MANILA, Philippines — An official of the Philippine Navy sees the need for Navy force units, especially those involved in ground assault missions, to get more training and exposure in urban warfare. In an interview, Philippine Navy flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado said subsequent debriefings after the liberation of Marawi City indicated there is a […]
Archives for October 2017
Cayetano, Japan FM to discuss ASEAN Summit preps in Tokyo: DFA
MANILA, Philippines — Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano will meet with Japan Foreign Minister Taro Kano during the Philippine delegation’s visit to Tokyo, Japan to discuss preparations for the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in November. “SFA (Secretary of Foreign Affairs) is scheduled to meet with Japanese Foreign Minister […]
Japan, a true friend-Duterte
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte considers Japan, a true friend. Duterte who left for Japan, in his pre-departure statement at the Davao International Airport Sunday night, October 20, 2017 said the earlier scheduled visit to Japan was called off due to the Marawi crisis. In his scheduled meeting with His Majesty, Japanese […]
Phl illegal drugs campaign:173 Shabu labs dismantled, 3,967 killed, 181 officials arrested in 16-mos
MANILA, Philippines — In sixteen months, government authorities successfully dismantled 172 clandestine shabu laboratories and drug dens in the country. The data collated by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) “#RealNumbers” shows from June 2016 up to October 25, 2017, 163 drug dens and nine clandestine shabu laboratories were dismantled while different illegal drugs were […]
Duterte mum on Abella’s removal as his spokesperson
DAVAO CITY, Philippines— President Rodrigo Duterte declined to comment why he fired Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella. Ina press briefing before leaving for Japan at the Davao International Airport Sunday night, October 29, Duterte was asked why he replaced Abella,but his answer was short “The reason is personal decision. I am not about to explain why I […]
‘Green zones’ in Baguio business area pushed
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — There is a need to provide more green spaces and breathing areas at the central business district to freshen up the minds of the people, Councilor Elaine Sembrano said in a phone interview on Saturday. Sembrano said the city council has given its initial approval to her proposed ordinance that requires […]
DavOcc stops USD24-billion industrial park project over deception
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The provincial government of Davao Occidental stopped the Hong Kong-based firm eyeing to develop the USD24-billion Marina and Industrial Park project in the town of Malita, Davao Occidental over dubious claims. The provincial government even decided to terminate the 83-day old Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Hongkong-based Pionaire Finance Limited after […]
Duque to prioritize rebuilding of Marawi’s health infra
MANILA, Philippines —Newly-appointed Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said his department will give priority to the rebuilding of health infrastructure damaged during the five-month siege of Marawi City. “Ang priority program natin ngayon (Our priority program at present) is to help rebuild Marawi City,” Duque said when asked about his priorities during an interview Friday, a day after […]
Duterte to future leaders: Be good
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Just like any parent, President Rodrigo Duterte can only advise children to be good and not to give their mother and father any problem. The President had to find the right words to communicate with his youngest audience so far — the preschoolers of the Center for Brighter Beginnings, Inc (CBB), […]
Pres. Duterte grants grade-schooler’s greeting request
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday took time to oblige to a Filipino 6th grader’s request for a greeting, as he shot a short video message saying a simple “hello” to the boy’s teacher and classmates. In a handwritten letter dated Oct. 25, 11-year-old Andre Gabriel Custodio Esteban, who resides in Fresno, California, […]
Mano po!
Indonesia holds food fest to raise donations for Marawi
MANILA, Philippines — As the Jakarta and Manila maintain “good” bilateral ties, the Embassy of Indonesia in the Philippines on Friday held the “One Day Exquisite Indonesian Food Festival 2017” to promote their local cuisine and at the same time raise revenues to be donated to internally displaced persons (IDP) in Marawi City. “We would […]
Scout Rangers get hero’s welcome in Davao
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Mixed emotions greeted the heroes of Marawi here as soldiers of the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion of the first Scout Ranger Regimen came home Thursday. The entire battalion were deployed to fight against Maute terrorist group in Marawi City, were given a hero’s welcome at the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) in […]