Attack on PCG ship may trigger MDT...

PAGE A1 defense ministerial this spring, I think that more details will be released,” he added.

The DND, in a statement, said both Galvez and Austin agreed to expand cooperation with other “like-minded” countries in the region.

think in due time you will see all of that focus,” he said.

Planning stage trumped up drug charges during the administration of then president Rodrigo Duterte. On Thursday, February 23, members of the European Parliament subcommittee on human rights visited her detention cell. 

Individual traditional jeepneys to stop...

PAGE A1 traditional jeeps.

"Individual operators may continue to operate by virtue of a [provisional authority], which is automatically extended until 30 June 2023 under this Memorandum Circular," said members of the board last Monday.

"Individual operators may join an existing consolidated entity until 30 June 2023. Only those individual operators who are able to join an existing consolidated entity on or before 30 June 2023 shall be allowed to have their PA extended until 31 December 2023."

The provisional authority of individual traditional jeeps in the National Capital Region was originally set to expire last April. The LTFRB earlier said the extension was already the "fourth and last time." For routes without a "consolidated entity" (cooperative or corporation) or filed application for franchise consolidation, its application will only be entertained until October 31.

LTFRB chairperson earlier said that only 60% of the target number of vehicles for modernization have complied with the requirements under the program such as industry consolidation into cooperatives. The remaining 40% continue to ply routes using traditional jeepneys. Cooperatives are being pushed at the moment to enable operators to afford the purchase of "modern jeeps" said to be worth at least P2.6 million each via loans from financial institutions.

The certificate of public conveyance (franchise) of individual operators who fail to join the exiasting consolidated entity after June shall be reverted to the State.

 PAGE A3

“(The two) emphasized the importance of keeping the Philippines-U.S. alliance strong in order to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” it said.

The same commitment was relayed by Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael Gilday to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Andres Centino also on Wednesday, February 22 during a meeting at Camp Aguinaldo.

Gilday revealed discussions are underway regarding the conduct of joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea, and that such patrols would be carried out at a pace dictated by the Philippine government.

“I wouldn’t put a timeline on it yet. I think first and foremost the security sector agreement that is being worked on together right now between our militaries and between our governments is going to have much more specifics I think in terms of an informed plan and how we intend to carry that out,” Gilday told reporters in an interview.

“And I think as we close on the

The ranking U.S. Navy official said Austin, Galvez and President Marcos “have talked about those combined maritime activities and right now we are at the beginning of those planning stages.”

“But I would just tell you if I had to characterize it in two words, it would be committed and focused. Those are the two real descriptors that I wanted to leave in a very serious way with both General Centino and the Chief of Navy today,” he stressed.

Gilday said the main purpose of his visit to the Philippines was to “demonstrate the seriousness of that commitment moving forward.”

“But we do have some work to do from a planning standpoint so that it’s very thoughtfully orchestrated when we do execute,” he said.

“I really think we have to move in the pace of the Filipino government. They have the lead and we absolutely respect that and I think that we are taking prudent, informed, deliberate measures right now with respect to planning so that when the exercise is announced as we close in this defense ministerial, I

Asked about his meeting with Centino, Gilday said he and the AFP chief did not discuss any specifics.

“With respect to the ongoing discussions with the government of the Philippines, we just say that we are proceeding at their pace and so in due time the government of the Philippines will provide more details publicly about those EDCA sites, more specifics, and at that time I think it would be ready to proceed very rapidly together in ways that serve our collective security interests in a positive way,” he said, referring to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.

Gilday confirmed that this year’s Balikatan exercises between the Philippines and the U.S. scheduled to begin in April would definitely be bigger.

“We’re not announcing yet specifically what units are involved in the exercise but I will say this, there is an increased investment from not only the United States but from the Filipinos who are leading that exercise. And also the Australians who are also committed and involved as well,” he said.

“You’re going to see an increase