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☆ Joint Philippines-U.S. patrols in South China Sea may begin by third quarter - envoy
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MANILA, May 8 (Reuters) - Joint patrols between the Philippines and the United States in the South China Sea may begin later this year, a top diplomat said on Monday, just days after Washington clarified its commitment to defend Manila from an attack at sea. Discussions were continuing on the joint maritime patrols, which were announced in February, said Philippine ambassador to the United States, Jose Manuel Romualdez. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced in February he and his Philippine counterpart, Carlito Galvez, have agreed to restart joint maritime patrols in the South China Sea, which former President Rodrigo Duterte, who sought warmer ties with China, had suspended after he took office in 2016. But Philippine Defense Secretary Galvez told reporters on Monday there were no formal discussions on the joint patrols with the United States and Australia. China claims most of the South China Sea, through which more than $3 trillion of world trade is shipped every year.

☆ Philippines rebukes Beijing for 'dangerous manoeuvres' in South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Neil Jerome Morales | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The incident occurred on Sunday during a Philippine coast guard patrol close to the Philippine-held Second Thomas Shoal, a flashpoint for previous altercations located 105 nautical miles (195 km) off its coast. One of the two Chinese vessels "carried out dangerous manoeuvres" about 150 feet (45.72 m) from a Philippine ship, it said. In February, the Philippines said a Chinese ship had directed a "military-grade laser" at one of its resupply vessels. China's foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Friday said the Philippine vessels had intruded into Chinese waters and "made deliberate provocative moves". "We urge the Philippines to respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights," Mao said, adding the Chinese vessels acted professionally and with restraint.

☆ Philippine c.bank chief: 'Dangerous' to cut rates faster than Fed
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MANILA, April 26 (Reuters) - The Philippines' central bank considers it "dangerous" to cut interest rates faster than a policy easing by the U.S. Federal Reserve, its governor said on Wednesday. "If inflation in the U.S. is sticky and cuts are slow, it is very dangerous for the Philippine central bank to cut faster than the U.S.," Medalla said. Philippine inflation slowed for a second straight month in March to 7.6%. Gross domestic product could have expanded "in the neighbourhood of 6%" in the first quarter, Medalla said. A Philippine government inter-agency panel this week maintained its economic growth target of 6.0% to 7.0% this year on robust domestic economic activity amid global headwinds.

☆ Philippines' Marcos to seek specifics from Biden on US defence commitment
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Marcos will hold talks with Biden in Washington this weekend, a meeting the White House said would reaffirm its "ironclad commitments to the defence of the Philippines". "It (the treaty) needs to adjust because of the changes in the situation we are facing in the South China Sea, Taiwan, North Korea," Marcos said in a radio interview. China, however, says the pact with the United States is stoking the fire of regional tensions. Marcos on Monday said he and Biden should discuss what exactly their alliance entails and how to manage tension with China. Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Differences in South China Sea are not sum total of Philippines-China relations - Philippine official
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MANILA, April 22 (Reuters) - The Philippines' foreign minister on Saturday said his nation's differences with China in the South China Sea are not the sum total of relations between the two countries. The Philippines has previously raised diplomatic protests at the presence of Chinese fishing vessels and what it calls China's "aggressive actions" in the strategic waterway. Qin said on Saturday China is ready to work with the Philippines to implement a consensus between the two countries and properly resolve differences. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, which sees the passage of about $3 trillion worth of ship-borne annually and is believed to be rich in minerals and oil-and-gas deposits. A landmark arbitration ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 invalidated China's claims.

☆ Philippines will pursue drugs war appeal with ICC, says top gov't lawyer
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MANILA, April 12 (Reuters) - The Philippines will pursue its appeal questioning the International Criminal Court's (ICC) jurisdiction and authority to investigate killings during former President Rodrigo Duterte's 'war on drugs', its top lawyer said on Wednesday. Guevarra said the president's remarks meant the Philippines will "disengage with the ICC after exhausting our legal remedies within the framework of the Rome Statute". The ICC probe was reopened in January 2023. But the tribunal's top prosecutor Karim Khan said the ICC has jurisdiction because the country was a party at the time the alleged crimes were committed. Khan asked the court on April 4 to reject Manila's appeal and uphold its earlier decision to allow the resumption of the probe.

However, confusing the picture core inflation accelerated to 8.0% in March from February's 7.8%, the fastest pace since 1999. Nicholas Mapa, an economist at ING bank, said a sustained downtrend in inflation could make the BSP consider hitting the pause button on its most aggressive interest rate hiking cycle for years. "Today's inflation reading could be one additional data point that could convince Governor Medalla that inflation is finally moderating," Mapa told Reuters. "We expect inflation to moderate further in April which could open up the door for a BSP pause at the May meeting." Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, who is one of the seven members of the central bank's policy making monetary board, said on Tuesday, the central bank has probably done enough to address inflation.

☆ Philippine annual inflation eases to 7.6% in March
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MANILA, April 5 (Reuters) - Philippine annual inflation eased for a second straight month in March but still remained above target, the statistics agency said on Wednesday, reflecting slower increases in food and transport costs. The consumer price index (PHCPI=ECI) rose 7.6% in March, below the 8.0% forecast in a Reuters poll, and marked the slowest pace of price increase in six months. But core inflation, which strips out volatile food and fuel items, accelerated to 8.0% in March from February's 7.8%, indicating price pressures remain. The Philippine central bank, which projected inflation to be between 7.4% to 8.2% in March, raised its benchmark interest rate (PHCBIR=ECI) by 25 basis points to 6.25% last month, to bring inflation back to its 2%-4% target this year. The central bank said its future policy moves would be would be data-dependent.

☆ Philippines reveals locations of 4 new strategic sites for U.S. military pact
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Karen Lema | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The locations are significant, with Isabela and Cagayan facing north towards Taiwan, while Palawan is near the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, where China has built artificial islands equipped with runways and missile systems. Defence chief Carlito Galvez called the sites "very strategic" and stressed the Philippines had a responsibility to the international community in the South China Sea. "Their locations are in areas where they are needed," said Jay Batongbacal, a South China Sea expert at the University of the Philippines. "It also provides us with coverage not only on the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) but also on the Pacific side," he added. The United States has committed more than $80 million worth of infrastructure at the five existing sites - the Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu and Lumbia Air Base in Mindanao.

☆ Fire on passenger ferry in Philippines kills 10 - coast guard
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Philippine Coast Guard respond to the fire incident onboard M/V LADY MARY JOY 3 at the waters off Baluk-Baluk Island, Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan, Philippines, March 29, 2023. Philippine Coast Guard/Handout via REUTERSMANILA, March 30 (Reuters) - Ten people have died and 230 have been rescued after a passenger ferry caught fire on Wednesday evening in the seas off the southern Philippine province of Basilan, a coast guard official said. Nine people were injured in the fire that started in air-conditioned cabins, Commodore Rejard Marfe, coast guard chief in southern Mindanao, told the DZMM radio station. Photographs shared by the Coast Guard showed the MV Lady Mary Joy 3 ship being sprayed with water, while rescued passengers were brought to the shore. The Coast Guard said it will assist in an investigation and safety assessment, as well check for any signs of an oil spill.

It suspended its probe in November 2021 at the request of the Philippines after Manila said it was carrying out its own investigations. The ICC investigation was reopened in January 2023 and on March 27 the ICC rejected Manila's request to suspend it pending an appeal questioning the court's jurisdiction and authority. It is not clear even among some government officials what cutting contact meant or whether the Philippines will completely drop its appeal against the ICC investigation. Police say they killed 6,200 suspects during anti-drug operations that ended in shootouts but reject accusations by human rights groups of systematic executions and cover-ups. There doesn't seem to be any political will within the Philippine government to seriously investigate," Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, told CNN Philippines.

☆ Philippines' Duterte ready to "face the music" as ICC forges ahead with probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Duterte, whose presidency ended last year, told a gathering of prosecutors: "I did what I had to do. Duterte, who campaigned on promises to kill drug dealers, is being investigated by the ICC for possible crimes against humanity. The probe was reopened in January and the ICC on Monday rejected Manila's request to suspend it pending an appeal questioning the court's jurisdiction and authority. "Disengaging could mean many things, and that is what I want to clarify with the president," Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, who was justice minister under Duterte, told news channel ANC. Asked about the remarks of Marcos, the ICC said it does not comment on ongoing investigations.

☆ Philippines' Marcos to shut out ICC after losing drugs war appeal
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MANILA, March 28 (Reuters) - Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Tuesday said he would cut off contact with the International Criminal Court (ICC) after it rejected an appeal asking it to stop investigating his predecessor's lethal war on drugs. The ICC is a court of last resort that can exercise jurisdiction if states are unable or unwilling to investigate crimes. The treaty stipulates the ICC can investigate crimes that took place while a country was a member. He has said he is willing to go on trial over his drugs war, but only in a Philippine court. His daughter, Sara Duterte, is currently vice president and was the running mate of Marcos.

☆ Philippines president backs merger of two state lenders to create country's biggest bank
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MANILA, March 28 (Reuters) - Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr is pushing for the merger of two state-run banks, which will create the country's largest lender by assets, his finance secretary said on Tuesday. The merger of Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) would also be in line with past government efforts for consolidation in the banking sector. "The merger will create a bigger and stronger bank to better serve the country's development needs," Diokno said. The union of DBP and LBP would allow the government to save more than 5 billion pesos ($91.93 million) in operating costs in the first year of their merger, Diokno said. As of end-September, the two banks had combined assets of 3.8 trillion pesos, compared with 3.7 trillion pesos of BDO Unibank (BDO.PS), which is controlled by the Philippines' richest family, central bank data showed.

☆ Philippines, China say need to work together over maritime issues
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Ted Aljibe/POOL via REUTERSMANILA, March 24 (Reuters) - Maritime issues between the Philippines and China play an important part in relations between the countries, senior officials from the countries said on Friday, as both sides pledged to work together to resolve differences. Tensions between the neighbours have recently flared up over what Manila described as "aggressive activities" by China in the South China Sea. Maritime differences with Beijing were a "serious concern", but could be resolved through the "exhaustion of all diplomatic means", Philippine foreign ministry undersecretary Theresa Lazaro said after talks with Chinese counterparts. Meanwhile, China's Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong said maritime issue were not "the entirety of its relations" with the Philippines. Reporting by Karen Lema and Neil Jerome Morales Editing by Ed DaviesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ President Marcos says Philippines 'will not lose an inch' of territory
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Summary Philippines to uphold territorial sovereignty -MarcosChina's actions insufficient to invoke defence treaty with U.S.MANILA, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Saturday that the country "will not lose an inch" of territory, his remarks coming on the heels of continuing maritime tensions with Beijing in the South China Sea. "This country will not lose an inch of its territory. We will continue to uphold our territorial integrity and sovereignty in accordance with our constitution and with international law. However, Marcos sees the laser pointing incident as insufficient to invoke a mutual defence treaty with United States, a longstanding ally. China's recent actions came just a month after Marcos' state visit to Beijing, where the two countries pledged to handle disputes peacefully and boost cooperation.

☆ Philippines files protest to China over use of laser, "aggressive activities" by vessels
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MANILA, Feb 14 (Reuters) - The Philippines on Tuesday filed a diplomatic protest calling on Beijing to ensure its vessels cease "aggressive activities" after Manila accused China's coast guard of trying to block one of its ships in the South China Sea using a laser. The Philippine coast guard said on Monday a Chinese coast guard ship directed a "military-grade laser" at one of Manila's vessels supporting a resupply mission to troops in the disputed waterway on Feb. 6, temporarily blinding its crew on the bridge. The actions of China's coast guard vessel were a threat to Philippine sovereignty and security and the country had a prerogative to conduct legitimate activities within its exclusive economic zone, the ministry said. "We urge the Philippines to avoid such actions, and the actions of China's staff are professional and restrained," China's foreign ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, told a regular briefing. The Philippines has filed 203 diplomatic notes against China since last year, foreign ministry data showed.

☆ Five soldiers killed in shooting at Philippine military camp
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MANILA, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Five soldiers were killed in a shooting at a military camp in the southern Philippines, including the shooter, the military said on Saturday. The shooter then went to other rooms, where two soldiers grappled with and killed him, the army said. An internal investigation has begun to identify the cause and gaps in the recruitment and training process, the military said. In June, three people, including a former mayor, died in graduation day shooting in the capital Manila. Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales in Manila; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Japan, Philippines pledge closer security ties amid China tensions
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Sakura Murakami | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/6] Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (3-L) and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (2-R) talk at prime minister?s official residence in Tokyo, Japan, 09 February 2023. KIMIMASA MAYAMA/Pool via REUTERSTOKYO, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Japan said it was looking to strengthen joint military exercises with the Philippines as the two U.S. allies on Thursday pledged to forge closer security ties at a time of heightened tensions with China. Japan held joint military exercises with the United States and the Philippines as recently as October. The disaster relief deal with Tokyo is seen as a possible precursor to establishing a visiting forces agreement that would allow Japanese forces to deploy to the Philippines more easily. A Japanese military presence in the Philippines could help Manila counter Chinese influence in the South China Sea, much of which Beijing claims, including the territory that Manila considers its own.

"As the United States deepens its relationship with the Philippines, it's important for regional security that Japan join in," a Japanese defence ministry source with knowledge of internal discussions on national security told Reuters. At a press briefing last week, Neil Imperial, the Philippines Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs, said Marcos wanted to "facilitate closer defence, security, political, economic and people-to-people ties" while in Japan. That sentiment is shared in Tokyo, which has been deepening security ties with nations that view China with concern. Those deals provide a framework for how Marcos and Kishida could also forge deeper military ties to counter their common adversary, say experts. "The Philippines is a critical security partner for Japan," said Narushige Michishita, a professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) in Tokyo.

Summary Jan CPI at fresh 14-year high of 8.7%Faster-than-expected inflation raises odds of bigger rate hikeEconomic planning chief says inflation to moderate this yearMANILA, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Philippine annual inflation blew past expectations in January to reach a fresh 14-year high on surging food prices, raising the chance of the central bank delivering a bigger interest rate hike to tame prices when it meets this month. Given the faster-than-expected inflation in January, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) looks certain to hike interest rates by at least 25 basis points and with a bigger 50 bps likely to be on the table, ING economist Nicholas Mapa said in a Tweet. The Philippines' broader stock index (.PSI) dropped 0.4% in early trade on expectations of a larger rate hike, while the peso had slipped 0.5% at 54.73 per dollar as of 0211 GMT. The main factor behind January's red-hot inflation was the 11.2% annual rise in food inflation, the quickest pace since 2009, and compared to the previous month's 10.6%, and the 1.6% rate in the same month last year. Elevated inflation, plus the need to maintain interest rate differentials between the U.S. and the Philippines, have forced the central bank to embark on aggressive tightening, with the benchmark rate (PHCBIR=ECI) rising by a total of 350 bps last year.

☆ Philippine Jan annual inflation accelerates to 8.7%
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MANILA, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Philippine inflation accelerated to a fresh 14-year high in January, the statistics agency said on Tuesday, keeping the pressure on the central bank to tighten monetary policy. The consumer price index (CPI) rose 8.7% in January, way above the 7.7% forecast in a Reuters poll and topping the 8.1% rate in December. Core inflation, which strips out volatile food and fuel items, increased to 7.4% from December's 6.9%. The Philippine central bank, which had forecast January CPI to be between 7.5%-8.3%, said on Saturday it will focus on inflation rather than the Federal Reserve's 25-basis point hike when it meets on Feb. 16 to review key interest ratesIts governor has previously signalled further interest rates hikes at the central bank's first two policy meetings this year to bring inflation back within a target range of 2% to 4%. Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales and Enrico dela Cruz; Writing by Karen Lema Editing by Ed DaviesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Magnitude 6 earthquake hits Mindanao, Philippines – EMSC
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

MANILA, Feb 1 (Reuters) - A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Mindanao in the Philippines on Wednesday, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said. The quake struck at a depth of 2 kilometres (1.24 miles), the EMSC said. It was felt in Davao City, hometown of former President Rodrigo Duterte, the region's civil disaster agency said on Facebook. The earthquake was felt more strongly in the nearby province of Davao de Oro. Reporting by Kanjyik Ghosh in Bengaluru; additional reporting by Neil Jerome Morales in Manila; Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Austin's Manila visit to bring deal on expanded base access - Philippines official
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( David Brunnstrom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

WASHINGTON/MANILA, Feb 1 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's visit to the Philippines this week is expected to bring an announcement of expanded U.S. access to military bases in the country, a senior Philippines official said on Wednesday. "There's a push for another four or five of these EDCA sites," the a senior Philippines official said. The Philippines official said increased U.S. access needed to benefit both countries. "The deal with Russia was very attractive because for a certain budget we were able to get something like 16 of these heavy-lift helicopters," the official said. He said the U.S. and Philippine marines were pursuing similar capabilities with ground-based rockets, with Manila's particular interest being to protect its South China Sea claims.

[1/2] Construction of new buildings alongside older establishments is seen within the business district in Makati City, metro Manila, Philippines January 25, 2017. "We are confident that we will remain in our high growth trajectory," Baliscan told a media briefing on Thursday. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, GDP growth came in at 2.4% in October-December, compared with expectations for a 1.5% rise and the previous quarter's upwardly revised 3.3% expansion. Like the rest of the world, the Philippines is battling red-hot inflation, currently running at 14-year highs, which if not tamed could crimp domestic consumption, a major driver of growth. "We expect a difficult year ahead for the Philippines," Capital Economics said in a note, citing the impact of high inflation and tighter monetary policy on domestic spending.

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