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Capitol mulls putting ‘integrated south bus’ terminal in Talisay instead of at SRP
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Instead of at the South Road Properties (SRP), the new location of a new south bus terminal in Cebu might be in Talisay City. Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia on Wednesday, Mar. 27, said that they had received an unsolicited proposal of developing a brand new, south bus terminal. READ: Mayor Rama.....»»
Agdao Public Market vendors want variety and vegetable sections merged
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 24 March) – Vendors of Agdao Public Market here are asking the city government to merge the Variety and Vegetable Sections into one section claiming they have difficulties in getting customers because of their location. In a letter addressed to Mayor Sebastian Duterte, the City Administrator’s Office, the City Economic Enterprise […].....»»
Marcos, First Lady Liza have made full recovery from flu-like symptoms, says Palace
President Marcos 'has been in meetings today and will resume his public duties tomorrow,' Malacañang says on Monday, March 25.....»»
Princess Kate praised for ‘extraordinary dignity’ after cancer diagnosis
LONDON – Kate, Britain’s Princess of Wales, and her husband Prince William have been “enormously touched” by the messages of support received since she announced her cancer diagnosis, a Kensington Palace spokesperson said on Saturday. Kate said on Friday she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy after tests done following her major abdominal surgery in January revealed cancer had.....»»
Lebanon s displaced celebrate Ramadan amid fears that border conflict might become the new normal
Lebanon s displaced celebrate Ramadan amid fears that border conflict might become the new normal.....»»
King Charles, leaders offer support to Princess of Wales after cancer announcement
LONDON — Britain’s King Charles, political leaders, and the US White House offered support to Kate, Princess of Wales, after she said tests following abdominal surgery showed cancer had been present and she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy. Buckingham Palace, on behalf of Britain’s King Charles “His Majesty (HM) is ‘so proud of Catherine for her.....»»
DENR alarmed by 82% drop in Philippine crocodile population
The population of Philippine crocodiles has declined by 82 percent, according to Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources......»»
‘Alarmed’ Marcos Jr. No trigger for MDT
While expressing “great alarm” over the latest incident involving Filipino and Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea, President Marcos said he did not see it as a trigger for the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States......»»
Bishop vows banged-up knee not a concern for Ginebra as PBA playoffs near
Ginebra import Tony Bishop says fans and the team have nothing to be alarmed about after hurting his knee in practice.....»»
Another king cobra alarms residents in San Fernando
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Residents in a mountain barangay in San Fernando town in southern Cebu were alarmed after spotting a king cobra in their vicinity on Wednesday, December 27. The reptile, locally known as banakon, was found trying to swallow another snake – a python – on the morning of Wednesday, said Stephen Baringui-an,.....»»
US alarmed over Chinese aggression against Philippines, reiterates support
Manila [Philippines], December 14 (ANI): US Joint Chiefs of Staff chair, Gen Charles Brown Jr has expressed alarm over the Chinese aggression against Philippine ships and has said that the US is closely watching the situation, Philippine News Agency reported. This comes after the Chinese ships carried out aggression against Philippine vessels, which were conducting a regular resupply and rotation (RORE) mission in Ayungin.....»»
US alarmed over Chinese aggression against Philippines, reiterates support
Manila [Philippines], December 14 (ANI): US Joint Chiefs of Staff chair, Gen Charles Brown Jr has expressed alarm over the Chinese aggression against Philippine ships and has said that the US is closely watching the situation, Philippine News Agency reported. This comes after the Chinese ships carried out aggression against Philippine vessels, which were conducting a regular resupply and rotation (RORE) mission in Ayungin.....»»
Shooting and robbery incidents not cause for alarm – PRO-7
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Police here said that the public should not be alarmed by the recent spate of shooting and robbery incidents in Cebu City. During a forum on Tuesday, November 28, a police official revealed that the recent crime incidents are not a reason to panic because Central Visayas remains safe. “There is.....»»
Senators alarmed by Chinese posing as Pinoys
Senators have expressed concern over the entry in the country of Chinese nationals posing as Filipinos, complete with Philippine passports reportedly obtained using authentic birth certificates......»»
Cancer support advocates alarmed over dwindling budget for vaccination
A cancer support advocacy group has expressed alarm over the dwindling budget for cervical cancer vaccination, saying it means not giving priority to women’s health in the country......»»
Japan, U.S.: ‘We got your back’
Key allies of the country expressed their unwavering support after a Chinese Coast Guard ship intentionally collided with a Philippine Navy boat to stop a resupply mission to the grounded BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal. Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. described the maneuver as an escalation of China’s aggression within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines. Japan issued a statement expressing support after the incident. “Japan expresses serious concern for actions which increase regional tensions, including a dangerous action that caused a collision between Chinese and Filipino ships on 22 October,” the Japanese Foreign Ministry said. It added that Japan believes the issue of the South China Sea is directly related to the peace and stability in the region and is a legitimate concern of the international community, including Japan. “Thus, Japan opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force as well as any actions that increase tensions in the South China Sea,” it said. Citing the Japan-Philippines Joint Statement last February, the Foreign Ministry said the “government of Japan concurs with the Philippines’ long-standing objections to unlawful maritime claims, militarization, coercive activities, and threat or use of force in the South China Sea.” “Furthermore, Japan highly appreciates the government of the Philippines for having consistently complied with the arbitral tribunal’s award as to the disputes between the Republic of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China regarding the South China Sea, and has shown its commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes in the (West Philippine Sea), as stated in the statement by the Foreign Minister of Japan issued on the occasion of the seventh anniversary of the issuance of the award,” it said. Japan said it would continue to cooperate with the international community, such as the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the United States, to “protect free, open and peaceful seas.” ‘Ironclad’ vow The United States, meanwhile, reiterated its “ironclad” commitment to the Philippines. According to a White House statement, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan assured National Security Adviser Eduardo Año of US support in safeguarding its sovereign rights in the WPS under the Mutual Defense Treaty between both nations. “Sullivan reiterated US support for our Philippine allies following the PRC Coast Guard and maritime militia’s dangerous and unlawful actions on 22 October, obstructing a routine Philippine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal,” the statement read. “Sullivan emphasized the ironclad US commitments to the Philippines under theUS-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, which extends to armed attacks on Philippine public vessels, aircraft and armed forces — to include those of its Coast Guard — in the Pacific, including in the West Philippine Sea,” it added. Signed in 1951, the Philippines and the United States agreed that an armed attack in the Pacific area on either of the parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declared that it would act to meet the common dangers by its constitutional processes. The White House said Sullivan and Año “reaffirmed the enduring alliance and friendship between our nations and discussed upcoming US-Philippine engagements and ways to further strengthen our close partnership.” Manila vs Beijing Both Manila and Beijing condemned the incident, which they said violated their sovereign rights over Ayungin Shoal, a low-tide elevation in the WPS. The two countries traded blame for the incident, which also sparked concern from Australia, Canada and South Korea. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration rejected Beijing’s historical nine-dash line claim to the WPS. Militia boats utilized Teodoro labeled the Chinese actions near the shoal as deliberate. “Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels, in blatant violation of international law, harassed and intentionally hit the Unaiza May 2 and Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Cabra,” Teodoro said. “We are here to decry in the strongest terms this egregious violation and illegal act within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone and the obfuscation of the truth by China’s distorting of the story to fit its own ends.” His comments came hours after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with security officials and ordered the Coast Guard to investigate the incident, which was “being taken seriously at the highest levels of government,” Malacañang said. The military monitored “a large number of Chinese maritime militia vessels” swarming in the West Philippine Sea, National Security Council spokesperson, Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, said. In a television interview, Malaya said these vessels were spotted “not only in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal and Bajo de Masinloc but also in other features, including (Scarborough Shoal) and Sabina (Escoda) Shoal.” “We are alarmed by the environmental degradation our Coast Guard ships were able to monitor in these areas,” he told the ANC. Malaya noted that environmental degradation or coral destruction would directly impact the livelihood of the fishermen in the WPS. “Sometimes we forget the reasons why we are pushing our rights in the WPS. Some critics say this is just posturing on the part of the Philippines or a tug-of-war between China and the Philippines. No, this is not,” he stressed. “This is a battle for the resources of our country, particularly for our fishermen, so that when we monitor coral destruction in parts of the WPS, it alarms the government because it directly impacts the livelihood of our fishermen,” he said. Malaya also slammed China’s “maligned information operation” and sharing of “false narratives” in its sweeping claims on the WPS. “Definitely, there’s a maligned information operation going on nowadays that is shared to the public and we are just happy it is not just the Philippine government that is sharing our side here — we have allies, if we may call them witnesses, from the media,” he said. The post Japan, U.S.: ‘We got your back’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl monitors many CMM ships in WPS, slams China’s maligned info ops
The Philippines has monitored "a large number of Chinese maritime militia vessels” swarming in the features of the West Philippine Sea, National Security Council spokesperson, Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, said Tuesday. In a television interview, Malaya said these vessels were spotted “not only in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal and Bajo de Masinloc but also in other features, including (Scarborough Shoal) and Sabina (Escoda) Shoal.” "We are alarmed by the environmental degradation our Coast Guard ships were able to monitor in these areas,” he told the ANC. Malaya noted that environmental degradation or coral destruction would have a direct impact on the livelihood of the fishermen in the WPS areas. “Sometimes we forget the reasons why we are pushing our rights in the WPS, some critics are saying this is just posturing on the part of the Philippines or a tug-of-war between China and the Philippines. No this is not,” he stressed. “This is a battle for the resources of our country, particularly those for our fishermen so when we monitor coral destruction in other parts of the WPS, it alarms the Philippine government because it directly impacts the livelihood of our fishermen in WPS upon their livelihood relies,” he added. Hence, the Philippines has increased its maritime patrols and freedom of navigation missions in the WPS amid “limited capacity.” On the other hand, Malaya slammed China’s “maligned information operation” and sharing of “false narratives” on its sweeping claims on the WPS—as shared with the public. “Definitely, there’s a maligned information operation going on nowadays that is shared to the public and we are just happy it is not just the Philippine government that is sharing our side here—we have allies—if we may call them witnesses from the media,” he said. “We have witnesses from the media who were there on the spot, who had access to the deck and who had access to the control center of the Philippine Coast Guard vessels, who listened to the radio challenges, who saw what was really happening, who were witnesses themselves to the overwhelming number of Chinese vessels acting in concert,” he added. Malaya asked the public should see the facts for themselves and not be urged by the information coming from Beijing. Philippine officials have repeatedly called out China for its “propaganda” on its expansive claims in the South China Sea, which overlaps the country’s exclusive economic zone in the WPS......»»
Attack on Phl would elicit U.S. response — State Dep’t
The United States warned on Monday that any armed attack on Philippine armed forces and Philippine Coast Guard civilian vessels could trigger its 72-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines. “The United States reaffirms that Article IV of the 1951 US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, and aircraft — including those of its Coast Guard — anywhere in the South China Sea,” the US Department of State said in a statement. The statement came a day after a China Coast Guard ship collided with a Philippine resupply vessel that was conducting a routine resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal. During the same resupply mission, a Chinese maritime militia vessel also bumped the BRP Cabra, one of the PCG ships that were escorting the boat contracted by the AFP. Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. said the collisions, which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered investigated by the PCG, were “intentional.” For its part, the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs said further study is needed to invoke the MDT due to the incident. “The matter of filing another case is something that is still being studied by the government. But, of course, all incidents like these will actually bolster the case that it is not the Philippines that is the aggressor but the other party, which is China,” DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said. “It’s a provocation on the side of China but at this point, whether it will constitute an armed attack that would allow the invoking of the MDT is something that needs to be studied,” she added. The Philippines and the US agreed under the MDT, signed in 1951, that an armed attack on either of the parties would be considered an attack on the other, necessitating common or joint actions. Ambassador summoned The Philippines on Monday summoned China’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Huang Xilian, to explain the “blocking maneuvers” conducted by its vessels. China has insisted on its territorial rights over the Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, which is in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. Swarms of CCG ships and Chinese maritime militia vessels had been monitored in the WPS, which Philippine officials said was a blatant disrespect of the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea. In July 2016, the Philippines won the arbitral case it lodged against China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The US said it stands with the Philippines in the face of China’s “dangerous and unlawful actions obstructing” a 22 October resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. “By conducting dangerous maneuvers that caused collisions with Philippine resupply and Coast Guard ships, the PRC Coast Guard and maritime militia violated international law by intentionally interfering with the Philippine vessels’ exercise of high seas freedom of navigation,” the US State Department said. “The PRC’s (People’s Republic of China) conduct jeopardized the Filipino crew members’ safety and impeded critically needed supplies from reaching service members stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre. Obstructing supply lines to this longstanding outpost and interfering with lawful Philippine maritime operations undermines regional stability,” it added. Citing the 2016 arbitral ruling on the South China Sea, the US noted that China’s territorial claims to Ayungin Shoal, a low-tide elevation outside the territorial sea of another high tide feature, were unfounded. Unsafe moves “The unsafe maneuvers on 22 October and the PRC water cannoning of a Philippine vessel on 5 August are the latest examples of provocative PRC measures in the South China Sea to enforce its expansive and unlawful maritime claims, reflecting disregard for other states lawfully operating in the region,” the State Department stressed. Aside from the US, Japan, France, Canada, Australia and Germany also condemned China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea. In a separate statement, Canada condemned what it described as “unlawful and dangerous conduct” of the People’s Republic of China in the WPS, which “provoked two collisions with Philippine vessels engaged in routine operations inside the Philippine exclusive economic zone, in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal.” “The PRC’s actions are unjustified. China has no lawful claim to the West Philippine Sea. Its actions are incompatible with the obligations of a signatory to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,” the Canadian Embassy in Manila said. “Continuing acts of intimidation and coercion undermine safety, stability, and security across the region, and increase the risk of miscalculation,” it added. France, Japan, Germany, too France expressed its “deep concern” over the dangerous maneuvers of the CCG against Philippine vessels “engaged in the Philippine exclusive economic zone.” “France calls for respect of the freedom of navigation guaranteed by international law and recalls its attachment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the decision rendered by the Arbitral Court on 12 July 2016,” the Embassy of France to the Philippines said. Japan, likewise, stressed that it was “seriously concerned” and “alarmed” about the collision of Chinese vessels with Philippine vessels. “Seriously concerned about and alarmed by the collision between Chinese and Philippines vessels,” Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko said in a tweet. Koshikawa said Japan “strongly opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion.” “Germany is very concerned about recent confrontations in the SCS involving Chinese coast guard ships and maritime militia vessels in the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines,” German Ambassador to the Philippines Andreas Pfaffernoschke said in a separate tweet. The post Attack on Phl would elicit U.S. response — State Dep’t appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
AFP fending off cyber attacks — Brawner
Hackers have been regularly trying to attack the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ cyber system and networks, but they have not succeeded so far. This was confirmed by AFP chief General Romeo Brawner during an interview in a news forum organized by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines. “We experience this almost every day. They are trying to infiltrate our networks, but we’re happy to note that so far, these are not successful,” he said. “We believe that some of the attacks are foreign, and some of them are local,” he added. Recently, several government agencies have been targeted in a spate of cyber attacks, including the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., the Philippine Statistics Authority, the Department of Science and Technology, and the House of Representatives. Brawner said the AFP has already investigated the reported cyber attack in 2021, which caused the leakage of military data on the dark web. He, however, assured the public there was no reason to be alarmed since the information leaked was only “routinary and old documents.” “We had hacking before, I think about two years ago, and some of the files—not really the sensitive files—are still circulating on the dark web. We investigated them right away, and we found out that these are old files,” the AFP chief emphasized. Loopholes Brawner said the military organization has so far warded off attacks due to the establishment of cyber defense mechanisms. “We’re hoping that we could sustain that; The hackers are always looking for loopholes,” he added. Brawner said the AFP targets establishing a Cyber Security Command, an improvement to the military’s current Cyber Security Group. “With the increased threats that we are facing and the importance of the cyber domain as a new domain in warfare, we thought of coming up with these changes, like the development of the Cyber Command,” he said. Brawner said the plan still needs a thorough study and the approval of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as some changes in the AFP organization are expected upon the establishment of the new service command. The post AFP fending off cyber attacks — Brawner appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
AFP endures cyberattacks ‘almost daily’, none successful so far — Brawner
Hackers have been regularly trying to attack the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ cyber system and networks, but none of it has been successful, said AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner during an interview in a news forum organized by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines on Thursday. “We experience this almost everyday. Gusto nilang pasukin ang ating (They are trying to infiltrate our) networks, but we’re happy to note that so far, these are not successful,” he said. “We believe that some of the attacks are foreign, some of them are local,” he added. Recently, several government agencies have been the victim of cyber attacks, including the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., the Philippine Statistics Authority, the Department of Science and Technology as well as the House of Representatives. A reported cyber attack in 2021, which caused the leakage of military data on the dark web, has been investigated, according to Brawner. The public has no reason to be alarmed since the information leaked was only “routinary and old documents," he said. “We had a hacking before, I think about two years ago, and some of the files — not really the sensitive files — are still circulating in the dark web. We investigated this right away, and we found out that these are old files.” Brawner said the military organization has so far warded off attacks due to the establishment of cyber defense mechanisms. “We’re hoping that we could sustain that, the hackers are always looking for loopholes,” he added. AFP Cyber Command Brawner said the AFP targets to establish a Cyber Security Command, an improvement on the military’s current Cyber Security Group. “With the increased threats that we are facing and the importance of the cyber domain as a new domain in warfare, we thought of coming up with these changes like the development of the Cyber Command,” he said. Brawner said this plan still needs thorough study and approval by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as some changes in the AFP organization are expected upon the establishment of the new service command. The AFP eyes to complete the study within the year, he added. Brawner said they are also eyeing the recruitment of “cyber warriors”, or a squad of soldiers with excellent cyber defense capabilities. He, however, said the cyber command services will only be limited to the AFP and not to the entire nation. “We cannot do that, it's impossible with the current facilities and the equipment that we have,” he added. “That’s why we are closely working with the DICT on that matter.” The post AFP endures cyberattacks ‘almost daily’, none successful so far — Brawner appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»