Latest news with #PhilippineAirForce
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Arnie Teves back in Philippines
After two years since the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, former lawmaker Arnolfo 'Arnie' Teves Jr., the alleged mastermind in the case, was deported back to the Philippines from Timor-Leste. The Philippine Air Force plane carrying Teves landed in Davao City for a stopover early Thursday night. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier said that Teves will likely be detained at one of the facilities of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) amid concerns for his safety. Following this, he said Teves will be brought before the Philippine courts to be arraigned. The former lawmaker is facing murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder charges over the alleged killing of Degamo and 10 others on March 4, 2023 at the Degamo residence in Pamplona, Negros Oriental. Teves and others have also been charged with the alleged killings of three individuals in Negros Oriental in 2019. He and 12 others have also been designated as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council, citing several alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental. He was expelled by the House of Representatives in August last year for disorderly conduct and continued absence. His legal counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, previously maintained his innocence, saying that his camp will avail all legal avenues. 'Nananalig po kami na wala siyang kasalanan and that kami po ngayon ay maaari na mag participate sa hukuman with the other co-counsels in order to take an active role in the proceedings,' Topacio previously said.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
6 days ago
- GMA Network
Soldiers allegedly raped by general back to work after mental health break —PAF
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Tuesday said the junior officers who accused a general of rape have returned to their duties after a mental wellness break. 'The victims were given actually a mental health break right after nangyari (the incident). They were offered legal assistance as well as psychological assistance as well,' PAF public affairs office acting chief Colonel Ritza Ann Jovellanos said in a press briefing. 'Although they opted to get their private counsel and to be psychologically checked outside. But they're back sa trabaho nila (to their jobs),' she added. Jovellanos pointed out that the alleged rape incident was an isolated case, saying that PAF personnel are trained to know their rights under the Safe Spaces Act. 'It's an isolated case. We see it as maganda na we know for a fact that the people are now, alam nila 'yung kanilang mga karapatan. So they came out and nagsalita sila kung anong nangyari,' she said. (It's an isolated case. We see it as good that we know for a fact that the people are aware of their rights. So they came out and talked about what happened.) 'From the start, the personnel are well-trained, indoctrinated on their rights and the policies. For instance, 'yung Safe Spaces Act natin. So alam nila 'yung mga karapatan nila. So wala namang any problem. Again, it's an isolated case,' she added. (From the start, the personnel are well-trained, indoctrinated on their rights and the policies. For instance, our Safe Spaces Act. So they know their rights. So there's no problem. Again, it's an isolated case.) The case is now pending the approval of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. for referral to the General Court Martial and its eventual convening. According to AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla, the senior officer accused of rape is facing investigation for Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and Gentleman as well as Disorders and Neglects Prejudicial to Good Order and Military Discipline under the Articles of War. Aside from the complaint filed with the AFP, the victims also filed a complaint for rape and attempted rape against the high-ranking military officer with the Prosecutor's Office. The complainants said in their affidavit that the general asked them to sleep in his room that led to the alleged sexual assault. But the general denied the allegations against him. He said that the sexual assault was impossible to happen as the complainants could 'overpower' him. The senior officer has been relieved from his post. He was placed under restrictive custody and confined to his quarters. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
Japan Times
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Chinese navy patrols South China Sea, saying Philippines creating 'disturbances'
China's navy conducted a patrol in the South China Sea on Tuesday, saying that the Philippines has been creating "disturbances," as the Filipino and U.S. air forces conducted their own joint mission above the disputed waterway. China, which claims almost the entirety of the South China Sea, has been involved in an increasingly tense stand-off with the Philippines in the waters there, as both seek to assert their sovereignty claims. More than 14,000 Filipino and U.S. soldiers are participating in joint exercises, which run from April 21 through May 9 for a "full battle test" in the face of shared regional security concerns. China has said the drills are provocative. In a statement late on Tuesday, the Southern Theatre Command of China's People's Liberation Army said its forces had that same day carried out "routine" patrols in the South China Sea, without giving an exact location. "Recently, the Philippines has been frequently carrying out maritime infringement provocations, creating disturbances and pulling in countries from outside the region to organize so-called 'joint patrols,'" it said in a statement. The command's naval and air forces have monitored the situation and maintained vigilance, it added. "Troops in the theatre of operations are maintaining a high level of alert, resolutely defending the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and resolutely safeguarding peace and stability in the South China Sea region." The Philippine military, in its own statement late on Tuesday, said the Philippines and U.S. air forces had conducted a joint patrol over the South China Sea that day as part of ongoing defense cooperation. The maritime patrol involved three FA-50 fighter jets from the Philippine Air Force, along with two U.S. B-1B bombers, two F-16s and an F-18. Responding in a separate statement to the Chinese military's comments, the Philippines military said the armed forces stand firm in exercising their sovereign rights and partnerships with allies like the United States that reflect shared values. "The conduct of joint exercises and maritime domain awareness operations within our territorial waters and exclusive economic zone is not a provocation — it is preparedness," it said. "To be clear: The Philippines is a sovereign state. No foreign power can dictate how we defend our home or with whom we stand in solidarity."
CNA
30-04-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Chinese navy patrols South China Sea, says Philippines creating 'disturbances'
BEIJING: China's navy conducted a patrol in the South China Sea on Tuesday (Apr 29), saying that the Philippines has been creating "disturbances", as the Filipino and United States air forces conducted their own joint mission above the disputed waterway. China, which claims almost the entirety of the South China Sea, has been involved an increasingly tense stand-off with the Philippines in the waters there, as both seek to assert their sovereignty claims. More than 14,000 Filipino and US soldiers are participating in joint exercises which run from Apr 21 through May 9 for a "full battle test" in the face of shared regional security concerns. China has said the drills are provocative. In a statement late on Tuesday, the Southern Theatre Command of China's People's Liberation Army said its forces had that same day carried out "routine" patrols in the South China Sea, without giving an exact location. "Recently, the Philippines has been frequently carrying out maritime infringement provocations, creating disturbances and pulling in countries from outside the region to organise so-called 'joint patrols'," it said in a statement. The command's naval and air forces have monitored the situation and maintained vigilance, it added. "Troops in the theatre of operations are maintaining a high level of alert, resolutely defending the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and resolutely safeguarding peace and stability in the South China Sea region." The Philippine military, in its own statement late on Tuesday, said the Philippines and US air forces had conducted a joint patrol over the South China Sea that day as part of ongoing defence cooperation. The maritime patrol involved three FA-50 fighter jets from the Philippine Air Force, along with two US B-1B bombers, two F-16s and an F-18. Responding in a separate statement to the Chinese military's comments, the Philippines military said the armed forces stand firm in exercising their sovereign rights and partnerships with allies like the United States that reflect shared values. "The conduct of joint exercises and maritime domain awareness operations within our territorial waters and exclusive economic zone is not a provocation - it is preparedness," it said.
Daily Tribune
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Philippines, US launch joint drills aimed at 'deterrence'
The Philippine and US air forces kicked off joint exercises Monday aimed at boosting operational coordination and enhancing "strategic deterrence", Manila's military said. The drills follow months of confrontations between Bejing and Manila over disputed areas of the South China Sea, with significantly larger US-Philippine air, land and sea exercises set for late April. "Enhancing combat readiness and elevating joint mission effectiveness" would be central to the Cope Thunder exercise, Philippine Air Force commander Arthur Cordura said Monday at a ceremony to launch the drills. Military ties between the Philippines and United States have deepened since the 2022 election of President Ferdinand Marcos, with Manila pushing back on sweeping Chinese claims in the South China Sea that an international tribunal has ruled are without merit. The US State Department last week approved a long-mooted sale of F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines, though Manila said the deal was "still in the negotiation phase". Speaking at Monday's ceremony, US Major General Christopher Sheppard said that "the pace of our alliance is accelerating". Cope Thunder, which will continue through April 18, aims to enhance "asymmetric warfare capabilities", operational coordination and strategic deterrence, according to the Philippine Air Force. "Further down the road, we look forward to the seamless transition to exercise Balikatan, which will continue to push the boundaries of our interoperability," Cordura added. Like the majority of Balikatan's planned activities, Cope Thunder will be conducted on northern Luzon island, the area of the Philippines closest to Taiwan. As China encircled Taiwan with planes and ships in a simulated blockade last week, Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner warned troops that their country would "inevitably" be involved should the self-ruled island be invaded. Beijing insists Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to forcefully bring under its control. While Manila later said Brawner's comments were primarily referencing efforts to retrieve Filipino workers in Taiwan, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with Washington gives US forces access to nine bases in the country. One is a naval facility at Cagayan's Santa Ana about 400 kilometres (250 miles) from Taiwan. During a recent visit to Manila, US Defence Chief Pete Hegseth said Washington was "doubling down" on its alliance with the archipelago nation. "Deterrence is necessary around the world, but specifically in this region, in your country -- considering the threats from the Communist Chinese," he said on March 28.
