US stresses Philippines right to resupply grounded ship

by Pia lee-BRago,

MANILA — The Philippines has the “right to be able to supply/resupply” its ship in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and has not asked for assistance after China’s attack on its vessels on a resupply mission, the U.S. Department of Defense said on Tuesday, August 8.

“We stand with our Philippine allies in terms of their right to be able to supply/ resupply the ship on the Second Thomas Shoal, and that will continue to be our

Corruption, negligence blamed for boat tragedy

MANILA — Corruption, negligence, and safety protocol violations had combined in a deadly mix that resulted in the boat accident that claimed the lives of 27 people in Laguna de Bay two weeks ago.

That was the picture that emerged on Tuesday, August 8 after a three-hour Senate hearing on the July 27 capsizing of a motorized passenger boat off Binangonan town in Rizal province.

“This [tragedy] could have been avoided,” Sen. Grace Poe told reporters.

PH forex reserves near $100-B mark

by Ronnel W. Domingo Inquirer.net

THE Philippines’ gross international reserves (GIR) may have picked up again to reach $99.7 billion at the end of July, thanks mainly to the increase in the value of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’

(BSP) cache of gold amid rising prices.

Preliminary data at the BSP show that the GIR is again approaching the $100-billion mark after decreasing to $99.4 billion at the end of June.

At the end of July, BSP’s position,” Pentagon press secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said at a press briefing.

The U.S. highlighted China’s dangerous actions after the China Coast Guard (CCG) blocked and fired water cannons on a

US defense chief Austin condemns recent Chinese activities near Ayungin Shoal

by KRistine Daguno-BeRsamina Philstar.com

MANILA — United States Defense Chief Lloyd Austin III on Wednesday, August 9 condemned China’s water canon attack near the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, stressing that the U.S. supports the Philippines’ lawful rights to operate freely in the maritime domain.

In a recent phone call, Austin and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. discussed the situation, with Austin expressing his disapproval on China’s interference with the Philippine resupply mission to the Ayungin Shoal, also known as the Second Thomas Shoal. “I was glad to speak today with Secretary Teodoro about U.S.-Philippines alliance

Bongbong Marcos to make another trip to US in November

by jean mangaluz Inquirer.net

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, August 9 said he is headed to the United States this November for the AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation (Apec).

the U.S. as the Philippines’ chief executive. Marcos assumed the presidency on June 30, 2022.

The Apec is a regional economic forum of 21 countries, including the U.S. and the Philippines.

“The Philippines is actively participating in Indo-Pacific economic framework, and APEC u PAGE 2

This would be his third trip to