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(Radio Free Asia) U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday said Beijing had acted irresponsibly in halting cooperation with the United States on topics including defense and climate change, as he sought to reassure Southeast Asian countries over raging tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

Meanwhile, China pressed forward with its major military exercise around Taiwan for a third day on Saturday, with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) apparently staging a simulated attack on Taiwan’s main island, Taipei’s Defense Ministry said.

“Since their missile launches, Beijing has taken an irresponsible step of a different kind: They’ve shut down eight different areas where our two countries have been able to work together,” the top U.S. diplomat said during a press conference Saturday in Manila.

Beijing announced the “countermeasures” on Friday in response to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s recent visit to Taiwan, freezing bilateral dialogue on several military-to-military channels as well as talks on the climate crisis, repatriation of illegal immigrants, counter-narcotics and legal assistance in criminal matters.

“The world’s largest carbon emitter is now refusing to engage on combating the climate crisis. Suspending climate cooperation doesn’t punish the United States; it punishes the world, particularly the developing world,” Blinken said. .. Read More

(BusinessWorld) A HUMAN rights group on Thursday urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to pursue its investigation of the Philippine government’s deadly war on drugs after President Ferdinand R. Marcos’ decision not to rejoin the international tribunal.

In a statement, the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) said the president’s decision shields former President Rodrigo R. Duterte and his agents from prosecution and shows intent to continue the crimes.

“The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines is extremely disappointed but not surprised by the new Marcos administration’s decision to keep the Philippines outside the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court,” Chairman Peter Murphy said. “This is part of the continued and ongoing state cover-up of crimes against humanity.”

The group said the ICC would be impartial in case it continues its probe of Mr. Duterte’s anti-illegal drug campaign that has killed thousands.

“We reiterate that the ICC should vigorously pursue the full investigation of the previous Duterte administration for these alleged crimes against humanity so that, finally, justice may be served and impunity ended.”.. Read More

(SunStar) NEWLY assumed Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. has vowed to support the programs of the Marcos administration, particularly in making communities more peaceful in a bid to boost the country’s economic recovery from the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

Azurin said a peaceful community will encourage more tourists to visit the country.

This is in line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s pronouncement that tourism is not only an important economic development tool but the abundance of opportunities that the sector creates in terms of regular employment and even job creation at the grassroots level is undeniable.

“So, for us to beef up or improve ‘yung economy, sabi ko kanina kailangan meron tayong kaayusan, may kapayapaan tayo dito because if we will be perceived as a county that is peaceful, orderly then darami ‘yung ating turista. Marami tayong tourist areas dito,” said Azurin.

“So kapag dumami turista, definitely income yan and then kapag dumami mga investors, job opportunities sa mga tao natin so the stability of a country depends on the peace and security,” he added… Read More

(Journal Online) The Philippine-American Football League (PAFL) started in 2016 after it replaced the Philippine Tackle Football League. Although the PAFL is very small compared to the NFL, it is doing a massive job of keeping the interest in American Football alive in the Philippines.

The popularity of American Football in Asia is low. However, it is still considerably high among Filipinos who watch a lot of television content from America. Filipinos are also a sports-loving nation. In trying to keep up with the exploits of their sports stars abroad, they come in contact with different sports content from the US and beyond.

The PAFL weekly odds are similar to NFL week 7 odds. They provide entertainment to Filipinos and keep the interest in American Football alive in its little way. Many Filipinos are huge fans of NFL teams, but finding a local league they can call their own is far more thrilling… Read More

(Journal Online) MANILA, Philippines – The Filipino dancing community saw an incredible display of moves and passion with every battle between the country’s best dancers last July 23rd at the Bonifacio High Street Amphitheatre during the National Finals of Red Bull Dance Your Style. Out of the Top 16 dancers, Mickey Yatar came out on top and will represent the Philippines at the World Finals.

Living up to the hype, each and every one of the 16 competitors left it all on the dance floor during the National Finals. In the end, Mickey Yatar and Carlos “Taz” Naval Jr. were the two dancers left standing. Following two intense rounds of pure skill and adaptability, Yatar won the hearts of the crowd and was crowned the champion and the representative of the Philippines.

When asked about his plans heading into the World Finals, Yatar stated, “Top of my head is consulting the Top 16 (RB DYS Finalists). They all have great ideas because some of them are my teachers and closest friends. I want to consult and gather more tips from them for my preparation.” He then expressed the intent of training more physically and dove into the importance of the body’s adaptation to new environments, such as South Africa’s climate, in order to improve his overall performance… Read More

(Interaksyon) A Japan Airlines Boeing 767-300ER plane takes off as a Philippine Airlines Airbus A330-300 plane taxis on the runway of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminal 1 in Pasay city, metro Manila, Philippines January 11, 2018.

Taiwan is negotiating with neighboring Japan and the Philippines to find alternative aviation routes, the official Central News Agency (CNA) reported on Wednesday, after China announced drills that the trade-reliant island said amounted to a “blockade”.

CNA reported, citing transport minister Wang Kwo-tsai, that there is no need for global chip manufacturing hub Taiwan to find alternatives for sea transport because ships can avoid Chinese drill zones… Read More

(BusinessWorld) FORMER Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte would try to block an International Criminal Court (ICC) probe of his deadly drug war and would not allow foreign interference, his lawyer said on Tuesday.

“He has made his position very clear: Now that he is no longer president, he no longer has immunity from suit,” his lawyer and former spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. told the ABS-CBN News Channel. “All those who have grievances or complaints against him should file a criminal case before a Philippine prosecutor.”

Mr. Roque said the ex-president would rather undergo trial before a local court and serve time in a Philippine jail if found guilty of violating the law.

Mr. Duterte earlier met with Mr. Roque, Salvador C. Medialdea who was his executive secretary and Menardo I. Guevarra, his Justice chief who is now the solicitor general of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to discuss the potential reopening of the ICC investigation… Read More

(CNN Philippines) Metro Manila — The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday reported that the country logged its first cases of Omicron subvariant BA.2.75 cases.

In a press briefing, Health Officer-in-Charge Ma. Rosario Vergeire said the first two cases of BA.2.75 subvariant were both from Western Visayas. However, she noted that the two have already recovered.

“Ito po yung subvariant na unang nakita sa India [This subvariant was first detected in India],” Vergeire said. “Apparently based on studies and experience of other countries, this is more transmissible and this also has more immune evasion compared to the BA.5. Pero wala pa siyang ebidensiya na ito ay nakaka-cause ng more severe infection [But there’s still no evidence that it can cause more severe infection].”

Meanwhile, the country also recorded 1,015 additional BA.5 cases which were detected in all regions except in Zamboanga Peninsula and Northern Mindanao. Three returning overseas Filipinos also tested for BA.5.

Of the new BA.5 cases, 883 have already recovered, 84 are still undergoing isolation, while the status of 48 others is still being verified, DOH said.

Twenty-six new BA.4 cases have also been detected, the DOH added. Of these, six are from the National Capital Region; four from the Cagayan Valley, three from Western Visayas; two each from Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, and the Cordillera Administrative Region; and one from Ilocos Region.

Out of the additional BA.4 patients, 21 are already tagged as recovered, two are still isolating, while the outcome of three others is being verified… Read More