Apr 08 The U.S. Army will hold combat training in the Philippines as maritime tensions rise By Jim Gomez, Associated Press The U.S. Army is introducing a joint battlefield training in the Philippines to improve combat readiness including by ensuring adequate supply of ammunition and other needs in difficult conditions in tropical jungles and on scattered islands. Continue reading
Mar 28 WATCH: Pentagon holds briefing as Philippines warn of countermeasures against China at sea By Associated Press The Philippine president said Thursday that his government would take action against what he called dangerous attacks by the Chinese coast guard and suspected militia ships in the disputed South China Sea, saying “Filipinos do not yield.”… Continue reading
Feb 11 Watch 3:55 News Wrap: Trump’s comments on NATO and Russia stir international backlash In our news wrap Sunday, Trump’s remarks about encouraging Russian aggression against NATO countries are drawing fire from allies around the world, Defense Secretary Austin has been hospitalized again, Ukraine says it shot down a mass barrage of Russian drone… Continue watching
Feb 02 UN expert says more needs to be done to address human rights abuses in the Philippines By Jim Gomez, Associated Press A U.N. expert says steps have been taken under Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to address human rights abuses such as the killings of journalists and rights activists. Continue reading
Jan 29 Former Philippine president accuses successor of plotting to expand power By Jim Gomez, Associated Press Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who was notorious for a harsh anti-drug crackdown that left thousands of mostly poor suspects dead during his presidency, offered no evidence for his claims. Continue reading
Dec 10 Philippines says Chinese coast guard used water cannons against its vessels for 2nd day By Jim Gomez, Associated Press The Chinese coast guard targeted Philippine vessels with water cannon blasts Sunday and rammed one of them, causing damage and endangering Filipino crew members off a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, Philippine officials said. Continue reading
Dec 03 Bombing at Sunday Mass in Philippines kills 4, president blames foreign militants By Jim Gomez, Associated Press The Philippine president blamed “foreign terrorists” for a bomb blast that killed four people Sunday, wounded dozens of other Catholic worshippers in the south and sparked a security alarm, including in the capital, Manila, where state forces were put on… Continue reading
Dec 02 Tsunami warnings issued after earthquake strikes off the coast of southern Philippines By Associated Press A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 struck Saturday off the southern Philippine coast, prompting many villagers to flee their homes in panic around midnight after Philippine authorities issued a tsunami warning. Continue reading
Nov 28 Philippine government and communist rebels agree to resume talks on ending their protracted conflict By Jan M. Olsen, Associated Press Norway's foreign ministry says high-ranking delegations from both sides met in Oslo last week and agreed to a "common vision for peace" that sought to address key obstacles. Continue reading
Nov 11 Chinese ships block, pursue Philippine vessels as U.S. renews warning it will defend its ally By Jim Gomez, Joeal Calupitan, Associated Press As a U.S. Navy surveillance plane flew in circles, keeping a close watch, dozens of Chinese coast guard and accompanying ships chased and encircled Philippine vessels in the latest confrontation in one of the most dangerous flashpoints in the South… Continue reading