‘Improved Philippine ranking in terror index shows waning insurgency’

by ALEXIS ROMERO Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippines’ improved ranking in the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) proves that the government is “on the right track” in fighting insurgency, the National Security Council (NSC) said on Monday, April 17.

The Philippines is the 18th most affected by terrorism among 163 countries in this year’s edition of the GTI, a report produced by think tank Institute for Economics and Peace that analyzes the impact of terrorism worldwide.

While the country’s ranking improved from 17th last year, it was the second most affected country in Asia, second only to Myanmar.

The GTI assesses each country using a zero to ten scale, with higher values reflecting higher impact of terrorism. The Philippines’ latest score is 6.328 or  PAGE 2

Fil-Am couple sheds light on hate incidents following assault in Sacramento

by DONNABELLE GATDULA-AREVALO AJPress

WHEN Filipino American veteran photojournalist Nicanor “Nikki” Arriola and his wife Julienne were attacked and assaulted in front of the California state Capitol in Sacramento, he knew it was a calling to speak out against hate incidents.

“It’s like a storyteller becomes a story,” said Nikki Arriola in an interview with the Asian Journal, recounting how he has usually been behind the camera in reporting anti-Asian attacks.

The couple was visiting relatives in Sacramento, with the photojournalist equipped with his two cameras during a stop at the Capitol to "take some human interests photographs that I could use for my work and my advocacy."

However, the tourist experience took a turn and months later, the couple is determined to take action to prevent more hate crimes and incidents.

“This is definitely an eye-opener, not only for us, but

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A group of former U.S. service members and Filipino American community advocates released an open letter to President Joe Biden, urging that the issue of abandoned Amerasian children be included in the terms of the U.S.-Philippine Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, as “a surge of new Amerasian children can be expected in future years” with expanded U.S. troop access to Philippine military bases.

Amerasians are abandoned children of American military fathers who served in the Philippines during the Cold War and the war in Vietnam.

"These Filipino Amerasians faced widespread discrimination, underemployment, poverty, domestic violence and sexual abuse, according to a 1999 study by a Pearl S. Buck foundation. Sadly, the United States Government short changed them. Fortunately, they have received sympathetic world-wide media  PAGE 4

by DAPHNE GALVEZ Inquirer.net

MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, April 18 tasked the members of the national and regional peace and order councils to address cases of political violence, even those stemming from the illegal drug trade.

Marcos said political violence and illegal drugs are currently the two biggest

by KAYCEE VALMONTE Philstar.com

MANILA — Former Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario — who played a key role in securing the landmark Hague ruling that invalidated China’s expansive claims in the West Philippine Sea — has passed away. He was 83 years old. The Management Association of the Philippines, a business group, announced the passing of its former president on Tuesday, April 18. Del Rosario — also

 PAGE 4 concerns threatening peace and order in the country. According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Marcos made the statement during the 1st Joint National Peace and Order Council and Regional Peace and Order Council Meeting in Malacañang, where he noted the increasing violent activities in the country, particularly since the 2022 elections.

Marcos liable if new

sites cause war – expert

by CATHERINE S.

POLITICAL analyst Romulo

"Bobby" Tuazon said on Saturday, April 15 that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. could be held accountable in the event the Philippines was dragged into the Taiwan Strait conflict resulting from the country's hosting of more American military installations under its Enhanced

Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States. "I don't believe in the statement of Bongbong Marcos that the EDCA sites will not be used against China because, in fact, he also said that if the Philippines needed help then the EDCA sites can be used, which means that