15 Abril, 2025 Martes
Joins Christian families in observance of Holy Month April
Warmest Month April in iskup
supports Food Month April
supports Araw ng Kagitingan 2025 theme Kabayanihan ng Beterano: Sandigan ng Kaunlaran ng Bagong Pilipinas
election campaign period, gun ban in effect
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez, Happy 91st birthday Nanay
No to SOGIE bill
congratulations Marked Men for Christ Philippines 565th batch Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, Pangasinan, looking forward to next batch July 16,2025, Baguio City
Congratulations to 18.8k views “Komedya O Komida” 6th edition and 2k views “Komedya O Komida” 7th edition of our very own J.Lo
Family of the late Edison Palero appreciates everyone joined them in their bereavement
Deepest sympathy to the family of the late Lourdes Co, her remains lies in St. Peter Chapels , Sucat, Paranaque
Congratulations to new set of interim officers of Luzon Convention of Southern Baptist Churches, Inc.-Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries, Inc -moderator Dr. Enrico San Pedro Phd; Executive Secretary Jorge Lopez, Treasurer Rev. Nestor Sadim, Public Relation Officer Rev. Manuel Soliman
Happy Birthday Jo God-Saves Lopez and Ulysses Lopez, more birthdays to come
PM for any hospital discharge problem
abs 2025, Bocaue, Bulacan🎉
WPS officially appeared in google maps
By J.Lo
“Philippines voiced its concerns on situation in West Philippine Sea, especially with regard to recent incidents posed risks to Philippine vessels and personnel, and actions by other countries infringed on Philippines’ sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction,” Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Marcos administration again voiced concerns over “actions by other countries” have endangered lives at sea and infringed on Philippine sovereignty, as it hosted latest round of negotiations for ASEAN-China Code of Conduct (COC) in South China Sea .
Meeting of Joint Working Group on Implementation of Declaration on Conduct of Parties in South China Sea, is tasked with undertaking COC negotiations, was held in Manila on April 9-11. JWG-DOC is co-chaired by Malaysia and China.
According to DFA, negotiations touched mainly on paragraphs in draft COC, including so-called milestone issues, highlighted commitment of ASEAN and China to conclude substantive and effective COC as soon as possible.
“Meeting was opportunity for Philippines to strongly call for need to adhere to international law, particularly UN Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award,” DFA said.
Philippines also reiterated its commitment to resolve disputes peacefully and to pursue constructive diplomatic approaches to managing differences at sea.
In 2023, foreign ministers of ASEAN and China adopted Guidelines on Accelerating Early Conclusion of Code of Conduct and agreed to work toward concluding COC within three years. Next round of negotiations will be held in Malaysia later in the year.
Philippines slammed China for dismissing developments and incidents in South China Sea as mere “theater” staged under direction of other countries.
Manila rejected Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s claim that Philippine maritime actions were influenced by external forces.
It urged countries involved to be “circumspect” so as to “avoid actions and words that only contribute to tensions in the region.”
As Chinese continue their bullying, West Philippine Sea has officially appeared on Google Maps.
Update on popular web mapping platform now identifies waters off Palawan as West Philippine Sea, distinct from larger South China Sea, located much further from Philippines.
Google has yet to issue statement.
Maps update came months after passage of Republic Act 12064 or Philippine Maritime Zones Act.
The law formally identifies “maritime zones of the Philippines on western side of Philippine archipelago, including Luzon Sea and territorial seas of Bajo de Masinloc and maritime features of Kalayaan Island Group, shall be collectively called West Philippine Sea.”
In 2012, then president Benigno Aquino III issued administrative order renaming waters west of Philippines within its exclusive economic zone as West Philippine Sea.
Directive came following standoff with China in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc.
Philippines in 2016 won historic arbitration ruling invalidated China’s expansive claims in South China Sea. Apple Maps, default web mapping service for iOS devices, has yet to make similar update.
As this developed, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. received US lawmakers at Department of National Defense at Camp Aguinaldo.
US lawmakers were Sen. Pete Ricketts, chairman of Senate foreign relations subcommittee on East Asia, Pacific and international cybersecurity policy, and Rep. Ken Calvert, chairman of House appropriations committee’s defense subcommittee.
“Secretary Teodoro expressed Philippines’ deep appreciation for US consistent support as treaty ally, especially amid growing regional challenges,” DND said in statement.
DFA announced visit last April 2 of Canadian Armed Forces chief of the Defense Staff Gen. Marie Annabelle Jennie Carignan, it said was “aimed to better understand the context and needs of the Philippines in realm of security and defense, as Canada further operationalizes their Indo-Pacific Strategy.”
Carignan paid courtesy call on Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro.
“Fruitful discussion highlights both countries’ commitment to deepen defense and security cooperation, and also reflects intention of both countries to enhance their partnership and cooperation through tangible programs and projects that will not only improve national security, but also reinforce more than 75 years of diplomatic relations between Philippines and Canada,” DFA said.
Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said procurement of additional FA-50 fighter jets is possible and AFP is studying other options for acquisition of more multi-role fighter aircraft.
Asked about ongoing AFP modernization, Brawner said acquisition of 12 more FA-50 lead-in trainer fighter jets is already in the pipeline.
He noted that there is no decision yet on acquiring F-16 fighter jets.
“We are happy that US Congress approved sale of 20 F-16s to us, but there is no final decision on this yet by AFP or by the President,” Brawner told reporters at Camp General Mateo Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal.
He said AFP hopes to expedite acquisition of multi-role fighter (MRF) aircraft for Philippine Air Force.
“But as to the MRFs, we’re still in process of determining which one we can get according to our fiscal space or how we can afford these platforms,” he said.
US State Department earlier approved potential sale of 20 F-16 fighters to Philippines, for some $5.58 billion as Washington backs Manila in pushing back China’s maritime expansion.
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