Day: August 5, 2025

Manila: The number of Chinese warships and coast guard vessels observed across three significant features in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) slightly decreased in July, a senior naval official reported on Tuesday. According to Philippines News Agency, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the WPS, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, noted a reduction from 49 vessels in June to 46 in July. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships and China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels were identified at specific locations within the WPS. The breakdown of the sightings includes 13 CCG vessels and 15 PLAN ships at Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough

Cagayan de oro city: 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez on Tuesday urged the House of Representatives to muster enough courage ‘to put an end to the silent epidemic of online gambling.’ According to Philippines News Agency, the Mindanao lawmaker, in a privilege speech, told his colleagues that he could not remain silent as Filipino families are being torn apart and devastated by the digital plague of online gambling, including e-sabong. Rodriguez highlighted that gambling, once confined to casinos and cockpits, now hides in mobile devices, accessible 24/7 to the public, including children and youth, often with no age restrictions. He

Chengdu: Chef de mission Stephen Arapoc expressed his optimism on Team Philippines’ campaign at the 2025 World Games scheduled Aug. 7 to 17 in Chengdu, China. “With teamwork and strong support from the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission, there is no doubt we will produce champions,” Arapoc, president of the Muaythai Association of the Philippines, said in a statement on Tuesday. He will fly to Chengdu City on Wednesday afternoon. According to Philippines News Agency, wushu standouts Agatha Wong and Jones Inso, and cable wakeboarder Raphael Trinidad arrived Tuesday morning ahead of the 47-athlete national contingent. Wong,

Manila: The local government unit (LGU) here, through its Municipal Agriculture Office, has started distributing fertilizers to 800 registered rice farmers for this year’s main cropping season. “This initiative is fully funded by the local government unit as it aims to boost rice productivity and support local farmers in reducing production costs,” Mayor Mary Chrislyn Abadilla said in an interview Tuesday. According to Philippines News Agency, prices of commercial fertilizer in the region range from PHP1,590 to PHP2,400. In support of farmers and to help them cope with rising prices of various agricultural inputs, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and

New delhi: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reaffirmed India’s solidarity with the Philippines in upholding peace and maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, declaring the two countries as ‘friends by choice and partners by destiny’ as they officially elevated bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership. Modi made the remarks in a joint press statement with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Hyderabad House following their bilateral meeting, the highlight of Marcos’ five-day state visit to India. According to Philippines News Agency, the launch of the Strategic Partnership signifies a significant step in deepening cooperation in defense, maritime security, trade,