Category: General

MANILA: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has urged Philippine security forces to develop skills and knowledge to combat new forms of warfare, particularly with the digital space serving as a new battlefield.

In his ‘Talk to Troops’ during his visit to Camp Edilberto Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City on Thursday, Marcos told members of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) that they must be prepared to fight false narratives, disinformation, and digital operations that seek “to sow conflict against us and amongst us.’

‘Times are changing and we are facing new threats now to our nation’s security. The battlefield is changing, it will go beyond traditional warfighting as we have known it,’ he said.

‘I call on you to develop the skills that are going to be required to combat these new forms of warfare, including those that extend up to the digital realm.’

The President warned that the country’s enemies would discretely infiltrate the very communities and institutions the government and security institutions seek
to protect.

He, however, emphasized that the government would be “ready to fight back and implement countermeasures to thwart any of their nefarious schemes and attempts.’

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the intensifying geopolitical tension in the Indo Pacific has resulted in hostile efforts by or with the substantial support of a foreign government to influence the domestic narrative and discourse, including the use of disinformation and propaganda spread by nefarious actors.

Meanwhile, on the domestic front, Marcos urged the military to ‘keep up the momentum’ of their operations until their jurisdictions are completely free of terrorist influence.

He noted that the government programs aimed at defeating insurgency in the countryside offer “greener pastures and a better life that they can be part of.”

900 candidate soldiers begin training

In Capas, Tarlac, the Philippine Army announced Friday that 900 new male recruits formally started their basic military training during the opening
ceremony for Candidate Soldier Course (CSC) Class 793-2024 at Camp O’Donnell.

In a statement, Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said the recruits are part of the second cycle of training for candidate soldiers.

The four-month CSC is facilitated by the School for Candidate Soldier.

The Army is also implementing for the first time the Centralized Recruitment Program for candidate soldiers, which is designed to make recruitment systematic.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday said major infrastructure projects in the Ilocos Region are underway not only to boost tourism, but also promote countryside development.

During the inauguration of the Pagudpud Tourist Rest Area in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, Marcos said the government is anticipating the influx of tourists in the area with the development of the Ilocos and Pangasinan Regional Historical Trail.

“As we anticipate the influx of tourists in the area, we are building more facilities to accommodate more visitors here in our province,” he said.

‘All these projects are geared toward expanding not only tourism but also the development of the countryside, that allow for a strong tourism industry,’ he added.

Among the projects the President mentioned is the construction of the Ilocos Norte Transportation Hub.

“Once completed in 2025, we anticipate that the intermodal terminal will ease [city] traffic control [and] connect transportation modes seamlessly,” he said.

He said the gover
nment is also pursuing the development of the Laoag International Airport, particularly the runway expansion and rehabilitation, to accommodate bigger aircrafts and bring in more tourists.

He said the funding has been released for the construction of new bridges and the Pancian Viaduct along the Manila North Road to ensure motorists’ safety.

“I am confident that these exciting developments will become a springboard for [the] further success [of] tourism in Ilocos Norte and the Philippines and from this moment onwards,” he said.

He emphasized the importance of synergy and cooperation in a whole-of-government approach to ensure the success of tourism programs.

“We hope for that continued support for all the tourism programs across the archipelago, and we will show that not only do Filipinos love the Philippines but we can tell our foreign friends, guaranteed, you will love the Philippines,” he said.

Source: Philippines News Agency

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the People’s Committee of the southern province of Binh Duong organised the ‘Meet Korea 2024’ programme on May 17 in the lead up to the 32nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK). The event, attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang, Korean Ambassador Choi Youngsam, leaders from southern localities and many Korean firms operating in Vietnam, was an opportunity for the two sides to evaluate their cooperation outcomes in the past 32 years, and discuss orientations for future development. On this occasion, Binh Duong signed several cooperation deals with its Korean partners.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Da Nang International Airport has become the country’s first airport to introduce breastfeeding rooms at convenient and accessible locations. Six breastfeeding rooms were opened for use at the airport’s international terminal on May 16. Supported by the Embassy of Ireland in Vietnam, FHI 360’s Alive and Thrive and Rotary Da Nang, the newly established rooms provide a safe and tranquil environment for mothers to breastfeed their babies or to express breast milk. The breastfeeding rooms are strategically positioned near washing facilities yet distanced from lavatories, have soundproof walls and have comfortable chairs.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

MANILA: The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Friday assured transparency in the investigation launched by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on prison strip searches on visitors of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

In a statement BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. debunked claims by militant groups of a possible whitewash in the investigation of strip searches on female visitors of inmates at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) .

‘The Commission on Human Rights, they are at the forefront of this investigation, so how can there be a possibility of whitewash? Let us stick to the facts and not muddle and politicize the issue,’ he said.

‘We submitted to this investigation to prove that we have nothing to hide, in fact, we welcomed this investigation by the CHR which started Monday afternoon,’ he said, noting that the seven corrections officers involved with the strip cavity search were just awaiting the subpoena from CHR for them to submit their sworn statements.

He reiterated that BuCor is one with th
e CHR in its mission to recognize and uphold human rights, more so with persons deprived of liberty.

‘As a matter of fact, in December 2022, just less than two months after I was appointed as BuCor Director General, I signed a memorandum of agreement with CHR Chair Richard Palpal-latoc for closer cooperation and coordination towards ensuring the prevention of violations, and protection of the human rights of PDLs in all our operating prison and penal farms,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Catapang said there are no political prisoners at BuCor-run correctional facilities, saying those jailed in their facilities are ‘convicted by courts due to criminal acts they committed.’

Based on records, the two complainants in the strip cavity search against the NBP, Gloria Almonte and Maricel Alcántara, have been in and out of the NBP 19 times and 16 times, respectively.

Almonte began visiting her husband on Nov. 4, 2023. Her husband, Dionisio Almonte, was sentenced to up to 17 years for rebellion.

Alcantara, on the other hand
, began visiting her husband on Nov. 12, 2023. Her husband, Philip Alcántara, was sentenced to up to nine years for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The United States has downgraded its travel alert for four major travel destinations in Mindanao – Davao City, Davao del Norte, Siargao Island, and the Dinagat Islands.

The State Department updated its travel advisory for the Philippines on May 16, lowering from 3 (reconsider travel) to 2 (exercise increased caution) the alert level in the four areas.

The update also reflected the rescinding of the ‘state of national emergency’ in Mindanao.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. lifted the ‘state of national emergency’ due to lawlessness in the region last July 2023 through his Proclamation No. 298.

The document repealed then President Rodrigo Duterte’s Proclamation No. 55, which was issued in 2016 following an explosion in Davao City at that time.

‘Through successful focused military and law enforcement operations and programs that promote sustainable and inclusive peace, the government has made significant gains in improving and restoring peace and order in the region,’ Proclamation No. 298 read.

Source: Philippines News Agency