News Roundup 12 August 2023
Aug 12, 2023 • 4 min Read
Philippine Coast Guard prepares larger vessels for Ayungin Shoal resupply mission amid tensions | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) expressed its readiness to provide an increased fleet of vessels to support resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre stationed at Ayungin Shoal, following the recent incident involving China’s Coast Guard.
Speaking at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, Commodore Jay Tarriela, the PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said they are ready to provide assistance to the Armed Forces of the Philippines in ensuring the secure transportation of supplies.
“If the Armed Forces of the Philippines would request the Philippine Coast Guard to provide escort, we will deploy vessels that will support the supply mission,” Tarriela said.
The spokesperson added that PCG Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu is prepared to dispatch additional vessels to augment the resupply operations.
“We are even prepared to deploy a 97-meter vessel if necessary,” Tarriela said, highlighting the PCG’s adaptability to changing circumstances.
He added that the PCG is also considering the deployment of an offshore patrol vessel, a larger option compared to the previously used 44-meter vessel.
Full Story at: Philippine Coast Guard prepares larger vessels for Ayungin Shoal resupply mission amid tensions | Philstar.com
Palace fashion show criticized amid soaring rice, oil prices | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — A progressive peasant group criticized the lavish 65-piece fashion show held at the Malacañang Palace on Tuesday
The fashion show, dubbed as “Isang Pilipinas,” was held at the Goldenberg Mansion within the Palace complex and featured the collection of fashion designer Michael Leyva. The event was led by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
“It’s not appropriate for First Lady Liza to host an insensitive fashion show while the country is deep in debt, this after many were affected by recent calamities. The prices of rice, food and other commodities are rising,” Danilo Ramos, chairperson of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, said in a statement in Filipino on Saturday.
“It shows her character. She doesn’t care about the plight of your normal, everyday Filipino. This is no different from the luxurious shoe collection of Imelda Marcos which go up to the thousands,” he added.
The prices of local and imported commercial rice went up to P65 per kilo (special) on Thursday, according to the latest price monitoring of the Department of Agriculture. The DA is led by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Transport groups are currently seeking a P2 fare hike for all public utility vehicles nationwide, citing the recent oil price hike.
Full Story at: Palace fashion show criticized amid soaring rice, oil prices | Philstar.com
Proposed college subject on disinformation needs more study — Escudero | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — A senator said that a proposed subject for higher education units that would teach students to combat disinformation should be up for further discussion.
Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero said in a radio interview that while the proposal of a Media and Information Literacy (MIL) against Disinformation subject at the tertiary level was a good suggestion, the government should not rush to include it in the present curriculum.
“Para sa akin magandang suhestyon pero ‘wag naman sila agad maglagay ng karagdagang subject na naman sa curriculum. Hindi naman ganoon kadali ‘yun, at hindi naman lahat ay interesado diyan,” Escudero said.
(For me, it’s a good suggestion but they should not rush in adding an extra subject in the curriculum as it’s not that easy, and not all are interested in that.)
Escudero also recommended that the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) be involved in the campaign against misinformation and disinformation, as it was rampant on social media platforms.
“Ang siguro pwede kong imungkahi, dapat nilang isama ang DICT dahil lumalaganap mis- at disinformation sa iba’t-ibang social media platforms at hindi naman sa traditional media na kinagisnan natin na print, radio, at TV,” Escudero added.
(I can recommend that they include the DICT in the campaign versus misinformation and disinformation as they spread in various social media platforms, and not in the traditional media that we are used to, such as print, radio, and television.)
Full Story at: Proposed college subject on disinformation needs more study — Escudero | Inquirer News
Maritime safety, security training held for personnel of 10 gov’t agencies | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Personnel from 10 government agencies participated in a two-day large-scale field training aimed at enhancing their capability to detect, identify, and fight maritime threats.
The two-day training held on August 10 and 11 was conducted by the National Coast Watch Center in support of the European Union Critical Maritime Route for Info-Pacific II project.
“During the two days, personnel from 10 national agencies operated together in a simulated and real environment to address and solve a complex situation involving ships suspected of illegal drug trafficking and goods smuggling underway to Manila,” the European External Action Service – Manila said in a statement on Friday.
Full Story at: Maritime safety, security training held for personnel of 10 gov’t agencies | Inquirer News
