News Roundup 02 May 2023
May 02, 2023 • 4 min Read
France calls for respect for international law after Ayungin Shoal incident | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — France said it is following the recent events in the South China Sea “with utmost attention” after reports of a near collision between Chinese and Philippine vessels in waters off Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal).
It is the latest to issue a call for respect of international law – joining the United States, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom – emphasizing its commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
“We are opposed to any action that increases tensions and jeopardizes regional stability and the international order based on the rule of law,” the Embassy of France said in a statement on Tuesday.
State-funded Agence France-Presse was one of several media outlets invited to join two Philippine Coast Guard boats on a 1,670-kilometer (1,040-mile) patrol of the South China Sea, visiting a dozen islands and reefs.
The BRP Malapascua and BRP Malabrigo were shadowed by Chinese navy and coast guard ships, and were ordered to leave the waters several times during the six-day journey.
Full Story at: France calls for respect for international law after Ayungin Shoal incident | Philstar.com
Philippines, US to hold Cope Thunder air combat exercises twice in 2023 | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Air Force confirmed that it will conduct joint fighter training with its US counterpart this year as Cope Thunder gets scheduled for May and July.
The first iteration of the exercises is scheduled for May 1 to 12 (CT-PH 23-1), while the second round is slated for July 2 to 21 (CT-PH 23-2). It follows the biggest Balikatan exercises that saw 17,000 American, Filipino, and Australian troops train together.
Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo, PAF spokesperson, said around 160 US Air Force service members and 400 PAF airmen will be participating in Cope Thunder, which will focus on Air-to-Air Operations and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges. Exercises will be held at Clark Air Base in Pampanga, where it was held during the years of the Cold War.
Cope Thunder, which ended in the Philippines because of the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991, used to host air forces from across Southeast Asia, and Australia and New Zealand.
“The exercise aims to provide an opportunity for PAF and [Pacific Air Forces, PACAF] to enhance their capabilities and readiness to respond to potential threats in the region,” Castillo said in a statement on Tuesday.
Full Story at: Philippines, US to hold Cope Thunder air combat exercises twice in 2023 | Philstar.com
COVID-19 positivity nationwide rises to 15.9% — OCTA Research | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The COVID-19 positivity rate nationwide is now at 15.9 percent, OCTA Research Fellow Guido David said on Tuesday.
This is a slight increase from the 15.2 percent positivity rate on April 20.
Citing data from the Department of Health (DOH), David said that based on the 843 new cases on Tuesday, there is a “15.9 [percent] nationwide positivity rate.”
David said that projected new cases on Wednesday will be from 700 to 900.
Full Story at: COVID-19 positivity nationwide rises to 15.9% — OCTA Research | Inquirer News
Single-ticketing system launched in 7 cities in Metro Manila | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will be piloting the single-ticketing system (STS) in seven cities in Metro Manila starting Tuesday.
Speaking at the Laging Handa public briefing on Monday, lawyer Melissa Carunungan, spokesperson for the MMDA, said the STS would be rolled out in Manila, Parañaque, Caloocan, Quezon City, San Juan, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela and at the MMDA headquarters in Pasig City.
Carunungan said the STS would bring “great convenience” to motorists as the top 20 most common traffic violations will have the same fines, contesting procedures, and digital payment platforms.
Among the most common 20 traffic violations included disregarding traffic signs, violations of the number coding scheme, illegal parking, violations of the truck ban and tricycle bans, reckless driving, traffic obstruction, loading and unloading of passengers in prohibited zones, noncompliance of the dress code by motorcycle drivers, defective motorcycle accessories, illegal counterflow and overspeeding.
After the seven cities, the STS would be implemented regionwide and eventually nationwide.
Full Story at: Single-ticketing system launched in 7 cities in Metro Manila | Inquirer News
