📰 News & Current Affairs

Japan has launched an investigation into a warship captain after he sailed into Chinese territorial waters. The incident occurred last Thursday when the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Suzutsuki sailed through waters off China’s eastern Zhejiang province for around 20 minutes. Japan launches probe into warship captain who sailed into China's territorial waters.

The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) plans to bolster its coastal defenses with two additional batteries of the shore-based supersonic anti-ship missile by 2026, WION reported this month. Philippines wants to point more BrahMos missiles at China - Asia Times.

"Vice President Sara Duterte finally admitted that there are “personal” and “work” issues with President Marcos that led her to resigning from her post as Department of Education (DepEd) secretary and essentially leaving the Marcos administration’s official family." Source: ‘Personal, work, love for country’: VP Duterte explains why she resigned from Marcos Cabinet

The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced the suspension of all permits to carry firearms outside of residence (PTCFOR) in the National Capital Region (NCR) starting this weekend, as part of security measures for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA). Source: PNP enforces 3-day gun ban in NCR for SONA | Philippine News Agency

While there are no Bureau of Immigration (BI) records showing that suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo has left the country, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian is not discounting the possibility that she might have already done so using a Chinese passport. Source: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1961991/gatchalian-worried-guo-may-have-already-left-ph

Some fisherfolk near Scarborough Shoal are reportedly losing some 60% of their income during their weekly fishing expeditions after China's unilateral imposition of a four-month fishing ban in the South China Sea. Source: Fishers near Scarborough Shoal losing 60% of income after China’s fishing ban

Ugandan children pay tribute to Trump with reenactment of attempted assassination - Washington Examiner The assassination attempt against Trump sent shockwaves not only around the United States but the world as well. One of the most unique reactions came from Uganda, with a video published on social media showing a group of 12 Ugandan children reenacting the assassination attempt. https://x.com/kunley_drukpa/status/1813587084869021745

The Office of the Senate Sergeant-At-Arms (OSAA) has finished preparing the detention facility in the Senate premises where suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo will be detained in the event that she surrenders. Source: https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/7/16/senate-readies-detention-area-for-alice-guo-et-al-1028

Image Source: Inquirer.net News Source: LOOK: First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos joins PCG Auxiliary

China says nuclear arms talks with US halted over Taiwan weapons sales

China is outpacing US military has negated US military advantage after 2 decades of investment.” “When we get within 1000 miles of Chinese mainland the military advantage moved to China, would be challenged to win. We could lose,” Gen Jack Keane tells @AspenSecurity

Source: Presidential Tracker

The Philippine Navy is studying the possibility of conducting a rotation and reprovision (RORE) mission to Ayungin Shoal as part of a Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) with allied countries in the West Philippine Sea. Source: Navy eyes resupply mission to Ayungin alongside allied countries

Trump says Taiwan should pay the US for its defence as ‘it doesn’t give us anything’

The Philippines and the United States are now gearing up for much larger bilateral war games next year, the military spokesperson said on Tuesday. Source: https://globalnation.inquirer.net/242871/ph-us-now-gearing-up-for-much-larger-balikatan-exercises-in-2025

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has sought the Pasay City police’s help after he and Senator Risa Hontiveros became the subjects of a threatening video circulating online. Source: https://politiko.com.ph/2024/07/16/win-gatchalian-risa-hontiveros-get-threats-due-to-pogo-probe/daily-feed/

A French Air Force mission touring the Indo-Pacific region will include the Philippines for the first time as France seeks to forge closer defense ties with Manila. Source: https://globalnation.inquirer.net/242782/france-air-force-mission-includes-ph-for-first-time

After being criticized by lawmakers for what they believe was a dig at the president, Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday said her quip about being the "designated survivor" during the third State of the Nation Address is not a "bomb threat" nor "a joke." Source: Sara Duterte says 'designated survivor' remark not a threat, but also not a joke

Based on a police investigation, Delos Reyes had inadvertently sent the emoji in a cadet corps group chat, allegedly displeasing his seniors. As punishment, the upperclassman reportedly ordered Delos Reyes to perform rigorous exercises after the evening meal. Source: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1961265/chr-maritime-cadet-forced-to-exercise-to-death

Just before his third State of the Nation Address (Sona), a Pulse Asia survey showed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s approval and trust rating slightly dropped. Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte’s approval rating slightly increased by two percent from 67 percent in March to 69 percent in June. Source: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1961771/marcos-approval-trust-ratings-slightly-dip-vps-approval-rating-slightly-goes-up

A MANIFESTO circulating among active members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) seeks the ouster of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., saying he lacks the competence to lead the Department of National Defense (DND) and the professionalism to take full responsibility for his actions. Source: AFP denies walkout reports; manifesto seeks Gibo's ouster

BETHEL PARK, Pennsylvania - The FBI identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania as the suspect in Saturday's attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump at a campaign rally. The suspect was shot and killed by the Secret Service seconds after he allegedly fired shots toward a stage where Trump and was speaking in Butler, Pennsylvania. The FBI said it was working to determine a motive for the attack, in which one rally attendee died and two other spectators were critically injured. Trump was shot in the ear. State voter records show that Crooks was a registered Republican. The upcoming Nov. 5 election would have been the first time Crooks had been old enough to vote in a presidential race...

A PHILIPPINE senator on Monday filed a bill that seeks to bar members of the same political dynasty from running for public office during an election. Source: Robin files bill versus dynasties - BusinessWorld Online

A recently signed agreement will open a direct line of communication between the presidential offices of China and the Philippines to help prevent any new confrontation from spiraling out of control in the disputed South China Sea, according to highlights of the accord seen by The Associated Press on Tuesday. Source: New deal establishes a hotline Chinese and Philippine presidents can use to stop clashes at sea

A 135-meter China Coast Guard (CCG) ship has inched closer to the Philippines, likely positioning itself to monitor an upcoming joint exercise by the Philippine and US coast guards, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said on Monday. Source: https://www.inquirer.net/408892/china-prepping-to-monitor-ph-us-coast-guard-drills/

Former lawmaker Edgar Erice on Tuesday asked the Supreme Court to cite Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson George Garcia in contempt for supposedly violating the sub judice rule. “The sub judice rule restricts comments and disclosures pertaining to judicial proceedings to avoid prejudging the issue, influencing the court, or obstructing the administration of justice,” Erice said. Source: Erice asks SC to cite Garcia in contempt for comment on MIRU petition

Charles Q. Brown Jr., chair of the joint U.S. military chiefs, arrived in the Philippines on Tuesday and is set to visit one of the nine designated facilities for American rotational forces under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. Source: Top U.S. military official arrives in Philippines, to visit EDCA site

Senator Risa Hontiveros floated on Wednesday the possibility that individuals behind the Pharmally ******* are also involved in the root operations of îllégâl Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) in the country. Source: MSN

The Department of Finance (DOF) on Monday defended the utilization of unused and idle funds of government corporations such as the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), saying this was “more prudent” than borrowing or imposing taxes. Source: DOF defends utilization of unused PhilHealth, GOCC funds

Incoming Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Tuesday said Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary Michael Poa has already tendered his resignation from his post. Source: DepEd's Michael Poa has tendered resignation —Angara

Donald Trump officially became the Republican nominee for president at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Monday and chose Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his running mate. Source: https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/rnc-republican-national-convention-07-15-24#h_fc59d5684e380138f02c61be1b167c87