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China Says Philippine Vessel Illegally Landed on Disputed Atoll
SHANGHAI - China said Saturday a small civilian vessel from the Philippines had 'illegally placed itself on the beach' of an atoll in the South China Sea that both countries claim.The vessel, which landed on the Spratly Islands atoll on Friday, was there for supply purposes, the China coast guard posted on the Weixin platform.The Philippines' coast guard, national security council and foreign ministry did.....»»
China Says Philippine Vessel Illegally Landed on Disputed Atoll
SHANGHAI - China said Saturday a small civilian vessel from the Philippines had 'illegally placed itself on the beach' of an atoll in the South China Sea that both countries claim.The vessel, which landed on the Spratly Islands atoll on Friday, was there for supply purposes, the China coast guard posted on the Weixin platform.The Philippines' coast guard, national security council and foreign ministry did.....»»
Delivery drivers urge Mayor Baste for business permit exemption
Title: Delivery Drivers Seek Exemption from Business Permit Requirement A group of delivery drivers in Davao is urging Mayor Sebastian Duterte to exempt them from the mandatory business permits. The drivers, including those from various delivery apps such as Grab and FoodPanda, are concerned about the financial burden imposed by the business permits, which range from P2,000 to P6,000. They argue that this requirement is unique to Davao City among all cities and provinces in the Philippines. Grab rider Rolando Atico emphasized the need for solidarity among all delivery drivers, regardless of the app they work for. He urged fellow drivers to support each other, as the financial impact may extend beyond just Grab and FoodPanda. Atico also requested Mayor Duterte to reconsider the requirement and reinstate the previous occupational permit, which only cost P125. The group is facing a 30-day deadline to obtain the business permits, and they are citing financial constraints as a reason for their request for an extension. Failure to comply could result in their removal from the delivery platforms, jeopardizing their livelihoods. Additionally, they are advocating for changes to Davao City's Revenue Code, proposing a model similar to Cebu City, where only an occupational permit is required. The drivers are also calling for an inquiry into the lack of transparency and unilateral actions of food delivery companies, particularly concerning rider capitalization and financial concerns. They believe that a thorough investigation will help ensure fairness and equity in their financial obligations and working relationship with the delivery companies. Maribel Paguican, the Business Bureau officer-in-charge, stated that non-certified delivery riders categorized as service contractors must obtain a business permit. She mentioned two permits for occupational and business activities, with a discounted structure for delivery riders. However, concerns have been raised about increased taxes, potentially ranging from P3,000 to P6,000, along with an additional tax on top of the declared income of P1,400. The delivery drivers' plea for exemption from the business permit requirement reflects their concerns about the financial impact and the potential threat to their livelihoods. Their call for solidarity and support from fellow drivers highlights the urgency of the situation. This story sheds light on the challenges faced by delivery drivers in Davao and the implications of the business permit requirement on their financial well-being. It also underscores their efforts to seek fairness and equity in their working relationship with the authorities and delivery companies......»»
Uncertainty looms over Davao-Samal Bridge project amid RoW hurdles
The construction of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC), also known as the Davao-Samal Bridge project, has faced numerous setbacks due to right-of-way (ROW) acquisition challenges. The project was halted on January 3, 2024, due to issues with landowners near a pier in Lanang at Davao City, leading to delays in the project's implementation. While there have been conflicting statements regarding the project's status, the National Economic and Development Authority-Davao Region (Neda-Davao) aims to complete the detailed engineering plans for the substructure of the west land via dock once the Deed of Transfer Possession in Davao City is released. However, ROW issues continue to persist. Despite these challenges, the project is still considered a priority and is included in the Davao Region Development Plan (DRDP) for 2023–2028. The project is funded through China’s Official Development Assistance with an estimated budget of P23.04 billion, and negotiations with the Philippine government are ongoing with a target completion date in 2027. The uncertainty surrounding the project's timeline remains as ROW hurdles persist, impacting the much-anticipated toll-free four-lane concrete exodus bridge spanning a 3.98-kilometer distance......»»
Sara reveals she will run in next polls
Summary: Sara Duterte, the Vice President and Education Secretary, announced her intention to run in the next election during a visit to flood victims in Barangay Bago Gallera. In a Facebook Live video, she mentioned that her brothers, Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and First District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, may not run in the next election, prompting her decision to campaign. However, she did not specify the position she would be running for. The upcoming election will be the 2025 midterm senatorial elections for senators, congressmen, and local officials, with the presidential national elections scheduled for 2028. Duterte also emphasized the importance of barangay development councils in times of calamity and stressed the need for disaster resilience and awareness among barangay officials and children. Additionally, she highlighted the significance of safety and security, urging trust in security personnel and caution against scammers and swindlers. Duterte also emphasized the importance of education for the younger generation and the equal opportunities it provides. This announcement comes amidst her visits to various areas in the Philippines, where she has been extending aid and addressing pertinent issues such as disaster resilience and community safety......»»
Majority of Filipinos favor US over China in West Philippine sea dispute — survey
A recent survey by a think tank found that many Filipinos prefer siding with the United States over China in the West Philippine Sea territorial dispute......»»
Philippines Marcos Boosts Maritime Security as China Tension Rises
MANILA, Philippines - Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered his government to strengthen its coordination on maritime security to confront 'a range of serious challenges' to territorial integrity and peace, as a dispute with China escalates.The order, signed on Monday and made public on Sunday, does not mention China but follows a series of bilateral maritime confrontations and mutual accusations.....»»
Philippines announces decisive measures amid tensions with China
Manila [Philippines], March 28 (ANI): Amid the escalating tensions in the South China Sea, Philippine President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr has announced decisive measures to protect his country's sovereignty and maritime rights while ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Marcos, known as Bongbong, said that the measures, aimed at addressing what he said is the "open, unabating, and illegal" actions by China's Coast.....»»
US warns China against armed attack on Philippines
Washington, DC [US], March 19 (ANI): US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned China on Tuesday, stating that any "armed" attack on Philippine vessels in the South China Sea would activate a mutual self-defence agreement between Washington and Manila, underscoring the escalating tensions in the region that could potentially embroil the United States in conflict with Beijing, as reported by The New York Times. Despite th.....»»
Marcos: PH avoiding conflict amid China’s rising threats
President Marcos said on Wednesday that the Philippines will strive to avoid provoking China while addressing its increasing threat in the South China Sea. However, Manila intends to assert its sovereign rights more assertively in the disputed waters. Marcos emphasized the importance of maintaining a delicate balance between defending maritime rights and preventing conflict in.....»»
The Philippines says it won t let China remove a Filipino military outpost on a disputed shoal
ABOARD BRP SINDANGAN (AP) - The Philippines will not allow China to remove a Philippine military outpost in a fiercely disputed South China Sea shoal, a navy official said Wednesday, a day after four Filipino navy personnel were injured in a confrontation between Chinese and Philippine ships. Philippine officials summoned a Chinese Embassy diplomat in Manila to convey a strong protest over the confrontation.....»»
Philippines, Sweden discuss South China Sea, defense cooperation
Swedish State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Jan Knutsson also discussed climate change, the war in Ukraine and cross-strait tensions with Defense Undersecretary Irineo Espino. .....»»
Filipinas face South Korea in friendly match on Friday
CEBU CITY, Philippines—The Philippine women’s football team will square off against South Korea in one of their international friendlies tomorrow, April 5, at the Icheon Sports Complex in South Korea. This will be the Filipinas’ first international match of the year, held on South Korean turf. To recall, South Korea dominated the Filipinas in their.....»»
Roque: Xi, Duterte agreed to keep West Philippines Sea status quo
The Philippines under former president Rodrigo Duterte had a “gentleman’s agreement” with China to keep the status quo in the West Philippine Sea, a former Cabinet official said yesterday, as fresh tensions surround the WPS due to recent incursions by Beijing that targeted a Filipino resupply mission and a research team......»»
All systems go for 4-nation naval drills in West Philippine Sea
The Philippines and treaty allies the US, Australia and Japan are embarking on joint naval exercises today – including anti-submarine warfare – in a show of force in the face of China’s growing aggressiveness in pushing its claims in the South China Sea......»»
All systems go for 4-nation naval drills in West Philippine Sea
The Philippines and treaty allies the US, Australia and Japan are embarking on joint naval exercises today – including anti-submarine warfare – in a show of force in the face of China’s growing aggressiveness in pushing its claims in the South China Sea......»»
FOCAP condemns Chinese embassy’s claims on ‘manipulated’ West Philippine Sea videos
The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines strongly rejected and condemned yesterday China’s “false and baseless” claims that journalists manipulate videosthey recorded in the South China Sea to present the Philippines as a victim......»»
Australia, ASEAN Warn Against Confrontations in South China
Members of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations are urging calm among those who operate in the increasingly volatile South China Sea.The plea was made Wednesday in a joint statement between ASEAN and Australia at the end of a three-day summit in Melbourne. The summit marked the 50th anniversary of Australia establishing formal ties with ASEAN.The declaration said Australia and ASEAN "recog.....»»
Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1600 GMT, Jan. 19
PHNOM PENH -- A Cambodian senior government official has painted a rosier picture for Cambodia-China economic and trade cooperation in 2024, saying that a steady increase in bilateral trade and investment volumes has benefited both countries and peoples. Sok Siphana, a senior minister and chairman emeritus of the Board of Directors of the Asian Vision Institute, said 2024 is the year to implement the China-Cambo.....»»
Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1600 GMT, Jan. 19
PHNOM PENH -- A Cambodian senior government official has painted a rosier picture for Cambodia-China economic and trade cooperation in 2024, saying that a steady increase in bilateral trade and investment volumes has benefited both countries and peoples. Sok Siphana, a senior minister and chairman emeritus of the Board of Directors of the Asian Vision Institute, said 2024 is the year to implement the China-Cambo.....»»