Day: May 3, 2025

Manila: The National Maritime Council (NMC) on Saturday criticized China’s disinformation campaign, following claims that it seized control of Sandy Cay (Pag-asa Cay 2), a sandbar near Pag-asa Island within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. According to Philippines News Agency, the NMC expressed concern that the Chinese government is utilizing its state-controlled media to mislead both its citizens and the international community regarding its activities in the West Philippine Sea. The NMC labeled the alleged takeover of Sandy Cay, a part of Philippine national territory, as a disinformation exercise. This move included displaying the Chinese flag and conducting waste collection,

Vatican City: The chimney that will signal the election of a new pope was installed Friday atop the Sistine Chapel, as preparations continue for the conclave set to begin next Wednesday to choose a successor to Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday at age 88. The Vatican confirmed successful testing of the chimney, which is connected to two stoves: one historic cast-iron unit from 1939 to burn ballots, and a modern one from 2005 used to produce the smoke signals. Black smoke will indicate no decision; white smoke, accompanied by the ringing of St. Peter’s bells, will announce

Sta. Maria: Authorities nabbed two fugitives in separate operations in Sta. Maria, Bulacan and Angeles City, Pampanga on Friday. In a social media post Saturday, the Police Regional Office-Central Luzon (PRO-3) revealed that a vendor known as alias ‘Intoy’, 59, and a resident of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, is the prime suspect in the killing of Roderick Constantino due to alleged drug-related conflict. He was arrested in Barangay Poblacion, Sta. Maria town by operatives of the San Jose del Monte City Police Station at around 11:33 a.m. According to Philippines News Agency, a warrant of arrest for murder was

Washington DC: A high-level economic delegation from the Philippines recently met with United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington DC, marking a significant step in discussions over the 17 percent reciprocal tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump. The Philippine Embassy in Washington DC announced the meeting on Saturday, describing the talks as ‘productive’ and ‘positive’. According to Philippines News Agency, the meeting aimed to address the paused tariffs and explore ways to strengthen the trade relationship between the two nations. The Philippine government is keen on negotiating these tariffs to improve economic ties and benefit both economies. The

Kuala Lumpur: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. spoke to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim over the phone on Friday night to discuss the economic and security issues confronting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). According to Philippines News Agency, the phone call was made ahead of Malaysia’s hosting of the ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. Malaysia is this year’s ASEAN chair, while the Philippines will take over the rotating chairmanship in 2026. Marcos expressed his intention to continue similar discussions with other ASEAN leaders during the upcoming summit in Malaysia this month. Marcos shared in a Facebook post that