House official airs constitutional issues vs P405.6-B Bayanihan 3 bill

Published May 24, 2021, 9:56 PM by Ben Rosario

A ranking official of the House of Representatives on Monday, May 24, warned that efforts to provide Filipinos cash assistance under the Bayanihan 3 bill will go down the drain unless constitutional issues in sourcing its P405.6 billion funding is sufficiently addressed.

Deputy Speaker and Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab said that if proponents classify the Bayanihan to Arise as One bill as a ‘special appropriations” measure, then it should meet the conditions set under Section 25, Article VI of the 1987 Constitution.

Aside from specifying the purpose of the proposed appropriations, there should be a certification from the National Treasurer that funds are “actually available” to finance the program, explained Ungab.

Ungab clarified that he is in full support of the bill that is being authored by all but seven members of the Lower House, adding that he is willing to “sponsor it, vote for it and defend it on the floor.” “But, and this is a big But, I want to make sure that there are funds available for this purpose,” the former chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations said.

“Otherwise, this measure that we are going to pass today, as I have noted, will just be one of the many unfunded bills that congress has passed, and may only be an unfulfilled promise, if we cannot get the much-needed certification of funds for this purpose,’ the senior administration lawmaker warned.

In his sponsorship message for the bill, Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, said financing the Bayanihan program may require borrowing money.

He stressed that the Bayanihan 3 is perfectly constitutional.

“The question of presentation of certification of availability of funds is superfluous because the proposal meets the condition that a special appropriations bill be supported “by funds … to be raised by a corresponding revenue proposed therein.” Salceda explained. However, Ungab insisted that compliance to the constitutional provision is a must and that the National Treasurer has to certify that funds are indeed available.

“But what if there are no funds? May excess revenue be used to fund a special appropriations bill?” he asked.

Responding to his own question, Ungab answered in the affirmative, pointing out that the charter allows the use of funds actually available and corresponding revenue proposal to finance Bayanihan 3.

Under the Bayanihan proposal, funding sources may come primarily from the Unprogrammed Fund of the 2021 General Appropriations Act. Still, this move will require a :major amendment of the 2021 GAA which has “suffered a major revision during the bicam to accommodate the legislators’ (favored) amendments.” Ungab noted that the Department of Budget and Management, the Department of Finance and the Bureau of Treasury “did not provide concrete commitment on the funding and the issuance of a certificate of funds availability.” The DBM, he said, is not in favor of “touching what is left of the current budget for purposes of partly funding the Bayanihan 3.” “How about the DOF and BTR. They say the can always issue a certification if funds are available especially if it pertains to excess revenue. But there is nothing to certify at this moment,’ the Davao City solon stressed.

He added: “They will try tomorrow or maybe the next day or at a later date, because they say we are still in the middle of financing the budgetary requiremetns for this year, which amount to P4 trillion pesos.” https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/24/house-official-airs-constitutional-issues-vs-p405-6-b-bayanihan-3-bill/

PHL will be laggard in region—think tank BYBIANCA CUARESMA

MAY 25, 2021 2 MINUTE READ The China-funded Binondo-Intramuros Bridge in Manila spans the Pasig River, soon to be completed this year. It will connect San Fernando Street in Binondo to Solana Street and Riverside Drive in Intramuros. THE Philippines is expected to be the region’s laggard in economic recovery from the effects of the pandemic, an international think tank said, as the country’s health sector and its sluggish vaccination rollouts are denting the country’s chances of recovery.

In an analysis published on Monday, Moody’s Analytics—the research arm of Moody’s Group —said the Philippines is “struggling to shake the pandemic” as its cases remain elevated despite implementing one of the harshest lockdowns in the world.

“The Philippines isn’t forecast to return to pre-pandemic levels of output until the end of 2022. In contrast, China, Taiwan, South Korea and Vietnam have returned to previous output levels, while Indonesia and Thailand are on track to return this year. This makes the Philippines the clear laggard in Asia,” Moody’s Analytics senior asia pacific economist Katrina Ell and Moody’s associate economist David Chia said.

The research group slashed its forecast of the country’s growth numbers for this year from the 6.3 percent in March this year, to 5.3 percent. This is significantly below the floor of the government’s 6 to 7-percent growth target for the year.

Moody’s Analytics said the country has grappled with its number of cases even as the Philippines has one of the most stringent social restrictions, according to the government stringency index. “Late in 2020, the government-mandated lockdown closed approximately 75 percent of the economy,” the research group said.

The country’s struggle, according to Moody’s Analytics, comes from the country’s decentralized health system and sluggish vaccination program.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/05/25/phl-will-be-laggard-in-region-think-tank/

PHL energy accounts: Non-RE gone in 50 years BYCAI ORDINARIO MAY 25, 2021 3 MINUTE READ

Malampaya Deep Water Gas to Power facility in Palawan IF no new sources of non-renewable energy are found and the current use of these resources continues, the country may run out of these stocks in less than 50 years, according to estimates of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

In the Energy Accounts of the Philippines, which is based on 2019 data, the PSA estimated that the first to go would be natural gas which only has an asset life of seven years; condensate, nine years; coal, 26 years; and oil, 43 years.

Data showed, the PSA noted, that in a span of 20 years, the volume of stocks of coal reserves increased but the volume of stocks of oil, natural gas, and condensate reserves declined.

“The energy accounts provide information on the available stock of the non -renewable energy resources at the start and end of the year, as well as the changes that occurred during the period,” the PSA Environment and Natural Resources Accounts Division (ENRAD) told BusinessMirror on Monday.

“The asset life is estimated based on the recommendation of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) computed as Closing Stocks divided by extraction, with the assumption that there are no new discoveries and the extraction remains the same,” it added.

Data showed that the asset life of coal decreased by 87.25 percent to 26 years in 2019 from 204 years in 2000, while natural gas decreased by 99.9 percent to only seven years in 2019 from 8,588 years. PSA said the asset life of condensates decreased by 97.64 percent to nine years in 2019 from 381 years in 2000. Condensates are liquid hydrocarbons that are separated from gas production, similar to what is produced in Malampaya.

For oil resources, PSA said the asset life also decreased to five years in 2016 from almost 59 years in 2000. However, PSA noted a significant increase in 2007.

Further, PSA said that in 2017, the asset life increased to almost 43 years in 2019 from 22 years. PSA said these increases were mainly due to the increase in the stocks of oil resources.

PSA EnRad added that the estimates are done “for the purpose of valuation” and that the accounts did not include renewable energy resources.

“[Asset life is] the expected time over which an asset can be used in production or the expected time over which extraction from a natural resource can take place,” PSA said.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/05/25/phl-energy-accounts-non-re-gone-in-50-years/

Shell-Dennis Uy's $460-M Malampaya deal still up for gov't review By CNN Philippines Staff Published May 24, 2021 10:46:35 AM

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 24) — The government will still step in to review the multimillion-dollar deal between Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy and Shell Petroleum N.V. for the acquisition of a majority stake in the giant Malampaya gas field, the energy chief said Monday.

Uy has moved to double his company's controlling stake to 90% in the offshore gas facility, baring last Thursday the agreement of his Malampaya Energy for the purchase of Shell Philippines Exploration B.V.'s 45% operating interest.

Following the transaction, the government's Philippine National Oil Company- Exploration Corporation will be left with the remaining 10%.

In a statement, Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the agency was not involved in the selling, the bidding, or negotiations of Shell's stake in Petroleum Service Contract No. 38 (SC38).

However, the deal will still have to secure the DOE's approval in accordance with Presidential Decree No.87 otherwise known as the Oil Exploration and Development Act of 1972.

"Once the transaction has been completed at the consortium level, it will still be submitted to the DOE for its review and approval," Cusi said.

"For its part, the DOE will, accordingly and judiciously, evaluate the legal, financial, and technical aspects of the transaction, and its impact to the obligations of the consortium to the Philippine government according to the terms of SC38 and PD87," he added.

The base consideration for the acquisition is set at $380 million, Shell Petroleum said in an earlier statement, noting that Malampaya Energy may have to shell out an additional $80 million "between 2022 and 2024 contingent on asset performance and commodity prices."

The transaction is being eyed for completion by end-2021.

https://cnnphilippines.com/business/2021/5/24/Shell-Dennis-Uy-s--460-M-Malampaya-deal- still-up-for-gov-t-review-.html

PSA figures reveal increasing stress in PHL water resource BYCAI ORDINARIO

MAY 25, 2021 2 MINUTE READ The country’s water stress level increased in the past 10 years, according to the latest water accounts released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Based on the PSA figures, freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources increased to 28.74 percent in 2019 from 25.48 percent in 2010.

PSA data showed that the total Freshwater Water Withdrawals reached 94,019.21 million cubic meters (mcm) in 2019 from 83,345.23 mcm in 2010.

“Although it increased by three percentage points, the annual level of water stress since 2010 consistently fell within the low-level classification range of 25 percent to 50 percent,” PSA said.

Further, the data showed Water Use Efficiency (WUE), or the value added per volume of water used, increased to P198.41 per cubic meter in 2019 from P126.1 per cubic meter of water used in 2010.

“During the period, the service sector consistently had the largest WUE, followed by the industry sector and agriculture sector,” PSA said.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/05/25/psa-figures-reveal-increasing-stress-in-phl-water- resource/

Oil companies hike gas, diesel pump prices; kerosene at ₧0.15 per liter less BYLENIE LECTURA MAY 24, 2021 1 MINUTE READ Oil firms are expected to raise fuel pump prices starting Tuesday.

They announced that gasoline products would be P0.15 per liter higher and diesel by P0.25 per liter more. Meanwhile, the price of kerosene will be P0.15 per liter less.

Seaoil Philippines, Caltex Philippines, Pilipinas Shell, PTT Philippines and Phoenix Petroleum will implement the price adjustments at 6 a.m. of May 25, while Cleanfuel will adjust its prices at 4:01 pm.

Other oil firms are also expected to follow suit.

The oil companies adjust their pump prices weekly to reflect movement of international oil prices.

Based on DOE 2020 data, Petron Corporation remains the country’s number one oil firm with a market share of 20.13 percent. Pilipinas Shell came second with 17.95 percent, Phoenix Petroleum stood at third place with 7.10 percent, followed by Unioil with 6.9 percent.

Chevron landed on the fifth place with 5.84 percent. Seaoil came in next with 5.42 percent.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/05/24/oil-companies-hike-gas-diesel-pump-prices-kerosene- at-%E2%82%A70-15-per-liter-less/

PDEA chief says cop violated buy-bust procedures in PNP-PDEA 'misencounter'

Published May 24, 2021, 6:34 PM by Vanne Elaine Terrazola Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Wilkins Villanueva claimed that a member of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) did not follow standard procedures when they were supposedly conducting a buy-bust operation prior to the deadly encounter last February 24.

Had protocols been observed, they would not have figured in the controversial shootout, Villanueva said at the Senate Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Committee’s inquiry on Monday, May 24, on the shootout between anti-narcotics operatives outside a fast-food restaurant in Quezon City.

During the hearing, Villanueva particularly recalled the way that police corporal Elvin Garado approached the overheated vehicle used by unknowing PDEA agents who are also conducting their own buy-bust.

Garado was designated to act as poseur-buyer for the QCPD. He was later killed in the shootout.

The QCPD was targeting a certain drug dealer they named “James Tan”, through the aid of a female informant.

It would turn out that the PDEA was planning to apprehend the QCPD’s informant called “Mama Jo”, following the tip of their own asset they identified as Matalnas Untong, or alias “Bato”.

Showing to the panel a closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of the incidents before the so-called “misencounter”, Villanueva said Garado confronted the PDEA’s informant at the driver’s side of the car and allegedly drew his gun.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/24/pdea-chief-says-cop-violated-buy-bust-procedures-in-pnp-pdea- misencounter/

NBI: Convict in Sablayan Penal Colony 'dictated tempo' at Commonwealth PNP-PDEA shootout By AMITA LEGASPI, GMA News

Published May 24, 2021 4:22pm Updated May 25, 2021 8:01am

A convict detained at the Sablayan Penal Colony was the one who dictated the tempo which resulted in the bloody shootout between the Philippine National Police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Commonwealth Avenue in February, an official of the National Bureau of Investigation said Monday.

During the hearing of the Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee on the matter, NBI-National Capital Region director Cesar Bacani said this was one of the things they found out based on the pieces of evidence and testimonies submitted by the PNP and PDEA.

i Jonaire (Decena) at saka ni James Tan, nag-human intelligence kami. Na-locate namin na sa Sablayan “Nu'ng sinubmit sa amin ng PNP ‘yung conversation n

SablayanPenal Colony Penal (galing) Colony ‘yung is in Occidentaltawag,” Bacani Mindoro. said.

Colony na siyang nakikipag- “Paopao is Mervin Magallon na nakakulong sa Sablayan Penal usap kay Jonaire nu'ng una. Pero ‘yung picture du'n sa cellphone ni (Jonaire), hindi si Paopao ‘yun. ‘Yun si Reynato Peña, alyas James Tan, alyas Yamashitahttps://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/788647/nbi-convict- Arigato, na mukha lang n’ya (Tan) ang nilagay dun,”in-sablayan-penal-colony- Bacani explained. dictated-tempo-on-commonwealth-pnp-pdea-shootout/story/

Taal continues to emit steam plumes due to 'upwelling of hot volcanic fluids' — Phivolcs

Published May 24, 2021, 10:58 AM by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Monday, May 24, the activity at the Taal Volcano main crater was dominated by the upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in its lake which generated plumes that reached one-kilometer high.

Science and Technology Undersecretary and Phivolcs OIC Renato Solidum explained that the “hot gas heats up the groundwater that produces the steam.”

He pointed out that the “gas source at Taal is magma at a shallow level.”

In the past 24 hours, Phivolcs was not able to detect any volcanic earthquake but a low-level background tremor persisted since April 8.

Moreover, sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission remains high averaging 3,298 tonnes per day as recorded on Sunday, May 23.

Meanwhile, temperature highs of 71.8°C and pH of 1.59 were last measured from the main crater lake on March 4, 2021 and Feb. 12, 2021, respectively.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/24/taal-continues-to-emit-steam-plumes-due-to-upwelling-of-hot- volcanic-fluids-phivolcs/

Fishing boat capsizes off West Philippine Sea; 31 rescued Michael Punongbayan (The Philippine Star) - May 25, 2021 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — Thirty-one fishermen have been rescued after their boat capsized in the waters off the Nares Bank in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Philippine Navy confirmed yesterday.

“All those aboard the FB Pauline 2 are in good condition and will be brought to San Jose, Occidental Mindoro,” Commodore Donn Anthony Miraflor, chief of the Naval Forces West said.

A request for assistance made by another fishing boat, Española, was received on Sunday by the Navy’s central operation center.

“It so happened that our vessel, BRP Emilio Jacinto, was in Northern Palawan. We dispatched Jacinto to rescue the fishermen,” Miraflor said.

He said that Española was the first to assist the fishermen, but could not handle the matter all by itself as Pauline 2 had been sinking slowly since Saturday night.

Authorities identified the captain of Pauline 2 as Placido Asusina.

The Nares Bank is less than 200 nautical miles east of El Nido in Palawan.

Gil Gendrano, chief of the municipal disaster risk reduction and management office of San Jose, said he received the information about the rescue of the fishermen from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

“The PCG said the Philippine Navy would bring the fishermen here and that the ship will arrive at 8 p.m.,” he said.

It was fortunate that Jacinto was patrolling near the area when the Navy received the distress call, the Navy said.

The Navy, Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources have increased patrols in the waters off the WPS after Chinese maritime militia vessels were spotted around the Julian Felipe Reef and other areas within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2021/05/25/2100557/fishing-boat-capsizes-west-philippine-sea- 31-rescued

31 fishermen rescued by Navy in

WPS Published 14 hours ago on May 24, 2021 10:56 PM By John Roson

Members of the Philippine Navy rescued 31 fishermen from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, whose boat reportedly got involved in a mishap in waters of the West Philippine Sea.

Gil Gendrano, head of the San Jose Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), said his office learned the incident on Monday afternoon, after being informed by the Coast Guard.

“Itinawag ito sa amin ng Coast Guard. May nasagip daw na 31 mangingisda, kasama ang kapitan, na-rescue ng Navy at parating ngayong gabi dito sa San Jose,” Gendrano told the Daily Tribune by phone.

“Mga mangangawil daw ito, malaki ang bangka nila, at according sa initial report ay nakabangga ng malaking troso kaya nabutas,” he said.

The boat’s skipper relayed that information to the owner, who then went to the PCG to report, Gendrano said.

It was not yet clear why there was a large piece of wood in the sea.

Gendrano said the Navy vessel carrying the rescued fishermen is expected to arrive in San Jose around 8 p.m.

Commodore Don Anthony Miraflor, commander of Naval Forces West (Navforwest), said the ill-fated F/B Pauline 2 was reported to have incurred a hole late Saturday, and immediately started taking water in. https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/05/24/31-fishermen-rescued-by-navy-in- wps/?XbHKbB5FkoxuUyaPb7Lj6js

Duterte meeting with ex-presidents on West PH Sea issues 'not urgent anymore'

Published May 24, 2021, 2:52 PM by Genalyn Kabiling It seems the proposed reunion of President Duterte with former presidents to tackle issues pertaining to the West Philippine Sea issue may no longer take place.

According to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, there was no urgency for the President to meet with his predecessors and get their views about the country’s territorial dispute with China.

Roque noted that the President already consulted with former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, who has agreed with Duterte’s stance on addressing the sea conflict through peaceful means.

Enrile attended a meeting with the President and other Cabinet members at the Palace last week and voiced his concern that the country will “lose more” if it will antagonize China over the maritime row.

“Mukha naman after JPE concurred that the President is pursuing the right policy not the West Philippine Sea, wala naman urgency na pag-usapan ang bagay na ito (there is no urgency to talk about this matter) either with the National Security Council or with former presidents,” Roque said during a televised press briefing Monday, May 24.

Roque said the President merely “toyed with the idea” of informal talks with the former presidents instead of convening the National Security Council. He said the President remembered that nothing was resolved when he attended past meetings of the high-level security body.

“This is a not a done deal. This is something the President was speculating on before JPE fully concurred with his policy on the West Philippine Sea,” Roque said.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/24/duterte-meeting-with-ex-presidents-on-west-ph-sea-issues-not- urgent-anymore/

Gordon reveals: 'Top PH and Chinese diplomats met on West Philippine Sea issue'

Published May 24, 2021, 5:21 PM by Mario Casayuran Senator Richard J. Gordon on Monday revealed that high ranking Philippine and Chinese diplomatic officials met last Friday regarding the contentiou s West Philippine Sea (WPS) territorial dispute.

‘’I am cautiously optimistic that the bilateral meeting would result in the stopping of the unwelcome activities in the WPS by the Chinese naval assets,’’ Gordon said as Chinese militia assets just move in and around many reefs in the WPS despite a series of Philippine diplomatic protests.

‘’We are a friendly people but we don’t want to be threatened especially our hardworking fisherfolk,’’ Gordon said.

Senators have chided Chinese ‘’landgrabbing’’ activities in the WPS despite a United Nations arbitration court favoring a Philippine WPS territorial claim and rejecting China’s ‘’historical’’ claim.

Former Senator Rodolfo Biazon, a former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff, urged senators to press President Duterte to call a National Security Council (NSC) and discuss the WPS issue.

On reports that Philippine military officials favor the purchase of submarines, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III said helicopters have more practical uses that submarines.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/24/gordon-reveals-top-ph-and-chinese-diplomats-met-on-west- philippine-sea-issue/

Robredo: Capitalize on arbitral win, seek other countries' support on WPS By CONSUELO MARQUEZ, GMA News Published May 24, 2021 7:37pm Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday said the Philippines should capitalize on its 2016 arbitral victory and seek the support of other countries in defending its territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea.

This as Robredo thumbed down bilateral talks on South China Sea dispute, adding that the Philippines was not on"equal footing" with China.

"We had a very significant victory with the arbitral tribunal as far as our claims on the West Philippine Sea is concerned and I feel that victory should have been capitalized on in asking for the support of other countries who have similar claims or are similarly situated or have similar issues with China," Robredo said in an online forum organized by University of Cambridge's MPhil in Public Policy Class (MPP) of 2021 and Cambridge University Filipino Society.

"The fact that we have a significant victory in as far as our arbitration case is concerned, I feel that we would solicit support from many countries like Vietnam and other neighboring countries," she added.

Asked about the Vice President's role in foreign policy, Robredo said she is a mere spectator given that her constitutional mandate is succession.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/788685/robredo-capitalize-on-arbitral-win- seek-other-countries-support-on-wps/story/

Palace to Robredo: Duterte's policy on West PH Sea works

Published May 24, 2021, 4:12 PM by Argyll Cyrus Geducos Malacañang said that President Duterte’s approach on the issue of the West Philippine Sea has been working since no part of the country’s territory was taken by China since he took office.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after Vice President Leni Robredo suggested a multilateral approach on the West Philippine Sea because bilateral talks with China were not working.

In his press briefing on Monday, Roque said Robredo’s claim was not true as he insisted Duterte’s role as the chief architect of the country’s foreign policy.

“The President po is the lone architect of foreign policy. Hindi po totoo na hindi gumagana ang ating bilateral talks to the West Philippine Sea (It’s not true that our bilateral talks about the West Philippine Sea is not working),” he said.

“Matapos po ang halos limang taon ng termino ng Presidente, wala po tayong nawalang teritoryo sa China, wala po tayong hidwaan sa China (In the past five year’s of the President’s term, we didn’t lose part of our territory to China nor we had a conflict with China),” he added.

“So, I beg to disagree. The President’s policy has been working for the past five years,” he continued.

Last week, Roque said there was nothing confusing with the President Duterte’s stand on the West Philippine Sea.

“Wala pong confusing sa stand ni Presidente sa West Philippine Sea. Ang hindi po pwedeng mapagkasunduan, isasantabi muna, isusulong ang mga bagay na pwedeng maisulong gaya ng kalakalan at pamumuhunan (The President’s stand on the West Philippine Sea is not confusing. We will set aside our difference and go forward with things we can agree on like trade and investment),” he said.

“Pero hinding-hindi tayo mamimigay ng teritoryo at paninindigan at pangangalagaan natin ang pang-nasyonal na soberenya at ang ating sovereign rights (But we will never give away our territory and we will stand by our national sovereignty and our sovereign rights),” he added. The issue on the West Philippine Sea resurfaced following the recent incursion of Chinese vessels in the area. Last week, President Duterte said he will no longer react to his critics and ordered his Cabinet to refrain from talking about the issue with anybody.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/24/palace-to-robredo-dutertes-policy-on-west-ph-sea-works/

Fisherfolk groups ask govt to crack down on poaching in PHL’s EEZ BYJONATHAN L. MAYUGA MAY 25, 2021 2 MINUTE READ In this April 27, 2021, file photo, Philippine Coast Guard personnel patrol beside ships said to be Chinese militia vessels at Sabina Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. The Philippine government should crack down on foreign fishing vessels poaching within the country’s exclusive economic zone in response to China’s three-and-a-half- month fishing ban in the disputed territory, fisherfolk groups under the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said on Monday.

In a news statement, Fernando Hicap, national coordinator of Pamalakaya, said the government should implement the crackdown by virtue of existing local fisheries and international laws.

Republic Act 10654, otherwise known as the amended Fisheries Code, states that it is unlawful for any foreign person, entity, or corporation to fish or operate any fishing vessel in Philippine waters and will constitute a prima facie presumption, Hicap, a former Anakpawis party-list lawmaker, said.

Hicap, likewise, said the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) declares that a coastal state has the exclusive rights to explore and exploit resources within its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“It is by legal and international rights that we strongly enforce our maritime laws at our disposal against foreign poachers in our territorial waters. This is to preserve and make the use of our fragile fishery and marine resources in the West Philippine Sea [WPS] that is being rapidly exploited and plundered by China,” Hicap said.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/05/25/fisherfolk-groups-ask-govt-to-crack-down-on- poaching-in-phls-eez/

PH- China talks start June 2 over payment of claims on fishing boat rammed by Chinese vessel in WPS

Published May 24, 2021, 5:28 PM by Jeffrey Damicog The Philippines is set to hold talks with China starting June 2 on the compensation sought by the owner and crew members of the destroyed fishing vessel Gem-Vir 1, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said on Monday, May 24.

Guevarra said the government has already formed a team which will be holding the talks with its counterpart in the Chinese government.

The Philippine team will be led by the DOJ with representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Agriculture (DA), and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) as members, he said.

Gem-Vir 1 sunk on June 9, 2019 after being rammed by a Chinese fishing vessel in Reed Bank, also known as the Recto Bank, in the West Philippine Sea.

The Chinese fishing vessel fled and left the crew of Gem-Vir 1 stranded until they got rescued and returned to Philippine shores.

The owner and crew members of the Filipino fishing vessel have been seeking over P12- million in compensation over the incident.

Guevarra said the meetings set June 2 and June 7 were agreed upon during the sixth consultative meeting between the Philippines and China held last Friday, May 21.

“As far as the Filipino fishermen are concerned, it is important that they recover fully their expenses for the boat repair and the income they lost while the boat was under repair,” he said.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/24/ph-china-talks-start-june-2-over-payment-claims-on-fishing-boat- rammed-by-chinese-vessel-in-wps/

PCG holds life support training; provides assistance for fishermen in WPS

Published May 24, 2021, 11:57 AM by Richa Noriega As the second phase of maritime drills started last week, the Philippine Coast Guard said on Monday, May 24, that it has furthered strengthened its exercises in the West Philippine Sea, which includes life support training.

In a statement, the PCG medical crew members of the BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407) have conducted basic life support training on Thursday, May 20.

During the activity, PCG medical personnel demonstrated how to monitor the pulse and how to revive a person rescued from a drowning incident.

Led by Task Force Pagsasanay, the maritime exercises aim to “enhance the capability of PCG personnel in promoting maritime law enforcement, maritime security, maritime safety, maritime search and rescue, and marine environmental protection” in the country’s vast waters.

The first leg of the drills started in April with the activation of Task Force Pagsasanay, a unit formed by the PCG to train its personnel on navigation in restricted bodies of water.

The crew members of the BRP Sindangan have also distributed food packs for Filipino fishermen in Bajo de Masinloc, Zambales.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/24/pcg-holds-life-support-training-provides-assistance-for- fishermen-in-wps/

Coast Guard conducts medical mission for Filipino soldiers in Kalayaan Island

Published May 24, 2021, 10:50 AM by Richa Noriega Medical personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have provided medical assistance for Filipino soldiers deployed in an island located in a disputed area in the West Philippine Sea on Saturday, May 22.

The PCG said its medical members have checked the health conditions of the soldiers that were deployed “to uphold peace and security” in Kalayaan Island which is classified as a municipality under the Palawan province.

Apart from the medical check-ups, the soldiers also received multivitamins and medical supplies to protect themselves against coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the PCG said in a statement on Monday, May 24.

Meanwhile, PCG Commandant Admiral George Ursabia visited the Joint Task Force Malampaya (JTFM) headed by Colonel Robert Velasco of the Philippine Navy (PN) at Barangay Villa Libertad, El Nido, Palawan on Friday, May 21.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/24/coast-guard-conducts-medical-mission-for-filipino-soldiers-in- kalayaan-island/

Monday’s highest: 45°C heat index noted in Dagupan City, Sangley Point

By: Daphne Galvez - Reporter / @DYGalvezINQ INQUIRER.net / 01:06 AM May 25, 2021 MANILA, Philippines The highest heat index on Monday, May 24, was 45ºC, which was recorded at 2:00 p.m. in Dagupan City in Pangasinan and at Sangley Point in Cavite, according to the Philippine Atmospheric,— Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

the temperature as perceived by the human body. Pagasa defines the heat index as the “human discomfort index” – The other areas that had high heat indexes are:

• Aparri in Cagayan with 44ºC

• Davao City in Davao del Sur, Itbayat in Batanes, and Legazpi City in Albay with 43ºC City in Ilocos Norte, Mactan International Airport in Cebu, and Tuguegarao City in Cagayan with• Catbalogan 41ºC in Western Samar, El Salvador City in Misamis Oriental, Iba in Zambales, Laoag

So far, the highest heat index recorded in 2021 was 53ºC in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, on May 14 at 5 p.m.

Pagasa cautioned that heat indexes ranging from 41ºC to 54ºC could lead to heat cramps and heat exhaustion. Heatstroke is also probable with continued activity.

Pagasa advises people to stay indoors as much as possible, wear lightweight clothing, drink plenty of water regularly, and eat small meals.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1436198/dagupan-city-sangley-point-has-highest-heat- index-at-45-degrees-celsius#ixzz6vqirYEkJ

10 Blackhawk choppers may be delivered this year, says Lorenzana

Published May 24, 2021, 3:28 PM by Martin Sadongdong Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana is optimistic that the remaining 10 Blackhawk S-70is combat utility helicopters that were procured for the use of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) will be delivered this year.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (Photo courtesy of SND Delfin Lorenzana Facebook page) “Their large capacity and impressive horsepower allows for a faster and long-range transport. Looking forward to the delivery of the remaining 10 Blackhwaks this year,” Lorenzana said in a social media post on Sunday, May 23.

He noted that the acquisition of the Blackhawk helicopters have greatly boosted the operational readiness of the PAF both in combat and non-combat missions. In November 2020, the PAF received the first batch of six Blackhawks from Polish company Polskie Zaklady Lotnicze Sp.z.o.o which were manufactured under license from Sikorsky USA.

Blackhawk S-70is combat utility helicopter (Photo courtesy of SND Delfin Lorenzana Facebook page) The delivery of the remaining 10 choppers was delayed after it was initially slated in the first quarter of 2021.

The total 16 choppers were procured under the “Horizon 2” of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (RAFPMP) with a total contract price of $241,461,699.39 through a government-to-government (G2G) transaction between the Philippines and Poland in 2019.

10 Blackhawk choppers may be delivered this year, says Lorenzana

Published May 24, 2021, 3:28 PM by Martin Sadongdong Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana is optimistic that the remaining 10 Blackhawk S-70is combat utility helicopters that were procured for the use of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) will be delivered this year.

“Their large capacity and impressive horsepower allows for a faster and long- range transport. Looking forward to the delivery of the remaining 10 Blackhwaks this year,” Lorenzana said in a social media post on Sunday, May 23.

He noted that the acquisition of the Blackhawk helicopters have greatly boosted the operational readiness of the PAF both in combat and non-combat missions.

In November 2020, the PAF received the first batch of six Blackhawks from Polish company Polskie Zaklady Lotnicze Sp.z.o.o which were manufactured under license from Sikorsky USA.

The delivery of the remaining 10 choppers was delayed after it was initially slated in the first quarter of 2021.

The total 16 choppers were procured under the “Horizon 2” of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (RAFPMP) with a total contract price of $241,461,699.39 through a government-to-government (G2G) transaction between the Philippines and Poland in 2019.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/24/10-blackhawk-choppers-maybe-delivered-this-year-says- lorenzana/

AFP chief pays tribute to fallen heroes of Marawi siege

Published May 24, 2021, 2:05 PM by Dennis Principe Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana led the wreath- laying ceremony commemorating the fourth year anniversary of the Marawi siege that claimed the lives of 168 soldiers and policemen.

“As we reaffirmed our commitment in pursuit of lasting peace in Marawi City and the entire country, we shall honor the sacrifices of these men and women as they have offered their lives to fight for our country and our people,” said Sobejana during the ceremony Sunday, May 23.

Rehabilitation efforts are ongoing in Maraw City that include the establishment of livelihood programs, school buildings, a sports stadium, repairs of major bridges, public transport facilities and many other infrastructure programs.

Brig. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo, commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade led the planting of 168 golden trumpet saplings at a relocation site that is being built by the UN Habitat in Barangay Dulay.

Housing Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario meanwhile revealed they are pushing the development of a 10-hectare military camp within the city that has an aim to make Marawi residents feel secured.

The Marawi City siege began on May 23, 2017 when government troops attempted to capture Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader Isnilon Hapilon just as an attempt to establish a Dawlah Islamiyah “wilayat” or administrative state in Mindanao was being planned. The Maute Group, led by brothers Omar and Abdullah, laid siege on the city with the help of ASG rebels.

More than 1,200 people died in the battle until state troopers finally liberated Marawi City from the terrorists on October 17, 2017 following the death of Isnilon and the Maute brothers. Six days later, the war had been concluded.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/24/afp-chief-pays-tribute-to-fallen-heroes-of-marawi-siege/

Most LGUs declare communist insurgents as persona non grata- Malaya

Published May 24, 2021, 1:23 PM by Chito Chavez Majority of the country’s local government units (LGUs) have provided support to the national government’s efforts to end the more than five decades of communist insurgency in the country by declaring the group as persona non grata in their respective localities, an official of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Monday, May 24.

“As one of the lead implementing agencies in localizing Executive Order (EO) No. 70, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) remains steadfast in working closely with the local government units (LGUs) to end the decades-long Communist terrorism problem in the Philippines,’’ Malaya said who is also the spokesperson for local government affairs, barangay development program, international engagement of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), said DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya.

“For many decades, Filipinos have been deceived, manipulated, extorted, and murdered by CTGs (government describes communist insurgents as Community Terrorist Groups) in their goal to overthrow the Philippine government and establish a communist rule,’’ he added.

In his presentation during the NTF-ELCAC briefing, Malaya reported that latest DILG figures revealed that 1,436 LGUs out of the 1,715 LGUs in the country have approved resolutions denouncing the atrocities of the CTGs and declared them persona non grata.

The remaining 279 LGUs are in various stages of deliberation in their respective provincial, city, and municipal councils.

“This means that 84 percent of LGUs nationwide have formally expressed denouncement of CTGs through their Sanggunian’s issuance of resolutions,’’ Malaya noted.

Among the 17 regions, Malaya said six regions have already garnered 100 percent percent declaration of persona non grata to the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peop;e’s Army- National Democratic Front of the Philippines) , namely Central Luzon, Region 4-B, Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, SOCCSKSARGEN, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). The DILG official added that four regions are nearing absolute declaration of persona non grata, with Ilocos Region at 99 percent declaration, Cagayan Valley at 98 percent, Region 4- A at 94 percent, and Northern Mindanao at 95 percent.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/24/most-lgus-declare-communist-insurgents-as-persona-non-grata- malaya/

1,463 of 1,715 LGUs abhor Reds presence: DILG

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan May 24, 2021, 4:03 pm

MANILA – Majority of local government units (LGUs) across the country have already declared the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA- NDF) persona non grata in their respective localities, an official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Monday.

In a virtual press conference, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said 1,463 or 84 percent of a total of 1,715 LGUs nationwide have already passed resolutions declaring members of the communist terrorist groups (CTGs) as unwelcome in their respective areas.

“This means that 84 percent of the LGUs nationwide have formally expressed their denouncement of CTGs through duly approved and promulgated issuances of their Sanggunian (council). This is the first time in the history of the Republic of the Philippines since the beginning of the CTG problem 53 years ago that we have had this unprecedented support from our local government officials,” Malaya, also a spokesperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), said.

Among the country's 17 regions, Malaya said six regions have a 100 percent declaration of the CPP-NPA-NDF as persona non grata --- Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

He added that four regions are nearing an absolute declaration of persona non grata, with Ilocos Region at 99 percent declaration, Cagayan Valley at 98 percent, Calabarzon at 94 percent, and Northern Mindanao at 95 percent.

In Metro Manila, Malaya said nine out of 17 LGUs have passed resolutions condemning the atrocities of the CTGs and declaring CPP-NPA-NDF as persona non grata – Caloocan, Las Piñas, Mandaluyong, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Pasig, Quezon City, San Juan and Valenzuela.

The remaining LGUs, he said, are in various stages of deliberation in their respective provincial, city, and municipal councils.

"In fact, sila po ay kinasusuklaman ng mamamayang Pilipino dahil sa dala nilang karahasan sa kanilang pangingikil, at sa kanilang pagsira sa mapayapang pamumuhay lalong lalo ng mga kabataang pilipino, mga IP (Indigenous peoples) at kahit na mga urban poor (In fact, they are hated by the Filipino people because of the violence brought by their extortion activities, their destruction of the peaceful way of life especially of the young Filipinos, IP groups and even urban poor groups)," he added.

Ensure general welfare

Malaya said the issuance of resolutions declaring the CTGs as persona non grata is in line with the Local Government Code which aims to ensure the general welfare of the people, enhance economic development and social justice and maintain peace and order. “Yan ang tungkulin ng isang LGU at ipinasa itong mga resolution na ito alinsunod sa kanilang tungkulin na nakasaad mismo sa Local Government Code. Itong mga CTG na ito, sila’y nagpapanggap, na sila ay kaibigan ng mga maralita, subalit ang totoo'y sila ay gumagamit sa mga maralita para sa isang walang saysay at makasariling ideolohiya. Sila ang tunay na salot at virus ng ating lipunan (Those are the duties of the LGUs and these resolutions were passed in accordance with their duties as stated in the Local Government Code. These CTGs are pretending to be a friend of the poor, but in reality, they are using the poor for a meaningless and selfish ideology. They are the true menace and virus in our society),” he explained.

Malaya, meanwhile, said this gesture of LGUs is an assurance that “we have allies in this war against communist terrorism.’’

He said that as one of the lead implementing agencies in localizing Executive Order (EO) No. 70, the DILG remains steadfast in working closely with the local government units (LGUs) to end the decades-long problem of insurgency in the Philippines.

“Kami po sa NTF-ELCAC at ang DILG ay nagpapasalamat (We at the NTF-ELCAC and the DILG are truly grateful) for the support of more LGUs in the fight against communist terrorism and we are looking forward to these numbers increasing every year. With greater challenge to the pandemic, more people in far flung communities and in urban centers are vulnerable to the advances of the CPP-NPA-NDF as such we must work hard to address these challenges and bring lasting peace in all of our communities,” said Malaya.

He added that this move of the LGUs simply shows that the CTG cannot fool the people through their pretentious and manipulative schemes.

The DILG’s programs, he said, assure the government’s continuous bid to attain genuine peace in the country.

These include the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP), Capacitating Urban Communiti es for Peace and Development (CUCPD), Barangay Development Program (BDP), and the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

“RCSP is a convergence mechanism for local governments to identify issues and needed government interventions,’’ Malaya explained.

Under the RCSP, Malaya noted that 1,331 out of the 1,394 target barangays are undergoing the implementation of the various phases of the program.

Aside from the RCSP, the DILG implements the CUCPD as a platform for convergence and collaboration among all stakeholders in improving the institutional capacity of LGUs in urban areas.

Under the BDP, a total of PHP12.3-billion or 75 percent of the total budget of PHP16.44-billion for the 822 BDP recipients have been released to recipient LGUs as of May 23, accounting for a total of 1,756 projects whose allocations were approved by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). As of May 21, the E-CLIP has benefited a total of 6,418 former rebels (FRs) and Militia ng Bayan who have been provided with financial assistance. 3,965 of these are regular NPAs while 2,453 are Militia ng Bayan.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1141262

289 cases of CPP-NPA 'willful killings' violate int'l, local laws

By Priam Nepomuceno May 24, 2021, 3:39 pm

MANILA – The Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) has committed a total of 289 incidents of "willful killings" of civilians from 2010 to 2020, an official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Monday.

"The 289 incidents of willful killings conducted by the CTGs (communist terrorist groups) shows a widespread and systematic attack against civilians and is a clear violation of the customary IHL (International Humanitarian Law) which constitutes a crime against humanity," said Brig. Gen. Joel Alejandro S. Nacnac, director of the AFP Center for the Law on Armed Conflict (AFPCLOAC), during the "TAGGED: Debunking Lies by Telling the Truth" online press conference.

Nacnac said these incidents caused the death of 373 persons -- 296 civilians and 77 soldiers.

The highest number of these incidents was recorded in 2019 with 66 that resulted in the death of 84 people -- 78 civilians and six military personnel, followed by the year 2020 with 65 incidents that killed 80 people -- 67 civilians and 13 government troops.

The Caraga Region logged the highest with 66 willful killings of CTGs, collective term for the CPP - NPA and National Democratic Front.

Citing Article 13 of the Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions, Nacnac said civilian population cannot be "objects attacks".

He was referring to the "Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts" (Protocol II).

This protocol also said "acts or threats of violence whose primary purpose is to spread terror among the civilian population are prohibited".

Nacnac added that these willful killings conducted by the CTGs are a violation of Republic Act 9851, also known as "Act Defining and Penalizing Crimes Against IHL, Genocide, And Other Crimes Against Humanity" which states that it is violence to "life and person".

"The AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) will continue to monitor IHL violations by the CTGs and will continuously coordinate with the appropriate agencies to put an end to the group’s crimes against humanity," he earlier said.

The AFP recently has submitted reports to the Commission on Human Rights and other concerned agencies for their appropriate action, reports on 544 children who were used as child combatants, 532 incidents on the destruction of civilian properties, and 141 incidents of use of anti -personnel mines by the CTGs. Meanwhile, NTF ELCAC Spokesperson, Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Marie T. Badoy said communist-linked party-list legislators have remained mum on CPP-NPA atrocities committed on thousands of Filipinos, including children.

“We’ve been waiting for them to denounce the terrible crimes of the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front) against the Filipino people for the past 52 years and so far the silence again is deafening,” Badoy said.

She posed a challenge to communist-linked human rights group Karapatan to denounce the CPP- NPA-NDF's alleged atrocities and violations of the international humanitarian law.

“You can still maybe redeem yourselves and denounce what ought to be denounced,” she added.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1141259

NTF-ELCAC to Makabayan bloc: Denounce 'terrible crimes' of communist rebels By VIRGIL LOPEZ, GMA News

Published May 24, 2021 1:52pm Updated May 24, 2021 6:17pm The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Monday dared the Makabayan lawmakers to condemn the alleged atrocities committed by the communist rebels against the Filipino people.

At a news conference, NTF-ELCAC spokesperson on social media issues and sectoral concerns Lorraine Badoy said she is wondering why these left-leaning party-list legislators have remained silent on the matter.

rrible crimes of the CPP-NPA- NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines- -National Democratic“We’ve been Front) waiting against for them the toFilipino denounce people the for te the past 52 years and so far the New People’s Army Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO). silence again is deafening,” said Badoy, who is also an undersecretary of the

“We cannot gloss over the silence of people who pride themselves [on being] Badoyelected also by the asked people.” the left-wing human rights group Karapatan to denounce the CPP-NPA-NDF's alleged atrocities and violations of the international humanitarian law.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/788623/ntf-elcac-to-makabayan-bloc- denounce-terrible-crimes-of-communist-rebels/story/

Palace support for Marawi residents’ compensation depends on budget allocation BYSAMUEL MEDENILLA MAY 25, 2021 President Rodrigo Duterte’s support for the proposed compensation bill for residents of Marawi would depend on its budget allocation.

In an online press briefing on Monday, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte is still waiting for the details about the said bill before he considers certifying the legislation as urgent.

“The support of the President will depend on the amount to be allocated [by Congress],” Roque said.

Under the proposed legislation at the House of Representatives, a budget ranging from P30 billion to P50 billion will be used to provide compensation for residents of Marawi city

The still unnumbered bill consolidated House Bill Nos. 3418, 35,43, and 3922.

But even without the said bill, Roque said the government already allocated billions of pesos for the rehabilitation and and rebuilding of Marawi City.

At least P60 billion worth of funds were allocated for the rehabilitation efforts in the Marawi after it was devastated in the battle between the military and with militant rebel groups in 2017.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/05/25/palace-support-for-marawi-residents-compensation- depends-on-budget-allocation/

Watching over the rebuild Ferdinandh Cabrera, AFP Posted at May 24 2021 06:10 PM Philippine soldiers on Sunday look over workers constructing a building at a main battleground in 2017 when Islamic State-inspired militants laid siege to the southern Philippine city of Marawi, resulting in a five-month campaign that claimed more than 1,000 lives until government troops re- took control. Malacañang on Monday expressed confidence that the war-torn southern city of Marawi would be "completely rebuilt" before President Rodrigo Duterte bows out of office next year. https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/multimedia/photo/05/24/21/maraw-rebuild-construction-soldiers

Muntinlupa City Council, mayor commend, award P50,000 to PMA top cadet

Published May 24, 2021, 1:33 PM by Jonathan Hicap The Muntinlupa City Council on Monday passed a resolution and an ordinance congratulating and awarding P50,000 to 2nd Lt. Jan Hernan Perez, 22, who placed fourth overall in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Masaligan” (MAndirigmang SAmahan na Lakas at SandiGAN ng Bayan) Class of 2021. Perez is a resident of Alabang Hills, Brgy. Cupang, Muntinlupa and is the son of Janet Perez and the late Lt. Gen. Hernanie Perez (Ret.).

Besides graduating as Top 4 in his class, Perez also received the Chief of Staff Saber Award “for being the Brigade Commander of the Cadet Corps Armed Forces of the Philippines First Semester Academic Year 2020-2021; Philippine Air Force Saber Award “for being the number one graduating cadet joining the Philippine Air Force”’ Australian Defence Saber Award “for being the best overall performing graduate of Philippine Air Force”; and Air Force Professional Plaque Award “for being number one in Air Force Service Core Courses.”

According to the Muntinlupa City Council resolution, Perez also received the Best Commandant’s Paper, Outstanding Graduate of Basic Air Force Course of Class 2021-A, and Ayala Young Leaders Congress 2020.

“The City Government is extending its heartfelt congratulations to 2nd Lt. Jan Hernan Rebadulla Perez for bringing honor and prestige to Muntinlupa City and serves as an epitome of excellence and leadership, and inspiration to our youth,” the resolution read.

In addition, the City Council passed an ordinance rewarding Perez with a P50,000 cash incentive as one of the PMA topnotchers.

“The City Mayor, the City Vice Mayor, and the City Council grants 2nd Lt. Jan Hernan Rebadulla Perez an incentive in the amount of Fifty Thousand Pesos (PhP50,000.00) pursuant to City Ordinance No. 17-107 as amended by City Ordinance No. 2020-054, in recognition of the honor he brought to the City Government of Muntinlupa,” according to the ordinance. Perez recently paid a courtesy call on Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, who commended him for his feat at the PMA.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/24/muntinlupa-city-council-mayor-commend-award-p50000-to-pma- top-cadet/ 8 Abu Sayyaf surrender in Sulu Published1 day ago on May 24, 2021 01:08 PM By Nonoy Lacson Eight members of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) surrendered to the military in Talipao, Sulu as they availed of the localized social integration program of the military in the province. Among those who surrendered include Padding Padjiri under ASG-sub-leader Alhabsy Misaya, Ibrahim Jul Uppih and alias Yasser under ASG-sub-leader Idang Susukan, Abraham Alawara, Adzar Karun, Dansalan Jumadil, Sahadani Murani, and Bulli Barri, all under the late ASG-sub-leader Said Aklam.

Armed Force of the Philippines- Western Mindanao Command (AFP-WestMinCom) Commander Lt Gen Corleto Vinluan, Jr. said the 2nd Special Forces, 15th Civil-Military Operations Battalion and 100th Infantry Battalion facilitated the surrender. Vinluan said the eight former ASG gunmen brought with them three M1 Garand Rifle, Cal .38, and Cal .45 pistols. Bautista also presented the eight ASG to Joint Task Force – Sulu and 11th Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen William N Gonzales.

https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2021/05/24/8-abu-sayyaf-surrender-in-sulu/?_I

George Floyd’s family marches to mark first anniversary of his death Kanishka Singh Relatives of George Floyd, the African-American whose death triggered protests against racism and police brutality across the United States and around the world, gathered on Sunday in a rally to mark the first anniversary of his death.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/george-floyds-family-marches-mark-first-anniversary-his-death- 2021-05-24/

The Fed thinks it can have it all: strong economy, job growth, stable inflation Howard Schneider Tension between sticky job markets and rising prices could pose a growing problem for U.S. Federal Reserve officials who have staked an aggressive monetary policy on the belief they can avoid a conflict between returning U.S. employment to pre-pandemic levels and keeping inflation under control.

https://www.reuters.com/business/job-inflation-tradeoff-exiled-fed-policy-could-mean-hot-summer- 2021-05-24/

Harris under fire for wiping hand after handshake with Moon

By Kim So-hyun

Published : May 24, 2021 - 14:44 Updated : May 24, 2021 - 14:51 US Vice President Kamala Harris is under fire in the US for an “insulting” gesture: She wiped her hand after shaking hands with President Moon Jae-in at the White House last week.

Footage of Harris wiping her right hand on her jacket immediately after shaking hands with Moon at the end of a joint press conference last Friday went viral.

Conservative US broadcaster Fox News said many Americans had become more germ- conscious since COVID-19 started, but that Harris may have made her concerns too conspicuous.

One Twitter user commented that Harris’ gesture was not only disrespectful, but would have been called racist had she been a Republican.

Another wrote, “Kamala Harris insults South Korean President Moon Jae-in by wiping her hand off after shaking his hand.”

Some Twitter users defended Harris, saying she’d met Moon unmasked in the midst of the pandemic and it was “probably just a natural reaction.”

But others remarked that it was one of the first events held at the White House without masks since Biden took office.

It is rare for a US vice president to meet one on one with a foreign head of state.

Moon and Harris said at the joint press conference that they had discussed North Korea and international health issues.

Moon was the second foreign leader to hold a face-to-face summit with Biden since the US president took office in January.

The first was Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga last month. http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20210524000734

U.S. business chamber calls on Vietnam to ease quarantine, free up vaccines The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Hanoi urged Vietnam on Monday to ease its lengthy quarantine period for vaccinated travellers and allow the private sector to help procure COVID-19 vaccines for their employees in the Southeast Asian country. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-business-chamber-calls-vietnam-ease-quarantine-free- up-vaccines-2021-05-24/

US ready to engage with North Korea: Blinken

By Ahn Sung-mi

Published : May 24, 2021 - 15:37 Updated : May 24, 2021 - 17:07

The US has put the diplomatic ball in Pyongyang’s court, with its Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressing that Washington is prepared to engage with North Korea to discuss denuclearization, but it remains uncertain whether the reclusive regime will respond.

“We are waiting to see if Pyongyang actually wants to engage. The ball is in their court,” Blinken said in an interview with ABC on Sunday, adding that Washington is prepared to pursue diplomacy with the North even as the sanctions remain in place.

Blinken’s remarks come after US President Joe Biden’s summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Washington on Friday. At the meeting Biden demonstrated a clear willingness to engage in dialogue with Pyongyang toward the goal of the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and said he would meet the country’s leader, Kim Jong-un, under the right conditions.

The top diplomat echoed Biden’s stance that the best chance of achieving the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula was to “engage diplomatically with North Korea on a deliberate, calibrated approach where we seek to make progress toward that goal.”

“I don’t think there’s going to be a grand bargain where this gets resolved in one fell swoop. It’s got to be clearly calibrated diplomacy, clear steps from the North Koreans, and it moves forward in that way,” he added.

During Friday’s summit, Biden and Moon reaffirmed their commitment to diplomacy and dialogue with the recalcitrant regime, building on past agreements with the North, including the Panmunjom Declaration and the Singapore joint statement. The allies’ efforts for peace on the peninsula and to push Pyongyang to give up nuclear weapons have been stalled since the collapse of the 2019 Hanoi talks between Kim and former President Donald Trump.

Signaling Washington’s readiness to resume talks with Pyongyang, Biden also appointed Sung Kim, a veteran Korean American diplomat who led the US delegation at the six- party talks with the North, as a special envoy for North Korea.

Moon said on social media that Biden’s choice of Kim, who is well versed in the Korean Peninsula situation and negotiations with the North, and who can talk with North Koreans without an interpreter, represents Washington’s message to Pyongyang that it is ready for talks. http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20210524000799

Hong Kong protests: head of activist group tells court illegal rally came after authorities denied right to lawful assembly

• Civil Human Rights Front convenor Figo Chan is on trial along with media tycoon Jimmy Lai and eight others for organising unauthorised National Day protest • After pleading guilty and ahead of sentencing, they seek to put distance between them and the violence that erupted during the procession

Jasmine Siu

The head of a civil-rights group behind some of Hong Kong’s biggest protests told the District Court on Monday that he and his co-defendants, including media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, would not be on trial for organising an unauthorised rally two years ago if they had been allowed to lawfully exercise their right to assembly.

Civil Human Rights Front convenor Figo Chan Ho-wun, 25, was among 10 prominent opposition figures to plead guilty before Judge Amanda Woodcock last week to one count of organising an unauthorised assembly during the social unrest and remanded in custody ahead of sentencing this Friday.

The court heard that police had rejected the front’s application for permission to stage a rally in Causeway Bay and Central on National Day on October 1, 2019.

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3134692/hong-kong-protests-head- activist-group-tells-court

Lithuania becomes pivot point for spreading Xinjiang- related lies: Chinese researcher

By Fan LingzhiPublished: May 24, 2021 10:22 PM

With Lithuania bowing to pressure from the US by withdrawing from the China- CEEC 17+1, the Baltic nation has become a pivot point in spreading Xinjiang- related rumors, showing that some politicians and media in the country are willing to spread false information, according to the latest findings of a Chinese researcher.

Li Baiyang, a member of the team conducting "Research on Basic Science Issues of National Security Management Decision-Making Systems" and a postdoctoral fellow at the Information Resources Research Center of Wuhan University, told the Global Times on Monday that with the help of the GDELT news research tool, Lithuania has become the country with the highest number of reports about so- called "genocide" in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202105/1224353.shtml

Pitfalls of a one-sided game with China

Dr. Francisco Magno, Trustee and Convenor of the Right Governance and Open Governments Program, Stratbase ADR Institute

In 2016, the United Nations Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines declaring that the nine-dash line claim by China in the South China Sea is invalid and contravenes the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The arbitral court finds that China violated the sovereign rights of the Philippines in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The Chinese transgressions include interfering with Philippine fishing and hydrocarbon exploration, constructing artificial islands, and failing to prevent their fishermen from fishing in the EEZ of the Philippines.

Ironically, the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte refused to claim the victory. Instead, it worked on a strategy of appeasement of China and embracing its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The BRI seeks to create infrastructures that will connect China to more than 60 countries across Asia, Europe and Africa through two channels: the westward land route through Central Asia to Europe and the southern maritime routes through Southeast Asia to South Asia, Africa, and Europe.

The start of the BRI fostered a string of bilateral agreements between China and participating countries. As of March 2020, 138 countries have joined and sealed a Memorandum of Understanding with China.

functioningDarlene Estrada at the pointed center. out in “The Belt and Road Initiative and Philippine Participation in the Maritime Silk Road” that the BRI becomes a network of bilateral ties, with China The BRI was launched to link a wide collection of investment and infrastructure projects across three continents to stimulate trade and economic growth.

B improveAccording its to trade Marissa facilitation Maricosa measures Paderon particularl and Ricardoy in Ang infrastructure III in “Possible to help Effects develop of China’s the supplyelt and value Road chain Initiative between on Philippine the Philippines Trade and and China Investments,” including the other government countries should in Asia involved in the global supply network.

https://adrinstitute.org/2021/05/22/pitfalls-of-a-one-sided-game-with-china/

How China and Pakistan Negotiate

KATHARINE ADENEY, FILIPPO BONI MAY 24, 2021 CHINA LOCAL/GLOBAL

China has become a global power, but there is too little debate about how this has happened and what it means. Many argue that China exports its developmental model and imposes it on other countries. But Chinese players also extend their influence by working through local actors and institutions while adapting and assimilating local and traditional forms, norms, and practices. With a generous multiyear grant from the Ford Foundation, Carnegie has launched an innovative body of research on Chinese engagement strategies in seven regions of the world—Africa, Central Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa, the Pacific, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Through a mix of research and strategic convening, this project explores these complex dynamics, including the ways Chinese firms are adapting to local labor laws in Latin America, Chinese banks and funds are exploring traditional Islamic financial and credit products in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, and Chinese actors are helping local workers upgrade their skills in Central Asia. These adaptive Chinese strategies that accommodate and work within local realities are mostly ignored by Western policymakers in particular.

Ultimately, the project aims to significantly broaden understanding and debate about China’s role in the world and to generate innovative policy ideas. These could enable local players to better channel Chinese energies to support their societies and economies; provide lessons for Western engagement around the world, especially in developing countries; help China’s own policy community learn from the diversity of Chinese experience; and potentially reduce frictions.

https://carnegieendowment.org/2021/05/24/how-china-and-pakistan-negotiate-pub-84592

Black Lives Matter, Palestinian Resistance, and the Ties That Bind

The symbiosis between African Americans and Palestinians grows as both groups face human rights crises.

BY GABRIELLE GURLEY

MAY 21, 2021 Expandpolice and special forces barely distinguishable from fully kitted-out soldiers descended on young Palestinians who, intending to meet up at the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City, found the plaza blocked off. They also attacked those at prayer in the al-Aqsa mosque. These events and others, along with Israeli settlers’ wanton expulsions of Palestinian families from the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, led to the current clashes in Israel and Palestine—this round apparently now coming to a halt with a cease-fire. They also led to an unprecedented general strike by Palestinians in Israel and the occupied territories.

The rubber bullets and tear gas shot into crowds, the pummeling of heads into cement and asphalt, the arrests, and the expulsions magnify the cruelty—and that’s the point. But they also brought the dehumanization and the daily roster of injustices faced by Palestinians into sharp relief—just as George Floyd’s murder last year did for anyone who had wanted to absolve America of racial terrorism.

https://prospect.org/world/black-lives-matter-palestinian-resistance-and-the-ties-that-bind/

B-21 bomber could be Australia’s best long- range strike option

24 May 2021|Marcus Hellyer

strategic environment and the need for new military capabilities Theto address government’s it. 2020 defence strategic update provided refreshing clarity about Australia’s deteriorating These include long-range strike capabilities to impose greater cost on potential great- power adversaries at greater range from Australia. The government also included a shopping list of those capabilities giving a broad outline of schedule and the scale of investment.

shopping list crosses that gap achingly slowly. In the vast reaches of the Indo -Pacific, range But there’s a big gap between where we are today-range and where strike we cupboard need to be,is bare. and the The F-35A has an effective combat radius of about 1,000 kilometres. That can be boosted to aboutis crucial 1,500 and kilometres the Australian with Defencethe use of Force’s expensive long and vulnerable tanker aircraft. But even -ranged by Chinese missiles - thatbases doesn’t are destroyed. cover much of our neighbourhood. It’s also easily out —it doesn’t matter how good the F 35A is if it’s taken out on the ground or its ther. Its six submarines provide only two for

The navy doesn’t have much to offer ei -month turnaround back to Australia to reload.operations, And whichon the doesn’tcurrent guarantee Attack-class one submarine on station sch to edule,our north. it could They be can close only to carry2040 a few beforestrike missiles the number and onceof boats they’re in our fired, submarine it’s a one fleet grows. With the government providing Defence with $575 billion over the coming decade, the department has to do better at getting effective strike capability into service sooner.

One option that could deliver formidable long-range strike power well before the future military option for Australia, considering we have a long history operating them. We flew bomberssubmarines out arrive of northern are bombers. Australia It’s during strange World that boWarmbers II against don’t the get Japanesemuch attention to telling as a effect, and it was only a decade ago that the F- capability, was retired. 111, long a mainstay of Australia’s deterrent

The only real candidate for a crewed long-range bomber is the B-21 stealth bomber, currently under development in the US and planned to enter service late this decade.

Remarkably for a developmental project, the B-21 seems to be roughly on schedule and on budget by F-35 engines, for example, but it will have three or four times the range of the F-35. That will allow itleveraging to reach far the out technologies into the Indo-Pacifi used in earlierc, greatly stealth complicating aircraft projects. the planning It’s using of any two adversary operating against us or our friends. It also means it can be based deep inside Australia, far from threats, and still not need to rely on tanker support.

If Australia had a squadron of 12 B-21s, it could dispatch a flight of three aircraft carrying around 30 long-range anti-ship missiles in the morning and follow it up with another in the afternoon. Unlike submarines, bombers can do it all again the next day. If the mission was to strike ground targets, they could each carry 50 guided bombs.

case). But they can potentially deliver similar results differently, for example by destroying enemyGranted, submarines bombers can’t in port, do everythingrather than that hunting submarine them downs can doat sea.(and Or the by reverse dropping is also the

sophisticated sea mines off an enemy’s naval bases. under $1 billion. A squadron of 12 aircraft will likely total around $20 25 billion once we Certainly,add in bases, that support kind of systemscapability such doesn’t as simulators come chea anp.d Themaintenance US is aiming facilities, for a unit and price so on. – ice worth That’sconsidering. a lot, but Deploying compared a B-21 to the would $45 billionalso mean to be sendi spentng on a crew future of frigates, two into the danger, $89 billion as onopposed submarines to more or than indeed 60 theon an $30 Attack-class billion on armoured submarine vehicles, or 180 onit’s a a future pr frigate. Of course, if we buy B-21s from the US, not a lot of money will be spent here on local industry program. At any rate, the bulk of spending over the life of a military aircraft is in itsindustry sustainment, in their andacquisition. much of Butthat the will Defence be spent budg herete. shouldn’t be seen primarily as an

-35 but less capability and cost than the B-21. It would involve developing a bigger, multi- There’sengined oneversion other of potential the loyal option;wingman a Goldilocks uncrewed so combalutiont aircraftwith greater recently range test than flown the by F Boeing Australia. That would take a commitment from the government and Defence to invest in its development, as well as trust that autonomous systems can deliver lethal effects at long range.

But we could pursue both approaches as an insurance policy to hedge against the risks we are facing. https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/b-21-bomber-could-be-australias-best-long-range-strike-option/

What’s beyond the F-35 for Australia?

25 May 2021|Malcolm Davis

The evolving debate in the US about the future of the F-35A joint strike fighter may open up new opportunities for the Royal Australian Air Force to take a radically different direction in its future capability development.

Under Project AIR 6000 Phase 7, additional F-35As are one option under consideration, bringing the fleet up to a maximum of 100 aircraft in total. There now might be good reason to consider alternatives, rather than rush to embrace an all-F-35A capability. The current debate in the US focuses on the high sustainment cost of the JSF, and whether the US Air Force really wants to depend so heavily on the aircraft as its core capability amid rising US China strategic and military competition.

– sion about a clean- -plus/fifth gen- replaceThere’s thealso F-16, talk ofrather reducing than the buying USAF’s more purchase F-35As. of 1,765 aircraft, and even discus sheet design for a lightweight ‘fourth gen minus’ aircraft to A recent US Government Accountability Office report on USAF F-35 sustainment and readiness suggests that full mission capable rates for the F-35A fall short of USAF requirements, at only 54% versus a 72% objective for the 2020 US fiscal year, while sustainment costs over a 60-year life cycle have increased steadily from $US1.11 trillion to $US1.27 trillion, leadi

The report also notes ngongoing to ‘a substantial challenges and with growing logistics gap support between emerging estima fromted sustainment the failure ofcosts the and Autonomous affordability Logistics constraints’. Information System known as ALIS and notes the subsequent development of a replacement Operational Data Integrated Network, or ODIN, is

encounteringThe GAO report ‘myriad suggests … technical there are and also programmatic challenges wi thun thecertainties’. F- greater number of repairs taking longer than expected, reducing mission readiness further and driving up costs. 35’s engine, with a

-35A sustainment costs by 47 -dollar funding gaps for a fleet of 1,192 aircraft by 2036.In terms of sustainment costs, the USAF will ‘need to reduce F per cent’, in order to avoid multibillion These challenges cannot help but influence debate now emerging that could shape a USAF air combat review and the US Department of Defense 2023 budget. The prospect of escalating sustainment costs, and less than acceptable mission-capable rates will boost calls by proponents for reducing dependency on the F-35 in favour of a new platform.

This is occurring as the USAF is engaged in developing the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) project to complement and ultimately replace both the F-35A and the older F-22 aircraft.

Central to success of NGAD is a new approach to capability acquisition called e- development.

That NGAD project, employing e-development based around synthetic design and testing, has already seen an actual physical demonstrator aircraft fly after a development period of three years.

As the RAAF considers its options for AIR 6000 Phase 7, these challenges in the US present opportunity not risk.

Rather than automatically defaulting to acquiring another 28 F-35As, the RAAF needs to seize the opportunity to embrace what might emerge from NGAD by the early 2030s and at the same time fully support the development of manned unmanned teaming via the Boeing loyal wingman aircraft as a complementary capability to both the F-35 and a future air dominance system. –

Above all else, the RAAF and Defence must shift gears to embrace rapid capability acquisition that epitomises e- Delaying consideration of an F-35 replacement until the mid-2030s would be a mistake. development and the ‘digital century series’ of NGAD. emerging threats and remain on a technological par with the US. Instead, a ‘digital century series’ approach will allow Australia to keep pace with rapidly If the USAF does decide to avoid banking everything on the F-35A, it will be better for Australia to maintain a synergistic approach to capability development between the USAF and the RAAF.

That would boost our operational and geopolitical capital within the alliance beyond even what exists now and enable us to better respond to rapid adversary capability growth and technological surprise.

The time for new ideas and new thinking on future air combat capability is now. https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/whats-beyond-the-f-35-for-australia/

The case for an Indigenous Australian civil defence force

24 May 2021|John CoyneNorth of 26° south

Australia needs an agile surge capacity to provide emergency personnel to respond to disasters, domestically and into our near region. That need will only grow, due to the 2020 bushfires and Covid-19 have both illustrated that existing civil security and emergency responseincreasingly arrangements frequent and can intense be quickly weather overwhelmed. events we’re now experiencing. The 2019–

demand for civil defence responses. While the ADF is doubtlessly agi To date, the Australian Defence Force has been the government’s answer to the increasing le and capable, it’s also ifan they expensive impact capability on its capacity that is and already capability. overcommitt ed. Australia’s increasingly uncertain security environment is argument enough that the ADF shouldn’t be diverted to civil tasks So, where do we get a new civil defence emergency service from? Volunteers have traditionally been a key element of our state emergency services and community commitment to meet current needs, and we could soon be drawing from an almostcountry empty and rural well. fire services. However, we’re already drawing on a lot of goodwill and

capable over the past two decades. But Defence is trying to increase their capacity and capabilityAustralia’s to reserve perform force their elements, primary especially task of warfigh thoseting. of the The army, addition have ofbecome new civil increasingly defence training requirements is probably a bridge too far for part-time ADF members already under pressure to meet individual and collective warfighting readiness levels.

In trying to answer this dilemma, I found myself reflecting on my youth in central Queensland. I remember being in awe of the way my family members and the Indigenous stockmen they worked with could fix anything. Of course, living remote requires the d and still can fix almost anything. evelopment of a high level of resilience. ‘Bush mechanics’ could— — In remote communities, many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians have those skills. Life in remote places remains challenging, and replacement parts and qualified and capable citizens. tradesmen can be days away. The locals are, by necessity, some of Australia’s most resilient Little wonder then that members of those communities are sought after for their skills and knowledge of the country by Australia: the Pilbara Regiment, the 51st Battalion of the Far North Queensland Regiment and the North-West Mobile Forcethe ADF’s (Norforce). regional force surveillance units in northern

ranger programs rely on

Similarly,and intimate there understanding ought to be no of surpriseCountry. that northern Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians’ capabilities and their deep connection Unemployment is inexcusably high in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. With the resilience and abilities locals already have, imagine how much more capable these communities would be if training in skills such as search and rescue, first aid, firefighting and swift-water rescue were to be provided.

Being able to call upon a 300- or 400-strong unit of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander civil defence unit, consisting of 18- to 30-year-olds under guidance from local elders to respond to emergencies at home and abroad could be a great force for good.

The skills and training provi most remote communities. More importantly, it would bring positive community outcomes, including much- ded to that civil emergency force could be used in Australia’s provided with training that can be used daily in support of their communities. needed employment and training. It will see those ‘bush mechanics’ In northern Australia, susceptibility to natural disasters like cyclones and droughts is exacerbated from a policy perspective by the small size and often wide dispersion of populations. While state emergency services and rural fire services still make significant contributions to those regions, more capability is needed, often on very short notice. An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander civil defence force unit has the potential to address that challenge.

when a 300-strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander response force arrives in the PacificAnd let’s islands not forget to help the locals powerful clean message up after thata cyc wouldlone. Or be when sent regionally a unit arrives and innationally southern NSW to help during the next fire season.

Of course, setting up that kind of arrangement would be no easy task. But setting up ranger their issues, but both continue to deliver capability. programs and regional force surveillance units wasn’t easy either. Both programs have had While the Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australian governments could establish their own Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander civil defence units, it makes sense in terms of economies of scale for the federal government to take the lead here. The program could be integrated with existing policy initiatives, such as the ranger program. The government could make the kind of investment into training and capital to ensure that this force could be kept at a high level of readiness for a fraction of the direct and opportunity costs of having ADF personnel performing the same tasks. https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-case-for-an-indigenous-australian-civil-defence-force/

RN Wildcats field new anti-surface guided weapons for CSG21 by Richard Scott

The UK Royal Navy (RN) is fielding the new Thales Martlet and MBDA Sea Venom anti- surface missiles as part of the CSG21 carrier strike group deployment prior to declaring initial operating capability (IOC) with the two weapons.

Led by the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth , CSG21 is a 26-week deployment to the Indo-Pacific region. The group sailed from the United Kingdom from22 to 23 May.

Four Wildcat HMA2 flights from 815 Naval Air Squadron are deploying as part of CSG21. Embarked on the Type 45 destroyers HMS Defender https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/rn-wildcats-field-new-anti-surface-guided-weapons- for-csg21

Iran switches off UN watchdog’s cameras at its atomic sites David Rose, Beirut

Monday May 24 2021, 12.01am, The Times

Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said video sharing was over

MOHAMAD ESLAMI RAD/GAMMA-RAPHO/GETTY IMAGES

Iran will no longer share images of its sensitive nuclear activity with United Nations inspectors, a senior politician h as said, straining international efforts to save its non-proliferation deal.

Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Speaker of the parliament, said that surveillance video from key sites would no longer be shared with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Yesterday the agency was trying to negotiate an extension to continue

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/iran-switches-off-un-watchdogs-cameras-at-its-atomic-sites- sdcjkp2js

Israelis Worry Beijing Will Increase Syrian Presence

While Israeli sources fear China has military ambitions in Syria, the issue of Chinese intentions there is a subject of intense debate among experts. By ARIE EGOZI on May 24, 2021 at 10:51 AM

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Marine Corps Gen. Kenneth McKenzie (left), commander Central Command (CENTCOM) meets with Lt. Gen. Ghanim Bin Shaheen Al Ghanim, Qatar Armed Forces chief, during his visit to Qatar, April 14, 2019.

TEL AVIV: There are signs that China may be moving to take advantage of the US withdrawal from Syria as part of a larger effort to expand its footprint in the Gulf and Middle East, Israeli sources fret.

Beijing for some time has had a toe in Syria — politically aligning with Russia in efforts at the UN to shield Bashar al-Assad’s regime and counter Western influence; voicing willingness to take part in the country’s post-civil war reconstruction; and providing small amounts of humanitarian aid.

One Israeli source asserted that Beijing’s actions are at least in part a cover for its wider Middle Eastern ambitions. “It is obvious that the main target is to have military foothold in Syria,” one source said. “The US is aware of the Chinese plan but so far has not done anything to stop it.” Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, head of Central Command, during a visit to the Gulf states told reporters that the Middle East, writ large, “is an area of intense competition between the great powers. And I think that as we adjust our posture in the region, Russia and China will be looking very closely to see if a vacuum opens that they can exploit,” Al Jazeera reported today.

McKenzie noted that weapons sales are a lever both Moscow and Beijing could use to expand their influence in Syria and the wider region, according to the report. (Both Moscow and Beijing have provided weapons to Iraq, for example.) He noted that Russia has a history of offering air defense systems and other weapons to all comers; and China has a long-term goal to expand its economic power and ultimately establish military bases in the region.

The issue of Chinese intentions in Syria, however, is a subject of intense debate among experts. For example, a recent report by the Operations & Policy Center, a Syrian research organization based in Turkey, argued that Beijing is unlikely to wade far into Syria because the country’s instability is only growing. While Beijing sees the Assad regime as a point of stability in countering the growth of Islamic terrorists, it sees little economic interest in pouring yen into a country that by every measure is falling apart, argue Samy Akil and Karam Shaar in “The Red Dragon in the Land of Jasmine: An Overview of China’s Role in the Syrian Conflict.”

As for Russia, the Defense Intelligence Agency believes Russia is waging a campaign of harassment against US and Western forces in Syria with an “ultimate goal” of pushing the US out of Syria, according to a May 8 report to Congress by the Pentagon’s Lead Inspector General for Operation Inherent Resolve. An Israeli defense source sad that the Russians are “moving slow but with a plan.”

https://breakingdefense.com/2021/05/israelis-worry-beijing-will-increase-syrian-presence/

Family Martyrdom: Examining Suicide Terrorism Trends in Southeast Asia

Indonesia’s recent Makassar Church bombing by two newly wedded couples highlights the continued trend of family suicide bombings in the region.

By Kenneth Yeo Yaoren

May 24, 2021

Armed police officers stand guard at the gate of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral which was attacked by suicide bomb on March 28, ahead of Mass on Good Friday, April 2, 2021, in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Credit: AP Photo/Masyudi S. FirmansyahAdvertisement

Twenty people were injured in the suicide bombing of a church in Makassar, Indonesia on Palm Sunday, March 28, 2021. According to reports, the perpetrators were newly wedded millennials who learned how to make a bomb online and were affiliated with the Islamic State-linked Jamaah Ansharud Daulah (JAD). While suicide bombings have been a global trend for decades, the practice only penetrated Southeast Asia in the years after the 2002 Bali Bombings.

The recent spate of suicide bombing attacks makes it increasingly apparent that entire family units have been mobilized as suicide bombers. Some attribute this to the Islamic State’s appeal for the more active participation of women in terrorist attacks. Southeast Asia lags in the deployment of women as suicide bombers. Women have been perpetrators of suicide bombing campaigns elsewhere, including in Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

This article highlights trends of suicide bombing in Southeast Asia and factors that influence certain groups’ reasons for employing this tactic. A 2018 suicide attack in Surabaya initiated the trend of family suicide bombings in Southeast Asia. It also sparked media and academic curiosity because it highlighted the exploitation of women and children in terrorist attacks.

Suicide bombings have since been concentrated in the Philippines, mainly in the Sulu Archipelago. In 2019 alone, there were four suicide bombing attacks and attempts, primarily conducted by foreign families.

This was exemplified by the Jolo Cathedral Attack on January 27, 2019. The perpetrators of the attack were an Indonesian couple, Rullie Rian Zeke and Ulfah Handayani Saleh. The husband and wife attempted to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State but were deported from Turkey. The family then migrated to Sulu instead. A year after the attack, their daughter, Rezky Fantasya Rullie (alias “Cici”), was arrested for attempting to launch a suicide attack on October 10, 2020. Her husband is the deceased Andi Baso, a recruiter for Abu Sayyaf in Malaysia and Indonesia.

https://thediplomat.com/2021/05/family-martyrdom-examining-suicide-terrorism-trends-in-southeast- asia/

MOVING TOWARD A HOLISTIC, RIGOROUS, ANALYTICAL READINESS FRAMEWORK MAY 24, 2021 1 COMMENT

Redefining Readiness Topic Week

By Connor S. McLemore, Shaun Doheney, Philip Fahringer, and Dr. Sam Savage

On April 24th, 1980, eight American helicopters heavily laden with special forces and their equipment launched from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz operating in the Arabian Sea. They flew northeast into the Iranian desert to rendezvous with refueling aircraft in order to attempt a rescue of 52 hostages taken in 1979 from the American Embassy in Teheran. The operation, Eagle Claw, ended in disaster: a dust cloud kicked up by aircraft propellers and helicopter rotor blades caused one of the helicopters to collide with a refueling aircraft and explode, killing eight U.S. personnel and wounding several others. Yet the mission had already been aborted prior to the collision. During the flight to the refueling site, three helicopters suffered equipment failures, leaving just five able to continue the mission. Mission go/no-go criteria required at least six helicopters to continue, and the order from the president to abort the mission was passed. The tragic collision occurred when aircraft were attempting to transfer fuel in order to depart Iran after the mission was already cancelled.

Helicopter capability to support Eagle Claw was quantifiable based on historical helicopter failure data, and yet prior to the mission, it was not quantified. The Holloway Report, which detailed the results of the investigation into the mission’s failure, laid bare how the number of helicopters sent was a major contributing factor to the early mission abort, and recommended that more helicopters should have been sent. Using basic probability theory and known helicopter failure rates, the mission had an estimated probability of 32 percent that there would not be six helicopters ready at the refueling site. Former President Jimmy Carter said in 2015, when asked if he wished he had done anything differently as president, “I wish I’d sent one more helicopter to get the hostages, and we would have rescued them, and I would have been re- elected.” Yet over 40 years later, the same underlying military readiness shortfalls that prioritized availability over capability for those helicopters remain largely unfixed.

https://cimsec.org/moving-toward-a-holistic-rigorous-analytical-readiness-framework/

Op-ed | Arming warfighters with advanced weather systems: What must happen next by Paul Meyer — May 24, 2021

A rendering of a DMSP Block 5D weather satellite built in the 1970s. Credit: USAF/SpaceNews Cubesats aren't the solution for permanently replacing the U.S. military's DMSP weather satellites weather plays a critical role in current and future military operations. For our nation’s defenders, understanding the effect of weather conditions is essential to planning and safely executing successful missions across the Joint Force. For example, clouds and their specific movement could be leveraged in route planning, or there could be a benefit to knowing if dense clouds are covering an area of interest.

Historically, our warfighters haven’t always been armed with the most advanced technology to forecast weather systems and gain an advantage over our adversaries. More recently, they have been working at a disadvantage that is only increasing with time, despite the technology being readily available for current deployment. A Closer Look at History

In the 1960s, the U.S. government introduced the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, or DMSP, a series of satellites that provides weather data for military operations, which is currently nearing the end of its use. Under Air Force operation, the satellites in the DMSP constellation are reaching the end of their life. Equipped with dated technology, many experts predict that these satellites may not last until a new solution is launched in a few years, potentially creating mission capability gaps for our warfighters and only making our adversaries stronger.

Climate change is a key national security consideration, and like other areas of its impact, we need to be creative in fielding solutions for the next future weather constellation to support our military. It’s time to strike while the iron is hot and arm our defenders with the proper tools and technology to operate safely and retain a combat advantage.

https://spacenews.com/op-ed-arming-warfighters-with-advanced-weather-systems-what-must-happen- next/ Managing the Military Problem of Space: The Case of China, Part 2 Unlike the U.S. Space Force, China’s PLASSF is not an independent service.

By Robert Farley

May 24, 2021

Credit: UnsplashAdvertisement

Based on an assessment of the technological and strategic environment, in 2015 China overhauled its defense bureaucracy, with a particular emphasis on “information” domains such as space and cyber. The 2015 reorganization was intended to facilitate joint, multidomain warfare by establishing the conditions necessary for space, cyber, and electromagnetic dominance. This has resulted in what some call China’s “space force,” but in reality the resulting organizations differ dramatically from their counterparts in the United States.

Since the 2015 reorganization, China’s space capabilities are divided between several different agencies, but primarily reside in the People’s Liberation Army Strategic Support Force (PLASSF) and the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF). The latter, formerly the Second Artillery, manages the PLA’s extensive force of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as the communications infrastructure necessary for targeting and delivery.

For its part, the PLASSF has responsibility for space, cyber, and electromagnetic spectrum domains, making it a genuinely joint organization in concept, at least. A RAND report on the reorganization argues that the PLASSF should be thought of as an organization intended to facilitate joint warfare, rather than as a “space force” or “cyber force” in U.S. terminology. Indeed, in some ways the cyber warfare organs of the PLASSF more closely resemble intelligence than military organizations in the U.S. system. If the lines between the U.S. Space Force and U.S. Space Command remain blurry and uncertain, the PLASSF in some ways more closely resembles the now defunct Joint Forces Command, which worked to integrate existing U.S. military capabilities and to shepherd “transformation” in the Department of Defense. It also resembles a grown up version of DoD’s now-obsolete Air-Sea Battle Office, which focused on concentrating and deconflicting air and sea assets in the Western Pacific.

China’s space capabilities are extensive, with a wide array of launch vehicles, satellites, and land and sea-based installations for monitoring, collecting, and analyzing data. Prior to 2015 the bureaucratic organs for managing these capabilities were spread across a bewildering array of military, civilian government, and defense industrial base (DIB) firms. The PLASSF has amalgamated some of these capabilities and given “space jointness” a degree of authority within the wider military bureaucracy. However, the PLASSF has not taken over the entirety of Chinese space responsibilities; the services each retain their own space capabilities, and the PLASSF does not appear to have authority over missile defense or ground-based counter-space missions. It does not control the China Manned Space Agency, a rough analogue of the United States’ NASA.

https://thediplomat.com/2021/05/managing-the-military-problem-of-space-the-case-of-china-part-2/

Cyber and EMP Preparedness By Peter Pry

May 24, 2021

(Hyosub Shin/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Dear Deputy National Security Advisor Neuberger,

Congratulations on your appointment as the President’s White House “Cybersecurity Czar.”

Condolences that your appointment coincides with a looming existential threat to our nation from Cyber

Warfare. Russia's cyber-attack on the Colonial Pipeline that provides 45% of petroleum needed by the eastern U.S. for civilian and military use, preceded by Russia's unprecedented SolarWinds cyber-attack on hundreds of federal departments and agencies, and thousands of industries and utilities, highlights

U.S. vulnerability.

Just a few weeks ago, amidst concerns that Russia might invade Ukraine, Russia’s state-owned media warned that a Russia-U.S. Cyber War targeting critical infrastructures is “inevitable.” Russia threatens it can win a Cyber War decisively by attacking the U.S. electric grid. Russian TV described cyber-attack options ranging from small-scale to existential threats, including blacking-out part of New York City

(Harlem was mentioned), or blacking-out the state of Florida, or blacking-out the entire continental

United States.[i] Now Colonial Pipeline has been hacked, shut down temporarily. Cyber-attacks can destroy pipelines, causing them to explode. Colonial Pipeline is crucial to fueling U.S. military power projection capabilities from the east coast to protect NATO or to help Ukraine during a Russian invasion.[ii] That is why the

Colonial Pipeline was really targeted, not for the millions paid in ransom, but as a demonstration of

Russia’s cyber-power. https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2021/05/24/cyber_and_emp_preparedness_778417.html

Thinking Small: How the Intelligence Community Can Catalyze Digital Transformation

May 24, 2021

Strategists in Washington, London, and other allied capitals continue to paint a bleak picture of the future. The Biden administration took the rare step of issuing its Interim National Security Strategic Guidance in March, which reflected the White House’s initial outlook on how to meet an increasingly complex and contested world. The tremendous challenges ahead are echoed in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s (ODNI) quadrennial Global Trends report as well as in the United Kingdom’s capstone, whole-of-government strategy document, the 2021 Integrated Review. As the Biden administration zeroes in on a final National Security Strategy in the coming months, there are serious questions about the U.S. Intelligence Community’s (IC) ability to provide timely, accurate, and meaningful warning and analysis on China, Russia, and an increasingly diverse range of state and non-state competitors.

The IC is not blind to the urgency of transformation. As recently highlighted during the public hearing on the ODNI’s 2021 Annual Threat Assessment, there is broad recognition that strategic competition and disruptive adversarial behavior in the information space will require the IC to modernize its technology, human capital, and culture. Over the past several years, components across the intelligence enterprise have issued strategic roadmaps that seek to transform how intelligence professionals integrate technology into their work.

This long-term planning is well-informed and essential; however, the promises of large-scale, disruptive technological change are years, if not decades, away. Meanwhile, the intelligence mission grows more complex by the day. Intelligence officers are already overwhelmed with data. The signal-to-noise ratio is unmanageable, and adversaries are using increasingly sophisticated methods to conceal those signals and to introduce more noise and uncertainty into the system.

To put some perspective on the data challenge facing the IC, the general public can browse more than 321 gigabytes of data the CIA has declassified since the 2010 operation targeting Osama bin Laden. This cache includes more than 18,000 text documents, 6,600 audio files, 10,000 videos, and 72,000 images in varying formats and multiple languages. While that one operation was large, it was hardly unique in scale. And in the decade since, global data generation has increased nearly 65 times over.

https://www.csis.org/analysis/thinking-small-how-intelligence-community-can-catalyze-digital- transformation

Future of Warfare, Strategy Will Dictate Special Ops Action May 20, 2021 | BY Jim Garamone , DOD News

The future of warfare will dictate how special operations forces operate, Army Gen. Richard Clarke, the commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, said Tuesday.

Warfare "is going to be multi-domain, it's going to be partnered. And it's going to be contested in every step," he told the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference in Tampa. "Our goal is to maintain a strategic advantage."

Special operators will be in demand even as U.S. strategy moves to a world of near- peer competition with China and Russia, Clarke said.

Special operators shone in actions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. They led the way onto Afghanistan in 2001 and will be among the last troops to leave the country at the end of the retrograde. Clarke, who served in the 82nd Airborne Division in 2002 and with the 1st Ranger Battalion in 2004 in Afghanistan, understands that world quite well. But times have changed.

"I think most of you understand the counterterrorism mission," he said. "Competition, or as some refer to it as strategic competition, may be less familiar. In short, it's winning without fighting. It's taking actions below the level of combat."

Strategic competition is different. There won't be a victory parade at the end of a violent war like there was in New York at the end of World War II, he said. "Instead, our competition will endure and … it may be infinite because there's no precise end; there is not necessarily a winner. Just nations seeking competitive advantages," the general said. "And that advantage can ebb and flow."

This has always been a part of the international system, but new tools and new technologies have given adversaries new avenues to compete. In the past, this competition played out on land, sea and air. Now it is contested in the cyberworld and space as well — extending the battlefield to infinity and beyond. And it is going to be contested in the information space as well, Clarke said.

Clarke said the contest in the information space will impact all domains of warfare. "To be clear, it is a battle in the cognitive space," he said. "It takes place on the Internet, but not always. This is purely distinct from cyber from the ones and zeros in the [Colonial] pipeline attack. It is a cognitive space where we must prevail."

https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/Article/2626175/future-of-warfare-strategy-will- dictate-special-ops-action/

Rethinking U.S. Strategy on the Chessboard with Mike O’Hanlon

This week, Mike is joined by Mike O’Hanlon, senior fellow and director of research in foreign policy at the Brookings Institution, to discuss his new book, “The Art of War in an Age of Peace,” and how his new vision for U.S. grand strategy relates to the Asia-Pacific. The two begin by defining what “resolute restraint” means for U.S. Asia policy, especially regarding the rise of China, as they explore issue areas like the South China Sea. O’Hanlon makes a distinction between restraint and retrenchment, and argues for prioritizing existing commitments in Asia to our treaty allies, rather than creating new security obligations.

https://www.csis.org/node/60996

Europe’s Naval Engagement in the South China Sea

On April 19, the Council of the European Union (EU), which convenes the Foreign Affairs ministries from the EU’s 27 member states, reached a consensus in favor of an “EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.” Following Japan, Australia, India, the U.S., ASEAN and three of its key member states, the EU has also endorsed the Indo-Pacific concept. It has done so in a rather comprehensive and inclusive fashion that highlights cooperation from its very title and geographic remit. According to the EU Council’s conclusions, the Indo-Pacific spans from the eastern coast of Africa to the Pacific Islands, a region that accounts for as much as 62% of global GDP. In short, it’s a rather comprehensive “strategy” for half the world. In fact, since interests among the 27 member states vary considerably, the nine-page document reads more like lasagne – with layers of items piled up, in no particular order – rather than a strategic document.

At the same time, the document acknowledges intense, regional “geopolitical competition”, an indirect way to refer to Chinese assertiveness, tensions with its neighbors, and tense U.S.-China relations. One of the key theatres of said competition is the South China Sea, a large body of international waters where territorial and maritime disputes among littoral states are compounded by U.S.-China strategic rivalry. Interestingly, the EU Council’s document explicitly calls for a “meaningful European naval presence in the region” by expanding Maritime Domain Awareness activities from the Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia, which is code for the South China Sea. Said engagement will take place through voluntary contributions by member states and acquire an EU-wide quality by hosting military officers from other member states (if not third parties) onboard dispatched vessels. Why is the EU interested in naval presence operations in these hotly contested, far away waters?

Firstly, there are economic incentives: about 30% of global trade goes through the South China Sea, meaning member states have an active interest in safeguarding sea lines of communications connecting the EU with rich Asian markets. Secondly, the EU –a supranational and intergovernmental organization comprising medium and small powers– has substantial vested interests in the preservation of a multilateral order based on widely-shared international rules. A more actively contested international order has recently witnessed a rapid redistribution of power coinciding with Chinese assertiveness and the subsequent disruptive U.S. pushback premised on sheer power politics under the Trump administration. There’s a concrete fear that in an age of great power competition, international law will give way to the law of the jungle. For this very reason, the EU echoed the 2016 unanimous ruling by an arbitral tribunal constituted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) with its own condemnations of China’s expansive claims and militarization of geographic features in the South China Sea. And in September 2020 –shortly before Brexit– France, Germany and the United Kingdom submitted a note verbale to the United Nations to confirm support for UNCLOS’ integrity within the context of the 2016 arbitral ruling against China.

Thus, the sending of European warships in the South China Sea is not aimed at deterring China in only the narrow military sense. The steady crescendo in so-called presence operations in support of freedom of navigation is unlikely to replicate the United States’ Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs) within 12 nautical miles of disputed geographical features in the South China Sea. Instead, the aim is to buttress the consuetudinary law of the international seas to underscore free passage through the open seas while reassuring Beijing that the aim is not to contain its naval projection. After all, the defense of sea lines of communication is also a legitimate Chinese interest as much as China’s security. Much of the U.S.-China confrontation in the South China Sea stems from the very fact that Chinese strategists are wary of U.S. intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities (i.e. there is a more decisive zero-sum security angle) and are anxious of having the People’s Liberation Army’s Navy bottled up within the so-called «first island chain» − extending from Borneo to the Philippines. In this author’s opinion, the European naval engagement, while welcome from the United States and likeminded maritime democracies such as Japan, Australia and India – with whom European member states have increased their military cooperation− will be more likely conscious of the security dilemma at play. While the Chinese government increasingly objects to European presence operations, and its military and constabulary forces do harass European

https://www.chinausfocus.com/peace-security/europes-naval-engagement-in-the-south-china-sea

Crew member of Covid-stricken vessel from India dies–DOH exec byClaudeth Mocon-Ciriaco May 25, 2021

One of the 11 crew members of MV Athens Bridge who turned positive for the B11672 Covid variant died on Friday [May 21, 2021], Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire confirmed on Monday.

“’Yung sa apat na na-confine, isa ay namatay [One of the four crew members who were confined has died] last week. I think that was Friday,” Vergeire said in an online media forum on Monday.

Vergeire added that other crew members are either recuperating or have recovered already.

On May 6, 2021, MV Athens was allowed to dock in Manila after it was denied to enter Vietnam. The vessel, reported to have had travel history to India, has been allowed to dock in Manila after 12 of its Filipino crew members were positive for Covid-19, and in need of emergency medical aid. There were a total of 21 Filipinos onboard the vessel.

Vergeire said that two members were already experiencing difficulty in breathing and were immediately brought to a hospital.

“They were immediately checked. They were tested,” Vergeire then said after the crew members were transferred to a quarantine facility after the Department of Health, through the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), gave the necessary assistance to the crew members.

All of them re-swabbed and their samples sere went for genome sequencing. The results later showed that nine crew members of MV Athens turned positive of B11672 variant.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/05/25/crew-member-of-covid-stricken-vessel-from-india-dies-doh- exec/

Philippine police have no evidence of slots sold for vaccine queue jumping By New Straits Times - May 24, 2021 @ 10:39am

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A health worker inoculates a resident with a dose of the AstraZeneca/Oxford Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine inside a Catholic church turned into a vaccination centre in Manila. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)

THE Philippine National Police have yet to find any evidence of slots being sold for people to jump in queue for the government Covid-19 jabs.

PNP Chief General Guillermo Eleazar said this on the probe launched based on allegations made on social media, the Inquirer.net portal reported.

Supposedly, slots were sold between 10,000 pesos and 15,000 pesos, according to several individuals on social media, Eleazar said.

During a press conference at the Quezon City police headquarters in Camp Karingal on Sunday, Eleazar said the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has not found evidence of this.

"I talked to the director of the PNP-CIDG and we still have not confirmed that [any vaccine or inoculation slot sale] has happened and have not made arrests," Eleazar said.

"We have the copies of the exchange of text messages that went viral and the anti- cybercrime group was tasked to investigate this," he added.

"We have to find out if this is true or not, but definitely we still have no evidence that this actually happened."

https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2021/05/692576/philippine-police-have-no-evidence-slots-sold- vaccine-queue-jumping

PH ‘definitely’ getting US-donated Pfizer jabs: envoy

By Lade Jean Kabagani May 24, 2021, 8:22 pm

Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez (PNA file photo)

MANILA – The Philippines will benefit from excess coronavirus vaccines that will be donated by the United States government to the COVAX facility.

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said about "a hundred countries are asking the same thing from the US."

"From what I am told by the White House, they are going through the COVAX facility. The United States, the biggest donor, they donated about 4 billion and so we expect them to give us almost the same amount that they gave us before, which is about 2 million doses and another 2 million from Pfizer," Romualdez said in a television interview on Monday.

Romualdez said the US had already donated 80 million of the promised 4 billion doses to COVAX.

"The 80 million is the beginning of the continuing efforts by the United States in giving out to the world," he said.

The US, he said, is close to achieving herd immunity which it targets to happen by July 4, the American Independence Day.

"When that happens, we expect the US, I guess will be more generous in giving out or at least making it available to the world, the vaccines that they have developed," he said.

The US-made vaccine donations, he noted, will pass through the World Health Organization and Gavi Alliance-led COVAX facility.

"That is the vehicle that they have chosen because it's very hard for them to give it from one country to the other so through COVAX, which has been able to study which country needs the [number of vaccines], and so on," he explained.

The Philippines “definitely is a recipient” of the donations, Romualdez said, with some expected to be delivered by the second week of June.

The Philippines, he added, is also working to get booster shots from pharmaceutical companies Moderna and Pfizer towards the end of the year and until early next year.

"These booster shots can be combined with any other vaccine brands," he said.

The Philippines and the US are likewise in the "early stages" of negotiations for a co- manufacturing agreement with some Western vaccine brands.

"As far back as October last year, I have already been encouraging Moderna specifically," said Romualdez. "We’ve been talking since July of last year to look at the Philippines as a place where they could at least start the distribution point, then after that to start developing vaccines here."

He added the Philippines is also trying to get to work with the Novavax Inc. company.

"We were trying to put them together with (United Laboratories, Inc.) and also to be able to manufacture the vaccines," he said. "I think this is going to be an exciting thing for the country because not only it will be good for our health but also our economy will be able to develop a good place where we can have these vaccines develop here."

The Philippines will establish the first Virology Science and Technology Institute in New Clark City, Pampanga, part of the vaccine development and manufacturing roadmap. (PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1141343

PH’s vaccine rollout performance ‘creditable, commendable’ – WHO official

Published May 24, 2021, 4:18 PM by Jhon Aldrin Casinas

The country’s performance with regards to its rollout of the vaccines against coronavirus disease (COVID- 19) has been “creditable and commendable.”

Residents wait in line to be inoculated at Manila Prince Hotel on Tuesday. (ALI VICOY / MANILA BULLETIN)

World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to the Philippines Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe made the assessment on Monday, May 24, as the country breached the 4 million-mark in the number of vaccine doses administered.

The WHO official pointed out that the country has faced challenges in accessing the vaccines for its nationwide inoculation program.

“Given that, the performance has been very creditable and commendable. We are encouraged by what we are seeing,” he said in a public briefing.

“We recognize that there have been a few lapses, but those are not systemic lapses but individuals violating the clear protocols that have been adopted by the National Vaccine Operations Center and the government,” he added.

The National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 reported that the Philippines as administered 4,097,425 doses of coronavirus vaccines as of May 22.

Of the number, the NTF said 3,147,486 have received their first dose while 949,939 Filipinos have been fully vaccinated after receiving their second dose.

“Overall we are very encouraged by the vaccine rollout,” Abeyasinghe said.

He also called for stricter compliance of the protocols at local government levels to minimize incidents of violations at vaccination sites.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/24/phs-vaccine-rollout-performance-creditable-commendable-who- official/

Could failure to stop Covid-19 be the catalyst for a pandemic treaty?

• With WHO meeting set to receive reports detailing failures of existing systems, some are calling for a treaty to coordinate nations and agencies • A treaty could include monitoring of pandemic readiness akin to weapons inspections, and sharing of data and vaccines – but China and US aren’t on board yet

A pandemic treaty could give more powers to the WHO, experts said. Photo: Reuters

Global crises have often given rise to sweeping changes. The United Nations was ushered in after the world wars. The G7and G20blocs formed in the wake of major financial crises. Now the question is whether Covid-19will spark the creation of a powerful new treaty.The idea for a pandemic treaty, pushed forward by a small group of world leadersand the World Health Organization

(WHO) in recent months, could get its first test this week at an annual meeting of the 194 countries that make up the UN agency.

Details so far are thin, but such a treaty could go so far as to set up international monitoring for pandemic readiness akin to weapons inspections, and give far more weighty enforcement powers to the WHO, according to prominent public health voices and other experts. It could also codify global sharing of data, pathogens, medicines and vaccines.

Supporters say the gravity of the Covid-19 crisis, in which at least 3.4 million lives have been lost and trillions of dollars have been wiped off the global economy, justifies sweeping reform via a binding treaty. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3134383/could-failure-stop-covid-19-be-catalyst- pandemic-treaty

'We are at war' with Covid, says UN chief By AFP - May 24, 2021 @ 5:45pm

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Thai health official administer a dose of vaccine against Covid-19 to a Thai citizen during the Covid-19 vaccination for public service workers at vaccination centre set up inside the Bang Sue Grand Station in Bangkok, Thailand. - EPA pic

GENEVA: The world is "at war" against Covid-19, the UN chief said Monday, calling for the application of wartime logic to the inequitable access to the weapons needed to fight the pandemic.

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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres decried the "tsunami of suffering" sparked by the coronavirus crisis.

Addressing the opening of the World Health Organization's main annual assembly of member states, he pointed out that more than 3.4 million people have died and some 500 million jobs had disappeared since the disease first surfaced in China in late 2019.

"The most vulnerable are suffering most, and I fear this is far from over," Guterres said, stressing the ongoing dangers of "a two-speed global response."

"Sadly, unless we act now, we face a situation in which rich countries vaccinate the majority of their people and open their economies, while the virus continues to cause deep suffering by circling and mutating in the poorest countries," he said.

"Further spikes and surges could claim hundreds of thousands of lives, and slow the global economic recovery," he said, insisting that "Covid-19 cannot be beaten one country at a time."

Faced with this dire situation, Guterres urged recognition of the fact that "we are at war with a virus."

"We need the logic and urgency of a war economy, to boost the capacity of our weapons," he said.

The UN chief last week called on the G20 to set up a task force that brings together all countries with vaccine production capacities and others who can help boost manufacturing of vaccines and other tools needed to battle Covid.

https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2021/05/692717/we-are-war-covid-says-un-chief

Coronavirus: China passes 500 million doses in rush to meet vaccination target

• Some provinces have a cut-off of June 9 to have the first jab to allow enough time to deliver second shots by the end of the month • In China, up to 85 per cent of the population would need to be vaccinated for herd immunity, says CDC researcher who believes it’s possible this year

China inoculated more than 100 million people in one week. Photo: Reuters

China passed the 500 million-dose vaccination milestone mark on Sunday as the country pushes on to inoculate 40 per cent of the populationagainst the coronavirusby June 30.The National Health Commission said more than 13.5 million doses were administered nationwide on Sunday, bringing the total number of inoculations since mass immunisation began in December to 510.8 million.It took 25 days to reach 200 million shots, another 16 to reach 300 million and only nine to achieve 400 million on May 15.

Then, in just seven days another 100 million-plus shots were administered, with a record 17.1 million given on May 20.

An NHC official said previously that China had the capacity to do 20 million shots a day. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3134656/coronavirus-china-passes-500-million- doses-rush-meet-target-40

Wuhan lab staff sought hospital care before COVID- 19 outbreak disclosed - WSJ

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Three researchers from China's Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) sought hospital care in November 2019, a month before China reported the first cases of COVID-19, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing a U.S. intelligence report. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/wuhan-lab-staff-sought-hospital-care- before-covid-19-outbreak-disclosed-wsj-2021-05-23/

Wuhan Institute of Virology lab director refutes WSJ report on sick staff, calling US intelligence doc 'a complete lie'

By Chen Qingqing

Published: May 24, 2021 12:51 PM

Wuhan Institute of Virology file photo:VCG

The so-called US intelligence report on sick staff at the Wuhan Institute of Virology is an outright lie that came from nowhere, Yuan Zhiming, director of the institute's Wuhan National Biosafety Laboratory, told the Global Times on Monday, refuting the latest report from the Wall Street Journal about an undisclosed US intelligence report indicating three researchers from the lab became sick in November 2019.

"I've read it, it's a complete lie," Yuan said when he was asked by the Global Times on Monday morning about the WSJ story, which was published on Sunday titled "Intelligence on Sick Staff at Wuhan Lab Fuels Debate on COVID-19 Origin".

The story, citing an unpublished report that was issued during the final days of the Trump administration, said several researchers at the lab became sick in the autumn of 2019 with symptoms consistent with both COVID-19 and common seasonal illnesses.

"Those claims are groundless. The lab has not been aware of this situation [sick researchers in autumn 2019], and I don't even know where such information came from," the Chinese researcher told the Global Times.

WSJ published the story on the eve of the World Health Assembly, which is expected to discuss the next phase of the research into COVID-19's origins, the US media report said.

US politicians and media outlets have again been pursuing the lab leak theory as the origin of COVID-19, despite scientists from the WHO-China joint study team concluding in a full report after field study in Wuhan that a lab leak is extremely unlikely.

The lab leak theory was a baseless argument from the beginning, which is the consensus of global scientists, according to experts from the joint team.

The report, generated in March after WHO experts visited Wuhan, suggested COVID-19 came about from transmissions between animals and humans, and transmissions through frozen food. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202105/1224284.shtml

Covid-19 pandemic spurs 30 per cent to reduce or stop consuming wildlife, poll finds

• Wild animals seen as main source of coronavirus outbreak by nearly 60 per cent of respondents in China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and the US • More than 6,600 people were asked about their attitudes to the wildlife trade, government action, and future pandemics

Nearly 30 per cent of people polled across five countries said they would reduce or stop consuming wildlife products due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a WWF survey.And almost 60 per cent believed wildlife was the main source of the coronavirus outbreak.

The survey of more than 6,600 people in China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and the United States looked at attitudes towards the wildlife trade, government action on it, and future pandemics. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3134423/pandemic-spurs-30-cent-reduce-or-stop- consuming-wildlife-poll-finds

Explainer: What is 'black fungus' that is hitting India's COVID-19 patients?

Reuters 4 minute read

A woman walks past a graffiti on a street, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Mumbai, India, May 10, 2021. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas

A rapid rise in cases of mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, has added to the challenges faced by India's healthcare system as it deals with a massive second wave of COVID-19 infections. read more https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/what-is-black-fungus-that-is-hitting- indias-covid-19-patients-2021-05-24/

Mapping the Coronavirus Outbreak Across the World Updated: May 25, 2021, 1:20 PM GMT+8

Brazil 2,139 76,655 N/A N/A

U.K. 1,956 68,474 2,592.3 2.5

U.S. 1,788 100,353 1,325.0 2.8

France 1,609 83,823 N/A 6.0

Germany 1,089 45,572 736.2 8.0

Russia 823 34,890 925.1 8.1

India 234 20,547 247.4 0.5

Japan 98 5,742 102.0 13.1

Mainland China 3 65 N/A 4.3

Testing data as of May 21, 2021, 8:42 PM GMT+8 Sources: OECD for number of hospital beds (2016 for the U.S., 2017 for other countries), government agencies and the COVID Tracking Project via Our World in Data for testing data (various recent dates) (reported in the past 45 days) and the U.S. Census Bureau for population figures (2019).

The world is bracing for a new wave of Covid-19 infections, as the coronavirus pandemic has infected more than 165 million people and killed more than 3.4 millionglobally since late January 2020. Efforts many countries took to stamp out the pneumonia-like illness led to entire nations enforcing lockdowns, widespread halts of international travel, mass layoffs and battered financial markets. Recent attempts to revive social life and financial activities have resulted in another surge in cases and hospitalizations, though new drugs and improved care may help more people who get seriously ill survive. 01002003004001 yrDays since 100 confirmed cases1001,00010,000100,0001,000,00010,000,00030,000,000CasesMainland ChinaSouth KoreaJapanFranceSingaporeSpainU.K.Hong KongU.S.AustraliaBrazilIndiaRussiaTaiwanNew Zealand Note: JHU CSSE reporting began on January 22, 2020, when mainland China had already surpassed 500 cases. Source: Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering 167,319,078 Confirmed cases worldwide 3,473,500 Deaths worldwide Jurisdictions with cases confirmed as of May 25, 2021, 1:20 PM GMT+8 1–99

100–999

1,000–9,999

10,000–99,999

100,000–999,999

1,000,000–9,999,999 10 million or more Where deaths have occurred Deaths Cases U.S. 590,529 33,143,326 Brazil 449,858 16,120,756 India 307,231 26,948,874 Mexico 221,695 2,397,307 U.K. 127,986 4,480,760 Italy 125,335 4,194,672 Russia 116,812 4,952,412 France 108,819 5,667,331 Germany 87,461 3,659,990 Colombia 85,207 3,249,433 Spain 79,711 3,647,520 Iran 78,848 2,843,523 Argentina 74,480 3,562,135 Poland 72,945 2,866,181 Where deaths have occurred Deaths Cases Peru 68,053 1,925,289 Show more Note: Totals for Denmark, France, the Netherlands, the U.K., and the U.S. include overseas territories and other dependencies. Cases and deaths for cruise ships have been separated in accordance with JHU CSSE data.

The epicenter of the pandemic has continued to shift throughout the year, from China, then Europe, then the U.S., and now to developing countries like Brazil. Cases globally surpassed 10 million in late June, but ever since infections have been multiplying faster. The U.S. and India have the most infections, accounting for more than a third of all cases combined.

Global Cases Added Per Day New cases: 255,104 Jan 21, 2020 May 24, 2021 Brazil New cases: 37,498 Jan 21, 2020 May 24, 2021 U.S. 25,509 Iran 11,005 Russia 8,283 U.K. 2,370 Germany 2,328 France 2,230 Mainland China 15 India 0 Note: On February 14, 2020, Hubei officials changed their diagnostic criteria, resulting in a spike in reported cases.

Countries took drastic measures to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 on their homefront— with varying degrees of success. More than 140 governments placed blanket bans on incoming travelers, closed schools and restricted gatherings and public events, according to data compiled by Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government and Bloomberg reporting. As countries loosen lockdowns in an effort to reboot their economies, many have seen a resurgence of infections. The number of new daily cases in the U.S. rose to record highs after some states relaxed social distancing requirements. Even places that successfully contained infections earlier in the year, like China and South Korea, have seen cases bubble back up. Theories that warmer weather in the Northern Hemisphere would bring relief appear to be unfounded.

Mar 2020Jan 2021May 2400.5K1.0K1.5K2.0K2.5K3.0K3.5K4.0KNew deaths by dayU.S.IndiaRussiaU.K. Note: Shown are the 15 places with the highest totals of confirmed cases, as of May 24. Negative values resulting from governments revising their totals have been excluded from rolling average calculations.

The “worst is yet to come” given a lack of global solidarity, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization, said at a briefing in Geneva on June 29.

In May, the WHO emphasized the need for a plan that includes testing for the virus and its antibodies, effective contact tracing and isolation, and community education. Antibody tests on the market that could potentially indicate a person’s immunity have been unreliable so far. Researchers and drugmakers are racing to develop treatments that could hold the key to recovery.

Gilead Sciences Inc.’s antiviral remdesivir is one of the first widely used drugs for Covid- 19. It received an emergency use authorization from U.S. regulators in May, after a trial found it sped recovery by about four days in hospitalized patients. It was also part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s treatment after he tested positive for the coronavirus in early October, along with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s antibody cocktail and the generic drug dexamethasone.

Vaccines are also in development, though the study of one leading candidate from the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca Plc is on hold in the U.S. while regulators investigate a potential safety issue. https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2020-coronavirus-cases-world-map/?srnd=coronavirus

Covid map: Coronavirus cases, deaths, vaccinations by country

By The Visual and Data Journalism Team BBC News

Covid-19 is continuing to spread around the world, with more than 167 million confirmed cases and three million deaths across nearly 200 countries.

The US, India and Brazil have seen the highest number of confirmed cases, followed by France, Turkey, Russia and the UK. Very few places have been left untouched.

mapped Zoom to

Show 167,181,023cases3,463,982deaths 33,000,000 Circles show number of confirmed coronavirus cases per country.

Source: Johns Hopkins University, national public health agencies Figures last updated 24 May 2021, 09:39 BST

In the table below, countries can be reordered by deaths, death rate and total cases. In the coloured bars on the right-hand side, countries in which cases have risen to more than 10,000 per day are those with black bars on the relevant date. Scroll table to see more data

*Deaths per 100,000 people Filter:

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** Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases US 587,253 179.5 32,968,323 JAN 2020 MAY 2021

Brazil 449,068 214.4 16,083,258 India 303,720 22.5 26,752,447 Mexico 221,647 175.6 2,396,604 UK 127,721 190.2 4,462,538 Italy 125,225 206.5 4,192,183 Russia 116,497 79.9 4,944,129 France 108,596 167.1 5,603,666 Germany 87,429 105.2 3,657,667 Colombia 84,724 170.6 3,232,456 Spain 79,620 170.5 3,636,453 Iran 78,597 96.1 2,832,518 Argentina 74,063 167.0 3,539,484 Poland 72,928 192.3 2,865,622 Peru 68,053 212.7 1,925,289 South Africa 55,802 96.6 1,635,465 Ukraine 51,421 116.2 2,241,231 Indonesia 49,328 18.4 1,775,220 Turkey 46,268 56.2 5,186,487 Czech Republic 30,028 281.5 1,658,092 Romania 29,941 153.5 1,075,543 Hungary 29,560 304.5 802,346 Chile 28,518 152.3 1,329,918 Canada 25,206 68.0 1,366,475 Belgium 24,842 216.4 1,048,881 Pakistan 20,308 9.6 903,599 Ecuador 20,193 118.2 418,851 Philippines 19,951 18.7 1,179,812 New Cases

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** Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases Netherlands 17,561 102.9 1,627,841 Bulgaria 17,496 248.1 416,646 Portugal 17,017 165.9 845,224 Iraq 16,190 42.1 1,167,940 Egypt 14,721 15.0 253,835 Sweden 14,366 144.1 1,058,341 Bolivia 13,965 123.0 349,653 Bangladesh 12,376 7.7 789,080 Slovakia 12,292 225.4 388,835 Japan 12,275 9.6 720,122 Tunisia 12,236 105.8 335,345 Greece 11,772 111.9 389,804 Switzerland 10,776 126.4 687,353 Austria 10,546 118.6 641,380 Jordan 9,295 93.3 726,432 Morocco 9,122 25.3 517,023 Bosnia and Herzegovina 9,108 274.0 203,150 Paraguay 8,360 120.2 332,971 Guatemala 8,000 46.4 247,454 Croatia 7,903 190.1 353,986 Lebanon 7,677 111.9 538,518 Saudi Arabia 7,249 21.5 440,914 Serbia 6,777 97.1 709,939 Israel 6,404 76.4 839,336 Nepal 6,346 22.6 513,241 Panama 6,331 151.6 374,121 Honduras 6,146 64.1 232,672 Moldova 6,075 149.9 254,676 North Macedonia 5,311 255.0 155,063 Ireland 4,941 102.5 254,870 Azerbaijan 4,860 48.8 332,454 China 4,846 0.3 102,873 New Cases

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** Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases Georgia 4,639 115.9 337,961 Armenia 4,394 148.9 221,982 Slovenia 4,353 209.5 251,690 Lithuania 4,195 149.8 271,130 Ethiopia 4,076 3.7 269,194 Uruguay 3,871 112.2 265,098 Costa Rica 3,765 75.3 299,219 Dominican Republic 3,606 33.9 283,729 Palestinian Territories 3,459 71.1 305,201 Kazakhstan 3,428 18.7 429,720 Algeria 3,418 8.1 126,860 Myanmar 3,216 6.0 143,234 Libya 3,111 46.6 183,311 Kenya 3,059 6.0 168,432 Afghanistan 2,802 7.5 65,728 Belarus 2,771 29.3 386,025 Sudan 2,568 6.1 34,889 Venezuela 2,513 8.7 223,345 Denmark 2,508 43.6 273,494 Albania 2,444 84.8 132,209 Latvia 2,326 120.6 130,945 Oman 2,265 46.9 210,364 Malaysia 2,248 7.1 512,091 Kosovo 2,244 121.6 106,770 El Salvador 2,220 34.6 72,220 Nigeria 2,067 1.1 166,019 South Korea 1,934 3.8 136,467 Kyrgyzstan 1,757 27.9 102,702 Kuwait 1,734 41.9 299,215 Syria 1,734 10.2 24,117 United Arab Emirates 1,651 17.1 556,107 Zimbabwe 1,586 11.0 38,682 New Cases

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** Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases Montenegro 1,574 250.7 99,248 Yemen 1,307 4.6 6,658 Zambia 1,268 7.3 93,201 Estonia 1,240 93.7 128,592 Cameroon 1,239 4.9 77,733 Sri Lanka 1,210 5.7 164,201 Malawi 1,153 6.4 34,284 Senegal 1,132 7.1 41,090 Finland 932 16.9 91,526 Jamaica 917 31.2 47,959 Australia 910 3.7 30,021 Cuba 877 7.7 133,053 Mozambique 831 2.8 70,590 Bahrain 820 52.2 218,047 Luxembourg 810 134.1 69,545 Madagascar 800 3.0 40,876 Botswana 784 34.8 51,620 Ghana 783 2.6 93,620 Norway 781 14.6 122,414 DR Congo 779 0.9 30,863 Thailand 776 1.1 129,500 Somalia 767 5.1 14,632 Namibia 765 31.2 52,946 Angola 725 2.4 32,441 Uzbekistan 680 2.1 98,657 Eswatini 672 59.1 18,551 Qatar 544 19.6 215,443 Mali 514 2.7 14,241 Mauritania 458 10.4 19,149 Malta 417 94.9 30,504 Trinidad and Tobago 375 27.0 20,017 Guyana 359 46.1 16,130 New Cases

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** Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases Uganda 356 0.8 43,734 Cyprus 354 29.8 71,911 Rwanda 349 2.8 26,688 Lesotho 326 15.5 10,822 Belize 323 84.3 12,764 Ivory Coast 298 1.2 46,942 Haiti 280 2.5 13,735 Cape Verde 256 47.1 29,334 Guadeloupe 255 63.8 16,517 Mongolia 253 8.0 53,100 Suriname 249 43.2 13,111 Bahamas 222 57.6 11,396 Niger 192 0.9 5,383 Nicaragua 185 2.9 7,193 Cambodia 179 1.1 25,761 Réunion 176 19.9 23,566 Gambia 175 7.7 5,968 Chad 173 1.1 4,924 Mayotte 171 65.9 20,176 Burkina Faso 165 0.8 13,415 Guinea 158 1.3 22,988 Papua New Guinea 154 1.8 14,910 Djibouti 153 16.0 11,493 Congo 150 2.9 11,476 Gabon 147 6.9 24,107 Comoros 146 17.5 3,872 French Polynesia 141 50.8 18,844 Maldives 129 25.0 55,924 Andorra 127 164.9 13,569 Togo 125 1.6 13,374 Curaçao 122 75.0 12,271 South Sudan 115 1.0 10,652 New Cases

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** Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases Equatorial Guinea 113 8.6 8,436 French Guiana 112 39.6 22,780 Aruba 107 101.1 10,917 Benin 101 0.9 8,025 Central African 97 2.1 7,079 Republic Gibraltar 94 278.8 4,288 Martinique 93 24.8 11,789 Tajikistan 90 1.0 13,308 San Marino 90 266.4 5,087 Channel Islands 86 50.4 4,059 Liberia 85 1.8 2,142 Sierra Leone 79 1.0 4,121 Saint Lucia 77 42.3 4,945 Guinea-Bissau 68 3.6 3,751 Liechtenstein 58 153.0 3,000 Barbados 47 16.4 3,995 Vietnam 43 0.0 5,308 Antigua and Barbuda 42 43.6 1,257 Sao Tome and Principe 37 17.5 2,338 Seychelles 35 36.0 9,764 Singapore 32 0.6 61,824 Monaco 32 82.7 2,501 Bermuda 32 51.0 2,488 Iceland 29 8.6 6,555 Isle of Man 29 34.5 1,591 Saint Martin 27 72.5 2,366 New Zealand 26 0.5 2,668 Taiwan 23 0.1 4,322 Tanzania 21 0.0 509 Turks and Caicos 17 45.1 2,408 Islands Mauritius 17 1.3 1,293 New Cases

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** Country Deaths Death rate* Total Cases Eritrea 14 0.4 3,932 Timor-Leste 13 1.0 5,637 Diamond Princess 13 712 cruise ship St Vincent and the 12 10.9 1,973 Grenadines Burundi 6 0.1 4,494 Fiji 4 0.5 235 Brunei 3 0.7 236 Laos 2 0.0 1,801 Cayman Islands 2 3.1 574 MS Zaandam cruise 2 9 ship Bhutan 1 0.1 1,394 Saint Barthelemy 1 10.2 1,005 Faroe Islands 1 2.1 676 British Virgin Islands 1 3.4 248 Grenada 1 0.9 161 Montserrat 1 20.0 20 Vanuatu 1 0.3 4 Dominica 0 0.0 184 New Caledonia 0 0.0 125 Anguilla 0 0.0 109 Falkland Islands 0 0.0 63 Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 0.0 52 Greenland 0 0.0 34 Vatican 0 0.0 27 Saint Pierre and 0 0.0 25 Miquelon Solomon Islands 0 0.0 20 Marshall Islands 0 0.0 4 Samoa 0 0.0 3 Micronesia 0 0.0 1 Show more

This information is regularly updated but may not reflect the latest totals for each country.

** The past data for new cases is a three day rolling average. Due to revisions in the number of cases, an average cannot be calculated for this date.

Source: Johns Hopkins University, national public health agencies and UN population data Figures last updated: 24 May 2021, 09:39 BST Note: The map, table and animated bar chart in this page use a different source for figures for France and the UK from that used by Johns Hopkins University, which results in a slightly lower overall total. US figures do not include Puerto Rico, Guam or the US Virgin Islands.

Confirmed cases have been rising steeply since the middle of last year, but the true extent of the first outbreaks in 2020 is unclear because testing was not then widely available. The 100 millionth Covid case was recorded at the end of January - about a year after the first officially diagnosed case of the virus.

Deaths have also been rising, however official figures may not fully reflect the true number in many countries. Data on excess deaths, a measure of how many more people are dying than would be expected based on the previous few years, may give a better indication of the actual numbers in many cases.

Who has vaccinated the most? Several coronavirus vaccines have been approved for use, either by individual countries or groups of countries, such as the European Union and the World Health Organization (WHO). Of the 189 countries and territories administering vaccines and publishing rollout data, 66 are high-income nations, 100 are middle-income and 23 low-income. The map below, using figures collated by Our World in Data - a collaboration between Oxford University and an educational charity - shows the total number of doses given per 100 people, mostly first doses.

Global vaccine rollout

Click or tap the map Reset

Total doses per 100 people

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Location Doses per 100 people Total doses

World 21.5 1,672,403,570

China 35.5 513,153,445

US 85.4 285,720,586

India 13.9 191,719,240

UK 90.7 60,587,098

Brazil 27.2 57,734,262

Germany 53.0 44,385,214

France 48.3 32,625,408

Italy 51.1 30,900,385

Turkey 33.1 27,949,156

Mexico 20.5 26,478,866

Russia 18.1 26,472,510

Indonesia 9.1 24,790,758

Spain 51.3 23,962,365

Canada 55.7 21,026,606

Poland 47.2 17,866,586

Chile 90.6 17,318,719

Saudi Arabia 37.0 12,882,532

Morocco 33.8 12,467,071

United Arab Emirates 122.4 12,104,525

Argentina 24.5 11,067,550

Israel 122.0 10,558,057

Bangladesh 5.9 9,789,875 Location Doses per 100 people Total doses

Japan 6.9 8,778,226

Colombia 16.2 8,235,482

Hungary 83.2 8,035,628

Netherlands 44.4 7,600,981

Romania 37.8 7,274,491

Belgium 51.5 5,967,373

South Korea 10.8 5,539,242

Portugal 50.3 5,127,692

Pakistan 2.2 4,956,853

Greece 47.1 4,913,334

Czech Republic 43.5 4,658,201

Austria 51.0 4,592,818

Sweden 45.0 4,543,467

Serbia 62.8 4,270,016

Philippines 3.7 4,097,425

Switzerland 45.8 3,966,618

Cambodia 23.0 3,840,027

Dominican Republic 34.3 3,725,377

Australia 14.1 3,599,964

Singapore 58.2 3,407,068

Peru 9.5 3,119,261

Denmark 52.2 3,025,072

Myanmar 5.5 2,994,900 Location Doses per 100 people Total doses

Thailand 4.2 2,910,664

Kazakhstan 15.5 2,902,678

Finland 48.0 2,661,869

Nepal 9.1 2,644,648

Mongolia 79.4 2,604,563

Uruguay 73.4 2,548,835

Malaysia 7.8 2,535,975

Norway 43.3 2,347,100

Iran 2.8 2,329,379

Slovakia 42.4 2,315,901

Qatar 79.6 2,293,240

Azerbaijan 19.6 1,986,969

Nigeria 0.9 1,929,237

Ireland 38.9 1,922,913

Ecuador 10.7 1,893,053

Kuwait 42.6 1,820,000

Sri Lanka 8.2 1,765,378

Ethiopia 1.4 1,655,244

El Salvador 25.3 1,642,451

Uzbekistan 4.8 1,600,504

Croatia 38.5 1,581,292

Bahrain 92.9 1,580,103

Lithuania 53.3 1,450,005 Location Doses per 100 people Total doses

Jordan 13.9 1,419,950

Egypt 1.3 1,371,976

Bolivia 11.7 1,371,216

Bulgaria 18.1 1,260,683

Costa Rica 24.6 1,251,900

Ukraine 2.4 1,054,139

Vietnam 1.0 1,011,395

Slovenia 46.5 965,851

Kenya 1.8 953,954

Panama 21.8 939,728

Zimbabwe 6.1 911,033

Ghana 2.7 852,047

Tunisia 6.5 765,751

Angola 2.3 757,535

Cuba 6.6 751,764

Laos 10.0 728,918

Albania 24.6 708,846

Belarus 7.3 685,500

Lebanon 9.7 663,878

South Africa 1.1 642,946

Estonia 48.3 640,802

Latvia 32.5 612,833

Afghanistan 1.4 547,901 Location Doses per 100 people Total doses

Iraq 1.3 520,491

Uganda 1.1 506,787

Senegal 3.0 506,388

Cyprus 57.5 504,008

Ivory Coast 1.8 486,231

Bhutan 62.5 482,512

Palestinian Territories 9.3 475,965

New Zealand 9.8 474,435

Malta 106.2 468,829

Maldives 85.4 461,852

Rwanda 3.1 400,096

Mozambique 1.3 393,105

Guatemala 2.0 352,111

Malawi 1.8 344,647

Oman 6.4 326,269

Venezuela 1.1 316,000

Luxembourg 49.5 309,633

Paraguay 4.3 304,725

Taiwan 1.3 302,698

Moldova 7.4 298,553

Sudan 0.7 290,500

Togo 3.3 276,000

North Macedonia 12.5 259,577 Location Doses per 100 people Total doses

Guinea 1.8 236,717

Iceland 67.7 231,109

Mauritius 17.3 220,646

Equatorial Guinea 12.5 175,770

Nicaragua 2.5 166,350

Honduras 1.7 163,858

Montenegro 25.0 156,779

Guyana 19.5 153,494

Jamaica 5.2 153,146

Zambia 0.8 138,201

Bosnia and Herzegovina 4.2 136,965

Niger 0.6 134,315

Seychelles 134.4 132,161

Barbados 45.3 130,272

Georgia 3.2 125,718

Somalia 0.8 124,471

Libya 1.6 106,559

Jersey 96.3 97,366

Fiji 10.4 93,000

Mali 0.4 87,525

Isle of Man 97.1 82,561

Cayman Islands 116.2 76,379

Gibraltar 226.1 76,189 Location Doses per 100 people Total doses

Algeria 0.2 75,000

Tajikistan 0.8 72,347

Botswana 3.0 71,500

Suriname 12.2 71,418

Belize 17.7 70,548

Trinidad and Tobago 4.8 67,478

Namibia 2.6 66,759

Bermuda 106.9 66,564

Sierra Leone 0.8 64,966

Guernsey 88.7 59,491

Comoros 6.7 58,440

Kosovo 0.000 55,237

Kyrgyzstan 0.8 54,101

Liberia 1.0 52,446

Cameroon 0.2 50,106

Timor-Leste 3.6 47,908

Saint Lucia 24.7 45,297

San Marino 123.9 42,066

Turkmenistan 0.7 41,993

Bahamas 10.1 39,857

Antigua and Barbuda 40.4 39,519

Congo 0.7 38,268

Lesotho 1.7 36,759 Location Doses per 100 people Total doses

Eswatini 3.0 35,227

Dominica 47.5 34,219

Brunei 7.7 33,850

Andorra 41.8 32,317

Turks and Caicos Islands 79.4 30,760

Monaco 73.0 28,663

Faroe Islands 58.6 28,646

Mauritania 0.6 28,382

Gambia 1.1 26,893

Cape Verde 4.3 24,027

Tonga 22.4 23,712

Saint Kitts and Nevis 40.3 21,459

Samoa 10.4 20,553

Greenland 34.9 19,826

Grenada 17.3 19,519

Armenia 0.6 19,249

Yemen 0.062 18,555

St Vincent and the Grenadines 16.6 18,417

Liechtenstein 47.1 17,978

Gabon 0.8 17,272

DR Congo 0.017 15,436

Solomon Islands 2.1 14,279

Madagascar 0.049 13,539 Location Doses per 100 people Total doses

Anguilla 88.2 13,235

Djibouti 1.3 13,042

Benin 0.1 12,934

Sao Tome and Principe 5.6 12,374

Papua New Guinea 0.1 11,537

South Sudan 0.067 7,500

Nauru 68.2 7,392

Saint Helena 116.8 7,091

Guinea-Bissau 0.3 5,889

Falkland Islands 126.5 4,407

Syria 0.014 2,500

Tuvalu 20.4 2,400

Montserrat 38.2 1,909

Central African Republic 0.014 667

British Indian Ocean Territory 0 0

British Virgin Islands 0 0

Burkina Faso 0 0

Burundi 0 0

Chad 0 0

Cook Islands 0 0

Eritrea 0 0

Haiti 0 0

Kiribati 0 0 Location Doses per 100 people Total doses

Niue 0 0

North Korea 0 0

Pitcairn 0 0

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands 0 0

Tanzania 0 0

Tokelau 0 0

Vanuatu 0 0

Vatican 0 0

Show more

This information is regularly updated but may not reflect the latest totals for each country. Total vaccinations refers to the number of doses given, not the number of people vaccinated. It is possible to have more than 100 doses per 100 population as some vaccines require two doses per person.

Source: Our World in Data, ONS, gov.uk dashboard

Last updated: 24 May 2021, 11:43 BST

Overall, China and the US have given the most doses, with 513 million and 286 million respectively, while India has administered 192 million so far. But when breaking the figures down by doses per 100 people in countries with a population of at least one million, the United Arab Emirates, Israel and Bahrain top the list.

Most countries are prioritising the over-60s, health workers and people who are clinically vulnerable. Some countries have secured more vaccine doses than their populations need, while other lower-income countries are relying on a global plan known as Covax, which is seeking to ensure everyone in the world has access to a vaccine. • How fast is vaccination progress around the world? • Where are cases still high?

With many countries now having started widespread vaccine rollouts, the number of daily cases is stable or falling in most regions.

Here's a breakdown of the situation by region: Asia Asia was the centre of the initial outbreak that spread from China in early 2020, but the number of cases and deaths there was initially lower than in Europe and North America. However, the recent surge in cases in India, Nepal and Japan is changing the picture. In India, the number of deaths linked to Covid-19 has moved past the 300,000 mark as the country continues to grapple with the pandemic. Experts warn that the real number of fatalities might be much higher as many deaths are not officially recorded.

India has recorded 26 million cases - second only to the US - and is now the epicentre of the global pandemic. The country is also only the third in the world to record more than 300,000 deaths - behind the US and Brazil. • A visual guide to the Covid crisis in India As the chart below shows, India is far from the only country in Asia with rapidly climbing infections and many are experiencing the highest number of cases since the pandemic began. Japan has started a mass vaccination programme in Tokyo and Osaka, as the Covid crisis there worsens. The Japanese military has set up centres offering thousands of shots each day, prioritising the elderly.

Europe Several European countries have seen spikes in Covid cases in recent months. But the number of daily infections has slowed in the worst affected countries, such as Turkey, Russia and Germany, and the overall trend in Europe is downward. Vaccine rollouts across the European Union have been problematic. There have been delays to deliveries and concerns over the safety of the Oxford-Astra Zeneca vaccine, which a number of countries have withdrawn from use or restricted to certain age groups. • What restrictions are in place in Europe?

France has changed the way it counts cases. Now, it only includes individuals testing positive rather than all positive tests - so multiple positive tests from the same person have been removed from the data. This means it is not included in the chart above, even though it has had around 5.5 million cases since the start of the pandemic - the highest in Europe.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-51235105

UK's entry into sea dispute bad news for PH

May 25, 2021

The HMS Queen Elizabeth. PHOTO FROM THE ROYAL NAVY

A FLEET of British Navy ships is on its way to the South China Sea after a big sendoff from Queen Elizabeth.

Leading this vast array of naval power is the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, Britain's biggest warship. Accompanying it on the 26,000-mile voyage are two destroyers, two frigates, a submarine and two support ships.

During its 28 weeks at sea, the fleet will make several port stops and hold military exercises with the navies of at least 80 nations.

While in the Mediterranean Sea, fighter planes from the Queen Elizabeth are expected to launch mainly symbolic airstrikes at the remaining strongholds of the Islamic State in Iraq.

British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace glowingly described the carrier strike group's mission as to "write Britain's name in the next chapter of history - a truly global Britain that steps forward to tackle the challenges of tomorrow, working hand-in-hand with our friends to defend our shared values and uphold the rules-based international order." Cutting through the jingoistic jargon, the flotilla's deployment simply is Britain's way of reintroducing itself as a global naval force that is ready to engage in a conflict anywhere in the world. https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/05/25/opinion/editorial/uks-entry-into-sea-dispute-bad-news-for- ph/1800497

Attacks on lumad schools posted May 25, 2021 at 12:20 am by Tony La Viña "The 'bakwit' schools have been a way for lumad students to continue their education in places of peace and sanctuary."

, May 26, the Committee on Human Rights of the House of Representatives has called a hearing to investigate “the raid and mass arrest against lumad evacuees seeking sanctuary in Talamban, Cebu by elements of police and military.” This inquiry was requested by Deputy Speaker and 1PACMAN Rep. Michael Romero who denounced what he described as “excessive force and inhumane treatment” to children during a supposed “rescue operation” staged by police operatives at the University of San Carlos campus in Cebu City last February.

As the lawyer for the lumad ‘bakwit’ schools, I have seen how over the past years, the number of attacks on lumad schools has risen and as more and more lumad schools have been closed down, a number of ‘bakwit’ schools have been established through a collaboration among lumad organizations and various schools, organizations, and churches. These ‘bakwit’ schools are makeshift mobile schools whereby lumad children are taught by volunteer teachers and are enrolled in and hosted by Dep Ed-authorized schools in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao.

The ‘bakwit’ schools have been a way for lumad students to continue their education in places of peace and sanctuary. Unfortunately, these schools have also recently become the target of red-tagging and violent attacks.

One ‘bakwit’ school was set-up in the Philippine Haran compound of the United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP) in Davao City. The Haran compound of the UCCP has served as a sanctuary for oppressed lumad evacuees in Mindanao for decades. In January 2020, at least 500 lumad, including 236 children and infants were being hosted in Haran.

On 25 January 2020, about 50 members of the Alamara attacked Haran, tearing down its gates, destroying property within the compound, and sowing fear among the lumad families inside the property. The Alamara eventually backed down after continued protests from the lumad evacuees and the administrators of the Haran compound.

Another ‘bakwit’ school was set up in Cebu City in 2019. The students of this ‘bakwit’ school were scheduled to return to their different communities in Mindanao after their moving-up ceremony on 4 April 2020. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent travel restrictions caused the students to extend their stay in Cebu. About 42 ‘bakwit’ students, teachers, and volunteers took refuge in the Retreat House of the University of San Carlos – Societas Verbi Divini (USC-SVD) in Talamban, Cebu City, where they were invited to stay until they could safely travel back to their homes.

On 15 February 2021, the USC-SVD Retreat House was raided by members of the PNP’s Central Visayas office, accompanied by members of the Alamara, the DSWD, the Municipal Local Government Unit of Talaingod, and the media. At least 26 teachers, volunteers, and students were taken into custody by police and interrogated.

The minors who were taken by the police were brought to Skypark Pensionne in Barangay San Antonio, Cebu City and kept there in rooms closely monitored by the police from 15 February to 21 February 2021. Here, the children were interrogated by the police, and threatened with punishment if they tried to leave their rooms.

On 21 February 2021, six minors were transferred from Skypark Pensionne to the Crisis and Intervention Center of the DSWD in Barangay Carreta, Cebu City, where the children were kept under 24/7 guard and were forbidden to contact their parents. On 12 March 2021, one of the minors was released after the Regional Trial Court of Cebu City granted the Petition for the Issuance of a Writ of Habeas Corpus filed by the minor’s father, and ordered the DSWD to release the child. The court’s order stated that the DSWD was without legal basis to detain the children. However, the five remaining minors are still currently being held in the custody of the DSWD.

Of the adults who were detained on 15 February 2021, seven (the “Bakwit School 7”) were charged before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Tagum City, Davao Del Norte for alleged kidnapping, child abuse, and trafficking of the ‘bakwit’ students. In a Resolution dated 5 May 2021, the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor noted that no witnesses were able to identify the participation of the accused in any of the alleged crimes, and that the existence of the elements of the alleged crimes was not supported by sufficient evidence. The said Resolution dismissed the cases against the Bakwit School 7 on the grounds of insufficiency of evidence, lack of probable cause, and being outside the territorial jurisdiction of the Prosecutor’s Office.

On 19 May 2021, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF- ELCAC) released a statement announcing that it will persist in the persecution of the Bakwit School 7, despite the dismissal of the cases filed in Tagum City. The NTF-ELCAC declared its intention of questioning the dismissal or re-filing the dismissed criminal cases, as well as filing new criminal cases for alleged violation of the Indigenous People’s Rights Act. With the harassment continuing, we hope that the Committee on Human Rights, ably led by its chairman, Representative Jesus Manuel Suntay of Quezon City, will hold the concerned government agencies and officials accountable and leave the lumad schools alone so that they can carry on in educating their students.

https://manilastandard.net/opinion/columns/eagle-eyes-by-tony-la-vina/355359/attacks-on-lumad- schools.html

Duterte’s legacy posted May 25, 2021 at 12:10 am by Emil Jurado "I agree with Enrile; the President should just ignore his critics." The appearance of former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile last week during the weekly television talk of President Duterte, together with some of Duterte’s cabinet men and Senator Christopher Lawrence Bong Go, gave the people an enlightening insight into the West Philippines Sea issue.

The President should have more resource persons from the private sector.

During that interview of Duterte and Enrile, it was made clear that the President is the sole architect of the country’s foreign policy and that he alone can speak authoritatively on issues over foreign policies. It was also established that the Department of Foreign Affairs secretary is the President’s spokesman on foreign policies.

What made the appearance of Enrile enlightening was that he was speaking from his experience as a Senate President and secretary of national defense during the Marcos incumbency. He used to hold talks with American state and defense officials on defense and national security.

There was one aspect of the West Philippine Sea controversy, on the Scarborough Shoal, which made the Philippines withdraw and give way to China. He expressed surprise that former President Benigno Aquino III had approved the backchanneling of then Senator Antonio Trillanes IV during this controversy.

There were a lot of questions raised on this one. It was the United States that brokered the Philippine dispute with China through the efforts of then Philippine Ambassador to Washington Joey Cuisia. This resulted in the country losing to China in that sea dispute. It was also very clear that the possession of China of that shoal was done during the incumbency of Aquino as president, with Albert del Rosario as foreign affairs secretary.

Enrile was forthright in saying that the US may not come to the defense of the country in the treaty regarding the Philippines as a “Pacific ally.” There is no mention of the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea. Enrile told Duterte that he considered the Philippines as a strategic partner of the US. But then the US naval base in Subic and the Clark Air Base were withdrawn when the Senate decided to end the bases act with the United States. This is why there is a need for the Philippines to strengthen its military capabilities and then perhaps have alliances with Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea against China in case China pursues its expansionist policies. Enrile also raised the need for the country to purchase more arms and plane capabilities.

Enrile also believes that the US will not go to war over the Philippines with China in the event that China invades the country. He talked about the possibility of a nuclear war if the US comes into conflict with China, considering the fact that China has allies in the Middle East and Africa that have nuclear weapons. All this could turn the world into a big desert land.

Enrile said the President should just ignore his critics and those who want to take issue with him over the West Philippine Sea.

Personally, I believe that Duterte’s independent foreign policy and his pivot to China could well be his legacy when he steps down from the presidency. Many question his pivot to China, but there are pros and cons to it. Duterte believes, and rightly so, that the only thing we can do with China’s frequent bullying is protest diplomacy. We cannot afford to go to war against a superpower like China.

I believe in Enrile’s suggestion that we should strengthen our military capabilities and form alliances with Taiw an, Japan and South Korea, and even with Vietnam.

* * *

Last Saturday (May 22) during our Zoom meeting of the 365 Club with JPE in the aftermath of his dialogue with Duterte, several questions were asked in connection with the back-channeling of Trillanes as representative of former President Aquino on the issue of Scarborough Shoal.

What was the back-channeling about? What was it for? The absence of any document makes this a mystery.

Another question asked was why an American state representative brokered the dispute between China and the Philippines.

The Senate should investigate. https://manilastandard.net/opinion/columns/to-the-point-by-emil-jurado/355357/duterte-s-legacy- 05252021.html

Locsin ignores Duterte's directive

By Reynaldo Arcilla

May 25, 2021

LAST Monday, May 17, during his televised "Talk to the People," President Rodrigo

"Digong" Duterte forbade Cabinet members from discussing publicly the West Philippine

Sea issue. He also specifically said Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. would henceforth be the sole speaker on the matter.

The following day, guess who disregarded Digong's directive? You would be right if you think it was his shameless and thick-faced Foreign Affairs Secretary, Teodoro "Tweeterboy"

Locsin Jr.

For how can anyone in his place still be around after Digong totally ignored and embarrassed him by inviting former senator Juan Ponce Enrile for his views and advice on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) dispute? Digong didn't even see it fit to ask him to join the meeting! He then instructed his Cabinet members, except for Roque, not to speak on the issue.

Isn't that a clear and unmistakable loss of confidence in Locsin by Digong?

Overwhelmed perhaps by his own belief he is "the only expert on the subject [WPS problem] bar none," he just couldn't stop himself from tweeting that:

"Duterte is completely correct. It [the arbitral award] is meaningless for now - for the purpose of retaking possession of what China took from us because we let it."

"Retaking possession of what China took from us?" Dream on!

"If passage is forced our Navy will fight and that would trigger the Mutual Defense Treaty

[MDT], World War 3 hereabouts and nuclear winter in our tropical latitude would set in,"

Locsin added.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/05/25/opinion/columns/locsin-ignores-dutertes-directive/1800494

Illegal fishing ban

Philippine Daily Inquirer / 04:06 AM May 25, 2021

Hundreds of Chinese maritime militia ships are still scattered across the West Philippine Sea (WPS), and yet here comes another China intrusion its annual

— exclusive economic zone (EEZ). “fishing ban” in the South China Sea that threatens areas within the Philippine would be in effect from May 1 to Aug. 16, affects waters north of the 12th parallel, The fishing ban, which China’s agriculture and rural affairs ministry announced Island all the way north of Panatag (Scarborough Shoal) or Bajo de Masinloc. As well, the ban covers two of 12 including waters west of Palawan’s Busuanga Philippine fishing management areas designated by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), which include waters surrounding the provinces of Antique, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, and Batangas. annual fishing moratorium The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has filed a protest, stressing that “China’s entitlements under Unclos and is without basis under international law. China extends far beyond China’s legitimate maritime cannot legally impose nor legally enforce such a moratorium in the West

PhilippineThe ban, which Sea.” is not limited to Chinese vessels, plainly violates Philippine sovereign rights affirmed in the July 2016 Arbitral Award won by the Philippines, as well as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos). As the DFA pointed out, per paragraph 716 of the Arbitral Award, the prohibition breached Article 56

of the 1982 Unclos “with respect to the Philippines’ sovereign Therights ban over now the comes living with resources a heightened of its EEZ.’’ sense of danger after China passed a law last February authorizing the Chinese Coast Guard to fire on foreign vessels, -claimed islands and reefs, and set up exclusion zones. This new law effectively grants the Chinese Coast Guard demolish other countries’ structures on China freedom and authority to use force within what it considers its maritime jurisdiction, sa at risk the legitimate rights of Filipino fishermen to fish in Philippine territorial id Ivy Banzon Abalos, DFA spokesperson. “This can curtail and put

Chinesewaters militia and EEZ.” boats 'entering Philippine water' The Coast Guard law and the fishing ban represent a double whammy for Filipino fishermen, who have already been driven away from their traditional fishing undeclared fishing ban in nearly the entire South China Sea courtesy of the grounds by the intimidating Chinese presence. “There is actually an indefinite and continued presence of Chinese vessels that create intimidation among Filipino

Filipino fishers as well as fisherfolk from fishers,’’ said Bobby Roldan, vice chair of the fishermen’s group Pamalakaya. Thus, the ban “deserves defiance both from Fishermenother claimant and countries conservation in the groups South have China also Sea.’’ warned that the fishing ban would affect the fish supply in the provinces around the covered waters, and even Metro Manila. Asis Perez, convener of Tugon Kabuhayan and former BFAR chief, noted that about 70 percent of round scad (galunggong) catch in Palawan goes to Metro sourced from waters off Zambales and Ilocos. Manila, the capital’s tuna supply comes from Mindoro, and other fish species are Rightly so, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea has, like the DFA,

to our firmly opposed China’s action. It has encouraged Filipino fishermen to continue fishing in Philippine waters, saying the China ban “does not apply fishermen.’’ Citizens rendered outraged and bewildered by the cascade of wildly contradictory -flexing in the WPS can only hope that the firmness and resolve being shown at present would be signals and statements from Malacañang over China’s muscle sustained and amplified, and not undermined yet again by ill-considered statements from the President and his lieutenants. The deplorable rhetoric of the highest Philippine officials in recent weeks, belittling the Arbitral Award and putting the blame on previous administrations instead of China for its seizure of be of benefit and comfort to the officialdom in Beijing, who must be beside Philippine reefs and continued encroachment into the country’s waters, could only themselves with glee at the lawyering being done for them by no less than the likes of Palace mouthpiece Harry Roque.

The Philippines, through the DFA, and supported by countries such as the United States, Japan, Australia, and European nations that have cited the landmark Arbitral Award as the basis for any legitimate, rules-based consensus on the South and activity that infringes on Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and China Sea, is well within its rights to demand that China “desist from any action jurisdiction, in contravention of illegal, and should be defied and ignored. international law.” Its fishing ban is baseless and https://opinion.inquirer.net/140563/illegal-fishing-ban

The Arctic is not the South China Sea

• Alluding to the South China Sea has become a shorthand of sorts for those attempting to demonstrate a China threat in the Arctic • government. Pretending otherwise only distracts from bigger problems related to climate Butchange China is not an Arctic state and hasn’t challenged the sovereignty of any Arctic

As climate change continues to affect the Arctic, and the region begins to be more widely seen as one of emerging economic importance, the perception of Arctic waters as a nascent arena for great power rivalry has gained much traction in recent years.

China is very much a factor in these debates, as the country has sought to further develop its own political, scientific and economic interests in the far north. While Beijing aspires to be accepted as an Arctic stakeholder and a participant in emerging regional dialogues, the decline of

Sino-American relations now presents a significant challenge to these ambitions.

As China continues to seek an enhanced presence in the far north, it has become more commonplace assertive or revisionist. within commentaries and studies of Chinese Arctic policies to paint the country’s interests there as https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3134261/arctic-not-south-china-sea

Should China worry more about the EU than the US?

• While Biden could be looking for a quick resolution to the US-China trade conflict, Brussels may be starting to get cold feet about closer ties with Beijing • The last thing the world needs is for trade between the three biggest economies to atrophy any further

Just when the world needs to pull together to beat the pandemic, trade tensions seem to be breaking out of friction between the US and China, but a souring of relations between the European Union and China. again. Surprisingly, it’s not a resumption With Joe Biden’s election as US president, there seems much better hope that Washington and Beijing can bury their differences and get the ball rolling again for improved trade relations. But, after seven years of careful negotiations, the EU has suddenly called a halt to ratifying the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment, which is aimed at boosting trade flows between Europe and China.

The impasse is being blamed on recent tit-for-tat sanctions by both countries. It’s bad timing for a world which is crying out for better multinational relations, faster bilateral trade flows and an early end to the pandemic-fuelled global economic crisis. It couldn’t have come at a worse time for global recovery. https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3134586/should-china-worry-more-about-eu-us

Asia’s COVID-19 surges should worry us all

• • People stand behind a lockdown barrier to ask for food donations after their village had been closed for more than two weeks as part of anti-COVID-19 measures near Phnom Penh on April 30. | REUTERS • BY CLARA FERREIRA MARQUES • BLOOMBERG • SHARE • May 24, 2021 Complacency, populism and poor infrastructure fueled a devastating second wave of COVID-19 in India, a disaster that has infected millions and wrought havoc well beyond its borders thanks to a new, more contagious variant. But none of those failings are unique to the country. So why are we not paying more attention to surges elsewhere in the neighborhood, in places no better equipped to contain a spike or track new mutations?

Alarm bells should be ringing across Southeast Asia. It’s bad enough in Thailand, Malaysia and even, to a more modest degree, Vietnam, all hitting record daily cases far worse than in earlier waves. Indonesia is edging toward 6,000 new daily infections, and the Philippines on Saturday announced over 6,800. It’s too early to know if that’s just a blip in a recent downward trend, or something more serious.

But a bigger concern should be the region’s poorer corners that, until now, had escaped the worst. Cambodia saw a surge so severe last month that leader Hun Sen said his country was “on the brink of death.” New infections have eased, but overall case numbers are now well over 24,000, from a 10th of that in early April.

Laos had a total of less than 50 cases at the start of April, but official figures are now at more than 1,700. In Myanmar, it’s hard to even know the extent of the spread, given testing virtually dried up after a military coup in February.

It’s all coming at a time when economies and households are weakened by the consequences of more than a year of virus restrictions, and few governments are eager to repeat 2020 lockdowns. Vaccine rollouts are slow and borders porous, with cases already turning up in China. Laos has roughly 5,000 kilometers, some 3,100 miles, of frontiers with five neighbors, and early cases in this wave involved people crossing the Mekong River from Thailand.

Then there are wealthier countries, like Singapore and Taiwan, that had been seen as havens for their success in controlling the virus and are now grappling with outbreaks and imposing tighter restrictions. Japan is an unmitigated COVID-19 mess, with a fresh wave of cases, one of the lowest vaccination rates among affluent nations, and a looming Olympic Games opposed by more than 80% of the population.

Asia isn’t alone. South American authorities are struggling with new waves and a worrying variant, this time coming out of Brazil, where a president who scoffs at the disease has left hospitals struggling. But it’s a striking example — and not the first in this pandemic — of how we keep repeating the same mistakes. Two clear lessons need to be taken on board. The first, simply, is that there’s no way of controlling the coronavirus without vaccines. It’s the reason parts of Europe and the United States are now seeing lower numbers and discussing summer holiday plans. Thailand, by contrast, wants to reopen the tourist island of Phuket but has fully vaccinated just over 1% of its population and is seeing prison outbreaks so severe it’s contemplating pardons.

A low vaccination rate left Taiwan exposed when cases broke through its defenses, and it’s a similar story in Singapore, where more citizens are immunized — just not enough of them. Both are now scrambling. The Lion City, forced to cancel high-profile events like the World Economic Forum, is rushing to give all adults a first shot by the end of August and will lengthen time between doses to cover more people.

That should be a warning to places where local cases are currently under control but vaccination rates remain anemic. Less than 12% of Hong Kong’s population has had both doses. Australia has moved at such a leisurely pace — “a marathon and not a sprint” — that enough doses have been given to cover just 7% of the population. Both should be doing far more to prepare.

And there’s a second, vital lesson from India, and indeed Brazil. That’s the cost to the wider world of allowing hotspots to develop unmonitored, with insufficient testing, tracking and genome -sequencing abilities, which allow health authorities to keep up with the evolution of the virus and act accordingly. Their absence leaves everyone flying blind.

Consider Myanmar, already one of the worst-hit and least-prepared countries in Southeast Asia, with threadbare hospitals and just 0.7 intensive care beds and 0.5 ventilators per 100,000 people. India, by comparison, had a little over two beds, and South Korea nearly 11. None of that was helped by the military takeover, and doctors and nurses have been at the forefront of civil disobedience. Testing has fallen to a daily average of fewer than 1,000 samples from a paltry 18,000 before the coup. There is little hope for mass vaccination.

Variants must be caught before they explode, and we can’t afford to overlook what’s happening now across the region. The double mutant variant seen in India was around in December, but progressed unchecked. More are bound to emerge at this phase of the pandemic. That means urgent outside support and attention. It isn’t, yet, all over. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2021/05/24/commentary/world-commentary/asias-covid-19- surges/

Japan, Myanmar and the illusion of a value- oriented foreign policy

• BY RAYMOND YAMAMOTO • CONTRIBUTING WRITER • SHARE • May 24, 2021 In August 2020, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stepped down as the longest-serving prime minister of Japan. Many analysts and scholars have argued that the legacy of his long tenure was pragmatism, his economic orientation and introducing values into Japan’s foreign policy.

Already in 2007, Abe defined Japanese foreign policy values in liberal terms, which included freedom, democracy, and respect for basic human rights. The importance of those liberal values has been continuously highlighted in the country’s foreign political guidelines, most recently the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision” (FOIP). The centrality of values is also apparent in the Official Development Cooperation (ODC) Charter revised in 2015.

Recently, Abe’s successor, Yoshihide Suga, confirmed the continuation of the value- oriented foreign policy Abe developed. But how did the value-oriented policy manifest in actual policies? The case of Myanmar is a good example to show that values have played only a marginal role in Japan’s foreign policy so far.

Japan has traditionally had good relations with Myanmar but distanced itself from the country during the period of martial law (1988-2011) to avoid international criticism. Bilateral relations were quickly resumed and expanded after the military junta introduced a constitutional government in 2011. Not only did Japan make Myanmar its leading recipient of aid, it also waived Myanmar’s debt of over ¥200 billion in 2013.

In alignment with the idea of a value oriented foreign policy, the Abe administration highlighted that Japan would provide “full-fledged support to the efforts of the government of Myanmar towards democratization, enhancement of the rule of law, economic reforms and national reconciliation.” The reality is that Japan under Abe had been focusing almost entirely on the economic aspect of its relation with Myanmar. A common justification for rapprochement in Japanese policy circles despite Myanmar’s already visible human rights violations under then-President Thein Sein, such as the ongoing discrimination against Muslims in the state of Rakhine, was that economic development eventually leads to democratization.

At the same time there are also important domestic factors that explain Japan’s behavior. Under Abe, ODC became an important tool to revitalize the Japanese economy that had been stagnating since the 1990s. It was not a coincidence that the aid to Myanmar was primarily coordinated by the Infrastructure Strategy Council, an advisory council formed by Abe in 2013 with the primary aim to triple the export of Japanese infrastructure sales to ¥30 trillion by 2020.

Next to improving Myanmar’s railway and telecommunication system, Japan was also involved in developing the Thilawa Special Economic Zone, a 2,400-hectare industrial park.

The robust economic growth of Myanmar and the potential benefits for the Japanese economy clearly relativized its initial clear position to actively strengthen the democratization process. According to the Fragile States Index, Myanmar has continuously ranked in the red category of high-risk countries, without any improvement since Japan strengthened its engagement there.

Japan never raised questions about the flawed Constitution that equipped the military in Myanmar with great power, and which, even after the political reforms, retained the right to veto any decision made in the parliament.

In addition, despite the violence committed against Muslims, in 2019, Abe officially hosted a visit of the Tatmadaw commander in chief, Senior-Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, one of those most responsible for the crimes committed in 2017.

On Feb. 1, 2021, Myanmar began to disintegrate into chaos after a coup d’etat. The coup followed the results of the election in November of the previous year, which weakened the position of the Union Solidarity and Development Party, the military’s proxy party. It is needless to say that Japan is not responsible for the coup. Yet, there is no doubt that the massive influx of Japanese investments paired with a lack of both human-rights considerations and monitoring of the political-process amplified Myanmar’s existing social conflicts and contributed to the consolidation of military-backed rule.

It is Gen. Hlaing, who Japan always maintained a friendly relation with, that is being held responsible for killing more than 800 civilians in the ongoing anti-coup protests.

Japan’s reluctance to firmly advocate values has only continued after the coup. On Feb. 24, following weeks of relative silence, Tokyo announced that it would stop any new OCD projects to Myanmar, giving the impression that it was taking firm action against the junta. By investing ¥189.3 billion ($1.7 billion) in 2019, Japan has, by far, been the largest ODC aid source for Myanmar within the OECD.

However, this view is rather misleading. Stopping new ODC projects came automatically into effect when the coup occurred, given that formal procedures of ODC project approval require an internationally recognized government on the recipient side.

In other words, as long as the military junta is not officially recognized, no new ODC projects could ever be implemented, even if Japan was willing to do so. It is also worth noting that Japan did not consider to suspend any ongoing projects at that time.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi highlighted that the country will “closely cooperate with like-minded countries such as the United States while playing (its) own role.” In practical terms, Tokyo has joined in on the condemnation by the international community but has been unwilling to respond with concrete actions against the military junta.

Japan is the only country in the group of seven that did not apply any sanctions. Interestingly, Japan does not even have a legislative foundation to apply sanctions based on human rights violations, a strong indication that it has been reluctant to abolish its noninterference principle, which has been central for its post-war policy.

While there is a considerable number of Japanese companies in Myanmar that could be negatively affected by deteriorating relations, there are also large amounts of loans provided to Myanmar through ODC and foreign direct investment.

A disruption of ongoing projects would undoubtedly cause problems in debt repayment. It was only after growing international pressure that Motegi began to acknowledge in late May that Japan may suspend all ongoing ODC projects with the remark that “We don’t want to do that at all … .”

The case of Myanmar shows clearly that Abe did not fundamentally change the pragmatic, economically-oriented foreign policy of Japan. It also unravels the fundamental intention of its so-called valued-oriented foreign policy that forms the foundation of initiatives such as FOIP, namely, that it was primarily created to distinguish itself from China.

With Japan’s economic recovery still enjoying the highest priority, there are not enough key decision-makers within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the government who are willing to seriously jeopardize this goal by making values a leading principle of the nation’s foreign policy.

The inclusion of values in Japan’s foreign policy strategy, starting with the Abe administration, prompted great expectations, especially from the U.S. and Europe. It remains to be seen how far Japan will go to promote liberal values when great economic gains are at stake, not only in Myanmar but also in other countries such as China, where human rights have been systematically violated. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2021/05/24/commentary/japan-commentary/japan-myanmar- value-oriented-foreign-policy/