EAM Jaishankar discusses security, maritime cooperation with his Philippine counterpart in Manila
Manila [Philippines], March 26 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on an official visit to Manila, held a 'warm and productive' meeting with Philippines Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Enrique Manalo on Tuesday and discussed wide-ranging issues of security and maritime cooperation. During the meeting, both leaders exchanged views on global, regional, and multilateral issues, including Indo-Pacific, ASEAN,.....»»
Marcos seeks to solidify maritime ties in Vietnam state visit
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday that his trip to Vietnam this week aims to strengthen maritime cooperation with the Philippines' key Southeast Asian partner. .....»»
Satellite tech vital in maritime security, disaster mitigation
Officials of the Philippine Navy, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources agreed that space-based technology, such as satellites, have been vital in strengthening maritime security and disaster mitigation in the country......»»
Rare beetle discovered in Mt. Hamiguitan sanctuary
In a recent discovery, a rare long-horned beetle, Paraskeletodes hamiguitanensis, was found in the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary (MHRWS) in Davao Oriental. The beetle was unearthed during a scientific expedition led by the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental and conducted by a team from Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU). Dr. Milton Medina, a Filipino coleopterist, confirmed the uniqueness of P. hamiguitanensis through careful morphological examination, highlighting distinct differences from its closely related counterpart found in Sulawesi, Indonesia. The discovery sheds light on the limited knowledge of beetle taxonomy in the Philippines and underscores the need for increased scientific and conservation efforts in biodiversity hotspots like the Philippines and Sulawesi. Concerns were raised about the global trade of beetle species and the rapid loss of forest cover in the Philippines, emphasizing the vital role of protected areas like Mt. Hamiguitan as essential sanctuaries for biodiversity. The researchers emphasized the need for cooperation with DENR-Davao in promoting biodiversity conservation and encouraged young scholars to explore beetle taxonomy. The discovery of P. hamiguitanensis and several other beetle species in the area underscores the rich biodiversity of Mt. Hamiguitan, with ongoing research aiming to describe more species and uncover many undiscovered ones in the region......»»
US warns China over support to Russia; Beijing hits back with 'military collusion' with Taipei
Washington, DC [US], May 18 (ANI): A top US defence official has warned his Chinese counterpart about China's increasing cooperation with Russia, even as Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladamir Putin met and pledged to strengthen ties between the two countries. Ely Ratner, US Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, spoke by video teleconference with China's) Major General Li B.....»»
Marcos, Vietnamese leaders to tackle food security, maritime issues
The Philippines and Vietnam will sign next week a deal to boost cooperation between their coast guards in light of lingering tensions between Manila and Beijing in the West Philippine Sea. .....»»
President Marcos, Vietnamese leaders to tackle food security, maritime issues
The Philippines and Vietnam will sign next week a deal to boost cooperation between their coast guards in light of lingering tensions between Manila and Beijing in the West Philippine Sea. .....»»
Philippines, Indonesia agree to boost ties
MANILA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The leaders of the Philippines and Indonesia on Wednesday agreed to strengthen bilateral ties. Indonesian President Joko Widodo was received in the morning by his Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos during a three-day official visit in Manila. After the meeting in the presidential palace, Widodo said during a news conference that he discussed with Marcos ways to e.....»»
US reaffirms support for Philippines sovereignty amid its tensions with China
Washington, DC [US], March 28 (ANI): US Secretary of Defence Llyod Austin has reaffirmed Washington's commitment to Manila in defending its sovereignty while criticising China's "dangerous" water cannon attack at the Philippine supply mission vessel on Saturday. In a telephonic conversation between Austin and his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro, the US Secretary reiterated the US-Philippines Mutual Defence Treaty.....»»
China to US: Respect our sea rights, sovereignty
The Chinese defense minister reportedly talked with his US counterpart early this week to relay Beijing’s appeal to Washington that it respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea, saying President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden have a shared commitment to improving bilateral relations......»»
Police: No truth to bomb threat at PI’s prayer rally
The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has debunked a text message claiming a bomb threat at the People's Initiative (PI) “Unity for One Nation, One Prayer” rally in San Pedro Square. The message warned of possible explosions at Rizal Park, one of the rally venues. Despite the lack of credible threats, the police urged vigilance and cooperation from the public for safety. Approximately 300 police personnel were deployed to secure various rally points, with additional support from volunteers and security clusters. Task Force Davao also activated a high alert status as part of the city's security measures. Captain John Louie Dema-ala confirmed that the circulating threat was unfounded and aimed at intimidating rallyists. Despite this, nearly 17,000 Dabawenyos joined the rally to oppose the proposed Charter change (Cha-cha) movement. The police and security forces remain vigilant and are conducting ongoing investigations into the social media threat......»»
Standardize maritime industry system, Marina told
Citing what he described as “obsolete” rules in the maritime industry, President Marcos has instructed the Maritime Industry Authority to standardize existing systems to make them at par with global standards as the government is completing an updated development plan for the sector......»»
US-Phl-Japan trilateral security cooperation essential
During the state visit of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to the Philippines last November where he delivered a speech before a joint session of Congress, he highlighted the trilateral cooperation between the United States, the Philippines and Japan to protect the freedom of the South China Sea......»»
US, China defense chiefs hold first call since 2022
Pentagon - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Chinese counterpart on Tuesday, the first dialogue between the two countries' defense chiefs in nearly 17 months.The Pentagon said Austin and Chinese Admiral Dong Jun discussed "defense relations" and global security issues from Russia's unprovoked war in Ukraine to recent provocations from North Korea. A press release said Austin stressed the importa.....»»
PBBM pinalakas depensa sa WPS
Naglabas ng executive order si Pangulong Bongbong Marcos upang palakasin ang maritime security at maritime domain ng Pilipinas sa harap ng mga banta ng China sa West Philippine Sea. The post PBBM pinalakas depensa sa WPS first appeared on Abante......»»
Marcos creates maritime council amid escalating tensions in West Philippine Sea
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the strengthening of the country's maritime security and domain awareness as tensions between the Philippines and China escalate over territorial disputes. .....»»
Philippine coast guard says Chinese claim of intrusion ‘inaccurate’
MANILA/BEIJING (Reuters) – A Philippine coast guard official on Thursday described as “inaccurate” its Chinese counterpart’s claim that a fisheries vessel “illegally intruded” into Beijing’s waters. The Chinese coast guard said earlier on Thursday it drove away a vessel of the Philippines’ Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and accused them of “illegally intruding”.....»»
China s Xi lauds ties with Indonesia during president-elect visit
Chinese President Xi Jinping praised China's strong ties with Indonesia during a meeting Monday with President-elect Prabowo Subianto. Xi laid plans for regional peace and affirmed China's commitment to deepen maritime cooperation with Indonesia.State broadcaster CCTV reported that Xi told Prabowo that bilateral ties "have entered a new stage of jointly building a community with a shared future." He also added t.....»»
Expanding scope of national security: From maritime to digital domains
As it continues to rise as a middle power in the Indo-Pacific region, the Philippines is faced with asymmetric challenges in the maritime and digital domains......»»
Backpedaling
In reiterating my appeal to President Marcos Jr. to flesh out his policy declaration of non-cooperation with the International Criminal Cooperation into a legal document, a colleague commented that my call is “nakakalalaki na.” .....»»
Zamboanga City Maritime cop dies from gunshot in the head
Investigators are still probing how a member of the police’s Maritime Unit died from a gunshot wound in the head inside his house in Zamboanga City, with his service pistol beside him, its ammunition magazine detached......»»