Australia defends US in latest South China Sea dispute
Australia backed the United States on Thursday in its so-called freedom of navigation operation close to a disputed reef in the South China Sea, a patrol China has denounced as …
Incoming president Duterte keeps changing his mind on US and China
Criminals and the corrupt may know where they stand with incoming Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. However, things are less clear for the US and China. While the outspoken mayor has …
Despite 2010 murder of journalist, ex-governor wins election
Being a criminal is no deterrent to running for political office in the Philippines – as shown when the ex-governor of Davao del Sur, Douglas Cagas won a gubernatorial race this week. …
Police probe election day murder of seven Muslim sect members
Cavite Police Provincial Office is heading a massive investigation into the killing of seven individuals in the wee-hours of the country’s election day. So far police are saying that the …
Peso and stocks rise as newly elected President Duterte reassures markets
The Philippine peso rose against the dollar as newly-elected President Duterte sought to ease investor concerns. The currency also strengthened versus all of its 10 Asian peers as preliminary results showed Duterte, …
Security forces on alert ahead of tense Philippine elections
Security forces fanned out across the Philippines on the eve of national polls, following a ferocious campaign dominated by presidential favorite Rodrigo Duterte’s threats to kill thousands of criminals. Surveys show …
Philippine mother’s last-ditch warning against ‘death squad’ Duterte
Mother’s Day is always tough for Philippine slum dweller Clarita Alia, whose four teenage sons were believed to be killed by vigilante squads, but this year even more so as …
Civil aviation authority confirms Philippine helicopter crash in Malaysia
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has confirmed the crash of a Philippines-registered helicopter in the region of Sarawak, Malaysia on May 5. GCA Skyline Aviation Inc. is said …
Election observers from US, Germany, Sweden and Japan are deployed
Fifteen foreign observers will be deployed throughout four regions of the Philippines to monitor the conduct of the May 9 elections. The observers are from Japan, Sweden, Germany and the US. …
Singapore, Australia expand military co-operation in $1.7 billion deal
Australia and Singapore have agreed to develop military co-operation in the face of China’s increasingly assertive military presence. Singapore will fund a A$2.25 billion (US$1.7 billion) expansion of military training …
Filipino federal security officer arrested for deadly shooting spree in Washington
A shooting spree outside Washington DC has been blamed on a Filipino Federal Security Officer. Eulalio Tordil, an employee of the Federal Protection Service went on a shooting spree outside …
Palawan judge gives bail to brothers accused of murdering Gerry Ortega
A Palawan judge has granted bail to former Coron, Palawan Mayor Mario Reyes and his brother who are accused in the murder of broadcaster and environmentalist Gerardo “Gerry” Ortega. Judge …
Jail is no barrier to political career in Philippines: AFP report
Walking off stage after a rock star-like performance and rapturous crowd reaction, Sajid Ampatuan oozes confidence that he will be elected mayor of a southern Philippine town despite facing charges …
Davao teacher used nude photo to blackmail 17-year-old girl into sex
Jaime Cariaga Oliva, a 44-year-old Davao City teacher, has been arrested and charged following complaint by the family of a 17-year-old student who accused him of sexual assault. The student confessed …
Joint patrols by Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia to hit Abu Sayyaf pirates
The Philippines has agreed this week to a joint venture with Indonesia and Malaysia to conduct maritime patrols after a rash of ship hijackings by Islamic militants from the Abu …
More shoppers buying online – Alibaba revenue rises 39 per cent
China’s biggest e-commerce company, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, said in a statement yesterday that its fourth-quarter revenue rose 39 per cent – beating out Wall Street estimates. The company’s American …
Fears grow that El Nino will create global rice shortage
All of Asia is expected to suffer a major rice shortage after production has been hit by El Niño and other extreme weather patterns. Experts believe the shortage will spark …
Countries eyeing coal-fired plants must reassess energy strategy
Countries that plan to build coal-fired power plants need to reassess their energy strategy because such facilities may not be a viable investment, the head of the International Renewable Energy …
Abu Sayyaf terrorists free Chinese woman after two years in captivity
Abu Sayyaf has freed a Chinese woman who they kidnapped nearly two years ago on the island of Basilan. Sulu provincial police say Yahong Tan Lim was freed at 1pm on Tuesday …
Abducted Canadian John Risdel beheaded on gruesome Abu Sayyaf video
A disturbing video released by Abu Sayyaf shows Canadian hostage John Risdel being beheaded after Canada’s refusal to pay the ransom for his life. The brutal video was released on ISIS …
Globe says ‘Davao City cable landing station on track’
Globe Telecom Inc. said this week that it is “on track” to complete its cable landing station in Davao. The planned station is part of the $250-million dollar Southeast Asia …
Hunt for British school executives after suicide of 18-year-old student
The Department of Justice has issued a “lookout bulletin order” against the executives of the British School of Manila. The 16 executives are all on the watchlist order for the …
Japan to lease five military aircraft to the Philippines
Japan will lease five military aircraft to the Philippines in another sign of deepening security ties between the two countries. The move, which is seen as a counterweight to China’s …
Abu Sayyaf parade hostages in sickening video after beheading Canadian
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfQGfj78H8M Islamic militants in the Philippines have issued a fresh threat to harm three hostages – just a week after brutally beheading a fourth captive. The kidnap victims – from Canada, Norway and …
Christian organisation hopes to set sail from Holland to Brazil in ‘Noah’s Ark’
“Ark of Noah,” a Christian organisation in Holland, is hoping to bring a story from the Bible to life soon. The group has managed to build a replica of Noah’s …
Belgian company to bring single-origin Davao chocolates to the world
Puratos Philippines is boasting of the unique quality of cacao/chocolates coming out of the Davao region. The company recently told reports that they will carry the ‘single origin’ brand in …