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
Nov 03 Japan and Philippine leaders agree to negotiate a defense pact and boost ties amid China’s aggression By Jim Gomez, Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press The move is part of efforts to fortify their alliance in the face of China's alarming assertiveness in the region. Continue reading
Sep 22 Gases from Philippine volcano sicken dozens of children, prompting school closures in nearby towns By Associated Press Authorities say there is no imminent threat of a major eruption of Taal Volcano, which remains at a low level of unrest in Batangas province south of Manila. Continue reading
Aug 23 2 Philippine supply boats breach Chinese coast guard blockade in hotly contested South China Sea By Jim Gomez, Aaron Favila, Associated Press It's the latest flare-up from territorial disputes in the busy sea that has become a delicate fault line in the U.S.-China rivalry. Continue reading
Jul 26 Typhoon Doksuri slams into the northern Philippines, leaving at least 2 dead and thousands displaced By Jim Gomez, Associated Press The typhoon slammed into Fuga Island before dawn and later made landfall in another island off Aparri town in Cagayan province, where more than 15,000 people were evacuated from high-risk coastal villages. Continue reading
Jul 18 International probe into Philippines ‘war on drugs’ resumes By Mike Corder, Associated Press Appeals judges at the International Criminal Court have ruled that an investigation into the Philippines deadly "war on drugs" can resume. Continue reading