US says military exercises with Philippines ‘purely defensive’, for force readiness

U.S.-Philippine military exercises are longstanding, “purely defensive” and intended to maintain force readiness and preserve regional security, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said on Saturday. The spokesperson was responding in an email to a request for comment after China’s defence ministry urged Manila on Friday to withdraw U.S. Typhon intermediate-range missiles. The Typhon launchers, part […]

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Philippines’ VP Duterte prepared for impeachment, father welcome to join defence team

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte said on Friday she had been preparing since last year for impeachment and would welcome on her defence team her firebrand father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, if interested to join. Sara Duterte said she had not read the complaint against her endorsed by majority of lower house members but her […]

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Philippine lawmakers back petition seeking Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment

A petition seeking the impeachment of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, the daughter of the country’s former president, received the required support on Wednesday of more than a third of lower-house lawmakers, paving the way for a trial in the Senate. House Secretary General Reginald Veslasco told reporters there was a sufficient number of signatures […]

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Philippines suspends South China Sea survey after China’s ‘harassment’

The Philippines said on Saturday it has suspended a scientific survey in the South China Sea after two of its fisheries vessels faced “harassment” and aggressive behaviour from China’s coast guard and navy. Manila and Beijing have had a series of escalating confrontations in disputed waters of the South China Sea. China claims almost all […]

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Philippines hit by 5.9 magnitude earthquake

A 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck the central Philippines on Thursday morning, local time, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said in a bulletin. The quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles) near San Francisco city in Leyte province. The agency also warned of damage and aftershocks. San Francisco Police Chief Bernie Kattig […]

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Philippines’ Marcos says reported presence of Russian submarine ‘very worrisome’

The Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper reported on Monday that a Russian attack submarine surfaced inside Manila’s EEZ last week, citing security sources. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday the reported presence of a Russian submarine in the Philippines exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea was “very worrisome”. The Philippine Daily Inquirer […]

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60 Chinese ships near Philippine naval base

The number of Chinese civilian ships near the important Philippine naval base of Thitu Island in the South China Sea has increased. However, a senior official of the country’s navy said that there is nothing to worry about. The British news agency Reuters reported this news, citing satellite images released on Thursday. Vice Admiral Alfonso […]

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Philippines’ Marcos vows to fight back after estranged VP’s assassination threat

In a strongly-worded video message addressing the nation, Marcos did not name Vice President Sara Duterte, his presidential running mate, but said “such criminal plans should not be overlooked.” Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos on Monday vowed to fight back against what he called reckless and troubling threats against him, speaking out after his estranged vice […]

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