News Roundup 04 January 2024
Jan 04, 2024 • 5 min Read
Philippines, US conduct 2nd joint maritime patrol in West Philippine Sea | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced on Wednesday their second maritime cooperative activity with the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) in the West Philippine Sea.
According to an official statement from the AFP, this joint operation will involve a range of strategic exercises. They will conduct passing exercises, communication checks, cross-deck exercises, joint patrols, Officer of the Watch maneuvers, and fixed-wing flight operations in conjunction with USINDOPACOM.
“The 2nd maritime cooperative activity marks a significant leap in our alliance and interoperability with the United States. It also demonstrates our progress in defense capabilities and development as a world-class armed force, as we carry out our mandate to protect the people and the state,” AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner said in a statement.
“Our alliance is stronger than ever, sending a message to the world. We are advancing a rules-based international order and a free and open Indo-Pacific region in the face of regional challenges,” he added.
The bilateral event will be held from January 3 to 4.
The AFP deployed four Philippine Navy vessels alongside a multi-role helicopter and an anti-submarine helicopter.
Meanwhile, USINDOPACOM contributed navy vessels from Carrier Strike Group One, spearheaded by the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. This strike group comprises a cruiser, two destroyers, and combat aircraft.
Full Story at: Philippines, US conduct 2nd joint maritime patrol in West Philippine Sea | Philstar.com
China slams Philippines, US ‘provocative military activities’ in South China Sea | PHILSTAR.COM – BEIJING, China (Updated 4:50 p.m.) — China on Thursday slammed what it called “provocative” moves by the United States and its ally the Philippines in the South China Sea, as both sides held drills in the disputed waters.
Warships from China and the US conducted rival exercises in the sea this week amid heightened tensions involving US ally the Philippines.
Beijing’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command Wednesday said a two-day deployment of its navy and air force, scheduled to end today, was carrying out “routine patrols” in the sea.
It did not mention where exactly the patrols took place or give specific details of the goals of the exercises.
They took place as the United States said an aircraft carrier strike group led by the USS Carl Vinson was conducting two days of drills with the Philippine Navy.
Beijing condemned those maneuver’s as “provocative military activities” aimed at “flaunting their military might”.
Foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said the exercises were “detrimental to management and control of the maritime situation and related disputes”.
“We urge relevant countries to stop their irresponsible actions and earnestly respect the efforts of countries in the region to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea,” he said.
Beijing, he pledged, would “continue to firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests”.
Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea and has ignored an international tribunal ruling that its assertions have no legal basis.
Full Story at: China slams Philippines, US ‘provocative military activities’ in South China Sea | Philstar.com
Pimentel to DOTr: Name suppliers in PUV modernization program | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III on Wednesday called on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to name the contractors who could rake in billions of pesos in profits for supplying the mini buses that would soon replace the country’s iconic passenger jeepneys as the new “kings of the road.”
According to Pimentel, the purchase of the vehicles should comply with Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act since taxpayer money would be used to bankroll the multibillion-peso modernization program for public utility vehicles (PUVs).
Under the 2024 General Appropriations Act, the DOTr set aside P1.6 billion for the program, an amount that Sen. Grace Poe had found wanting as tens of thousands of small PUV operators would be affected by the government’s plan to replace traditional jeepneys with modern vehicles costing over P2 million each.
The public transport sector was given until Dec. 31 to consolidate into cooperatives or corporations—one of the requirements under the modernization program—for them to be allowed to continue to ply their routes. Those who did not comply face the revocation of their franchises.
‘Surprised’
“We will write (the DOTr) to identify the suppliers of the mini buses and if there are middlemen who arranged the purchase (of these vehicles),” Pimentel said in an online press briefing.
“In the mind of the project implementers, they know that the drivers and operators will have to borrow money and pay amortization… But where will the mini buses come from? Have they been already speaking to the suppliers?” he asked.
The opposition senator said he was “surprised” that President Marcos had decided to pursue the PUV modernization program which was pushed by his predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte, in 2017 despite the vehement objection of the transport sector.
Full Story at: Pimentel to DOTr: Name suppliers in PUV modernization program | Inquirer News
17,000 Grade 11 students facing displacement | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — More than 17,000 Grade 11 students currently enrolled in state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs) might be displaced once these institutions comply with a Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) order for them to stop offering the senior high school (SHS) program next school year.
Based on data sent to the Inquirer, the Department of Education (DepEd) recorded a total of 2.1 million Grade 11 students for this school year, of which 17,751 were enrolled in SUCs and LUCs.
“Those that will be displaced have two options next school year: Enroll in public schools or if they would prefer to do so, they may also enroll in private schools and avail [themselves] of the voucher program,” Education Undersecretary Michael Poa told reporters on Wednesday.
Full Story at: 17,000 Grade 11 students facing displacement | Inquirer News
