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AFP
21-05-2025
- Politics
- AFP
Jailed Philippine ex-leader not released after election win
"So happy, welcome back home Father Digong," says a Tagalog-language Facebook post on May 16, 2025, using Duterte's popular nickname and sharing pictures of him on a flight. Image Screenshot of the false Facebook post taken May 21, 2025 Duterte's supporters on Facebook shared similar posts days after he was re-elected mayor of his family stronghold Davao city in a landslide vote while in a cell in The Hague (archived link). He was arrested at Manila's international airport on March 11, 2025 and flown to the International Criminal Court to face charges tied to his crackdown on drugs that killed thousands (archived link). His camp has said they would seek his interim release but AFP has not found any official notice on the tribunal's website this had been granted as of May 21 (archived here and here). Duterte's communication has come sporadically and through surrogates, mainly his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte who was asked about Davao city possibly having an "absentee mayor" (archived link). "Well definitely yes, he really isn't here," she said following Duterte's mayoral win. Moreover, the circulating visuals purportedly showing Duterte's return home are misrepresented. A reverse image search on Google found the ex-president's photo on a commercial plane in a July 8, 2016 article from MindaNews (archived link). "Philippine Air Lines steward greets President Rodrigo Duterte at the economy section of the aircraft that would bring him to Davao City from Manila on Thursday, July 7, 2016," says its caption. Local media outlet Rappler said he was attending an event with Muslim leaders from southern Philippines (archived link). Image Screenshot of the false Facebook post (L) and the photo shared by MindaNews Meanwhile, his other picture surrounded by aides inside an aircraft was taken on an official trip to India, according to state-run Philippine News Agency that published the photo on January 25, 2018 (archived here and here). "President Rodrigo Roa Duterte flashes his signature pose with the members of his delegation while on board Philippine Airlines chartered flight PR001 bound for New Delhi, India on January 24, 2018," reads the caption. Image Screenshot comparison of the false post (L) and the handout photo published by Philippine News Agency Duterte's to confirm charges is scheduled on September 23 (archived link). AFP has debunked more misinformation surrounding his arrest here.
Jordan News
19-05-2025
- General
- Jordan News
Philippine and U.S. Forces Begin Annual "Kamandag" Exercises - Jordan News
Philippine and U.S. Forces Begin Annual "Kamandag" Exercises The Philippines and the U.S. Marine Corps are scheduled to participate in the annual "Kamandag" exercises from May 26 to June 6, aiming to strengthen cooperation between the two countries' armed forces. اضافة اعلان The Philippine News Agency reported today, Monday, that the annual bilateral training, conducted between the Philippine Marine Corps and the U.S. Marine Corps since 2016, aims to enhance multinational military readiness, interoperability, and regional defense capabilities. The Philippine Marine Corps stated that the "Kamandag" exercises will be launched at the Rudiardo Brown Marine Barracks in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. No details have been announced yet regarding the number of troops and assets participating. Participants are scheduled to conduct a counter-landing/defensive withdrawal operation on May 29.
Hindustan Times
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Philippines hits China with Sandy Cay flag-planting as South China Sea boils pre-US drill
The Philippine military on Sunday hit back at China by planting a flag at the disputed Sandy Cay reef days after Beijing had conducted a similar operation, the Philippine News Agency reported. Beijing's coast guard had said that it 'dealt with' a situation involving six Filipinos who it accused of illegally landing on the reef. China claims that the sandbank had recently come under its control. On Sunday, the National Operational-Tactical Group West Philippine Sea carried out an interagency maritime operation, the Philippine News Agency added. The report further stated that the operation was aimed at 'strengthening the regular and lawful exercise of the Philippines' sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the waters of the Western Philippine Sea'. According to the agency, the Philippine Navy, Coast Guard, and the Maritime Group of the National Police were involved in the efforts. Four teams in rubber boats landed on the Cay 1, Cay 2, and Cay 3 islands, where they detected Chinese presence. Photos of planted flags surfaced on social media. China claims sovereignty over almost all of the South China Sea. It has engaged in several confrontations with the Philippines over the last few months. The latest engagement comes days before the annual joint military exercises between the Philippines and the US, which will take place near the Spratly Islands. Chinese coast guard spokesperson Liu Dejun said in a statement that six personnel from the Philippines had 'illegally boarded' the Tiexian Reef. He added that they were dealt with in 'accordance with the law'. However, no specifics were provided. "We urge the Philippines to immediately stop its infringement," Liu said. The Financial Times, meanwhile, cited a Philippine maritime official as saying that the Chinese coast guard had left after unfurling the flag.
Filipino Times
29-03-2025
- Health
- Filipino Times
DOH raises alarm as measles cases surge to 1,185, urges vaccination
The Department of Health (DOH) has urged parents to have their children vaccinated against measles following a rise in cases across the country. From January 1 to March 15 this year, the DOH recorded 1,185 measles cases, a 27 percent increase from the 930 cases reported in the same period last year, Philippine News Agency reported. The highest number of cases was recorded in the National Capital Region (NCR) with 295, followed by Central Luzon with 150 and Calabarzon with 144. The DOH noted that 802 of the total cases, or 68 percent, involved children who had not received any measles vaccine. To curb the spread of the disease, the DOH is intensifying its immunization efforts. Routine vaccination is ongoing for children aged 0 to 12 months, while a catch-up immunization program is being conducted for children aged 13 to 59 months who missed their scheduled doses. 'Routine immunization is underway in all regions for children aged 0 to 12 months to protect them from various diseases, including measles. Under this campaign, the first dose of measles vaccine is given on the ninth month and the second dose on the 12th month,' Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in a statement. Parents are encouraged to visit their nearest health center to check their child's vaccination schedule. 'Go to the nearest health center to learn the vaccination schedule. Safe and effective vaccines are still the best way to protect against the disease and its complications,' Herbosa added. The government has also launched an intensified measles immunization program called 'Bakunahan sa Purok ni Juan' in selected cities, including Caloocan, Quezon, Taguig, Manila, Mandaluyong, and Las Piñas. Malacañang is urging parents to participate in this initiative to prevent further outbreaks.
Filipino Times
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Comelec orders removal of candidate names, photos on gov't vehicles
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has instructed local officials in the Negros Island Region to remove or cover their names and photos on government vehicles during the election campaign period. According to a Philippine News Agency report, this move aims to prevent the misuse of government resources during the May 12 elections. Comelec-NIR Assistant Regional Director Jossil Macute clarified that this request applies only for the campaign period, which starts on March 28 and ends on May 10. He recommended that local officials with their images on ambulances, dump trucks, and other government-owned vehicles temporarily cover or remove them to avoid allegations of using government resources for political gain. 'Of course, there will be exceptions, such as with ambulances when they are needed during emergencies and there is no time to do this,' Macute added, acknowledging the need for some vehicles to remain operational without delay. Macute mentioned that he would be writing to the provincial election supervisors in Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, and Siquijor before March 28 to ensure local government units cooperate with the directive. The goal is to maintain fairness and transparency during the election season. Along with this, Comelec will launch a nationwide Operation 'Baklas,' which involves the removal of campaign materials in areas not designated for such purposes. Local government officials who do not comply will face sanctions, with reports submitted to the Comelec's central office for further action. Additionally, government workers have been reminded to refrain from openly supporting candidates, particularly during office hours. While they can like and share social media posts, they are prohibited from posting endorsements with calls for votes, as this would violate rules on partisan politics.
