Philippines, Malaysia to boost defense, security...

strong and growing. We share common borders and to an extent [are] quite porous. Therefore, the collaboration needs to be further enhanced," he added.

Anwar said they also agreed to resume the 8th Joint Commission Meeting to be led by both foreign ministers this year at a mutually convenient date.

"It's our turn to host this meeting and I have advised the colleagues in the Foreign Ministry to facilitate and accelerate this process," he said.

During the meeting, Anwar said he and Marcos also discussed the South China Sea dispute, saying they should take the position at the multilateral level in the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

"We did discuss the South China issue and I shared President Marcos Jr.'s concern that due to the complexity and sensitivity of the issue, we should try and engage and take the position at a multilateral level between Asean so that we have a comprehensive approach and achieve an amicable resolution to this outstanding problem," he said.

Six parties – the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, Vietnam, and China – hold claims over the disputed South China Sea.

The Asean comprises 10 member countries, of which Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore and Thailand are not South China Sea claimants.

China claims "historical rights" to almost 90 percent of the South China Sea, an area roughly demarcated by the nine-dash line. Other claimants have rejected those claims. Additionally, 2016 international arbitration tribunal ruled that China's claims had no legal basis.

Apart from the South China Sea issue, Anwar said he and Marcos also discussed areas for further collaboration – new and important sectors such as halal industry, food security, digital economy, and among other key areas that he proposed as potential cooperation.

"The President and I also agreed that both countries should intensify efforts to increase the volume of trade and investments. We had a very good beginning but there is no excuse why we can't further increase both trade and investment. That would be of tremendous benefit to both our countries," he said.

"We also agreed that we should deepen the existing strong peopleto-people ties through closer cultural and tourism collaboration, education, and sports. Malaysia stands ready to explore potential new collaboration with the Philippines in this regard," he added.

On the peace process in

Mindanao, Anwar expressed his gratitude to the Philippine government, saying "this has been a century-long contentious issues that invariably affect the region and in particular Malaysia too."

"And under your leadership President, you have seen great strides in this direction. And I think it's only our duty as a good neighbor to support and facilitate the process and I stand guided whatever things need to be done at the bilateral, multilateral level to support this endeavor," Anwar said.

"It has to succeed in the interest of the Philippines and Malaysia and the region and then utilize this enormous potential to the benefit of our people," he added.

The Malaysian leader said his country will also continue to offer assistance to the Bangsamoro people through various capacitybuilding programs including through our Malaysia Technical Cooperation Program.

"In my meeting with the President, I have asked the Philippines' assistance and cooperation to expedite the commutation of nationals so that they can be repatriated to the Philippines in a timely manner. And I am pleased that -- their willingness to facilitate this arrangement in a mutually agreed fashion," he said.

Anwar said he and Marcos also reiterated their commitment to continue supporting and enhancing cooperation with the BIMP-EAGA including hosting the Brunei-Indonesia-MalaysiaPhilippines Facilitation Center.

"I did express my concern about the contentious unresolved Myanmar issue which is affecting Malaysia adversely due to the huge number of refugees exceeding 200,000 people now in Malaysia," Anwar said.

"Now the President in his wisdom has reiterated the need for the Five-Point Consensus but I would certainly suggest with his experience of wisdom to explore new areas how Myanmar junta can be persuaded to work and collaborate as a team within Asean and resolve the outstanding issues which cannot be considered as purely internal because it's affecting the security and welfare of the region," he added. n

Missing Filipina’s ex- husband gets...

is still missing.

Dane Kallungi was also found guilty of tampering with a human body. He was immediately sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Jepsy went missing in March 2019, and neither she nor her body has been found.

Jepsy’s mother, Margie Amaga, told KKTV 11 News she last spoke to her her daughter on March 20, 2019.

Jepsy and Dane met on an internet dating site before she moved to Colorado from the Philippines to marry him. They were divorced in January 2019. Colorado Springs Police Department began investigating Jepsy’s disappearance on April 4, 2019.

Prosecutors played a video recording from Kallungi’s interrogation, in which he could be heard saying that he “did not mean to kill her.” (Inquirer.net)

NAFFAA NV to celebrate Women’s...

share their experiences that made them who they are today in their successful businesses or fields of endeavors. We will learn what inspires them and what keeps them going each and every day.

These women represent the value of hard work and perseverance along with giving us Hope for the future. They inspire us all to make our own history,” exclaimed Jacqueline De Joya, president of NaFFAA NV. This year’s honorees that will receive recognition for making their exemplary mark in the respective fields are:

Business/entrepreneur: Kate's Koffee, Kate Recto; CMC Boutique, Mila Paglinawan; and Cafe De Manila, Millie Cadag.

Health care: Julie Ann

Torremoro

Education: Janine Sangalang

Public service: Marilyn Ante

Professional: Anna Ladao

Performing arts/cultural: The Filipiniana Dance Company of Las Vegas Lifetime achievement award: Fatima (Pat) Magallanes

A special tribute will be given to Ms. Loni Andal. Ms. Josie Harrison will grace the event as a guest speaker.

Women’s History Month was established by Congress in 1987 and proclaimed by the President of the United States that the month of March be National Women’s History Month as an opportunity to honor and celebrate women’s lives and historic achievements.

NaFFAA NV Women’s History Month Awards Ceremony will be held on March 12, 2023 at the +63FIFTY FilAm Central, 3700 South Maryland Parkway Suite 525 at 5 p.m. For future information, contact Gloria Caoile of the Member Awards Committee at gtcaoile@gmail. com. (Contributed by Mia Casino)