0100 GMT). Half the warplanes crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait or entered the self-ruled island's southwest air defense identification zone, it said, and Taipei was using its own aircraft, vessels and land-based missile systems to monitor them. Taipei has seen an increase in Chinese air incursions since Tsai's visit to Eswatini, the only African country that recognizes Taiwan diplomatically over China, was announced on Friday. The defense ministry said on Saturday it had detected 32 Chinese warplanes and nine warships around the island over 24 hours. The increase in incursions also comes after the United States approved last week the sale to Taiwan of advanced sensor equipment for fighter jets. And on Monday, Taiwan's defense ministry said a Chinese BZK-005 drone circled the island on a flight path that appears to be increasingly common for such long-range vehicles. Beijing conducted military exercises to simulate the encirclement of the island in April after Tsai met US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California. Beijing also staged military drills earlier this month after Vice President Lai Ching-te made returned to Taiwan after a trip to Paraguay that included two US stopovers, and banned mango imports from the island. China's state-run Xinhua news agency said the drills were intended to serve as "a stern warning to the collusion of 'Taiwan independence' separatists with foreign elements and their provocations". The post Taiwan decries China’s ‘military harassment’ after warplanes detected appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»