Maniolas

BATAAN, Philippines – The United States and Japan renewed their pledges of defense cooperation with the Philippines during the 73rd anniversary of the Day of Valor (Araw ng Kagitingan or Bataan Day). The former World War II enemies both vowed to uphold previous agreements with the Philippines in the face of new threats in the region, such as China’s expansion of outposts in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea). Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa, during the Day of Valor rites in Mt. Samat, Bataan, said collaboration between his country and the Philippines, in the context of security and defense cooperation, has been expanding. “Our cooperation in maritime security issues based upon the rule of law is a good example,” he said. “Just this January, two defense ministers signed a memorandum of defense cooperation and exchange in Tokyo.” Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Japan’s Defense Minister Gen Nakatani signed the agreement in January. Like the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the US, the memorandum provides for a framework for the defense relations and strategic partnership of Japan and the Philippines. Both Japan and the Philippines have territorial disputes with China. Despite its role during the World War II, Japan has become a close ally of the United States. Ishikawa boasted that Japan has been able to build a “free and democratic nation.” “Japan has also been contributing to the peace, stability, and prosperity of the Asia Pacific region throughout these 70 years as peace-loving nations, as one of the best partners Read More …

MANILA, Philippines – A Vietnamese call center agent was robbed at gunpoint Saturday night by four motorcycle-riding persons while he was walking home to his condominium unit in Mandaluyong City. Anh Nguyen Hoang lost his cellular phone worth P60,000 and cash of $30 (P1,344.60) to the still unidentified robbers who held him up at around 9:40 p.m. on Pinatubo Street in Barangay (village) Barangka Ilaya. The 26-year-old victim told police that he had just come from work and was a few meters away from his condominium when four men aboard two blue motorcycles without license plates suddenly stopped in front of him. According to SPO1 Joemer Puzon, two from one of the motorcycles alighted from the vehicle and approached the victim, while the other two served as lookout. Puzon said that the two robbers who alighted from their motorcycle declared the heist, with one pointing a handgun at the Vietnamese national. He added that after the heist, the robbers sped off. Apart from taking the victim’s cash and gadget, the robbers, who had their helmets on, also got away with Anh’s company ID and alien registration ID, which were both inside his wallet. Late last week, Mandaluyong City extended for another three years Ordinance No. 550, which bans unrelated men from riding together on motorcycles. For security purposes, the city council introduced an amendment exempting members of the local police’s tactical motorcycle group from the ordinance. Mayor Benhur Abalos earlier said that while the ordinance has not been a surefire Read More …

popular Beermen try to sustain drive vs Road Warriors Mr. C: ‘Ultimate’ a dream show for me, with Martin, Gary, Regine, Lani Mayweather certain of winning super fight DFA clears US of involvement in Mamasapano Laughing in Mindanao While Estrada, Revilla don’t touch ‘jail food’, Enrile eats rationed meal well Message from Monique Wilson to Vice Ganda Albay gov fumes at actor Xian Lim for rejecting promo shirt, book videos PBA: Ginebra’s LA Tenorio comfortable on the floor with Emman Monfort PBA: Agustin credits good defense, big men performance for win over Purefoods PBA: Warner’s maturity big thing for Globalport, says coach Gonzales Crime watchdog wants advisory body composed of bishops, inter-religious leaders Former Tarlac Governor calls Aquino to resign MANILA, Philippines – A Filipino was sentenced to 25 years in prison after he was found guilty of terrorism related-charges, a report from LA Times said. The report said Ralph De Leon and Sohiel Omar Kabir, a 37-year-old Afghanistan-born US citizen, were convicted of plotting to aid jihadists overseas and to kill US soldiers. It said the two accused were guilty of conspiring to provide material support to terrorists and conspiring to murder US military personnel as well as government personnel. De leon and Kabir were sentenced by US District Judge Virginia Phillips in Riverside, California on February 23. De Leon was also convicted of conspiring to murder, maim or kidnap overseas, said Thom Mrozek, spokesman for the US attorney’s office.In a handwritten letter, De Leon said to the court Read More …

popular Ariella Arida to host online stint for Miss Universe pageant Aces wary of Beermen shooters, not just June Mar Fajardo Jihadist ‘eager for fame’ accidentally reveals Syria location on Twitter–report PAL adjusts flights during Papal visit Want to be a doctor? It’s offense vs defense in PBA Finals 119 face raps over garlic price manipulation Supreme Court orders reinstatement of Marcos children in ill-gotten wealth case videos Letters to Pope Francis tell stories of injustice, struggle Gov’t execs backing LRT-MRT fare hike should quit —Cayetano Cayetano ‘dreams of changing’ PH but remains fickle about 2016 plans Tail of doomed AirAsia jet found in Java Sea–Indonesian exec 119 face raps over garlic price manipulation MANILA, Philippines – The military has expressed alarm over the progress of China’ reclamation activities in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). “About 50 percent na tapos na sila. It’s alarming in the sense that it could be used for purposes other than peaceful use,” AFP chief General Gregorio Catapang Jr. told reporters Wednesday afternoon. “Mayroong isang nire-reclaim na mahaba-haba, about 1 point something or 2 kilometers. Di pa siya developed as an airfield, pero at that span it could be,” he said. He did not identify however which areas in the disputed seas were being reclaimed. The Philippines has a pending case in the international court over the sea dispute. Reclamation activities were reported in recent months in Kagitingan Reef (Fiery Cross Reef) in the Kalayaan Island Group (Spratlys). Last May, Defense Secretary Voltaire Read More …

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