News Roundup 28 January 2023
Jan 28, 2023 • 4 min Read
Senior US general warns of possible looming war with China | INQUIRER.NET – WASHINGTON — A four-star US Air Force general has warned of a conflict with China as early as 2025 – most likely over Taiwan – and urged his commanders to push their units to achieve maximum operational battle readiness this year.
In an internal memorandum that first emerged on social media on Friday, and was later confirmed as genuine by the Pentagon, the head of the Air Mobility Command, General Mike Minihan, said the main goal should be to deter “and, if required, defeat” China.
“I hope I am wrong. My gut tells me we will fight in 2025,” Minihan said.
Laying out his reasoning, Minihan said Taiwan’s presidential elections next year would offer Chinese President Xi Jinping an excuse for military aggression, while the United States would be distracted by its own contest for the White House.
“Xi’s team, reason, and opportunity are all aligned for 2025,” he added.
The memorandum also calls on all Mobile Command personnel to go to the firing range, “fire a clip” into a target and “aim for the head.”
Full Story at: Senior US general warns of possible looming war with China | Inquirer News
Army chief tells soldiers: Keep morale high | INQUIRER.NET – MAWAB, DAVAO DE ORO—Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. told soldiers to keep their morale high amid recent controversies hounding several of their colleagues in the uniformed service.
“We are being bashed by a lot of people, especially because of some activities that a few of our members have done,” Brawner told troops during the change of command ceremony here for the Army’s 10th Infantry Division (10ID).
“But I would like to reach to you, let us remain professional. Let us focus on our jobs, give the best we can. Always maintain the culture of excellence,” Brawner added.
“Huwag tayong masyadong makinig sa ingay sa labas. Huwag tayong ma low morale,” he further said.
During his talk, Brawner avoided mentioning names or a specific incident, although it came just two days after police filed complaints against seven Army personnel and three civilians for the killing of Davao City model Yvonne Chua Plaza last Dec. 29.
Full Story at: Army chief tells soldiers: Keep morale high | Inquirer News
Searchers zero in on missing plane in Isabela | PHILSTAR.COM – BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Rescuers are focusing their attention on Barangay Dicaruyan, a mountainous village of Divilacan town in Isabela province, as they continue their search for a Cessna plane that went missing last Tuesday.
This came after a farmer informed members of the search and rescue team that he saw a plane flying toward the Sierra Madre mountains on that day.
Constante Foronda, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) chief, said the information is consistent with other hints that include a passenger’s phone.
Barangay Dicaruyan is about 10 kilometers away from a cellsite in Maconacon town also in Isabela, the Cagayan provincial police office said.
A GMA News report said a white object was spotted in the barangay, although this could not be confirmed yet because of the difficulty in reaching the area due to inclement weather conditions.
Full Story at: Searchers zero in on missing plane in Isabela | Philstar.com
CHR ‘ready to assist’ Marcos should it cooperate with ICC over drug war probe | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Instead of hostility, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) invited the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to see the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision to reopen the “drug war” probe as an opportunity to ensure accountability.
The ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber I recently authorized Prosecutor Karim Ahmad Khan to proceed with the suspended investigation into the crimes against humanity allegedly linked to the deadly anti-narcotics campaign of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“In the interest of justice and accountability, CHR urges the Government of the Philippines to view the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber decision as an opportunity to fulfil President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s earlier commitment in ensuring a ‘high-level of accountability’ for human issues and violations during his term,” said the commission Saturday.
“Let this development be a chance for the Philippines to demonstrate openness and transparency as part of the fraternity of nations that values human rights and the rule of law.”Full Story at: CHR ‘ready to assist’ Marcos should it cooperate with ICC over drug war probe | Philstar.com
