News Roundup 16 April 2024
Apr 16, 2024 • 5 min Read
Marcos open to Japan joining ‘Balikatan’ | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is considering the inclusion of Japan in its annual “Balikatan” military exercises with the United States, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said.
The chief executive said the possibility of Japanese troops participating in Balikatan could be studied following the historic trilateral meeting of Marcos, US President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
“I don’t see any reason why Japan should not be part of those exercises in the future,” Marcos said in a forum organized by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines on Monday.
“I think it’s a good move for us to make simply because it will make it easier for us to work together, and to coordinate together and to, so that we can do the most, focus where the problems are, and maximize the resources that we have,” he added.
Last week, Biden told Marcos and Kishida that Washington’s defense commitments to Manila and Tokyo are “ironclad.”
A joint statement issued by the three leaders expressed “serious concern” over Beijing’s actions in the South China Sea, criticizing its behavior as “dangerous and aggressive.”
The annual military exercises between the Philippines and the US are conducted under the Mutual Defense Treaty.
Full Story at: Marcos open to Japan joining ‘Balikatan’ | Philstar.com
DOJ to probe alleged ‘seditious’ statements of ex-Speaker Alvarez | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that it will initiate an investigation into the recent statements made by former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez during an evening rally held in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
In a statement on Tuesday, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said that he has ordered an investigation to determine whether Alvarez’s statements constitute sedition, incitement to sedition, or even rebellion.
“As a former lawmaker myself, I would like to remind Congressman Alvarez to act in accordance to the highest standards of ethics, morality and nationalism, and avoid remarks unbecoming of a member of the House of Representatives,” DOJ’s press release read, quoting Remulla.
All the said charges are punished under the Revised Penal Code.
Aside from Remulla, the Philippine National Police is also assessing whether Alvarez should be held liable for sedition.
The former speaker’s pronouncement occurred during an evening political rally on Monday in which he urged the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to withdraw its support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Alvarez said that Marcos could lead the country into a potential war between China and the United States, suggesting that the withdrawal of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ support for the president would bring peace and stability to the nation.
In response, the AFP rejected the former speaker’s call and stood firm with Marcos.
Full Story at: DOJ to probe alleged ‘seditious’ statements of ex-Speaker Alvarez | Philstar.com
After P13-B shabu seizure, Marcos says no need to change anti-drug strategy | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — There is no need to change the government’s anti-drug strategy when law enforcement agencies are able to seize huge amounts of illegal drugs, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Tuesday.
During a briefing after checking on the inventory of the crystal meth or shabu confiscated in Alitagtag town of Batangas province, Marcos made this assertion after being asked if the high yield would necessitate a change in the strategies being implemented.
The government got its biggest ever drug bust on Monday after around two tons of shabu were found in a passenger van which was flagged down at a checkpoint at Alitagtag’s Barangay Pinagkurusan. With this high yield, Marcos believes his administration’s approach to the drug war is the best yet.
“No, quite the contrary, why will we change? Look at the success that we have gained, as I said not only this 1.8 tons, the many, many tons that we have already seized. So it’s much more than it has been in the past, so it is the most successful approach to the drug war so far,” Marcos told reporters.
“So why will we change it? We won’t change it, we’ll continue to do what we’re doing, of course, I cannot explain to you the details of what we are doing, but we will continue to do what we are doing. And that’s the reason, I think that so far we have been able to see such a big amount of generally shabu or methamphetamine,” he added.
Full Story at: Marcos says no need to change anti-drug strategy (inquirer.net)
Navy says reservist Alvarez should explain ouster call vs Marcos | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy on Tuesday said Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, who is also a Marine reservist, should explain his recent statement urging the military to overthrow President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
The Navy added that it had already directed the 9th Marine Brigade to conduct an investigation and ask Alvarez to explain his statements. The former House speaker is under the rank of colonel in the Philippine Marine Corps.
“The result of the investigation will be the basis of the Navy’s actions moving forward,” it said in a statement.
The Navy also took exception to Alvarez’s call, echoing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) support for Marcos.
“In support of the AFP, we reiterate our unwavering loyalty and commitment to the Constitution, the Chain of Command, and to the President of the Republic of the Philippines as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,” it said.
Full Story at: Navy says reservist Alvarez should explain ouster call vs Marcos (inquirer.net)
