Maniolas

US President Barack Obama and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The US-Philippines alliance will “endure and remain strong” because of the two countries’ long-standing relations and US President Barack Obama is “committed to work effectively” with the Philippines to advance the shared interests and concerns of the two countries in his last four months in office, a US official said Wednesday. “Let me say that the Philippines Foreign Minister and its defense ministry have issued statements… affirming the importance of the closeness of the alliance,” said Nina Hachigian, the US ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). READ: US committed to work with PH “We have a wide range of shared concerns and shared interests with the Philippines, and we’ve been able to work effectively together to advance those interests and Mr. Obama has committed to doing that in the four months remaining,” Hachigian said in a telephonic press conference with journalists. When asked about President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive that the Philippine military will not conduct any joint maritime patrols with its allies in the South China Sea, Hachigian referred the reporters to the US and Philippine defense departments for comment. However, she also said that “the new administration, we are currently beginning to have meetings and discuss our shared priorities and programs.” The US and Asean are set to have an informal meeting in Hawaii later this month. The Philippines has not conducted any joint maritime patrol in the disputed South China Sea but has Read More …

Indonesian Mohammad Sofyan is examined by Dr. Raden Ikbala before his return to his country. He escaped from his Abu Sayyaf captors in Luuk, Sulu on Wednesday morning.
 JULIE S. ALIPALA/INQUIRER MINDANAO ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—An Indonesian national escaped from his Abu Sayyaf captors in Luuk, Sulu on Wednesday morning. READ: Indonesian captive due for beheading escapes Abu Sayyaf Major Filemon Tan Jr., spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command, said Mohammad Sofyan, a crew member of tugboat Charles who was kidnapped last June 23, escaped from his Abu Sayyaf kidnappers. READ: Indonesian hostages of Abu Sayyaf located Sofyan was later secured by residents of coastal Barangay (village) Bual in Luuk and brought to Municipal Police Station. Tan said Sofyan, 28, ran away from his captors and found his way to a mangrove area. Dr. Raden Ikbala of the Sulu Integrated Provincial Hospital said Sofyan was in good health. Ikbala said Sofyan claimed there were two of them (another Indonesian, who escaped when their guards were sleeping at 1 a.m. Wednesday. Tan said they were still trying to locate the other Indonesian. But while an Indonesian escaped from his captors, a Filipina teacher was kidnapped in Jolo town on Tuesday morning. Ikbala told the Inquirer that a certain Sandra, a teacher at the Madjunun Elementary School, was abducted while she was on her way to school on Tuesday. Ikbala said Sandra is a wife of a Marine soldier. RAM Latest ‘Marcos hero’s burial to push through, unless court order stops it’ Golden Read More …

Philippine Daily Inquirer By: Niña P. Calleja, January 29th, 2016 07:09 AM Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou. AP FILE PHOTO The Philippines on Thursday asked Taiwan to avoid actions that will spark tension in the region after Taiwan’s President Ma Ying­jeou flew to a contested island in the South China Sea. “We remind all parties concerned of our shared responsibility to refrain from actions that can increase tension in the South China Sea,” Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Charles Jose said in a text message. Jose gave the statement when asked for his reaction to the visit of Taiwan’s president to Taiping island, also known as Itu Aba. Itu Aba is regarded by Manila as within the West Philippine Sea, which also includes the Luzon Sea and the sea around Scarborough Shoal. Ma left the Taiwan capital of Taipei early Thursday aboard an Air Force C­130 cargo plane bound for Itu Aba. The United States earlier criticized the action of Ma. US Department of State spokesperson Mark Toner said Washington was disappointed by Ma’s plan to travel to the Taiping as it could exacerbate tensions in the South China Sea. Latest Breast best for babies, mothers, economy—study 90% of teachers now PCOS-­certified Prosecutors manufactured documents, says Napoles lawyer Smuggling raps filed vs 2 Binondo firms Recommended Disclaimer: Comments do not represent the views of INQUIRER.net. We reserve the right to exclude comments which are inconsistent with our editorial standards. FULL DISCLAIMER For feedback, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.