Taiwan president says island 'will not bow' to China's pressure
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said Wednesday that China was attempting to force the self-ruled island into submission but that it would not bow to pressure.
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Extensive probe on Lamitan City gas station bombing sought
COTABATO CITY — Residents have urged for a deep probe into the bombing of a fuel station in Lamitan City, Basilan on Tuesday night. They are convinced that it was merely meant to embarrass the officials who declared all of its 45 barangays as Abu Sayyaf-free earlier the same day and not a terror attack.
US renews warning it's obligated to defend the Philippines after its new clash with China at sea
MANILA: The United States renewed a warning Tuesday that it's obligated to defend its close treaty ally a day after Filipino navy personnel were injured, and their supply boats damaged in one of the most serious confrontations between the Philippines and China in a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, officials said. China and the Philippines blamed each other for instigating Monday's hostilities in the Second Thomas Shoal, which has been occupied by a small Filipino navy contingent aboard a grounded warship that's been closely watched by Chinese coast guard, navy and suspected militia ships in a yearslong territorial standoff.There is fear the disputes, long regarded as an Asian flashpoint, could escalate and pit the United States and China in a larger conflict. US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell discussed China's actions with Philippine counterpart, Maria Theresa Lazaro, in a telephone call. Both agreed that China's "dangerous actions threatened regional peace and stability," state department spokesperson Matthew Miller said. Campbell reaffirmed that the 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty, which obligates Washington and Manila to help defend the other in major conflicts, "extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft - including those of its coast guard - anywhere in the South China Sea," according to Miller. A Philippine government task force overseeing the territorial disputes condemned what it said were "dangerous manoeuvres, including ramming and towing," which disrupted a routine effort to transport food, water and other supplies to the Filipinos manning the territorial outpost aboard the BRP Sierra Madre at the shoal.
Over P21-M worth of drugs seized in weeklong anti-drug ops in CAR
BAGUIO CITY — The Cordillera Administrative Region police boasts of hauling morden P21 million worth of illegal drugs from series of operations in just a week.
US renews warning it's obligated to defend the Philippines after its new clash with China at sea
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The United States renewed a warning Tuesday that it’s obligated to defend its close treaty ally a day after Filipino navy personnel were injured and their supply boats damaged in one of the most serious confrontations between the Philippines and China in a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, officials said.
Who is AR De La Serna, Harry Roque's Europe 'travel companion'?
MANILA, Philippines — Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque is a hot topic once more after it was discovered he funded a certain Alberto Rodulfo "AR" De La Serna to be his travel companion for a trip to Europe.
Chinese forces damaged PH ships - task force
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines accused China of disrupting a routine rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission to BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal on Monday through the aggressive actions employed by Chinese maritime forces which damaged Philippine ships.
Marcos on Eid’l Adha: Courage at comfort’s expense
MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos called on Filipinos yesterday to be courageous even at the expense of comfort and security amid challenges.