‘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 “medium impact.”

“We welcome with great enthusiasm 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

Philippines aims to be health information management destination hub for Asia Paci c

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 a

by CATHERINE S. VALENTE AND JAVIER JOE ISMAEL ManilaTimes.net

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 any time those sites can be used not only over the tensions in the Taiwan Strait against China but also the maritime

BPO industry continues to perform well, expects 1.7 million direct jobs by year end

by MOMAR G. VISAYA AJPress

PHILIPPINE government officials and industry leaders from the ITBusiness Process Management (ITBPM) and Healthcare Information Management Services (HIMS) sectors held a business forum last week at the Philippine Center to share updates on the Philippine economy, the state of the country’s ICT industry as well as opportunities in the industry.

Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba discussed the new industrial policy of the Philippines, which aims to grow globally competitive and innovative industries, build a more dynamic industry